It's like they were posing!

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Originally uploaded by js_hale

I got about 8 pictures of Jacob and Teddy playing together like this. One thing is for sure - Jacob will not grow up with a fear of big dogs. :)

Today was the first day that he shook his head "no," although I'm not sure he knows what it means. He was on the changing table getting his diaper changed - how appropriate - considering that he engages in poo olympics every time he has to get changed. This time, he just calmly shook his head no. I gave him a diaper to play with, and that bought me some time. We got through it just fine, then went for a hike with Aunt Sophie and Uncle Lou next door. The morning has been as smooth as it gets.

Jacob's favorite toy

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Originally uploaded by js_hale

Jacob loves holding Teddy's leash - wherever, whenever. This park is one of very few safe places where I can let him do it unassisted. We usually have the whole space to ourselves in the afternoons. His favorite thing to say is "all done," and he says it in all sorts of situations. He'll say it when he wakes up, and when he doesn't want to eat something. Or do something. It's his universal phrase of objection. When he says it, it sounds like "Ah-danna," like he's saying "husband" in Japanese which is a little strange. But entertaining!

Power Nap

power nap
Originally uploaded by js_hale

Today, he blew a kiss for the first time! He was watching his dad leave the nursery at bedtime, and when we asked him to blow a kiss, he did! He also has more teeth - it's tough to get him to sit still & open his mouth long enough to count them. He is sniffling and drooling like a fiend, but fortunately not complaining too much.

It was a busy day - he needed this nap. Church at 8:30AM (nursery for him), then playing fetch w/ dogs in Nob Hill park; quick nap in the car, then story time with singer/guitarist/storyteller Christopher Smith at Book Passage. Lunch at the cafe, then home, then back to another park for kite-flying and bubble-blowing with other babies & moms.

Weaning, weaning, weaning - I nursed once today and once 2 days ago. One side is no longer producing milk, and the other side has dwindled. But I remember my friend in Osaka nursing her daughter long after she quit producing milk - it's still comforting and soothing. J. is definitely not ready to give it up entirely, and I feel like it's selfish and unnecessary to make him do without. Nearly every day at 5:00PM, he asks for "num-nums" with a distinct cry, and he'll grab my shirt and put his head into the crook of my arm. I would have to be pretty heartless to turn him down!

15 months

nervous driver?
Originally uploaded by js_hale

So there are 2 amazingly cute behaviors that I want to report. The first: Jacob imitates me checking my watch. He sees me lifting my wrist to check the time, lifts his own wrist and smiles at me. The second: he actually applauds when I sing. Not all the time, but like tonight, we were finishing up "Good Night Moon" - he was still a little wound up (I'm not nursing anymore - still) and so I started singing a night-night song that I made up. After I was finished, he gazed up into my face and clapped his hands. Who says that parenthood is a thankless job?!

Bay to Breakers - I won! ;)

I won! ;)
Originally uploaded by js_hale

Yes, I "won" in the sense that I motivated myself to train, run and finish the race! So much fun to be a part of it - the flying tortillas, the salmon on Hayes St. hill, and this year I saw my old samba group performing along the route. Lots of families out too (though I don't know how they put up with the smell of pot along the way).

Weaning

So today I didn't nurse - at all. I feel sad, but liberated and relieved that it's going so smoothly. I feel like it's time for him - he doesn't seem to need it as much. More on this subject later.

Happy Mother's Day!

Had a fabulous day - got dropped off for a blissful yoga class, then walked to the farmers market, then home. I ate all the fresh strawberries I wanted on the way and they were SOOOOO good - I'm never buying strawberries at the supermarket.ever.again. Met up with hubby & the Kid, went to Fairfax for lunch at Iron Springs, then went on a short hike with the pooch. Came home & cooked up the salmon that I bought @ farmers mkt and made Peter do all the dirty work. Not one dirty diaper. Sheer bliss. :)
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Originally uploaded by js_hale

friday at the mall

friday at the mall
Originally uploaded by js_hale

Burrito... on the brink of disaster

Burrito... on the brink of disaster
Originally uploaded by js_hale

We've reached another great plateau - we can order kid food at restaurants that he can actually eat. So great. Someday soon, we won't have to puree veggies and schlep them in tiny containers anymore. This is a black bean & cheese baby burrito, about to take a tumble over the top of my hand. I'm trying to figure out how to save it so he can keep eating.

It's good to be home!

It's good to be home!
Originally uploaded by js_hale

We missed all the bad weather while we were in FL. Now it's nothing but sunshine. This hike is just a few minutes' drive from where we live. Maybe it's all the rain we've gotten, but the wildflowers are insane this year.

Ned's southside kitchen St. Augustine

Ned's southside kitchen St. Augustine
Originally uploaded by js_hale

his 1st drawing,too.

Jenny Hale & fellow musicians senior skip day 1990

Jenny Hale & fellow musicians senior skip day 1990
Originally uploaded by js_hale

went to my high school reunion tonight. so weird and so much fun.

Another stellar weekend

We discovered another great shady playground, which will be absolutely key when summer comes. We are getting ready for r&r in Florida - Disney, high school reunion, beach.

farmers market

farmers market
Originally uploaded by js_hale

Droolmaster J

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Originally uploaded by js_hale

clapping : )

I was starting to wonder if Jacob would ever start clapping - tonight he clapped for the first time! A truly exciting development milestone. For those of you not familiar with Music Together, we're singing a song from the most recent series of music classes.
clapping : )
Originally uploaded by js_hale

date night

date night
Originally uploaded by js_hale

sushi ran - sooooo good.

After

It's bittersweet - more bitter than sweet. My baby looks like a little boy and what's more, his part is on the other side of his head now. Peter (hubby) convinced me that this was a good idea and although it's too late now, I have misgivings. I know it's just hair, it'll grow back, etc. but I wanted that shaggy-haired, British rocker 'do for just a little longer...like, maybe forever. Boo.
After
Originally uploaded by js_hale

before...

before...
Originally uploaded by js_hale

Ducks

Went to the park today with the Jakester. The ducks here are amazingly trusting, though they are careful not to get TOO close - just close enough for super cute photos.