Against The Odds

Hello friends!

How are you all? Sorry about not posting for two weeks. I have been very busy. I have not lost any additional weight yet neither have I gained any.

I have not been recording my calories for the past two weeks which is causing me to not be on top of my calorie restrictions. I am still eating well, but perhaps just too many calories to actually drop weight the way I want to.

In good news, I started running two weeks ago and will commence my third week of running this week. I continue to weight lift at the gym three days a week.

So, in order to get the weight loss to resume, I need to focus on writing my calories down again. Another struggle I have is with my caffeine intake which affects my hydration levels. And being dehydrated reduces the rate of weight loss. But it's a tough balance for me right now because I am homeschooling four children along with also just taking care of three other children, one being six months old. So, I don't get enough sleep because of the work load. So, then I drink caffeine which affects my ultimate weight loss.

It's a circle that I'm determined to extricate myself from...somehow. Ha!

So, bear with me as I try to lose weight against odds that I feel are stacked against me.

I will try to post again on either this Sunday or shortly thereafter.

Sincerely,

Sunshine Mama

Hello friends!

Today marks the 27th day of my diet. I lost .8 pound last week for a total of 5.8 pounds lost. Last week after I posted my weight loss, my weight actually fluctuated up. However, it couldn't be because of what I ate. I don't like this snail's pace weight loss, but this is much preferred to the alternative of gaining weight or remaining the same.

Here is a break-down of the week:

Sunday: 1,240 calories, 30 minute leg work-out, abs
Monday:1,395 calories
Tuesday: 1,225 calories. 2 1/2 mile bike, abs, 50 min. back and bicep work-out, 10 minutes elliptical
Wednesday 1,270 calories
Thursday:1,350 calories, abs, 40 minute chest and triceps work-out
Friday: 1,415 calories
Saturday: 1,580 calories. 2 1/2 mile bike, 35 minute leg work-out, abs

I keep saying I need to start running. This may be the week it will happen. Also I should take some measurements to see how that looks because I did take some at the beginning. I am trimming down a little even with just losing six pounds.

I hope you all have a good week!

Sincerely,

Sunshine Mama

 

Hello, here are a few pictures of our baby girl, who I have not given a flower name too yet. She turned six months old today. She was born on May 11, 2012.

 

Today was a decent week as far as keeping to my calories. I managed to get in three days at the gym. My calories varied between 1,200-1,500 each day.

 

This week, in six days I lost 1.2 pounds bringing my total weight loss to 5.2 pounds in 20 days of dieting. That puts me slightly behind track, because I want to be at a two pound a week average. So, I may begin running next week.

 

I still have not had a single piece of Halloween candy.

 

Thank you for visiting! I hope you all have a great week.

 

Sincerely,

Sunshine Mama 

 

 

Morning Glory Turns Two

Hello friends!
Today is a special day for one of our children. Morning Glory turns two!!! These pictures were taken of him a few months ago and I thought you might enjoy seeing a photo.

Today marks the thirteenth day of my diet. I lost 1.2 pounds in the last six days. I wish I was posting on Monday so I could post my weight on an even 14 days, but I can't count on making it to the library every Monday.

So, so far I've lost 3.2 pounds in 13 days.

Here's a breakdown of the week:
Sunday: 1,202 calories, 2 3/4 mile bike, 30 minute leg work-out, abs
Monday:1,430 calories, 2 1/3 mile bike
Tuesday:1,648  calories
Wednesday: 1,308 calories two miles of walking the kids for Halloween
Thursday:1,455 calories, 2 3/4 mile bike, 45-50 minute back and biceps work-out, abs
Friday: 1,555 calories, 2 1/2 mile bike, 50 minute chest and triceps work-out, abs
Saturday: 1,365 calories

I'd like to mention that I have not had a SINGLE piece of our kids' Halloween candy. I will have one or two Dove chocolate caramels a day though.

I'm feeling good about my resolve. I'm probably definitely having too many calories on my coffees, but I'm not quite ready to go to black coffee.

