A Sleep Walker

Having a quick snooze before heading to Gramma and Grampa's last week

Camilla has been a super active sleeper lately. She has been talking in her sleep a lot and sometimes says some hilarious things.  Last night Mr. Stannix and I were looking up baby names on the computer and we heard her get out of bed and take a few steps. Mr. Stannix went up to investigate and put her back to bed. When he got upstairs she had an arm full of books and she was heading back to her bed with them (in the dark). This was a good couple of hours after she had went to sleep, so it was odd. He gently took the books from her arms and guided her back to her bed where she lay her head on her pillow and zonked out again. Mr. Stannix came down stairs laughing. She's such a funny girl!

Another Year...

Today was my birthday.
I woke up to a big smooch from Mr. Stannix as he snuggled me close.
He gave me my birthday card right away!
He wanted to make sure he was very first to wish me happy birthday.
He filled it with a mushy love note that made me feel special.
He really is good with words.

Camilla and I went to the library again this morning. 

The walk was filled with sunshine, puddled side walks, squirrels and birds singing in the trees.

It was glorious! I love Spring!

Camilla and I spent the afternoon sitting on the couch soaking up the sun and reading books.

When Mr. Stannix got home, he brought in the mail.

He had purchased me some Josh Groban tickets for my birthday a while ago.
It was funny that they arrived in the mail on my actual birthday!

Super excited to go with a friend!

We went out for Donairs and then stopped by DQ to get a cake.

Daddy got Camilla a meal and an ice cream cone for the ride home.
It was her very first, very own ice cream cone and she didn't do too bad mess wise.

She loved every lick of it!

I got a Body Builder cake since I am "Body building" (ie growing a body inside of me).

It was very witty!

I also got lots of birthday wishes from friends and nice phone calls from family.

I definitely feel loved!

Mr. Stannix is currently putting the munchkin to bed, and then the night is ours!

He's done a lot today to make it special for me!

Thinking of Nana

Today, Camilla discovered some of the fun things that Nana sent back with her when we came home. As I was working on the computer, she came into the office saying "Nana Nana" and sporting her cool hat and hand bag. It was pretty cute. The first picture absolutely cracks me up!! I'm not sure WHO she looks like in that pic, but it's darn cute!

This morning we took a trip to visit the Doc. Everything is good, baby is in the right position and he sent me home with all my forms just in case. I get to visit him next week, and the week after, and the week after that until this baby decides it wants to meet us! Other than that I've been going insane around here baking, cleaning, getting the baby things out and packing my hospital bag. I looked at the newborn diapers I bought the other day and couldn't believe how SMALL they were! Mr. Stannix laughed as he said "Those things are as big as my hand". Although it's only been a year and a half, it's amazing how much you can forget

 We spent some of the afternoon enjoying the sunshine and hitting up some puddles again! Camilla loved running up and down the sidewalk in front of our house splashing up a storm. Every time a car would pass she would point and exclaim "VROOOMMM!" or "BUS!" it was hilarious! We had to come inside for a bum change, but as soon as it was done she put her boots and coat back on and waited by the door for someone to go out with her. I had to find her rubber boots last night because all her shoes were soaked outside and in. She's been wearing them all day.

Splashing in Puddles

Today, Camilla discovered some puddles on our way to the park! She definitely didn't pass up the opportunity for a good splash! It took us a while to get to the park, but the walk was the best part! Watching her giggle and splash was absolutely priceless. I love that she enjoys the simplicities of life.

On the way home, she would splash through one puddle and point ahead saying "More splash!" and run to the next big puddle. Her shoes, socks and pants were soaked by the time we got home, but it was worth it! She then snuggled up to a movie to warm up and fell asleep on the couch. We are definitely enjoying this beautiful spring weather! I'm sure the rest of our week will be filled with much more splashing in puddles!

Conference Weekend

This weekend was General Conference. It was a really great weekend full of super great talks!! We went and visited both of our families this weekend. It was a lot of fun to see everyone and spend time together. Camilla enjoyed seeing the puppies and kitties at Nana's house.

