Twenty-Seven

 Dear Mr. Stannix,
Today you are twenty-seven years old! I feel so lucky to be called your wife. You have so many great characteristics that I admire. One of the big ones is how patient you can be. There's many times I've told myself that you have the patience of Job. I think this patience comes from your Christ-like love for others. I am so grateful that I married such a gentle and devoted husband and father. It is one of my favorite things to watch you carry our newborns and smooch our children on the lips. I admire your never ending faith and knowledge of the Gospel. It doesn't matter how tough life gets, your faith never fails. I am grateful for your example and the strength that I get from you. I am so glad that I married a worthy priesthood holder who can bless me when I am sick or in need of comfort. I love getting blessings from you before our children are born, it's such an added strength and assurance. You are also very thoughtful and awesome at surprising me with a clean house. Even after a hard days work you voluntarily whip up the dinner dishes and shine my kitchen sink. It's so great to wake up to a clean kitchen in the morning, thank-you! You are so hardworking and determined. You are juggling so much right now, and you do it so well!  I'm so glad I get to call you mine and share this special day with you! The children and I baked you up an old-fashioned chocolate cake to celebrate. I can't wait until you come home from work and I get to kiss those icy cold lips of yours when you first walk in the door. I am looking forward to dinner with you tonight. Happy birthday darling!

A Lunch Date

My fabulous cousin stole my two older kiddos for the day so that I could cuddle and enjoy Joe. She's always super thoughtful like that. Mr. Stannix was working out of the office for the day and called to ask me on a lunch date. He had recently went to this really neat cafe and wanted me to try out this amazing wrap that he ate the other day. After a long nursing session for Joe, a diaper change, and a second diaper change after that, we were on our way. Mr. Stannix e-mailed me the address and really good directions, the type that he knew I would understand. He's always so thoughtful. I pulled up to the Zuppa Cafe and was greeted inside by my handsome hubby who quickly took the baby off my hands and led me to the table he had gotten there early to save. It was fun to meet up with him and enjoy some time together and good conversation. I told him all about my morning, and the hairdresser who wouldn't take me because I was a little bit late. He patiently listened and smiled across the table at me. He was so good looking in his dress shirt and tie. The wrap definitely didn't disappoint either! We walked out to the car together after and said our good-byes. I would have preferred to take him home with me instead of letting him go back to work.

For the rest of the afternoon I ignored the dishes in the kitchen and the toys scattered all over the living room and enjoyed some quiet time with Joseph. I nursed him to the sound of the refrigerator humming. My house was so quiet, almost too quiet. I missed my monkeys, but the peace and quiet was nice too. I was able to sit and actually think. It was really nice to gather my thoughts, make some goals, and ponder motherhood. After Joe had nursed himself to sleep I cuddled him up on my chest to burp him before laying down for a snooze. I love tiny newborn bodies. As I snuggled him on my chest I couldn't help but smile at the way he had curled up his little legs under his tummy. I could just picture the way he was curled up inside me just a few weeks earlier. Such a miracle. I smelled his sweet baby skin and planted a kiss or two on his dark haired head before falling asleep. We slept away the afternoon together on the couch uninterrupted. 

My cousin brought my kiddos back before dinner. As Camilla hung up her coat she said to me, "Today was really a great day" and sighed. I was so glad she had fun! We all snuggled on the couch for a few minutes before I had to make dinner. We had the missionaries over and enjoyed a few pans of enchilada's. I think my favorite part was when Mr. Stannix said, "You really outdid yourself tonight" and smooched me. I love being able to cook things for my family and watch them enjoy it. Just before bed I caught a few minutes of sleep with Joe on the couch. Since he doesn't sleep so hot at night, I catch my sleep whenever I can get it. Mr. Stannix cued an episode of our favorite TV show after he finished his CASB for the night and then snapped a picture of me and my little man snuggling together. Love how tiny his little body is and love that I had a whole afternoon to enjoy it!

