Sometimes you have to concentrate very hard when you're reading . . .
. . . especially when you're trying to locate all of the moons in Goodnight Moon (which he can do, by the way).
P.S. Gram and Nana - I know I promised pictures of the new toybox, but I'm going to wait until we get it into its permanent position.
Waiting for their treat.
I realize that in my thirteen month post, I neglected to update you on Walt's communication techniques. While I wouldn't claim that he's saying anything that anyone else would recognize, there are definitely some "words" that we can pick out. Case in point . . . Evie becomes "Eeeeee!" Click here for proof (you have to listen carefully over the music -- thanks for the CD Aunt Harriet!):
Download MVI_3595.AVI
Also in his repertoire . . . his little blanket, which we call "Slicky" becomes "Kheekhee!" He has a version of "thank you", but we can't figure out how to spell it. He doesn't actually understand how to use it -- he just repeats it when we say it. Maybe we'll catch it on tape one of these days. And Josh swears that he said "moon" tonight while he was reading him his bedtime stories, but I can't vouch for that one yet.
He also signed "more" for the first time yesterday, and Josh said that he did it again during breakfast this morning. I don't think he totally understands what it means yet, but we're getting there. Now if I can just get him to sign, "Mommy, I would like to go take a nap now, please." Then we'll be in business.
The cold, icy weather led to a warm, lazy Saturday here at Walt's house. So, we practiced our Mega Block skills. (And by "we" I mean me, of course.) Walt only practiced stealing crucial blocks and then knocking the whole thing over as soon as he could.
We all spent the entire day in the same outfits. (I promised Ginger I wouldn't reveal which outfit she chose, but I'll give you a hint. It starts with a 'p' and ends with 'ajamas'.) Anyway, Walt's outfit was this cute red sweatshirt he'd never worn before. Problem is, I think we waited a little too long for its debut. See what you think. No plumber jokes, please.
A little snug.
We didn't make the same mistake with this extremely cute sweater that Harriet's mom made for him when he was born. We let him wear it during the Olympics even though it makes him look like a Dutch speed skating fan.
Well, our high-speed Internet is being temperamental again. I managed to get this one picture uploaded, but then it decided to go on a coffee break or something and won't let me upload any of the other cute pictures I was going to share with you. If any of you would like to call Roadrunner and complain for us, I'll be more than happy to send you the phone number. Maybe if legions of Walt's fans weigh in, they'll get a little more serious about fixing the problem. Ugh.
Editor's note: Way to go, fans! We're back in business . . . for now.
Anyway, so Walt is thirteen months old today. I always told myself that I was not going to be one of those moms who gives my child's age in months forever. I should just say that he's one, right? I mean, I don't go around telling people that I'll be 367 months on the 22nd of the month, do I? Well, no. But then, my monthly achievements are more like getting the electric bill paid on time and remembering to change my contacts. But when you're Walt, new and exciting things are happening every month! Like learning how to tip your sippy cup back!
This may not seem like a big deal to you adult-types who have long been able to tip your own sippy cups, but if you're thirsty and Mommy's busy doing something else, believe me, it is a very big deal indeed.
Some might argue that a thirteen-month old ought to be walking. Well, Walt has never been one to conform to the narrow expectations of society. He has decided that he will walk on his own when he is good and ready. And apparently that is not yet. For now, he is making good use of his push toys and the furniture to get around. But don't let his lack of walking skills lull you into complacency -- the kid is fast! Aunt Harriet babysat on Monday while I went to work and by the time I got home, she looked like she had just run a marathon. She probably had . . . just around our house instead of on a course. Walt had a ball with her . . . dancing to the Old McDonald CD she brought, playing funny Dutch baby games and pulling on Evie's scarf.
Ane speaking of Harriet, she is already sorely missed by one particular member of our family. Poor Evie, who kept Harriet warm in bed at night while she was here, spent a good portion of last night walking around the house . . . little toenails click-click-clicking away. I think she may be looking into some sort of Boston Terrier exchange program.
Finally, I have to brag a little on Walt's daddy -- he scored big points yesterday for Valentine's. After dropping Harriet off very early at the airport, he went on to work, which I thought was a little strange because, as many of you know, Josh is not exactly a morning person unless there is running involved. But then, he showed up back at home around 11 a.m. with the news that he was going to stay home with Walt for the rest of the day and I was going to the day spa for a facial, manicure and pedicure!
Walt inspects the strange red things on the ends of Mommy's toes.
I arrived home just in time to join in on a quick trip to the park where we met and played with Jack and Maryn (13 and 23 months, respectively). After putting Walty to bed, we enjoyed our lovely Valentine's dinner of filet mignon, goat cheese mashed potatoes, roasted asparagus, and chocolate chunk bread pudding (which was fabulous, if I do say so myself -- let me know if you'd like the recipe). All in all, it really couldn't have been a nicer day. I sure do have it good.
The Event: Eating
The Country: USA
The Venue: Highchair
The Judge: Dutch
The Result: A Gold Medal Mess
Is this Memphis? You bet it is. For once, the weather guys got it right, and Walty got the first "powder day" of his life. OK, it wasn't very powdery. But it was Walty's first wet, sloppy snow day, and it was pretty.
If you couldn't guess, he was saying, "Unka."
We just couldn't resist starting off the post with this picture. It's almost as if he's asking, "Why won't anyone take me seriously?"
Anyway, our little Picasso did some painting today at school and came home with more paint on his clothes and hair than could possibly have made it to the canvas. I guess we'll see on Friday after his work "dries." Whatever that means.
When he asked, we told him there's no way he's moving to Paris this summer.
Hopefully, you can see the unnatural red streaks in his hair. All artists are a little eccentric.
He's certainly not a starving artist. As you can see, he's very focused on his meal of Mommy's English muffin pizza and sweet potato. What? You know you'd eat them together if you could.
Finally, we're pretty certain this must have been the look on Van Gogh's face right before he cut off his own ear. No worries; when last we checked Walty this evening, he still had both ears.
Walt wasn't quite as cooperative with the sign holding as we'd hoped, but he's still very excited that Aunt Harriet is now state-side and that he'll get to see her in just eight days! Here's a picture of our attempt to get him to hold the sign:
Yeah, not so much.
We're back -- hooray! A week without high speed Internet is a like a week without sunshine. (Which we are also in short supply of at the moment.) To reward your patience with us, here's a bunch of photos with no commentary from me:
And some video:
Download MVI_3387.AVI
And . . . check out the new photo album entitled "Black and White" at left. See, good things come to those who wait!
Just wanted to let you all know that we have not abandoned Walt's World. We are unfortunately having some technical difficulties with our high speed Internet connection that are preventing us from posting pictures. And since we know that you're really only here for the pictures and just read the words around them to humor us, we haven't bothered to post.
But all is well -- Walt is cruising along, "uh-oh"ing all the way. (We actually heard him saying it over and over to himself in his crib yesterday morning as he woke up.) The only real new development is the advent of the temper tantrum, but that's not really a pretty picture anyway, so you're not really missing anything.
We hope to get back up and running very soon. Thank you for your patience.
-The Management
