Welcome to the Obrock Family Archive. This archive was created by Lesley Herd Obrock and William Erich Obrock on December 1st, 2000. We were married on September 23, 1999, in Hollywood, California.
This archive includes footage of our wedding and reception. The footage was shot on 16mm film by a documentary team, and was edited by Bill. We have created this archive for our thousands of friends, family and fans all over the world.
This archive is also the beginning of a life-long biography for our first child, Jack Braxton Obrock, born on February 3, 2001. We will continue to add photos and video clips of Jack and the people and things that affect his life.
This archive is a gift to Jack and his descendants. We hope he will enjoy the biography as he grows and continue to add to it all his life.
October 15, 2001
Re: more photos
sorry that i have not written a message for my cutest nephew ever. i intend to do it, really. that should stop you from putting more photos on the website as he is cuter everyday. why deprive all the expats the oppourtunity to see the squirmy one?
your sainted sister
September 20, 2001
Septemeber 11, 2001
Sept. 11 was the day the World Trade Center fell to the ground & put the entire world upside down. Rob & I did not make Lisa’s wedding because of this, and missed seeing you. I did hear that your Dad, being the Master of Ceremony’s for Lisa & Jeff’s wedding, brought the guest’s to tears with his elequent words. Sorry I missed such a wonderfull reunion. Hopely we will see you in December. Love you, anna
annao
September 19, 2001
Great Archive!
Keep adding new pics!
Anonymous
September 19, 2001
Hello <
> Luv Ya!
Anonymous
September 19, 2001
Hello Bill, Lesley, and Jack. It’s your old friend Vic Taledorian. >>hr<< Just wanted to send my best wishes to all of you!
Anonymous
August 31, 2001
Not Goodbye -- See Ya!
Hey Jack!
You, Mommy, and Daddy are moving to your new home in Missouri tomorrow. It’s sad, for us, because we all will miss you terribly. But, we’re also so happy, because you three will be together in a wonderful new venue, where the Obrock trio will grow and keep doing great things. I just wanted you to know that Auntie Annette and Uncle Scottie will always be here for you, and we hope we’ll get progress reports on you — when you take your first steps, say your first word, and make your first peanut butter and jelly sandwich for Mom.
I just wanted to leave you a message, to wish you all the best, and to congratulate you on this move, which I know will emerge as a positive change, allowing you to be closer to your families, and them to you. May God bless and keep you three in his loving care, and drive safely. Hollywood — the town and US — won’t be the same without you.
Annette Lloyd
August 20, 2001
First Impressions
Rob and I just returned from our visit to Sanibel Island to meet you for the first time. And upon my arrival, I found the most beautiful child I’ve ever seen, with two glowing parents. You just started to sleep a full 6 hour stretch, enabling your parents to become sane once again…and glow with pride.The week brought many things, snorkling on Cayo Casta, endless days on the beach, early morning shelling with your mom, and a day for just you and I.
One minute is all it took for me to fall in love with you, one day to see how happy and intelligent you are, and one week to know I need to move closer to you, & your parents…or move you closer to us. You’ve got two wonderful parents, and they are doing a lovely job raising you.
I had a wonderful time this passed week and will see you in a month for Lisa’s wedding.
Lot’s of love, Anna
Aunt Anna
March 13, 2001
Wedding and baby
We loved watching your video …best of luck to you and leslie and baby Jack!!The tenderness and love we see between you two will benefit little jack his whole life…we cried!!!!Love. Josie.Tami.Cheryl,Val and Cindy
Cindy and gang
March 4, 2001
jackarooney
finally i am an aunt!!yea!! well jack you already have thrown your parents for a loop (with your early arival) one of many to come. the closest i will come to seeing you for awhile is your pics from the hostpital. you look like your mom. i am sure next week you will look like your dad and so on. i am sure you will be a perfect blend of both. you look like a very wise old soul. i cant wait to meet you and for you to meet your cousins ian and hanleigh. they are very excited. oh yeah you will have a new uncle soon in the fall sometime. finally jeff and i are getting married. anyway reading the story of your birth totally brought me back to when i gave birth to your cousins. wow what a slice of life. charish the moments. they grow away soooo fast. i miss you guys. wishing i could just stop by. i just might have to come squeeze you i a few weeks. fatten yourself up and i will see you soon. love lisa jeff ian and hanleigh
aunt wheezey
March 3, 2001
Congratulations Again!
