New obsessions!

Our Nespresso machine! I've been debating on taking the plunge and investing in one of these bad boys for awhile.  I've had a gift card burning a hole in my pocket for awhile as well but I had so many questions about this machine.  After getting some friend referrals and watching some youtube informational videos I was ready to invest.  We ended up going with the Citiz but honestly if you like lattes or cappuccinos I don't think you can go wrong.  We have had the machine for about 2 weeks and I have only ventured to Starbucks twice since.  Matt has even jumped on the fancy coffee bandwagon and enjoys a cup before work each morning.  I've order several different capsules so far and we have liked all of them.  If you like coffee and tend to head to Starbucks as much as I do (like everyday) this is so the machine for you.  As a bonus the caffeine levels are reasonable and work well with my pregnancy limits.  This is going to come in handy when baby girl arrives in the middle of winter and getting out of the house won't be easy.  I will be able to enjoy a nice latte without longing, plotting and planning on how to get to the nearest bux.  Still needed Starbucks vanilla syrup and we will be the new coffee shop in town.

Warby Parker, ok I will admit I haven't actually received the glass I have ordered but they will be here very soon and I can't wait!  I wear prescription glasses to drive be it day or night so I have totally put off getting new glasses....for like 5 years.  This is in part due to the price and in part why fix it if its not broke.  Well, last week Mason was climbing around my car and my glasses broke.  I called both Costco and LensCrafters to see what their pricing was like; while they both were very reasonable as far as an eye exam goes (Costco saving us a few dollars) the cost of lenses and frames add up quickly (again Costco being more cost effective).  I have read blogs about Warby Parker in the past but was concerned about the turn around time and the fact I wouldn't be able to take advantage of their Home Try on Program.  Either way I was able to do some trying on via their virtual try on center and ended up choosing these.  Orders take about 10 days from start to finish, however my order was completed on Friday and the glasses are expected to arrive today (Wednesday).  Long story short, if you are need of a new pair of glasses or sunglasses check out Warby Parker you can't beat the price!

On the hunt for: a new diaper bag that is suitable for two kiddos and isn't too pricey and the perfect pair of sorel boots for this winter (I can't seem to decide).  Suggestions welcome!

TGIF {Just Rockin' Out}

I look forward to the weekends; even as a stay at home mom!  It is nice to have Matt around and to do things as a family.  This morning Matt was at home with us and our new Nespresso Machine arrived (extra bonuses all around).  We don't have anything special planned for Matt's extra time off but hanging out together and maybe getting some "to dos" accomplished would make for a great weekend.

Mason made our morning with some rockin' out in the car this morning while doing some errands.  I hope this put a smile on your face like it did ours.  

{Click Here to See Video if you can't see it}

TGIF to you and your loved ones!

Weekend Recap {Visit to Kansas}

View from our hotel on a gloomy day

After days of debating if I should get on a flight to Kansas after my little hospital visit; I packed my bags and decided to go!  Seeing my college friends, visiting Lawrence and celebrating Alpha Chi Omega Phi Chapter's Centennial Celebration was just something I couldn't pass up. I am so happy I was able to spend 48 hours with some of my best friends.  We are in different places then we were 10 years ago but we easily picked up right where we left off.  I love the friends I made during my college years at the Alpha Chi house; there really is something to say about the bond of sorority sisters. Thanks to everyone who took time away from their husbands and kiddos to spend time with me!  It was a pleasure meeting/seeing many of my friends' kids and homes; it was an added bonus to our trip.

The 90's Decade Reunion: Phi Chapter Pledge Class of '99

Friday Night: We decided to stay in Lawrence for the night!  Walking around Mass Street brought back so many memories.  We stayed at The Oread, a new fancy addition to the college campus.  Our pledge class reunion was located at the bar in our hotel which was nice but didn't stop us from checking out some of our favorite drinking hot spots.  We did a "mini" pub crawl which mainly included taking pictures outside said bars.  We did get some good looks as we walked in a decade older then everyone else and two pregnant ladies in tow.  Friday night was filled with so many laughs and lots of reminiscing.

Visiting a couple old hang outs!

Saturday Morning: We headed to the AX house for house tours and pictures!  It is hard to believe how much the house has changed yet stayed the same.  We all enjoyed the house tours and visiting our old rooms but saddened that the sleeping dorms no longer exist.

House Tours

Just in case our our girls become AX's:
although Mary doesn't know if it is a boy or girl.

Saturday Night: We all gathered at Rye for dinner! It is truly amazing how different our lives are but how close we still seem.  We caught up on all things babies/kids and really just enjoyed each other's company. It is hard to put into words how much these girls mean to mean. I am so so glad I decided to go to Kansas and spend the weekend catching up with old friends and remembering all the fun times we had in the past. We were young and crazy once upon a time. Now we are all grown up; moms, wives and much much more!

Dinner with everyone to end a great trip

24 weeks {6 month bump}

I am just going to jump right in! This pregnancy hasn't been easy on me. With Mason I enjoyed my pregnancy to the fullest and felt good. The total opposite is true this time around. I often wonder if it's because I spend my days caring for a toddler (way different then sitting at my desk at work). Or is it because I am carrying so differently and having a girl. I know the only really logical answer is that every pregnancy is different and this time around is unlike my last.

