Toys & Talking

Our stay is almost finished at Gramma and Grampa's.  It's been a great couple of weeks with our families. Camilla has enjoyed the extra interaction and snuggles.  She's been having fun playing with all of her Christmas toys.  I can't wait to see what she does when we get home to all her old toys.  Usually she's so excited to pull them out and play, especially her little pink piano.  She's such a little copy cat lately and is picking up words like crazy.  She heard me say "Yeah" on the phone yesterday and walked around all aftertoon shouting "YAHHH" over and over.  She can now say "Sippy" for her little cup.  She will go to the fridge and say "Yo-Yo" which means yogurt.  This morning while I was making breakfast, she wanted up, but she's getting so heavy I just bent down to hug and snuggle her.  She snuggled in, tucking her arms under her belly and resting her head on my shoulder.  I said "Aw, You're so nice!".  Camilla stood up again, looked at me, and said "Nice". This morning she also heard me say "Yes" while on the phone with grampa and started repeating that over and over again.  She loves playing the "Ano" and is getting pretty good.  The other day I thought someone was helping her tinker away, but came in to find out it was just her playing with both hands! Can' wait to start lessons with her when she's a little older.  Here are some pictures of our little talker.  Mr. Stannix and Un-doh nick named her "The Destroyer" the other day because she was having too much fun knocking down their block towers.  Super funny to watch! She also likes having tea parties with her barbies. She puts plates on the little tables and gets some "Boo" (food) for them all because they're "Ungy" (hungry).  I don't know how she learned to sip from little tea cups.  She kind of reminds me of Goldilocks sitting on baby bears chair. When they're done she pats her belly and says "Foo" (full). So fun to watch her play pretend.

Camilla Goes to Nursery

Yesterday was a very different Sunday.  Miss Camilla is now old enough to go to nursery.  I had mixed feelings about the whole thing, but over all I think it's a good change.  When we woke up, Mr. Stannix and I talked about her going to nursery today and I was all for it.  Something new and exciting for her and I wouldn't have to keep her entertained during Sunday school and Relief Society.  We all got ready to go to church.  I had time to curl my hair, and while the curling iron was still hot I pulled Camilla into the bathroom to do her hair.  It was so fun to see it all curled up and pretty.  It made her look like such a little lady.  After we got our jackets on, we were off!  All during Sacrament meeting she wanted to go up to the front to see Grampa.  It was pretty funny.  It finally was time to take her to nursery.  I took her by her little hand and we left the chapel, walked down the hall, and went into the classroom.  At first, Camilla just stood there, unsure, but she knew there was toys, so that helped.  I stood back and watched her.  She didn't join in with the other kids too quickly, just watched.  I went over and we got a doll for her to play with.  While she was cuddling her doll, I finally snuck out.  It was hard to just leave her there! The whole time I was worried she was going to notice I was gone, or miss me, or cry for the teacher.  It was weird attending my meetings and not having to worry about her.  I think I missed her more than she missed me!! She did wonderful for the whole 2 hours, up until clean up time at the very end.  She wanted to keep playing.  I was so proud of our little girl.

Mr. Stannix appreciated the break (as did I), but I cried on the way home as I thought about how big Camilla is getting.  I think it's going to take mommy a few weeks to finally adjust to this nursery thing.  I was honestly feeling a little bored and naked during my classes because I didn't have a kiddo to chase after the whole time. It might take a few weeks to get back into the learning and being edified groove. Later on after dinner, Gramma, Grampa, Mr. Stannix, Camilla and I were all in the living room visiting.  She had a blanket spread out and she was singing to herself, spinning and doing bum drops on the floor.  We were trying to figure out what she was doing, and Grampa finally clued in! He started singing "Ring around the Rosy" and her face lit up as she continued to dance and giggle.  She put her hands out like she was holding hands with the other kids.  I think she learned the song in nursery.  She had so much fun, and it was so funny seeing her tell us about her day in nursery through her actions. I can't believe the memory she has sometimes! I wasn't able to get a video of her singing and doing it all herself, but I got one of her doing the actions.  We'll see how nursery goes next week in our home ward! She'll have twice the amount of kids to play with, so let's hope it's twice as fun for her!