Thank you for visiting my blog.
Have a good week!

Sincerely,

Sunshine Mama

Hello friends!

You all surprised me with your kind, encouraging words. Thank you!

I've lost two pounds this week with six days of dieting. So...that's two down eighteen pounds to go.

Here's a brief overview of the week in calories and work-outs:

Sunday: 50 minute leg work-out, abs, 2 1/2 bike ride, didn't monitor calories till Monday
Monday- 1,737 calories
Tuesday-1,530 calories, 50 minute back and biceps work-out, abs, 2 1/2 mile bike ride
Wednesday-1,700 calories, eight miles of biking
Thursday-1,535 calories-50 minute chest and triceps work-out, abs 2 1/2 mile bike
Friday-1,720 calories- 4 mile bike ride
Saturday-1,480 calories-

I also worked on drinking more water every day. I may have gotten in at least six glasses.There are some weak spots I need to work on. I'd like to keep closer to the 1,400 calorie range. But I made some positive movements forward. I took out all white flour foods, though I still use sugar and creamer in my coffee. I may have to go to black coffee as this goes on. I think I'm beginning to feel better about myself.

I will probably post on Sundays as it is more challenging for me to get to the library during the week, so I may lose more weight by tomorrow morning as it is not a true seven day week.

Thank you again!

See you next week!

Sunshine Mama

Hello friends,

Twenty pounds in ten weeks anyone?

I'll update in one week!

Sunshine Mama

Hello friends!

Just wanted to let you know our daughter was born on Friday, May 11 at 4:12 a.m. She weighed 8 pounds and measured 20 3/4 inches long. She is healthy and the labor went quickly. I will give those details in another post. For now, I leave you with some pictures that were taken of her when she was 29 hours old.

Hello everyone!

It's May 7, and the baby is not here yet. I did want a May 7 baby, but it looks like it won't happen. I'm officially one day over my May 6 due date and feeling great. I do think I had some action about 3:00 a.m. this morning, but nothing major. It may have dilated me a little more.

So with no baby, I just end up cleaning and organizing more. If she isn't here by the end of the week, all of those pesky files and paperwork will even be organized. Ha!

When I saw my midwife last Friday, I was still 75% effaced and dilated to between 1 to 2. She was also sitting really high.

I thought I should share a few photos from Sunday, May 6th. I was dressed up for our 7-year old Iris Anna's girl choir concert. And, yes, the heels did start to kill after awhile.

We're thinking this baby will be between 7 1/2 to eight pounds. I've gained more this pregnancy than the last baby, but everything will work out. It will just take a little longer to get back in the groove, but I am looking forward to it.

Well, hopefully the next time I blog, I will able to post some baby pictures! Thank you all for keeping up on me!

Sincerely,

Sunshine Mama

Hello friends!

I made it to the library finally. And then after being absent for two weeks I came here to find out that the whole blogging scene has changed.Supposedly it's suppose to be better, but I'm feeling a little annoyed. Hmmm....

And the only reason I'm spending some time at the library here today is that some last minute internet things need to get taken care of before this baby comes.

Well, I have seven days before I'm due. Last Friday when they checked me, I was dilated to one and 75% effaced, where the week before that I was completely closed. I will say that the last few days I have had more frequent and perhaps slightly harder contractions. I have felt more tired than normal this last week or so. I do believe this baby won't come for another week. But starting next Friday the 4th of May I have to be ready for anything. I did get this wild-haired idea to start calling friends and family later this week just to say "hi" knowing full well that they would think I was calling to say I'd had the baby. But wouldn't it be funny to just get them all excited for a minute or two? I told my mom that and she said that I must have my dad's sense of humor.

I hit two garage sales nearby this weekend and was able to practically complete getting the clothes I need for this baby girl. Just love all this cute baby girl stuff. See, here's a bargain idea that Sunshine Mama has discovered for getting awesome garage sale deals. If someone has a lot of baby stuff that you want, but they are charging too much....go back... right when they are about to be done and offer to take most of it off their hands for say $5 a bag. Most of the time they will deal with you because they are intending on giving it all to Goodwill anyway. And, yes, that is what I did with one of the garage sales.

