Four Already

Hyrum, today you are FOUR! Each time someone has called to wish you a happy birthday today you have been sure to say, "Yeah, I'm four now!" It's the cutest. It seems like just yesterday I was at the ultrasound clinic receiving the news that you were a BOY. We had secretly found out your gender and kept it a secret the whole time so we could surprise everyone else. As soon as I found out, I went out and bought some blue yarn and started a baby blanket just for you.

The day I went into labor we were enjoying beautiful Spring weather. I spent the morning cleaning and getting our home ready to welcome you. Before your arrival I made sure to do up a batch of bread and froze a few loaves to enjoy in the coming weeks. Because I was waiting on the bread to come out of the oven, we ended up driving to the hospital in rush hour traffic! We dropped your sister off at your great-grandparent's and made it quickly to the hospital. It was a quick delivery. You came out sunny-side up and didn't stop crying until I pressed your little cheek next to mine. You were the very first baby I was able to snuggle seconds after welcoming you into the world.

You have always been calm and content. You started sleeping through the night sooner than anyone else and I sure enjoyed the extra rest. You have always been such a sweetheart and such a perfect addition to our family. I couldn't believe how fast time went by when you were a baby!

It still seems crazy to me that you are already four! I have loved rocking you in my arms, feeding you at all hours of the night, and snuggling you to sleep in your big boy bed. You love affection and touch and are always the kid to climb onto my lap for a snuggle and some extra loves. Sometimes I forget how important those hugs and snuggles are to you, but you always remind me.

I can truly say that these last four years have been a joy! You were quite the mischievous little two year old (peanut oil all over the kitchen floor, toothpaste in the laptop bag..) but always kept me laughing! You have such a sweet spirit and desire to do right and please your Heavenly Father. You have always been an obedient child and your love for life is contagious! I love watching you help your little brothers and be a good example for them. The other day I watched out the window as you climbed up on the trampoline and then turned around to offer your little brother a hand up. It made me smile and filled my heart with joy.

Thanks for being such a special boy! You are loved very much, Hyrum! Happy fourth birthday!!

Love, Mom

Iron Man Birthday

 Today we celebrated Hyrum's fourth birthday! He requested an Iron Man cake. It's been an obsession of his for a while. He loves super heros. I checked out a few google images with Hyrum snuggled on my lap and we found a cake that I was pretty sure I could pull off.

 He was absolutely tickled about it, which made my mother heart SO happy!

We began the tradition of measuring the kids on their birthdays using our fancy ruler that Grampa made. I love how chatty and fun this age is! I also love that he thinks he will wake up tomorrow (on his real birthday) and magically be taller!

 He was pretty excited about the cake!

 After we finished singing he bent low to his cake and whispered a wish before blowing out his candles!

 He is such a special kid and everyone loves him!

 He is convinced that he got these because he wished for them. Camilla wrapped him up a ring pop and a glow stick. She couldn't stand the thought of giving him nothing. Pretty sure her love language is gifts. 

Another successful birthday...

Almost Heavenly

 It's been a while since I've been on here but life is still chugging along. Last week we had a few good days where things just kind of clicked into place. One afternoon in particular the littles completed all of their chores and more without me having to ask them over and over again. Camilla organized the troops and did some awesome bonus jobs. While I prepped dinner Camilla and Hyrum tidied up the bedrooms and made all of the beds. Camilla enthusiastically put away all of the children's clothes that I had left folded on the end of my bed (without even being asked). Hyrum vacuumed the main floor and Joseph sang every song he knows (Happy and you know it, Twinkle Twinkle, I am a Child of God) to Finley. Our home felt like a bit of heaven on earth.

 I sure do love my big girl and her beautiful personality! Earlier that afternoon she volunteered to rinse all of the dishes off for the dishwasher. The whole time she was singing away and having a ball. She kept saying, "Isn't it nice for you to have a day off dishes? I bet it's nice. You work so hard all the time Mommy, I bet you enjoy the break!" A little bit of teaching goes a long way! I love that she's developing skills she will be able to use her entire life.

 One of her newest loves is helping me with Finley. He's pretty chunky and strong now, so she enjoys holding on to him for me any chance she can get. She is an amazing big sister and teaches her little brothers so much!

We have also been busy enjoying the sunny weather! As soon as the sun is up and they are dressed they beg to be let out in the backyard to play. We have spent many mornings drawing chalk on the front walk and many afternoons biking, playing in the sand, hitting up parks, and hanging out on the trampoline.

