Happy Thursday!! Our Baby Is Two Weeks Old

Hello!

What better way to end the work week than a picture of a cute pair of tootsies?

You all know how I loves toes?

I weighed him today on our scale... you know since this is a weight loss blog...

But he was so little, he didn't register.

So, with a big sigh...I stepped on with him...

and then again without him...

Oh, what did I weigh you ask?

Nice try.

But according to my scale, our baby weighed a whopping seven pounds even.

That's up 6/10 a pound from his birth weight of 6.44.

So, don't let this thumb sucking picture fool you.

He's been getting milk a-plenty from me.

And as far as my diet goes, I gained back a pound this morning.

*sigh*

It was probably my husband's chips that I had last night.

Did I mention that I will often have several false starts before a diet sticks?

Hence my favorite mantra, "If at first you don't succeed...try, try, try, try... and try again."

One last day of the work week, folks!!

We can do it.

Oh, did you all read my husband's comment from yesterday's post?

Isn't he the best?

Have a good one!

Sincerely,

Sunshine Mama

An Update...And I've Lost Four Pounds So Far...

Hi Y'all!

I feel like I should post a picture of the baby or something. ha! I think I'll do that tomorrow. He'll be two weeks old.

I figured I should make a post now...while I'm still wide awake because I can't guarantee how I'll be feeling tonight. Last night, I laid down at eight at night and didn't awake until sometime after midnight.

This child of ours is exhausting me. He is constantly eating, which is great! But...I'm beginning to feel like...slightly suffocated. But sleep helps. Actually, from my experience, the first year with a newborn is usually the most challenging because they are so dependent on you. And, it's also a time when you are adjusting to caring for another person while trying to balance that care with your other responsibilities.

I think, all things considered, it's going well. I'm back to homeschooling, getting that done and developing more ideas to make things go even smoother.

Also, newborns present a special challenge for moms who want to work out at the gym...like me.

Yes, you all knew I would be wanting to hit the gym ASAP. But, it can be challenging, because I first have to pump breast milk before I go, and then hope that he doesn't cry too bad while I'm gone. Because often babies don't like breast milk in a bottle. Usually by the time I get to the gym, I'm feeling a little out of breath from all the histrionics I go through just to get there. But, what's amazing about being gone from baby, even for just an hour, is that I'm in a great mood when I come back and I feel even more love for him than before I left.

So, I may try to work out tonight, or tomorrow night. I want to fit in at least two arm work-outs this week. The leg work-out may have to wait until next week.

As for my diet...remember I said I'd start on Monday?

I've already lost four pounds. But, usually I will lose about five pounds in the first week and then I will lose nothing for about ten days. But by the end of ten weeks, the average will be about two pounds a week. Also, I may still be losing water weight from just having a baby. And, I am breastfeeding, which they say burns between 200 to 500 calories a day. It depend on how much breast milk the baby drinks. They say you burn about 20 calories per ounce that the baby eats.

Either way, losing that first five pounds is an encouragement to me to keep eating healthy.

I really appreciate you all visiting me and checking on me despite me not being able to check up on you. I hope to remedy that soon.

So, let's see...where does ten weeks take me...Monday, January 17...which is two days before my husband's birthday...and three days before my dad's birthday.

Can I do it again?

Can I lose twenty pounds in ten weeks again?

When I did it before, I was able to run from the beginning, but I can't run right now because my body isn't completely healed.

But I'm going to do my best!

Hope you all have a great day!

Sincerely,
Sunshine Mama

Eight Hours After Birth Photos...

Hello again!

Because of the time of morning (2:50 a.m.) that we had our son, it made sense to let the kids sleep in and then let them see the baby on their way out to grandma's house. Granted, it was only eight hours after his birth...But I wanted them to be the first to see their baby brother.

This is our two-year-old, son Stavesacre. Out of all of his siblings, he was the last to get to hold his baby brother. So, by then, he knew what to do.

See?

He's patiently waiting his turn.

Ahh...they look so cute together.

He loves his baby brother.

Kisses too.

Everyone wanted to touch him.

They still do.

My rule is to wash hands first and no poking him in the eyes, nose or mouth.

But they still do anyway.

This is our son, four year-old Peach Blossom.

There were kisses aplenty.

This is our six year old daughter, Iris Anna.

Is it just me or do they look like they are giving similar expressions?

Eight year-old Dandy Lion was the first to hold him

because he had correctly guessed when he would be born.

This is 15-year-old Darling Rose who just loves, loves to hold him any chance she can get. She loves to just sit and look at him as he makes all of his cute little sounds and facial expressions.

He's still eight hours old here.

Daddy Rainmaker is holding him here.

A little later in the day of his first day hanging out with us.

Oh, yes, I suppose I should make an appearance since I did give birth to him. Ha!

See, we're both looking at you!

This is us just before we drive off into the sunset with our new son.

The hospital stay was nice. They fed us like kings and queens. I totally did not stick to my resolution to eat clean. But, not to worry, because I am starting my diet tomorrow, Monday.

Does anybody know of any good weight loss blogs out there?

You know... where you could... like...lose 20 pounds in 10 weeks?

Yah! I think I should sign up for that one.

Have a good Monday, folks!

Sincerely,

Sunshine Mama

Your Peek At Those First Few Photographs...

Hello everyone!

Thanks for patiently waiting for pictures. The good news is that we have a new computer...the bad news is that I really shouldn't be up this late posting pictures...but see...there is this newer, faster computer that was tempting me to post...

Our son's first few photographs after he was born on November 4, 2010:

This one is less than five minutes after he was born.

A few hours after birth waiting to get checked out.

A proud Daddy Rainmaker.

Not sure what is going on here...Dad was taking pictures; mom was recuperating.

This may have been the beginning of his bath.

Interspersed with a weight picture.

He was 20 1/2 inches long.

He now weighs 6 pounds 11 ounces.

Time to wash his hair for the first time.

Getting it wet...

Rubbing in the shampoo.

Isn't he lovely?

How about another one?

His first diaper...

Changed by experienced hands.

Ahh....swaddled and warm...much happier now.

I have more pictures to share, but I will have to post those later.

I hope you are all doing well!

Sincerely,

Sunshine Mama

A Little Update

Hello again!

Thank you for all of your congratulations!

I'm at the library with baby this time and he's asleep. I had stopped in to pick up the latest Jack Reacher novel, and I thought, "well, we'll see how long he sleeps."

He just got weighed again today and he's now 6 pounds 11 ounces, as compared to 6 pounds 6.8 ounces on Monday. I'm guessing that he will hit seven pounds very soon.

I don't know how the weather is anywhere else, but it's been in the 70s here for the past three days which has been wonderful for Daddy Rainmaker to get some outside things done at home.

I have been doing some house cleaning and around 7:00 p.m. last night I hit the wall and fell asleep for four hours. But I've been working hard to make sure I get my sleep. Each day I feel a little bit better recovery-wise. I'm also very glad that we made all that food because meals are a breeze.

Tomorrow and Friday I start back with some homeschooling, so we'll see how that goes. Also, I am thinking about going back in the gym next week, but that will depend on how I feel.

The whole family just loves baby and loves holding him. I don't even mind changing his diaper. Well, I think he's waking up.

I will blog when I can.

Sincerely,
Sunshine Mama

Baby Boy Is Here...And He Came Facing Up

Hi friends,

Daddy Rainmaker is waiting in the car with our bundle of joy while I type a quick post here at the library. Ha, Ha. I have to laugh at that because I didn't know how else to do it without bringing in the baby or we can't keep him at home while I write because I'm breastfeeding...

Anyway...All went well. After I typed my last post Wednesday night, the contractions started becoming more intense and regular around 11:00 p.m. Then, when I couldn't stand it anymore, we went to the hospital around midnight.

