It's Always Sunny

Well, that's what I've been told. It must just be TV magic, because the weather has been nothing but gloom all week.

So it's been a while. The Hurst family is moving to Philly and we are in the middle of a big transition. The whole family isn't moving, just three specific Hursts. Though the weather has been gloom, we are all very excited to be here. Mom and I are coming back home, in a way, and Violet gets to grow up next to the big city. As a matter of fact, check this out. Less than a week in the big city and she's already making moves.



What's next, track and field??

We will be posting every chance we get (hope not sporadically!) There is much to be done when you're picking up your family and moving them 120 miles south.

Lucky Number Sleven

Yeah, I went there.

Violet is now 7 months old as of the 3rd. She does not have a well check this month but we are going in next week at some point for her vaccinations. (As we have mentioned before, she is on a delayed schedule.) We figure she is around 20 pounds by now. She surprises us everyday! She sits up on her own now and she pulls herself up on the coffee table, the couch, the chair - anything she can get her hands on. We "walk" with her a lot. (Hold her hands as she shakily takes each step.) She seems to respond vocally better and better each day, even though we cannot make out what she is saying yet, obvs.! Her rolling, scooting, inch worming and army crawls are improving but she is not full on crawling. Getting there!
In a week and a half, we move and everything is upside down for us but in a very good way! The temp living space should prove to be interesting, as it has a pool and a gym. (We cannot wait to see Violet splashing around in the water!) We will be staying in temp living until our house is sold, as we search for a new home to buy. There really is no other choice, bc Mike has a set start date. His company treats us very well, so I really ought not to complain. It is just a tad stressful and extremely time consuming.


Oh and I cannot forget, my friend Jenna has started her very own Etsy shop. Right now she sells hair accessories for baby girls, but will be adding more and more fun items (for boys, too!)
Check her out at Crabby Baby Boutique. We just received a headband and two hair clips and LOVE them! Here is her Facebook page and here is her Etsy shop! Happy shopping!

Hoping this post is finding you all well and of course MAY the 4th be with you (har, har.)

Let's squish in an update

Preparing a home to be sold with a baby in tow is more work than I originally thought, but them's the breaks.
We are organizing, packing and situating our belongings and bringing a few things up to date in our house.
Realtors, realtors, painting, finishing touches, etc. blah blah blah.

After many late nights and very long days, finally a day of awesome. After one of the realtors from the relocation company had left, my older brother, his wife and their four beautiful children visited. They live about 3 hours away. My younger brother was here to help paint. Later, my parents showed up. If anyone knows anything about anything here, you will know that this moment (at least for me) was long over due and very miraculous. I have no idea how it happened, but it did. Me, my parents and both of my brothers all in the same room together after seven years. It is complicated and I don't care to explain, because honestly I do not know the whole story and frankly, it is nobody's business, but I am HAPPY that it happened. Weird and awkward? You bet. Am I still a bit teary-eyed and overjoyed? Heck yes.

Anyway, here are some random pics, yo.

Peter Cottontail brought Violet some goodies! (I'd post what her grandparents got her, but it's only on video and it would take forever. It was like Christmas all over again!) Lucky girl! <3

Violet with Poppa Hurst

Violet with Grandpa Frable (She's kind of in love with his mustache!)

I have got to get some grandmother pics up in here! One day soon!



Violet and her little cousin Ellis
(Violet = 10-3-10 & Ellis = 10-28-10!)
SO cute!

Dancing?

El was mid sneeze! I LOVE this one!

Oh the cuteness!

You know you love their Apple Tree Boutique bibs!

All of the cousins!!!
Ellis, Lillian, Hartland, Violet and Grace

Such a beautiful family

Ellis, Aunt Ryan, Hartland, Grace, Violet, Uncle Rick and Lillian!

(I am not going to apologize for my double chin or the bags under my eyes along with the lack of makeup. I'm an exhausted, busy mom in the middle of a move. Just a warning. Deal with it! haha)

The Process of Moving

So we are all in the process of moving...

We are relocating for Michael's job (YAY!!!) and little Miss Violet has started to inch worm her way across our living room floor. She sometimes does the "army crawl" as well! She has been doing this the past few days. We have been so busy trying to get everything in order and keep up with her, so we have not had time to upload any videos of this. Soon, soon, soon!

When we are not busy with the move and hanging with our little adorable baby girl, we are catching up with (sometimes) crappy shows on our DVR list. (reruns of The Ben Stiller Show, Fringe - you know - the important stuff.) So yeah, we stay up late night to hang out together while Violet is all tucked in and asleep, since we are so caught up with everything else.

