Happy Halloweek!

And what a week it was! Kicked it off by celebrating Violet losing her umbilical cord, finally! (Or her baby jerky, as my friend Monica's husband has deemed it. I like it. I am going with baby jerky.)

So our big girl got her FIRST "real" bath! (No more sponge baths and alcohol swabs!)

She also grew right out of NB sized diapers and is now in 1s. I am devastated by this. Wasn't I just coming home from the hospital with a 7.5 lb. baby yesterday? (Yes, she dropped 10 oz. after birth.) She has had her first doctor's appt. She is up to 8.3lbs. now and looks different everyday. New facial expressions, new movements, new sounds, etc. I know everyone goes nuts over their baby, but wow! I believed them, but experiencing this all first hand is mind blowing! I wouldn't trade it for anything, but I do wish time would go a little slower, at the very least!


We brought her to the cider mill, but did not stay long. It's been chilly here in PA! And yes, I totally wrapped her up in a cashmere pashmina.


Oh yeah, this is Violet in the back seat. I took a picture of her in her little mirror. She waved, of course! :P


Violet's first Halloween was a hit! This little lady was Princess Leia. Daddy was Chewbacca (sort of and I was sort of a cat.) We even found Mike's Ewok, Wicket, from when he was a wee tyke for Violet to hang out with.


Our families came over to celebrate with us, some to meet V for the first time and to enjoy food, fun and each other's company. Halloween is our favorite holiday by far and Mike would like to treat it as if it were Christmas, almost. He wants to teach V about The Great Pumpkin. (We watched this twice in the last two days and Mike read the book to her. The party in it is thrown by a girl named Violet! heehee!)
The Great Pumpkin (Mike) brought her a Glow Worm! It really was such an amazing day. Everyone was so helpful, not to mention generous. We only got three trick-or-treaters - it was so cold out - our two next door neighbor kiddos and another little girl. (Neighbors were Velma and Scooby

and the little girl was a purple crayon...hello Violet's SECOND Halloween costume! How fitting!) Needless to say, these kiddos lucked out and got a boatload of sweets out of us. Hyperactive, sugared up little ones! Sorry parents! We will be in your shoes before you know it. After everyone left and we were winding down, the neighbors came back. They gave us money and a scratch off lottery ticket that was already scratched off and was a $5 winner. (The neighbor said that her uncle gives out winning scratch offs as treats!!!) I can't believe how kind and sweet they are! I love them and their daughters. So good to know we have such warm, caring people around us. (Not bc we like presents - it's too gracious and we do not ever expect these things - but bc of how thoughtful everyone is. Melts my heart!!!) My mother bought her four Dr. Seuss books, along with huge stuffed characters from the books. (Yup, the Grinch and Max are included in this new posse!) See? Her first Halloween has already been like Christmas, right? Our other relatives hooked her up with adorable clothes and goodies. We definitely said no gifts and to just come and party, but wow! We more than appreciate it!

Violet also received her first international package, care of our former roommate Kelly, all the way from Belgium.
She also received a gift from her friend *A* from Florida!!! He is a wee baby, too!

We celebrated Uncle Thom's Golden Birthday (27 on the 27th!)



We also have a new nephew and are extremely excited about this! (No picture, as we would like to respect their privacy, but we assure you he is gorgeous and we are over the moon/on cloud nine!!!)

As you can tell, we've been busy people! October is certainly our month!

***check the albums on the side of this here blog for updates! We will try to add more, more frequently!

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'Sup penguin? 'Sup seahorse? 'Sup polka dots?

Violet is 3 weeks old today and she is living the life.  Her schedule is filled with eating and sleeping mostly, although she does find time to turn new bodily fluids into projectiles. My proudest fatherly moment thus far has been catching her first projectile vomit all over my chest. My father, V's Poppa, got to hold her during her first diaper blow-out. Lucky guy. I can't wait ‘til these events turn more...sophisticated. For now, these are the types of milestones I look forward to and I'm loving every second of it. Besides, who says I'm not going to catch another batch of vomit when she's a teenager?

Violet currently enjoys ninja moves, eating, looking at new shapes and sleeping. When she sleeps, her posse rolls 4 deep. She's got her UDP (pronounced 'YouDaPee') watching her back. Her seahorse lays down phat beats (and bubbly sounds!) and her polka dots just hang out, with the sole purpose of being awesome. Imagine seeing polka dots for the first time! You were probably amazed, too. When she wakes up, it's either time to eat or practice ninja moves. Her signature is the deadly double karate chop.  There is little warning before it strikes, and it can slice through human bone.