By the time I got there I was dilated to five and fully effaced. I decided to take some fetanol (I'm not sure I have the spelling right) which takes the edge off the contractions. I started with half a dose and then took the other half as things got more intense. I'm glad I did because I noticed that I was having some back labor, too, which is indicative of a baby facing the wrong way (sunny side up).

Well, I usually start pushing when I hit eight centimeters. And if baby is facing the right way, the pushing is the easy part. Well, the pushing was not easy. She kept telling me to push harder and harder and she said it with a certain urgency. So, I did the best I could, but I looked at her face and realized that this baby may not be facing the right way. So, into my second round of pushing when the next contraction came...she said push twice as hard as the last one...and then they put the oxygen mask on me because the baby's heart rate had dropped. But I pushed again and he came out. Altogether I pushed a total of five minutes to get a sunny side up baby out, which to me is quite miraculous. Baby #4 took 90 minutes to push out because of him facing the wrong way.

I can only imagine that the reason the pushing part went so smoothly, all things considered, was because he wasn't as big as the other babies, I had some pain medication along the way, and perhaps because I'm in shape. After the birth, one of the gals who attended the labor said something about me pushing like a rock star? Ha, I think that was a compliment.

Our son weighed 6 pounds 4.4 ounces at birth and is 20 1/2 inches long. He weighs about a pound less on average than our other babies. I asked the doctor if he weighs less because I gained less weight in this pregnancy and they said they didn't think so.

We had an appointment this morning, and already he weighs 6 pounds 6.8 ounces. So, he's gaining weight. And he eats all the time.

Other than being a slender little guy, he is in perfect health, thank God! He's beautiful. His face didn't get bruised at all from coming out the wrong way, which will sometimes happen.

I have been taking pictures and expect to have my home computer issues resolved by the end of this week if not sooner so that I can post some pictures of the baby.

But I wanted to thank you for keeping an eye on me and the baby and I appreciate all of your words of encouragement.

Everything is going well at home with the new baby. It feels a little strange to not be pregnant after being pregnant for so long. My body is still recovering, and I nap often to try and keep up on my sleep.

I'm not sure if I'll be able to post again until my I get my computer at home up and working. But hopefully that will be by Friday.

Oh, so he was born on Thursday, November 4 at 2:50 a.m.

Sincerely,
Sunshine Mama

1st Day Over My Date...I'm Feeling The Pressure...

Hello everyone!

I so enjoyed hearing your comments today. I agree, I think this baby IS calling the shots and this boy could be a man of leisure, SunshinegMeg.

However, what's so funny about all of this is that I'm only one day over my due date, but, gosh, every day feels like it's reeling by in slow motion or something so it feels like he IS taking his time coming out when in reality...it's only been one whole day past the due date. Ha, Ha!

But there is a very good reason for why I titled this post having to do with pressure. Folks, the time may be very near.

I'm trying to decide how much to tell all of you. I've already shared with you a little about losing some of my mucus plug. Well....and I really don't want to gross out anyone...so let's just say a little more than than that has been happening today. But I called the midwife and she said everything was all right as long as it doesn't look like I'm leaking amniotic fluid or any kind of "flow" is coming out that I would need a pad for. Sometimes when the midwife checks to see if you're dilated (like she did yesterday), it can cause some things to happen. Sorry I'm being so mysterious. I'm trying to not gross anyone out.

But the thing that has really gotten my attention today is that I think the baby had dropped lower into my pelvis. There is just more pressure on my bladder. When the baby moves, I feel pressure and the contractions feel different...lower...and much, much more painful.

They actually feel like labor pains. They actually make me wince. They make me want to stop what I'm doing...try to relax...and breath carefully. However, they only happen two to four times an hour and they don't last too long. But they hurt.

For those who don't know, it's not until they last about a minute and are about five minutes apart before I start thinking about going to the hospital.

