Once around the sun. Atalaya's first year.

Once around the sun.

Atalaya's first year.

It's been whirlwind spectacular, laughs and difficulties. A year gone by. This new life we hold and comfort-- watching a building flood of parental love engulf us. A growing relationship; unfolding, in and through out our lives. A closeness unparalleled.
Atalaya was born under auspicious circumstances, the last solar eclipse of its kind for many years, the first and only rain of months, coyotes calling out to the night sky. An unusual day. We brought her into this world, consciously and intentionally. She has changed our lives in the last year, in so many innumerable ways. She has given us the will to fight for better lives for ourselves and for the world. She has given us laughter, so that even in the madness of the trials of parenthood... we laugh. She has given us hope, and not in some corny "oh my child will save the planet" way, but in a real sense, that if she is possible, if a beautiful healthy child is still able to be born onto this planet, with all its problems, that maybe a new and healthier world can also be born.
She is a blessing to our lives. We are thankful for each moment in her presence, in her pure and loving presence.

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For Atty's first birthday we all traveled to Florida to spend time with friends and family and a few very kind strangers. We had Atty's party at Nicole's parents house in Spring Hill, just north of Tampa. My Mom and her husband Nabil came, as well as my close friend Jasper, who brought the very special order of 36 gourmet VEGAN cupcakes that we pre ordered from Bunnie Cakes in Miami. www.bunniecakes.com



Our dear friends Christy and James were out of town for Atty's birthday, but joined us a few days later and treated us to an amazing family photo shoot at sunset on the beach. Quality.
Here are some photos from the entire trip.

:: The fam poolside.

:: Birthday princessa.

:: Atalaya in her little 2 piece number.

:: Pa, babe and Ma









:: Our love, our life.






:: Atty and her Pup Pup playing and laughing!

It should be noted, Atalaya had a rather rough birthday trip (hence, few smiles besides the one above with Pup Pup). Her top two incisors were cutting and I'm sure that's painful business! I

And a few random iPhoto shots:



We are once again, in route around the sun. We have no idea what this year will bring, or where we will this life will take us. All we can do is hold on, breathe and work toward our goals. Things are probably better now than they've ever been, and with any luck, they will only get better.