Happy Baby

I'm still trying to get things in order on our new [old] computer. It's a bit frustrating when you don't know you're doing, and don't have the time to figure everything out. Oh well. Hopefully, after Christmas, I'll get everything functioning properly. Until then, I'll just try to smile as big as this happy baby.

xo

nessa dee

Heartbroken

I'm sitting in front of my computer screen for what seems like the hundredth time over the last few days. I don't know what to say. Nothing seems pertinent in the light of the events of last Friday. I can't even imagine how one gets through something like this. I keep looking into the faces of my three babies. I've been holding them longer and hugging them tighter. I want to fold them under my wing and protect them always. But how can you protect them from the unfathomable? I don't know. I just don't know.

 My heart aches for you, Connecticut; for your families; for your children; for those moms and dads who have to face each day without their sweet babies. My thoughts and prayers are with you. May you be wrapped in the peace that passes all understanding.

just sick

my computer decided to crash this weekend. most of our stuff was recovered, but the last two months of data are missing. most importantly, the last two months of our pictures and videos. Halloween, thanksgiving, Christmas pictures...  half of my record of August' s life so far. I'm just sick.

I'm trying to keep things in perspective. I keep telling myself that I still have more pictures of baby August than of my entire childhood, but I'm still a bit bummed. thankfully I've been shameless in posting pictures of the kids on my blog. I'm so glad I ignored all of those times I told myself to show restraint and just post one picture of the baby, but now I'm wishing I had showed no restraint, and posted every picture and video we made.

don't worry. I'm not going to inundate the blog with every picture I take from now on. I'm just going to make sure this doesn't happen again.

c'est la vie

xo
nessa dee

4 Months

Sweet August, last week you turned 4 months old on the 3rd anniversary of my 29th birthday. Each day, week, month with you is flying by. Can I just pause life for a bit and keep you at each stage for just a little while longer?

Precious boy, you are all smiles when you're content. Your smile reminds me of your sister's when she was little: big and bright. That happy face can cheer up even the worst of moods, and your chuckle, well, if we could bottle that up and sell it we'd be billionaires. You love what you can do with your hands now, especially grabbing those little toes. I can't just set you anywhere because you are rolling all over the place. [You almost toppled out of the chair when I was taking your picture.] I love how you can raise one eyebrow [it's a family trait], and you give me those looks sometimes like I'm completely insane. I'm not, I promise. You are LOUD. I had to leave a store the other day because you were yelling so loudly...not upset...just talking. You are BIG. I have a hard time gauging just how big, but you started wearing some of your 12 month outfits this week. It's hard to snuggle with you when you're awake because you have stuff to do and things to see and hair to grab. I have to wait until that magic moment of time between awake and asleep when you're calm. You nuzzle your head in the crook of my neck, hug my arm, and sing sweet little baby songs to me.

I love it so much. 

I love you so much.

xo

Mommy

Work in progress

I had a little help yesterday, so I was able to work on a few projects including this little scene:

Thanks for coming over, holding the baby, and cooking us dinner, Mom! 

xo

nessa dee

Please forgive me...

Hi my name is Nessa, and I'm a blogging idiot.

I just now realized that I have been missing a lot of your comments. I have tried my best to keep up with comments, thought I was doing a pretty good job at it, too, until I realized that some comments were made long after the post to which it was directed. I don't know why I assumed most comments would be posted on the most recent entry instead of any older posts, and since I had not set the comments to be emailed to me, I've found that I have been unknowingly rude to a lot of people. 

Please accept a sincere apology from this giant technologically inept dork.

I know some of you have asked about books or prints. If you have any questions about acquiring either, please email me directly, OR leave a comment because this savvy girl has will now be notified anytime someone comments. 

Thanks for your patience!

xoxoxoxoxo

nessa dee 

Hello, Monday!

As promised, it's time to announce the winner of the giveaway!

I'll give you a hint...

Did you guess it?

Picked by a random number generator [on my Kindle, hence no picture] it's comment number 5! [The picture just happened to be perfect]

 Tammy said...

I have wanted to order some canvases for a while now. Looks great.

Yea, Tammy!! I will be contacting you later today with the details on getting your own 8x10" canvas print. 

Thanks so much to everyone who commented, and for bearing with me through my absent-mindedness.

Happy Monday!

xo

nessa dee

Easy Ornaments # 1

Happy first day of December! Are you excited? Stressed? Cold? Cozy? Crafty?In shock that it's already time for Christmas?

