The Fertility Coach
by Lisa Lafave
Giles: Mom I am a real boy. I could dance all night in the rain!
Mommy: Oh how I love the rain and how much Mommy loves dancing!
Lisa J Lafave, PhD, MBA, ACC, BCC
CEO & Founder of Coaching Rocks, LLC
A Single Mom By Choice Raising Surrogacy Twin Boys
Written in My Little Brick in University Heights, Ohio
Leap Into Action!
Giles is 6 years old
by Lisa Lafave
Giles: Mom I don’t want Donald Trump to be President.
Mom: Really dear?
Giles: Yeah, I think there should be a law that anyone with the first name Donald should not be allowed to become President.
Lisa J Lafave, PhD, MBA, ACC, BCC
CEO & Founder of Coaching Rocks, LLC
A Single Mom By Choice Raising Surrogacy Twin Boys
Written in My Little Brick in University Heights, Ohio
Giles was 5 years old when he said this.
by Lisa Lafave
While chewing Eclipse Classic Bubble Gum for the first time in the car
Giles: Mom I really like this old school bubble gum!
Mom: Good dear!
Giles: I call things that are classic, old school.
Mom: That works dear.
All my best to you,
Lisa J Lafave, PhD, MBA, ACC, BCC
CEO & Founder of Coaching Rocks, LLC
The Wellness Coach form Building Better Bodies Rocks
A Single Mom By Choice Raising Surrogacy Twin Boys
Written in My Little Brick in University Heights, Ohio
by Lisa Lafave
As we approached the stairs, from the second floor, in my little brick, on Christmas morning in Cleveland, Ohio, the chatter my boys were engaging in would warm the heart of any twin parent, or parent of children close in age. Jarvie and Giles were explaining some things to me that were important for me to know, before we began opening our Christmas presents, which was going to happen momentarily!
Giles told me excitedly, “Mommy, we have decided that any gift, whether it says Jarvie, or Giles on it, is something we are going to share.
Jarvie added, “Mommy, it doesn’t matter what the package says on it. We can open any package, because we are going to share everything. So if it says Giles, I can still open it, and if it says Jarvie on it, Giles can still open it.
Giles went on to say, “Christmas is about family and sharing and the time you spend together, and not about gifts, so we have decided to share everything!”
What else could I say but, “Amen! or Bravo! or I love you boys?” All I can tell you is that, as I marched down those stairs, my heart was bursting with pride!
This stance completely alleviated any fears I had about any perceived indiscretions on my part, regarding the balance or fairness of the gifts provided! Sweet relief! What a gift this was on Christmas morning! Never forget, not all gifts come with a bow!
As my boys opened their Hot Wheels remote control cars, from my friend, Charrise in Virginia, they exclaimed “Awesome,” in unison! As they opened their Growing Crystals, and Tegu wooden, magnetic blocks, they related, “We are the luckiest boys in the world,” and “We have the best presents on the block!”
It was truly a lovely experience watching them get along and rip through their gifts squealing with delight!
To their credit, I must tell you, they followed the guidelines about sharing, they set out initially to the tee, throughout the gift opening, as well as, all day long, while they played with all of their newly prized toys! Truly spectacular!
Lisa J Lafave, PhD, MBA, ACC, BCC
CEO & Founder of Coaching Rocks, LLC
A Single Mom By Choice Raising Surrogacy Twin Boys
Written in My Little Brick in University Heights, Ohio
Boys are nearly 6
by Lisa Lafave
Early last Fall, I visited my sons’ school, University School or “US,” as it is typically called. I met with their teachers, and other parents of boys in their class. The teachers took that opportunity to have me write a personal letter to both of my sons, who just so happen to be in the very same classroom! The teachers explained the method to their madness. Since the boys are in kindergarten, their teachers are interested in any activity, which promotes curiosity about reading. The letter was just one vehicle to that end.
Jarvie came across this note with its accompanying drawing of a rainbow At Christmas time and asked me to read it to him. I pointed to the rainbow and the words beneath it which read, “You are just as magnificent as a rainbow!” The next part read, “Dear Jarvie, I had the chance to come to your school on Founder’s day. Mr. Rein, your Head Master, spoke to us first. The teachers have been telling me all good things about you at school. You’re in kindergarten, and you are on your way! Mommy is so proud of you dear! So much love, Mama”
When I finished reading, I handed Jarvie the letter, which Jarvie held out in front of me and asked, “Mama did you make this yourself?”
