9th Month Bumb & lots of Movement

 The day we found out we were expecting seems like a lifetime ago (what does it even feel like to not have a baby bump)!  It is crazy to think that any day now Matt & I will become parents.  The journey of pregnancy has been memorable but with our due date approaching quickly I can honestly say I'm ready for Baby Murray's arrival and to not be pregnant anymore.  Don't get me wrong my pregnancy has been an easy one and I don't mind the fact that my bump has slowed me down a bit (I continue to adjust/adapt as my body continues to change) but I'm ready for the next chapter in this adventure.  October 3rd will be here before we know it and I can only hope that you won't be getting a 10th  Month Bump picture and update!

Nesting: It is a REAL thing!  I've heard lots about nesting over the past nine months and I kept thinking to myself, if and when I am going to start nesting!?!?!  I thought that maybe with all the house back and forth I was too focused on that to even start nesting.  I was so wrong....  About a week ago I started nesting; suddenly having a clean refrigerator and car became TOP priorities.  I might not have any control over if/when we move but either way my house must be clean.  I've washed lots of baby clothes and started organizing for the little guy (thanks to the help of Matt of course).  The stroller, swing and bouncy seat have been put together and are now also awaiting the baby's arrival.  We have more to do around the house to prep but I feel much better knowing that we have everything we need on hand if the baby does come sooner rather then later.  Hospital bag is packed and the car seat has been professionally installed so, overall we are in good shape and ready to play the waiting game!

Bassinet Set up in our Room!

Baby News: Baby Murray is in position, head down, butt up and on the right side of my body!  His movements are stronger then ever and when he does move his knee kicks my left side fairly hard. Sleeping is sporadic, some nights are better then others. Overall, he is being good to me and I greatly appreciate that!

The baby is usually much more active at night but one day last week he was going to town!

Baby Murray has the hiccups; you can see the small consistent movements on the right side of my belly!

House News: We had the inspection on our LaGrange house last week.....it didn't go that great.  We have communicated with all parties involved that we are walking away unless the bank is willing to work us on price.  Now is not the time for major home improvements.... Either way we know Baby Murray's home is going to be our city condo for a bit!  And right now I am 100% ok with that; my main focus here on out is our little guy.

Boy, Oh Boy

This past weekend was ALL about Baby Boy Murray and the prep for his arrival!  Saturday Matt & I attended an all day birthing class at Hinsdale Hospital; they call this 9-5 class the marathon course.  Although long, Matt and I did find the class to be very informative and we really enjoyed the tour of the delivery wing & mom and me wing of the hospital (hello, they have free smoothies for the new parents and Eisenstein Bagels for breakfast YUM).  Out of the 8 other couples attending the class 6 were having boys and 2 were planning on being surprised (yikes, I hope there are some girls around baby Murray's age....or High School won't be any fun for him).  

While we were attending class Mom, Dad & Mia were busy prepping for our baby shower!  "Ready to Pop" was the theme and the house was transformed with and decked out in baby blue.  Mia order the cutest sign ever to hang out front of the house, Mom picked out adorable invites/thank you's (and was an amazing host) and Claudine did a fabulous job with the center pieces (baby blankets and baby toys, love).  Speaking of love....I can honestly say we are so lucky to be loved by so many!  On Sunday morning the Baldo House was filled with friends and family that love us and baby Murray so much.  We were showered with many fabulous gifts and I think we now can say we are ready for this baby!  A big THANK YOU to Mom, Dad and Mia for throwing a wonderful celebration to us, Aunt Rose, Pat & Chickie for baking, Claudine for the center pieces and everyone else that traveled near and far to join in the celebration.   We can't wait for baby Murray's arrival and to be able to share all this love with him!

On a side note I have to thank my cousin Michele for giving baby Murray a very special gift; a baby blanket made out of the trim of her bridesmaid dress she wore at our wedding.  I don't shed a tear often but this gift had me all choked up and just thinking about it makes me teary eyed.  Matt & I plan to snuggle up with baby Murray in this blanket often ~Thanks Michele for such a thoughtful gift!

