Chrimbus! 2011!

And Santa was very excited about bringing all these toys, but also nervous the play kitchen would get stuck in the chimney.

Happy December!

It's been awhile, but at least we have an excuse - we moved! Yep! Moving with a toddler is a bit challenging, and we have been busy otherwise, so bear with us, please.
We celebrated Halloween and took Violet to Philadelphia Zoo's Boo at the Zoo. Our friends Mike, Amy and Isla joined us and we had a great time. Violet ran around yapping at the peacocks. (And was actually dressed up as one!)

She also met Liz and Chica from Sprout's Sunnyside Up Show!


She went to her friend Josie's first birthday and got to hang out with her friends Josie, Donovan and Luke!



We had a fabulous Thanksgiving with the same great friends. We are very thankful for them, our family and our healthy, happy daughter.
It can be difficult trying to remember what to squeeze in an update, especially since Violet has been doing so much.
She walks, runs, skips, dances, climbs. She can open doors, get off and on the couch and our bed. She now knows how to show you her belly button. She says, "Uh oh" when she drops something, but always picks it back up. She loves to cuddle, sing, be tickled and hang upside down. (We do this; she is not an acrobat...yet.)
She loves going to the park. Her favorite thing is the baby swing. We're going to try to squeeze in a few more trips while we still have some sunny days left.


Mirrors are her best friends these days. She LOVES herself. She flirts and laughs, waves, pretend cries at it - everything! Too funny!
Climbing the stairs is another hit these days. She is so fast and we are right on her trail. (Hardwood stairs with baby gates, don't worry, family!)


We will try to update more often!

1 Year Stats & All That Jazz!

Sorry for the lack of updates. Life with a busy one-year-old toddler does not allow much time for blogging. As we mentioned before, Violet started walking before she was 11 months old and she keeps getting better and better at it. She runs now and sometimes, when music is playing, it's more of a skip. Super adorable and sweet!

Violet had her one year doctor's visit with her new pediatrician. We were still going to one from back home, but finally decided to make the switch. Dr. D is kind, funny and Violet seems to like him a lot! Bonus! Here are the stats: She is 30 inches tall, 22 pounds, 11 ounces and in perfect health, save for some dry skin issues. We thought she had eczema like her dear old dad, but that's not the case. She had two shots and goes back for two more in a month. Of course, she handled them like a pro, as always. We are so proud of our Cuckoo Banana Bean. (Yet, another insane nickname in the Hurst household these days.)

(at the doctor's office)



Since her first birthday party, Violet has gone to the Philadelphia Zoo twice. We got a membership, so we plan on going once a week, if possible. The zoo is open all year round, so even if there's snow on the ground and we feel like visiting the polar bears, we can!


She also went to the zoo at Hershey Park (ZooAmerica) to see her friends and their families. It was a beautiful day and she had a great time.

We also celebrated her dad's 30th birthday. She loved the cake this time (and on her actual birthday - just not on the day of her party!) We decided that we will allow her to have a few bites of cake and a scoop of ice cream on special occasions.


These days, Violet is a huge fan of broccoli, cooked or not. (Just like her mom!)

She loves dancing and singing and all of her new toys from her friends and family at her birthday party. She loves books, too! She turns the pages and points out pictures and "tells us" what each thing is. She likes it best when we read TO her, though. We have her pick out which books she wants us to read before nap and bedtime. (And these days, it's always I Love You, Stinky Face and The Monster At The End of This Book.)

She likes to sing along with the Wiggles' Rockabye Bear song, too. She is learning the "sssh" part. Pretty adorable!


This weekend is Boo at the Zoo so we are heading into the city with our costumed cutie for some fun with friends. We can't wait for Halloween! We actually went pumpkin picking this last Monday. Violet picked a big one and we plan on carving it soon.



We have been keeping busy and having a blast with Violet. She is a joy to be around and makes everyday worthwhile. <3

HAPPY BIRTHDAY VIOLET !!!

We've had so much birthday fun already.  Violet had a photo shoot where she went bananas over balloons and bubbles.  She had a party where her friends came together to sing happy birthday and help rip open presents.  And yesterday Violet went to the zoo for the first time with her parents and Uncle Tip (is this fair to say? she already has an Uncle Tom (or Thom)).  She saw giraffes (real-life Sophie), polar bears, a rhino, the endangered Amur Tigers and other cats like Ender, but WAAAAY bigger.  Violet even met Igor the Amur Tiger, who taught her about recycling and conservation.  Today we are making music and keeping the birthday fun going.

Mom and I both wrote birthday notes for Violet on her special day.  We wanted to share them.

