There’s 24 hours in a day and yet there never seems to be enough time. From the moment you wake up to the time your head finally touches the pillow you realize no matter how much you try you can’t get all the things you need to or think you need to done. It’s hard to take a moment for yourself and just think about the miracles all around you and truly appreciate the day you are given. Today was my reminder to slow down and just take it all in. I was watching the kids play when I had this thought to melt marshmallows. I went to the cabinet and found the marshmallows and began the process on the stove. As I stirred Gio came up to me and asked what I was doing and if he could see. I picked him up so he could look in the pot. The smile on his face went from ear to ear and the twinkle in his eyes seem to light up the kitchen. As I put him down Isa was already at my leg telling me she was next. I picked her up and she stared in the pot. Not knowing what it was she looked at me with a huge smile and said, “so pretty mommy, what is it?” I explained what I was doing and how yummy the rice krispies treats would taste once done. They kept coming back to the kitchen to check on the process. I just kept stirring the marshmallows until they completely melted. I started to think about all the worries and stresses that I put in my life and how they are the whole lumps of marshmallows but that if I let them go and don’t let them consume me they can melt away into something beautiful and I can use that time to enjoy the tastes it brings. Right at that moment both Gio and Isa ran into the kitchen and out of nowhere said, “llllwwove you mommy.” It was a perfect reminder of the miracles we are surrounded by. Those little mouths trying to say they LOVE me and knowing the meaning behind those words. Before you know it the treats were done and the tasting began. We were all smiles and enjoyed tasting just a bit before dinner. It was a perfect end to another beautiful day. 

The doc is in! Doc McStuffins times two that is. It was an interesting rest of the day once Nonna surprised Gio and Isa with the coolest Doc McStuffins dolls. The light in their eyes when they saw these huge dolls sent chills behind my ears. I saw the smiles hugely appear on their faces and goosebumps covered both my arms. It was a sweet moment of appreciation and love. Nonna said her good-byes and Gio and Isa remained hugging Doc McStuffins. They sang to her and told her stories about ouchies. The conversations were sweet and pure. Then all of a sudden Nonna reappeared with another surprise. Each were given the big book of boo boos and from that moment on it was nothing but happy chatter and repairs throughout our home.

Both Gio and Isa would ask, “what’s hurting you? Once they heard a response they grabbed their big book of boo boos and began to scribble inside. This went on for about 30 minutes along with laughter, healing and repair remedies. From time to time they would stop their scribbling to pick up the Doc McStuffins doll and kiss her and whisper I love you in the purest sweetest voice you ever did hear. The kids were sharing, repairing and laughing for long periods of time. This Doc McStuffins character really brought more love and kindness into our home. I’m enjoying the kids fixing all my booboos, taken notes and sealing it with a kiss.

Two Docs are in!  

It was basketball time in our home tonight. The basketball hoop made it’s way back on the main floor and the kids were ready to slam balls in the hoop. Excitement bounced off the walls along with the balls. It was electrifying watching them play. The cheers that filled the room had the laughs rolling. The kids no longer needed us to lift them to make a hoop. They were tall enough to reach the hoop on their own and actually make shots one after another. The giggles after each basket and oh’s after each miss filled my heart with happiness. I felt that my insides were going to explode with all the love that was filling it. At one point as Giovanni was shooting the ball he screamed over and over, “Go Gio Go, Go Gio Go.” Cheering himself on with the biggest smile which in turn had my husband and I chanting the same thing. His reach was perfect and the ball went in the hoop. He continued cheering himself on while doing a little dance. It was the sweetest most cutest thing ever. Isa liked to position herself right at the hoop so she could easily make the shot. The smile on that girls face brought sunshine in our home. The interactive play and ball talk continued for another 20 minutes. I was able to enjoy the sounds around me and smile myself. At one point, I just stood still and stared. Both Gio and Isa broke my stare by screaming my name as if it was my turn to play. I picked up a ball and made my way to the hoop. The kids cheered as they proudly said, “Good job, mommy” for some reason I felt as though I made a 3 pointer from miles away.

These two really know how to make you feel loved, appreciated and thankful. See you at the next game!

Finally it’s that time of night where the kids are finally in a deep sleep and I can just lie down and let the couch swallow my every inch. Let out a sigh of relief and catch up on the activities that took place around me. This is my quiet time, our quiet time and I’m glad I got here. Now that you know how relaxed I am you will understand my reaction to what happened next. The loudest friggin banging, glass crashing, stair stomping sound exploded from the floor above us. My husband sat straight up and looked at me. Our reactions were priceless as we tried to figure out who or what was up there. My husband quickly made his way upstairs while shouting at me to turn the video camera on. I see nothing in the darkness accept shadows of the man I love ready to make his own noise. I find my way to the top of the stairs to see the beautiful arrangement of frames that I carefully selected and picked to guide the stairwell came crashing down. Not all but some. It was a domino effect that caused frames and glass to bang into each other before exploding on each step. Glass made it’s way in the toughest of places to clean. As quietly as possible my husband and I cleaned all we could in the dark of night not to wake the twins who amazingly slept right through.
Exposed brick walls are beautiful and add a warmth and personality to a home but boy does it suck to hang frames on. It’s going to be a fun day tomorrow making sure no one finds glass. Wish us luck. 

