The end of 2009 brought a great beginning of 2010

2009 was a fabulous year, but the best part is the way it ended. On December 30th Gilbert Ledger Jones was born into our family. As the whole world was preparing for a party to celebrate the 'soon to be New Year', Naaman and I were having a party of our own. We were at the hospital with our precious new little one in our arms. We are so blessed to finally have him here. The name Gilbert comes from Naaman’s Grandfather’s who is currently 95 years old. Little Gil was born at 4:10 p.m. He was 6lbs 8oz. 19 ½ inches long. What a surprise to us that he was so little. On January 1st, we began the New Year 2010 by bringing Gil home. Naaman is a proud dad to have a new son. Caleb, Aspen, Malori and Ella are also so excited to have a new little brother.

Gil struggled for about 2 weeks with jaundice. We went to the Dr. Office every day for the 1st week to have his little foot poked for a blood test. He was under the lights for a day and a half. That was so hard for me. I cried. Little Gil didn’t seem to mind, he was so content to lay with only a diaper on under the warm lights. It was stressful because the little cotton eyes pieces wouldn’t stay on his eyes. They kept falling down over his nose. I was afraid he wouldn’t be able to breathe. Naaman and I didn’t sleep much that night, but do I ever get sleep these days?

I am so grateful for friends and family who have helped me in so many ways; carpooling my kids here and there, watching my kids, baby gifts, phone calls, beautiful pictures, friendly visits and for those who made and brought yummy meals to us. I am also very grateful for the time that I got to spend with my mother as she came to help me. I have been blessed and my family was definitely spoiled.

I do agree that there is nothing better in life than holding a new born baby in your arms…so that is what I do all day. Who says that the dishes and the laundry need to get done and the beds get made? After having 4 others, I have realized that they grow up way to fast and that I have to cherish this short time. They say you can’t spoil a newborn…but I know that he is already spoiled.

Gil has been such a wonderful baby. He still sleeps a lot. I love to watch his facial expressions change as he sleeps. I watch for the little smiles. I also love the little squeaks and squills that he makes. He was born with lots of dark brown hair that I love so much. We just celebrated little Gil’s 1 month birthday. How did that happen? Where did January go? January was a fabulous month...even though I was awake for most of it.

We love little Gil!

pictures taken by my friend Jueneta-Thanks!

My New Goal!

I have this dear friend of mine who suggested to me to keep my blog up to preserve my families memories. I love taking pictures of my family in hopes that someday I will scrapbook, but my pictures just sit in a file in my computer. I enjoy writing in my journal, but I have 5 children, so that doesn't happen like it should. My new goal, thanks to the encouragement of my friend, is to spend more time on my blog. I am so excited to give it another try. Thank you, my dear friend!!!

Meet Gilbert

Malori's Fieldtrip at Wheeler Farm

Malori had a field trip with her preschool class at Wheeler Farm today. The girls had so much fun. We walked around and saw the animals. Malori and Ella loved the baby ducks. Ella didn't want to leave them. We also rode the wagon ride and had a picnic. It couldn't have been a nicer day. It had to have been in the mid 70's. I was stressing a little because I forgot to bring sunscreen . It has been such a long winter that I didn't even think about it until we were at the Farm and I was wishing we had it. It was a definitely a beautiful day!

Ella's first steps!

Ella is 15 1/2 months old and up until Saturday she had no desire to walk. Just out of the blue she decided to take a few steps. She had been at her cousin Kasen's house all day long. Kasen is 7 weeks younger, but has been walking for 4 months now. So I am sure that Ella had just been watching Kasen and decided to give it a try. "If he can do it, so can I." Thank goodness for camera cell phones. I am actually not in any hurry to get her to walk, but now that the weather is changing we like to be outside more. It sure would save the knees in her pants. Yeah Ella!!

Are they really flowers?

Caleb is my one and only "son" flower. He is a typical boy. He loves to do all the things that boys love to do, especially tease his sisters. He is growing like a weed. I have to feed and water him often. We love having Caleb around. Don't worry, he is not foaming at the mouth in this picture. He is just sampling our families favorite treat...Whip Cream from a can.
Aspen is my Lily flower. I have been thinking for days of which flower reminds me most of Aspen. I googled 'delicate flower' and Lily was one of the flowers that came up. Aspen, like a Lily is very beautiful. Where did she get those dark brown eyes? She is very kind and sweet. Also like a Lily, she is very delicate. Aspen's feelings are very sensitive. We love our Aspen! Malori is my "WILD" flower. She is vibrant and full of energy. If only I could have half of her energy. The rule at our house is... No candy for Malori. She doesn't need that extra sugar. There are many different varieties of wild flowers. Like so, Malori has a very fun and exciting personality. Plan on having a good laugh when Malori is around. I'd "pick" Malori any day.
Ella is my Babies Breath. She is my sweet little one. I was a little nervous to have 4 children, but Ella has been such an easy baby. She has slept through the night since she was 1 month old and she is for the most part very happy. She is very patient and goes along with the flow. Babies Breath is used as a filler in flower arrangements. Ella has definately filled joy in all of our hearts.

The Jones Family Blog is now official!!!

Yeah! It only took me a few months, but at least I did it. I have wanted to start a blog forever, but I just never made the time to begin. I know that Christmas was a few months ago, but this is the most current picture I have of our whole family. You will soon find out that this is the way I get things done around here. "Better late than never." This picture is special, it is with our extra special Santa Clause-Grandpa. Caleb (10), Aspen (almost 8), Malori (4) and Ella (15 months) are the four flowers in my frame. They are the ones that keep me happy, crazy, sane, insane, on my toes and on the go. It seems that we are constantly always doing something. Whether it is piano, scouts, playing with friends, changing diapers, homework, watching The Brady Bunch, talking on the phone, eating cinnamon melts, yard work, playing with Disney princesses on the counter, texting, video games, going to school, making messes, doing laundry, learning to stand up, drinking diet coke, teasing sisters, writing notes, wearing "neck" shirts, crying when asked to do chores and even climbing on the couch. It may get crazy around here at times, but Naaman and I are definitely blessed.