A Spider on the Floor

Halloween must be close because I have found the creepiest spiders slinking around my house lately.  Last night before bed I had to remind myself that the things on my floor that look like spiders were actually just pieces of roast beef I had made into smaller pieces for Camilla that she threw off her tray at dinner.  One of them even made it's way into the living room.  It's just roast beef though...  Camilla was laying on the floor this morning watching the doodle bops and I got up to get her something to eat.  She followed.  I turned around the was face to face with a giant, brown, creepy lookin' spider.  Ya know, the one's that have the big black eyes and the long long legs.  ICK! I still shiver just thinking about it.  Camilla didn't see it and couldn't understand why I didn't want her to go into the living room.  I had no time to go find a shoe, so I used the only thing I could reach.  Camilla's toy vacuum/popper thing.  I ran over that spider like a hundred times before I actually hit it.  ew, ew, ew. I hate spiders.  Then it was into the paper towel and down the toilet for that big guy.  I tried Google to find a picture of a spider, but I couldn't even look at them with out getting creeped out. 

In lieu of these recent events, I decided it was time for a "Halloween" background.  Only a few more days to go! Miss Camilla is going as a cow for Halloween.  Last night Mr. Stannix came up with a brilliant idea for our costumes!!  Last year, he and I were Egyptians and we carried Camilla (who was wrapped like a "mummy") in a box with sticks through it.  It was pretty funny!!

Today I am off to make some bread and home made bagels.  I'm finally starting to be rid of the whole morning sickness thing and have felt almost back to normal.  Looking forward to spending some time with Camilla today.  I believe she's teething because she's very snuggly.

This is our shnazzy pumpkin Mr. Stannix and I carved this year.  We were going to do two hands on a butt... Looking back, we like this much better.  I think it looks strangely like Voldemort off of Harry Potter.  (I better make sure I spelled that right, or Mr. S will be on my case. Yep, I think I'm good).  Minus the mouth, I do think our pumpkin and Voldemort share a strange resemblance.  Maybe this is why Mr. Stannix picked this particular design? We had to shine the flashlight in it when we finished to make sure it was candle worthy...We had fun carving with the whole family.

Have fun getting ready for Halloween!! 

Let it Snow!!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

Yesterday was the very first snow of the season.  It brought back memories of when I was a kid.  We would wake up to the first snow of the season and couldn't wait to get out and play in it!  We always had awesome snow drifts at the farm, some even big enough that we could jump off our jungle gym into them, or tunnel through them.  Those were the days.  As a teenager, I was often found out with friends being pulled behind a quad on a sled, or skis, or saucer with a rope.  We liked to make things interesting.  It didn't matter how cold it was, we were having too much fun to really notice.  Mr. Stannix was always found out on a rink playing hockey with friends/whoever was around.  He said he would spend ALL day out there, and sometimes miss lunch and not even notice.  We're excited to take Camilla sledding and out on the ice this winter!

Yesterday morning I had Christmas songs going through my head.  I wanted so badly to stick in a Christmas CD and sing along.  I LOVE Christmas music.  Mr. Stannix and I made a deal though, that we wouldn't play any Christmas music until after his birthday.  One more month....

Even though it was chilly outside yesterday, I couldn't resist suiting Camilla up in her new snow suit and boots and taking her outside to let her enjoy the snow.  We had such a fun time playing together.  She even helped me push the giant snow balls around and make a teeny snow man.  I'm so glad I got to share my love for the first snow with my little girly.  She looked so grown up truckin' around the yard in her little pink boots and puffy snow suit.  I can't believe how big she is! 

She came up to me today and gave me a hug for no reason and said "aww" like she always does as she rests her head on my shoulder.  I hugged her back and said "I love you Camilla! Can you say I love you?" and she goes "I  knowwwww".  It was too cute.  It made the five dirty diapers I had to change today all worth it!! Anyways,  Here's some pictures of my little snow angel!

Finding the snow man's nose!

Her look of surprise! 

My Basement Window

We've had another busy, fun filled weekend.  Yesterday was really chilly and today looked about the same.  It rained most of yesterday.  We went to dinner at a friends place and when we left at 9:30 it was still sprinkling rain.  When I woke up this morning, I looked up at the sky through my basement window and saw that it was grey and dreary looking outside once again.  Camilla was up a couple of times last night.  She either really hates her crib lately, or she's teething and looking for extra comfort.  Her and I snuggled on the couch for a few hours in the early morning.  Mr. Stannix is burnt out from so many mid-terms and so he decided to take a much needed morning off.  He got some extra sleep and tried to get rid of his headache.  Camilla watched her cartoons on a really low volume and I snuggled under and a blanket on the couch.  Our house didn't really get moving until 10:00 this morning.  When Mr. Stannix left, he asked if I wouldn't mind shoveling the walks for him today! I ran to the window, and saw this....