New Years Celebrations

Before I start on New Years, I thought I would put this nifty picture up.  Mr. Stannix has been asking my dad to see his accordion, and dad finally gave in last night.  We whipped it out and had a little shindig in the living room.  Photos were tabooed, but I'm pretty sure my sis snuck a video and some pictures. Maybe I'll steal a couple.  After we heard "On Top of Old Smokey" and some other oldies, Mr. Stannix had a go.  I couldn't resist taking a photo.   

We've had some fabulous New Years celebrations! I thought I would just quickly post on the festivities. Camilla enjoyed some time outside with Daddy while he shoveled yesterday. 

 When Camilla noticed I was standing at the door wit a camera, she stood up and said "Cheese" and waited for me to snap a picture.  It was cute!

For New years eve, we went up to the community hall to take in some skating and enjoy the fire works with everyone.  We didn't stay too long, but it was a lot of fun.  The fire works were also very enjoyable!

Daddy took camilla for a spin around the ice.  Mommy was a little nervous, but knows he's good on his skates.  Camilla loved it! Can't wait to get her out there with skates and a stick!  I even got a little skating in.  The fresh air was nice and it felt good to be on the ice again.  It was our first skate of the season and we hope to do more!! Mum warned me about skating while pregnant and I told her I'd be okay.  I almost ate my words.  As I returned to the rink to snap a picture of Mr. Stannix and his little girl I just about face planted! Thankfully, my mum (of all people) was there to grab my arm! Mum's really do always know best!

When we got home, Mr. Stannix and Grampa started up a huge fire for us to enjoy.  Camilla liked sitting on her own seat and watching the fire until she got sleepy. 

Grampa whipped us up some sea food to enjoy while we played Rook, and rang in the new year. It was yummy!

We examined the baby squid for eyes, and I think they got played with more than they got ate. It was hilarious!  

Today was a beautiful day.  The thermometer actually reached zero.  While the sun was shining and the sky was blue, we decided to take Camilla for a spin behind the quad. She LOVED it.  We have such an adventerous little girl.  She was hilarious!

She couldn't wait to head out! Finally, the quad was warm and Grampa took her and Daddy around the subdivision.  She came back and was cozy in Daddy's lap, wanting to go again.

Mr. Stannix took CJ and I out for a few nice rounds.  The whole time I was all "Mike, Slow down!!", "Go Slower!!!".  I honestly don't know how I survived as a teenager.  My friends and I would spend evenings and Saturdays pulling each other behind the quad.  The driver would be going way to fast, swinging us over snow banks, turning really sharp, and driving through trees and we didn't care! We lived for it! Some of the things we did were just plain dangerous!!  Today, I hate to admit it, but I was scared on the kiddie ride Mr. Stannix gave us (he was really not going very fast at all!).  So that was funny.

Mr. Stannix, Un-doh Arland, and Grampa finished off the evening in the hot tub. Camilla loved splashing and swimming around with everyone else.  After a shower and some jammies, she went to bed no problem! We are now going to enjoy us some five handed rook and munchies. 

Happy New Year!!

Wrapping up Christmas

We were lucky this year that both of our parents live in the same town.  After Christmas morning with Nana, we slid out to the acreage for a quick visit. Camilla opened a few more gifts and got to play with them for a few minutes while we visited.  We got a wheat grinder which will be put to good use! (My muscles were really getting tired of the hand grinder.) I'm looking forward to many more years of fresh, homemade bread!!

Checking out her new tunnel!

I don't know what was up with her tongue, but all morning we got this look!! I think she gets it from Grampa Hudkins and Daddy.

Playing peek from her tunnel while we were all visiting

22 Weeks and counting

We had a lot of fun in at Nana's. Camilla loved playing with the pets and visiting with Nana.  She sure loves her.  We made it out to my parents on Wednesday and will be here for the rest of our holidays, with trips in to visit Nana and the pets.  Camilla is still loving life.  We have big plans to take her out sledding behind the quad once it warms up a little bit. New years tomorrow!!

