handsome Hudson, our new son!

Hello friends!  As promised, here's a wee photo-shoot of our newest addition at the nest.

Hudson is sporting this adorable toque knitted by our friend Jackleen (she told me it's actually called a 'Hudson' pattern - before she knew we named him that!). Love it.

He's also tucked into the sweet crochet booties that his Aunt Sarah-Anne made him.  (You locals can find your own pair she's made down at GLOW maternity). Like a gangly puppy, Hudson has big feet to grow into it seems...  :o)

 We're still trying to figure out who he's looking like here... his sister, my side, Ben's side.. but I just can't get over his cute lil' 'bum' chin!

Azriel is still proving to be a delighted.helpful.loving sister.. "dat's baby brother" she's saying!

Day 3 and we're surviving pretty well now.

I'm still recovering.. and hope to share his birth story this week... but I know you'll understand if I don't post like crazy for a bit. ;o)

Thanks for all the love friends,

we heart you.

*P.S - his adorable mushroom sleeper is from H&M - linking up this announcement today over at Mama Loves Papa!
 

Mel ;o)

he shall be called...

Azriel is tickled pink to announce the safe arrival of her new baby brother!!

Hudson Blake Inglis

born: February 15, 2012

at

10:30pm

Just like his big sister... he was 8lbs 11oz... and 21" long.

Most of you facebook friends already know these details.. and we thank everyone for their outpouring of kind congratulations and celebrations with us!

We're already home at the nest now... after mama and son spent one night at the hospital we were ready to get back to our 'four's company' of Daddy and Azriel.

More to come friends,

handsome Hudson deserves a photo-shoot!

Thanks to all for your prayers, love and shared joy with us!

We praise God for a miraculous birth here.

Now to have a long soak.. and sleep.

blessed mama,

Mel ;o)

 

love is...

Love at this nest is not seen in Hallmark Valentines cards...

...it's in the hand-painted masterpieces of a toddler for her Daddy.

When I asked her what she was painting him for Valentines, Azriel said ..."a dragon"...with potato-stamp hearts around it... perfect. 

Love at this nest is not all sugar n' spice...

...it's being smeared in the snot n' tears of a sickly toddler who has clung to me for the last 24 hours... (unless there's a paintbrush in her hand).

Love at this nest is not seen in over-indulgent gifts (though I wish I could spoil Ben!)...

...it's in hand-crafted felt fortune cookies and love notes. 

*If you're still looking for a quick valentines project: my owl heart treat bags have been featured all over the blogsphere. 

Love at this nest is not a one-night stand...

...it's an enduring commitment, a choice to stand by my man through the thick and thin.

Ben is my heart,

my bread-baker

our 'dough'-maker

he cracks me up daily with his wit,

he builds me up daily with his warmth,

... but he wouldn't want me to go on here. 

 In fact, it's because I love him I don't feature him more on this blog... he's not a fan of the spotlight.  

This nest holds my heart... my husband, our daughter, our baby-to-be.

I thank God for each of these deposits of His love in my life.

Not just on Valentines Day.. but every day.

heart-full mama,

Mel ;o)

D.I.Y: moccasin slippers

 I promised to share the do.it.yourself instructions for these moccasin slippers a while ago, and am finally getting around to posting the tutorial here, sorry for the delay.

Want some cosy feet warmers for cold winter days?

You'll need:

tracing paper

Fleece/Felt (in three colours/patterns of your choice) 2' squares for each fabric roughly.

Leather/Vinyl for the bottom of slippers

Suede straps/shoelaces

14" of elastic

pins/sewing machine

1. Step on to tracing paper and outline your foot (drawing .5" extra around).

2. Lay paper over your foot and draw a loose outline (this is the top of your slipper).

3. Cut a rectangle that wraps around the back of your heel and meets at the front (7" high).

4. Cut the 'foot bottom' pattern out of fleece and leather/vinyl to double up your slipper bottoms.

5. Cut your 'top foot' pieces out of complimentary fleece/felt.  (I added the embroidered 'flower' from a stitched tapestry I had... feel free to add a 'patch' or stitch your own design).

6. You can sew some top trim to the rectangle of 'heel fabric' for a stiffer edge around your ankle - or leave it as an unfinished fleece...

7. With right sides facing each other (bottom of foot and back of heel pieces) pin the heel to wrap around the back of your foot pieces.

7(a). For a more snug fit you can stitch a piece of elastic into the back of your heel piece.

(Hold elastic at stretched-out point while allowing the machine to do a zig-zag stitch). 

8. Pin the final top piece of your slipper over the moccasin (right sides facing in still).. stitch around the entire slipper on your sewing machine.  Trim edge, flip right-sides out.

9. How you 'lace-up' your moccasin is up to you.  I just threaded some suede cording through the front of the fleece (seen in top picture).  You could attach velcro, or punch snaps into the fleece, or grommets with shoelace.. depending how fancy you want to get.

Hope that gets you steppin' in the right direction to coziness!

Moccasin mama,

Mel ;o)

slide.show.sunday.take 33.

Hello friends! Here's the recap of another weekend at the nest:

You know those lazy saturdays when you want a free.indoor.escape for you and the family?  If we're not at Chapters... we can be found at our local Art Gallery. 

Magical lighting floods in from the shimmering lake outside.  A beauty photo-op for wee Azriel.

Since our Art Gallery is a 'glorified wheel-chair ramp' it's perfect for Azi to run up and down - with her fancy shoes lighting the way!  We viewed some amazing sketches by:  Anne Cavanagh (we were in art together during high school... yes, she was the better artist!).

I'm sooo tempted to photo-shop a turntable in front of D.J. Azi here! ;o)

Enjoying the library collection of 'picture' books in the snowy sunlight.

Yes, 'torpedo belly' is still ready to launch... and waiting...

This HAS to be the week - eviction notice is about to get served to this baby... stay tuned!

Hope your weekend was lovely... what did you get up to?

Artsy-fartsy mama,

Mel ;o)

diners and dancing...

 Yes, we're still a 'family-in-waiting' here at the nest... and today we delighted in some sweet moments while we wait.  

sunshine, and 50's Diner jukeboxes.

 A spontaneous brunch at the diner around the corner from our house...

...with my sweet folks who are the most supportive.helpful.available parents one preggo mama could ask for!  I am grateful for their constant source of love in our lives.  Azriel does a shrieking.squealing happy dance in the window every time she sees them come to our house.

Speaking of 'dancing'.... Azi and I thought an Irish jig may help encourage baby brother along.  Fun times with my gal today!  (Sorry for all the low-quality videos).

Here's hoping your weekend is a beauty one...

...and praying ours is an event-full one!

Dancing mama, 

Mel :o)

cats & crayons..

Here's a bit of cuteness, colouring and cats for your day.

I know I need to be reminded that this gal Azriel is a sweetie since right now she is on 'super cranky.sleep disturbed.whine' mode... hoy!

Have a beauty day friends,

Mel ;o)