Another Year

Dear Nina,


I can't believe how quickly time has passed.  I feel that the past five years just sped by without giving me a chance to cherish every moment.  You've been telling us that you aren't a baby anymore and though I agree, a big part of me cannot seem to let go of that thought.  Yesterday, you declared to Tita Pu that you were 5 turning 10years old.  You know what?  Sometimes, we think so too!

We're happy that you love your new school and even your teachers proudly inform us that you seem to have coped up very well with the Montessori Method of learning.  You know, there have been several instances where you've managed to stump Kuya with the facts that you learn from school (although I'm sure he wont admit that so let's keep that as a secret, okay?).  Dad and I pray that as you grow older, your enthusiasm for learning and for experiencing new things will remain.  We love seeing your face light up with joy whenever you experience something new or when you proudly show us something that you've accomplished.  Know that Dad and I will continue to do our best to provide you and your Kuya with more opportunities for learning (coupled with a lot fun, of course) for as long as our bodies can hold up.

I must say that this year was a good year for you health-wise.  Although we continue to deal with issues on colds, cough, asthma and allergies, I'm happy that you've managed to stay away from any hospital confinements and frequent trips to the Emergency Room - we had 1 or 2, right?  Let's hope that this year we can trim down those visits to a zero, shall we?

This will be a very very good year for you, I am almost sure of it.  Of course, we should expect that there will be challenges but we are pretty sure that you will be able to handle these well.  You have Dad, Kuya and Mom (plus all our other relatives) to back you up so what else have you got to fear, right?

Keep viewing life the way you do, sweetheart.  Because as you do, you continue to teach us and to inspire us that nothing can and should ever keep us from reaching our dreams.

We love you!

Mom

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

       

Happy 2nd Birthday, Janina!

Dearest Nina,

Congratulations on turning 2! Whenever I look at you, I can’t believe how fast time has flown.  Even your Titas and Titos are surprised at how much you’ve grown.

Did you know that when you were born, the doctor said you had brain atrophy? But none of us wanted to believe that, especially your Momma.  After you had your first surgery, it was obvious that your brain was not atrophied because you could easily understand and copy all the things that we do or say.  We know it was because Papa Jesus listened to all our prayers.   Looking at you and watching you grow, I know that your determination and your strong personality will allow you to reach whatever dreams you have.  You make Daddy and me very proud because you’ve showed us that nothing can stop you from doing something that you set your mind on.  We're glad that you don’t give up easily, we're glad that you know what you want and that you try your best to get what you want.  Keep it up, honey and know that your daddy, your mommy and your kuya will always be behind you every step of the way.

Guess what?  At this very early age, you are already showing signs of how much of a girl you are.  Initially, Dad and I had fears that you would turn out to be a tomboy because of how much you loved to play with Kuya’s cars.  But lately, you’ve become fascinated with your clothes, shoes, clips and bags!  You’re becoming kikay, my little one, and it makes you more endearing to all of us.

I love the fact that a simple look from Daddy can turn you giggling – you’re such a Daddy’s girl!  But don't worry because I don’t mind --- I was also a Daddy’s girl to your Mommo when he was around.  Hehehe.  Remember that aside from Daddy, your Kuya loves you to bits so please, be nice to him even if he kisses you so much to the point that it already irritates you.  Yes, your Kuya loves you more than anything and you should learn to love him as much, or at least to appreciate his affections toward you.  When you become adults, you will appreciate having him around, trust me.

So, Happy 2^nd Birthday once again!  Keep learning, keep trying, and know that we will always be here for you no matter what.  We love you!

Love,

Daddy, Mommy and Kuya

Dear Nina

Dear Nina,

In a few months you will be turning 2.  It's hard to believe how fast time has flown.  Has it really been two years since you gave us a big fright?

Seriously though, your dad and I would never trade that day for anything.  Just like what I whispered to you earlier as you slept, your coming into our lives has given us this unexplained joy.  You make us proud to be part of your life, to be witnesses to your milestones and achievements and to simply watch you do all your antics.  Thank you for coming into our family, thank you for being who you are.

You are one amazing baby and you really continue to make Daddy and Mommy very proud!

We love you!