Beauty Parlor

The girls were upstairs in my room with me while I was cleaning up.  I knew they had gone into my bathroom but didn't think much of it.  When I finally DID think to go in there...this is what I found.

Catherine had decided to wash Claire's hair.  ACTUALLY, she decided to CONDITION her hair.  Claire was loving it!

I forsee many fun beauty parlor times with these girls!



The Truth Behind Losing Weight

Claire's Baptism, January 2011

As many of you know, when Paul left for deployment, I set a goal for myself to lose ALL of my baby weight.  After having little Paul, I had never gotten back to my prepregnancy weight.  I always had 10 extra pounds hanging around.  Even though I had lost all of my weight from having Catherine and gaining the least amount of weight with Claire, I was FLOORED when I left the hospital with over 30 lbs to lose!  SERIOUSLY???  I had only gained 25!!! 

So, here I was, four months postpartum with a 29 week deployment on my hands and, now, 33 lbs to lose.  We set up our budget to where I had 'my' money that could be spread however I chose between groceries, gas, family needs, eating out, etc.  After thinking about it, investigating it, and talking with Paul, I decided to dive into my first two paychecks and pay for a trainer for 12 sessions.  I won't tell you how much I paid, because its ridiculous, but I can say its some of the best money I've ever spent!  Every two weeks, I am given a new weight training workout and am kept accountable for my previous two weeks.  Not to mention, I really enjoy the social aspect as well and the information I am recieving.  Slowly but surely, between my eating and working out, my weight started to come off.  The first 10 lbs were the hardest but once I got past them, it just started to fall off. 

During this process, I realized that if I was going to really make a lifestyle change I needed to address my 'picky eating'.  If you know me well, I have always described my picky eating as an eating disorder.  It has always had incredible control over me.  Over the years, from a child to teenager to adult it has gone from something that was 'cute' to being a problem.  If someone is tryings to pressure me into eating or drinking something or pesters me about the foods I do and do not eat, you will most likely see my temper flare pretty quickly.  It is my biggest insecurity.  What I have learned in the last few months is that my picky eating is not just picky eating.  It actually IS an eating disorder.  The anxiety that I experienced when faced with a dinner at someone else's home or when trying a new food is OUT OF CONTROL!  We're talking chest pains and sweat!  Crazy, I know.  So, now that I have this valuable information, I am addressing it.  I WILL eat like a normal adult...eventually. 

At the shooting rang with Paul 4 days before he left.
May 2011

So, just based on the simple equation of how much I can handle during deployment, I decided to leave the eating well enough alone, for now, and work the foods that I DO eat into my calorie count.  With this, I have continued to find great success in my weight loss. 

I am now 23 pounds down with 10 to go (and 9.5 weeks until Paul gets home).  As I get closer to my goal, I am realizing that losing weight does not mean going back to the old me.  I will never be that girl again.  In talking with my other mom friends, I am realizing that I am not the only one who struggles with their changing body after having children.  EVERYTHING is different.  I say my goal is 33 lbs but I have absolutely no idea what I will look like.  I am genuinely very nervous that I will be highly disappointed in my body at my goal weight but I have decided that I am not going to sabotage my weight loss because of fear.  If I get there and I want to make other adjustments, I will.  If I don't, I won't.  The whole purpose of losing my baby weight was to get myself back into a healthy condition so when I get pregnant again, I can successfully and gracefully carry another baby without DYING of back and joint pain.  I think I have already accomplished that goal.  Now, we'll just see what I'm left with.

This One is So Mischievous!

She may be cute and pudgy but she sure is a mischievous baby!  If you leave her for more than two seconds she into something or roaming around upstairs! 

A Halloween Hint

Well, the 'Duval Family Halloween Picture' will be back this year.  I considered holding off again this year but decided that I couldn't do that 2 years in a row!  So, make sure to check the blog, your e-mail, or facebook on the morning of Halloween to see what we have come up with this year. 

This is your only hint:

Just in case you forgot about years past, here they are!

2008

2009





Happy Fall!

9/11: Never Forgotten

Today holds a very dear place in most American's lives.  Ten years ago, the country that we love went under fire.  When I woke up this morning, the meaning of the day was heavy on my heart as I knew there were many people mourning the loss of loved ones and many remembering the fear that took hold on that day.  The other aspect that hit me today was that my kids have absolutely no idea what 9/11 means.  For something that is still so vivid in my mind, they were not even a thought in my mind.  Heck, I was in 10th grade...they better not have been a thought in my mind!  That realization made me contemplate how I was going to teach them about that day, especially given how much time their dad has spent deployed. 

