A Spare

This morning after I finished the dishes and cleaning up in the kitchen I checked out the program times at our local library. Turns out they had one on at 10:30. I got everyone ready in time to walk there. Camilla held the door open while I closed the inside door. It's kind of finicky so when I locked and closed it, it didn't close tight and I had to pull it closed again.

We went to the car to quickly grab shoes and then when I went to open the door to the garage to get the stroller I realized that my house key wasn't on my key ring. I immediately wished I hadn't noticed the door when it didn't lock the first time. This has happened to me all too often, and this time I knew what to do. I buckled Hyrum into his car seat so he would be contained for a few minutes and then Camilla and I went to a window. Because I've done this a few times it took me less than 60 seconds to take off the screen and bust in (I should probably be worried that my house is so easy for me to break into).

I lifted Camilla through the window and instructed her to push down the baby gate and unlock the front door. I waited at the front door, heard the crash when the gate fell down and Camilla's "I'm okay". Before I knew it I felt her tiny hand turning the door knob on the other side and I was in! She was so proud of herself. I was just glad I didn't have to go through the window this time! We really need to get a spare key...

The good news is we still had time to walk, the bad news is that the program listing on the internet was wrong. We still had fun getting new movies and books as well as driving the boat. When it was time to leave I got an "Aiy Aiy, Captain!" from my enthusiastic two year old and we proceeded to the check out and then home.

Tonight I had asked Mr. Stannix to BBQ up some steaks for dinner. It started getting windy and cloudy and I almost changed my mind. I called him before he left work to double check if he was still up for it. Every time my poor husband tries to cook steak it rains. Last time it poured and he needed an umbrella...

After we ate our delicious steaks it was time for the kiddos to bath. I stood outside the door for a few minutes grinning from ear to ear as I listened to them splash and giggle. Hyrum's belly laugh is the best sound ever. After prayers I took the little man up to bed. When I brought Camilla up later to tuck her in I found him sleeping with his legs crossed. It was soo Hyrum that I had to snap a picture.

Now I hear a movie playing on the TV and I'm pretty sure there's a spot saved for me on the couch right next to Mr. Stannix. If he's feeling generous he might even play with my hair a little.

Blessings

This morning the children didn't wake up until 7:30. It was heavenly to sleep in that long. Mr. Stannix and I took in all the sleep we could get and then he quickly got ready for work.

(Fruit for breakfast)

And might I just add that I am super grateful for honest people and answers to prayers!
Phew!

Sleepy Heads

 I think the kids had a very fun filled weekend. They were both fast asleep before we even left the subdivision. Hyrum was too tired to even finish his bottle. Today we've been recuperating from the late nights visiting and early mornings. I put the baby gate up across the living room entrance and let the kids watch movies all morning while I rested my eyes. Sometimes ya just need a morning like that! I think I'm now ready to take on the rest of my week.

Sunny Saturday

 We are spending the weekend at the Acreage hanging out with family and chatting over Skype with my little brother. This morning Hyrum was up before 6:00 again so we spent the morning out in the Pool Room where I could contain him while I rested my eyes on the couch. When I peeked over at him at one point he was hanging out with the gnomes and seriously examining Sir Lancelot. 

After his mid-morning bottle we snuggled up on the blue recliner between open windows with the sun pouring in on us and took a snooze. It was much needed and the breeze was heavenly. Hyrum's chubby fingers grasped my hair tightly as his head rested on my shoulder. Outside the window I could hear Mr. Stannix typing away on his computer on the patio. 

My Gramma and Grampa and brother arrived around noon. After a nice lunch we spent most of the afternoon out front. Camilla loved throwing rocks in Grampa's "pond" and it's all she wanted to do all day.

It was fun to watch her and Hyrum throwing pebbles into the water together. They are growing up so so fast! By the time nap time rolled around Camilla's little cheeks were nice and rosy from the sun. 

 

Mr. Stannix spent most of his Saturday here at this table working hard at his CASB. He looked super handsome as he typed away.

I would interrupt him every once in a while to steal a kiss or just chat. It was a beautiful day and I thoroughly enjoyed running around barefoot on the green grass.

Hyrum was loving chilling with his Uncle Chris and throwing pebbles in the water. He's starting to walk around more and loved when he found someone's hand to hold while he walked.

When Grampa took him for a walk around the Acreage he was in heaven. I just thought they looked super cute together, my little dude next to his tall, strong Grampa. He loves his Grampa!

We also got to Skype with my brother which was one of the main reasons for all being together this weekend, but more on that later!

Holding His Own

While I made dinner last night a little bit of wrestling went on by the kitchen. Hyrum was jumping up and down on his sister and she was giggling really really hard. It's good to know he can hold his own with his big sister now (let's just hope he doesn't do that with new baby in the Fall)! Camilla could be heard saying, "Get off me ya little ronk (runt)". A few of my favorite things about this picture are Hyrum in just his diaper with his bare little feet, the drum sticks, Camilla's awesome pink house coat, and Camilla's rubber boots.

Moment Captured.

Spring Cleaning

 The children and I had a wonderful morning outside today! We were out bright an early to mow the lawn and clean up the yard after the winter. It took me like a gazillion pulls to get the lawn mower started, and when it finally fired up, Hyrum burst into tears. All the other times I started it after that he would smile and get excited. He was pretty chill and just hung out on the blanket and watched contently. I love him with his little ball cap and woody in this picture. He's always thinking and watching and figuring.

He's starting to get up on his feet more and more and enjoys walking around. I love how beautiful the trees are becoming as the leaves are popping and Spring is finally arriving. Bring on the warm weather I say.

The children were super cute and played together while I did the back yard. We lost Camilla half way through the front yard. She was cold and wanted to go in, so she just watched from the window and popped out the front door occasionally. 

After we had finished that, we made a quick trip to Wal-Mart for some fruit and a storage bin. There's been lots of "too small" clothes from both the children piled high on top of Camilla's dresser. My mission today is to organize all of the crazy boxes of clothes that we're storing and try to condense it. As I type my bed is covered in clothes and boxes fill my room. I was only able to get half way done this morning but will probably finish it before dinner. 

When we got home from Wal-Mart it was close to lunch time, so I sliced into the water melon to make up smoothies. I think it was one of the juiciest, yummiest water melons I've ever picked. I stripped down Hyrum and let him go nuts while I finished slicing and putting it in containers for the fridge. He loved it! Then I whipped up some melon-berry smoothies. I made half of it into popsicles for these warm days and we enjoyed the other half on the back deck. It was beautiful and sunny outside.

 Camilla has been such a character this morning. This pink/yellow dress is her favorite and she's always going upstairs to change into it. I'm sure she would wear it every day if I'd let her. I just washed it yesterday and hung it up in her closet. Every time she sits on my lap it smells like fresh laundry and I can't help but lean in for a better smell and smooch her on the cheek. She paired it with a pink house coat and her new yellow rubber boots and it made me giggle. I love that she's independent enough to dress herself, and it always makes me smile.

 Hyrum continued to eat away at his piece of water melon and thoroughly enjoyed sharing my smoothie with me. It was a nice refreshing treat. I am envisioning many more Summer afternoons on the back deck enjoying fresh fruit and sunshine. We finished off with a snuggle on the monkey swing and then came in and got ready for naps.

Our yard looks awesome now. I love the smell of freshly cut grass. It always brings me back to when Mike and I were first married and working lawn care together. We had so much fun at that job (not to mention we got killer tans). This afternoon I moved the big winter coats from the front door to the boot room and have been tidying other things along the way. I'm looking forward to some vacuuming and dusting and our house being all sparkly clean before we head out to the Acreage this weekend! 

An Outie

Only three months along and I already have an outie...

