Happy Thursday!! The Smile Weve Waited For

Hi everyone!

We gave Mr. Lovely his bath this morning in preparation for his weekly Thursday photo shoot. Up until this point we see what we think are smiles...but we arent really sure if they are the real thing.

Well, he is six weeks old today and these are snippets of his photo shoot in order as I post the photos.

So, this is the first photo where we have to ask ourselves... "Doesnt this look like a smile?"

We see a smile in his eyes here?

Kind-of a smile here...definitely a happy baby...

Lets try a sitting position.

a stomach position...I think I see a little something here, dont you?

ok, on the back again...hes after that fist like hes hungry.

Took off some clothes to see some feet...

and what have we got here...

Is that not a smile?

A different shot...a bit closer...

Look at that...you can see he wants to smile!

Ahhh....Haaa!!!

Proof Positive Baby...

This Baby is definitely smiling!!!!

A little blurry...but that is the real deal!!!

A little leftover smile...

Then get this...an open-mouthed smile.

It has to be...

His eyes are happy, this is only two seconds after the first real smile.

Now hes got a little mischievous look.

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I also weighed him this morning and he was 10. 4 pounds which is 6/10 more than last Thursday.

So, six weeks ago he weighed 6 pounds, 4.4 ounces. That means hes gained four pounds in six weeks.

I talked to a doctor tonight at the gym and he said that that means I am burning 500-700 calories a day in just breast feeding Mr. Lovely. And I honestly believe it because I went to the gym last night...ate 2,500 calories yesterday and lost one pound.
Can you believe it?

Oh, and you heard me right folks, I have returned to the gym this week.

I hit my legs last night for the first time in six weeks and thought I was going to die.

Then, I hit my biceps and back tonight.

Tomorrow I plan to hit my chest and triceps.

My plan is to get to the gym three times a week for three straight weeks and then hit if five times a week on the fourth week.

Im playing the calorie game one day at a time, but Im definitely back to counting.

I want to make sure I take in enough for Mr. Lovely.

Well, thats it for now.

I hope youre all doing well.

Sincerely,

Sunshine Mama

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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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Happy Thursday! Our Morning Glory Is Three Months!

Happy Thursday!

Yes, folks the end of the week is upon us...and I have the pleasure of presenting to you the name...finally... of our newest flower...Here he is in all his glory...

Mr. Lovely as Morning Glory!

It seemed the perfect name when Dandy Lion said it today.

I did have another name selected, but then today he said "Morning Glory".

Immediately I thought of the beautiful Morning Glory flowers that my mom used to grow in her garden. And, since he was born at 2:50 in the morning... and he is a glorious creation from God...and he is beautiful just like the morning glory flowers...

This seems like the perfect name.

Oh! And this outfit hes in?

Well, I just put him in that to tease a smile out of Dawne.

(did it work?

nope, SunshineMeg, it wasnt a Packer outfit)

My husband picked this up for Iris Anna before

she was born when he was on a business trip once in Canada.

Dontcha just love the hat?

And, then, we finally got him to clutch his toes!

Tell me you arent just enamored!

Happy three months, Morning Glory!

He was born Thursday, November 4, 2010 at 2:50 a.m.

weighing six pounds four ounces.

Today he weighed in at 12.8 pounds, 2/10 away from 13 pounds.

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Ok...on to the diet part of this blog.

I went down a pound this morning and so am now..7.6 pounds down.

I didnt feel like going to the gym tonight...but I did anyway because this whole routine is beginning to become a habit. I completed a 60 minute leg work-out, some push-ups-- two sets of 15 guy and 2 sets of 15 girl style push-ups. I ran 2 1/2 miles outside; it was 19 degrees.
I havent been tracking my calories, but I know its probably around 1,800-2,000.

I like how the increased calories are giving me more milk for Morning Glory, but Im also annoyed at what seems to me to be a slow weight loss.

But I feel like such a blessed woman!

I have six beautiful children.

I have the capacity and good health to work out.

I live in a country with I can worship freely without fear of retribution.

Im learning so many amazing things by homeschooling our children...

I have a wonderful husband!

I hope your week ends well!

Sincerely,

Sunshine Mama

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Happy Thursday!!

Hi folks!
Im glad there is a Thursday to remind me to take pictures of Mr. Lovely. The time seems to fly by and before you know it, its another week.

Ever since we caught him smiling last week, weve been busy catching more smiles. I weighed him this afternoon at 11. 4 pounds. Last week he weighed 10. 4 pounds in the morning. So, yes he gained a whole pound, which means hes gained five pounds in seven weeks since he was born weighing six pounds four ounces.

Dont know about you, but I think thats some pretty incredible weight gain.

We took his pictures this afternoon... How about some toes first?

But he was sleepy...

See?

He could barely keep his eyes open.

night, night...

