Duval Family Update October 2010

Greetings from the ever-BEAUTIFUL Charlottesville!

In efforts to distract myself from the halloween candy that is staring me in the face, I have decided that it is time for our October update. 

I am always so amazed to look back on our months when I go to write these updates.  Day-to-day it never seems like we are doing too much.  Then, when I look back, I realize how much we have done and what has changed.  

After our closing date got bumped back to November 1st, we had to quickly find another place to live as our lease was going to run out on October 15th.  I found a lovely townhouse in a different part of town that was able to accomodate our family of four for 2 weeks and 3 days.  So far, it has worked out well and there is even a 3 year old little girl who lives next door!  While we have enjoyed both homes, we're more than excited to move into OUR home on Monday. 

It's crazy to believe that we are down to our last week of bouncing around.  When we move in, it will mark 6 months from when the kids and I left Naples.  I was thinking about what life will be like in just 3 weeks and got so incredibly excited at the fact that my suitcases will be put away!  In addition to that, I am looking forward to having the chance to really prepare, mentally and physically, for the arrival of our new little girl.  With all of the commotion, my brain hasn't quite flipped over to the idea that we will be bringing a new little one into the world in just 8 short weeks.  I am excited to get her crib up and clothes (still to be bought) ready.  My mom made the prediction that I will go into labor as soon as I finally put my feet up in the new house and relax...I'm hoping to have a few weeks of putting my feet up. 

Our little man is growing and maturing by the day.  With all of the changes going on, we decided that it would be good for him to start pre-school two days a week.  He is having a blast and has already started talking A LOT more.  He has also become quite the speedster on his bike.  His lack of fear can definitely present an issue for Paul and I but he is having a ball zooming around. 

Now, Catherine (or 'little C' as we call her).  Seriously ya'll, this girl is a piece of work!  Under that hair is a little girl with an attitude the size of texas and a heart thats even bigger!  She has her daddy and her brother wrapped around her finger and enjoys every minute of it.  She is now 15 months old and trying her best to keep up with the Guidman.  I'm starting to get a bit nervous about how she is going to react to a new baby in the house but I'm hoping that she's just going to roll with the punches and stay distracted with Paul. 

And lastly, Paul is still really enjoying his new job.  His deployment is tentatively set for April/May 2011 which gives us a few months to just 'be' in between that and the baby.  Like me, he is more than ready to settle into the new house.  He has been such a trooper dealing with work, a very pregnant wife, moving, and two toddlers.  Even with everything going on, we always manage to have such a good time together! 

Well, that about wraps it up.  I did want to let everybody know that, unfortunately, there will not be a halloween picture this year.  Quite frankly, I'm tired.  We'll put our trick or treating pictures up ASAP so be on the lookout. 

Love,
                                           Jeanne

Duval Family Update FROM....

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA!!!

Well, after a long few months we have finally settled in Charlottesville, VA.  Paul will start his new job with CACI on September 27, 2010!  We are both very excited about this move and are really looking forward to finally having a permanent place to call 'home'.  We are currently living in a rental house until mid-October when, if all goes according to plan, we will move into our very first home.  We went 'under contract' today on an awesome house that we are both VERY excited about! 

So far, we are REALLY enjoying Charlottesville.  It took a bit to come up with the right words but we are now describing it as a mini-city.  The city itself is TINY!  You can get from one end to the other in 15 minutes but yet it has everything!  Downtown has a fun 'old town' feel with the upbeat dynamics of the UVA students.  The weather is gorgeous!  The other day it was 94 degrees but compared to Atlanta's 94, it felt like 85.  There is SO MUCH to do with children here.  They have a website specifically for letting you know what is going on in and around Charlottesville and fun activities to do with your kids.  Definitely very family friendly. 

The kids are doing very well.  Catherine is still quite the ham and her hair just adds to the chaos!  She tries pretty much EVERYTHING that her brother does.  The other day, Paul caught her trying to climb an arched latter after her brother at the park!  Thank goodness for his ninja like speed or she might of had her first ER visit.  She's learning more and more words by the day.  Given that Guido has been a little slow on talking, Catherine has served as quite the motivation for him to improve his skills.   Little Paul has also been doing very well!  He has turned his love of boats into a love of buses...can I tell you how many buses there are in Charlottesville!?!?!?!  Between the university, the city, and the different schools, we are left with a pouting Guido during 90% of every car ride.  He wants to go on EVERY bus!  I never thought that I would dread the sight of a bus like I do now. 

