The Most Wonderful Time of Year

The last three years Matt and I began a holiday tradition of seeing TSO (Trans-Siberian Orchestra) each year at the RBC Center in Raleigh. For us, it officially signifies the start of the Christmas celebrating season. The music is so powerful and moving and really does get you into the spirit of what this time of year is all about.

This year we put up a beautiful big tree in our house with ornaments both old and new, white lights, and additional red and silver ornaments to make it look extra Christmasy. We have been in our house for over 11 months now (January 17th is one year if you can believe it!!), but it was really nice to be able to celebrate and decorate in our home this year. We both remember this time last year when we were itching to get into our house and out of our apartment. We weren't able to put up a tree because the whole place was filled with packed boxes and there was barely room to even walk as we were merely weeks away from moving. Now here we are weeks away from the birth of our baby boy!

This Christmas was bittersweet for us. We had a wonderful time celebrating this beautiful time of year, however it was a bit emotional. All I could think about is that it was my last time with my parents and brother, last time at their house, last Christmas, last time traveling, etc before becoming a mommy. Next time they see me, I will have baby Tanner in my arms. I will be a daughter, sister and also a mom. Life will be different. I will be forever changed. Our responsibilities will be much greater. Our priorities will shift making sure that Tanner has all the love, support, guidance and care that he needs and more. Next Christmas Santa will be back in our lives, Tanner will be 11 months old, and new Traditions will begin.

Now please don't take any of this as being negative in any way. Matt and I could not be more thrilled about his arrival. I personally cannot wait to meet the little man. To think that I have been pregnant 8 out of the 12 months of 2007... I'm ready for him to be here already! We are so excited about the new addition to our family. I am lucky, because I will be the woman of the house! Matt, Brewster, Hogan, Tanner and the wife/mommy (me!!!)! I'm not gonna lie, I will be LOVING LIFE! 2008 is going to be an amazing New Year filled with so many memories, lots and lots of pictures, so much love, many new experiences, laughter, fun and happiness! Jealous?!

POSITIVE is the Word of the Day

Why is it that people feel the need to tell you everything that is negative while you are pregnant? Especially the further along you get. Why does it seem that everyones "Birth Story" is more like a Horror story??!! Please stop telling me I will go past my due date (I know the facts and figures people - 36% before due date - 4% on due date - and 60% deliver after their due date), or that I'm gonna have a big baby (I am measuring on schedule, I have gained the appropriate amount of weight, and he is the right size for where I am at in my pregnancy) or {one more thing on that note} DO NOT look at me and say that I look like I'm going to have a pretty good size baby because I can only take that to mean one thing! Also, don't tell me that I might have twins because one could always be hiding (um... NO, we have had more ultrasounds than most do and the Doc shows us where all of Tanner's body parts are just by feeling my stomach, plus I'd be much much bigger right now), or when people feel the need to tell me how I won't sleep at all when he gets here (hey, well guess what, contrary to popular belief I actually will get more sleep because I have gotten zero the last couple of months... so bring him on and I will sleep whenever he chooses to {which WILL be MUCH more than what I get now, I promise you that}. But, I mean really, obviously one would know prior to being pregnant that the first 6-8 weeks or so after the baby is born may be a little tough... does that mean you shouldn't get pregnant?!) DUH, no it doesn't, so just shush about the small challenges we will face once he is born.

If this sounds like a long rant and rave... well, it is and I apologize. This last month is just kicking my butt and I need all the positiveness in my life that I can get. So maybe I will go past my due date, so maybe my baby will be ginormous or have a big head.. that's okay, lets just send out positive vibes for now in hopes that I have the best labor and delivery imaginable with the outcome of one very healthy and happy baby.

New Poll

PS... the due date is February 5th. For those of you guessing two weeks after the due date.. I would never wish that on you - so please make your thoughts more positive for my sake. Thank you in advance! :)

One Special Day.

Sunday was a day that I will never forget. Many of my favorite people in my life and many who I don’t get to see half as often as I would like to came to the shower that my best friend Michelle gave me. It was so very special to me to have friends from all area’s and periods of my life surround me in one day. Old friends, new friends, friends who traveled quite some way to be there … If my calculations are right, total travel time to the shower for all who made it was over 15 hours. Shana, obviously being the winner of the “who traveled the furthest” contest, as she came in from Savannah, GA. What a friend, is all I can say!

