Snow Day

After a terrible snow storm this weekend, we were informed last night that the buses would not be running today. We don't live terribly far from town, but I was quite happy to declare it a snow day and let the kids sleep in a little and enjoy the day at home! 

We took advantage of the slow morning and tried out a new recipe for gingerbread waffles. They tasted pretty yummy smothered in homemade fruit syrups. The littles gobbled up every last one of them.

I snapped a few pictures of Sawyer on his blanket. I can't believe how fast the week went! He has already grown and changed so much in such a short time!

As soon as breakfast was done and tummies were full, the kids bundled up in their snow gear and went outside. There was seriously so much snow! They couldn't wait to play and sled down the hill.

And of course a snow day wouldn't be complete without a little crafting. I found an online drawing tutorial for these cute little reindeer. Hyrum and Camilla were totally into it, Joe just wanted to play outside with somebody.

Sawyer enjoyed most of his day hanging out in the sling. He is kind of a snuggle bug and I get a lot more done when he's close and sleepy.

A chilly afternoon called for some Christmas baking (finally). We made a double batch of sugar cookies to ice and some snowball cookies (a favorite around here). It was fun to spend time with my girl in the kitchen!

Homebound

 The snow fell all night long. With pink eye and terrible roads we were home from stake conference in Red Deer. The morning started early and while the children colored and quietly played, I fiddled with the Christmas tree trying to fix the lights. After changing a couple of fuses, the lights flicked on. The children cheered and the Christmas spirit was alive and well again in the Stannix home. We spent the day cozied up inside, drinking hot chocolate with candy canes and watching movies.

Saying good-bye to Mr. Stannix tonight was the hardest yet. You'd think by now that I'd be used to him leaving on Sunday evenings, back to work in the big city. I think it was a combination of hormones and worrying about him traveling on the terrible roads that had me blubbering the entire time he packed up to leave. The plows hadn't been out yet and the snow hadn't stopped falling all day. I helped him load up the car and then stood on the back patio, arms folded across my chest for warmth, and waved him off as tears streamed down my cheeks.

I spent the rest of the night snuggling Sawyer and sitting by the tree that we had worked so hard on all weekend. We moved a few couches out into the big room so that we could enjoy the tree more fully!

It's starting to feel just a little bit more like home and I am so grateful for Mr. Stannix and the effort he put into creating this space for us this weekend.

Deck the Halls

After a busy and full day and an afternoon waiting in emerge again, we pulled out the Christmas stuff a little bit later than we'd hoped. Mommy and Daddy were extra tired, Fin had pink eye, and everyone else was a bit touchy from waiting all day to decorate. We put on our Christmas tunes and went ahead with decorating because it was kind of our last opportunity to get the tree up as a family before Daddy went back to Strathmore. It didn't take long for the littles to start dancing as they hung decorations on the tree. They always have a way of bringing Christmas cheer.

Ollie loved playing with our little nativity this year. He would show me the baby and say, "Baby Jesus!" and then press his finger to his lips and say, "Shhh. Baby sweeeeepin'".

This kid was still somehow in good spirits despite his four hour wait at the hospital and all of the medicine I had to put in his eye.

We extra love Daddy's Christmas sweater, and his work ethic. The tree always looks amazing thanks to him!

Joseph begged to put the star on this year! Daddy stood on a chair and hoisted him up. I'm not sure what we're going to do when our kids get too big to lift! Ha!

Babe enjoyed the lights for a few minutes while we put on the finishing touches. Then all of our lights suddenly went out on the tree. This wouldn't be such a big deal if it wasn't a pre-lit tree, but we had no idea how to fix it.

As I peered over at Mr. Stannix stuck in the tree fiddling with cords I wasn't sure weather to laugh or cry. Christmas had been ruined! After a high-stress day, this wasn't quite the ending I was hoping for. We ended up skipping out on hot chocolate and I completely forgot about the donuts. While Camilla said night prayers she thanked Heavenly Father for the time we could spend together as a family. Tears stung my eyes as I was reminded of the things that are truly important. The kids didn't care about the extra stuff like I did, they were just happy to spend time together.

Thirty-Three

Today my kind, patient, determined, thoughtful, devoted, loyal, incredibly handsome husband turned 33! It's been so wonderful having him around this week to help out with the kids, take care of some cooking and make my kitchen sparkle. He's a pretty great guy and I am sure glad he's mine! 

Happy birthday, darling!

