Tessa was born at 7 lbs even. Our pictures of her as a newborn look like most newborns’, round face, puckering lips, button nose, swollen, etc. 
I had struggled with breastfeeding when Enoch was born. I was sure that I couldn’t make enough milk for my baby and battled with guilt because of it. It didn’t help matters that everywhere I turned I felt people were telling me how unlikely it was that I wouldn’t be able to make enough milk, “It’s just hard in the beginning.” I figured that, but really? Like this? I echo what one person wrote about her difficulty, “Supply and Demand right? Wrong! I knew there was no way I could nurse [Enoch] more. I desperately wanted to continue breastfeeding but I was worried [Enoch] wasn’t getting enough because I just wasn’t capable of producing the amount of milk he needed.” It was a miserable journey and the number one cause for anxiety while I was anticipating the arrival of Tess. I didn’t want to experience that again. While in the hospital, after delivery, I met with a wonderful nurse, as well as a lactation consultant, who both reassured me in the nursing game and empowered me to give it all I had. I felt that I was prepared for a great struggle but welcomed the challenge and looked forward to the victory. 
Because I was well informed of/prepared for how hard things would be in the beginning, I was okay feeling like I was never fully clothed. I enjoyed the one-on-one time I spent with my little girl and the beautiful dependence we had for each other. However, there was a hiccup in the project. . .
We didn’t realize there was a problem because Tessa never complained at the end of a feeding (Enoch continued to cry and cry even after nursing 30 minutes on each side). She always seemed happy, content and we watched her cute little personality developing. But Tess was wasting away. 
At her two month appointment she weighed about 8 1/2 pounds. The 1.5 pound gain was small compared to the lowest curve of average infants. She had fallen from somewhere in the 50th percentile to the 5th. This realization occurred only a few days before we were to leave for two months out of the state. We were supplied with an electric breast pump and I began to take herbal supplements all to encourage an increase in production. The pediatrician asked that we have her weighed again within three weeks and to call him with the results.
Three weeks later she was still under 9 pounds which dropped her below the 5th percentile, probably somewhere around the 2nd percentile. Per doctor’s suggestion and my fear, we began to supplement with formula. Though I was never diagnosed with “Low milk supply” (whatever that would be called), I felt validated for my concerns. I felt even more validation as I read an entry on this blog written to help young mothers with issues they may face. It made me feel understood and I encourage any of you who may struggle with similar issues to take a look at the website, not just for support but to figure out what your “next step” should be. That was almost six months ago and the little munchkin has rebounded like a dream. Weighing in at the 50th percentile again, Tessa Rose has become a pleasantly plump pumpkin.
Our ridiculously talented friend Jenny took these pictures for us the day before we came home. You’re awesome Jenny. So if any of you live in Utah and are looking for someone to photograph your family, choose Barrus Photography located in Sandy, Utah. Mentioning my name probably won’t give you a discount, but maybe it will stir some avant garde ideas in the artists.
I haven’t been able to identify the color of Tessa’s eyes.
Sometimes they’re brown. . .
. . . sometimes they’re grey.
If you were to walk into our house at any given moment, the above expression is what you would see on Tessa’s face. The rest of the time, you’d see the expression below.
Let us compare the periods of “feast” and “famine.”
Yes, she is the same baby. Always happy.
I know many women who have struggled with breast feeding and if you are one of them, you should know you’re not alone. I was introduced to a blog focused on issues young mothers face and provides a forum in which women can share their struggles and successes.
The family is growing well and staying healthy. Chase has been home for the entire month and we’ve been focused on completing the house remodeling. That is all for another post though.
Fresh lemonade, chicken salad sandwiches, veggies, onion dip, ice cream, cherry tartlets (#2), cake, candy and of course CHERRIES!
There was a lot of planning involved and I thoroughly enjoyed the entire drawn-out process. Yes, I went overboard for a one-year-old . . . I’d do it again too ’cause it was fun! So here are some bigger images of my favorite pics of the birthday girl. We sure love you Tess!
By far the funniest pic I got of her that day. We call this charismatic girl a “goof,” because she’s always making faces and her gap-toothed grin doesn’t help with the stereotype.
A couple days later we drove into the mountains so Luke (Chase’s brother) could cut down his families Christmas tree. Because we are not at our house we didn’t need a tree of our own, so Chase took the opportunity to give Enoch his first lesson in shooting. It may not be obvious in the picture, but this is an image of three generations: Enoch the grandson, Chase the dad, and the revolver which belonged to the late Grandpa Petersen. I haven’t done much shooting myself, but when it was my turn I was able to knock down one of the cans, not bad for a scaredy-cat like me.
PETERSEN: Vermont Chapter 
