9/11/20 – Chomp Chomp Tree!

This morning, you wanted to skip school to go to the park and then get donuts. I told you we couldn’t do that unfortunately, but if you did your jobs quickly, maybe we could stop on the way to school for a donut! We dropped off soup at Grandma Weezie’s house because she’s not been feeling great, then we stopped for a donut. You sang a crazy song about a “dinosaur sitting on a chair and the Mom & Dad shouted NO!” then you sang “chomp chomp tree, chomp chomp tree, this is a song about chomp chomp tree!”

School posted pics of you taking such good care of the baby & making sure you took her for a ride & that she took her nap.

I picked you up from school & we had to run back to my office for just a few minutes. We headed home because you told everyone at the office you wanted to go to the park and get vanilla donuts after. I wanted to stop home & change my clothes. You insisted on peeing in the driveway before going inside. Once we got inside, I ran to change my clothes. You got involved in some toys & I kept encouraging you to hurry up before the rain came. We finally got ready to leave and then the sky opened and the downpour started… so no park for us!

You helped Daddy grill chickens & set the table at the bar. You LOVED the chicken so much & thanked me for making such a yummy dinner! We watched Moana & had popcorn (Popping corn). After the movie, we headed to bed. It was a little late so you were out quickly.

I love you so much!

9/10/20 – I Love Your Sparkly Necklace

Came to my room at 6:15a. You waved bye to Daddy at the front door. You really hate when he leaves in the morning. You miss him so much! While I was getting ready, you said “I love your sparkly necklace, it hangs down by your boobs!” Awesome G, thanks!!! lol.

When I got to the gate at school, you came out and said “oh hi Mom! I didn’t know who was picking my up today because no one told me. It was a mystery!” I was dying. I told you, you know Ms. Sandy went to Montana! Silly goose! Then, you made me take your picture with your umbrella before we left. I wanted to take you to Dr. Dan for an adjustment, since we were headed that way anyways for gymnastics. You haven’t seen him for a few months & when we arrived, the power was out because of a thunderstorm. When we got back to his room, you were super chatty with him & jumped right up on the table. However, when he tried to adjust your neck, you wouldn’t let him. He was so patient and gentle with you, but you weren’t coming around. Not sure if it was the dark, the mask or the combination. So, we left and went to the gym. After gymnastics, we went for dinner with Daddy at Da Ru Ma. You had lots of fun & chatted with the chef.

When we got home, we put your money in your new bank, which finally arrived today. It is so cute! Daddy left for man night & we went to your room and did 2 Kids Lingos and 3 books. You were snoring by 9p!

I love you so much!!!

9/9/20 – My Dad Is Awesome

This morning you were a little lazy getting up, but I had to get you moving because today was school picture day! You looked adorable!

When Daddy left for work, you were crying saying “I miss my dad! My dad is awesome! I just like him! I’m real sad!”

I ordered you a new piggy bank months ago when you accidentally broke yours. I didn’t realize it was coming from Russia. It finally came today! When I picked you up from school, you saw it in the front seat. You were so excited & loved it! It was a surprise so I was delighted that you were so happy!!! When we got home from school, you took your Father’s Day card off the refrigerator & started to sob because you miss Daddy. Then you told me a story about why you were so sad. You said “when my Dad was a baby he was so cute, but now he’s all grown up!” I tried to console you, he’s just at work & will be home shortly lol. You were sad he’s not a baby anymore. I asked how you knew Daddy when he was little & you said because you had a dream about it!

We dropped of ice cream to Grandma Weezie & you got a small cup. Then, we met Grandma Noot & Janice Marie at Boca for dinner. You were chatting with the guests eating on the sidewalk on our way in. You were so good!!!! You got ANOTHER ice cream after dinner… The good news is you only had a few bites of each!!! We had a fun night, but then headed home to snuggle in bed.

I love you so much!

Sad because you miss Daddy so much…. he’s just at work and will be home shortly!! lol
First Ice Cream of the night!

9/8/20 – I Love You Even If You Don’t Like Cold Pizza!

We headed home this morning & you were a great help in packing up the car. In the car, you & Daddy ate a slice of cold pizza. You kept trying to get me to have a slice. I told you I prefer hot pizza. You said, “I love you even if you don’t like cold pizza!” What a relief! We made it home much faster than we did on the way down! No stops for you or Harry!