One year ago today, I met you for the first time. I saw your squished up, swollen baby face and instantly fell in love. I have been helping you learn and discover, watching you grow; having a ball smiling, dancing, laughing, singing and snuggling with you since. Thank you for making this the best year of my life, Violet. You make everything in my world much brighter and much better than I ever could have dreamed. I am so proud of you. I believe in you and I love you with every piece of me. You are my smart, sweet wonderful girl. <3

Love, Mommy <3 

Little baby Violet, turning 1 today.  We've had so much fun this year.  It was such a short time ago that you were squishing in my arms.  This year I've watched you turn into a little person.  I can't believe how much you've grown.  You're such a big girl and so smart.  I am so proud of you.  Today, Mommy and I got you a piano.  We want you to make so much noise.  Never stop making music.

Love, Daddy

Check out Violet's First Birthday album, below and on the side.  It is full of awesomeness.

Violet's First Birthday!

And here's a short video roll of Violet's first year.  Watch her turn into a little person, set to cool music.

MIA?

Missing in action? A little!
We promise to update the blog and Picasa web albums as soon as we can.
Chasing Violet around, playing and party planning!
Tomorrow is the party, so we will be sure to give an update soon. Her birthday is Monday and we plan on taking her on her first zoo trip, too!
So much going on! SO much excitement!
We're pretty pumped to celebrate with our family and friends!


Until then...

(Taken yesterday while out with Mommy!) 

12 - 1 = 11 (MONTHS, that is!)

11 months came way too fast. I just got used to calling her my 10-month-old. I might as well just start calling her my 1-year-old now because that is going to come, lightning fast! For the first 28 days of her life, she was considered a newborn. After that and up until she started walking, she was an infant. Now, she is a toddler. You read that correctly. She toddles all day long.

Violet has this way of gradually learning a new skill. At first, you're not sure if she meant to take a step or she just fell forward. Next thing you know, she is 'falling forward' halfway across the room. Lea and I exchange looks of shock and say, "I suppose she knows how to walk now." [Insert nonchalant shrug here.] Now a week later, she is a walking expert and we are considering entering her into professional walking tournaments (as soon as we find one. We may have to go international.) Typically a change in scenery is all Violet needs to advance to next level with speed and precision. One-up style. Change looks good on her. So do cloth diapers. ZING! (and a Tanooki suit.) 

Yesterday, Violet's new friend Isla came over for a swim/play date with her Mommy and Daddy. We all had a great time! Isla and Violet both loved the water. Isla is a little over a year old and is quite the explorer. She is very sweet, smart and beautiful. I love how she points everything out and then says "Hi" to it. We love her and her family already.

We've got a walker!

That's right! Violet is officially walking. She was taking steps each day, but now she can't stop, won't stop. She is quick, slightly wobbly and 100% adorable when she is on the go, which is (almost) 100% of the time she is awake. Because of this recent milestone, she naps and goes to bed at night even better than before! (She has always been a good sleeper, save for bouts of teething here and there.)
Birthday planning is in full swing. She turns 11 months in just a few days, so we have to get our butts in gear. Her birthday falls on Monday. Her party will be the Saturday before and we plan on taking her to the zoo for the first time that weekend as well.
This last weekend, we had to leave our place bc of Hurricane Irene. We went back to our old house, where Violet got to play in her old room.

"I used to hate this thing? Say what?"

"Hello? Sorry! Wrong number!"

After being in disposables all weekend, we are back and ready to hop back into cloth!

Here is just a small tidbit of Violet walking. I'd post more of her running around the room, but I've been too busy chasing her. Maybe her daddy can help out after work or on a weekend, so you can see. All of her grandparents have seen her on the move, so they can vouch for us/her. She is a fast one!



So she likes to fake clear her throat, say "Uh Oh" and talk on her "phone" and say, "Hi Daddy!" She loves clapping and power walking/wobbling and dancing.
We could not be more proud or happy. <3

Brief Random Update

Hi! I am messy but look at my teeth! I have 7 of them, you know! :)

Playing with her PBKids owl. She was using it's foot to touch EVERYTHING this day. She was sticking it in her stacking cups and trying to make the dog kiss it.

And of course, her new favorite thing in the world - her PBKids Anywhere Chair. She likes to climb it and jump from it, down onto her Boppy and blankies. This kid is a dare devil!

This child gets cuter and funnier each day, for real.
She points at everyone all.the.time. The cashier at the grocery store, the dog, people on television. If I say 'uh oh' she repeats it. (Even if someone on television says it.)

