11 Months

What...I'm caught up? Say it isn't so! Well, Crawford is eleven months old and I can hardly believe we have had him almost a year. Now I understand why my parents always said time flies. It doesn't always seem that way when you are a kid. Sorry Mom and Dad!

Well, then end of November was quite exciting. Maybe more for me and Greer than Crawford. Texas Tech has had an exciting football season and we has some friends over to watch the Tech/OU game. The game worked in OU's favor, but it was great to have our friends over. Crawford enjoyed playing with all of the babies. Logan, Bo and Tiffany's new arrival, joined us for the first time. Luke, John and Katie's little one also joined us. What a blast! Little babies everywhere!



Greer and I had the opportunity to see A&M play t.u. in Austin. I knew it would be a blowout, and it was, but we had a such a good time. Geep and Grandpa kept Crawford so we could take advantage of the last minute opportunity. Those tickets are VERY hard to come by and they were just too good to pass up. Mom and Dad met us there. Of course, it was a huge deal for me, everyone else was just along for the ride. I don't like to see the Aggies lose, but I like to see the Aggies. Crawford had a great time spending the night with Geep and Grandpa.


We were able to get most of our Christmas shopping done in November too. Of course the economy has everyone cutting back this year. Retailers are putting things on sale earlier than normal and we took advantage of the deals.



December was a big month for Crawford at school. He moved up to the toddler class. He is pictured above with Samuel on their lat day in the infant class. As soon as I put him down on the first day of Toddler Class all of the other kids SWARMED him. He didn't like it much. Crawford is still a little on the laid back side. He enjoys lying on the floor while the other kids around him walk, crawl, run. He doesn't feel the need to partake in all of those silly activities. "Why move when I can stay here?" he says. The teachers said he would get over that in this class. He cannot move up to the next class until he walks. We'll see! Anyway, that also means he has to win over a new set of teachers: Ms. Yolanda, Ms. Donna & Ms. Courtna. I don't think it will take long. His crib is in the back of the room again since he is new, but it won't be long before they see how great he is and move him up! He gets to participate in art now...


Greer was invited to go hunting at South Spur Ranch in Carrizo Springs, TX in early December. He was SOOO thrilled. He doesn't have a lease anymore so he jumps at the chance to go hunting. He got a new bow this year for our wedding anniversary. Hunting haters beware...Greer got a 275lb wild boar with his new bow. He was so excited. I will spare everyone the gruesome photo. He also got a doe so we have meat for the next year.

While he was hunting Mom (Mimi) came to spend some time with me and Crawford. We did a little shopping. A lot actually. Two days of non-stop shopping. Crawford was a champ. You don't realize how easy it is to get around with a little baby until they get older. They don't want to stay in a stroller all day and who can blame them. He was very patient with us though.

Santa came to Crawford's school for photos. According to the teachers Crawford was the only kid in the toddler room that didn't cry when he saw Santa. I think we can thank Grandad for that. Grandad is a big man and has a white mustache, Crawford loves to play with it. I think Crawford thought it was Grandad with more facial hair! Regardless, the pictures are cute! Did I mention Crawford's crib has already moved to the front of the room. The teachers are VERY fast learners.

Crawford is getting a little picky with his food. In his new class they do not puree the food, they cut it into small pieces. Well Crawford pushes everything around with his index finger to decide if he likes the texture. If he does, he MIGHT put it in his mouth. It is fun to watch but it can be frustrating when you are the one feeding him. He does like eggs most of the time though. He is the only one in class not drinking juice. I guess I am a mean mommy.


He says Daddy, Doggie and uh-oh now. We think he is also trying to say bye-bye and thank you. He also learned to shake his head no at school. We didn't teach him that at home but he sure has that skill mastered. It can be really funny if you are in the mood for it.


He is about 40th percentile for weight, 21.6oz and 5oth percentile for height, just under 30 inches. HE now has 4 teeth up top and two on bottom. It looks like a fifth is trying to come through on top. He doesn't like you to feel them. We can't wait to say he is one year old!


Merry Christmas!

10 Months

We vacationed in Colorado mid-October. While in the airport we happened to see Peter, Caroline & Maddy. They were moving to Houston and it was great to see them one last time before the move. We will miss them but know we will see them in Houston.

The flight to Denver was great. Crawford is becoming a traveling PRO! He stares down even the scariest business people God created and gets them to smile at him. It is great to watch. It reminds me of my business traveling days. I DO NOT miss that!

