Cody, 1, Is a First Baby on the Go

(Editor’s note: The search is still on for the First Baby of 2005. As of press time on Wednesday morning, the Palisadian-Post had yet to hear of any babies born this year to Palisades parents. To report a birth, call 454-1321, ext. 26 or e-mail features@palipost.com with the parents’ names, baby’s name, date and time of birth and contact information, so we can determine this year’s winner.) Cody Michaels, the 2004 First Baby of the Year, is a baby on the move’in more ways than one. At six and a half months he learned to crawl, and began walking at 11 months. ‘He’s almost running now,’ said his mother Pam. After traveling to Hawaii in April, Cody spent 22 hours in flight to visit his grandparents and extended family in South Africa this summer. ‘He was quite a little trouper considering how long the flight was,’ said Pam, who is originally from Durban, South Africa. While there, Cody even went on safari, and was infatuated with the animals he saw, including elephants, lions, leopards and rhinos, and fascinated by the variety of birds. Born January 1, 2004 at 1:50 a.m., Cody won the Palisadian-Post’s annual contest, and he and his parents received a variety of prizes from over 60 area merchants. Cody, his mother, father Robert, and 7-1/2-year-old brother, Brandon, celebrated his birthday at a small family party at their Highlands home last Saturday. The night before they had a get-together with neighborhood friends to celebrate both New Year’s Eve and Cody’s birthday. Cody, who says Dada, Mama and bye-bye (acompanied by a wave goodbye), received some musical toys for his birthday, which are his favorite kind. ‘He could dance all day long wherever there is music on’in stores, at home or in the car,’ Pam said. He also received his own broom and brush set, since he often stole the broom and brush away from the housekeeper to play with. ‘It’s been a wonderful year,’ Pam said. ‘We absolutely enjoy him thoroughly.’ Cody enjoys copying everything his brother, a second grader at Corpus Christi, does. ‘Even soccer,’ Pam said. ‘He kicks a little ball.’ Brandon is a big help with his little brother. ‘He is very playful and cautious with him,’ Pam said. Cody has a good palate for different tastes, according to his mother. ‘He likes tofu and yogurt and he loves to eat off my plate.’ As for sleep, Pam said, ‘We made it through the first year. He wakes up all night long. Since he’s reached age one, he’s starting to do a little better with the sleep.’ ‘Other than his sleeping, he’s been great. It’s been a really lovely year.’ Cody, who was ‘the spitting image’ of his brother as a newborn, now looks just like his father, Robert, the president and CEO of Odesus, Inc., a technology consulting company.