Cameron Elijah Rodrigues Cox

Some quick photos before I'm TWO!

2008-09-16T17:15:00.001-07:00

This summer Cameron really made the transition from baby to boy. He's an energetic, sweet boy who loves to play basketball, go the the beach, play at the park and do just about anything that keeps him (and us) moving.

Language has been the real treat lately. His English (and Spanish) vocabulary is growing by the day. He loves to point out words he knows and to count - his usual sequence goes something like, "four, five, seven, eight, ... two" - getting there.

He also can now sing every song on his all-time favorite album, Raffi's Greatest Hits. He's not quite ready to branch out yet, but he's got those songs down.

At 18 months, Cameron discovered his first true obsession.

Even now, 6 months later he still plays about 3 times a week, shocking everyone with how good he is.

Keeping Cameron OUT of the water is the only challenge at the beach.

Snuggled up for an impromptu nap in the sand.

The park never gets old.

Just being cute.

Creating some of his first artwork.

We got to spend a fun day at Fairyland with uncle Dominick and uncle Gio.

The boys climbing Peter Pan's ship.

Catching air - Man overboard!

Exploring every nook and cranny.

Giddy with Gio.

Updated Photos

2008-04-06T12:59:00.000-07:00

Mom and dad have been busy, but that's no excuse for not updating my blog!

A lot has happened over the past several months - I had my 2nd Thanksgiving and Christmas. We moved to a new apartment so I finally have my very own bedroom. I've started being very vocal and I know how to make lots of fun animal sounds like - Meow meow, bow wow, quack quack, oink oink, and oooh oooh (monkey). I also say things like, "more," "hi," "bye," "hola," "banana," "milk," "wa wa (water)," "dada," "mama," and "hooray!"

I'm pretty much into everything these days, so mom and dad have their hands full. I especially like to go on the computer and play my iTunes and to go open the refrigerator and bring everything to my parents.

Bath time is my favorite.

I like to do everything myself - especially eating.

I LOVE to push things. Here I'm pushing my friend Mia around Griffith Park.

The park is my favorite place to hang out.

Me and my dad.

This is when I first started walking. I was about 13 months old.

My friend Claus had a cowboy birthday party - yee haw!

Just lounging around.

I'm saying "mmmmmm." That's what I always say when I'm super-excited about what I'm eating.

The swing always makes me laugh.

This is a video of me stacking blocks for the first time ever. I haven't played with blocks since this one time because I mastered it so well.

Halloween: A truly creepy holiday

2007-11-02T17:49:00.000-07:00

I've decided that one-year olds get a pretty tough break when it comes to Halloween. Cameron and most of his friends coincidentally ended up as barnyard animals. It may be years before we fully understand the damage we've done. (He he.)

There were some exceptions to the animal rule:

Birthday Boy!

2007-11-02T17:22:00.000-07:00

Cameron celebrated his birthday in Franklin Canyon Park with his family and friends.

Viva la Mexico!

2007-08-24T18:29:00.001-07:00

Cameron is officially an international traveler. We all went down to San Miguel de Allende, Mexico to meet up with Grandpa Robin, Normandie, Dominick and Gio. Cameron had a great time - eating lots of guacamole, papaya, mango and enchiladas!

Winner: Cutest Passport!

Let the adventure begin!

Snuggling with Uncle Gio.

Mercado.

Mom in the patio garden.

Crazy clown vendor.

Soaking up sun on the roof garden.

Playing at Ellen and Walter Sanfords house.

Mom and dad went and had some of their own fun ATV-ing in the countryside with everyone.

Mom and Dominick looking tough.

Soaking it all in at the Jardin (the town square in San Miguel).

Uncle Dominick.

Dad relaxing.

Packing away avocado perhaps?

Stinson Beach Vacation

2007-07-10T08:31:00.000-07:00

We had a great week in the Bay Area. We spent a few days with our family at Stinson Beach in Marin and then we went to Zach's parents house in Walnut Creek for the 4th of July and Zach's birthday on the 5th. Cameron loved seeing his family and friends.

View of Stinson Beach.

We did a lot of beach exploration in the mornings.

Cameron loves his vantage point from his backpack.

Uncle Dominick in the tide pools.

Uncle Gio with his kite.