Michelle is one of those people who I know will always be in my life. Her and I met a bit over three years ago and she truly is my best friend and all that you could ever ask for in a friend. She has more on her plate right now than probably anyone I know, yet insisted on having a shower for me and baby Tanner. She works full time in the hospitality industry and is also a full time wife and mother of three. (3.5 month old twins and a four year old) How does she do it all? I have NO idea!! I am very thankful to have someone like her in my life.

The shower started off with having everyone decorate burp clothes and bibs for Tanner. Who needs bibs from Baby Gap and Pottery Barn Kids when you have my friends?!? These bibs were amazingly creative and super cute. Michelle also had everyone cut a piece of string to try to guess the size of my belly… let me just say, everyone must think I’m HUGE! Everyone completely overestimated, haha, but it was all in good fun. It was then time to indulge ourselves in the elaborate spread of food that Michelle prepared. She had two of my favorites… carved turkey and a big bowl of delicious fresh fruit. There were also phyllo shells filled with chicken salad, a wide variety of cheese spreads, various munchies and baby blue punch.

I have hit the point in my pregnancy when I am HOT all the time. I seriously think I was sweating the entire time of opening gifts… I would like to think it was only because I was overwhelmed with everyones generosity, but I think Tanner was hungry and decided to roast marshmallows or start a campfire in my belly like he’s been doing everyday for the last two weeks. Anyhow, Tanner and I were showered with lots of amazing gifts. Fun gifts, cute gifts, gifts from the heart, gifts of love, baby must haves….

Here are some of the things he received: Super cute outfits, magazine subscription, baby entertainment toys, rattles, teething rings, bottle nipples, bottles, spoons, pacifiers, hangers, Pottery Barn changing table pad and covers, bathtub organizer, bibs, books, towels, socks, soft and cozy PJ’s, baby’s “first” containers (ie: first curl, first tooth), closet shelving, babys “first” hand and foot prints frame, diaper depot, DIAPERS (!!), Target gift card, and on and on. There are two things I do have to mention that really touched my heart. Some people really do put so much time and effort into gift giving. Their thoughtfulness is overwhelming. Matt’s mom had already made me cry once at the first shower with a tear jerking poem accompanying two outfits that were made for Matt when he was born from his paternal grandmother and maternal great grandmother. At this shower, I opened a box with what looked to be like a brand new cozy blanket. It turns out that it was Matt’s when he was a little boy. How cool that Tanner will be able to have his Daddy’s blanket! Also, one of our dearest and best friends, Jenn, gave us the most beautifully arranged basket of goodies. The thing that stood out the most in the basket was a gift certificate from her for home cooked meals, once a week for four weeks. I honestly can't think of anything more thoughtful.

After this weekend, I have once again realized how blessed I am in my life. Thank you to all who were able to make it on Sunday. And for those who weren't, I completely understand because this is a crazy time of year for all! Thank you to my wonderful friend Michelle for putting the whole thing together - you are the best!!

Two Down & Two to Go!

This weekend we headed to Greenville for the shower my mom was throwing for us. We had family and friends traveling to this shower from 3-5 hours away and it was very special to us that they all were able to make it. Many of my cousins and mom's sisters came, along with some family friends and two of my best friends from high school. Matt even decided that he wanted to attend this shower. :)

My mom never just throws a party or has a catering event, she always goes all out.. and boy did she! It was beautiful! The colors of everything from the balloons to the linen to the cake was baby (not Carolina) blue and brown. All else was Pooh Bear themed. The food was out of this world! There were homemade chicken salad croissants, whipped yogurt and fruit trifle, homemade potato salad, stuffed tortellini and we can't forget the chocolate and coconut cake!!

Baby Tanner received some great gifts at this shower that will last a lifetime. My parents announced that they were starting an education fund for Tanner that they will make the first contribution to. Some of our families best friends, the Heroys, came up with this idea and that is also what they wanted for him to have. Tanner also got many many memorable books that Matt and I remember from our childhood. He also got: a travel booster seat, bundle me for infant car seat, baby Bjorn, the letters T-A-N-N-E-R from Pottery Barn for above his crib, soft and cozy blanket and hat from Pottery Barn, gift certificates to Babies R Us, Johnson's baby supplies, 3 in 1 sit and store tub side seat, bibs, a calendar for baby's firsts, very cute clothes (even one outfit that could be for his Christening) and a memory box for his dresser.

