-
Arizona and Utah Roadtrip

This trip is about exploring the Colorado Plateau and its many manifestations through Arizona and Utah. Mainly, we’ve planned this trip to marvel at the sandstone formations, layers balanced one on another, shaped by the forces of deposition and erosion. We also find ways to balance time—between baby, play, and work. It’s Daphney’s first long…
-
Dogwood Camp

Close to Lake Arrowhead, Dogwood Campground is a convenient getaway. We arrive just in time to set up before dark. After dinner, it gets a little cold. As we prepare to go for a walk along the lake shore, Yan pulls out the little monkey fleece overalls. Daphney looks so cute in this outfit. Every…
-
Twenty Lakes Basin

Having successfully camped for two nights and hiked at high altitude, we figured it was safe to go backpacking. This will be Daphney’s first trip into the backcountry wilderness.
-
One Hundred Days

This day marks an important milestone. One hundred days represents one hundred years, and the baby at one hundred days is blessed with a long life of a hundred years. Here, Daphney is in the walnut maple cradle that was recently completed. Daphney: may your days be filled with blessings and joy, for all one…
-
Walnut and Maple Cradle

This project took a lot of planning. It all started out when Yan suggested that I make a cradle for the baby—a bassinet that can be handed off to the next generation as an heirloom. After giving some pushback, I finally accepted the project. Planning I scoured the internet for ideas, but finally, I settled…
-
Big Pine Creek, Rock Creek, Heart Lake

It’s going to be Daphney’s first camping trip. I’m a little nervous about the altitude. Days before, I had been researching high altitude problems in babies. I had read that staying below 2500 m (8200 ft) is safe, but approach 3000 m (9840 ft) carefully. Since we’re staying at Big Pine Creek (7600 ft) the…
-
Seattle, Mt. Rainier, and the Olympic Mountains

We’re heading to Seattle for me meeting at the American Orthopaedic Association. This first flight for Daphney goes well, and she isn’t the least bit bothered by the cabin pressure changes. Aside from the meetings, Seattle brings us great opportunities for sightseeing. Daphney gets her first rental car ride. She visits the original Starbucks. We…
-
First Fathers’ Day

This is the most special Fathers’ Day, since it’s my first. Yan whips up this fantastic meal to celebrate the event. There is acorn squash soup, summer rolls, and clay pot rice with savory toppings. To finish this off, Yan presents mung bean shaved ice topped with a cherry. I love Daphney’s bib: “My HEART…
-
Orthopaedics Party for Daphney

Yan and I give a big thank you to the orthopaedic department for organizing this beautiful baby shower for Daphney. The feast was nothing short of spectacular, as was the décor. We feel so blessed to be surrounded by friends.
-
Yan’s Graduation

After years of work toward her doctorate, Yan’s graduation is here. Just months before, while we were on vacation in Sedona, Yan was fretting over completing her graduation requirements. The program mandates a certain number of publications, and Yan and I worked on a resubmission of her manuscript. It got accepted, and now, she is…
-
Baby in Black and White

Some of these first month shots are better presented in black and white, where the shapes and contrasts speak for themselves. This album represents some of those photographs, where simplicity better portrays the bond between parent and child.
-
Daphney’s First Month

This first month is about eating, feeding, and sleeping. In between those crucial activities, we had to squeeze in photo shoots. The curly baby poses are hard to get, and it was tricky to time this just right—right after feedings so that she’s sleepy enough. Then, there were times we had to dodge bodily functions.…
-
First Anniversary

It’s been one year! We are so excited to be celebrating this first anniversary. We feel very blessed—to have each other and our newborn Daphney. According to what they told us, we saved the top of our wedding cake from the reception. Unsealing it brings back memories. It tastes familiar, and at the same time,…