Blog About A Blog

Mr. Stannix has been looking forward to Christmas since August.  He's been very excited about the gift he got for me.  I loved the thrill and excitement of trying to think of what he got me for Christmas.  It made me feel very special that he had put so much thought into my gift.  I like gifts like that.  All Christmas morning I was waiting for my gift, and Mr. Stannix was very careful to leave it for almost the very last.  He grabbed the video camera and then let me finally open it.  It was a book, but not just any book, a very special book that he knew I would hold dear to my heart.  My whole life I have loved keeping a journal and recording memories.

I did really good until a few months after we were married, then I did okay at it.  When Camilla came along I was terrible at writing things down and keeping our memories safe.  I was really discouraged by this, because I felt that these memories were things that needed to be cherished and written down for our family.  I thought it was important for our kids to be able to look back and see pictures and read memories of when they were growing up.  Even the little things that seemed unimportant.  Finally, I started our blog, "Stuff From the Stannix's".  Ever since, I have enjoyed recording the sweet little moments that have happened in our family and then re-living them as I read through them again. I opened my present and saw a book with a sweet picture of our little girl on the cover titled "Stuff from the Stannix's 2010".  I was thrilled! I've enjoyed reading through it over these last few days.  What a special gift.  Now, every year, we will print our memories into a book for our kids to enjoy! So fun! This one blog I read has a quote that I like (I'm not sure who the quote is from) but it says "We write to taste life twice".  I am so excited to read through these with our kids later on! Thanks Mr. Stannix!

Christmas With Nana

Yesterday was Christmas eve! We spent a lot of time together.  On Christmas eve we opened one gift.  We all got some spiffy pj's.  We got some pictures around the tree, watched a movie and then went to bed.  Camilla only slept for a few hours.  She must have been too excited to sleep because from about 3:00am to 6:30 she was awake and giggly.  I brought her into the bed with us because she couldn't sleep and took off her pj bottoms because she was soo hot.  She kept rolling over and looking up at me with her giant little grin and twinkly eyes in the moonlit room.  She also kept smooshing her face against my cheek and smothering me in kisses.  Her giggles and laughs were priceless.  Mr. Stannix and I couldn't be mad at her for being awake if we tried because she was so stinkin' cute.  Eventually around 4:00am she wanted down off the bed.  She explored the room in the dark, then came back to the edge of the bed.  She then heard the bells from the cats collar as the cat peeked around the door, it startled her a bit, and then she went ballistic!! She was meowing and giggling and screeching at chasing after the cat like crazy.  Eventually Sam, the puppy, made it into our room.  Mr. Stannix called her up onto the bed in hopes that it might settle Camilla down.  I lifted up Camilla and she pet the dog quietly for a while, layed down beside the dog, and continued to giggle.  She would not go to bed for the life of her!! Even the dog moaned a "will she ever be quiet" kind of a moan.  I leaned over and whispered in Mr. Stannix's ear, "Even the dog is annoyed with her".  We both practically peed our pants laughing at her.  What a clown.  I really enjoyed sleeping with the dog at my feet all night. At 6:00am she finally settled and snuggle in next to me.  She eventually fell asleep until 9:00ish and then we got everyone up for gifts!! What a super fun morning.  Camilla was so spoiled, she got tired of opening her gifts.  It was funny to watch her!

Christmas Eve pictures

Sneaking out in the middle of the night to play with the kitty

Checking out her gift from Great-Nana

She LOVED the animal puppets!

Her car from Mommy and Daddy

"WEEEE"

Feeding her new baby from Nana! Camilla cries and pats it everytime it cries.

Talking on her cell phone while driving...

I came out into the livingroom after all the gift opening and found Camilla sitting on the car with her seat up making her fabulous "peeing" sound.  I giggled because she was trying to use it as a potty because the seat is like her little potty at home.  Sooo funny.  She also jammed her dolly under the seat so she could take her for a ride.  What a nutt! She's so much fun! I couldn't imagine my life without her!

We had a fabulous Christmas morning with Nana and the Stannix clan! We had a fabulous "Brunch" of Nana's spicy scrambled eggs and toast.  YUM! Then Mr. Stannix, Camilla and I drove out to the acreage to give my family their gifts.  Sadly, I forgot my camera, but my sis got some sweet pictures on her brand new camera that I will post later! What a great day we had spending time with family. 

