November in a Nutshell

A lot has happened since our last blog...and by "our" I mean "my" since I am the only one who ever writes.

John and I went on our first full weekend away from baby E. We celebrated an Ole Miss win over LSU in Oxford. We had a blast with the Frazures and the Millers sans children and the only minor fumble was that Elliott had a run-in with a razor blade while we were away.

We made our second plane flight to Lexington for Thanksgiving. No Valium needed this trip! Elliott was a champ and had a great time with his NeNe, Padge, Aunts, Uncles and Cousins. He discovered the joys of turkey and enjoyed all of his NeNe and Padge's cabinets.

I spend my days chasing after him these days. He has figured out that the house has more than one room and typically fills his days trying to find anything dangerous that he can get his hands on while my back is turned. He has mastered crawling and developed a gimpy crawl but still prefers to walk. He is up to 5 steps in a row and should be running by Christmas.

Daddy and Elliott survived a couple of days alone while I was in Chicago. I got to catch up with old sorority sisters and say goodbye to a beloved friend. Sadly my friend Colleen lost her 2 year battle with Clear Cell Sarcoma. She passed on Dec 10th and is being laid to rest today (my birthday). I think of all of those birthdays she helped me celebrate and on this birthday, her life will be celebrated. Colleen was one of those people who knew how to be a good friend (a rarity these days) and was truly a lover of life. She will live on in my heart always.

So on my birthday I toast to a friend.

Happy Holiays and Merry Christmas, coming soon...Elliott's first Christamas.

Ode to Dutchess

We lost a memeber of our little family about a month ago. Sadly, our big fluffy dog Dutch died of what we suspect was a brain tumor. We will miss you Big Girl. May you chase many a squirrel in heaven.

Fall in Texas - gearing up for Halloween

My little punkin head went to the Arboretum for photos in the pumpkin patch. Sadly he did not cooperate. He was more amused by the mulch and pumpkins than smiling for mommy.

The Sooner State or Bust!

Last weekend in Kentucky - this weekend, Oklahoma. Just throw in West Virginia and Arkansas and we have the punchline to every redneck joke.

Team Morelock took a road trip from Texas to Oklahoma for Aunt Bette's big 6-0. Baby E was an angel on the car ride to and from the Sooner state. Which made me and John very happy - no need for Valium this trip! John did not get a speeding ticket this time - probably because he made me drive.

Elliott stayed with his first babysitter that was not his Mere. He decided to wake up...which consequently woke up his 2nd cousins (Gunnar and Finely) which then ended up in each of the three sets of parents having to leave Aunt Bette's birthday party to go home to calm them down.

Elliott went to the park with Gunnar and Fin. He could have cared less about the toys - he enjoyed playing with gravel. He was very jealous of his older cousins ability to walk and crawl but he LOVED playing with all of Gunnar's toys. He was nice enough to not poo for 24 hours so upon our arrival at home he exploded all over his ultrasaucer - the whole bottom half of his body covered in poo. We had poo-covered ultrasaucer, laundry room, walls, baby, bathtub. While doing the de-pooing, Baby E decided to stand in the tub, slip and ram his head into the metal faucet. Good trip to Oklahoma - bad feces disaster at home.

Elliott Goes On An Airplane

Well folks we survived our first cross-country airplane ride with Elliott. Traveling to Kentucky was pretty easy because John accompanied us but on the way back it was me and Elliott solo. The panic attack that morning was calmed by a Valium. Not for the actual plane ride - but because I was so worried about being THAT lady with the screaming baby on the plane.

Tips for traveling with a baby

1) DO NOT accidentally leave him with his grandmother during security check or the whole line will laugh at you for forgetting your baby.

2) DO pee before you get on the plane - otherwise you will be forced to use the small plane bathroom with sleeping infant in your arms - he will wake up and you will be stuck with a overtired and fussy baby.

3)DO make sure that there is a weight restriction and 6 people get kicked off the plane so you and your baby can have a double seat all to yourself.

4) DO make sure you have a really nice father of a 14 month old sitting behind you who entertains your son during the whole flight whenever he starts to become fussy.

Elliott decided to cut his first tooth the day before we left so I went to the baby store and bought every teething toy they had.

He had so much fun with his NeNe and Padge and he got to meet all of his aunts, uncles and cousins. He had a blast and I got a well deserved break - though he decided not to sleep through the night the whole week - except for the last day of course. Just as he got acclimated we took off again for home.

All in all a successful first trip to Kentucky...soon to be repeated at Thanksgiving.

Reminder - must get doctor to prescribe Valium.

Elliott is excited to go to Kentucky!

We leave for our first trip to Kentucky on Sat. Elliott must be getting excited because he was such a happy guy today!

Our First Road Trip!

The Morelock Three just returned from our first family road trip. I would say "vacation" but it turns out that traveling with a 6 month old is FAR from relaxing!

Elliott discovered a love for the steering wheel, cold beer on his teeth (or lack thereof) and loved the cashmere and fur throws at the Driskill Hotel.

We drove to Fredrickburg on day one. It's a cute little German town with lots of shops and beer gardens. We stayed in Kerrville at the YO Ranch Hotel and I think it's safe to say that we won't be revisiting that hotel again. Day 2 we met up with 2nd and 3rd cousins for another day of cruising the shops. Then we were off to the River Inn in Hunt, Texas. We canoed, relaxed on the river, went down the flume and cooked out. Elliott enjoyed kicking his legs in the river. John and I did not enjoy the fact that Elliott reverted back to not sleeping during our 5 days away from home. It was nice to enjoy the "pretty" part of Texas that actually has trees and hills instead of the concrete city of Dallas. It's a safe bet that we will definitely return to the river when Elliott is a little older. One day he will LOVE to fish, canoe and play in the river all day.

We stopped in Austin on the way back so that John could work. Me and Elliott played in a fancy hotel called the Driskill in Austin. He loved the feather bed, cashmere throw and fur blanket. It was fabulous to end the trip at a fancy-schmancy hotel since we had been roughing it the previous 4 nights.

All in all it was a good trip....next trip - Elliott's first trip to Kentucky!

Rice Cereal!

Elliott is moving on up in the eating world! We are on to rice cereal. His first feeding he did pretty well. I went to put the spoon up to his mouth and he grabbed my hand and shoved the cereal in his mouth. He likes to eat that is for sure! Week 2 on rice cereal and he is pretty much a pro. The little piggy eats 4 tablespoons...he just cant get enough. He has tried 'nanas' too but so far rice cereal is his favorite.

An All-American Fourth of July

Last year Elliott was in the belly for the 4th....this year he got to enjoy the festivities on the outside. We started out the day with our annual trip to the Highland Park Parade. It is pretty much as All-American as it can get. People line the street of the well-to-do neighborhood all dressed in their red, white and blue. Families ride their bikes or tote their kid-filled wagons to watch local business', Highland Park cheerleaders and local "celebrities" on homemade floats toss out goodies.

After the parade we went to the Frazures to enjoy some fun in the sun. Elliott relaxed in the pool in his little floaty boat. He also went for his first dunk underwater. He was not a fan...but got better the second and third time. He was fast asleep by the time that the fireworks hit the air...maybe next year!