Meet The Valentines

Halloween 2011: Fire Chiefs, Fire Trucks and Dalmations, Oh My!

2011-10-31T15:25:00.000-04:00

Well here we are at Halloween 2011. Halloween has never been a big holiday for me. Though I am reminded by one of my cousins via Facebook that I once cut a pretty cool figure as Indiana Jones and enjoyed myself. But that was different. All you needed was a fedora, a bunch of khaki clothes and a whip. If you want to enjoy your Halloween, I suggest you carry a working, snapping whip. Strictly for affect.

But here we are Halloweening with a 3-year-old boy and a one-year old girl. Finnegan let it be known mid-summer that he wanted a Fireman's costume for his birthday. He got it and was thrilled, but I predicted then that he wouldn't want to be a fireman for Halloween and we'd be buying another costume. But he stuck to his water-guns and proved his old man wrong. All he has wanted to be is a fireman. And a striking one he is.


Fireman Finnegan

But that wouldn't be good enough for me. As his father I foresaw a glut of fireman coming this season and needed to make his uniform (yes I took to referring to it as a uniform) stand out. Thus was born my month-long obsession with creating a cardboard firetruck to wear around the rest of the suit.

You start with a trip to see the fine folks at our friendly neighborhood Upland Brewing Growler Shoppe and ask them for one of the boxes the growlers come in, six to a box. Gently and carefully use your box-cutters to open a hole in the bottom and cut away the extra flaps and open up the windshield. If you are obsessive, you can cut sixteen circles of extra cardboard and glue them together in stacks of four to create tires. Once painted black the corrugation looks like tire tread. Paint the rest of the box red and decorate to your hearts content, I recommend bumpers, ladders and the number of your local fire station.

At some point you spouse will doubt your ability to pull this off and they will likely focus their attention on questions like, "How is he gonna wear it?" Rest assured that the answer to this problem, as it is to most difficult problems in this world is: duct tape. In this case, preferably red.

Daddy's Obsession

Voila! Firetruck!

Then came the first test; trunk or treat. Yes, trunk or treat. I was unfamiliar with the notion until we were notified by Finnegan's school that there would be a trick or treat for the young devils in the parking lot of school. I was not however aware of my need to truly decorate my trunk. My one orange and black bowl with Kit-kats and Skittles was definitely found lacking next to parents dressed as witches with skeletons and cobwebs adorning their vehicles. I will see you ladies next year.

I wish I had gotten a picture of Finn with his two other fireman classmates, both looked great but they didn't have firetrucks and did not have FIRE CHIEF emblazoned on their back, so I'm thinking that made Finn their boss. Anyway...


Trunk or treating!

His poor beleaguered sister, unable to formally request a costume, was simply amalgamated into the fireman theme as a dalmatian. Poor dear. This year she was simple an accessory. Next year we will make it up to you, Millie. I swear.

"Bad enough you put me in this ridiculous get-up and take me to a trunk party in a parking lot, but to hoist me into this contraption and just leave me sitting here is just the ultimate insult."

Trunk or treating wears a Fire Chief out after a while but, not wanting to shirk his duties, he did not allow himself to nap before going to ZooBoo at the Indianapolis Zoo. Thusly he was certain to be cranky and make sure no one enjoyed the experience too awful much. Except of course Grandma, who loved it all. The costumes, the animals, the "carry my fire truck for me" duty.


Sometimes the duty of being Fire Chief wears you down.

"Look at the ghost Grandma!"

ZooBoo at the Indianapolis Zoo.

Tonight we trick or treat our neighborhood and should there be need of reporting, this space will offer a follow-up. But for now rest assured that it is just 24 days until Thanksgiving and the all-but-certain pilgrim photos to go with.

Happy Halloween!

Millie Loves Her a Good Game of Peekaboo

2011-09-27T21:51:00.000-04:00

If you Facebook with us, you've already seen this, but it seemed like it oughta be on the family blog. Seems like a great time to give a Millie update. At 13 months she is a super cheerful little thing who is extremely close to walking. Especially since her Grandma Sandy made sure the good people at Stride-Rite were put on the case. She stood up for about a half a minute yesterday before she realized she wasn't really ready for that. There aren't really any words yet, but how is she supposed to get a word in edgewise with her brother around. Peekaboo has taken on a huge role for her as has her daily attempts to remove my snout and ears like they were bullfight trophies.
We'll keep you updated as further stuff comes.

The Artist and his Vision

2011-09-08T23:35:00.000-04:00

So Finnegan and his mother have a bit of a bedtime tradition working. Every night they turn on his turtle nightlight that projects constellations on the ceiling and they make a wish on a star. Contrary to how I understand such wishes to work, Alisha immediately asks him what he wishes for. For quite a while it was, "I hope we all have a nice time at the beach." Sweet, wight? So then we take our summer vacation where we have a lovely time at the beach,

After vacation Alisha asks him what he wants and, as he had been telling me for a week or so over lunches, he says, "I want to make Mama a heart and hang it on the wall." I leave this hanging for a while but definitely have plans of painting a heart with him on canvass. Well, his birthday weekend we go get some paint and a canvass and take to the backyard for the project you witness here.

I sketched a heart outline and held his hand to brush the initial hear outline, and Alisha helped fill in the background, but beyond that about 70 percent of the paint on this canvass is the boy's doing. LAregely by his demand. At one point early in the process when I was guiding his hand a bit, he just dropped the brush and said, "I don't want to do it." I apologized and gave him the brush and bit my tongue for the rest of the project.
I think at the lunches he often mentioned glitter, but I let that slide.

We are all so proud of the finished product and the artist, that it hands above our fireplace for all to see.

A perfect Valentine from our Finny little Valentine.

Birthdays!

2011-09-06T01:43:00.000-04:00

The end of August and start of September will forever be the birthday season in our little household. Millie's first birthday was a road trip to Evansville.

In keeping with her "Cupcake" nickname, her birthday cake was an enormous cupcake. Above she's peeling open the more manageable fun-sized version,

She was intimidated for only a few brief minutes.

Finnegan was not to be outdone even at his sister's birthday. He monopolized the time of his Aunt Kara and partook of some home-made strawberry ice cream compliments of his great grandparents Gene & Carol.

His own birthday event was back in the friendly confines of our home here in Indy. Cars and Cars 2 were an overwhelming theme. I am quite amazed at how virtually everything can be redone into a Cars theme.

That said, I am heartened to see two old favorites from my far distant youth revamped for the Cars generation.If you remember the Playdoh fun factory, there is a great Cars spin-off version that involves Mater regurgitating various Play-doh shapes and the much beloved Viewmaster has gotten updated to be Finnegan's first binoculars that, with the flip of a switch serve as actual binoculars. Keen.

Another recurring theme of Finnegan's birthday has been his virtually year-long obsession with firefighters. The day before his birthday party we made a surprise trip to Indianapolis Fire Station 31 where Firefighter Dan, twenty-two years a fireman and second generation at that, enthusiastically gave a surprisingly intimidated Finn a great tour. My photos were crappy but our friend Tim took some that I hope to share in a separate post soon.

