Wednesday, April 01, 2009

7 weeks old


7 weeks old
Originally uploaded by js_hale
next thing you know, he will be growing whiskers!

Sunday, March 29, 2009

Ice cream on a Sunday

Went on a hike with friends and had ice cream afterwards.  This place serves up the good organic stuff & is way too close to where we live. www.threetwinsicecream.com 

Friday, March 27, 2009

Couldn't help myself...


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Originally uploaded by js_hale
I've been going through his clothes today and playing dress-up. This is his "I love Big Dumps" t-shirt from Keystone.

Thursday, March 26, 2009

6 weeks


6 weeks
Originally uploaded by js_hale
and 12.5 pounds

Sunday, March 22, 2009

Passport photo!


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Originally uploaded by js_hale
Yesterday we went to the post office to get Jacob's passport application. We are going to Germany in early summer. I was surprised that they make you hold your baby out like this for the photo - probably was instituted after Homeland Security came into being. It used to be that 1 or both of your parents would take the picture with you while you were held. Bizarre that they do it this way now, if you ask me - maybe they do it as a means of targeting potential infant combatants! In any event, Jacob totally took it in stride.

Saturday, March 21, 2009

Num-nums


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Originally uploaded by js_hale
First time taking it from a bottle!

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

St. Patty's


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Originally uploaded by js_hale

Sunday, March 15, 2009

Finding the rhythm


firsts
Originally uploaded by js_hale
Baby O. continues to delight & surprise. He is consistently sleeping in 3-4 hr. blocks & eating round the clock. I absolutely love this swing. It's like a tricked out SUV. Music, vibrations, soothing white noise, oh and it swings him into blissful quiet alert or sleep! Then Mom can get HER "num-nums " too!

Friday, March 13, 2009

Friday, March 06, 2009

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Originally uploaded by js_hale
Teddy pretends to nurse while baby nurses.

Thursday, March 05, 2009

Woo hoo! No hands!


Woo hoo! No hands!
Originally uploaded by js_hale
The official debut of the Ergo Baby Carrier with Infant Insert. Baby Carrier was generously donated to us by my wonderful in-laws in Portland. Infant insert was purchased for a fraction of the retail price - have I mentioned recently that I LOVE CRAIGSLIST!?

I'm liking this carrier a lot because it distributes Jacob's ever-increasing weight evenly on my back. The sling does that too, provided that you design your wrap that way. It's nice to have both options - and even better, to have a baby who falls asleep in one of these - could I ask for more??

Wednesday, March 04, 2009

Sweet bug


Sweet bug
Originally uploaded by js_hale

Friday, February 27, 2009

Another big day out


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Originally uploaded by js_hale
After my dr. appointment, Peter and I took Baby J and the dog out for a walk - this trail is right across the street from where Jacob was born. He was lulled right to sleep by the rocking of the stroller. May I just say that the BOB stroller is (and I mean this in the best way possible) the HUM-V of jogging strollers!!

Thursday, February 26, 2009

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Originally uploaded by js_hale

Monday, February 23, 2009

The Force is strong in this one!

Jacob is a very strong little kid, and he eats like a lumberjack. He weighed 8.11 at birth, and 1 week later, he weighed 9.3!! He makes a mockery of any swaddle blanket that we tie. His arms are out of it before we're even done tying it. This morning, his prowess reached new heights - I woke up to find him scooching his way to my side of the bed - while he was still swaddled!!  

Sunday, February 22, 2009

Heart stealer


Heart stealer
Originally uploaded by js_hale
Jacob is starting to smile!! Amazingly, he is sleeping in 4 hour blocks too.
Hope it lasts...

Jennifer Ockner

415-971-0949

Saturday, February 21, 2009

Second time out


Second time out
Originally uploaded by js_hale
Weather was overcast but the temperature was perfect. Jacob slept blissfully the entire time. Teddy got to swim and play fetch. Mom and Dad got out for a nice walk and much-needed fresh air - and PEETS coffee!!

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Happy place


Happy place
Originally uploaded by js_hale
My brother's girlfriend suggested giving us these amazing robes for Xmas and I cannot thank her enough.

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Outside


Outside
Originally uploaded by js_hale
... for the first time! I was a little on edge but Jacob seemed to love being walked around in the sling.

Monday, February 16, 2009

Quick! Before he wakes up!

 
This might be our 'mantra' for a while - I didn't succeed in getting Jacob's face in this one, but at least you can see how happy WE are! Peter is amazing - running around doing seemingly everything else besides feeding the baby.  We are working on our routine, but it's tough when there are people (i.e., my mom) waiting in the wings, ready to descend on my precious little one and coochy-coo him til he screams. But there again, Peter is the protective papa and taking great care of us.  Baby just woke up - more soon! 
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Saturday, February 14, 2009

Back at home


Back at home
Originally uploaded by js_hale
First night back, expecting little sleep but who cares.^-^//

Friday, February 13, 2009

yawn!


yawn!
Originally uploaded by js_hale
Yep, we are obsessed with every yawn,burp, fart, you name it. The word in Japanese: oya-baka!

Thursday, February 12, 2009

Introducing Jacob Patrick Ockner

Baby jacob arrived on Feb.11th at 1:10pm. Mom, dad and baby are doing great. More soon. Much love to all!

Monday, February 09, 2009

at the hospital


at the hospital
Originally uploaded by js_hale
contractions about 4min. apart.....

going into labor


going into labor
Originally uploaded by js_hale
still the early stage so Peter is testing out the new camcorder while I lie down and take it easy.

Saturday, February 07, 2009

Saturday swim


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Originally uploaded by js_hale
Me & the dog this morning (he's behind me, just over my right shoulder!)

Thursday, February 05, 2009

Still preggers......

Two days past the due date...........and feeling fine. I'm FINE! Loving the attention, in fact. And doing my best not to focus on being OVERDUE, especially when it could go on for a while - my mom carried me and my brother for 2 weeks before getting induced!

The whole concept of a "due date" is rather frustrating - and hardly scientific - it's as though doctors were at a complete loss on how to calculate human gestation. The fact that it's calculated according to the first day of the mother's last monthly cycle (April 22nd in my case) is a big tip-off - it's entirely unrelated to when conception occurs!

Consider that Peter and I did not, as Peter says "pull the goalie" (his term for trying to get pregnant!) until after May 10th (beginning of our honeymoon). Does that mean that the baby is actually 38 weeks and 3 days, or thereabouts??

In a way, it's nice that some things remain a mystery with respect to modern science. That said, I'm doing my best to let it go and not obsess - I'll leave the calendar counting to Peter! :D The Little Dude will come out when he's ready, and I will continue to enjoy my late mornings, yoga classes and eating whatever I want. :) Although, if and when we get to a certain point, there are all sorts of fun and creative ways to encourage labor. Sex, specifically orgasms, come recommended because they release oxytocin! Now honestly, if you had your choice between a romp in the sack with your honey, and taking Pitocin (oxytocin) through an IV needle, or having your O.B. manually "thin your membranes," which would YOU choose as your first course of action? And then, there's always castor oil....yummy!

As I contemplate these options, we wait for Baby O.'s arrival....despite my relatively low level of anxiety, it is like sitting in front of an oven, waiting for the button on a Butterball turkey to pop out!!

Thursday, January 29, 2009

New camera! New phone too!


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Originally uploaded by js_hale
I took this yesterday with my new super-fat 5 megapixel camera, which came with my Samsung Omnia Smartphone! It was originally going to be an iPhone (Xmas present), but I didn't want to go thru the hassle of starting a new plan. Besides, Apple has gotten enough of my money recently. Makes a difference having a nice camera! And hopefully I'll become adept at sending texts, checking email & such with 1 hand while holding bambino in the other.

Less than a week from my due date and I'm still able to hike with Teddy on the ridge - WOOO!

