Walt the Streak Killer

I'll admit that I'm not the biggest Grizzly fan in the city, but I do keep track of wins, losses and playoff seeding.  So I knew that going into tonight's game they were riding a conference leading seven game winning streak and they were creeping up on the Clippers for the fifth spot in the conference playoff seeding.  I also knew, in the sports superstition section of my mind, that the quickest way to end that streak was to attend tonight's game . . . with Walt . . . and leave before the game was over.  So, what did Walt and I do?  We attended tonight's game and left early.

Not that it mattered much, because Walty and I had a seriously good time, but you hate to be the cause of the Grizz's first loss in eight games.  OK, maybe it was Seattle's remarkable three point shooting percentage or Memphis' poor defense late in the game, but I can't help but remember how I was raised.  You don't leave sporting events early.  I knew this going in, but I just couldn't help but think that Walt would enjoy the noise, the people and the spectacle that is an NBA game now that he is more than a bald, squirmy lump.  (See "The Littlest Fan", March 1, 2005.)

He did.

Thanks to our friend David and his almost two year-old son Will, we had court side suite tickets for the game.  Will's mommy also had a prior engagement so David and I both drew baby duty tonight.  Being risk takers, we thought it would be fun to see what would happen if we kept Will and Walt up two hours past their bedtime.  I was skeptical, but I'm always up for a challenge.  Ginger gave her blessing.  (Or at least she said something like, "It's your funeral.")  So off we went.

Will spent a good portion of the game in the coat closet.  Walt took that opportunity to pillage his stash of goldfish crackers.  Walt also polished off Will's sippy cup of water.  These things don't seem to be as much of an issue when mommies aren't around.  "What does a runny nose have to do with him being able to drink Will's water?" I asked after recounting the evening to Ginger. 

I'm proud to say that there were no meltdowns, no blood and no new bruises.  I'm not as certain about the transfer of viruses from shared sippy cups or from eating goldfish crackers off sports arena floors. 

I am certain that I had a great time watching Walt watch everything and clap when everyone else did, and I occasionally got to see Pau Gasol score some of his franchise record forty-four points.  We didn't see it all, but Walt seemed to have a good time.  And he was still smiling at 9:15 when I put him in his bed at about the same time the Griz were losing by one point on a last second shot.  I don't think I missed a thing.

Walt's World Meets Collier's Corner

Here's a picture of the two cutest kids at First Baptist Church, Murray, KY, this morning.  The cousins had a big time this weekend at Gram and Grandaddy's house.  Some of the weekend's activities . . .

Listening to Uncle Mancil's stories.

Trying to call Aunt Harriet.

Rub-a-dub-dub.

First trip of the year to the Dairy Queen!

It was a crazy time at the Crouch household, but a good time was had by all.

Flying Turtle

Don't ask me how I managed this picture . . . mainly just a lucky shot.  Here are some other cute ones from last night . . . .

March Madness with Gram

If there's anybody better to spend the first weekend of the NCAA tournament with, we don't know who it would be.  Here Gram and Walt show off their Murray State gear.  Unfortunately, both the Murray State and the UK games started after Walt's bedtime, so he didn't get to watch them, but we did manage to devise a set-up so that Gram could watch both her beloved Racers and Wildcats at the same time . . .

The evening turned out well for her first alma mater, but not as well for her second . . . MSU lost by four points to North Carolina in a very tight game.  Oh well, baseball season starts soon and I'm SURE this is the year the Cubbies are going to win it all!  Right, Gram?

Anyway, here are some shots from the rest of the very fun weekend spent with Gram.

Gram brought bubbles!

Daddy, if you want me to mow the lawn, you really need to get me a better mower.  This hippo is worthless!

Walt tests out his new ride.

Apparently it is a very smooth ride.

Gram caught Walt exploring the cave under the table.

And finally, you know how in our last post we said that Walt was still not really walking much.  Well, we should know by now that if we want him to start doing something, all we have to do is post here that he is not doing it.  Over the past three days, he has gone from walking only when prodded (and then only a couple of steps), to walking pretty much everywhere.  He still kind of has that drunk-baby thing going on, but I think we can officially call him a walker now.  Here's some footage . . .

