February 24, 2010 - Posted by Val - 1 Comment
(Deep breath) I think I would be fine with having all boys. This is saying a lot, because I have always had a passion for french-braiding. However, little 8lb. 6oz. Aubrey Michelle came into this world last night and practically overflowed the girly shaped hole in my heart that craves a daughter. I’m not saying I wouldn’t be delighted to have a girl of my own, just that I know my niece and I will have a special bond. I can’t wait to take her to gymnastics meets, buy her a jewelry box, paint with her or be there for her when she has boy issues she doesn’t want to talk to her mom about. No offense, Nat.
Girls are so thoughtful. 5 year old Elsie was hanging out the other day at play group and wanted to talk about nicknames. I told her nicknames can be based off of one’s characteristics or their real name. About an hour later she came up to me again and said she thought “Carvie” was a great nickname for Carver. What a sweetheart. Then somehow, it came about that we will all call Amanda “Ms. America.”
Pictures and more on Aubrey soon!
February 19, 2010 - Posted by Val - 0 Comments
One thing I love about Ethan is that he calls me pretty during some of my most flustered, frizzy-haired, strawberry-stains-on-my-shirt moments. Today when he got home from work (which is at lunch time these days) he said “Hi, cute lady.” I guess my look told him I didn’t feel too cute because he asked me if I was okay. “Yeah, I just want to feel like a person, not a babysitter,” I said. He responded, “Babysitters are people too.”
Despite a little fluster which happens everyday right before Carver and Kennon’s nap time, I have felt very much like a person lately:
A person who runs half marathons (1 2010 goal checked off!)
A person who gets pedicures with her little sister who could go into labor at any moment
A person with a 1 year old who can walk!
A person who gets butterflies when I think about moving in 3 months…
Its Friday and its good to be blogging. If I was going to catch you up, I would tell you about Ethan getting cut to half-time, God abundantly providing for us, Carver’s “cyclical vomiting” for the past 30 days and the calendar I’m making for him, but I won’t. I’m going to go play with my 2 favorite boys.
Have a wonderful weekend!
January 16, 2010 - Posted by Val - 0 Comments
I can’t begin to tell you how my life has changed and how much joy you’ve brought me this year. It seems as though my day revolves around you now, and yet you’ve just fit right in to our lives like you belonged here all along. I never knew I could love someone like I love you. I delight in watching you grow and learn, and my heart aches to see you upset or pained. I am so curious about who you will become, but I do know God has big plans for you. Its hard for me to say goodbye to your firt year of life-the best year of mine. We have overcome struggles together and shared many laughs. I love you more than you will ever understand. Happy birthday little bug.
January 14, 2010 - Posted by Val - 2 Comments
Why is running 4 miles behind 50 lbs of toddler easier than 4 miles on a treadmill?
How the how did the remote control battery end up in the recycling bin (which is in a child-proof latched cabinet)?
January 12, 2010 - Posted by Val - 1 Comment
I think I should fill you in on some of Carver’s new talents. He now tries to feed himself with a spoon. Although the other parent in this household cringes at the mess, I think its pretty funny and I’m excited he’s taking steps toward more independent eating. Another step he took toward independent nutrition was drinking his first cup of cow’s milk today! I guess that means he has weaned from the lunch time feeding and is now just breastfeeding in the morning (too early-like 5:00 AM) and at night. Surprisingly, I did not feel any physical affects from skipping 1/3 of my daily nursing. Don’t ask me what I’m going to do when we drop that final morning feeding and Carver still wakes up. Maybe I’ll plan to go out of town…
Besides eating, he has made some developmental steps, too! Not literally, though. We’re still waiting for those first walking steps. He can stack blocks, give high-fives and stand alone (though, he’s pretty unsure of his stability). We’ve also turned his car-seat forward and let him try some 1 year old foods like peanut butter and honey. Some cute new things he does are blowing on his food when we blow on it, sticking out his tongue when he smiles and making a puzzled face as he tries to figure out how to whistle. He’s the best.
January 12, 2010 - Posted by Val - 0 Comments
…fabric.
…my new favorite earrings that Ethan got me for Christmas. They’re peridot and pearl.
…having the day off.
