Curiosity

Question of the Day:
How many times will he get his 

fingers stuck 

in the VCR today?

Valentine Cheese

 Yesterday we jogged/walked to the library for our program! I am super excited that Hyrum is able to sit in this stroller now and I am looking forward to jogging the trails with the kiddos this summer! It was a beautiful morning, but I'm not used to jogging in cold weather.

Before and After

 When we got home we enjoyed heart cheese and crackers with tuna for lunch. 

Delish!

 Hyrum also enjoyed tiny pieces of cheese, and fruit for lunch.

Then it was nap time.

 All the fresh air tuckers 'em out!

Water Babies

Since our "Teh-vee" has busted, we've had some extra time to kill.

We've spent majority of the last couple days at the swimming pool! 

My kids have both turned into water babies. 

We've enjoyed relaxing in the warm pools, splashing around and playing with pool toys. 

The first day Camilla spent an hour just sitting on the steps.

(She pretty much dunked her brother after these pics were taken)

But the second day she got totally into it, life jacket and all. 

Yesterday she was balancing pool rings on her head and calling herself "Princess Anna".

Hyrum loves hanging in the baby floaties, chewing on things and kicking his legs.

 Camilla even got brave enough to try the slide by herself.

This is my crazy baby in the care of Princess Anna.

When it was time to go, Camilla insisted on cleaning up all of the toys and putting them back in the basket. 

Really, she was just enjoying swimming around on her tummy...

It's been great because they are so tired when bedtime rolls around. Hyrum has almost fallen asleep at dinner both nights. He slept for 11 hours in a row the first night, it was awesome! 

For dinner last night we had bow tie pasta with chicken, broccoli and Alfredo sauce.

Camilla calls the pasta "butterflies" and ate not one, not two, but THREE helpings.

Success.

Both babies went to sleep with very full bellies and very tired eyes.

Date Night Recap

I thought I'd start off the Valentine's month with a recap of the date we went on a few weekends ago. Mr. Stannix and I were going to go to the temple last Friday night, but with Hyrum cutting teeth, and neglecting his sleep we decided it was best to keep the kids at home instead of giving their runny noses to their friends. So we'll go next weekend! Saturday found the kids in better spirits, and a husband who super wanted to go to the movies. We opted for a sitter to come so the kids could sleep in their own beds.

That afternoon I had a baby shower to attend for a dear friend of ours and a baby girl. It was a very enjoyable afternoon out. I took Hyrum with me and Mr. Stannix and Camilla napped together for most of the afternoon. I arrived home to freshly shoveled walks and a sparkly clean house. Not only had he picked up, but he folded and put away all of the laundry as well, and it was the stuff he hates folding! I was so appreciative!

On our way to the movies he told me how Camilla would pass him every single piece of clothing to fold, and then her teddy passed him every piece of clothing to fold and he would have to thank the teddy. I enjoyed hearing about their afternoon adventures together. Even away from home our children are our main topic for discussion. Sadly we had a bout of bad luck on the way to the theater. We hit a bunch of red lights, got held up by a long train, and then had to park forever away from the front doors and speed walk in the freezing cold, my hands clasped tight in his warm leather gloves.

I went in to save seats while he stood in line at the concession. The moment I entered the busy theater number seven, it was so full I wanted to barf. I wished that I had Mr. Stannix by my side to take the lead and pick a seat. I cruised up one side looking for two empty seats together, then up the other side. With no luck I settled for the very back of the three front rows. I knew Mr. Stannix wouldn't be excited to sit there. He surprised me with a giant slice of pizza (which he sacrificed some of his preview time for, because it took forever) and eventually got over having to sit in the front and kink our necks. Part way through we tried to lift the arm rests and snuggle, another bummer about sitting in the front row, the arm rests don't lift! I loved the movie though and the time that we could spend together!

I'm so glad that we make time for date nights. They strengthen our marriage so much and always remind me that we are best friends. The next week is always that much more fun and exciting because of the time we had to spend together, just the two of us.

On Thursday Mr. Stannix was able to pick us up at the library after our "Rhymes that Bind" program. As we left through the doors he looked sideways at me with that grin of his and said, "Wow, you look good today!" It was just the compliment I needed to hear and I felt madly in love with him all over again. (Not to mention he saved me from having to walk home with a pile of heavy books and two kiddos).

The more we make date nights a priority the more aware we are of each others needs, and for that I am grateful! We're also super lucky to have great friends and fabulous young women to babysit for us whenever we need!

Mike and I at a Valentines Dance 2008

 P.S. If you haven't read this article yet, it's great!

Yesterday Afternoon

My Ray of Sunshine

Both the kids are up when the number six is still the first digit on my clock, in other words, way too early! I get up and do something easy for breakfast, toast and "cheese was" (as Camilla calls it).

While everyone eats, I go snuggle up onto the couch in the darkened living room feeling exhausted. Mr. Stannix gives me a hug and kiss before he leaves. He looks me in the eye and says, "you should say a prayer, ya never know, it might change the night to day". I force a little grin and then Camilla jumps into my lap. "Mom, I missed ya! Give Daddy a hug good-bye". When neither of us move she looks at Daddy with her crazy eyes and says, "Give 'er a hug...you Turkey!". I couldn't help but smile. Mr. Stannix and I laughed together. Then he gives me another kiss on the forehead and tells me to have a good day, and I just know that I'm going to miss him like crazy today.