This weekend was wonderful! I only wish we had more time to spend with each and every person at the shower. Many of the people there we don't get to see very often. They all hold a very special place in our hearts and we are so very thankful for them being able to be there. Thank you Mom for hosting a wonderful party! I appreciate all the detail and time you put into it, especially with it being the busiest time of year for you. Love you!

Its Getting Real!!

This past weekend I had my first baby shower (of four!!). Can I just say that baby Tanner racked up! Christmas came early for him and he is not even here yet! My wonderful mother-in-law (Meme) threw me the first shower in Charlotte. I truly am blessed to have someone like her in my life, she is just amazing. The shower had a Noah’s Ark theme, which I absolutely love! I had always said if we had a boy that is how I would decorate the nursery… hope I don’t regret choosing another theme instead! She had delicious food catered from “Toast”, a local restaurant in Huntersville with things like prosciutto wrapped asparagus, mini spinach quiche, sesame chicken skewers and fruit medley skewers. Grandma Slater also sent down some wonderful goodies…Buckeyes (chocolate, peanut butter, and rice krispies!! YUM!) and white chocolate dyed blue and molded into booties, bottles and diaper pins. Meme also had games arranged such as bingo, a nursery rhyme game, and guess how big the pregnant lady is with a string.

It was so touching that so many people were able to come despite the shower being held the day after Thanksgiving when most are traveling and spending quality time with their families. I won’t name any names, (haha) but it took some people over three hours to get there even though it should have only taken them one. :) (Mom, please ask dad for a GPS for Christmas, please. Or maybe make sure there is a map in your car before you are about to venture into the unknown. Just kidding.) :) I have to say one of the things that touched my heart most was Matt’s Aunt Debbie and Uncle Paul driving all the way down from Ohio Friday morning (getting up at 3am!!!) to be at the shower. It was so special to me and I will never forget that.

Tanner got so many of the millions of things that he (we) need!! Many of the gifts were from our registry which is awesome, because obviously those are the things that we need the most. Some of the things he got were: Pack-n-play, swing and bounce swing, stroller and infant carrier, rainforest jumperoo, rainforest melodies and lights deluxe gym, baby monitor, snug glider swing frame, floppy seat, boppy, thermometer, hamper, soft and cozy blankets, a handmade ABC123 quilt, newborn tub, toys, bottles, books, outfits and onesies, bibs, beautifully filled baskets, some NC State gear, and baby’s first piggy bank. The list goes on and on, but I was certainly overwhelmed! I also can’t forget to mention my sweet sweet husband’s sneaky surprise. First, let me start by saying when we arrived at the Murphy’s on Thanksgiving day there was already a table filled with gifts of all the people who were unable to attend. Little did I know that in that mix was a special surprise from my Mattie! So on with the story… I was about half way through with opening gifts and I opened up the next card…without even reading the words I was like, wait a minute, I know this handwriting, so I flipped the card over to see who signed it and sure enough it was my husband. I started to read it and literally got through the first three or four words and had to put it down… I was in tears. He is the sweetest man alive. So I came back to his card and gift at the very end but still was unable to read the card at that point… I did however open the gift and it was the exact diaper bag that I wanted! (An Amy Michelle designer baby bag) I guess he was listening! It is brown on the outside with periwinkle blue lining. Usually, it is hard to surprise me, because I am not typically fond of surprises and like to know what is going on at all times. But, this was one of the nicest surprises ever. If you’re wondering, I was able to finally read the card! :)

Friday was a great time that I will not soon forget and now I have three more showers to come that have a lot to live up to! Thank you so much Mom/Meme Murphy for everything!

