Fin Turns Two

 Last night when I tucked the little boys in I spent an extra few minutes snuggled next to Finley on his last night as a one year old. These last few years Finley has brought an added measure of joy to our family. Mike and I often remark how Finley is "the happiest baby we've ever had". He is just so chill, and smiley, and bright and full of love. He makes every day so much better!

Finley has started talking a lot more lately. He parrots everything we say and has started forming some pretty awesome sentences. I love listening to his little voice and the way he pieces things together. The other day as I pushed him through the grocery store in the cart he randomly said, "Mommy, I sure wuv you." It was the sweetest thing ever and we took turns repeating those words back and forth to each other as we browsed the aisles.

Mr. Fin likes to make everything into a game! If he's getting dressed or going to bed or getting his diaper changed he will make you chase him around. "Gunna get you!" He will exclaim with a giggle as he runs away. He could play hide and seek for hours and loves when we pop out and scare him from behind a counter or door as he runs. His belly laugh is so contagious and brightens any day.

Lately he is determined to walk by himself when we go places. He refuses to hold my hand but stays right next to me unlike his brother Joe who is always running ten feet ahead. If I try to grab his hand or the hood of his jacket and guide him he plants his feet and won't move until I let go. He's reaching the fun independent stage where he wants to fill up his water cup, sit in a big chair, walk down the stairs without holding onto anything, and buckle himself into his car seat. It can be frustrating at times, but it's part of the learning process and I love that he has a determined spirit!

Finley is gentle and kind (unless he has good reason to scream or fight back). He loves giving hugs to his siblings, snuggling next to them on the couch and smooching his baby brother. He always goes up to Oliver and says, "Hi Aw-wee" (Hi Ollie) with a gentle pat on the head and kiss on the nose.

He adores playing games and could sing ring around the rosey for hours and hours. He laughs just as hard the tenth time as he does the first. He loves to dance and sing. "Head and shoulders" or "Happy and ya know it" are his favorite songs. He knows almost all of the words to "I am a Child of God" and will sing loud and clear.

Finley has a zest for life that is contagious and wonderful! He gives his all to everything. Seeing life through his eyes is a special thing. His laugh is unique and right from his belly. Anyone who hears it can't help but smile. He plays hard and can fall asleep anywhere! I thought Joseph would be our first to get stitches but Finley surprised us all!

We adore this little two year old and his spunk! Life wouldn't be the same without him. He is such a special boy and we are so blessed to have him in our family!!

Celebration of Lights

Every year a bunch of wonderful volunteers get together and string a bunch of lights at the park and ball diamonds near our house. It always looks so wonderful when we drive by at night! We didn't get a chance to go check it out last year, so I put it on our Christmas bucket list this year. With the weather warming up again I thought it might be fun to go for Family Home Evening on Monday night. It was much warmer than it had been all week, but I didn't anticipate how bitter the wind would be until we actually arrived. I snugged Ollie in the carrier and shielded his face from the wind. The littles were dressed warmly in their snow gear and could have stayed all night! We made a quick walk around for the baby's sake, stopped to warm our hands by the fire, and ran through the little bit of snow. It was cold, but fun to be together as a family! The littles each got a candy cane for the drive home and glady curled up in their beds when we got home!

Sunday Best

 Coordinating five littles for a quick picture is not an easy task. This was the best we could do this morning!! I adore these five and all of their unique personalities!!

Dinner by Candlelight

Our house is still recouping from this nasty cough/fever thing we've had going around. It kind of comes and goes and we've been wrestling with it for a while. Everybody seemed to be feeling well enough this morning so we bundled up in our Winter jackets and got the groceries we were going to get yesterday. 

Finley eagerly helped unload them all when we got home. He loves passing things to me, "here mommy!" I smiled and said thank-you while suppressing a gasp as the egg carton teetered on the brink of disaster. My toes nervously twitched as he passed me the cans to place in the pantry, but we successfully got them all stacked. Then the boys sat at the table and ate a million Christmas oranges that we got for a steal of a deal. They could probably use the extra vitamin C right now so I let them peel and eat as many as they wished! 

When they were finally satisfied I tucked Finley in for his nap and nursed Ollie to sleep as I sung. Hyrum soon joined us on Joe's bed with a fever and tired eyes. I rubbed his burning hot back until he was breathing heavily and then I admired his long, thick lashes as they rest on his cheeks. Soon Joe joined us, desperate for company, and fell asleep next to his big brother. 

