Baby steps!!!

It happened the other day. Irini took a couple steps. Were they really steps? Did that "count" as her first walking? Did we really see that, or did she just stumble? In Greece last week she did a couple tiny such forays that we couldn't quite place. We waited for further proof. The proof arrived on the 13th, when Natalia held little Irini and let her go while Eda (Irini's nanny) cheered her on. Irini took six steps. Later that night she took four more in front of a small crowd as we ate Chinese food. Yesterday was a no walking day (possibly due to the tiredness brought on by her MMR vaccination the afternoon before) but today she exploded! As we finished our dinner with friends Scott, Rebecca and their daughter Lizzie, we were happy as can be to see Irini walking around on her own. We got a video recording of it as proof (below) but then, as we sat at The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf (Laurence's favorite coffee shop) on the first floor of KLCC ,she guided herself into a standing position, using a store window for support, turned to face us at the table across the hallway and walked right toward us, making it about four meters before she lost her footing and fell onto her padded behind! She must have walked a good 10-12 steps and, just as we were all flying high from that adrenaline rush, she backed it up with a 24 step wonder!! Little Irini is finally mobile on two feet!! We know that from here on we need our own aerobic workouts just to keep up with what is rapidly turning into an energetic dynamo, but for the time being we are beaming (as is Irini) with her new found mobility. One year and one week after being born she was able to walk. One year and nine days after being born, she is officially ready to take on the world!! She is amazing in every way and we love her for it.

Happy 1st Birthday Irini!

Christmas came and went, as did New Year's, but the true celebration came on January 6th, Irini's first! The family was invited to a massive lunch by Stefan and Vicky and, a short while later, we were hosting our own birthday party (with limited decorations as a symbol of support to our environment). The gang showed up, as did Diana and Nancy. Together we celebrated Irini's special day. If she didn't know that it was a special day at the outset, certainly when the cake was presented and we sang in English and Spanish she knew that there was something going on. :-) Between the singing and the presents and the cameras all pointing to her, we forgot to take pictures of her with her grandparents!! Memories remain for all of us, however.

On behalf of Irini, Natalia and Laurence (with Walt's help) decided to start a tradition of helping others as a gift to Irini. This year's choice was the provide financial support to provide a low-income family with a goat whose milk will be used for nutritional and financial needs. The goat was chosen specifically after we saw just how happy Irini was to meet her very first baby goat in Mystras. While daddy held the goat, Irini screamed in happiness and grabbed the it's leg to pull it toward her. The goat, just one month old, found solace by placing it's head on Laurence's shoulder. It was one of those beautiful moments.

Happy birthday Irini! We love you completely!!

Reunion of Friends as well!

Of course time back in Greece means being able to see old friends, and some newer ones. Seeing Stelio, Maria and their daughter Mikaela, as well as Peter and Vika and Vasil and Sofia was, as usual, heart-warming. Our time together was spent largely making fun of Stelios' humor and reminiscing of by-gone days as (ageing) people do. :-)

A visit to Varsos for breakfast, some galaktoboureko or "honey pasta" (as Stelio has trademarked the Greek Melomakarona) at home or a fine souvlaki dinner were in the cards, as was to be expected. But more than that it was a chance to catch up, to re-connect, and to create new memories with the ever-expanding crowd (with Irini and Mikaela, of course, being the main attraction). Life is good when old friends are around!

Family Doings in Hellas

The Christmas break gave the family a chance to gather from all parts of the world. Humberto and Emilia flew in from Colombia and Natalia, Laurence and little Irini flew in from Malaysia, all coming together for 20 days in Greece. In that time we had time to see each other, avoid demonstrations and possible violence (as Israel invaded Gaza and the pre-existing anti-police rioting that was going on in Athens), see Greece during wintertime (again) and enjoy a busy but hugely rewarding vacation.

Apart from the normal city stuff we were able to also head out to the Peloponnese and see the olive orchards and Corinth Canal, the antiquities of Epidaurus, Mycenae and Mystras and stay in Nafplio and Gythio as we did the tour. Renting a large car (Peugeot 807) allowed for us all to stay in the same vehicle and enjoy each other's company as well.

As we drove through Corinth, Tripoli and Sparta we were happy as can be to be surrounded by beautiful scenery and snow capped mountains. Particularly for Humberto this was the first time he had seen snow, but we all enjoyed the true beauty of the trip.