Merry Unbirthday

 Today Nana, Uncle Mike and Auntie Chris drove out to visit. They came with a big surprise! Since we weren't able to get together for the kids birthdays this year, they decided to have one big birthday party for everyone. The kids were so excited about their gifts and blowing out all of the candles on their cake. We spent the afternoon playing with their new toys and visiting. Ollie really hammed it up when it was cake time and had us all laughing. We're so glad they came!

Visiting the Midwife

Today we ventured out to the midwife for our two week check-up. Sawyer weighed in at 8lb 3oz and Lisa was happy with his 11oz gain in just a little over a week and a half. He is healthy and well, sleeping and eating like a champ.

West Wind

Tonight brought a cold, raging Northwest wind. The kind that chills you to the bone when you listen to it gust into the side of the house. Windy nights are my very favorite, especially when I'm safe and warm inside. I tucked in the littles and cozied on the couch with hot chocolate and a warm hoodie. 

Finley got out of bed approximately nine times. "You forgot your good-night hug," he'd say, as a smile spread across his lips and his eyes blinked up at me sleepily. He had missed his afternoon nap and ended up crashing on the reclining chair shortly before dinner. This meant that he wasn't going to bed anytime soon. The next time he came out he said, "This hug is going to be the goodest squeeze hug yet!" He wrapped his arms around my neck and his body melted into mine. As he rested his head on my shoulder I decided that we need more Finley hugs around here.

When he finally went to bed I sat in the quiet and reflected on the evening. The boys were actually pleasant and agreeable tonight. Camilla and Hyrum helped the youngest two brush their teeth and get tucked into bed. Joe helped me with Sawyer and then we looked at a Where's Waldo book until it was time to tuck in. They were all tired from an evening out playing in the snow.

When the baby woke I scooped him from his crib and sat near the Christmas tree. He gazed sleepily at the lights on the tree until he needed to nurse again. Soon he nestled his face into my shoulder and drifted back to sleep. I savored the feeling of a baby in my arms again. I couldn't help but smell his sweet little head and kiss him a million times before snuggling him back into his crib. As the wind blew wildly outside, I made sure to place an extra blanket across his sleeping body. It was going to be a chilly night. I warmed my hands on my cup of hot chocolate as I began reading a favorite book. When I started nodding off I decided to call it a night.

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!