Love the times when the kids actually play together. I could just sit there and stare at them for hours. Well, if it actually lasted that long. I love the bond that is forming. The connecting that is taken place and the generous sibling love blossoming right before me. I enjoy the quiet times that I have to immediately look over to locate them to make sure something not wrong when all of the sudden it gets quiet. Then when I see them whispering, giggling and just being I beam with happiness. From fear comes immediate joy. It’s amazing how you can go from one extreme to the next in seconds.

Whether it’s building a lego train together or playing doctor the kindness I see in them warms my heart and confirms that we are doing something right in the midst of the craziness. I love hearing the encouragement they give to each other and the pats on the back that goes on. If Isannah falls or gets hurt Gio immediately checks to see if she is ok. His sweet words, OK, Isa? She responds, I’m OK. Then back they go to playing together. It’s moments like these that put all the other things going on to rest so you can enjoy the times that count. 

Four little eyes that shine when they see you, two little noses that tickle your cheeks during snuggle time and four little arms that hold you in the best possible way. Twins that keep you on your toes, fill your arms with all the love that travels to the moon and back. That’s my Gio and Isa!

There’s something about watching the kids play (nicely) in the upstairs playroom that does something to me. I’m not sure if it’s the peaceful setting. The soft colors that surround us with warmth and love or just the two of them finding a friend in each other but it makes me feel at ease. They each find a seat close together while organizing the station in preparation for tea time and birthday cake, as they clearly stated. Giovanni pours tea while Isannah lays out the cookies and cakes. They offer each other their selections and pretend to eat. The pleases and thank yous make my heart happy. All of the sudden one of the cakes fell over and hit Isannah on the arm. She made a sad face and just when she was about to cry, Giovanni kissed her arm and said, “ok Isa better.” She smiled and they began to enjoy their little tea birthday party. I just sat back and watched with the biggest smile on my face and in my heart. The giggles and laughter that filled that room this evening took me to the future of a beautiful friendship. They are brother and sister but the friendship that I watch develop daily will last in their hearts forever.

Gio is beginning to change our nightly routine. The night goes as follows: dinner, daddy reads books as I prepare the bath for baby number one (Isa). Isa comes up, I give her a bath, dry, pjs, brush teeth, brush hair, cuddle, sing a few songs and put down to bed. Then baby number two (Gio) comes up to start the routine all over again. The past couple of nights Gio’s found stalling A LOT gets him to bed later with more cuddle time with mom in the bathroom. When I finally get him out of the bath I cuddle with him while singing before putting him down to continue the night routine. He clings on to me so I won’t put him down and get him dressed. He holds on to me for dear life and says “almost”. Almost is his new favorite word meaning there’s still more time and we aren’t done just yet but we will almost be done but not yet “almost.” I love our night routine and love my cuddle time with both of them. It does wonders for calming down my busy day but the extra cuddle time not wanting to get dressed is getting longer and longer. I feel horrible when he cries and doesn’t want to let me go. I would hold him forever but that’s the problem. I feel like I’m making the problem worse. I do love that naked little tushie and how his hugs feel so much better just out of a bath. You just want to eat them all up. They are so cute and kindly tired that those hugs means so much more. I’m not sure if it was the three days of fever that caused a change in the schedule but it’s getting a little harder. I hate to admit this but I’m also dragging during bath time and feel horrible for feeling that way. I just adore these kids and never want to be the cause of their little tears. The night routine is drawing near so we will see how tonight goes. Gio is fever free and feeling more like his spunky self so let’s see what happens. Bring on those baby cuddles and the “almost.”  

My baby boy has been sick for the past three days with a fever. A fever that came from no where. Feeling helpless because he is hurting and I don’t know how to take it away. Tylenol every 4 hours to reduce the fever but then what. No other signs just one clingy, eyes watering, quivering lip, mommy calling baby boy. Cuddling helps me feel better and him some what better but it doesn’t stop the fever. It’s times like these that you feel the weakest. Not only because you have no super power to heal but because you are drained and feel as exhausted as he does. Why aren’t children born with high fighting immune systems? Why does it take time to develop? I know there’s a science for everything but they are tiny beings who sometimes can’t fully express their pains or needs. It’s hard enough that they are so small and need to grow, learn how to crawl, walk, run, talk, etc…but isn’t that enough. Do they have to get so sick to the point where all they could do is ride it out? Yes, I know. Fevers help you fight off infections or this all helps build your immune system but why go through it all. There will be enough for them to have to go through and experience. Life is tough a lot of the times and they will learn soon enough so why not give them all a pass when they are babies/toddlers? A mom has a limited number of powers. Wish there was just something more we could do besides lose our patience when we try so hard not to.