Look at all that white stuff!!! I cracked open the window and waited for Mr. Stannix to walk by and then said to him, "Are you sure I need to shovel, looks pretty clear to me!" He chuckled.  A part of me is sad that Fall is over.  But a part of me got REALLY excited for the Christmas season!!  I love when the cold weather comes because that means more using my oven to keep it warm down here, which means Christmas baking etc.  Today calls for some indoor activities such as house cleaning, and some hot chocolate!! Camilla is enjoying some dancing this morning...

Her poor teeth.  I think that's what's bothering her.  Hopefully she gets a good nap in today! She definitely didn't have a good sleep last night.  Hope this bout of teething doesn't last too long! Enjoy the snow everyone!!

Some Mommy Time

Yesterday morning we got invited out to the park with some friends.  I quickly changed out of my Pj's and got Camilla dressed warm and off we went.  It was fun to get out.  This particular friend has seven kids and one on the way (any day now!).  One of her little girls became Camilla's buddy the whole morning and took her down the slide, up on the gym, on the swings, in the sand and everywhere.  She was such a sweetheart and such a good big helper.  I enjoyed some time just visiting with the other ladies and watching the kids laughing and giggling together.  It was a beautiful, crisp fall morning.  The time out of our dark, chilly basement was much needed.

The last few days I've been feeling really down on myself again.  I've gone to bed practically in tears almost every night feeling very inadequate and wondering if I am really cut out for baby #2.  Am I ready? Can I teach this child the things I need to?  I just feel like I need to learn how to be a better mother to Camilla first.  As a one year old, she can really push your buttons, and let's just say that I haven't been the most patient with her these last few days.  Maybe that's why I feel so guilty.  I feel like I'm not treating my little girl as the Savior would want me to treat her.  I always feel guilty when I loose my cool, or raise my voice.  Just so many negative thoughts kept swirling through my mind and making me feel worse and worse about myself.  It's not just with Camilla, but I feel like my house isn't as clean as I would like it to be, and that I haven't been making the kind of meals that I would like to be making. When I discussed it with Mr. Stannix he assured me that probably every mother has these feelings of inadequacy and guilt at some point in their mothering careers.  This should have made me feel better, but I didn't want to believe him.  I was just so upset.  He also told me that I should take some time for myself here and there and that it's hard always being around Camilla.  I agreed, even though I didn't want to.  I never wanted to be one of those moms who needed to "escape" from the house and her children.  I always thought I would find the most joy and happiness being around my kiddies 24/7.  While I do love being home more than away, I do think that some time to myself here and there is a good idea.  Whether it's engaging in a hobby while she naps or studying my scriptures every morning, I think it will help.

After talking to Mr. Stannix, and attending enrichment last night and visiting with some ladies from the ward, I'm feeling better today.  It's time to change and kick those negative thoughts in the butt! Last night when I put Camilla to bed, she fell asleep in my arms again.  All the negative thoughts I had started to melt away.  I snuggled her close, studied her face, and gave her a kiss on the nose.  It's in moments like those that the true joy of motherhood comes.  As I watch her giggle and grin at me this morning, and snuggle and rock her baby, I realized that I'm not doing as bad of a job as I thought I was.  Hopefully someday I can become that woman that I want to be.  I think I will just keep learning, one day at a time, and the Savior will help me with the rest.  I really like this song as I listened to it this morning.  I thought it was very inspiring and motivating!  I also came across this quote in my studies this morning, and it's exactly what I needed.

 

"What can young mothers do to reduce the pressure of raising young children and enjoy their families more?"

"Recognize that the joy of motherhood comes in moments. There will be hard times and frustrating times. But amid the challenges, there are shining moments of joy and satisfaction."

"Author Anna Quindlen reminds us not to rush past the fleeting moments. She said: 'The biggest mistake I made [as a parent] is the one that most of us make. . . . I did not live in the moment enough. This is particularly clear now that the moment is gone, captured only in photographs. There is one picture of [my three children] sitting in the grass on a quilt in the shadow of the swing set on a summer day, ages six, four, and one. And I wish I could remember what we ate, and what we talked about, and how they sounded, and how they looked when they slept that night. I wish I had not been in such a hurry to get on to the next thing: dinner, bath, book, bed. 

