The Adventures of Nick Hurley

Some New Photos of Me and Mom

2007-12-18T00:12:00.001-08:00

Santa's little helper
Mom really loves Christmas
Isn't she pretty?

That's my name...

2007-11-30T15:43:00.000-08:00

...don't wear it out.

Getting ready for Christmas

2007-11-28T15:39:00.000-08:00

So the day after Thanksgiving, Mom got out the Christmas stuff and starting decorating. Here's our tree!

Fun and games

2007-11-26T15:30:00.000-08:00

Hanging out with mom
Getting ready for a car ride
Check out the new sneaks!
Hanging out at the house
Playing with Lola

Extreme close up!

2007-11-22T15:47:00.000-08:00

This thumb sure comes in handy...
Whoah - where'd you come from? Now where did I leave my frog? Now listen up! This chair ain't big enough for the four of us..Now listen up! This chair ain't big enough for the four of us...

Thanksgiving!

2007-11-21T15:17:00.000-08:00

It's Thanksgiving - Lolo, Lola, and some family friends came over for dinner.
Daddy said it's time I learned how to cook!
Daddy chopped the green beans while I supplied morale support.
Smells good! When is that turkey gonna be done?It came out great! Slice that sucker up and give me a piece!

2007-11-18T15:14:00.000-08:00

So, uhhh, when can I get a job making games? I think I want to be a programmer...

Learning to sit

2007-11-15T14:50:00.000-08:00

Mom and Dad put me in this blue chair thingy that let's me sit up on my own.
What fun! Dad said the outfit I was wearing was the first thing he ever bought me - he brought it home one day to tell mom he wanted to have a baby with her. And along came me!

2007-11-12T14:58:00.000-08:00

Lola and Mom took me to the park today.
They wheeled me around in the stroller and I got to see the trees and the pond. I love going outside!
Feeling the sun on my face and the wind in my hair.
What a pretty day!

Late-Night Hilarity

2007-11-10T02:30:00.000-08:00

Mom was pretty tired this morning (it was 2am), so Dad volunteered to take the late-night feeding. Little did he know what he was in for...
While I was finishing my bottle, my diaper filled up with that Dad calls a "stinky" - hey, it was late, I just finished eating, what are ya gonna do? So as dad was changing me, I accidentally stuck my foot right into the poop, and then kicked and wiped it on Dad's shirt. Ooops! Hey, it was an accident! C'mon, I'm way too cute to be mad at me! So Dad kept going, and as he was sliding my new diaper under my bum, what came out but another stinky - only this time, onto Dad's hand. I thought he'd be upset, but he just started laughing and trying to wipe it off on a wet wipe. I thought this was so funny, that as he pulled the now-dirty diaper back out, I let go with a third one, this time right on the changing table. So as Dad was trying to clean the changing table, Mom came in, wondering why he was laughing and talking to me. And wouldn't you know it, just as he was leaning down to get me another clean diaper, the cold air hit my pee-pee just right, and I hosed down his leg! Three poops and a pee, all on Dad - and by this point, I was kind of a mess, too. So Dad stripped us both down, and took me into the bath with him to clean us both up. Wow - a bath with dad at 2:30 in the morning - what fun!
After we got out, Mom dressed me in some clean PJs, and Dad rocked me back to sleep. What a night!

Me and Dad

2007-11-07T22:53:00.002-08:00

So some people say I look just like Dad, while others say I look nothing like him at all. Hmmm... well, he is a lot older than me. I wonder what he looked like when he was my age?

Here is my old man...

...And here is me. Y'know, color my hair blond, let me keep my blue eyes (which have started to turn brown now), and maybe re-shape my nose a bit - and I think I'm a spitting image. Hey, wait a second - does that mean I am gonna get a receding hairline like Dad? No, wait - that's passed down from the mother's side, from her father. Whew!
Yep, dodged a bullet there, all right.

I Love My Lola

2007-11-05T08:02:00.001-08:00

Lola is taking care of me during the day now, while Mom and Dad are at work. She's really great - she feeds me, talks to me, and makes sure I am happy and well taken care of, all day long. Here she is putting me in my jungle gym. Thanks, Lola - I love you!