Grandpa Robin enjoying some sun.

Grandma Toy, Normandie and Grandpa Roy relaxing in the sand.

Gio tearing up the small-town basketball court.

Hanging out inside the beach house.

Noah's transformer was under attack ...

Luckily he escaped to the beach ...

Pool Party at the Cox house!!

Zach on his Birthday with Julian, in San Francisco.

Jessica and Great Grandpa Talbot at the Oakland casa.

Summer Fun

2007-06-27T09:57:00.001-07:00

Loving the tree swing at Julie, Marc, Olivier and Gabriel's house.

Sean Lee, Cameron & Mia - very sun conscious kids!

We went to Jazz Fest at the Hollywood Bowl!

Cameron & Francesca were buddies at the concert. He even followed her up up an entire flight of stairs at Kirsten and Dino's pre-party!

Beach day in Malibu with mom and dad!

We've all been busy making ice cream in our new kitchen!

My Family

2007-06-10T15:34:00.000-07:00

8 Months and Counting!

2007-06-09T21:43:00.000-07:00

Cameron continues to grow bigger, stronger and happier!
Here are some recent pics:

Being cool with dad.

As always, a total camera ham.

Cameron says he prefers the aisle seat.

With cousin, Ryan (exactly one month younger than Cameron).

Great Grandma Colleen with all her great grandchildren - Haley, Tyler, Ryan and Cameron.

Fun with Friends

2007-05-17T17:15:00.000-07:00

Cameron has become quite the social butterfly. Here are some of his friends:

Claus is Cameron's "oldest" friend. They did prenatal yoga together before they were born.

Cameron has been flirting with Mia since he was about 12 weeks old.

This is Cameron's crew - he sees Mia and Liam almost every week.

Sean Lee is about a month older than Cameron.

With Gabriel and Mia in the pool house after their swim lesson.

New Movements

2007-04-29T21:22:00.000-07:00

These days Cameron is very active. He's been taking swim lessons in a salt water pool with a bunch of his baby friends. He loves the water and is totally relaxed by it.

On land, he's just starting to go from sitting up and rolling around to ...

... full-blown crawling. Fun times!

The Birdcage Necklace

2007-04-23T17:00:00.000-07:00

My grandmother, Carmela, had this mysterious, magical gold-plated birdcage necklace that she used to wear when I was a kid. I was totally fascinated with it. It even had a small golden bird that hung inside. The memory of her jiggling it and laughing is totally vivid in my mind. However, I didn't realize how connected I was to that particular piece until she passed away.

Apparently not everyone felt the same way. Months later I discovered it in a container with other "rejected" pieces. I was thrilled. It was the only piece of her jewelery that I secretly hoped I could have.

Today I was wearing the necklace and Cameron was mesmerized by it, much the way I used to be when she would wear it. It was so cute.

Unfortunately Cameron will never know my grandmother, but at least he'll have a memory of her through the birdcage necklace.

Lounging at Griffith Park

2007-04-14T21:45:00.000-07:00

Teething success!

2007-04-13T10:29:00.000-07:00

Finally, today, a tooth broke through! This has been a long time in the making.

We've had many tearful teething nights.

Always calm and happy after a bath.

And his first food is... CARROTS!!

2007-04-12T10:40:00.000-07:00

Such a happy boy!

2007-04-01T10:20:00.000-07:00

Cameron has the best smile. He can light up the room with those cherry tomato cheeks!

First day at the beach

2007-03-12T10:55:00.000-07:00

The first few months

2006-12-01T10:05:00.000-08:00

Cameron traveled a lot his first few months, with multiple trips to the grandparents in the Bay Area and Arizona.

In Oakland with Uncle Gio.

He was six weeks when he had his first flight to Arizona to see his grandma and GREAT-grandma!

"This baby's too big to be in HERE."

2006-10-08T22:23:00.000-07:00

Arriving LARGE and almost two weeks late (in true Mortarotti fashion), Cameron's stay in the NICU at UCLA Medical Center often triggered this reaction from the nurses.

Luckily, we got to bring him home after 5 days. All 9 pounds 6 ounces of him!

In Utero Evolution. Weeks: 11, 23, 27, 32, 40

2006-10-01T10:59:00.000-07:00