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!

38 Weeks

Wow...I look like a baloon. And I feel like a hippo. The memories I will have forever. I have a doctor's appointment today...hopefully I've progressed from 1 cm which was last week. But not too much...I would like him to wait another 2 weeks. That's when Grandma Facer will be here! Werid...my mom as "Grandma Facer". So exciting though. I'll update about the appointment later!

It's the week of Television

So I have to admit to my little addiction to T.V. I have some very specific television shows that I watch and then other than those shows, I don't watch anything else. My list seems to be getting longer though and I'm watching more t.v than ever before (that's what no job and waiting for a baby do for you.) In no particular order....



Comes back tonight




Also back on tonight



Comes back Monday



Season 7 started last Sunday and then continues Mondays



Season 5 starts Wednesday....I am so very very excited for this one!



The series began its 1st season fall '08. It comes back Tuesday



Season 8 started Monday



New episodes started Jan.9th and continue on Mondays



No new episodes; I record and watch the old ones over and over again. I laugh so hard!

Wow, I now sound like a complete couch potatoe. I swear my house is clean, I do the laundry, I make dinner for my hubby every night, and I have a life! But I do love these shows.

Our Christmas Holiday

So I just kept putting off a new post for Christmas because I did not have pictures yet....But WHO NEEDS PICTURES!

Is there a blogging rule that you cannot post unless you attach cute photos? NO! And so, while I await the pictures from my in-laws (note to self: Always bring own camera to Christmas so as to not rely on others)....I will post with words and perhaps get pictures on later.

It's really over. The whole Holiday Season; gone. It was just amazing though. I have already mentioned the wedding we had. What a crazy weekend! I worked way to much for my current condition but I think it's in my blood. I can't just stand around and say, "oh I'm pregnant...I'll just sit here." I feel guilty that everyone around is bustling to do this or that and as a true blooded Facer, you just are not satisfied with watching and waiting. That wedding weekend, I was up late working on details, worked all day Friday to set up at the reception, got up super early to do Lindsey's bridal hair, and kept going and going with the festivities. Amidst all the glory of the wedding, I was stressing and preparing for our Sunday Christmas Sacrament Program. The one I was completely in charge of. I pulled it off though. In fact I have never received such generous compliments from so many people. I am grateful for the Spirit which was felt, I know that I could not do it without the Spirit and I'm so glad that it was present.

The next few days (22-24) were a little bit calmer. The days consisted of gingerbread house making, doctor's appointment, haircuts, gourmet dinner prep and eating, games, nativity scene reinactment, Christmas Eve seafood dinner, present wrapping, stockings stuffed, and anticipation for the Day of Christmas.

CHRISTMAS MORNING

Oh what a day. It's like the baby knew what day it was because at 5:30am...kick, kick, flip, movement, kick. I was not going back to sleep. Half hour later the little kids came in (we slept over at the in-laws almost an entire 2 weeks over the holidays). The madness began. Everyone was in their Christmas Eve jammies, and all the girls had french braids from the night before. We went around the room; youngest to oldest, one at a time until the tree stood empty. A few highlights for me....

baby swing, playpen, clothes, etc
fuzzy crocs
Guitar Hero World Tour (yes David got it for ME,hmm)
piano lamp
necklace for all the girls to match
down comfortor King Size! (we have a queen bed but
don't fight over covers anymore)

The list, of course, could go on. We played guitar hero with two guitars and a singer (we have yet to get drums), then just hang out playing new board games, eating way too much food and spending the entire day in our pajamas. No one got out of them until the next day. Boxing day was a continual of games and lounging. The family played a great game of football and we had dinner with other friends and family.

And before we all knew it...2009 was at the door. Happy New Year! I love that I am back in my own bed, in my own house. I have set up all the baby stuff and have started the laundry process for all his new clothes, blankets, bedding, etc. I am excited for time to fly out the window and for labor to begin. Ok so maybe that last part I'm not 'excited' for....but I want to have a baby to hold; I guess that means I do want labor to come...ahhhhh!

Hope all had a merry holiday season.

A Winter Wedding

Hooray for Weddings!!!

My brother-in-law Nathan got married 5 days before Christmas and it was an absolutely beautiful day. I loved that it brought back memories of my own special day not too long ago. Congrates to both Nathan and Lindsey...we love you! Hope you're having a great time in Australia on your honeymoon!

Here are some fun snapshots of the day....