Today marks the 6 month mark; my due date seems so far away. However, with birthday season, Thanksgiving and Christmas I know the time will fly. Today also marks a week out of the hospital. Last Friday, Matt and I were headed to Kohler Wisconsin for a wedding and 45 minutes into the trip I made him turn around and head to the doctor. Turning around was the right call because the pain only got worse and I ended up spending 48 hours in the hospital hooked up with an IV as a result of kidney stones (more painful then giving birth, just trust me on this).  Apparently, kidney stones with pregnancy is common and could continue on and off till I give birth.  Solution, tons and tons of water.  Fingers crossed this will keep hospital and kidney stone free till baby girl makes her appearance.  Even with a drama filled pregnancy it is important me for to state that we are so excited about having a new baby in the house and we feel so blessed and lucky to be having another child.

24 week stats:
- Size of an cantaloupe
- I feel baby kick but mainly when I put my feet up at the end of the day (the doctor says she is moving like crazy)
- I have an anterior placenta (placenta in front baby in back) which might be why her movements are more subtle
-Matt has had the pleasure of feeling the baby a few times
- up until our visit to the hospital I have been going to a Dailey Method Class 1-2 times a week
-Cravings, can't resist anything sweet
- we made our first nursery purchase   (Rugs USA has great sales, if you are in need of a rug)
- we think this will be our paint color of choice, a subtle pink if you will
- My 6th mouth Bump with Mase

Nighty Night

Bed time has always held a special place in my heart as a mother! Bedtime looks different from our nursing and rocking days but there is still something so special about this time with my son. Lately, bedtime has become an even more precious time knowing months from now my hands might be full with an infant (Matt will then have the  honor of putting Mason too bed). My very favorite part is sitting in the rocking chair post books and just snuggling. Many times our snuggles turn into belly laughs and I find myself wanting to snuggle more instead of placing him in the crib. There is just something so peaceful about this time with Mason. These days I step outside the situation and feel so full; Mason on my lap, baby in my belly. Change is heading our way but for now I cherish bedtime with my first born. 

J & M: 3rd Anniversary!

J & M 3rd Anniversary Video 

(visit the blog if you can't view)

To my husband on our 3rd anniversary- I look back on our wedding day fondly. It was by far one of the best days of my life. I'm pretty sure I never stopped smiling that day even when it rained (more like poured). While I reflect on the last three years one word comes to mind: busy!  We have since had a baby, moved to the burbs, you started a new job, started school, sold my condo, put yours on the market and are now expecting a precious baby girl. Wow!!! Maybe busy is an understatement.  I am not sure we could have packed much more in. Regardless of what is going on and what life decision we are making at the time my favorite part of it all is I have the best partner to share these adventures with. We make such a great team and I'm always impressed on how well we handle what comes our way. I love you and can't wait to see what the next year has in store for us. 

Love,

Jenn

Gender Reveal #2

                                

We had so much fun during our first gender reveal party we thought we had to do it again! I called up my good friends at Pops by Kristina to see what we could do this time around; and quickly decided on cupcakes filled with either pink or blue frosting. We sent out email invites, picked up some blue and pink party essentials and waited till August 6th for my ultrasound. Baby Murray #2 was extremely cooperative during the measurement process (unlike Mason who the tech called stubborn) until it was time to determine the sex of the baby. After some time the tech wrote the sex in a envelope and sealed it up saying she was 95% certain she was correct. Whoa whoa whoa, we are having a party based on what's in that envelope not to mention decorating a nursery around it. I went back in the waiting room waiting for the doctor portion of the appointment and the tech came back out.  She said she wanted to take another peak...just to see if she could get a better look. Long story short the sealed envelope wasn't unsealed until I dropped it off at the baker. 

As Saturday got closer my excitement for the reveal grew stronger. We kept it simple with pizza and salad and hung outside with our guests and the ever growing kiddos running around. After we all rushed through our dinners it was time for Mason to eat the first cupcake and reveal the gender of his sibling.  

Gender be revealed we are having a girl (totally had a hunch we were)! Matt was absolutely thrilled, all our guests cheered and Mason thought we were celebrating him. A big old yay!!!  Here are some pictures of the big reveal. A big thanks to those who came and celebrated with us.                                                                      

Yay, its a girl!

       

                

               

Auntie Mimi and Marc

Oh and I'm 20 weeks! That means I'm 1/2 there. The hardest part about being pregnant this time around (besides chasing after Mason) is that there isn't much unknown and I am fully aware that I'm just going to get bigger, slower and more uncomfortable. I find myself cherishing my time with Mason (snuggling him a bit more at night) and feeling blessed about our healthy growing baby girl in my belly.  I started feeling some flutters right after I hit 19 weeks and I was happy when the doctor announced the baby was moving around a lot in there.  I'm looking forward to sharing baby kicks with Matt and Mason as the baby grows and the flutters become stronger.   It is hard to remember what's it's like to have a baby in the house and it will be all new to us with a girl this time around. We plan on taking the next 4 months to prepare ourselves and our house for the changes in store for us.

1/2 way there|Size of an banana