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You are a lucky girl. You are so loved by so many people. And two of those people are your Cuban Tias. We were lucky enough to have them both here visiting last week at the same time, so all three sisters were under one roof. Things get a little wild and crazy whenever that happens! These are three FUN ladies. None of them can get enough of you. Even changing your diaper becomes a team sport when your fan club is in town.
We all hung out on the floor at Mima’s house and watched you scatter lemons all over the slippery tile floor and laughed our heads off when I put two lemons down your shirt. I took some pics and they are hilarious, but I suppose they’re not entirely appropriate (and beside that I was laughing so hard I couldn’t hold still enough to take one in focus).
And of course you had to eat, with everyone watching.
Your Tia Nena is also my Tia Nena (she’s actually your “great” Tia) and your Mima’s oldest sister. I have so many great memories with her.She has always been extremely thoughtful and kind to me. She always calls us on important days just to let me know she’s thinking about us.
Not only is she a lovely person, she is also extremely talented in everything she does. She plays the piano, sews, knits, crochets and she does them all extremely well with amazing attention to detail. On this last visit she gave us a Raggity Ann outfit she made for our cousin (her granddaughter) Paulina when she was a baby. It’s adorable. I can’t wait to put it on you and take some photos. I still have dresses that she made for me when I was a little girl that someday you’ll get to wear. The sweater you’re wearing in these pictures was made by her. It has a matching hat and pair of booties that are adorable, but you won’t keep them on. She’s also made several adorable headbands that you wore until you decided to no longer keep things on your head.
Tia Nena is a wealth of family history. She helped me start to draw out a family tree a couple years ago when we had our big family reunion. One of these days I’m going to finish it. And she knows a ton of Cuban songs and rhymes and sayings like “barriga llena, corazon contenta” (full belly, happy heart.) One of these days I need to write some more down so that I can learn them and pass them on to you.
Her love for you is apparent as she has traveled out from Glendale just to see you several times. It’s a long ride, but she does it for you. You immediately like her every time she comes around, even reaching out to go to her when she offers you her arms. You can tell she another one of those nice Cuban ladies who love you.
This visit, she worked with you on learning to put the stacking rings back on the tower. She got you to the point of actually tossing them at the tower, a slight improvement.
Your Tia Carmen is Mima’s other older sister. She is a hoot and she has a very special place in my heart. She’s the one who taught me how to water ski and has told me more often than almost anyone (besides Mima) that I’m smart and that I can do anything I put my mind to. She has always encouraged me. It helps to have a person like that in your life. I always feel loved and accepted when she’s around. I’m so glad that you get to have her in your life too.
Daddy and I got to live with Tia Carmen for several months when we first moved to California, and she’s the main reason we ended up buying a house in Yucca Valley. She opened her home to us so that we could have a place to live while we were house-hunting. Now we are fortunate to have her living only a few minutes away from us, just down the highway. You get to see her often, which is great.
She is funny and fun and passionate and full of energy. And she loves you so much. She’s the first person to get down on the floor with you and play. She can get the hugest smiles out of you playing beek-a-boo or dancing around with you. Musicality runs in the family and Tia Carmen is no exception. She loves our Cuban heritage and loves our Cuban music – also a wealth of songs and rhymes. She’s a great dancer (we’ll let her and Mima teach you how since your Momma isn’t the best!) and she plays the drums. Yes, you will get to play them too someday. I know she would love to teach you how. I just ask that you go practice at her house. 🙂
She truly is one of your biggest fans. You can do no wrong. You are a genius baby. You are the sweetest and most beautiful baby on the planet. At least according to her. 🙂 She is constantly challenging you, trusting that you can do more than we think you can, giving you new opportunities to try new things. “Let’s see if she’ll….” is a common beginning to the things Tia Carmen says when she’s around you. She always says you “don’t miss a thing,” and that you’re “soooo smart!”
Here she is playing kitty-bing with you.
Tia Nena and Tia Carmen both got to witness one of your firsts while they were here. With much encouragement from your cheerleading section, you starting moving in between pieces of furniture that are separated by distance so that you have to strain and shift your balance to reach them.
We were all so proud!
We’re so grateful for our family. You are blessed, little girl. Truly.
You have so many wonderful people in your life to love you and cheer you on.
Kisses!