Random things about Cody

Cody is doing great and amazes us everyday!

He has no fear. He climbs and will try to grab or open anything he can get his strong little fingers on.
He can point to his nose, teeth, tongue, hair, feet, socks and more I'm sure.
He gives hugs and pats, blows kisses, waves and loves to cuddle.
He is obsessed with closing doors and cell phones.
He loves to rub bare legs.
He loves to dance.
He is on his 4th round of 10day antibiotics since he has been home.
He poops about 4-8 times a day leading to diaper rash and my rough, sore hands - I guess caused by the antibiotics.
He is totally like a 2yr old - when he knows he is not supposed to touch something so he puts his fingers right by it and looks at me inching them closer and closer. He shows his temper when he can't have something but then he'll try again!
He has SO many toys but prefers the DVR, remotes, laptop and phone.
He bonks his head a few times a day, but this seems to be improving daily as his walking improves.

Words Cody can say so far.... but this list grows daily!

bottle
bye
shake
outside
meow
woof (oddest bark I've ever heard but he's consistent with it!)
monkey sounds
ball
nose
three
down
easy
stay
kitty cat
bird
dada
and the best for last - mama

He can sign "more" and "eat" which has been very helpful.
He is getting so much stronger and walks better each day! He used to keep his hands in fists and his toes curled, and his feet pointing outward with wide steps. It is amazing the way he has improved each week. He walks staight, his legs are close, his hands and feet are more relaxed. I think he is just so much stronger all over. It was so hard for me to believe that he was that weak but now it just makes sense! He has even started to run.
He gets a million kisses a day (give or take a couple). I'm sure he thinks we are crazy!
He is so snuggly and soft its hard to keep off his cheeks! He seems to really have bonded well with all 3 of us.

We finally got the surgery scheduled for June 25th. They will operate on his hernia and both eyes. We are pleased to get it done at the same time so he won't have to go through the process of surgery twice.(and we won't have to watch him go under twice)

Cody will be baptized in May. We will combine the celebration with his 2nd birthday.

I cannot even explain how very blessed we feel by having Cody in our family. God gave us a miracle.

WE ARE THE TRUTH

With the international spotlight on one horribly failed adoption from Russia, the Joint Council on International Children's Services issues a call to action to celebrate the beauty and joy of adoption. The "Tell the Truth" campaign is a way of relaying the many successful stories of adoption.

Our Adoption Story....

I have always felt in my heart the desire to adopt, however I never could have imagined the journey my family would take in order to make this happen.  After many years of struggling with infertility, we were blessed with a successful pregnancy.  Our son was born in 2004.  We had difficulties again and decided to pursue adoption to grow our family.  I felt a calling to International Adoption and we decided on Kazakhstan.  Although our trip was filled with many obstacles, finding our son was so worth it. 

Cody arrived home on February 18, 2010.  It was the most wonderful reunion for us and seeing the excitement in D's eyes when he finally met his little brother was something I'll never forget!  The way Cody immediately looked at D and watched his every move was priceless. 

The joy and love that Cody has brought into our family is truly remarkable and more than I could have ever dreamed it would be.  He has only been living with us for 2 months but he is such a part of our family.  He is so sweet and loving.  Our boys play and laugh together everyday.  He is growing and learning so much already. 

We love Cody and are totally committed to him. We will care for him and provide whatever he may need so he can have the best opportunity for a secure and happy life.  We already cannot imagine life without him. 

We hope and pray that International Adoptions will continue and that all children will someday have a loving family to call their own.

May God bless all the waiting children, moms, dads and siblings.

Updates from home!

We've been having fun getting used to our new lives together!  We've had many visitors and a few doctor appointments.  Cody had his big appointment with the International Adoption Center at our hospital.  He was great although it ended with a big blood draw :(  They asked me many questions about his development - what he could do or say.  I was sad because I kept saying no, not yet - I've only had him here for a week!  Well I'm so happy to report since our visit Cody can wave, say bye, mama, D, and ball.  He can walk amazingly well.  He went from a couple of steps to walking all over in just a few days. We went to physical therapy and they gave me some exercises to do to help strengthen his muscles.  They expect him to continue making great strides as he gets stronger.