I also have a few more things to do yet to be completely ready for baby....like pack my bag, go grocery shopping, do a little more cleaning of the house, draw up a list of the homeschooling curricula that I need to get.

I will also have about one more week before saying goodbye to Dove Chocolate covered caramels, because after I get home from the hospital, I need to get moving and a groovin and droppin some baby weight.

Well, I do appreciate all of your comments and interest despite my sporadic postings. Not having internet at home has certainly put a damper on some of my creativity with posting pictures and spontaneous posts. But on the other hand, being a homeschooling mom of soon-to-be seven children, I have more time to take care of them.  Anyway, I miss it.

I'll try to post one more time before baby comes. If not, I'll talk to you later!

Sincerely,

Sunshine Mama

Baby Has Moved!!!

Hello and Happy Easter!

I'm at my parents' and they have Internet so, I'd thought I'd share some good news.

I visited the midwife on Friday and she said the baby has moved from being in a breach position to a head down position and and head facing backward position, which is the perfect position. She told me a few movements to do to keep the baby in the right position until labor. I am feeling very relieved. I will now be meeting with a midwife every week until the baby comes. I have officially four weeks until I'm due on Sunday, May 6.

Thank you for your comments and encouragement. I will try to post again after my appointment this Friday to keep you updated.

I will add that I'm beginning to swing into "operation baby preparation" mode. I actually enjoy it.

Talk later!

Sincerely,

Sunshine Mama

Baby Is Currently Breech

Hello friends!

Just a quick little post. I've been busy on the home front. I've felt a lot better these last two weeks since I've been eating healthier. What's interesting is because the baby is pushing on my belly, I get full so quickly. But that always happens toward the end. I've been trying to get in 6 to 8 glasses of water a day. I actually get thirsty if it goes too long since I've had something to drink. I'm completely off caffeine, so that when baby comes, my caffeinated breast milk won't keep her up.

During my last check-up, the midwife said that the baby's head had moved so that she is laying transversal. So, instead of the head being down towards my pelvis, she is laying horizontally. At least her head isn't under my chest. But in a few weeks if she doesn't turn they may try to turn her manually from the outside. The way that she is facing now she could be born breech, which they don't do anymore. My interpretation of that is they may want to do a C-section, which I've never had and would prefer to avoid.

What's interesting about her change in position is that usually this far along there isn't suppose to be a whole lot of room for them to be moving around. But because of having multiple children, the midwife said my uterus my be more stretched out which would allow her more room to move around. Nice.

So I have five weeks left. If at three weeks to go, she hasn't moved her head down, then they will try to move her. They told me that the procedure shouldn't hurt.

Anyway, my next appointment is April 6th and we'll see how she's sitting.

In the meantime, about three days ago, I started getting nice little mini-contractions that may last up to 30 to 40 seconds. I think they call them the Braxton-Hicks. But they've only happened about two to three times a day. But they will happen now up until the baby is born.

Well, hopefully I can update sooner than the last time I did.

Hope you're all doing well!

Sincerely,

Sunshine Mama

Some Small Talk

Hello, this is a little update since it's been a few weeks!

I'm due in eight weeks, which just seems still like a long way away. Today is Saturday and the temperature hit 60 degrees. I love this spring weather! But that also means I have to pull out some short- sleeved maternity clothes.

I haven't been working out. I'm tossing around the idea of doing some home work-outs. But I'm realizing that this pregnancy is just one of those where I'm simply not as in shape as I was in the last pregnancy. I've had those pregnancies before, and once I've had the baby, I simply put my nose to the grindstone and start making goals. One of those will be a half marathon in September. I figure that I'll be able to start running by July which will give me 12 weeks to train for it. I'm due on May 6th.

Speaking of this little baby. This girl is very active. Now all of her movements feel big and when she moves you can literally see it happen on the surface of my belly. The kids think its great!