In fact, it's uncomfortable enough...Dawne, that I don't want to go to the gym tonight. I am skipping the gym. Though, I probably should go because they aren't happening that often. Right? I went last night and felt fine. Great in fact.

I called my husband before he left work and told him to make sure he had his "I'll be gone" messages in place. I called my mom to put her on standby. But at the rate things are happening now...he may end up going to work tomorrow anyway. Or...I may be getting woken in the middle of the night.

I simply don't know. But I do know that my contractions are no longer subtle or mild. They actually hurt, which is why I have to guess that it may not be much longer. I just have never had it where this thing has dragged out like it has with this one.

If I don't blog by between 7 to 9 p.m. tomorrow night, you all might safely assume that the baby has come. We usually stay at the hospital for a few days.

If things happen tomorrow, this will be a "Happy Thursday" baby and our eight-year-old son will be very happy to "win" his guess. He reminded me that he guessed it'd come at 4:30 p.m. on the 4th.

What's interesting is that a part of me would like for this baby to wait till the weekend like all the other babies have. I've never had a baby in the middle of the week before. Then, my husband can finish up his work week, the homeschooling week will be done...but I also understand that the fact that all have come on the weekend is actually probably very unusual, and ultimately, I don't control that.

Also, wanted to share with you some numbers I put together where I took the birth dates of our five children, compared them to their due dates and averaged out when they were born. Comparatively, the numbers are -3, 0, +2, +4, +14...These numbers mean that one was born three days before the due date, one on the due date, one two days past the due date, four days past the due date and 14 days past the due date. So, you add these numbers together and divide by five and that puts the average at +3.4 days past the due date. So, if you go on that average, this baby could be born half way through this Saturday or three-and-a-half days past my due date of November 2.

Wasn't that fun?

See what kind of constructive things I think about? Mathematical speculations on the date of the baby's birth.

Well, since I'm here at the library, maybe I'll check out a good book. ha, ha!

I hope you all have a Happy Thursday tomorrow!

Sincerely,
Sunshine Mama

Today's My Due Date Day...I'm 40 Weeks Along!!

Hello everyone!

Yeah! It's the day that I have been waiting for, for the past several months.

It's election day and my due date day all wrapped up in one. I even got to see the midwife today so I can report on that.

My husband has been funny all day long asking me if anything's happening. Unfortunately, I don't think it's going to happen today. There's only a few hours left in this day and nothing is going on. I am having contractions, but there's nothing new about that.

I still have to go to the gym tonight to do a leg work-out, so maybe that will start something. But, believe me, I'm not getting my hopes up.

I met with the midwife, and I thought I'd for sure measure a four because of all these contractions.

Nope! Try a dilation of three.

Last week I was dilated to two to three. 50% effaced. I'm still effaced the same.

Last week I measured 39 centimeters on my abdomen and this week the same midwife measured me at 38 centimeters.

I asked her if the baby was lower in my pelvis and she said he was negative one or two, which I don't know what that means, but she said she could still move his head up. So, I take that to mean he hasn't really dropped much.

She did try to assure me by saying that his position can change quickly when labor starts.

Also, when I told her how frustrating it was with all these contractions and how I've quit timing them she says, "Good! Don't time them. Just ignore them like they're not even happening. You'll know when it's time. The contractions are more painful and feel different."

Then, for kicks I asked her to look up how many days overdue I went with our fourth born son. I knew it was at least ten days...But I guess I forgot that it was actually...

FOURTEEN DAYS!

Ugg, how did I do it? Plus, he was the one with the really painful labor because he came out facing sunny side up.

You realize the implications of this don't you? If I've gone that over before, I could do it again. Granted the other four pregnancies all occurred within four days of my due date, but there was that one anomaly.

If I'm still pregnant by next week, an ultrasound has been scheduled for next Monday morning to check on the baby's vitals. But if that is normal, the staff won't start talking about induction until I'm 42 weeks along.

But I've never been induced and I don't want to be induced.