 

After a busy weekend we've kind of ignored the mess (dishes, popcorn all over the basement, shoes everywhere...) and escaped to the backyard again for some fun and relaxation. I spent the afternoon laying on the trampoline with Finley while the kids popped in and out to snuggle their baby brother or make him smile. It felt so nice to soak up the sun while I desperately tried to recharge my batteries. I have been exhausted lately with a teething baby who's also learning to roll and a certain two year old who wakes screaming a few times a night. Our days start early, but I don't mind so much now that I am greeted most mornings by sunshine, blue skies, and happy kids.

N is for Nest

 After studying plants for the last few weeks, it's time to move on to something new. I came across a bunch of cute bird crafts and this weeks focus will be all about birds! Since the littles have been around baby chicks a lot, I am excited to reinforce the tiny bit of the birds life cycle that they know about. 

Today we started out with the letter "N" to incorporate some preschool letter recognition for Hyrum (honestly, he knows most of his letters already thanks to his stellar big sister). But they both had fun gluing and writing!

After that we did up a simple homemade bird feeder for the backyard. Later this week I plan to make up some toilet paper roll binoculars so that we can do some bird watching. 

 I am beyond excited about the leaves popping out on the trees! The grass gets greener every day and we are enjoying the blue sky and sunshine!

While Joseph and Finley were napping we whipped up a batch of chocolate chip cookies. It's always fun baking with these two! Camilla loves to crack the eggs and grab ingredients. We've made cookies together so many times that she can basically list off the things we need. 

I enjoyed some post nap cuddles with Joe while he munched on a couple cookies. Even though we didn't get much cleaning done, I'm feeling accomplished because we have played and laughed together today! I am loving the extra "please" and "thank-you's" I've been getting! There is nothing better than when they wrap their little arms around my neck spontaneously! I am pretty sure a little extra love and time can cure almost anything.

Grass Between the Toes

Yesterday was a terrible, rotten, no good day. It started out with Joseph chucking a bottle of BBQ sauce from the shopping cart resulting in a "clean up in aisle two". The older two were so amazed by it that they squatted nearby and asked if they could watch it until someone came to clean it up. I never knew BBQ sauce could be so interesting! The rest of the day was filled with melt downs and all kinds of tantrums imaginable. I bit the bullet and took them to the park hoping some sunshine and fresh air would help, but we had a potty accident soon after arriving and a second little who needed to use the potty even though I reminded him ten times before leaving the house. Daddy was at a board meeting which meant that I had to do bed time solo. I sat down after everyone was asleep and let out a sigh of relief. One more Monday down, a bajillion more to go! 

One thing I love about Motherhood is the tiny moments of joy that can be found amidst the chaos if we're looking for them. The temperature reached well into double digits today and the littles were beyond excited to spend the afternoon in their bare feet in the backyard. At one point in the afternoon I was upstairs rocking Finley to sleep in my arms and I walked over to the window in my bedroom with him to check on the kids. Through the opened window I could feel the fresh breeze and hear their sweet conversations. When I realized they were drawing all over the trampoline with chalk I bit my tongue and asked myself, "Is it hurting anyone?" The answer was clearly no, so I stood in silence and let it be. 

In that moment my heart was filled with so much love and joy for these three little people. Even though they fight and argue their relationship runs deep. I love watching them be kind, say sorry without me asking, and defend each other with a fierce love. It's moments like these that help me brush off all the bad and remind me that I have good kids, and that I need to stop being so hard on myself.

Oh how I love those barefeet, the grass between my toes, and the Summer sun! Children really do bring so much joy to our little home!

Four Months

 Finley is four months old today! He's got lots of awesome rolls and is loved by all. He is such a fun little guy and I love watching his personality develop. We all love how easy going and chill he is. When he wakes up in the morning he always greets the day with a smile. He loves when his older siblings gather around him for morning chats. The hugs and kisses are endless and he is getting used to a certain someone who likes to occasionally poke him in the eye as of late. His days are filled with lots of cat naps, and lots of play time. He enjoys his play mat and exersaucer and is learning how to use the jolly jumper. He also spends a lot of time snuggled in the baby carrier while I help the other children and tidy the house. Lately his fists and fingers are constantly in his mouth and I am pretty sure the teething process has begun. He sleeps a nice long stretch from around 8:00PM until midnight and then is up every few hours to feed during the night. Between him and Joe I usually wake up feeling just as tired as when I went to bed, but I wouldn't change it for anything! Finley brings so much joy to our home and I couldn't imagine life with out him! 