Hey Bill, I just noticed that the site is up. Did it go up this week? Our new site is up too. Check it out when you get the chance. Anyway, I just wanted to congratulate you again on the addition to your family. Is he home yet? Hope you’re doing well. Best, Evete
Evette
March 2, 2001
Congratulations on the birth of your child. The web site looks fantastic! Keep up the great job, Bill.
Brett Gaither
March 1, 2001
Congratulations
We just want to give Jack a warm and loving welcome from his California surrogate Nana and Papa Doebber. Welcome to our World, Little Guy!
Ken and Angie
March 1, 2001
To Have & to Hold
Ah… to see my brother as a proud father. What joy! I need to meet this new creature soon!
Anna Obrock Clark
February 28, 2001
~Some are born to sweet delight~
What a beautiful baby!Congratulations!
I with the three of you a long, beautiful and happy life!
Best wishes,
Tomme
Tomme
February 26, 2001
your baby
congrats on your new baby!!!
be well
oliver yeo
February 26, 2001
congrats!!!!
Congratulations on the birth of your baby boy! Believe me, Your life’s going to change in a very good way. Good luck to you both!!
Scott McCarthy
February 26, 2001
Way to go!!!
Way to go Bill, didn’t think you had it in ya. Love, Chris
Chris Buckley
February 24, 2001
JACK BRAXTON
JACK–FIRST OF ALL I GUESS I SHOULD TELL YOU A LITTLE ABOUT MYSELF. I WORK WITH BOTH OF YOUR PARENTS AND I’VE GOT TO TELL YOU THEY WERE BOTH A LITTLE EXCITED AND A LITTLE SCARED WHEN THEY FOUND OUT YOU WERE ON THE WAY. YOUR MOM IS CUTE TO BEGIN WITH BUT AS SHE GOT LARGER SHE TOOK ON THE AIR OF ADORABILITY THAT ONLY PREGNANT WOMEN GET. YOU SHOULD KNOW THAT WHEN THE NEWS OF YOUR BIRTH WAS ANNOUNCED THE AMOUNT OF EXCITEMENT AND JOY EXPERIENCED BY ALL THE PEOPLE THAT WORK WITH YOUR MOM AND DAD HERE IN HOLLYWOOD WAS PALPABLE. WE WERE ALL THRILLED TO KNOW THAT YOU ARRIVED. I TALKED TO YOUR DAD ABOUT 24 HOURS AFTER YOU WERE BORN. HE WAS BONE TIRED WORKING ON A DEADLINE UPSTAIRS, AND ANSWERING PHONE CALLS FROM WELL WISHERS. WHEN I ASKED ABOUT THE EXPERIENCE OF YOUR BIRTH HE SIGHED, THEN HE SMILED, AND RECOUNTED YOUR ARRIVAL FOR THE UPTEENTH TIME WITH AN EXPRESSION THAT CAN ONLY BE CHARACTERIZED AS HAPPINESS. AS FOR YOUR LIFE I WISH YOU WHAT I WOULD WISH MY CHILD IF I HAD ONE AND THAT IS JOY AND HAPPINESS.
I’M NOT SURE WHEN YOU’LL READ THIS BUT IF IT’S DURING YOUR TEEN YEARS REMEMBER THIS WHEN YOUR PARENTS MAKE YOU ANGRY. THERE ARE NO TWO PEOPLE ON THE PLANET OR IN THIS UNIVERSE THAT LOVE YOU MORE. WHAT THAT MEANS IS THAT IF THEY ARE IMPOSING LIMITS THEY’RE NOT DOING IT OUT OF SPITE BUT OUT OF A DEEP AND ABIDING LOVE FOR YOUR AND YOUR WELFARE. PARENTING IS THE MOST DIFFICULT JOB A HUMAN BEING CAN UNDERTAKE AND NONE OF US ARE PERFECT. HOWEVER, BEING WANTED AND LOVED CAN GO A LONG WAY TO SMOOTHING OVER THE ROUGH SPOTS. STAY TRUE TO YOURSELF, LOVE THOSE THAT LOVE YOU AND IGNORE THOSE THAT DON’T. TRUST YOUR HEART AND YOUR COMMON SENSE, WORK HARD FOR WHAT YOU WANT AND YOU CAN’T HELP BUT HAVE A GOOD LIFE. TAKE CARE JACK BRAXTON O’BROCK.
TTFN,
MITCH WATKINS
MITCH WATKINS
February 21, 2001
jack b
spoke to anna today and she told me of jack’s arrival- congrats !he has quite a head of hair !
loved your videos, keep up the good work, but take a nap first.
all the best ,
ling and holly
ling
February 21, 2001
Congratulations
Bill and Leslie, congratulations on your new baby boy. Hope it was as much fun making him as it will be watching him grow up. Matt
Matt Lang
February 21, 2001
Congrats!!!
What a cute little child. Congrats to the both of ya. Only question I have, “When is little Obrock #2 due in? C-ya. Rick
Rick Baldridge
February 21, 2001
Jack Braxton
I say Jack for the first time today and goose bumps consumed my body. What a beautiful child, and so health, with his budda bellie- he was certainly ready to come into the world. Leslie, Bill…you did a wonderful job! I love you all, Anna
Anna Obrock Clark
February 20, 2001
Congratulations
Hi Bill,
Jim and I work at Mt. Washington Forever Funeral Home in Independence, Missouri and we just wanted to say congratulations on the birth of your daughter.
Jim & Patrice Wilson
February 20, 2001
congratulations!!
Dear Bill and Leslie,Wanted to congratulate you on the wonderful new addtion to your family. He is beautiful. Hope to see him soon.
Wishing you and your baby all the best,
napoleon
napoleon
February 20, 2001
Welcom Baby Jack
Congratulations!!! Everytime new life is created it is a miricle, it is always more special when the miricle touches some you know. Congratulations on your little miricle, I know you will shower Jack with Love.
Phil Zehms
February 19, 2001
Baby Jack
February 19, 2001
Dearest Jack,
You are beautiful!
Even though you were born before your due date, your features are perfect. I have pictures of you being admired by your mom, and held by your dad. Please realize how blessed you are to have two wonderful parents.
I love you, and it will be a joyous day when I get to meet you, hold you, and hug and kiss you.
Love and kisses,
Grandma Judy Bug “XXOOOXXOO”
Grandma Judy Dooley
February 14, 2001
happy valentine's day
Dear Jack, Happy Valentine’s day. I love you. Granny G
granny g
February 13, 2001
welcome
Welcome to the world little one! I talked to your daddy today on the phone and could visualize his proud smile as he was describing you to me. By your photos, you sure look like a handsome little man. It seems you have been blessed with two parents who are ready to extend a lifetime of happiness to you. I hope they realize how fast you will grow and change and continue to amaze them each and every day. Don’t be in a hurry to grow up; you don’t know how magical it is to watch a baby grow and develop, but you can’t turn back the clock either, so your parents will have to take in every moment with you and store that image in their minds. I hope to visit back often to see photo updates of you and your new family. You really are a cute little guy!
Lisa Ahle
February 13, 2001
Baby Jack
Congratulations on your beautiful baby.The pictures are just great, and Dad looks so proud. I think I best relate to the very last picture Mother and Child . I wish all of you the best and keep updating the pictures. Bye Mary
Mary Rebmann
February 12, 2001
This is serious
Listen you two kids. This “baby-boy” thingis no joke. That little “peanut” will
soon grow into a strong, self-sufficient,
independently-minded, fully ambulatory tyke.
Your mission, which you have unwittingly
yet irrevokably decided to accept, is to keep
YOUR silly ideas out of HIS little head.
Lesley, it’s time you knew, flowers and the
beauty they represent are inherently evil.
They distract us from what is truly important,
lull us into a false and extremely dangerous
sense of serenity — as if everything were
perfectly all right and beautiful with
the world, and then BANG! Didn’t you
ever see that movie with Donald Sutherland?
Something of the something-somethings? Anyway–
Bill, it is absolutely essential that none
of your sense of humor be passed on to
that tender and innocent bud of a child.
