Grace

This morning we woke to a gentle snowfall. I watched it come down as Cooper and I snuggled on the couch and the morning twilight filled the room. Before long I could hear the children stirring. One came up for a shower before our family study and the rest trickled into the living room slowly rubbing sleep from their eyes. We enjoyed the warmth of the fire as we listened to Daddy teach and read scripture.

The sling has become my new best friend as it keeps Cooper happy and safe while also allowing me to tend to the other children. It was an answer to prayer when the thought popped into my mind to bring it in from the van last night. This is how I am going to be able to manage things at home and meet everyone's needs for the next little while.

I've been through this transition enough times to recognize the need for grace. In this season there will simply be things that do not get done or accomplished and that's ok. My to-do list shrinks significantly and feed and snuggle a newborn are prioritized right near the top. Life will be messy and full of spontaneity for the next little while and I'm here for it all!

The late afternoon brought a visit from my sweet midwife to weigh and check on Cooper. He has only lost a few ounces (which is quite normal) and is looking healthy and well, so we will keep doing what we're doing!

Another Snow Day

Today we thought we would be juggling a typical Monday morning, but since the weather still hasn't warmed up, the busses were cancelled yet again and everyone is home from school. After waiting so long for babe to come, I'm beginning to think that it was a huge blessing that Cooper came when he did. Due to the cold we haven't had to worry about the morning rush to get ready for Seminary or catch the bus. 

We enjoyed a slow morning warming by the fire, sipping hot chocolate and eating French Toast made by Joe! I was grateful for one more morning of grace before we resume our regular schedules tomorrow! Fin and Ollie helped Sawyer and Lily put peanut butter and syrup on their French Toast. Afterward everyone did a pretty good job cleaning up after themselves. I was so tired and only had a few hours of sleep. My patience began to run thin as Lily repeatedly spun her bar stool bugging Sawyer to no end.

The kids spent a lot of their afternoon playing outside on the sledding hill (which is pure ice). Their jump froze over and they had a lot of fun sailing over it! I discovered that I need to reduce my to-do list to "feed the baby" because it looks like that might be all that I get done for the next month or so. Cooper is constantly wanting to be either fed or held onto and will only let me put him down for a few minutes at a time. Of course it's normal newborn behavior, it's just been a while and it's hard to adjust to someone needing you 24/7 again. I am so thankful to have the big kids home for one more day. They have each offered to hold and help at various points today. 

Hyrum held him while I tidied Lily's room and gathered laundry. He also held him in the evening when I cut Fins hair. Joe asked for him a few times as well, and Camilla is great at keeping him asleep for extended periods of time, providing a nice reprieve. 

Cooper pooped shortly before bed, so I decided a first bath was in order. I hoped it would calm him down and make him more comfortable for bedtime. Snowflakes were falling heavily as we tucked in for the night and my mind began thinking over the day. I began doubting my abilities and wondering how I will survive the basketball games, piano lessons, and appointments of the upcoming week. I had Hyrum bring in my sling from the van when he went to check eggs and he sweetly placed it next to the fire to warm up for morning. I'm hoping that being able to hold and comfort Cooper hands-free will help me accomplish everything I need to do ("feed and snuggle the baby" being the most important of course). I'm hoping for some rest tonight so that I can be a more patient mommy tomorrow as I send my kids off to school. I'm grateful for this "extended break" due to the cold weather and the busses being unable to run. It was nice to be all together as we adjusted to life as a family of ten. It's slightly more difficult with the spread in ages now, but I'm hoping we will find a groove that works!

 

The Sabbath

This morning we were all able to sleep in as early morning meetings were cancelled due to extreme cold. I made the kids breakfast while Camilla kept Cooper happy. When I ran the hot water I noticed it wasn't working again so Mike went out to knock the ice out of the exhaust pipes so the hot water heater could vent again (some safety feature). After waiting for the tank to warm up, showers had to be shorter than usual. 

Joseph was looking forward to being able to pass the sacrament with Hyrum this morning.

The big kids helped the tiny kids get dressed and ready and then Mike went out to warm up the van. Despite being plugged in, Big Red did not want to start. I glanced out the window to see him transferring car seats to the Pathfinder which would barely squish everyone in, leaving a few to catch a ride in with Gramma and Grampa. While we waited on the vehicle to warm up, I quickly snapped a few photos of all EIGHT of the children together in their Sunday best!

Once Daddy came in to warm up, we were able to take a quick picture of all of these handsome guys in their navy suits.

And my new and very grown up looking Deacon!

Because of the frigid, terrible weather, Cooper & I stayed home and Zoomed in to church. I was able to rest, and stare at these sweet little man all morning long. 

Everyone came home to some warm chicken noodle soup and then we spent a quiet afternoon visiting by the fire. Daddy was able to get some baby snuggles in while we visited.

 There is never a shortage of kiddos willing to hold and love on Cooper while I need hands free to make a meal, or bath a toddler or tuck someone in. Having big kids who love babies  is such a blessing. It was a wonderful Sunday!

 

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!