Home

 I love going home, and I extra love Mr. Stannix for letting me go home to get some rest and "country air" and indulge in lengthy conversations with my wonderful parents. It's been a great visit! I love that the littles always request Gramma's pancakes for breakfast. It was nice to take a break from cooking, and they like hers better anyhow. 

The last day their I said I was "kind of pancaked out" when Gramma asked what we should have for breakfast. Hyrum quickly said, "I'm not! I'm pancaked in!" Eating stacks of them with peanut butter and Gramma's wide variety of fruit syrups always makes a good start to any morning. Post breakfast baby snuggles are always good too!

The littles loved all of the extra space to run and I loved not having to shush them while they played outside. It was fun watching them explore and have a little independence. The older two went on a few fun dates with Grampa and I even got a whole afternoon break from my Joe. I love them all to bits, but it sure is good for a Mommy to catch a break every once and a while. 

When the littles were occupied I went to my Grandparents place next door for a visit. My Gramma enjoyed some baby snuggles and I enjoyed visiting and serving them. I drove back to the city feeling renewed and energized despite the late nights spent visiting and the early mornings. I am so grateful for my wonderful parents and all that they do for me!

Spring at the Acreage

We took a bit of a spontaneous trip out to the Acreage this week for some new arrivals. The post office called the house bright and early to let us know that we had a box of baby chicks waiting for us at the loading dock. We took the kids in nice and early this morning to pick them up.

Camilla was instantly smitten with the little peeping chicks and we listened to them cheep all the way home!

Camilla got to hand them to Grampa one at a time so that he could show them how to drink and find their food.

It was quite exciting piling in the coop to watch these little chickies for the morning!

Hearing all fifty of them peeping all at once is one of the sweetest sounds! 

Hyrum loved holding them all by himself this year.

So sweet!

It was fun zooming out and watching the kids from the background. 

We spent a good chunk of time just watching the chicks run around, or eat, or walk in the water, or sleep under the light. 

My parents were also lucky to have a mamma hen set some eggs. They just hatched a few days ago and it is unreal watching her with them. When I see the way she huddles her babies under her wings it makes me want to snuggle my children closer. There is much to be learned from a mother hen about mothering.

Joseph wasn't into the little chicks as much. He spent the morning saying "Yee-haw Cowboy!" and running around the acreage. He spent all day outside! When he came in with dirty shoes, I took them off to find dirty socks, and took those off to find dirty little toes! He is a boy through and through!

When it came time to let the chicks settle we could barely peel these two away! I'm sure they will have just as much fun with these little baby chicks tomorrow! And I am now signing off, way later than I should be! I'm sure my baby will be up to nurse soon! I will be pondering that mother hen and mothering all night I'm sure. 

Undivided Attention

Today the littles and I escaped the city to visit an old friend. Before leaving I made sure Mr. Stannix was taken care of on the meal front by leaving some leftovers in the fridge and baking up a batch of bagels for his breakfasts. After folding three loads of laundry, tidying up the house a bit and packing, we managed to leave before lunch! We arrived at my friends place in the early afternoon. 

It was fun to reunite our kiddos after a whole YEAR and see them play so well together! Our first babies were just eight days apart.

We keep in touch on the phone and share our mothering woes quite often...

So when our two little trouble makers got together to do what they do best, we just had to laugh!

And take pictures of course...

On our way out to the Acreage we stopped part way for a picnic dinner and a stretch at the lake. The littles were thrilled with this little park that we found!

The swings were an especially big hit!

This little girl cracks me up so much lately. Her personality is so so great! I can't believe how big and beautiful she is. She is a hoot!

I loved traveling with these little people today. Some might think that a road trip with all four is brave, but they are honestly so good! I loved spending the day with them disconnected from technology and connecting with them. I loved the fact that Camilla sat behind me in Joe's seat and chatted my ear off the whole way. 

I feel like I've blinked and they have all grown so much! It seems like just yesterday I was paranoid about them braving the stairs and following them up to the slide or catching them at the bottom and now I don't have to worry! Except, I will always worry, because I am a mother. I will always worry if I have taught them enough, loved them enough, or spent enough time with them. I'm sure I will worry when they become more independent as teenagers and definitely I will worry about them when they leave home. But for now, I enjoy watching them learn and explore each day. I love their optimism and zest for life. I love watching them dare new heights and push themselves to do new things. Being a mother is one of the greatest things in this life!

Jolly Good

Somebody is starting to really love his Jolly Jumper!!

Yee-haw Cowboy

I was nursing in the living room and heard a "Yee-haw Ca-boy!" from around the corner.

Had to laugh when I checked him out!

Love this kid.