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 4: Monthly Photo Outtakes

The monthly photo has become a fun tradition in the Mangiaracina household and will be missed now that our little nugget is turning one.  We started this with James and continued it with Andrew - but in a new way. 

With James, we kept his outfit constant and changed the backgrounds.

With Andrew, we decided to change it up and put him in a new outfit each time and keep a neutral background. We also added a bunny to add a little perspective. The little stuffed friend really helped to show how big (or small) Andrew was that month.

Our little Andrew was a great subject to photograph, but we did have to take 50+ photos each time to get "the one". And as he got older, the big challenge was getting him to sit still. Big brother James helped out a lot - and made it worse at times as all good big brothers do! Here are a few of our favorite outtakes from each month.

Month One

Month Two

Month Three

Month Four

Month Five

Month Six

Month Seven

Month Eight

Month Nine

Month Ten

Month Eleven

The faces this kids makes KIILLS ME!!  Some fun facts about the monthly photo project:

• In most cases, the photos were taken first thing in the morning on the 25th of the month. There was more flexibility when he was little and I wasn't working. Once he was in daycare, I had to grab the camera first thing in the morning so that I could post the picture that day.

• There was major Mommy stress when it came to picking out his outfit each month. With James' monthly project, all I needed was a clean, white onesie. With Andrew, I needed to make sure I had something adorable on hand. All of the clothes in the images are new to Andrew and not hand me downs with the exception of one month. Any guesses??

• There were a total of 3 backgrounds used throughout the months: a grey fur blanket, the beige rug in his room and the neutral rocker, also in his room.

• Since month 9 landed on Christmas Day, we swapped out the cute little bunny for a Rudolph doll and added a Santa hat.

• Month 10 was taken during Snowzilla when we got a whopping 33" of snow here in VA. We added the winter hat in honor of all the snow.

• All of the monthly photos for both James and Andrew live in frames that hang on a gallery wall in our basement. I just LOVE being able to see how big they both got over their first years. 

We have one more picture to go so stay tuned - the big day is almost here!!

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 1: New Kicks

In honor of birthday week, we are going to do a post a day to celebrate our little guy.  Enjoy!

Andrew turns one on Friday. In 4 days, an entire year will have gone by since this little nugget entered the world. How is that possible?  I was just pregnant and filled with anticipation on who this person in my belly would be! But here we are and to celebrate, we decided to accomplish another "first" before his 1st birthday.

If you are a Facebook friend, you will remember that Andrew took his first steps last Sunday.  Here is a little video that captured this momentous event:

Since we have a soon-to-be walker on our hands, we decided he should have some proper footwear. 

Enter Stride Rite.

We have been loyal customers to this kiddo chain since James got his first pair of shoes back before his first birthday. We find that the value of the product is great as is the customer service so we head there whenever new shoes are needed. After a slightly traumatic haircut, we thought that getting some new shoes might cheer Andrew up a bit.

We were wrong.

This is what happened when the nice sales lady tried to measure Andrew's foot:

And this is what happened when we tried to get him to walk around a bit in his new shoes:

I guess shoes are just not his thing. Or strangers. But he did pull it together once he got used to everything. 

His foot is slightly smaller than James' at this age measuring in at a size 4 vs. James' 4.5 wide. His new little shoes make him even more adorable than he already was. Time to get movin' and conquer the world...or at least the living room. :)

Andrew's Monthly Photo Project: Eleven Months Old

It's February 25th which means that we have reached another monthly milestone: 11 MONTHS!  Time has certainly flown by and Andrew is THRIVING!  This kid has SO much energy - it amazes us every day.  He is curious and sweet and just wants to play and have fun.

Andrew had some big milestones this month:

• This kid is ON THE MOVE! And boy is he FAST!  He has mastered crawling and is getting ready for his first steps. As of late, his most favorite mode of movement is on his firetruck with Daddy pushing. And when they are chasing James well...that is the icing on the cake.

• He is eating like a champion these days.  From turkey meatballs and macaroni to bananas and blueberry muffins, there is nothing this kid won't try.  He is full on eating school food and is loving it all.  

• This little man is officially into EVERYTHING!!  He is always on the go which keeps us all on our toes.  His favorites include Lucy's food and water bowls, Mommy's cookbooks in the kitchen island and anything in the bathroom.

Happy 11 Months, Andrew!!

Andrew's Monthly Photo Project: Ten Months

We are buried under 25+ inches of snow, but that doesn't stop this little guy from growing.  Today we celebrate 10 months and Andrew is ready to party!

In honor of the record snow fall we just experienced, we decided to dress him up appropriately for this milestone. And speaking of milestone, here are a few things that Andrew is currently crushing:

• Andrew is ON THE MOVE!  This kid is everywhere and it is never where he is supposed to be.  Not only has he mastered crawling, he is cruising on anything he can reach. The coffee table, the kiddie table, the couch, the dog...it doesn't matter.  First steps are around the corner for sure.