                       

Baby News: I'm 34 weeks pregnant and still feeling great!  I can't believe we only have 6 more weeks (41 days) to go (although I have a feeling we are going to have a September baby...not an October one).  Baby's kicks keep getting more powerful and Matt & I enjoy watching him move around in my belly when we sit down to relax each night.  The next few weeks will be spent putting baby paraphernalia together and washing all his new clothes and blankets. Oh, and narrowing down baby names.  I don't want to be those people they won't let leave the hospital because they still haven't settled on a name.

House News: Well, we have been doing lots of running around for this house the last few weeks!  We keep encountering hiccups here and there (now the house is without a frig and washer/dryer) but we continue to stick it out.... For some reason I feel as though we are going to be signing loan documents and having a baby around the same time.  We keep talking about walking away and moving on but we both know what a great house we will have in the long run.  I just hope we are making all the right decisions and everything turns out in the long run.

Happy 1 Year Anniverary to Us!

Matt and Jenn Highlights from Turning Point Productions on Vimeo.

I've decided to use this post to strictly reminisce on one of the best days of my life; our wedding day.  I can't believe just a year ago today (August 20th) Matt and I said "I Do." We celebrated with our closest friends and family and it is a day I will never forget.  The past year has been amazing and VERY eventful and we are truly so blessed.  We have the most amazing people in our lives and are so thankful for each and everyone of them (words can't describe how fortunate we are)!

Champagne Toast with my Bridesmaids  

Rock Chalk Jayhawk...KU!

Mr. & Mrs. Murray 

Mia, Jenn, Matt Megan & Mike

 It was fate that brought us together back in April of 2008 but it has been friendship, love, compassion, patience and fun that has kept us together!  We have so much to look forward to as we embark on our next journey...parenthood.  I couldn't ask for a better husband and best friend; I can't wait to share our love with our son.   

 Happy Anniversary to us & to many many more to come! 

 

My Growing Belly....8 Month Bump!

It seems like our weekends have been packed with dinners/brunches with friends, baby classes etc.  Staying busy sure has helped time fly by for us (our due date is just 55 days away).  When Matt & I realized we had absolutely no plans last weekend we decided it would be a good weekend to get away.  Matt, Mia, Marc and I drove up to Lake Geneva to spend some time with Uncle Neal & Aunt Rose and enjoy some fun in the sun.  The weekend was filled with lots and lots of food, boating & many loud Italians in one room.  Matt was able to get in a golf game and kick some butt on the golf course; overall a great weekend.  A big THANKS to Uncle Neal and Aunt Rose for allowing us to spend the weekend with them!

The boys cooling off....

Jenn & Mia enjoying a boat ride!

Baby News: My belly really has grown; it was like I woke up one morning and I was VERY pregnant!  Besides some minor aches and pains caused by the baby's positioning I am still feeling great (and very thankful for that).  Baby's kicks have gotten stronger which has allowed others (besides Matt) to feel him kick.  We attended a baby basics class a couple of weeks ago (which covered swaddling, infant car seat safety & essentials we will need for baby Murray); we have a few more classes scheduled between now and the little guy's arrival in efforts to prepare us for our new addition.  We haven't started "nesting" yet but I have a feeling that will begin immediately after the baby shower takes place!  Sleeping is getting a bit more challenging; apparently I need the entire bed to get comfy along with LOTS of pillows.  Rumor has it I have almost pushed Matt off the bed on several occasions (sorry babe). Many have asked about baby Murray's name....to date we haven't decided on one; we do however have a running list and plan on going to the hospital with a few or our favorites.  As the due date approaches I wonder more and more about who the baby is going to look like & which one of us he will take after.  We are just so excited to meet him!

First Load of Baby Laundry completed!

 House News: We have been told we will know about the house in LaGrange by the end of the week; seeing that it is Thursday Matt and I are fairly certain we are playing the waiting game again.  We plan to hold out a bit longer but we just aren't sure how much longer.  No bites on our place yet so we are still in limbo (which I think I'm handling fairly well with everything else we have going on).