The changes each day have been truly awesome to watch.  He is so curious and seems so excited when he "finds" a new room! He gives hugs and pat-pats and is learning kisses.  He is very loving and so cuddly.  When he is tired he gets his blanket and snuggles up on us.
He eats pretty much but is surprisingly picky.  He refuses any milk or formula unless its a bottle in the middle of the night.  He loves yogurt, bananas, cheese, bologna, bread, crackers, cheerios, and some soups - ravioli is also a favorite.  He loves holding the spoon and smearing food all over his tray. He rubs it on his hands and laughs. I'm sure each texture is so new.  He hates baths, however laughes when he gets his hands and face washed in the sink.  We're not doing very well with naps.  He does go to sleep easily at night because he is so tired but wakes up at some point each night.  I then sleep in his room with him. He often checks to make sure I'm still there.  It is cute but exhausting! 
He gets so excited when Steve gets home each day. It is very cute to see him do whatever he can to get right to him asap!
D is so proud to be a big brother.  He wants to keep wear his big brother shirt every day! He has been very helpful and loves to teach Cody things - mostly good things! :)

Yesterday at the grocery a women walked over to me and said "you have the cutest two boys!" Well, that really hit me and I think its starting to sink in.  I have two boys.... and yes they are adorable! I can't believe it and instantly my eyes filled with tears.  A dream come true - a miracle.

I had a follow up appointment with a local neuro muscular doctor since my hospital stay was out of town.  He was amazed and said he never saw a recover like this.  He did not expect me to look so good.  My reflexes are not all the way back yet but that's ok.  He is going to look over all the information and test results from the hospital and let me know if he wants to look into anything else.  That was great news.

I've got so much more to tell about and so many pictures already! We'll see how many I can stay awake to load on here!

We're all enjoying each other very much and can't believe Cody is finally home!

D's artwork from school.

Pictures from the airport!

                  Watching and waiting and waiting and watching!!

                      The brothers finally meet face to face!

  What the heck!
      I've been awake and traveling around the world for 33 hours!
                                   Somebody please put me to bed!

                                                      Our first all together family photo!!

JOY!!

We are all home safe and sound and sleeping under the same roof!! Praise God!!

We had a wonderful reunion at the airport! Even though it was midnight and an hour further than our local airport Derek and I were joined by both of my sisters, 1 bro-in-law, 4 of D and Cody's cousins, and 2 of my great friends. It was an awesome surprise and made us feel like we were being followed by the paparazzi! I'll get some of the photos on here soon.

Cody and D have both been great. Cody watches him like crazy and D loves showing him every toy we own. It has been a great day filled with visitors and fun.

Cody is adorable. He is so happy and smiles all the time. He's got some crazy dance moves which are hilarious. We are enjoying every minute. He also goes to sleep so easily (knock, knock, knock on wood). I just hold him with his blanket for a few minutes then lay him in his crib and leave. Easy as pie! Could be because he is exhausted from all the travel and excitement or he has been well trained by his foster mom for the past 3 weeks. Either way I hope it sticks!

We're all doing great - so happy to finally be a family together. Even D keeps saying "I can't believe Cody is really here!"

I'll try to get better pictures on here soon, but 3 out of the 4 of us are sleeping and I'm going to join them now!

On his way!!

Cody is on his way! He is making his way around the world to finally meet his big brother!!

By the end of tomorrow we should all be together as a forever family in the same city!
We are all SO excited!!! The day we've been waiting for for years has finally come.
Thank you everyone for your love and support on Our Journey to D's Brother.

We especially thank God for giving us the desire and determination to make it to this point. He continuously renewed our faith and strength so that we could continue on this path to give this child a loving family and in return be miraculously blessed by receiving another beautiful and precious child to love.

Arrival

Hoping Cody will arrive on Thursday! We will know tomorrow. If everything goes well at the U.S. Embassy he'll be home Thursday.

Thanks in advance for your prayers!