2 Months and lots of chit chat

Mason has hit the 2 month mark and his personality is shining through more then ever!  We are extremely thankful that he no longer has his days and nights mixed up.  He sleeps from about 11pm to 7:30am and usually takes one long nap during the day.  He does fight his day naps tooth and nail; I think he is afraid he is going to miss something.  While awake Mason LOVES to play!  He likes when we read books to him, talk to him, watch TV and stick out our tongues (which he loves to do in return).  He is almost 14 pounds so he clearly is a hungry hippo; I'm very thankful that he is coming a more efficient eater and those hour longer feedings are few and far between.


Mason is talking up a storm these days, when awake you better be paying attention to him and talking because he is ready to talk back:

Mason and Mommy adventures: I can honestly say I'm in love with our new house!  I couldn't be happier with the move; it has really allowed Mason and I to get out and about a bit more (thanks to a driveway).  Here are just some of the adventures we have taken!

Trip to the grocery store, Mason was a trooper!  However, I found it difficult to shop since there is hardly room for groceries.

Debut at Special T; we made a surprise trip to visit Grandpa at work!  Grandpa was mostly excited about showing Mason his first golf club.  Pretty sure Mace Man is ready to hit some balls.

 We also attended the Santa brunch at Ruth Lake and Mason took his first pictures with Santa!  We took some family pictures and Mason also took a picture with Santa and his girlfriend Anna.

Merry Christmas from the Murray Family!

Love, 

Jenn, Matt & Mason

Home Sweet Home

While I was in labor Matt put an offer on a house; I say Matt because as he was asking me what the offer should be I was breathing through contractions (I had to tell him this was going to be his decision).  Now, I saw the house twice before he put the offer in.  I was nearing a week past my due date but I knew when I walked in the house that it could be our home. It had a good vibe and I instantly pictured us entertaining in the space and was thinking about what room would be the nursery.  As we were leaving the hospital and getting ready to bring Mason home with us we were still getting calls about the house and working on landing on a price the seller and us could agree on.  Luck was in the air and all the stars lined up;  we got the house for a great price and the inspector said all the craftsmanship on this gut rehab was done impeccably! 

On November 26th we closed on the house, with a bottle of champagne in hand Matt and I opened the door to our new home! One that we picked out together, the place where we are going to raise Mason and grow together as a family.  We couldn't be more excited about our house and all the amazing memories we are going to have here.  

Matt and I become suburbanites on December 3rd! A special thanks to Aunt Cathy & Aunt Cheryl for helping us clean pre-move (it was a huge help).  Thanks to my mom, dad and sister who helped us tremendously throughout this process and who continue to do so.  Thanks to Uncle Carmen for helping Matt with getting a car and moving some boxes from my parents.  Last but not least thanks to the Greenes for all the help with the move and unpacking.  Without all the extra hands Matt and I would still be living in a house full of boxes and surrounded by chaos! Don't get me wrong we still have plenty of boxes to unpack and plenty to do but we made lots of headway with all the extra help.   

We can't wait to host our first party in 2013!

Much to be Thankful for

Mason celebrated his first Thanksgiving and the Murray family has so much to be thankful for this year!  My parents hosted Thanksgiving, mom cooked up a storm and Dad spent Thanksgiving day frying Turkeys (six of them to be exact).  My in-laws came into town to celebrate Mason's first Thanksgiving and Uncle Mike had the pleasure of meeting Mason for the first time.  I was hopeful that Mason would be exhausted after a day of guests and being passed around but our little party animal loved every minute of it (and no, it didn't help him sleep better at night).

                                   

                            

                                                                                    

The Murray's Are Thankful for....

- Our sweet baby Mason & all the joy he has brought to our lives

- Our new house in the burbs

- Matt's new job (just down the street from our new house)

- Our wonderful family who have offered lots of help & support during all our life changes

- Each other, I'm lucky to have such an amazing partner, husband & best friend

                                                 

So Big...Happy One Month Birthday!

 Mason has officially hit the 1 month mark! 

