Sweet Tooth

I don't know what's gotten into me.  I mean, I've always had a sweet tooth, but since I've been home with Elle: Ben and Jerry and I are on a first name basis, I've baked cookies just because, and yesterday morning I made blueberry muffins (pictured above) because it sounded good.  What is going on?

Not only can I not get enough sweets...I can't get enough food in general.  My appetite has definitely increased since Elle has arrived.  I just want to eat!  This is not good!  

I am back to my pre-baby weight (not that my body LOOKS the same), but this whole addiction to sweets is not going to help my left over baby bump shrink anymore.  I've got to get this under control asap! 

Postpartum Depression

Here are a few of the symptoms the Mayo Clinic lists as signs of postpartum depression:

• Overwhelming fatigue
• Withdrawal from family and friends
• Lack of joy in life

And yes...Coach is definitely experiencing postpartum depression.  

Usually she goes out in the mornings for a walk around 6am when I'm working.  These days she mopes around until 10:30 or 11am and then rings her bell to go outside.  Then she spends the rest of the day sleeping on her bed, or in the hallway with her head on her paws.  

It is pitiful.  I am sad for her.  But there will be no meds for the dog.

10 things I know for sure:

I've now been a mom for 3 1/2 weeks, and here's what I know for sure:

1.  Labor and delivery does not hurt as much as breast feeding/engorgement.

2.  Sleep is a gift.

3.  A plan is necessary otherwise I might just stay in bed and watch TV all day.

4.  Food in the freezer is the BEST!!

5.  Getting out of the house makes all things bearable.

6.  Scheduling showers, exercise, meals, laundry etc. between feedings is an art.

7.  A "To Do" list takes a few days to complete.

8.  The swing is my friend.

9.  Taking care of a newborn is work.

10.  This is the best work EVER!! 

**The picture is of Elle in her swing...I have a hard time believing that she is comfortable.**

Sweet Baby Girl

I know that I'm getting spoiled...but I love this stage of infancy!  All the sweet baby does is eat (which is not the most fun thing for me yet), poop (also not so much fun), looks around alert and happy (for about 15 minutes), and sleep (now this is fun!).  Then the cycle just repeats over and over for 24 hours a day.  Elle really doesn't cry too much, and really the only reason she cries  is if she's hungry.  Seriously, she can be sitting in a bunch of poo and pee...it doesn't phase her at all.  I love her to pieces!

Just Relax...

Ever since we've been home everyday I try and take some time to relax.  I've always heard, "you need to sleep when the baby sleeps!"  This is much easier said than done.  There are things to do, that can only be done while the baby is asleep!  I try and take at least one nap a day.  Last week Cole walked in to see all three of his girls taking a nap and here's the picture to prove it!

Gettin' back to Normal...

Well, It's been 3 weeks and one day since Elle was born.  Throughout my 35 weeks and 5 days of being pregnant I  gained 25 pounds.  Wow!  It's amazing how that happens.  I was right on track to gain 30 pounds had I gone full term.  

Gaining weight during my pregnancy was one of the most stressful and all consuming thoughts that I had.  Probably because all of my maternity clothes were borrowed from my skinny sister-in-law Amy.  I wanted to make sure that I fit the clothes...1.  Because they were really cute maternity clothes - I got compliments on them all the time and...2.  I didn't want to have to buy more clothes that I would just grow or actually shrink out of in a couple months - I'm cheap like that!  So, I tried everything to keep my weight gain under control - everything that is except skip the rolled tacos from Santanas!

But now three weeks later, and without much exercise since the birth, I'm proud to say, I have 1-2 lbs. to go to get to my pre-baby weight!  I'm actually hoping to lose about 6 more pounds since I was a little heavier than I wanted to be when I got pregnant.  I am excited to get back to working out in a couple weeks...I'm just walking now which is good, but I'm itchin' to do a little more.

On my facebook page I created a week by week photo album of my growing belly.  I have finished off the album with pictures of Elle in my arms.  By the way...in every picture I am wearing the same outfit so you can really see the difference in my growing and now shrinking belly.  The pictures at the top of this post are 1.  Me at 13 weeks 2.  Me at 35 weeks and 3.  Elle and me at 3 weeks after the birth!

Walks in the Park

Today is Elle's three week birthday!  This morning, after the morning feeding, Coach, Elle and I went for walk number three since Elle was born.  This morning was nice and crisp.  I strapped Elle into her car seat stroller, harnessed up the dog and we were off.  Balboa Park was beautiful this morning.

I have decided that going on a walk with a brand new baby is just like going on a walk with a brand new puppy.  Everyone stops you and oohs and ahhs about how cute, tiny, and sweet the baby is.  Today though, one lady stopped just for coach!  She oohed and ahhed about Coach instead of the baby.  I think it might just be what the dog needed to lift her out of her postpartum depression, which, by the way she is going through FOR SURE!

I'm thinking a walk each morning might just what we all need to start the day off right!  

The Day to Day...

Life as a mom is very different than life as a teacher on Spring Break!  Feedings, diaper changes, laundry, and napping fill the day.  Today Elle, Coach, and I took our very first morning walk.  All three of us loved it.  I broke a sweat, Coach was giddy with delight, and Elle slept right through the whole thing, (just as I had hoped).

Later today during Elle's "Tummy Time"  she decided that she would show her mom how advanced she was for her age and flipped from her stomach onto her back.  I was so shocked that I texted Cole right away to tell him of our little GATE student.  (Gifted and Talented).  

The picture above is Elle moments before the flip.  Unfortunately I didn't get any action shots...it all happened so fast.

I'm sure tomorrow will prove to be just as excited as today...filled with more of the same day to day activities!

The Nursery

Elle's nursery is now complete (except for one other light and bit of art for one wall).  We thought we had a whole month to get it done, but when she decided to arrive a month early...we had to get movin' quick!  My dad (known to Elle as "G") came up with the design for the room, my mom (Gma) sewed all of the drapes, valances, bumper, and bed skirt, and Cole and I painted and watched it all unfold.  

The room is AMAZING!!  I wish it was my room.  I love sitting in there rocking Elle; it's so calming.  My parents do good work!  

Let the blogging begin!

I decided, against Cole's wishes to start a blog today.  I thought it would be a fun way to chronicle our lives, and an easy way to share events and memories with the rest of our family and friends.  

The biggest event of this month has been the arrival of Elle Marie Petersen on April 3rd at 9:17am.  Labor and delivery went well, and Elle is such a sweet baby!