February 2022 / Nelson Notes

Our Nine Fluffy Blind Teddy Bears

2.25.2022

^^Just a living teddy bear^^

We moved the puppies and their whelping box outside onto the back porch because Misty insists on being in and out of the house 29 times a day. But then the weather turned bitter cold, so I moved them back inside again. For now, the puppies are living in the kitchen all snuggled up on the dog bed... that I've already washed once. The ways these puppies sleep -- on their backs, upside down, dog piled under and over one another -- makes me laugh.

They're two weeks old and have just begun opening their eyes! I had no idea that all dogs' eyes are blue for the first few weeks. I hope a few of these puppies get to keep their blue eyes. The puppies are also starting to crawl. It really is the cutest thing watching them scoot their way across the floor.

Last but not least, we're getting to know these puppies well enough to name them! They each have little personalities already and distinct markings that set each apart. The whole family collaborated on the project. I cannot wait to share with you what names we chose. It was a lot of fun.

2.21.2022

The Rock Creek Ward took the young women night skiing at Pomerelle on Saturday. Since there were a handful of newbies and we managed to get the bunny hill open for our group, as the young women's president, I made the executive decision to also turn the evening into a family adventure and take Conrad skiing for the very first time.

The little stud was such a hoot! In typical Conrad fashion, he never stopped talking. "I'm a natural!" "Never give up!" "I'm a really good skiier!" "Watch out below!" *Lots of singing* By the end of the night, Conrad was skiing on his own with remarkable control for a first timer. Bron and I are so proud of our little man. He really does bring us so much joy for so many incredible reasons.

2.18.2022

Puppy fever! Our dog Misty gave birth to 9 puppies Wednesday night February 9th. Bron and I had just left the house to run into Kimberly when we got a phone call from the boys. "I found a puppy!" It was an exciting evening for all.

Misty birthed two puppies out on the back porch and the rest in the whelping box in the garage that Bron and the boys made. A few hours later we moved Misty and the puppies all inside to the office to keep them dry and warm and they've been there ever since! We did find what must have been a stillborn puppy in the hallway the next morning. It made us all sad.

It's been so fun and eye opening to watch Misty become a mother. She's a natural nurterer and becomes an anxious basket case if she's separated from her babies for more than a few minutes. I totally understand that. Nursing and keeping nine babies clean is a full time job! Misty hears their cries and comes running. I'm so proud of her. She's also very protective and doesn't like anyone taking the puppies away from the box.

Now that we're ten days in, Misty is ready to be outside; I think she's bored inside the house. It means she's in and out the door about 19 times every day, tracking dirt all through the kitchen. It's driving me a bit nuts, so we will probably move the whole box with the puppies out to the back porch where it's protected from the weather with a heating pad.

The puppies are so cute and sweet. I love hearing their little whines and purrs. They're also therapeutic to snuggle with! In fact, if I cannot find Ezra, there's a 90% chance he's visiting the puppies in their box. We're all anxiously awaiting the day the puppies open their eyes and become extra super cute!

For now, pictures from the puppies' first week on earth. A litter of puppies is a whole new experience for our entire family!

2.10.2022

I deceived myself going into the school year. With two boys in school full time, I thought I would be able to get some things done with just half my children at home during the day. How wrong I was! Two is still a handful. I'm currently in that phase of life where taking a shower is risky business. I can never be sure what messes and mischief await me when I step out! So at 12:45PM every afternoon when Conrad is at preschool and Ezra is down for a nap, I suddenly find myself hands free in a quiet house for 90 blissful minutes. I have a decision to make: Do I use that time to conquer a chore or do something for myself?

And therein lies my problem.

Fortunately, I am seasoned enough to know that this is just a phase; it will pass too quickly. So I grab my camera to document the mischief. I relish how their little hands feel in mine. I try to really listen to Conrad's high pitched voiced as he spews questions and ideas all day long that make me laugh. And I savor every time Ezra falls asleep in my arms... because someday I'll have enough time for both the chores and myself.

Right now, my time belongs to them.

This is Artifact Motherhood -- a project shared with other female artists who are documenting our journeys as mothers and creating memories for our children through our photographs and words.

Please visit the next wonderful artist CARLA MONGE to read her post in our blog circle.

*****

2.01.2022

About a week into the new year, I realized I'd taken a photo nearly every day. The thought of doing a 365 project (shooting a picture every day in 2022) crossed my mind, but that just felt like I was setting myself up for failure. So instead, I committed to shooting everyday through the month of January! It was harder than I thought, but it kept my mind occupied through one of the coldest winters we've had in quite a while. Of course, I wasn't perfect at it. I may have skipped a day or two. And other days, I couldn't possibly narrow it down to just one photo! So here is my little photo project, all summed up into one post.

Rainy day play. Also, see Thomas the Train, there? A certain child ran him through my hair the other day and I had to cut it to get the train out!

Nelson Notes

SLIDER

Our Nine Fluffy Blind Teddy Bears

2.25.2022

Conrad's First Ski Trip

2.21.2022

Puppy Fever!

2.18.2022

Artifact Motherhood | Two at Home is Still a Handful

2.10.2022

Shoot Through January Personal Challenge

2.01.2022

Contact Form