The Sweetest Sound

My little nugget is laughing. Full out laughter at our house!

3 Months

Spring is here and our Carson is getting so big! We love him more and more everyday. He already laughed for us once but has yet to surprise us with that joyful sound again.


Stats:
* 14 lbs

* Had a rough patch of sleeping. Went to 3 hrs then last 2 nights back to 6

*laughed once

*still smiling and cooing, likes to make "clearing his throat" sounds.

We are getting excited for more laughs, greater interest in toys, and more hand coordination. We love you son!

Mother's Day

My first mother's day was fantastic! I got the skirt shown and my favorite dessert...BANANA CREAM PIE! It was a great day

I am truely blessed

Sleep Training 101

This was the week...the week Carson was 'kicked' out of our bed.

For any of you moms who have let your baby sleep in your bed longer than the first weeks of life, know that this can be difficult. It's funny because its not that he doesn't sleep any where else, its that I know he sleeps there so I'm afraid to try elsewhere. He has been taking all his naps and nighttime sleeping in our bed. Silly mommy. I also created an 'absolutly no sound what-so-ever while being put to sleep' baby. I didn't really do it on purpose but I never got around to making white noise so everything and everyone has to be completly silent while he is falling asleep--no small feat! I'm talking SILENT! I can't even cough while putting him to sleep (yes I put him to sleep. No crying it out for me, I just can't take it) But it works for me...most of the time. However, if in the process a sudden sound is made....so help the culprit!!! The cycle starts all over again. It's ok if it's an ongoing noise like the dryer. So, as long as its not interupted sounds; I don't mind rocking him to sleep...it's not that bad. Anyway, here is my week recap:



Monday

All of his naps were taken in his bassinett which is next to my bed. Each nap was 1 hour no more, no less and he took 5 naps total. That night was hell. He went down at 9:30pm after being interupted so it took me an hour to get him to sleep. (in our bed) 12:40am-awake and ate. 2:00am-awake and ate. 3:00am-awake. 5:30am-awake and ate. 7:00am-awake and ate.

Tuesday

Even though I was totally exhausted...we kept to the plan and all his naps were in his either in his bassinett or some even in his crib in his room. He only took 3 naps though and so by night time I was done. He started at 9:30pm in his bassinett. Woke up at 1:00am-ate. 3:00am-awake and ate. 5:30am-awake and ate (now in our bed). 8:00am-awake and ate

Wednesday

All of his naps were in his room in his crib except the evening one. He slept for 1 1/2 one nap and an hour for 3 others. Went down in his bassinett at 9:30pm. Woke up at 12:30am, 3:00am, 5:00am, (now in our bed) & 8:00am. He ate every time.

Thursday

Pretty much the same as Wednesday except some naps were in his bassinett.

Friday

All naps were in his bassinett but one. He took 4 naps each an hour but one was 2! Went down at 10:30pm in his bassinett. Up at 3:40am-ate. Up at 7am-ate (now in our bed). Up at 8am-did not want to eat.

Now it's Saturday morning and he's down for his first nap (right on schedule) and in his bassinett. Pretty good week I'd say...at least it's improving. He only sleeps in our bed for his early morning shift.--when mom is way too tired to care :)

The one crappy CRAPPY thing is.... he has a very difficult time sleeping in his crib. Why you ask. Shelby. Our stupid dog barks and since Carson's room faces the backyard...it's all you hear. It totally wakes him up. I've learned to have the humidifier and bathroom fan by his room on. Sometimes even the dryer which is next to his room too. It's like the house is 'talking' throughout his entire nap. WAY too much noise for nighttime sleeping for Dad and Mom so we have to come up with a solution.

Anyone want a dog?

Dear Sleep,

I am in desperate need of you. Please come quickly. But could you visit my son first because otherwise I will have no use of you. Thank you.

Sincerely,

Malerie

On my mind...

I'm feeling the need to write just whatever I'm thinking right now. No one has to read but don't mind if you do.

Why does it have to rain when the day has been beautiful and the sun was out? It ruins my mood almost instantly.

I am now back to my pre-pregnancy weight and yet a lot of my clothes don't fit. Why? Why do we have to change out hip size and never get it back?

I love being a mom. I wish I had friends here were I could enjoy the mom cirlce. I want to have play groups and chat with others going through the good the bad, the fun and sad.

Carson and I play a lot during the day. It's best in mom's bed though. Don't know why for sure but we have way too much fun in the mornings and after nap time. I think it works best because it's the most comfortable.

