My 2021 Round Up

It has been 2 years since giving birth to my twins, and well, for most of those years, we were just stuck at home. Robyn has also been home due to the pandemic. She's in class in the mornings and joins us in the afternoon after her homework. I feel accomplished every end of the day seeing that my kids are thriving and are doing well, and most importantly, are safe and healthy. Obviously, it's more tiring most days than relaxing. And having twins and being hands on reduces my free time greatly, but I'm so thankful for my support system for helping me out if I need a breather every now and then. 

Since learning about Nia's hearing loss, I stated researching and finding local resources about her condition. Eventually I was led to the Philippine Cochlear Implant Support Group. I attended their "coffee dates" where CI parents such as myself can just share stories, ask questions etc. This has been such a life saver for me. I learned so much from them and most importantly, I learned that we are not alone.

If you have read my posts on #calears, you'd know that I struggled accepting Nia's hearing loss. Coming from a hearing family, it just seemed impossible. But I had to accept the reality and move forward. I decided to be strong for her because she, honestly, taught me to be stronger than I've ever been before. I love all my kids with every inch of me, but Nia definitely opened up that inner strength that I did not know I have.

For Nia's requirements for her cochlear implant surgery, she had to undergo lab tests. It was a grueling experience to say the least. My daughter also tested positive during this time. And whatever pain I went through before, it's nothing compared to seeing my 1 year old daughter in pain. Every blood extraction, everytime somebody touches her, she cries helplessly, asking for us to protect her. It hurt everytime, it hurt my soul, deep deep down. Remembering it now still hurts me.

June started to show a little bit of hope. Nia's cochlear implant was finally switched on, which meant that her journey to hearing has officially started. Vaccinations for Covid also started in the Philippines and both my husband and I got our first dose. Our business also finally started to improve. 2020 really really really hit us hard financially. I remember crying because I knew my husband was so low and I couldn't do anything about it. We all had to tighten our belts and hope for the better. Halfway through the year, days got better and I could tell people were starting to adapt to the new normal.

We also decided to bring the kids out. It was not an easy decision. I was still very OA and skeptic. My husband also very careful. But we knew the kids needed a breath of fresh air and we saw that the pandemic was really starting to affect Robyn too. So we decided to go to a place in Tagaytay. We just had snacks and let the kids walk around, with us making sure we follow all the safety protocols.

Mid-year, my parents, grandma and sister also moved houses and they moved to the same village as ours. Talk about dreams becoming a reality. I grew up living next door to my grandma and my aunts and cousin, so we grew really close to each other. When I got married, I lived so far away from them. It was an adjustment, since I'm close to my family. I remember thinking how great it would be if my parents were just next door (just like old times). It was a dream, I didn't think much of it, because I knew we lived far from each other. And then the opportunity came, they could finally move to another place and they decided to move to our village to also be close to us. *ugly cry* I was sooooo happy and was so excited when they started preparing their move. And in August, we had a small celebration at home for my Amma's birthday. It was also a nice welcome home! to my family.

Robyn attended her first Zoom party last September. It was my goddaughter's birthday and she was a huge fan of BTS so her party was BTS themed, hence the BTS logo I put on Ro's face. She also wear a tie die shirt to recreate the pastel colors of BTS' Dynamite video.

Last November, kids were finally allowed out of the house! Since it's been so long since we went out, we decided to bring the kids out to a mall. Niko and Nia have never been to a mall before, ever since they were born. And we are a family of mall goers, so it was honestly so nice to finally be able to bring them to a place where we usually hang out. My husband and I both decided that we can go, but we made sure to follow safety protocols. It was a quick stroll and dinner. It was exhausting but it's memorable. First time going to the mall with twins.

Niko surprised me when he demonstrated that he knows the alphabet already at age 1 1/2. Unlike Nia, I don't really pressure Niko so much. I just read to him, talk to him, just normal. So I was so impressed when he showed me that he actually understands. He talks more now too. He loves playing with Achi and Shobe. And I love it when he starts calling us one by one. Papa, Mama, Achi, A-ia (Nia). Sooo cute! 

Don't you agree when you eat good food, it instantly improves your mood? Well that's it does to me. Little Yum Cha celebrated its first year anniversary and we started Beans In A Pod PH. We're open to resellers and distributors too. Rest assured, all of the products pass our standards. Hehe! So cute how Ro helps me pack orders too and how my husband delivers to nearby customers. It sure is team work.

When I was pregnant with the twins, I've always imagined having a day for each of the children. One would be for Ro only, another for Niko, another for Nia. Just so we get to have a "date day" with each one of them. Then the pandemic happened. :( Ro and I used to have Girls Day or Girls Time so I was so happy to finally be able to do that. We wen out, shopped a little (she needed new clothes), bought Christmas presents and ate at her favorite restaurants. It was a really good day. One I wish we can have again soon. 

It's different when it's just us 5. We enjoy going out just us, even though we know it will be sooo exhausting. I'd see my husband looking exasperated and so drained at the end of the day. I'd also be tired out of my mind, and Robyn too. But there's something about being just us 5 going out, seeing stuff and exploring. I miss it. I miss the old normal but I also understand that we have to look forward to what's to come and adapt to how things are now.

I told my husband that all I want for Christmas is new family photos. We have this tradition where we put a photo of the family every year as a Christmas ornament. And last 2020, we were photographed professionally for the twins' 1st birthday and family photo. I want to continue that. And since I didn't want to enter a studio just yet, and I didn't want to spend especially because Niko and Nia are still on their active toddler kulit phase, I asked my sister, Lianne, to take our photos. I wanted it outdoors, just simple layouts we can use as our Christmas ornament photo. I'm really happy with the photos. Thanks Li!

We survived two years of twinhood! Niko and Nia turned 2 last December 27 and I am just so proud of them. I love seeing them play together, interact with each other, babble with one another. It makes me sooo happy. I'm excited to see what the next year brings. Praying that they continue their development and for Nia to hit each milestone. Robyn has also been so responsible, she actually looks after the babies when H and I need to go on a grocery run or have an errand to do. She looks after the babies very well.

I've always been optimistic and it hasn't changed. So what do I look forward to this 2022? For things to be better. For everything to better. If it doesn't? Then we continue striving and praying for a better future. Let's hold on to that hope, hold on to that goal. And have faith that God listens.