Paul and I are also doing very well.  I am almost into my 3rd trimester with little miss Claire.  Getting bigger by the minute but feeling good overall!  I'm starting to get a bit anxious about getting into our own house with our own furniture but I know that it will come in due time.  After 8 years of faithful service, Paul is officially a civilian.  He is really looking forward to starting his new job and become an 'expert' in his field.  The only drawback to his new job is that he will be doing a 6 month deployment to Afghanistan shortly after Claire is born.  So, if you are in need of a vacation from March/April-September/October of next year, let me know.  You can come visit us!!!  I figure if I can have one visitor a month the time will go by WAY faster!  So, let me know! 

I think that about wraps it up.  I hope this e-mail finds you all doing well.  Please keep us updated on your lives and never hesitate to e-mail. 

Love,
Jeanne

Duval Family Update July 2010

Hello from Atlanta!

dIt has been quite a while since our last family update but life has been a bit crazy since May.  The kids and I have been back in Atlanta since May 2nd and life is moving along smoothly.  Paul is still in Italy but will coming back stateside on August 13th, when he will out-process from the Navy.  It has definitely been an adjustment getting used to life with our dad but we are counting down the days until we can be together again!  In the meantime, the kids and I are having a great time with their grandparents! 

The biggest news that we have to share is that the newest member of our family with be Claire Elizabeth Duval...yup, IT'S A GIRL!  I am now almost 20 weeks along and we had the big ultrasound yesterday.  My mom went with me and Paul was able to skype in to watch as we found out.  It was a lot of fun!  She was kicking away in there and it looked like she was chewing on something...she must take after her sister who LOVES to eat!  We're really excited to have the two little girls together.  I hope they grow up to be great friends.  I just feel bad for Paul as he will have to watch after both of them in high school!  He'll have his hands full! 

Anywho, on to other news.  Catherine is walking EVERYWHERE!  She turned one on July 11th and has turned into quite the ham of a little girl!  She has her daddy's STRAIGHT hair that leaves me with few options for cute hair styles.  She also has about 12 teeth now so eating everything in sight has become much easier!  Catherine and Paul have become the cutest of friends and I am thoroughly enjoying watching them grow up together. 

Paul is also doing very well.  He is officially a big boy!  He now sleeps in a big boy bed (without railings) and is potty training as we speak!  He has done remarkably well with our three day boot-camp (of which we are on day 3).  With this program, once the last diaper came off that was it...even for naptime and bedtime!  Surprisingly, it has worked extremely well and he is well on his way to being fully potty trained. Unfortunately, he found my stash of reward matchbox cars so that didn't work out so well!  Besides all of these very important big boy changes he keeps busy helping my dad with any and all 'manly' chores and pointing out every boat that he happens to see (or thinks he sees). 

Lastly, an update on what is next for our family.  As of today, we have no idea!  We found out at the beginning of July that companies cannot offer Paul anything offical until August 1 because he is still active duty military.  So, we are patiently waiting for Sunday to roll around and then hopefully we will be off and running figuring out the next chapter.  7 out of every 10 applications are located in and around the D.C. area but we are praying that we will be going elsewhere.  We will keep you updated as find out our plans! 

I think that is all for now.  I am attaching a few pictures of the kiddos to hold you over until I decide what to do about Phanfare (they want $99 for the year).  Hopefully, I will figure something out soon and we will be sending more pictures more often! 

Have a good one!

Jeanne

Duval Family Update July 2010

Hello Family and Friends,

Well, it's been quite a while since our last update and a lot has happened since then.  The kids and I are officially back in the states and adjusted.  We are currently bombarding my parents house until we move up to VA in August.  My poor parents world has been turned upside down but they have been a HUGE help to me. 

Being back in the states has definitely been more of a challenge than I expected.  I know, both of our parents are looking at us saying "I told ya so...".  Oh well, you live and you learn, right?  The biggest challenge to my master plan is the simple fact that I am pregnant.  I had a reasonable amount of morning sickness that started 3 days after arriving and my decreased energy level and sickness have definitely put a damper on my ideas of life in Atlanta.  The second thing that I hadn't considered in moving back to my old stomping ground is that all of my friends have moved on...and so have I.  The last time I lived in Atlanta, I was the single 'Jeanne Bentley' and nobody knows Jeanne Duval who is a mother of two with one on the way.  All of my friends now have jobs and their hours to get together are my hours for dinner, bathtime, and bedtime.  It definitely added a level of loneliness that I was not ready for.  And last, but not least, I miss my buddy who is also known as my husband.  This experience has really made me appreciate who we are as a family, a system, and a couple.  I think I speak for the kids and I when I say that we can't wait to have our daddy back!

