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. :)

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!!!