27 weeks, Hiccups, and Braxton Hicks

Today marks 27 weeks of being pregnant, and only 13 more to go!

Baby Nash is about the size of a head of cauliflower - about 2 pounds and 14.5 inches long when stretched out. He/she is definitely a squirmy little one - and I love every second of it! Multiple times during the day I just have to stop my work and stare at my belly and watch the flip flops and somersaults that are taking place. And don't forget the hiccups - those are pretty fun too. Everything I read says they don't hurt the baby, which is definitely a good thing considering this little one gets them for multiple minutes at a time! Nash has *so far* been sleeping when I am sleeping which has been nice...it takes quite a few minutes for him/her to settle back down once we crawl back in bed after our multiple bathroom breaks in the middle of the night, but definitely no complaints. I'd much rather be feeling Nash squirm around than be worried about no movement. As far as sleep goes - I wish I was getting a little more of it! I blame the Phillies...they just need to win the world series again and maybe I can get to bed before 11 pm!

In other belly news:

• Braxton Hicks contractions are now a daily occurrence. Although they don't hurt, I literally feel like someone could bounce me off the floor like a basketball...my belly gets so hard for a few minutes and them softens up again.
• The belly button is hanging in there, but barely. I always had visions of being the pregnant chick whose belly button never became and "outtie". Umm..I'm pretty much giving up on that.
• No stretch marks as of yet - yay! Keeping my fingers crossed and keeping up the vitamin E and cocoa butter slathering.

This week Matt and I got confirmation that we are officially registered in our childbirth class that will begin November 19 and run four weeks (skipping Thanksgiving) for 90 minutes on Thursday evenings. We're taking the class through the clinic I go to and the classes will be at a different hospital than the one I will be delivering at. We will be getting a tour of our delivery hospital at a later date - one more thing to add to my ever growing to-do list. We also have a good idea of the pediatric group we want to use, I just need to call them and set up a time to talk to them. Matt and I have been discussing questions that "good parents" would ask a new pediatrician. I'm sure it won't be TOO obvious that this is our first baby!

One thing we have been able to cross of the to-do list is our registry...we are officially registered at Target and Babies R Us. We had a pretty good list of items/brands we wanted to register for before heading in, so for the most part it wasn't too bad. I can definitely understand the overwhelming feeling one could get if going in non-prepared....BRU has a "must have" registry suggestion that is absolutely absurd. Did you know that according to BRU, an infant child "must have" 4 separate strollers (travel system, umbrella, jogger, and lightweight!). Seriously, there can't be anyone who actually follows those guidelines.

Hopefully this weekend we'll be making more progress on the nursery...we still have some things we need to move out and shelves and such to hang on the wall. Of course we don't have our bedding basics (sheets, crib skirt, etc - on the registry) so we haven't "put together" the crib - but I can't wait to do so! To hold you over...here's a sneak peak to Nash's bedding that I can't wait to put out! The nursery walls are green, furniture is an espresso color, and we're accenting with oranges. LOVE it, and can't wait to cuddle with our little human in a few months!

Now, for the most exciting part of my week...the best deal EVER: $150 round trip airfare from Memphis to Fort Wayne! I will be flying home next Saturday and spending two and a half days with Jessi and Ty and Macy and Mya. I'll fly back early Tuesday morning and come straight to work. I am so excited to get home and be able to help out like the rest of my family has been so great about...spending this time with the teeniest, cutest, sweetest babies ever is definitely something I NEED to do. I realized this after multiple consecutive nights of tears at the computer looking at their pictures and listening to their little squeals and coos. Matt would agree, but he's holding down the fort with our Roscoe man here in Memphis. I am really blessed to be able to do this - being healthy enough to fly home and spend this time with them, having the flexibility and vacation time at work, and most importantly - a sweet husband who knows how much I miss my family and encouraged me to spend this time with them! In case you need another dose of sweetness...feast your eyes on these sweet peanuts:

Surprise!

So, Matthew is officially 30 years old as of October 15, 2009! He tells me that it's not so much the number 30 that makes him feel "old", it's the 'having a baby' deal that's making him feel old. :) We decided to celebrate his birthday one day early because the Phillies (who are now officially NLCS champs and on their way to the World Series) were playing on the 15th. We bought a nice bottle of wine and headed to a cute little Italian restaurant we've heard great things about - only to find out it went out of business! Off we went to try Marciano's, another Italian restaurant, where Matt had the best veal parmesan ever. Even I would go back for it, and veal parm is not something I would ever choose off the menu! Yum!