On a more spiritual note, this afternoon I got to have some quiet time while Camilla napped beside me on the couch.  I pulled out a set of scriptures and read through the Christmas story.  It was a really great experience and I enjoyed reminding myself of the real reason we even celebrate Christmas.  I read through a few different versions of it in the New Testament. I was really touched by the amazing woman Mary was.  So humble and willing.  I am grateful for the birth of our Savior and what his life means to me.  The atonement is truly an amazing thing.  I'm so glad to have the knowledge of the gospel in my life. I love my Savior and the sacrifice he made for me.  What a great way to spend Christmas, remembering Christ and enjoying time with Family. 

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Gingerbread Houses

We made it home safe and sound! It's been a very eventful last couple of days!! Last night we did the traditional gingerbread house making.  We had some awesome creations.  Mr. Stannix still thinks his office building from last year was his best, but I think he did a great job this year.  We had lots of gingerbread, lots of family, lots of candy, and lots of royal icing.  We spent a good two hours decorating and creating. My siblings teamed up and made a mini replica of our house at the acreage, flag and all.  Mike and I made a cabin thing with a deck and a hot tub!! My mum and dad made a super pretty house that was well organized.  Faith made a house loaded with candy! They all looked amazing! Camilla did really well for the most part.  She enjoyed licking a cherry candy cane (and getting it taken away because she bit it) and eating sprinkle covered cookies.  She's never had so much sugar in her entire life and loved every moment.  At about 10:30 PM she was stomping and running around the house all excited.  It was pretty hilarious to watch her.  We finally got to Nana's around 11:00PM.  Camilla was already in her Pj's. Nana tucked her on the bed with a teddy and she was so wiped that she just layed there quietly.  She was happy to go to bed a few minutes later. This morning she slept in until 10:00 am (which means we did too!!).  When I opened the door to our bedroom, a dog and two cats were waiting patiently outside in the hall.  Camilla was SO excited to hear them and woke the rest of the house with her squeels and giggles and "Meows".  She's super cute with the animals and just loves them all to death.  What a great holiday so far. So excited for Christmas!! I do think I'm going to join in on some Wii playing.

Happy Christmas Eve!!



FOUR More Sleeps!

Helping set up the tree at Gramma and Grampa's a few weeks ago...

FOUR more sleeps until Christmas!

THREE more days to wait!!

TWO more gifts to wrap.

ONE more sleep until we leave!!

I am very looking forward to it all! We are celebrating Christmas with Nana this year.  Everytime I talk about it, Camilla exclaims "NA-NA!". Then we talk about Sam, the dog, and how much fun it will be, and Camilla barks like a puppy and blows a kiss to the air affectionately.  I can't wait for Christmas morning!!

We are all heading out to the acreage on the night of the 23rd for the traditional gingerbread house making. It should be a lot of fun to get everyone together and construct masterpieces!! I love traditions. This will definitely be one that we take from my family and do with our kidlets.

Mr. Stannix writes his last exam of the semester tomorrow! It'll be nice when he's finished!

Can't wait! Can't wait!!

Quiet Time

Mommy ordered quiet time for part of the afternoon.  Our little girl is TOO crazy!

She lined up all her teddy's and watched a show. She also read a book or two.

It was a great few minutes without crying/complaining/tantrum's,
just my happy little girl chatting it up with her Teddy's.

I really hope these teeth come in soon!!

FIVE more sleeps 'till Christmas!

On Santa's Knee

You better watch out, you better not cry......

...Too bad Camilla Did!

Mr. Stannix made me a bet that she would cry, and he won. I totally thought she would be okay. Although, the only real Santa she's ever seen was at the church Christmas party last year and she was too little to be scared.  The poor kid wasn't too traumatized this time after Santa gave her some crayons and a little book.  She even smiled and said "Ho-oh-oh" and "buh-bye" as we left (with big tear drops still lingering under her eyes).  Poor Santa. I wonder if he counts how many kids cry on his lap per day.  We lucked out and hit it right at the end so we got a free picture!! I love free!! And because it was free, I don't mind that she was crying... It was epic. Better luck next year maybe...big maybe. Two will make it twice as funny!!

  

Can't wait for this day next week!