This visit was a great lead-in to Finn's Fire Chief uniform, complete with helmet, raincoat (this one fit better than the one he tried on with Fireman Dan), badge, extinguisher and a very annoying bull horn that cannot be used as a true voice amplifier but does have a very loud and very popular siren sound. The outfit is awesome and super cute, but that siren is killing us.

Worst of all, as Alisha realized late that night, we had no one to blame. The loudest most annoying gifts, usually an honor prized and relished by my sister, were this year entirely our own doing. In addition to the never-ending bullhorn siren we also gifted him, at my request, a saxoflute. Follow the link and laugh at our naivete. It came with two, count'em two whistles.

That wasn't all the excitement. There was a Lightening McQueen pinata which we filled with chocolates and then left hanging outside for three hours on a 100 degree day. Because we are brilliant parents.

But seriously, look at the stance and the serious look on his face.

Did I mention it was a 100 degrees? So we sent him through the kidwash (my summer family craft and enjoyment project) a couple times which some how just got him dirtier.

Don't freak-out. That is just mulch.

Any who. A first and a third birthday successfully celebrated fifteen days apart. Sounds like this will be a busy two-weeks for the rest of our lives.

Our Summer Vacation

2011-07-25T21:08:00.009-04:00

Well we had a great little summer vacation last week in St. Joe Michigan where we've gone for 3 years now. Finn and Millie, as you can see, dug the beach.

Surprising to Daddy was how enjoyable our little blueberry picking expedition was. Finn ate as many as he put in his bucket, actually abandoning his bucket altogether several times.

That's an iphone in his hand, but shouldn't it be a harmonica?

Alisha took me to the worst Cubs game ever where they got razed by the Phillies 9 to 1 in 98 degree heat. Don't get me wrong. We were in the shade and the beer was cold, so it was fun.
Theree was also time spent on Miller's Time, the boat our friends Don and Julie Miller graciously hosted us on. Finn liked driving it with Don.

Millie Hits The Beach

2011-07-18T10:39:00.006-04:00

Every bedtime for months when Finnegan wishes on a star he always asks for the same thing, "To have a great time at the beach." He got that yesterday up on Lake Michigan at Hager Park Beach. It was a lovely day and Millie's first beach visit ever but definitely not her last.

She is her mother's beach baby.

There will be more beach for the rest of the week.

Meet Millie!

2010-08-19T21:36:00.006-04:00

This is Millicent Mitchem Valentine. She entered this world from the friendly confines of her mother's tummy at 7:55 AM on Thursday, August 19th, 2010. The picture above was when she was about an hour old.
In this picture she is about 5 minutes old. She weighed in at 6 pounds and 7.8 ounces and measures 18 and one half inches long. Mother and daughter are doing fine as you can see below.

Her brother Finnegan is having a bit of trouble with his definition of the word "gentle" but is otherwise thoroughly enthused.

Momma had a hard day, but is as lovely as ever and has made her husband very, very proud. As well a slew of grandparents and great grands.

There will be more to come. Thanks to all of you who have already called with best wishes and congratulations.

Summer Fun So Far 2010: The Indiana State Fair

2010-08-13T13:51:00.011-04:00

Today we went to the Indiana State Fair.
Finnegan and I were part of that special crowd that breakfasts at the fair. A little Dairy Barn action and make sure that's chocolate milk.
The DNR pavilion was lotsa fun, but mostly because now we know he wants an Arctic Cat four-wheeler for Christmas.
It was cooler, or at least as cooler as it was gonna get all day, so we rushed the joint and saw ourselves some livestock. The donkey's were a lotta fun but the boy was mainly drawn to their little wagons.
Finn was all about the goats. They were about his speed.
Only you.
He got kinda mesmerized near the end of the day by this sleeping calf. It was eerie. He'd not touch or pet it but, stood motionless watching it sleep for like four minutes, which is like standing still an hour to a not yet two-year-old.

Welcome Kitty

2010-07-29T12:36:00.007-04:00

We now have a cat. Alisha wanted one for her birthday and found a real cutie she got from a foster mom who just about cried when we asked for her. The cat's name was Compass, but so far the closest thing to a name Finnegan has given her is Mao.

Summer 2010 So Far: Bowling

2010-07-19T14:11:00.015-04:00

Sunday night I had to miss a fundraiser I slightly helped pull together. I regretted it as I went about the duties that drew me away. But upon returning to see these pictures and hear from Alisha how much fun they had, I regretted it even more.

It was a fundraiser for a great not-for-profit called Reach for Youth which provides counseling opportunities for at-risk children and teens. A great organization and a worthy cause. The fundraiser was called Roll for youth and was held at what is apparently a beautiful bowling alley called the Woodland Bowl.

Alisha took Finnegan and their night went a little something like this.

Start with some tasty cheese pizza and when mom points the camera at you say what type of pizza you are eating, "Cheese!" Check.

Begin with some skee-ball just to reintroduce ourselves to rolling heavy non-bounce balls.
Didn't collect a lotta tickets, but the concept has been laid out. Check.
Next, get the young person cheats in place. Check.
Select a pretty blue ball from the broad and delightful array of technicolor balls. Check.
Accept a little help in aiming from a qualified adult. Check.
But you gotta get a feel for the ball and it's weight, as well as its shininess. Check-erino.

Roll it. Wait for it... Wait for it.... Wait... Wait...Wait...
BINGO! Clap when stuff falls down. Check! And the joy passes to another generation. Now I gotta get him a bowling shirt.

Summer 2010 So Far: Playdate

2010-07-17T14:23:00.012-04:00

Today, Finnegan and I ventured to the east-side for a play-date hosted in the home of Anne-Marie and Tim and their lovely daughter Evyn.
Four children total in the house, with Max and Nathaniel, plus three more parents and Andrew a childless friend of us all who mixed mojitos and marveled at the well-behaved kids.
I have to say, if you were gonna go to your first multi-child playdate, this was a great one. They were all in incredible moods and shared better than I've seen.
They took turns playing Tim's grown-up drumkit in the basement, which Evyn is really pretty good at. There was this great toy I'd never seen before called an Elefun which blows butterflies out its blue trunk into the air for kids to catch with nets.
They were all so well behaved to allow for some decent adult conversation to take place. Goldfish helped though.
After some goldfish our hosts offered up the mojitos and kale lasagna which was really great and, to my amazement, was very appreciated by the increasingly finicky Finnegan.
It was a great time had by all and I really appreciated Tim and Anne-Marie hosting. They definitely out did our efforts which usually just involve some grapes and juice and crackers.
Next time we host, I'll feel compelled to get a keg of good beer and do some barbecuing. Tim and Anne-Marie have stepped up the game and now we must all follow suit.
They all played well and we fit a brief bit of story-time in with Nathaniel and Finn on my lap.

