If you’re going to spend some time here with me at Coffee & Cheesecake Chat, you should probably meet the people—and cats—who share my everyday life.
We’re a family of homebodies who love our own space, our favorite things, and the comfort of being home together. We’re also raising two little boys who have plenty to say about how that home should be run. 😂
We’re still a “new” family, figuring things out one day at a time. We don’t have a long list of traditions yet, but we have a lot of love, some very strong personalities, and two cats with very clear boundaries.
Let me introduce you...
Eduardo, Otherwise Known as “Jr”
My husband, Eduardo, goes by Jr. He loves Pokémon, loves being a dad, and has a passion for knowing facts about animals, politics, sports, and apologetics. His interests cover a lot of ground, so there’s usually something to talk about—or something he can tell me that I didn’t know before. He’s also my partner in crime, although he’s definitely the rational, logical partner in this operation. Somebody has to be. 😂
Our marriage is a big part of the home we’re building together. Through life’s ups and downs, Eduardo has been an amazing source of support. Having someone beside me who helps me think things through, supports me through the hard parts, and shares this everyday life with me means so much.
And then there’s watching him be a dad. He truly loves it, and that’s one of my favorite things about him.
Our Boys
Roman - our dinosaur enthusiast - is three, and a few of his favorite things are dinosaurs, French fries, and Crystal Light lemonade. He knows what he likes, and he has no problem making that known. He’s developing his own personality, and getting to know the person he’s becoming is such a special part of being his mom. Of course, that also means learning how to parent someone who already has some very firm opinions at three years old.
Daniel - our cozy little book lover - is two and loves slide-and-seek books, plushies, and soft blankets. He appreciates a little comfort, and honestly, he fits right in with this family. He’s growing into his own personality, too, and he’s every bit as willing to stand his ground. Having two little boys so close in age means we’re watching both of them become their own people, each with his own preferences and his own way of making those preferences everybody’s business.
Brothers, best friends, and each other’s favorite wrestling partner. They love being together, and watching their bond grow is one of my favorite parts of being their mom. Now, does that mean they play together peacefully? Absolutely not. 😂 They want to be together, but can barely get through playing without an argument or things getting a little too rough. So, we spend a lot of time helping them figure out how to enjoy each other without every activity becoming a wrestling match.
But they love each other so much. They’re each other’s best friend and the person they’re currently arguing with, sometimes all within the same five minutes.Their bond is already such a special part of our family, even when being best friends requires a little parental refereeing. We’re helping them learn to be gentle, take turns, and respect each other’s space while still enjoying that closeness. And they are teaching us to live in the moment and understand the things of the world in a new light.
Homebodies w/ two very loud exceptions: for a family of introverts, we have a surprising amount of volume in this house.
Our boys are loud, in charge, and unapologetic about what they want. They will stand ten toes down over something they’ve decided, and part of me loves that for them. I love seeing their confidence and watching their personalities come through. The part of me responsible for parenting them would appreciate a little cooperation more often than not. 😂
We’re still learning which discipline approaches work for each of them and how to guide those big personalities as they grow. Some days take more patience than others. Through all of it, though, they are the biggest love bugs. The strong opinions and the sweetness live very comfortably side by side.
Onyx, Our COVID Baby
Onyx, my tuxedo baby, came into our lives during the shutdown. While Eduardo worked as an essential worker, Onyx helped me get through that season at home. He’ll always hold a special place in my heart because of it. He isn’t very social and is really only comfortable with Eduardo and me. He keeps his circle small, and we respect that. In a house full of introverts, he’s in good company.
Cosmo, the Companion With Conditions
We got Cosmo (all black kitty) because we felt like Onyx was lonely and we wanted him to have a companion, this was before the little humans came along. Cosmo is the more social and friendly one, but please don’t confuse that with an invitation to pick him up. He does not enjoy that but he does like being rubbed; on his own terms of course, so affection comes with a few conditions. We love him, boundaries and all.
Faith at the Foundation
Faith is the foundation of our household. Our relationship with Christ matters to us, and we want that faith to shape our marriage, our parenting, and the home our children grow up in. We’re still working toward a more consistent daily relationship with Him. Making that time and keeping Him at the center is an area where we’re continuing to grow, even as we navigate the demands of everyday life.
I want to be honest about that part of our story, too. We’re learning to seek Him more consistently, make room for Him in our days, and let our children see us growing in faith along the way.
Taking It One Day at a Time
We haven’t figured out all our family traditions yet or the perfect family routine. Right now, we’re learning about each other, raising our boys, growing in our marriage and faith, and finding our way through this season together. I imagine some of the things we do now will eventually become the things our children remember as “what we always did.” For now, we’re just living them.
So that’s my family: Jr, Roman, Daniel, Onyx, Cosmo, and me. A house full of people who love their space, little boys who make themselves heard, and cats who decide when we’re worthy of their attention. I’m happy you get to know this part of my world.
Tell me a little about your family in the comments. Are you homebodies like us, or do you love being out and about? And if you have a favorite family tradition, I’d love to hear it. We’re still finding ours!
Coffee in hand, hope in Him.
Ana 🕊️
Isaiah 40:31
Comments ()