A New Discovery

2007-11-04T13:04:00.001-08:00

So get this - I have feet! I was sitting on the couch with dad, and realized that I could move this funny-looking thing I was looking at. And when Daddy tickled it, it made me laugh. It has toes and everything. Then Dad pulled another one around - it turns out I have two of them!
Check these babies out! These are now my favorite thing to play with. First thumbs, now feet - what's next?
All that discovery tired me out, so then Mom and I took a nap.

The Great Outdoors

2007-11-03T22:40:00.000-07:00

Mom and Dad took me to Breckinridge Park today, which is pretty close to where we live, for a BBQ for the people mom works with. This was the first chance for most of them to meet me - Mom hasn't taken me to work yet because there's too many germs. Dad took care of my most of the time while mom chatted with her friends, and I saw lots of cool stuff I'd never seen before - fire on the grill, people throwing Frisbees and balls around, and lots of other kids. All this sports stuff looks fun - I hope Dad will teach me to play some when I get older.

My First Halloween!

2007-10-31T23:38:00.000-07:00

My first holiday!

So today is a holiday they can Halloween - Dad says kids get dressed up in costumes and go walking around the neighborhood asking for candy. I wanna go too!
Dad and mom hung out at the door and passed out chocolate to the kids on our street - I got to see all sorts of costumes. Mom says Halloween is her favorite holiday
Mom finally put my costume on - okay, seriously? Mooooooo...
Maybe I'll take a little nap first...Hey, I slept through all the fun - it's not fair!

2007-10-28T14:35:00.000-07:00

What's with these orange things?

The Nose Knows

2007-10-26T20:50:00.000-07:00

Hey, what's this thing on my face? Everywhere I look, it's still there...

Thumbs Up

2007-10-26T14:48:00.000-07:00

Mmmmm, tasty formula...
Hey, that was over too soon! And my pacifier is all the way behind me - what am I going to do?I just wish I had a... hey, wait a minute - what are these things on the sides of my hands? They're about the right size...
Hmmm - kinda warm and wriggly. Doesn't taste like much - but it feels pretty good...Wow - a built-in pacifier - who knew this was here all along? Good night!

Started to Speak

2007-10-25T23:29:00.000-07:00

You talkin' to me? You talkin' to me? Then who else are you talkin' to? You talkin' to me? Well I'm the only one here...

Dreaming

2007-10-23T23:18:00.000-07:00

Mmmmm. Dreaming of baseball. And dirt bikes. And all the milk I can drink...

I've Been Baptized

2007-10-20T15:49:00.000-07:00

Today a bunch of people came to visit, and we all went to St. Anthony's Catholic Church for my baptism. Grandad and Aunt Bianca, and Uncle Piers and Aunt Ailsa, her parents Dennis and Rosemary, and a bunch of friends of my Dad's from work all came to celebrate this day with me. My Lola's friend Cecil came all the way from Australia!
Mom and Dad held me over the pool and the priest poured water on my head during the sacrament - I didn't cry a single tear!
We all read some prayers and everyone witnessed me entering the Catholic church.
My 3 godparents (Lori, Sean, and Ed) were there to speak for me, and promise to help raise me knowing God and helping answer questions about my path in life. Sean is one of Dad's best friends from high school and college (they've know each other for like 16 years) - he and his wife Lori live in New York and are some of the best people Mom and Dad know. Ed is one of Dad's best friends from work - he's a rock star who does music and audio for the games Dad works on.

Family Picture

2007-10-19T16:03:00.000-07:00

Here's a picture of my Mom's side of the family - we look pretty good when we're all cleaned up! I'm so lucky to have all these people love me and help take care of me every day.

Counting Sheep

2007-10-12T23:09:00.000-07:00

It's midnight somewhere...

Tummy Time

2007-10-12T19:36:00.000-07:00

I have to practice holding my head up, so Mom and Dad put me in my baby gym on my tummy and try to get me to lift up my noggin. It's hard work! I don't really like doing it, and get fussy after a few minutes, so Mom flips me over and I play with all the toys hanging down.
That's better! Much easier to lift my head when I am lying on Daddy's chest. This exercising stuff is pretty tiring! Maybe while I'm here, I'll just take a little nap...

