Week #4

Another action-packed week...

Are Willie and Liza teaming up to adjust Jay's clothes, or are they just giving him a wedgie?

Coincidentally, Willie and Liza brought with them a beverage with part of Jay's middle name on it (the first of those three green characters is "kiku" in Japanese)

Jay gets up close and personal with Grandma Wendy

Contemplating the universe after a sponge bath

What's up, Grandpa Bob?

Lisa shares some wisdom on parenting

Week #3

In our latest weekly installment, Jay meets some more of his family members. How exciting!

Grandma Christine's shoulder is good for snoozing

Tatyana discovers the joy of aunt-hood

Grandpa Alan is a pro at this baby stuff

Do you like it when I read to you, Mom?

Grandparents summit

The admiration is mutual, Clark and Theresa!

Week #2

Another week gone by. Just trying to savor it all.

Blogging makes Jay sleepy

Stylin'!

Kicking it in the kitchen with Elizabeth

In a reversal of roles, Jay tickles Erin's chin

Mina and Steve drop by to say hello

Someone seems dubious about the moby wrap.

Spending a little quality time with Michelle

Appreciation

Our new baby Jay is very lucky to have been born into a supportive community of generous, compassionate people, and we feel exceptional gratitude for that. One person in particular that we'd like to honor on this little blog is our friend Jessica, who volunteered (volunteered!) to be our doula for Jay's birth.

Jessica and Jay, Reunited

Leading up to our due date, Jessica walked us through birthing techniques and helped us formulate a birth plan, while giving Natasha spirited encouragement and useful resources for the journey ahead. She then joined us in the hospital, twice -- first for a false alarm, and then for the real deal. She coached Natasha through nearly 17 hours of intense labor, all the while making sure that the nurses and doctors at Kaiser Oakland (a talented and caring bunch who deserve all the praise in the world) were fully on board with our hopes to give Jay a medication-free birth.

With her help, those hopes were realized. Her grace and poise that night were truly amazing, and we can't thank her enough -- or for that matter, her husband Erik and daughter Sophia, for letting her dash off to our side at a moment's notice.

So, thanks again, Jessica! You are an inspiration, and you have our heartfelt appreciation.

Silliness

Jay's Cinematic Debut (2-25-12)

The Sequel (2-28-12)

Jay's First Week

On Thursday, February 16 at 6:11 in the morning, our son, Jay Kikuo MacDonald, was born. He weighed seven pounds, seven ounces and measured 20 inches. He turned one week old today, and it's been quite a blissful life thus far. Here's a look...

On the scale in the delivery room, shortly after joining this world

Mom holds Jay -- a just reward for nearly 17 hours of labor

Bonding with Grandma

Baby burrito

Jay visits with Colleen and Riley

Hanging out with Paul

Kicking back in the bedroom

Max snuggles up alongside his new brother

Melanie finds love at first sight

Joanie, in town from Chicago, helps remind Jay of his Midwestern roots

 Such a wondrous time... Happy one-week birthday, Jay!

Holiday Leftovers

So we're nearly a month into 2012, and just entered the year of the dragon, but we still have some fond memories from the close of 2011 to share:

Helping decorate Mom and Dad's Christmas tree in El Cerrito.

Lighting up the menorah for Hanukkah with Clark and Theresa.

Mele Kalikimaka! Christmas dinner Island style, with lau lau, lomi salmon, mac salad, and poi. So ono!

Another Christmas dinner shot -- hanging loose with the MacDonald/Curtin/Ichinose families.

Akemashite Omedetou Gozaimasu! Now that's a New Year's feast. Thanks for hosting, Audrey, Mike, Henry, and Jimmy.

Looking forward to another great year, with lots of love to you and yours.