The Walcott Family Dot Com

Happy Valentine's Day 2012

noreply@blogger.com (L. Walcott) — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 02:11:00 +0000

I received a handmade Valentine today. Love that! I look forward to many more. On this Valentine's Day, I have included a few of the latest pics of the new love of our life, Miss Tily Jo.

Welcome Home Tilden Jo

noreply@blogger.com (L. Walcott) — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 16:07:00 +0000

We're home and overwhelmed with gratitude and happiness. Thanks so much for all your prayers and messages of congratulations. Here are a few more pics of of our family and our new little girl...

She's Here!

noreply@blogger.com (L. Walcott) — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 19:49:00 +0000

The Walcotts excitedly announce the arrival of

Tilden Jo,

born Sunday, February 5 at 2:50 pm.

She weighs 6 pounds and 10 ounces

and is 20 inches long.

Everyone is doing well and loving life.

Thanks for your prayers and support.

So the winner of the Walcott Family Baby Pool is...

and she would like you all to know that that she will not be forfeiting the prize, but will graciously accept and spend the money on Tily.

His Head Fell Off

noreply@blogger.com (L. Walcott) — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 13:46:00 +0000

What has been up with this winter weather here in Michigan? We haven't had much snow, and then the day we do get some we have a massive thaw the next day or so. Maybe you like that? We're not all fans over here. I have a husband who would love to snowmobile and a son who loves to play outside in the snow.  Bright doesn't understand why it so quickly disappears just after it arrives.
Last night Jon and Bright went outside for just a bit as the thaw had already begun, so they made a snowman; it's our first of the year. When we woke up this morning the snowman's head had already fallen off. Nice.
The weather people said this time last year was that massive storm that closed schools for three days. Wow! What a difference.  It might reach 50 degrees today.
I better get this picture on here in case we don't have many more opportunities for snowman making.

And just in case you were wondering, I am not writing this from the hospital. I do have a doctor's appointment today, but there is no baby info or plan to pass along at this point other than we're doing fine...just waiting to meet her.

Boys and Beer

noreply@blogger.com (L. Walcott) — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 15:35:00 +0000

Jon finally got around to brewing a batch of beer thanks to some prompting and encouragement from his brother Scott. Jon has wanted to do this for years and years. Scott and Jon each started their own batch last night. Here they are beginning what they hope will be two tasty brews. The big container of Jon's beer (well, it's not beer yet) is currently bubbling as I write this, and I'm told that's a good thing. We'll keep you posted on his progress and (hopefully) success.

Room is Ready

noreply@blogger.com (L. Walcott) — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 22:49:00 +0000

The baby's room is ready! It doesn't need much more other than our baby girl.
I'm 37 weeks today, and there is still plenty of time to enter our baby pool for a chance to win a $25 Amazon Gift Card.
Click here for the details.

Snowmobiling, Sledding and Snow Forts

noreply@blogger.com (L. Walcott) — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 22:31:00 +0000

A nice winter weekend brought a few inches of snow for us to play in. We headed north where I stayed inside, but the boys lived it up in the snow. They went sledding and built an igloo. Brighton went snowmobiling on two occasions; they were slow and short trips just to make sure he likes it and stays warm enough. He really likes it...go figure. He was so comfortable that on the second trip he actually fell asleep. Jon supported him as they meandered their way back. Jon carried him in, and Bright took a two hour nap in his snow pants. All this fun snow stuff wiped him right out. Hope you had a fun weekend too!

Walcott Baby Pool and Prize

noreply@blogger.com (L. Walcott) — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 01:09:00 +0000

If you haven't seen me lately, here I am...

I am 35 weeks pregnant today. The nursery is nearly completed. I think we have a name selected. We are very close to ready, and even more excited to meet our baby. So naturally it's time to begin our baby pool. All of our readers are invited to participate. The prize is a $25 Amazon.com gift card! We are using ExpectNet.com to host our pool. Our game is titled: WalcottBabyPool or you can link directly to our game below.

In order to win, you want to earn as few points as possible. You will earn points in the following ways: incorrect gender - 400 points, date and time - 5 points per hour, weight - 5 points per ounce, and length - 10 points per inch.

If there is a tie, we will use the hospital room number as a tie breaker. Jon and I already recorded our guesses, but we are not eligible for the gift card. The pool will close in four weeks or earlier if our family is complete before then.

Happy Guessing! Good luck!

Ice is Nice

noreply@blogger.com (L. Walcott) — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 01:05:00 +0000

Well, in this case it was. The city of Holland hosted an ice sculpture competition this weekend, so we decided to go downtown and check it out. It was quite impressive and only a bit chilly.

Snow is Here for the New Year

noreply@blogger.com (L. Walcott) — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 23:39:00 +0000

Getting Ready for Baby Girl

noreply@blogger.com (L. Walcott) — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 14:13:00 +0000

We hope to wrap up the nursery for baby girl this coming week. We decided to make just a few changes and of course make it a bit more girlie. Brighton wanted in on the action, so we didn't get really far on this night. I'm just now 34 weeks, so we have a bit more time yet.

Christmas 2011

noreply@blogger.com (L. Walcott) — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 14:39:00 +0000

Sending Christmas Greetings

noreply@blogger.com (L. Walcott) — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 12:30:00 +0000

Santa Progress at OBI

noreply@blogger.com (L. Walcott) — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 12:15:00 +0000

We gave Santa one more try at Ottawa Beach Inn. We did not approach Santa to sit on his lap, but Brighton hesitantly allowed them to approach us. He knew this Santa was not his daddy. At least we've made some Santa progress.