This Means "Business"

This is how you'll know when he has filled his diaper...

Not for Babies

Today has been wonderful. There's hardly any clouds in the sky and the sun is shining bright and warm. Joe has been sleeping the morning away in the bouncer. I was able to make bread and get down on the floor and have a good play with the kiddos. It feels so good to be able to bend and lay on my back and have the kids climb all over me again while we play. Every once in a while I would head into the kitchen to check on Joe. He always looked so delicious sleeping away in the bouncer soaking up the heat from the oven. I love his soft skin and long fingers.

My Mamma brought up the play pen last week so I would have a safe place for baby to nap (so far the bouncer has been the place of choice for Joe). Both of the kids have figured out how to climb into it and it has become a favorite place to play. Hyrum had me giggling pretty good today as I watched him play. I couldn't help but get out my camera and snap a few pictures.

He was laughing hysterically. It made my day. As I sat on my knees in front of the play pen snapping pictures Camilla came in and wrapped her arms around my neck as she climbed onto my back. "You don't have a baby in your tummy anymore, so you can give me piggy back rides!" I love that kid. We both sat and laughed as Hyrum bounced around like a crazy. I told Camilla I loved her and she told me she loved me more. Laughter, snuggles, and love...my day is complete.

I am extra in love with my little guys long, dark lashes today. Every time I look at his baby blues I can't help but gush over them. I am also in love with Mindy again and can't wait to whip out her Christmas album this year.

Sleepy-Time Grins

 After the sleep I got last night I feel like a whole new person! We've had a week of rough nights and finally decided to invest in a space heater for the kids' room to see if it would help Joseph sleep better. We packed up the kids and hit up Canadian Tire and then good ol' Walmart (it's like a Friday night tradition around here). I had to laugh as we were on our way home. Mr. Stannix had to stop quick at a yellow light and from the back seat Camilla goes, "WOAH Buddy! Slow down!" Her little voice cracks me up. I couldn't believe the difference the little heater made last night though! The kids all slept so well!! It was such a contrast from the other night where I was still trying to get Joseph to sleep at 2:00am, Hyrum woke up screaming and Camilla was yelling, "SH! I'm trying to SLEEP Hyrum!". It was a moment of humor for me amidst frustration.

There's a few other funny things happening around the Stannix home lately. Hyrum likes to pull his picture Book of Mormon off the shelf and read it. He repeats the word "yea" over and over again as he flips the pages. It's the only Book of Mormon word he seems to know. It makes me giggle. Every time we start family scripture study that's his word. He has also discovered the hole in his floor under his bed (we live in an old house) and before bed or after naps he will push his bed back and peek down into the kitchen and spy on whoever is in there. The other night I went upstairs to check him and found him bent over the cage covered hole watching Daddy study at the kitchen table. It was too funny. Another hilarious thing is when I turn off a movie and Hyrum gives me a disappointed "Ohh..." Not sure where he learned it, but it's adorable.

Camilla is loving the life of a big sister and is constantly wanting to hold Joe by herself. She loves to hug him and kiss him every time she passes by him. She's such a little Mommy. It's adorable. The other afternoon I had my cousins over and we were talking about Mommy like things and all of the sudden she piped up from the chair in the corner where she was holding her moose, Sam, and said, "Umm...Sam is just starting to get into things...." It melted my heart that she wanted so bad to be a part of an adult conversation. She sounded like a new Mom telling us about her baby and it's new found ability to crawl. Cutest thing ever. I love the things she's learning each day and adore seeing this nurturing side of her.

Joseph is doing so much better during the day and has finally caught on to the whole eat-sleep-poop routine that babies are supposed to have. My laundry duties have doubled as he soaks through everything all the time, but he is so darn cute it just doesn't matter. He's started taking regular morning naps and we even managed to bake up some peanut butter cookies to fill the empty cookie jar with the other day. I'm glad to be getting into a routine where I am able to accomplish things and enjoy time with each of my children. Being a Mom is so special. Every time Joseph flashes me his adorable sleepy-time grins there is no other job I would rather be doing!