PS - our house is now full to the brim! We're not quite sure where it all is going to go.. SO - when you come visit, please excuse the mess because I certainly don't see it getting any better! Thank you in advance for your understanding! :)

Now Playing: Tanner Murphy in 3D

As of today we are down to just over 2 months or 10 weeks or 69 days or 1656 hours .... do you think we are ready for this baby to arrive? Tanner has been doing his thing (kicking, swimming, growing) and we have been working hard getting ready for him. All the furniture has (finally) arrived and his room is painted a nice "sonic sky" blue. Once everything is decorated and in order we will post nursery pictures. In addition to the nursery prep, we have been attending classes at WakeMed Cary Hospital that have covered everything from labor and delivery to new parent time management to breastfeeding. Needless to say we are learning some things that we had never expected to know (tar poo in the first diapers!).

Enough with the boring stuff though. Today, we got to experience some of the advances in technology with a 4D/3D ultrasound. We went this morning with our fingers crossed that baby Tanner would be in a cooperative mood for his first photos. Well, he wasn't! He was sleeping and he kept putting his hands over his face. But, we did get some good pics out of it. Our first reaction is that he looks completely like his daddy, but we'll let you be the judge:

Here is a short video of him while sleeping:

Finally! ... I know!

So, I can't even tell you how many long distance friends and family members have requested pictures of my belly or baby bump (whatever you prefer to call it). I know you don't get to see me often so photos help you stay better connected, but I have just not felt like snapping pictures of myself. Truthfully, I usually love taking pictures. Gotta preserve those memories people! (quick -what movie is that from??) But, when pregnancy has made your hair and skin go to the crapper and your belly is stretching by the minute, it doesn't really put you in the mood for photo opps. I had not given in until this weekend.

Two of our best friends got married this weekend, so of course the photos kept on coming. (And let me take a moment to say that Jenn and Matt could not have looked more happy.. the wedding was gorgeous ... and the bride was absolutely stunning!!) For those of you who don't have facebook or myspace (where the pics are already posted), you can see me here at 27 weeks pregnant. I got this outfit one week ago and when I wore it this weekend I already felt like I was about to pop out of the top! Better wear it a couple of times this week to get my moneys worth!! And that's another topic worth discussing at some point ... maternity clothes are ridiculously expensive!!

Please note that one of our friends (MARIA) made me pose this way... really, she forced me to take the pic. :) So please thank her. I've also included another photo from this weekend of the happiest couple in the world!

Happy Two Year Anniversary: October 22

It is so hard to believe just how fast time flies by. Two years ago, we were married. One year ago we were building a house that became our home in January of this year. And now, we are counting down to our baby's due date! Once you start counting the weeks as we have been the last seven months, I sware it makes time go by even faster. (if that's possible!)

Matt and I have been so blessed in love and in life and were lucky enough to meet one another six years ago. With each passing moment we are more and more happy! We know how lucky we are to have one another and will never take that for granted. I used to think the term "soul mates" was only used for TV and movies. Matt is my soul mate. We truly are each others everything and I don't know where I'd be without him. He is the best guy in the world and my best friend. I love him so very much and can not wait to experience having our first little one together!

AND THE WINNER IS ...

TANNER MICHAEL MURPHY

Getting Ready for Baby Murphy - Part 1

Long time no blog! As this first real fall weather rolled it really sank in that summer is definitely over and we only have 16 weeks until Kristy's due date. With the holidays fast approaching, we have been trying to get everything done we can before both start to get busy.

One thing that we (meaning me) never really considered was finding a pediatrician this early. However, at WakeMed you must be registered no later than 25 weeks. To be registered you must have a pediatrician. With this new task and some recommendations from friends, Kristy and I headed to a "Pre-Natal Orientation" at a pedatrician's office in Cary. One funny anectdote is our encounter with the women who will be always referred to as "The Notebook Lady." All of the attendees were parents-to-be (Kristy and I were by far the shortest along which either makes us obsessive or really good parents-to-be, my vote is for the later) with the exception of one lady who had three kids between the ages of 3 and 10. Keep in mind that this was a "Pre-Natal Orientation" and the purpose was to inform pregnant couples on procedures post delivery. Well Mrs. Notebook dominated the conversation asking questions about everything that would not pertain to us (or our baby) before 2010. Her act went from annoying to comical when she began to lecture all of the parents-to-be on the proper way to document illnesses and any health abnormalities that her children experience. She told us about her three notebooks (one for each child) that she writes everything down in. How many times did Johnny throw up after eating that extra bowl of Dora the Explorer SpaghettiO's? What was the color of Suzie's snot the last time she had a cold? Now, this is actually a really good idea so you have vital information like vaccinations in one spot, but her delivery was so over the top that she came off as whack-o. In her defense she was new to the area and looking for a new pediatrician, but that could have been done with a meeting with the nurse coordinator at another time. In the end, the trip was very good and we are pleased enough with the office staff and proximity to our house to at least use them for the first few visits after Baby Boy Murphy comes home in February and maybe by then we will be the new Mr. and Mrs. Notebook.

