Happy Ending

Today was not my day. Everything that could go wrong did. I was awoken when Camilla dropped her baby on her brothers head while he was sleeping in the crib. Not fun. I left for our library program this morning with two screaming kids, thinking to myself, why oh why are you doing this? I was late picking up Mr. Stannix from work (but so was he, so it was okay). My metal mixing bowls have served me well the last couple of days and the kids love to drum on them. This is how I got my dishes done yesterday. They were quickly moved to the carpet after this shot to help dull the dinging.

My afternoon was full of a screeching baby and an expressive two year old. The highlight was listening to the two kiddos giggling when Camilla was hiding behind my curtains in the office. Alas, it didn't last long before Hyrum got pushed over. My patience-o-meter had gone way passed it's limit. I pulled dinner out of the oven only to discover it was burnt and threw in my oven mitts for the day.

Because Hyrum has had a bad case of the virus that's going around he got to bath on his own tonight. While I bathed Camilla he waited in an empty laundry basket at my feet so he wouldn't get into trouble. He only tipped it five times and almost smoked his head on the toilet bowl once. When it was finally his turn he loved having the whole tub to himself. It was quite funny to watch.

Mr. Stannix was out cold with a terrible headache (there will be ice cream later tonight to fix that). So I went ahead and put the kids to bed. And wouldn't you know it, I got a paper cut while reading the bedtime story, from a board book! It was cute watching Hyrum try to eat his sisters face as he jumped on his knees on the bed.

Hyrum needed help getting to sleep which resulted in me standing over his crib patting him to sleep. When I finally finished that, my girl was still awake. I tapped her side and she scooted over. I then crawled in next to her for a snuggle (it was more for me than for her). She quietly rolled over and fit her tiny body next to mine with her baby doll hugged in her arms. I ran my fingers through her damp blonde hair and massaged her head. Memories were brought back of when my Mum would do that to me at night, and it would comfort me and make me tired. Then I tugged up the leg of her pant and massaged her leg. When I finished with one, she pulled it away and moved the other one in for a rub. Next her arms were massaged and then we snuggled quietly in the dark. Neither of us saying anything to the other. I looked over and she was giving her baby a head rub, then we had to scratch baby's arms and legs too.

When I was about to leave it was as if she could sense it. She gave me her heat bag, "It's so warm and cozy from the microwave Mum". Then she tucked me under her fluffy warm blanket. Then she massaged my head and gave me a kiss. It was nice to slow down after a crazy day and just take in the moment. I never want to forget the way her fine, blonde hair slipped through my fingers. I never want to forget her cold, wet little lips on my cheek as she kissed me. I never want to forget the way she whispers "Low-you-too" as if it's all one word.

"If I could have one thing happen for parents and leaders of this Church, it would be that they feel the love of the Lord in their lives each day as they care for Heavenly Father's children." 

~Bonnie D. Parkin

Tonight, I felt of that love as I snuggled with my little girl. What a wonderful blessing little children are in our lives.

I am now off for some valuable Mr. Stannix time. I've missed that guy lots this week!

Sunset

It was just before dinner and time seemed like it was at a stand still. The children were crazy and ready for dinner. Usually around this time we play blocks, or read books, or stack up the blankets and pillows into a fort in the living room. Since it's near the end of the day, I am usually yawning non-stop and hanging out on the floor with my short people waiting for the sweet moment when I hear Mr. Stannix's feet hit the doorstep so I can smooch him. Yesterday, while we waited, we climbed up on the back of the couch and watched the sunset together. 

It was perfect.

From Nicaragua With Love

This afternoon Camilla had a hard time falling asleep at nap time, so we went outside to enjoy some sunshine and fresh air instead. I spotted this lovely little swing sitting in the corner of the office and came up with the genius idea of hooking it up where our porch swing used to hang last summer. Voila! 

My brother packed this darling swing back from his adventures in Nicaragua and gave it to us before we ever even had kids. 

Today my sweet little boy enjoyed swinging away the afternoon on our back deck beneath the suns rays.

As I watched him I pictured a chubby boy in just his diaper 

enjoying fresh, juicy fruit in the heat of the summer sun.

It was bliss.

Eating Peanut Butter 101

 Today Camilla requested a Peanut Butter and Honey Sandwich for lunch. 

I left the kitchen to check on Hyrum who was attempting to climb the stairs.

I returned to Camilla who was enjoying some peanut butter her own way.

 Step One: 

Extend pointer finger and dip

 Step Two:

I mean REALLY dip

 Step Three:

Be seated and enjoy

That's what I like to call finger lickin' good!

The Parking Meter

Today has been a great day! I woke up just before 7:00am to warm Hyrum a bottle. While he inhaled his bottle, I studied my scriptures on the couch, and soon the whole house was rockin'. As I made breakfast, Hyrum pulled out all my cookie sheets. I went over to rescue him and the honey bottle fell onto my grill and melted. I had to wipe it down and start again. When Mr. Stannix finished his shower we had heart-shaped pig in a poke, or egg in a basket, or toad in a hole. Everyone calls it something different. We are still debating between egg in a basket or pig in a poke.

The sun seems to be coming up earlier now. As I looked out our balcony this morning our deck was sparkling in the sunlight. Camilla begged me to let her outside, but it didn't last long. She checked out the snowman (who by the way is quickly losing weight on the one side) and kicked her ball around a bit and then came in to play with Hyrum.

When the kids went down for their nap this afternoon I sorted Hyrum's old clothes into a big box labeled Newborn - 6 Months.  There is one newborn outfit in particular that made me instantly want another one! I always find it a little bit sad boxing up clothes that are too small, it means my kids are growing up too fast!