Grammy Came to See Me

2007-10-05T12:27:00.000-07:00

Grammy Michelle (Dad's mother) came to visit, and we spent the day together.
She wants me to be a marine biologist, and says that when I came to see her in Washington she will take me to the shore and teach me all about fish and crabs.

What's in a Name?

2007-10-01T21:52:00.000-07:00

How Mom and Dad named me:

Nicholas - Dad has always liked the name Nicholas, and Nick Hurley has a nice ring to it. As my godfather-to-be Ed says, "Nick Hurley is the kind of guy who not only shows up to help you move at 7am on a Saturday, but he brings coffee and donuts with him." Mom liked it too, and they started calling me Nick pretty much as soon as they found out I was a boy.
Sean - One of Dad's best friends is named Sean, who is also going to be my other godfather. It's an Irish name, a heritage Dad's proud of, and it's also the name some other friends of his, including a friend of his from work.
Christian - One of Dad's other best friends shares one of Dad's middle name, Christian. (Funny enough, he has a son named "Christian Nicholas.") Also, Mom's middle name is Christina. Dad has four names, and they thought it would be a nice tradition to pass along.

So it turns out that my first name "Nicholas" is derived from the Greek "Nikolaos", which translates roughly to "victory" (nikē) and "people" (laos), or "power to the people." Guess guess where my favorite place to hold my arms is?Nicholas Sean Christian Hurley - how could I be anyone else?

Lola Loves Me

2007-09-30T16:10:00.000-07:00

My Lola came over to see me today - she is going to be taking care of me during the day when Mom goes back to work.Lola likes taking me out in my stroller - now that it's not so hot, I like it too.

Dressing Up for Cam's Party

2007-09-29T14:55:00.000-07:00

My cousin Cam just turned 1 year old, and Mom, Dad and I are going to his birthday party. I'm wearing pants and shoes for the first time - pretty spiffy, uh? The party is at at "Little Gym" where he does gymnastics once a week. The theme is "Super Cam" and he got to wear a cape. How fun is that?
Cam and his dad. Hey, how long before I can walk around like he does?
Daddy is really fond of his nephew - maybe it's the curly hair? Dad says he looks a lot like Uncle Piers did when he was a boy.
Aunt Ailsa holding me - she's got this whole "mom" thing down pat!Cam on the parachute - he kinda freaked when it started moving underneath him.
Uncle Piers went on the inflatable trampoline with Cam - when do I get to bounce on stuff? Man, I need to work on this whole growing bigger thing!Cam's grandfather Dennis is a really good guy - he said he's forgotten how small Cam used to be. I was so comfortable in his lap that I decided to take a nap.
Cam's grandmother Rosemary - one of the sweetest ladies I've ever met. Cam's very lucky to have such great grandparents!

I slept through a lot of the party - good thing Mom was there to carry me around. Uncles and cousins!

First Trip Around the 'Hood

2007-09-24T00:38:00.000-07:00

I turned a month old today, and Mom and Dad took me for my first trip in the stroller around the block. Here's Mom wheeling me out in my stroller for the first time.

While Dad pushed the stroller, I slept through most of it.Dad tried me out in the bjorn, but I really didn't like it. Maybe when I get bigger and can hold my head on my own...

Two Granddads

2007-09-14T16:01:00.000-07:00

While my Granddad Tom was visiting, my Lolo Fred came over - so I have two granddads!
Lolo loves holding me. Hey, where did his moustache go?

Granddad Came to Visit

2007-09-13T04:00:00.000-07:00

Granddad Tom came to see me, and help out with taking care of me now that Dad is back at work.
He took to being my grandpa immediately, taking care of me while Mom was resting up and Dad was at the office. He even helped out with 4am feedings!
Three generations of Hurley men! Uncle Piers and my cousin Cam came over to visit while Granddad was here.

Working the System

2007-09-10T20:02:00.000-07:00

Here's Dad doing his two favorite leisure activities - playing video games and cuddling me. He's good at multitasking - he played nearly the whole way through Halo 3 with me asleep on his chest.
Come on!!!!! That was a headshot if I've ever seen one! You wanna hear trash-talking, I'll show you trash talking...