Nursery Furniture

CERIANA LIFESTYLE CONCORD MAPLE

Ok, so we can now also check nursery room furniture off of our list. Baby Boy Murphys wonderful grandparents MeMe & Pop Murphy purchased the crib today! How thankful are we!! :) So we also went out today and got the dresser chest and changing table to match. Everything is coming together slowly but surely!

What's in a Name?

So.. we find out its a boy... now we can pick a name. Have we? NO! Did we realize that it would be this hard? NO! I know that we are really over analyzing, but a name is very important. A person's name is the first impression you get of a person before you even meet them. Does it have a good nickname that would go along with it, could kids make fun of their name, is it a good kid name as well as adult name, will we like this name FOREVER, will he like his name ... over analyzing? YES!

We bought this book that surveys thousands of people and asks them what comes to mind when you hear each name, who do you think of, what do they look like, what traits do they possess. So its a baby naming book, not with the names meaning, but what people think of when they hear that name. It is right on with a lot of people... very interesting. So do you grow into what people characterize your name as? For example:

Kristy: Chatty, but can also be catty. People describe her as a talkative and perky blond who seems friendly at first; however, she's most likely conceited and manipulative. She's pictured as tall and thin, and she may be a cheerleader.
Kristina (real name): Knows when to cut loose and when to buckle down. In social situations she's seen as a flirtatious gal who's funny, talkative and loud. But in work situations, she's calm, goal oriented, and cooperative. People depict Kristina as a cutie with dimples.

Matt: Seen in many different ways. Most people say he's softhearted, considerate, and cheery. Some think he may be a liar and a cheat. Physically, Matt is thought to be quite attractive with nice eyes.
Matthew (real name): It's hard not to like Matthew. He's described as a caring and friendly guy who's tall and fit. He's a quick learner and has a quick wit, which makes him popular. He's also thought to be trustworthy and honest.

We already had a name picked out before we bought this book... needless to say, it is no longer his name. We originally chose Cameron. The first line of what the book says about Cameron is: "He has flair." We read no further. We didn't particularly care for that or want that to be what our son is or will be or has. According to my husband we need a manly name that is related to being athletic .... It also has to qualify as being a good quarterback name too. Well Of Course!

So we are still plugging away at picking out names ... still hasn't happened yet, but it will. We promise to let everyone know as soon as we have chosen. If you have any name suggestions, pass them along. We will have to check with the book first though ... to see if it qualifies for the next round.

Nursery Theme

NURSERY THEME PICKED!! (Click on photo to enlarge)

Turtle Bay by CoCaLo: Calm blue sea as far as you can see… Your little aquanaut will love diving into bed with playful turtles and star fish. This delightful Turtle Baby collection by CoCaLo features a combination of vivid colors in various shades of blue and green and textured fabrics including chenille, terry, sherpa, seersucker, woven checks, polka dots and stripes. The lightweight quilt and accessories feature textured sea life appliqués and embroidery. The quilt is framed with a multi-color stripe flange and embellished with soft chenille cording and delicate rick-rack trim.

Its a BOY!!

HE is no longer an IT! YAY! :) Time to start shopping, decorating, picking out names and all the fun stuff that goes along with it!

Wives Tales: Fact or Fiction

Let me first start by saying that both Matt and myself do not place any truth to these ... because they are what they are ... TALES! They are just rumors that have passed from generation to generation with no scientific substance to them whatsoever. But, I figured I would list out some that everyone continuously tells me (OH, Kristy it's a {insert sex here} because {insert wives tale}). We will then (hopefully, if Baby Murphy cooperates) be able to find out if these hold any truth whatsoever (in 6 days!). Its all a 50/50 chance so it could easily swing either way. We have also found that when people tell us what sex they believe it to be ... if they know Matt better, its ultimately a boy ... if they know me better, they say girl. Hmm.. go figure, Matt's a manly man and I'm a girly girl ... so it only makes sense. OK here they are, only time will tell...


