While Mommy Bakes....

Camilla has been a really good sport over the last few days.  I've been super busy baking up a storm for cookie exchanges, Christmas presents, just plain eating, or out of necessity (bread).  While I've been running around the kitchen, and pulling cookies out of the oven, Camilla has been not far away.

Yesterday she had fun playing with old formula scoops in a bowl of water.  She would sip water out of them like they were tea-cups or something.  Super funny.  I loved hearing her giggle and squeal while I pulled pans of cookies out of the oven.  It's so nice being with her all day.  I'm surprised she went to bed last night.  At the Relief Society dinner she definitely had her fair share of desserts.  Just when I said that I thought she had had enough, she grabbed half a chocolate off my plate and stuffed it in her mouth and THEN proceeded to stab a hunk of cheese cake and put it in immediately after that.  Me and my friend beside me couldn't help but laugh really, really hard as she stared up at us.  I watched her thoughts go through her head.  Her mouth was too full to chew really, she couldn't swallow, and she was wondering why we were laughing at her (don't worry, she wasn't choking, I checked!!)....It was priceless. Then all the sudden she shoved the food into her little cheeks and began chewing.  It didn't take her long.... When we came home from the church our landlord was out snow blowing for us!! I think we have the best landlords in the world!  I had shoveled the back walk just so we could get to our car in the 2ft of snow we got.  It was nice not to have to worry about shoveling out the parking pad though. We're so lucky!

Anyways, Christmas presents are made for friends, cookies are almost baked for the cookie exchange tonight, and I think after I clean up the house I am going to wrap presents!! Ours are all in up-high places at the moment because miss Camilla Jean can't help but touch and shake them all!! I can't wait for Christmas! Just over a week to go!

Patiently Waiting

This is what Camilla does while she waits for Daddy to finish studying for his exams.  She waited outside his door for a while for him to come play with her.  She was thrilled when he tickled her fingers under the door and finally opened the door for some cuddles and tickles.  It was cute.  She gets excited when she sees him and always exclaims "DA-DA!!!" in her high pitched voice.  Mr. Stannix has 2 more exams this week and then one more next week.  We are very excited for Christmas break! 

Camilla has been walking around the house saying "Ho-Oh-Oh".  She loves looking at pictures of Santa and enjoying the Christmas lights on our tree at night.  I can't wait to see her this Christmas! She's going to be so cute and excited.  She's been talking up a storm lately and can almost imitate everything we say.  She said "Towel" yesterday.  She loves to point at things and say their names.  When she says knees it's my favorite because it sounds like "Neesh". Or when she grabs her arm and says "awm" (we'll work on the R's later).  Whenever I ask her to find her mittens she says "Num-Nums" and opens and closes her hands.  Her latest favorite has been "ungy" (Hungry).  The first thing she says when she wakes up is "ungy....UNGY!!" and all day long, every 10 minutes, that's all I hear.  I think she's hit a growth spurt.  This morning, she ate a whole waffle for breakfast after her Bubba!! And she still claims to be "ungy".  Today brings baking, lots of baking!! We have bread on the go now, some cookies this afternoon, and some caramel corn later on.  No going outside today!! I had a Doctors appointment yesterday and let's just say, I wouldn't have left the house yesterday if I didn't have to.  It was cold and snowy and blowy.  There was whiteouts everywhere and the snow was blowing across the road.  Not fun to drive OR walk in!! Camilla wasn't too happy with the snow flakes blowing in her face.  Today we will stay warm and cozy.

New Chompers

Yesterday, as we finished our shopping, I tried to put the girly in her car seat and a fit erupted!! It was the first time in a while that I've had a real good look inside her mouth.  What did I find? A huge molar that was 3/4's of the way through with some blood from the poking (ouchy). Another edge of a molar on the other side, and two little molar pokes on the bottom.  Maybe I was wrong about the terrible two's, this kid is just in pain!! I felt so bad for her.  For the most part, she's good, but when she can't take the pain of her new chompers, she busts out into a fit.  This explains the trouble sleeping, fits, and not wanting to eat.  Who would want to eat with sore gums? Poor kid.  She was sure in good humor on Sunday though. She's been experimenting with her clothes and where they go. That skirt makes a pretty awesome hat!!

In other news, we got our Christmas present yesterday.  We cashed in our Visa points for it, so it was FREE! I love free things.  We can't wait to set it up and play!! Probably not until Mr. Stannix is done his exams, or he'll never get any studying done!

Danish Pastry

Yesterday was a very interesting day.  I don't think we've realized how lucky we are to have such a happy, well behaved child....until yesterday.  I do believe that the terrible two's are approaching complete with flailing limbs, throwing her body around, and head-butts.  Bath time was a disaster for the first time ever! How do you explain that she's going to get soap in her eyes if she doesn't let mommy finish rinsing? I've never seen her throw a fit like that.  My patience was definitely tried, and I came very close to tears as I tried to put her Jammies on.  Needless to say, bedtime was very early yesterday for the little Misses! After she went to bed, I took out my frustrations on some Danish Pastry dough.  The beating and all the kneading and rolling was very therapeutic! (HaHa) I left the dough in the fridge over night, and finished them up this morning.  It was worth every minute to taste the gooey, steamy, apple-cheese danish covered in glaze!

Today is looking like a better day, only one episode of a Camilla flailing herself around in anger.  Time to learn how to channel all her independence and spunk!! Terrible two's....Here we come!!!!!!

The Tradition Continues

This is my very sleepy girl first thing in the morning. She is doing what her mother, and mother's mother before her used to do.  When the heat vent came on at Gramma's early Friday morning Camilla enjoyed all the hot air she could!! It's the best first thing in the morning when the house is still a little chilly.  I showed her that a blanket helps trap the heat in, and she sat there the whole time in a tired daze.  It was so cute to watch and caused some flash backs.  My mum taught me to do this when I was a little girl too! The best was on a Sunday after church because my dress trapped most of the heat when I stood over the heat vent. My siblings and I used to run to the nearest one as soon as the furnace turned on, with blankets over our shoulders.  Now, Miss Camilla carries on the tradition.  I'm sure she's going to miss it now that we're home because our only heat vents are on our ceiling... But she will enjoy them once again when we head out to Gramma and Grampa's over the holidays.   When Mr. Stannix finished classes for the semester, we took off to the acreage for a few days to relax (and study) and celebrate Grampa's birthday! It was a fun few days.  Today we enjoyed spending time with friends and celebrating the first birthday of one of Camilla's dear friends (she kissed him today, ON THE LIPS!!).  It was a very fun afternoon and nice to visit with everyone!! Camilla was a lucky girl and has had cake twice this week!! Mr. Stannix is gearing up for four final exams and three essays to write before Friday.  He will be a very happy man come Saturday when he only has one exam left to write!!  The baby has had more awake time in the belly lately and I've been feeling lots of movement! I'm half way there and loving every moment.  

Dancing in the Belly

Here's a sneak peak at the newest addition to the Stannix Family! The baby was very active throughout the whole ultrasound and dancing around.  We got to see it's feet and watch it suck on it's hands.  It was a lot more entertaining than Camilla's ultrasound was!

Our smiling babe with legs just a kicking!

Sucking on the fingers!!

Suckling in the womb, the heart, and the spine.

It was a great experience to be able to go together and watch the baby dance and move. We can't wait to meet him/her!!

A Cling-on

I seem to have a bit of a cling-on today!! Camilla has been hanging off my legs all morning while I've been cleaning up the house and getting some things ready for Christmas.  She pops through my legs and giggles. Sometimes, I tickle under her chin and she scrunches up her face and laughs really hard.  She's such a goof ball! I love her to bits!  I can't believe how grown up she is already.  She changes every day! Last night at the Christmas devotional, she stood up and looked at the row behind us and this one guy was sleeping (sort of, he had his eyes closed), and so Camilla looked at the people beside him, put her finger to her mouth and said "shhhhhhh". 

The back row got a giggle out of it, and I think the guy woke up!!