Summer 2010 So Far: Summer Love

2010-07-07T23:10:00.005-04:00

I don't know who this fetching young lady was, but she absolutely owned the affections of young Finnegan at the playground on the beach of St. Joe, Michigan on a lovely July day. He met, pursued, charmed, did tricks for and eventually lost this beautiful beach damsel.

They were enthralled and then as suddenly as this, his first summer romance had begun, it was over with a sweet but heartbreaking, "I gotta go see my mom now." Stunned at her sudden departure he scanned the horizons with a pensive painful stare, but like a good man, kept his chin solid and took the punch to the gut. Later he drowned his sorrows in fruit snacks and a nap.

Summer 2010 So Far: Gard'nin, Part 2

2010-07-07T23:06:00.002-04:00

Pickle cucumbers, hot peppers, basil and one serious squash.

Summer 2010 So Far: Gard'nin

2010-07-01T01:14:00.004-04:00

We started a garden at our old house with our good friend Nicole who rents it these days. I got us/lucked into some free ready-made boxes from the nice folks at Indy Glass Center and carried some too wet, too heavy Mike's Mix from Indiana Mulch to fill them in April and May first Nicole and I planted some of each of our seedlings.

Nicole has done most of the weeding and daily maintenance of the garden, but every now and again I pop over with Finnegan to ruin things. But try as we might, food still grows.

Tonite's dinner featured one hot pepper in Alisha's delicious tequila-lime chicken and a green pepper in her black bean and corn salad.

The project started for me as something to do with Finnegan. Until this week, he has only been interested in the throwing of the dirt. He now seems to get the plants as part of it, but I know he loves to do the watering.

In this clip, the quality isn't very good, had to lower resolution to fit it in the blog, you can hear him call it, "gard'nin." He was soaked at the end, but he said "gard'nin" and "wat-ter" all the way home, or at least 16th street where he passed out in the car.

Summer 2010 So Far: Mowing

2010-06-22T22:30:00.012-04:00

The picture below with me wearing a red shirt, were taken at the Indianapolis City Market Farmer's Market last week. It is notable for two reasons: First, you will note Finnegan's crook'd finger and serious stare. You've seen the same look right before Sean Penn or Alec Baldwin takes the paparazzo's camera and busts it on the pavement. It would have been his first of what I suspect will be several such incidents over the course of his live and career. I talked the little tough guy down and fortunately for Will the cameraman, there were no fisticuffs.

Below you see the killer stare continues. The second reason is to point out this nifty ride along backpack. It has become a major piece of our summer gear.
It carried Finnegan around the 500 Festival Parade, it has hauled him around the neighborhood for short afternoon visits to watch soccer or flag football.
But most notably, it has become a part of our lawn care regimen. One day I needed to mow the lawn and was home with Finn alone and felt comfortable mowing in our backyard fenced in area, but didn't trust him to watch from the sidelines outside the fence. He has yet to truly learn to fear the street.So a lightbulb lit above my heard, which frightened and confused the tike for a second and in seconds I had loaded him on my back and started the lawn mower.

It was a revelation for the boy. He reached his arm over my left shoulder for the next thirty minutes and said "mow!" no less than 700 times. He loves it. Since then he has taken to riding a bit quieter and more relaxed. Last week, he had an open (as opposed to a sippy) cup of ice water with him for the whole front yard and I never wore it. Not a drop.It soothes him most times. If you time it right he'll go out on your back just as the clock strikes naptime. Out like the proverbial light bulb. It is one of the things I will always remember about this age.And for those of you wondering about my knee surgery, I had it on a Thursday and these photos are from mowing that Monday. So, I'll be fine. But thanks for the concern. Shh. Don't wake the kid.

Summer 2010 So Far: Racing With Pa

2010-06-22T21:32:00.006-04:00

The rain and humidity of the early 2010 Summer not withstanding there is a lot of great fun stuff to report and I've got a backlog I need to catch up on. So here is the first installment of The Summer So Far:Lets start with racing. As previously published, our first-born is a big fan of the drag races and a while back got to be there, with proper protective gear as you can see, to stay up late and witness his Grandpa Larry win his division under the lights.
Finnegan says "Wow!" and "Loud!' a lot at the races. But mostly he just grins and giggles. claps and points at Grandpa Larry and says "Pa!"

Pa was pretty excited by the win and told Alisha as they headed for the winners' circle photos, "This doesn't happen very often. Lets get that boy up here with me."

I was home stripping furniture, more about that in a future post, and missed the whole thing and kick myself for it. In a few weeks Finnegan will be spending the weekend with Pa and Grandma in Michigan at a race and we know they will share with us great photos from that. But for now it's just fun to look at the boy at the track.

Mondays are for Swimming

2010-05-03T21:42:00.007-04:00

Last year's swimming classes for Finnegan were pretty fun and he never seemed too scared of the water. This year he continues the trend. After five weeks of swim classes, he wakes up just about everyday and says "swim" in an excited sing-song fashion that just makes you wanna load up the car and hit the beach.

He's learning to kick, though he does it more when he's at home talking about swimming than when he is actually in the pool. But the concepts are getting there. Mostly though, he socializes.
He spends a lot of time hanging on the walls and the stair railings saying "hello!" and shouting out the names of other kids.

Below he is with his best swimming buddy, Bryce. Bryce's mom teaches the class (Monday's at the Jordan Y) and deserves as much credit for putting up with Finn's Dad during class as much as teaching Finn.

Bryce, as you might guess, is the best swimmer and as such he exudes a confidence that makes Finn want to party with that dude.

Swim class has made Monday's our favorite day of the week.

Saturday at the Drag Strip

2010-04-25T19:57:00.013-04:00

Not that I want to, but it is becoming clear that it will be tough to keep the boy from the track. Finnegan's Grandpa Larry (known to Finnegan as Pa) and his Aunt Kara and Grandma Terry were in town from Evansville to race at the O'Reilly Raceway Park for IHRA drag racing

Finn spent at least one hour of our eight hour visit at the track attached to this scooter.

He spent at least another hour helping his mother, grandmother fly our kite. That kitew is getting a lotta play this spring.

Lunch time was spent largely with their dog Harley.

The boy is pretty good-natured when he's walked around the track. He brings quite the entourage.
Here is ain't Kara watching Pa warm his tires.

Grandma and Finn watched from the stands. He was pretty impressed.

But the little adrenaline freak just had to fade after awhile no matter how many cars there were to see.
There will be other opportunities.

Flying a kite at O'Bannon Park

2010-04-10T20:33:00.012-04:00

It was a lovely day to fly a kite and since Alisha bought some friday, Finnegan hasn't stopped pointing to them and saying "kite, kite, kite..."
I rode past Frank and Judy O'Bannon Park on the Monon last week and saw some folks flying kites and it seemed the perfect place. So there we went.
The first one needed a better tail so we went with the better but weirder one. He liked flying it and pointed it out in the sky repeating his "kite, kite, kite" refrain.

Alisha got these great shots of Finn with the caboose at the park. He is just plum tuckered here, but it looks like he's shooting a hip album cover.

This is supposed to be an octopus, but it sure looked like a jellyfish to me. Especially as it wrapped itself around the boy.
This last shot pretty much sums it up. Alisha and Finn sitting in the park on a stunning day flying a kite. It was a great little trip.

Finnegan: Ringbearer

2010-03-29T11:18:00.009-04:00

Erin Go Bragh

2010-03-18T11:44:00.014-04:00

If you name a boy Finnegan, you really oughta take him to the St. Patrick's Day parade. So we grabbed Grandma and hauled her off downtown to see the parade on what had to be one of the nicest days this town has seen in at least 120 days.

My mother is not known for her photographic prowess, but I have to admit she documented the day pretty well and it was a good time had by all.

Finnegan's favorite moment was either the giant white dog we met or the civil war re-enacters firing their muzzle-loaders. He wanted to follow them for the rest of the parade.

Miss Indiana was especially kind to take a shot with the boy, even if he seems a little stern. But when you're mama's as pretty as his, it's hard to be too impressed with beauty queens.

Even grandpa got a little irish spirit at the end of the day.

Snow Shovelling

2010-02-24T14:50:00.006-05:00

You just gotta hope this boy keeps his enthusiasm for the snow shovel with him into his teens.

On a snowy day alone in a house with the boy and Horton Hatches the Egg gets you this.

2010-01-08T13:02:00.005-05:00

Wrote most of this in my head as I changed over laundry then posted it to facebook:

Spencer Valentine wonders if it's ever happened to you upon reading much Seuss to your child under two.

Have you noticed your speech patterns evolving to mimic storybook rhythms and rhymes idiomatic.

Over coffee. Through brunch. As I shovel the snow. I hear it and speak it without realizing its so.

In compact car or kitchen or in front of my screens, Ted Geisel’s influence practically screams.

Thanks to Horton, a Grinch, green eggs and ham, ham, ham, ham.

I think I could throttle that damn Sam I Am.

Is there a support group or a pill my doc could prescribe?

Google can’t show me one, so I think I’ll imbibe.

He’s just 16 months, years more Seuss to get through.

Mayzie, Lorax, hatted cat, a billion or so Whos.

I’d best settle in, the Doc’s got a lot more to teach us.

Finn, maybe someday a sibling, will likely soon ask me what the hell a Sneetch is.

Random Sights of Christmastime

2009-12-17T11:14:00.007-05:00

First Haircuts Suck

2009-12-02T19:21:00.009-05:00

I felt like the guy who plays violin outside the gas chamber. The poor guy trusts me. He likes me. I bring him to a colorful fun looking place. It has a little jungle gym even. I pick him up and sit him in a shiny toy car. We put the larges bib he's ever seen on him. He's gotta be thinking, "This is awesome! Dunno what we're eating but it must be big and messy? That Dad guy is a little bit of alright."

Then the snipping begins and it's right in his ear. And he is certain that he is back in the emergency room again getting stitches.
Did I mention that he had just minutes before had his stitches removed? Did I mention that he fell down and hit his head and got stitches last week? Well, he did. There you are all caught up.Anyway, he was pretty inconsolable about the whole situation. Even a remote control in his hand did little to ease his ill temper.
But in the end there was a blue balloon and a nap. He bounces back pretty well.

Old Things Are New Things If You Son Has Never Seen Them Part III: The Resurrection of Seabiscuit

2009-11-30T21:33:00.005-05:00

Don't tell me miracles don't happen. In our house we spell miracle G-R-A-N-D-P-A. If you are among the small cast following this blog you will remember that when last we left our hero and his mighty steed Seabiscuit, the ancient horse had shed his mortal coil and proceeded on to his eternal reward. All of us were saddened at the passing, especially young Finnegan.

But alas a mysterious figure entered our story. Seabiscuit was taken away and trough the laying on of hands, and no doubt some drilling, gluing and driving of screws, new life was breathed into the old fella.

Who was that masked man who saved our heroic horse. I don't know, but he left behind a silver screw.

Seabiscuit
1964-2009, 2009-?
Yippie-kuy-aye!

Old Things Are New Things If You Son Has Never Seen Them Part II

2009-10-31T11:33:00.004-04:00

Remember a few weeks back when I got all sentimental about my son playing in my old toy box and on my old rocking horse? Well the bittersweetness continued today when I turned around to check why Finn sounded flummoxed and saw this.

I saw it coming. Seabiscuit had become a tad wobbly of late and had to go down sometime. I'd like to fix the old boy up but it looks like we'll have to take him out back and shoot him. Finn was inconsolable until the apple juice showed up.

Seabiscuit
1964-2009
It was quite a ride.

Punkinhead

2009-10-30T10:26:00.005-04:00

Finnegan's grandpa Larry found this cool pumpkin hat for the little guy and we think its awesome. But we couldn't get him to keep it on long enough to get a picture. He has yet to develop his father's affinity for chapeaus.

Fortunately he will do almost anything for his Grandma Sandy. Especially when she plies him with goldfish, the crack of the 14-month-old set.

Anyway, we think it's a good look for the holiday. Thought we'd share.

Bath Time

2009-10-22T19:41:00.009-04:00

We are still big fans of bath time at the Valentine homestead. And these from last night are just a slice of the life here during a bath. What's new? Well with new found walking comes new found tub walking. Graceful? Yes. Inspiring? Certainly. Terrifying in a steel clawfoot tub with protruding chrome fixture that seem to demand his attention. A little.

Not much to say about this, just good bath pictures. And very natty in the robe with the fox on the pocket. Very Hef.

Old Things Are New Things If You Son Has Never Seen Them

2009-09-28T14:26:00.015-04:00

I try not to idolize stuff. That is I hope to avoid longing for material goods. Things are just tools to be used. Don't get me wrong. I've bought a lot of stuff. I've bought a lot of useless stuff. And, though Alisha may not see it this way, most of it I've gotten rid of over time. But we develop attachments to some things. Sometimes even things that aren't really that important or that have outlived their use, we find ourselves wishing we had kept them. I'd love to have back some of the comic books I know ended up in a landfill or in some evening newspaper. I wish I still had the 1971 Ford Maverick I finally destroyed after several attempts.
Now and then though, things show up that you thought were gone forever. And you'd have probably been alright with them being gone until you look over and see your son playing with it or climbing out of it.When Finnegan was born my parents regifted my old 1960's era wooden plank and rope-handled toybox to him. It's original era is clear due to the faded white cowboy stenciling that is still an emblem of a time when there were three networks and they all were dominated by westerns. Mom cleaned the wood and Dad added locking hinges to keep him from smashing his hands with the lid, something that didn't concern parents (spelled l-a-w-y-e-r-s) of that day.
But now it is Finn's first stop after breakfast. He pulls out a toy and either plays with it or doesn't for 23 seconds and then reaches in for another. More recently he has just made it his job to get the toys out as fast as possible so there is room inside for him. This morning as he stared up at me from the inside corner of the box with a questioning look that could only mean, "What did you do when all the toys were on the outside and you were on the inside?" I didn't have an answer for him so I responded with Confused Father Trick Number 7: Get the camera.
This weekend at the birthday party for our friends' daughter Bryn, a lovely little peer for Finn, my boy started playing on a very plush, well-designed, low-to-the-ground rocking horse. It actually might have been an elephant, but I digress. Finn tried to ride it and understood it instantly. He tired of it just as instantly. Because, while it rocked similarly to the rocking horse he had at home it lacked that 1960s danger.By far Finn's favorite toy, other than my stomach, is the rocking horse that my parents regifted from the Spencer collection. This red and white painted and lacquered pony with a simple flat seat a good 14 inches above runners seemingly designed to pinch, if not sever, plump bare toes, and a painted on face that I have always thought looked more like a muzzled collie than any kind of horse. If it were a horse it would be three decades late for a glue factory. But Gads does he love it!Tirelessly, he will grunt and gasp as he tries to get on, rocks three or four times and then slide off. Pushes it. Stands and grins next to it. Pauses and starts again. He has run over his feet, fallen on his head, pulled the Disney-like wooden head down on him and cried as if bucked by a live bronco. Every time after you pick him up, he grasps at it again with greedy eyes that also seem to call you a coward for not trying to ride.So now my old steed, which I am reminded was beloved by me as well, and my old western toybox have a new life with a new cowboy and I have never enjoyed any of my childhood possessions more. I wouldn't trade them for much of anything. It wouldn't matter if I did. Little cowpoke wouldn't let me.

Mother & Son, Part 1

2009-09-05T01:36:00.006-04:00

Sometimes it is just important to remind yourself...

...how beautiful life can be.

Finnegan's First Birthday

2009-09-04T22:18:00.012-04:00

Well, Finn is one year old. There's a party for him Sunday, but we had to give him his first cake on his birthday Thursday. He was a mess. A cheery, beautiful, ravenous mess. At one year he is completely capable of walking, but, as yet, doesn't really see the point of letting go of the chair and rail. Which is odd because he has no fear whatsoever of the stairs.
In the last month he has been to his first ballgame, had his first juice and said his second word. First was 'banana' and, in keeping with an apparent theme, he followed that up with 'monkey'. Being good parents who like to recognize our child's predispositions, so we will be taking him to the zoo Monday.

Tonight he heard his first bluegrass band and for the first time we saw what had to be called dancing. For months we've seen things that looked like dancing and convinced ourselves it was dancing, but tonight there was no doubt. He was a little dancing fool. He seemed to especially light up for the fiddle. Sorry we have no footage of this, but you will note above the initial inklings of dance that made us so proud.
He's been to the state fair and really liked the horses and llamas, but not much else except of course, grilled cheese sandwiches from the dairy barn.

He is great.

The Great Indiana State Fair

2009-08-29T10:33:00.003-04:00

Just days before Finnegan was born last year, Spencer and I went to see A Prairie Home Companion with Garrison Keillor at the Indiana State Fair. It was one of our last nights out as just a couple and it was a beautiful night. I always enjoy a trip to the fair, especially the Dairy Barn. But this year was extra special seeing Finnegan experience animals up close for the first time.

He was hesitant feeding the sheep.

He warmed up to the piglets.

But he was a big fan of the horses.

We are only blocks from the fairgrounds, so I'm sure future years will involve many trips to the see the animals (and the Dairy Barn!).

Life's a Beach

2009-07-22T10:36:00.005-04:00

We're on our first family vacation -- a trip to St. Joseph, Michigan with our friends the Millers. Not only is the beach soft and wide (and one of the top rated by Parents magazine -- oh how the reading material has changed in the last 10 months!), the Millers have a boat they keep docked here. Finn's first trip to the beach was a success -- with lots of sand consumed. I hope he likes sand and sun as much as his mama because I need some beach time every couple of years.

While southwest Michigan certainly isn't tropical, it's plenty warm. And the area has some serious blueberries -- which have been quite a hit with the boy. But they stain, so it's best for him to eat them naked.

And the boy is traveling in style now. This week he got the car seat that will be his hang out for years to come. Note the fauxhawk -- when there's lots of sunscreen on his head, it stands up perfectly!

Finnegan's First Fourth Finished Full of Fireworks on the Fifth

2009-07-06T08:11:00.007-04:00

Well, Finn's first fourth of July was almost a bust what with the unrelenting rain. But he made the most of it. First by spending some great quality time with Grandma and Grandpa V while Mom & Dad used the rainy weather to see the first movie in a theatre in 8 months. Then we cooked out in the rain with our great neighbors (Thanks Marty, Anne-Marie and Jeramie) until the fireworks were cancelled.

So we found our way to the fifth of July and after a decent day around the house, we cooked out with more neighbors (Thanks Kate and Jason and Vivvy and Sam) and then caught the fireworks just close enough to see. Finn was interested if exhausted as he stared vacantly at the pretty colors while his mother provided some low volume "oooooohs" and "aaaahs."

Swim Classes

2009-07-02T09:29:00.007-04:00

Swim classes are a bittersweet event for Finnegan. He enjoys it right up to when he really really doesn't. On the upside he sleeps really well the night after a swim class. It's great to watch he and Mama share time in the pool. He's a great little trooper. But you can just feel his frustration. He is a surprisingly strong little cuss who likes clinging to the side of the pool. I'm certain he will be enjoying it more next week.

Finnegan logs his first swimming pool time.

2009-06-27T17:19:00.010-04:00

Finnegan has logged his first swimming pool time this week. First with a trip to the Northside Indianapolis Knights of Columbus thanks to our invite from the Megan Garver and the three Garver boys, Freddy, Michael and Peter. Also was nice to hang with John and Molly Kramer and their girls Caroline and Anne-Marie. He is still pretty tentative and stoic around the water, but you can coax the occasional smile.

Alisha has also taken him to the pool at the Jordan Y wearing his sunproof swim uniform. It look totally kowabunga dude!

Then there is the naked time in the baby pool out back. You gotta slather the waterproof sunscreen pretty liberally, what with him having daddy's irish skin and all. But, it's worth it. Look at that serious face.

Smiles

2009-06-17T09:33:00.006-04:00

I know that there are a lifetime of smiles ahead from this kid and I am certain that they will warm our hearts forever. But I will soon, I am certain, miss the toothless baby grin. There is something so unpracticed about it. It is truly a natural smile. Finn's is slightly crooked and often employs visible tongue. It is just great and in a few short weeks I know it will be gone.

I want my baby back, baby back, baby back

2009-06-09T12:31:00.004-04:00

Nine months, already? I didn't realize the baby phase went so quickly!

Of course Finnegan is still a baby, but in recent pictures I can see the little boy he's going to become. And I think he'll be pretty stinking cute. No bias.

But I am pretty thrilled that he's still toothless. His grin just won't be the same when one pops through.

