A Special 'I Love You'

Camilla has been practicing her A B C's lately.  She will repeat each letter all the way up to "I". Instead of repeating the "I" she finishes it with a super enthusiastic "LOOOOOVE YOU!". Needless to say, we haven't made it quite to "J". When we got home on Easter Sunday, Mr. Stannix had a very special experience with Camilla that he wanted me to blog about so that our kids could read it later. He gave me permission to share a bit of what he wrote in his journal.

“...We got home and got Camilla ready for bed and when she came to give me a hug and kiss she whispered ‘Love you!’. Joy just flooded my heart. I felt like I could re-live a hundred of those moments; nothing seemed more desirable." ~Mr. Stannix

I was in the kitchen when it happened and heard her sweet little voice say a very sincere "Love you" followed by a big hug. It was a big deal because she doesn't say it without being prompted usually. It was such a sweet little moment that it even touched my heart. Mr. Stannix was grinning from ear to ear the rest of the night, filled to the top with love. What a special thing it is to share our love with our family.

Daddy with brand new baby Camilla

July '09

Doesn't he look handsome? I think so!

Easter Sunday

Today I woke up around 7:30am. The orange sun was shining into our bedroom and a nice breeze was keeping me cool. I thought I heard Camilla already into her Easter basket, but a few minutes later she woke up and came in to see us. After some smooches and cuddles we all went out to see what the Easter bunny left.

Camilla got some bubbles, playdough and smarties.

She was pretty excited all morning.

She had fun blowing bubbles with her daddy bright and early!!

When Gramma woke up, we started our egg hunt. Camilla did pretty good!

We had a really nice time at church and the talks were super great! What a wonderful time to celebrate what our Savior has done for us! After church we came home, had a BBQ and spent some time outside.

Camilla enjoyed blowing bubbles with her auntie and uncle, and giving Grampa big hugs.

We then did the traditional Easter Egg Champ! I was excited as it was Camilla's very first time.

"OHHHHHHHHH!"

 

I kinda smoked her egg, she thought it was hilarious!

Somehow I ended up with two eggs left at the end. I took them over to champ my Grampa's two eggs and ended up winning this year! I don't remember the last time I won an egg champ! It was fun.

Here's a few more shots from the afternoon.

Traditions and Such

Today was a really good day! Everyone slept in a little bit (even Camilla). Camilla snuck into our room at 7:00am and then snuggled back to sleep until 8:00ish which was super nice!

Gramma set her up with a fabulous PB&J sandwich for lunch.

I discovered that my belly is now big enough to balance a small plate. 

We got to spend the afternoon and evening with Nana. It was a lot of fun! Camilla loves the puppies and kitties and had some nice snuggles with her Nana. They also had fun drawing with chalk together and we are looking forward to using the sidewalk chalk that Nana got us! We had a fabulous dinner and a great visit!

Camilla got to color her very first Easter egg!  Her favorite part was throwing it (literally) in the colored water and exclaiming "Splash!". It made for one messy table. She managed to color two eggs for the traditional egg champ on Sunday.  We also had fun dipping and decorating homemade marshmallow Easter eggs.

Mr. Stannix made a missionary egg with the tie, name tag and shoes to match. It was super creative! These traditions have been going on for 23 years in my parents home every Easter, without fail. I was glad that I got to go home and take part in them again this year and I look forward to doing some of them with our own kids!

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!