35 weeks, nursery, and my new stove!

35 weeks today...wow! Baby Nash is the size of a honeydew and he/she is definitely running out of room! At my Dr. appointment this morning, I was measuring one week ahead and had lost one pound. My blood pressure was good (after laying on my left side for 30 minutes...it was high the first time they took it), I'm only a fingertip dilated, so I was "officially" cleared to make the drive to Indiana this afternoon! We're packing the car as we speak (and the carseat too, no worries - just in case!).

35 weeks

This week Matt and I put up some wall decals in the nursery...we've been debating about it putting them up, but we're really happy with the way they turned out. The pictures below are just the one above the crib, we have a few more we pay on the other walls since they turned out so well.

And more exciting news this week...my Christmas surprise:

A new stove!

I walked in the house on Wednesday evening to find this shiny new stove and couldn't have been more excited. Getting rid of our old inefficient, paint peeling, 3 burner stove - priceless. So excited to get back from Christmas and start using it! We "agreed" to not exchange gifts this year (as in years past), and I actually obeyed the rule - and Matthew broke it. I'm pretty thrilled with his purchase though, I must say. Thanks baby - you're the best!

Alright...off to load up. This guy is thrilled about the ride in the car and all the playtime with Louie and Xena once we get to Indiana...not to mention all the spoiling by Papa Joey!

Merry Christmas everyone!
xxoo!

26.2 in 3:40:40!

Last weekend was the big race...the Rocket City Marathon in Huntsville, Alabama. We took half the day off last Friday and drove down with our friends Jen and Danny (Danny is Matt's running partner) and Danny's brother Tim (who is training to qualify for Boston at the marathon in Phoenix, AZ in January). They got registered for the race, we found some food, and checked into our hotel for an early night.

Bright eyed at 6:30 on Saturday morning, the boys were up and at 'em - pinning numbers on, checking the weather religiously for any sign of rain, and getting a quick breakfast in before race start. Jen and I dropped the boys off at the starting line...BRR! 39 degree start. I was cold and I had a coat, hat, scarf, and gloves on!

Matt bundled up in the car ride to the starting line

Danny, Matt, and Tim before race start

Jen and I then plotted out our day on the course, trying to meet and cheer on the boys as many places as we could. We ended up being able to catch them at mile markers 1.5, 7, 13, 16, 21, 24, and the finish line. I'd say that's pretty productive! We were happy to do so, and thankfully the rain held off - for our sake and for all of the runners!

Jen, demonstrating what we did for the next 4 hours - clap and cheer

Mile 7 - smiles!

Mile 13...still smiling!

Mile 16...hill ahead, smiles now reduced to "oh crap she's taking my picture" half smiles

Matt @ Mile 24 - so close to finishing!

We were able to catch the finish on a quick video...their goal time was to finish under 4 hours, and they crushed that goal by about 20 minutes and finished in 3:40:40. After wrapping themselves in foil and getting some much needed hydration and snacks, we headed back to the hotel for showers, packed up, grabbed some food on the way out of town, and began to drive back as the rain started. Thank God for keeping the rain away - really a blessing!

26.2 in 3:40:40

26.2 - check!

Matt, Danny, and Tim in all of their aluminum glory!

All in all, a great weekend...we had a great time, but I'm pretty sure the boys are ready for a few weekends without a crazy long Saturday run. A few lazy hours on the couch WITH Matt sound quite in order in the upcoming weeks - especially since they may be few and far between after mid January!

Thanks to all of you who were thinking and praying for Matt (and the weather!) last weekend as he ran the marathon...much appreciated!

33 weeks - A growing belly and a mini photo session

Last Friday was 33 weeks. 33 weeks sounds like a really long time, doesn't it? Let me tell you, these have been the fastest 33 weeks ever! I can't believe we'll be meeting little Nash in about 7 weeks! We are definitely very ready and very not ready at the same time. The 'peek a boo' belly shot below was taken by our friend Liz...more to come on that later!

