Lesley Greenfield {CQ} poses for portraits with her daughter Elle {CQ}, who was born on November 6, 2010, at their home. Greenfield is a first time mother. Staff Photo by Jake Daniels/Chattanooga Times Free Press

Lesley Dale Greenfield has a new reason to celebrate Mother's Day.

The 28-year-old North Chattanooga resident is a first-time mother. Greenfield gave birth to Elle Chelsea on Nov. 6. The new mom says Elle has changed her life "in every way."

"All of my decisions from small to big revolve around her and spending as much time as possible with her," Greenfield said. "It's so funny how my decisions have gone from prebaby - how many miles I could run or what trip to take next - to how many times at night I was going to breastfeed or what kind of formula to use in the first few months of her life."

Greenfield said she loves motherhood.

"Being a first-time mom is everything I thought and much more. It's hard to describe, but I think every parent understands. Your life revolves around the new baby. But no matter how little sleep you get or how much anxiety you have at times, it's worth it because you love them so much."

A former television reporter who now works with March of Dimes, Greenfield said a flexible work schedule allows her to spend a lot of time with Elle.

"I'm busy trying to figure out what will keep her entertained. She's into lots of strolling, loves her jumper and is obsessed with Baby Einstein. As far as work goes, I'm lucky I work for March of Dimes," she said, noting that the organization has a "strong support" system for working moms.

Greenfield said she's glad she waited to have her first child at age 28.

"I'm glad I had time to live in a lot of cool places, meet lifelong friends and work in some great TV stations before I came to Chattanooga, where my husband's residential architecture firm is based, to start a family," she said.

Like many parents today, Greenfield is documenting her baby's life.

"I have more than 500 videos and photos on my iPhone," she said, explaining that she sends videos and photos to her family on a daily basis. "She is a wild woman, always moving and laughing. She loves people - a social baby, just like her mama."

- Compiled by Karen Nazor Hill

Roses a Mother's Day tradition

The rose, associated with the goddesses of love (Aphrodite and Venus) by the ancient Greeks and Romans, is today the national flower for the United States and often the selection for Southerners to honor their mothers on Mother's Day.

"A Southern tradition," according to Answers.com, "is to wear a red rose to signify a living mother and a white rose to honor a mother who is no longer living."

A red rose, because of its wide availability, its vivid red color and its sentiment, is the No. 1 Mother's Day flower of all time, according to mothersdayflowersonline.net.

It is also the state flower of Georgia and three other states, is the 15th wedding anniversary flower and is the June birth flower, according to teleflora.com.

- Compiled by Clint Cooper

To the Market with Mom

No need to labor over how to entertain Mom today. Chattanooga Market, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. at First Tennessee Pavilion, will be devoted to that all-important woman in your life. Admission is free, but for a $7.50 ticket, you can sample five wines, along with cheese and appetizers, while you peruse the vendor booths and listen to music by Anna Johnson and Morgan Bracy.

- Compiled by Lisa Denton

Honoring Mom

We asked Facebook fans of the Times Free Press how they planned to honor their mothers today and found traditional sentiment still rules.

Fifty percent said they will spend time with their mothers. Plans ranged from nursing-home visits to a weekend girls getaway in the Smoky Mountains. One woman said she would tidy up her mother's house and prepare a meal there for her parents.

Twenty percent replied they were relying on flowers to express their love to mom.

Another never-fail favorite of moms, a family photo of grandchildren, was a popular choice.

Others expressed shoppers' frustration: "Try to get her something that she doesn't already have," with others relying on "cute gift certificates."

- Compiled by Susan Pierce

Brunch options

Here are a few Mother's Day brunch options in Chattanooga:

• Broad Street Grille - 1201 Broad St. at The Chattanoogan. A Mediterranean-style Mother's Day champagne brunch will be served 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Price: $32.95 adults, $16.95 children (free for ages 6 and younger). Reservations: 424-3700.

• Back Inn Cafe - 411 E. Second St. in Bluff View Art District. Celebrate Mom in one of the city's most elegant restaurants with the best view of the Tennessee River. Reservations: 265-5033, ext. 1.

• Big Table - 118 Cross St. off Mountain Creek Road. Buffet price: $14.95 adults, $7.95 children 9 and younger. Reservations not necessary.

• Blue Plate Diner - 191 Chestnut St. Made-from-scratch Southern specialties served breakfast through dinner from 8:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Eggs Benedict also will be served through lunch. Reservations: 648-6767.

• Melting Pot - 2553 Lifestyle Way. What fun to share a table with mom to dip into the only fondue eatery in town. Hours: Noon-10 p.m. Reservations: 893-5237.

• Niko's Southside Grill - 1400 Cowart St. A special brunch for Mom, served 11 a.m.- 4 p.m. Price: $25 adults $15 ages 4-10. Reservations: 266-6511.

• Stone Fort Inn - 120 East 10th St. This may be the coolest brunch in town, as the inn has reopened under new ownership with a new focus on food. Brunch is served 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Price: $25 adults, $12.50 children. Reservations only: 267-7866.

- Compiled by food columnist Anne Baly