He might grow up to be president, and can
you imagine someone with a sense of the
absurd ruling the free-world? OF COURSE
NOT! The very idea is homologous. Whither
the requisite shortsightedness, extremity of
testosterone, and latent hatred of the world
that would fuel the military and incessant
tabloid scandal? NOwhither, that’s
whither. So get your head on straight,
and lose the smile.
In short, you two are beautiful, happy, and
wise; you are going to have to work VERY
hard to see that these qualities are not
passed on to your kin. And by the looks
of it, you’re doing a damn terrible job so
far! Get back to work.
Tony
Tony Newman
February 12, 2001
Jack
Hey there Jack, you look just lkie your dad buddy. Hopefully you will grow a bit more hair than has.
Andy Turner
February 11, 2001
Welcome Jack
Dear Jack:
I am so excited and happy for your mom and dad and for Grammy G. Grammy G. truly is beside herself with joy at your arrival. You are just a beautiful little boy that didn’t let the idea of a mere “due date” get in your way. Look out world!!!!
May God bless and keep you and forever hold you in His hand.
Lisa, Grammy G's friend
February 11, 2001
Welcome Jack
Dear Jack:
I am a proud and happy great grandfather, immensely happy with your arrival. I know you will be a good boy.
Love you,
Perper Jack
Perper Jack
February 11, 2001
Jack
You are my sunshine little one.
Grammy G.
February 8, 2001
jack
Hi Jack,Welcome aboard! This the beginning of your grand adventure. I think the best you can doin this world is to leave it a better place thru the contribution of your tour here. Your proof its working for us.
Bill & Jari O
grampa O
February 8, 2001
Congratulation on the arrival of your new baby.
Phil
February 7, 2001
Jack's Birth
I am so happy for you Jack to have such great parents as Bill & Leslie. Your dad is a wonderful and creative person. I knew him before he met your mom and he was so lonely. He has been so happy since finding your mom and now your birth has completed his life. He is so overwhelmed with love for you and you are just a few days old. Your mom is a very sensitive, sweet and creative person also. I know they will both work very hard to make a good life for you. You are such a little peanut now, born before you were really ready but you are strong and with the support of such wonderful parents you will grow stronger. I hope to get to meet you soon. Love, Sue
Sue Kroupa
February 6, 2001
Welcome, Jack!
Hi Jack!
I work with your parents, and am so glad to be among the first to welcome you to what I am certain will be a most delightful life. It began early, as you’ll remember reading from Daddy — I can’t blame you, however, for wanting to get out as soon as possible to spend time with your parents. They are both very wise, kind, gentle people, who will guide you lovingly through your days. Listen to them, and learn from them, for they are two very special people. Just as I love my husband very much (and I was married about 2 months before Mommy and Daddy), they have such love between them — and now, you are both a product and a part of that love. You’ve got it made in the shade, little one.
If I could, allow me to be the first to show you a Harold Lloyd film (as it is crucial that you be introduced, early, to the finest in early film). That would be an honor for me. We’ll play baci ball sometime, too, hey?
God Bless You, Jack — he already has!
Auntie Annette Lloyd and Uncle Scottie Lloyd
February 6, 2001
The Big Surprise
In my last post, I wrote about how eagerly we were awaiting your arrival, just eight short weeks away. Well, it appears you had a decidedly more aggressive schedule in mind. I am just now able to sit down and write a few words about your birth, which took place three days ago.
Your mom and I went to bed early Friday night, knowing we had to get up for our 3rd LaMaze class at Cedars Saturday morning. Lesley woke up at about 10:00 p.m. with tears streaming down her face. She woke me and said, “Promise me that, if something should happen to me, you will make sure Jack knows my family. You have to promise.” she insisted. I assured her that she had nothing to worry about, that nothing would go wrong. She still insisted that I promise, which I did.
Two hours later, Lesley woke up with a very strong contraction that would not go away. She was also very nauseated and began vomiting. After a few minutes it was clear that something was wrong, so we decided to take the short trip down to Cedars Sinai Emergency, just to make sure it wasn’t serious.