I miss my mom. Why can't I live close to her. She'd be the best gal pal to hang out with and I know she'd love to work on her grandma skills. I think my favorite thing about my mom is that there is no one else like her. She is totally unique and I don't get the laughs and smiles that she brings out of me from anyone else. My mom makes me feel good about myself. I mean, I love me when I'm with her. I think that might be the biggest compliment to my mother. To make her daughter feel like the best she can be. Life is ok when my mother is around. I miss you mom!

I miss my dad. I think I will forever be a daddy's girl. I'm sure that when I'm with my parents they get sick of me talking and talking but I love to share everything with them. I'm that comfortable with them. It's like sharing life with them finally makes life complete. I call my dad every time life happens. I want him to know what his little girl is up to. My dad is totally hip. Probably the coolest dad I know and he's mine. I'm the kind of person I am because of him. The best parts about me are from him, or I learned from him. If I can be as kind, thoughtful, conscious of others, playful, and wise as he is; I think I'll be the best mom....He was the best Dad.

I miss my siblings. I can't wait to be together again. I think, as of now, we are going to have sibling trips. The kind where no parents, spouses, or children are allowed and we re-live our childhood together. Hansen and I do that regularly over the phone and those conversations are most precious to me. Everyone grew up too fast. I can't believe Garrett is going to graduate and leave on his mission in the next 6 months; or that Andelyn is me to a "t". I mean, my Dad can't even get her name right she is so much like me. I wish I could be there as she is growing into her own beauty. I miss my brother seth. He was my favorite growing up ( did i just say that "out loud". I don't know what it was about him but we got along really well. It's like we were bound together a little differently than everyone else in the fam. I miss you seth, I really do.
James is a total stud. I'm pretty sure I've never met a cooler 11 year old kid...or one who struggles to smile to much. Ya know, cause that would be too cool! And Canon, he creates a good laugh among his older siblings (and mom and dad) and doesn't even realize that we are laughing at him--in the best way possible of course!

I'm amazed at how much I love my husband now compared to when I married him. You hear all the time how love grows and that it's common to love your spouse more with time.....it's a completly different thing to actually experience it. I have forever with David and I don't think I will ever get bored. He doesn't think I think he's funny but I do. I love how he makes me laugh. I've realized now that he also makes me think. Living with an intelligent man let's you see things in a new light...or even first light. Sometimes he talks about things I'll never understand, or even things I'll never care about; but we share the day together and bit by bit, we are learning to share our minds. Marriage is great. It's better than I ever imagined.

I'm about to say something crazy: I miss being pregnant! Really. I had no idea that was even possible. I'm sure when I am again (months and months from now) I'll not be as enthusiastic or this statement might even be null and void. I don't really know what I liked about it. I think it was the excitement of it all. And the love that develops for the life growing inside you. For me, I loved showing. The bigger my tummy got...the better. I loved it.

I have no idea what to make for dinner. Maybe I won't make anything. Cereal anyone?

2 Months

Wow, little Carson is TWO months! Crazy. And the time is just flying by. He is getting so smart. He loves to talk. I think sometimes he gets mad that he can't do more than just coo at us. Lately he has started playing with the toys swinging in front of him. He's figured out that if he reaches out and touches them, they move. He loves getting a reaction to things that he touches. We got him a rattle for Easter and he likes to know he can create sound from it.

Our son

This is his "I'm hungry" face. He snorts like a pig while making the oooo shape

2 month stats:

*13 lbs 1 oz

*23 1/4 in

*sleeps ave 7 hour blocks

*coos and smiles all day

*0 teeth

*no new words

FINALLY some sun

It is such a beautiful day out. I have been upset with the weather of late. It's been snowing and raining and looking awfully sad outside. I am ready for the sun baby and it's finally here again. I hope it's back for good.

Some things that I am looking forward to as my boy gets older....
**going to the park (even if he is alseep the whole time)

**laying outside on the grass

**swimming

**going to the zoo

**visiting my family!!!!

**Facer family reunion (I hope all are planning to attend!)

Warm weather...please don't go away!

Proof

Our little munchkin really can smile! Working up to it........ He even gives us little teasers!

Yay! He did it!

And now I'm done Mom!
He is actually really good at communicating what he wants. He lets Mom and Dad know how to help him!

A Day of Accomplishments

Today has been a very productive day in this household. It's great because there are some days that I don't even make it in the shower (yikes!) So to be able to have multiple accomplishments....well we might as well brag..I mean BLOG about it!

