Rock 'n Romp - Part Tres

Sorry, I don't know how to spell "three" in French, so I switched to Spanish for the final installment of Rock 'n Romp pictures (for 2006 anyway, we'll get back to rockin' next spring). 

Well, the weather gods finally smiled on RnR, allowing us all to enjoy a gorgeous October day in a Midtown backyard.  And since this final concert fell on October 29th, costumes were naturally encouraged.  The two cutest rockers present?  Why, Walt and Meredith, of course!

If you're particularly observant, you might notice that Meredith is sporting Walt's costume from last year.  Guess what she's going as next year?  Of course, Walt's not just a cow.  Oh no, in this next picture, you can see that he's really a ROCKIN' cow (that motion is him practicing his air guitar before leaving for the show).

But all that guitar practice was for naught because when he got there, it turned out that they needed him on percussion instead.  He was happy to oblige.

Once he finished his drum solo, he settled in on Daddy's lap to enjoy the band.

I think he was the only kid actually watching the show -- the rest were doing a lot more romping than rocking.  But Walty knows that if you're going to be a huge rock star someday, you've got to start paying attention early. 

Here's to more great Rockin' n Rompin' in 2007!

(Last) Weekend in Murray

Okay, I know we've been very bad baby bloggers lately.  As for excuses, there's not much of substance I can offer up.  New fall TV shows are pretty good?  Book club went late?  Yeah, I don't know.  We'll try to do better.

Walt and I (Mommy) took a trip to Murray last weekend and were fortunate to meet up with one Collier Crouch, first cousin to Walty.  They had a LOT of fun.  There was some running around the house to be done . . .

And then they had to stop and take a little break for breakfast.

After receiving that sustenance, they were ready to hit Fall on the Farm with Gram and Grandaddy . . .

After a lunch at Pagliai's (mmm . . . chips and ranch) and a long afternoon nap, we were off to Collier's Aunt Mammy's wedding at the lake.  It was a lovely ceremony . . .

. . . and then Walt enjoyed some butter at the reception.

Good times.

Happy Birthday, Putty!

We here at Walt's World couldn't be happier to wish Putty a happy 60th birthday!!  Hope you have a great day, Putty!

21 Months, Or Who Stole My Baby and Replaced Him With This Little Boy?

So, our kid is an actual kid now.  Sure, he still sleeps in a crib (with THREE lovies) and rides in a stroller, but so many other things tell me that the baby days are behind us.  First of all, he now poses for the camera.

Moments before this picture was taken, he was coloring away, completely oblivious to me, but once he saw the camera, he was all smiles . . .

That didn't used to happen.  Walt also likes to express himself artistically through play-doh.  Here he is expressing that he is happy.  (Or, "Ha-pee, ha-pee, ha-pee!"  as he likes to chant.)

He still very much likes his "gulk" (milk) . . .

And playing on the "side" at the "cark" . . .

Walt is just as fastidious as ever too.  You can hand him his shoes with socks inside and tell him to take them to his room, put the socks in the hamper and the shoes in the dresser, and he will do exactly that.  Totally those Spickler/Dever genes coming through.  He even likes to help me vacuum . . .

The talking seems to increase by the hour, with him repeating everything we say.  (You should hear his version of "excavator".)  One of the most often used words is "hepp-ee?", which means "Help me?".  Running a close second is "ah-side?" (outside), which is still where he always wants to be.  Fortunately, the weather these days is making that a little more pleasant.  He is also putting two or three words together in ways that actually make sense.  "Dat Mommy cah."  (That's Mommy's car.)  "Go-go cark?" (Can we go to the park?)

I know that there are tons of things that I'm forgetting to write about.  Things like how he can dribble a soccer ball, likes to give hugs (always democratically -- everyone in the vicinity gets one), had his first busted lip (with much blood), absolutely loves everything related to music, is kind of klutzy, etc.  But it's getting late and being a Mommy is tiring.  So, I'll stop here and leave you with one more picture. 

What a sweet boy.

The Beach Post

There are lots of pictures.  I mean lots.  You give a girl a new camera for her birthday and then send her to a picturesque locale with a cute baby and it's hard to stop with the picture taking.  So instead of posting them all here, they're in a photo album entitled "Seagrove Beach" at left.

The trip was great.  The weather was fabulous -- cool in the mornings, low 80s in the afternoons.  I'm really not sure why October is considered the low season because I think the beach is just about perfect this time of year.  (Well, except for the biting flies, but we won't dwell on those.)

It was definitely a different experience having a toddler as opposed to a five month old on the beach.  Last year we spent time passing him from one set of arms to another, never venturing away from the beach chairs.  This year, he had a blast digging in the sand, burying his feet, and running to and fro in the surf.  It hardly seems possible that just a little over a year can make so much difference. 

Anyway, I won't dwell on my sentimental Mommy thoughts.  Enjoy the pictures.

Helicopters on the Emerald Coast

Walt is on vacation.  Along with our good friends, the Lareaus, we packed up the rented minivan . . .

. . . spent one night in Birmingham at the Wear's house (our college friends who happen to have the best play room in the history of play rooms) . . .

. . . then yesterday we (and our straw hats) made it to the white, sugar sands of Seagrove Beach , Florida, where we've seen a lot of helicopters flying along the beach.  Strangely, that has been the highlight of the trip so far for you know who.  We'll report more as soon as possible, but we're having technical difficulties, so be patient.

Walt and His Buds

It was a friend-filled Saturday, which is just how we like them.

First, Clara came over for a bit in the morning while her Daddy went to the UT/Memphis game (you can guess which side he was rooting for from Clara's shirt).  Evie had to referee one little disagreement over who should get to play with the puppy blanket, but other than that, it was quite a harmonious visit.  In fact, we even had band practice, with Walt on the drums, Clara on the xylophone, and Mommy on the tambourine.  We'll let you know when we're playing a venue near you.

Then, shortly after Clara left, Daddy went and picked up Dedrick, Jr. (whose father Josh used to tutor) and his mommy and we all headed to the park for some playtime and then back home for lunch. 

Finally, we ended the day in the Lareaus' backyard for Meredith's 1st birthday party!  It was a big event that went on well into the night after Walt and Meredith were both tucked into their respective cribs and pack 'n plays.

Aren't weekends just the best?