Getting back on the horse

I gained between 35 and 45 pounds with the pregnancy (it depends what scale I'm on-weird, I know). I've lost the majority of it and since I FEEL recovered, but the doctor says technically I'm not, I've started integrating exercise into my day slowly and today was my first day where I went to the gym. It was really hard doing 20 minutes on the elliptical machine! I am so out of shape! Here was my internal dialogue as I was on the elliptical:

"I am such an idiot-why did I not work out at all during the pregnancy? This is going to take forever to get back how I was....Geeze I sweat a lot...Maybe I could convince Gordon to to watch Brooke like twice a day so I can come get rid of my HUGE back end. Sick....my stomach is gross and eww....the girl next to me farted...I'm going to pass out or vomit....My body jiggles as I glide on this thing...I'm such a weakling"

I shouldn't be complaining because I really only have maybe 8 more pounds to lose, but I lost lots of muscle, especially in my stomach and its just extra skin. Talking to my friends and just looking in the mirror I've realized that just because you are a certain weight doesn't mean that you look good! I am more unhappy now than I was before pregnancy having been at this weight before. (Did that make sense?) At least I'm making the effort. I hope my body doesn't resist the fat burning like it has in the past. But, I am trying to eat healthier, drink all my water, take my vitamins and now exercise. I'm turning over a new leaf! I am hopeful that I will be successful. So, now that all you tens of people have read this, it makes me more accountable, thus maybe giving me more motivation. Time will only tell. BUT, here is my goal (and I know I'm aiming low): By the time Brooke is 3 months old, I want to weigh less than I did before having gotten pregnant...not by a lot; Heck, if I'm only 1 pound under my previous weight, then I will take it.

That gives me 2 months, people! 2 months to get back into shape and lose 9 pounds. Thats do-able, right? A little over a pound a week-thats healthy weight loss for breastfeeding mothers.

Family weekend

This was a very eventful and fun weekend! Brooke got to meet her Grandpa Ernhofer, Grandma and Grandpa Brennan, Cousin Hyrum, Uncle David, and Aunt Gisela! You know you are loved when family is willing to travel as far as they did for such a short amount of time (my dad being the one who traveled the furthest...all the way from Ottawa!) All the family came to meet the newest member and to be here for her blessing which was done on Sunday, March 8th- exactly one month after having Brooke. I unfortunately forgot my camera on Sunday, so I don't have any pictures, but everyone else does! I will be mooching those pictures later, so stay tuned.

It was so great to have everyone here for the help and the company, but I'm happy to get back into my usual routine with my baby Brooke and Gordon.

A busy few weeks are coming up- I have my good friends 'the amy's' coming this weekend, next Monday and Tuesday we are travelling to Boise for my permanent residency interview, Thursday I have a doctor's appointment, Friday we drive to Salt Lake to fly to Oregon for the weekend (Gordon's friend is getting off his mission and he wants to see him). Its going to be hectic, but really fun! I just hope Brooke doesn't get thrown off and gets sick or something.

Anyways, here are more fun pictures of our visitors and Brooke.

One of my favorite photos of Brooke.

Brooke playing with Grandpa Ernhofer

Grandpa Brennan checking out our new carpeting

We sort of caught a smile! Its more of a half smile...

Grandpa Ernhofer, Gisela, and Grandma Brennan

I don't know why I love these photos of Brooke looking up, but I do

When Brooke is out, she's out cold

Grandpa Ernhofer with Brooke

I thought Brooke looked like a little crook because her hat and blanket had white and pink stripes on it.

Grandma Brennan and Brooke. (Brooke looks cross eyed)

Things I've learned

Since I have had Brooke, there have been things that I have learned, which, in retrospect, I probably should have known before. Nothing like life experience to re-affirm the obvious, I guess. Enjoy.

1. Babies cry.
2. No matter how secure you think a diaper is- its not.
3. Moving with a 2 week old is not a good idea.
4. Neighbors are hard to get a hold of, especially when you want something from them (like wireless internet).
5. Hiccups are more annoying for the mother than the child.
6. Gas drops aren't always a good thing.
7. Always use a changing pad...as much as I like getting peed on, its a warm, but still unpleasant experience.
8. Clipping baby nails is harder than it looks. I'm practicing.
9. Waking a baby is harder than it looks.
10. No amount of makeup will cover bags under your eyes.
11. Baby socks get lost very easily.
12. Getting too excited for a burp can scare a child.
13. Strangers ask to kiss my child (back off weirdo at winco).
14. Finding the 'just right' temperature for my child is very hit and miss.
15. Having no time to spend with your spouse comes with the territory of having a child. See you in 18 years Gordon.


As promised, more photos of Brooke. I tried to get a video on here, but it was taking forever to load. Maybe tomorrow during a nap time I'll try again.

Update!

