My baby is now 5!

Aiden turned 5 yesterday- November 20, 2013. It was an amazing day….and a hard day for this Mommy to digest. Really 5? Already? Didn't we just celebrate his 1st birthday? I can't believe how fast Motherhood is going!

Newborn Aiden- Nov 20, 2008

Mommy and Daddy are still trying to grasp the idea that we have a 5 year old…but this kid is smart and funny and amazing. He surprises us each day on what he knows and learns and, says. I love it!

5 yr Aiden - Nov 20, 2013

Aiden had a great birthday! He went to school and celebrating there with his friends. He got to wear a crown and a stick that said it was his birthday. Aiden brought in "Cookie Brownies" (aka blondes) for snack and Mommy came in and read a story too, which was his favorite part.

After school we did our tradition since Aiden was one and that was to go see Santa. This was Aiden's decision. This was mainly because he knew he wasn't getting drums for his birthday, so Santa must know ASAP for Christmas- LOL (don't worry much to Mommy and Daddy's dismay- Santa is bring him a drum set). Both boys did amazing with Santa! I wasn't worried about Aiden. He has always done well, but at 5, I figured it would be a piece of cake, but JP I wasn't sure about this year. Jonathan is very friendly and not shy, but if I move one ounce, he's always afraid I'm leaving for good. So  I was't sure how he would act when I put him on Santa's lap and move, but he did amazing. He walked right up said "Hi Samba (aka Santa)" and sat right on his lap. He just kept looking at him and saying his name….and we got an amazing pic!!

After Santa- Aiden got some Mommy and Daddy time and we got to play his new angry bird "game". It was a K'NEX game were we had to build lego like blogs and Aiden got to shoot the birds at the piggies. He loved every minute of it (of course this was one of his gifts). We also got to play Mickey Bingo. He loved every  minute of it!

Later that afternoon Aiden's grandparents (Grammie & Pop and Nonnie & Poppi) stopped over for dinner and a mini celebration. We also invited our favorite neighbor (aka- Mommy's cousin Amanda over as she's now on bed rest till baby logan is ready to show his face :) Can't wait!)

Of course we had Aiden's favorite dinner- Pizza!!  And then a baked (more) brownies, which he had brought to school too for that night. His grandparents brought a few presents to help celebrate his day! Although we'll also celebrate on Christmas with his Aunts and Uncles and cousins! Aiden tends to have the birthday that does end to Christmas- LOL

Aiden also got to celebrate with some of his favorite November birthdays with his- Uncle Frank and Uncle Kevin who's birthdays are right before his this past weekend! Plus Danielle- Mommy and Daddy's friends other friends too!

All in all Aiden had an amazing birthday, just like Mommy and Daddy wanted him to have and he still has thanksgiving to continue the celebration. We just still can't believe it's been 5 years of parenthood and wouldn't change a minute of it!

Busy life when taking steps

I can't believe we're already a week past Halloween and heading into mid Nov. We had a good Halloween and the kids got the most out of their costume. We did trick or treating at Aiden's school on the Friday night before, Aiden had his Halloween parade and party the day before Halloween, and then there was Halloween. It was a mild night this year and we stuck to trick or  treating in our association, but we got to meet some pretty cool neighbors.

The kids had a great time- Aiden is very into Trick or Treating now and would get mad if we stop to talk. He also is learning what candy he can't have due to his allergies. We got to one house and they were giving out Hersey bars, he said "yes, Hershey's!" LOL. Jonathan also enjoyed the night after we had to bribe him to wear the costume with lollipops. Then he quickly caught on to the whole if I say trick or treat…they give me candy.

After the Halloween fun- we went back to life as normal for us- Aiden went back to school and soccer. He had his class pictures on Nov 4th and I can't wait to see how they turn out and soccer ends Nov 16th and truthfully I'm happy about that as it's getting a little too cold for soccer- lol

We also took the opportunity of the last few minutes of warm weather and day late to do family portraits which we have never done. In fact minus a few vacation pictures we haven't had a family picture since JP was born. Our very talented friend Tracy Perillo volunteered to take the pictures and I think she did amazing with the subjects she and to deal with

Lastly, JP update- he went for his Physical Therapy Evaluation on Friday. He will be going to Physical Therapy twice a week to strengthen his hip, work on his range of motion for his ankle and gait training.  The PT was impressed with JPs range of motion in his ankle- she said it was close to neutral (aka normal). He'll be going 2 days per week for the 12 next weeks. He also got his new AFO. It's called a foot on foot. He's already doing well and getting use to it- taking steps here and there indoors and outdoors. We're working on balance now. The PT wants to get him walking at least with AFO, but her hope is also bare foot. She also wants to have him walking down and up steps. So  I can't wait to see this happen!

Recently I feel like some days it's one step forward, two steps back with JP. He starts getting comfortable with something and then we change it. So now that we have his "final" recovery phase- aka his AFO, I'm hoping he'll start taking off and be like this is easy. Plus I can't wait to see what PT brings!

