Miniature baby (week 23)

This week was a really low key, relaxed week which was much needed. We just worked and watched March Madness. Not bad at all :) Never did make it into the nursery...so the pictures and fan are not yet up. However, we did her that the valance is done now too so we will put all of that up this week...or soon anyway :) We got a TON more clothes from the Sleeman's (woo hoo!) so this baby boy is set!

As for me...I am still feeling great. Had my first Braxton Hicks contraction this week which was crazy. We are officially in our sixth month - just insane. I am starting to get the little aches and pains, but overall am very blessed. And really, kankles don't look so bad on me ;)

The little man is officially right around (or just over) one pound! No fruit this week, as he now looks like a miniature doll. I really can't wait to see him. Crazy to think we have a real baby in there now - not a little shrimp or pear :) He is still quite the kicker (especially when it is time for mom to sleep) and loves to say hello to daddy :)

Our next appointment was moved up from mid-April to April 7th...so we will do our glucose test a little earlier. Better get all the cookies in now - just in case they get taken away :) Now for more March Madness...love lazy Sunday's!

Love,

The Bales

Spaghetti Squash!!! (22 weeks)

This week was again, a busy one :) We had our appointment on Wednesday and everything is right on track. The baby is right where he should be and had a heart rate of 150 - which is great. Next appointment we will do the glucose test to see if I have gestational diabetes, so we will report more on that when we know. In other news, my mom has been busy getting things done for the nursery!!! We have had her make "custom" moon and star fan blades as well as the prints for the wall you see below. CAN'T WAIT to see how it all turns out :) So thanks mom! Also, we signed up for our labor classes...those will be in May. I know Nick can't wait ;) Ohhhhh - and today is Cooper's 5th birthday...so happy birthday to him!

I am doing well - feeling SUPER pregnant this week. The baby has really popped which is making it feel very real. We had a full Saturday - gym, clean the house, go to the mall, go to a concert, etc - and I am paying for it today. Hard to remember you can't do everything when you are lugging around a baby :)

This week our little man is the length of a spaghetti squash and weighs almost a pound! He now has teeth buds in his gums and eyes are fully formed but his iris' are not yet a color. He is growing like a weed and moving a lot. Which we like :)

We are going to take it easy this week and try to get a couple more things done in the nursery. Also going to finish our baby registry...seems like we just did all of this ;) Happy first day of Spring!

Love,

The Bales

PS - GOOOO Kentucky!!! (since Kansas sucks :)

Baby Boy Banana (week 21)

This week was a busy one...we found out he was a boy and had lots going on! We ended up getting our changing table early so it is now set up in the nursery. The Sleeman's gave us a tub of little boy clothes (think you again!) so we are set for the first few months of his little life! So awesome! Other than that, we were just going going going...so this weekend has been a nice low key couple of days. We have our next dr appt this week on Wednesday, so we will hear about the ultra sound results and make sure everything is good.

The little man is the length of a banana this week! His tongue is fully developed and his cartilage is turning into bones. I think those kicks I feel all the time are going to get a bit harder :)

I am feeling good still - I can feel the baby moving around A LOT which is great and lets me know that everything is okay. This week is also when you can start to feel Braxton Hicks contractions so I will be looking out for those. Other than that, I am just trying to stay active and get some sort of work out in when I can.

That is really all I have to report...more next week :)

Love,
The Bales

It's a....boy :) (week 20)

What a crazy week...and it is only Tuesday!!! :) Monday we got our new appliances and finished the nursery (for the most part). I love all of it...the new appliances are awesome and the nursery looks so cute. Now we get to add all the fun stuff - still waiting on the changing table though. Should be here March 22nd...

As for the baby this week - HE is the size of a small cantaloupe and weighs 13 ounces! We got to see all the fingers and toes and found out he is healthy as can be :) We also found out he is a he...SO fun! I had that feeling all along - but nice to have it confirmed. We had a family BBQ to tell the family and celebrate. We asked them all to come wearing the color they thought the baby was and they were all such good sports. Team blue won gummy bears since that has been my craving :)

I am doing great - so happy to have reached the half way mark. Feeling good and ready for the next 20 weeks to fly by...I want to meet my son! :)

Other than all of that (what else is there?!) we are just working away at getting ready for this baby! SOO excited and look forward to our dr appt next week...on St. Patty's Day :)

Love,

The Bales Clan

ONE WEEK! :)

I had to put up this post mid-week...we found out today that the quad test results are NEGATIVE!!! YAY! Healthy baby :) Such a relief...!

So, they scheduled us for the ultrasound at Newberg hospital on Tuesday the 9th :) I AM SO EXCITED!

Just had to share/get it on the blog! You will hear boy or girl from us shortly :)

The Bales

One more week....(week 19)

Well we are one week away from being half way through the pregnancy...so crazy! This has just flown by so I hope these next 20 weeks go a little slower. We still have so much to do! :) This weekend we got the nursery painted and I love how it turned out...very baby yellow :) Nick thinks it looks like Burgerville spread...haha. So now we are getting new carpet and then we will set it all up...so fun! I am so able to see our little one in there :)

I am still doing well...although I have had headaches for the last several days and haven't felt as well as I have the past couple weeks. I am hoping this all goes away soon so I can get back to feeling great. I went through all my clothes this weekend and put away all the "pre-pregnancy" clothes in the attic. Can't wait until the day I get to tell Nick, "Honey, bring down the skinny clothes!" :) Until then, it is focus on being healthy and gaining weight...

The baby this week is the size of a large heirloom tomato...the arms and legs are now proportionate to the rest of the body. The baby's brain is designating areas for the five senses; sight, touch, smell, taste and sound. In fact, the baby can now hear Nick and my vice so we will have to stop singing :) Poor little thing already knows he/she won't be a signer :)

So this week we should get our quad-test results and be able to set up the ultrasound for next week!!!! I will most likely not blog until we know what it is...so Maria, know it will be a couple days late :) Until then...

Love,

The Bales

Large baked potato (week 18)

One week closer to knowing what we are having - so exciting! We had the doctor appointment last Wednesday and we had our quad-screen test...so we should have results in two weeks. I hope everything is negative, but they warned us these have a high percentage of false-positive results. So, either way we get to know the sex of the baby in 3 weeks, but may have to go to a prenatal specialist for the ultra sound so they can see if there really is anything wrong. If all is good though, then we get to just go to the hospital and have the technician there do the ultra sound. Lots to worry about and the baby is only 18 weeks made! :) We also got to hear the heartbeat again...still going strong! The kicking and moving has become more consistent...the baby seems to love cold and sugar :) Two things I seem to have a lot of! The doctor said all looks good and he will see us in a month - on St. Patrick's Day :) I think that has to mean we are having a redhead...right?!

Well...I OFFICIALLY am showing now. No doubt about it...strangers comment and ask about the baby...it is fun/weird. I also already have the habit of touching my tummy all the time...so that might help them pick up on the preggers thing :) I can't help it...not used to that belly! I have a lot of energy back which is AWESOME! We did some major yard and house work this past weekend. Next weekend it is paint time...fun fun :) We also purchased our chair for the nursery this weekend...so fun!Great deal and it will be perfect...hopefully.

The baby this week is the size of a large baked potato...which is so cute to me for some reason. I think of Mr. Potato Head :) At this point, if it is a boy his genitals are in place and totally visible. If it is a girl, she has her uterus and fallopian tubes in place. So crazy...

So until then...we await the results of the tests and setting up THE BIG ultra sound appointment :) Can't wait to know!!!!

Love,
The Bales