To which I replied, “Yes!”
He queried further, “All by yourself?”
I nodded my head to reply affirmatively once again.
Jarvie then took the letter and pressed it against his heart and said, “Mama, I will cherish this forever!”
As if that weren’t enough, he then said, “Mama, I don’t really know what cherish means, but I will cherish it forever!”
Lisa J Lafave, PhD, MBA, ACC, BCC
CEO & Founder of Coaching Rocks, LLC
Single Mom By Choice Raising Surrogacy Twin Boys
Written in My Little Brick in University Heights, Ohio
Boys are 5, but getting ever closer to 6 these days!
by Lisa Lafave
Last night, on Christmas night, we were unable to join our family gathering, owing to sickness and went out for a bit of traditional Chinese food, at Jackie Chan’s. On our way over, Gilie asked “Mom, what does alchemy mean?” After briefly explaining, he went on the ask, “and what is deconstruction?” Now if that doesn’t just beat all! The boy is only 5! Words like that simply flew right over my head, without a second thought at his age, but he hears them, learns them or inquires and then not only claims them as his, but spits them out at a later appropriate time! His vocabulary blows my mind!
Giles vocabulary is not only interesting, but fun, as he surprises and delights continually with his choice of words in day to day life!
Today when we were having tickle fights in bed in the early morning, he decided to try to blow in my ear. As we trussled this was Not an easy feat. When he succeeded he whispered, “Jackpot!” His mind is just quicker than mine. Consequently, I frequently find his brief utterances to be laugh out loud funny! He made four or five of these remarks one to three and each one caused me to burst into laughter. Alas, I have forgotten the rest and cannot share them with you!
I swear the boy is going to be a writer of some sort! His use of similes start one month after he began talking when he said, “I am freezing like an ice cube!” His speech is just so colorful, quick witted and efficient. It is really something to marvel at in such a young child.
Lisa J Lafave, PhD, MBA, ACC, BCC
CEO & Founder of Coaching Rocks, LLC
Single Mom by Choice Raising Surrogacy Twin Boys
Written in My Little Brick in University Heights, Ohio
The boys are 5 now
by Lisa Lafave
The other day Giles said to someone, “You know what I like better than candy?” And when asked, replied with a big goofy grin, “More candy!” Those two lines pretty much sum up Gilie’s feelings about candy. The kid lives for the stuff!
So the other day when their classmate, Atreya, wrapped up a gift for the two of them and presented it to them after school, they both eagerly unwrapped it, with its telltale clue of a lollipop stick peaking through! Giles remarked, “Hey Jarve, we hit the jackpot!”
With one gentle reminder that they might consider sharing their gift, they swiftly gave all but two pieces away to other boys in their kindergarten class, who were waiting for their parents to arrive. Neither one balked, or even considered sneaking a few extra in their pockets. For a mom, who always tells her kids things taste better when you share, it was a proud moment.
Lisa J Lafave, PhD, MBA, ACC, BCC
CEO & Founder of Coaching Rock, LLC
A Single Mom By Choice Raising Surrogacy Twin Boys
Written in My Little Brick in University Heights, Ohio
Leap Into Action!
by Lisa Lafave
Giles and I are driving home from an appointment, and Jarvie is at home with Abbey our current babysitter
Giles: Mom what is 5 + 5?
Mom: Well, what is 5 + 5?
Giles: 10
Mom: Of course!
Giles: What is 10 + 10?
Mom: I think you know that one. What is 10 + 10 Giles?
Giles: 20
Mom: Very Good!
Giles: Mom what is 100 + 100?
Mom: What do you think 100 + 100 is?
Giles: 200.
Mom: Very nice!
Giles: Mom what is 1000 + 100?
Mom: 1100
Giles: No it isn’t Mom! It’s 100,000.
Mom: No, it really is 1100. You have to be careful what your doing
addition, multiplication or subtraction.
Giles: Mom what is subtraction?
Mom: Subtraction is takeaways!
(Mom holds up five fingers, then holds two down)
Mom: Giles what is 5 takeaway 2?
Giles: 2! Well, I was just improvising, or at least I think I was
improvising!
Lisa J Lafave, PhD, MBA, ACC
CEO & Founder of Coaching Rocks, LLC
Single Mom By Choice Raising Surrogacy Twin Boys
Written in My Little Brick in University Heights, OH
Boys are 5 1/2