Golden Afternoons

This morning we woke to fog. Even though I didn't get a whole lot of sleep during the night, I was feeling so much better! Mr. Stannix woke with Lily and got her some yogurt to eat. When she spilled some on her shirt she refused to take it off and protested, "I am a big sister now! I need my big sister shirt!"

Later on when she went to check on Cooper in the bassinet, Hyrum caught her trying to pick him up. I tried explaining to her that she can't hold him without Mommy or Daddy's help and she argued, "But COOPER lets me do it!" We all burst out laughing at how matter-of-factly she said it. Of course Cooper lets you do it, he can't talk dear. 

The entire day was filled with lots of baby snuggles! As the late afternoon sun poured into my bedroom, I moved the pillows and lied right in its golden glow and reflected on how grateful I am for my dear husband, big kiddos, and family and the care they've provided me since Cooper joined us. My heart is full!

 

As evening arrived, we got alerts on our phone about power usage across the province and possible outages due to the cold weather. Forced power outages would be in effect if Alberta didn't do their part to limit usage. 

We turned off screens and lights, lit our oil lamps and gathered around the table for a game of "oh heck". We also chuckled at Daddy's shadow and thought it resembled Joseph Smith a little bit. It was a cozy and fun way to end the night!

First Moments Home

Today was another Snow Day and buses weren't running. We arrived home from the hospital in -40 temps to a quiet, dimly lit house around 4am and tucked into bed. A very tired Mr. Stannix plugged in his heated blanket on my side of the bed and tucked babe and I in for a few hours of much needed sleep before crawling in on the other side of the bed himself. 

Camilla got herself up to zoom into Seminary and Lily joined us in our room a few minutes later. When she tried to crawl into our bed she noticed the baby and got all excited. Soon her little feet were tip-toeing our of our room to find her big sister, "Camilla! Dere's a BABY in mom's bed!!"

The children were in and out of our room all morning as blue sky and sunshine filled our bedroom. We were in and out of sleep while listening to the hum of the children playing downstairs. The baby slept most of the night and finally opened his eyes around 9am to nurse. With the snow flocked trees and freezing temperature I am glad we can cozy up at home for a few days more!

Camilla snuck in to hold Cooper very first before seminary while the moon lit my room, so I grabbed a picture late in the morning. 

My Dad invited everyone over to their house for bacon and eggs for brunch and I was brought a plate to eat in bed. It was nice to enjoy a few minutes of peace and quiet before everyone made their way back for baby snuggles. Gramma was out helping a friend early this morning and finally was able to make her way over for snuggles of her own. 

I dozed on and off to the afternoon sounds of the children cleaning the kitchen together under their Dad's direction. Camilla vacuumed pretty well the whole house while Lily ran in and out of my room singing to herself and feeding her dollies who were now residing in coopers bassinet. And Cooper continued to sleep through it all!

Lily is so excited to finally have "her baby" to hold and love on. She is already such a great big sister to Cooper!

We are so glad he is finally here!

Cooper James

Cooper James Stannix 

Born January 12, 2024 @ 1:31am

7lb 15oz

20" Long

Mamma and babe are healthy and well! 

 

Cling on

Savoring this little cling on before her little brother arrives!

She is my Joy Joy!

 

The Waiting Game

When I went to bed last night I thought for sure I would be holding a baby in my arms by this morning. Unfortunately everything stopped the moment I went to sleep. I have spent the majority of the past few days timing contractions and wondering when this little one will finally decide to come. The children are all back to school now and the house is a little bit more relaxed with just the younger ones home. Mr. Stannix still has some time off work thankfully, and so we wait!

The slow and gentle snowfall today made for a peaceful afternoon and was just what my weary body needed. My sweet midwife keeps checking in and asking how I am doing and I'm over here hanging on until this little one decides to make an entrance. 