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Bonsai


Bonsai
Originally uploaded by js_hale
This was originally Misty's idea, I think - back when I was dead-set against having a "theme" for the nursery. When I looked at Pottery Barn & other stores, all I saw were unimaginative, uninspired themes and garish designs - no WAY was I going to do wall-to-wall baseball/football/basketball knick-knacky stuff, all slathered in yellow and baby blue. Brilliant woman that she is, Misty suggested the idea of doing just a nature theme, with a bonsai tree as one of the main features! Once she got me thinking along those lines, I got very excited. Now we are (SLOWLY) collecting only the cutest, most adorable Japanese knick-knacks we can find - little stuffed frogs, mostly - and yesterday we found this beautiful bonsai. Peter is going to build some kind of shelf to protect it from falling into the stairwell during an earthquake. The nursery is officially my favorite room in the house!

Saturday, January 24, 2009

Swaddle practice


Swaddle practice
Originally uploaded by js_hale
Peter and I are going through baby stuff - cloth diapers, swaddle cloths, etc., and "breaking the seal" by actually trying out some of these new products. Here you see Peter practicing his swaddling technique on Baby O.'s teddy bear. Peter arranged the stickers on the crib and on the wall.

Friday, January 23, 2009

A muddy dog is a happy dog


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Originally uploaded by js_hale
Where there's mud, Teddy will find it, roll in it and bring it home. At this time of year, we just let it go - he gets hosed off, falls asleep and we're all happier for having gone on a hike together.

Monday, January 19, 2009

Dog, cat & little white mouse


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Originally uploaded by js_hale
We CAN all get along! :-)

Saturday, January 17, 2009

Nursery is almost done!


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Originally uploaded by js_hale
Funny to think that I didn't want to turn the office into a nursery initially - let alone get a crib! Now it's our favorite room! The nesting instinct is truly an amazing thing.

Sunday, January 11, 2009

Ta-daaaaah!


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Originally uploaded by js_hale
Just a few more weeks to go!

Sunday, January 04, 2009

Baby O.'s first "head shot"


The actual picture is admittedly underwhelming, but the good news is that his head is down & in position! WOO HOO! This will likely be the last ultrasound before he comes out to meet the world. We're at 36 weeks as of Tuesday, January 6th. The countdown continues. . .
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Tuesday, December 30, 2008

Day in the city


Day in the city
Originally uploaded by js_hale
Teddy came with me to the city today. After morning errands, we hiked up to Corona Heights and played in the dog park. This picture was taken at the top - dog park is just below, and downtown SF is off to the left. I used to run up this hill a few times a week - today, it took roughly 30 minutes to walk all the way up!

Teddy is truly the "practice baby" - I'm trying to take him with me wherever I go in order to get used to toting a kid around. I KNOW it's not the same, but for now, that's all I got to practice with. I'm 35 weeks along, so at most, I have 6 more weeks until the Little Dude arrives!  

Saturday, December 27, 2008

Teddy's ride down the slide


Teddy's ride down the slide
Originally uploaded by js_hale
We spent most of the holiday weekend over at the brother/sister in law's house. Both of Peter's brothers and families were all together - my mother in law & stepdad in law came down too - we all had fun hanging out together. After a massive lunch of turkey leftovers, we went outside to stretch our legs. The Tedster actually climbed up the ladder of the play structure by himself, and slid down the slide with Peter. Good fun.

Another turkey triumph


Another turkey triumph
Originally uploaded by js_hale
Peter cleaned and stuffed another turkey for x mas eve. Thanks to a slow cooking oven, the bird was nice and moist !

Sunday, December 21, 2008

6 weeks to go!

I am feeling great - Peter and Teddy are taking great care of me.  The other day, the dog was napping and his head was on my stomach. The baby started kicking , and Teddy's head started visibly moving up and down. Teddy opened his eyes, but remained more or less undisturbed. 

