A Happy Busy Thursday Im 36 Weeks Two Days Along

Hi folks!

Its been a happy, busy Thursday here. Thanks for all your anniversary congratulations.

My husband and I started the day with skipping breakfast.

Yes, we both totally skipped breakfast.

But we had a very good reason.

We took our 2 1/2 year old son to get an ultrasound done on his heart. There was the possibility that he might need to be sedated, which meant he couldnt have any breakfast. So, the whole family "slept in" a little and had breakfast after we left for the clinic. I just couldnt eat breakfast in front of him and at the same time tell him he couldnt have anything.

But as it worked out, he didnt need to be sedated because he stayed still enough for the ultrasound and I brought a snack for him to eat after it was over. And believe me, by then, he was quite hungry.

And I will say, his heart is unchanged, which is a good thing. He basically has a slight thickening in one of his ventricles which causes some uneven pressure, which makes the heart murmur sound. The doctors just basically monitor it to make sure it doesnt cause any negative effects. But if negative affects do occur, they can be remedied easily enough. Thats the short explanation.

But after we got back, yes we were hungry too and ate.

Later in the day, I took my hard drive to the computer doctor and Im really, really hoping to be able to post a few pictures tomorrow. Well see about that too.

Other than that, I did get to the gym tonight and got in a good work-out. So, that makes it two times this week so far.

Oh, I should tell you all about this dream that I had last night. I think I was having some pain in one of my legs during the night because of the whole baby laying on the sciatica nerve thing. I think that that is why I started dreaming that I went into labor, and dreamt that I had my baby today!!

I shared that with someone at the gym and the first thing he said was, "a pain-free labor!"

Wouldnt that be nice.

Dawnes comment has me really curious about this raspberry leaf tea too. So, I will have to check it out.

Well, there isnt much else to say. Ive been feeling great, and Ive been eating spot-on. I got my husband and the kids some sweets as part of our anniversary celebration but I did not have any of it. I think that when we do some fun stuff this weekend I will treat myself with some raspberries and blueberries. But I didnt feel deprived when I didnt share in their treats.

Kind words from my husband in the cards and little gifts he gave me today were enough to make my day. I usually want chocolate on my anniversary, but its absence today just didnt really bother me.

Well, Friday is practically here. I hope you all have a good one!

Sincerely,
Sunshine Mama

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The Scale Says Im Down Eight Pounds

Happy Weekend friends!

Friday finally came and with it the loss of another 1.4 pounds in one fell swoop for a total of eight pounds total. As exciting as this is, Im not getting too excited because last week I was at a 7.8 pound loss and then "fluctuated" back up.

But it is encouraging and after feeling tired from the week, I will take it with a smile.

And for those of you who happen to be looking for whole millet...SunshineMeg, I found mine in the local food coop. They carry bulk supplies of whole grains so I can measure out what I want. This store tends to charge more for its specialty food. Thats where I found "date sugar" for about $8 for 16 ounces (but I didnt end up buying it), and carob chips for over $5. But after making those carob peanut butter bars with the carob chips, I felt it was worth the splurge to be eating something healthy versus grabbing for a chocolate bar. And because this diet is void of sugar and white flour, my options are limited...so being able to eat something rich and yummy feels like such a treat.

Once I get back down to my goal weight, which in all honesty is still like 22-27 pounds away, I want to continue to eat clean so that it is easier to maintain that weight. So, Im taking opportunities when I can to whip up recipes that everyone can eat. Because things will feel more normal if they are eating clean too. For example, I made hummus again for the kids for lunch, and I could swipe a few bites of it if I wanted to.

Isnt that what moms do? Take bites of the food theyre cooking for their family? Ha!
If Im cooking clean, I can do that!

I need to teach myself how to cook great tasting dishes and desserts without refined sugar, and processed and bleached white flour.

Its a lot to learn, but Im determined to learn it. Im convinced that this is what I need to learn to be able to maintain continual good health not only for myself but for our family.

Well, I have plans tomorrow to make a bunch more blueberry muffins to freeze, maybe some buckwheat/millet pancakes that I saw a recipe for somewhere. Also, I picked up a special ingredient to make healthy doughnuts. If I dont tire out too much from all the baking, maybe Ill make that too.

Tonight, I ran 2 1/2 miles, and did a 65 minute arm work-out and did my abs. My calories are around 1,800-1,900. I have plans to get in a five mile run tomorrow. The four-miler last weekend was my longest run since Ive had Mr. Lovely. So, a five-er will by the longest yet.

Hope you all have a great weekend!

Sincerely,
Sunshine Mama

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Macaroni Salad When Im not prepared

Yesterday the entire family was invited to a Memorial Day barbecue pool party, only it was overcast and kind of sprinkling.  Our family chose to swim in our local indoor pool as a family and then showered and headed over to the pool party just to enjoy food and conversation.

When we arrived, quite a few children were already in the pool and jacuzzi jumping back and forth and having a blast swimming.  The clouds were grey and the water was definitely cold but they didnt seem to mind.  I thought smugly to myself that I was happy to have swum with Children earlier in a warm pool and could avoid the ice cold bath under grey skies and slightly drizzling skies.

After the meal, as I sat and relaxed and chatted with old friends, Daughter #2 and Daughter #1 came over and asked if they might dip their feet into the pool.  "Its cold.  Just be careful and dont fall in."  As both girls are strong swimmers, I didnt need to worry much and I just let them be.

After a few moments of rest however, I heard a splash, a screech from #1 yelling at #2, and I got up to investigate.  What I found was #2 fully clothed, in the water, trying to stay calm and nonchalant as #1 screeched and worried like a mother hen on the outside.  I walked over calmly, told #1 to calm down, and asked #2 to step out.  As I maintained my calm exterior, because I did not want to alarm #2 into a tantrum, I calmly walked over to a changing area, and stripped off Daughter #2s clothes.  Meanwhile Daughter #1 couldnt stop exclaiming over what had happened and I could tell Daughter #2, who is by nature sensitive and tense, was getting tenser and more upset.  I asked Daughter #1 to leave, and I sat Daughter #2 and laid out some hard facts.

"I have no clothes for you.  Your clothes right now are soaking wet.  Im not sure what Im going to be able to do, but for now, youll have to stay here in the towel until I can figure it out."

In the meanwhile, my head began whirring as I thought of what clothing I had available in the car.  Yoga mat.  Nope.  Teaching bag.  Not likely.  Reusable grocery bags.  Not helpful.  I ran to the car with the thoughts that perhaps, I had stuffed, unbeknownst to me, a pair of underwear and an extra change of clothes somewhere in my vast minivan.  My hunt in the van gave me two sweatshirt tops and a pile of cereal that Son had spilled a couple days prior. Underwear and dry appropriate clothing were nowhere to be found.

I came back holding the sweatshirts and got Daughter to wear her own sweatshirt in lieu of a shirt and whatnot, and I managed to create a fabulous skirt with two side pockets out of Sons sweatshirt, but Daughter #2 balked.  She broke down in tears and said she didnt want to wear it and wanted to go home right then and there.  A part of me was frustrated and the other part was just tired.  I asked her to stay and I walked over to my friend and asked if she might have some clothes that I could borrow.  Fortunately she did and the problem was solved.

When we got in the car to return home, with Daughter #2 wearing borrowed clothing, I asked Children what todays lesson was.  Daughter #2 piped up, "Never lean over a pool."  I added, "When going to a pool party, even if you arent going to swim, bring a change of clothing anyways."

This macaroni salad was something I had planned to bring to the party but somehow didnt get around to it and instead took Asian Quinoa Salad .  I ended up making this today to satisfy this rather strange and bizarre macaroni salad craving that Ive been fighting for a week.  It captured the exact flavors that I was looking for and made me happy to eat it.

Macaroni Salad
Serves 6 to 8

Ingredients
1 lb of macaroni
8 eggs

1 cup of celery, diced (smaller pieces are better)
1 cup of onion, diced
1 cup of dill pickles, diced
¾ to 1 cup of mayonnaise (more if you like it super creamy, less if you like it a bit lighter)

1 teaspoon paprika
Salt and pepper to taste

Method
Cook pasta according to package directions.  Make sure to salt the water.  Drain, rinse and set aside.

Cook eggs.  Place eggs in a heavy saucepan.  Cover fully with water.  Bring to boil.  Once water is boiling, cover pot, turn off heat, and set aside for 10 minutes.  Once 10 minutes have passed, rinse eggs in cold water, and peel.  Chop and set aside.

In a large bowl add drained and cooled macaroni, chopped eggs, celery, onion, and dill pickles.  Add mayonnaise and begin to toss together.  Carefully fold in all the vegetables.  Add more mayonnaise if desired.  Add paprika.  Season with salt and pepper.

