La semana pasada fuimos a Mexico con nuestros amigos

Last month the three of us flew to Arizona for a wedding. After which the party drove south of the border which turned into a huge reunion with many friends from Alaska and their children too.
In total, 19 adults and 9 children made their way to a huge rented beach house at the edge of the Senoran desert and and Sea of Cortez. We and successfully inhabited the space while sharing drinking water, meals and shade. It was a communal effort that reignighted some old friendships. Here are some pictures of our time.

Mommy enjoying some much needed R&R

She helped sing row,row,row your boat while out at sea with dad. Pretty Cool!

Rayna and Augustine hit it off quite well... She still talks about "Auggie"

Singing in the Rain

Rayna's new love for walking is turning into scary acceleration. My job just got tougher as we live at the top of a hill. Here she is soaking up some post summer rain.

I'm sixteen months old and still cute

It's Summer and it's been way too long...

Tough as leather

Yeah, Don't let the cute little curls fool ya. She's ready for this world

Happy 1st Birthday

March 20, 2008. Rayna turned twelve months old on the first day of spring. It seems like Rayna was just born now apparently its a year later. On whose calendar? Time is just flying by now.
We had a such a nice party with close friends. Rayna liked all the attention on her of course. She said baby about 35 times. It's definitely her favorite word. Next in line are kaka for Inka, our dog, and mama, and papa.
Here is Rayna in her glory receiving presents. Unfortunately, three days later she got the stomach flu. According to our pediatrician this is very normal timing. What they don't tell you in those parent manuals...

watching the rain

Rayna swims

On Saturday we took Rayna to the local pool for her first swim lessons. We were waiting in the hallway at the door for the pool before the class started and she saw maybe 13 other babies in swimsuits . On cue she said "baby". Good Job Rayna.

Recycling

Just hangin'

I'm taking swimming lessons in a few weeks so I had

to try on my polka-dot bikini to make sure it fits!

Cause Baby it's Cold Outside...

Me & Mommy on the sliding board.

Me at 10 months crawling on the back deck

Almost a year Old?

Rayna is a true miracle in our lives. As a guy I could never have imagined what her powerful gaze mirroring mine did to me. She instantly knew who I was. It's unexplainable when you see a piece of yourself looking back at you in such a pure state.
In hind site - almost a year later, as a stay at home dad those miraculous moments are hidden somewhere amongst the mundane chores. like washing milk bottles, cleaning, cooking, preparing for the night class I teach while bouncing on an exercise ball at the computer, or diaper wrestling. Oh...you aren't familiar with the sport?
I had no idea how strong a baby could be. As soon as her back hits the changing table she turns into a boa constrictor and her mission in life is to escape dad's well intentioned hands. I wonder what's going through her head at times like these. Is this fun for her? Does she think I'm trying to pin her when I'm changing her diaper? It's a new thing for her. I hope she outgrows this phase soon.
Anyway, I am a dad but I'm also a photographer and although this year is flashing before my eyes technology allows us to have dated images of nearly every day of Rayna's life. Click on the images to see it a little bigger.
My final major life adjustment is one with time itself. My entire perception of time has changed since her birth. This first year as parents feels as though we stagnate and sort of get sore and tired. We arent developing, we're just aging. How depressing. So what better than focusing on our child who is actually blossoming before our eyes. By the way, today Rayna is 41 days from her 1st birthday.
Dad

Wonderment...

Playing with confetti was the best part this year!



Hey look, I've got a new hat!

I love Santa!

My First Christmas!

I love my new saucer - Thanks Julie

She makes Grandpa René proud when she tickles that ivory!

Lady Bug

Rayna's first Halloween. She's sitting next to her good

pal, Thomas the tank, AKA Sam.

What a cute little bug!

If you're happy and you know it...

September 2007

Butternut Baby

Yes she certainly enjoys eating...
her favorite at 5-6 months was butternut squash.
Her daddy perfected his recipe with a little bit of cinnamon and some cumin...yummy!

Flower Child

Yes that is drool on the pack!

Rayna in the Sky with "Clouds"

I am pretty sure she is about 4-5
months old here...

Rayna Roo

Rayna being happy!

Bésame Mucho

Here's looking at you Kid ; )

She certainly knows what to do in front of the camera. She sort of has that balding old man do in this shot but that face is just priceless!

Grandpa Joe & Dad both being tested......

3 weeks and looking very serious at the world

Peanut Shell

I look back and can hardly believe she fit into that Peanut Shell.

Eskimo Kisses from Daddy

I think this picture pretty much sums up how Carter felt about being a new Daddy.

We were both a little nervous about how Inka, our first dog-ter, would react to the little new comer but from day 1 she was part of the pack!

Inka's mothering instincts immediately came into play. She would sit at our feet while breastfeeding....protecting her loved ones. Not even the sound of the leash waving could break her stoic concentration.

We used to put Rayna down for naps on our bed with pillows surrounding her. Inka didn't think that was enough protection so she often took her naps at the foot of the bed.

Nothing made us more happy to see their instant bond. They will grow up together romping in the woods of South Mountain and getting into trouble!

Born March 20th 2007

Weighing in at 7lbs 7oz, 18.5" long.