Lights Aglow

Last weekend Mr. Stannix went to work stringing lights. This is the first time in our entire marriage that we have put up outdoor Christmas lights and I was so excited about it! Luckily we've had some amazing weather so it wasn't too cold. Joseph helped his Daddy for the afternoon. I think it turned out simply beautiful! I am so grateful for that Mr. Stannix of mine!

Welcome December

 The snow began gently falling shortly after I tucked the last Little into bed. And it kept falling, slow and steady all night long as we slept cozy and warm beneath our blankets. When we woke there was no grass left for the eye to see. Daddy had a long and crazy commute into the city watching a couple of cars spin into the ditch right in front of him. I decided not to make the trip to the grocery store that I was planning today and instead hunkered down with the Littles for a day of play. I turned on some Christmas music and tried my hand at some crochet snowflakes for our Christmas tree while the boys played and ran around the basement enthralled in their make-believe world. 

While the baby napped I snuck out to shovel the walks and breathe in the fresh, cold Winter's air. I looked up when I was halfway done to see Fin standing just inside the big garage door in his moose footie jammies, blonde hair askew.  As he surveyed the magical white world a giant smile formed across his face and wonder filled his eyes. I scooped him up and carried him inside to get his snow gear on. He happily shoveled right along side me until one by one the little boys suited up and emerged out the front door to enjoy the fresh snow.

The big boys ran ahead to the park while I dressed Ollie in his warm clothes. We dug out the sled and made our way over to play for a short while. I soaked in their smiles and wonder and excitement for the Season filled my soul. I looked up at the sky as tiny flakes swirled down and sprinkled the world with magic. Winter is here, and we are so ready! Welcome December!

Warm Hearts

 This morning I glanced at my cookie jar while making breakfast. Empty. I then looked out the window at the frosted trees and dark clouds and knew some baking was in order. We were gifted our glass cookie jar for our wedding over eight years ago and to this day it is probably our most used wedding gift (thanks Sister Ellingson)! Cookies make our house a home and help brighten any day. After lunch the boys pulled some chairs up to the counter and helped me make a double batch of Big Soft Ginger Cookies. 

I portioned out the balls and they rolled them all! I try to make them a bit on the smaller side since I know my littles are cookie monsters. Today Hyrum asked me why, and I explained to him that they last a little longer this way. He smiled.

 Finley happily joined his brothers at the counter and watched them roll and dip them in sugar with a big grin on his face.

 Baking is something special that we love to do together. By the time we are finished their toes, the chairs, and my floor is usually dusted with sugar. I smile as I sweep it up.

 The littles cheer when the first pan comes out of the oven. They are too hot to eat, so they satisfy their tummies by smelling the steaming hot cookies and impatiently wait for them to cool down.

 Finley grabs the first cookie and shoves it in his mouth. After eating one or two more, I tuck him into bed for an overdue nap.

 Oliver happily kicks and plays under our newest house plant until all of the cookies are rolled.

 After a nice long nursing session he drifts off to sleep at my feet while another child climbs on my lap.

We rock together while I crochet a few dishcloths for Christmas gifts. Though the weather is cold, our hearts are warm.

Baby Wearing 101

There's a few things I wish I'd known about when I had my older kids, but one of the biggest things I wish I'd known was how fabulous baby wearing was! I love being able to nurse hands-free when we are out and about. I love that I can still chase after my toddlers while keeping my baby close. I had no idea about woven wraps and how awesome they could be. It wasn't until Finley that I ever invested in a good buckle carrier that got used daily almost out of necessity. We loved our Ergo and I used it to piggy back Finley everywhere until my pregnant belly got too big to use it. I started researching woven wraps and asked my dear hubby for one as a birthday gift. They range in price anywhere from one to eight hundred dollars. Many baby wearing mamma's collect them in different brands and styles for their colors, softness, and versatility. Because I could tie it anyway I wanted I could carry Finley when we were out and about and do a lot of things hands (and stress) free. 

