Slicing layout problem

i am having trouble slicing my layout and getting it to work correctly. it’s a pretty simple layout with the nav buttons on the side and the content next to it. when i go to edit it in dreamweaver the menu buttons always spread out even though i have the side, content and under the menu cells set as a background images.

hopefully this is all making sense to you guys.

i’ve tried doing it several different ways but i always get the same result. i am just all out of ideas. so i figured you fine people would know what to do. thanks in advance.

dave