Your Regular Outdoors Man

I can't hardly get Walter to stay inside anymore! And honestly, I'm all on his side. This weather has been too beautiful to be spent indoors.

We went to the park the other day to eat our lunch. Walter's still not a huge fan of swings. Every time he's on one he starts signing, "all done!" and gets panicked. So after trying it again, he just sat "spider" with me on a big swing and enjoyed it a ton!

He sat in this tunnel for a long time. He thought it was so much fun. I started playing peek-a-boo by jumping out at him through different holes and he'd come up and kiss me.

He refuses to take his shoes off when he plays in sand. I don't think he likes the way it feels on his feet.

It doesn't matter where we go, Walter always seems to find water bottle caps! He loves to be helpful and throw them away. But when there isn't a trash can near by, he likes to be a tease and pretend to put it in his mouth, because he knows I get upset. This kid is already learning how be pull my strings. 

 I can't get over how brave he's becoming. He'll happily explore now when he's comfortable (as long as I don't get too far away). I have to remind myself that he's not just "my little, squishy baby" he's also a little boy who's developing his independence. Ugh, I hate it. 

Someone is ready for the beach! Walter got his new swimming suit in the mail the other day and loved wearing it around outside (since we don't have water, I figured dirt would work just as well, for now). 

 He's very helpful. He'll carry dirt from one part of the patio to the other. And sometimes he'll forget why he's holding it and will just plop it on the cement.

 This is the look he gave me when I asked for a smile... 

 In and out a hundred times a day.

 It seems he's aware that animals belong outside...even if they are in books.

I love this boy.

 Walter's Aunt Krista made him an adorable, soft quilt. Here he is cuddling it after his bath while we read books. Thanks, Aunt Krista!

Winter is over!

Walter's been busy this winter!

 Every Monday and Tuesday, Walter gets to spend some quality time with his cousin, Carter, while Robyn and I do "baby swaps" for work and school. At first, Walter wasn't a big fan of sharing his mom with another baby, but he's gotten used to the idea and loves it (as long as Carter isn't the only one getting a bottle before nap time, of course). Walter's a really nurturing boy. When Carter cries, Walter will get concerned and want to help. Sometimes he even cries himself--out of empathy, I'm sure.

Walter also loves it when he gets to spend time with his cousin, Esther. They're only a month apart in age, so it's really fun to watch their different personalities get along and play.
We went bowling this winter and it was so cute to watch these two get excited about pushing the ball off the ramp!

If you turn your back on these two for long, they'll find their way to an instrument to bang on. Must be in their genes or something...

Walter is a definite binky-baby. I've never really minded it, to be honest. He has his comfort items like I have mine. I try to keep it so that he only uses them when he's tired or sad (I don't like him to have them when he's happy, because then I can't see his cute face and he doesn't talk), but he's quite the sneaky boy! He'll magically "find" binkys that I had thought were missing or lost. I get the feeling he hides them...

 Walter is a huge helper! After every diaper change he knows it's his job to put it in the garbage (no picture, sorry). He absolutely loves throwing things away. Levi and I have made it a habit of checking the garbage for important things before we take it out. Walter's favorite things to throw away are: diapers, socks, ripped paper bits, wrappers, toys, sippy cup parts, etc.

I was boiling potatoes on the stove, but it was too hot for Walter to help me stir, so he went and got his own cooking supplies. He's Walter stirring his Mr. Potato Head Soup.

 Walter and I were starting to get very antsy! This Winter was too long. As soon as the snow melted, we were outside. Walter loves to play in the dirt! He'll take Francis outside and chase him around our patio. I love having a little enclosed space I can let those two go "wild" in.

For Levi's birthday, my parents got him a grill. Walter was so excited to help set it up! We've made some really tasty chicken on it for some family members. It's our go-to meal now.

Little Grill Master.

One of Walter's favorite things is having us put a blanket on his head so that he can walk around with it. I always think he looks like a little shepherd or something. He takes it very seriously.