Gifts!

Melissa and I are completely overwhelmed by the love and support we've received from family, friends, and colleagues. Initially I aimed to make this post about all the things we have gotten from other people as gifts for Violet, but I seriously think that it's way too daunting of a task to keep it all straight. Besides, that's what thank-you cards are for.

However, I do want to make specific mention of some of the gifts and well-wishing that our new family has received from readers of the blog and the like. Melissa's father Mitchell's gift for Violet is, in a word, art. It is something that Violet will have for the rest of her life as a reminder of her grandfather. Here it is:


Classic and artistic. Exactly what we want for Violet.

Next is another gift that knocked our socks off. This quilt was made by my aunt Sancy from New York (from the Conroy clan). When I opened up the package that it came in, I got a little choked up:


It's big and comfy. Many thanks to Aunt Sancy.



Another gift that's classic and timeless.
Violet will have this for the rest of her life.

And thirdly, but certainly not last. The crib from Grandma Basha.


Another piece that will be with Violet for a long time to come.

There are myriad other gifts and cards that all contributed to this amazing experience. I was really impressed with the outpouring of support from VHHS. When I visited last week, I received so many gifts and well wishes that it was almost overwhelming. Later during that week, Melissa and I received cards from the English department, the superintendent, and a card from VHHS administration.

Thank you everyone. It's great to know that the new edition to the Conroy name has such wonderful and kind people behind her.

And now... the Violet update.

Violet had a follow up appointment with Dr. Braverman last week to check up on the thrush issue. It has cleared out of her mouth and throat and she is to complete the anti-yeast treatment by the middle of next week. We also discussed immunizations. We have about a month and a half to go through the stack of paperwork that we got from the doc about the shots. Dr. Braverman also gave us a little score card with the following, most current information on the kid:

At two weeks, Violet weighs 8lbs 10.5 oz and is in the 75th percentile.
Violet measures 21 3/4" which puts her into the 95%!
Violet's head is 37.7cm around which puts her in the 90%.

Melissa and I knew she was big, but not nearly as long as she is. Violet has power forward for the WNBA written all over her.

Overall, Violet's feedings are like clockwork. Every three hours she's up and rooting around for food. Melissa and I are waiting for the thrush to clear up before we give nursing another go. At this point, Violet may have become so accustomed to the bottle that we may be at the point of no return. We'll give it a shot. Violet seems to have gotten a lot sloppier with the bottle. It breaks our heart to lose what I call "liquid gold" when she lets it stream out of her mouth, but patience is key. Some feedings are frustrating because it seems as though she's much more entertained by making a mess all over her face instead of getting down to business. We will remain diligent and realize that little Violet isn't being messy on purpose.

Things are coming along swimmingly. We have stretches of 3-4 days when Violet sleeps well during the night. We also have others like last night where her fussiness lasted until 1AM and continued sporadically during the wee hours of the morning thus making for two very tired parents today.

Enough of the verbiage, on to the pics. I've taken the liberty of including some shots that our friend Jennifer (Jef) took of the three of us with her super camera. Enjoy!


This is Jef. She has been of great help to the three of us.
The images below are some that she captured while she was here.


Cute shot of Violet.
I'm pretty sure she's contemplating whether or not to
eliminate while we change her diaper or immediately before.
Little stinker.


Don't let that smile fool you. This grimace is a prelude to a cry. Awesome shot, Jef.


The family.


I can attest to the authenticity of this shot.
Little Violet here expelled some daemons on my lap
and took me a little by surprise.


That's right... Violet gives dad a +5 to pwnage.
Maybe Violet's 1st word will be killtacular?


One of the few moments of downtime for mom.
This is to show that she too uses the Violet attachment for gaming awesomeness.


More to come!