We had his 9-month pictures taken a little early, and it's good thing. Since he's crawling and climbing now, he's also falling. Which results in some lingering bruises. And apparently weight loss. At his pediatrician appointment, he's dropped off his "curve." He was in the 50th percentile for weight and he's dropped to the 25th. The kid is quite an eater, but his foods are still primarily fruits and vegetables (if only we all ate so well!). So we'll be upping the servings of full fat cottage cheese and toast with cream cheese.

The 9-month stats:
Weight: 18 lbs 14 1/2 oz (25th percentile)
Height: 28 3/4 inches (75th percentile)

Bocce

2009-06-09T09:57:00.008-04:00

We've been playing the oldest sport known to man on Sunday's lately and last week was our last one this summer as a family. With the pools open and baby swim classes a'coming my lovely bride has opted out of reinvesting for the Summer league. But it was great to get together and play each week and watch how Finnegan interacted with a bunch of (so called) grown ups. He was as ever his chill self.

He was however the screen door on the submarine of Alisha's killer instinct. You can usually rely on her to bring A game or at least A competitive effort, but alas she just couldn't muster such attack with that cute little guy staring at her. She much preferred holding the boy and reading trashy books.

Even when our friends Ty and Sandhya mocked us openly after a cannoli (scoring the maximum 4 points) the brutal competitor I once knew was nowhere to be found. Bummer. Enjoy the pool Alisha, I will defend the family name with a new partner. Don't forget to be generous with the boy's sunblock. Daddy wants to keep with his Sunday bocce until football season calls.

You Gotta Crawl Before You Can Walk

2009-05-28T11:04:00.011-04:00

Been a lotta new stuff happening at the Valentine compound. The boy is officially a crawler. As you can see above. He's a bit ungainly at times, but already more graceful than his old man. Anyway, it's a little emotional, but mostly it's just nerve wracking. Nothing is safe. Not even a video camera.

Seems like the little man's got a few things on his mind too. Finn's making an awful lot of chatter. Can't put too many complete thoughts together yet, but he can say one word that seems to aggravate his mama. See bad video with clear audio below.

First Mother's Day

2009-05-18T11:24:00.003-04:00

Last year on Mother's Day I was five months pregnant. Spencer got me a lovely sapphire necklace, which was to be the baby's birthstone. But I was still antsy something would go wrong, so the necklace felt like it could be a jinx. So I made him take it back. Of course all went well, and we did have our September sapphire.

So this was my first Mother's Day. I hear many moms that just want to spend the day relaxing, alone. I just wanted to spend it with my boy. It was a beautiful day with brunch and mimosas at home, a few rides on the new baby swing and bocce in the park.

The day before we went to breakfast and the waitress wished me a Happy Mother's Day as we were leaving. I got a little choked up. No one had ever said that to me before. But Finnegan is such as sweet boy. He's taken to giving me big kisses when I get home from work. There really is nothing better!

But of course, he loves his dad too. Spencer puts a smile on his face like no one else can.

I just wish I had that necklace.

Parents' Day Out

2009-05-02T23:24:00.005-04:00

For Spencer's birthday a couple of weeks ago, I got him (us) tickets to the Cubs/Cardinals game in Chicago. Northern Indiana boy is a Cubs fan. Southern Indiana girl is a Cardinals fan. We try to get to a rivalry game once a year. Usually in St. Louis because tickets are cheaper. But we made our first trip to Wrigley Field together.

An April game in Chicago was a gamble, but we lucked out and it was a beautiful day.
But it was a big day not only for the NL Central. It was our first night away from Finnegan since he was born. More than seven months. It's been a long time. Which resulted in lots of rounds of beer and the ultimate luxury of sleeping in. Before Finnegan came along, we loved to travel and be social. It was great to have that back, if only for one day.

Too bad the Cubs won.

Spring is here!

2009-04-30T08:33:00.004-04:00

While Finnegan and I would take walks to the park when he was a newborn, it's been a long, cold winter, and we haven't had much of a chance to get outside. But all that's changing with spring finally here. Spencer and I joined a bocce league (sort of like shuffleboard with balls) that is near a little park, so Finn had his first experience on a swing.

In the purchase agreement for the new house, we stipulated that the swing set needed to stay. So we now need to get the baby swing set up, and he can enjoy it every day.

Also new for spring is the super orange stroller. With air-filled tires and suspension system, this is one sweet ride.

And while it's fun to see what plants are coming up at the new house, there are a couple of things I really miss from the old house -- namely my bleeding heart and the lilac bush that took 8 years to bloom. But since we're renting it out, at least I can visit them.

Look Ma, No Hands!

2009-04-22T07:54:00.003-04:00

Finnegan's newest trick is pulling himself up -- primarily on his toy box. He gets the biggest kick out of standing -- especially when there's a mirror inside so he can see himself -- the kid is quite the narcissist.

And the cowboy motif of the toy box (it was Spencer's when he was a boy) must be rubbing off because he loves to do tricks once he's pulled himself up. Namely leaning waaaaay back...

....or removing a hand or two (which is when he falls).

Finn's First Nice Day on the Circle

2009-04-13T14:35:00.008-04:00

Got the boy out and about two weeks back on one of the few nice days we've had in an otherwise dismal spring. We ran some bank errands downtown and used an old gift certificate for some Bodacious BBQ. Finn was especially taken with the cornbread.

Anyway he was enjoying the walk around the circle squealing at everyone who passed and drawing lots of attention from the ladies. Like father, like son.

The next really nice day will see us visiting the Children's museum to check into this so-called free membership folks have been telling us about since we are neighbors to the museum. Should be great. Dad looks forward to the new Star Wars exhibit.

Six months already

2009-03-30T11:40:00.005-04:00

Finnegan's 6-month pediatrician's appointment got lost in the shuffle with the move. But I still love taking him to the doctor. Except for the shots. But he's a trouper and only lets out a squeal before settling down. On to the stats:

6 months:
16 lbs 12 oz (45-50th %)
27 inches (75th %)

Though he's keeping up with the long and skinny, he has bizarrely fat and dimply knees.

He also got his 6-month pictures taken. And he's the sweetest thing.

It looks like he's buttoning his shirt cuffs in this picture. We hope to convince him to do the same for his senior pictures in 17 years!

Changes

2009-03-29T20:25:00.003-04:00

Big changes in the past month. The biggest is we're in the new house. Everyone seems to be adjusting well. I thought Finnegan might have trouble, but all he needed was thick curtains on his windows. He has a need for a dark room to sleep. But we have lots more room to spread out. Our goal was to have no more than one baby play item in each room, and so far it's worked.

But Finn has developed tremendously in the past month. Not only has he moved from rolling over to sitting up, he LOVES to stand. He can't pull himself up, but give him a couple fingers and he'll find his way to his feet. And he gets the biggest kick out it. He has found his voice and babbles and squeals constantly. I don't know how we lucked out, but we have one happy baby.

One thing hasn't changed. He still has fabulous blue eyes.

