Baby Peanut Update

Hi everyone. It's been a very trying week but I wanted to give you an update on how the impending addition is doing, now that we're less than 5 weeks out from meeting Little Miss.

This past Saturday I went into pre-term labor and had to be treated at Beaumont. I have been having some growing Braxton-Hicks contracts which is to be expected at this stage of pregnancy, but they were getting pretty intense while I was visiting Eric and Laura and eventually started feeling some severe cramping as well. I stopped by home to find Brad (who was out running) and proceeded on to Beaumont Labor and Delivery where I ended up getting hooked up to an IV, pumped full of fluid (who knew I was dehydrated?) and given a shot of Turboline to stop the contractions which were erratic but at their worst, 6 minutes apart. Fortunately this worked and we were sent home.

Monday's recheck at the doctor went fine although she alerted me that I'm measuring small for the baby's growth and scheduled me for an ultrasound this morning, so I'm currently drafting this update from the food court at the hospital. Measuring small can be attributed to a number of different factors -- low amniotic fluid, low fetal weight or even just the way the baby is positioned, so had to just sit tight until today to find out the cause.

Baby looked good on the ultrasound and one of the profile photos is above. She has both of her hands up by her mouth in this photo so her profile is slightly obscured although you can see her little nose. She's currently around 4 1/2 pounds which is a bit small for this stage but I'm just thinking she'll end up being a petite little thing like her mommy. Seems only fair given Hunter is such a giant. They spent a lot of time doing measurements and will give me a call this afternoon with an update but overall things looked okay. The fun little tidbit is that she apparently has a lot of hair! It was even showing up on the ultrasound so the tech was laughing at that because it's not often she's able to pick it up.

I have been having a lot of cramping and Braxton Hicks since Saturday so please keep your fingers crossed and the prayers going that Baby Peanut is able to stay put until July 13th so we can ensure her some good development time in the cooker. Overall, any good thoughts you can send this way would be most appreciated.

With much love, Jeanine (and Baby Peanut)

The View From Way Up Here

Oh THERE ARE MY FEET!

While we await Brad's true photo shoot of The Bell (as in pregnant 'belly') this weekend, perhaps you can feast your eyes on my current viewpoint of Baby Peanut.

5 weeks, 5 days and counting!

Growing Up With Big Brothers

Photo courtesy of Ashley Ann Photography, Under The Sycamore: http://ashleyannphotography.com/blog/


You may have noticed by its listing on the left side of our blog that I'm deeply, madly, truly in love with Ashley Ann: Under The Sycamore. The photography is awe-inspiring and her DIY crafts are always worth a try, not to mention the beautiful yet professional blog layout which is far superior to any of the templates here at Blogspot (read: obvious jealousy).

And with a Baby Girl Peanut on board (due 6 weeks from today!!), Friday's Sycamore post titled Growing Up With Big Brothers really spread a warm smile on my face. Why? Because our Baby Girl will have a wonderful big brother as her role model, her tree-climbing partner, her rock-throwing coach, her how-to-properly-run-through-a-sprinkler trainer, her 'here's how to scream at the top of your lungs' instructor, her 'let's stay up all night on Christmas and not let mommy or daddy get any sleep' tutor and her best friend. Their little one donning a denim dress and Spiderman costume head? Adorable. And SO in our very near future. :) Enjoy.

Things We Are Loving This Week

• 3-day holiday weekends that allow us to do things like say, RELAX (oh and some much-needed housework like spreading mulch, cleaning gutters and starting the demo of the tile on the front stairs)
• Hunter's newest words and phrases: "the piccups" (translation: hiccups), 'livery truck's not here today!, calerpillar
• Being 6 weeks away from finally meeting our Baby Girl Peanut!
• H's discovery of toddler-favorite, the Bob the Builder cartoon on PBS Sprout
• The memories of our beloved lilacs growing alongside the fence this year
  
