TINY TREASURE.

the first few weeks with a new baby always seem to go by painfully quick, don't they? every change i notice with this boy is both thrilling and a little heartbreaking. since we're not planning on having anymore children, unless we adopt someday, i feel desperate to hold on to every moment for dear life. i am happy to say that only one day since jesse finn was born has my house been completely presentable. and it doesn't bother me one bit, because i'd rather be locking eyes with my littlest love and getting lost in those milk drunk smiles of his, than folding the laundry that's been in the dryer for two days. 

too often we get caught up in everything that needs to be done and rob ourselves of the priceless moments happening around us. it can be quite a challenge balancing the everyday responsibilities of motherhood and taking the time to slow down and really enjoy our children. i'm sure that balance looks different for each family. for now, i am more than pleased to be weighing in heavily on the slowed down enjoyment side. it's pure bliss my friends. i pray that god will provide me with the wisdom and discernment to strike a balance that works well for our family. after all, i suppose we do need clean laundry from time to time. or maybe we can just hire someone for that...

-bette

WORTH THE WAIT.

Jesse Finn Patrick Jones

born into his mama's arms

on october 17th @ 6:15pm

7 pounds, 15 ounces, 22 inches long

things have been pretty quiet here on the blog. we've been spending all our time getting to know mister blue eyes. we're madly in love with him already. he has a gentle little spirit and life has been relatively peaceful since his arrival. i have much to share about his birth at home and our first week with our no longer little family. that will have to wait, as i'm currently writing this one-handed with a hungry babe in my arms.

thank you to everyone for your sweet words and congratulations since jesse's birth. we love you guys.

-bette

TICK TOCK.

tick tock is what i've been hearing in my head all day, every day for the past few weeks. not to mention, people look at me like i'm a ticking time bomb. i'm admittedly going a tiny bit crazy over here. i know friends and family are just excited for us but, if i get one more text, phone call, facebook message or tweet saying "no baby yet?", i might just have a full on meltdown. baby seems to be nice and cozy on the inside with no intention of coming out...ever. i'm actually ok with him coming whenever he's ready, even though i am getting incredibly anxious to meet him. i've never been pregnant for forty-one weeks and three days, so this is a whole new experience for me. if baby doesn't come before monday, i have to go see an obgyn for a few tests. hoping to avoid that scenario, but we'll see.

so, we've been trying to stay busy and relax around here. we have a new pet squirrel that the kids have named butterfingers. he comes to our back door everyday and waits for the kids to notice him and bring him a snack. i'm pretty sure he would waltz right in the house if we let him. other than that, we've been doing lots of lounging about in our pj's, admiring our new vintage sofa, eating way too much ice cream and catching little boys sneaking into the candy jar. nothing too exciting really. just lots and lots of waiting. tick tock.

-bette

WALK, STROLL, SKIP.

i've been dragging the kids and my mom on long walks every day, in an effort to get things moving in the labor department. also, it's been raining a bit and keeping four littles indoors for extended periods of time is a recipe for disaster. they've been enjoying the screaming, running and free space of the great outdoors. this week has been filled with many false labor starts. it's incredibly frustrating. every time i think "we might meet our baby today", things slow back down and eventually stop. i'm trying to just be patient(not a quality i have ever possessed or exercised) and enjoy this time before he decides to come. i mean, he does have to come out eventually right? i do hope it's sooner rather than later. until then, i fully intend on partaking in every old wives tale i can come up with. let's hope they don't go seriously awry.

dear baby, i'm ready when you are.

-bette

LITTLEST JONES: WEEK 38.

things are about to get real, y'all. we've made it to week thirty-eight and my midwife said to expect baby any day now. i. am. so. ready. i think all pregnant mamas start to feel this way at the end. i'm tired, uncomfortable and anxious to meet my newest little boy. i've been having lots and lots of contractions the last few days. that's been exhausting and confusing, wondering if it's "time" or not. my mama is here now and i'm praying baby will get the message that all is well on the outside and he should definitely join us soon. i mean, just look at his mama in that last photo, who wouldn't be excited to meet me?! and by the way, that's the hallelujah, i'm about to be un-pregnant dance!

let's do this little boy. your mama is impatiently awaiting your grand entrance into the world.