My kitchen has never had all of the dishes washed, put away, counters wiped and floor mopped since arriving home from the hospital. (except for when my mom was here--oh and the weekend my dad came) I pretty much can't keep a clean house without help. But today I DID! Wahoo sorry no pictures

I have not had the opportunity or maybe taken the opportunity to blow dry my hair and really get ready for the day with an outfit and all. Today was the first for me!

so vain

Carson is spoiled..oh wait don't they say you can't spoil a newborn? Ok but he is lucky since he sleeps in our bed every night and takes naps in our bed too. But not today. Carson is still sleeping this very minute in his crib and is going on 3+ hours!!

poor kid..had some breakouts

He also usually has to be rocked, nursed, or pacified to sleep. Today I set him in the crib when he was droopy and went to sleep on his own!

There is so much learning going on with him lately. He has found his hands and sometimes manages to find his thumb to suck on. The best new thing he learned was when he finally smiled for Mom. Aww...so precious. He smiled for dad and Aunt Pamela first so when he smiled yesterday for me it was too cute. I love my little boy and all the joy he brings into our lives!

His 1 month stats:

*9lbs 14 oz

*22 1/4 in

*sleeps ave 5 hours a night

* 0 teeth

* no new words

The Daines Household of Late

We've been having a lot of fun since Carson came into our world. Every day is basically the same but every facial expression and cry from our little boy is special.
Here are some of my favorite Carson pictures from the last few weeks

Sushi Night

One night while my mom was still here, David made sushi. He rolled it and everything by himself. We got a mat and receipe book from Ryan & Becky (thanks guys!) for our wedding and just now started using it. We love it!

My Own Jeans

This is me on Thursday Feb. 19, one week after he was born. I was shocked (and totally excited). I can't really wear my clothes yet though because they hurt my incision and it's awfully painful but they fit!

Blessing Day

Carson was blessed on Sunday and it was such a great day. My brothers came out and I loved having them here. We ate dinner at my in-laws and it was so relaxing...such a peaceful time. I'm so grateful to David for being a worthy priesthood holder and being able to bless our children.

Our Son

He is finally here! Carson Scott Daines was born February 12, 2009 by emergency C-Section. The little guy was having distress while I was in labor and when his heart rate dropped to 40 we were rushed into surgery. What was causing such distress...Carson's love of acrobatics. The cord was wrapped around his waist twice and then around each foot!



Our miracle baby weighed 7 lbs 5 oz and measured 19 3/4 in. He made his appearance at 5:50am and his Apgars were 8 & 9. SO HEALTHY! He loves to eat and holds eye contact quite well. We are in love. Daddy is back to work today and misses his son so much. It is my favorite thing to sit on the bed with my boys and watch how much David loves our son.

Here are a few of the greatest things about motherhood that if anyone told me before hand I wouldn't have believed them.

* If we are in the same room but he's lying down and not with me: I Miss Him! I miss holding my baby

* Nursing is one of the most rewarding & enjoyable experiences

* I could stare at him all day; I love to look at my sleeping baby

* Love and Joy is felt so strong that I cry randomly



I couldn't be happier about being a mom. It's hard...as most everyone knows. I am so tired! I'm emotional and things really bother me and then I cry. It seems like I am constantly doing the same things over and over BUT....I have a perfect child. He makes every possible negative go away instantly. Life is great!

Baby Shower & 39 Weeks

We're still here at 39 weeks!




I had my baby shower last Saturday. My sister-in-law Kaylee hosted the party and it was very fun!

And I thought this was a baby bump....

This is the first time I took a picture of my tummy....at 5 weeks! Ha...there is nothing there! I mean seriously; i look amazing. Will I ever be that skinny again? Oh I think so...I'm going to loose this baby bump that I really have now. The question is when....


On a very happy note----One of my best friends had her baby yesterday. Kellie gave birth to a beautiful little girl. I haven't gotten a confirmation on name or anything but I'm so happy for her...and all the more excited to have my own too!

No news has to be good news...right?

Well there isn't much to update about the pregnancy. I am still at 1cm and nothing much is happening. But I was ok to hear that since my husband was out of town until today. Now...it's ok if he wants to come but I'm content to have him wait another week or so. We did have an ultrasound and he's looking to be about 7.5 pounds. Maybe I don't want him in there too much longer otherwise he'll be nearing the 9 pound mark (ahhhh). It's just a waiting game now but he's healthy and I'm happy!