I wish I had treasured the doing a little more and the getting it done a little less' "

~M. Russell Ballard~

I think that's been half of my problem.  I've been so concerned with "getting things done" that I have been too stressed out to enjoy the "doing".  I love being a mother, but there's no doubt that it comes with "hard and frustrating times".  I'm glad that I have Mr. Stannix, my own mother, and friends to discuss my frustrations and trials with.  I'm also glad for the power of prayer and the opportunity I have to talk to my Heavenly Father about my struggles and trials.  He's always there to listen and help.  I do love the special moments that I get to experience as a mother while I snuggle my little girl, watch her dance and giggle, and get special hugs from her.  This is where true joy is found.

Storybop time

Every night after Camilla has her bath and gets into her PJ's, she wants to read a story.  Once She's dressed, she cruises on over to her box of "BOPS" and pulls out a story for me to read to her.  She says "BOP" "BOP" (Book) in a really high pitched girly voice.  It's pretty funny. You can't resist reading one to her, or two, or three, or all of them. 

And so we sat and read together.  Bop after bop.  It was pretty fun.  Daddy joined us shortly after for scriptures and prayer.  Camilla is so good now, she sits still and quiet the whole time, and folds her arms all on her own for prayer.  I then snuggle her while she drinks her Bubba and then tuck her tight into her crib.  There is nothing better then creating special memories at bed time. 

After I read with my little girl, I got to read with Mr. Stannix.  He has a big midterm tomorrow and I got to help him study! We went over definitions and enjoyed laughing together as I understood none of it.  He is now unwinding on the couch with a movie and I think I am going to get some nachos and cheese and join him!

Piano Playing Duo

It's been yet another busy, fun-filled weekend with no blogging.  Today is a catch up day once again.  Friday night we had some good friends stay the night.  It was a lot of fun to visit and catch up again.  The babies also enjoyed playing with each other.  I always love watching Camilla interact with other kids.  We ordered pizza for dinner that night, drank a lot of Jones sodas and stayed up visiting until way to late (as always).  It was very enjoyable.  On Saturday the boys went and helped a friend with some electrical work and the girls stayed back and visited and caught up on some much needed sleep.  The kiddies had fun playing together.  Camilla discovered how to climb up onto the piano bench (with the help of Mr. Stannix's school bag) and wouldn't let me take her off.  She loves tinkering on the piano.  Future musician? I think so. I caught a couple shots of the kiddies playing together (and even one of them holding hands). Ahh, young love. 

Camilla was so great with Isaac.  I gave her a cookie for each hand, because usually she eats two, and she gave one to Isaac to eat.  It was sweet of her.  So fun to see her sharing at such a young age. 

After the boys got home, we all went swimming at the rec center.  Camilla LOVES swimming.  She had a lot of fun and was very giggly the whole time!! We had a great weekend and are very thankful for such great friends who come all the way to our house to visit us!! I am now off for some lunch! This pregnant lady is hungry!!

Toot-a-Loo

Frizzy Friday

Miss Camilla's hair cracks me up this morning.  I was actually giggling out loud.  The pictures really don't do it justice, it's absolutely hilarious!! (I especially love the folded tongue in the second picture..)  The back is a horrible rats nest, and the front is sticking up ALL over the place.  At one point it looked like she had little horns on either side of her head.  It's cute.  There's definitely something sticky in her hair on the back.  It doesn't feel so nice.  I think a bath is in order this morning. She couldn't care less.  She's just playing and watching her shows.  It looks to me like she had a pretty good sleep last night!

The rest of our day yesterday was interesting.  Camilla had an upset stomach and had a very messy diaper, which turned into messy pant legs as well and ended in a bath.  At dinner I sliced my thumb open while I was taking the lid off the sour cream.  I tell ya, I hope I never have a day like that again.  Mr. Stannix and I relaxed and watched a movie, then went to bed for the night.  

Anyways, today we have no real plans.  I am cleaning up the house and playing with my crazy haired little girl! Those pictures still make me laugh, what a character she is!!

Happy blogging friends!!

From Quiet to Crazy

Last night Mr. Stannix and I were able to enjoy a good half hour together after we put the girly to bed.  I don't know why, but both of us plopped down on the couch side by side and stared at a movie-less TV.  We just sat there, in silence, enjoying each others company. It was much needed with all the things we've been busy doing lately.  Mr. Stannix hasn't been getting home until late every night as he has 4 upcoming midterms to study for.  It felt good to just sit side by side and hold hands and listen to the silence of the house.  We were both so tired, we went to bed pretty early.