We will be trying to update as often as we can (if we don't go insane first!)

:)

A bunch of random

So 6 and a half months and Violet has developed quite a personality! She has always been expressive and friendly, but each new day brings new quirks and sounds - hilarity ensues. Our hearts are bursting and we could not be more proud of our wee, adorable sweetheart! She makes us laugh and love more than we ever could have imagined. I know every new parent says this, but there's a reason for that. It's true!

Each outing, we are approached by strangers and complimented on her cuteness and great behavior. I will admit, it feels good.

It makes me sad when I hear stories of negativity surrounding new mothers and babies. I am not one for unsolicited advice usually, but here's what we have learned so far:

Trust your gut.

She is our daughter and we know her best. We know what is best for her and for us and if someone questions or judges our decisions, that is their own problem/insecurity. Not ours. Violet is safe, happy and healthy and that is all we care about.

Trust your taste and interests.

Every parent and person is different. If that wasn't the case, how boring would the world be? We dress her up for special occasions. We like bright colors. Some folks dress their kids up everyday and like pastels. Do we hate or judge or think this is wrong? Heck no! Worrying about these things would drive a person mad. Calm down people!

Don't sweat the small stuff.

Everyone is going to have an opinion and they are entitled to them. If someone doesn't like what we're doing, they will get over it eventually. We have bigger and better things to worry about than mommy/daddy wars, baby and parenting competitions and things of the like. We are so over all of the Debbie Downers in our life and we are going to do what we want to regardless of what anyone else thinks says or does.

We let things roll off our shoulders, so to speak. We would like to teach our children to be strong and confident, functioning members of society who love themselves and others. We think the best way to do this, is to live by this ourselves. Hey, call us neutral, call us hippies, call us whatever you'd like. We are happy that we are loving, caring, kind and full of joy.


Just shake 'em off! (hahaha!!!)

We have been asked a few questions recently regarding pictures and videos - we are not professionals and we are not experts. This is okay by us! We never claimed or planned to be, but we do use a Canon PowerShot point and shoot digital camera. (It's our oldie but it works!) We use a flip. We are still learning the ins and outs of our D-SLR. We bought it in November and it is a Nikon D3100 with 1080p HD video capability. We simply have not had much time to devote to learning all about it. In due time!

Sorry we could not be of better help!

Alright, alright! Here's the cuteness!

She loves spinning around in her Fisher Price Little Superstar Step N Play Piano...

Standing up without Mom or Dad?!

Oops! She landed on her bum! Trying to get back up again!

Saw these in the store and decided to give them a try. She liked them! Seems like a great way to feed her on the go! (Yes, I still make all of her other baby food and yes I still BF. We just started stage two of solids.)

Violet is in her big girl car seat now! Here's the new digs! (Recaro ProRide in Envy)

Lounging with her teething paci, watching her faves. (Duh, Telly and Grover, yo.)

Waking up from naptime...

Nice kicks, right?

Hoppy Easter from Violet! (Daddy is responsible for this masterpiece! haha)

The stats (and maybe some videos?)

Violet did so well at her 6 month wellness visit. (She does at every visit, actually, and we could not be happier about this! She is happy and healthy, save for a few tears following a shot or two!)
Check out that bed head and the sadness!

She is 18 pounds even and 27 inches tall. That's like 72 quarter pounders with cheese...36 double quarter pounders. MmmMmmM! Do you know what they call a quarter pounder with cheese in Paris? I don't. And that's okay because I have no intention of visiting.

Since she is constantly babbling, I figured I'd put up a video to show off her "dadadas" finally. Here she is!




And in honor of her 6 month birthday, here is the song she was born to. Enjoy.



P.S. Here's one to lighten the mood, t-t-t-totally!

Happy Half Birthday, Half Pint!!!

That's right! Little Miss Violet is 6 months old today! We spent the day cuddling, snuggling, playing and singing. Tomorrow is her well visit with her pediatrician and we are excited to see how much she weighs, how tall she is and even what new foods we can start her on next.
More and more often these days, she is babbling and is still going on with the "dadada" and "babababa" talk. It is extremely adorable and melts our hearts! Her belly laughs and her little hugs are to die for. She is constantly holding her toys in her feet and often gets any sort of ring or loopy toy stuck around her arms and legs. She is quite the roller, too!

We don't always find the time to update here as much as we'd like to - we are trying to enjoy each moment with Violet!
Here are some pictures we took today.

Also, Lea has entered a giveaway. Check it out! EcoBabyBuys Blog Giveaway!!!