Cherished Moments

Sometimes life can be so sweet. This morning I had one of those little moments that I don't want to forget. The TV was turned on low playing Toy Story 3 and the children were busy playing at my feet.  I looked out the window and watched the snow glitter in the morning sun as it was blown off the tree in the front yard. As I nursed Joseph on the couch Hyrum crawled up beside me. He was wearing only a long sleeved shirt and a diaper. His legs suddenly seemed so long! He curled up beside me and rested his head on my left arm. His tiny body felt warm next to mine and I tried to soak up every detail of the moment. His long eyelashes slowly opened and closed as he watched his show. His chubby cheeks seemed her hang lower than usual as he breathed through his opened mouth. His chubby little hands rested on his bare knees as I rubbed his leg and held his cold toes in my hand. It was the first time in a long time that he wasn't a wiggly worm and I enjoyed every second of it. I kissed his blonde little head several times and enjoyed gazing upon him until he just couldn't sit still any longer. He seems to have grown up so much this week since bringing home a newborn. His legs are longer and he weighs much more than he did last week I'm sure. Every time I hug him he seems huge! I was so grateful for those few short moments I could spend snuggling my not so little man.

Mr. Mom

Mr. Stannix has been so wonderful this week. He has taken such good care of us all. Each night he has done up the dishes without complaint as well as shined up my kitchen sink. He's become a pro at working the washer and dryer and is always willing to run a load up or down the stairs for me. Each night he has put Hyrum to bed so I could rest. He's also so great at playing with the kids and wrangling them up when they get out of hand. On his first day back to work he surprised me by showing up at the clinic to help me with the kids while Hyrum had his 18 month shots. Today was his first full day back to work, and he still managed to whip up the dinner dishes and help me with the kiddos even though he was super tired. He's also become a bit of a softy since our first child and doesn't mind at all when I have to bring Joseph into bed for the night after trying for the gazillionth time to get him to sleep in his crib. I do love this guy, like, a lot. I feel like the luckiest lady alive to be able to spend eternity with him.

Nursing Woes

These past few days with a new baby at home have been great. Amidst the trying moments and hard times there have been moments of pure joy. I've always pictured myself with a family, but it's hard to believe that I already have three of my own to love and to teach. The children are adjusting well to having a new sibling. Camilla loves having a new baby in the home and is pretty helpful. Hyrum is so so gentle with the new baby and it melts my heart every time he points to him and says, "Baby Go" (baby Joe). He loves to look at him, lay beside him and laugh at him.  Such sweet moments to watch.

I am in love with my new baby boy. He has however been our least content baby. Night times are trying and he nurses so much that he has a little rash on his poor chin. Last night after the children went to bed he cried for a pretty good chunk of time. He would nurse, but be unsatisfied and eventually get frustrated. It was so hard to see him so upset and not be able to do anything about it. Mike came and sat beside me on the couch as I tried to console our sad baby boy. Finally, he said the words that I had been thinking to myself for the last half hour, "Maybe he's not getting enough to eat?" Although I had been thinking it, hearing the actual words made me get all teary eyed. He had already had a supplement of formula his first night in the hospital after being inconsolable. I thought my milk had come in, but I think he was eating it as fast as my body was making it. I suddenly felt so disappointed in myself and in my body.  I felt so helpless and wished that I could be the one to calm my baby boy, but he just wouldn't nurse because he knew there was nothing there. Mr. Stannix then offered to go out in the cold of the night to pick up some formula. I nodded as more tears fell down my cheeks. I felt like such a failure, and it was so so hard.