I spent a few quiet moments chatting with a good friend and crocheting a hat while Ollie drifted off to sleep in the bouncy chair. Hyrum was the first to wake and we sat together in silence while we waited for everyone else to join us!

 

When Camilla got home from school we crafted a bit, cleaned the kitchen and got dinner going. The little boys played under the Christmas tree while I cooked, it's kind of become a dinner time tradition. Lately they want to be wherever I am and I know that won't last forever!

 

We all needed a little pick-me-up so I had Camilla grab the candles for the dinner table. While I finished chopping the peppers everyone gathered at the table and watched the candles glow and flicker with delight! It felt good to bring a little big of hygge into our home on such a cold day. 

When the littles began complaining of hunger I decided we couldn't wait much longer. I started filling and folding tacos single handedly while balancing a baby on my hip. Daddy walked in, took an important call, and had to leave again. He kissed me on the forehead after scarfing down a taco leaving me with a screaming baby on my lap while I ate my taco and listened to my preschooler whine about the "green stuff" I snuck into his taco hoping the dimness of the candles would hide the color. I gave Daddy a monotone goodbye as I stared at the Christmas tree and drowned out everyone's pleas for eggnog. Deep breaths mamma, it'll all be okay. Sometimes being a mom is just plain hard.

Everyone drank their nog, blew out the candles and abandoned me for jammies. Daddy arrived home just in time to help with bed time and read stories to two very giggly boys. I rubbed the older kid's backs and listened to them tell me about their day. Sometimes if I'm quiet for long enough Hyrum will ask me some deep question about the universe that he's been pondering. Camilla has no problem jabbering about her day and sometimes I'm in there for at least a half and hour before I can get a "good night" in. 

Mr. Stannix and I collapsed on the couch to a favorite TV show and spent some time chatting. Then I nursed, bounced, burped, changed and patted my baby to sleep and now here I am at 10:45. My house is silent. Daddy succumbed to sleep in our cozy king bed and I am here staring at the computer trying to get these drafts published and keep the family journal current. I should be sleeping but sometimes I need a few quiet moments to reflect on life, count my blessings, and replenish my soul. These days are difficult, trying, wonderful and fleeting and I want to hang onto it all!

White Flag

This morning I made the littles pancakes for breakfast and only two of the four actually ate them. Everyone got dressed and made beds while I made Camilla's lunch. We had a quick scripture and family prayer before waving the girl off to her bus. Hyrum jumped on the piano and practiced two of his songs for Daddy just before he left for work. He's been improving a lot over the last little while! Ollie cooed under the Christmas tree while he played and then I finished dressing the younger two for the day. 

Although it was cold we were in need of a few things from the store. I bundled the littles and we all put on our shoes. My phone battery was almost dead and I was going to leave it at home while we quickly ran our errands. Just as I was doing my last check through the house my phone rang. Mr. Stannix forgot his work bag at home and needed me to run it into the city. His laptop is kind of essential! Lucky for him we were all dressed and ready to go! 

The boys fought and bickered as they belted into their seats. My fingers were already chilled to the bone as I hopped into the front seat. I stuck the keys in the ignition, turned on the car, and nothing happened. The battery was dead for the second time this week. Ugh! I made a few phone calls to friends in the neighborhood but no body seemed to be home to boost me. I marched the boys back inside where it was warm and built up the courage to ask our neighbors for help! Turns out they had a handy battery charger that I could just plug into the wall and boost the van with. After a quick call to my dad to make sure I wasn't going to kill myself, It worked like a charm! 

Once we got into the city I didn't want to chance turning off my vehicle and losing the charge again. We arrived at Daddy's office building in good time but he was stuck in a meeting. I drove around the block countless times and then found an open parking place to wait. Daddy was happy to see us and apologized for throwing a wrench in my day.We kissed good-bye and then we were off!

I hit up a Honda dealership on the way home and asked them to take a look at my battery. I marched my cranky boys into the dealership for a bathroom break and then we waited in the waiting room where a sweet man from India wouldn't stop talking to us. I fumbled around and nursed the baby while praying Finley wouldn't run out the door. Thankfully they made quick work of the van and had a new battery installed within the hour! I looked at the invoice on the way out and under the notes section they put "customer waiting with children". I was grateful for the special treatment this time!

By the time we made it home it was mid-afternoon and there was no hope of doing any of the actual errands I had planned for the day. I looked at the horrible state of my house and threw up a white flag in surrender as my toddler affectionately called for me for the millionth time today. "Mommy-mum-mum-ma-mommy-MUM!" He's cute, but he's become quite feisty as of late.

