Round Mound of Rebound

The gym is open.  (Bring your own baby quilt.)  Walt got his first lesson in roundball today.  The ol' lie on your back and shoot the ball straight up drill.  It teaches proper shooting technique.  I thought I was pretty clear about the proper form, but apparently I've never tasted a miniature basketball . . .

You get extra points if you noticed that Walt is wearing Charles Barkley's number and the title of this post is Barkley's nickname.  Hopefully, he'll look less like Sir Charles as he gets older.

Walt is Ready for His Closeup

Frustrated with the quality of the pictures we've been taking lately, I (Ginger) decided to actually ready the little book that came with the camera last night.  It's quite an amzing little piece of equipment.  As Josh pointed out, there is probably more technology in our camera than was used to put the first man on the moon.  Scary.  I can only imagine what sort of gizmos Walt will use to record all of his kids' firsts.  Probably he'll be able to download his pictures directly into our brains.  He'll think it was so quaint that we had to show pictures of him on screens.  "Geez, Mom . . . the Internet is so 2005."

My Way or the Highway

We tell you about all of Walt's good firsts . . . first smile, first laugh, first rollover, etc.  So I think it's only fair that we also share some of his not-so-positive firsts.  For the first time tonight, little Walt pitched a fit because he wasn't getting his way.  Now, I know we've seen some of that in not wanting to go to bed at night, or just otherwise wanting to be picked up and paid attention to.  However, during his bathtime tonight, I saw a definite progression in his attempts at manipulating Mommy.  Josh was working late tonight, so I was giving Walt a bath by myself.  He has recently become infatuated with the sink sprayer -- he just loves getting squirted by it, particularly on his cheeks and chin.  Go figure.  Anyway, because I (sadly) only have two hands, I couldn't continually spray him and do the washing of the baby hair and all the little baby parts at the same time.  While I was spraying him, he was a very happy little baby indeed.  When I put the sprayer down to apply the shampoo, he screamed.  Pick up the sprayer -- again all smiles.  Put down the sprayer -- quivering lower lip followed by ear-piercing shrieks.  Spray  --  happy as a clam.  No spray -- world coming to an end.  I began to see a pattern.  At that moment, I realized that it was just possible that my little angel might attempt to assert his will in other ways in the future.  Definitely something to which we will need to give some thought.

Family Reunion

What, your family is normal?  There are never any Y-chromosome bearing hula dancers at your family reunion?  It's not nice to judge, you know.  Here's the rest of the gang -- all dressed up for the Swiss luau . . .

(For those of you who don't know, one side of my -- Ginger's -- family is origianlly from Switzerland.  We get together every year in Sugarcreek, Ohio, and eat Swiss cheese, play board games, and do lots of silly things.) 

And, of course, Daddy and Walt . . .

(Make sure to check Collier's Corner to see a picture of the costume contest winner.)

By the way, for Walt's six-month birthday on July 15th, we're hoping to hit 15,000 hits.  Currently, we're at 13,384 hits since the site's inception, so we've got some work to do.  Tell your friends, neighbors and co-workers . . . we'll let you know how we did on the big day!

High Times in the Highchair

No, to answer the question I know is in many of your minds, we have not yet given Walt his first solid food.  For now, the new highchair is just a handy place to park Walt while I'm in the kitchen, um . . . let's say, packing his lunch for school.  But he does look cute in it, doesn't he?  A hip baby's gotta have a hip seat!

Also, if you'll look closely, in the background of the picture, you'll see what looks strangely like the legs to another highchair, which, in fact, is exactly what  they are.  The highchair is just the latest installment  in the misadventures of Josh and Ginger in baby product land, a scary tale which I will now relate to you.  (Fair warning:  the following is long and probably boring, and I'm writing it mainly for posterity.  However, if you make it through, there will be a surprise at the end.)

Installment #1:  First, there was the crib, and a beautiful crib it was.  Except that you couldn't actually put it together because all the screw holes were not drilled in the appropriate places.  No problem, it's only September, we'll just have the store order us a new part.  Said part arrived approximately eight days before the child who was to occupy the crib arrived.  Great.  Except that about two days before the grand arrival, we noticed a crack running the length of one of the crib's foot boards.  And now this particular crib has been discontinued and the manufacturer is having to hire skilled Vietnamese artisans (or something like that) to fashion a new foot board.  So, almost a year after ordering the crib, we still are waiting on a whole, unblemished bed for our little cherub.

Installment #2:  Then there was the glider.  For those of you who have not outfitted a nursery in the past decade or so, a glider is the trendy new replacement for a rocking chair.  Very smooth for baby and very comfy for Mommy.  Plus, you get an ottoman to go with it so you can rest your weary legs.  Some people might think the fabric and wood on the ottoman should match that of the glider, but as it turns out, the (boxed) glider set we arrived home with did not conform to this obviously narrow-minded design mentality.  So, back to Babies 'R Us (sorry, I don't know how to make a backward "R" on my computer) where the matching glider was waiting in another box.  Apparently there was a bit of a mix-up at the manufacturer and they sent two ottomans for us.  How nice of them.  I was really wanting to make the 30 minute drive back to BRU the next morning anyway.  No, really.