We went to the Denver Zoo as soon as we arrived. Crawford stayed awake as long as he could, not long. Greer and I enjoyed it quite a bit though. Zoos are such fun places, even as adults. We can't wait to take Crawford to the zoos in Dallas/Ft. Worth. Later that evening we drove to Dillon to set up at the condo. Geep and Grandpa had already taken a pack and play out there for us, so setting up was not very difficult. Colorado was quite a bit colder than Dallas so we had to go buy a hat and mittens for Crawford. The cold weather didn't stop us from having a great time. It did however make Crawford's nose run like an elite marathon runner! At the end of our trip, Crawford was very well aware what a box of tissue looked like and instantly turned his head upon seeing it. It made us laugh.


We did a little shopping at the outlet center in Silverthorne. Greer and I both bought a few new things. We didn't have a stroller with us but we didn't let that stand in the way of getting good deals. We took turns looking for clothes. We also went to the Ranger Station to check out possible hikes for Friday. Crawford fell in love with a little Raccoon puppet while there. I know raccoons are usually a nuisance, but this one was special and it came home with us. Crawford lights up like a Christmas tree every time he sees it. He hugs it tighter than I thought possible.


We enjoyed our hike the next day around a small lake. Once again Crawford acted like an experienced hiker. Maybe Greer is already teaching him the ropes. He slept through a lot of it, but Greer and I enjoyed the beauty. It is so nice to get away from everything and see God's work.


On Saturday we were able to meet up with our friends Rosa and Stephen...did I mention Lola? Well, Lola is Crawford's Colorado girlfriend. Rosa and I used to together at The Container Store. We went through our pregnancy together and she had Lola one month before I had Crawford. It was great seeing them. We hope to make it an annual thing.


On our way back to Denver we stopped to visit with Aunt Clara. We ate lunch together and Crawford loved all of the extra attention. We don't get to see her much so it was a really nice treat.


Since we were in Colorado in mid-October, we missed Scarlett's (Crawford's Dallas girlfriend) 1st birthday. I'm sure everyone had a great time. Scarlett was sweet enough to save Crawford a party favor. He still loves his little slinky. I hear everyone had a fabulous time though.

The week after we returned from Colorado I started feeling sick. After several doctor visits I found out that I had pneumonia. NO FUN! I can honestly say I have never been that sick as an adult. Greer had to be the primary caretaker and he did a great job. I didn't get to see much of little Crawford because we didn't want him to get sick again. Thankfully, my Dad came up to help us take care of Crawford and me. What would we do without our family??

Anyway, I missed Crawford's first Halloween party at school and Trick or Treating, but Greer and Grandad didn't let Crawford miss a beat. We had planned to have a Halloween party of our own, but we had to cancel it.


The last piece of news for October/November is the Susan G. Komen 3Day walk. As many of you know, I planned to walk 60 miles (along with other members of my family) to honor my Aunt Anne & Aunt Sissy. I wasn't able to walk due to the pneumonia. However, Team Dill Girls did a great job. Everyone on the team walked all 60 miles over a three day period. I couldn't be more proud, I just wish I could have been with them.


At 10 months Crawford was about 20 pounds 9 ounces and was 28 1.2 inches tall. Still crawls around if necessary, but he prefers to be pampered. He is eating a lot more these days. We try to give him a little of whatever we are eating, but he doesn't always appreciate everything we are giving him. He now throws things off his tray in protest. We tried putting his milk in a sippy cup and he let us know real quickly that was not an option. I think we are jumping the gun a little on that one. Anyway, that's all for now.

9 Months Old

Sorry it has been a while. I was really behind after I got pneumonia. I will try to completely catch up this week.


Okay, September...I'll try to remember as much as I can. While Greer went dove hunting, Crawford and I were busy going to birthday parties. We went to 2 birthday parties in one day. That was a big deal since it was Crawford's first experience with birthday parties. Caleb and Mia both had their first birthday. Mia's party was early afternoon. Crawford had a great time playing with Mia's toys...she has quite a few. I'm not so sure Mia was happy about Crawford playing with her toys though. She tried to climb into the excersaucer while Crawford was in it. Of course Crawford didn't care, the more the merrier! Caleb's party was in the evening and Crawford was a little tired. He slept through some of it, but good times were had by all. Caleb seemed to enjoy the attention and rightfully so. I can't believe Crawford is so close to HIS first birthday.



Later in the month Mimi and Grandad came to babysit Crawford so Greer and I could get away for our 5th wedding anniversary. While I realize it is good to get away from the little one on occasion, it is harder than I thought. Greer and I went the The Joule, a new hotel in Dallas. We had dinner at Stephen Pyle's and enjoyed every minute of it. However, Sunday morning, I was ready to see Crawford! I called my mom and Dad to make sure they knew we were heading home. I missed the little guy. Now don't get me wrong, it was great for Greer and I to spend some time together, but I am really used to seeing Crawford's sweet face in the morning. We came home and I couldn't wait to see him. He greeted me in a ho-hum manner. Clearly I missed him more than he missed me. At that moment though, I tried to convince myself otherwise. I know better now.


