get the nursery before the carriage?

Yes, we’re still working on the nursery!!! I had planned to have the nursery completed before Joy was born, but I guess Josh had other plans. Deer hunting, to be specific. Nevertheless, the nursery is coming along. We have the dressing table set up, and that’s really all that we use right now anyway. Joy doesn’t sleep in her room yet – she sleeps in the bassinet in our room. So, technically, it doesn’t matter that the nursery is not perfectly finished. If I keep telling myself this truth, hopefully I’ll eventually believe it, and stop stressing over the unfinished nursery.

2008 Baby

Our local newspaper prints a special section in January of each year, which features babies born during the previous year. Born December 9th, Joy barely made the “Babies of 2008.” I enjoyed reading the special feature, and trying to pick out all of the kids that we know. Joy’s friends (and many soon-to-be classmates) also featured in the “Babies of 2008” feature were: Lucy, Layla, Addyson, Jase, Amelia, and Dawson.

cameras help, but don't do justice

Babies grow SO FAST! I try to take lots of pictures... pictures of the baby, but also pictures of the things that amaze me so much. Her feet; her hands; her ears... everything is so tiny. But within a blink of an eye, she'll be grown! I just love hands and feet photos. I thought I'd share a couple with you here, although the pictures are not accurate in showing just HOW small they really are.

Big Brother, Little Sister

Jax is a proud, protective big brother. I sorta thought he would forget about Joy once the "new" wore off... but, nope, not yet. Every night when he says his prayers, he says he is thankful for Joy. He may not mention anyone else, but he always says he is thankful for Joy. He's a sweetheart!

Catching up

It's been a long time since I last blogged. I think about it everyday, but just don't always get around to it after doing all of the "necessities". I try to make myself do the not-so-fun stuff first, or else it won't get done. The sad part of that policy is that, when strictly enforced, then I NEVER get around to the fun stuff.

After several attempts to try to get a few hours out of the house to spend time with the "girls" last night, I just gave up. It seemed to be one disaster after another, that only Mama could solve, of course, until it was simply too late to make it to the gathering. So, since that didn't work out, I figured I'd reward myself tonight! I got all three of my children in bed (yes, I said three! the oldest is the most stubborn, by the way!) so I am gonna blog FIRST tonight, darn it!

Wow, a lot has been happening since I last blogged.

Josh has been working for the last two weeks solid. He did manage to bag an 8-point buck one afternoon. Ah, yes, that was the day that I finally convinced him to put Joy's armoire together... he opened the box and exclaimed, "Neisha, there's four million pieces to this thing! I'm not putting this together today! I think I'm just gonna go hunting" ugh. And, so, the armoire remains in the box still and my child suffers with no place to hang her darling little clothes.

Jax has been hunting with his Daddy and Paw-Paw a few times, when the weather wasn't too terribly cold. He also had a birthday party which was scaled down from previous years, but still loads of fun. Pictures coming soon!
I still can't believe he is 3!

Joy has been changing almost daily. She's still beautiful, of course, and she's growing like a weed. She holds her head up very well now, and she is also smiling and even cooing at everyone and everything. She especially thinks it's funny when her Daddy and I make all sorts of sounds with our mouths... clicking, smacking, blowing... all are just so funny to her! (have you ever wondered what aliens would think if they observed our silly behavior??? LOL) We've had several photo sessions since I last posted to my blog, so those pics will be coming very soon. As a matter of fact, my 2-gig memory card is FULL as of today! So, that means, I've got to get to work on some of those pictures so that I can erase and start over again. I had photo sessions with both Joy and Jax today (separately) so I will try to pick a few favorites to share with you as soon as I can. Sadly, dial-up internet is my enemy when it comes to blogging. I know, I know. Posts without pictures are blah, but dial-up causes my pictures to take a very very very long time to upload on here. They say we live too far in the sticks to get DSL, but maybe if I'm really good this year, Santa will pull some strings for us here in the deep woods of B.C.!

Here's just a couple - you knew I couldn't resist!! That's ok - I really don't need any sleep anyway. I would much rather share pictures with you all instead.

These seem "old" now, but I must post in chronological order. (ha, pet peeve - one of many)

Joy - 6 weeks old

For some reason, I love this picture. I know it's off-center and all, but something about it gives me warm-fuzzies. ha. Had to share!

And, here's a picture of Jax, my 3-year-old full of personality. ha ha. He's into making faces now. The thing is, he's still learning when it's appropriate to do such. ha. For example, imagine this: you're scolding this ever-so-cute 3 year old, which is hard enough in itself, and you make eye contact with him, and you see something like this:

Can't help but smile, right? LOL, Me too!

3: a bittersweet day

I just put my three-year-old to bed for the very first time.
Jax was officially three today - at 11:46 p.m. to be exact. It is a bittersweet occasion. I am so excited to see him grow and change and accomplish new things; yet, at the same time, I am sad that he is becoming more independent in the process and he doesn't depend on me as much anymore.