Just Another Day

It's just after lunch when Mr. Stannix calls to see how my day is going, last night was a tough one. After Camilla has had her fill of macaroni she practically begs me to go upstairs for a nap. Between the hours of 1 and 5 this morning she got up to pee, asked for three glasses of water, changed her jammies in the dark, tried to sneak downstairs 109288 times, and cried every 10 minutes. I blame it on the full moon. Needless to say, she's one tired monkey today and needs some extra lovin'. While Hyrum is finishing the last of his macaroni I read Camilla a story. She snuggles under her covers as I pull them to her chin. I kiss her on the cheek and she's out like a light. Hyrum finishes up his last bite as I come down the stairs. I pull him out of his highchair, he's only wearing a diaper. His baby skin is oh so soft and I can't help but smother him in kisses and tickle him under the arms. He goes off to play with his cars while I top the bagels with cheese. The smell of them baking in the oven fills our home. I am excited to eat a hot one smothered in butter. Toasted, they are super easy on my tummy first thing in the morning, and all morning, and sometimes the only thing I can eat. Hyrum practices his walking in the living room. He's still in just a diaper and his face is covered with mac n' cheese. I watch him and wish he could stay this way forever... 

Sunday Snuggles

This afternoon after church we all hung out on the back deck while Daddy made burgers on the BBQ. I am in love with these beautiful Spring afternoons. It's so fun seeing the leaves pop on the trees and the grass getting greener every day! It is such a blessing to be able to experience all of these wonderful things.  While we were waiting the kids snuggled up on the swing for a few minutes. Camilla has gotten so big and taken on her roll of big sister and protector very well. I love these sweet little moments.

Next, Hyrum and I shared a little snuggle. As we swayed back and forth in the swing we watched Daddy BBQ and listened to the birds. It wasn't long before my little girl climbed up on my lap to join in on the cuddles. Mr. Stannix snapped an adorable picture. I love my kiddo's! Being a Mum is simply the greatest.

Sunday afternoon's like this are my very favorite! I am so blessed.

Announcement

A few months ago I started having vivid dreams, and itchy feet when I would go to bed. I would wake up feeling extra tired and wondering where the night went. I suddenly had a clingy little boy who wouldn't let me out of his sights and wanted extra cuddles during the night. Then there was a few mornings where I felt nauseous after eating breakfast, and I knew something was up...

We are thrilled to finally announce that the third Stannix baby is on it's way!

Mr. Stannix knew before I even told him. He's very intuitive and I thought that was special. That story, however, is recorded in my journal because it is very special to me.

I was so excited when I found out and can't wait to meet this new little babe! The last couple of months I have spent day dreaming of different ways to make the upstairs bedroom quaint and perfect for all three children. As I snuggle Hyrum in the green chair I try to come up with the coziest way to arrange the beds and dressers to accommodate the new addition.

I have been feeling relatively good considering I would throw up multiple times a day with Camilla and I was constantly nauseous with Hyrum. I still have rough mornings but as long as I eat breakfast right away when I wake up and then have a second breakfast mid-morning, I seem to do okay. Mr. Stannix is good about making sure the toilets are always flushed in the morning and that I get something to eat.

This early phase of pregnancy always makes me crazy because my mind never rests. Am I eating healthy enough? Is the baby growing? Is everything okay? One day near the beginning of my pregnancy, my Dad asked me how I was feeling. I told him I was feeling pretty good, and didn't mind so much when I threw up because it was a little reminder that I am growing a healthy little baby inside. And that is what I tell myself each time I am staring into the toilet bowl. It's all worth it in the end!

Early morning church and organ playing have been kicking my butt though and I'm glad to be reaching the end of the morning sickness phase.  The Lord always blesses me though and I've always been able to fulfill my calling. I have been lucky to have two awesome kids who nap at the same time in the afternoon which lets me get in a good nap when I need it. I also have an awesome husband who gets up early and makes Hyrum's morning bottle so that I can take my time waking up.

This morning I had another reminder that I am growing a healthy baby inside. The children and I went to the doctor's office for another check up. As the doctor leaned over the counter looking at my charts, Camilla sat in the chair behind her. When I made eye contact with her she stuck out her finger and pretended like she was going to poke the doctor's bee-hind. I sternly shook my head no and she held back a smirk as her eyes twinkled with mischief. Funniest thing ever. Finally, with Hyrum snuggled in beside me drinking a bottle and Camilla quietly sitting on the chair, we got to hear baby's heart beat! Such a great sound!

The third Stannix babe will be coming mid November and we are excited to celebrate Christmas with three this year!