Free Trains

noreply@blogger.com (L. Walcott) — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 12:00:00 +0000

The Holland Modular Train Club has done a FREE train show at the Zeeland Library the last couple years, so we thought we better go check that out. Great Grandpa met us there, and there were many others there as well - busy place. It was quite the set-up. They took our picture, and we were told it would be with their pictures linked to their website at some point, so I'll keep an eye out for that. It runs through Thursday yet from 6-8 pm if you're interested.

Two Times This Year

noreply@blogger.com (L. Walcott) — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 02:21:00 +0000

Auntie JoJo took Brighton to the Critter Barn a couple weeks ago. Another trip to the Critter Barn was planned for this past weekend with many of the Walcott clan. Jon and I even got to go; neither of us had ever been there. A chicken did not poop on Brighton this time, but I suspect that is what made him a bit nervous this time. We experienced the animals as well as the live nativity. It was a great way to experience and celebrate Jesus' Birthday.

He is lovin' his new turf

noreply@blogger.com (L. Walcott) — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 01:32:00 +0000

Brighton moved into a new bedroom downstairs in preparation of us needing the bedroom next to ours for the baby. We weren't sure how it was going to go, so we've been talking about it for quite some time. We got his bedroom ready and then made the move, and we are so pleased to say that he is LOVIN' it. He even is using a different bathroom, and he thinks that is cool too. Everyday he plays in his room at some point as well. He even knows that his old room is for the baby, and he is cool with that. I was really nervous about all of this, but it really couldn't have gone any better. Yahoo! Check out my guy and his new turf...

WOHS Lipdub 2011

noreply@blogger.com (L. Walcott) — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 00:52:00 +0000

Wow! So very proud to teach these students. The lipdub this year turned into a major school event with lots of student participation. The WOBNers planned, organized, and produced this - very impressive. It premiered today at the Month of Caring Holiday Assembly.

Early Morning Snow Fun

noreply@blogger.com (L. Walcott) — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 14:49:00 +0000

There was a snowy surprise this morning when we woke up. Brighton asked to go play in the snow over and over since 6:30 am. I finally gave in shortly after 8 because who knows how long it will stick around. It took us some time to get bundled up, and my normal outdoor gear doesn't exactly fit, but I figured things out. I had Brighton all dressed; he went out and made some footprints on the driveway, and then came back and said he had to go to the bathroom. Seriously, one minute after I sent him out...go figure.
It's chilly out there folks, so the first fun in the snow of this winter necessarily concluded with hot chocolate. Good times!

Look What I Found Under My Bed

noreply@blogger.com (L. Walcott) — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 14:48:00 +0000

A Chicken Pooped On Me and I Saw Baby Jesus

noreply@blogger.com (L. Walcott) — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 14:00:00 +0000

If Brighton were writing this post, the title is what he would write. It's actually what he told me about his morning, and that's about it and in that order too.
He went on a fun outing with Aunt Jordan and friends to the Critter Barn. No pictures of the chicken poop, and he apparantly handled it all pretty well. Wish I could've seen that one.
Thanks Auntie JoJo!

We LOVE this Santa

noreply@blogger.com (L. Walcott) — Sat, 03 Dec 2011 13:44:00 +0000

Our second try with Santa this season went much better than the first. It took him some time, but Brighton figured out that this Santa was his Daddy in a costume pretending to be Santa - NOT the real Santa :)

Jon took it upon himself to buy a costume and be Santa at an extended family party this weekend. We thought it was great! I think this Santa will be stopping in for years to come, and that makes me smile.

Photo Credit: Walcott Imaging Photo Booth

Yup, I Made These

noreply@blogger.com (L. Walcott) — Sat, 03 Dec 2011 13:12:00 +0000

Well, actually my sister and I did these. II couldn't have done these cute little snowmen without her.

I've had some extra time on my hands, so I've been spending quite a bit of it in the kitchen. This week I've made caramel corn (much bigger job than anticipated), chocolate chip banana bread, chocolate dipped pretzel rods (with nuts, sprinkles, or crushed candy canes), and of course these cute snowmen.

Jordan and I had a great time with no major incidents except that we had difficulty with the candy canes for the pretzel rods, so after lots of effort, my sister finally drove over them with her car. That worked :)
If you know me at all, you know I've never done anything like this before in my life. I guess there's a first time for everything.

And thankfully, I'm not eating all of this myself. I don't need to add too much stuff like this to my already growing body. It's the season of giving, so It's a good time of year to be spending some extra time in the kitchen.

Parade of Lights 2011

noreply@blogger.com (L. Walcott) — Sat, 03 Dec 2011 13:02:00 +0000

I was anticipating lots of cute pictures from the Holland's Parade of Lights this past week, but this is it. Our little guy has been playing hard, sleeping less, and fighting a mild cold. He fell asleep in the garage on the way to the parade; he then slept through the entire parade (sirens, drums, horns, etc.). Jon woke him up when we thought it was about half way, but it was finished, so he saw the last two parade participants. By the way, nice parade, but where was Santa? Was he supposed to be there? We missed him.

Santa 2011 Take One

noreply@blogger.com (L. Walcott) — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 17:51:00 +0000

We're going to have give Santa another try this holiday season as this "Take One" didn't go so well. We talked about it in advance, got excited, and practiced what we were going to say, but the kid absolutely panicked. This is the one picture we were able to take, so I'm hoping at some point we can get another one even though this one sure does tell a story.