Today, I have been thinking about all of the things that have happened over the last three years, and how FAST time flies. I remember being so excited about finally getting to meet the sweet little boy that I had been carrying for nine months. The hospital was so busy that day, we got the very last room, and that was only after they sent home another mother-to-be who was scheduled to be induced. I will never forget hearing him cry for the first time. Boy, did he let us all know that he had arrived. ha. I remember that head full of hair and quivering bottom lip; I remember noticing his wide hands and long feet. There were so many baby Boys born that day, they actually ran out of blue blankets. So, Jax was welcomed into the world with a warm, pink blanket instead. ha. He hasn't worn pink since. I remember staring at him at three o'clock in the morning, just barely three hours after he had made his grand entrance. I was wide awake and the hospital was quiet, and I was just... well, staring... in awe. He was amazing. He still is. Amazing.

I am reminded of the sweetest children's book. I'll Love You Forever should be required reading for all parents - especially Mama's of little boys. In the story, the mother sings this song to her little boy as he grows:
"I'll love you forever,
I'll like you for always,
As long as I'm living
my baby you'll be."

so, so true. Happy Birthday, Jax! I love you... forever.

got pictures!

I have finally gotten the pictures uploaded for the last several posts. Be sure to look at the Christmas pics from December as well as the January photos!!!
I hope to post some more very soon! Jax will officially be 3 years old tomorrow!!! I can not believe my baby boy is 3 already. How time flies!

problems blogging

yes, yes, I hear your calls and requests! I just wanted to let you all know that I am trying to get some new pictures posted... but technology is not exactly cooperating with me. I have about 7 blog posts typed and ready to publish, but I can't seem to get the pictures to upload. I am very frustrated with that. But, I work on it every chance I get. So, hold your horses, folks, the pictures are coming... eventually.

Jax and the BB gun

Jax got a BB gun for Christmas. He can aim it and shoot it pretty well for a first-timer. I guess he's gonna be left-handed which presents a challenge for both me and his dad when trying to show him something new- we're righties. Here's some pics from his shooting 'lessons'.

Yesterday, Jax went deer hunting with his Daddy. Of course, he had to take his BB gun. They didn't get anything, but I believe they had a great time.

New Year's Resolution: figure out bows

I always dreamed of having a little girl one day.

got that

I always dreamed she would have lots of hair.

got that

I always dreamed about fixing her hair - putting bows in her hair, and dressing her up real cute.

there's the problem.

I can't do bows.

Don't get me wrong. I WANT to do bows. But I can't.

I just can't do it.

What's so hard about putting bows in? I don't know. I can't figure it out. It looks so easy - when other people do it. But I can't seem to get it right, and I have really really tried.

So I have my sweet little girl, and she does indeed have plenty of hair, but she remains bowless almost all the time, because her Mama just can't get it right. Ugh. I guess there wasn't a course in Bow Accessorizing when I was in college. So, I'm destined to Bow Rehab, I suppose.

Hi, I'm Neisha. And I can't do bows.

here's photos of my best attempts to prove that I'm bow-challenged. Go ahead and laugh... I hope your boy gets you with his pistol the next date you have at the changing table.

on the way to her first Doctor's appt. (1 week old). Would you believe the nurse made me take her bow off (and her bracelet) BEFORE she weighed her? Does it look THAT heavy???

My Dad isn't too sure about the bow, either.

On the way to see Santa...

and, this bow malfunction was discovered when I opened the door to get her out!:

Christmas Eve. not too bad... ??

Mama? What's up with this???

Too BIG!

Too little, and really crooked!

UGH!! I give up!

who is your Paw-Paw?

As Jax's third birthday is fast-approaching, I have been thinking about how much he has learned this past year, and how much more he has taught us! I was reminded of a recent conversation he had with his Daddy, and I couldn't help but share!
The night before (12-8-2008) we were to admit to the hospital to induce labor with Joy, we took Jax to McDonald's for his last supper as an "only child". On the way home, we were discussing names and relationships. Jax had many questions and much to my surprise, he was beginning to understand how his Paw-Paw Johnny is also Josh's dad, and Paw-Paw Dan is also my dad, etc. I thought this would be too difficult for him to understand at the age of 2, but apparently not. Each explanation elicited more questions from him. We went through the family tree, explaining the differences in relationships, and the birth name of each person, including their "third name" which is what Jax calls the middle name. Then, in his sweet, innocent voice he asked, "What's your Paw-Paw's name, Daddy?" Josh paused for a moment, caught off-guard I'm sure, but then replied, "my Paw-Paw is in Heaven." Jax said "o-tay" and seemed to be satisfied with that answer. There was a second of silence, and then as if a light bulb had just come on, Jax exclaimed, "Daddy!!! Your Paw-Paw is Jesus?? !!! ??"

I couldn't help but think that Josh's Paw-Paw smiled at that. :-)

a favorite snapshot of our smart boy: