Morning Smooching

Have I ever told you how much I love smooching this chubby-cheeked, 

boogery-nosed boy first thing in the morning?

Because I do.

Like, a lot.

Sipping Hot Chocolate

After watching "Little Bear" for the second time this morning I decided it was time to get the kids outside to have some fun. They were both still in their jammies, so we found some socks and suited up. Snow pants, boots, mitts, jackets, and a warm hat sometimes take a while to put on, especially when you have a baby snuggled on your chest in a carrier. After the children were dressed up nice and warm and their snow pants were tucked over their boots it was time for me to get some winter gear on. I threw on my favorite fleece pull over. It belongs to Mr. Stannix and was the perfect size to fit over both me and Joe. Next I put on a windbreaker, leaving it unzipped because of the baby on my front. I finished off by carefully stepping into my gigantic winter boots and pulling on mittens. We were finally ready.

The kids had a blast outside! Joe slept safe and snug under my fleece jacket. I looked ridiculous with his toque sticking out the top, but I knew my children wouldn't mind. I shoveled the walks while they built castles, licked icicles, made snow angels and navigated their way through the snow banks. Mr. Stannix assured me he would shovel when he got home, but I know that guy has to study like crazy for his exam next Friday so I  thought I would help him out a bit. It felt good to get some exercise to be honest. 

After I finished shoveling we were all pretty rosy-cheeked. I asked the children if they were ready to go in and neither of them were. We played in the snow for a few more minutes and then made our way to the house.

I spent the rest of my morning sipping hot chocolate with my littles. I loved watching Hyrum grasp his mug with his chubby little hands. That boy is a good eater and it shows. He's started talking so much and will repeat the last word of almost every sentence I say. My favorite was when he was running around this morning and yelling, "Mun Mun Mun!!" I also love when he says sorry, it's the cutest little "Or-wee" I ever did hear. He's also started saying his name. At the table he will point to his hair and say, "Hum heh". Then he will point to my hair and say, "Mum heh". Love that kid.

I listened to Camilla's stories which she told while drawing and sipping at her hot chocolate. She's talented like that. I love her imagination to no end.

Joseph is still snoozing, so I may or may not do up the dishes from dinner yesterday. Or I may just join my children in their naps this afternoon because I think my sleep added up to a whole three hours last night. Joe still has his days and nights mixed up... 

Praying for Joy

I started my day today waking up in the wrong bed. All of the kids seem to have had a rough night and my body was feeling it. Joe was up more than he should have been and on one occasion I woke up feeling a lump sleeping at the end of our bed. It was Camilla and she soon joined me under the covers, nice and warm. In the early hours of the morning Joe woke up for the 1236th time. I gave up with the whole chair and crib thing and fell asleep nursing him in Camilla's bed. I love that bed. I woke up to the sound of Mr. Stannix finishing up his shower and Hyrum breathing in my ear. It took me a while to get going today and completely open my eyes.

For the past couple of days I have been praying for Joy and it has been answered ten times over. I can't even describe the feeling that I have. It could just be that it's the feeling that always surrounds the Christmas season, or the fact that my post pregnancy hormones may be shifting back to "normal", but I like to think that Heavenly Father is answering my prayers.

Because of this prayer I felt Joy instead of annoyance at my little boy who knocked over the wooden Nativity and used the kneeling Mary as a hockey stick for the day because of the shape. I love how that boy turns anything that potentially looks like a hockey stick into a hockey stick. He is going to love his Christmas present this year!

Because of this prayer I felt an overwhelming sense of Joy and love as I cradled my 8lbs 14oz Baby Joe in my arms, kissed his head and watched him sleep. He's gained some good weight over the last few weeks and I am so glad that my body is able to give him what he needs to grow.

Because of this prayer I felt Joy as I watched Camilla be a big sister and put her brother's socks on this morning before we left the house. She's like three going on five. I also loved seeing the big smile on her face as we left the Library this morning and she exclaimed, "This is the best day EVER!".

Because of this prayer I have been able to laugh and giggle more with my children as we go about our every day activities. I love talking with them and watching them explore the world around them.  I almost teared up today just watching Hyrum play quietly at my feet as I nursed Joseph. I love my kids.

And now as I finish typing, the smell of fresh cinnamon buns fills my home and I know the smell will shortly make it's way upstairs and wake my children. They have been peacefully sleeping as the big snowflakes gently fall to the ground outside their window. I am excited to share in their joy as we devour fresh cinnamon buns smothered in butter together. Nothing beats the cold of winter like yummy baking!

Nap Time

It's nap time here at the Stannix's which means that I get to catch up on my blogging while eating a Cadbury Dairy Milk Fruit and Nut bar. I picked up four of them before Joe was born to help with the third day blues and am just finishing the fourth off now.The adjustment to three kids three and under has been a lot better than I had anticipated it. We've fallen into a pretty good routine, everyone is happy, and life is good. I owe a lot of it to awesome sisters in the ward and friends who have brought us meals and offered to help watch my kids.

Mr. Stannix is back to studying for his exam this month, so story reading and bed time has again become a one woman job for the next little while. Now when we go up to bed I hear, "aw, I want Daddy though". Good to know they love their Daddy! Last night I had to laugh as we all sat on Camilla's bed. I was attempting to nurse a fussy Joe, Camilla was snuggled into my arm to see the story and Hyrum was turning on the bed room light, jumping on the bed, and racing around the room. There was a lot of pausing for the fussy baby and a lot of telling Hyrum to stop jumping on the bed. Laughter was the only thing that kept me sain. Eventually Camilla ended up holding the book so I could properly nurse Joe and grab Hyrum before he fell off the bed. It was quite the scene. I am super proud of them both though, they go to bed so well.  Kisses and lights out and I usually don't hear a peep until morning time.

This morning I did our big grocery run will all three kids in tow. It went smoother than I was imagining it. I love our little grocery store and the free cookies they give the kids so I can shop with relative peace and quiet. Camilla's only request was a Yop from the dairy aisle. She chatted it up with everyone and told them all about her puppy tucked under her arm. I love the small town feel of our grocery store and how all of the ladies at the check out know us and remember Camilla.  They all love talking to her and hearing her stories. I'm already looking forward to the end of winter though so I don't have to freeze my fingers off buckling in three kids.

Joe and I have spent a lot of time together. Yesterday his happy place was on my chest in the baby carrier bouncing, swaying or getting his bum patted. He spent a lot of time there as I kept house and did laundry and other mom-like things. Today has been much the same. He likes to be snuggled close. I'll take all the snuggling I can get though! Now I'm off to do some Christmas prep and to throw the cloth diapers in the dryer. So excited to start Christmas baking with the kids this week!

Deck the Halls

Tonight we decorated for Christmas. It's become tradition to set up the tree after the First Presidency Christmas Devotional. Since we were driving back from visiting friends in Innisfail, we didn't have time to catch the devotional, so we just set up the tree. We plan to watch it before Christmas, but after Mr. Stannix has finished studying for his exam this month. The children were excited to decorate the tree and tried to help where they could. Mr. Stannix strung and restrung the lights (we'll double check that they work before we put them up next year). We took a break half way through and had some more birthday cake and ice cream for a snack. It's so awesome to be all together and enjoying this time of year. 

We really only decorated the top half of the tree. Hyrum loves my big red Christmas balls and throws them across the room while yelling, "Hah-ee! GOAL!". They are definitely a little more fragile than your typical hockey puck. The kids really liked being able to help decorate the tree.

As we decorated and handed them decorations I couldn't help but reminisce. This tree is still the tree that I grew up with. I remember it being much bigger when I was little though. Even Mr. Stannix asked where the top piece was when we were setting it up. Nope, it really is just that short. While the kids placed the decorations on the tree I thought about how my dad was the one who would hand out the decorations when I was younger. Most of them consisted of these little red wooden men/rocking horse ornaments, and we always loaded it with tinsel! Ah, good memories.  This year Mr. Stannix and I are holding our first Christmas on our own. We are making memories with our kids like the ones I have of growing up. I am looking forward to Christmas day with presents beneath our half decorated tree and laughter filling our living room.