GIRL * Baby Heartrate (Higher than 140=girl, Lower than 140=boy)
BOY * Carry High = girl, Carry low = boy
GIRL * All out front = girl, Weight gain all over = boy
BOY * Baby is Active = boy
GIRL * Face breaks out often = girl
GIRL* Dad is gaining weight = boy
GIRL * Craving Salt=boy Sweet=girl
GIRL * Hair on legs grows faster = girl
BOY * Feet are colder than normal = boy
BOY * Not much morning sickness = boy
GIRL * Chinese Birth Calendar
GIRL * Craving Protein = boy
BOY * Having Headaches = boy
GIRL * Craving Fruit = girl
GIRL * Refuse to eat the heal of a loaf of bread = girl
GIRL * You add your age at the time of conception and the number for the month you conceived and the sum is an odd number = girl
BOY * Dry hands = boy, Soft hands = girl

Ophthalmophobia

No, this is not some fancy medical term nor does it have anything to do with babies or pregnancy. Ophthalmophobia is the fear of being stared at.

Since I can remember I have always had issues with people staring at me. Its just rude. And I feel like the older I get, the more people stare and the longer their gaze lasts. I've tried to make it a game over the last couple years where I will stare back until I can say "I win". Then I make them feel uncomfortable like they made me.

Staring at things, staring at people has been part of the human experience for as long as we have been around. We stare for hours at little babies, at oceans or lakes, or at flickering firelight. We stare at roadside accidents as we drive by, trying to incorporate the threat of accident into our reality. We stare endlessly at animals, a favorite pet or a deer in the wild, for they are unselfconscious- their lack of awareness gives us license to stare all we want, for as long as we want. So how far does this license extend?

Now that I am pregnant ...

People look at me. They look at my belly. Look at my belly some more. Then they look away.

For people who know I am pregnant, I am completely fine with them looking because its only natural. However, when meeting with clients and being around people who I don't know personally - JUST ASK ME! Its not like I have ballooned up all over the place, so far only my belly has grown. Its now getting to the point where its pretty obvious I'm pregnant. I talk to these people and do they think I don't notice they are staring at my belly 97% of the time??? Seriously! One of my clients was being so rude I almost just bursted it out. Its kind of a hard topic to bring into conversation though .. "Ms. Smith, this is the Empire Ballroom, its 6,000 square feet big, I am pregnant.." No ... that doesn't really mesh well. This whole experience kind of makes me feel like I have the big boobs that I never had. I've never had issues with people not looking me in the eye until now.

At least now I can better grasp why people are staring at me... obviously, they are trying to figure out if I am pregnant. I still can't figure out what all the staring was about before. Luckily, I still have five months of freedom from my staring complex thanks to my baby! And then when Baby Murphy comes along ... everyone will stare at baby. Wow, looks like I am all set, problem solved. Ophthalmophobia cured!

Fruit of the Week: Avocado

Every week we receive an email update on everything baby. They always compare Baby Murphy to some sort of fruit or vegetable. This week: AVOCADO. As I'm typing this, I am just now learning that an avocado is actually a fruit, not a vegetable. Hmm.. learn something new everyday.

The emails also mention that the next three weeks are huge for growth and development. In the next three weeks the baby will DOUBLE in size. (It is now approximately 5 inches and 4 ounces.) Wow, that's alot of growing! So, I'm guessing I better apply extra coats of cocoa butter each day, because it seems my belly is going to balloon!

BABY MURPHY'S SEX TO BE REVEALED IN THIRTEEN DAYS!! September 4th at 10:50am Baby Murphy better be spread eagle showing its goods because its time to start decorating!

Its Alive!!!

That might be an understatement.

So I just visited with the doctor on Monday for my 16 week checkup and he was telling me that some woman begin to feel movement around week 16, but some not until 18-22 weeks. Last week I had felt a flutter here and there but it only lasted a second and before I could say anything to anyone … it had stopped. I wasn't completely convinced that it was the baby … and this point in my pregnancy there are many other things it could be … and I will leave it at that.