…the quilt Ethan’s mom, Ronda made for me. Its actually kind of what this post is about. Its perfectly me. Its mainly yellow, although it has lots of different colors in it. The back is green and pink with roses and the whole thing looks like it could be found at an antique shop.
Every now and then (usually when I read Anna Maria Horner’s blog) I get this really romantic feeling. Not a romance that might involve my husband, but one that makes me want to drink chai and knit a hat for Carver by a window.
Sometimes I like to trick myself into thinking that if I were a fabric, I’d be more like Amy Butler, but deep down I’m a calico.
January 8, 2010 - Posted by Val - 1 Comment
I crossed out the 2009 at the top of my goal list and added -you guessed it- 2010 (although, I think I will eventually make a new list…much prettier).
On my list is:
Blog. I really do enjoy it and if Aly has time to do it, how can I use busy-ness as an excuse? Plus it will be fun to record all the upcoming changes in our life!
Triathlon. This is left over from 2009, as is:
Go on a trip with just Ethan.
Half marathon. I am currently training for one in Gainesville on Valentine’s day.
Give Ethan more back rubs.
Get my splits back. When I did gymnastics as a little girl I thought it would be cool to still be able to do back hand springs and flips as a mom. I lost that talent, but thought this could be a fun alternative.
October 23, 2009 - Posted by Val - 1 Comment
Hi.
I just finished some scrambled eggs, toast and am drinking coffee from a mug with Ethan’s 7th grade picture on it. That’s really the only reason I’m on here, writing. The combo of the food/coffee/laughing at this mug perked me up just enough out of my tired, exasperated-ness to feel like some Friday blogging. The reason for the exasperation is that Carver is sick. At first this made me really sad, now sad, tired and confused. Do I give in and pick him up when he cries in his crib? Or do I let him cry with his miserable cough until he falls asleep so he can actually get some sleep? Anyway, enough of that. I mean, it is Friday, after all. Some blurbs…
I might participate in a craft show in a few weekends. That would be fun. And it would fulfill yet another one of my 2009 goals. Did I tell you we got a new (kind of) dining room table? That was another goal! Thanks, BA! Now, I’m just 1.5 pounds, 1 triathlon and 1 cruise short of finishing the list.
Yesterday we spent $52 at Publix and saved $41! This probably isn’t as exciting to you as it is to me, but we are trying to stick to a $50/week grocery budget and I gotta take my thrills where I can get them folks…
Only 7 weeks left of this crazy semester!
We went to the pumpkin patch
and I have the cutest kid in the world.
Well, I’m looking forward to a weekend without much going on. Hope you’re looking forward to yours!
October 13, 2009 - Posted by Val - 0 Comments
My friends at magnetic messenger and trendy prints are giving away a free 20 page photo book. I grew up baby-sitting their 4 boys and they did our save-the-date cards. The only catch is you pay the $4.95 shipping charge. Still, its a pretty great deal. Check it out! And don’t be surprised if you get one for Christmas 
October 7, 2009 - Posted by Val - 1 Comment
Ok, so there are some poor excuses for not blogging lately, however, I have a good one. Our Internet is working for the first time in almost 2 weeks! I had forgotten how dependent I am on it. Not only for the useful things like paying our bills (I just realized last night we forgot to pay rent because of this!), but for connecting with the outside world while I am stuck inside on a rainy week.
Update on my crafty itch: I got a needlepoint stocking kit to make for Carver! Hopefully it will look like this when I’m done (only with Carver’s name):
Speaking of the little guy, he is basically the best kid in the world. He is so cute and is growing in personality exponentially. We took him to Tallahassee to stay with some friends and he did SO well. He took really long naps, let 2 year old Kat “hold” him and was happy to be passed around and played with.
I should go so I can play with C while K is still sleeping. Before I do, let me leave you with this deal to commemorate my return to blogging:
Fiber One Yogurt is BOGO at Publix this week (starting Thursday, Oct.7). Use 2 of these coupons and it will be free!
I am a proud wife and mother. My husband, Ethan and I welcomed little Carver into our lives January, 2009. I love the outdoors, crafts, finding good deals, cooking and of course, my family. I hope you enjoy the projects, photos and stories of my daily life. I will try to bring you something new everyday! Please make sure you 
