I was born on May 25, 2011 at 6:46pm at Sutter Maternity Center in Santa Cruz, California. My parents, Deb and Don, are counting their lucky stars that I’m such a perfect little boy. 

My legal name is Rudolph, after grandpa Roy, who never used his real name… but I like it ’cause it’s old-school classic!
I have grandpa’s big ear lobes and wrinkly forehead. My middle name gives me a sense of place, after the Vedder-Chilliwack river. Daddy liked to camp along its banks and fish for Chinook, Coho, and Steelhead. They thought uncle Terry would like this, and it’s also symbolic that the river flows across the Canada-US border. I have grandpa Whittington‘s last name and quiet, easy-going disposition! 

I arrived early at 37.5 weeks because I was a breech baby, but handsome and healthy at  6  lbs 1/2 oz and 18 1/2 inches long.

Small but Strong

Mommy and daddy attribute my early arrival to the Vancouver Canucks’ double-overtime win against the San Jose Sharks the night before his birth… I figured my dad wouldn’t want me to have to wait 40+ years like he did to see the ‘Nucks win the Stanley Cup! 

I came home from the hospital on May 29th… daddy’s 43rd birthday.

Daddy's birthday present

Happy Dad!

Recovering with mommy

I'm going to be an astronaut! (kidding... it's my hearing test)