33 weeks

Frank - your grandson/daughter is projected to be the size of a pineapple! About 4 pounds and 17 inches long...pretty hard to believe he/she is growing so quickly. Along with the growing baby comes a growing belly! I may have gained a pound or so since my last appointment, but I can definitely tell that my fingers and toes are starting to take on some water. My wedding band and engagement ring (which are now super shiny thanks to Uncle Pat!) are wearable for a few hours, but definitely get tight quickly. I have put the shiny, real ones away until after Nash arrives and am now sporting a lovely CZ I scored at Kohls for $4. Other belly news is pretty minimal...

• Nash is starting to get a bit crowded, I can tell that he/she has less room to move around. I am now getting more flips and flops than jabs and punches. Definitely doing kick counts every morning though to be sure.
• I'm having quite a few Braxton Hicks contractions during the day, and I can definitely tell a difference when I force myself to drink more water. They usually calm down once I get home for the day and make myself relax.
• Stretch marks - no
• The big line down my belly - no
• Heartburn - ohmygoodness yes (Sorry Frank - I probably should've refilled the bottle in the kitchen before we left!)
• Pediatrician - yes! We met with a pediatrician that came highly rec commended to us and really liked her (and her northeastern attitude!). Not to mention her resume includes Johns Hopkins undergrad, Albert Einstein Medical School, and Yale residency.
• Baby laundry - working on it!

My next appointment with Dr. Crenshaw is this Wednesday afternoon, so I should have an update on little Nash after that!

We have two more childbirth preparation classes to go. Last week we watched our first video, which I believe was quite shocking for the men in the room. Let me just say I'm thankful to see it once - but there will definitely be no mirror involved and my sweet Matthew will be right next to my head when the time comes. This week's class will be focused on pain management (drugs and breathing techniques) and the last week will be focused on breastfeeding and infant care.

On Sunday, our good friend Liz came over take some photographs of Matt and I (and belly) together. She has a fancy camera (we do too, but have no clue how to use it yet!) and her photos always turn out great! We are so happy that she was able to do this for us and I think we got some pretty good shots out of the mini session. Thanks Liz! Below are some of my favorites.

Thanksgiving and a PA Baby Shower

Matt and I spent Thanksgiving in Pennsylvania this year and completely stuffed ourselves as usual (I did try to be on my best behavior!). It was great to get to spend so much time with the Murphy crew (and the Koch etc. crew), and I think Matt was actually able to visit with most of the friends he had hoped to catch up with.

We flew into Newark the Wednesday before Thanksgiving where Frank and Annie picked us up (Thanks! We realize it was a long, late night!). Matt then ran from Pottsville to his cousin Jane's on Thanksgiving day. He made it safely through all the hills and winds and turns, and for that I was VERY thankful! We had a great time at Jane and Brian's - lots of sweet kiddos, one cuddly puppy, enormous amounts of cheese, Guesstures, and so much laughter I'm surprised Nash isn't with us today!

On Saturday after Thanksgiving, Annie was back at it again throwing me a baby shower at her home. The house was quickly filled with friends and family who brought the sweetest and cutest gifts - Matt and I are so lucky to have so many people willing to help us prepare for Nash's arrival (although I'm not sold on the fact that this kiddo needs a pinball machine on his/her birthday...). It was really a great chance for us to get to see so many people we haven't seen since our wedding. Mark had our new camera in hand and was taking some shots for us, so some of those are posted here. Annie - I can't thank you enough for such a great afternoon...the food was great and so was the company. Your home looked amazing (as always) and your gifts so generous. Thank you!

Guests and the lovely hostess!

More guests

Jill - our note taker for the day

A year in clothes from Annie - what a cute idea! Outfits for every age/season...love it!

A gift for me! Cuddly robe and slipper set from Julie.

Teeny PSU socks.

Mrs. Miller winning the prize...by cutting the string that closely matched the circumference of my belly!

Our evening on the couch "watching football".