21 days. No sugar. Detox.

So I started the 21 day sugar detox which is a book- it is a basic paleo meal plan laid out for you for 21 days. I've written about eating no grains or sugar before, so you know this isn't new for me.  I did SO WELL while pregnant not gaining and felt really good, but as expected, I gained probably 10 lbs AFTER Harrison was born. OUT OF CONTROL. After Christmas I got on my game, but I was still struggling. I needed something structured and specific to kickstart me.  I don't need to be super skinny, but I do need a few of my normal clothes to fit me and not feel like a super slob.  This book has gotten a lot of buzz lately, and was recommended by my trainer.  It actually doesn't say anything new or groundbreaking to someone like me, but the plan is worth it.  Today is day 3. Yes, the weight is falling off me, but I FEEL GOOD. It's very low carb which I'm having to modify some until my body adjusts as I'm still making breastmilk, but nothing totally off plan.  I've done a TON of cooking and preparing this week.  There is one good thing about doing it alone instead of with my family- I have lots of stuff in the freezer! It was EXPENSIVE to start. Lots of things you might not normally have in your pantry. As I look a head though, there's not much at all I'll need to purchase other than fresh veggies. I don't imagine I'll totally continue to eat paleo or primal, but for now it's the kickstart I needed to feel good again. Harrison is worth it- absolutely, but my mental health is dependent on how I feel physically.

Struggles:
1. I had gotten into a nasty creamer habit over the pregnancy. I've always just had half and half or cream, but the double chocolate fudge creamer got me this Christmas season.  So that's been a big readjustment back to my half and half.
 2. NO GUM- you can't have any artificial sweeteners on these plans either. Gum is kind of a sweet saver for me, so this is hard.
3. No soda- As you know I struggle with Diet Coke addiction which was getting worse and worse, so that's hard, but not as hard as I anticipated.

The idea is that by having zero sugar, your tastes readjust to making natural foods taste sweet, and you will want sweetened things less. I did have some butternut squash last night because I needed some more carbs and it tasted like candy. Seriously. It's pretty amazing.

So that's the deal!

Not a lot

Christmas break is finally over. I'm looking forward to the return of routine. It's been tough. I'm tired and unmotivated and I'm quite sure our kids aren't overly impressed with their Xmas break- at least with their mother. They spent a lot of time with grandmas! 
Harry is undergoing tests to make sure all is well since his eyes are special- so far everything comes back normal thank goodness. 

He's getting so interactive and big. Such a cute boy and a carbon copy of his brother griffin. We love him! 

He plays now and has started smiling some. 

There isn't much to say! 

A little Christmas

We took the kiddos to get some quick and cheap Xmas pics taken. Much to my a surprise it wasn't all that painful!! Mira is mostly sullys mom. As you can see....

The kids got to go out with brooks and play in the snow when we got home. They were out there for an hour!!! Brrrrrrrrr!

Christmas Eve we went to Casey and grants. The kids got a small toy and had a blast. 

Mira loves creating things! 

I took this picture of us which prompted me to quit eating everything in site to get my normal face back....

Christmas morning was fun. We hung out and played and destroyed the house. 

I didn't take many pictures but I did take this one. Looking at it later I realized- this pic represents the destination I've always dreamed of. 4 babies and a full house.

Harry was super excited about opening presents. 

Then we went to grandma and grandpas for the day. The kids had a blast. I didn't take many pictures at all! All the cousins: 

Griff got a Lego table. 

Harry slept. 

Almost Christmas!

The kids love Harrison a lot! Griffin especially. They all will talk to him and give kisses. 

Mira sings to him. 

He's just changing so much and so fast. 

Serious!

Because I love love his hands. He has Spratt hands. Short stubby fingers like griff. So sweet. 

He is loosing his pretty red fuzz like all the others. I have no doubt it will remain red since his eye brows and eye lashes are, but bald for awhile. 

It's Christmas!

Another week

Harry will occasionally nap like this. 

Usually it's more like this. 

I am not getting out too much, but we did have griffins Christmas program last week. He did GREAT! Knew all the words and actions perfect. The single negative thing about our elementary school is the program setup. There isn't a stage so they set up risers and folding chairs. It is impossible to see and rude parents are holding up iPads and phones to tape and it's right in front of your kid's face. Ugh.

Harry tried to keep away the germs. 

Sunday the kids decorated cookies at grandmas. 

Sully went a little overboard but had a lot of fun! 

The. He was big time worn out. 

Home

So in general I love the hospital. I can sleep while they take the baby, I get hot food delivered to my bed 3 times a day, the shower is awesome, it's quiet, etc. But I was going a little crazy in there. It felt good to be home. 

So Harrison isn't a fan of being alone. At the end of this 2 weeks now I have figured out that he will sleep alone if on his tummy but I'm not quite ready to let him do it at night. So he's in my bed, which I don't love, but I do need to sleep some. He is a fantastic sleeper so far wth me- 4 hour blocks all night. Not much more to ask for!!

As far as naps go he wouldn't let me put him down at all for the first week, but he's coming around. I'm able to get some free arms a couple of times a day. I really like this rock n play we picked up. I've been able to get down to the treadmill twice this week for about 20 mins! 

So sweet. 

He looks exactly like griffins newborn pictures. I initially thought he was more sully but he's not. And some days his hair couldn't be redder, but 3 days ago I would have told you with certainty that it wasn't red! Time will tell. 

He has started to like laying out and looking around some. 

I've been giving him a bath every couple if days in the bathroom sink. He really likes sitting in the warm water!!

Things are settling in. I'm having a terrible time waking up when my alarm goes off. The days are flying by. Sully is going to school 2 days a week so I get some time alone. I never get anything done!! Before I know it it's time for the bus to come. The kids love him a ton. Everyone wants to give him tons of kisses. Basically I just make them stay away from his hands and face!

At his one week appt he had gained half a lb in 5 days! Doing great! He's getting too big too fast :-( 

A few more hospital pics

So Harrt being our smallest was, like sully, small for gestational age. For the first 24 hours they did blood sugars before every feed. By the end of the 24 hours I was super annoyed because not a single one was out of range. 

He had jaundice like Mira and sully but apparently the company who supplies the bili blankets at home quit carrying them so we started the blanket in the l hospital for 24 hours. By the next day he was great and really I was so glad to not have to take it home!!!

Our sweet boy. 

I took this picture thanksgiving morning. Hard to believe that stage of my life is over.