Download P1010400.MOV

Not bad, huh?

P.S.  As much as I hate to incriminate myself like this, I promised Mom that I would post this picture.  Josh and I went to an 80's-themed birthday party last night and this is the outfit I came up with . . .

The tight-rolled jeans are my favorite part.  (What were we thinking?!)  Mom says that this is exactly what I looked like in the eighth grade.  Sadly, I'm afriad she's right.  Care to comment, Harriet?

P.P.S.  Happy anniversary, Nana and Putty!

Fourteen Months (or For Love of Naked Librarians)

I thought I'd be able to report to you that Walt is a full-fledged walker by now, but it seems that he has decided that there's no need to be hasty about this upright mobility thing.  You see, there's always the chance that one might fall, and when you're standing up, you've got further to go before the ground gets you.  Plus, isn't it nice to be shuttled about anytime you raise your arms and whine a little?  If only we knew then what we know now . . .

While the walking hasn't really picked up, the talking has.  The child rattles on constantly.  He doesn't have any real words besides the ones already reported, "slicky" ("kiki") and "Evie" ("Eeeee"), but he never stops with the grunts, cackles and squeals.  It's particularly amusing when he cocks his head to one side, looks you straight in the eye and says, "Unkhah?"  He expects some reply, we just haven't figured out exactly what.

As reported earlier this month, the sign language is progressing rather nicely.  Some days he's more communicative than others, but overall he's making progress.  Some of the more popular signs are "more," "eat," "milk," "Evie" and "no."  Not necessarily in that order, but usually all within the same meal time.  The progression goes something like this: he "eats" (cheese, bread and skillfully hidden vegetables) until his stomach looks like it's going to pop, then he asks for his "milk," then he asks for "more" graham crackers, then he sees "Evie" and throws the uneaten, non-graham cracker food to her, and we say "no."  Pretty much the same drill every meal.

Bathtime is still a blast.  He's slowly learning the difference between ducks and fish.  (An important distinction made easy as they are two very popular bathtime animals.)  He especially likes it when Daddy makes the fish high dive from way above the tub.  He claps his hands, grabs the recently fallen fish, holds them as high as he can get them and drops them.  All while sitting down, because standing is NOT allowed in the tub.  It's dangerous. 

To summarize, he's still the same sweet boy we've been gushing over for, oh, about fourteen months now.  He's beginning to really show a personality.  He's at times defiant, but generally willing to comply after a  little reminder from Mommy or Daddy.  He's extremely nosey when we're at home and when we're out in public.  And he's always flashing smiles that could melt the polar ice caps.  Even if he grows up to be a naked librarian, we think we'll still love him.

Happy Birthday, Gram!

Hi, Gram!  Evie and I got Mommy up very early this morning so that we could wish you a happy birthday.  We wanted to call you at 5:56, but Mommy said that was too early for any right-thinking person to be awake.  So she made us go back to sleep for a whole 'nother hour!  But now we're up and sending lots of happy birthday thoughts your way.  We can't wait to see you on Friday -- Evie and I are going to take you to our park!  It's the best.  Almost as good as birthdays.  Well, I'm not supposed to be playing on the computer, so I guess I'd better sign off before Mommy gets back from taking Evie out.  I told Evie to stall, but it's kinda cold this morning and you know how she doesn't like the cold.  Silly puppy. 

Happy birthday, Gram!!  We love you!!

Spring Break

Not that Spring Break means that much to Josh and me anymore, but Walt's school is on Spring Break this week and it is going to be a very special week indeed for him.  Nana and Putty arrived this afternoon for babysitting duties tomorrow.  Walt's favorite Peruvian babysitter, Andrea, is coming on Wednesday, and Gram is coming to hang out with Walt on Friday.  We just learned that Murray State will have its first NCAA tournament game on Friday -- hopefully she won't scare Walt too badly with her cheering.  (Hey, Stephen, do you like how I said "first" game and not "only" game?!)

Literally within two minutes of Nana and Putty pulling in the driveway this afternoon, I took this photo:

After a few minutes of playing in the front yard with Evie . . .

. . . we took off for the park with Prince Walty riding in his pillow-padded chariot (with a cool beverage, of course).

