Let's talk turkey (Fat- Free FRIDAY)

Welcome to the BLACK FRIDAY edition of Fat-Free Friday. Again, our official launch is NEXT Friday, but since I weighed in, you are getting a bonus! True Black Friday right here at Here Comes the Sun!

Yesterday morning I got up at 7:15 7:30 and raced around to get ready. Ready for what? I ran my very first TURKEY TROT yesterday morning. This is our capital's 10th Turkey Trot and the turnout was AMAZING!! It was so packed, and so fun! I did not have high-hopes for this race since our whole house has been sick for the last week, and I have not run longer than 5 minutes since before daylight-saving time. I got out there, and it was spritzing, which has yet to improve my run time. But you know what? I HAD FUN! The crowd was awesome, packed, and in great spirits. There were costumes, puppies, stroller, kids cheering on their parents, patrolmen cheerleaders and just a TON of people. I was determined to run for the first mile and a half, and then walk half and then just get through it as I could. And I forgot to walk. For real, my legs just felt great and I was pacing myself and enjoying the music and crowd and I never walked!! I RAN MY FIRST FULL 5k, THANKSGIVING DAY 2010. WAHOOOO!!!

• Chip Time: 43:00 on the dot. 
• Gun Time: 43:55

So this certainly was not my fastest 5k, but I don't even care. I finished [along with 2,307 others!!!!!], and I finished running. What an amazing accomplishment! I LOVE IT!

We then went to family's to enjoy the festivities. I am so Thankful for all I have been blessed with. I have TWO amazing families, An amazing miracle boy and great husband, my job, my health that is on the mend and so many material things. I ate, enjoyed, giggled, and just had a GREAT day. D was a total ham and took it all in, showed off and ate up! He loved all of the different kinds of potatoes, squash soup, and green beans. Turkey was still a little to hard for him this year, but he tried it anyway.
Last night my Bestie Joy surprised her family by coming home for Thanksgiving, and surprised us after. It was a GREAT surprise. We were up until midnight just talking and laughing. I miss that girl!

I chose to pass on Black Friday this year, but still got up in time to grab bagels for my team at work today. Then, I had to weigh in. Dum Dum Dum. I wasn't sure if I was even going to today, but I felt good about my choices this week and my activities, so I figured, gain or loss, I was going to own it. 

192.8

I lost .6lbs the week of Thanksgiving [total loss 22lbs], and I am PROUD of that. Whoop Whoop! 

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving, and if you so choose, I hope you score some amazing deals this Black Friday. Shop on!!  

Oh and HEY! Don't be stingy, my FFF Girls need love too! Hop on over and share the love with Tara and Allie! 

Shutterfly plug-in

So, in case you have been living under a rock or I just happen to be the one and only blog you read, let me fill you in on this ahh-mazing offer Shutterfly is doing this Holiday season.

They are giving away 50 FREE Holiday cards for bloggers! 50 FREE cards. How awesome is that?! Wahoo, I love saving some big bucks, especially on essentials, and even more so during the Holiday season!!

So let me tell you why this excites me so much, other than the free part. Last year I went to the store, and I bought the cutest Christmas cards. They were aqua with little cartoon snowmen on the front. White snowflakes falling and it just said a simple "Let It Snow". Nice, cheerful greeting on the inside and I got them on clearance for 75% off in a doorbuster the day after Thanksgiving. I know, not exciting right. Hang in there, it's coming.

Those cards, are still in the box, in my office. Untouched. Unsigned. Unsent. Boo!

Why you ask. Well, last year in November we called in advance and set up our appointment with Portrait Innovations. We went in, and we were all cute and dressed up and had all these great poses thought up where our boy would be so.cute. Only, he didn't care. They stuffed him in a present box, and not a peep. Not a smile, smidge, cry. Nada. He looked like a [rein]deer in headlights. And then the family pose came around...and he wouldn't even look at the lady. I of course, spent way to much money on poses of my son squished in a box with a terrified look on his face, and none of our family. By the time I got all of my poses I didn't want to spend the money on postage to mail out mediocre photos. Haha. FAIL.