Mom is Up and About

2007-09-07T22:06:00.000-07:00

Mom has recovered from her C-section, and changed my diaper today. She's been unable to pick me up or do most things for me because of the pain from her incision, so Dad has been doing most of it, except for feeding. But Dad is going back to work tomorrow, so mom is picking up the daily care.
I like hanging out with mom - I'm glad she's feeling better.
Am I hungry? Sure am! So uhhh, where the breast?

We're Really Tired...

2007-09-05T03:00:00.000-07:00

Yawn...

My First Trip Out

2007-09-03T01:18:00.000-07:00

Mom and Dad took me out for the first time today, to go see my pediatrician. Back into the car seat!
Dr. Ashworth is a really nice lady, and a great doctor - she used to be the head of pediatrics at the hospital where I was born. She says I am in perfect health, and I am almost back up to my birth weight.

Hanging Out at Home

2007-09-01T22:14:00.000-07:00

My immune system isn't up and running yet, so I spend most of my time hanging out at home. Sometimes Mom and Dad put me in the "neglecto-matic", which usually rocks me to sleep, but sometimes I don't want to be in it - though my friend Noah can't sleep without it. (Thanks for loaning it to me, Elise!)This is still my favorite place to sleep, though. Hey, I can't move my arms!Dad likes playing with me when he gets home from work. Entertain me, sir!

Rub a Dub Dub

2007-08-30T21:42:00.000-07:00

Here I am getting my first bath at home from Dad. Wow, I really didn't like it AT ALL.
Dad washes me next to the kitchen sink. Hope you scrubbed that counter down, mister!
I don't have much body fat, so I get cold pretty quickly.
C'mon, finish up already and get me warm again!

Homecoming

2007-08-28T14:00:00.000-07:00

I came home from the hospital today! Here's Mom being wheeled out while holding me. I can't wait to see my new home!
Here's Dad putting me into my car seat for the first time. The blanket I'm wrapped in is the same one Dad's grandmother got for him to come home from the hospital in - Dad's mum kept it for him and he kept it for me. I think we went about 12 mph on the car ride home, but I enjoyed looking around and out the window the whole time.Here we are, at home at last. This was a pretty special day for us, and Mom and Dad insisted that it just be the three of us. We have a pretty big adjustment to make in all our lives!Home, safe and sound. Gee, is it me, or to they look tired?

Day Two

2007-08-25T15:35:00.000-07:00

We are all pretty tired, but very happy. Lola and Lolo came by to see us again in the hospital, the first of many visitors.

Long Day

2007-08-24T21:00:00.000-07:00

Dad was so happy we were both safe and sound, and his baby boy was here at last! Lots of his prayers were answered that day (and he wore his lucky shirt).
Here's mom and me at the end of my first day. She was so happy to hold me at last!
Here's about 2 minutes later. I guess we were both pretty tired.

Bonding with Dad

2007-08-24T18:30:00.000-07:00

While Mom was finishing in the operating room, Dad took me to the nursery, and stayed with me while they did their first round of tests and immunizations. We got some time to bond - I recognize his voice from when he talked to me while I was still inside Mom.
It's cold out here! Someone turn on the heater!
Dad has my footprints on his scrubs, a souvenir from when they printed them in the hospital records. Just the facts, ma'am.
Granddad Tom outside the nursery - got any advice for Dad? He has no idea what he's in for...
Aunt Bianca says she has "so much to teach me about self-discipline." I wonder what that means?

Lolo and Lola

2007-08-24T17:25:00.000-07:00

My grandparents (Lolo and Lola in Tagalog) saw me for the first time when I was wheeled down to the nursery with Dad. He got a picture of them right when we came around the corner. They've been looking forward to me coming along for a while now, and were very happy I was finally here.

Happy Birthday!

2007-08-24T17:20:00.000-07:00

The day I was born! August 24, 2007, at 5:15pm, I was delivered at the Medical Center of Plano. At 8 lbs 3 oz, and 20 3/4 inches long, I was too big to come the old fashioned way, so Mom got a C-section and out I came!
It was a little colder than I was used to a first, but they wrapped me up pretty quick and Dad took me to the nursery while they stitched up Mom.
Here is a picture with the three of us when I was about 5 minutes old - our first family portrait. Mom looks pretty groggy, and Dad apparently just came from an audition for MASH.