When we got home we unloaded the car and then went to Cheesecake Factory for lunch. You were exceptional today! You ordered politely and chatted with the server. After lunch, we went to Ferguson to look at appliances for the new house. You were so interested in the options for faucets & then sat and colored so nicely at one of the tables while we continued to look. However, you completely freaked out in the bathroom because the toilet seat automatically raised when we walked into the bathroom. You were so upset that we went home. I felt bad that you were so scared.

When we got home Daddy read some books to you in your room so you could rest. You asked him to read instead of me. I kept checking in and listening outside the door, all of a sudden, I heard snoring, so I opened the door. I found Daddy fast asleep on your bed and you sitting next to him with 8,000 stuffies piled up! You sat on my lap in your chair and then we went to my room to watch TV and “continue to rest with my eyes open.” Then, we played Paw Patrol and Lion King. You helped me set the table while I was making dinner. You ate your crab legs (your request for tonight) then took a bath. When we went to brush your teeth, you told me “can you just go do something like put your nightpants on or something? I can do my jobs by myself.” We went outside to checkout the lighting storm. Someone rode by on a bike & you were all fired up about how “bike riding in the lightning isn’t very safe because it could struck him!” Just then Ms. Moe & Jack Daniels walked by so we chatted with them. You told them all about vacation and how Harry was crying in the night and woke Dad up and how “Mom & Dad watched TV and then I got up in the middle of the night! At the Condo.”

We went inside to read books. You asked me to read a new Disney book that we have. You snuggled up with me, put your legs on my knees and gave me lots of kisses. While I was reading Pinocchio, I said well that wasn’t a good choice was it (about him lying). You looked sad and said, what did I do mama? I said, not you!!! Pinocchio! You were asleep in just a few minutes. We had a fun few days and it was fantastic to get to spend time together as a family.

I love you so much!

9/7/02 – Happy Anniversary Mom & Dad!

I thought for sure you would sleep in based on how late you were up but you were awake by 8:15 am. The first thing you were concerned about was whether I had given the waitress last night our address. You were very worried that she was supposed to come over today, but that she wouldn’t know how to get to us!

We made cinnamon rolls for breakfast & you wanted to eat by the pool. While we were eating, the pool guy came to clean the pool. You followed him around, telling him all your stories, including about the waitress was supposed to be coming over. You asked him his name. He told you it was Dennis. You looked stumped… that was a name you hadn’t heard before! We went back in the house & played Paw Patrol for a bit since he treated the pool.

I ran to Target & surprised you with some new pool toys. You were excited to watch Daddy & I shoot the new water cannons. You thanked me a million times for the Marshall boat! All day, you kept telling us Happy Anniversary Mom & Dad! After lunch, you played with the new pool toys and then you were ready to finish your Rocky Road ice cream, poolside.

I was floating on the raft and you told Daddy, “let’s let Mama rest.” You told Daddy to close the pool because a storm was rolling in around 4p. We took a shower & then you asked for prosciutto & cheese with your blueberry krispy bar. You ate in my bed watching Lion King 2. Later, I noticed it was really quiet so I checked on you and you were fast asleep. That was around 6p, you couldn’t have been out too long. Daddy & I got ready for dinner, but you were still asleep. I tried to wake you around 7p and you rolled over & pulled the covers up under your chin. I thought you were out for the night because you went to sleep so late last night and got up relatively early, all things considered. So, Daddy & I ordered pizza & watched TV. All of a sudden you came out crying around 9:45p. That was NOT what I was expecting, again!!! lol. So, we played a little Paw Patrol. We headed to my room to watch a little TV around 10:30p and you finally fell asleep around midnight.

I love you so much!

9/6/20 – The Best You’ve Ever Made

You woke up at 1:30a and Daddy carried you to our bed because your foot was hurting and you were limping. You slept until 7:30a & when you woke up you sat straight up in bed & started chatting. Then we got up to play and make breakfast. You asked for your rocky road ice cream from last night, but I said breakfast first. You said “thank you for making the best toast you’ve ever made in your life!”

