Visitors

More pictures with Bamba

We love Bamba!

My mom (or, in her grandparent term, "Bamba") is visiting us, and I can't express how APPRECIATIVE and GRATEFUL I am! She has kept very busy spending high-quality time with Chely, cooking, reading to Chely, cleaning, singing to Chely, washing dishes, chasing and being chased by Chely, picking through the beans, counting in French to Chely while pushing her on the swings, hanging out the laundry, and did I mention playing with Chely? A lot of that playing has involved Chely being literally on top of her, on her shoulders or back or neck...especially when Bamba is holding or paying attention to Kayalá. Chely has definitely claimed Bamba as her own! These pictures give you a sense:






Thank you for everything, Mom...for all the unwavering love and support you've showered on me all these years, and for all the love and fun and caring you are now showering on my children. You have shared so openly of your lively spirit, creative mind, and compassionate heart. We love you!!

Ode to Fathers / Tatos

A great big shout-out to all the fathers - papás - tatos out there. Good fathering is a gift beyond words.

To Edwin, the Tato of my children-- insightful, creative, fun, compassionate, brave, wise, and loving -- maltyox chawe, at sib'alaj utz tat rech qalk'ual. Sib'alaj katqaj!



To my dad -- kind, generous, understanding, sensitive, wise, and loving -- thank you for your unconditional support, constant caring, and heartfelt acceptance. We love you!



To my father-in-law -- tranquil, spiritually rich, empathetic, courageous, wise, and loving -- maltyox chawe, todo nuestro respeto y amor.



We love you so much!

Chely, Kayalá, and Ali

Friends

Sisters

A baby is born!

Introducing Kayalá Guadalupe Janet!

born in the water

on June 11 at 11pm

weighing 7 pounds 7 ounces, measuring 51 centimeters (20 inches)

Chely holds her baby sister


proud Tato (Dad)


happy Mama an hour after giving birth - i did it!!!

with sister and friends

welcome to the world, Kayalá Guadalupe Janet!

A note about her names:

KAYALÁ
Kayalá (pronounced "kah-yah-LAH") means "earthly paradise," a place of abundant vegetation and exceptional beauty, a place where peace, harmony, and wisdom reign. It is referred to in the Maya book of wisdom, the Pop Wuj, as the place of origin of corn.

GUADALUPE
Guadalupe was Edwin's older sister who was killed in the Santa Maria Tzejá massacre when she was 8 years old. Edwin and Guadalupe would often go to the river together to swim and wash clothes.

Our Lady of Guadalupe is also an important spiritual figure throughout Latin America.

JANET
The name Janet is in honor of my cherished aunt, my dad's sister, Janet Durbin Sisto. She was thoughtful, kind, and witty. She always picked out perfect presents for people - a sign of how perceptive and caring she was.



Chely so far calls her sister "Little Kissy."

We are are so blessed to have you in our family, Kayalá Guadalupe Janet! Thank you for the joy and the miracle that you are!