Quick Visit to Mimi's

Yesterday, we went over to visit Mimi and Grandpapi. The girls got to play with their sweet cousins. We could not stay for very long - just enough to play a bit - we were on our way to our neighbor's BBQ. It was the first time that the girls had BBQ. Giuliana liked it so much she was stealing food off of my plate!

Music Class

On Fridays, the girls and I go to music class. When I first found out about this class, I thought that it would be a great opportunity for the girls (and myself)- I believed that it would be an educational and social experience. The girls and I would get out of the house, meet and make new friends, learn and sing songs together. Oh what fun we would have!

The very first time we went to music class, the girls were a bit clingy but still participated in the activities and they also played with the other kids in the class. It was exactly what I thought that it would be. It could only get better. The second time we went to music class, Gisella went around the circle and greeted her friends. Giuliana stayed by my side but later participated and had fun with the other kids. Until the instruments came out. Actually, she was fine playing the instruments, it was when we had to put them away that she had a meltdown. It was all over after that. Of course, later on that day, I found out that she had tonsillitis, so I attributed her behavior to her not feeling well.

Then there was today's class. I walked in the door full of high hopes for fun and games until almost immediately Giuliana started to cry clinging to my leg. I was finally able to get Gisella out of her car seat, and although she did not cry, she would not let go of me either. Needless to say, it did not get any better. I am not sure how I even made it to the 'circle of friends'. Once I sat down on the floor, both girls sat on my lap and held onto my sleeve for dear life. Giuliana cried on and off the entire class time, which, by the way, felt like an eternity. We did not participate in any of the activities, in fact, the teacher even skipped over us. All of the other mothers sent sympathetic glances my way - most likely glad that it was not their kid crying.

Of course once class was over and we got into the car, both girls started talking and singing to one another. Oh well, maybe I won't ask for my refund just yet.

Wake Up Call

As I get together with other mother's - I have noticed a big topic of conversation is sleep - as in, who is getting it and who is up all night with a crying baby, wishing to get more.

The girls are, thank goodness, sleeping through the night. They are also 13 months. The past week has been a bit rough since, with the exception of Michael, we have all been sick. Sick means no more sleeping through the night. It means cry cry a lot of the night. It also means you can't 'let them cry it out'. Unless, as in my case, you are so freakin tired from being sick yourself and being up for two nights for the first baby that at one point - crying it out seems like a very logical option.

When they are not sick, they girls sleep pretty well. Their bedtime is between 7 - 7:30, or whenever Papi gets tired of playing with them - which means even later on the weekend. Wake up time is usually about 7:00. Giuliana wakes up the household. She is ready to go - ready to get out of her crib. She wakes up screaming and crying, probably thinking what in the world is taking her mommy so long to get up. I never really know when Gisella wakes up - she does not announce it the way her sister does. Michael goes to get her and sometimes she is asleep and other times she is playing QUIETLY in her crib.

Giuliana sleeps in our room. I never thought that I would have a child sleep in the room that I share with my husband. I always believed in independence, parents having privacy and blah, blah,blah. That was before I had twins. That was before I realized that twins wake each other up in the middle of the night. It was before I realized that once they wake each other up - it is far more difficult putting 2 babies back to sleep than having just one. Therefore, Giuliana sleeps in a pack & play in our bedroom and Gisella sleeps in her room. We are working on having the twins sleep in the same room together. Maybe we'll start tomorrow . . .

Our first toothbrush

On Sunday, Michael, GG's and I all got dressed and strolled on over to Randall's - we had a goal to accomplish. We were on our way to purchase the GG's some toothbrushes - Our pediatrician had told us a while back that we should begin to brush the girls' gums and teeth. Well, as parents of twins, it only took us a few months to get going on that recommendation.

Anyway, here we were at Randall's looking at the toothbrushes and toothpaste and sure enough - Oral B makes toothbrushes and toothpaste for babes. We bought them and went home to immediately test them out. Well, the girls really like the toothbrushes - they pretty much like anything that they can put in their mouths and bite on. Luckily, the toothpaste is safe for the girls to swallow - which is a good thing since they do not know how to spit after I brush their teeth.

Nonno's Birthday

We were excited to celebrate Nonno's Birthday yesterday. Nonno and Nonna had been in Italy for almost one month and we were all going to get together to celebrate Nonno's birthday. The GG's have so much playing with their sweet cousins.

After our huge dinner, we went outside for some fresh air. Giuliana has taken her first steps and loves to walk while holding on to somebody's hands. Luckily, Nonno was ready and willing to walk with her!

The Aquarium

Today we went to The Aquarium to look at all the different fish and sea life. Gisella and Giuliana had such a fun time looking at and pointing to the sea animals. We even got to see two white tigers that came awfully close to the glass wall that separated us. Afterwards, we went to the Aquarium restaurant where we met Nonna and Nonno. It was the first time that they got to eat out with the girls. I think that it was quite a different dining experience for the grandparents!

After lunch, Nonno and Nonna took the GG's on the Carousel ride. Giuliana kept wanting to look at herself in the Carousel mirror while Gisella smiled at Mommy and Daddy!