**what i'm wearing: dress, vintage. belt, thrifted. booties, thrifted.**

-bette

LITTLEST JONES: READY AND WAITING.

1. my grandma's cradle that each of our babes has slept in.
2. vintage baby quilt, pillow made my me with thrifted vintage fabric, vintage wood block art.
3. pretty diaper bag from serena and lily (this color is discontinued but, they are other pretty colors to choose from here).
4. muslin swaddle blankets, cozy throws, vintage quilts, cloth prefolds, newborn diaper covers and a few disposables(to not irritate the baby's cord stump the first week or so).
5. a teeny tiny newborn diaper cover from nicki's diapers. we love their imagine line.
6. jars of candles on my bedroom window sill, waiting to be lit and welcome a little boy into the world.
7. the best gauze baby wrap ever from babyette on etsy. beth is amazingly talented and you should definitely support her family business. she takes custom orders as well.
8. madi belle, five days old.
9. jackson david, eight weeks old.
10. charlie hayden, about 45 minutes old.

well, baby boy, we're ready for your arrival. i'm hoping you will oblige and come out to meet us very soon. nana and auntie jadyn are coming on saturday, so anytime after that is just fine. i've been stopping every time i pass by these pictures of your big brothers and sister. wondering what you will look like and imagining how many hours i'll spend studying your little features, just as i did with each of them. we cannot wait to love on you. come whenever you're ready but, please don't be late. we love you to the stars already.

-mama

LITTLEST JONES: CELEBRATING BABY BOY.

i'm convinced there are no better friends on the earth, than the ones i call my own. they are the loveliest, most precious, kindred spirits and i am elated to have them as a part of my life. my two sweet sister friends (not to be confused with sister-wives) planned a simple little celebration for baby boy this weekend. there was good food, great coffee and exquisite company. it was a nice, peaceful time together before the littlest jones arrives. everyone brought adorable gifts for baby and some treats for mama too. (i'll be hoarding that dark chocolate like gollum with the ring.) and how gosh darn cute are those handmade alphabet magnets, made by my crazy talented friend renee?!

there was something so special about having madi belle there with me. she was the life of the party as usual. she loved opening gifts for me and chasing around auntie can-can's puppy. she is such a joy to my heart and has been an amazing help during this pregnancy. she's going to be a sensational big sister again. i'm blessed to have her as my little companion and deeply cherish the bond between us.

thank you to all my beloved friends for sharing your time and love today. you made me feel loved more than you know.

-bette

footnote: my friend beth snapped these shots today. you can check out her beautiful photography here.

LITTLEST JONES: WEEK 33.

what i'm wearing: maxi dress, calvin klein. belt, ralph lauren. locket, gift from the mister.

i am so behind on the littlest jones updates. i planned to get around to it but, it just hasn't happened. i am still feeling great, despite a week or two of zero energy due to anemia. i'm taking an extra iron supplement and glory hallelujah, that stuff makes a huge difference. i am starting to feel tired of being pregnant but, mostly i'm just getting really excited to meet this little boy. i have just about everything ready for his arrival and i'm hoping he'll take after his mama and be a punctual little fella. i've been working on some ideas for handmade gifts to give the other littles when baby is born. hopefully i can get started on that project soon to help pass the time. i'll try to do a little post when they're all finished.

i have to give a shout out to my photographer for the day. she's blonde, long-legged and holds a special place in her mama's heart. the girl's got skills. thank you madi belle!

one quick confession, i currently wear this dress about twice a week. maxi dress + cotton jersey = match made in pregnancy heaven. oh sweet comfort.

-bette