Cover and refrigerate.  Before serving, check seasoning one more time.  Season with salt and pepper if necessary and sprinkle a little paprika for color.

Printable recipe

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Zucchini Egg Bake Hello 2014 Im starting new

Im suffering from post holiday eating disorder.  At the beginning of November, I resolved to eat better, to eat cleaner, and to think more consciously about the food that I was consuming and how it was nourishing my body.  I was not dieting per se, but rather trying to change my concept of what good food was and to think about food more as fuel and not simply I-need-to-put-anything-in-my-mouth-right-now type of thing.  I gave up refined sugar and all flours and began trying to improve my health.

I did really well for 6 weeks and started feeling better than I had in a long while.  I had improved energy, improved focus and I was even sleeping better. (Im a horrible sleeper, ever since I became a mother.) Because I was eating better and thinking about food differently, the plethora of treats around me during the holidays barely tempted.  I could make things and not consume them, and even receive a ton of food gifts from my students and not eat them.  All that came to a screaming halt on December 26th, when I started on this crazy downward spiral of craziness and nonsense and ate whatever was put in front of me.  Of course it isnt helpful to be at Christmas party and celebration after celebration where the food isnt controlled and cooked by me, but in all honestly, it has been about 10 days of really really bad eating.

But Im back at home, back in my own kitchen, back in control and Im about to whip myself back into shape and get things under control.  This egg bake is one of the things that I really enjoyed eating during my time of eating better and its so easy to make it should be something I make ALL the time.  The ingredients are simple and the technique is as well.  Saute some veggies, mix it into some cottage cheese and eggs and bake.  Voila - sort of a crustless quiche or an easy frittata or a baked omelet.  Maybe a combination of the three.  But regardless I make a nice large casserole of it and and have a ready breakfast for me on any given day.

Zucchini Egg Bake
Makes 9X13 casserole

Ingredients
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 cups shredded zucchini
½ cup finely chopped onion
1 cup cottage cheese
10 large eggs
¾ cup parmesan cheese, shredded, grated, or shaved
cooking spray
salt and pepper to taste

Method
Preheat oven to 375.  Lighly spray 9x13 casserole dish.

In a heavy skillet over high heat, heat two tablespoons of olive oil and add zucchini and onion.  Season with salt and pepper.  Saute for about 6 minutes, or until zucchini and onions are wilted and cooked through.  Set aside.

In a large bowl beat together cottage cheese and eggs.  Add cooked zucchini onion mixture.  Season with pepper if desired.  Mix and then pour into casserole dish.  Sprinkle entire top of casserole with parmesan cheese.

Bake for 30 minutes, or until top is golden brown and the center of casserole is set.  Remove from oven and allow to cool for 5 minutes.  Serve warm.

Printable recipe

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Heres What Im Doing

Hello friends!

What the heck, Ill tell you what Im doing to lose weight. Im about done with six weeks of dieting and still at a 14 pound loss, but I anticipate some more weight dropping in a few days.

Well...I had observed that over the past several diet attempts even with avid weight training and running (cardio) I was only dropping an average of one pound a week. I was taking in between 1,400 to 1,700 calories a day. So, I figured that since one pound equals 3,500 calories, I should lose additionally that much if I cut my calories by 500 a day. Then, I would get the two pounds per week average I had been wanting to drop.  Also, I felt like I was taking in too many carbs, so I slashed those in half.

This is not my normal method of weight loss. I usually advocate consuming more calories. That being said, I felt that this was something I wanted to try to see if I could get something to happen. Also, at present I am not weight lifting, only running two miles, three to five times a week and doing abs. For this particular season in my life, I felt like not weight lifting until Id lost a few pounds because 1.) I felt discouraged when I would see myself in thegym mirrors while carrying so much weight. Running didnt involve mirrors so much because I could run outside or on the treadmill in my sweats 2.) I didnt have much time or motivation to weight lift.

So, Im eating about 900 calories a day, three to five meals a day. I try to eat two spinach salads a day. No wheat or sugar. Although I will put some sugar in a coffee or two. 

I also fast one day a week. I usually pick a day thats most convenient for me usually on the weekend. I try to pick days that might involve a lot of food. For example, I fasted on Easter and the week prior on a family birthday party when there was a lot of food. Instead of going backward from overeating on those days, I lose weight the next day. I dont have to worry about spending two or three days making up for one bad day. When you take eating out of the day, things feel more simplified for me. Before this diet, Id never fasted before. I was scared of it a little I think. But once you get through the occasional hunger pangs, I feel fine. At first, I thought I might be weak from hunger, but that wasnt the case.