Twenty-Seven

 Dear Mr. Stannix,
Today you are twenty-seven years old! I feel so lucky to be called your wife. You have so many great characteristics that I admire. One of the big ones is how patient you can be. There's many times I've told myself that you have the patience of Job. I think this patience comes from your Christ-like love for others. I am so grateful that I married such a gentle and devoted husband and father. It is one of my favorite things to watch you carry our newborns and smooch our children on the lips. I admire your never ending faith and knowledge of the Gospel. It doesn't matter how tough life gets, your faith never fails. I am grateful for your example and the strength that I get from you. I am so glad that I married a worthy priesthood holder who can bless me when I am sick or in need of comfort. I love getting blessings from you before our children are born, it's such an added strength and assurance. You are also very thoughtful and awesome at surprising me with a clean house. Even after a hard days work you voluntarily whip up the dinner dishes and shine my kitchen sink. It's so great to wake up to a clean kitchen in the morning, thank-you! You are so hardworking and determined. You are juggling so much right now, and you do it so well!  I'm so glad I get to call you mine and share this special day with you! The children and I baked you up an old-fashioned chocolate cake to celebrate. I can't wait until you come home from work and I get to kiss those icy cold lips of yours when you first walk in the door. I am looking forward to dinner with you tonight. Happy birthday darling!

A Lunch Date

My fabulous cousin stole my two older kiddos for the day so that I could cuddle and enjoy Joe. She's always super thoughtful like that. Mr. Stannix was working out of the office for the day and called to ask me on a lunch date. He had recently went to this really neat cafe and wanted me to try out this amazing wrap that he ate the other day. After a long nursing session for Joe, a diaper change, and a second diaper change after that, we were on our way. Mr. Stannix e-mailed me the address and really good directions, the type that he knew I would understand. He's always so thoughtful. I pulled up to the Zuppa Cafe and was greeted inside by my handsome hubby who quickly took the baby off my hands and led me to the table he had gotten there early to save. It was fun to meet up with him and enjoy some time together and good conversation. I told him all about my morning, and the hairdresser who wouldn't take me because I was a little bit late. He patiently listened and smiled across the table at me. He was so good looking in his dress shirt and tie. The wrap definitely didn't disappoint either! We walked out to the car together after and said our good-byes. I would have preferred to take him home with me instead of letting him go back to work.

For the rest of the afternoon I ignored the dishes in the kitchen and the toys scattered all over the living room and enjoyed some quiet time with Joseph. I nursed him to the sound of the refrigerator humming. My house was so quiet, almost too quiet. I missed my monkeys, but the peace and quiet was nice too. I was able to sit and actually think. It was really nice to gather my thoughts, make some goals, and ponder motherhood. After Joe had nursed himself to sleep I cuddled him up on my chest to burp him before laying down for a snooze. I love tiny newborn bodies. As I snuggled him on my chest I couldn't help but smile at the way he had curled up his little legs under his tummy. I could just picture the way he was curled up inside me just a few weeks earlier. Such a miracle. I smelled his sweet baby skin and planted a kiss or two on his dark haired head before falling asleep. We slept away the afternoon together on the couch uninterrupted. 

My cousin brought my kiddos back before dinner. As Camilla hung up her coat she said to me, "Today was really a great day" and sighed. I was so glad she had fun! We all snuggled on the couch for a few minutes before I had to make dinner. We had the missionaries over and enjoyed a few pans of enchilada's. I think my favorite part was when Mr. Stannix said, "You really outdid yourself tonight" and smooched me. I love being able to cook things for my family and watch them enjoy it. Just before bed I caught a few minutes of sleep with Joe on the couch. Since he doesn't sleep so hot at night, I catch my sleep whenever I can get it. Mr. Stannix cued an episode of our favorite TV show after he finished his CASB for the night and then snapped a picture of me and my little man snuggling together. Love how tiny his little body is and love that I had a whole afternoon to enjoy it!

