On our 2023 return, the amount shown in the "1a Total amount from Form(s) W-2, box 1 (see instructions)" is greater than what our two W-2 total to. Covid payments?

No, the EIP payments were not taxable and were not entered as income on your tax return.    Did you enter the amounts from your W-2's incorrectly?  You would have to check that for yourself.  Look at the worksheets that are part of the pdf of your return to see what you entered when you keyed in your W-2's.