This year, I already got my poses back. But I'm not sharing until my cards are done. What can I say, I am a photo-tease. [Important word there, PHOTO] I am all ready for shutterfly to take their plug and send me my coupon code. I will show you what cards I am digging this year though...

I have 2 horizontal pictures that I really like and want to work with, and they have a blue, red and black base about them. Choosing is going to be TOUGH!!!

And I really like this last one, but my photos are not really compatible with this one.

You can see all of their other greeting cards right HERE, and their Christmas Card selection HERE! [They have a huge selection, click when you have some time to let your imagination wander!]

I am super excited about my Christmas cards this year, I think this means I am growing up...YIPES! Do you do Christmas cards, and do they include photos? Do you do the annual newsletter?!

Are you a blogger who is also interested in getting free cards? Register HERE!!

Fat Free FRI-DAYYYYY! (sneak peek edition)

Welcome to the [sneak peek] of Fat-Free Friday! Myself, along with  Many Sleepless Nights and I Was A Fat Bride have teamed up to bring you a weight-loss inspired blog hop!  Starting Friday, December 3rd, the 3 of us are planning on bringing you some amazing motivation to stand up, put down the chocolate and get happy! Ahh who are we kidding, we really just want you to read our blogs and give us the kick in the pants we need every few days, no weeks, months!

We all have had very different journeys with weight-loss and we hope to inspire and motivate you each week.  We want to hear your stories!  Your loss, your gain, your goals, your rewards, everything!  We want this to be a place where any other blogger that is sharing our journey can share their story! It doesn't have to be weight loss, it can be fitness goals, lifetime goals, personal goals, vanity goals, whatever just share them with us!

[Now wait a second, Isn't this similar to another weight loss blog hop out there?!]

Why yes, yes it is. BUT I don't know about you, but I cannot weigh in on Monday. Nope. Can't do it. And while I LOVE that it is working for SO MANY people (Wahoo, go McFattys!) It doesn't work for me, and a few others that I know and LOVE (ahem, see above) so we wanted to offer another means of support for those of us that cave to the weekend temptations!

For our first week, we are all three "hosting" the hop and then we will alternate who is in the host spot.  While we don't want you to feel like there are rigid rules that you have to follow in order to participate, we would like for you come, stop-in and join us, while following as many of the other participants that fits your fancy.  If you could, pop in and leave a meaningful comment to their weight-loss post of the week.  Being supportive is so important in any journey but it is especially true when we are trying to lose weight.  We would also love it if you would include our button on your weekly weight-loss post & be sure to add your blog to the linky!

I am so EXCITED [did you get that? I am excited!] to say that as of today's weigh in [193.4] I have lost 21.4lbs and had my first normal BP reading 2 weeks ago. I would love for that to become consistent, and have every BP reading be normal from here. In addition to my BP, they are now working on getting my Thyroid levels normal as I have hypothyroidism. Fun fun!

Please feel free to leave me a comment and ask any questions you have, either about me, my journey, Alli, or about Fat Free Friday. I hope to see you at the kickoff, but for now go leave some of my favorites, Allie and Tara some love!!

Wahoo! Date night!

Tonight, I am going on a date. Yes, with the husband. Hey, he asked too.

Me [via text]: Hey, so you've been lookin pretty fine and I was wondering if I could take you out on a date Saturday night? My treat! [what can I say, I'm a classy girl!]

Husband [via text]: Was that supposed to be sent to me?!

That husband, he is so silly. I told him he could pick any place that he wanted to go and I would take him out for dinner. The only catch was that I get to pick the movie. He is so excited, and it already made 4 suggestions for dinner. What he doesn't know, is that we are seeing Harry Potter! Heh heh heh...

National Prematurity Awareness Day

2 years ago my boy flipped our lives upside down and inside out in the matter of 3 hours and 16 minutes. At a mere 24w and 3d, he decided his time was up and he was ready, now. Only, we weren't ready for him.

To see the beginning of our story, please visit here.