I also decided to change my perspective on eating and trying to let go of my desires for certain foods or let go of the idea that I was somehow languishing from not getting certain foods. I decided to replace this with the notion that I would enjoy eating less. What I had formally seen as negative aspects of dieting, I would view them as positive.

Maybe next time I will give a little more outline on exactly what I eat each day. I do suspect that when I start weight lifting, my calories will go up.

Talk later!

Thanks for your time!

Sincerely,

Sunshine Mama

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Greek Quinoa Salad Im a lunch packer

I remember, as a young child, my father coming home and consuming the delicious Korean food that my mom had prepared for him with such relish and delight.  Hed sit down, thoroughly savor all the delicacies in front of him, and look happy and satisfied.  "The hospital cafeteria just tastes bad" hed say, when I asked him why he was so crazy about my moms cooking.  I remember thinking often, why he didnt just have my mom pack a lunch the way that my mom packed mine.  As I grew older, and I watched my mom working diligently to have a good meal for my dad every single evening, I continued to wonder why she just didnt pack him a lunch of Korean food, instead of having him eat something he clearly didnt enjoy.

Turns out, it was the stinky factor.  Korean food reheated can be pretty pungent and stinky.  My father at the time was trying hard to fit in, and not be the stinky "ethnic" person at the hospital.  He didnt want his patients to think he smelled like garlic or something foreign and was conscious of the perceptions the patients would have of him should he smell like something.  During the day, he chose not to eat the foods that he loved in order to make himself more approachable to his patients.  This was, of course, 30 years ago, in a world that was probably not as familiar with Korean food as it is now.

In recent years, Ive seen not-so-funny and amusing articles and how much people dislike "stinky ethnic foods" in the office and how the proliferation of different cuisines in the office space isnt pleasant.  Im going to confess that Husband and I are probably the cause of these articles because I pack him a lunch nearly daily.  I pack him pungent Korean food, strong kimchi, fish, all for the purpose of feeding Husband the thing he loves to eat the most, as my father did not get this privilege.  Occasionally I worry, wondering if the people in the next space over are inwardly plugging their noses from the scent of reheated kimchi fried rice or kimchi stew, but Husband tells me not to worry.

At his company party in December, I had the opportunity to meet many of his coworkers, and the comment I heard repeatedly was, "His lunch just smells so good!" and "When he heats his lunch, Im wondering what he got for lunch today!"  In contrast to many of the people in his office, Husband doesnt eat or order out; he eats whatever I send him.  He happily goes to the kitchen, heats up his home packed meal, and eats whatever Ive packed him, which is generally a mix of the meal he had for dinner the night before.  It seems that his office space is open to the crazy smells and maybe, just a little jealous of what they dont get to eat.  

If youve never packed your loved one a lunch to eat in the office, Ill challenge you to try it once.  If your spouse is less courageous than mine about eating smelly foods, Ill have you try this recipe. In contrast to the more pungent food Husband enjoys for lunch, this quinoa salad is another one of his favorites.  Ill make it once in the week, and because it chills and holds really well, he can have it twice during the week at lunch.  It doesnt need to be reheated (cutting down on the possibility of people complaining about smell) and its actually satisfying and delicious.  It is one of Husbands favorite lunches and he keeps asking for it again and again.  Make it the day before, put it into a nice container, and send him or her to work with it and he or she will be the envy of all who sit next to him.

Greek Quinoa Salad
Serves 4 to 6

Ingredients
1 cup quinoa (I like the varieties available at Trader Joes, which include red, white, and tricolor.)
2 cups water
½ teaspoon salt

3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
5 tablespoons olive oi
½ teaspoon pepper
¼ teaspoon salt

1 cup diced cucumbers
1 cup diced bell peppers (red, orange or yellow)
1 cup halved cherry tomatoes
¾ cup pitted kalamata olives, cut in half
¾ cup crumbled feta cheese

Method
Using a fine mesh strainer, rinse 1 cup of quinoa, kind of scrubbing the grains together.  This removes a lot of the bitterness associated with quinoa.  Drain.  In a large heavy saucepan add quinoa, water, and salt.  Bring to a boil uncovered, and once boiling, cover, and reduce heat to simmer.  Cook for 15 minutes until all water is absorbed.  Check to see that quinoa is translucent and the germ is visible (the fine line).  Remove from heat and remove quinoa from pot to cool.  Set aside.