Happy Hurstober

Happy Hurstober

So, life is great and I am quite a lucky woman! As you have read, Miss Violet Henson Hurst has arrived, safe and sound, and we could not be happier! Here it is, one week and one day later and we are all alive and well. Everyone keeps asking us how we are sleeping. We are sleeping quite soundly, since coming home from the hospital. (The beds there were quite uncomfortable and the healing process is never a walk in the park, but my daughter is here now, so I ought not to complain!) Mike is such an amazing father, as I always knew he would be. In fact, he is in the other room reading Violet a story right now. (Winnie the Pooh, which he just exclaimed, "...is insane!" Maybe he's on the acid trip elephants part???)
Aunt ChiChi (my best friend, Cherie) paid us a visit this evening. It warms my heart, as cheesy as that may sound, knowing I have such loving and caring friends being a part of my daughter's life. It's been a stormy, long day and we are relaxing with some hot tea, some trail mix we just made and anticipating tomorrow's visit to see Great Grandma Archer. Poppa and Nana Hurst are coming over for a visit, too! Uncle Thom will be here for a night of television, baby-staring and nachos. (This boy has seriously done so much for us, including our grocery shopping and cooking - I really could not ask for a better helper! He is always there for us and has kept me company through the last 10 months and always, really, but I would be lost without my brother.) <3
Mike has joined me in living gluten freely. I must follow diet restrictions due to CD and he pretty much was on this diet already, but since Violet's birth, I have been keeping it super strict (which can be difficult) and recording everything in a food diary. The lovely dietitian at the hospital has been such an amazing help. (She even sent me a chart to convert wheat to potato/rice flour!) I know not everyone may be familiar with CD or its complications and side effects, but just know this - making a big deal over different flours can be a life saver! Truly! Also, since he has made the switch, I am finally having less symptoms. (Even walking into a regular, non-GF bakery can set me off into a whirlwind of sickness...weird, huh?) I wouldn't be walking into one of those anyway, but just sayin'! Uncle Thom even made us homemade GF macaroni and cheese last night! Mmmm comfort foods minus all of that "bad" (kinda!)





This month seems to be flying already. With Violet's arrival, Mike's birthday, our 5th wedding anniversary, my upcoming birthday and Halloween...phew! We are already quite the busy trio!
Again, I am not as creative as my sweetheart/better half and only have a few moments to pop in and update, but I thought people might like to know how we're doing. (Or at least I hope they would!) :P I would get more into the whole feeding, changing and drooling of it all but will spare you the adorable "poopy story" details...for now!
Back to listening to this monster of a storm, tales of Pooh and baby coos. <3

The Blower's Daughter

This is the story of my daughter's arrival, as I remember it.


Oct. 2nd, a Saturday

@ 8:00a, Lea wakes up to a contraction

This is exciting.  It's our very first sign that Violet is ready to meet the world.  But we are cautiously excited since many mothers can have false labor signs that seem real.  We counted down the weeks and the days.  We counted 'til autumn, 'til Libra was in the sky, and 'til October.  I can still vividly remember Lea calling me into the bathroom to read the pregnancy test and the tears in our eyes when I did.  Could it finally be time?

@ 5:18p, regular contractions start

On and off, all day we'd been timing and recording contractions.  This was the first of the series we'd counted towards the 5-1-1 rule.  They are not ultra-regular, coming between 5~8 minutes apart, and not lasting the full 60 seconds.  But what DOES go by the book?

@ 6:32p, called Dr. Green

One hour of somewhat regular contractions has passed.  Dr. Green is on the phone.  Lea mentions she's not sure it's real because the contractions don't hurt as much as she expected. He said to head to the hospital, take your time and grab a bite to eat, no super rush.  We are running around the house, cleaning ourselves up, making sure we got everything (*spoiler* we remembered to bring it all), taking care of the dogs.  Before we leave, we take some final pictures of us as 'two', before we will become 'three'.

@ 7:00p, on way to hospital

I'm downing two travel mugs of coffee, somewhat speeding.  There is no immediate rush and there is no traffic.  The scenario I had in my head, speeding down the shoulder in grid-lock traffic with a police escort, is not played out.  Lea is feeling a bit stronger contractions.

@ 8:00p, in triage 1 with RN Lisa; admitted

We meet Lisa P, the RN who will be by Lea's side throughout the entire labor and delivery.  She has soft voice and a gentle calmness.  She is excellent at calming and guiding Lea.  She reminds us of a friend.  After being monitored for 30 minutes or so, Lea is sure we are headed back home but to her surprise is admitted.  We are on our way to the birthing suites, knowing that by the time we leave we will be parents.