In the meantime, I'm getting the phone calls. My mom called last night and told me that she is beginning to feel like she's the one who's pregnant. Which just strikes me as so funny.

Every time my dad leaves the house to go somewhere, she's like, "Bring the cell...just in case". They don't go anywhere too far away. They've been working on the house, but are now only doing "little projects" just in case they have to leave at a moments notice to pick up our kids. She's been getting phone calls too like..."Are you a grandma yet?"

She's been trying to keep her house slightly stocked to feed the little ones and somewhat cleaned.

Another friend called today wondering. And yesterday, another friend hooked me up with some funny websites with overdue pregnant women's funny stories.

I have really enjoyed all of your comments. You all remind me that I am almost done with this race. Thanks, SunshineMeg. I just have to hold it together a little while longer. The best part is yet to come when we're finally holding that little baby in our arms.

And when that happens, all of this waiting will just be past tense. Thank you, for encouraging me and reminding me to enjoy it all until the very end.

There is a special day waiting just for this baby to be born on. And won't it be a cause for celebration when we finally find out what day it is?

Well, I'm off to the gym. I'm sorry I can't even comment on anyone's blog at this point. Everything is being written at the library and my husband reads me your comments to me from his break at work. What we really need at this point is a new computer...that's what the computer doctor told me the last time I was in. Until then, I'm doing the best I can.

Hope you all have a great Wednesday!

Sincerely,
Sunshine Mama

One Day And Counting...

Hello Friends!

I have a lot on my mind tonight.

My computer is acting up..."why now?!" I'm thinking. So, I scrapped my work-out at they gym and headed to the library to do a post.

No, my priorities are not out of line. Making daily posts about my journey through to the end of this pregnancy trumps my work-out tonight because I know I have "theoretically speaking" five days in which to get in three work-outs this week.

But, unless I can get things resolved quickly, it makes posting before I head to the hospital much more difficult.

Before computer issues cropped up, I had wanted to write about some of the significance of some dates.

Yesterday ended the 70 days that I had started counting my calories...ten weeks ago. Making that decision has made such a huge difference in how I have felt and looked during this pregnancy compared to my other pregnancies. I'm so glad I did it.

I started a new notebook today...another 70 days.

I will admit that I have faltered in my eating in the past few days, but I also am determined to pick myself up and try again. To be quite honest...and I don't usually like using this as an excuse, but I do believe some of the eating is because of feeling frustrated with not having this baby yet.

I'll make rationalizations like..."I need the extra fuel for labor"...or the 3:00 a.m. time when I got up and had a bowl of cereal..."does it really matter? I'm going to throw this all up in a few hours at the hospital." Ha..now isn't that a nice one?

But as time passes on, and this baby hasn't come yet, I think to myself that I really need to keep a cool head here and not just throw all my efforts out the window. I mean as far as I know, it could be another two weeks before this baby comes.

A due date is really a good guess...based off the idea that the baby could come up to two weeks before the due date or get this...up two weeks after the due date.

But for fun, I thought I'd remind you all of some of the guesses that were made of when people thought our son would come.

*Our 15-year-old daughter guessed Oct. 31 at 8:33 p.m.
*My husband hasn't officially guessed anything... just that he'd like it to be election day, the due date of November 2.
*Our eight-year-old son has guessed Thursday, November 4
*and my guess was Friday, November 5 around 7:30 p.m.
SunshineMeg, I forgot what you guessed, perhaps you can recall.

Well, the library is closing. I'd like to share more with you about all the comments I am getting. You know that's what happens on the week you are due and especially if you go over due.

I will say that I was feeling slightly grumpy when I got up this morning to face my day. I wanted the baby to already be here and not have to spend another week homeschooling while pregnant. And it's not because I'm uncomfortable from being pregnant, I just think that mentally and emotionally I had built up in my mind that the baby should already be here.

Well, it's almost DD-Day (Due Date Day) ha, ha!!

Make sure you vote!

Have a good one!

Sincerely, Sunshine Mama