Easter in the Wild West!!

A Child of God

Lately, I have been amazed at the things Camilla has been learning. She surprises me every day! Yesterday afternoon, we were upstairs playing in her room and singing songs. I started singing "I Am a Child of God" which is a Primary song, and one I used to sing/whisper in her ear when she was a baby on those late, hard nights. So I began:

"I am a Child of....."

And Camilla said "God".

"And He has sent me..."

And Camilla said "Heee". (Here)

"Has given me an earthly...."

And Camilla said "Home".

"With parents...."

And Camilla said "Tind an Deee" (Kind and Dear)

And so we continued through the whole song, her finishing my sentences with the words that needed to go there. 

"Lead me, guide me.."

"Wat" (walk)

"Beside me, help me find the..."

"Wayyyyyyyyyyyy"

"Teach me all that I must do, to live with Him..."

"Tum Dayyyyyy" (Someday).

At the end she exclaimed "Ree-tee!" It is indeed a song that she sings in Nursery. It was just so sweet sitting there listening to my little almost two year old sing a song that testifies of where we came from and why we are here. One of those bring-tears-to-your-eyes moments.  I love that she loves praying with us, and loves looking at her Book of Mormon stories while we read together as a family. It's so special to see her enjoy those things.

We have also been enjoying the warm weather! Camilla practically begs me every day to get outside and play. She knows which way the park is, and if I'm not careful will take off running down the sidewalk exclaiming "Park!!". It's nice that the snow is melting and we are able to enjoy the slide and swings again. We are very looking forward to the Summer and long afternoons at the spray park!

We visited the Doctor today and he said it would still be a while before baby comes. We are on the countdown! Ten more days to go!

A Made Bed

This morning I was upstairs making our bed and sorting dirty laundry to be done.  Camilla was talking to herself and playing with her "Zeebee" in her room. She excitedly ran across to my room and exclaimed "Mate Bet! Mate Bet! Mate Bet!" over and over again. The poor kid, I couldn't understand what she was trying to tell me. With a giant smile on her face she grabbed my hand and led me into her room and stood me in front of her bed. She looked up at me with her little blue eyes and face glowing and patted her bed with one hand and said "Mate Bet!" It finally clicked! "Did you make your bed?" I asked her. She giggled a bit and looked up at me all pleased with herself and said, more calmly, "Mate Bet" (with a nod at the end). She was so proud of herself. It was adorable. She's such a little helper, making her bed all by herself. 

Yesterday she did awesome in nursery! She walked confidently over to a chair and puzzle and sat herself down by some other kids. I asked for a smooch and a hug, and then she let me leave, no tears this time! I peeked in the window after I closed the door, thinking it was too good to be true, and there she was sitting in her little chair showing a teacher her ducky puzzle piece and chatting up a storm. What a relief! Yesterday, all she could talk about was nursery. "Ree-tee (nursery)....FUN!!", "Puzzles", "Names" (games) and much much more that we couldn't understand. She's still talking about it today!

My Prince Charming

Winter has returned! I have almost completely taken this last week "off" (so to speak). After all the baking/cleaning/laundry that I've been keeping myself busy with, I decided it was time for me to relax and just get myself ready for this baby to come.  Camilla has been taking 2 hour naps almost every afternoon, and Mr. Stannix has been home studying. We dubbed today a PJ day thanks to the return of winter. The dishes are still in the sink, and we've been eating quick meals. Tonight we visited McDonalds for some fries. Every time we pass the golden arches Camilla exclaims "Fries!!". To keep myself from going too nuts while I relax, I bought some yarn and decided to start a new project. I got started, and then the ball decided to be difficult. Mr. Stannix lovingly came over and offered to help. Together, we spent the majority of our afternoon untangling this ball of yarn.  Mr. Stannix did most of the work.

As much as I tease him for being impatient, I think he has more patience than I do! I was very grateful for his willingness to help and show me how much he loves me! He's definitely my hero!

Camilla Gets Dessert

Today was kind of a rough day, so I was thrilled when Camilla ate ALL her dinner. She wouldn't let me take her out without finishing every last bite of it! To celebrate, she got some dessert! A fancy scoop of vanilla ice cream with chocolate sauce. She was so excited that she finished her whole plate, and enjoyed her reward.

Before dinner she had a giant tantrum that lasted over half an hour. Half an hour of screaming, kicking and crying and a good portion of that spent on the time-out chair. I was grateful Daddy was here to take over part way through. My patience was quickly running out. I disappeared upstairs and cried because I was so done, and I felt like such a horrible mommy. For some reason today has been an emotional day for me and I really can't wait for this baby to come. My belly has become a target for Camilla's feet and I'm really looking forward to it being back to normal very soon.

After we tidy the living room, Camilla and I are off  to get into some PJ's and read some stories before bed. I love laying with her on her bed and listening to her chat away as I read to her.

Mine and Yours

Camilla running around on the back deck

 Today it got pretty warm out! So warm that the puddles on the sidewalks are now dry. While I made dinner I let Camilla burn some energy pushing her "Vacuum" out on the back deck. We shoveled it off a few days ago and it has all melted! We are looking forward to dinner's on the deck and making use of the fire pit in the near future. Camilla enjoys every moment she can get outside.

I went grocery shopping again today and have almost stocked the freezer to my liking. I also made a giant batch of cookies that filled a tin for the freezer as well as the cookie jar. Tomorrow will be bread and bagels again and maybe some muffins and then I think I will feel prepared for the baby to come.

Camilla has been experimenting a lot lately with "Mine" and "Yours".  She's also been very possessive and making good use of the "Mine". Tonight she started playing with a stray DVD while Daddy was reading his book. She was surprised when she got caught.  She sassed Daddy a little bit and he said, "Just remember who's daughter you are kiddo" and she immediately responded (very loudly), "YOUUURS!!!". We couldn't help but laugh. She is definitely her Daddy's girl.

A Spring Walk

 Today, with plus 10 temperatures, it was too warm not to go out and enjoy the beautiful weather! We walked to the park near our house with our good friends and my brother and sister. The munchkins had fun splashing the whole way there. We had some runs down the slide and time on the swings. It was a great adventure!

Isaac and Camilla splashing up a storm!

Camilla in mid-air, Mommy and Camilla jumping in puddles

Auntie Emma supervising the munchkin in the deepest puddle on the block and

Uncle Arland pushing Camilla on the swing.

When he tipped her up, a puddle of water drained out of her boots!

Playing on the Dinosaur with my gorgeous sister and my girl

Hanging out with Mr. Stannix on the T-Rex

Me and the man of my dreams

When we got home, Camilla was devastated when she had to come in, pants soaking wet and nose running. I took off her rubber boots and there was enough water inside to form a puddle on the front step. Her socks were dripping wet and her pants were soaked right through! After a fresh diaper, some warm and dry fleecy pants and a new pair of socks, she fell asleep in 2 seconds (I'm guessing all the jumping tired her out). What a fabulous afternoon!

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.