Meanwhile, I had Matt convinced we were going to do a steak dinner out in Germantown with friends on Saturday the 18th to celebrate his birthday. I would not consider myself a good secret keeper, but I was able to keep the surprise party I had planned for him an actual surprise! I was positive he was suspicious, considering I always plan at least something (happy hour or cornhole at the house) for his birthday. I spent Friday after work and Saturday morning while Matt was running 20 miles prepping for the party. Our friends Jen and Danny (Matt's marathon partner) were so sweet to let me host the party at their house - I really can't thank them enough! As we turned the corner into their cove, Matt realized someone was having a party because of all the cars - he just didnt' quite realize it was his party until he saw all of our friends standing outside with a "Happy 30th Murph" sign. I have to say, it was quite a good surprise and I think he had a great time - cornhole, High Life, an inflatable joust, and a designated driver - what more could a guy ask for on his 30th birthday? Below are some pictures post-surprise...unfortunately I wasn't able to get a shot of the actual surprise considering we were in the car.

Warming up before his joust debut.

Andrew and Murph...both completely sober, of course.

Petey and Murph...a little 3 am rock band once we got home.

Matthew's 30th 'Happy Birthday' serenade (please excuse my lovely voice!)

In all seriousness though, we had a great time and it was pretty great to get to spend such a fun night with friends. Thanks again to Jen and Danny for letting me fill their yard with toys and thanks to Lizzy for helping set up!

To my favorite and soon to be baby-daddy: Happy birthday! I love you and love celebrating special days with you...hopefully God blesses us with many more to share! xxoo!

25 weeks!

Yesterday marked the end of 25 weeks since this baby has been growing my belly. It's pretty nuts to think that there's only 15 weeks left of carrying Nash and being his/her sole source of nutrition and protection! And in those 15 weeks we have lots of fun things scheduled - Matt turns 30 next week, our friends Phil and Molly and cousins Jill and Mark are coming into town to spend a long weekend with us, a baby shower thrown by my sweet friends the following weekend, childbirth classes, Thanksgiving in Pennsylvania with Matt's family, a possible trip to Atlanta to visit friends (and get some baby goods from their sweet girls who have outgrown them!), Christmas in Indiana with my family (and loving on my sweet neices!), New Years in Memphis, my birthday in January, and then this kiddo will be here a few weeks after that! WHEW!

Nash is about the size of a rutabega at this point - 13 1/2 inches long and about 1 1/2 pounds. This week has probably been his/her most active for sure...early in the morning and late at night is when he/she is most active - although Nash was quite the dancer at the Lucero concert (free CD release party at the Shell in midtown - awesome) that we went to on Thursday night. He/she was kicking so hard, I had to pull Matt's hand over to my bump and let him get in on the action - it wasn't hard for him to feel it, that's for sure. The look on Matt's face was pretty priceless...love it!

Last Friday marked the end of 24 weeks, which is a pretty big week in the development of little Nash. At this point, if he/she would be viable with intensive care if something unfortunate were to happen and the baby had to be delivered.

25 weeks

Introducing...Sweet Baby Girls!

WARNING: picture overload!

Introducing...the latest additions to the Oatess family! Welcome to the world Mya JoLynn and Macy Ann!

Matt and I took last Thursday and Friday off and drove to Indiana to visit our new neices! Jessi and babies were in the hospital until Saturday afternoon - all are doing very well! Meeting Macy and Mya was one of the best moments ever, I can only imagine what it will be like to meet little Nash. And leaving my family - especially Jessi and the babies - to drive back to Memphis was one of the hardest things I've ever had to do! I've only cried 4 times today, I think...whew!

Below are some pictures, apologies for the overload...they're just too cute, I can't help but show them off! Enjoy!

Tyler, Jessi, Mya and Macy

Auntie Amy, Mya and Macy, and future cousin Nash (aka...bump)

Not many sweeter things than teeny sleepy babes.

Big yawn Mya!

Yummy baby burritos.

Papa Joey enjoying Macy's company with a pretty proud grin on his face.

Auntie Katy looks pretty happy!

Nana Kay and Macy. Baby booty...gotta love it!

The new, proud daddy

Teeny toes

Uncle Matt...practicing.

So little!

Mya, relaxing after filling her belly


Katy, Jessi and babies, Mom, Amy...celebrating the big homecoming!

No, no, we won't go...back to Memphis.

:(

Jessi and Tyler...what great parents you already are!

Happy Birthday Mya and Macy!

Super quick update...my nieces are here!

Mya JoLynn was born at 4:35 pm EST today weighing at 5 pounds and 8 ounces and 20 inches long. Her sister Macy Ann was born at 4:36 pm EST today weighting at 5 pounds and 1 ounce and 18 inches long. HAPPY BIRTHDAY to the cutest girls ever!

Jessi and Tyler could not be prouder, and Matt and I are excited to get on the road tomorrow to see them! Hopefully momma Jess can get some much deserved and needed rest this evening!

Way to go Jess - you carried these babies for over 36 weeks and hardly ever complained! You're going to be an awesome momma and Ty an awesome daddy!

I only have a few pictures on my phone but will post some as soon as I have them...they are so sweet! Ok, off to pack for our trip north!

22 weeks

It just keeps growing!

22 weeks

I definitely feel like I've grown faster in these past few weeks than my entire pregnancy so far. I have definitely seen numbers on the scale that I've never seen before! I realize that everyone gains weight at different rates and different times during their pregnancy, I just gained so little during the first trimester that I'm not used to seeing the numbers on the scale move at this pace!

At this point, baby is supposedly 11 inches long and weighs about 1 pound. Supposedly this little person is getting tooth buds beneath his/her gums this week and is working on developing all of the cute facial features we can't wait to see - lips, eyelids, eyebrows. Frank - the fruit of comparison this week is a spaghetti squash. I didn't know such a squash existed!

Sweet Nash is definitely making his/her prescence known this week...movement is much stronger and I'm feeling it at pretty much all times of the day if I sit still enough. Yesterday morning as I was cuddling with Roscoe before jumping in the shower, my arm happened to be resting on my belly in the perfect position so that when Nash decided that it was time to get up - I felt his/her little kick to my arm as if to say "Ok mom, time to get up and get moving!". Pretty sweet, that's for sure. I can't wait for them to be consistently strong so that Matt can start getting in on the fun!

In other news, our house is slowly being put back together after the paint job last week. Most things are back on the wall and finding a new home to make room for the influx of baby things that are sure to come our way. The nursery work has officially begun, as the first piece of furniture (rocker/glider) is in it's place! Now, I just need to convince Matt that we really should go pick up the crib and put it together this weekend!

Don't forget to keep baby sister Jessi in your thoughts and prayers in the next few weeks...she's getting close to her goal date of 37 weeks (October 4) with my sweet neices Mya JoLynn and Macy Ann. She's pretty exhausted, but I know she can keep them cooking for a few more weeks with everyone's well wishes. Matt and I are planning to head home to Indiana when the twins arrive - I can't wait to meet them, although I hope it's not for a few more weeks! If you want to keep tabs on Jessi, Tyler, and babies...feel free to visit her blog and leave her a note of encouragement!

New Paint Job - Sneak Peak!

Sneak peak for our family! Pictures were taken at night with all the lights on...the colors look even better in natural light. We're spending the night upstairs to let it keep drying...we'll be putting the house back together tomorrow night.

Bathroom

Nash's room

Kitchen...ignore all the stuff piled on the counter!

Living room.

Front bedroom

21 Weeks

I'm officially in the second half of my pregnancy...I feel like it was just yesterday we found out about our little one! Everyone assures me that the second half will go more slowly because of all the anticipation. At this point, I welcome that - I feel like there is still so much to do around here!

21 weeks

Matt will attest to the fact that I definitely feel like it's time to get moving on all the things we want to do around the house. The first big thing happening is a new paint job - not just for the baby's room, but for the entire downstairs. I'm pretty thrilled about having colors in the house - it will be a nice change from the lovely boring beige we've lived with for 3 years. Matt's mom helped us pick out colors...thank you Annie!

We'll be doing the main room (kitchen/living room/entry/stairwell) in a cool green color, Nash's room in a celery color, the bathroom in a bright blue, and the front bedroom in a warm blue/grey tone. The painters are coming on Tuesday, so the remainder of the weekend will be spent clearing off walls and shelves and moving all things away from the walls in preparation. We'll see how that plan fits into commercial breaks and halftime of all the good games on! Once the paint is in, we'll pick up the crib and dresser - I can't wait to see everything ready in the room. We're also in the process of shopping for a nice rocker/glider. And what's up with my urge to get a new oven/range and microwave after walking through Home Depot today. A bit over the top, I'm sure...

Back to baby news...this is the first week where I have definitely felt consistent movements courtesy of baby Nash. Only a few 'kicks', but lots of little flutters and flops. He/she definitely enjoyed my burrito from the Happy Mexican this afternoon! I'm anxious for Nash to start kicking hard enough for Matt to be able to feel it, although I'm sure that will still be a few weeks away.

Alright...off to start clearing off the walls and cleaning out closets. Or...watching football.

20 Week Ultrasound - Pics and Video

Little Nash was quite the entertainment last Friday when Matt and I went in for our 20 week ultrasound. We were the first appointment on Friday morning, so the tech got to spend a little extra time with us and gave us a sneak peak of baby Nash with the 4D ultrasound probe. She was really sweet and was sure to tell us everything she was looking at - except for the important parts that is! We were sure to tell her that we were NOT finding out the sex of the baby, and she was very good about not tempting us. I was so amazed watching Nash squirm around in my belly though, I really wasn't concentrating on girl or boy parts. Matt thinks she took a 'between the legs shot' but we obviously had no idea what the findings were!

It's really hard to describe the relief and thrill when the ultrasound tech tells you that all things look great with baby's development - 4 chambers in the heart, a full bladder and functioning kidneys, a full tummy, perfect looking lips and nose. I am so thankful that Nash is developing properly and that there are no concerns with his/her health at this point. Nash weighs about 9 ounces at this point, and his/her heartrate was 158. The tech was amazed that I'm not feeling consistent moving yet based on Nash's activity level. The looks on Matt's face as Nash was flopping around in my belly were pretty priceless...I'll sum it up for you in Matt's words: "Wow, wow, wow....wow, wow." :)

After the sonogram, we had a checkup with Dr. Crenshaw. He walked in the room with a big "Congratulations! It's a..." as he pointed to my chart. Of course he was kidding, as he knows we're not finding out the sex, but I'm glad they took my blood pressure BEFORE his little stunt. The office visits at this point are pretty routine - urine sample, weight check, BP check, see if we have any questions. I was sure to ask him about the swine flu vaccine which I will be getting as soon as they're in. He was sure to tell us that I also need the normal flu vaccine - and so does Matt. Our next appointment is in 4 weeks - October 2. That is close to Mya and Macy's "goal date" of 37 weeks in utero, so we may have to move that appointment - but it will be for good reason!

Ok, ok...on to the pictures and video. They are all posted here...Nash was so squirmy the tech didn't think she got very good pictures for us, but we're obviously biased and think they're sweet AND perfect. Enjoy!

Nash's profile

Umm...is this not the sweetest little foot you've ever seen?

Opening his mouth for us...saying hi.

Nash was so squirmy, this is the best shot we have of his/her little face.

Spine

Nash Video - part 1
Be patient...he/she is more active towards the end of this video.

Nash Video - part 2

All Things Philadelphia

This past weekend Matt and I flew to Philadelphia for our last wedding of the season (can I get a woo woo!?!). Our friends Bobby and Jaime, who both went to Temple Law with Matt, were getting married. We took the opportunity to stay with Matt's brother Mark for the weekend - thank you Mark! It was so good to get to see him, and the free lodging was quite nice as well. I definitely didn't last to the wee hours of the morning catching up with Matt and Mark, but the laughter (and the empty wine box on the counter the next morning) told me they had a good time.

Here is a pic of Bobby and Jamie walking down the aisle as Mr. and Mrs. Bobby serves in the Marines and was in full uniform for the occasion. What a great looking couple!

Matt and I at the wedding reception.

On Sunday after the wedding, we were able to attend a Phillies game at Citizens Bank ballpark. Bobby had graciously organized a massive amount of tickets and a tailgate for his friends who were in town for the wedding. The game was originally planned for the afternoon, and got moved to the night game...which meant instead of flying out at 8 pm on Sunday evening, we were up bright and early on Monday morning flying out at 6 am!

Bobby and Matt* tailgating.

*Matt had this shirt made to "inform" our friends that I was expecting a baby. The shirt is quite funny when we're standing next to each other - not quite the same effect with Bobby in the picture. Don't you just love his sense of humor!?!

Bobby, Matt, myself, and Jamie after the Phillies won.

I am starting to get extremely excited about hanging out with little Nash this upcoming Friday for our 20 week ultrasound. My appointment is at 8:30 am and then I'll see Dr. Crenshaw afterwards. I am really lucky that Matt is able to take the time to come with me, it really means a lot that he can be there. I'm looking forward to seeing how much he/she has grown! I'm pretty much strictly in maternity clothes now...I can still fit into some of my stretchy summer skirts - but that's pushing it! Below is a pic of the belly at 19 weeks...definitely growing!

19 weeks