Here at The Bedford Mom we believe that moms deserve to be recognized and celebrated! This month we are so excited to feature Cristina Diaz. She lives in town with her husband Jorge and their 2 sweet boys, as well as their two dogs, Charlie and Frida. Read all about her below!
Tell us about yourself!
Hi, my name is Cristina Diaz. I was born and raised in New York City and moved to Bedford a little over a year ago with my two boys (ages 4 and 3), my husband Jorge Avila, our Boston Terrier Charlie, and our sweet au pair. We also recently welcomed a Bernedoodle puppy named Frida to our family!
Here’s a little bit about me, I love traveling, learning from different cultures and speaking multiple languages. Thanks to my Colombian parents I speak Spanish fluently and I learned some French while living in Belgium. Raising my boys in a bilingual household is something I’m passionate about—you’ll often hear us seamlessly switching between Spanish and English at home and around town.
Beyond my love for connecting with cultures through language and travel, I’ve always been drawn to creativity and the arts. My dad is an artist, and growing up surrounded by his work inspired how I approach many things in life, from crafts with my boys to designing spaces and painting. Most recently, I’ve been learning pottery, and throwing new pieces on the wheel has become my favorite way to quiet my mind and recharge.
I also love hosting—it’s something I learned from my mom, who taught me the importance of filling your home with warmth and community from family and friends. Even though we don’t have family nearby, I try to host local friends as much as possible, often inviting them over on Saturday mornings for waffles or homemade arepas (Colombian corn patties made by my husband!)
Music and dance are another big part of my life. I like to joke that I fell in love with my husband on the dance floor, which isn’t far from the truth! We even have a dedicated space in our home for instruments where our boys create their own noisy symphonies. It’s also where we have family dance parties a few times a week. These moments are chaotic and joyful — plus there’s nothing quite like a dance party to let go of the stress of the day!
Since moving to Bedford, I’m pushing myself and my family to try new things, particularly winter sports, wish us luck!
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Tell us about your work!
I am the Head of Operations for a New York City-based tech startup. I oversee the Revenue Operations team, the Enablement team, and serve as the Product Owner for our AIOps internal tools team. Recently, I’ve worked closely with AI engineers to develop tools that help our teams be more efficient and effective. I feel fortunate to work in a role that combines technology, creativity, and collaboration to support others and make a difference in how we work.
What are your favorite local restaurants?
A friend recently took me to the Bedford Village Inn, and it immediately became one of my favorites for its cozy atmosphere. Pressed Café is my go-to when I don’t know what to eat but want something really yummy and quick. Pizza Mia, Copper Door, and The Friendly Toast are also on rotation for my family.
What is your favorite way to practice self-care?
I love booking time at a spa when I can—it’s such a relaxing way to recharge. I also enjoy taking walks around the neighborhood, spending time with friends over dinner, and bingeing TV shows (a guilty pleasure I rarely get to indulge in, but when I do, I make it count and will watch an entire season!).
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What brought you to Bedford?
We moved to New Hampshire for my husband’s job, and Bedford quickly stood out as the perfect place for our family. The schools, the friendly community, and the beautiful surroundings all drew us in. We’ve fallen in love with how well-cared-for and welcoming the town is, and it feels like a wonderful place to raise our children.
What is your favorite thing about Bedford?
My favorite thing about Bedford is the people. Everyone we’ve met has been so kind and welcoming, which made our transition to a new town so much easier. It’s such a lovely community to be a part of. I’ve also been pleasantly surprised by how many people have ties back to New York City, are eager to share the Spanish they know, or have fond memories of their travels to Colombia. It’s been a wonderful place to connect with others and share pieces of our culture.
What are your favorite local spots in town?
My family loves spending time at Joppa Hill Farm—it’s such a fun and peaceful place for the kids to explore. We also enjoy the public library, which has been a great spot for us to visit as a family. Since we’re still fairly new, we’re enjoying discovering more about Bedford and all the wonderful places nearby.
What is your best piece of advice for moms who are new in town?
I’m still learning the art of finding a community in a new town and have really pushed myself out of my comfort zone to make the friends I have and am continuing to develop. The app Peanut has helped, and joining local Facebook groups like The Bedford Mom has been fundamental! So, if you’re an introvert like me, just go for it, introduce yourself—you won’t regret it!
What is your best piece of advice for expecting moms or new moms?
For expecting moms: Enjoy the nesting phase—it’s the calm before the beautiful chaos! One thing I wish I had done was book a session with a lactation specialist before my baby arrived. I was completely blindsided by how challenging breastfeeding can be and would have benefited from tips to prepare for different scenarios. Every mom’s feeding journey is unique, so do what works best for you, your baby, and your mental health.
For new moms: Trust your instincts and give yourself grace. When things feel overwhelming, music and singing can work wonders. If your baby is cranky or you’re feeling stressed, put on a song and sing along. My go-to was Three Little Birds by Bob Marley—it always calmed my baby and helped ease my nerves too. Plus, it’s a great song to sway to and reminds you that ‘every little thing is gonna be alright.’
In closing, we hope you enjoyed reading this article about Cristina! If you’d like to nominate a Bedford mom to be spotlighted, please submit your nomination via email to info@thebedfordmom.com. Thanks so much!