There was nothing I could do about today's events, but I could control my attitude. I overlooked the mess, welcomed my girl home with cookies and milk, and put my feet up on the couch for a bit. What a day!

 

Sugar Cookies

Last night before bed I made up some syrup, put together the ingredients for artisan bread to rise over night, and put some sugar cookie dough in the fridge. Despite the clutter of dishes in my kitchen, it helped me feel a little bit more organized to know that those things were done before morning. Shortly after lunch I took out the dough and the boys got to work rolling and cutting. I love working with little hands in the kitchen. They get so excited about helping and it's fun watching them become more independent each time we bake. Soon they will be mixing the ingredients and I will be enjoying the cookies! The last pan came out of the oven a few minutes before my big girl walked in from school. She quickly washed up and then they sat and decorated all of them for the next hour while I cleaned the kitchen and listened to Christmas music. I smiled from the sink as I listened to their little conversations. Siblings make the best friends. 

Oliver: Three Months

Oliver is three months old and chubby as ever! He is such a delight and full of smiles! He loves interacting with his siblings and talks or blows spit bubbles at whoever will listen to him. He used to only giggle in his sleep but has recently started giggling at us! There is nothing more rewarding then a nice little belly laugh at the end of a long day. He is alert and involved in everything around him. The chaos of a house of seven doesn't seem to bother him and he has found his place nicely. 

His favorite place to be is under the Christmas tree when it's all lit up. He has started grabbing the ornaments and feeling the tree branches with his open hands. It's so fun watching him discover the world around him. He gets extra excited when an older sibling lies next to him under the tree and sings to him.

Sleep has been hit or miss lately only because of a nasty cough that's circulating around our house right now. His poor nose is so stuffy and he coughs more when he's laying down. We've spent many a night snuggled up in the rocking chair half asleep where I can keep an eye on him.

He is growing like a weed! I've already packed up his box of 0-3 clothes and he's skipped his way into 6 month sleepers. It is so bittersweet watching babies grow. He gets more fun and interactive every day, but I miss the teeny boy he was a few months ago! We sure love him!

Paint Puddles

 I've said it before and I'll say it again, toddlers are curious creatures. The cuter they become, the more trouble they get into! They are so inquisitive about the world around them and sometimes it's hard to take a step back and put yourself in their shoes. Take this afternoon, for instance. I was finishing up the last round on a dishcloth that I was making when Hyrum and Finley ran upstairs to get a quick drink of water. They weren't gone very long when Hyrum called me to "come quick!" In the middle of the hallway I found a freshly squeezed bottle of blue craft paint lying in a puddle of it's entire contents. 

The paint splatters just barely missed my freshly folded (but not quite put away) white towels. Around the corner near my bedroom I found the blonde culprit with a sly smile hiding in the corners of his pink lips. As I took a step forward he ran towards my bathroom with a trail of giggles echoing behind him. I cornered him in the bathroom, knelt down and took his hands, and asked, "Finley,  why did you do that to Mommy's paint?" His sweet little voice melted some of my anger away, "I du-nooooo...." Somehow he managed to come out of this mess with just a few speckles of paint on his clothes. I stripped him down and put him in toddler jail a.k.a the crib that we haven't gotten around to raising up since Ollie came along. 

 He looked more amused with himself that sorry and I listened to him make car noises as he drove around the crib rails and made the best of it. After cleaning up the puddle of blue paint, I made my way to the garbage to dispose of the paper towels and happened upon another, much smaller, puddle of yellow. 

 What fun it must have been to squeeze and squirt those bright, wet paints, all over the hardwood floor!

Cold Snap

 We are still in the middle of a nice little cold snap here in Alberta. It has made me so grateful for our warm home and the people I share it with! On Wednesday morning I fell down the stairs at 6:00am while carrying Finley. In an effort to keep him safe after slipping on the first carpeted step my leg bent back and I went skiing down the whole flight on my shin. My foot is a nice shade of blue and my toes are very colorful, not to mention the awesome rug burn. I have been limping around for a couple of days now and am grateful for helpful littles. 

This morning started early, like it always does. Before I even got a "good morning" out of my preschooler he was at my bedside demanding breakfast. Camilla woke with a fever and sore throat and asked if she could stay home today. She was so sick that she wasn't even sad to miss her school choir concert that afternoon. When it rains it pours around here it seems. I decided we'd have a pyjama day and take advantage of the fact that our doors were froze shut. I didn't think it was possible but the basement got even messier than it was and the dishes were left undone. Half of the kids slept the day away and the other half played and watched cartoons. It was a good day for fleece outfits and plaid!