While quinoa cools, whisk together vinegar, oil, salt and pepper.  In a large bowl, add cooled quinoa, dressing,cucumbers, bell peppers, cherry tomatoes and olive.  Toss together until all is well incorporated and then add feta.  Fold gently.  Chill.

Printable recipe

All packed up, ready to go.

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1st Day Over My Date Im 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, whats so funny about all of this is that Im only one day over my due date, but, gosh, every day feels like its reeling by in slow motion or something so it feels like he IS taking his time coming out when in reality...its 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.

Im trying to decide how much to tell all of you. Ive already shared with you a little about losing some of my mucus plug. Well....and I really dont want to gross out anyone...so lets 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 doesnt look like Im 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 youre dilated (like she did yesterday), it can cause some things to happen. Sorry Im being so mysterious. Im 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 Im doing...try to relax...and breath carefully. However, they only happen two to four times an hour and they dont last too long. But they hurt.

For those who dont know, its not until they last about a minute and are about five minutes apart before I start thinking about going to the hospital.

In fact, its uncomfortable enough...Dawne, that I dont want to go to the gym tonight. I am skipping the gym. Though, I probably should go because they arent 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 "Ill 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 dont 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 dont 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 itd come at 4:30 p.m. on the 4th.

Whats interesting is that a part of me would like for this baby to wait till the weekend like all the other babies have. Ive 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 dont 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.

Wasnt that fun?

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

Well, since Im here at the library, maybe Ill check out a good book. ha, ha!

I hope you all have a Happy Thursday tomorrow!

Sincerely,
Sunshine Mama

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Happy Thursday Im 38 Weeks Two Days Along

Hello everyone!

Im declaring it a Happy Thursday even though part of the day I felt grumpy. I took a nap in the early evening which helped to pull me out of my slump and put me in a much better mood for my work-out at the gym.

So, Im due in eleven days and tonight I had my daughter help me fix this soup for supper. She cut up the carrots, onions and potatoes. I have found that soup made from chicken boullion as a base works great for chicken, hamburger, and even the meat I used to tonight...a pound of sausage bacon. You can add just about whatever vegetable you want and it tastes great. Although, I always make sure to add onion because I think it really enhances the taste.

I also added corn and brown rice.

Well, everyone loved it because there is literally nothing left.

I had a cup of this soup and it was tasty.

We had some biscuit dough left over from a few days ago and we formed some thicker biscuits.
Those are all gone too.
I just love soups, because I can eat them too and they are full of ingredients that are healthy and relatively cheap to buy.

Now a little update on me:

So, if you recall, I scheduled a little physical exam today to see if I was dilated at all. And I kind of knew going in that there probably wasnt much going on. Im not one of those who will dilate early. Big dilation for me never happens until I go into labor.

The midwife said I was dilated to one. I wasnt effaced at all. My cervix did seem to be softening. I told her about the evening primrose oil and her opinion was that the oil and the raspberry leaf tea werent really necessary because our body will take care of those things naturally with our bodys hormones. This is a different midwife obviously than the one who recommended it.

I went to my appointment in shorts and she did say that it didnt look like there wasnt any swelling going on in my legs which is pretty common when you get toward the end of labor.

Oh, and she also said that when she checked my cervix she could feel the babys head.

For some reason that gets me excited. I mean, I know his head is down there, and obviously hes close to me but it makes me excited that soon I will be able to feel his whole body in my arms. His head, his toes, his legs, his little hands and fingers...

So, anyway, I left the appointment feeling rebuffed for some reason, even though she didnt tell me anything that I wasnt expecting. I know eleven days doesnt sound like a long time away, but today it felt like forever. In my estimation, Ive got at least a week before anything is going to happen...which is fine, because there are still things I need to do.

Heck, we still havent even bought him his diapers. Ha, Ha!!

But I do have all of his clothes ready. Pretty much.

So, my prognosis on the situation is that our baby boy is feeling pretty content hanging out inside of me right now and isnt in a hurry to go anywhere anytime soon.

I have big plans for tomorrow and this weekend with grocery shopping and food preparation so that I can be like the ant that worked all summer so that he could relax in the winter. When this baby comes, I want meal preparation for a family of eight to be a breeze.