Within three minutes of our arrival, Lesley was surrounded by four doctors and five nurses, and I was being led away to put on scrubs. We were so thankful to see that one of our primary OB/GYNs, Dr. Adberg, happened to be there at the hospital. She informed me that you had a low heart rate and were in distress and she would have to perform an emergency Ceaserean Section immediately. I signed the needed forms with a very shaky hand, and tried to reassure Lesley that everything would be fine. I reminded her that we were lucky to be at one of the best hospitals in the world, with a doctor we knew ant trusted.
Within a few very frantic minutes, we were in the operating room, Lesley awake on the table surrounded by eight doctors and nurses. I sat beside your mom, encouraging her and trying to help her to not be afraid, while the doctors worked very quickly to bring you into the world.
In less than 5 minutes, the doctors announced, “The Baby is out.”, but you didn’t make a sound. They said you were “vigorous”, which was encouraging, but I remember wanting so much to hear you cry. After a minute, you let out a little chirp, and I went over to get my first look at you.
You were absolutely the most beautiful thing I have ever seen. A group of doctors was rubbing you and testing your reflexes. Your heart rate rebounded immediately, and your color was a robust pink. I was amazed to see a thick shock of golden blonde hair, as curly as your mom’s. the doctors quickly swaddled you and brought you over to your mother, who kissed you dozens of times and tried to get a good look at you through her tears of joy. We were both so relieved that you seemed to be O.K.
I went with your Mom to recovery, while you were taken to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. After Making sure Lesley was O.K., I came up to see you. As you can see from the pictures, you were hooked up to so many machines and monitors, I was absolutely terrified. But the nurse who was taking care of you was very helpful, telling me you were doing very well, and helping me understand the equipment and what it was telling us. You were on a respirator for those first few hours because your lungs were not ready for air yet.
I spent a few hours with you, trying to talk to you about using your lungs, absorbing the fluid that was in them, and taking deep, calm breaths. You worked very hard those first few hours, straining to get air into your tiny lungs. After about six hours, you had succeeded, and your respirator was replaced with a small tube to supply some extra oxygen. By midnight that night, (Saturday) you had improved immensely, and your doctors removed the oxygen tube. You were breathing on your own with a 99% oxygen saturation just 22 hours after your birth. This was the first of many times I am sure, that you have impressed me with your abilities. You are a strong, determined being with enormous resources.
By Sunday, you had begun taking mom’s breast milk through a small feeding tube. We slowly increased the amount of milk you take, while decreasing the use of your I.V. Today you are eating well and almost off of the I.V. completely. Mom is very eager to let you try to breast-feed, but the doctor’s want to take it slow, so we have to wait until this week-end.
Mom is using a breast pump to make sure you have plenty of good milk ready when you need it. She has really inspired me during this whole process, and I feel a deeper love and respect for her than I ever though possible.
And the love I feel for you. . . It is the most profound feeling I have ever experienced. It is unconditional and unending. It began from the moment I first saw you, when a warm, visceral vibration overwhelmed me, starting at my chest and washing over my whole body.
I am going back to see you in a few minutes, I just wanted to get a few words down before I forget the details.
The bottom line is this: Your mom and I had fantasies about how your birth would be. We wanted it to be perfect. I have realized over the past few days that it was perfect. You are perfect. And the universe is unfolding exactly as it should.
We love you so much, Jack. Welcome to the world!!
DAD
January 18, 2001
Foot
Dino says —> KEEP IT CLEAN!
Itcheda Toppada
January 18, 2001
Trip to St. Louis, JAN 2001
Lesley and I travelled to St. Louis last week to visit relatives. Your grandmother, Danelle, hosted a baby shower for Lesley, who is due in 2 months. Gram Gardner has given you a ravishing array of gifts already, and makes herself nauseated with excitement when she thinks about your impending arrival. Your namesake, Jack Hubbard was the honorary host, welcoming your grandmother, Judy, and many other friends to his Afton home. We have a crib all set up for you. We chose a nautical theme for your room, hoping you will share our love for the sea. Tyler has given you a fabulous antique lighthouse lamp made from machined brass, and Lesley has painted your walls a cool sea blue. She has been very busy getting everything ready for you. This weekend we will look for a dresser, the last major item we have yet to find.
Eight short weeks and you will be here!!
Dad