Well I had big plans [as I usually tend to] to have a handmade holiday. I was going to make tons of ornaments, garland, goodies, stockings, and on and on. But that all flew out the window when December sneaked up on me, tapped me on the shoulder, and said "Surprise!" I still plan to make some things, but my plans are quickly becoming less and less grand. When your choices for what to do with your free time become 'take a bath' or 'eat a meal', those hand-embroidered stockings are put on the back burner. I don't know how all of these other crafty ladies with small children get things done. Their kids must nap.

So quick and easy ornaments are the name of the game.

First up, remember these guys?

A few cans of spray paint...

1.  some yarn...

a kid to help hang them...

and viola! 

easiest ornaments ever!

xo

nessa dee

PS If you wanted a copy of The Seed, please email me at nessadeeart@hotmail.com

Also I didn't forget about the giveaway. [okay I kind of did...yesterday was really really busy, busy. Please don't judge me.] I will announce the winner on Monday. 

Under the Christmas tree

I love this time of year so much. The fact that there's a new little one in our family to share in the joy just makes it all the sweeter. I know he won't understand much this year, but the thought of the years to come, the excitement, the laughter, the discovery, the wonder, makes me anxious to see this little boy grow...

...but not too fast. I like that he can still fit under our Christmas tree.

xo

nessa dee

**Don't forget to go leave a comment for the giveaway and a chance to win a canvas print of your own photo! Two more days, and your odds are really good!

A few things in the works...

We have a few projects in the works...

That's all for now. Don't forget to enter my giveaway for a free canvas print of your own photo. Click here for details. Also, my shop is about to have a Christmas sale, so check back for details.

xo 

nessa dee

Canvas Print Giveaway!

Hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving, and are finding some great deals today! I have another great deal for you, and the best part...it's FREE!

 Check out my canvas print from Printcopia:

I can't tell you how excited I was to open my package and see this cutie staring back at me! I have to admit that I was bit nervous after ordering my print because I chose to have the edges wrapped in black as opposed to having the picture stretched around the frame. I did this because August's head would have been cropped awkwardly otherwise. I wasn't sure how the edges would look, but I couldn't be happier with the outcome.

The overall quality of the print is amazing. The image is crisp and clear and the color is exactly what I ordered. The wrapped canvas is finished beautifully and the frame feels sturdy, and best of all, the process to order the print is super simple.

Do you want to get a canvas print of your own? 

Today, Printcopia is offering an 8x10" canvas print to one lucky reader! To enter this giveaway, all you have to do is leave a comment on this post. The winner will be chosen next Friday, so make sure you comment by then!

 If you can't wait until then, you can checkout the canvas prints at Printcopia to get one of your own. If you have more time, you can check out their sister sites as well if you're in need of car magnets, vinyl banners, or lawn signs.

**This contest is only open to those in the continental U.S.**

xo

nessa dee

Happy Thanksgiving!

I have so much to be thankful for.

xo

nessa dee

PS Check back tomorrow for an awesome Black Friday giveaway! 

Guess what I attempted yesterday...

It's not easy getting a sleepy baby, an active six year old, and a mortified [of the whole situation] tween to cooperate for Christmas pictures. But it's done, I have 400 pictures, and hopefully one good one for our Christmas card. If not, I can always use one of these...

I have no idea why Audrie was mortified. Seriously.

xo

nessa dee

Hello, Monday!

I have some big things coming up this week including a couple of giveaways and some crafts! [I know, I know. I keep promising crafts, and I don't post any, but I really have some good ones. Hopefully, with family in town this week, I can get some help with the little Mr. and we can knock out a few.]

xo

nessa dee

The Seed

Last summer I had the opportunity to illustrate a beautiful poem written by Jason Whitney. The story tells of a seed's journey to reach maturity and its true purpose in life. It was a wonderful experience, and I'm so excited to have the finished product in my hand... just in time for Christmas!  

Here are a few pictures from the book:

Though I worked with a publisher, the book was self-published by the author, so at this time the book is only available through him or me. 

Contact me if you would like to know more about it or would like a copy.

xo,

nessa dee

IF: Tree

xo

nessa dee

I'm either really organized...

...or really crazy.

I figured if I don't get started now, I won't get finished until 2013. So the kids' trees are up, and ready for trimming. August got his own little tree today. It's awaiting festive ornaments, some of which we plan on making. I have a whole list of fun Christmas crafts to do with the kids this year, and if I'm what the title of this post says, then we'll have a whole lotta Crafty Fridays for you!

xo

nessa dee

PS I'm going to tell you more about the books in the box [The Seed] tomorrow!

Hello, Big Monday!

::today is big::

:: big tent::

::big mess::

 ::big news::

::big baby::

::big smiles::

We have a big week this week with exciting news to share and fun crafts!

more to come!

xo

nessa dee