Not all my own work

I said I'd write about the lovely handmade gifts we received for Noah in my last post, so here we are. We were given three lovely cardigans, specifically handmade for Noah, and one handmade but purchased, by my sister along with some little booties. The three cardigans are what may be referred to as typical baby knits, but knowing what has gone into them just makes me love them. The stitch patterns are so pretty and I just really appreciate them.

I just love this blue cardigan. It looks so cosy and the stitch pattern is so pretty.

Close up of stitch pattern.

 Yellow cardigan with triangle edging (a similar edging as the mohair lace cardigan)

Close up of edging

White cardigan

We were also given three crochet blankets, two crocheted by one lady, Nancy, a dear friend of Ma's, who also knitted the yellow cardi, and the other by the same friend who knitted the white cardigan, Gill...

  
Nancy's blanket 1

Nancy's blanket 2 - what gorgeous edging!

Gill's blanket.

I have to say I haven't a clue about crochet though people keep telling me how easy it is... hmmm I have yet to be convinced!

And finally, this absolutely stunning quilt, made by Pam, another dear friend of Ma's, and the mum of one of Marno's friends from school.

She started making it when she found out I was pregnant, and its perfect for either a boy or a girl. I think it is so beautiful and it will certainly be adorning Noah's cot when he is older.

Oops, I almost forgot the cardigan my sister gave and the booties.

The kindness and generosity we have received from people has been utterly overwhelming. We have received such a massive amount of gifts (not handmade) and are so grateful to so many people. A baby seems to bring happiness to so many, and they are so ready to show it. Its a real lesson and I hope I don't forget it.

My beautiful little boy

I wasn't sure I wanted to put any photos of our little one on here as anyone can see him, but I decided to go with just one because this blog is to document important things and I can't not talk about this wonderful event! Having a baby is the most incredible thing I've ever experienced, and being a mummy is the most important job in the world. You're the centre of a child's life and they look to you for everything, therefore you want to be the best example you possibly can to them.

This is my ideal for my family:

Psalm 128

A song of ascents.

 ¹ Blessed are all who fear the LORD,
       who walk in his ways.  ² You will eat the fruit of your labour;
       blessings and prosperity will be yours.
 ³ Your wife will be like a fruitful vine
       within your house;
       your sons will be like olive shoots
       around your table.
 ⁴ Thus is the man blessed
       who fears the LORD.
 ⁵ May the LORD bless you from Zion
       all the days of your life;
       may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem,
 ⁶ and may you live to see your children's children.
       Peace be upon Israel.

 I don't have any of my own work to write about at the moment, although the bag is nearly finished, but we've received some beautiful knitted and crocheted gifts and a beautiful quilt, so I'll post about those next time. I'm also really glad I left a message on Melynda's blog, French Press Knits, which I've been reading for a while, as I received a lovely reply from her - I love it when people are as nice as they come across in their writing, and I really admire how far she's come in the year since she started her blog. Thanks for being so inspiring Melynda :)