While he was out picking up the formula Baby Joe continued to cry and scream. I changed his wet diaper, hoping it would help calm him down. As I bent over his little body on the floor more tears fell. I wished more than anything there was something I could do to calm him down. We walked the living room, sushing and bouncing slightly as we went. I pressed his sad little face next to mine and tried my hardest to console him. I literally felt helpless. Finally he nursed just long enough to calm down before Mike arrived with formula in hand. Joseph had seemed to be better, but still wasn't quite content. I hesitated and thought about whether or not to make him up a bottle, and wished that my body would just do what it was supposed to. Finally after a prayer for help, I thought it would be best to make him up a tiny bottle. 

He took the bottle immediately and ate most of it right away. We paused part way through for a burp. As I lied him back with his head cupped in my palm his eyes slowly began to close, his little tummy finally satisfied. His mouth was open slightly where the bottle had been and grin after grin formed on his face as he drifted off to sleep. All was peaceful once more and we were able to laugh and feel relief as we watched him smiling in his sleep.

I am so grateful for divine inspiration and a husband who is so in tune. It's so great to be able to pray for help in times of need and receive answers from a loving Heavenly Father.

A Day in the Hospital

I guess this post sort of starts off where the other one ended. After Mr. Stannix and I snoozed part of the morning away he bundled up to go home and get the kids and my family. I caught a few extra minutes of sleep between visits from the nurses and waited for company to return. I'm never really a fan of staying in the hospital longer than I have to and was already wanting to go home and rest. Luckily we had lots of visitors on Saturday to help pass the time!

 We took a stroll down the hall and met everyone in the family lounge. Camilla was so excited to meet her new baby. As we brought him in she walked up to a random guy sitting in the lounge and said, "That's my new brother, Joseph!" She was pretty proud.

 When Mr. Stannix held out Joseph and called for Hyrum he came running up and gently placed one hand under and on top of the baby and then gave him the sweetest little smooch. Although I'm sure he adores his little brother, he was also adoring the wagon and ride on car in the family lounge. 

 My sister stopped by quickly to meet the baby and then took off to shoot some wedding photo's for a friend. I was glad she was able to see Joseph before she had to leave. She ended up taking out her camera and shooting a few quick pics for me.

 A lot of these snap shots I owe to her!  I love this one of Joseph though! So stinkin' cute minus the fact that I look exhausted!

 I seriously can't get enough kisses in. I love me those soft baby cheeks!

 Babies are seriously the sweetest little miracles ever.

 My Mum and Dad were pretty excited. This makes three grandbabies for them!

 Joseph was quite happy to snuggle into his Grampa.

After everyone had gone home for lunch I headed back to eat my lunch. The nurse came shortly after to give Joseph his first bath. It must have tuckered him out because he slept away the rest of the afternoon. We were later joined by some more friends and family for a short visit. It was so nice to see so many people!   My Grandparents were able to stop in for a little while and snuggle their newest great-grand. Joseph gets his middle name from my Grandpa, so I was glad to be able to snap a picture of them together. I feel so blessed to have my grandparents and have them be a part of my children's lives. They are both amazing people who I admire so much!

Mr. Stannix brought me by a booster juice after dinner. It was the only thing I'd been craving all day long. We visited the night away and enjoyed our little bundle. He had to go home before it was too late though because he still had one day to attend on his course. I lucked out and had the room to myself for most of the night, but had a sad baby and didn't get a lot of sleep. I was so happy to see my Dad in the morning and extra happy when my Doctor came by early and let me be discharged. There's no place like home.

We walked outside to big fluffy snow flakes falling to the ground. Luckily Baby Joe was tucked away safely beneath blankets and a cozy carseat cover. He slept the whole way home! It was nice to be home with family for the afternoon and I was so thankful to have my Mum and Dad there to hold down the fort and help out with the kids. They didn't think they did much, but it meant the world to me!!

Joseph's Birth Story

Now that we are finally home and settled I've found a few minutes here and there to hop on the blog and do some writing! I'm sure some of this will be typed one handed because so far Joseph only sleeps for 15 minutes at a time unless he's held. But I have a few hours until the other kids get up from their naps, so here's hoping that's enough time.

