photo tour: a day in our nest...

Sooooo, the last time I showed you what an 'average' day in our nest looked like...

Hudson hadn't joined our crew yet!  Here's a recent compilation of our 'normal' routine:

::6:00 - 7:30 AM::

Awake(?!) due to Azriel coming in our room... and after a rapid 'snuggle' session, she wants to get downstairs and eat breakfast, play!

::7:30 - 9:00 AM::

Now that Azi's had about a gazillion melt-downs/tantrums or hissy fits (usually coinciding with the moment we force her to actually eat a meal...) we all take a chill out moment.

After some Bible stories, singing, praying for family/friends... it's a short Netflix period of favourite kid shows.  This is usually when I'm feeding Hudson again, or trying to get myself into a real outfit for the day!

::9:00 - 10:00 AM::

Now that we're all dressed, we have some fun:  painting, dancing, baking, cleaning, walking..etc.

::10:00 - 12:00PM::

Most days we end up finding some friends to play with too.  A walk to the park, or hanging out at each others homes is a great way to finish off the morning! 

::12:00 - 2:00PM::

Once lunch is served (and Hudson nursed), it's nap-time for the kids.

After repeated attempts to get Azi to stay in bed... she finally sleeps.  If I'm real lucky - so does Hudson... and then I'm a whirling dervish!!

I clean (toys.dishes.etc),

check (e-mails.blog.etc),

create (speedy sewing projects. diys. etc)

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

Usually Ben arrives home mid-afternoon from an early morning start at the bakery (Sticklings).

Azriel wakes up with that gorgeous blush in her cheeks... and Hudson, with eye goop!

 

::3:00 - 5:00PM::

Family time - playing outside, running errands, Ben usually makes dinner while I feed Hudson.

 ::6:00 - 7:00PM::

I clean up the dishes, toys, chaos... and Ben gets in some last minute playtime with the kids, then baths and bedtime.

::8:00 - 10:00PM::

Ben's usually retired for an early start the next morning.. so it's the last two standing here. 

 I get a 'date' every evening with Sir Cranky Pants Hudson.  This is the one (back-breaking) hold that he favours when he's a fussy fit of gas/insomnia... otherwise, I'm feeding him/holding him... and sitting here: blogging to you fine folks!  (I'm getting real good at one handed typing... hehe).

Then it's off to bed, and start again tomorrow!

Thanks for sharing in our day.

 I'm delighted to have you perch at our nest.

Mel ;o)

sit it out... or, dance.

My daughter and I were having another dance party in the living room.

But then she stopped and said:

"I wanna sit on my chair and watch you dance".

She walked over to her play corner... dragged her wee red chair across the living room, plunked it down in the middle of the area rug, and sat... looking up expectantly at me.

...

...and so, I danced.

Leaping through the air like a deranged ballerina.

Twirling like a drunken hippy.

Jitter-bugging.

Soft-shoeing.

Gypsy swaying.

All for my audience of one.

 -----------------------

She keeps me light on my toes,

movin' mama,

Mel ;o)

recent 'hatchings' from the nest:

Happy Monday friends, just thought I'd show y'all some recent custom creations I've been stitching here lately.

This is a custom lil' hoot that I had fun making:  a stuffed door.stop owl! 

I love the combination of lime.turquoise and grey plumage with wooden eyes for this piece.

It's a heavy lil' hoot too... packed full of river stones and gravel filler (3lbs maybe?). 

I'm glad I got him to stand up and do the job he was made for: guarding a nursery door. 

 

 This was a custom ordered bird mobile to go in the same nursery.

Sorry about the lighting, it's a playful combination of greens.turquoise and white... hanging from a natural branch.

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

And, these tweet hearts are waiting to fly under this white painted branch.

A custom order for an expectant mama shopping at GLOW maternity.

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

So there's a peak at recent works from this nest.

I still take custom orders, and if you have any ideas/questions about a special project you can always ask:

needleandnestdesign@live.com

Have a beauty day friends of a feather,

Mel ;o)

slide.show.sunday. take 39.

Phew!  Now that was a whirl-wind wonder of a weekend!

This is one blissfully exhausted mama...

here's the recap:

 

 Road trip!  (It only takes Azriel two minutes to look like a Nutella version of the Joker).

Sunshine, sand, sea gulls... and the annual family (in-laws) reunion down in Cobourg.

Azriel was giddy to have a sand box that stretched to the horizon.

This mama was just a lil' giddy to have a gorgeous hotel, delicious meals, and a view of the beach... freely provided by the generous Grandparents that host this reunion! 

I love how Spring paints the trees in vibrant splashes and intoxicating blooms.

Back home today for another lovely get together with my side of the family.

This was a sweet moment where Azriel handed a flower to her great Grandmother (the only 'great' left on our side). 

The two prettiest blooms in the garden: my girl & my older sis.

Then it was back to my folk's house... where Azi had a 'tea party' outside with her Grandma.