It all started yesterday with peanut butter crackers...

We were on our way to Charleston (after having to take an hour detour due to I-95 being closed because of a tractor trailer accident {what else is new right?} so we stopped to get something to munch on). I ate a few peanut butter crackers and the party in my belly began. I started to wiggle around a bit because I wasn't quite sure what I was feeling or what was going on in there. It almost felt like something was rubbing/tickling my belly from the inside. This lasted for about a half hour or so and I was overwhelmed with excitement!! For so long you know you are pregnant and know that there is something inside of you, but there is no proof (other than your bulging belly!). I desperately wanted Matt to feel what I was feeling.

My wish was granted. The baby danced all night!

For those of you who know me well, I am a very healthy eater ... because I enjoy healthy food and always have. For the first time (ever) I ordered chicken nuggets at McDonald's. (hard to believe, I know) We didn't have much choice, but I was also craving honey. McDonald's made the baby happy. When we got back to the hotel - from the moment I layed down it felt like I had a gymnast inside of me. The party went on ALL NIGHT LONG! {insert music: Lionel Richie's "All Night Long"} I told Matt to put his hand under my ribcage on the left side and he got to feel it too. It was a pretty cool moment for both of us.
Matt then quickly passes out as soon as his head hits the pillow (as always) and I am left trying to convince myself that there is not an alien inside of me trying to escape. If you let your mind wonder it can begin to freak you out. Its kind of like a slow moving wave machine inside of me that is threatening to reorganize my innards. (if I don't cooperate and eat more chicken nuggets!)

Baby Bump

Bump: 1)something that bulges out or is protuberant or projects from a form [syn: bulge, hump, jut, prominence, protuberance, protrusion, extrusion, excrescence] 2)the defining feature of pregnancy

WEEK 14: So there is no such thing as “sucking in” for me anymore. The baby pooch is gone, and the baby bump has arrived. Finding clothes for work each day is getting more and more challenging… dresses that I can grow into have become my friend. People who see me on a regular basis know my belly has grown, however people who don’t might still think I’m just getting fat! I just want to tell these people (or hang a sign around my neck) that says “I’m not fat, I’m pregnant”. It is all happening so fast now… which makes us excited because that means our baby’s birthday is getting closer!

"My bump ... my bump my bump my bump ... my lovely baby bump"

Babies 'R' The Murphys

With Kristy closing in on week #14 of the pregnancy and a busy fall approaching quickly, we decided to get a head start on registering for the never-ending list of baby "stuff" there seems to be. So with our Consumer Reports Best Baby Products from A-Z in hand we headed off to the land of breast pumps, bouncy seats, and wall to wall baby furniture better known as Babies 'R' Us. With this being a new experience, we had little idea of what to expect upon entering. Within five minutes we had a list of suggested "necessities" and a laser gun ready to shoot everything that we came in contact with. We soon came to find out that almost everything is color coordinated...meaning that you can't really pick out much of anything until the sex of the baby is known. That is unless you want lots and lots of green and yellow. As many already know, that would be impossible for Kristy. You see, if this baby is a girl she will have more pink than Barbie.

Speaking of finding out the sex of Baby Murphy, yes we will be finding out. That will happen about four weeks from Monday. So check back then. After people ask if we are going to find out the sex, the inevitable next question is "So what do you want it to be?" Our answer is always the same "We just want a healthy baby!!" At which point we get "No really, if you had to choose..?" We just keep reiterating the point that we truthfully have no preference.

As we moved through the aisles of strollers and pack-n-plays our anticipation for our new arrival grew. We found joy in looking at cribs and activity gyms as well as anxiety in the many choices we must make before our baby's arrival. You also begin to realize that once the baby comes home you will never spend another penny on yourself!!

It is truly amazing how even now at an even six months until the due date, we find all of our decisions revolving around the baby. What will our next car be? Should the baby dress up as Pooh Bear or Tigger for Halloween? Should Santa visit the baby at home its first Christmas? Will we ever go on vacation again?

In the end we made it out alive and are better prepared for when we go back knowing whether we are there for the pink or the blue. Everyday we feel more and more blessed and very excited to welcome a new baby into our Murphy world!