He now weights 10 pounds 11oz and is 22.5 inches 

 It is shocking to me how much he has changed over this past month; smiling is no longer a sleepy reflex...he actually looks at us and smiles (heart melting really).  We are catching on to his cues and learning what he likes and doesn't like, for such a small guy he sure knows how to communicate with us.  While Mason was in the womb I spent most of my drives home from work listening to the Mat Kearney station on Pandora; one ear bud in my ear and the other on my belly (I also had the same station on in the hospital while I was laboring).  He must have grown a liking to the music on this station because when he is fussy it calms him down.  I now put on the station often; for drives to the burbs, for walks around our neighborhood & to dance around with him.  Mason is in love with Sophie the Giraffe, as a mom to be I did not register for this toy, however my mom friends were fully aware of the magic of this toy and we have received a couple of them (thank god, pretty sure we need one for every room in the house).  He also likes his time in the swing and bouncy chair, which allows Matt & I some time each day with our arms free.  Mason does not like tummy time, hats and waiting any period of time to eat when he is hungry.  

                                        

Just when the Murray family was starting to get into the swing of things Mason caught a cold (from Matt)!  I quickly learned how to use the nose aspirator (yes, the one from the hospital is WAY better then the one from the store, thanks to my mom friends for that piece of advise) and tending to a much more fussy Mason. The cold turned into blocked tear ducts and during this time we noticed blood in his stool.  So, last week all normalcy was thrown out the door and I started to worry consistently   This did not help in the sleep department for me, I felt like I was up all hours of the day and night trying to comfort him or worrying myself sick. Thankfully the cold is gone but we now have to massage his tears ducts every time we change his diaper, this will help unblock them....hopefully!  As far as the blood in the poop the doctor is thinking it may be a milk allergy.  We have had to switch to soy formula (smelly) and I have had to cut dairy out of my diet, at least while we continue to breastfeed.  Mason of course is doing wonderfully through all this it is, we however are drained.  Again, a huge thanks to my parents!  We stayed with them for a couple of nights to be closer to the doctor's office and to have extra set of hands.  This past week really made us realize our move to the suburbs can't come soon enough.  Not only are my parents going to be close by but it is easier to do everything in the burbs.  As an added bonus, most of our friends with children live out there.  We can't wait to have our friends over for pizza & beer on Saturdays nights.  

Almost a month old....

It is hard to believe that are little one is going to be a month on Saturday! I don't know if I remember life without Mason.  We are very lucky, Mason is such a good baby his fussy days are even bearable. He truly has brought joy to all of our lives; we are blessed.

 Mason's Adventures: Poor little guy got his tongue clipped two weeks ago; honestly I think it was harder for me to watch then for him to get done (a big thanks to my mom for coming with me).  All the different opinions from the "experts" make it difficult to pull the trigger and do anything these day.  I'm sorry to say that all the conflicting opinions made me wait two weeks before having the procedure done.  He is fully healed now and more importantly he can move his tongue around (and we won't have to stress out about any future speech issues). Mason has made several trips from the city to the burbs to hang out with my parents; luckily he loves the car and falls asleep within minutes.  He even got a sneak peak of our new house in Western Springs.  He has met several family members and friends and has received a plethora of gifts; everyone has been beyond generous.  A huge THANKS to everyone that has brought over food or a special gift for Mason.  He is going to be the best dressed baby on the block....

 

Murray Family Mayhem is right!  Since I went into labor things have been crazy and so many changes have come our way.  We are very excited about our move to the burbs but getting the new house ready and unpacking with a new born is going to take some time.  Matt also accepted a new job and will be starting the Monday after we move (December 3rd).  Good news is that the house is like a 5 minute drive from his new office but... since the he won't be taking the train to work any longer we are in the market for a new car.  All these changes are good things and with the help/support of family and friends I'm sure all the new transitions will be a breeze! Now, if I can get used to keeping our current house clean and remember to take time to brush my teeth in the morning I will be in good shape...

Bringing Home Baby

We left the hospital last Friday (10.12.12) with a LOT more stuff then we got there with; plus Mason of course.  We spent our first night at "home" with my parents because Mason was jaundice and we needed to head back to the hospital the following morning (along with Sunday as well).  We are happy to share that after two trips to the hospital Mason was cleared without further concern.  Mason's first week of life has been eventful; he went to his first pediatricians appointment, took our first sponge bath (with the help of Daddy & Aunt Mia), been to an ear/nose/throat specialist (the little guy is a bit tongue tied) and made lots of pit stops along the along the way!  We also had some visitors to the house during our first week so Mason got to meet a couple of our friends.  Oh, and Matt bought us a house; so the Murray's are moving to the burbs at the end of next month (truly never a dull moment).

I can honestly say we are adjusting to parenthood well; I know I have enjoyed my time with Mason and look forward to all that is to come (he is already growing up so fast)!

