The Short One

I (Ginger) remember back in the early days of Walt's World when the blog's namesake was just a babe . . . we would somehow find things to post about on a daily (and sometimes more than once a day) basis.  Fascinating topics like diaper changes and swaddling techniques.  And you crazy people read them! 

Well, you may have noticed that poor Patrick (referred to around here as "the short one") is already suffering from second child syndrome . . . it has been more than a week since we've posted even a glimpse of him.   It's not that we don't think he's just as perfect and wonderful as we did his big brother because we absolutely do.  If anything, I'm enjoying his babyhood even more.  Maybe it has something to do with the fact that we don't plan on doing this again, so I'm savoring every moment.  Or maybe it's that HE SLEEPS ALL THE TIME.  Never underestimate the sweet factor of a sleepy baby.  You can just hold them and smell them and kiss them and they don't care!  They just go right on snoozing!  Who knew?  (Certainly not me after getting through Walt's first year.)

But back to the point, being that second babies often don't get much love in the baby book/blog department.  So, in an attempt to rectify that (for this week, at least) . . . here's what Patrick's been up to since last we posted.

First bath.  He was his usual stoic self during the experience.  He did give it to us pretty good the second time around, but the first time just seemed a bit perplexed.

Napping with Putty.  Nana and Putty came down last week to accompany Walt on his farm field trip to Marion, Arkansas, since I couldn't make it.  Apparently the farm wore Putty out.  Being alive wears Patrick out.

Story time with Daddy and big bro.  No time like the present to start learning about wildlife. 

Catching a few late afternoon rays on the porch this afternoon while Walt and I played Old Maid and Go Fish.  Aren't those the most beautiful chubby cheeks you've ever seen?  Yeah, I thought so.

Soccer Post

Walt is playing soccer.  

He loves it.

He occasionally gets some pointers from the sidelines.

And I'm not saying the two are related, but sometimes he scores. 

And Then He Has to Gather the Eggs

Look Who's Awake!

It doesn't happen often, but occasionally Patrick will deign to stay awake long enough for me to sprint across the den to grab the camera and snap a few pictures of him with his eyes open before he succumbs to the overwhelming exhaustion of life on the outside and goes back to sleep.  Which makes him pretty portable.  Case in point, he attended his first neighborhood soiree on Friday night when the Cooper Young Parents Network gathered in our next door neighbors' yard to cheer on the runners of the Festival Four Miler.

Patrick's there, but hiding out in the sling hanging across my body.  He slept soundly through the whole party while big brother Walt and his pals Meredith, Adam and Vincent encouraged the runners during the last mile of the race.

Welcome to the 'hood, P!

Brothers

This is Walt "protecting" Patrick from the Evil Evie Monster.

This is Patrick being very grateful to his big brother for saving him from the canine menace.

What's In a Name

As many of you have pointed out, this blog can no longer bear the name of only one of our two boys.  So, it is with some sadness that we must retire 'Walt's World.'  It's been almost five years.  We like to think we were blogging before blogging was cool, but who are we kidding?  This is still really nerdy, but when you live 200 miles from most of the people who think every hiccup and squeal is worthy of publication, the blog is the way to go.  Right grandparents?

So, here you have it: Boys in the 'Hood, the tales of our recently expanded brood of two excitable and sleepy male children.

Here's the excitable (orange balloons):

And here's the sleepy:

Thanks for reading.  Here's to five more years of blogging goodness . . . in the 'hood.

And Now a Word from Our Mommy

For those of you who come here for the clever witticisms of the resident daddy, I hate to disappoint you, but I figured it was time for me to speak up on the arrival of our newest family member.  And those of you who know me to be . . . well, a bit on the unsentimental side . . . prepare for more sap than you're used to.  I promise to quickly return to normal lest you send me back to the hospital for a good head examination.

I have always considered myself to be leading a fairly charmed life.  I had the benefit of growing up as part of a wonderful, loving family in a great small town.  I had good friends there and since making my life in Memphis have gained even more who enrich my life in so many ways.  I met the man of my dreams (yes, Josh, that would be you) while going to a college I loved.  I married said man and had seven wonderful pre-kid years with him to get to just hang out, travel, eat fancy dinners, watch movies (in actual theaters), and basically become an adult with him.  And those are just the highlights.  I'm not saying I haven't encountered any difficulties (and I expect there will be more along the way), but it has never been too hard for me to trust God with the details of my life because He has provided for me over and over again.