Well, October had its share of ups and downs. The first week of October Crawford was really sick. I am beginning to think he inherited my health gene. Although the doctor tells me all babies in daycare get sick this frequently...wait, so it is my fault either way...anyway. He had a viral respiratory infection with high fever. It took several trips to the doctor to find the right medication but we eventually did. Sick babies are so sad. It would be so much easier if they could just communicate!!

Well, Crawford did get better so we squeezed in a quick trip to The State Fair if Texas. Must admit, much different experience with a baby. Checking out the auto exhibit isn't nearly as easy when you are pushing a stroller everywhere. We enjoyed some tornado taters, a turkey leg and fried bacon. That was the featured food this year. A little salty, but I had to try it. We took Crawford to the animal exhibit. He's a little young. He did great at the Fair though. Reminded us of last year when little Scarlett was born.


We had our nine month check-up and Crawford is still right at the 50th percentile for everything. He weighed just about 20 pounds and was 28 inches tall. He was one the "big kids" in his class at school. He lights up every time Momma or Daddy picks him up, but he also lights up when he sees his teachers. He really seems to enjoy playing with the other kids. He is definitely much more expressive and is beginning to push himself around via the "army crawl." So much fun...

8 Months Old

I am still getting used to the fact that Huey is no longer with us. Crawford, of course, is oblivious which makes it easier most of the time.

Mom and Dad came to visit Crawford and me while Greer went down to Houston on business in mid-August. It was a whirlwind weekend. Mom was able to see what a good eater Crawford is...he loves his veggies. We even gave him some whole green beans to "gnaw" on. He did better with them than I expected.

He has officially won his teachers over at school. They are understanding what makes him tick a little more. When I drop him off they all chat with him like they are old friends. It is really funny watching him get to know new people. Some people he is just naturally drawn to. He is eating more menu food every week. He'll eat just about anything. We are even giving him okra now. No one from Texas should grow up without okra.

Crawford doesn't seem to be too interested in crawling yet. Several babies in his class crawl and Crawford doesn't seem to care. He does JUMP better than any baby I've seen though. He LOVES his jumper.

For Labor Day we went back to Elberta for a short visit. We sat on the neighbors porch one evening for a some wine and conversation. We are certainly enjoying getting to know everyone out there. One of the neighbors watched Crawford for a little while so we could spend some time working on the property. It was great for us to focus on our cleaning efforts without having to go back and forth between working and cleaning. Some days Crawford is very open to meeting strangers, other times he is little less excited about. He did pretty well on this trip. We did get in the lake one last time. It will probably be too cool to swim next time we head out there. One thing he discovered, he can pseudo jump in the exersaucer. It was so funny. Most babies play with the toys mounted on the excersaucer. Crawford didn't really care for his until he discovered he can bounce up and down in it. Greer and I had a good laugh watching him. While we were in East Texas, we drove to Daingerfield State Park. Greer has good memories of going there as a child. We hiked around the park. Crawford just hung out with us. It was cool. He seems to enjoy being outside regardless of the activity.

We hadn't been home long when we discovered Crawford had an ear infection. It was his first (that we know of). Poor little guy sure was unhappy for a few days. We went to the doctor and they gave us some medicine that Crawford LOVED. He would get so excited in the morning when I got his medicine ready for him.

He is making new face...squenching his nose. I didn't like it at first, now I think it is so funny. I'm sure he picked it up from me or Greer, but it is much cuter when Crawford does it. I also received my first wave this month. Of course I wave bye to Crawford in the mornings when I drop him off. He waved back. All of the teachers were excited and were saying"mom, he's waving at you." Now he does it about 30% of the time. It is sure cute. He also loves to play patty cake, this little piggie and itsy bitsy spider. They all garner cute chuckles. One thing that really makes him laugh...throwing treats to Aggie and Sam (our dogs). He laughs like it is the funniest thing in the world. The dogs might gain a little weight the next few months; at least we are getting some good laughs out of it.

Crawford went to his first Rangers game this month. Greer's boss treated the nursery staff to a baseball game. Crawford was a hit. He enjoys all of the attention.

We had some friends over for my birthday. It was our first big attempt to entertain (cook) since Crawford. We pulled out the china and made a really nice meal. We had a great time. We finished the evening watching Tina Fey impersonate Palin...that was awesome!

I guess that's it for now. It is hard to remember everything from the past 3 weeks. It's a little bit of a blur because of Huey. Crawford is still growing...up to 20 pounds and 28 inches long. I bought his Halloween outfit...I hope he can still fit in it come Halloween. I can't wait to post those pictures!