Last Friday I took the kiddos to Strathcona Library for Hyrum's little program. I could only find metered parking, and didn't want to walk far with the kids, so metered it was. I got out, got the kids out, and then put the coins in the parking meter. Camilla burst into tears because she thought the parking meters were candy machines and wanted her jelly beans before we went inside. Silly girl. So we had a mini lesson on parking meters in the cold winters air and THEN went in to the library.

Yesterday Camilla was sitting on her Daddy's knee and watching a quick video. I walked in part way through. At the end a picture of the temple was shown and Camilla looked up at us and said, "I'm going to the temple someday. Im'a get married in the temple". It was really sweet to hear her say that to us as she continued to talk about how her Daddy and I were going to go with her too and some other stuff that got jumbled in. She has a picture of the temple by her bed and sometimes after stories we talk about the temple and how we are together forever.

I am so glad that I get to teach them simple lessons like this as we go about our day to day activities. We are constantly learning and growing together, and it's wonderful!

He's Got His Mamma's Eyes

Curiosity

Question of the Day:
How many times will he get his 

fingers stuck 

in the VCR today?

Valentine Cheese

 Yesterday we jogged/walked to the library for our program! I am super excited that Hyrum is able to sit in this stroller now and I am looking forward to jogging the trails with the kiddos this summer! It was a beautiful morning, but I'm not used to jogging in cold weather.

Before and After

 When we got home we enjoyed heart cheese and crackers with tuna for lunch. 

Delish!

 Hyrum also enjoyed tiny pieces of cheese, and fruit for lunch.

Then it was nap time.

 All the fresh air tuckers 'em out!

Water Babies

Since our "Teh-vee" has busted, we've had some extra time to kill.

We've spent majority of the last couple days at the swimming pool! 

My kids have both turned into water babies. 

We've enjoyed relaxing in the warm pools, splashing around and playing with pool toys. 

The first day Camilla spent an hour just sitting on the steps.

(She pretty much dunked her brother after these pics were taken)

But the second day she got totally into it, life jacket and all. 

Yesterday she was balancing pool rings on her head and calling herself "Princess Anna".

Hyrum loves hanging in the baby floaties, chewing on things and kicking his legs.

 Camilla even got brave enough to try the slide by herself.

This is my crazy baby in the care of Princess Anna.

When it was time to go, Camilla insisted on cleaning up all of the toys and putting them back in the basket. 

Really, she was just enjoying swimming around on her tummy...

It's been great because they are so tired when bedtime rolls around. Hyrum has almost fallen asleep at dinner both nights. He slept for 11 hours in a row the first night, it was awesome! 

For dinner last night we had bow tie pasta with chicken, broccoli and Alfredo sauce.

Camilla calls the pasta "butterflies" and ate not one, not two, but THREE helpings.

Success.

Both babies went to sleep with very full bellies and very tired eyes.

Date Night Recap

I thought I'd start off the Valentine's month with a recap of the date we went on a few weekends ago. Mr. Stannix and I were going to go to the temple last Friday night, but with Hyrum cutting teeth, and neglecting his sleep we decided it was best to keep the kids at home instead of giving their runny noses to their friends. So we'll go next weekend! Saturday found the kids in better spirits, and a husband who super wanted to go to the movies. We opted for a sitter to come so the kids could sleep in their own beds.

That afternoon I had a baby shower to attend for a dear friend of ours and a baby girl. It was a very enjoyable afternoon out. I took Hyrum with me and Mr. Stannix and Camilla napped together for most of the afternoon. I arrived home to freshly shoveled walks and a sparkly clean house. Not only had he picked up, but he folded and put away all of the laundry as well, and it was the stuff he hates folding! I was so appreciative!

On our way to the movies he told me how Camilla would pass him every single piece of clothing to fold, and then her teddy passed him every piece of clothing to fold and he would have to thank the teddy. I enjoyed hearing about their afternoon adventures together. Even away from home our children are our main topic for discussion. Sadly we had a bout of bad luck on the way to the theater. We hit a bunch of red lights, got held up by a long train, and then had to park forever away from the front doors and speed walk in the freezing cold, my hands clasped tight in his warm leather gloves.

I went in to save seats while he stood in line at the concession. The moment I entered the busy theater number seven, it was so full I wanted to barf. I wished that I had Mr. Stannix by my side to take the lead and pick a seat. I cruised up one side looking for two empty seats together, then up the other side. With no luck I settled for the very back of the three front rows. I knew Mr. Stannix wouldn't be excited to sit there. He surprised me with a giant slice of pizza (which he sacrificed some of his preview time for, because it took forever) and eventually got over having to sit in the front and kink our necks. Part way through we tried to lift the arm rests and snuggle, another bummer about sitting in the front row, the arm rests don't lift! I loved the movie though and the time that we could spend together!

I'm so glad that we make time for date nights. They strengthen our marriage so much and always remind me that we are best friends. The next week is always that much more fun and exciting because of the time we had to spend together, just the two of us.

On Thursday Mr. Stannix was able to pick us up at the library after our "Rhymes that Bind" program. As we left through the doors he looked sideways at me with that grin of his and said, "Wow, you look good today!" It was just the compliment I needed to hear and I felt madly in love with him all over again. (Not to mention he saved me from having to walk home with a pile of heavy books and two kiddos).

The more we make date nights a priority the more aware we are of each others needs, and for that I am grateful! We're also super lucky to have great friends and fabulous young women to babysit for us whenever we need!

Mike and I at a Valentines Dance 2008

 P.S. If you haven't read this article yet, it's great!