Today, is a complete opposite of that.  Just when I thought I kicked morning sickness in the butt it came back to get me.  It started out as a pretty good morning. I got to lay in bed and listen to Camilla chat to her stuffies in her crib for a good half an hour.  Then I got up and thought I would make myself a hardy breakfast of porridge.  So I did, and my empty stomach was excited to eat it.  I smothered it in brown sugar and poured on a little bit of milk and sat on the couch to eat it.  I took the first bit, something tasted funny, and it smelled a little weird.  Oh well, maybe it's just me I thought and kept truckin' along.  I think I ate about 1/4 of it before I gave up!! I decided fresh strawberries and sugar sounded better.  I ate a lot of those.  Then I went to making some bread, but my stomach really didn't feel well, and then, well, I got that kick in the butt I was talking about earlier.  Not a fan of re-tasting strawberries.  I personally blame it on the sour milk (which doesn't expire until the 17th, so it's weird to me that it smells/tastes funny already).

Camilla has also been locking herself in the bedrooms all day today, and I was just waiting for her to jam her fingers or something, and sure enough, she did.  Ouch.  The poor kid has been so accident prone lately. I think she may be going through a growth spurt.  Her walking is pretty uncoordinated....

Then I went out to pick up more milk and some veggie dip because the ranch dressing I had just wasn't cutting it.  On the way into the house from the car after, Camilla had a nice fall on the sidewalk.  It probably would have been okay had she not had her sippy in her mouth at the time.

You can't really tell in the picture, but the one side of her top lip is totally swollen.  She started crying outside, so I dropped the groceries to give her a hug, and when I looked at her mouth, there was blood everywhere! Not one of my favorite things to see.  I've never had to deal with an accident like this with my own child before.  I had no idea what to do.  So I snuggled her and ran inside and kept snuggling until she stopped crying.  I even  called my mum I was so worried.  She eventually got over it, but I still didn't like how red her mouth was.  Cold glass of water to rinse it down? I think so.  I then tried to examine the damage, but she wouldn't let me lift up her lip, and wouldn't open her mouth wide enough for me to see anything.  Did she break a tooth? Is her tooth going to fall out? Did she cut her lip? etc. etc.  No idea, and still no idea.... But she's happy now.  I'll examine her teeth tonight when we brush them.  At least they're baby teeth...  She kept making funny smiles and playing with the inside of her mouth with her tongue.  Kind of funny.  I imagine her lip was a little numb after and that probably felt weird to her. The shoulder of my sweater is all covered in blood from snuggling my crying babe.  Part of being a Mum I guess! :)  I'm just glad she's feeling better.  Now let's hope the rest of my day is uneventful!!

In Love with a Blondie

Taken by my sis!

Today, I am absolutely in love with my little blondie.  She has been so giggly and so much fun.  I love hearing her screech as I chase her around the house.  Her little belly laugh is priceless.  Lately she's started doing these high-pitched ALL girl laughs.  It is hilarious. Music to my ears.  She is such a little ball of energy.  Last night before bed, we got to snuggle a little on the couch.  She was really calm.  I loved the feeling of her tiny body nestled next to mine and her head resting on my arm.  I rubbed her back and tummy and she just melted into me.  It was the best.  She makes me laugh every day.  Lately, her hair has gotten really long.  Her little eyes are often seen peeking through some wispy bangs.  (I try to keep it pinned back). The back always looks like a little rats nest from sleeping or being in her carseat, or playing with blankets.  That's my little girl though. And that's the way I love her. 

Lately, she's discovered the garbage can and whenever she finds pieces of paper or garbage, she happily takes them and throws them in the garbage can.  Yesterday, she was being really quiet again, a little too quiet.  As I lay on the couch I heard the garbage can lid swish swish.  I got up to investigate.  Camilla quickly backed away, and looked up at me with a grin similar to the one above.  I tilt my head a little sideways and try to put on my best serious face as my mouth forms a tiny smirk.  "Camilla, what are you doing?" I ask.  I lifted the lid off to examine the garbage and found not one, not two, but SIX of her little toys in the garbage.  A bouncy ball, her dolly's hat, some shape toys, and a few of her little bath toys.  So, from now on, the garbage is examined very thoroughly a few times a day.  Yesterday, she also tried to catch the swirling water in the toilet after I flushed it.  (EW).  I grabbed her in the nick of time, and still washed her hands good. She's so adventurous.  It's fun to watch her learn and grow.  If I'm ever kneeling down or bent to try and pick something up, she'll rush towards me and squint her eyes a little and make these almost fake giggling/laughing noises as she "tackles" me or snuggles me.  She loves playing, especially if you're at her height.  She also loves patting people when they hug her and yesterday I even got a few good squeezes when I hugged her.  

