First Words

While I was pregnant with the Gs, MG and I decided that we would teach them both Italian and English as their first languages. I would teach them Italian and English and Michael English - which they would also learn in school. I know that it is going to be difficult for them to speak like a native Italian, but we are happy if the Gs just gain a basic understanding of the language. They may have to pursue advanced training if they want when they are older, since my Italian is not quite at that level - I studied English my entire life. The Italian that I know is basic conversation.

On their last trip to Italy, my parents brought back some Italian baby books and bilingual books in both Italian and English. I read them to the girls and speak to the girls in Italian. Michael reads the books in Italian and English. I think that Michael is finally learning the language himself - it has only taken about 10 years!

Now on to their first words - besides mama and dada - the girls have learned a few words in both languages. English translation in parenthesis.

Papa - (Daddy), Scarpa (shoe), Palla (ball), Baby,

Hola (hello - okay this is Spanish - I have a housekeeper that speaks to them in Spanish - so confusing!),

Nonna (Grandmother), Mimi (other Grandmother).

They also can say their name and each other's. Giuliana is 'Ana' and Gisella is 'Ella'. They also say oh-oh - especially after they have dropped their sippy cup!

Papa, scarpa, palla - all sound the same - but used correctly in context.

Hola and 'Ella' sound about the same also. It is so funny to watch them get on their 'cell phone' and instead of saying hello, they say 'Hola'.

Nonna and 'Ana' also sound about the same.

I know, this is all so confusing - but they do understand - it is so amazing how quickly they learn!

28 Weeks!

Today I had my routine OB appointment - and all went well - the Dr. told me that the baby is measuring about one week bigger. - Currently I am 27 weeks and 4 days pregnant. Apparently my uterus measured a bit over 28 weeks.

Georgina's heartbeat was again in the 150s. When they tried to measure her heartbeat, she was moving around quite a bit. I think that it was from that drink that I had to test my glucose level. Yuck - I hate that thing. Not to mention that I had a Starbucks iced latte in the morning. I am so addicted - to the iced lattes! Yes, I know - I am not allowed to drink much caffeine. No worries - I only have one a few times a week - besides, who can splurge on $3 coffees everyday? Except that I crave them!!

I hope that I do not have to repeat the glucose test. The label on the sugary drink stated not to drink coffee prior. I did not pay too much attention to it though - because the label also stated to fast for 12 hours before drinking - now, what pregnant woman can fast for that long????

My OB thought that it would be fun to look up my past pregnancy and compare uterus size and weight. While pregnant with the twins, at 28 weeks - my uterus measured full term - 40 weeks and I was 25 pounds heavier than I am right now. Just think, I still had over 2 months left of the pregnancy! This singleton thing is much much easier!

Butt Naked

When I put the girls down for their morning nap, I usually just let them sleep in a t-shirt - no pants or shorts. I tend to think that they are more comfortable and cool that way. That is the way that I placed them in their cribs this morning. T-shirt, diaper.

Well, when I went in their room later on to wake them up, Giuliana was lying in her crib butt naked - with her diaper sitting right next to her. She had apparently taken her diaper off. She looked so funny - asleep with her butt in the air!

Luckily, she did not go potty in her crib or it would not have been so funny for mommy!

Maybe I need to start putting their shorts or pants on while they nap!

Happy Birthday Vittoria

I just can't believe it - last week we went to Vittoria's 6th bday party - 'Toria' is my niece - my brother's little girl. I just can't believe she is 6 years old.

I remember her being a baby so vividly - I also remember how she just could not wait to be 5 years old - her mother had told her that she could play soccer, take piano and ballet lessons when she turned 5 - in Vittoria's mind she would be a big girl when she turned 5.

Last week she turned 6!

The GG's, with a little help, participated in beating the pinata - although they did not have any of the candy. They also sat like big girls at the kiddy table!

I Never Thought

Before I had kiddos of my own, I never thought that I would:

• wake up every single morning by 6:30.


• consider sleeping until 7 "sleeping in"
  
• be able to function with almost no sleep night after night after night for about the first six months of their lives.


• have toys in almost every single room of my house ( I used to think that people that kept toys almost all over the house were messy or unorganized - ha, little did I know)


• sweep and mop the kitchen floor at least 2 times a day.


• have adult conversations in 10 second bursts.


• forget how to have an adult conversation


• look forward to the 'wait' in the Dr.'s office so that I can have a little bit of peace and quiet to read my book or magazine. ( I was actually upset this last time I went in to see the Dr. because I was in and out in an hour).


• place all my phone calls in the car while running errands.


• forget to take a shower and sometimes brush my teeth (okay, that was when they were newborns).


• order online - and wish that more stores offered online service.
• have company everywhere that I go - even in the most private places (shower, potty)


• actually use curbside service at restaurants, dry cleaners.


• buy gallons of milk weekly


• pack up heavy equipment, bags of essential baby items, booster seats etc., for a 30 minute outing with the girls. (it actually takes longer to pack up the stuff than the actual outing itself).


• have to run the dishwasher every single day.


• pack up heavy equipment, bags of essential items, walk around holding the girls' hands, hunched over, end up with a backache, just to see them smile.


• make plans around nap time.


• think that people that use the drive thru service and don't have kids are just being lazy (they need to be reserved for mothers of small children).
• have a list this long!

Another Wild Child?

Today I had my routine OB visit - and everything is going well. The nurse just checked my blood pressure, weight, and the baby's heartbeat.

Georgina's heartbeat has been consistently high - at about 155. When I was pregnant with Giuliana, her heartbeat was also high and greater than her sister's -about as high as Georgina's is right now. MG and I laugh about this and tell ourselves that we are going to have another 'wild child', or as Mimi puts it, 'another Michael'. HEHE!

Sleeping Update

Hurray - the girls are sleeping in the same room together - at night time and for naps! It was a bit rough for the first few nights - but once they got used to having each other in the room, it actually improved both of their sleeping habits.

Giuliana no longer cries when she wakes up. In the morning, her and her sister stand up in their cribs and laugh and talk to each other. Michael and I wake up to the sound of laughter, whereas before, Giuliana's crying was our wake up call.

Gisella on the other hand, used to cry out in her sleep all the time - at least once a night - this usually happened pretty early - about an hour or so after we would put her down. We never knew why she did this - at times her crying was inconsolable. She no longer cries out. I am not sure if this is a result of her sister being in the room, maturity, or a combination of both.

MG and I finally have our bedroom back - we can actually watch t.v. or read a book before going to sleep - alas, we have only 3 more months of this newly acquired freedom before Georgina comes and becomes our new roommate. Oh well, we would not have it any other way!