After breakfast we watched a little TV and then headed out to the pool around 10:30 AM. We were swimming until it looked like rain was coming at around 4p. We came inside to take a shower and then finish the movie from earlier. I was scratching your back and the next thing I knew you were snoring. You slept for 2 1/2 hours until 730. I wasn’t sure you were ever going to get up! When you finally woke you were looking for your rocky road ice cream again and super tearful. Daddy let you have some of the ice cream before went to dinner and you really liked it.

We went to dinner at a fish house & you were super chatty with the waitress and even invited her to come back to our “condo” tomorrow for swimming. While we were eating you noticed a sign that was lit up. When you mentioned it to the waitress, she told us it will take your picture. You were excited to walk to it after we ate & take your selfie!
When we got home, we played on the pool table for a bit then we watched TV. You were in bed with us watching movies late, and finally, I had to turn off the TV & take you to your room. I rubbed your back and you were out in 2 minutes. I knew it was going to be a late night because of how late you slept but you didn’t go to bed until 2:15 AM which is not what I expected!

I love you so much!

9/5/20 – Drink Wine With Mommy!

You slept in until 8:45a! Daddy & I were in the living room and you came around the corner with the biggest smile on your face!! You snuggled up on the couch with me with a blanket. Daddy was watching a show about barbecue & they were serving beers. You said “Daddy likes beer.” He said, “maybe someday you will drink beer with me?” You said, “well, when I’m a grown up I’m going to drink wine with Mommy.”

We had breakfast and you were in the pool before you finished. You got in and out a few times, taking quick snack breaks and also watching a little tv as well. We had a picnic lunch outside and then you played hard in the pool until almost 5p. We played tossing some balls, reenacting Lion King, chasing you on a float, Daddy was tickling you on the float & you guys were chasing me! You changed swim suits, then wore just the top for a while, then decided to wear just bottoms and no top like Daddy! You laughed at me for not doing the same!

We went for pizza then ice cream. Daddy mentioned that the ice cream place was about a 20 minute drive & it was already 8:20p. You slept in, but you played hard all day. You were so excited to go, so I said let’s try it. You fell asleep in the car about 5 minutes later on the way to ice cream. We were approaching the bridge to Sanibel, so we had to keep going. I got you a rocky road ice cream because you were looking forward to trying after talking about it so much from your Melissa & Doug ice cream shoppe. Daddy laughed at me when I got to the car with it and said did you really think she was going to wake up? I couldn’t take the chance & disappoint you in case you did wake up. When we got home, I got you out of your car seat, carried you to your bed, took down your panties & got your night pants on without you waking up. I’ve never been successful with this – maybe once after a late night at Disney, but that’s all! You swam and played so hard all day that you were absolutely exhausted.

I love you so much!

  • Sleeping In Late
  • Morning Snuggles
  • Snack Break

9/4/20 – Dance With Me Like A Wedding!

You came to my room around 5am & then slept in until 8:30 since you were up so late. Daddy & I were packing up the car & getting ready to leave for “bacation”. You picked your dress, did your jobs & packed even more toys! We had to stop at the flooring store to see our wood floors for the new house. You were so chatty to the clerk and told him how Harry Beary is a Basset Hound… lol. He was cracking up laughing. As soon as we left there, we headed to Cape Coral to stay in a pool house by the beach that we rented for the weekend. The drive was supposed to be about 1 hour 20 minutes, but took us around 2 hours because we had to stop for Harry to pee and then again for you to go too. You were so excited that he was going with us.

When we got to the house it was lunchtime. I was trying to unload the car and make lunch. You didn’t even care about eating, you just wanted to jump in the pool!!! So, I stopped and got your swimsuit out so you could jump in. You eventually ate your sammie… but just a few bites when I first put it out because you were swimming like a fish!! We were having fun chasing you and pushing you in a raft from me to him. Then, he was swimming with you on his back & you said, “Daddy, dance with me like a wedding!” My heart melted. I love how you love him and how he loves you. It’s perfect. Daddy also put Harry in the pool, which he of course hated, but you were cracking up. You couldn’t believe he was in the pool!!