I decided that I would start by teaching them to have a thankful heart to those who serve us in our community and beyond.  I have ALWAYS made a point to thank any service member, police man, or firefighter I see for their service.  While I understand the uncomfortable feeling they have when someone thanks them, it is so important for the kiddos to know that other people sacrafice on a daily basis so they they can sit comfortable and protected in their home. 

Charlottesville had a fantastic program today complete with every rescue truck imagineable as well as a parade and a program (that we did not stay for).  We had a great time and Catherine may just end up on the news after she waved and thanked every firefighter and policeman as they marched by in the parade.  You should have seen her, it was so cute!  Here are a few pictures from our afternoon.

A MEATBUS!  Can you tell he was busting with excitment!?!

They said this truck looks like the one daddy is driving at work! 
Kinda, but not really.

A piece of the World Trade Center

Happy Girl!

The bagpipers that lead the parade (and scared Claire to death!)



Catherine Sings Her ABC's

And now the behind the scenes video.  She had spilled some milk on the floor...obviously, she couldn't get over it.

Enough Said...

Catherine's First Day of 'School'!

Every Friday, I take Catherine (and now Claire) to a 1 hour class called 'Mainly Music'.  It's a fantastic program full of songs, instuments, dancing, snacks, and a bit of free play (and social time for moms).  Last year, I started referring to it as 'school' and you could see the pride that would beam from her face.  So, this year, we made just as big of a deal about Catherine's first day of 'school' as we did about Paul's first day of school.  Pictures, special call from dad, and excitement to go around!

Happy Birthday, Mary!

In celebration of Mary's birthday today, mom and I took the kiddos out for cupcakes.  We sang happy birthday, watched them crumble eat their cupcakes, and then watched them play on the merry go round.  All in all, a pretty good birthday party to say the least! 

I have so enjoyed teaching my kids about days like today.  Just yesterday, Paul pulled the stool up in front of the crucifix to 'look at Jesus' boo-boo's'.  During lent, we had talked about all of His boo boo's and why He has them.  It's so amazing to watch their little brains comprehend with such simplicity.  Hopefully, teaching them about Christ's sacrafice and Mary's 'Yes' while they are little will make being open to God's Will a 'norm' for them when they are older. 

Paul's First Day of School!

Yesterday was Paul's first day of school.  This year, he is going three days a week from 9-12.  Last year proved to be very beneficial for him not only on the talking front but also with stability through moving, new baby, and daddy leaving.  We were very excited about school starting this year and it was GREAT!

First of all, I feel the need to explain the backpack for school.  In my frugal, practical, and brilliant overly-simple mind, I had planned to buy Paul a L.L.Bean junior backpack that would not only last for a few years but could then be passed down for future use by his sibilings.  Well, upon hearing about my plan, multiple people quickly told me that my plan was TERRIBLE and I needed to let the poor, deprived child pick out his own.  So, I took him on a date to buy a backpack.  When we got to the store, he found the three 'Cars' backpacks and started searching through them.  After realizing that cars didn't actually come INSIDE of the backpacks, he headed for the door and said he didn't want one!  HA!  So, while they were in Atlanta, I searched all over Charlottesville to find the last of the 'Cars' backpacks and he was thrilled when he came home to it, complete with cars inside!  So, without further ado...

                                                              PAUL'S BACKPACK!

Oh, sweet Catherine...no clue!

The most dramatic part of the day was Paul saying goodbye to Catherine, as she did not want her "brutha" to leave. Thankfully, my mom stayed home with the girls and they painted nails so it wasn't TOO bad.

Sorry for the lopsided picture

To make her feel better, Paul made sure to yell out the car window "Bye, Sis!  I love you!"  He is so sweet to her!

Paul was so incredibly excited to get to school.  He told me where to turn, stop, etc, the WHOLE way.  Once we got there and got out of the car, he walked in like he'd done it all of his life.  He hung up his backpack and waited for the door to open.  He was excited to see that a lot of his friends from last year were in his class this year and that he remembered his teachers.  When they opened the door, I thought he would just RUN right in.  I was so touched, when he grabbed my hand and said, "Come on, mom".  We got up to the door and he ran in.  No drama, as expected. 

Paul's first day went great.  He came running out, into his sisters arms, with his first piece of artwork for the year.  He had a great day and is excited to go back tomorrow!

She has the BEST laugh!