24…42…4 and 2.

It feels like I always go so long between posting on my blog that the only fixed anchor/cadence/reminder I have is the boy’s birthdays, or half-birthdays. Sometimes life is just so busy like that.

Anyway, I am getting old! We all are, of course. My internal monologue — which I learned earlier this year not everyone has one — I know that’s just subjective. No matter, though, I do feel old as if I shouldn’t have a 4 year old and a 2 year old yet. Where does the time go!? They’ll be 16 and 18 in no time and boy those days will be fun! 😀

I’m so proud of these two goober heads.

Zeke recently graduated Pre-K (3 year old) and will start PK4. He took to schooling so well, so fast, and is always the life of the classroom, so we’re told. I’m happy that kiddos and adults in these settings are accepting of him. I’m amazed how much he has learned in the prior year — lots of verbal, occupational, and physical skills he’s been working on that is a little harder for him. But he rocks on through every time!

Eli is talking so much and doing lots of big boy activities, like helping take something to the trash or put a grocery item away, etc. He’s the best big little brother to little big brother. 🙂

It’s been 7 months now I’ve been at my new job. Going very well. Still loving the work, the people, the atmosphere, and the joy of putting in a good day’s work.

For those who don’t know. Back in April Obi passed away. I posted on FB about it. A short while later we got a new Golden Retriever named Walter. We got out of the techy sci-fi names for a little bit and with with something a tad more regal.

This year marks FIFTEEN YEARS Danielle and I will be married. Wow! That’s amazing. I wouldn’t have it any other way!

I’m slowly getting back into YouTube content again. Over the years I’ve ran a few different projects — what YT calls “brands” — but they fizzled for various personal or technical reasons. This time I think the only brand I needed was just myself — no fancy name, slogan, logo and stress. I think that’s the way it was meant to be all along. You can check out (and subscribe!) over at https://youtube.com/@AndrewCoody.

We thank God for His many blessings. God is good.

Until next time,

Andrew

Halfsies!

It’s wild to think Zeke and Eli are already 3½ and 1½! Time really does fly by when you’re chasing toddlers. 😁

We are so blessed to have them both. They keep us on our toes, and they’re very good to each other–thick as thieves most days. Sometimes it feels like we’re just referees in their little world, but honestly, watching them grow side by side making memories is the best thing ever.

On the work front, it’s been just over a month since I started my new job. I’m still working in IT doing systems administration, but now in the construction field instead of healthcare. The change of scenery has been refreshing, and I really enjoy the people I work with and the work that I do. It’s a good reminder that sometimes the right move isn’t about reinventing yourself–it’s about finding a better fit for the skills you already have.

All in all, we’re grateful. Grateful for healthy kids, steady work, and the chance to keep building our little story in these tumultuous times. Life feels full, messy, and good–and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all!

Until next time,

Andrew

The big “1” and “3”!

Oh my goodness. I am amazed how much time has flown in the last almost year!

It’s hard to believe this before and after photo of Zeke and Eli. They will be 3 and 1 soon. Wow!

Both photos courtesy Tammy Kay Photography.

We are blessed with and by these two little (spicy) nuggets. They teach us new things, bring us joy, and we get to adventure life with them.

They’re the bestest of brothers and Danielle and I cannot wait to see what new and mischievous endeavors they partake!

Until next time,

Andrew

Happy 4th of July 2024!

There is so much awry in our country and world right now — from politics, to social norms, to everything else — that makes our blood pressure high and boil. But, if you pause with me, breathe for a moment, and then push all the external things aside just for a very few moments … we can think clearer and hone in on the things we’re thankful for that we often take for granted or don’t see at all. One of those at the top of the list should be (for everyone) is holidays like 4th of July, Veteran’s day, and Memorial day. These are founding or pivotal moments in our nation’s past that we should recognize and honor pride, sincerity, and respect.

With that said and the Worldly “noise” aside, Happy 4th of July to you and your family! Be safe, smart, and thankful.

Little did Danielle or I know, but a couple short weeks after the last post of mine in late May, Elijah “Eli” was born a little early (but totally healthy and all that). Let’s fast forward a few more weeks (yep, I’m still bad at blogging consistently 🙃) and we have a 3 week old! Dang, time flies so fast. We’re already seeing some beautiful chemistry between Zeke and Eli (sure, they’ll bop each other in due time lol). Here are a handful of cute pictures we took in their 4th of July outfits.

Can’t wait to see their (and our) relationships flourish as time goes on. Cherishing these beautiful moments and memories. Yes, even the we hours in the morning with poopie diapers 😁.

Until next time,

Andrew

Spicy nugget #1 and #2

I’m bad at remembering to blog. Been a little over a year since the last one (whoops!)

I cannot believe (I mean I can but … you know what I mean…just roll with it) that this little spicy nugget is about to be TWO YEARS OLD!!! Whew!

Here he is sporting jammies from my favorite comic book hero as well as after playing in his water table (he loves water play time).

We’re so blessed that he is starting to speak at more-or-less the same way typical (we don’t say “normal”!) toddlers do. I say this because it is not uncommon for there to be hearing and/or speech issues or delays with Down Syndrome, but this little dude is not letting anything hold him back. “Up!” is his current word, and he says it with such finesse and energy.

Age is all based on perspective. To some I myself am young, but to others I’m old. Same goes for a kid (he’s young, he’s old…) But who cares? I do. After a little bit of introspection, it’s just “one of those things” in life that you (I, really) stop and go “hmm, wow!” to because otherwise 3, 4, 5, …even 10 years have passed and it’s like the movie Click and everything has zoomed by you, perhaps on auto-pilot.

On the same token (age), just as I’m about to have a two year old, I am about to have a newborn. “Wow”, indeed! Our little Coody Bug family is growing and we cannot wait to welcome spicy nugget #2 😁 into it.

Here’s a fantastic 3D pic of numero dos from just the other day.

Their age gap is probably my favorite part (so far), and what I’d consider a pretty perfect one. There will be just a little over two years between them. Plenty enough for them to go throughout the same age-related phases of life together and build lifelong bonds. We’re excited for their journey together as well as individually.

That’s all for now! Until next year (jk!). Eh hem. Let me get my proper sign off.

Until next time,

Andrew