But never in my life have I felt more blessed than I have over the past few days.  I am overwhelmed with gratitude to God for entrusting Josh and me with these two boys.  When Walt was born, I remember being a bit skeptical that this floppy little lump of baby would ever be able to inspire the incredible feelings of parental ardor that I'd heard so much about.  This time, though, knowing how much I love Walt now seems to have increased my capacity for loving the tiny, squirming poop machine that is Patrick right now.  And as much as I wish he could stay this tiny forever, I also can't wait to find out who he's going to be and am honored to be on the journey with him and his big brother.  Charmed indeed.

Settling In

Is this the most popular older sibling/baby pose ever?

Pictures of the Day

Pretty boring, eh?  But quite handsome if you ask me, his dad.

Eagle-eyed observers will note the port from an IV sticking out from under his cap.  He's on a protocol of antibiotics because of a sketchy lab result, but no one is very worried that it is anything to be concerned with.  He's still an eating, pooping, sleeping, beautiful mess.  We hope to be able to take him home tomorrow, NFL opening day.  Titans-Steelers with Daddy and Walt.  Wooohooooo!!!

Pic of the Morning

Patrick has been sleeping soundly for most of the morning.  He had a good first night.

Daddy, on the other hand, found himself standing over the bassinet at 4:30AM with a veteran labor and delivery nurse looking over his shoulder.  I had been asleep at 4:29:38AM.  She had been working since 7PM.  Look, I'm no octo-dad or anything, but I've changed my share of diapers.  It's just been awhile.  She prodded, "Is he wet?  Have you checked him?  Aren't you going to change him?"  Me: "Uh, uh, where's Ginger?  Who's wet?  Who are you?  I don't know a Linda.  Whose kid is this?"  Let's go to baseball for an analogy . . .

Remember Nolan Ryan?  The all-time strikeout leader?  He pitched until he was 46-years old.  He's 62 now, and I'd be willing to bet he could still strike out about 30% of current major league players.  But you start him in a game in the Majors today, and he's gonna give up a few hits.  And if he played, you wouldn't see Tim Lincecum, the current NL Cy Young frontrunner, walk up to Nolan Ryan and tease him.  You know why?  Because Lincecum respects those that came before him.  And because he recognizes that ol' Nolan can probably still bring the heat with a little practice.

Well, I was Nolan Ryan this morning at 4:30AM, and Nurse "Hotshot" Linda was taunting me.  And she continued to taunt me, "[Baby talk] Is your daddy still sleepin'?  He doesn't know what hims is doing does he?  Look at hims trying to put that teeny tiny diaper on your little bottom.  Hims so clumsy."  If nurse Linda is around NEXT Tuesday morning at 4:30AM, I'm gonna hurl a 92 MPH fastball diaper change at her head.  Because give me some time, and I'll be back in top form.  But come on! Twelve hours after he's born?  I'm dead asleep, and you're taunting me?  My oldest is four and a half; I'm rusty.  Give me a break, Nurse Linda.  I'll see you in the playoffs.

A Long First Day

That 5AM alarm seems like it was about three years ago now.  So, I've got nothing witty to say, but I have two handsome and very loved little boys to feature on this blog from now on.  Without further adieu, we present Patrick Stephen Spickler, appearing in his first Photo Album on Walt's World.  ("Patrick Arrives" in the left column)

By the way, we're taking suggestions on the blog naming situation.  Submit your thoughts, ideas and suggestions for a new name for Walt's World in the Comments section.

Thanks for all of the calls, messages, emails, Facebook posts, Tweets and visits today.  We look forward to many more tomorrow and in the days to come.  We feel very, very blessed at the end of this amazing day.

Patrick Stephen Spickler

Born today at 3:53PM. 7lbs 15oz.

Mommy, Daddy, Walt and Patrick are all doing great.

Number Two

Here we go again.