When the baby comes, I want to just be able to kick back for several days and not have to worry about going out to get food because we ran out (like what happened with one of my babies.)

My eating today was on target. My work-out at the gym went great especially after that nap. I had abundant energy. I had to keep pulling my work-out shirt down over my belly because its beginning to get stretched to its limitations. Well, its going to have to work for another week, right?

Other than that, Im going to hit the sack. I apologize for not hitting all of your blogs like Id like to. These days are so long that just writing this post is a squeeze for me. But I really appreciate reading your comments and sharing my journey with you all.

And, hey, its practically Friday!! Enjoy the day!

Sincerely,

Sunshine Mama

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Todays My Due Date Day Im 40 Weeks Along!!

Hello everyone!

Yeah! Its the day that I have been waiting for, for the past several months.

Its 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 anythings happening. Unfortunately, I dont think its going to happen today. Theres only a few hours left in this day and nothing is going on. I am having contractions, but theres 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, Im not getting my hopes up.

I met with the midwife, and I thought Id 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. Im 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 dont know what that means, but she said she could still move his head up. So, I take that to mean he hasnt 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 Ive quit timing them she says, "Good! Dont time them. Just ignore them like theyre not even happening. Youll know when its 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 dont you? If Ive 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 Im still pregnant by next week, an ultrasound has been scheduled for next Monday morning to check on the babys vitals. But if that is normal, the staff wont start talking about induction until Im 42 weeks along.

But Ive never been induced and I dont want to be induced.

In the meantime, Im getting the phone calls. My mom called last night and told me that she is beginning to feel like shes the one whos pregnant. Which just strikes me as so funny.

Every time my dad leaves the house to go somewhere, shes like, "Bring the cell...just in case". They dont go anywhere too far away. Theyve 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. Shes been getting phone calls too like..."Are you a grandma yet?"

Shes 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 womens 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 were 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 wont it be a cause for celebration when we finally find out what day it is?

Well, Im off to the gym. Im sorry I cant even comment on anyones 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...thats what the computer doctor told me the last time I was in. Until then, Im doing the best I can.

Hope you all have a great Wednesday!

Sincerely,
Sunshine Mama

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Were Cancelling The Internet But Im Still Blogging

Hello friends!

We made it through the first three days of the week! Hang in there! I think Im saying that more for myself than anything. Ive been feeling a bit moody lately.

I wanted to also let you all know that we are cancelling our Internet and cable service starting the 10th. Which is tomorrow or today depending on when youre reading this.

We will probably eventually get it back. But as Daddy Rainmaker explains, cancelling the service puts us in a more leveraged position with not only our current Internet provider but all the other companies that provide it.

Seriously the price of Internet...they wanted to raise it by and additional $40 a month! By cancelling cable and Internet, our monthly bills will go down by $90 a month!!

Who do these Internet providers think they are, anyway?

King Tut?!?

I can just go down to the local library or ymca and get online for free.

Of course there will be some drawbacks...like how the heck do I get pictures up now? And I cant just google a recipe whenever I feel like it. I cant check in on everyone whenever I feel like it...

But, I will perhaps get to bed earlier...so well see how it goes.

Both Daddy Rainmaker and I may go through a little withdrawal because he uses the cable tv and I tend to go online...Hmm... well have to see if someone out there is willing to give us a smoking good deal.

So, I may not blog every day or as often, but I still intend on keeping up on my blog. The hope is to eventually get me a lap top and re-connect...but right now its kind of like...

I mean...have you ever just gotten fed up with "the system" of things and wanted to fight back a little?

Yes. I think there is a little of that going on right now too.

And besides, the Packers did just win the Superbowl, so its not like we need the ESPN channel now anymore? Right? Ha.!

Well, I cant seem to move out of the 7 to 8 pound loss range. Hm.... But I did get in a 2 1/2 mile run in subzero weather. I got in a 45 minute biceps and back work-out. I did NOT want to go to the gym, but I did anyway.

Oh, and I was about ready to fall asleep while "helping" our six year old with her reading lesson this morning. Seriously have you ever been so tired that you could just pass out on the spot?

Well, I was helping her and I figured that I could close my eyes while she was working on reading the sentence, because I knew what it was...and a few times the younger ones looked at me and asked, "Mom! Are you sleeping?"

So, I think that means I need more sleep.

So, off to bed I go, Hi, ho, hi, ho!!

Have a good one everyone!

Sincerely,
Sunshine Mama

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