I've got Bieber fever

Seriously, check her forehead. Violet has Bieber fever bad. She has seen a few videos and heard a few songs. She watches him so intently, like she's imagining a future with him. Her favorite song by far is "Baby". She loves singing it and will do so spontaneously. She will also start singing when she sees an iPhone or iPad (Bieber machines as far as she's concerned). Make no mistake, this is not a request but a demand.


We have more videos here somewhere, but who has time these days? Chasing around a Bieber fan is tough work!

Slide Time!

The local mall has a new play area for wee ones and this submarine slide is perfect!  Violet and her friend Isla hang out on the slide until the cops chase them away.  I managed to steal this surveillance footage from the evidence locker.

Into the New Year

Violet has been writing 2011 on her checks all day. I corrected her, but she just snickered and whispered into my ear "this means Toys N Us won't be able to cash them until Year 12011!" She's writing checks her dipe can't cash (unless that does become legal tender in 12011).

Violet rang in the new year asleep in her crib and woke us up for the celebration pretty early in the morning. We watched the Mummers then took advantage of the awesome weather and headed out to the park with our friends Mike and Isla. We ran and swung and played in recycled tires and got back to the cars just before the rain. Finally we took a quick trip to Wegman's where Violet and Isla chowed on some apples. Violet fell asleep on the way home and is still out as I write this, and hour plus later.

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.