Hi! My name is Whitney Cornelli, and I live in the little city with a big heart, also known as Clawson. I am happily married to my husband Andrew and together we raise three amazing girls: Ava (2.5), Nora (three months), and Athena (a 6-year-old German Shepherd). Yes, our dog was our first furbaby, and it is rare to see us out as a family without her by our side!
We absolutely LOVE living in the city of Clawson. There are so many places to visit within walking distance like restaurants, ice cream spots, the park, a library, and more. Clawson is also known for its long-standing (since the 1930s!) 4th of July celebration. You can find us on our front lawn catching the parade, walking through the craft fair, or enjoying the fireworks from the backyard. It truly is a wonderful place to live!
Forever Go Green (with a little Go Blue)
I attended Michigan State University, receiving a Bachelor’s in Elementary Education and a Master’s in Educational Technology. The summer before my sophomore year, my husband and I were set up on a blind date by mutual friends. When we saw one another, we realized we actually went to high school together! Our first “unofficial” date was that day. Despite attending rival universities (he went to U of M), we’ve been together ever since. He is big on the rivalry; I couldn’t tell you the name of anyone on our team. That dynamic makes for interesting football Saturdays since I have no clue who is playing or at what time, and my husband is 100% committed to cheering on his Wolverines. I mean, I will of course cheer for my Spartans whenever I see they’re on TV. (Just hand me some tailgating snacks first, and don’t ask me who the quarterback is!).
A Change of Heart
I’ve worked with children for as long as I can remember. Feeling that teaching was my true calling, I enrolled in the College of Education as soon as I could. After graduation, I taught elementary school for five years, four years in second grade, and one year in third. Ava was born during my fifth year of teaching. After my maternity leave, I was uneasy about returning to the classroom but finished out the school year. Deep down, I knew my heart was meant for home. After much discussion, my husband and I made the choice for me to trade in my classroom for the SAHM life. I feel like this is exactly where I’m meant to be right now, but the transition from teacher to SAHM was difficult. I questioned our decision and worried about what the future might hold. It took some time to get to where I am now. Being a SAHM is rewarding, difficult, sometimes lonely, and always non-stop…but I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
All About Our Girls
Our oldest daughter, Ava, is 2.5. She is sweet, sensitive, and the best older sister to Nora. She’s taught us so much about parenting, not just because she was our first, but also because of all that we’ve experienced with her. During my pregnancy, I began showing signs of pre-eclampsia around 30 weeks. At my 34-week appointment, I was sent to triage with high blood pressure and swelling. I was admitted and induced, and Ava was delivered via emergency c-section less than 48 hours later. She was immediately whisked away in an isolette and spent two weeks in the NICU. We visited her every day until she was discharged but were initiated into a club in which we knew absolutely nothing about. The NICU can be a terrifying place. It is full of miracles, but it is a roller coaster. We are grateful for Ava’s medical team and the staff of the NICU. Looking at her today, you’d never know all that she’s been through.
Our newborn, Nora, was born at the end of May. It definitely threw us off having a full-term baby after a preemie. The pregnancy was an emotional experience for totally different reasons. I worried about pre-eclampsia returning but also enjoyed the last weeks of pregnancy that I didn’t get to experience the first time around. Nora is sweet, calm, and dearly loved by Athena who sleeps in front of the bassinet every night. She is becoming more alert each day, and I’ve loved seeing her wearing the clothes that Ava used to wear. We are so in love with our girls and continue to learn more about parenting every single day. Some days we rock it, and other days we barely get by. But, every day we’re learning.
When I can find the time…
I love crafting and creating and actually run my own craft business out of our basement making baby blankets and hand-lettered chalkboard signs. I love snowboarding even though I haven’t been able to go in a few years. I love doing the People magazine crossword puzzle, but I refuse to Google the clues. I try to think of creative ways to fit two car seats, groceries, and a stroller into a tiny Chevy Volt (spoiler alert: the double stroller doesn’t fit). I try really hard to keep the flowers in our garden alive. I love a good night out with friends and a nap time spent binge-watching a great show. I love sharing my experiences with others, and I’m excited to have you along for my writing journey.
