Our 2nd Annual "Cody-bration"

Two years ago today, the doctors at Children's Medical Center found a tumor the size of a baseball in Cody's brain. The tumor was causing his brain to swell inside his skull, and his inter-cranial pressure was through the roof...which was why we had noticed his limbs shaking uncontrollably and him unable to maintain his balance that day.

He had 2 surgeries to resect the tumor and has since had regular MRI's (we're now down to only 2 a year...he had a clean one in April and has another at the end of September). He has a 4-5 inch scar on the back of his neck. And he is more familiar with terms like "IV" and "MRI" than any 3-year-old should be.

But he is also the heart of our family. He can be a little black rain-cloud at times, but his cherubic smile can bring sunshine back into the darkest day. He's stubborn and uncompromising (he's a Penrose-Miller AND he's 3...are you surprised? ) but he is also sensitive and compassionate, wanting everyone around him to be happy. He can be very shy, but then will give a poor, unsuspecting stranger a run-down of every single thing he did that day, and maybe the whole last week as well, just for kicks. And did I mention he's an awesome break-dancer?

Life wouldn't be the same without him, and we give thanks every day that we have the privilege of watching him grow, learn and love.

We're having a small party tonight (our "Cody-bration") and I'll add more pictures here later.
But in the meantime, a very happy "Cody-day" to you all!