 

A Morning Experiment

This morning, just as the boys were making their way to the bus, Ollie decided to stop at the flag pole and see what would happen if he licked it. I suppose every child has to perform this experiment at least once in their life time. Camilla did the same thing with the frosty metal on the school bus window around this age...

Minutes before the bus was scheduled to arrive at our stop, he came running in with blood dripping from his tongue. A few of his siblings thought that he had removed the brown paint from the flag pole as there was now a white patch where his tongue had been. I laughed and explained that the white patch was, in fact, the skin of his tongue that was left behind when he hastily removed it himself after it was stuck. I've never seen so much blood! But the boy was brave and, after cleaning himself up, ran and made it to the bus stop just in time. I am quite certain he won't try that again!

 

Another Deacon

Today we woke to snow. Mr. Stannix gave me a kiss on the forhead before he left for his early morning meetings. It's always the best way to be woken on a Sunday morning. Joseph has been looking forward to today with great anticipation! He was so excited to receive the priesthood from his Dad and to be able to finally pass the sacrament next week with his big brother and the rest of the Deacons quorum.  

Oliver was sweet enough to shovel a path from the house to the van (and even around the van for me) before we all left in our church shoes. He is such a thoughtful kiddo!

After church we made our way to the Relief Society room for Joseph's ordination. We were grateful to have my parents join us for the special milestone moment. Joe said he felt really good after and felt the spirit. It's such a neat thing watching your kids mature and grow!

The rest of the afternoon passed quietly with some napping, knitting, and little house on the prairie series. Waiting on this babe has been so hard for me. This pregnancy has taught me to have faith and to surrender to His will for my life in so many ways. We are anxiously awaiting his arrival!

 

Home Hockey Tournament

Today the boys had a hockey tournament. With today being my due date, I wasn't sure if I would be able to make it (and of course felt a little disappointed that babe hasn't arrived yet). Mr. Stannix wiped my tears, I put on some make-up and talked myself into leaving the house to watch the boys play. I endured all of the "I thought you were supposed to be having a baby this weekend!" comments and cheered hard for #5 and #11. 

After the game we took the boys to DQ for some lunch and ice cream. I learned that I can't fit into a booth with my big belly, so we had to move to the tables with the chairs. It was quite funny! 

The afternoon was spent out in the fresh air! I loved watching Hyrum play with these two and give his mamma a much needed break!

 

New Youth Theme

This morning we finally got around to setting some goals and introducing the new youth theme to the children. The theme for this year is “I am a disciple of Jesus Christ” (3Nephi 5:13). A disciple is someone who lives in such a way that the characteristics of Christ are woven into who they are and everything they do and say. We talked a lot about what it means to be a disciple and follower of Christ and how we can be a light and example to others of who He is. 

We set some goals for our family to accomplish this year, showed the children the video for the new youth theme, and gave them their goal setting sheets. They each filled in one goal for each physical, spiritual, social, and intellectual. They put things like "learn to make french toast" or "take swimming lessons" or "exercise for at least twenty minutes a day" or "learn about a different country". It's always interesting seeing what they write if they are willing to share and learning more about who they are.

 Our big goal as a family this year is for everyone to read The Book of Mormon every day (and hopefully finish by the end of the year). We grabbed some spare copies for the tiny ones and Lily was very excited to be just like the big kids (even though she can't read). The trick will be to stick with it daily and not get too far behind as the year goes along. So far everyone is pretty excited about it!

New Year, New Word

My word for this year is "CALM". My hope is to speak gently to the children, no matter how frustrated I may feel. To slow down more and to cherish. To pause and breathe deeply all that is good this year. To fill my heart with gratitude. To make time for the things that matter most and get rid of the things that aren't important and cause stress. To live more thoughtfully. To face trials and opposition with a calm faith. To immerse myself in the scriptures more and be blessed with the calming reassurance provided. To make our home a calm among the storms and chaos of life. And to be a calming influence for my children as they learn and grow. There will be lots of deep breaths and self mastery happening this year, and I'm looking forward to it!