The Day Before...

2007-08-23T11:00:00.000-07:00

Here is Mom at the doctor's office. Boy, is it getting crowded in here! Mom says she loves having me grow inside her, but it was definitely time to come out now. Dr. Ferrara is going to induce labor tomorrow!

Like a Sardine in a Can

2007-08-20T16:13:00.000-07:00

Four more days to go. Lemee outta here!

My Cousin Cam Came for a Visit

2007-08-18T15:30:00.000-07:00

Uncle Piers and Aunt Ailsa brought my cousin Cameron over to visit. He's so much bigger than the last time we saw him, and walking and climbing everywhere! But for some reason, he doesn't seem to like wearing clothes...
Cam meets me for the first time! If I don't come along on my own, Mom's doctor says she is going to induce labor to get things moving. We'll see what happens...

Baby Shower at Home

2007-07-14T13:58:00.000-07:00

Lola threw Mom another baby shower, and invited Aunt Bianca and several of her friends from work.
Here's the cake - Mom got some, so I got some too. Mmmmm, frosting...
Dad and Aunt Bianca in front of the house. Time to trim those bushes, Dad!

My New Room, Part 5

2007-07-12T14:06:00.000-07:00

Granddad and Aunt Bianca came to visit, and Dad and Granddad decorated my bathroom to match my nursery. Wow, I get my own little suite, complete with ducks and frogs!

Putting It All Together

2007-06-30T14:38:00.000-07:00

Dad's putting together my high chair, the last piece of baby stuff to get assembled. Looks like they are almost ready for me to show up!Dad's relaxing with Ed, whom he asked to be one of my godparents. Finished with baby preparations at long last! Now comes the REAL work...

The Police Concert

2007-06-27T22:00:00.000-07:00

Dad and Mom went with Ed to see the Police on their reunion tour, and I came along for the ride. My first concert!
Sting is quite the showman! He's had a lot more practice than the other two in performing recently.
Stuart and Andy are no slouches, though - I was dancing along inside mom the whole time.
I wish I could have seen it, but hearing it was still pretty cool! Every time Dad plays the Police for me in the car, I start dancing around, so he knew I'd like it. They were the first rock band he got into as a kid, and the first record album he bought was Synchronicity.

My New Room, Part 4

2007-06-16T14:12:00.000-07:00

Mom and Dad finishing up the final bits to the nursery. Dad built and painted shelves for the wall, and my books and toys are all up and ready for me.
Diaper station is ready for poop removal!All my clothes and supplies are tucked neatly away. My initials are mounted over the closet, sent to me by my Aunt Mandy.
The "titty bar" is open for business - just waiting for the customer to show up! :)

Babymoon in Vegas

2007-05-27T13:42:00.000-07:00

Mom and Dad took a "babymoon" - their last trip as a couple before I arrive - and went to Las Vegas for the weekend. I decided to tag along. Neither of them had been for like 20 years, and apparently things have changed a lot. It was also pretty crowded (Memorial Day weekend) and neither of them gamble, so it was fun, but after 2 days I think they were ready to come home.Here Mom and I are in front of a slot machine at one of the casinos.
Here's dad at the wax museum, with Nicholas Cage. Hmmm - Nicholas - that's a pretty cool name...

My New Room, Part 3

2007-05-20T14:07:00.000-07:00

Dad and Mom are hanging the wallpaper strip with duckies and frogies on it around the walls.Let's smooth out those wrinkles - neatness counts! Hey, this place is starting to shape up nicely!

My New Room, Part 2

2007-05-06T14:03:00.000-07:00

Now that the painting is finished, Granddad Tom and Dad can put together the nursery furniture. Hmmm, where did those instructions go?Measure twice and cut once, son!Mom does quality control supervision for them, making sure everything is up to standards. Hmmm, feels pretty comfy!Crib assembled? Check. Changing table finished and sturdy? Check. Glider ready to rock? Check. It's Miller time!