-Dawson was born weighing less than a sack of sugar.
-He took his first helicopter ride before he even took his first snuggle.
-He went under the knife for the first time at 3 weeks old, and has done so again over SEVEN times.
-Dawson was 35 days old when I held him FOR THE FIRST TIME.
-Dawson not only had to learn how to sit-up and crawl, but he had to learn to brethe, suck, swallow and even cry.
-When Dawson was born, his eyes were still fused shut. 
-Dawson spent the first 127 days of this life, in a NICU.
-Because he was born early, he will forever be special needs. His visual impaired-ness is irreversible, for now!
-Our Dr. appts take HOURS because of all of the things we have to re-address, every 2 months. Reflux, BPD, PDA, ROP and his development.
-He has at least one appointment every week, sometimes more.
-Dawson is 19 months old, and still drinks from a bottle, crawls every where he goes. He has yet to eat a full meal of Table foods. Last week, His Day-care provider, Grandmother, and I collectively taught him to wave Bye-Bye.

Now? Now my boy is UNSTOPPABLE. He is energetic, stubborn, and SILLY. He is an honest-to-goodness real life Miracle story. 

Unfortunately, all stories do not end the same as mine. I have mentioned some of them before, but I have watched too many mothers suffer the loss of a child due to prematurity. I started this blog because I wanted NO OTHER MOTHER to have to write a story like mine.

Today, like every day, I blog for Dawson.
But today I also blog for those preemies that I have had the pleasure of "meeting";
Aaron, Wren, Marino, Ruby, Andrew, Jayden, Alex, Paige, Isabella, Giovanni, Avery, And Jack
And so many others [I apologize if I have missed anyone that I shouldn't have.]


Unfortunately, Today I also blog for those that could not win the fight, and for those that we will FOREVER love and miss!
Logan & Brody, Wyatt, Jillian, Katie Jane, Matthew Finley, Nolan, Aidan, Annaleigh, Gabriel, and Heather.
Rest in Peace sweet Angels, for you will forever be loved.

Every story is different, but every preemie is the driving force behind a wonderful organization called the March of Dimes.  Preemies are amazing, strong and courageous people, but they are people born into suffering, and a fight they didn't ask for. Every preemie is special, and they are special to so, so many people. Parent, Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles, Siblings, and the amazing Drs and Nurses that dedicate their life's work to helping these babies fight. They cannot do it alone. We need you to come forward and be a champion for babies!! Please visit the link above to see how you can help the March of Dimes. FIGHT FOR BABIES!!

You know you are a mom when...

Your leftovers come to work with you in a Bob the Builder tupperware bowl!

It looks like Bronners threw up on my blog!

"Oh Christmas tree, OHH Christmas tree..."

Yeah, yeah I definitely did NOT respect the turkey. But I cannot help it, I am so excited for D's second Christmas that I am already in a festive spirit. I thought it looked cute.

Also, please tell me what you think of the new layout. Too busy? Too wordy? Too perfect?! I have some amazing changes coming up here on the blog and cannot wait to see if you like them or not. Friday me and two other amazing bloggers have a new link up going on, and I would really love if you came back to check it out. Plus, I am trying as hard as I can to keep the posts coming!

On another note, I couldn't wait to come home and work on my blog tonight, because my workout stunk. Um, boo. 30 minutes of Tabata [Have you googled Tabata yet? You should. Or check it out HERE] and then 15 on the dreadmill. Yep, only 15 because I was tired and bored and stinkin it up.

On a good note I did learn a little about foam rolling tonight. Ahh, it hurts so good!

P.S If you don't know what Bronner's is, Click here!

Because some days are just a hat kinda day!

Every Monday Dawson gets to spend the day with his grandparents after a meeting with Early on in the mornings, and I am fortunate enough to have a Mother in Law who LOVES to take pictures. Each week is something new, a new toy, a new treasure found from the discard pile in his Uncle's bedroom, a new story or snuggle. I love Mondays, for I love my pictures, and I love that my son is fortunate enough to spend at least one day a week in his grandparents house being snuggled & spoiled.

Grapes!!

I have never really been a grape fan, because they usually go bad before I can eat them all and I think they require to much work. (I know right?!)

What grapes I do like have always been green. Before now I have been a strict green grape girl!

