59/366

I picked up Gio from Tita's house and I find him in her car! It's his mini playground when it's raining. He obviously doesn't have 5 cars in the house to drive. We headed home and relaxed!

58/366

Awe cute little bear hugs from my Lil bear. If I lay down for a second I have a Lil bear that instantly climbs on for a quick hug and then off for his playtime. We played, read and studied today. While I did my work Gio worked on his lap book. We also worked on the color green, square shape, number 1 and letter g. We hunted the house for all 4 topics and Gios smile when he pointed things out correctly was so cute. Learning fun!

57/366

Sunday with the grandparents

56/366

Baby Lorax
Target hosted a Lorax story time in honor of DR Seuss birthday. I asked Luan to take Gio and I was sent a pic of a baby Lorax! Love it!!!

55/366

Peek a boo!

54/366

On our way to Tita's, Gio and I have wonderful eye conversation via the mirror or we sing. I was moving my eyebrows up and down, which cracks him up when I noticed that he was repeating the movement. Since when??? It was hilarious, I forgot to take a pic but I got video. Lol

53/366

Busy bee day. I made a yummy oatmeal pancake breakfast for all. Gio and I headed to Ash Wednesday service at a nearby parish. Gio was very well behaved, although he was tempted to run around the children's room like others. But he thankfully did not . Next time, I might try to sit out on a pew instead. Gymboree was next and someone had tons of energy to get rid of. He ran continuous circles around the whole place nonstop laughing the whole way. Afterwards I needed to run an errand and drove by cool cuts 4 kids and saw a special for 5.99, can't beat that...so impromptu haircut. They had the old fashioned cars as seats and Gio loved it, no problems and his cut came out really well, we just found a new place. In the middle they have a huge train table and Lego table. Gio played for a bit until we had a quick lunch at quizno's. We picked up auntie for more errands and once done we ended up a nearby park. Fun, active day.

52/366

Movie night. Gio took a late late nap at Tita's, which messed up our regular todo's, so we had movie night! We watched the jungle book 2 and shared popcorn. He was too focused to eat lol

51/366

Gio and I had to opportunity to have lunch with one of our favorite families: The Resendez. They were in town for a very quick family visit. Gio of course was asleep and woke up to a bouncing Ava in his view. He was very quiet and observant of her. She was so cute and cuddily, he finally warmed up to her and gave her a goodbye kiss on the way out. Gio and I then enjoyed time a nearby park before heading home. Ong noi bought a chair for Gio over the wind as as u can see he had to relax while taking some important phone calls, where does he get this stuff from?? :)

50/366

Sunday fun day with daddy!! Met my boys for lunch and surprised when I saw twins! Supposedly Gio picked out the wardrobe choices. They had a great day at ongbanoi's house and playground time!!!

Babyhood is Officially Over!

Ok that title, might be a tid bit over dramatic, but when am I not? So on Valentine's Day, after a long day of running around, Gio asked to nurse and I allowed him too. I told him that this was his last week and no more, he closed his eyes and covered his ears. I have been telling him that for over three weeks now. Empty promises...I officially had stopped nursing in the morning for over a week now and only allowing one nursing a day. I knew that at his birthday we both were not ready. I have been telling Gio for over two months now that we would stop nursing and that he was a big boy now. There is really not a direct method to wean from nursing anywhere, it is a process that Gio and I would face on our own terms. I talked to my friend Patricia who nursed her own boys close to two years and when I was stressing out about it, she said we were not ready and to slowly cut it down, not to go cold turkey.
We had just finished bath time and gio asked to nurse. I knew that our time was coming to an end and I had to be strong for both of us.
There is a nursing bond that Gio and I have that can't be explained thoroughly. When he starts to nurse..his eyes close, there is a calmness that rolls over his body, he curls tightly against me, his eyes close for a bit...then I look down and there are two beautiful saucer eyes staring up at me. When he was smaller he would trace my face as I traced his, we have private conversations and then sometimes I had to say ok Gio time up...which could go either way. I had a love/hate relationship with nursing, I knew that I was providing Gio the best possible nutrients and antibodies with my milk. We only had one hiccup at two months when he had a nursing strike, and since then it was more of Gio wanting too much. I nursed on demand and did not schedule him. I was comfortable with that decision, even though sometimes it would be too much, it was well worth it. I nursed Giovanni for two years and 24 days.
So on Valentine's day when he finished, he popped off and smiled up at me, I said wow done already, that's a big boy! He laughed then went with Daddy to read dinosaur books and to bed. I kept telling myself that Sunday would definitely be his last day...Wednesday, he asked for it..but I kept saying later. In the morning he got a up of milk and then one later in the day. I took him to BaNoi's house because Christine and I were going to go to the movies. I didn't realize till later that we hadn't nursed the whole day. I was worried would Gio be ok...He was FINE, I am crazy. On Thursday he asked for his cup of milk and then I went to school. Later in the day he asked for it and I said there is no more. He wined for a millisecond and kept on playing. Friday he asked one more time, I refused and he kept on going. I knew we would come down this road soon, this just happened sooner than later. Last nite I layed down with him to sleep. He tried to nurse through my shirt, I said Gio what are you doing? He cracked up, so now its a joke. I am happy that we transitioned to this point and that we have both been strong.
Just caution to those weaning, there are several different things that can occur such as swelling, painful, engorgment. I thankfully did not have any of those symptoms but I did have electric type sensation, such as when you milk first comes, it was a little painful for two days and then it was over. Now Gio gets in his nursing position for snuggle time with mommy and we have entered a new phase of mommy/toddlerhood. Of course he will always be my baby but, nursing was his last tie to babyhood. Every mother and child have their own journey and I am happy that I followed my heart and continued to nurse regardless of everyone else's opinions of how often, when i should stop and everything under the sun. I had a goal and we crossed that finish line together.'
Our first picture ever, Gio was of course nursing. My mom took it for us and I never posted it, but I love it so much, that I had to share. I had just gone through a 17 hour labor and scared when Gio did not initially breathe...I was finally holding my precious sweetpea who mommy waited so long to meet.