Installment #3:  This is a good one.  We're getting down to the wire with this pregnancy thing, and it's finally time to buy the car seat and stroller.  And, of course, we decide we have to have the cool combo version that those in the biz like to call a "travel system".  However the "travel system" box is rather large and unwieldy and will not fit into our non-SUV vehicle.  (I know, I know . . . how dare we attempt to raise a child without a mini tank in which to transport him?)  Anywho, we figure, no problem, we're sure we've used up our share of consumer product mishaps and won't have any need to return this particular product.  We throw caution to the wind, chuck the box at BRU, and take the goods home freestyle.  Josh sets to putting the stroller together as soon as we get home, only to get down to the last bolt that holds the last wheel on.  Except the bolt is not a bolt, but a nut (or the other way around, I always get those two things confused).  So we've got two nuts, no bolts and one wheel that won't stay on.  Seems like a safety hazard to us.  Once again, though, the good folks at BRU (after another 30 minute drive, of course) came through for us and ganked a bolt off of the floor model.  Gotta hand it to those BRU people . . . they may sell a lot of faulty products, but they stand behind those faulty products.

Installment #4:  Which brings us to the highchair.  So far, we had managed to keep most of Walt's baby products from clashing with our decor, which is not easy to do, mind you.  But when we went to shop for a highchair, all we found at BRU were things that looked, well, babyish.  But our online search was more fruitful . . . there in the Baby Center store was a sleek, black vinyl model with nary a ruffle anywhere.  Definitely fit our definition of urban chic.  It even had a cool name -- Zooper.  Definitely love at first sight (Or "site".  Website.   Get it?  Never mind.)  So we order it and it arrives and Josh starts putting  it together . . . do you see where this is going?  He attaches the last wheel and backs away to discover that the whole thing lists backward and to the right.  Again, doesn't seem like the safest way to feed a baby.  The very small part on the back to which the wheel is attached is wrong, necessitating a shipment of the entire bottom half of the chair because the manufacturer can't trust a lawyer to install just the very small part.  Which probably has something to do with lawyers.  Ironic. 

The End.  And now for your reward . . .

Was it worth it?

Big News

No, no the news is not that I look silly nor is it that we don't know how to eliminate red-eye from our photos.  We're talking big, big news.  Ready?  OK, here goes: all three of the animals in the above photo can now roll over.  That's right, little Walt rolled over for the very first time this morning.  (Evie's been doing it ever since we brought home the first box of treats.  I'm not sure when I started.  Maybe Nana can fill us in on that one.)  Regardless, we're very excited.  Much more so than Walt himself.  In fact we think he only does it because he hates being on his stomach.  It still counts.

By way of explanation, the photo is of me getting Evie to "speak".  It really makes Walt giggle.  Hysterical by his standards actually.  Very amusing for the rest of us, too.  (Evie's probably amused more by the treat, but, hey, we're all happy in the end.)

Also, as a follow up to the "Bonding" post a couple of weeks ago, Evie seems to possess some kind of calming influence over Walt as well.  He was rather fussy when I got home from work today and began to cry.  On a whim, we called Evie in from the living room, and as soon as she got within arm's reach of him and sat down, he stopped crying and smiled.  Amazing.  Her best trick yet.  Do any of your pets have a trick that can top that?

One last thing, Mommy doesn't get enough face time here, so here's one from the airport this past weekend:

Snoozin'

This is how Josh and Walt spent Father's Day afternoon . . . "watching" the U.S. Open.  Apparently the golf tourney was being broadcast not only on NBC, but also on the backs of their eyelids.  But don't worry, Mommy was keeping a watchful eye from just a few feet away to make sure Walt didn't shimmy off the edge of the couch.  They slept this way for a good two hours and would have slept longer, but Josh's pacifier fell out and he woke up.

Happy Father's Day!

In honor of Father's Day, here's another picture of my two favorite boys.  I feel truly blessed to have both of them in my life. 

We've posted Walt's official five-month picture in the Birthday Album at left . . . check it out!

Wrappin' Up

Well, our time here on Hilton Head is coming to an end.  Everyone is leaving tomorrow.  I think we're all in agreement that the trip was a success.  No serious sunburns.  Most of the sand has been washed off.  No rain until one hour after we came in for the last time today.  And best of all, plenty (and I do mean plenty) of photos.  So, here it is, the grand finale:

We dug a Walty Pit, and stuck our baby in it.  He approved.

Aren't you glad he made time for his adoring public?

One guess who bought the matching outfits.  Her name starts with a 'G' and ends in 'ram'.

Wow, how cute?

Look what washed up during high tide.

By the end of the week, Walt was a pro in the surf.

It was a good week.

Sunbathing

So, as we covered yesterday, Walt is enjoying the pool, but still not so much the ocean.  This is about as close as he wants to get to it.  He tolerated sitting in the surf for a few minutes yesterday, but I stress the word "tolerated".  However, he didn't mind catching a few rays on the beach . . .

