Babies and Kids

Children are the Joy of the World

Within our extended family, we have four new babies since August! My mother, Irene Miller (age 97), crochets and knits baby blankets, which she generously passes out to her daughters to give as gifts. Our Peruvian family truly honors this gift of skill and love, and appreciates that it comes from my wise elder mama.

Juana Luz surprised us. It is typical to be secretive about being in love and planning a union until it actually happens. Also the ancient Incan custom was that a couple would live together for a year with the blessings of their parents and the community. If the union proved good for all parties, then it would be fully sanctioned. Julio Cesar is a sweet husband to our goddaghter, Juana Luz, and both are thrilled with their firstborn, Lionel. This baby was born in September and already pushes off strongly with his legs and laughs when he jumps.

Juana Luz with baby Lionel and father Julio Cesar

Love that tongue!

Lionel

I'm so lucky to get to hold these babies.

Delia, Juana's sister, had her baby two days before Juana! They are both living in Puno most of the time since the babies were born, so Grandma Valeria has her hands full. Luis, Delia's baby, doesn't get quite as much attention as Lionel, since Delia is also busy with her other children, and doesn't have the same leg strength.

Lionel and Luis under an Irene Miller blanket

Fredy and Rita's Lisley is 4 years old now, and a total delight. Since Fredy is working his boat, he lives in Puno most the time and has a comfortable apartment in the Taquile Albergue. This child has taken to insisting that her name is "Seniorita Lisley." She has a wardrobe of cute hats. This one was too adorable not to photograph:

Seniorita Lisley

Our gift to our eldest goddaughter, Noemi, was to bring her and her three children from Lima to Taquile for their summer vacation. Where they live in Lima is harsh, with limited play areas close to their house. It takes a real excursion to go to a park to be able to run around and play. This visit also gives the children a chance to get to know their cousins and aunts and uncles. Here the whole family arrives at the bus station.

The bus terminal has green skylights.

Alexander looks quite elegant in his Taquile dress clothes.

Natalia and German's baby, Rolando Bradley, was born just at the end of 2017, so was a very little infant when we were here last year. Now he is getting verbal and taking supported steps. He barely wants to be held, but would rather walk around. His funniest play is how much he loves pelotas, balls. Sam would dribble the volleyball in front of him then hand it off, then dribble it again and we were all rewarded with peals of laughter. He is sitting on mama's blanket from the previous year.

Rolando

Elias and Maria were childless for 15 years of marriage, and no one expected them to have a baby, least of all themselves, but--surprise!--little Edzhel was born in October in Puno, caeserian. The family has remained on Taquile most of this time. Juana's husband, Julio Cesar, has taken over Elias's boat, the Elmar, to allow Elias to remain with Maria. Maria's godmother, Nan Brown from Santa Fe, sent a Native American patterned blanket for us to bring to Maria.

Maria with Edzhel, wrapped in the blanket

Edzhel is fat and happy.

We love the older kids, too. Here is Sam with three sisters, taking a break from having fun on the grassy area in front of the pre-Incan ruins just above their house.

As this is Ledsy, who took first place for best of her third grade room. Last year we installed solar electricity, with the help of Asa, Bradley and Danielle of Empowered Energy Systems from the North Fork Valley of Colorado. Since she had light by which to study, she used it to advantage. We are all really proud of her.

Ledsy shows off her award for first place in her class.