In an effort to become more of a clean eater I have been trying more fruits and veggies, and with that both Black and Purple grapes. Where have you been all my life? I love how juicy they are, and they are HUGE!! (That"s what she said!) Seriously we have having a great Grape season right now, and we have gone through 2 bags in a week and a half. Yumm!

Mama, I love breakfast!!

Does this look like an "I'm up to somethin" face to anyone else?!

Boy oh Boy!

Weight Loss Wednesday

196.4. (Total loss 18.4). Needless to say I think I am hitting a plateau or I really stink at eating. I'm thinking it's the latter. Either way my total weight loss for October was...drum roll please... 1.2 lbs. Umm, Wha?!

So, I like food. And I usually like all of the foods I shouldn't. Halloween Candy? Yes please. Chocolate? Yes Please. Pizza? YEP! I like all the greasy, fatty, crap food goodness and sometimes it is so hard for me to say no. I am trying to take a breather and just get back to the basics. Trying to remember that even if I am eating granola in the morning, too much granola can still be counter-productive. I think a lot of people, especially Women need that reminder, or refresher rather to get back to what works for them. At least I do. I really would like to stay on goal and get to 180 by Christmas, but more importantly just stay on track.

I am still working out anywhere from 4-6 days a week, sticking with running and adding in some strength training. I really like BodyPump, which is a Les Mills program that is weights/strength training that is set to music. We have a great instructor at the gym and she really gets it moving. I also started Tabata training this week, which is a very high intensity cardio workout, with weights. I recruited 3 girls, and have even got 2 of them to join the gym with me. Having a workout buddy is always a plus!

I had a check up with my Dr. this morning, and much to my surprise, I have hypothyroidism. Basically, my thyroid is a slacker! What the heck Thyroid!!! So I will be trying out some medication to find a balance for me, and trying to get it going again. I will re-check in again in 3 months. Fingers crossed this might help with my journey as well! But, guess who had a "normal" Blood pressure reading today?! THIS GIRL! That's right, for the first time in almost 2 years, my BP was back down to normal! YAY! While I am frustrated that my weight is not moving as quickly as I would like it too, this makes all the exercise worth it.

I am heading into November with some new goals for myself, head held high and knowing that I CAN do it!!

The race re-cap I didn't want to write..

Now this post, I have been putting off, for oh 2 weeks or so.

October 23rd was my second 5k, it was a fundraiser for our Junior Achievement program here in MI. This is a cause that has been around for quite some time, is heavily involved with my place of work, and really tries to do a GREAT job for the community and kids. My dad used to be a JA teacher back in the day, and really used to a do a lot for the cause. The events were always so fun. So when I started working with a business that was community partners with them, I jumped at the chance to participate. I have done their different bowling adventures for the past 3 winters, but this was my first 5k.

The day started out bleak and dreary, with a side of sprinkles and rain. Fun. It was windy and cold and there were about a bazillion people crammed in one pavilion to try and stay out of the cold/wet. They had costume characters, food, face painting and Zumba Warm-ups!! Their flier also said something about massages but all I seen was one dude with a funny looking chair. Um No thanks!

I was really excited for the warm-ups but they were crammed inside and the costume characters were really getting into it, doing the dance moves and keeping up. One was dressed up as a gigantic cup from Quiznos, and he [she?!] did a great job!! But it didn't make for great participation so we sat that one out. Next they had the kids mile which was really only about a quarter of a mile. It was cute and all the kids tried so hard. But after my two little cousins signed up and lined up to start, we started noticing other kids just jumping in. Now, I know the event was about the kids, and we always want to encourage participation, but the bottom line is to generate funds for a great cause. And it is so frustrating to see people taking advantage because they know no one is going to say anything. The kids already got free food and free take home pumpkins, so that totally rubbed me the wrong way.

Next up was the adults. I was just repeating in my head, over and over, pace yourself. pace yourself. pace yourself. Next thiing I know I hear "Ready, set..." And I reached for my Ipod to get it started and turn on my Garmin (My new toy! LOVE!) Well, as I turned on my Garmin, I knocked into my ipod and paused it (only I didnt know that I paused it) . "GO!" So I try to start running, get out of the way and figure out what is going on with my jams. They are supposed to be motivating me! Encouraging me! Enlightening me! Nada.

