Spring 2021 Family Photos | Family Update

It has been a while since I did our last family update. I think the last time was back in 2019 and there were only 4 of us back then. Now, as you already know, we’re a family of 5!!! And our pandemic baby is currently 9 months as I am writing this.

The past year and the past few months of 2021 has been very challenging to say the least. Trying to work from home with my other full time job (I work as a Software Developer too), be on top of the kids’ virtual classes, take care of the baby, and running this business was, I’m not going to lie, overwhelming. It was a bit easier during the first 6 months after Baby R was born. Because we are able to leave him in his play gym next to us while we’re working and he’d be satisfied with it. But as soon as he started crawling, it just got harder to manage. Getting a play gym for him worked for a while. Until he wanted to be out and crawling everywhere while we’re working and the kids are in class or else he will not stop crying in his play gym. I promise, I’m not complaining at all.

As tough as it is right now, we’re just taking it day by day. And I’m just grateful that we’re surviving each day that comes. We are enjoying being with each other 24/7 which we never experienced prior to the pandemic. If we’re not working or the kids are not in class, the kids ride their bikes or scooter, we have water balloon or water gun fights, playing board games, watching movies and series as a family (we’ve finished Raising Dion and My Perfect Landing), having a dance party, and just doing whatever we can think of.

We still haven’t been anywhere since March 2020. We’ve had our family walks in our neighborhood. We went to Bull Run Park and Frying Pan Farm Park to see the Christmas lights display but we were inside our car. And that’s it. We have been dreaming about traveling soon. We used to travel during the kids’ birthday but that stopped last year because of the pandemic. We’ve had A LOT of talks of where we’re going and what we’re going to do once it’s safe to do so.

We were planning to go home to the Philippines this summer to celebrate Baby R’s 1st Birthday and have him baptized there, just like what we did with our older kids. And also, to be with our family & friends there. We miss everyone a lot, especially the food. I meant, the people. Haha! But because of the pandemic, we had to postpone that. So I’m currently working on getting Baby R baptized here instead because I’m not sure if we can even go home to the Philippines this year. It’s sad because my parents are most likely not going to be here for his baptism and birthday.

We recently did our spring family photos with the amazing Misty. Normally, I do our family photos; but I wanted to try having someone do it for me. And it has made such a huge difference. My stress level went down… I mean it’s still stressful planning outfits and getting everything and everyone ready on the day of the photoshoot. But at least, I didn’t have to direct everyone during the photoshoot. I think I’m going to do that from here on. That said, I wanted to share with you the beautiful photos Misty took for my family. Looking at these photos, it reminds me of how blessed I am despite how tough things can sometimes get. I don’t know what I did to deserve my very supportive husband and my beautiful kids; but I am so grateful that God blessed with me with them. Thank you, Misty for capturing these beautiful photos.

Photos by: Misty Rodda Photography

Photos by: Misty Rodda Photography

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