I am absolutely in love with everything about my little blond beauty. 

Thanksgiving

This weekend really was fun filled and packed full of activities.  We had a lot of fun staying up late, eating yummy food, playing games, and working.  Sunday was a really good day.  We went to church and heard some really great talks on being Thankful.  I was glad that we were out because we got to listen to my sister give a fabulous talk!! Dad really wanted to carve pumpkins this weekend for Halloween because everyone was together. So, Sunday night, that's what we did. It was a blast.  I love gutting the pumpkin and feeling the goo.  Dad was excited this year because he had a cool tool that he thought would be awesome for pumpkin carving! After finding a cool picture online, we all went to work carving our pumpkins into works of art! Dad made a crazy looking pumpkin face.  Mike and I did the one with the stitched up mouth, and my brother and sister did the smiley little person.  They turned out awesome. After, we lit them up and sat and admired them for a few minutes in the dark while we chatted.  It was great fun!

Monday, my mum woke up nice and early and began making preparations for our thanksgiving feast.  She's amazing!! The turkey was in, and things in place.  She also made her yummy dressing (stuffing) on the stove. Mr. Stannix made sure she made extra because he loves it! The boys drove to the cellar to get some extra potatoes for dinner and took Camilla for a car ride.  Before they even hit the highway, she was zonked out.  All the fresh air and playing is so good for her! Mr. Stannix carried her in from the car and put her in the play pen for a snooze.  I helped my mum with final preparations (setting the table etc.).  We were so lucky to have both our families together this year again for Thanksgiving.  Mr. Stannix's Mum and sister came out to feast with us! It was great to have everyone together to celebrate.  I enjoyed setting the table. I'm all about decorating and hosting etc.  I enjoy being creative and making things look nice.

The table set for ten!

I didn't quite get to the Turkey quick enough to take a picture.  It's already half carved in this picture, but doesn't it look delicious?! My mum is amazing!

Our fabulous feast.  Pink lemonade, carrots, honey-dill beans, potatoes, cranberry sauce (even though my big brother is the only one who ever eats it and wasn't here this year), cheesy-dill homemade buns, Turkey, dressing, Jello, butter, salt and pepper......YUM!  I only took a little bit of everything (except dressing, I took lots) because I knew I would fill up fast.  There's a joke in my family about Mr. Stannix and his eyes being bigger than his belly.  He ALWAYS dishes more then he can eat and goes hard at the beginning and then takes his time finishing up, and usually can't finish.  This year, as he filled his plate, we all joked again that he wouldn't be able to finish it! I took a picture of his full plate (because I thought it would make a humorous blog entry).  Although, I'm now noticing that Mr. Stannix didn't take any beans!! Oh wait, I think I see ONE!

While he got made fun of for taking too much, I got made fun of for taking too many pictures.  "I'm making memories!!" is always my response.  Camilla got tired of me feeding her and was impatient with me, so we decided just to give her a bowl of her own to go at! Usually, I don't like doing this. I don't like messy, covered in food kids.  I'm weird that way.  Eventually I'm going to have to enjoy it. It was so funny watching her with her two little teaspoons.  She really shoved it all in.  She was hungry! 

Then, she got a little tired and began to slow down.  I tried to get a picture of it, because it was so cute, but she perked up when I brought the camera out.  We all looked over at her and she was resting her head on her arm/little hand and just watching and listening to us all.  She had been doing it for so long that when she moved her hand off her forehead, there was a little pink mark. 

She did however almost finish her whole bowl of potatoes, dressing, carrots, and gravy. What a big eater!

My mum did a fabulous job with the feast.  It was enjoyable and most delicious! Thanks Mum for all of your hard work!!

And for any of you wondering....

Mr Stannix DID finish his plate.  He even scraped it clean, which he NEVER does.  I'm pretty sure it was just to prove me wrong since I took a picture of it.  I think the last few bites were hard ones to swallow ;).  I have a very competitive, determined husband. I don't know where he fit it all, but he did it.  Maybe next year, he won't get made fun of! *Just kidding* HaHa

I am Thankful for...

Family- life wouldn't be complete with out them.  I have a fabulous husband who loves me and a crazy little girl who makes me smile every day.

The Gospel- The knowledge it gives me that families can be together forever and that I will be able to return to my Heavenly Father again someday.

Good Friends- who are always there when you need them for support or advice

Good Parents- Who taught me well and are there to lend advice and help.  I truly was "born of goodly parents".  

All the blessings I enjoy in this life- The food we eat, the home we have, our little family, financial security, the opportunity to get an education....etc.

And so, so much more! How truly blessed we all are!