Hats

2009-03-29T15:22:00.008-04:00

Not sure where my affection for hats comes from. Always have had a lotta hats. Even before I needed to protect my naked scalp from the sun and elements. Perhaps it came from my mother. Sandy doesn't wear a lot of hats, but she certainly does seem to have quite a few around her crib.
And she seems very happy to share them with Finnegan. The boy can wear a hat. For sure.

Closing Day

2009-02-26T21:21:00.003-05:00

So Spencer and I bought a new house today. Well, new to us. It's actually 106 years old. It's in a neighborhood of Indianapolis called Meridian Park that has lots of historic homes.

As charming as it is, standing in the updated kitchen is where I knew this house would be ours and where I started getting choked up about having found "the one." I'd heard that when looking at houses, we'd just know when we found the right one. I didn't really believe it, but it happened.

We'll be moving next weekend. Which is a little bittersweet. Spencer and I have been in our current house for 10 years and it's the only place I've ever lived besides my parents house and dorm rooms. But it's time to move on. It was too small when we moved in. And though Finnegan is tiny, his equipment -- think swing, highchair, play gym, Jumparoo -- take up a lot of space. But we're hoping to hold onto it and rent it out. If you know someone who might be interested, let us know!

Valentine's Day with the Valentines

2009-02-22T18:22:00.005-05:00

When I started dating Spencer 10 years ago, there was a lot of pressure celebrating Valentine's Day. I mean, when your last name is the holiday, you feel like you have to go all out. With buying a house in two weeks, we decided to keep this year low key. We spent the afternoon with Finnegan, trying on dad's hat

and making impressions of his tiny foot. Note the gap between his toes. He gets that from his mom.

Our eighth wedding anniversary was in December, and Spencer and I have tried to keep with the giving of "traditional" anniversary materials. Eight years was bronze, so Spencer gave me a kit to make impressions of Finnegan's hand and foot. We finally got to the foot on Valentine's Day. It was a special way to spend the day and one we'll always be able to remember. I hope to make Valentine's Day special for Finnegan, and he enjoys having the last name Valentine on February 14.

Hope you had a chance to flirt with the ones you love!

This boy can sleep anywhere

2009-02-08T16:36:00.003-05:00

So Finnegan and I have started a little Sunday afternoon tradition. I wear him in a sling while putting away laundry. We bounce around and sing to a kids CD -- think This Old Man, Say Say O Playmate, Wheels on the Bus. He had too much a few weeks ago and needed to rest.

His dad has a hand in this

2009-02-03T20:34:00.003-05:00

As a fan of the Cleveland Browns, Spencer has an affinity for the color orange. Many recent purchases are this color. I get the style I want. Spencer gets the color he wants. See highchair. Stroller to make an appearance in warmer weather.

And it seems to be rubbing off on Finnegan. He apparently LOVES sweet potatoes.
Green beans not so much.

Watch Them Grow

2009-01-28T08:01:00.005-05:00

Finnegan hit a major milestone the other night -- he rolled over for the first time. Spencer had done some research on how to encourage babies to roll and discovered we should be putting toys above his head rather than to his side. Sure enough, Finn was interested in getting his Octotunes (or, as I say, Auchtung Baby) and made the leap. I had left him on the floor to prepare his cereal and when I looked around the corner, saw him in action.

Shortly thereafter, a song Watch Them Grow came on. The chorus is "You watch them grow, then you let'em go." I danced with Finnegan and teared up thinking of how quickly the past four and a half months have gone. It's not the first time I've had such a reaction to the song. It came on the radio the first day I went back to work. How appropriate.

But he is getting so big so quickly. At four months he was eligble to ride on the "buggy" at day care. In the afternoons babies and toddlers are able to get out of their rooms and ride around the place. The first time I saw him on it, I got a little choked up (parenthood is so emotional!). But now I think he's so cute on it. And he seems to really like it.

It's a Beautiful Day

2009-01-21T12:24:00.003-05:00

I had to go to the Indianapolis Zoo this morning, which is on the west side of downtown. As I drove east, the sky was a brilliant pink and was reflecting off the buildings. It was absolutely beautiful. It truly felt like a new day had dawned with Barack Obama as President.

Our little family watched the inauguration together. Spencer picked Finnegan up from the daycare, which is across the street from my office, and brought him over so we could all mark the historic day together. He might not be as stylish as Michelle, but the Obama Baby onesie was the perfect choice.

Since Spencer and I met through politics and it remains an important part of our lives, I wonder if Finnegan will grow up to show an interest. And while he certainly won't remember the moment President Obama was inaugurated, we wanted him to "see" it.

Torture

2009-01-19T17:01:00.004-05:00

I'd thought I'd pay homage to the last day in office of our current president -- HOORAY! -- by posting about the types of torture Finnegan has had to endure. The first is what Spencer and I call 'waterboarding.' As the weather is dry, the doctor recommends saline solution for his nose. Of course he doesn't like the process and squirms around, resulting in the solution getting everywhere but his nose.

And for his first week of eating cereal we didn't have a high chair, so he sat in the bouncy seat. To prevent him from grabbing the spoon, we decided the best way to restrain him was to keep his arms under the seat cushion. The jack-o-lantern bib doesn't really say Abu Ghraib.

Bring on Obama!

Fingers and toes

2009-01-19T09:18:00.006-05:00

Finnegan has discovered his fingers and toes in the last few days. He's not a thumb sucker, but his left index finger is a favorite. Sometimes the middle finger comes along too. It makes for a slobbery kid.

And while he's not yet putting his foot in his mouth, he has discovered his feet and toes. Being winter, the only time he gets to play with them are during diaper/clothing changes and bath time. Oh to have such flexibility.

A boy and his dad

2009-01-13T21:42:00.006-05:00

So I read an article today about women finding men with kids attractive. Sure, seeing a guy out with his baby evokes quite an 'Awww Factor.' But it's multiplied infinitely when it's your own husband and your own baby.

While I was at book club last night, Spencer and Finn had a guys night. My chest tightened when I picked up the camera tonight and saw all the pictures Spencer had taken of their night together. They're too cute.

And of course bath time has been Spencer's since Finnegan's first days in the hospital. I know both boys enjoy their time together. It's so sweet to watch how excited both of them get about their nightly ritual.

I love both my boys.

I love healthy baby appointments

2009-01-08T17:43:00.004-05:00

I know. How sad is that. But today was Finn's four month healthy baby appointment. I love his doctor, Stephanie Bergstein, and was excited for her to see Finnegan. Given the problems we had early on getting Finn to gain weight (I know, how can a kid of mine and Spencer's have trouble GAINING weight?!), I was eager to know how his weight was coming along.

His stats:
Weight: 14.4 lbs (50th percentile)
Height: 25 3/4" (75th percentile)

Good stuff. Don't know where the average weight comes from, but Spencer and I are hoping the height is the best of both of us. Spencer is all body and short legs, I'm long legs and short body. I hope the boy can stay long and lean. I don't want him to struggle with weight the way his mom and dad have.

