,butterface,ahem, butterbean 
This is interesting....so NO ab work whatsoever? Does every ab exercise increase the waist?
I am no trainer and I only did one figure show but here is how I see it:
Any exercises that build muscle are going to make you look bigger in that area. If your midsection is blocky, I would not do any ab exercises if you want to compete. Smaller waists are usually rewarded if all other factors in two competitiors match up closely.
Prior to my show I never really worked abs. During my prep, we did not do any ab work until 3 weeks before my show (we forgot). The only thing we did was a few sets of crunches probably about once or twice a week for 3 weeks. If you are lean, your abs will show. So there was hardly any ab work, but they became very visible when the fat came off.
As for the guy that Yev posted above Jay, I am no expert, but that guy looks to be some percentage points higher in body fat than Jay and has some other differences that blur his definition.
Abs showing is mainly diet imo. I've got abs right now...they are just under a huge layer of fat
And BS, I saw your before pic and you have made a great improvement in your legs. Good work!!
If you feel you must do abs for back support or whatever...def no oblique stuff.
