A Morning at the Park!

It was a cool, windy, fall day and we went on a long walk around a new (to us) park close to us. We enjoyed our time and even (after a little fussing) got Cody to take a nap in his stroller. He went on his first swing ride and LOVED it!!! I am looking forward to when he can really play in the park. This was one of my favorite things we've done with him so far. It's fun to watch him learn new things. It was a wonderful day as a family and being together outside!

I can't believe Cody is 5 months!

My, how time flies! These last 5 months with Cody have gone so fast and he is growing and changing daily! I am loving this stage! He is so much fun! I love that he squeals and laughs so much. Everything is funny to him! He kicks his feet in what we call his "happy dance" when he's excited! I believe his gums are getting ready for the teeth to come in. He's not too whiney yet but definately rubs anything on them. I've started holding a piece of ice and letting him lick on it and he loves that. We recently took him to a park and let him swing (pictures to come soon) and he absolutely loved it! When he's happy he opens his mouth in the biggest, widest, smile and he did that the whole time he was swinging. It was a cool windy day and he would gasp everytime the wind would hit his face. He finally got used to it and I think he enjoyed being outside. He loves to play with his feet and roll all around. We put him on the floor with a few toys around him and he's happy as can be just rolling and playing. He really enjoys his jump/swing thing that hangs in the doorway. He could sit in it for an hour and just giggle and jump around. He sleeps two long stretches at night pretty much from between 7 and 8 at night until between 6 and 7 in the morning. I still feed him once in the middle of the night but I don't mind it. It's still a sweet time with him and he goes back to sleep pretty easily most of the time. He still loves to kick/splash in the bathtub. We just lay him down and let him go at it and splash away. We have finally gotten his naps routine down and even though we don't have an actual schedule yet he usually takes 4 good naps during the day. I'm hoping those will merge into two long naps but we'll take what we can get. He's happy when he's rested. He has started rubbing his eyes (or close to his eyes) when he's tired. If he wakes up playful he rolls on his back and plays with his mobile and babbles. Then kicks his feet in delight when someone comes to get him up. I've been working on teaching him how to sit up. He can sit for several minutes with the boppy wrapped around him. If he's reclined on a pillow he tries and pulls himself up and can get pretty far before he topples over. He eats cereal twice a day. It's a messy ordeal but he has picked up eating solids quickly. We'll introduce more exciting solid food (that I'm planning on making) when he's 6 months. In the mornings we give him his bottle in bed with us and watch the Fox & Friends morning show. He just stays relaxed and watches the t.v. and will lounge on the pillow in between us and watch it. We love it and it's a fun way to start the day. Jason is back at work (after an 8 week Sabbatical) and misses being home with Cody on Tuesdays and Thursdays while I'm working. We have a wonderful babysitter, Sarah, that comes to our house and keeps Cody on those days. It's a huge blessing that the schedule is working out so well and I'm able to keep working and have Cody well taken care of in our home. He's really started to notice when we clap and likes to put his hands on top of mine when I clap. He loves peek-a-boo and patty cake. He likes it if we dance around while holding him, especially if we go in circles. He looks in the direction that he hears a noise to figure out what it is. He definately recognizes his name. He is wearing clothes that are 3-6 month or if they just say 6 months. He's long so things tend to get too short before getting too tight. Here's our boy taking his monthly bear pictures! They grow up so fast! We laugh at ourselves because we say things like "remember when he was a baby and he used to do...." and then stop and think, "he's still a baby but changing so much"! ha!

I love being Cody's mommy!

I never dreamed how much I would fall in love with this little boy! Having a son is so special and I treasure every day! I love the little things, like feeding him, giving him a bath, rocking before bed, singing songs to him, looking at books, exploring the world outside, deciding what to have him wear each day, going for walks, playing peek-a-boo, talking to him, narrating our day so someday he'll understand the words I'm saying, snuggling in bed in the mornings, going to get him when he wakes up from a nap and he's so excited to see me that he kicks his legs up and down until I pick him up, watching him get so excited when he realized Jason's home from work, giving him big hugs and when he leans in and hugs back, slobbery kisses, dancing/spinning around while he giggles and the list goes on and on! I love my little guy and I can't wait to watch the world through his eyes as he continues to grow!

A little hug!

Always looking around!

Cody goes to Grandpa and Grandma's House

We recently got back from 5 days in Oregon! Jason's parents and most of his extended family live there and we took Cody to meet them. Our original plan was to just go at Christmas but as Cody started growing and changing so fast we decided to make a trip out there to show him off now. He's so fun and does funny things....and is changing daily! We're still going at Christmas and I'm sure he'll have all new tricks then. We have so much fun with him and enjoyed getting to take him on a trip and to meet his family and see his grandparents!

This is Cody on the plane!

Grandma (Jason's mom) and Cody! Our family with Grandpa and Grandma

This is Jason's step-grandmother, Mema! Cody is named after her husband, Jason's step-grandfather (Papa). We used Vernon as a middle name for Cody in honor of Papa. Sadly, Papa went to Heaven just before our wedding in 2005. He was a wonderful godly man and his legacy lives on! Mema could not wait to meet Cody! Cody and Uncle Bruce Cody and Uncle Darrell

Cody and Aunt Darby

It was chilly in Oregon! They actually have a fall....unlike Texas. So, Cody got to wear a hat and he looked adorable. He was happy as could be wearing it even though you can't tell from the picture. Cody loves his Grandma!

And his Grandpa! Randy is Jason's step-dad and Cody is named after him too. Papa is Randy's dad and they all share the middle name: Vernon.

Grandma got to feed Cody cereal.

Cody got to ride the horse...aka: Mema's lap!

Cody and Aunt Evelyn. Evelyn is Papa's sister and lives with Mema.

This is how Cody enjoyed family dinner one night. He sat in his bumbo in a chair pulled up to the table. It was hilarious. That way he was high enough to see everyone but not on the table because it was too crowded. He sat and played with his toys while we ate. Everything in the mouth these days! He's wearing cute dog slippers that Grandma got him.

Playing with Grandma

Exploring with Grandpa

Randy and Diane have a beautiful yard! They have many many acres and its covered in trees, plants, flowers, water features and all kinds of fun things that Cody enjoyed seeing. We would just walk him around outside and he was so content taking it all in. Their neighbors have sheep and he could here them baa and would just listen. It was so fun being outside with him.

So happy for all the attention!

Cody and Mema (his great-grandmother)

Our little family!

Grandpa, Daddy and Cody

Bottle with Uncle Bruce

We had a great time visiting everyone. Somehow we didn't get pictures with Jason's cousin's and their kids....bummer. Cody was a trooper and easy to travel with, which is a good thing since his parents like to travel.

Looking forward to going back at Christmas!

Exploring Oregon

Jason's side of the family lives in Oregon and we have been enjoying a trip out to visit them! Cody has enjoyed being outside in the crisp, cool, fall air! It's beautiful here and fun to watch him explore and touch all the trees and flowers! This is my favorite one so far! It looks like he's smelling the rose!

More to come....