Family Traditions:

My family has been making trips down to Little Italy since I could remember; first stop Tufano's for their calamari, Tufano's salad and of course their eggplant parmesan or lemon chicken. Kim and Lou are bound to run into several people they know be it family or old friends; not to mention the owners are good family friends as well. During the summers our trip to Tufano's are always extra special because we get to make a second stop at Mario's Italian Lemonade for watermelon Italian ice and lupini beans.

Over the years my sister, my parents and I have shared this family tradition with others and when we are at a loss as to where to celebrate a birthday Tufano's it is!  That being said it didn't take me long to share the Tufano's experience with Matt and per usual when the weather gets nice Mario's is always a must.  Oh, and sometimes I drag Matt out of the house just to take the drive to Taylor Street for the Italian Ice and Lupini Beans (he is such a trooper).  Standing in line around the block on a hot summers night waiting for $2 Italian Ice (which Matt believes they should charge more for) and people watching has become a tradition in our household; and last night we shared this tradition with our good friends Sara & Joe!

Trips to Taylor Street will continue to be a family tradition; we are looking forward to sharing it with Baby Murray (by next summer he will be ready to try his first Italian Ice)!

Baby Bump Updated:  I'll be 30 weeks this week and for some reason I feel like this is a milestone! The little guy is all on my right side and he is sitting on my lungs (not fun).  I have good and bad nights as far as sleeping goes but I know that is just my body's way of preparing for the lack of sleep that is to come.

7 Month Bump!

 

84 more days till our due date (not that I'm counting)!  I have hit the third and final trimester and my excitement to meet baby Murray is off the charts.  Accompanied with the last trimester is the feeling of being  REALLY pregnant!  Workouts are becoming more difficult (aka I'm a lot weaker then I used to be) and my energy level is is a bit lower....not to mention I'm just moving more slowly these days (sorry Matt, I just can't keep up on our walks anymore).  Luckily, I am still feeling good and staying busy.


Although we still have no word on the house in LaGrange we have decided to move forward with "decorating" the nursery.  When I first found out we had a little one on the way I saw a picture of a nursery that I fell in love with.  I have been using it as an inspiration for Baby Murray's room; we have both the crib and glider ordered; good thing both take up to 12 weeks to get (maybe we will know where we will be living by then & where to have said furniture delivered).  I am sure no one is surprised but the main color of the nursery will be grey and accented in fun colors such as blue, orange, etc. I also plan on pulling different patterns and textures into the room.  I can't wait to see it all come together (and which house it will we setting up our inspiration in).

Fun Event this Summer:  A few weeks back the girls and I had Caroline's Kitchen Table come cook for us!  Caroline is a friend of a friend and she does Supper Club Events; she catered an amazing seasonal menu for us (Baby Murray kicked like crazy after eating the best dessert I have ever had) and picked up the ingredients from local farmer's markets and grocers.  It was such a fun night catching up with the girls enjoying fabulous eats.  A big thanks to Caroline for the meal and Melissa for hosting! Matt and I hope to host another Supper Club with friends after we get settled with our little man.

A Garden Kind of a Weekend!

Matt and I visited the Chicago Botanical Gardens last Saturday with Jean and Darrell!  We were all very thankful for the early start because by noon the gardens were packed.  The Chicago Botanical Gardens are a little piece of serenity just 20 minutes away from the city and I'm excited to share some pictures with you.   A big thanks to Jean and Darrell for picking such a wonderful place to spend a Saturday morning. 

We spent the remainder of the weekend getting all our ducks in a row; checking out gliders for the baby's room, shopping for the mom to be (I needed to add some maternity gear into my wardrobe) & of course cleaning and preparing the condo for its listing debut.  Our weekends have been filled with more work then play these days but we are hoping things slow up going forward and we can relax a bit and enjoy this wonderful Chicago weather!