I've practiced a lot since getting it, but today was my first time doing a back carry with a babe this little and I loved it so much!! Sometimes it's hard to get things done around here with Ollie crying for attention from his bassinet or bouncy chair. When I would wear him on the front, I was still limited to how much I could do with a baby in the way. This morning I wrapped him onto my back and cleaned the mountain of dishes on my counter. While I moved around the kitchen he eventually fell asleep. I was happy and he was happy. 

I have also found that when I wear him, carry him, and keep him close often in a day, he is more inclined to sleep longer stretches at night because he feels content and safe. I am really enjoying reading "The Five Love Languages of Children" and one of the quotes that stood out to me last night is "Physical touch is one of love's strongest voices." I totally believe this and I have come to find that there is no greater feeling than having my babes snuggled up close, resting their heads next to my heart.

Baby wearing is such a special thing and I am so grateful to have discovered it for these last two babies of mine. 
 

"Food spoils, baby's don't. 

Hold him. Wear him. 

Breathe him in. 

Keep him close. 

It goes too fast."

Silent Night

 This happy little boy slept for EIGHT hours in a row last night! It's been the best gift of the season so far! I love this little chub-a-lub!

Golf & Country Club

Tonight Mr. Stannix and I attended his work Christmas party at the Golf & Country club. My sister was sweet enough to babysit for us and brave enough to take a semi-bottle taking Ollie for the evening. When we pulled up to the venue we admired the Christmas lights strung around big tall pine trees all over the grounds. It was so beautiful! We entered the building, all decked out in holiday cheer and joined the hundreds of people mingling upstairs. They had tables of food set out on each end of the venue and a dj/live band switching off in the middle room. We enjoyed some perogies, lamb, unique pizza, spring rolls, roast beef, and sea food. There was an entire table devoted to different kinds of cheese and crackers. Dessert was divine and I may have gone back for a few more of those pudding cups. Lemon pudding, chocolate cheesecake pudding. It was so rich and yummy! We eventually found a few people to chat with and stayed as long as we could. Emma did a fabulous job with the littles and we came home to a happy house and a chubby baby who finally decided to suck back his bottle moments before our arrival.

(Me & my handsome steed ;) )

Indoor Play

This week has been a bit chilly. The littles were driving me nuts as they ran circles around our house all afternoon. The little boys were loud (normal), crazy, and full of energy. I knew we needed to get out! Camilla had a day off school today which provided the perfect opportunity to check out an old favorite play place in the city and burn off some energy. We got away a bit later than anticipated and I stayed until they were played out. Finley navigated the play structure like a pro and I got to sit in the sidelines with Ollie and watch all the action. He went down the big slides at least a million times and tired himself out from climbing up there so many times. Occasionally the older two would stop what they were doing, grab his hand and lead him around the maze of platforms and mats. It was so sweet to watch everyone get along so well. When Ollie got hungry I put him in the wrap and nursed while following my red faced littles around. When they started complaining of hunger I bought them cookies as big as their faces and we all shared a smoothie. Hyrum's sweaty hair was all spiked up in the front and their faces were flushed. When I decided it was time to go, they happily obliged and slept the whole way home. It was a day well spent I'd say!

 First run down the slide

Christmas Crafting

 This morning the boys and I got up to some Christmas crafting (thanks pinterest)! After scrolling through random Christmas stuff on pinterest during a late night nursing, I came up with the perfect way to use up all of our empty toilet paper rolls. I dug the paint out of the craft bin as soon as the boys started fighting and side tracked them with a project. While we waited for the toilet paper rolls to dry, we made glowing chalk Christmas lights on black construction paper. I then stapled everything together and let them go nutts decorating their trees with glitter glue, bingo stampers and stickers. It was funny to notice the difference in the two boys. Hyrum was very meticulous about where he was putting the circles on his tree. Joe slapped together a little bit of this, a big glob of glitter and called it good. Some of the differences are due to age, but I think a lot has to do with their personalities. It's so fun seeing how Hyrum approaches things carefully, while Joe dives in with both feet and makes sure there's always a little bit of everything. They were quite proud of their finished product! 

Hoar Frost

This morning we woke up to a clear sky and a sparkly Winter wonderland. The trees were veiled in white and their branches sparkled as they danced in the sun. The grass was covered in a thick layer of frost instead of the usual snow and glistened in the morning glow. While the littles ate breakfast at the little round table I released a deep breath and took it all in. There is beauty all around, some days you just have to look really hard for it, and I knew today was going to be one of those days.