A quick update on the rest of the family...my sweet baby girl is turning ONE next Sunday!  Can you believe that?!?!  She is starting to walk, taking around 6 steps and falling.  She is also learning a few words and signs here and there.  She has turned into quite the little ham of a girl.  She is HILARIOUS! 

Paul is also doing well.  He is finally starting to use more words on a daily basis.  He has LOVED following grandaddy around and riding in his truck.  I am currently nursing his toes back to health as he has ridden his bike and car so much that he has caused them to get a little roughed up.  It doesn't seem to stop him but definitely bothers me. 

Our daddy is also doing very well.  He has kept busy by finishing his degree...YAY!  HE IS A COLLEGE GRADUATE!!!  He is also playing on his command softball team.  He has really enjoyed playing and I had a good time watching him when I visited. 

I am now about 16 weeks pregnant and very anxious to find out what we are having.  I am putting money on a girl but I'll keep you updated when we find out. 

Thats about everything for us.  I'll make sure to keep you updated with the happenings in our family!  Hope you are doing well!

Jeanne

Duval Family Update April 2010

***Be forewarned that this e-mail is long and there are no cliff-notes available...***

Well, the time has come and we are packing up to head back to the States on Sunday.  Paul will be staying here in Italy until the beginning of August when he will join us in VA (hopefully) to start our civilian life.

It is crazy to think that our time here in Italy is already drawing to a close.  It seems like it was just a couple of months ago when I was writing my wedding program explaining that we had taken orders to Naples, Italy.  I had no idea that it would pass by so quickly. 

It is so bittersweet to leave here as we are excitedly going back to our family and friends but yet we are leaving such a WONDERFUL family and life over here.  It is unlike anything most would understand but when you live so far from anything that is comfortable, you learn to make those around you family.  You find this totally comfortable mix of the uncomfortable and make it fit like a glove.  While it will be fun to spend holidays with our families, I will miss having our friends over and experiencing their versions of normal. 

Looking back on the last few years, its amazing to see how our family has grown.  Not only have we grown in size with the wonderful additions of Paul and Catherine, but we have also grown in maturity, experience, and love.  I know, it sounds cheesy, but its true.  Paul and I talk often about how wonderful this experience has been for our marriage.  We have been given this once in a lifetime opportunity to spend exclusive family time to figure out what works for us, what we want to include from our own families, and how to work things out when we are in a bind...all without being able to call our moms or dads and ask to be saved.  It really has been awesome.  God surely knew what he was doing when these orders were put in our path and our hearts were softened to the idea of moving across the world...keep in mind we CHOSE these orders. 

Lastly, I want to tell you about the most precious gift I have been given in the last 3 years of living in Italy: my brother!  I probably would have NEVER had the opportunity to get to know Eddie like this ever again.  Eddie left for West Point and then the seminary when I was 11 years old.  Although we exchanged letters and semi-regularly planned phone calls over the years, it was generally a "Hi Ed, this is whats going on in my life, hows everything going with you, great to talk to you, love you, bye".  Deep, huh?  Moving here, newly married, and pregnant with our first child, I approached the situation a little hesitant as to what this relationship would hold.  Once all of the apprehension of being with my "seminarian brother" wore off, I got to know Eddie, the man and my brother.  He has became more to me than just "the brother who is studying to become a Catholic Priest".  He is WAY more than that and I am so proud of who he is and what he has spent the last several years preparing himself for!  I am thankful for the opportunity I have had to get to know him! Even more, I am forever thankful for the bond that he has formed with my family, especially my sweet little boy who thinks that his Uncle, in all of his horsey knee-riding glory, is one cool dude! 

So, there it is.  My final "Duval Family Update" from Italy.  I will continue to keep you all updated with our family and all of the upcoming changes.  Before I close this e-mail I will let you in on the latest upcoming change for the Duval family, come mid-December, Catherine will become a big sister!  Yup, thats right, we're having another baby!  God has already begun to get us excited about our life back in the States...he really works in miraculous ways.

We can't wait to see you all in the land of Wendy's and TJMaxx!  Please pray for a safe (and morning sickness free) flight on Sunday for the kids and me. 

Love,
Jeanne

Duval Family Update March 2010

Hi family and friends,

I hope this e-mail finds you doing well and preparing yourself for a good Holy Week.  I cannot believe this week has already come.  When I was younger, lent lasted FOREVER!!!  Now, it's like a blink of an eye.  Its over and I'm not ready!  Luckily, Paul is having surgery this week so I will have PLENTLY of oppurtunities to unite my sacrifices with Christ.  Isn't it amazing how God works those things out?