And starting today, we have more input in that. The big news from Dr. Bergstein is that today is the day to start solid foods. We got the go ahead to start cereal and in a month, to introduce veggies. Going along with the granola cloth diapers, I'm planning on making Finnegan's baby food. Unless I'm missing something, it's just steaming and pureeing fruits and vegetables. And my good friend Christy, a pediatrician, gave me a great baby food cookbook for Christmas that I'm excited to try out.

But his first meal included a sushi bib and lots of slurping sounds!I am most excited to start the cereal as an attempt to get the boy to sleep better. Though our bedtime routine is wonderful with Spencer giving a bath and my reading a book and then feeding Finnegan, the boy isn't sleeping through the night. He's up at 12:30 a.m. and 3:30 a.m. to eat. As much as we've tried "cry it out," I always give in and feed him. But Dr. Bergstein says its got to stop. So I need to buy some ear plugs.

Developmentally, outside of sleeping through the night, the milestone we're working towards is rolling over. The next appointment isn't until 6 months, but we've got lots to work on before then.

Finnegan's First Video

2009-01-05T20:47:00.004-05:00

Daddy's excuse for editing his new camcorder. Not too sucky. At least the kid is cute.

Top Ten of 2008

2009-01-05T17:20:00.008-05:00

I wish I had kept a better record of 2008. As Spencer references below, I bought a journal thinking it would record the months I was pregnant. That didn’t happen, so I thought I’d start after Finnegan was born. That didn’t happen either. But there are some highlights from the year that I want to remember.

1. Finnegan, of course. From the day he was born to our walks throughout the fall in Garfield Park to the waning days of December when he giggled out loud for the first time, he consumes my favorite memories.

2. Hiking into Machu Picchu. Peru was an amazing trip perpetuated by Spencer’s extreme gift giving. The hike into Machu Picchu was grueling at times. As we looked up at the last incline, our guide said if we were pure of mind, body, and spirit, the beauty of Machu Picchu would be revealed to us. It was cloudy.

3. Weddings. I was honored to be the matron of honor at my friend Christy and Jee’s October wedding. Not many thought I would make the trip and leave Finnegan, at just four weeks, with Spencer. But I wasn’t going to miss one of my oldest (as in longevity, not age) friends on her big day. And I was thrilled to read a poem in Sandhy a’s words to the crowd gathered as she married Ty. I even got a little choked up about it.

4. Pregnancy, specifically, announcing it. As much as Spencer and I had planned for having a baby, once I realized I was pregnant, I wondered what we had gotten ourselves into. The height of this was when I announced the pregnancy at euchre – and started crying. What a spaz.

5. Ultrasounds. From the first in early January to the last eight weeks before Finn’s arrival, getting a peek at what was going on was always exciting and emotional. Some tests had shown possible complications, so we checked in every couple of mo nths. But Finnegan knew everything was OK in there.

6. Learning to knit. This always looked so complicated when I’d see friends take a ball of yarn and make a sweater of it. But once I learned wool pants could be used as covers to the cloth diapers we planned on using, I had a mission. And one that’s worked out pretty well.

7. Being healthy. Early in the year I was training for the Mini Marathon. I ran all my miles but was disappointed to get a call from the doctor two days prior saying at five months along, I shouldn’t run anymore. So I walked the Mini. I don’t recommend it. It was way too long. But with running gone, I decided to take swimming lessons. And I played tennis until three weeks before Finnegan was born.

8. Meeting Jeff Saturday. He even signed a jersey “That’s why I’m a Center.” He didn’t realize it was a referenced to being slapped on the rear end by Peyton.

9. Election night. Sensing Barack Obama would win handily (but in Indiana?!), Spencer and I had a bottle of champagne on hand. But I was exhausted after finally getting Finn to bed, so I said I was going to do the same – before the race was called. Spencer convinced me to stay up, and I’m glad I did. The moment was so emotional and Obama’s speech inspirational.

10. The Indiana State Fair. Spencer and I went to see a taping of Prairie Home Companion two weeks before Finnegan was born. It was a beautiful night and the sunset was just gorgeous. However, it was the realization that it was the last time it would be just the two of us that made it so special.

It's a Finnegan!

2009-01-01T15:50:00.008-05:00

Most everybody reading this will know that Alisha and I met working for the state of Indiana under the late Governor Frank O'Bannon administration. We married in the waining days of 2000 and, after sowing many wild oats together we set out to be parents about the same time that we were celebrating our seventh wedding anniversary.

The seventh being the wool and/or copper

anniversary (http://marriage.about.com/od/7thweddinganniversary/p/7anniv.htm) I surprised Alisha with a trip to Peru so she could buy herself an alpaca sweater. Between the anniversary and the actual trip, Alisha found herself

pregnant. So one could say the three of us took the trip together.

2008 was largely consumed with baby preparations. Shopping, painting, ultrasounds and

ultimately the selection of a name. We decided not to find out the gender of our

child during the ultrasounds and check-ups so there was some added excitement that day.

We settled on a boy name quickly, largely due to Alisha's belief that she would have no need for a boy name since she was certain she was carrying

a girl. As the blessed day arrived, we had a myriad of girls names floating around and only Finnegan Dempsey Valentine for a boy. I'll put in another post sometime about our baby naming discussions. Suffice it to say we argued about what the rules would be for naming and that the book Freakonomics played an unexpected role in our decision.

Cut to the birth. Dateline September 3rd, 2008. We had arranged in advanced with the doctor that I would announce the gender to Alisha. After taking an extra moment to make sure I was correct (you don't want to mess that moment up) I looked down at my lovely bride and announced, "It's a Finnegan!" She expressed no disappointment.

I was pretty stoked about it. Finnegan was immediately holding up his head and making himself heard, as all Valentine men do.

The last four months have been super busy and happy. As we we shopping in preparation for Finn's arrival, we bought our selves some blank books to journal with thoughts to share with Finn. There is stuff you just oughta write down for your kids now, while you think of it. Alisha and I both expect that these books will eventually fill with wisdom for our boy, but as 2008 bids us goodbye and our books are short on wisdom for the boy, we looked to the Internet. So, be forewarned. While I expect a lot of this will blog will be about Finn's upbringing for friends and (mostly) family to keep abreast and see picture, I hope you will indulge us as we write the occasional threads to Finn. Feel free to peek in on those. Anything too intimate, we will save for the journal.

I suspect Alisha will also share some parenting tips, most likely beginning with her advocacy of clothe diapers, from time to time. Anyway, or as we say in Indiana, anyways, that's about the long and short of why this blog will exist. Feel free to share your thoughts.

Valentines Enter the Blogosphere

2009-01-01T12:32:00.001-05:00

It is official. The Valentine's have entered the blogosphere. Between grandparents and friends wanting to know and see more about our boy Finnegan and our family activities and adventures, it just seemed the easiest way to stay in touch and keep up to date.

If you are here because you were e-mailed, we hope to stay timely and interesting. If you are here because you found us threw the Internet. Be kind.