Also . . .

It seems that Gap has a licensing agreement with Marvel to put out a series of superhero t-shirts as part of their spring line. In case you're wondering, you can find them in both toddler and adult sizes.

The Other Iron Man

When talking about the characters on his awesome new shirt, Cody was drawn, naturally, to Iron Man. How disappointed he'll be when he grows up and realizes that Iron Man wears a suit which allows him to fly and fire repulsor blasts, missiles, and other weapons while being powered by a micro-ARC reactor embedded in Tony Stark's chest. 

Because from the way his eyes lit up when I mentioned him, Cody clearly thinks that Iron Man carries a Rowenta.

Higher Arms

Being sick hasn't stopped him from being cute.

Here he is, lunching with Marys:


Playing with "Cody's SWEEPER!"


And this one I can't explain, but when I asked what was up with the basket on his head, he said, "This is Cody's space helmet."

Fair enough.

Random Cuteness

This is Cody's buddy Violet -- I gave them each one of my reusable lunch bags and Cody said, "Cody's shopping bag! Cody put in the vegetables!" and promptly dumped all his plastic veggies and fruits onto the floor, so he could load up his shopping back.

Then, "Cody go to the market now?"

Then, after a nap, it was off to Gymboree!

A lovely day, a lovely week, a lovely child

It has been a great few days. Cody has been just wonderful -- his most charming and fun self, despite having a bit of a cold and feeling punky. Today, we went to get another haircut. Somehow, overnight, his hair went crazy and it just needed to be tamed. Anyway, he was looking forward to it all day, and when we arrived, ran through the door and said to the stylist, "Miss Amina! I MISSED you!" She looked like she was about to cry from the sweetness. He then described everything that was about to happen, from the color of the hair dryer "in its bunk bed" to "Cody choose a lollipop?" down to every last detail -- though we haven't talked about it in weeks and weeks. His memory is ridiculous. Anyway, they had a great time, and afterwards he kissed her and hugged her and didn't want to leave. She took me aside (out of earshot from her boss) and said, "You know, this job is not always the greatest. But having him here today makes me just love what I do." Then it was my turn to hold back tears. It's so silly, I know, but it was one of those things that undoubtedly goes into the "This Is What Makes It All Worth It/This Is What They Mean By Rewarding" category. Yes, yes, I'm a sap. But come on. How cute is this?

Weekly Cuteness

First of all, news alert: Cody has a cousin!!

Campbell Irene Pruden was born at 4:49 this morning, and we cannot wait to meet her! Congratulations, John and Kim! She is simply beautiful and is so lucky to be born to such parents. Such tired, tired parents.

Really, there's no news that can beat that. So you will all have to just settle for some random cuteness from this past week. Starting with yesterday, Ash Wednesday. I was at the office for the first time in about two weeks, and when I came in, Cody pointed at my head and said, "Mommy, take it off!" I started to take my coat off (he usually greets me with "Hi Mommy! Put the coat away in the closet please now!" so he knows that I'm home for good). He looked alarmed and said, "Mommy! Dirt on your forehead!" Then, after a concerned pause, "Cody vacuum it up?" I burst out laughing and told him not to worry, that I would wash it off later. To which he replied, "Go take a shower NOW please Mommy!" He didn't like the "dirt" one bit. : )

Anyway, here he is, enjoying his "new" (read: used on Craigslist) moon rocking chair (the glider is now in Robin's room), playing at Gymboree, and watching Baby Einstein with Daddy.






And my personal favorite, walking in Mommy's sneakers!

My Funny Valentine

Last night, I put on a dress, believe it or not, and had dinner with my sweet husband. We all know I am not a "belly picture" person, so Mom, this is purely to humor you:

Talk about "Is your figure...less than Greek?"

I woke up at 6:18 to the sound of a fire engine--one of the loudest sirens I've ever heard. It was Cody, of course. A moment later, he segued lustily into, "Up on the housetop, click click click, DOWN through the CHIMNEY! Good Saint Nick!" The rest of the day was filled with "Happy birthday Mommy! Happy Valentine's Day to YOU," with lots of birthday kisses.
This was the front of my birthday card from Cody:

I asked who it was, and he said eagerly, "Granny?" I said, "Um, I don't think it's Granny..." and he said, "Oh! It's MARY!" : )

We went to early Mass, where Cody was an absolute prince. He sat on my lap the whole time, putting chapstick on his lips, over and over. And on his chin. And his "moustache." It was a fantastic diversion. Here's his little Valentine's Day getup (note the red shoes, just like Pope Benedict).

Cody's Valentine's Day present was...a mini broom and dustpan, which he calls "Cody's SWEEPER!" It was quite the hit.

He swept everything in sight. The cutest was when he said,"Mommy, stairs are ALL DIRTY! Cody make them ALL CLEAN!"

The we had a round of dancing with Bidi, who was downstairs because she always goes to church. And always comes up with Cody for Communion. (That's when he happily shouts "AMEN!" to the priest after he gives me the Host.)


We finished off the day with a giant peppermint cupcake.

Later, as I stroked his forehead in the rocking chair, my finger traced through a long and sticky line of icing. Yes, Cody, "you're my favorite work of art."

Rockin' Robin

Mom says Baby Robin has been doing LOTS of rocking and dancing in her belly. I want to rock too. I rock a LOT on my rocking horse, but now I have something ELSE! Aunt Monika brought me a ROCKING CHAIR! My very OWN! It used to be Aunt Monika's but now it is Cody's!

Thank you for sharing it with me, Aunt Monika! I love it. I sit on it every single day to rock! And I promise I will share it with Baby Robin when he or she gets big enough.

Catching Up on Christmas, Part II

Granny and Pop-Pop found our camera that we left at their house! And look, I found some pictures from Christmas! Let me tell you more about it. On Christmas Eve, Aunt Kelly and Granny and Pop-Pop came! And we giggled and tumbled and Pop-Pop brought his GUITAR and we played Christmas tunes on it TOGETHER and it was awesome!!!



This is my tree.

And this is me and Mommy on Christmas morning -- the first one in our new house on Sulky Court!

The first and most important thing you do on Christmas morning is say "MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!" And then you give everyone KISSES!




Then you climb on presents! And then open them!


This is what Mommy got me -- my kitchen appliances! Little Mixer, Little Coffee Maker, and Little Blender. I love them so much.


But I love Daddy more. After presents all I said (over and over and over) was "Please Daddy, do Christmas dancing with Cody please?" And we DID!