As I stared out the window at the pink sky, I reflected on my less than pleasant night with my almost-two-year-old and the way I tried to hold him close during his two temper tantrums this morning. He had thrown his muffin across the floor, so I picked it up and ate it because he didn't want it (obviously) which made him SO mad. He's getting to the tricky, independent age where I have to try very hard to see the world through his little eyes. Sometimes things just don't make sense to me and it's hard to be patient. Instead of getting grumpy when he ran away giggling half-way through dressing him, I played along, and even laughed a little myself!

Last night he crawled into bed with us (which brought the total bed count up to FOUR). I let him snuggle for a few minutes and then cuddled him back into his bed. I didn't even make it to the door before he had jumped back out of bed and began following me. I tucked him back in again...and again...and again. Before long we were both crying, and I gave up and slept in Joe's bed, only to have him crawl up next to me a few moments later. He tossed and turned until he found the perfect fit, with his head resting near my neck and my arms wrapped around him. Sometimes I have to take a step back and listen with my heart to his silent pleas to be held and cuddled for "just a little longer mommy."

Camilla tried sneaking an extra stuffed animal to school. I only caught her because she stuffed it up her coat. I tried explaining our one stuffie only rule and how she could lose it and would have a hard time keeping track of them both. She stared at the ground and explained that her friends were all bringing dogs today and she wanted to bring them both. I sighed, and let her have her way because it's not the end of the world, but reminded her that she's almost getting too old to bring them to school and pretty soon her friends won't be bringing them either. I try not to discourage the stuffed animal thing too much because if I had my way I'd keep her little, innocent and full of imagination forever. Perhaps my lack of sleep and unpleasant mood had something to do with my poor handling of the situation. She hugged me good-bye and then I noticed her eyes were moist as she made her way down the front steps and my heart broke in two. I knelt down in the doorway and asked her what was wrong. She ran and hugged me and told me she always wants to bring stuffies to school and can't bear the thought of ever going to school without one. Then we heard her bus arriving at the stop and she had to go quick. I wanted to hold her forever. I shouted an "I love you! Be safe!" as she rounded the corner by the garage and slowly closed the front door.

We then went about our morning routines but I was meeting resistance on every turn. No body wanted to make their beds or unload the dishwasher or do their kindergarten book. Not only did they not want to do it, but they were very vocal in letting me know they didn't want to do it and that I was "the meanest mom ever". I am certain it's one of many times I will hear that phrase, but knowing that doesn't make it hurt any less. I retreated to my room, made my bed, and knelt for a morning prayer. When no one else understands this craziness that is my life, Heavenly Father does. Tears fell on my duvet as I expressed love for my children, gratitude for my blessings, and frustration at my current predicament. I plead for more charity and grace as I went through my day and the ability to give love to my children in difficult circumstances. 

Oliver woke up for the day full of smiles. He always cries to let me know he's awake and then when I pull him from his crib he gives a few sleepy blinks before he recognizes my face and grins. It really is the little things. While I change and dress him everyone always gathers around to say hello.  Hyrum held him for me in the rocker for a few minutes and loved it!

Another highlight of my day was walking into a freshly cleaned bathroom covered in an inch of toilet water from my awesome almost-two-year-old who thought it would be great fun to use the toilet brush and flick water everywhere. I literally sobbed the whole time I was wiping it up.  By the time I made it upstairs dinner was smoking on the stove (still salvageable thank-goodness). Hardly anybody ate their spaghetti (due to the black spots in the meat sauce perhaps?) and I finally gave up. Joe went into the tub, Finley got jammied, and the baby and the older two accompanied me to parent teacher night even though Hyrum hadn't eaten a bite in the half hour he sat at the table. 

Camilla is doing well in school! Her teacher is pleased with her work, urged her to keep up on the home reading and told her she is pleasant and wonderful to have in class and that's where it really counts.

After the day I've had I am rewarding myself with the last half of my novel. Sometimes I gotta stay up late reading to save my sanity. Tomorrow is a new day with no mistakes in it yet.