Mr. Stannix surprised me by coming home just after lunch for the day! I didn't expect him home until dinner.  He still has to study, but it's nice to have him here for the day!! This afternoon Camilla and I are working on a Christmas craft and maybe some wrapping of presents!

Then, later on, I think we'll take off to Wal-mart for some formula and odds and ends.  Should be a productive afternoon!

In the Christmas Spirit

The Stannix's are in the Christmas spirit! Last night we had our ward Christmas party.  I was privileged to be able to play the piano for a Nativity play put on by the primary children and some youth. I really was able to feel the spirit and it brought tears to my eyes.  It was fabulously done! After that, I was feeling pretty excited for Christmas.  Tonight we had the opportunity to watch the First Presidency Christmas Devotional. The talks and music were fabulous as always! The tradition we have started in our home is that we set up the tree after the devotional.  So, tonight after we got home, we got out the tree, the chocolates and nativity and set everything up.  It was a wonderful way to get in the Christmas spirit.  Camilla loved helping, twirling in her dress and looking at the pretty lights on the tree.  She was almost giddy she was so excited! Just giggling away. Our decorations on the tree are kind of sparse and Camilla keeps pulling the ones off the bottom, so we mostly decorated the top half! The lights really make a difference though!! Christmas has officially begun in the Stannix Home.

Mr. Stannix and his girl (who's saying cheese)

A family picture

Camilla posing for the camera and twirling for her daddy

I made this nativity when I was 4 years old (with a lot of help of course).  My mum held onto it that long and when I moved out, I inherited it (gladly)! It's made of toilet paper rolls.

Some chocolates to munch while setting everything up!

Mr. Stannix got this when he was on his mission from a family who had adopted two russian girls. 

It reminds him that the language of the spirit is universal.  The translator that translated the lessons for the girls was not a member of our church and had no understanding of our beliefs, yet the spirit was able to touch everyone present regardless of the language they spoke. 

I had to get a picture of the tiny bump I have! We are a week shy of being half way there and can't wait to meet him or her!  We finished the night with our advent calendars.  Camilla likes picking out her little chocolate.  Then we gathered for scriptures and prayers and the munchkin went to sleep.

Mr. Stannix and I are about to enjoy watching "The Polar Express" and drinking some hot chocolate.

Our home is officially full of Christmas! 

Mug Root Beer Anyone?

Yes Please!

Camilla found a full can of root beer this morning and thought it tasted delicious (even though it wasn't open).  She kept sipping it and saying "mmm" and offering it to other people. Thought it was pretty funny! She has quite the imagination.  Lately she has started throwing toys when she gets angry, and big toys too!! Let's just say her toy stash is depleting...  Yesterday she got her dolly back and she was practically in heaven.  If anyone else asks to see it she says "noo".  Only Mommy is allowed to hold her dolly. I think we are hitting the "terrible twos" a little early.  Any suggestions for biting, pinching and throwing things?  I think she's just learning how to express herself, but it's hard to teach her sometimes. 

This morning I took off to an eye appointment.  I get new glasses and I couldn't be more excited! The ones I have now are from grade 11, and it will be nice to get a change! This afternoon I made bagels and Camilla and I got to sit and enjoy a hot one with butter together.  I love spending time with my little girl!

Sleigh Ride

It's lovely weather for a sleigh ride together with you.....

Today, Camilla and I went out and played in the backyard.  I took her sleigh out for the first time to pull her around.  She had a blast! I got very wet shoes.  

Note to self: Get winter boots from parents house

She was laughing like crazy! It was so much fun! 

She eventually wanted out to explore...

She found a fun soccer ball to play with for a bit, then she got tired.

I thought maybe she was ready to go in for nap time...

Boy was I wrong!! She wasn't even undressed yet and she was already truckin' up the stairs determined to get back outside.

As I blog, I am listening to some Alvin & The Chipmunks Christmas tunes. Brings back memories from my childhood! I love Christmas music and the excitement it brings! What a fabulous season! We missed starting our advent calendars yesterday.  Looks like we get two chocolates today!!