I haven't gone all out on clothes shopping for her yet. I'm waiting to score some really good deals on garage sales first. But I'm very excited about all of the cute little girl clothes out there. And when the time is right, this little lady will have a nice wardrobe.

Hope you're all enjoying your weekend!

Sincerely,

Sunshine Mama

Feeling Good Today!

Hello friends!

Thanks for the encouraging comments. I haven't started my iron supplements yet, but will soon. As soon as Friday night set in and the weekend was upon us, my mood has been great! The sun is shining today and I'm happy.

I figure I have a solid three months left which is annoying to think about. I've thought about not thinking about how long I have, but have realized that not thinking about it is unavoidable. Everything about my life is impacted by my belly. Everything. Bending over when sitting down to pick up a dropped pencil. I have to move sideways to get it. I guess I can't believe how quickly my belly got big.

And that baby girl. She is a-moving and a-grooving in there.

Even though this is my seventh baby, I still have all the pregnant emotions and sometimes feel trapped in my body. Ha! But then aren't we all trapped in our bodies until Jesus comes?

Well, talk later!

Sincerely,

Sunshine Mama

A Blah Post

Hello friends!

Well, It's been a few weeks since I last left a post so I thought I should update. I stayed on my clean diet for two weeks, but the last few days I've been slightly off so I can tell I'm not feeling as good as I could.

I also found out that I have low iron, which would explain why even though I get lots of sleep each night 8 to 10 hours, I don't have a lot of motivation the way I did in my last pregnancy when all I wanted to do was organize the house. So, very soon I'm going to try some iron supplements along with some kind of stool softener because those supplements will bind you up.

And while I'm at it, I suppose I could mention a few other woes that I've experienced in the last two weeks. Well, about two weeks ago, I put my back out. So it hurt to walk, stand and even lay down sometimes. You know those power operated shopping carts like golf carts? It was hurting so bad, my husband actually talked me in to using one of those at the grocery store. It was funny, but I felt much better sitting on that than standing. I feel better now.

Then about ten days ago, I got sick with the stomach flu. I was vomiting and had diarrhea. After about 15 hours of that, I was getting dizzy. So, we went to the hospital for a liter of IV fluid to rehydrate me. I felt like a new woman after that IV. An hour after that, I could actually eat, whereas before I couldn't even keep down water and was throwing up bile. I would encourage anyone to do that if they're dehydrated.

Seems like a lot of people I talk to have been sick lately with the stomach flu.

It was so nice to see SunshineMeg's new little baby girl. Right now it feels like 14 weeks is a long time to wait for our baby girl, so it was encouraging to see hers. Congratulations SunshineMeg!

So, this is kind of a blah post, but I'm generally busy homeschooling throughout the day and then Monday through Thursday there is some extracurricular activity that the kids are involved in in the evening. I started homeschooling early this year so that when the baby comes May 7th, I can be off for a few months. I can see that it will be a challenge for me to be as prepared for this baby as I was for Morning Glory when I had the whole summer to prepare. So, I'm really hoping that taking iron will help my motivation. They say it takes several weeks though before your body absorbs enough iron for you to notice a difference. The last time I took iron supplements was 17 years ago and I stopped because of the side effects. So, we'll see how this goes.

Oh, happy February to you all!!

Talk later!

Sincerely,

Sunshine Mama

Hello again!

I've been feeling better since adjusted my diet over the past three days. I'm eating healthier and can tell that I have more energy to do things. I've also lost about two pounds.

Have to go, but will check in when I can!

I'm currently about 24 weeks along.

Sincerely,

Sunshine Mama

Hello friends!

I'm still around. It must have been ten days are so since I was last at the library.

I haven't been feeling good with my diet so I'm trying to clean it up. Today, I quit caffeine and I started counting my calories. I'll let you know how it goes.

I hope you're all doing well. It's been pretty busy here on the home front.

Talk later!

Sincerely,

Sunshine Mama