Marina goes further
In just a couple short weeks, Marina has gone from being all about crawling to being all about walking!
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In just a couple short weeks, Marina has gone from being all about crawling to being all about walking!
The moms made a kind exception and allowed me into their exclusive club -- I was the only father amongst the crowd of moms and babies this afternoon. It was a giant reunion of sorts, with tea, chocolate, juice, pastries, etc. Marina is one of the older ones with only a few kids older than her. She would not sit still for the group photo on the sofa, preferring to run around with other kids' toys instead.
"Hurry up and finish, President Obama, I'm ready for bed!" Marina has been waiting for this day her entire life, but all she hears is "blah blah hope over fear blah blah unity of purpose blah blah worn-out dogmas blah blah happiness blah blah blah..."
She must take after her daddy, who also started walking when he was 9 months old. This has been an exciting week with Marina taking her first steps unassisted! For a while she has been standing up and walking around while holding on to furniture, but then about 3-4 weeks ago she started to stand on her own. On Saturday, she started by taking a couple steps, on Tuesday she took about 13-14 steps, yesterday Gina counted 38 (OK, it's time to stop counting:), and now she's able to practically cross a whole room on her own!
The Three Kings (Gaspar, Baltasar and Melcior) arrived at the Port Vell of Barcelona on the Santa Eulàlia (a la Nina, Pinta and the Santa María) and Marina, Tyler and I were there to greet them. After receiving the key to the city from Barcelona Mayor Jordi Hereu, the Kings made their way through a crowd of fans (kids and adults alike) to collect letters and to spread joy and PEACE. Marina handed in her letter to Gaspar which asked for a visit from her "yayos" or grandparents this year. She got a little help from mom on the text. Mom and dad enjoyed chocolate con churros at Valor while Marina dined on bananas with yogurt and cardamom before heading off to the most magical celebration in Barcelona of the year - LA CAVALCADA. Half a million citizens of Barcelona showed up to see the parade welcoming the Kings to town. Marina's eyes nearly popped out of her tiny head.
It's difficult not to gush over the event. The entire city gets into the act with a parade of beautiful floats, kids on stilts and camels - yes, REAL camels. And these Kings have the key to the city. They can get into ANY house, ANY apartment to bring toys (usually just one) to every girl and boy. To see more, take a look of this official blog of the city of Barcelona: Kings arrive at Port Vell, Barcelona
Marina enjoyed listening to this classic tango, played and sung to her personally at our table outside at Buenas Migas. I hope you enjoy it, too.