by It’s been a while since our last update, and we have the most wonderful news to share–our family has grown! In early December, we welcomed our second daughter, Lina, into the world. Everyone in the house, especially big sister Yuna, is absolutely smitten with our newest addition.
The birth was remarkably quick—just 2.5 hours of labor compared to Yuna’s 36-hour journey into the world! Both mom and baby are doing wonderfully, and we’re settling into our new rhythm as a family of four.
A Season of Joy and Adjustment
Some of you might have noticed our reduced posting schedule lately. Remember that mysterious trip I took with Yuna to the Dominican Republic in September while my wife stayed behind? Now you know why—we were being cautious as she approached her third trimester.
The beauty of our FIRE lifestyle really shines in moments like these. Without the constraints of traditional employment, we’ve been able to fully embrace this precious time with our newborn. No rushed paternity leave or stressing about return-to-work dates—just pure, uninterrupted family time. It’s truly amazing to have the freedom to create our own schedule and prioritize what matters most.
The Story Behind Our Daughters’ Names
Our daughters’ names reflect our multicultural heritage and hold special meaning to us. Yuna’s name carries a beautiful story—we created it by combining elements from both grandmothers’ names: taking “Yu” from Yulia (the Russian version of Julia) and “na” from Irina. The result was perfect, especially since it means “kindness” and our Yuna has truly lived up to that meaning.
Lina, meaning “ray of light,” came to us differently but just as meaningfully. The name resonated with us immediately, and she’s certainly brought an extra brightness to our lives. Having both sisters share similar-sounding names was an unexpected bonus that we’ve come to love.
The December celebrations in our house are now even more festive, with Lina kicking off the month, followed by my birthday on Christmas Eve. Meanwhile, our “house”Leos”—Tatiana and Yuna—keep the summer months lively!
Our FIRE Journey Continues
Adding another member to our family doesn’t mean returning to traditional work—quite the opposite! It reinforces our commitment to financial independence and the freedom it provides. We’re excited about the opportunity to guide both girls’ education and development without the constraints of conventional schedules.
As we often say in Spanish, “En donde comen tres, comen cuatro” (Where three can eat, four can eat too). Our hearts and home are overflowing with love, and we’re grateful for this new chapter in our journey.
What’s Next?
We’d love to hear from other FIRE families about their experiences raising children while maintaining financial independence. How do you balance family time with maintaining your financial goals? Share your stories in the comments below!
With love, Tatiana and José
Congratulations! We’re so happy for you. 🙂 Hope you’re enjoying life in FL as much as we are.
Thank you! That’s awesome that you’re here as well. If you don’t mind sharing, in what part of FL do you live?