After swimming for a while, you & Daddy watched a movie and played with magnets while I ran to the grocery store to stock up. When I got home, we went to dinner at a cute little craft taco place. You were so vocal there too. You ordered your food and also asked the “manager” (what you call anyone working in a restuarant lol) if you “please could I have some small juicy oranges like the other place?” (meaning mandarins like they serve at Wicked Cantina by our house lol). She brought you a few regular orange slices and at first you said they were too big, but you wolfed them down. After dinner, you asked the server “excuse me, what’s your name?” She replied, Julia. You said, “like my Mom, her name is Jo Ann. And my name is Giovanna Sofia Koontz.” You then spelled your name. She asked how old you are. You said, “I am 4 years old.” She was cracking up laughing because she heard your conversations throughout dinner and heard how smart and mature you are. She looked at Daddy & I and said, you can tell she’s really smart. She doesn’t seem 4! You are absolutely amazing. Of course I think so, you are mine. But consistently everyone else says so too. You really are a special person and I know you will do great things in your life.

I love you so much!!

  • Chocolate Chips Face!

9/3/20 – Help Me Sleep

You came to my room at 3:45am and woke me up and asked me “Mama, can you please come to my bed & help me sleep?” So I went with you and we snuggled in your bed. I woke up and took a shower & Daddy went in to finally wake you up at almost 8am! When you were ready to get dressed you asked me “please lay out all my new clothes, so I can pick what I want to wear.” When you were ready for breakfast you ate your eggs and then asked if there were any more bagels. There was one left, so I put it in the oven for you. When I put it on your plate you asked “what happened to the onion bagels?” I said, there was only one plain bagel left. You were so disappointed!!

Daddy picked you up from gymnastics & you called me & then Jackie on your way home. I was on the phone when you called so I had to call you guys back. When I did, you were like, Mama, when we called you didn’t answer!!! You guys had dinner together at home & Jackie & I went to Hyde Park. When we got home, you grabbed Jackie by the hand, took her upstairs & told her you guys were going to read Halloween books again. Daddy went to man night & we played and watched part of Toy Story 3. You were up until 10:30p! When we took you to your room, we read books, then Jackie left and we did Lingos. You were asleep in 10 minutes!!!

9/2/20 – Bagels & Ice Cream

This morning, you came to my bed at 6am. I was in the bathroom getting ready to go on my bike ride. You climbed in bed with Daddy & then told him you have to pee. You came to the bathroom & were surprised to see me! Unfortunately, your 4 day dry night pants streak is up. Your pants were only a little wet, but wet nonetheless. I got you back in bed, but it took about 30 minutes to get you to fall back to sleep. When you finally woke up, it was almost 8am! You came out to the kitchen and were really upset (I’m still not sure about what. I thought it was the night pants, but it wasn’t.) & crying hard. I went to your room to try to console you. I rocked you in the rocking chair for about 10 minutes and you finally calmed down. You told me that you were trying to get dressed, but I said a word, so you couldn’t…. not sure what’s up with that! Once I got you happy again, I asked if you wanted to try the NYC bagels that Joe Cusumano sent us. You were very excited about it & you ended up eating almost an entire bagel! When we got to school, you still had a few bites left & couldn’t wait to show it to Ms. Amber.

You helped Ms. Sandy start packing your clothes for “ba-cation” this weekend. You were super happy when she gave you your new unicorn backpack that we got at the Outlet mall last weekend. I think you forgot about it!

Daddy surprised us and took us to Southern Cream for ice cream!!! You were so excited! On the way there, the sun was in your eyes & Daddy held his hand up to block it for you. It was so sweet. When we got there you ran to the register to order your vanilla ice cream with strawberry on top. You played a little checkers with Daddy, then we had to pack up because a big thunderstorm was rolling in.

Leaving the ice cream place, you walked up to the register and thanked the workers for the ice cream. They were all dying at how cute and sweet you were. You told them “my ice cream quite melted, but it was really good! So could I get some more?” You have been saying “quite” a lot lately. Every time you do it catches my attention because you sound so mature.

You sang who let the Dogs Out on the way home, along with a Giovanna original about wanting the rain to go away. When we got home, we played with your new magnet set for a while then headed to bed to do a few Kids Lingos and read some Spanish Books. When we finished, we were snuggling & you put your arm around my face & said, “Mama, I love you so much. I’m so glad you had fun at ice cream!” You always ask me to scratch your back, then you roll over and ask me to scratch your belly. That does the trick every time! You were asleep in about 15 minutes!!!

I love you so much!