When we got to Gramma and Grampa's, Camilla couldn't wait to jump in the soft tub and go swimming! She had fun splashing her "Un-toe Ardad" and can now touch the bottom and walk around. 

We also had a couple great games of Rook! It was definitely my weekend and I kept getting really good hands (like this one) and winning! It got so intense that we were all taking pictures of our hands at one point or another and had fun discussing different strategies at the end of the game.

On Sunday morning, Camilla enjoyed some snuggles with "Mana" (Gramma).  Before breakfast, Mana let her lick the whip cream beater.  She sat in her highchair in her tights and a onsie and licked it until it was clean. We then got to enjoy my Mamma's pancakes, (which I think are to die for) covered in whipped cream and homemade syrup!

Thursday night, Gramma babysat while Mr. Stannix and I went on a date to the movies. In between sessions we enjoyed time with friends and family and ate a lot of great food! All in all a fabulous weekend. I can't wait for the conference issue of the Ensign to come out so I can read some of the talks. There were a lot of really great ones (like this one and this one) that I really enjoyed! 

Today is filled with baking and playing with my little girl!

The Three Stooges

Today Camilla got new pets when we visited Nana. They are three busy frogs. Mr. Stannix thought "The Three Stooges" was fitting. I hope they stay three for a loooong time! She's enjoyed watching them swim around all day and up to the surface. Should be a fun new adventure!!!

When we got back to Gramma and Grampa's, "Papa" had to plow the driveway and Camilla got to enjoy a ride on the quad. We are looking forward to a weekend of watching conference and enjoying time with friends and family.

Let Her Stay Little

A few nights ago, at the dinner table, Mr. Stannix and I had another conversation about homeschooling vs. the school system. Growing up, I was home schooled for almost half of my schooling career. I loved the fact that in my elementary years I was at home with my Mum and family learning and growing and taking part in different opportunities that were presented to me outside of an elementary classroom on a farm. Life couldn't have been any better! I did my school in the morning and got to live life to its fullest all afternoon. We played on our jungle gym, fed chickens, learned about life, and laughed the afternoon away on the swings or making mud pies.

On Sunday, we had a lesson in Relief Society from a talk titled "Let There Be Light!" by Elder Quentin L. Cook.  We discussed pros and cons of homeschooling our children as well as our belief in the school system and our communities. We basically came to the conclusion that, like Elder Cook says, "we should be a source of light in protecting our communities."

Mr. Stannix has always supported me in my aspirations to home school our children. My biggest reason for wanting to is not that I don't believe in our school system (because I attended public school and enjoyed it), but more because I want our kids to be able to be kids. I want them to be able to enjoy life at a young age instead of being in a classroom for six hours a day. We talked about how important it is for us to believe in the school system and to believe that there is still good in the world. And if we support our school system, our kids could be that light in helping to protect our community.

At the end of our conversation, Mr. Stannix and I agreed that our kids would always know that we strongly believe in the school system. We want them to be successful and to pursue a secondary education. We want them to delight in knowledge and to work hard.

Just before the conversation was finished, I had to clarify with Mr. Stannix that he was still okay with me homeschooling for part if not all of their elementary years (of course he was). For some reason, my eyes started getting all watery. I re-explained that the only reason I wanted to home school our children is so that they could enjoy being kids. It's such a short time. I wanted them home so that I could teach them and love them and instill in them a value for family relationships and a love for their Savior. I explained that I couldn't imagine Camilla as a five year old being away from me for so long in a day and that I wanted her home, safe with me, for at least a little while (at this point I was crying).  I think that when Camilla does go off to school, I will be crying my eyes out! For some reason, I like my children close by where I can hug and kiss them whenever I please and watch them grow and change. I couldn't imagine anyone else doing that for me.

Mr. Stannix agreed with me and came around the table and embraced me in a big hug and said, "That's what I love about you". And I'm glad he does. So, for as long as I can, I am going to enjoy every new word, every new discovery, every expression of love, every giggle, every bedtime story, every spiritual moment, and everything else that may come our way until our children enter the big world on their own!