Are we seeing a pattern here? I think it's adorable and I do not have the boob tube on all day, everyday, but sheesh! New idea? Less shows, more music. She likes to bop. Bouncing up and down, shaking her head, and "singing" along to the music. (Yes, even if it's a commercial.)
::gulp::
It's not like I watch daytime soap operas, talk shows or reality programs with Violet. I don't watch them period. We dig anything Jim Henson around these parts. The Sprout channel isn't too shabby either, but it's time to cut back. A lot. Verizon FIOS does have a Toddler Tunes station that is actually not too bad.
It has been super rainy and stormy this last week, so I guess I am just experiencing a small case of cabin fever. Thankfully, Violet has been keeping busy by crawling, cruising the furniture and all of the usual things. She does take independent steps each day. (Yup, anywhere from 2-5 steps all on her own! Not quite walking yet, though!) Last night, she took 5 steps but it was more like she was running! Mike and I both got to see it together, which never happens. BONUS! :)
Violet went to her new friend Isla's first birthday party on Saturday. We did not get any pictures of them together, but they sure did have fun together! Isla is super sweet and likes to share. Her parents are pretty rad, too. (Bonus for Mike and I!)


Oh and if you're a CDer, check out this giveaway. We have a bunch of Fuzzibunz and they seem to work quite well! :)

Official 10 Month Pics

There is no such thing as sitting nicely for pictures these days. Not around these parts, Pilgrim.

Oh, andplusalso...

Just beachy!

My goodness it's been awhile! I feel like we are always saying that, but it's true. As time goes on and Violet gets more mobile, it gets increasingly difficult to try and keep up with the blog, pictures and videos.
We recently took a trip to the shore. It was Violet's first time and she did so well! We were gone from July 30th until August 7th. We all made it through the whole vacation! (We were fully prepared to cut the trip short if V was not having a good time, of course.) I'd say Violet made it out the best though. No sunburn like her folks and she even brought back some seashells! She loves water. At home, bath time and pool time = a breeze, so it was no surprise that she took to the ocean waves like a dolphin...kind of. She wanted to go swimming on her own! Don't worry - we held her close as we jumped through the waves. She crawled all over the beach. She had an inflatable pool set up that she splashed in. She did not eat the sand, but rather felt it with her fingers a lot, puzzled by its grainy texture. It was a wonderful experience! So we've got a beach baby on our hands for sure!


During vacation, Violet's 7th tooth made its appearance; she tried (and liked) pancakes for the first time. She also had the famous Cole peaches and plenty of other fresh fruits and veggies from local produce stands and the farmer's co op market close to the island. Speaking of famous Coles, she met and played with her new friend, Jonas, on the beach. They were incredibly cute together. It was nice to catch up with our old island friends. That place would not be the same without them.

Violet is no longer using a bottle and has the sippy cup in full effect. w00t! She celebrated her 10 month birthday while we were away. Here is her pensive beach pose. (har har)


Her new favorite thing is to hold up a random toy and pretend it is a telephone to talk to Daddy, or "Dat." Speaking of Dat, Michael and I celebrated on August 2nd. Yup. We started dating 10 years ago!
Now that vacation is over, it's time to start planning Violet's first birthday party. So while we are preoccupied and organizing a very small celebration for our very small (yet big) girl, we will be sure to pop in with random updates and pictures.

YouTube seems to be undergoing maintenance, so I will be sure to edit this when it's back up with a video or two! :)

This & That

Violet is very mobile these days. She cruises the furniture one handed and let's go to stand alone (by herself, not holding on to anything) for a minute or two at a time. She took FOUR steps the other day!!! Since, she has taken one or two steps, but she is still testing the waters. When she crawls, she is so fast!

She has also sprouted teeth #5 and #6. So her top four front teeth are in and her two bottom front teeth. She no longer looks like a vampire. ;P

We have a framed 8x10 photo of her up that was taken just before she turned 6 weeks old. If we say, "Say hi to the baby," she turns to it and waves and tries to say "hi!" It's pretty adorable, if I do say so myself.
The animals now let her hug them and pet them more and don't seem to be nearly as annoyed with her as they used to be. In fact, our dog Mona has become her BFF since realizing that whatever food Violet drops, she gets to nom on.
At her 9 month pediatrician appointment, the doctor said she is doing incredibly well. She is hitting her milestones early/on time and is healthy, happy and normal and we are more than happy and proud! :) Here are the stats: 28.5 inches tall, 20 pounds and 7 ounces.
This summer is breezing by, but we are having a blast and savoring each moment of Violet's first year. All of her firsts and each new milestone she hits truly amaze us. I know each new parent says these kind of things, but there is a reason for that! We've already started the planning for Violet's first birthday party. This may seem crazy to some, but time seems to go by so much faster with a baby in tow. Just trying to keep our bases covered. :)

'Til next time! <3