By the way, if any of you checked his birthday photo album yesterday in hopes of seeing his official five-month pic, we decided to wait until we got home so we can take it in the usual chair with the stuffed puppy.  So, check back next week.  (We know you will!)

Fat Baby Feet in the Sand

How's that for an accurate title?   Fotunately, Gram and Mommy don't share Daddy's aversion for sand.  Otherwise, we might not have this incredibly cute picture.  They had sand all over the poor fella's shorts and legs.  Not to worry, though.  We rinsed him off in the pool shortly after this picture was taken.  He definitely likes the pool better.  He likes being towed around on his belly.  Makes him smile and chuckle.  Of course, all of those watersports makes a baby tired:

How precious!

Beach Report

You will all be happy to hear that, so far (knock on wood), Walt's parents have not let him get sunburned.  Which is, of course, more than we can say for his daddy.  Walt is currently relaxing under the beach umbrella with Gram and Mommy while Daddy takes a break from the rays.

Walt had his first real encounter with the surf today, and he was less than thrilled but not completely opposed to the idea.  It may take time.  I guess there was never any hope of him becoming a world-class surfer anyway.  He went back to the pool and did seem to like that better.  Calmer water I guess.

As they say, the weather is great, wish you were here.

No comments about the shorts, please.

Hangin' in the Pool

Our first trip to the pool was a mild success, I'd say.  At first, the cold water was quite a shock and we could only put our feet in, but after he got used to being submerged in cool water instead of a nice, warm bathtub, he was okay with it and even kicked a little bit.  Jordan, the little goggle-clad girl in the pool, was helpful enough to show him some tricks like falling backwards off the step and jumping off the side.  And apparently she can also stay underwater for fifteen hours, but didn't feel the need to prove it.

Beach Babies

Well, we're finally here.  All Crouches and Spicklers arrived safely at Hilton Head Island this afternoon.  We promptly dunked the little ones in the Atlantic Ocean.  Here is a picture of Collier "kissing" his cousin.  I put that in quotes because I think he's really trying to eat Walt.  He was hungry.  Both seemed thrilled by the beach.  We can't wait until tomorrow to really get them into the sand and surf.  Here's another picture of my sweet wife and son on the beach this afternoon.

By the way, Walt's first airplane ride went off without a hitch once his parents figured out on which airline they had booked the tickets.  He even got a signed "First Flight" certificate from the head flight attendant. 

Since it's vacation, check back often.  We'll try to post every day.

Bonding

It looks like the baby/dog relationship is on the mend.  Evie has gone from confusion to poutiness to apathy and is now coming around to mild curiosity.  Walt, on the other hand, has gone straight from being completely oblivious to her to utter fascination.  If Evie is around, he is watching her.  Even Mommy can't compete!  As I type, he has maneuvered himself around on the blanket so that he doesn't have to look over his shoulder to watch her.  Now Evie has gone (off to do very important puppy things, I'm sure) and he is craning his neck around further to see if he can find her.  Poor  little fella doesn't realize that until he has Cheerios to offer Evie, he is of no use to her.

Oh, and in case you were wondering, the computer is going with us on vacation, so be sure to check in here and at Collier's Corner for baby beach pictures!  (And don't worry about Evie -- no kennel for her!  No siree, she has a very competent puppysitter coming to stay with her.  She won't even have to compete for affection with that pudgy, round-headed thing!)

Does a Fat Baby Sweat?

If he lives in Memphis during the summer he does!  Walt got a little hot on Saturday during our afternoon errands and when we got home, Daddy taught him his trick for beating the heat . . . gettin' nekkid!  Lying on Mommy and Daddy's bed under the ceiling fan also helps.  Fortunately, the thunderstorms that rolled through today brought some cooler temps with them, so Walt and Daddy are both much happier.

Cousins!

Walt and Collier have had a great visit since the Crouches arrived yesterday afternoon.  They were both very good boys last night when Collier's mommy and daddy went to their rehearsal dinner in Jonesboro.  Collier sat in the floor and played with his toys, all the while making the occasional lunge at Walt who was sitting next to him in mommy's lap.  Collier was also quite taken with Evie, who I believe is getting increasingly distressed at the baby proliferation.  They are currently both down for a nap.  Walt will be asleep for exactly 23 more minutes (you can set a clock by the length of his naps) and Collier will be asleep until he inches his way off of his little pallet on the floor again.  The cuteness factor here on Nelson Avenue is staggering.

By the way, sorry for the blurry picture, but they won't both sit still long enough to get one that's not blurry!

Don't Adjust Your Set

This photo (which is not doctored, by the way) has nothing to do with Walt (except that he was asleep in the backseat while his parents drove by THREE TIMES in order to get a good picture).  Of course, if a good looking establishment like this were to appear on a certain website belonging to Walt's cousin, it would make perfect sense.  The question, webmasters Crouch, is how much will you pay us for this image?  And no, we're not going to reveal the location of this vehicular maintenance hot spot (and convenience store).  Let's just say there's a good chance you haven't been there.

By the way, for those of you who don't know, Collier is our nephew.  There's a link to his website on the left of this page.

We know, we know, we wouldn't dare post without a picture of you know who.