So, Gordon, Brooke and I have moved into a subsidized apartment that is dirt cheap. However, we do not have an internet connection! It sort of sucks. So, until we can get some wireless, my sister's computer will have to do. I promise to upload lots of video and photos once we can use our computer to blog. Our sweet baby Brooke is doing well. We went to the doctor's office today and she weighs 8 pounds, 14 ounces and is 21 inches long (she gained 1 pound, 2 ounces and grew 1 1/4 inches). Everything looks good and the doctor said she is healthy! (He even said she was a "beautiful child" like 3 times......although come to think of it, he probably tells that to everyone) Brooke still gets her random hiccups and gets a little angry at the burps she just can't seem to get out, but I notice she is doing a lot better. She now is getting into a pattern of sleeping for 4-5 hours and then 3 hours at night which I think is pretty awesome. It sure beats those nights where she woke up 4 times. Glad she grew out of that (for now). She doesn't ever really cry unless she is over tired or famished (when she wakes up after sleeping for 5 hours). She grunts a lot, but thats usually because she has a few bubbles in her belly. We absolutely adore her and think she is the cutest child of all time.
Gordon is in Seattle visiting companies for internship opportunities. Boeing, Microsoft, T-Mobile, and Costco were some of the places he went. Although Boeing was the one he was going for, Microsoft seems to be a little more promising. He gets back late tomorrow night. I've been a little lonely without having Gordon around and will be happy when he comes home. All I've been doing is taking care of the baby, unpacking boxes, and cleaning. It also helps that my sister is only a few blocks away. She has been coming over in the mornings to watch Brooke so I can shower with some peace of mind.
We have an interview with homeland security in Boise March 17th for my permanent residency! FINALLY! This is one of the last things that needs to happen before I am an actual permanent resident! So, we're going to travel to Boise for a day trip. I hear they're going to separate Gordon and I, ask us the same questions, and then compare the answers to make sure we married for love. I'll keep you posted. I'm a little glad that this whole permanent residency saga is coming to an end. A light at the end of the tunnel. A glimmer of hope. Hurray. Praise the Lord.
I'm really hoping to get some internet soon! I feel like a hobbit in recluse without cable or internet. Its probably good for me that I don't have direct access to it all, but going cold turkey without it is a little tough. I'm hoping by monday we will have it all set up.
I ALMOST FORGOT----My Dad is coming to visit in less than a week to meet his newest grand child. So are Gordon's parents and David, Gisela and Hyrum! Our baby Brooke is getting blessed at church on March 8th, so they all will be here for that! We are so excited! Lots of pictures and more blogging to come! I promise!

One week old today!

Hello family and friends! We just can't stop taking pictures of and recording Brooke. She is one week old today and everything she does is adorable. She is sleeping a little less, which means that she is doing a lot more. Her eyes are open more frequently and she is always looking around at new things. Lauren is doing well at getting her on somewhat of a schedule: keep her awake during the day and sleep at night (easier said than done). Here are a few of her looks and fun times that we've been having over the past week.

I think she figured out that we were video taping her and decided to give us a smile.

Mommy and daddy spending some time with little Brookie.

After her bath. She didn't even fuss or cry.

After being fed by mommy.

She's wearing one of the head bands that her Aunt Emily made her.

She is sooo cute! I can hardly stand it!

Brooke's first days

This is her hiccuping. She's so cute! Wish you all could see her in real life.This is Lauren today after feeding Brooke and before eating her lunch and napping. Below is our favorite picture of Brooke so far (she's yawning). She gets so tired sometimes that we can do whatever we want and even have the lights on and she still can't stay awake. It makes it hard to feed her sometimes.

Her name is Brooke Elizabeth Brennan. She was born 7 lbs 12 oz. and was 19 3/4 in. As you can see she has tons of hair. She is very cute and gets the hiccups a lot-That's especially cute. We were able to get some rest last night because she was taken to the nursery between feedings. I know it's hard to believe but she is even cuter in person. She also has a little birth mark on her left knee.

Budgets work!

I just wanted to write a quick little blurb on how grateful I am for a budget. Since the new year began, Gordon and I have talked about different resolutions we wanted to accomplish for the year and this was one of them. It was a little hard to get used to, especially because we don't have a lot of money to begin with, but it keeps us honest, and believe it or not, healthy! We also were trying to figure out a way to allow me to stay home with the baby while Gordon was finishing up with school without getting any student loans. Quite the feat to accomplish, let me tell you. In my mind, I either would stay home with the baby and we'd get loans, or I'd go back to work part time so we could afford things. I never thought we could do both. But, lucky for us, we got subsidized housing and an extra grant that will allow us to stay within our tiny little budget and not get any loans (at least for now). Seriously, we are so grateful for all of these different programs through the school or the US government that allow us to stay debt free. I'm also grateful for the knowledge we both have about money and budgets!

Oh, and I am also extremely thankful for tax returns! Because we're getting lots of money back, we'll be able to fly a lot this year: Oregon in March and May, Utah in April, Ottawa in July, and hopefully Seattle for the fall! I'm so excited to travel with my little family!

And, just as a side note, my due date is on Sunday, February 8th. I get induced Monday morning if I haven't had her by then!