• Nom, Nom.  Andrew is HUNGRY!  And he doesn't want silly purees.  He wants REAL food so we have been experimenting with all kinds of table food.  From macaroni and meatballs, to sweet potatoes and peaches, there is nothing this kid doesn't shovel into his mouth.

• We officially have 2 more teeth bringing the official total to 4 which is very helpful with all the eating I described above.

• Daycare has caught onto his growth and is moving him into the Infant II classroom in a few short weeks.  He has been spending some time each day with the bigger babies and seems to really like it.  I'm sure the little babies in the Infant I class are ready for him to go.  He keeps stealing their pacifiers and tossing them across the room!

Happy 10 Months, Andrew!!

Andrew's Monthly Photo Project: Nine Months

Merry Christmas!!

In addition to this joyous occasion, our little man is celebrating his 9 month birthday.  9 MONTHS!  Time is flying by way to fast for our taste.  He needs to stop growing!  But alas, our Andrew is an active little guy who is eager to explore the world around him and continues to grow and thrive.

Since it is Christmas, we decided to make Andrew's monthly photo a little festive. :)

We once again have a slew of milestones to report:

• This kid has mastered crawling.  He is into everything which means the house is baby proofed as best it can be.  He really loves getting into James' business - whether big brother likes it or not.  If James is playing with his trains or cars or books, Andrew is right there next to him.
• One of his most favorite activities as of late is Gate Dancing.  He loves to grab onto the bars of any baby gate and just boogy woogy. 
• The kid has a good grasp on who he is these days.  When someone calls out "Andrew", he is turning his head.  Lately, he mostly hears, "Andrew - that is not for you!" when getting into something he shouldn't. :)

• Things in the high chair are progressing great.  He loves to snack on puffs and yogurt bites and is a pro at the sippy cup.  He is eating more foods than I can count and is loving most.  Peas still seem to be his nemesis but we keep trying!

• Haircut #2 is in the books and he is as handsome as ever.  The experience at Cartoon Cuts was a lot better than the first - way less tears.

• We have 2 more teeth about to make an appearance, but he seems to be handling them pretty well.    

HAPPY 9 MONTH BIRTHDAY ANDREW!!

Andrew's Monthly Photo Project: Eight Months Old

It was eight months ago today that we were at the hospital waiting to hear the cries of the newest Mangiaracina. The minute he popped his little head out, he has been a loveable little bug (Mommy's nickname for him) and brings us smiles every day. 

So here we are, 8 months old and a TON of milestones to report.

• Andrew is officially on the move doing the best army crawl I've seen.  Sometimes it's more of a zombie crawl where he uses his arms and has dead legs behind him.  In any case, he is all over the place exploring every nook and cranny of our main level.  And as per usual, he is into everything that he shouldn't be!

• Life has changed in the way of the food he eats.  He's now down to 4 bottles a day and up to 3 solid meals a day.  Breakfast begins with oatmeal and fruit (favs are pears, peaches, apricots and bananas) followed by a veggie/fruit lunch.  Dinner consists of more oatmeal, veggies and a fruit.  He is a big fan of carrots, butternut squash, sweet potatoes and corn.  We have started introducing finger foods like Mum Mums and Gerber Puffs, but so far he's not so interested.  When he puts one in his mouth, he typically spits it out, but we are going to keep trying until he gets the hang of it.

• WE HAVE TEETH!  Andrew's first two teeth have finally made an appearance.  It has been a long time coming.  I wish I could say that the pain is gone, but it looks like the top two are about to make an appearance so the fingers are still constantly in his mouth.
• This kid is GROWING!  We don't have an official weight, but he has to be close to 15 pounds.  He is now wearing size 3 diapers so we know that he is putting on the weight - in a good way.

Happy 8 Month Birthday Andrew!!!

Andrew's Monthly Photo Project: Seven Months Old

Seven months.

The kid is seven months old.

How is that even possible?

Look at this big boy!!!!

Milestones:

We have an army-crawler!  He isn't quite on his knees crawling yet, but when on the floor he scoots around on his belly like a pro. We recently put out the Skip Hop Zoospot Playmat and he just loves to belly-crawl to all his toys.

Andrew had his first haircut this month.  Like his brother, he was born with lots and lots of hair that just grew and grew.  It was time to clean him up so we brought him to Cartoon Cuts and now he is even more handsome than ever.  As you can see, he was not a fan of the haircut.  Fingers crossed that it's all up from here!

There are still no sign of teeth, but they are certainly brewing.  The kid always has his fingers in his mouth and is a lot grumpier when they are bothering him.  C'mon teeth. Show yourself!!

Happy 7 Month Birthday Andrew!!