Loud roars and stomping feet filled our home today. The kids couldn’t contain their excitement for our field trip to the American Museum of Natural History. All they kept thinking about were dinosaurs. These two were giggling and roaring with anticipation all morning. Then finally we are here. Dinosaurs are everywhere. Flying, standing, on the walls on the ground. Gio kept running around stomping, roaring and trying to touch everything. Isa stayed close to us or the strollers for cover. She wasn’t to thrilled with all the dinosaurs after all. She had a great time being still while Gio explored the entire museum. What a satisfying trip to see the amazement and genuine excitement on your kids faces. I love family time

Today was an exciting day. It was the first day that Giovanni and Isannah sat in front facing car seats. They were seeing the world in a whole new light. I loved being able to see their smiling faces. Then all of the sudden the weeeeeee’s began. Isannah sounded like the pig on the geico commercials that would cause me to immediately change the station or use the mute button. Unfortunately there was no mute button in the car. She finally stopped the weeeeee’s to enjoy the sights and just sat back and smiled. Love, love, love the new seats and so do the kids. In fact, when I asked them how they were feeling they both said HAPPY very loudly. They were big kids now in their big boy and girl car seats. I wanted to drive around forever just to see those smiles but I think the new seats brought too much excitement as they knocked out pretty quickly. What a great experience for the three of us. A day filled with new adventures.  

Potty training is getting better as the days go by. Well, so I think. The first two rounds didn’t work. A lot of fear in the kids eyes and just uncertainty which lead to them not wanting to sit on any of the potties. That is when we decided we should put the training to rest for a while and start again a few months later. Which brings us to now and round three. I can see the concentration on their faces as they try to hold it so I immediately begin talking to them about what they are feeling and this brings us to the potty. Most of the time they let me know or run to the potty and sit. The peeing is going great but still no poop. I can see they are still nervous about pooping in the potty no matter the promise of surprises or treats. It’s not working but I’m not pushing. I don’t want to go back to the fear of the potty stage. Any suggestions on how to get poop in there? They use the little potties and also have a seat to put on the big potty so we are trying everything. I can’t wait for this chapter to be completed and closed.   

I noticed a rash on Gio’s back so I decided to take his clothes and diaper off to get a better look. Thankfully it was just a little heat rash and nothing more. During the time he was without a diaper I happen to mention the potty again. This time he smiled instead of saying NO and crying so I continued the potty discussion and that is when Isa jumped in. She asked me to remove her diaper and when I did they both ran to their potties and sat down. I was so excited to see this. Could this round actually work? I was hoping this was the beginning of a new chapter. Then there it was, the sound of peeing. Isa started it first. We did the potty dance, sang a lot and danced throughout the living room floor. Then it was Gio’s turn and boy did he go. It was pee pee in the potty, dump, flush, clean and wash hands over and over and over again. Isannah would sit down and squirt a drop just so she could get her hands washed. I lost count after her ninth squirt. I couldn’t believe it. Today was a day of fresh beginnings. Keeping my fingers, toes and eyes crossed that this time it takes. Wish us luck.    

Dinner is over so my husband and I make our way to the kitchen for cleaning.  Gio and Isa continue to play in the living room.  The sounds of laughter and joy fill the room and keeps me smiling.  All of the sudden we hear got you some noise and the words got you again.  My husband looks over to see what the “got you” is all about.  The kids moved the dining room chair to take turns sitting on it while the other hits the one sitting with a baby broom.  They are taking turns doing this and think it’s hilarious.  We made sure that game ended real quick. It amazes me what these two come up with each day.  Let’s see what fun game they invent tomorrow.

I witnessed the sweetest thing tonight. The kids were going through the selection of books they had when Isa picked one up sat on the ground and began reading. There she went talking about Pete the Cat. The color of his new shoes as she pointed and turned the page. She got each page right including the “goodness no”. It was absolutely adorable. Asher and I couldn’t help but smile and kind of giggle while looking at her then at each other until she got to the last page and said, “thank you, the end.” She is growing up so quickly. As I’m writing this I realize just how much and how adorably sweet she is. She is our little girl, oops I mean princess as she now refers to herself.

I spent the day with my little man today and it was unbelievably beautiful. His kind heart showed in everything he did. From the smile of appreciation on his face to the giggles he released just because to the unexpected hugs he gently gave me showed me just how sweet this boy is. We started at the dealership and ended with a stroll through the toy stores. It was a fun filled day with a boy who gave hope and faith a new meaning. As our day was coming to an end Giovanni turned to me and said he missed Isannah. As if my heart couldn’t melt any more it began pouring. Not only did he miss her he was sure to pick out a few things he thought she would like at the toy store then told me that we needed to bring Isannah here too. The love that grows within you has no limits.

I never thought I would say that the best kisses I received this evening were wet drooled and licked all over my face. Giovanni showed me so much love during bath time. Kissing my face one kiss at a time without allowing a second to pass between each kiss. It was like a licking kissing combination but I loved every moment of it. When I thought he was done and it was time to dry him he would say, “one more time, mommy” and start all over again. My heart melted and I couldn’t let him go. I took it all in and saved it in my heart so I can always keep them close in times of sadness. It’s times like these that make you appreciate all the good and know the difference. I hope you all feel unconditional, innocent and pure love that fills your soul and keeps you smiling from the inside out.

Today I experienced Giovanni’s first full on temper tantrum. Wow, seeing him react that way pulled at every heart string. I can always calm him down, love on him, kiss him and make it all better but not this time. At least not at that moment. He was hysterical over wanting more ice-cream. He was sitting at the table in his booster seat when he began demanding more ice-cream and pointing at a spot on the table and yelling right there. When he didn’t get more ice-cream he lost it even more. No matter what was done or said he wouldn’t stop. After the first attempt to calm him with his hands and arms flaring while saying no, I knew I had to back away. After Asher got him down and talked to him on the kitchen floor matters only escalated. It was about 20 minutes from beginning to the point where he began yelling mommy and please. I knew something in his voice was different and I felt that if I went to him now he would welcome me which he did. Climbing on my lap and resting his head on my shoulders while grasping for air made my heart melt. My baby boy is becoming a bigger boy standing proud in his 2 year old phase. Please God help me.      

We had a wonderful day with our beautiful family who came out today to walk with us. Today was a day filled with many emotions. From the beginning memories to the amazing memories we make along the way. Gio and Isa bless our lives every day and we are thankful to have them show us how to smile and appreciate all that we have. They were troopers from the early rise to walk in March for Babies to a friends big birthday bash at Kidville. No complaints just smiles and genuine appreciation. How can you not love these two. Mommy and daddy are so very proud every day. Way to go, Gio and Isa’s Miracles!