how I did my do [part deux]:

You may have noticed that for some time I've been living under a toque (thankfully the excuse of winter made it seem fashionable).. but really, I was having a bad hair day month

The last time I cut it was back in August... and as you can see I'm a one-cut-wonder:

...the reverse mullet mama (long at the front, chopped short at the back.. and just to mix it up - short bangs too).  Amazing, I know.

What will really knock our socks off is if I can get some wild colour happening soon!

I want the longer bangs side (on the left) to be a fire engine red I think...

 

So, want to see how this hack job is accomplished?

I thought I'd give you the behind the scenes video:

No I never went to hairstyling school... and yes, the crunching scissors sound does likely mean they are getting quite dull!

No one in our nest is safe from this scissor wielding mama... and now Azriel is also sporting this highly trendy look - but she makes it look cute!

So there's the whole hairy deal.

Anyone recommend dying vs. extensions? Vice versa?

Chopped mop mama,

Mel ;o)

D.I.Y: toddler sewing cards

This weeks do.it.yourself project is for the wee ones.  

Sewing cards have been around for a long time - but since this is my blog I get to show you how I whipped some of these up over the weekend for my daughter.

It's a simple and fast project:

The goal is to have a fairly stiff card that doesn't bend with use.. but not so thick that you can't pop a hole punch through it.  So I used crafting foam paper, with a cereal box for the backing.

Design ideas are endless: you can glue a picture onto the card stock (or paint one).

I opted to use some woodland CD stickers since they're so sweet.

I also glued fabric 'clothes' on other cards (t-shirt/brown pants). 

 Once you have the foam paper glued to your cardboard, and whatever image podged to the top...get your muscles ready and start popping holes through the cards with your hole puncher.

Now you can create your 'sewing needle' by wrapping yarn around a bobby pin and then tightly duct taping it in place.  I also looped a bead to the other end of the yarn so that it wouldn't pull through the card while she sews.

...and so she sweetly sews (and plays peek-a-boo too)!

Now she can work alongside her mama as I craft.

Happy sewing folks!

Mel ;o)

she's aliiiivve!

Hello dear hearts,

Just wanted you to know that I came through the surgery.. and lived to tell!

That is one looopy experience to wake up from... especially when your short-term memory is wiped clean (I asked when I'd get debriefed by the doctor... and they said I already had!).

Providential timing to rush this gall bladder removal for Sunday morning though, since the amazing surgeon said there were a number of gall stones lined up at the escape point of my gall bladder - which would have had me in the E.R in no time!

Now this mama is in recovery mode... finally keeping down fluids, and ingesting a smorgasbord of Jell-O.

Thanks to all my amazing friends and family who are carrying the weight of everyday life that I am ordered not to lift (for 4 weeks..eep).

Thanks for all your kind comments, support, thoughts and prayers.

You're all beautiful!

G'nite,

recovering mama,

Mel ;o)

the kill(h)er diet...

Hey friends!  Here's the health update on this mama:

Looks like I'm playing some Russian Roulette with 25 bullets 'gravel-sized' gall stones.  With every bite of food there's the danger of it triggering another painful attack.  So I'm on a strict healthy diet to avoid that risk.. when everything else inside me is screaming for chocolate.coffee.calories!

Pretending you're a bunny - and eating accordingly - has caused it's own issues this week.

All those vegetables have made mama & the newborn a gassy.cranky.mess!  My list of allowable foods keeps narrowing right now it seems.

Just know that I now have a huge amount of empathy for any of you out there with food issues.  I totally took for granted the freedom to shove whatever delicious morsel I wanted in my face - with no consequences (except a more voluptuous figure we'll say).

It is hard work being diligent about your meals. 

On the upside (in a painful, annoying way) I'm getting my gall bladder removed tomorrow morning.  My first surgery ever.

I better get a badge.. or a ribbon.. but I'd settle for a burger.

What's that?  I have to be on a liquid diet for the first few days... and then low-fat, healthy food for the next 4 weeks?

Crap.

I think I better go have a hissy fit now.

But seriously, I would deeply appreciate any prayers you can spare.

They say this is a fairly common issue facing post-pregnancy mamas... but I don't know how us mamas are supposed to "not lift" our big babies for 4 weeks?!  

We are blessed with a great support system of family/friends.. but I still find it hard to not worry about the daily tasks with two kids in the mix.

