Choo, Choo...Hello Thomas!

First family roadtrip to Austin/Burnett, Texas! The grandmas joined us on our journey. We actually left on our scheduled time but of course it took us practically 5 hours to get to Austin than the regular 2.5 because we stopped in Brenham, TX at the Blue Bell Factory. We were all newbies and definitely wanted to take a tour but they are not offered on the weekend, so we unfortunately had to settle for taste testing and getting some samples in the old school ice cream shop, where you can get a small cup for $1.

It was heaven. BaNoi is the icecream enthusiast but has been watching her sugar so she was sad until she discovered sugarfree icecream and dug in. Even baby Alex had a small sample and he wanted milk instead. We then went back on the road and stopped for BBQ that we found off of yelp...kept driving until we finally made it to our hotel. We rested for a while, maybe took small naps and then headed to the Oasis Restaurant.

We love the view from there and wanted to show the moms. We had a great dinner and headed home for the night.

Sunday was train day and we got a head start off to Burnett, TX which was 1 hr away from our hotel. It was sprinkling off and on and it was a rain or shine event so no worries.

The train depot was packed and it was Thomas the Train overload. Gio took off with the grandma's while we changed Alex into some warmer clothing. Gio was uber excited and Thomas was pulling into the Station as we walked in.

We did all the activities that were offered scavenger hunt, pics with Thomas and Sir Topham Hat and finally it was our time to ride Thomas.

Now let me tell you it was a 20 min ride going backwards for a bit and then you go forward back to the startline. Hubby and Mom were like that is it, but for the happiness and smile on my big boys face it was worth it. And I am going to say it now, if Alex is obsessed like Gio was with Thomas we will do this all over again, except probably have the kids and a parent ride, the tickets are expensive lol! Gio had a great time and Alex slept through it all. We had an early dinner in Marble Falls with a great view of the river and then drove home, where we again stopped twice on the way to give baby Alex a break from his seat. We all had a great time and loved seeing my boys with their grandmothers who love them endlessly.

5 months Alex

Well where does time go when you are having fun? ok some tidbits of my lil man that I keep forgetting to add in previous entries: his head smells like strawberries...i know random, but I used to think the same thing of Gio. Their little sweat smells like strawberries and I love it! During diaper changes you lift your legs up for me while I wipe you, you have been doing that since 2.5 months... When Alex is bored he twirls his feet in circles, its so cute!!! If he wakes up alone or cant see you, he is going to scream and when you get in his vision or up close...huge smile...faker! oh these boys have me wrapped around their fingers!! I really complain way to much about nothing really, its hard work but someone has to be their mother, lol and i luckily am! So what have you been up to lil man in your five months.. -Billy goat Alex! Everything in reach goes into you mouth to chomp...chomp.. -Great coordination now compared to last month, you grab it efficiently and into the mouth. -if you are on your tummy you push back, which the pedi said you would and also the zombie grab with your hand, which you have... -you "motor boat", so funny, just quiet or falling asleep you will pop off of eating and just blow those lips, hilarious..little future car lover its like your zoooomm, zoommm around kiddo. -rolling over to side pretty well, sometimes you surprise yourself and roll onto your tummy, lol. -grunting, coughing and sticking out your tongue if no one is paying attention to you or if you had enough. -if we have passed your nap time you will start screaming or if you have a poopoo diaper. -you like playing in the jumper and now going full circle in it with all the little toys. -sitting up by yourself for a few minutes before bending all the way over thankfully you still have your gummy smile, and we love it! guess what we also started you on cereal at 5.5 mo.

i

really wanted to wait, but you grabbed at our food, smacked your lips and salivated everytime we ate. I was very hesitant to wait till at least 6 months, but we started and you love it, screaming in between spoonfuls because you want some more. I am going to make some veggies today or tomorrow and start that. Oh just when I thought you were my lil baby baby, you are growing up on me kiddo...love you so much all 23 lbs of ya!

First trip to the Dentist

Well we have been dragging our feet with our trip to the Dentist and finally made an appt, when I walked by a cute office on my way to gets parts for my pump. I made an appt for next week and went home to my boys. I was hanging out with the boys waiting for daddy to arrive from work. Boys were fed and baths done, giving alex a nebulizer treatment when my phone rang. I asked Gio to get it for me and next thing I hear is a loud piercing scream and cry. I ran over with alex in tow and find Gio on the floor with blood all over his mouth, scoop him up and check wth happened, he was in my sight the whole time, somehow he slipped and fell right into one of the baby chairs and bit his lips, he upper two teeth had blood all around and gums were swollen, I washed him off, did ice bag and gave him arnica tablets every 15 min for two hours. I later inspected his gums closer and noticed he had torn his upper frenulum as well. OMG I was freaking out and felt horrible all because I had asked him to get my phone, ughhh I want to be the mom on the Incredibles Elastic Girl and nothing would happen to my boys. Gio was unfazed by the whole issue abut 30 min later because we let him watch Team Umizumi. He woke up and his lips were slightly swollen, not as bad as the night before and in great spirits. Checked with his teachers if it was ok to go to school and they said yes. Called dentist and they squeezed me in for an appointment right after school. The office is train Disney theme and gio loved it. The dentist was awesome and had great patient and parent rapport. We had to take an xray, Gio sat on my lap, im sure he could have done it without me.
He sat in the chair with no issues and let the doctor inspect his teeth.