A beautiful. delicious. family-full. sunshiney weekend!

Hope you all got a chance to love your mama's today (or remember them fondly).

Now, this mama is ready for bed!

See you on the flip side friends,

Mel ;o)

thrifty & nifty threads: upcycled fashion. 2.

 Y'ello friends, here's the second edition of my new blog feature: taking something old and sewing it into something new.

Let's get lacy!

 So, I'll admit I thrifted these banana-yellow-Grandma-shorts solely to wear under that lace skirt I made in the past.  But now with summer approaching, I wanted to make them more 'frilly' than frumpy.

I cut off the bottom 2" hem, then stitched some eyelet lace around instead.

(Confession: you know the golden sewing rule of keeping "right sides facing in"?

In my rush I totally did it backwards and had the hem on the outside.. gargh!!  The trusty seam-ripper is a faithful companion at my sewing desk...).

Now normally I try to steer clear of trendy styles... but this lacy version of a Peter Pan collar just couldn't be ignored while thrifting ($1.99... thank you).

I think I'll call this outfit my 'banana sundae, with a blueberry on top' look. 

 

And lately I've really enjoyed throwing a pop of colour into my dark wardrobe by the use of bright tights.  I'm also saving the world from going blind at the sight of my glowing white legs (just envision a less pretty version of the elves in Lord of the Rings).

----------

I've got my eye on a few other outfits in need of some lace,

or doily loving from my closet... stay tuned!

Thrifty mama,

Mel ;o)

I want to remember... or forget:

Azriel, my two and a half year old + wild wonder.

There's so much I want to remember about her at this stage:

How she nuzzles in to me in the morning, staring up at me with her big blue eyes, and I say "I love you"... and she whispers back "I love you too". 

The way her cheeks look rosy and flushed after her nap time.

Her daily greeting to Hudson: "Hi fat buddy, g'morning sweetheart!"

How she loves to help me bake muffins, or stir our tea.

The way she dances. squeals and shrieks to see our relatives and friends coming up the driveway.

The precise way in which she holds a pen and draws tiny intricate designs.

There's also the things I'd like to forget:

The daily melt-downs over any little thing that disturbs her calm.

The stealthy-ninja way she sneaks back out of bed every time we say 'goodnight'.

How every meal is 'torture' to her... crying out "please may.I.be all done" after one bite.

While begging us the rest of the day for 'rice cakes. marshmallows. or smovies (smoothies)'.

That she still hates the potty, though the tell-tale 'toot' has at least given us success in catching some poops in the pot.  Generally though, she sits there and moans "its too hard for meeee".

Then there's Hudson, our almost three month old + chunk of cuteness.

There's so much I want to remember with him too: 

How he's my koala baby.. cuddling into my neck (all 18lbs of warmth).

His cashmere skin, and peach fuzz head.

His subtle cologne of warm cheese. 

That manly triple chin.

The adorable dimple in one cheek.

His rascally flirtatious grin. 

Only a few things I'd like to forget:

Every evening is cranky fest.

Daily 'goopy' eye.. ick.

Burping up as much as he drinks.

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

 

I think it will be a sentimental, misty eyed moment when I look back at this post.

When I realize afresh how fast it all goes.

How quick they all grows... 

So much I want to remember,

so little I want to forget.

Yesterday's tomorrow is where I need to be.

Savoring these fleeting moments wrapped in the present.

Mindful mama,

Mel ;o)

to vlog, or not to vlog...

...I'm going to need your help with this one friends.

Getting behind the microphone is scarier than getting in front of the camera for this mama.

I've been 'meaning' to make a vlog (video.blog) for months now... I even promised a friend I would in order to introduce Hudson to you fine feathered folks.

Now, I won't go back on my word, but a few fears have me procrastinating this post:

1.  Hearing my own voice is annoying!  I sound like Eeyore on helium...

2.  The thought of film editing... this mama does not have the time!

3.  Boring/scaring you off with my ramblings (since the way we talk is usually very different from how we write it seems...) 

So I need you to weigh in on this decision... what would you like to hear me mutter on about?

This is the one thing I hate about blogging - how one.sided it is - because if we were in a conversation I would be asking you questions, getting to know YOU... but here it's just me blah blah blah'ing.  (Which is why I love getting to know you if you comment!).  Anyway, all that to say, I do appreciate you coming here, and sharing in our journey.

And, if you're a newer reader, welcome!  You can learn more about me here.

Ok. Deep breaths.

I'm going to step up to the microphone.

It may not be pretty... and it sure as heck won't be edited!

I'll post a vlog by next week... hold me to it.

Now, if there's a question you'd like me to respond to.. leave a comment or shoot me an e-mail: needleandnestdesign@live.com!

I think I'm game to answer most any kind of query (.... I think...maybe...?!).

Just remember, before you encourage me to vlog,

'Eeyore.. on helium'... got it?

I warned you.

High fives you guys,

Mel ;o)

P.S.. Check out my wee film crew... they've got some skills: