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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1213080926.jpg
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.'