Backyard Birthday

When we woke up Thursday morning and saw that it was snowing outside, we were a little worried. Luckily it all melted and today we were still able to have Hyrum's Birthday party in the backyard. We were blessed with warm weather and sunshine. I had a tough morning, but Auntie Emma was here to help decorate the cake and go for a balloon run. We couldn't have asked for a better day to celebrate with family and friends!

Everyone showed up around 1:00 in the afternoon. Mr. Stannix made up Hamburgers and Hot Dogs on the BBQ and we all enjoyed lunch while we visited in the backyard (I even got to walk around in my bare feet all day). Hyrum enjoyed being entertained by everyone and was constantly floating from one person to another the whole afternoon. He was super tired when we brought the cake out, but was still a good sport. My sister got a cool picture of all of us cheering him on when it came time to blow out the candle. I love seeing how much Camilla loves her little brother.

After cake he decided it was nap time and cuddled into Uncle Mike's shoulder for a snooze. All the fresh air, sunshine and festivities tuckered him out. He napped for at least an hour while we all continued to visit. Gramma and Grampa Hudkins were there as well as Great-Gramma and Great-Grampa Hudkins. I feel so blessed that Hyrum gets to experience time with his Great-Grandparents. All of my siblings came (except Uncle Arland who is on his mission in Chile), and the Stannix's were all together for the first time in four years! It was so wonderful to see everyone and visit. We also had a few close friends who came to celebrate! 

When Hyrum woke up from his nap we did presents. He's sure a lucky guy. Camilla did most of the opening for him, it was pretty cute. Shortly after, everyone left for home and we cleaned up a bit and went inside to relax.

Hyrum had taken six steps on his own the night before, and with help from Gramma and Grampa Hudkins he spent the rest of the night practicing. It was great to capture his first little steps on video! 

I still can't believe that Hyrum will be ONE tomorrow. This year went by so so fast! Each day I definitely fall more and more in love with my little boy. Mike and I feel so blessed that he is part of our family and that we get to teach him and love him! Before bed we sat at the kitchen table eating peanut butter toast and talking about all the awesome things we enjoyed today and how wonderful it is to have children and watch them learn new things. Hyrum is quickly changing from baby to boy and although each day is new and exciting, I still sometimes miss my little baby who was fully dependent on us for everything. He's definitely grown a lot in this past year! Happy birthday sweet boy!

Time With Mamma

When I get too busy doing things around the house, my little boy usually lets me know. He is my snuggler. He needs cuddles and back rubs, hugs and kisses. I was walking around my house like a tornado this morning picking up this and that, throwing in laundry, tidying the front entrance, cleaning up breakfast. Soon my little boy looked up at me, lifted his arms, and started opening and closing his hands. This told me that he wanted up. As soon as I picked him up he cuddled into my shoulder and clung to my t-shirt. He needed a quick snuggle. My days are filled with many of these and I adore them. They are quiet little moments that we share, just my boy and me. I think I need them just as much as he does sometimes.

Party Plans

I've been doing lots of list making and running around as we are celebrating Hyrum's first birthday this weekend. I can't believe how quickly this year has gone by. It seems like just yesterday we were bringing him home from the hospital. Time sure flies!

Yesterday we braved the chilly wind and spitting rain and took a trip to Costco to pick up some BBQ goods. We got there just after it opened and I was shocked at how full the parking lot already was! The kids were adorable hanging in the cart together, I couldn't resist a picture!

We spent the afternoon puttering around the house and doing laundry and fun things like that. Camilla loves helping her little brother walk around the house and he loves having someone to practice with. When she goes too fast, he falls on top of her and they both giggle together. It's been fun watching them play together and wrestle around a little.

If you look closely you'll notice my girl is missing a sock as per usual!

Little Princess

 

Recently Camilla has gotten into dress-up. We don't have any real dress up clothes, so she's become really good at using her imagination. Yesterday she used a bib, a tea towel, a jam jar cover, and a toy pot, to transform herself into a beautiful princess. She made up a song that went like this...

"I look like a princess, but I am a bum..."

I'm guessing she got the last part from The Paper Bag Princess.

Joy in Motherhood

Yesterday made me feel super blessed. I was able to find joy in so many little things that my children did. First it was Hyrum who found his sisters unfinished juice box and was drinking it like the world was going to end any second. Then it was when he climbed right into the toy bin to play. I found joy in watching Camilla play so gently with her baby brother. I giggled inside all day long as Camilla ran around in her undies. And I fell in love with Hyrums new version of peek-a-boo.  These two fill my days with so much joy!

Near the end of the day I felt exhausted! As the chili simmered on the stove I lay on the living room floor in the apple apron my Gramma made for me. The sun was flowing through the big window and warmed my body. I looked at my children who were both playing together in front of the couch, their blond hair lit up by the sun shining through the window behind them, big smiles on their faces. We played and laughed and giggled as we ate pretend food together and waited for Daddy to come home. It was so great to be down at their level. My laughs came right from the bottom of my belly and it felt wonderful to laugh without holding anything back. I felt full of joy.