Joseph's arrival was long anticipated for me. With my doctor's due date being two weeks sooner than the ultrasounds due date I was ready for him any time during these last few weeks. Mr. Stannix always insisted he would come around the ultrasound due date and it looks like he was right! With contractions starting Wednesday night, this delivery became much longer in some ways than my previous two. All day Thursday I had contractions 30 minutes apart, and most of the night I would get woken with really painful ones. All day Friday I recorded my contractions, most being 10-15 minutes apart, but some even further. I hoped all day that I wouldn't have another full night of contractions. After talking to my parents they decided to come up for the weekend "just in case". We spent the night visiting, eating and watching a movie. It was so comforting knowing they would be watching the kiddos if we were in the hospital for the weekend. Baby couln't have picked a better weekend to come than the one where Mr. Stannix had a really important course to attend here in the city for three days. 

After the movie ended I was getting some pretty good contractions. I wasn't sure whether or not to go to the hospital, and didn't want to keep Mike up into the night for nothing. Finally it was decided that I would head to the hospital with my Mum and sister to see what was up. This way Mr. Stannix wouldn't lose sleep if they ended up sending me home. We left here around mid-night and by the time we got to the hospital I was 7 minutes apart consistently. They assessed me and listened to baby's heart beat for an hour before sending me to walk around for 30 minutes. I looked awesome in my gown, sweater and sneakers and hated walking the halls where people could see me. By the time my sister and I finished our laps around the halls my contractions were becoming more intense. At 2:30am I called home and woke Mike to let him know I had been admitted. I then went to delivery room 6 with my Mum and Sister to wait. 

Mr. Stannix showed up right on time. My Mamma had me in a hug to ease pain when he walked in. My Mum and sister had been super helpful, but there's nothing like having your birth partner there to get you through. No body knows how to push hard on my back to help me through the back labour like Mr. Stannix can. After going through this two times already we hardly needed to communicate with words. Mike knew exactly when to push on my lower back, exactly when to leave me alone, exactly when to hug me to ease the shakes and exactly when to say something encouraging.

To be honest I wasn't looking forward to this delivery. With the first baby everything is new and unexpected, so I just rolled with it. With the second baby I felt confident and knew that I could do it. With this one I was confident in my body, but also remembered all too well what was ahead and didn't want to go there. I'm pretty sure I said, "I just don't want to do this" a few times. I knew I was in good hands though with a nurse who had seven of her own at home.

After Mike showed up labour progressed fast. I was so exhausted from lack of sleep and couldn't wait until I could just lie in a bed with my new bundle snuggled in my arms. With my regular doctor away I met Doctor M for the first time in the delivery room. I was thrilled to have a female doctor and she didn't fail to live up to my expectations. After a lot of pushing and a decline in baby's heart rate she called in an older Doctor for some assistance. We had learned in an ultrasound a few weeks sooner that baby's cord was around the neck and it could be a concern. After some talking both Doctors agreed that the baby was also face up. The older Doctor was able to easily flip the baby over and moments later it was announced that we had a boy! I was shocked being convinced that it was a girl for these past nine months, but tears of joy still brimmed in my eyes. The baby was immediately placed on my chest and I felt so triumphant. Look what I just did. 

We both stared at our new baby boy for a few minutes, Daddy cut the cord, and then our baby was weighed and measured. He was 7lb 2oz, just like Camilla, and 21 inches long. I couldn't get over his dark hair, tiny face, and furrowed brow. As Mike snuggled him in the chair at my bed side I looked at him and felt like the name Joseph suited him, after Mike's Grandpa. The middle name we picked is Allen after my Grampa. Both strong, old fashioned names, and two great men to look up to.

After some more cuddles, a nursing session for Joseph and a shower, the nurse snuggled me under a warm blanket and wheeled me to my room. It was shortly after 6am and we were both so exhausted that we curled up on the hospital bed and slept the morning on and off between visits from the nurses and breakfast. We kept the news to ourselves for a while because we didn't want to wake anyone at home. It was kind of fun having our own little secret for a few hours. As we sat on the bed with baby snuggled in my arms I felt like a very blessed lady.