So remember that part where I mentioned the crappy weather?! I had gloves on. Which means the Ipod wasn't recognizing my urgent pressing fingers. So while I am getting passed by runners, walkers, kids and strollers I have no tunes and am totally flustered. I know it doesn't seem like a big deal, and I should of just let it go, but it totally changed my focus. I finally took my gloves off and got my ipod going, but while I was getting back around my arm, I swung my other arm forward and caught the cord and ripped the headphones off my head causing them to swing between my legs. I'm telling you, I can't make this stuff up. Oh my goodness!

I [FINALLY] finally get all my ducks in a row and realize I am already at the water station. Only I didn't need any because I was carrying a water bottle [got that now?! Gloves, water bottle, Ipod and Garmin. I was a mess] but it helped me get back on track. Only I was out of breath. And cold. and rained on. I just proceeded to run/ walk the entire rest of the race and came in at 42:18. Over 2 minutes worse than last time, but I finished. I will take that as a success in itself, because I really, REALLY wanted to quit. I knew it was going to be a wash so I just figured I might as well go get warm, but I figured I paid for it I might as well finish it.

I guess you win some, you lose some and it really just gives me something to work on and look forward to in the next race. Next time I know, maybe to wait until after the bottleneck to get my music going and just take in the crowd. Pace myself. Enjoy the event. BIG PICTURE, which is that I am running races, and loving it. I am exercising, and 3 months ago I couldn't say either fact about myself.

Next Race; 23 days!!

18 months & 111

This is my post number 111, and I have been thinking about it for WEEKS. I wanted it to be moving, and Epic. Why is 111 important, because Dawson was 1lb 11 when he was born. 1year and 6 months ago. How can it have been that long?! So naturally, post 111 is all about him!!

Our little D-man is getting so big, and so Handsome! He is 19.6lbs and 29 1/2 inches tall. Our tall and skinny string bean boy. But man, he eats and eats and eats. He is still on mostly purees since he has some texture issues (just like his mama) but we are getting there. He is really trying to chew and eat table foods, but sometimes its just to hard to chew and get gets impatient. Then he gags and will refuse table food for that meal. It is something OT will be working with him on over the next few months.  He hasn't really gained any these past few months, but the Dr. is not concerned. He is a mover and a shaker and they really want to continue forward with his developmental progress, so we are focusing on that.

Dawson is still getting physical and Visual Therapy services. Just trying to get that boy the confidence to walk, but it is just around the corner...I can feel it! Speaking of VT, his last appointment went well. The left eye remains unchanged and they are going to continue to monitor over the next 6 months. We will be seeing a Dr. every 3 months, but it will rotate. We are scheduled to see the Optho around Christmas. They are playing with the idea of doing a Cornea Transplant with the right eye because the scarring is so bad. The success rate is not very high in infants, so it will be something to discuss over time, but the pressures in the right eye are unstable, so it might be something we discuss sooner rather than later. We shall see.

He really is developing a personality each and every day, and he is so silly. He loves laughing and has learned how to "fake laugh" which usually makes him laugh for real. He can say MaMa, Dada, Gaga, Baba etc etc. He loves climbing and looking out any window he can, and cruises along the furniture. He has also learned how to bang and slap things to get a noise out and he loves it!

He is just learning how to ride on things and even tries walking behind some of them. First he could only go backwards, but he is getting the hang of it now, and loves zooming all around!! This was a gift from our friend Turo, and we love it! Thanks Turo!!

Halloween was a little dramatic in our house! Dawson was a...

 PENGUIN!!! And a little grouchy one at that... Oh well, he would rather play with his toys, and thats okay with us!

Mama dressed up this year to pass out candy, and I went as Alphaba [a glammed up version] from Wicked.

And my whole family on Halloween. Neither boy is enthused. I have a feeling I am always going to have to beg to get them to humor me into decorating and dressing up. I can't help it. I love all things Holidays!!

[even my hat was sick of Halloween LOL]

So, thats whats going on with our boy. Every day feels like it is speeding past, faster than the one before. He is becoming such a toddler and getting a little mind of his own. I cannot wait to see what he has in store for us, Bring on the Holiday Season!!