Italy revisited!

On our honeymoon, Luan and I kept going into little local grocery stores to ooh and aghh at all the gourmet yummy foods. I of course had all my tourist books to help guide me of what not to miss. In Rome we stopped by Castroni a fine gourmet grocery mart. They are a big chain and always packed. I wanted cute little things to bring back but at the end of our trip we were limited in space. I found packages of Amaretti Virginia biscuits. Omg they were amazing and we quickly finished our purchases, we had to go back for more to bring home.
I have been cravin those yummy biscuits and have seen them popping up at Starbucks, world market and Italian restaurants. I have no idea why I haven't bought them but I told Luan I wanted a package for our anniversary every year to revisit our honeymoon. He recently bought two packages and they are as yummy as ever. A little reminder of our adventurous honeymoon.

49/366

New shoes! Gio is rapidly growing out of his shoes that we bought last June on our trip to Boston. He is currently rocking out some new Adidas and moccasins. I bought him a pair of converse but they r too big so we r waiting to grow into those. I asked Hubby to take Gio to Stride-Rite for a new pair of Kyle shoes. Gio had them last summer and they were awesome. It was time for an upgrade. Hubster reports that when they walked in he picked shoes and then patiently allowed the salesperson to measure his foot. When she brought it to him, he stuck out his foot and then the other one. The lady remarked seems like you do this often lol. Then he jumped down walked around the store, jumped around then measured his toe space. Lol what a funny little boy! He made sure there was enough space for his toes!
They met me up for dinner at HKDimS Gio ran in and looked around till he saw me! Oh he looks like a big boy now. I tried to take pics of his new shoes but he was all over the place. He did sit for a bit to take pics of him. :) my little cheeseball I wonder where he gets it from? :)

48/366

Breakfast with daddy!!! We decided to go eat at Einsteins Bagel with Daddy effort he headed off to work. Gio tumbled on his way in and scraped his hand. Daddy made it all better with his kisses and care. We enjoyed yummy bagels and then headed home. Gio and I organized two more closets and then met up with Tita for lunch! Lol! Busy day socializing for Gio and I!

47/366

School day! That means we are rushing about all day long and when we finally get home, mommy is pooped. Gio on the other hand is still full of energy. He walks up the stairs by himself and once I open the door he goes straight to his room to play. I had emptied a blue crate that contained his bday remnants and he has been hauling it back and forth throughout the house since he has no other car or wagon to haul around. He took a break to do his lap book and then back to his cars and trains. Putting him to bed was so easy, since he ran all his energy out. :)

46/366

Yikes I forgot to take a picture but I'm blogging! Gio and I went to Gymboree and then had lunch at chickfila. Can I just say again how much I love his teacher. Todays's activity was the mail system, we stamped, mailed packages and letters. We delivered them via mailman and truck to gymbo's house and then we weighed packages. She kept the kids and us very busy and entertained, alot of imagination for a fun play day. We came home to check the mail and organize the home some more. I am finally slowly unpacking a closet daily, lol. Gio plays with everything and helped me with the sticky notes by placing them everywhere I couldn't help but laugh. Fun days with Gio!!!

45/366

Happy Valentine's Day
Well hubby surprised me with a wonderful nite out to Au Petit Paris Bistro! Yummy three course meal for two. Thank you Auntie Christine for babysitting! Gio went to Tita's house and I had to go to school. Gio got a bubble lawnmower and bubble airplane handheld from us. He loves bubbles, it was hard to pry him away from his toys!! We ate yummy chicken curry for dinner when daddy arrived with flowers and candy from my boys!!! Gio and I sent out cute care packages to his buddies and cousin! We gave all the grandparents, auntie and daddy his valentine art craft we worked on earlier this month.