Nap Time

This picture was taken a week ago on Sawyer's first day home from the hospital. Finley crawled into my bed at naptime and asked if he could nap with Sawyer. I promised him that after I was done nursing I would put Sawyer next to him. Finley fell asleep long before I finished, but I carefully placed Sawyer next to him anyway. I sat and admired the two brothers together and then snapped a picture, which has quickly become one of my very favorites! Sawyer is sure blessed in the older sibling department.

Newborn Pictures

 My one and only goal this afternoon after tucking the two boys in for a nap was to get some pictures of Sawyer before he grows and changes too much! I am not a professional, and the lighting didn't cooperate, but I am still super happy with what I got! It's crazy how much a baby can change in just a week. We have been blessed with meals from friends which has allowed me to really savor this time with a newborn. I am enjoying all of the snuggles and I am enjoying watching the interaction between the big kids and their new baby brother. Life is so sweet, and we are feeling so blessed!

Close to my Heart

The arrival of every baby brings doubts about my capacity to handle all of these little people in my care. It's interesting how everything works out and the babies always fit right in to whatever the routine may be. This morning I snuggled Sawyer in my new sling while I took care of the morning routine and packed school lunches. He slept contently as I shuffled kids out the door and it was so great having him close! I am cherishing this stage where they sleep so much and snuggling up this babe as much as I can!

Soaking it in

Night has come. The house is dimly lit. I sit on the couch listening to the wall clock ticking away. If I pause long enough I can hear the faint sound of boys voices carrying up the stairs. They should have been asleep an hour ago, but they are having a somersault competition on their beds.  Their giggles echo all the way up through the heat vents. I'm tired of fighting with them at bedtime, so I sit and rock with a sleepy baby on my shoulder, his warm breath on my neck. 

 

 We had a rather slow day. Sawyer slept away the hours as a newborn baby should, unaware of the passing time or the constant noise and chaos that is our home. He gets snuggles and kisses all day long and is so so loved. Being that it's the last week of November I can't help but ponder the upcoming Christmas season, decorations, lights and baking that needs to be done.  I've had an itch to bake, but I am trying to take time to recover and soak up all of the newborn smells and squeaks.

A Quiet Sabbath

The boys went to church with Daddy today leaving Camilla and I at home to rest. Camilla slept the morning away on the couch and I snuggled Sawyer in my bed. When she was feeling better we sat up and visited for a little while.

She admired her new baby brother and decided we should keep him because he's cute! 

In the late morning Camilla's hamster (who hadn't been doing well) passed away. It made for a bit of a tearful afternoon for our poor girl, but luckily Daddy was here! She put Peanut in a special box and they went out to the pet cemetery to put him to rest. Shortly after they had come in, I was sitting with her on the couch and she said, "I'm just sayin', I think you married the right guy." I replied, "Why's that?" She was so cute as she responded, "Well, he's a pretty good dad and he actually cares about his kids. A lot of Dad's don't...." I think she was glad to spend some one on one with Daddy and happy for his support today. I'm definitely glad I married the right guy, that's for sure!

Home

One of the things I love most about having a midwife is the ability to go home a few short hours after having the baby. With the snow that blew in yesterday and the icy road conditions I was grateful that we had brought the truck and that we live a short distance from town. Mike's favorite part of having a baby is bringing them home from the hospital. It's like having a little piece of heaven in the back seat and it always feels so peaceful. 

 

We arrived home shortly after midnight, excited to sleep in our own bed. Mom and Dad had put all the littles to sleep hours earlier and made us a quick bite to eat after we got in. I spent the night snuggling and nursing Sawyer. Mr. Stannix had to get up once in the night to soothe a boy with bad dreams, and neither of us really got a lot of sleep. 

We woke early to a little girl who rushed into our room and exclaimed she felt like puking. She ran to the bathroom with her hand over her mouth and then Daddy settled her on the couch with a barf bucket for a few more hours of sleep. Before the rest of the house woke, that kind Daddy had already emptied the barf bucket twice.

I woke again to excited whispers about new baby's arrival. Each of the littles came into our dark room to peek at the newest little member of our family and find out if it was a boy or a girl. There was only a few who were able to actually hold and love on him as the rest were still recovering from one illness or another. 

I spent the morning snuggled in bed catching up on sleep while Mr. Stannix made breakfast for everyone. I was even lucky enough to get breakfast in bed! Daddy took all of the boys grocery shopping and planned our meals for the next few days while I called grandparents and siblings to share the news. 

I couldn't help but snap a million pictures and admire the baby that was finally here in my arms! The wait was so long and I was so happy to finally have him here!