Hes been sleeping more consistently throughout the day...

which helps me to get more things done.
Hes even sleeping longer periods at night.

So, that the update on Mr. Lovely

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I have been making progress on my work-outs.

I made it to the gym three times last week.

Then, I am on my way to the gym in a bit to clock in my third day this week as well.

I also started my abdominal exercises and push-ups (girl style) this week.

Im also considering going on a run for a mile tomorrow.
Im thinking through what kinds of athletic goals to set for myself in the coming months as a way to help motivate my weight loss.

I ate too many cookies last week so, I actually gained some weight, but then I lost most of it earlier this week. So, I dont have the eating program completely down, but the exercise aspect is beginning to take shape and slowly progress.

At least Im eating enough for feeding Mr. Lovely, right?

Well, I hope youre all doing well.

Im still working on trying to post more.

Hope you all have a great Christmas!!
Sincerely,

Sunshine Mama

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Happy Thursday My Illusionary Weight Gain

Hi folks!

So, I got off track last weekend and went over a little bit the first three days of this week. So...altogether thats five days where my calories werent in line.

The scale socked me with a 2.8 pound gain.

NO WAY Hosea!

One pound is 3,500 calories. So...an almost 3 pound gain means that I had to eat about 10,500 calories over my limit.

That did not happen. Maybe 2,000 calories over.

So...that weight gain is an illusion.

And, no, Im not in delusion about this either.

Because just you watch...if I stick to my diet over the next three or four days, Ill drop the weight.

So, does that mean I burned 10,500 calories worth in four days?

No.

So, my contention is that the weight gain is an illusion.

At least thats what Im telling myself to get my focus back on.

I can also look at it as a warning for..."this weight gain will turn into real weight gain if you dont get yourself back in gear."

Happy Thursday friends!

Remember to always look for the upside; even if it seems a little upside down!

Have a good Friday!

Sincerely,

Sunshine Mama

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Happy Thursday!!! 6 Month Pictures of Morning Glory

Its the moment youve all been waiting for.... I figured it out...

How to upload pictures at the library without having the internet at home...

And, of course, we have to start this session with his feet.

Here he is hanging out in some ones lap.

Crying...

A slightly out of focus smiley picture.

Looking down...happy.

Today he fell asleep in the "johnny jumper".

Also, if you look close you can see the scratch on his cheek.

I noticed that today it is lighter...so maybe it will fade away.
Also, Darling Rose took this photo...

And this last photo...

Morning Glory still gets plenty of sleep time during the day.

Yesterday he weighed about 15 1/2 pounds first thing in the morning.

I started feeding him organic, iron fortified brown rice cereal three times a day about two weeks ago. Hes doing well on that. I wish hed gain more weight, but all of our kids tend to be "lightweights".

So, I hope that gives you all some perspective. And, the good news is that I know how to transport pictures, so, maybe I can get picture in more often.

Hope you all have a good weekend!

Sincerely,

Sunshine Mama

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Happy Thursday Happy Birthday To Me!

Hi everyone!

I awoke this morning feeling far less fatigued than when I ended yesterday. After going over yesterdays calories, I realized that I was actually running a little short on them, which would explain why I was so "stressed" around 4:30 yesterday afternoon. But, since I hadnt been keeping track all day because I was so busy, I didnt know.

But today was a great day!

I went out this morning and picked up some fresh raspberries to have instead of a cake.

Ive never done this before, but why not?

See how luscious and yummy they look?

I made a really simple hamburger, vegetable and barely soup that I could eat.

It was basically 7 cups of water, 7 teaspoons of chicken buillion, 1 1/2 cups of carrots, 1 1/2 cups of celery, 1 cup of onions, 1 or so cups of potatoes, 2 cups of cooked barley, one pound of hamburger, 3 tablespoons of parsely flakes and a little over 1/4 teaspoon of pepper.

Very simple and very healthy for you.

I filled myself up with it.

I also warmed up some home made whole wheat and white bread for the family to eat as well.

I just stuck to my soup.

The rest of the family had some cupcakes to eat.
And I did have a few licks of frosting.

I also indulged with a half cup of chips and mint ice cream.

And if you remember my husband, who doesnt like this kind of ice cream he also bought some cookies and cream as another choice for the family to eat.

Then the kids gave me little gifts and home made cards.

This one is from 6-year-old Iris Anna and the one behind is from 4-year-old Peach Blossom.

Their card were so beautiful and colorful with hand written notes, it was wonderful to receive such treasures from my children.

But thats not all.

I made it to the gym tonight.

And everone kept coming up to me to wish me "happy birthday" because 15-year-old Darling Rose kept telling my aquaintances to wish me happy birthday.

It was fun and I still worked my butt off.

Thank you for all of your birthday wishes as well.

Im just really content and happy right now.

Tomorrow is Friday and Ill share with you some of those concoctions that I picked up today that my midwife suggested I get to help baby come in October.