I guess that's it ... I'll keep you posted on the flip-side.

Now go eat a chocolate bar for my sake!

hungry mama,

Mel ;o)

cup o' cuteness & creativity...

Here I gush again...

...for serious, is there any end to the cuteness? 

I'm just going to savour this moment for a second.. (since these past days are starting to convince me that the evil colic monster is creeping in)! 

Hudson is still a hoot though, thanks to the ever-growing supply of darling hats!

We were sent this beauty crochet number the other day .. 

Sent with sweetness from a delightful blogger buddy Krista.  She even personalized the gift tags - she's an amazing illustrator!

She also included this sweet 'cow baby' doll for Azriel, who is already smitten with her! 

Don't you just love people that love on your kids?

Our cup runneth over from all the kindness and celebration shown to our growing nest.

I am humbled, and send y'all a big squishy hug!

 

...Speaking of squishy hugs...

Anyone have some advice on how to teach a toddler about 'personal space'?!  

The other day I thought she was going to give Hudson his 5billionth kiss.. but she instead sunk her teeth into his head!! Geeeeeeeeeeez. 

Oh, Azriel.  You're lucky you're so darn cute, or you'd be out on the curb young lady.

Small Style link up day!

Azriel's outfit:

Sweater: gifted (JOE)

Gray shirt: Old Navy

Skirt: Children's Place

Red Tights: H&M 

Thanks for letting me share again friends! 

You may not know it.. but you guys out there feel like my one moment of sanity and creativity right now... I blog to remind me of the beauty in the chaos currently.

muah,

Mel ;o)

 

confessions: [of a mama]. part 10.

Hi friends!

Well we're now officially starting our third week with the new guy: lately I'm calling him Hudson Blue (because of his eyes).. or Sir.Poops.A Lot...  

We're still in a fog around the nest here, and whether or not this is a current moment of clarity, I thought I'd post some recent confessions/thoughts:

First, an update: I haven't had gall bladder surgery as of yet...but am now booked to see my family Doctor tomorrow and figure out the next step.

---------------------------------------------

I confess that most days right now feel like 'motherhood in the trenches'.*

I want to savour these precious moments.. but it feels more like I am enduring them.*

I breathe a gasp of relief when I see my Ben arrive home from work each day.*

Though I feel like Eeyore for Ben after a day spent with the milk-piglet and all his pooh.*

*[I know these feelings aren't permanent.. but chalk it up to sleeplessness. (If this funny blog wasn't so true... it would be more hilarious).]

Whenever I go to burp Hudson... I end up burping instead (weird, yes.).

 

Most mamas suffer from cabin-fever occasionally... and I'm no exception (though the home-body in me likes our cozy cave).

I kick myself now for never getting my drivers license (honestly... 31years old and never had it!).

I have the cutest kids (but I'm biased).

Azriel and I are still a hot mess most mornings, but I do sympathise for how 'neglected' she feels currently when this lil' pac-man is always feeding or pooping.. or needing attention. 

I still want to capture every moment in my heart though.

The sweet. The stressful. The beauty. The mess.

These tiny tots are my tutors. my sages. they keep teaching me every day.

I'm a slow learner... but I'm trying to keep up.

Learning to be self-less.

Patient

Kind

Grace-full

Compassionate

Giggly

Funny how it's only now we start to truly appreciate our own parents - and what we put them through! 

Mindful mental mama,

Mel ;o)

 

foxy friends

Remember being introduced to Mr. & Mrs. Fox during our tour of Azriel's room a long time ago?  Well, I'm delighted to announce that my daughter is currently obsessed with them as her play-fellows.  

Gosh, I feel so validated as a crafty mama - my kid actually enjoys the toys I made her!

When Azriel isn't smothering her new baby brother... she's often found snuggling the foxes.

Introducing Mr.Fox to the giant from the Pilgrim's Progress quilt.

Putting Foxy Lady into the baby bouncy seat. 

The foxes supervise her while she paints.. or dances.. or has play time with the other stuffed animals.

You'll be happy to know Azriel is past her awkward pronunciation stage too:

not "foc"

"fox".

(I probably should have just called them 'rats' ..)

---------------

Do your kids have a favourite toy?

Do you remember yours as a child?

I was a sucker for G.I.Joe's... and My Little Pony... and Popples!

Playful mama,

Mel ;o) 

P.S: the pattern for these foxy friends was from the book "Sew Me, Love Me".