Vale Design : Freelance Package Design & Branding

DIY: FREE PRINTABLE Valentine's Day Coloring Sheets

2012-02-07T07:28:00-05:00

In honor of the cutest little guest that we had at our Superbowl party, I give you DIY FREE PRINTABLE VALEntine's Day Coloring & Activity Sheets! Just download, print on 8.5x11" paper and start coloring! {thanks V!}

Download IHeartYou here.

Download ILoveBubble here.

Download ConnectTheDots here.

COMMON SENSE RULE: For personal use only. Not for commercial use. ©erinvaledesign.com

Christmas Eve surprise

2012-01-05T12:50:23-05:00

Have you noticed that I have been missing in action? Let me introduce you to the reason why!

My due date was December 30th and this baby was showing no signs of making an early appearance. At my doctor's appointment on December 23rd, she told me that I was still 3 cm. Discouraged, my husband and I left a bit frustrated and tried to accept that I might be pregnant forever. Imagine my surprise at 1:00 am on December 24th when I started to have some strange pains. I thought "this can not be what I think it is." I pulled out my iPhone and started timing them. Sure enough, 6 minutes apart for 1 minute at a time. I walked down the hall and laid in another bed and started timing them for real. 6 minutes apart for 1 minute for 40 minutes. I decided it was time to wake up my husband. By the time I walked down the hallway, the contractions were 4 minutes apart! By the time I could form a sentence to tell him what was going on they were 2 minutes apart! We called the doctor and they said to get a move on.

I changed clothes, grabbed the bags and we got in the car to make the 5 minute {thankfully!} drive to the hospital. Don't tell the police, but we ran a red light because the contractions we about 1 minute apart. We got to the hospital. They rushed me into a triage room and started an IV and booted my husband out of the room and gave me my requested epidural. Thankfully, being a planner, I had gone in a couple of weeks ahead of time and reviewed my birth plan with them and let them know that my mom had a VERY quick labor as well. {She went into the hospital at 10 cm and had me, her first, in 3 hours! Not typical} So when I got there, they moved quickly.

My contractions were fierce. I did not even feel the epidural. They checked me and I was 7 cm. They moved me to a labor room and checked again in 20 minutes. I was 10 cm. The baby was still a bit high so we took a couple hour and a half naps. The epidural started to wear off and they gave me another dose. The doctor came in to check me and they realized the baby was facing the wrong way. A couple of contractions and they had turned her and told me to push. 10 pushes later, at 9:33 am on Christmas Eve, baby Gianna James Drew Vale made her appearance. There were 8 other women giving birth at the same time. I almost did not get a room! We were the last ones into the hospital and the first to have our baby. Yikes! Fast.

Gianna is an Italian name that means "God is gracious" that we have had tucked in our back pocket for a while. She has two middle men's names. "James" for my grandfather and also a very special uncle in my life. "Drew" for my husband's brother, Andrew, who passed away at a very young age a couple of years ago.

We are still learning the ropes with this little precious newborn. She keeps us crying, snapping at each other because we are exhausted, laughing and staring at her in awe. She has my husband's lips and my nose. All of my nieces have the same Vale mouth. I am glad our little lady has the same. She fits right in. Thank you all for your thoughts, prayers and warm wishes! Love to you all from our now family of three!

Merry Christmas

2011-12-25T05:00:00-05:00

{image credit Unknown. Found via Pinterest}

Vintage Holiday Greetings

2011-12-24T05:00:00-05:00

{image credit Julia. Found via Pinterest}

39 weeks

2011-12-23T12:50:27-05:00

Yep, I said it. 39 weeks and this baby is tucked up inside all cozy and showing no signs of wanting to come out! I do not see a baby 1st Christmas for us. *sigh*...

I can not believe that 2011 is almost over. We have had blinders on a bit having a baby due around the holidays, but we wanted to say thank you. Thank you for supporting Vale Design and this site. Personally and professionally this year has been amazing and we are holding our breath waiting for the excitement that 2012 will bring us! We will be taking some time off and will see you back here the first week of January...hopefully with some cute new year's news! Happy Holidays!

How far along? 39 weeks
Total weight gain? 30+ lbs
Maternity clothes? Gap maternity leggings and shirts.
Stretch marks? No
Sleep: Not too bad. I have been keeping myself busy and I am pretty exhausted at night. Still sleeping all over the house, finding the bed that feels the most comfortable.
Best moment this week: Having my husband home for the holiday break and at this last doctor's appointment. Love spending time together.
Miss anything: MY GAP JEANS and my lotions and potions. They are all waiting patiently to have me back!
Movement: Yes. Like clockwork.
Food cravings: Triscuits and port wine cheese spread {weird one I know!}
Anything make you queasy or sick: Not any more. Last week was bad.
Gender: Girl, but lately we have been thinking of boy's names just in case!
Labor signs: Still 3cm and 80%. A little back pain.
Symptoms: Hip pains while sleeping.
Belly button in or out? Has been out for a while
Wedding rings on or off? Have been off for a while
Happy or moody most of the time? Impatient. I am sick of waiting.
Looking forward to: Seeing my baby. I want to see those fingers, toes, nose, lips and eyes. What color are they? Does she have a lot of hair? I am ready to meet her! The holidays and being distracted by great food and family. Missing my MI family this year. Love to all of you!

36 weeks | 37 weeks | 38 weeks

{pregnancy survey question credit Little Baby Garvin}

Free Printable Helen Dardik Holiday Gift Tags

2011-12-22T08:52:26-05:00

Love these free 2011 holiday printable gift tags from illustrator Helen Dardik. Her style is just so sweet! {Found on Pinterest and Paper Crave}

{image credits Helen Dardik}

38 weeks

2011-12-19T10:34:55-05:00

Happy Monday everyone! Hope you had a nice weekend and finished up all of your holiday shopping. Sorry no baby update post on Friday. Things are getting a bit crazy around here. Posts may start to be a bit sporadic. Here is my 38 week update for you.

How far along? 38 weeks
Total weight gain? 30+ lbs
Maternity clothes? Gap maternity leggings and shirts & some of husbands fleeces.
Stretch marks? No
Sleep: Barely sleeping at all. I find whatever bed is comfortable in the middle of the night and pass out. I have been sleeping mainly in one of the guest rooms. I feel like I am sleeping on a basketball that has an opinion about what side I sleep on. She prefers I sleep on my left :)
Best moment this week: Finding out I was not at 0cm.
Miss anything: Laying flat on my back and stomach.
Movement: Yes. Like clockwork. {Puts my mind at ease. I am sure I will miss it.}
Food cravings: NOTHING!
Anything make you queasy or sick: EVERYTHING!
Gender: Girl
Labor signs: Less Braxton Hicks. I was pleasantly surprised at my last dr. apt to find out I am a "bonus" 3cm and 80%. I have not felt any pain yet. Not that I am complaining! The past two days I have also been so nauseous. Hard to eat to have strength for labor when everything makes you feel sick. Back to bland foods.
Symptoms: Hip pains and swollen fingers and ankles at the end of the day.
Belly button in or out? Has been out for a while
Wedding rings on or off? Have been off for a while
Happy or moody most of the time? Tired and flat out "first time mom" frightened. Anxious I will miss a sign that she may be in distress. I got her this far, I need to get her here safely. That is a lot of pressure. Also, tired of people asking me if she is here yet. Umm, we will tell you. Please stop asking me. Makes me more tense.
Looking forward to: Seeing my baby. I NEED to know she is healthy and perfect. That huge sigh of relief when labor is over and I can start to just really enjoy being her mother.

36 weeks | 37 weeks

{elephant toy by Zooklz}

{pregnancy survey question credit Little Baby Garvin}

Quote :: Oscar Wilde

2011-12-16T05:00:00-05:00

Erin Vale

Free Printable Holiday Type Gift Tags

2011-12-15T12:10:00-05:00

Another beauty from Amy at Eat Drink Chic! Just download these free printable holiday type gift tags, trim and enjoy. Thanks Amy! Another beauty! Found via Pinterest.

{image credits Eat Drink Chic}

Free Printable Reindeer Gift Tags

2011-12-15T05:00:00-05:00

I have always been a HUGE fan of Amy of Eat Drink Chic. She has done it again with these DIY adorable free printable Peace, Love & Reindeer Hugs holiday gift tags. Thanks for sharing Amy! Found via Pinterest.

{image credits Eat Drink Chic}