Totally ARM'ed (or Splish Splash Clap Clap)

Totally Hurst is totally armed with cuteness...

and with ARM processors (har har). Violet's awesome videos are now shot, edited, and uploaded with the iPhone. And aside from her monthly photo shoot, her pictures are now coming from the iPhone as well, directly into Picasa. And when we're blogging on the iPad, I never have to touch a dirty Pentium (except professionally, it's my job to touch x86 all day long). As proof, auto-correct has no idea what a Pentium is and suggested I was attempting to type penguin.

They say, "the best camera is the one that's with you". Our point-and-shoot and Flip cameras are cursing the insightful bastard that came up with this as they collect cob webs in whatever drawer they've been banished to.

And now, without further ado, I present SPLISH SPLASH and CLAP CLAP.





And check out Violet's 6-9 month photo album ( <== over there). It's a hoot!

New Toy!!!

Violet went shopping today and got a new toy.

A friend had recommended this to me and I am so glad she did, because Violet is in love with it (so far!) We took a video of her first reactions to it because it was so sweet. Since then, she has stood up with it and pushed it around (with Daddy behind her of course!) Going to have to try and snag a video of that one day, too, I suppose. (For proof and to show the grandparents how fun, funny and cute she is with it!)

Enjoy, family! <3

Just Keep Swimming (Into 8 months!)

On Monday, Violet took her first dip in the pool. We told her it was the Big Bath so she wouldn't get too freaked out. It worked! The weather was scorching and the water was warm, so she did not mind being dipped right in. It wasn't long before she discovered splashing. After that point, it was a nonstop splash fest. Toward the end, she decided to dive head first into the water, but I said, "Whoa there MichELLE Phelps! Baby steps!"
We ended up getting the first dip and first splash on video for the grandparents.



On Friday, Violet turned 8 months old. She has been zombie crawling so quickly, it's like 28 Days Later up in here! She started getting on all fours and rocking so it is only a short matter of time, we hear, before she is officially crawling like a big girl. Currently, I am dictating this blog entry because I am busy walking with Violet back and forth across the living room. (Her hands are in mine as she puts one foot in front of the other.) She has been doing this for awhile but now she seems to want to do it all the time. Lea and I are going to get her a stand and push baby walker to help her out.
Her first tooth has popped through but she's like Violet Incredible (powers of invisibility) when it comes to tooth pictures apparently. No we did not name her after a cartoon character or anyone actually (except for her middle name.) It looks as though she might be sprouting a few more teeth in the very near future.

 Oh hai bunny! 

Violet has three plushie bunnies from Oh My! Ophelia that Lea bought from her talented friend. 

Violet is in love with them!
(Here is one of them in this first picture)

Happy!

Behaving!

Whatchoo lookin' at, Dad?

Happy Part II!

Update on the update!

I know Michael updated the other day and posted a video of Violet's second time crawling (the video is from the beginning of last week) but I thought I'd squeeze in a tiny update here, too.
We have been in our new apartment for nearly two weeks now. We will be here until our old house sells and then we will buy a new house.
Violet loves it here so far! It's bright, sunny and we are next to the Valley Forge National Hostorical Park. It is big, beautiful forest area. The complex itself has a pool, a gym, walking/biking trails and is pet friendly (a BIG plus!)
We really missed living in the Philly area. To us, it really feels like home. We lived here while were dating, when we got married. We feel like we grew up here together, in a sense.

We had an amazing get together in the D.C. area last weekend with some of my mommy friends and their beautiful babies and children. I will try to get some pictures up on here (with their permission) and stick them into the web album. There are so many pictures I am missing to begin with because of the move. We would love to update more often but we are so busy that we barely have time to relax anymore, to be honest.


Anyway, I really wish I could get a picture of this (not yet - not possible with Miss Wiggles over here) but Violet has cut her first tooth!!! This happened a few days ago. (Tuesday, May 24th) Michael and I check everyday and yesterday, I did not see anything at all. No big deal. I was getting used to that and was thinking that I would have to get dentures for her until her adult teeth came in. Then, there was blood. Yes. She drew blood. She was sucking on my wrist and I felt something super sharp. She scraped her little sliver of a tooth against my skin hard enough to make me bleed. I peeked inside and sure enough, the tippity top of one of her bottom front teeth had cut through her gums.
Insanity! She has been "singing" whenever she hears music or one of us singing now.She loves going out and people watching from her carrier, stroller and the shopping cart.









Until next time...

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)