And The baby Is A.....

Hi friends!

Ok, since I have more than five minutes here at the library, I will share the ultra sound story.

We invited my parents to come to the ultrasound along with all of our children being there as well. I wasn't sure if my mom had ever seen an ultra sound and I knew she would probably enjoy it. (Both of them liked it a lot)

When we arrived there and they called me back to the room, we were quite the troupe of people heading to the small ultra sound room...four adults and six children.. The lady mentioned that only two or three people are usually allowed. I wondered where it said that and she said it says that online. I explained that we had brought all the kids last time to the ultra sound and was never told not to. Plus, nothing was ever explained to me at my last appointment about any rules on the number of people. But everything went fine as everyone stayed quiet for the most part.

Now...I should explain that after having three straight boys...all the kids wanted a girl. But I think all of the adults, myself, my husband and my dad were thinking it was probably going to be a boy even though we were hoping for a girl. Right before going into the room, my mom decided to guess a girl. As the ultra sound went along, the baby looked healthy.

Then, the technician switched over to 3-D with new equipment that they did not have last year. So, we were able to actually see the baby's face. At one point, our ever optimistic Iris Anna, 7, says, "She looks like a girl!"

Meanwhile, I thought I had seen something that indicated a boy. So did my dad. So, my dad, my husband and I were expecting a boy.

Then like a miracle from heaven she types in....GIRL !!!!!

I was shocked. I felt like crying. "Are you sure?!", I said, "because I thought I saw a little something."

So she takes me to that area and explains what I'm seeing. Still I asked for more reassurance. And she said that with this new 3-D machine there is no doubt what "she" is.

I just felt so overwhelmed with happiness and joy. We all are, and can't believe how God has blessed our family.

We are still walking around the house amazed at this little sister, daughter that is on her way in May.

As of right now we are not sharing the name with the kids and family to keep it as a surprise. But I am looking forward to shopping for little girl clothes since I gave away all little baby girl clothes a few years ago.

Right now I am about 20 weeks along and have gained about 20 pounds. I would like to slow that down as I am feeling a little winded walking up stairs and such. But altogether I am feeling energetic and focused on the all that needs to be done before our little girl arrives.

Thank you for reading!

Sincerely,

Sunshine Mama

Just a quick post friends!

I hope you all had a good Thanksgiving. Turkey day turned into a little bit of turkey week for me. But the good news is that I have already worked out twice this week and three times last week. So, now I'm trying to reign back in my diet.

I also have exciting news. We will get an ultrasound done this Friday to see baby and find out whether it is a boy or girl.

I will share more when I can. Thank you for reading folks!

Sincerely,

Sunshine Mama

Back On Track

Hello friends!

The weekend out-of-town bodybuilding visitors encouraged me!

Isn't it weird how when super in-shape people come to visit you, you wish you were at your prime too? But at this point of my life, I happened to have gained about 13 pounds and stopped working out for the past several weeks.

And even though I didn't want them to see me like this...I'm glad they came.

They were the boost I needed to start eating healthy again.

We all went to the gym together on Sunday. So, not only did I get in a work-out, but I got in a good few dozen great tips on proper form.

She also gave me a diet plan...which I incorporated today.

So, I ate clean today and already I feel so much better. I plan to make it to the gym tonight as well.

I'm realizing that sometimes we all need a little help in our life. And letting a person help you can perhaps improve you in ways you wouldn't have imagined.

Thank you for all your encouragement. It really means a lot to me. I'll let you know how everything goes.

Remember to not give up on yourself.

Sincerely,

Sunshine Mama

Confessions, Visitors and Encouragement

Hello there!

Ok, let's get the confession out first.

I didn't do any running last week. or working out. or anything.

So, anyway I've gained at least 10 pounds now.

And, then, to make matters worse,... we have this awesome body building couple coming to visit our family this weekend.

ok...I know you have all been complimentary of my determinism in the "working out" arena but we are talking about a gal who can squat 500 pounds and leg press 1,000 pounds. No, I'm not giving out her name because that might implicate my identity..."ha, like anyone cares"...

Her boyfriend is the funniest guy and he can leg press 2,000 pounds. And I repeat I am not making these numbers up. So, amidst being so excited about their visit...I'm also having these irrational, "but I'm not eating clean thoughts."

Isn't that the dumbest thing you have ever heard? I have an excuse even...I'm pregnant...which we're telling them this weekend. In fact, the only reason for my abrupt stop in working out was because of exhaustion ....induced by my pregnancy.

A very happy reason.

I was so exhausted that I would stumble into bed with all of my clothes on...even my shoes...sleep 10 or so hours. And then after only a few hours of being awake...I wanted to fall asleep again.

But fortunately that awefulness has passed. I'm much more awake and interested in the world around me. And now I'm trying to figure out a way to trick myself into exercising again...and eating better.

Hmm.... so that's my update.

I have great empathy for everyone who is trying to lose weight, exercise, stay in shape, eat clean...because I know it is so challenging. It is challenging to me.

But today I found encouragement in the most unexpected place.

Lately I have been fighting a chest cough. So, this morning my thoughtful husband brought me a Halls cough drop. On the outside of the individually wrapped drop were these words,

"Don't give up on yourself."

I wonder if they have any idea how much a word of encouragement can really help boost the spirit.

I read more words, "You've survived tougher."

"Don't wait a precious minute."

If you're reading this..."Thanks Halls!"

I liked the "Don't give up on yourself" best.

Remember, friends, you're doing better than you think.

Sincerely,

Sunshine Mama

Morning Glory Turns 1

Hello folks!

I haven't been to the library in a few weeks. So, I think I should update everyone. I'm 14 weeks along and I am feeling less tired. I haven't worked out in about four weeks. And yesterday I realized that I need to take small steps if I want to get into a work-out routine again. So, this week I'm making it a goal to try to run a few miles a day....and that's it.

I first need to see if I am able to run and not feel bothered by it. If it does bother me, I may switch to biking. In the past, I've never been able to run past 18 weeks because I had some discomfort in my uterus.

So far I've gained at least seven pounds. But quite honestly most of that is probably from some unhealthy food choices.

Also wanted to mention that Morning Glory turned one year old on Friday, Nov. 4th and he started walking five days before that. He is two to four months ahead on walking than all of the other kids. He is just the cutest thing and an absolute joy to everyone. I think I will try and get some picture to post of his eating birthday cake.

We are about six months away from the birth of this next baby. I still sometimes can't believe I'm pregnant and having another blessing so soon.

Talk soon!

Sincerely,

Sunshine Mama

Heard The Heart Beat

Hello folks!

I heard the baby's heart beat today. About 160 to 170 beats a minute.

We scheduled an ultra sound in six weeks.

I've been feeling tired and unmotivated. I'm taking a little apparent hiatus from the gym. But I need to get my butt back in because I think I've gained about three pounds.

Well, part of the reason for the hiatus was because we celebrated our ten year anniversary on October 7 and then my birthday on October 14. I think the chocolates and other things may have contributed to the weight gain.

But I heard something inspiring from an unlikely source last week.

Our five-year-old son is taking karate from an instructor who I haven't been that impressed with because I get the feeling that he tells the 5-year-olds to do things that they aren't old enough to do. Like, "Now take your left foot and put it back and then hit with your right hand...." My kid isn't going to know his right from his left yet.

But anyway, the instructor showed up to teach class with crutches because he had recently hurt his ankle when he jumped down from somewhere and landed on it wrong. He was telling the kids not to give up. He says encouraging stuff like, "what's a black belt?" "It's a white belt that never gave up."

So, then he says, "See, I'm here trying my best even though I'm on crutches. And that what you all need to do. Just do your best. Never give up." ( or something to that effect)

It made me think...here I am pregnant again. I should take his advice and do the best I can do. Yes, I'm pregnant again and it's not "as fun" to work at while pregnant, but that doesn't mean that I should give up.

Now that it's getting colder (can we say, 'wimpy, wimpy, wimpy') I don't feel like going out in the cold. You'd think that with all my living in the north, I'd have a backbone of steel. Ha!

Well, I'll let you know how it goes.

Keep up the work, folks.

Never give up.

Sincerely,

Sunshine Mama

Updating the Work-outs

Hello friends!

Thought I should make a quick post before heading off to the gym.

Thank you for all of your congratulations. We are all excited here. The three year old asks me when the baby is going to come. And I say, "oh, we have to wait a long time. It's just tiny right now." It's basically the entire school year, which when I think about it does sound like quite a long wait even to me..

I just hope that the tired bug will go away because all I want to do is sleep. It's even affecting my motivation to want to work out. Fortunately my husband "wants" to go to the gym at night for his second work-out of the day so he drives me there. I'm readjusting my work-outs so that I can get done in 60 minutes at the gym. I want to do 30 minutes cardio and 30 minutes of weight lifting five days a week. Then, I do my abs and push-ups at home three days a week. Of course this idea could change with the wind.

But last night, I completed a leg work in 30 minutes. I had to cut it shorter than my normal 45-50 minutes and then I did my push-ups and sit-ups at home. I didn't get in my cardio. But the condensed version of working out is something I'm doing so that I don't spend as much time working out but yet I still receive most of the benefits of cardio and weight lifting.

When I was training for the half marathon, I would spend 2 1/2 hours working out on Mondays and Wednesdays because I would run 8 1/2 miles and weight lift for 5o or so minutes. I just can't do that anymore with home schooling and being more tired.

Also knowing that I don't have to "do it all" will make me not dread coming to the gym. An hour is manageable. And then sit-ups and push-ups while just hanging out at night also has a low stress appeal to them.

Speaking of which I need to get to the gym.

Later folks!

Sincerely,

Sunshine Mama