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 

A Nemo Pool Party

Guess who had a Nemo swim party this weekend??  THIS GUY DID!!!

Armed with is new goggles and his puddle jumper floatie, James and his friends hit the pool for some fish-like birthday fun. There were lots of laughs as the kids enjoyed the Cub Run indoor pool.  From the slides to the fountains to the lazy river, there were lots of ways to stay entertained and James did it all!

Once the kids were sufficiently waterlogged, it was time for lunch and the greatest looking Nemo cake I could find (thank you, Giant!). Everyone seemed to have a great time - especially the birthday boy!

Happy Birthday, Buddy!!

xoxo

Happy 4th Birthday, James!!

It's hard to believe that this little baby...

...is now this big kid!

Today we celebrate our James. He is a kid who has the biggest heart, the biggest smile and the biggest laugh of anyone we know.  This year, he became a big brother and does an AMAZING job with Andrew. He couldn't be more loving and wonderful with his baby brother. We are SO proud of him.

And as part of our tradition, we made a video that highlights the amazing kid that James is.

Happy 4th Birthday, James!  

We love you!!!

Oh...Hello, Santa.

So this happened last night:

Turns out that Santa is the scariest monster out there and the only way to get James to kind of go near him is to physically hold him down and force him to take a family photo. The kicker - exactly 47seconds after this photo was taken, James went and gave Santa a high five.  I feel as though I was played.

Andrew was unfazed.

Merry Christmas!

Photo Story

I've been quiet. Too quiet. So quiet that I feel guilty. Guilty that I have not been sharing our adventures with friends and family. But even more guilty that I have not been keeping a family record to look back on 10-15-20 years from now. There are excuses (of course there are!!). For one, finding the time has proven to be difficult. But more importantly, finding the energy to put the words together is even harder. Being the mom of two very active little boys is absolutely amazing and absolutely exhausting. And because our almost 8 month old has decided to enter the world of sleep regression, the words are still not here.

So I'm going to let the photos tell the story.

I last left off with Andrew's first meal back in August.  Since then, there have been many more messy moments as he worked through the fruits and vegetable list.  There has also been baseball and clapping and weddings and sitting and pumpkins and crawling and trick or treating and teeth! It certainly has been an exciting Fall and we are looking forward to a fun and busy holiday season.

Family Fun at Burke Lake Park

Frying Pan Park Play Date

Nats Game with Grandpa

Pool Days with Friends

Birthday Party Fun

Happy Birthday, Grandma M.

Port Discovery in Baltimore, MD

Uncle Joe & Aunt LeeAnn Get Hitched!

Cox Farms Play Date

Fairfax Fall Festival with Grandma and Grandpa Q.

Pumpkin Picking at Ticonderoga Farm

Andrew's First Haircut

Lazy Saturday Photo Shoot

Andrew Milestones: Sitting, Jumping, Crawling, Teeth!

Brotherly Love

I'm going to try really, really hard to keep up with things from now on. And Andrew is going to try really, really hard to go to sleep and stay asleep so that my Mommy brain can put the words together to be able to keep up with things. Happy Tuesday!