Happy 3rd Birthday, Nina!

                                                                                                   October 16, 2012

Hi Sweetie,

     Because today is your birthday, I placed this on my Facebook status message last night:

Three years ago, a little girl was born and immediately our lives changed forever. She initially gave us quite a big scare but she has made up for that with the immeasurable joy that she brings to all of us.

Happy 3rd birthday, Janina! We know that sometimes things are difficult for you and we wish that we could shield you from all that (especially the surgeries, the stares, and the unpleasant comments) but that’s not the way it is. But always remember that in God’s eyes and in ours, you are beautiful and perfect in every way.

Happy birthday, sweetheart! Thank you for always bringing joy to our hearts. We love you very much!!!

     First of all, I know that by the time you do get to read this, you would have no idea what Facebook is but let's just say that it's the "in" thing as I create this post, okay?

     Now going back to my story, since I put up that status message, it's received 133 likes, 60 birthday greetings which do not include the birthday greetings on your dad's facebook page, private messages sent to us and those sent via text messaging (yes this will most likely be obsolete as well by the time you read this too).

     Do you know what that means?  Aside from the fact that you are well known among your mom and dad's circle of friends, it also means that a lot of people love you, care for you, and are inspired by you.  And for that, we are very proud of you!

     This year has been a triumphant year for you because aside from the fact that you have had less health concerns than last year, your vocabulary and talkativeness seem to have multiplied tremendously over the last few months.  Sometimes, it takes a while for us to understand what you are trying to say, but the important thing is that you are doing your best to win over your supposed speech delay.  For the times when we can't seem to understand you - please be patient with us okay?

     As an unofficial nursery student in NJHS, Teacher Emma has nothing but praises for you.  She often tells us that you are even more disciplined than your older classmates especially when it comes to following instructions, cleanliness and to behaving quietly during class.  I have a feeling that you have become her favorite student but let's just keep that a secret ;)  Had you been officially enrolled, I wouldn't be surprised if you came out with honors in the class.  Almost everyone tells us that you're such a bright girl - and that is something that we do know for a fact.

     Since you will be reading this many years from now, I thought you might want to know some trivia about yourself at three.  You love dogs and your favorite foods are: eggs (in any form - boiled, poached, fried, scrambled, qwek-qwek, etc.) hotdogs and spaghetti (which you call getti).  But even though you have your favorites, you will eat almost anything and proof of that was this evening when you were sucking on the calamansi while stating that it was "maasim" but going on about it repeatedly, even if, as you had said that it was sour.

     Your toothbrushing buddy is Daddy and Mommy is your yakap pillow whenever it's bedtime.  Even at this age, it already appears that you have inherited moms OCDC tendencies but that's okay because we know that it helps you push yourself to do your best always.  You enjoy being independent and even your teachers say that many times, you would push their hand away whenever they try to help you with something in school.  That also happens to us when we try to help you put on your shoes or whenever you do something with your hands.  :)  Yup, you're a big girl now but no matter what happens you will always be our baby.

     We pray that as you grow older, you will always feel the love and pride that surrounds you.  May you always strive to do your best in everything (as you are doing right now) and may you always remember that the true worth of a person is not determined by what's on the outside.  It's what's inside that always counts.  PS, please try to be less cranky towards your big brother.  Yes, he smothers you a lot, but that's only because he loves you very very much and that he takes his being a big brother to you very seriously.  So give him some slack, okay?

                                                                                                    We love you,

                                                                                                     Dad & Mom