Author Archives: gfllamanzares

26 Months

Posted on April 21, 2019 by gfllamanzares

Dear Gianna, Since your birthday, your “mama” and “dada” have finally turned to “mommy” and “daddy”. In a matter of weeks you’ve gone from knowing four letters to all twenty-six, from two numbers to ten. You now run more, dance … Continue reading →

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Of Childbearing

Posted on April 16, 2019 by gfllamanzares

Saw this post and found it thoroughly touching: “We are sitting at lunch one day when my daughter casually mentions that she and her husband are thinking of “starting a family.” “We’re taking a survey,” she says half-joking. “Do you … Continue reading →

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Three Dozen

Posted on March 15, 2019 by gfllamanzares

9.III.19 The house is still. I just made myself my regular morning cup of coffee. I have that precious pocket of time to myself before the toddler and the husband wakes. Before chores and plans for the day. Just the … Continue reading →

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Year Two

Posted on February 21, 2019 by gfllamanzares

My Dearest Gianna, As we enter a terrific stage, there is a slight terror attached with the excitement. Slight, because you’re you. At 24 months, you’re still cautious as ever. With the same hesitation you took in learning to crawl … Continue reading →

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Taking Stock

Posted on September 8, 2018 by gfllamanzares

Making: the most out of no-work mornings, when I could find time to sit by our kitchen window to read, think, have coffee. Cooking: make-believe dishes in plastic measuring cups to “feed” a toddler learning the basics of pretend play. … Continue reading →

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Mom Guilt

Posted on August 26, 2018 by gfllamanzares

Ok, so let’s talk about guilt for a minute. I have to leave my eighteen-month old daughter to go to work now, because our yaya of eleven months went on to search for greener pastures. It wasn’t actually bad. Daddy … Continue reading →

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Crossroads

Posted on June 3, 2018 by gfllamanzares

Dear Gianna, Right as you hit your fifteenth month, we closed another school year. It wasn’t without challenges, but above all emotions I am grateful that we got to spend it together. We: you, dad, and me. We rose early … Continue reading →

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A Year Later, A Birth Story

Posted on February 22, 2018 by gfllamanzares

My Gianna, Around this time last year we were anxious, impatient, and inexplicably excited about exactly when you were coming. I remember that I was half-hoping you’d make it to March, but then we can hardly wait to see you … Continue reading →

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Tenth Anniversary Special

Posted on January 16, 2018 by gfllamanzares

It was late last year when we realized that 2018 will mark our tenth year of marriage. (Gah, if our relationship were a person, it will be a fourth-grader!) Of course we wanted to make it extra special. Of course … Continue reading →

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It Takes a Village

Posted on September 16, 2017 by gfllamanzares

When Gianna was born, I was able to tidy up around the house, do the laundry, and finish assigned papers for my online course. But not without my husband taking charge of the stove, the dishes, and the errands. Not … Continue reading →

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