August 18, 2009

Fleeting Smiles


These precious glimpses of the funny little person he is becoming are more frequent now. He's responding to our smiles from time to time and is definitely ticklish!

August 7, 2009

He's here!



The little one has finally arrived! Today is his three-week birthday.

We're all happy and healthy and finding our groove together. We've spent the last few weeks enveloped in a protective cocoon of love and support (not to mention being spoiled by food deliveries, dishwashers, and laundry-doers.) As we get to know each other and learn to be a family, we didn't have to worry about a thing. Our dinners showed up every evening just when it was time to eat; there are stacks and stacks of clean baby clothes and blankets and burp cloths thanks to hand-me-downs from friends and family and Trudie's magical way with stain remover; there are so many sweet voices and hearts wishing us well; and there are wise, wise midwives, grandparents, aunties and uncles by our side helping us find our way into parenthood.

And our little man is also a wise teacher. I wasn't expecting that. He is patient, loving, persistent, and gives the most incredible positive feedback, even when we're doing something only half-right. He is humbling, and to our dazzled eyes, exquisitely handsome.

January 7, 2009

10 Things I'm Loving Right Now

1) Watching sunrises. Photographing people watching sunrises.

2) Designing my dream house on Google Sketchup
3) Taking photos of birds (no, this is not the same as bird watching and don't ever call me a bird nerd!)

4) Knitting baby hats and then making my dog pose for pictures modeling the hats.

5) Ravelry.
6) Using only solar power for electricity and hot water.
7) The view from my private yoga studio. In the morning, I see rays jumping, sea lions, and occasionally dolphins. In the evenings there is an osprey who comes to hunt along the shoreline. There are always flying fish and pelicans to watch.

8) That time early in the morning when the only sound is the waves.
9) This picture (from December 15th.)

10) This video (from yesterday.)

December 26, 2008

Cribs La Ventana

"Yo wassup. Welcome to Casa de Hooijer."


"This is where my maid works. That's an original kiteboard-inspired dishwashing station, one-of-a-kind. And you can see the walk-in shower with custom palm thatching to the right."


"And this is the view from the bedroom -- where the magic happened."


"In here I got the living area with custom flooring and authentic ming dynasty hanging lamps, sweet."


"This is the view from our chill out room."


"And out front I got an infinity ocean"


"Here in my garage I've got a sweet Honda 650R with black 21s."


"Thanks for touring Casa de Hooijer. Now get outta here."

December 23, 2008

Santa arrives in Baja!

He came a little early and he left the reindeer and sleigh behind...





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Merry Christmas everyone!

December 22, 2008

My first (semi-)professional photography job


Well, I didn't exactly get paid or anything... but we (Humphrey, Arnoud, Tim and I) did get to go for free on an amazing kite trip. Check out the photos at Downwind Kiting's website. Mostly the section about the Isla Cerralvo trip, but also some of the website's promotional photos. I took most of the pictures and Arnoud modeled for some of them. I might even get paid to take photos for them if they sell some excursions! And I've been asked to be the "professional photographer" during the freestyle clinic with the pro rider for f-one. Wish me luck!

December 12, 2008

Back in Baja Blogland

So we've been having a nice time relaxing into our vacation. We set up a nice camp -- a whole house with living area, a nice large kitchen, a shower, and a front yard with a hammock and a view of the sea.
The wind has been sporadic but we've still gotten a fair amount of time on the water. Arnoud has been working on his Raleys (pictured below) and backrolls with 180 transitions. I'm working on not face planting or digging in my edges or looking like I'm sitting on the toilet. Oh, to be Arnoud!
From My Pictures

I did ride Arnoud's strapless surfboard for the first time yesterday. Very exciting to do, not terrribly exciting to watch. It'll be awhile until I brave the waves.
We went on an overnight to the Isla Cerralvo, 14 miles off the coast, with 11 friend on a cat-hull powerboat with a 250 hp motor and a built in blender.
From 2008_12_08

From 2008_12_08

We set up camp on a beach, deserted except for us and a few marked turtle nests. After a day of playing in the water and on the beach -- kiting, spearfishing, snorkelling, and swimming; frisbee, shell hunting, sunbathing and hiking -- we ate dutch-oven enchiladas and chiles rellenos by the campfire and watched great big meteors streak across the sky.
From 2008_12_08

From 2008_12_08

From 2008_12_08

The next day we crossed back; Arnoud and several others kited downwind as Humphrey and I enjoyed the boat ride and took hundreds of photos. Here's a few for you to enjoy!