The kids are playing well, so I decide to read a few articles out of the Ensign. Then we go upstairs, get dressed, make beds and say morning prayers.


Daddy calls for a small chat, and tells me he loves me. He always knows when I need him.

After we are all dressed, we make up Chocolate chip banana muffins. The smell of them baking reminds me that I still haven't eaten breakfast. I play this song all morning which results in Camilla singing, "You AMAZIN'....just the way you are!" over and over again, because that's the only line she can remember. It's so great when a two year old tells you that you're amazing!

Then I try putting Hyrum for his nap, Paul Cardall piano music playing in the background. As I close the door, Hyrum starts to cry. I sit outside and whisper a little prayer. Tears start to fall and I feel like I can't handle any more today. Then I give in and snuggle my little man as we go downstairs.

I place him on the floor to boogie around. Camilla tickles her little brother, calling him a "chubby boy". As they giggled together a smile is once again brought to my face and the clouds start to lift.

Then the phone rings and it's my Mum. I shed some tears, she shares some wise words, and I hang up feeling much better.

My baby girl looks up at me and exclaims "Smile!" I bend down to give her a hug and she brings her nose to mine and gives me an Eskimo kiss. A sweet little moment is shared and the world around disappears as we snuggle. What a special ray of sunshine she is. I am grateful for the hilarious things she says and the bubbly girl she is this morning. She certainly knows how to lift the mood around here!

Prayer does change the night to day. I am so grateful for a Heavenly Father who knows us each so perfectly, and is there for us when we need him the most!

This afternoon he will probably be doing some more of this.....

&

I get to call the Samsung people about our TV

(Two year old and spray bottle...long story)

Nine Months

 Hyrum is nine months old today! How did that even happen? I still feel like just yesterday we were bringing him home from the hospital. Time is going way too fast! He has gotten so big and recently started exploring the house. He loves my cupboards and anything that opens and closes. He still doesn't sit up, stand up, or roll much in his crib, but just lays there until someone comes to get him. He's quite easy going, unless it involves his red car.

Camilla is so great with her baby brother for the most part and they now enjoy giggling and playing together more. Bedtime snuggles in her bed have become a regular nightly routine. He copies her every move and out of all of us she can get him laughing the hardest, especially when we're in the car going somewhere. 

 I love how easy he is to put to sleep at night. He'll cuddle in to my shoulder as I place his fuzzy favorite blanket over him. We cuddle and rock together for a few minutes and soon his head sinks into my shoulder. I kiss his head, whisper I love you and cuddle him into his crib where he falls asleep on his own.

Naps are a little bit trickier and he will usually try to fight them. I wrap him in his fuzzy blanket and draw on his face with my fingers. Usually as I rub his ears his eyes get heavy and start to close. His favorite lullabies are either I am a Child of God or Hourglass. I sing until his breathing gets heavy and then he goes up to his crib.

One of my very most favorite things about him is the way he scrunches up his nose, breathing in and out super fast, almost snorting, with the most giant grin on his face. He'll do it to make you smile or get a giggle. It's the cutest little face in the world, and no picture I take of it does it justice.

In these last nine months I have developed a great love for my smiley little boy and his sweet little spirit. He loves cuddles, books, people and music. Some days he is so cute that I just want to eat his chubby cheeks when I kiss his face. He is silly and goofy and everything I imagined a little boy to be. I will be sad when he is too big to fit his little booties, or to fit in my arms for nighttime cuddles. He brings so much joy and laughter to our little family.

Trains and a Trouble Maker

It's floor washing day...And it's a good thing...

It means long trains and a sparkly floor to play and move on. 

Hurray!

Simple Facts

Camilla Jean....

Calls kidney beans "Jelly Beans"

Sometimes won't eat her dinner unless she is spoon fed

Calls a bow a "tie bow"

Loves getting candy from the 25 cent vending machines and saves every penny she finds to use for jelly beans

Loves dried mangoes from Costco

Calls cinnamon hearts "spicies"

Whenever she has a drink of anything she will always ask you for her mickey mouse straw "that goes round and round and round"

Fresh Air

This morning after Hyrum's nap the kids and I walked up to the park for some sledding and swinging. There is a tiny hill at our park that was just right for Camilla. For her first time ever sledding down a hill she did awesome. We went together a couple of times and then she went with her dino (toy of the day). She loved it!

 It was actually a pretty nice afternoon! 

We enjoyed a few runs and then she wanted to go play on the swings.

 As soon as I got them into the swing the flakes started falling. It was magical. The children giggled away on the swings and then we caught snowflakes on our tongue!

It would have been fun to stay and play, but the snow was wet and it started getting chilly. 

Camilla didn't want to leave and insisted on a few more pushes in the swing. 

Hyrum loved swinging and watching his sister fly back and forth.

We baked brownies together this afternoon and Camilla tried to crack the egg by banging it on the table and then squishing it in her hand. I couldn't help but smile at the splatted egg on my table. Now she knows what happens when you squeeze an egg. Her reaction was priceless. 

I had a friend drop in last minute this afternoon. The house was a disaster. Laundry piled up on the couch, a kitchen full of unwashed dishes, and toys everywhere! I also didn't realize until half way through the visit that I had left my braids in from the night before and they were all frizzy and coming out all over. She told me of a magnet that her mom used to have on the fridge growing up...

It was a great reminder! 

Now to get some organizing done while the kiddos are in bed!