Walking the Block

On our last day with Gramma and Papa, we took a little stroll up and down the street with the little walker. It's really hard to come to grips with how quickly this past year has flown by. The only saving grace is how fun Vincent has become. Every day seems to bring a new trick, giggle, and facial expression...the latest being the sad pouty face when you say no, which Boppo has removed from his vocabulary ever since making Vinny cry...we first saw this face as Vinny was about to eat another handful of sand from his new sand table. Our frantic warnings of "no" scared him and ever since that word seems to beckon the pouty face. Not that I wish for it, but catching it on camera would be priceless...stay tuned. For now, a few shots of our stroll...

Bath Time

No more baby bath tub, it's time for the big boy bath tub! With all the crawling, cruising, sunblock, and sand table play, ending each day with a bath has become part of our routine. I love this time. Vincent is learning how to blow bubbles, put his face in the water, and explore with new toys. He's always loved bath time, and now that he is more interactive, it's becoming more fun for us, too.

Eating Out, Looking Adorable

It's only taken us 11 years, but we finally made it to Los Dos Molinos in South Central Phoenix. Totally worth the drive, delicious food. Vinny enjoyed a home made tortilla and chicken taco. He wants nothing to do with baby food anymore-bring on the real food! No wonder he feels like a sack of potatoes. He is such a good eater, and it shows on the scale-he's up to 23 pounds!

Vincent was the main attraction with the lunch crowd at Lis Doon Verna, and Irish pub in Arrowhead. It's always a good feeling to receive compliments from strangers that catch a glimpse of the little ham, and boy oh boy does Vinny love the attention. He just cracks us up!

I love that Vincent plays to the camera. He grins ear to ear showing all 6 of his teeth as soon as we say cheese! Too cute.

What? You're ONE?

Happy 1st Birthday Vincent!

Vincent's First Birthday was a whirlwind of fun and festivities. Surprisingly, I was not nearly as weepy as I had expected myself to be. I continue to feel so incredibly grateful and blessed. Vinny has brought us such joy, like no other. He is such a happy little boy, so easy going and good natured. Really, he has made parenthood pretty darned easy for us, and this we do not take for granted. So here is how we spent Vincent's special day:

Taking a Stroll with Gramma..over and over again!

Opening the first of many presents, this one from Mommy and Daddy...

Babci, Dziadiu, and Uncle Tommy joining in on the fun on Skype!

Sand and Water Table Fun!

More Presents!!

Vinny received a very special gift that has been in the family for over 45 years! It was a real Tonka truck that had once belonged to all the Mandrola boys. It first belonged to Uncle John, Uncle Tom, and then Daddy. Cousins James and Justin used it for a while and now Vinny will get to push it around the yard, steamrolling mounds of dirt and rocks everywhere he goes.

Bryce helped his little buddy "Finny" open the gifts. Oh, How I loved this view-those little feet!

The Cake!

Mom and I began the cake on Wednesday. I made my special Italian Creme Cake once again, and mom took care of all the decorative frosting. She made all of our cakes as kids, so it was important to me that I do the same. I took care of all the little fondant character cut-outs. Together, I think we give Duff and Buddy the Cake Boss a good run for their money. Thanks Gramma!

By this point, it was getting late and Vinny was overwhelmed with all the attention. He didn't smash his cake the way we had anticipated, given his love for all things sweet and cakey, but still he gave it a good try. Here he is below with his little buddy Elliot. Poor guy. Good thing cousin James and Boppo were nearby to cheer up the birthday boy.

Happy Birthday sweet boy. You have made Mommy and Daddy so happy. We can't believe that one year could pass by so quickly. Each day that passes, you find new ways to make us smile. Thank you Vinny. As the song goes, "how wonderful life is while you're in the world."

Love, Mommy and Daddy

XOXO