Anyways, on to our update.  The little Duval family is doing very well these days.  Our calendar has been full of trips, appointments, parties, etc.  Paul and I were so thankful to be able to get out of Naples ALONE to go to Paris for a weekend.  Once I got over the feeling of constantly forgetting something, we had a fantastic time and vowed to make our "Paul and Jeanne" trip happen more often, at least once a year.   

Paul was supposed to have his jaw surgery last wednesday but because of a last minute fever it got moved to this wednesday.  It worked out perfectly since we both ended up being sick all through the weekend.  Now, we're rested, feeling better, and ready to take this on!  Paul will be on a COMPLETELY liquid/non-teeth needing diet for the next 6 weeks.  If you have any recipes, please send them my way.  Please keep him (and our surgeon, Dr. Shoemaker) in your prayers on Wednesday. 

The BIGGEST news in our house these days is that our sweet little Guido is about to turn 2!!!!!  Can you believe that?  I remember sitting in the hospital like it was yesterday.  He's going to have quite the birthday this year as his grandparents, Nana and Pepe, are coming to visit, he's having an Elmo birthday party, AND he's getting to eat his first piece of cake.  (We've been quite strict about not letting him eat white sugar before his 2nd birthday).  It will be quite the week!  What's crazy, he has absolutely NO IDEA whats going on.  haha.   

Sweet baby Cate is also doing well.  She continues to grow (up AND OUT) and is HILARIOUS!  She is crawling, standing, and cruising EVERYWHERE!  She LOVES her daddy and brother like no other and has gotten "da da" and "ba ba" (referring to 'brother') down.  The difference between boys and girls is amazing...it's called D-R-A-M-A.  Oh my goodness!  You would think that the world is coming to an end througout our day if you judged it by Catherine's cries.  Wow!  Luckily, her brother comes to her rescue covering her with hugs and kisses at these occations.  Man, I LOVE the love of my children.  It's so sweet and pure. 

Lastly, I am doing well.  Trying to make sure that the house and family is ready for Paul's surgery and following 30 days of convalescent leave, preparing for Paul's parents visit and travels, and then preparing for our move home on May 8th.  I can't believe its ending so soon!  In order to keep up my running, I am registered for the July 4th 10K Peachtree Road Race.  I figured this was a unique oppurtunity, not being pregnant OR nursing, to finally do something I've always wanted to do. 

I think thats everything.  For fear of my brother asking for cliff notes to my updates I will go ahead and end this.  I hope you are all doing very well.  Make sure to live your Holy Week well, especially Friday! 

Love,
Jeanne

Duval Family Update March 2010

Hi Friends,

I suppose I have been in a reflective mood lately but I can't help but think about how our lives are about to change and how I will never get back these moments that are passing us by.  As Paul and I look at the upcoming events in our lives (Paris, Paul's surgery, Nana and Pepe's visit, and moving) and how they just lead right into each other I am realizing how quickly the next 9 weeks are going to pass by.  At the same time, I just want everything to stop because all is perfect in the Duval household right now.  The kids are at AWESOME ages, I'm really enjoying living in Naples, Paul and I are having a lot of fun together, and I've got our day to day life down pat.  Why am I opting to change this? 

Right now, Paul and Catherine are at my favorite ages thus far.  Paul is not going through a rebellious stage and Catherine is just plain funny!  I remember when Catherine was first born and I was struggling more than any of you will know. We were introduced to the song "It won't be like this for long" by Darius Rucker.  I just sat in the chair crying as I listened to the song.  The first verse talks about having a newborn that cries all night and the wife is gently reminding her husband that it won't like this for long.  I could relate, although Paul was the one reminding me and my baby wasn't crying all night, she was crying, screaming, angry ALL DAY!!!  At the same time, my sister-in-law had written a blog entry about the same song talking about how she wanted to savour every moment with my new nephew Gabriel because things change so fast.  I remember reading that and feeling so guilty that I just wanted the time pass as quickly as possible while she saw the silver lining.   

This weekend Paul made his 2009 CD.  His song to remember Catherine's birth is that very song.  When I heard it again it was amazing how the meaning has changed. As I look back on those first 9 HARD weeks its seems like a blink of an eye.  It's fast how fast things change and pass by.  My baby girl is now almost 8 months old (4 MONTHS FROM ONE!!!) and my baby boy is about to turn 2 in a month!  I wish I could set up a video camera and tape every day so I don't forget anything. 

So, I have decided that I am going to stop living every day in preperation for the next event or trip.  I am missing so much right now.  This day will never happen again.  My kids are not going to wait for the dishes to be done or the laundry to be folded, they are playing, giggling, and growing now...and I want to be there playing and giggling with them.  As they say, "It won't be like this for long..."

Love,
Jeanne