We were cleared of any fractures or damage, no cavities and clean bill of teeth health. Doctor suggested to come back in 6 mo-1 yr for his first cleaning, but overall was happy. He answered all my questions and we had friends in common, funny enough. I was so relieved to one have no damage and two no cavities! Yea! Lot of firsts these past two weeks and Daddy reminding me that boys will be boys, bruises and scrapes are in my future....not if I can help it, helicopter mom reporting to duty...lol

Prek-3

So somehow I blinked and my baby is 3.5yo and started Prek-3....what!!!!! We moved in two days prior and I couldn't find my cute bento boxes I purchased for Gio's lunch. I couldn't even find all his cute new tops I bought for back to school, ughh thankfully we had nice ironed clothing in his closet to pick from. lol!  The night before we practiced trying to open one of the bento boxes I had bought and he did great the first two times then got frustrated and threw it on the floor. So I scratched that and went to ziploc bags. I woke up early: prepared breakfast, woke up the boys, changed and dressed with daddys help, and then breakfast served.

Gio was not fazed by it all, but Daddy and I were running around making sure all was packed up because Alex was going to Tita's, Gio to school and each of us to work. I made sure Daddy didn't schedule morning patients and we both went to drop off Alex first then Gio. Before we hopped in the car, I took my first day pic of course, I am always going to be that mom! My mom ran out to give Gio a kiss and take Alex inside. We arrived at school right on time, walked Gio in with his bag and lunch. He walked us to his dinosaur themed classroom and we placed his items in his locker and off he went without a goodbye hug or kiss. We said hi to the teachers and walked away. I couldn't believe he just walked away, I mean hello...what about me....luan made me go back because he didn't want to hear my complaining all day. I walked in found him playing already, asked for a kiss, he gave me his cheek and said bye mom....just like that...my baby grew up and I learned a great lesson. I have taken this boy for granted and need to value every moment I have with him. These past 4.5 months have been tough trying to balance time with each boy, mostly been with Alex because of nursing and need more quality time with Gio. So anywhoo, tears might have been somewhere near my eyes, but they didn't flow and to see him so happy in his new environment, strengthened my decision to start school and to leave him with his new caretakers. Daddy and I went to a nearby Starbucks and just sat for a few minutes together so happy for our first boy! Then off to work we went. I stopped by the office and just like that 4 hours went by fast and it was time to pick up Gio. He was sitting in a circle with his friends and came out running when he saw me. He was carrying his bags and told me how strong he was. I asked him how school was and he said fun mom! I played in the sand and rode bikes on the playground, my new friend is Thomas. I said good Gio, so happy for you. He then told me his teachers like him, and I said oh really, he said yes because I am fancy! lol. I couldn't stop laughing. We are now in week two of school and I have been lucky enough to drop him off each day and pick him up except for one day when Tita took over. He also started gymnastics with Coach Steve, who told me today we need to work on Gio sitting down and not getting up so much during class. Lol. (fyi this coach loves to talk and talk, umm hello more gymnastics less lecture....fyi they are 3 and 4 not olympic team) I had emailed the teacher because, Gio was coming home with most of his lunch still in tact, he def enjoys his veggies and fruits and the sandwich was left to the side. She mentioned Gio was getting up alot and they were working on him sitting down, he keeps getting distracted by all the artwork on the walls, but that he was very active and talked alot with them. He is a great listener, enjoyed story and circle time. Everyday I walk up to his class to pick him up, although I have the option of carpool lane, I have the time so I park and love to see his smile when he spots me. I ask the teacher everyday how he did, they said great, he is happy. Gio tells us here and there how much he likes school and his teachers, makes me so happy! I have even had to threaten no school if he doesn't finish his breakfast, which works, hope that lasts forever. I still hear kids crying as their parents leave and I am so happy that I have not had to experience that with Gio. Last year, he would cling to my leg with new experiences, now he is like bye mom, have new friends. Yea Gio, mr independent! I hope you have a great school year my love and grow with each new opportunity!

Packing it up!

Well packing was very last minute we had an earlier moving date then a change to two weeks later and then laziness kicked in. House was full of boxes and the reality hit we are moving in two days! My mom took Gio the night before and we stayed up late packing everything up. The movers arrived at 7 am and Luan started taking down the beds and taping some last minute boxes closed. I watched with Alex as the movers efficiently moved us out. One thing I did notice was how in the world did we accumulate so much in a small space??? Ugh hh makes me want to throw stuff out ASAP! Well I headed to the house to vacuum because the carpet was cleaned the day before and they advised to vacuum prior to setting all furniture down.   Movers arrived right after I did and started setting everything down. Now it looks like we don't have enough furniture thanks to bigger space. Lol. Always a complaint by me!

