One year old, celebrated in Brazil, and already running the house.
ONE YEAR
This year has been awesome. We have had a couple of problems — minor, really — but Catarina has been a good girl. She sleeps well at night, and at the time I am writing this (June 2026) she is the best. Such a happy girl.
She walked about three weeks before her birthday and started talking around the same time. Now she walks like a pro, repeats whatever we say, and already obeys some instructions. We are very proud.
BIRTHDAY IN BRAZIL
We celebrated exactly on March 1st in Brazil, with my wife’s family — in Santa Catarina, Florianópolis.
We actually celebrated twice. First with the African side of the family in Porto Alegre, and then on her birthday in Florianópolis with the Italian side.
Two families, two cities, one very loved one-year-old.
THAT FLIGHT WAS HELL
The flights were a mess.
The three planes to Brazil were good — Catarina slept most of the time. No complaints there.
The way back to Mexico was a different story. On the longest leg, 9 hours, she slept one hour. One. That was hard.
I am not excited about flying again when she is 3 years old. We made a pact: Brazil every 2 years. That feels right.
MAMAÉ, PAPAI, AND UVA
She started with mamaé and papai in Portuguese. Now her favorite words are the foods she likes — uva, tortilla, agua.
She started walking slowly, and we got to watch it happen step by step. Two steps turned into three, four, five… and then the entire room. And beyond.
She looks very intelligent — or at least quickly adaptable. I tend to try new things with her every week and she succeeds. I can tell her to close doors or drawers. If I point, she walks in that direction. She gives me things and receives things. And she can tell you if she wants something.
That something tends to be mom. No questions asked — my wife is her favorite person. Maybe we will have problems later breaking that obsession. She cries sometimes when she cannot find her, even when I am hugging her.
Fair enough. I would probably do the same.
CONCLUSION
One year of Catarina. Brazil, family, milestones, and one brutal flight home.
We usually avoid posting photos of her to protect her privacy — this one is from the side, no frontal face, and it felt right for the occasion.
Happy first birthday, little potato. Year two, here we come.
