Is there a word for that in English?

Chiple (noun, adjective)
This Spanish word means:
To be pampered, spoiled or much loved.
Ancient mexican slang word meaning:
(noun) the possession of others tenderness or attention as from a parent, sibling or friend.
(Adjective) Needing the love, attention or tenderness of others.


My boys right now are Chiple. All three of them, Aaron, Caleb, and Angel. For clarification, when we use the word, we mostly refer to it as an adjective, as in this case, needing the love, attention, and tenderness of others. I love this word because in Spanish, it can be referred to as similar to spoiled, it is more of a positive spin and there is a different word for spoiled (consentido), which can be referred negatively or positively depending on the context.

Pre-pregnancy Aaron was usually busy playing with the kids and wasn't phased a bit when I got home from work. He'd come give me a hug, then back to playing. Since I've been pregnant, from the second I get home from work, he wants to be by my side. Helping me cook, wash dishes, or just hug him and hold him. The slightest thing makes him cry. And a kiss makes it all better.

"Just us" shopping

Caleb is chiple too, but shows it in a different way. He would rather have me make him a sandwich, tie his shoes--things which he is very capable of doing on his own, or play legos or a video game with him. He likes to go to the store with me so it can be "just us."

Angel often refers to himself as chiple. He says HE needs attention. When he's uptight and about to loose it, he says "Me siento chiple" (I feel chiple). 

They whine, fight, cry, and drive me crazy. Then, with a little bit of attention, they're better.

The end of the day, the boys usually climb up in bed with me and want "their time." Before bedtime prayers, we talk, tell jokes, read books, or whatever usually until Angel kicks them out when he's needing some attention, too.

Angel is convinced this is because I'm having a girl, (we have not found out yet!) and the boys are competing for the attention. Apparently this is an old wives tale in Mexico and basically a sure proof way to know what you are having--I guess only if you have other kids. I say it's just because I'm pregnant and can barely keep up with a family of 5 and have less energy to devide between everyone. And it keeps me praying about being a family of 6!


Regardless of the reasons, 'chiple' definitely describes the boys in our house!  Is there a word for that in English?

Apology

Estimado Senor (Dear Sir),

I wanted to write you a note and apologize for what happened so many years ago.

Lo siento! I know it’s all my fault! I'm sorry!

I was just coming home from work and still had my security uniform on, and I’m sure you just thought I was some sort of police or something and that’s why you did what I said.

You see, my Spanish was horrible then. Lo siento!

When I saw a taxi come speeding down the road and you were turning from the wrong lane and hit the taxi, I thought I could help.

So I stopped.

No one was hurt, but the taxi driver sure was mad and you looked so worried. You were trying to apologize to the taxi driver in Spanish, and I wanted to let you know that I saw what happened and offer some sort of relief to you. I saw the taxi driver speeding and it might not have been entirely your fault even though you were turning from the wrong lane.

But my Spanish was horrible then.

I didn’t know how to say “He was speeding” or even “He was driving fast.” So I settled for trying “he was going fast.” But I didn’t know how to conjugate verbs. I'm sorry!

I only knew how to talk in the present.

I said “Va rapido.”

Which is the present form of (he: understood) “Go Fast” And you asked me, “va rapido?” I replied “Si, va rapido.” You looked so relieved when I offered my Spanish to help and I was so pleased that you understood me.

But I was confused when you got in your car and left quickly. The taxi driver asked me what was going on, but I wasn’t too sure. Then a police stopped and the taxi told him you just hit him, and the police went to chase you down.

I don’t know what happened after that because I felt horrible and left.

I’m sorry!

I hope everything worked out. That one single incident inspired me to learn more Spanish. Oh and just so you know, I’m fluent now.

Sincerely,
The gringa in the security uniform

The Tale of the Momma Possum

There once was a ‘possum who gave birth to a beautiful baby possum. He had big bright eyes, a soft shiny coat, and a long fluffy tail. Every day, the baby possum got more and more beautiful and the momma possum was so thankful that she got to be the mother of the most beautiful possum ever created. This momma possum took very good care of her baby possum because he was so special.

One day the momma possum was waiting for her baby possum to come home. She was very worried that something awful had happened to him so she set out to find him.

First she saw a fox and said “Mr. Fox, have you seen a beautiful baby possum with big bright eyes, a soft shiny coat and a long fluffy tail? He’s the most beautiful possum ever created and I’m very worried something has happened to him.”
The fox replied, “I’m sorry ma’am, but I haven’t seen a thing.”

The momma possum went on her way and she saw a skunk. “Mr. Skunk, have you seen a beautiful baby possum with a soft shiny coat and a fluffy tail? He’s the most beautiful possum ever created and I’m very worried that something has happened to him.”

The skunk replied, “I’m very sorry ma’am, lots of possums pass by these parts, but I haven’t seen one to that description.”
The worried momma possum kept looking for her son when she saw a hen and asked, “Mrs. Hen, have you seen a beautiful baby possum with a soft shiny coat and a fluffy tail? I’m very worried that something has happened to him.”

The Hen replied, “I’m sorry ma’am, I have to scare off lots of possums around this place. But I haven’t seen one like that. But I did run off a scroungy ol’ ratty possum! That lil' fleebag was trying to bother my chicks. I had to chase the ugly thing off ‘cause these here chicks are the most beautiful chicks ever created.

Then the mother possum answered the hen, “Oh, Mrs. Hen, that’s my son! Don’t you know that for every mother, there’s no ugly child.”

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Ok so maybe it sounds better in Spanish. But Angel says I’m the momma possum! Angel's mom used to tell him this story, so now it's my favorite Mexican folk-tale!
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The three Most Beautiful Children ever created: