Birthday Week Day 5: And Then There Were Four

The alarm from the phone broke the silence of the house at 5:25AM on the morning of March 25, 2015. I popped out of bed and navigated to the bathroom for one last shower before our lives once again changed forever.  I remember looking at my big, pregnant belly thinking that in just a few hours, the little guy inside that has been kicking me all these months will finally be in my arms.

When I emerged from the bathroom, Ed gave me a sleepy smile and grabbed my hand for a squeeze. I knew that it was his way of saying he loved me and was ready to be a Daddy x2.

I waited until the very last minute to wake up James. He didn't quite understand why I chose to dress him in the blue and grey shirt with the words "Big Brother", but he was very happy to spend a few quiet moments with Mommy before heading to school. We took one last photo to mark the occasion where I was a Mom of one and he was an only child.

After dropping James at daycare, we headed to Fair Oaks Hospital where we were greeted by the best group of nurses in the business. Within minutes, I was hooked up to all kinds of tubes and wires and was making my way to the operating room. As I was prepped for surgery, all I could do was think about how lucky I was to be lying there awaiting the arrival of my second little boy.  Ed joined me in the room as things got underway. And then, at 10:07 AM I heard the screams.  Andrew was here.

That was approximately one year ago today. 

One year ago today we became a family of four. 

From the moment he arrived, Andrew has been such a sweet, loving, cuddly boy. He fills our hearts with joy and our days with smiles. We never thought we could love anything as much as we love James. We were wrong.  Dead wrong. Our hearts just got that much bigger when Andrew came into our lives.

So here we sit on Andrew's 1st birthday. Reflecting on all that we have. And realizing that we are the luckiest damn people on earth.

Happy 1st Birthday, Andrew.  

We love you to the moon and back!

Birthday Week Day 3: #BrotherlyLove

"Sometimes just being a brother is even better than being a superhero."
- Marc Brown, Arthur the Brave

When we found out that baby Mangiaracina #2 was a boy, we were elated. Of course we would have been happy either way, but we both secretly were hoping for that outcome for a myriad of reasons. Practicality for one. With James being born March 2012 and new baby due March 2015, we had an entire wardrobe in place - one that we continue to dip into as Andrew grows. And we knew boys. We had been raising one for 2+ years at that point!

More importantly, though, we were excited that James was going to have a brother. There is something about siblings of the same sex that creates a unique bond. I have a sister who is truly my best friend. Sure we drive each other crazy at times, but the bond that we share as sisters is one so special that it can't ever be broken. I think the same goes for brothers. 

Since Andrew joined our family, James has proven to be an amazing big brother. The first few days created curiosity in James. Who was this little baby? Why did he cry so much? Can he play blocks with me now? He didn't get too close, but when he did, he was sweet and loving. 

Once we brought Andrew home and started getting into a routine, James got a lot more comfortable around him. Slowly but sure he got closer and closer and then finally, about 2 weeks in he held Andrew for the first time. It was definitely a milestone moment - he was so proud of himself!

The love between these two is undeniable. James is always looking out for Andrew and making sure he is safe. If Andrew falls or bumps his head, James runs to him and tells him "It's okay, it's okay." He brings him toys and books and is the first one to reprimand me when I don't pick up Andrew's sippy cup from the floor fast enough at dinner.

And when it comes to being a helper to Mommy & Daddy - well, James is the best. From diapers to bottles to burp clothes he is on call to run and grab anything we need. He is an expert in finding lost pacifiers and will even rinse it off for us...most of the time. :)

And Andrew...well Andrew only has eyes for James. If Andrew is sad or crying, James can make him smile. Andrew lights up as soon as James looks at him or engages with him. As a Mom, it makes my heart melt and is proof that the bond is already forming.

The two of them are partners in crime and will prove to be double-trouble as they grow up.

I think it was this moment that sealed the deal for me - these two were keepers!!

There is no denying that these two are already best buds and will have a special love all their lives. #BrotherlyLove #LuckyMama 

Birthday Week Day 2: No Pictures Please

As part of Andrew's 1st birthday celebration, I wanted to get some professional photographs to mark this momentous occasion. We did it for James and wanted to keep the tradition alive. It was a beautiful day and he was in a great mood - full of giggles and smiles.

I dressed him up in his special 1st birthday outfit and headed over to the Elevee Photography Studio where our family photographer, Erica, was ready to capture this wonderful milestone.

Or so I thought.

Andrew wasn't having it. AT ALL. The minute we walked in the door the smiles disappeared and his grip on me tightened. When I brought him into the studio and attempted to put him on the floor in front of the gorgeous backdrop, the screaming began. The tears continued until the moment I put him back into his car seat and drove away. Can you say FAIL?!

My plan B was to get him back into his special 1st birthday outfit and snap some photos in our front yard over the weekend. Well, Mother Nature decided to bring on some rainy 30 degree weather so that was not happening.

So, instead, I snapped these shots. They are not professional. They are not perfect. But they are true to the type of kiddo Andrew is. A silly, curious, high-energy little man who is comfortable in his own surroundings with the people he loves most.

I asked Erica if she can send me some of the photos she did take while we were in her studio. Most of them are of him crying, but I need to have a record of it so that I can remind him when he is a Dad and his little boy is not cooperating on picture day. :)

Birthday Week Day 5: Life Changer

The Date:  March 1, 2012

The Place:  Inova Fair Oaks Hospital Women's Center

The Time:  11:09 AM

The People:  Two very nervous and very excited Mangiaracina's

The Purpose:  Delivery of the newest member to the Mangiaracina Family

When you are expecting a baby, everyone tells you how different life will be once he arrives.  And while you know this to be true, you don't really understand it until your child is born.  From the moment I heard James' first cry after they pulled him out of my belly, my heart opened up and my brain flooded with more love and emotion than I ever knew could exist.  Ed would agree that when we both took a first look at our little boy, we were introduced to a different kind of love that was so overwhelming it brought tears to our eyes.

A year ago today, James Edward Mangiaracina entered the world and changed our lives forever.  From day one, James has been a loving, sweet, happy boy that finds joy in all that he does.  His big smile is infectious and his enthusiasm for life is inspiring.  He is a blessing in every way and we are so proud of the little man he has become.

This year has been a wild ride filled with ups and downs and many, many learning experiences.  James has grown and flourished in so many ways - more than we can list in one blog post.  Thank God we have an archive filled with his many milestones over the year!

Month 1 | Month 2 | Month 3 | Month 4 | Month 5 | Month 6

Month 7 | Month 8 | Month 9 | Month 10 | Month 11

And without further ado, here is James' official 1 Year photo - a handsome little man if I do say so myself!

Milestones to report:

• We have a walker on our hands.  James is still a little off balance - kind of like a drunken sailor - but he is taking many more steps at a time and his confidence is growing. So much so that he is now in possession of his first pair of big boy shoes from Stride Rite.

• Words, words words!  While we can't say that he has an official "first word", he has lots of things to say through his babble and chitter chatter.  There is lots of "dadadada" and "mumamuma" and "dedede".  We are working on the word ball since he seems to love to play with his EduShape Sensory balls the most, but so far we have "ba" which is close enough for us.

Now, in true Laura Mangiaracina fashion, I decided to go a little overboard for James' first birthday and put together a video to highlight his first year.  The good news is that it is awesome!!  The bad news is that I can't reveal it until Monday.  We want to show it first to our family who will be in town this weekend to help celebrate James' birthday.  Once their eyes see it, then yours can so stay tuned!

Happy 1st Birthday James!!

We love you more than you will ever know!!!