It's a...BOY!

Joseph Allen Stannix

(Named after his Great-Grandpa's on both sides)

November 17, 2012

4:35 am

7 lbs 2oz, 21 inches

Snuggles

After a much needed long weekend, we are back into the swing of things. I spent the morning grocery shopping and baking muffins with the kids. We made up a dozen banana muffins with the sad looking bananas and a dozen carrot muffins with the few garden carrots I have left in my crisper. They made a delicious morning snack! I am hoping this baby decides to come soon because I am running out of things to do. Mr. Stannix installed the carseat this weekend and it's definitely crowded in our back seat now! This afternoon I will wash the crib bedding and then all we have left to do is raise the crib up. Until baby decides to come I am enjoying my time with Camilla and Hyrum, just the two of them. They've been pretty giggly lately and it never fails to make me laugh. The other day I caught them giggling on the couch together, it was pretty cute.

A Snow Day

 It looks like Winter has decided to stick around. As I sat on the couch this morning gazing out our big window and watching the flakes slowly fall I started to feel excited inside. It's only November, but the Christmas spirit has already started to grow inside me. There is something about falling snow that has always been magical to me. 

Camilla asked me all morning if we could go out and play in the snow. Finally I went upstairs and dug through all the boxed up baby clothes to find her old snow pants for Mr. Hyrum since we haven't picked him up any yet this year. As we bundled the excitement in the house grew and they were practically running out the door when it was time to go. 

The very first thing Camilla did was plop herself down in some deep snow to make a snow angel. Hyrum wasn't too sure what to do, so I helped him plop into the deep snow too. Turns out he loved it! He looks so much like his Daddy did at that age!

They spent most of their time making a snow castle out of random snowballs. It was pretty funny watching Hyrum learn how to maneuver himself  around in the deep snow with all his gear on. He was easily frustrated at first and constantly wanting help, but eventually he got over it!

 Judging by the giant grin on his face, I'd say it was a successful day in the snow! They both can't wait to get back out tomorrow!

When we got inside we all took our wet stuff off in the tiny entry way. While I was sorting through it, hanging things up and placing mittens on the mat with Camilla we lost track of Hyrum. I thought I could hear him talking upstairs. We checked up there, the bathroom, behind the arm chair and had no luck. He was being so quiet and sneaky. Eventually we found him hiding out behind the curtains. 

 

Next time I'll check there first.

Dinner Time Fairytale

Tonight as we all were eating a fairytale came to life at our very own dinner table. Camilla exclaimed that she was a princess! She then looked to her Daddy and told him that he was her prince. After that they debated what Hyrum should be and she finally decided on a horse. A split second later, without any help, she said, "And Mommy's a cow!" It's a good thing I prayed for that sense of humor this morning! We all got a good laugh. And if that didn't make you laugh, then this might...

I love my kids!

Ready to Pop

Just like the buttons on my winter coat, I feel ready to pop. I've been making lists like a crazy lady in preparation for this baby to arrive. I have multiple lists all over my house that encompass everything from now until Christmas. I don't want to have to leave our cozy home too much after this baby arrives.  I think I've gotten most of the really important stuff done.

-Get our home ready to receive a newborn (clean, dust, wash bedding, cobwebs)

-Stock freezer with homemade bread, extra meals, and baked goods

-Cookies/drinks to serve company who come to visit

-Ivory Snow laundry detergent bought to wash baby's clothes

-New baby shampoo/lotion scent

-Newborn and size 1 diapers purchased along with extra wipes

-New soothers
-Located car seat cover to keep baby cozy on the way home
-Hospital bag mostly ready with an outfit for both a girl and a boy

-Head start on Christmas gifts

Okay little one, you can come out now!