A Wa-Wa-holic

Last night, Camilla was super tired around 7:30, so we started our bedtime routine. Lately (since she's had her cough) she always wants to go to bed WITH her whole sippy, instead of just with a little drink of water. Sometimes in the middle of the night, she'll wake up yelling "WA-WA!!" over and over until I go in and find her sippy under her covers or at the bottom of her bed, or on the floor. After a strawberry milkshake and en episode of Smallville, Mr. Stannix and I decided it was time for bed and went upstairs. Before lights out, I like to check on Camilla and make sure she has covers etc. I tip-toed into her room to the sound of her deep breathing. She was laying on her back with both arms up under her head, elbows sticking out to the sides, and her sippy resting close bye. She looked very peaceful and angelic. I noticed her sippy was upside down and didn't want it to leak, so I very gently lifted it up, turned it over, and sat it back down maybe centimeters from where I found it. All of the sudden I heard the word "Wa-Wa" (water) whispered on an exhale and a little arm reached for the sippy and cradled it snug in a one armed hug. It was almost as if it was one of her most prized possessions and she was guarding it in her sleep. Her eyes didn't even open and she kept breathing in and out deeply. The funniest part, I thought, was that she was asleep through the whole thing!! I quickly, quietly as I could, tip-toed out of her room and burst out laughing at my bedside. I related the story to Mr. Stannix, actions and all, and we both laughed really hard! I had to hold my baby belly I was laughing so hard... That kid cracks me up!

In other news, I went and got my hair cut today for the first time in a very long time!! I'm pretty sure it's been over a year. It was nice to get it all thinned and freshened up. I think it's going to take me a bit to get used to the new look (especially the side bangs), but it wasn't a horrible cut.

Mrs. Potato

Today has been a rather slow day. Camilla has been getting up earlier, and even though we lay in bed until 8:00am, I'm usually pretty tired still! She eventually gets tired of laying in bed and demands "Much" (lunch) and "Food" because she's hungry. And if we really don't listen, she jumps down and moves the suitcase blocking the stairs which pretty much makes you have to go downstairs with her. She's pretty smart....

We made breakfast for us and Daddy before he left for school. I spent most of the morning being pretty productive, cleaning, dishes, dusting, and tidying. I lost steam around lunch time and have felt pretty lazy ever since. Camilla went for a nap after lunch and I played on the computer, puttered around and sat on the couch looking out the window. I had big plans for baking this afternoon, but with our oven broken, it wasn't going to happen. So I waited around for Camilla to wake up. After an hour and a half (usually the total duration of her nap), I decided to cozy up on the couch and close my eyes for a few minutes. It turned into a much needed half hour nap and I woke up to a drool covered sweater sleeve. Seconds later, Camilla was up and ready to go. 

We then played with Mrs. Potato head for a few minutes together. It's been a while since she's played with her because she started sticking the ears in her ears, the nose up hers etc. Today has been good so far! She loves her "Tatoe". Our landlord then showed up and fixed our oven for us. It was kinda neat to see how a gas oven works and now I know what's wrong next time it happens! Looks like we're having pizza tonight!

A Promise Kept

A little bit freezing after leaving the warm water

Camilla is such a water baby! She loves swimming at the pool so so much! Daddy promised her that we would go swimming today and she talked about it all weekend. As we got in the car she exclaimed "Nimming!!!" and was excited the whole way to the pool. When she got her suit on, the excitement grew some more. The last few times she's really enjoyed wearing a life jacket and having some "freedom" to move in the shallow waters. She loves the balls, and loves to play catch with Mommy and Daddy. Today she enjoyed some sliding and relaxing in the warm water. We floated around the lazy river a few times and enjoyed sitting and relaxing in the shallow water. She's also getting used to water on her face and some extra splashing.  It was a great two hours and we were all wrinkly when we finally got out. She really didn't want to leave!!

When we got home there was a message on our phone from my little brother! He got a very special letter in the mail today with "Elder Hudkins" on it. After my parents got home from work they got the family on speaker phone and opened his mission call! It's hard to believe that my brother will be hitting up the MTC on June 29th! We are absolutely thrilled for him!