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.....

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!