Some pics from the park . . .

Sliding with Daddy.

Showing Nana the airplanes.

Swinging with Putty.

Milk break with Mommy.

And finally, we wrapped up the evening with dinner at Central BBQ.  There was a band playing on the deck where we were eating and Walt spent the entire time turned around like this, reaching around without even looking to find his food.

The only time he stopped watching the band?  To point out the planes flying overhead.  Thanks, Walty, we might have missed that one.

Rainy Day

You've heard of Bob the Builder?  Well, meet his good friend Walt the Wrecker . . .

Mommy put forth considerable effort to build this structure using every Mega Block.  But approximately ten seconds after the above picture was taken . . .

Walt the Wrecker strikes!

Oh, it is so much fun to destroy what others have built!!  (Insert evil cackle.)

My work here is done.

Other fun things to do on a rainy day . . .

Read a good book (upside down).

Torture the dog (who was always close by because of the thunder).

Stare slack-jawed at the television (although he only did that for about two minutes before getting bored and wandering off).

I also need to report on Walt's signing skills, which he has taken up with a vengeance over the past week.  He went from occasionally signing "more" to signing "more" ALL THE TIME (in appropriate situations . . . like when he wants more tasty vitamins).  His new favorite sign, which I taught him a couple of days ago is "finished".  Just a few minutes ago, as he was finishing up his dinner, he signed for yet another graham cracker.  I was not willing to comply with this request and told him so.  He let out a harrumph and signed for finished.  As in,

"No more graham crackers?  Fine then -- don't think I'm going to eat anymore fish or sweet potatoes.  I'm outta here!" 

He also will sometimes sign for Evie (which we made up), milk, and potty.  Really quite amazing.  As I told Josh this morning, I feel like we've taught a monkey a foreign language!

This and That

For your viewing pleasure, some cute pics of the kid . . .

Walt inspects his fleet.




Walt and his new toybox.




Decisions, decisions . . .




Uncle Walt wants you!  (to get him some more goldfish.)




At the playground (our second home).

Oh, and did you want to see some more walking video?  Well, why didn't you say so?

Download MVI_3680.AVI

Six whole steps!  Not too shabby.

Steppin' Out

After walking miles and miles around the house and front sidewalk behind one of his push toys, guess who took his first solo steps today?  And guess who wasn't around to see it.  I'll give you a hint -- she also wasn't around when he decided to crawl for the first time despite the fact that the vast majority of her waking hours are spent trailing around behind him.  Need another hint?  Her back is somewhat stooped from all the hours she's spent bent over with two fat little fists grasping her fingers for balance while he practiced his mobility skills.  But does he decide to debut his newfound walking prowess while she's around?  Nooooooo.   He waits until the one hour this week that he's alone with Daddy, and bam!  He's walking!  I'd like to file a complaint.

Yes, while Mommy was out doing the Lord's work this afternoon (no, seriously, I was out on a visit to one of the ministries our church supports!), Walt was at the park showing Daddy and some random other mommy his new skills.  I knew he was close this afternoon when he practiced standing alone over and over -- each time pulling himself up on his new toybox, holding on a minute while getting steady and then letting go and holding his arms out for balance, all the while grinning at me nervously until he lost his balance and ended up on his rump.  But I certainly didn't think he would go from 0 to 60 (okay, more like 15) in one afternoon!

We tried to get video, but by the time we got the camera, he was so worked up from all of our cheering that he couldn't quite concentrate on the walking.  But here's his best attempt caught on tape.  (Oh, and if you listen closely, you can also hear one of his first words --- "Keekee", which is his version of "Slicky".)

Download MVI_3676.AVI

We'll try to get better footage over the weekend, but for now, just be warned that Walt is on the move.  I hope the world is ready.

The Snack Bar in Our Bathroom

We opened this snack bar to keep Walt from wreaking havoc throughout the rest of the house while we shower.  Of course, little black and white puppies like snacks, too.

Walt went on a chaperoned date down by the river this afternoon with the lovely and talented Ms. Meredith Lareau.  He tried to impress her with his new sippy cup skills.  She looks impressed, don't you think?