Madness #19--that first word

So, we finally figured out what Marty's first word was.

See, for so long, he's been babbling like a brook, saying all sorts of things in his own special language. Several times we'd hear words that sounded familiar, and wonder if they counted as his first step into a recognizable vocabulary. He's said "gek-um" and "ba", as his proud and curious parents looked on, thinking he was saying "you're welcome" or describing his favorite rubber ball.

Nope. Funny that he usually only said those things right after we did.

Another mom, probably mine, explained that a baby's first word is the first word that they not only recognize, but understand how to use. Like they have to say it in the right context.

So even though Marty knows what it means to be "all done" and obediently brings me things when I ask for them, he has to actually say something to make it count as word number one.

That word finally graced his lips. Drumroll, please.

My son's very first official utterance? "Whoa". Seriously, why am I not surprised that my kid would be the one with such a weird first word? Write THAT one in a baby book. Add THAT one to his first-year scrapbook. Goo. Whoa.

It started when we were in Pennsylvania last month, and my crazy family tried to do a water balloon toss with all however-many-like-sixty-ish of us. Apparently every time the balloons were tossed, he'd respond at the appropriate time with a little "whoa". Shocked face and bug eyes and all.

Enter Marty's 30th birthday party at the Pecauts last weekend. We played cornhole, and every time a beanbag was thrown across the yard his little "whoas" would come out to play too.

Enter watching the olympics with my brother and his wife Sunday morning. Marty and I love all the water sports--swimming, diving, polo. Synchronized, though Marty would never admit that. Anyway, we were checking out the divers, and every time an athlete would hit the water, every time there was even the smallest splash, he'd yell a huge "whoa" from his high chair. And he had the best seat in the house, so he didn't miss a single dive. He'd even "whoa" the slo-mo replays.

Adorable. I'd say it got old after a while, but I'd be lying if I did. Still hilarious every time. You just have to see his little "whoa" face to appreciate the full effect.

So sometime, when he's around, you've got to either toss something or do a double-flip-twisty-bendy-somersault into a pool. And you'll get the cutest little "whoa" you've ever heard.