My New Room, Part 1

2007-05-05T14:02:00.000-07:00

Granddad Tom came to visit to help Dad with fixing up the house. They spent the first two days replacing plumbing fixtures, installing new lights, and doing a hundred other odd jobs around the house. Today they started painting my nursery, which used to be Dad's office. No more blue walls!
Lolo and Lola came over the hlep out as well. Lolo is wicked fast with a paint roller. After they got the blue covered over, they painted the bottom half of the room a sunny yellow. Wow, the room is so much brighter and more cheerful now!Mom picked up a roller and helped out with the final piece. Hey, let's stay away from those paint fumes, huh? I'm breathing this air too!Lola mixed the paint in the garage and helped with supplies and drinks for us all. What a family effort!

It's a Boy!

2007-04-19T14:00:00.000-07:00

Mom and Dad went in for another sonogram today and (drumroll please!)... Ta-Da! I'm a boy! You can see my little schmecky in this picture - marked "boyness". The technician doing the ultrasound said I'm DEFINITELY a boy. So, y'know -"definitely a boy." Like, there's no mistaking what we got here. No way to hide it, either. I'm just saying...
Here's my head with blood pumping through my brain, with a baseball cap drawn on for reference. Still on track for an August 29th due date based on my size. Mom and Dad are super excited that they have a boy on the way, and were talking about names the whole way home in the car. Man, I hope they don't name me "Eliot" or something - I'll get beat up every day for my lunch money. I need a cool name - any ideas?

Dad and Lolo, Master Craftsmen

2007-03-20T23:11:00.000-07:00

A co-worker of Dad's gave him a crib that their son had outgrown. Lolo came over the help Dad put it together. Starting to feel pretty real now, huh?

Getting Bigger

2007-02-14T14:10:00.000-08:00

Here I am on Valentine's Day, when Mom and Day went in for the second sonogram. The doc says I am still healthy, and set my due date to August 28th. They did some tests, which I passed with flying colors. I even look more baby-shaped.

Mom and Dad

2007-02-07T01:48:00.000-08:00

Here is a picture from Mom and Dad's wedding reception. They got married in Addison, Texas in a small private outdoor ceremony (just the best man, maid of honor, father of the bride, and ring bearer, along with the judge and a photographer) and then left for California for their honeymoon the next day.
Here's a picture of Mom and Dad on their honeymoon in San Francisco. They look really happy!
Here they are at a resort near Napa Valley, where they went wine tasting and driving through the Northern California countryside. They are really in love with each other - I think they'll make good parents!

My Parents-To-Be

2007-01-30T12:00:00.000-08:00

So who are these two people that are going to be my parents?

Mom just turned 29, is a third grade teacher who was born in the Philippines but grew up in Australia. She came to the US with her parents when she was 17, went to school, and eventually met Dad while she was working as an admin while waiting to get into the Dallas ISD. Here she is at their apartment they lived in when they were first married.
Dad is 32, and works as a writer/producer at a software company making video games. He was born in England to an English mother and an Irish father, and came to the US with his parents when he was 3. Hmmm - Mom is from the Philippines and Dad is from the UK - I guess that means that I will be a first-generation American!

It's Official!

2007-01-22T09:45:00.000-08:00

Mom and Dad went in to get a sonogram today, and Mom is officially pregnant! Here I am, hanging out upside down in Mom's tummy. Mom and Dad are calling me "BH" (Baby Hurley) for the time being. They've been trying for nearly a year to bring me together, and it finally happened. They are so happy!
The nurse says I am the size of a gummy bear right now, and my heart is beating about 180 beat per minute - very healthy! Dad "got something in his eye" when he heard the heartbeat for the first time (the big wuss) and mom got teary as well. I am about 2 months along, due around the last week of August/first week of September.

Mom is Pregnant?

2007-01-18T21:30:00.000-08:00

Dad had a funny feeling, so Mom took a test today, and guess what? It was positive! If it's true, it means that I have been growing inside since the last week of November and no one knew. Good thing Mom never drinks! :) Here are Mom and Dad on their wedding day. Who knew that 2 years later, I would be coming along? Mom is making a doctor's appointment for next week to know for sure.

Christmas

2006-12-25T14:57:00.000-08:00

New Blog

2006-11-29T20:20:00.000-08:00

So this is my new blog, which Dad set up for me so my family and friends can watch me grow up. Watch for more pictures and updates soon!