Contemplative Crawling

Cody has been trying relentlessly to crawl onto the hardwood floor. Something about it holds immense fascination. Anyway, he crawled his determined little self over there and then, couldn't do much more, since the floor is so slippery. He kind of wound up swimming in place or in circles and kept looking confusedly up at me, as if to say, "Hey, why doesn't this work anymore? Hmm."

Book Notes

Worried that he was going to be consigned to a life of Little Quack and Goodnight Moon, today Cody decided to browse the bookshelf in his room in search of more rewarding material. His face registered happiness at seeing two volumes of Andy Ferguson, but something else caused immense agitation.



By now you've guessed the problem: Martin Gilbert's lifeless Churchill biography is cluttering his bookshelf yet Manchester's masterpiece is missing the third volume. Immediately after this picture was taken, Cody turned to me, his eyes plaintive, yet accusatory, as if to say, Father, what kind of monster are you?

I did not tell him that Manchester died before finishing the third volume. There's only so much disappointment a young boy can endure in a single morning.

Figuring Out Finger Foods

Something very strange is happening. I am trying lots of new foods. And there are these new things called finger foods and I don't really understand them. Usually all I hear Mommy say is, "No Cody, please don't chew on that!" Or, "Little Bear, that doesn't belong in your mouth." But now she is giving me these weird things and telling me it's ok to put in my mouth. I'm not sure what I think about this. I'm not sure what to do. I think I prefer eating the remote control. Hmmm.




Oh...I get it!

A Great Hair Day

Cody Squared

Remember my friend Cody? Here he is again. I'm pretty sure he is clapping for me. People are always doing that.


Also, do you see how he has his socks off? See Mommy? It's not just me. Little boys just aren't supposed to keep their socks on.

This is Felix. He is my new frog that helps my nose at night.


I still can't walk yet (though I really really want to and now I can get myself up by my own self) but Big Cody can do so many things, like make Felix go. Look! He makes Felix go and then we have a steam bath! We have such a good time together.

We're Gonna Need A Bigger Boat

Yep. Time for the big bath. Gone are the days when he would lie there and munch on his turtle or octopus or washcloth. Why do that when you can climb out instead?

Up, Up, and Away

And so it begins. He hasn't even mastered crawling, but is totally fixated on climbing on things, and out of things (more on that later). Sitting is now boring. How did this all happen so fast?

And by the way, he's 20 pounds, as of today's visit to the doctor. Apparently we have conquered the eating problems, hopefully, once and for all.

Cody and the Afterthoughts

This is a belated post (sorry Kelly!), but we had a fantastic weekend in Philly, despite an inauspicious beginning (CJP woke up when we got to the hotel Friday night, and then REALLY woke up when we took him upstairs in the elevator with the enormous mirror, and then chose not to go back to sleep for a loooong time). It was very low-key -- we saw Kelly's new place and new neighborhood, and got the chance to just hang out, which is something she and I rarely get to do.



Then, Sunday morning, Granny drove down to see Cody all of us. As I was unloading Cody from the Jeep, I could see Mom from the corner of my eye, booking it down the block, with Kelly trailing behind her, calling, "CODY!!! CODY!!!" His head snapped around. He knows that voice. He knows there is lots of spoiling ahead. As Mom showered him with kisses and, five minutes later, hugged me (yes Mom, I'm exaggerating--a little) Kelly and I decided that if we were a band, we could call ourselves Cody and the Afterthoughts. Mom then felt awful, but she shouldn't, because it's funny. And it's wonderful. And I love that she has jumped so wholeheartedly into the Granny role.

Anyway, now that I'm a mom, I understand about afterthoughts. For instance, showering is sometimes an afterthought. And sleeping, and sometimes even eating. And cleaning out the tub. You get the picture. Polishing the hardwood floors? Haven't done it since March. Picking up dry cleaning? Last week my dry cleaner informed me I had yet to pick up something I had dropped off on April 2. And so it goes.


This marks Cody's first visit to a diner. His Jersey roots came through as he banged energetically on the table, chatted loudly with the (unfortunate) people at the table next to us, and sucked heartily on the menu. It's only a matter of time before he's chowing down on Taylor ham and egg on a hard roll.

Heads Up!

My Socks Just Come Off

More Creepy Crawling Videos For Granny

"Everyday, Everywhere, Babies Are Loved"

And especially this one, especially today. It was just a great, great day. Poor JVL was feeling under the weather and stayed home from work. Tuesday is my usual day off, but today it felt like we were all playing hooky. We didn't do anything special -- grocery shopping, naps, park, the usual. But it was just fun.

Jetty was in the best mood all day, he ate like a champ and without as much fuss as usual, and I even got time to cook during the day. I made soups for us and I pureed Jetty my version of Dutch Apple Dessert -- pears and apples with a little cinnamon. I felt like a domestic goddess. That is until he took one bite after his green beans, and promptly projectile vomited up his whole dinner. So, maybe not so much a domestic goddess. But it didn't bother me in the least. It was still kind of a perfect day. I'm always happy to be his mama. But today more than ever.

Chatty Cody, Part II

Chatty Cody

Cody had a lot to say today. There is more, but it is really a pain to upload video, so this will have to do for now. (Mom.)

Shiny Objects

Cody is starting to crawl!

So far, he hasn't totally figured out his hips. So he does a combination of crawling and then heaving/humping himself over the rug like a sea lion. The best is that all you have to do is put a cell phone or remote control -- any electronic device -- in front of him and off he goes. Clearly, a boy.

Good Morning Sunshine!

Stripeypants Gets Ready for Bed

Cody Likes Bubbles

Here are a few photos from the past few days:

Jetty is no longer content to just watch his fish and bubbles -- he now spends lots of time turning the machine on and off. Often in the middle of the night, when he wakes up for a while, we will hear him turn it on and off, then watch and giggle, then conk back out. It's so hard to believe that just a few months ago he was a little motionless potato in that crib.


The shampoo horns are getting longer and longer. I've half a mind to trim it, but JVL adamantly refuses, saying Cody should be able to have the hair he doesn't have.


And here he is entertaining himself by eating bubbles.

Happy (?) Election Day

Cody voted! He actually helped me by hitting the "Cast Ballot" button, after very nearly causing me to vote for the wrong people by spinning the wheel. It was a memory. For me, anyway. ; )

Visiting Ours

Guess what?! My Granny and Pop-Pop came to see me! I didn't even know they were coming! They said they just wanted to pop in and I think that New Jersey is really far for popping but they said it was worth the drive for even one hug. But I gave them SO many hugs and kisses and giggles and smiles. I cried a little too but only when I was hungry and Granny got me all revved up and then Mommy made me take a nap. Also there was something about saving daylight time and I don't know what that means but I got up at 5:00 and Mommy was not too thrilled about that and for some reason I was just so tired today. But look how much fun we had!










Mommy says I am such a lucky little boy to have such awesome grandparents and it is true! I LOVE YOU GRANNY AND POP-POP! THANK YOU FOR VISITING ME! Thank you for PLAYING with me! I miss you already!!!! LOVE CODY!