Sawyer Michael

Introducing....

Sawyer Michael Stannix

November 23, 2018 at 8:32PM

7lb 8oz, 20.5" 

So in love with this little boy already!

Waiting

Sickness has overcome the Stannix home. I suppose it's good that this babe is staying put for a little while longer. Last Monday night I had contractions all night long. Tuesday night I was awake three times with Ollie. Wednesday night I was cleaning puke off the floor, walls, stuffed animals and bedding. Thursday we had the pukes round two. Friday night Finley developed a croupy cough which landed him in emerge on Saturday evening after Joe's birthday dinner. His fever was high and he was lethargic so we decided to take him in. He had a mini seizure in the room while waiting for the doctor and puked all over. I am so grateful that Mr. Stannix has been here all week to wipe the tears that come every morning when I wake up without any signs of a baby on it's way. It's been a rough week. My kids always know how to get me ready for the sleepless nights that come with having a newborn, that's for sure!

Joe Turns Six

Today my sweet little Joe turns SIX! Somebody needs to tell my kids to stop growing up so fast already! We got him a snowboard this year so that he could play outside (which is what he loves to do best). We let him open it after breakfast so that he could spend all day using it. He was very gracious and gave everyone a turn. This boy has such a big heart and a desire to please others. He loves to make friends and feel included. His mind is always working and he loves to be busy. School has been so great for him this year! I've noticed a big change in his ability to control his emotions and it has made him so much calmer overall. He loves to use that noggin' of his and really enjoys learning and sharing what he learns. He's always open to trying new things and puts all of his energy into whatever he does. He brings so much laughter and joy to our family and we are so glad he's ours!

Overdue

Today Mr. Stannix and I took a drive to Red Deer for an ultrasound. My midwife was concerned because my measurements have been the same for the last few weeks and she wanted to check on baby's position too. We woke up to snow and ice and the roads were really terrible. We drove around 80km the entire way in to the city on a skating rink. I was a little bit grumpy and overdue and Mr. Stannix wasn't pleased with the road conditions. Alas, we tried to make the best of our time. We turned off the radio and talked the entire way in and back. It's so nice having family close by to watch the littles. Part way through the ultrasound the doctor came in to inform us that baby is breech and we would need to get in touch with specialists in Edmonton or Calgary to arrange induction and delivery. The ultrasound tech kept scanning and wasn't entirely convince that they got the correct position. She called in a colleague to double check and it turns out that baby wasn't breech, but oblique/transverse. So babe's head is in my right hip and it's feet in my left ribs. It's been a tearful kind of week. At least we know!

Sunday Snapshot

I was really hoping to have a baby in my arms by now! After having two babies arrive a week early, I thought for sure this one would follow suit. He or she probably knows that it's snowy and cold and wants to stay cozy for a little while longer. In the mean time I'm going to be getting the house "baby ready" this week. I'm hoping to stock the freezer with homemade bread and cookies and get some school snacks stashed away for lunches. Daddy will be working from home this week since I've been contracting on and off. Here's hoping he or she makes their arrival soon! Happy Sunday!

Still, Still, Still

The light dusting of snow on the trees made for a gorgeous morning! I sat in awe as I watched the kids make their way down the laneway and catch the bus.

Finding the beauty in little things makes my heart happy.

Oliver made sure that the kids made it on the bus and was so excited to watch the flashing lights. We then enjoyed a rather slow, cozy morning, visiting with Gramma and Grampa and being rather unproductive.

The kids spent much of their after school time sledding out front. The hill is the perfect size for them and they always have so much fun together!

Snow Fun

While Grampa worked in the garage this morning, the little boys went outside to play. It was so funny watching them push this car around all morning in the snow. They were playing so good together and it made my heart so happy!

Welcome November

November has finally come! I didn't think we'd ever make it to this point. There's a lot of exciting things happening this month with the anticipation of a new baby, and a few birthdays near the end of the month! We woke to a light dusting of snow and a familiar November chill. After the spooky wind last night, I'm not surprised. Before bed I opened my window just a crack and fell asleep snuggled under the duvet with a cool breeze on my face. I had a restless night with my big belly. It's hard to turn over anymore these days and my calf muscles kept cramping up. I finally woke at 7am with Ollie nestled next to me as the boys voices carried up the stairs. I was tired. I got the kids off to school and then nestled on the couch and napped on and off while the little boys played quietly at my feet. The dog curled up in the crook of my legs and warmed my body.

The mamma deer and her sweet twins slowly made their way across the yard, pausing beneath trees and munching the bits of grass poking up as they went. It's always so fun seeing them come through the neighborhood. I am counting down days until this baby's arrival. My body is sore and tired. Today I found myself missing friends and especially missing Mike. I'm torn between wanting this baby to come, and wanting it to stay put until life settles just a little bit more. I'm constantly reminding myself that we have had babies at crazier times when we were students with no income, no crib, and no fancy clothes. I always have to remind myself what's really important. The kids came home, still buzzing from all of the Halloween candy. I usually don't regulate how much they eat, and like to just get it over with. We totally bombed bedtime and I finished the day feeling defeated. I'm hoping a good nights sleep tonight will remedy my crazy emotions!

Halloween

The children have been eagerly awaiting this day, but no body has been more excited about Halloween than Fin. It's his favorite holiday of the year! Much of yesterday was spent rigging up costumes (I'm last minute like that), but it all came together and the kids were happy. We were pretty frugal this year and I can't see spending much on a costume that's only going to be worn for a few hours. We hit up the dollar store and gathered some things from home. The kids ended up loving them and were excited to wear them to school for the costume parade. After school we touched up any make-up and added what we needed to make sure they'd be warm enough for trick or treating. 

Camilla the Cat.

A handsome little burglar.

A dashing super hero!

A spooky vampire.

And the cutest spider you ever did see.

We had macaroni for dinner and then loaded up in the van to head into town. I brought the stroller so I wouldn't have to carry the candy and tired little boys. My mom was kind and came along to help me out. Finley ran ahead most of the evening, eager and excited to get to each doorstep. He was always the first to knock and then he'd excitedly tell me all about what he got at each house! Ollie wanted in and out of the stroller all night long. After each house he'd beg to be lifted back in, and then we'd take him out at the next driveway. Gramma and I really got our workout in. His little "Twick-o-Tweet" was the cutest! Joe ran across a few lawns, and I had to constantly remind him to stay on the sidewalk. He's efficient! Ollie would call to the big kids from the stroller, "Wait fir me!" or he'd tell me, "Run Mom!!" 

The evening got chilly pretty fast, and after a small loop around a neighborhood most of the kids were ready to go home. We hit up a few acreages on the way home and the kids were amazed at what they got. Each house would hand out cans of pop and big bags full of candy! One sweet lady answered the door and handed out candy and then called to her husband, "That's FOURTEEN, Harold!" When their bags were heavy (from all the pop) they decided they were done and we went home to sort our loot. Joe stuffed his face with candy before bed and Finley, exhausted from running, begged to be tucked in. Happy Halloween!

Pumpkin Carving

Tonight we did our traditional pumpkin carve! The littles have been looking forward to this for a while. We were extra excited to have Daddy home to join in. It's always more fun When Daddy is home. He helped the kids pick out their pumpkin faces. We ended up with a scary pumpkin and a spiderman pumpkin. Only a few of the littles liked touching the pumpkin guts. Ollie hates his hands being messy and got super upset when someone made him touch a slimy pumpkin seed. It's always amusing to watch them each year. They are getting older and soon they will be doing their own pumpkins without a lot of help from us. We finished the evening by roasting the seeds and lighting our pumpkins to enjoy!