Big Head, Big Balls

This morning, we had a 3D ultrasound. The purpose was to check for a cleft palate, which runs in Mike's family, but none of the shots were conclusive. However, the nurse was able to look at the nasal cavity and gum lines and all looks good; he indicated we have no reason to worry. 

We learned a whole helluva a lot of other goodness, though. The nurse took a series of measurements (head, upper arm, thigh, abdomen) and plugged them into an equation that estimates weight +/-10%. His head measures as if we were at 38 weeks and everything else measures at 32 weeks, which is indeed where we are. He weighs 5.2 pounds, mostly dome. I happened to be texting with a dear friend at one point during the appointment (I know, I'm that guy) and she said all of her kids have big heads - the single quality all U.S. Presidents have in common, it has something to do with power. The nurse informed us that he also has big balls. I think Baby Jenks would make a fine President with that combo. 

his debut

"Is this the class where everyone shows their boobs?" - Mike

On Saturday, we attended the Breastfeeding class at Day One in Palo Alto - class 3 of 4 of the "WTF Am I Doing / New Parent" series. Pretty informative. Even though women have been doing it for eons, there seems to be new information and tactics. Apparently, it does not come so naturally for the mom. But I am guessing it does for the baby, referred to as a "snapping turtle" on more than one occasion? Such a highly politicized topic, but we still feel pretty grounded on the island of, "We are going to give everything our best shot and are equally aware that everything is out of our control." Okay, nuff said. Here is my champion of a husband who attended, and not just for the snacks.

pretending to read

Bébé Shower

On Sunday June 2nd, the lovely ladies in my life got together for a baby shower brunch. Such a fun party - beautiful room, insanely awesome flowers, delicious food, tasty prosecco, and no games! My kind of baby shower, indeed. Here are the photos - enjoy! XO

the venue

the menu

fruit + bread

the cakes - german chocolate, carrot, and chocolate - vegan and oh so good

the presents

the table decor

vintage blocks for Baby Jenks...marbles, perhaps not

chit chat

mom + bestie

sister + mom 

ladies who brunch

opening gifts

the hostess with the mostest

mom + me + sister 

the flower girls

me + lee

she + me

obligatory baby bump grab

and this guy

Masters in Baby Administration

3.25 years

30 classes

76 units

788 hours spent in the classroom

2,363 hours spent reading / writing papers / studying for exams

16,400 miles driven

dorkus majorkus

On Friday, we attended Santa Clara University's Commencement to celebrate 2013 MBA graduates. For the sake of full disclosure, we went to campus with the intention of attending the ceremony...but instead opted for a nostalgic walk through campus + photos in the rose garden + dinner out. I finished school in December 2012 and with all-things-baby, it was a bit anticlimactic...but a lovely evening nonetheless.

obligatory baby bump grab

Many, many thanks to all for the support during this time!

She's Crafty [not really]

While listening to the Beastie Boys, hence this post's "inspired" title, I started two projects for the nursery.

The first was making the dresser / changing table less fit for an 8th grade science room or mechanic's garage and more fit for a nursery...by lining its drawers. Still not 100% convinced it is going to work. Mostly because when I opened all the drawers for the last pic, the thing almost fell over.

The second was auditing the collection of vintage letters we used as table markers at our wedding. The goal is to have the whole alphabet up on a wall, but some "went missing" at the wedding (family and friends with names that start with A, E, F, L, M - expect a call from us...j/k) and we still need the end of the alphabet. eBay and etsy, here we come.

P.S. Sorry my slipper is in the last pic, but at least I cropped out my belly. It was bare. Naked crafts are the best.

before

midst

after

"What is this crap?"

"Are you sure?"

There are three items that I would like to make permanent in the blogosphere, before I forget. 

1) In case he ever asks, Baby Jenks attended three concerts whilst in utero. 

• The first, Vampire Weekend at the Fox Theater in Oakland on Wednesday the 17th of April. I wore heels, bad move. 
• The second, The Killers at Bill Graham Civic Auditorium in San Francisco on Sunday the 28th of April. We had great seats and, as I settled in with my cookie and Sprite, our neighbors lit up a huge joint. I had to flee the scene. We spent the rest of the concert standing toward the back of the main floor bobbing our heads. 
• The third, Fleetwood Mac at HP Pavilion in San Jose on Wednesday the 22nd of May. I had a major cold / allergy thing going on, but that didn't slow you down from moving and grooving.

[that's you and me, kid, headed to FM]

2) Last night, I took a girlfriend out to dinner for her birthday. European restaurants are great as there is generally no judgment and, in some cases, even some encouragement to have a little wine with food. When I ordered a glass of red, the waitress asked, "Are you sure?" We agreed upon a half glass. I wish I had said something. But I am new at this and don't quite have my sea legs.

3) Your dad is freaking out. When I came home from the baby shower on Sunday, I sorted all of your gifts. When he came home from a round of golf and a few rounds of beers, he saw the spread of tiny items, went into the office with the cat, began stroking him, and repeated this mantra: "Lots of changes, Mookie. Lots of changes happening around here. Lots of changes." Since then, he has hung all his concert memorabilia in the garage and, yesterday, installed a TV there too. I will continue to keep a watchful eye on him. 

4) Okay - a few more bits. You are moving around like crazy! I even have a video of my stomach doing the wave. Creepy, but keep it up. I like to be reminded you are acrobatic. Yesterday, I picked-up my cap and gown (and hood!) for grad school commencement. I felt all the undergrads looking at you and desperately wanted to shout, "This is what your future looks like! Bwahahahaha."