Hope you all have a good one!

Sincerely,

Sunshine Mama

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Happy Thursday! Mr Lovely Turns Twelve Weeks

Hi folks!

Happy Thursday...only one more work-out day at they gym. We can do it.

I took these pictures of Mr. Lovely tonight while I was cooking up some millet patties for the kids. He fell asleep with his thumb in his mouth.

I hate doing this...but to try to stop him from sucking his thumb, I first put a sock on his right hand...so....then he just switched to sucking his left thumb...

ok...

So, I put socks on both hands...
and then I found a wet sock because he had sucked through the sock...

So, then a few times, I put on mittens because they are thicker.

He totally does not like it when I take his thumb out of his mouth.
"Ahh...whats a Sunshine Mama to do!"

Well, he weighed 12.2 pounds tonight

which is down 8/10 from weighing 13 pounds last week.

I think he may not be eating as much these

last few days because I am more engorged

and he has been sporting a little fever.

And, then, what does this mean mama go and do?

Pull his thumb out of his mouth.

But I still managed to get him to laugh tonight.

Here are those millet patties I cooked up tonight.

I used crunchy peanut butter in it instead of creamy and things looked nuttier.

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Well, I kind of didnt want to go to the gym tonight, but did anyway.

I was able to increase the weights on some of my exercises.

I did a 50 minute leg work-out and a 2 1/2 mile run.

My weight stayed the same this morning, so

so far Ive lost 6.4 pounds in 3 weeks and three days.
My calories were around 1,700-1,800 today.

Is it just me or is this weight loss thing taking forever?

Well, Im glad I have all of you to share it with.

We can do it!! Rah! Rah! Rah!

Have a good Friday!

Sincerely,

Sunshine Mama

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Happy Thursday Maybe A Day Off

Hi friends!

It appears that I am taking a day off from exercise today. But that is ok I think. Instead of six days of exercise like I originally planned, I will make it five days this week.

I was feeling cranky tonight and decided Id better ask myself the "Am I hungry?" question. And actually I had put off that question for a few hours too long because in the mean time my crankiness propelled me into a little cleaning spat.

And moving the furniture around frenzy.

Ha! My family loves it when I do that.

I even got a "Is it that time of month?" question from my husband who was noting my ornery mood.

By the time it was all said and done, I had three chairs and a rocking chair out in the garage because they never get used and two lounge chairs in another room and things cleaned up so that Morning Glory, who is very mobile right now...wont get into stuff.

So, it wasnt all necessarily a bad cleaning spat.

But when my calories are already low...I need to pay better attention to the "hungry" signals and eat up. So, after dinner...

I ate some more.

And when I go home I just may eat more yet and top off at 1,400 calories.

I even have been thinking about that chocolate covered, caramel pecan turtle in the refrigerator that my husband bought last week.

Problem is...I dont want to eat it when its "refrigerator cold". I need it softer for the full enjoyment...you know what I mean?

So...that in itself is one reason I havent eaten it yet.

I dont want to wait for it to thaw.

That would be like premeditated cheating.

If it was a quick bite...then maybe I could say I became overwhelmed with desire for it.

Ha, isnt this funny?

Anyway....yeah! its Friday tomorrow!

Does anyone have any fun plans for the weekend?

I have two picnics to prepare for because Im definitely not wanting to get off course so I can LOSE some weight by Monday morning.

Keep up the good work!

Sincerely,

Sunshine Mama

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Happy Thursday!! Morning Glory is 14 weeks

Hi folks!

Thanks for all your comments about me not getting the Internet anymore. Sure enough first thing this morning, it was gone. And I was feeling slightly annoyed throughout the day. Especially when I couldnt get online to check the weather before going on my run tonight. But I do know there are other ways to check. Ha!

However, in anticipation of no Internet, I had taken pictures of Morning Glory yesterday and uploaded them to blogger for today. Yes, I know, Im very clever!

Hes been giving beautiful smiles lately.

And all kinds of other different looks...

Because hes trying to talk to me.
See, I think hes saying something here.

And here.

Well, not sure about here.

He still sucks his thumb.

I just dont know what to do about it.

I didnt weigh him today.

So, wow, that was a lot of pictures.

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The scale showed an eight pound loss today.

I got in a 2 1/2 mile run and a 45 minute triceps and chest work-out.

I got in a nap this afternoon and found that I was in a lot better mood for my work-out tonight.

Im really going to try and work on getting my sleep. And my water.

Also, good news too. The ymca that I go to work out at has their Internet available for use until 8 p.m. so I may be able to post more regularly than I think.

Cool.

Where theres a will theres a way.

Isnt that true for so many things, folks?

If we want something bad enough we can make it happen.

Well, I love ya all.

The librarys about to close, so I must go!

Have a good Friday!

Sincerely,

Sunshine Mama

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