So, we've come so far and whew what a roller coaster ride it has been.
Briella was born on March 2013 in Sacramento California. She was delivered through cesarean section because she was big and I am obviously, small. I was in labor for 16 hours and the doctor looked at me and said: " Hmm, what's taking so long. I think you have to deliver via cesarean section. You okay with that?" I would have said "yes" to anything. I was in pain for 16 hours.
Then, I passed the NCLEX Exam by March 2014. Out of curiosity, I applied for a Job on a rural area in Hobbs, New Mexico. I was hired and we all moved to Hobbs, New Mexico. Briella was less than 2 years old. And she seemed to enjoy the whole move.
But hold and behold, she hated being left with the babysitter. She cried every time we drive passed by her babysitter's apartment area. So, when we noticed that, we stopped leaving her with the babysitter and worked our schedule so either one of us will be able to with her all the time.
Around 2014-2015, we've noticed Briella has speech delay but she seems to be the same typical toddler of her age. She still reached her milestones except that she has not started to speak words yet. She does make some sounds. During this time, we were juggling our work and taking care of Briella.
After over a year, we wanted to be out of there. We visited Albuquerque, New Mexico a few times, and thought it would be nice to move to a bigger city. So, I applied for a job in Albuquerque. I was hired and off we went and moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico which we stayed for the next 6 years.
In Albuquerque, there we discovered that Briella has Autism. Briella went to school and my husband worked as part time while I worked full time. We had met few friends and colleagues who were all amazing. But we stopped going to functions because we noticed Briella gets upset and seemed not to like crowded and noisy gatherings. On the other hand, my husband met and became friends with our good neighbor, Todd who is a god send to us. Which is a welcome change when it came to socialization aspect as there was no noisy gatherings and not a crowd.
Then on 2020, we thought again that we would like to be near with family. With the pandemic, it is hard to be far from family. We thought whatever happens to the world, knowing that our family is nearby was a comforting thought.
I applied on a hospital that is on another location/ branch of my work in Reno, Nevada. I got accepted on the same unit that I worked in Albuquerque, New Mexico. I thought it would be like working the same place but on a different location. Once I got accepted, we all packed our stuff, moved everything via "cubes" and off we went to our next adventure.
Briella seemed to have gotten used to all of our moving. But she seems to be having problems with school especially in Albuquerque. While we were in Albuquerque, there were times, she does not want to go to school. During the pandemic when it was online learning, she did not want to participate with the in-home activities and video sessions. She would run away. I don't know if it is because she does not want to face the video calling because it is hard for her to do an eye-to-eye contact or something else. It was hard.
In Reno, she seems to like it better. They have face to face in spite of the pandemic. We noticed a big change in Briella in a good way. She has become more mature. She seems to mostly understand what is right and wrong. And we can be able to teach her life lessons and daily chores.
But we all know Briella still have a long way to go. She still has problems in school every now and then. We still have worries and concerns. We bought her angel sense to help keep her safe.
I hope one day, I'll write here again reporting mostly good things about her. Our goal for her is to become independent and be a good and kind girl always.
I would like to leave a message for Briella. Right at this minute, she is right next to me while I write this blog on bed. She is watching a YouTube video on her "green iPad" about Ryan Toys Review where Ryan is opening Christmas presents. She is calm, she is cooperative and loving at this time. Briella was the one who turned the lampshade that is right next to our bed with my instruction.
Briella, this is your Nanay who always tells you, that I am your best friend. Please know that I love you so much along with your Tatay who I adore, grateful and cherished. I pray that all three of us will live a long life. I will strive and is very hopeful that we will live a happy and comfortable life. I will teach you to the best that I can, on how to live independently and that we will be always here to protect you now and in the future.
Briella, whatever happens, please seek help only to people whom you judge to be good people. Do not even approach people whom you see as people who take advantage. Be smart, Briella. Always use good judgment. God and your Nanay Tatay will protect you and keep you safe. We love you so much, Briella.
We (tatay and nanay) will try our best to be healthy and safe. So, we can live a very very long life for you. We wish to live forever just like you and for you.
We love you Briella.