• My latest pregnancy cravings: chai creme frappuchinos from Starbucks and corn Chex cereal
• Our new favorite TV series, Party Down on STARZ (created by actor Paul Rudd and friends)
• Maternity undies (sorry to all male readers but they are just. so. damn. comfortable.)
• Clothes shopping for Baby Girl... and this dress that snuck its way into my shopping bag :)


• Hearing President Barack Obama give his regards to the University of Michigan graduating class of 2010 by declaring "It's great to be here in the Big House. And so may I say 'GO BLUE!'". You may read the entire speech here.
• This adorable pillow from Etsy seller OutonalimbDesign which will make an stinkin' cute addition to Baby Peanut's room

This Just In

The date has changed. I repeat: we have a DATE CHANGE for Baby Peanut's imminent arrival. Please add an arrow to that note on your calendars next to July 12th, and extend it over one day. Due to doctor scheduling, we are now expecting a bouncing baby girl on Tuesday, July 13th.

At first, I was hesitant to agree to the 13th (I mean HELLO isn't 13 an UNLUCKY NUMBER?), but then I realized something else: It's just a number. And for us, it will now forever be a good one.

Here's to 7 weeks and counting!

Out With The Old, In With The New

Farewell Mazda CX-7. You have served me well but the time has come for a big girl car. With features like HEATED SEATS. And a MOON ROOF. And REAR SENSORS. And 18" CHROME WHEELS. And SATELLITE RADIO. Am I excited? Oh yeah.

What Are YOU Doing July 12th?

I can tell you where the Michigan Bobenmoyers will be: At the hospital! Having a baby! No time yet, but as of now we are officially on the schedule for a Cesarean delivery on Monday, July 12th. So mark your calendars: Baby Peanut is coming!


Wait a minute (Slight freak out moment): That's just 2 months from TODAY. I'd better get moving on those nursery decorations... and stocking up on those baby girl clothes... and getting H into his Big Boy room... Lots to do, less than 9 weeks to do it...

Head Shot

As if carrying around 15 extra pounds and a gradually-slowing walk weren't bad enough, this weekend HWB decided to gift me with his Mother's Day present early.. an ill-timed head-butt to the forehead. I honestly thought I was going to pass out.

Luckily my mom was on scene to assess and provide support in the form of a cold compress.

Not wanting to be outdone, Hunter also demanded he receive an 'ice pack' (read: a wet paper towel). The aftermath appears below.

I Love Me Some Whole Foods' Peanut Butter Pows Cereal

Grown up adult peanut butter cereal? Delicious. Also considered a great pick-me-up on the West Coast. Just look at it's impact on these two test individuals...

Ladies Lunching... Er, Breakfasting

One of my favorite Royal Oak haunts used to be an adorable little cosmetics store called Poppy Beauty Bar. Unfortunately I preface this with 'used to be' as with the downturn of the economy and all it's negatives, Poppy also became victim to financial crisis and closed. I was crushed as I had become fond of Poppy's owner, Theresa, who fed me all my Royal Oak gossip and always encouraged me to try new products.

One of the other things I admired about Theresa was her love for new breakfast nooks on a weekly basis: It became common practice for her to snag the New York Times crossword puzzle and venture to a new restaurant for breakfast every Sunday (her only day off from Poppy mind you!). And it was with this same inspiration in mind that our ladies Breakfast Club was born: Once a month Laura, Katie, Melissa and I get together for breakfast, lots of chatting and some delicious eats. We take turns selecting a place to meet (in rotating order by birthday), and escape for a little girl time. So far our adventures have taken us to:

• January: Cafe Muse in Royal Oak. May I suggest the Mascarpone-Stuffed French Toast?
• February: Beverly Hills Grille in Beverly Hills. Carrot cake pancakes... say no more!
• March: Pete's Broadway Cafe in Ferndale. Challah French Toast (which Laura lovingly pronounces with the 'ch')
• April: Toast in Birmingham. Yummmmm. Grand Marnier French Toast (are you sensing a theme here?)
• May (today!): Good Girls Go To Paris Crepes in Detroit. The "Kay" crepe was to die for!

So be inspired! Try something new this week. (And it always helps to bring a few good girlfriends along to share in the fun!)