This Means "Business"

This is how you'll know when he has filled his diaper...

Not for Babies

Today has been wonderful. There's hardly any clouds in the sky and the sun is shining bright and warm. Joe has been sleeping the morning away in the bouncer. I was able to make bread and get down on the floor and have a good play with the kiddos. It feels so good to be able to bend and lay on my back and have the kids climb all over me again while we play. Every once in a while I would head into the kitchen to check on Joe. He always looked so delicious sleeping away in the bouncer soaking up the heat from the oven. I love his soft skin and long fingers.

My Mamma brought up the play pen last week so I would have a safe place for baby to nap (so far the bouncer has been the place of choice for Joe). Both of the kids have figured out how to climb into it and it has become a favorite place to play. Hyrum had me giggling pretty good today as I watched him play. I couldn't help but get out my camera and snap a few pictures.

He was laughing hysterically. It made my day. As I sat on my knees in front of the play pen snapping pictures Camilla came in and wrapped her arms around my neck as she climbed onto my back. "You don't have a baby in your tummy anymore, so you can give me piggy back rides!" I love that kid. We both sat and laughed as Hyrum bounced around like a crazy. I told Camilla I loved her and she told me she loved me more. Laughter, snuggles, and love...my day is complete.

I am extra in love with my little guys long, dark lashes today. Every time I look at his baby blues I can't help but gush over them. I am also in love with Mindy again and can't wait to whip out her Christmas album this year.

Sleepy-Time Grins

 After the sleep I got last night I feel like a whole new person! We've had a week of rough nights and finally decided to invest in a space heater for the kids' room to see if it would help Joseph sleep better. We packed up the kids and hit up Canadian Tire and then good ol' Walmart (it's like a Friday night tradition around here). I had to laugh as we were on our way home. Mr. Stannix had to stop quick at a yellow light and from the back seat Camilla goes, "WOAH Buddy! Slow down!" Her little voice cracks me up. I couldn't believe the difference the little heater made last night though! The kids all slept so well!! It was such a contrast from the other night where I was still trying to get Joseph to sleep at 2:00am, Hyrum woke up screaming and Camilla was yelling, "SH! I'm trying to SLEEP Hyrum!". It was a moment of humor for me amidst frustration.

There's a few other funny things happening around the Stannix home lately. Hyrum likes to pull his picture Book of Mormon off the shelf and read it. He repeats the word "yea" over and over again as he flips the pages. It's the only Book of Mormon word he seems to know. It makes me giggle. Every time we start family scripture study that's his word. He has also discovered the hole in his floor under his bed (we live in an old house) and before bed or after naps he will push his bed back and peek down into the kitchen and spy on whoever is in there. The other night I went upstairs to check him and found him bent over the cage covered hole watching Daddy study at the kitchen table. It was too funny. Another hilarious thing is when I turn off a movie and Hyrum gives me a disappointed "Ohh..." Not sure where he learned it, but it's adorable.

Camilla is loving the life of a big sister and is constantly wanting to hold Joe by herself. She loves to hug him and kiss him every time she passes by him. She's such a little Mommy. It's adorable. The other afternoon I had my cousins over and we were talking about Mommy like things and all of the sudden she piped up from the chair in the corner where she was holding her moose, Sam, and said, "Umm...Sam is just starting to get into things...." It melted my heart that she wanted so bad to be a part of an adult conversation. She sounded like a new Mom telling us about her baby and it's new found ability to crawl. Cutest thing ever. I love the things she's learning each day and adore seeing this nurturing side of her.

Joseph is doing so much better during the day and has finally caught on to the whole eat-sleep-poop routine that babies are supposed to have. My laundry duties have doubled as he soaks through everything all the time, but he is so darn cute it just doesn't matter. He's started taking regular morning naps and we even managed to bake up some peanut butter cookies to fill the empty cookie jar with the other day. I'm glad to be getting into a routine where I am able to accomplish things and enjoy time with each of my children. Being a Mom is so special. Every time Joseph flashes me his adorable sleepy-time grins there is no other job I would rather be doing!