My favorite stuffed animal as a kid

Raya got to play with 'Sweetie', my most favorite friend when I was little....she's a meerkat

Raya's cousins

Raya's cousins, Tyler and Emma got to hold her for the first time :)

Elimination Communication

So I started practicing something called "Elimination Communication" with Raya. it is when you pay attention to when your baby eliminates, and you cue them with a sound...When i think she has to go, i put her on her potty or hold her in a squat position and if she goes i make an 'ssssss' sound. Eventually, the idea is she will be able to cue me to tell me to take her to go potty, and she could be out of diapers by the time she's 1. It is an old, gentle way to deal with a baby's waste, and it's been real fun for Raya and me so far! She actually seems to know what i'm trying to do already....i try to pee her during transition moments..like before and after car rides, before and after she gets into her papoose carrier, etc. Surprisingly one day, my intuition seemed right on. She seemed to pee every time I felt like putting her on the pot. Today, I seem to be just missing it--I get the feeling to put her on, and I take her diaper off, and it's freshly wet! We're learning though! Some people start this right at birth with their babies--it's real neat. here's a couple of links if you're interested in learning more: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elimination_communication

http://www.diaperfreebaby.org

Red Tailed Hawk Call :)

So Anthony and I ventured out for the first time by ourselves since Raya was born! his wonderful momma took the morning off and hung out with her . it has been like 6 months since we took our kayaks out, and it was so refreshing, relaxing, special, etc etc!!!! Happy Birthday Anthony!!! I love you Santa Fe river...

Anthony's 32nd Birthday!

I'm always sad my brother Al is not able to ride the sante fe river with me--i've never seen so many painter turtles Al!!!