Well our rental is cute overall except it could use new carpet and paint in the bedrooms. The previous owners had cats and the smell of cat litter is strong. I mean I have lived with pets before but the smell was overwhelming. We also had a mixup of appliances, long story always drama in our house, but finally resolved and settled. Talked to landlord she agreed to paint and change carpet in bedrooms, but still waiting on that. Honestly we are about 75% settled in can't wait to get carpet put in to finally complete unpacking. Gio loves his new playroom and Alex is trying to adjust. He isn't quite sleeping as well as in the condo. He got sick right after our move couldn't tell if it was allergies or virus, had to use gios nebulizer on him just to get the gunky congestion in his chest out. Thankfully to my love of homeopaths and now new found passion for doterra essential oils, both boys are quickly recovering. Two weeks in, boxes are still everywhere, clothes aren't unpacked and  no progress, so it's making me crazy. Balancing unpacking, preschool start and work has been wild, so hopefully this weekend we will clean it all up! Thankfully this is a rental and we will only be here for two years, god willing. Learning what we want and don't want in our future old or new home. In the meantime making our White House as Gio calls it home sweet home!

4 mo Alexander

Well Mr chunk a lunk is growing rapidly, same way as big brother did at this age. 20lbs and 28 in long. The staff at the pediatrician couldn't stop holding him and kept comparing him to Gio. Alexander had a good check up until he got too tired and screamed because he was ready for a nap. Pedi said you make big healthy milk loving babies lol. She said he could go all night without a feeding, said totally read the literature but you come over and let him know that at 1am, lol.  My 4 mo baby is darling! Hands are very yummy right now bc he can get them in and soothe those achy teething gums. Pedi said no teeth just yet, probably more likey sore gums. He is tryin to roll. He'll swing his legs and go onto his side but not fully onto tummy just yet. We prop him up to sit up but big ol head will have him falling over bc he wants those hands in his mouth and then he isn't balancing on anything too cute. He likes teething toys to suck on but if they fall out he gets highly upset. He clasps his hands and grabbing onto things which go straight into his mouth, but coordination is not all there so frustration builds up quickly and man is he vocal about it. Super Alex will let you hear his roar of frustration quickly or when he doesn't want to be alone. He has been getting very fussy bc he fights naps and is tired but interested in what's going on around him, otherwise he is a great sleeper. He loves when gio gets close and is all smiles! He is going to get a gold medal in nursing Olympics bc he wants to take me with him as he turns and cranes his necks or flips his body to see what's going on. Then wonders why mommy's milk didn't go with him, little man doesn't want to miss a thing. He was snacking instead of full out meals so we put a curb to that bc it was getting nonstop.

Alex has good head control when he is held and loves looking at everything, he makes sure to hold on to ur shirt, ear or hair lol. He is starting to giggle alot more and is reaching for his feet not exactly in his mouth just yet, lol. I love when be wakes up he curls up and then fully stretches out for a while too cute. Swaddling is still favored when for nighttime sleep and occasionally for naps when his hands keep him up from too much sucking. Love this tender age and discovering new things all over again with my super baby Alexander! 

Meet the teacher day

Gio had a great time playing in his future classroom alongside his fellow classmates. We walked in and he breezed by his teachers without a care lol, because he focused in on cars and dinosaurs and he was off. After I introduced myself and my mom to the teachers, I got Gio to come back and introduce himself then hand them our cute little snack gifts.

I met other parents and was very comforted knowing that the majority were returning kiddos who were there last year or have had siblings go through the school.  I don't know anyone personally that have attended gios day school but I very much enjoyed it during my visit. As I might have mentioned earlier I had put Gio in another school but last min opening in a closer school won us over. Well at other school they help clean the kids when they use the rr of needed. At this present school they do not. Three year old kids should be potty trained, totally understood. I thought to myself ew need to teach Gio how to wipe himself for no 2. We potty trained but never thought of making sure he wiped himself as part of the teaching part. To be honest never crossed my mind. Well in the past two weeks we have had 2-3 accidents just from nonstop playing and he gets there too late, so we cleaned up and are more alert with reminders. So any whoo I asked teacher what happens if there is an accident. She said if its a pee we will change them if its poo we will call you to come to school to change him, we do not touch the kids. Now this in all my questioning never came up. I said really. She said yes we supervise but do not touch, but if accident we call you. Now listen totally understand not touching but can't you supervise him cleaning himself like you already do and let him change himself rather then letting him sit in it till I myself, hubby or Tita can get there. I don't like that, not asking you to wipe or touch him, just let him clean himself and give him his new undies just like you would a pee accident. I posted this topic on fb and got lots of different reactions, my friend reposted my question and she got lots of diff responses. It's a very fine line with kids and "physical" abuse so I get it. But in all my paperwork that was not in the fine print and I'm just curious am I over reacting bc I don't want my kid sitting in poop till we get there? I hope this is never an issue because I would be very upset to find Gio covered in poop. 

Ok enough of that, other than that sticky area of discussion, Gio loved his classroom and didn't want to leave. So I am hoping for a great school year and accident free Gio! We start on the 4th!