Healing Changes

So JP is now 10 weeks post surgery-  we went for our post op appointment last Weds. I'm so happy to report all looks good and he has "graduated". We don't have to go back for an appointment for 4 months!! I'm not sure what I will do with all our free time- LOL.

It's amazing how far we have come in two short years. It was back in Oct 2011 we learned of JPs diagnoses during my 20 week ultrasound. We felt all but defeated. We met Dr. Nichols in early Nov 2011 and she reassured us all would be well with our sweet baby boy. While we valued her as a medical professional it was hard for us to believe and at least I spent the last 20 weeks of my pregnancy absolutely worried. Once JP arrived, we realized he was a "normal" baby with a small abnormality and he continued to show us all throughout his development- sitting, crawling, talking, etc.- and doing it all on time. 

Here we are two years later- our baby is completed on track developmentally. And has come through surgery beautifully! He has taught us so much and we see so many changes in him! Below are the changes his leg has taken on.

And now, we have 4 months off- from cast changes, doctor visits etc! Just us getting our baby boy up and moving again...and he's already showing signs he's ready! We have come such a long way in two years!  Sadly we'll have to start thinking about JP's next surgery soon, but for now it's Physical Therapy and getting him walking again!

October is also breast cancer awareness month- and we watched a very close friend who has fought amazingly undergo a double mastectomy! She is doing so amazing and we love her so much and admire her fighting spirit, which we're so grateful for!! Aiden had an opportunity to show his support for her and his teacher who went thru chemo/radiation last year for breast cancer- with his "pink ribbon". He was so happy and I was so proud that my young little boy understood how important this was!

Lastly- Daddy has been very busy with training for his new part-time job and gigging, so me and the boys have been spending lots of quality time together doing a variety of things- we went to the Please Touch Museum a few weeks ago and to Aiden's  school's Trick or Treat the other night

My Hero

I'm sure every women feels that their husband and kids are their Heros and I'm no different.

Keith is my hero because he's an amazing Husband and a terrific Dad! I love his passion for music and how he passed it down to our kids. I love how even 16 years later I fall in love with him every day and feel like a high schooler sometimes. I love how excited he is to teach our boys.

Aiden is my hero because he first made me a Mommy. He's so smart, always wanting to learn, loves school., and is always a comedian  He's also an amazing big brother! Worrying and loving for JP.

But JP... He is my ultimate hero! While yes I struggle with him- getting him to listen and follow direction, currently dealing with separation anxiety, and sleeping issues... Boy do we struggle with sleeping with him.

But he's also amazing- in the last 8 weeks- he has had major reconstruction surgery, 4 cast changes, 2 sedations (outside of surgery), a lot of itchiness, and a lot of sponge baths. Now that's not to say we haven't had our share of tears, screams, and sleepless nights, but this kid is just amazing. In his short little 19 mos of life he has endured more doctor visits, xrays, IVs (among other things) then most kids experience in their whole childhood. We have just started his journey and there is much more to come, but overall JP has take this all in stride. Still determined, still adventurous, and still willing to learn.

My baby is my hero and always will be- no matter how much pain, sadness, or scary feelings he has during his times of trials. I also hope he can help teach others and show them how to handle their struggles of life by sharing his story!

Changes and Celebrations...

Well here we are full into fall- I love the change of season...warm days, but cold mornings/nights. Sun shinning, but beautiful change of leaves. It's almost as perfect as Spring (my favorite time of year!)

We have some changes going on here in the Giosa household too- Aiden is in full swing of preK and of course loving it! This year he has library once a week and Show n Tell!! So at first the change of teachers and not having the same class was rough for him, but now he's just loving it! He also has soccer every Sat morning until mid Nov- he's so excited to be back and playing soccer!

JP also is going through some changes...cutting 4 eye teeth....and so soon after getting his molars. Definitely a little trying after a while. He also had his first stomach virus a few weeks ago (well we all had it- not fun). JP also recently started to sit at the big boy table for meals. We gave up the highchair in hopes that he'll eat better (not so much),  and he loves it!

And we're hoping he'll be out of a cast soon and back to walking, he has an appointment on Fri Oct 4th- which marks his 8 week post surgery day

Also another change to our family is that Daddy has secured a part-time job too. We're all very excited for him. This will be additional to his gig schedule so it's an adjustment for all- little less time with Keith and means a part-time babysitter search is in full swing.

Also Mommy just had a change...of years alive. I celebrated my 35th birthday on Sunday.

Keith was training for his new job, so the kids and I headed to Linvilla for a day of fun. Both boys loved it- we did the train ride, check out the animals, play in the playground area, do the kid maze, went on a hayride and of course hit up Pumkinland.  They each got to pick a Pumpkin which may have been the highlight of the day, but all in all it was a great day for me to celebrate with my amazing boys who I love so much! And hopefully Daddy and I will go out and celebrate soon!