6 weeks

Elena is amazing. We had a great weekend with grandpartents galor and now my mom and stepfather are back to babysit and help out. We have so much support from family I am so grateful. Here is a picture from the Sunday barbeque with family when Elena is 6 weeks.  We have mastered her cries and we are on a great scheudle. She is wonderful.

 

de-fatification

Yesterday began my official de-fatification process to get rid of the pregnancy pounds. I was given the go ahead by my doctor. I booked 10 personal training sessions for next week and I have been power walking a lot with Elena in the stroller. Yesterday I thought Id try beginning my running regimen again. Not really accepting how it had been 10 months since I had ran, I put on my clothes and went to the park at lunch for a jog. I made it about a half mile and my lungs actually gave out. A sign of being in shape for me was when my legs would give out before my lungs. I can strength train for running but if you are out of shape cardio wise you’ll putter out long before your legs would ever get tired. So I finished my 3 miles with a walk/ jog but it was a harsh reality to accept. I’m in it for the long haul and have a goal of getting back up to my 5 miles per workout by Thanksgiving.

4 weeks old

The professional photographer came today to take Elena’s 4 week pictures. We’re going to get her shots 3 times this year to capture her growth then a family set each full year following. His name is Tim and his style is very natural, not posed. I am excited. We did our family shot outside and some studio shots of just Elena inside. In the meantime here are some 4 week shots I took while I wait for the good ones.

Cousins

My stepsister and her hubby came by for a visit on their drive north and brought their two kids. Their Son is about 5 months old. We lay the cousins side by side. So cute. He even nibbled a little of Elena’s arm.

Two women on a log

I had a play date Friday with my friend Michele and her two kids. We went for a trail/ stroller walk in the park by the river. While we were walking we got a little confused by the trails. Dave used to run the trails in high school cross country and he said veer left and we’d hit the playground but the left trails didn’t work for the frailty of my mall stroller. As we entered deeper into the woods we laughed about getting lost. Michelle joked that if we did end up getting turned around and couldn’t make it to the benches by the parking lot soon, that we’d end up breastfeeding on a log. It’s a funny thought it you think about it- two women breastfeeding on a log in the woods while waiting for rescue from the park ranger.

Love

I love my husband so much. Right now we’re in a teeny tiny fight but it will blow over.  After what we’ve been through, we’ll always work it out.

The moment when Elena was born and she was placed on my chest I kissed her squirmy wet face and cried. I was so happy and I looked up at Dave who was inches from my face and Elena. In a few moments he and I locked eyes and it was an amazing comfort and feeling of peace knowing he was my husband, by my side and we had created this life together. It was an awesome moment that I will always remember. It was a moment that brought Dave and I so much closer together and allowed us the freedom to just be and to fall in love again, and deeper. Love is so cool. Dave rocks. His support and love, and the moment we shared lasts a lifetime.

Pump and Dump

On the last night of my mother’s almost two week stay Dave and I decided to finally go out with friends for dinner and drinks! After nearly 10 months without one singly fruity martini I was ready. Brad and Andrea picked us up and brought some awesome baby gifts and some great sparkling Italian red wine called Rosa something- it was so yummy. After our toast to Elena we left my mom with Elena and about 6 ounces of breast milk to last her through the evening and night when I returned. Towards the end of dinner (after a martini and two mojitos) and while I was bragging about my milk supply I had stored up for this evening my friend asked “You’re going to have to pump and dump, you know that right?” What? I asked. I had no idea! “Yeah, any alcohol in your bloodstream will stay in the milk unless it is pumped out so you’ll need to pump through this evening before you can feed again.” I humbly learned my lesson! I don’t like to ever get too tipsy anyways but any more than 1 or 2 drinks is pretty much out of the question. I was up 3 times from midnight to 5 am attached to the breast pump, not my typical idea of a fun evening out. Next time? I’ll stick to a low alcohol content fruity beer like Miller Chill and call it a night after 2.

By the way, my Mom rocks. Thanks Mom, I needed to be an adult again not a walking refrigerator.

Family Outings

Dave and I had our first real weekend as a family out and about. Now that she’s two weeks we are a bit more comfortable taking her places. We did some shopping and went to several restaurants. Elena was an Angel. As long as I can breastfeed in the car or family restrooms when we are out we can take her almost anywhere (no more dinners at Lemaire or late nights in the fan) but relatively speaking Dave and I are enjoying our new freedom.

Dave was even jammin to some smooth jazz with Elena in the family restroom lounge at Stony Point after I fed her. You can’t hear the easy listening becasue of the loud kids but the dancing is funny.