Thursday, December 18, 2008

Holiday dinner prep


Holiday dinner prep
Originally uploaded by js_hale
Peter dices onions for turkey stuffing.

Saturday, December 13, 2008

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Originally uploaded by js_hale
Caught peter mid bite here. :-)

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Originally uploaded by js_hale
Righteous breakfast - Bette's diner in Berkeley

Friday, December 05, 2008

31 Weeks!


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Originally uploaded by js_hale
Quite a bit bigger than when we did the bikini shot. As I write this, Baby O. is kicking - and my belly is visibly moving. So cool.

First Big Purchase

Ladies and Gentlemen. . . presenting Jen's new throne! Since I'll presumably spend the majority of the YEAR rocking, nursing and cooing at Baby O. when he arrives (and Peter too, when he gets home from work), we wanted a glider with all the bells and whistles. You can lock it in place, adjust it in multiple positions, oh and the Ottoman glides too! The microfiber material is supposedly a lot like suede - but washable. The best part: we got it for about half the retail price. May I just say how much I love Craigslist??! WOOOOOO!

Wednesday, December 03, 2008

Ever-expanding belly


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Originally uploaded by js_hale
This was taken over Thanksgiving, on a short hike in Covelo, CA. I am now WADDLING, not walking! Still, it felt good to get some exercise after Turkey Day.

I must vent a bit - I cannot stand maternity pants!!! That flimsy panel of pathetic elastic knit material that does NOTHING to keep the crotch from slipping down, down, down....luckily, I found an acceptable pair of jeans at my favorite second hand store (pictured) - Ann Taylor, size 7/8 - and only $7.99! WOOOOO! Trouble is that my belly is starting to outgrow them - I have a "bella band" though (keeps your pants up even when unbuttoned) - I will NOT go back to the sinking crotch!

Saturday, November 22, 2008

Nice digs


Nice digs
Originally uploaded by js_hale
peter and pooch at brother in law's house last week

Thursday, November 20, 2008

Happy to be home


Happy to be home
Originally uploaded by js_hale
We have been away for nearly a week while our ceiling gets a major overhaul - POPCORN REMOVAL! WOO HOO!!! 
It's great that we're getting this done, but being nearly 7 months pregnant, the nesting instinct drove me to return home prematurely - furniture is still covered in plastic, and we're waiting for the mud on the ceiling to dry. We camped out in the living room last night. In retrospect, coming home this early was probably not the wisest decision. As you can see, though, Teddy does not mind one bit. 

Friday, November 14, 2008

Leisurely coffee in Mill Valley


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Originally uploaded by js_hale

The mug is from my dot com days - hanging out in Mill Valley almost fools you into thinking that we're still at the height of the bubble! Mill Valley is a very casual, yet well-to-do suburb of SF - just across the Golden Gate Bridge. I regularly hear urban dwellers who are tired of the city talk about how they'd LOVE to move to Mill Valley.

Peter and I have been camping out at the in laws house because our house is getting worked on. We're staying in Tiburon, which is just across the highway from MV - both places are pretty rockin', I have to say. Though it will be SOOOOOO nice to go home!

Sunday, November 09, 2008

Car camping in Bodega Bay


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Originally uploaded by js_hale
Peter, the dog and I went car camping in sketchy weather at the Sonoma Coast State Park. If you decide to camp here and nearby, be aware that the campgrounds are dominated by gargantuan RV's and noisy generators. 

Weather this morning, as you can see, was beautiful, but it was rainy and windy the previous night. Weather put a temporary damper on the mood, but the food and fire quickly made up for the hardships. On the way home, we stopped at dog-friendly Wright's Beach and watched the surf - the wind was tremendous, and the waves looked like they were at least 15' or higher! Afterwards, we went to lunch at Lucas Wharf Restaurant on Highway 1 - EXCELLENT seafood - if you're in the area, you simply must go here. We sat in the cozy front area next to the fireplace, ate calamari steeped in creamy butter lemon sauce and New England clam chowder - it was a fantastic welcome back to 'civilization.'