After dinner we walked up to the park as a family to play (and so Daddy could vote). When we got home we ate Jello together at the table. Mr. Stannix turned on one of Camilla's favorite songs to dance to. We both laughed really hard as she stood in her booster seat and started shaking her tush. The Jello that was on her spoon wiggled as much as she did and soon plopped back into the bowl unnoticed. Hyrum began dancing in his highchair and laughing. Time froze for a few seconds as I soaked that moment in. The kitchen was full of laughter. I saw my wonderful Mr. Stannix with a grin of pure joy on his face. My little girl who was wiggling as much as her Jello. And a smiley baby boy who was thoroughly enjoying the moment. 

As Mr. Stannix and I lay awake in bed last night these memories played through my head and I knew I needed to write them down before I forgot. I told Mr. Stannix that I felt like the luckiest lady ever. My house downstairs looked like a tornado had dropped in to stay for a while, but the joy I felt was so worth it.

“Motherhood is not a hobby, it is a calling. You do not collect children because you find them cuter than stamps. It is not something to do if you can squeeze the time in. It is what God gave you time for.”

(Rest of the talk here)

The Vacuum Cleaner

Hyrum has fallen in love with the vacuum cleaner. As soon as he's tall enough to reach the handle I'm sure we'll be fighting over who gets to vacuum the house! For now, it looks like I get dibs.

Breaking in the Fire Pit

 It was such a beautiful day today that we decided to roast smokies over the fire for dinner. It was awesome to be able to go outside in just a sweater! Camilla began the evening by diving into a bag of cheesies. She made herself a little chair out of a red brick that was under the deck. It was cute.

Hyrum enjoyed watching the fire and being outside. It was fun to just lounge around and get some fresh air! It was also great to have Mr. Stannix there to snap a picture. 

 

Camilla couldn't wait for the drinks and was very helpful in getting all the cups ready. After dinner we played soccer in the yard and enjoyed the sunshine. Camilla was in heaven running after the ball all night.

 

 By the end of the evening she had lost her jacket and shoes and ran around in just her sock feet. It made me think of summers growing up where I practically lived in my bare feet. Life is sweet. We finished off the evening with some bubble blowing while Daddy kindly put everything away.

 Soon the sun was sinking down behind the roof tops and it was time to go in for baths. After the children were asleep, Mr. Stannix and I snuggled up with a movie for the night. It was wonderful!

Mommy's Little Helper

Mr. Stannix watched the kiddos last night for me while I went to a Relief Society activity at the church. I came home to the best stories ever. They had me giggling out loud. While Daddy was composing an e-mail he heard some grunts from the little man. When he finished, he turned around to find Hyrum intently playing with the toy kitchen while chilling on a bucket of wheat (that I keep forgetting to put away). I was so glad he captured the moment in a photograph!

The second story had me giggling and filled me with so much joy. After Mr. Stannix had put Hyrum to bed, he noticed all was too quiet in the living room. He went in to see what Camilla was up to and found that she had stuffed and stacked all the cloth diapers on the bench. She did this without even being asked and wanted to surprise me when I got home. It was so so sweet of her. Even though I had to re-stuff them all this morning, it was the thought that counts. I love my little girl!

Carpe Diem

Last night our entire house was silent by 9:30 PM minus a few heavy breathers and some sleepy sighs from the crib. I was so glad to be going to bed early because I knew I would be waking up around 6:00 AM with my early riser. Sure enough, very early this morning, I found him trying to escape from his crib. 

After a bottle and a snuggle on the couch he got restless and was ready to play and begin his day. Me and early mornings don't get along so well and it's a trial for me to be cheery that early. This week has been especially hard, and each night I pray to wake up with the same "Seize the Day" attitude that my children seem to have. Each morning I count my blessings as my children wake up healthy and happy.

This morning I made up a batch of my Mum's pancakes and we enjoyed them on the last three clean plates (looks like I'll be busy doing dishes today). I packed some left-over pizza for Mr. Stannix's lunch and then he ran out the door to catch his bus. After lowering Hyrum's crib another notch, we all got dressed, made beds and said morning prayers in the warmth of the sunlight pouring in through the balcony window

The children played with each other and watched the big machines digging across the alley. Soon Hyrum was rubbing his eyes and ready for his nap. I set Camilla up with some finger paints to keep her busy while I went upstairs. She loved it! It's been a while. 

I came back downstairs to discover she had painted more than just the paper...

 

I am so grateful for the "Seize the Day" attitude that my children wake up with every day. What great little examples they are. Their smiles and hugs definitely make waking up early each morning worth it. I feel so blessed!

Jail Break

 I think it's finally time to get a REAL baby gate. The boxes of books don't seem to be working anymore. Hyrum can make his way over them with his long legs in a second!

He's pretty proud of himself when he does it.Then he makes a run for the stairs. He loves to climb, but what boy doesn't?

If he could have it his way he would climb the stairs all day long. I don't know what it is with my kiddos but they are constantly missing one sock! I love 'em for it though! This is one of a few things today that brought me joy. The excitement on his face when he triumphantly reaches the top is priceless.