We've learned a lot this past week:

- be sure to put a diaper on tight and be sure to aim his privates down (can't tell you how many outfit changes we went through before figuring this out)
- Motherly instinct trumps most of the "dos and don't" we have received
- how to work the stroller
- it takes a good hour to leave the house
- every time we leave the house we come back with way more stuff then what we left with
- sleep when baby sleeps (if you can)
- ask for help when needed
-it takes buddy about an hour to eat & he eats every 2-3 hours (you do the math)

Our Bundle of Joy!

Mason Louis Murray

10/10/2012 @ 1:25am

8 lbs 1 oz

Matt and I are beyond thrilled to announce the arrival of our son Mason.  Both baby and mom are doing great (mom is lacking sleep and baby is a eating/pooping machine all wonderful signs of a happy and healthy new family).  Here are a few pictures to hold you over till we have time to post full details.  

Love,

Matt, Jenn & Mason

10 Month Bump!

In case you never realized this before a women is really pregnant for 10 months!  Although I thought I wouldn't be one of those women who made it to her due date; it looks like this mom to be is going to go past her due date (seeing as it is 9:30pm on 10/3/12).  I had my 40 week appointment today which included a non-stress test on Baby Murray.  During this 15 minute test they monitored the baby's heart rate along with my contractions and how the little guy reacted to those contractions and his own movements.  Clearly, Baby Murray passed with flying and there was no need to take me to the hospital to induce.  I only had one contraction during the test (which the doctor had to tell me I had) so that being said I could go into labor at any given moment or he is going to stay comfy where he is until October 10th (which is the date we are scheduled to go in and be induced).  

While we have ALL been anxiously awaiting Baby Murray's arrival Matt and I have both celebrated our birthdays!  Last week Matt & I hit up one of our favorite spots Mrs. Murphy and Sons Irish Bistro to celebrate his birthday and this week we checked out Wild Monk in La Grange for my birthday.  We have tried our best to spend most of our time in the burbs since that is where we are having the baby.  I stopped working on September 21st (I'm starting to wonder if I should have tried to work a bit longer) so my days have been filled with lunch with friends and afternoons walking around Oakbrook with Mom. I've stayed fairly busy and to be honest I've been so tired that taking it easy has been perfect.  

Jenn's 31st Birthday

Matt and I are keeping our fingers crossed that the babe comes out before I have to be induced!  We are so excited to share our love with the newest addition to the family and become parents.  We look forward to updating you with baby news soon and with pictures of our little man.

Aunt Mia bought Baby Murray Top Siders, just like his dad's 

Baby Watch...

This week marks 38 weeks and 15 days till my due date!  Thanks to family & friends the time is flying by; not to mention I'm still working full time.  Between prepping the house for Baby Murray on the weekends (which has included cleaning the inside of the wash machine, the oven and dishwasher) and spending time with friends and family has really kept us busy while we await our little man's arrival.  Not to sound like a broken record but we are truly lucky to have such wonderful people in our lives; all the invites out & offers of a helping hand makes us feel very loved; and have not gone unnoticed!  

Mia (the best sister in the world) treated me to a night out at Bottle and Bottega in Lincoln Park.  She made our reservations to the BYOB painting class and picked up a dinner spread for us to share before hand....along with some sparkling apple cider.  I've always known Mia could paint but was totally unaware of my talent.  My masterpiece now hangs in our kitchen and Matt is wondering what else I can paint!  It was a PERFECT night out and I'm really glad Mia and I were able to do some sisterly bonding before Baby Murray arrives.

Alison, one of my sorority sisters and best friends was in town with her husband for the Bruce Springsteen concert.  Luckily, we were able to spend an afternoon together and catch up...  We walked around Armitage and Halsted, drank virgin bloody Mary's and browsed baby and maternity boutiques in the area.  Our activities & conversations this visit were unlike any visit in the past and it was wonderful to spend the day with another expecting mother.  Congrats to the Smiths on expecting their first baby in February 2013! I'm just sad we don't live closer to each other....

Jenn & Fetter Baby Bumps 

Last night the girls and I grabbed dinner which we entitled the last supper!  We hit up a new hot spot on Southport and caught up; big thanks to Bridget, Meredith, Kathryn, Melissa & Mia for everything.  Can't wait to introduce you all to our newest addition to the family upon his arrival.    

Baby News:  Baby Murray is still kicking up a storm and Matt & I are getting more and more excited about his arrival.  We have our bags packed for the hospital, so ready or not we are going to be parents in a matter of a couple of weeks.  My prediction....the baby is coming sometime next week!  Yikes.....