@ 9:30p, Dr. Green arrives; breaks bag; 5cm

Dr. Green enters the room, calling out from the hallway as he soaps up his hands. A light-hearted air follows him.  We talk a bit about the evening, his remodeling project and Lea's contractions.  After an exam he informs Lea that she is well underway at 5cm.  He will now break her bag of water to speed the labor along.  Before proceeding Dr. Green cautions that he may pinch his finger in the process.  He then marches forward with the procedure without regard for the momentary discomfort of his fingers.  During this process I see the "eyeballs" utilized.  These "eyeballs" are two ceiling-mounted domes which each contain a spotlight mounted on a pan-and-tilt mechanism.  They automatically track an IR wand to focus their light exactly where it's needed.  The Dr. breaks Lea's bag.  Both Lea and the Dr.'s fingers are fine.

In the meantime Lea's contractions have been coming hard and fast.  Lea is trying to breathe through them and bide her time 'til the blood work clears for an epidural.  She is doing an amazing job.  The only comfort I can give her is interpreting the machine measuring her contractions.  During a contraction I'd imagine the pain would seem to have no end.  I could at least ground her thoughts and give a countdown until it's over.  Through all the pain she is still excited to take pictures.  We have an iPod hooked up to the TV.  It is playing a special playlist that Lea prepared on repeat.

@ 11:45p, epidural with Dr. Mike K

Dr. Mike shows up to take some of the pain away, but not without inflicting his own pain first.  He mutes our iPod.  I'm still not sure if he needed silence or he just hates The Cranberries.  I stay in the room to hold Lea's hand.  Dr. Mike inserts the catheter.  Lea cannot flinch or make a sound though she feels everything worming around her spine.  Dr. Mike takes a mulligan and begins his second attempt at placing a catheter.  This one takes and Lea finally gets some relief.  She questions perhaps she received too much relief as much of her right side goes numb.

Now Lea can relax and save her energy reserves for the greatest test that lies ahead.  For the time being she can "labor down," only vaguely aware of her uterus.  Time to enjoy some ice chips and some Built to Spill.


Oct 3rd, a Sunday

@ 1:10a, Lisa does exam; 8cm

Lea is progressing along, getting closer.  Violet is almost here.  It is almost time to push and bring this party to a close.  The pain medication is wearing off.

@ 2:30a, cervix gone; Lea pushes for 1 hr

After another exam, Lisa tells Lea that she is fully dilated and ready to push once the urge strikes.  Lea does her best to push, but only Lisa can see her progress.  I am so proud of her.  She is witnessing her anxieties of labor vanish with each experience.

@ 3:30a, Dr. Mike returns with more meds

Here comes some relief after an hour of intense pain.

@ 3:50a, Dr. Dave visits with even more meds to bring blood pressure up

Lea's blood pressure drops slightly.  Honestly that blood pressure cuff had been bothering her the entire night.  Dr. Dave, another anesthesiologist, injects more meds to control her blood pressure.  The cuff is now mocking her, but she gets the upper hand.

@ 4:40a, Lea starts pushing

This is it, the final leg.  39+ weeks of preparation coming to a close.  Lisa holds one leg while I support the other.  Lea pushes with every contraction, rarely taking a break.  She is doing such a great job but not giving herself credit.  At the time, Lisa is the only one who knows how Lea and Violet are progressing.

@ 5:45a, Mike sees Violet's head

I can see the top of Violet's head.  It's so amazing but all I can do is raise an expression to Lisa.  Lea is freaked out to hear which body parts are where and is content in just pushing until the pushing is done.  Each push brings Violet's head further and further down and I can't help but feel amazed watching the entire process.

@ 6:25a, Dr. Green arrives

Dr. Green strolls in, awake and refreshed, and begins to suit up.  We have seen Violet's head come so close.  The Dr. decides that using a vacuum is the best way to help Lea push Violet across the threshold.  He informs us of the risks and prepares his equipment.

Once setup, Dr. Green pulled and guided Violet's head with the vacuum while Lea pushed.  She pushed for one contraction, and then a second, and then...

@ 6:35a, Violet arrives; "I can't take my eyes off of you" is playing; 7 lbs, 15.5 oz, 20.5 in

Time stands still.  "The Blower's Daughter" by Damien Rice is playing.  It couldn't be a more perfect song.  The first thing I see is the back of her head.  As the Dr. slowly turns her around I see her face.  It is the most amazing and unique experience.  All the preconceived notions about what she would look like are gone in an instant and I immediately recognize her face as my darling daughter, Violet.  I am still speechless.  Dr. Green may be talking, but Lea and I are just staring at our new daughter.  They place Violet on Lea's chest to hold and I take the first pictures of my new family.  I see my beautiful wife as a mother for the first time.  She whispers into Violet's ear, "hi beautiful, I love you."  As the nurses take Violet away to be cleaned, Lea tells Dr. Green "we only need to do this three more times."  He laughed and suggested we take our time and don't attempt a three-for-one.

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