 While Ollie enjoyed his afternoon nap the boys and I crafted in the kitchen. I saw this cute idea for footprint reindeer on the internet the other day and decided to give it a shot. We mixed some colors to make brown and called that our science experiment for the day. The boys had fun mushing paint between their toes and then soaking their feet in the kitchen sink. We improvised a little bit with the noses and pipe cleaners but I still love the way they turned out! It's always fun to craft with the littles!

The big boys promised me they'd do their chores once we finished. I was met with a lot of resistance though and ended up heading downstairs to switch over the laundry while they whined. I came back up to Joe unloading the cutlery and Hyrum stacking the plates. They decided to make it a team effort and got the dishwasher unloaded and the recycling taken out. It warmed my heart to see them working together!

I hung onto that moment as the chaos of dinner time erupted around me. Daddy informed me that he was going to be late and I was hanging on by a thread. The baby kept screaming every time I put him down, the boys were fighting, Finley was running around turning the lights on and off and making messes in my pantry. It took a lot to ignore the mess of dishes on my counter and the noise of life with four boys and keep cool. After asking Joe to quit begging me for food (because dinner would soon be ready) he shouted "I hate you!" and stomped down stairs. I rolled my eyes and got back to the Naan and five loaves of bread I had on the go.

Dinner made it to the table later then planned and I sat down with a (finally) sleeping baby on my back to eat. Joe took a look at his plate and whined, "This is horrible!" Half way through dinner a very full cup of water dumped into Hyrum's lap. As it splashed on the floor I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. I surprised myself when a little laugh escaped my lips, even though it was more out of frustration than anything. I was about ready to give up when I heard the garage door open and Mr. Stannix walked in with flowers. He surveyed the damage, guessed I'd had a hard day, and hugged me tight.

I jammied the little boys while Mr. Stannix ate dinner and chatted with the older two at the table. Finley was overtired and giggly and Joe tried out his new cloth pull-ups for the first time. Sadly, they weren't quite what I was expecting and make him look like he's wearing a tutu under his jammies. Mr. Stannix stifled his laugh and tried not to choke on his dinner when he saw Joe for the first time in his puffy bummed cloth pull-ups. Despite how flustered I was feeling I couldn't help but laugh. We chuckled our way through family prayer and quickly tucked everyone in way later than usual! Joseph was warm to the touch when Daddy pulled up his covers and I fear he will wake up with this silly flu bug next.

I've learned a lot this week about perspective and how important it is to have gratitude and count our blessings. Whenever I complain about my rambunctious toddler on the phone to my Dad he reminds me how wonderful it is that I have a healthy, active boy to chase after. As I related to my mom the frustration of meeting head on with a hungry preschooler first thing each morning I found myself tearing up as I said the words, "I don't think I will EVER miss Joseph's 'Mom, get me breakfast!' first thing in the morning". Because the truth is, I will miss those dreaded four words when I no longer have hungry children coming to my bedside depending on me for food and nutrients. I know I will. I will miss all of this when they are all grown and gone and my house is silent. So this week I have chosen to be thankful for the baskets of laundry that I still have to fold, because it means we have clothes to wear. I am happy to endure my noisy boys because it means they are happy and thriving. I am glad for slamming doors, dirty dishes, and late bedtimes. I am maybe even grateful for my busted foot because it has caused me to slow down a little bit and focus on those things that matter most! 

"How much of life do we miss by waiting for the rainbow before thanking God for the rain." 

~Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Slow Mornings

 With the hustle and bustle that usually accompanies the Christmas season, I've been trying extra hard to slow things down around here. We have really been loving our slow mornings. After getting Camilla off to school we snuggle up to cartoons in our jammies or sit and enjoy the Christmas tree. This morning I really enjoyed watching Ollie coo at the lights in his fresh morning diaper. Once we were all finally dressed we bundled up to run some errands. The weather has gotten bitterly cold and sometimes I wonder why we live here! After buckling everyone in my fingers were frozen and we hadn't even made it out of the garage yet. As I backed out I made sure to watch for our empty garbage can. Turns out our super nice garbage man ran it back into our garage (that was accidentally left open) right where it belongs. I was grateful I didn't have to jump out and get it. By the third stop half of my kids were crying of cold and I couldn't feel my fingers as I pulled on the metal door handle to the store. We were all glad to be going home to a cup of hot chocolate and a pile of blankets!