How God Selects the Mother of a Diabetic Child

I copied this from another type 1 mom, most of you probably already read it on facebook but for those of you who haven't here it is...

Most women become mothers by accident, some by choice, a few by social pressures and a couple by habit.

Did you ever wonder how mothers of children with diabetes are chosen?

Somehow I visualize God hovering over earth selecting his instruments for propagation with great care and deliberation. As He observes, He instructs His angels to make notes in a giant ledger.

"Armstrong, Beth, son. Patron Saint Matthew."

"Forrest, Marjorie, daughter, Patron Saint Cecilia."

"Rutledge, Carrie, twins. Patron Saint Gerard. He's used to profanity."

Finally, He passes a name to an angel and smiles, "Give her a child with diabetes." The angel is curious. "Why this one, God? She's so happy."

"Exactly", smiles God. "Could I give child with diabetes to a mother who does not know laughter? That would be cruel."

"But has she the patience?" asks the angel.

"I don't want her to have too much patience, or she will drown in a sea of self-pity and despair. Once the shock and resentment wear off, she'll handle it. I watched her today. She has that feeling of self and independence that is so rare and so necessary in a mother.

You see, the child I am going to give her has his own world. She has to make the child live in her world and that's not going to be easy."

"But, Lord, I don't think she even believes in you."

God smiles. "No matter. I can fix that. This one is perfect. She has just enough selfishness." The angel gasps. "Selfishness? Is that a virtue?"

God nods. "If she cannot separate herself from the child occasionally, she will never survive. Yes, here is a woman whom I will bless with less than perfect."

"She does not realize it yet, but she is to be envied. I will permit her to see clearly the things I see .... ignorance, cruelty, prejudice ... and allow her to rise above them.

She will never be alone. I will be at her side every minute of every day of her life because she is doing my work as surely as if she is here by my side."

"And what about her patron saint?" asks the angel, his pen poised in mid air.

God smiles. "A mirror will suffice."

by Erma Bombeck

Alivia's 3rd Birthday!

Oh my gosh...I can not believe my baby is 3!!!

Seriously though this year has gone by SO fast!

I swear the older I get the faster my kids grow up!

Well this year Alivia chose a "Princess Party", it was mostly family but she had a few friends there. We had all "free" foods to eat and cake of course! I timed it so we would eat the cake at her afternoon snack time so that she'd actually be able to have some, and that she did! She was actually low when we checked her before the cake so we even let her have a little of the frosting.

(Daddy helping Aunt Christy check her blood sugar)

Alivia opening her presents...

And of course every birthday brings the well child visit. It was actually the 1st time seeing her pediatrician since before being dx. She apologized for the advice nurse not putting together all the symptoms I had mentioned during my many many calls to the clinic in the days leading up to the dx and explained to me how really rare it is to see diabetes in a 2 year old, Alivia was the youngest both the pediatrician and the on-call Dr we saw that day had seen with it.

Alivia was right on target for all her developmental goals, except for staying dry through the night. Alivia has been potty trained both day and night since 15 months old, we had to put her in pull-ups at night a few months before being dx and we haven't been able to get her to stay dry at night since! Is this a normal diabetes thing or just a stubborn child?

Well the bid shocker of the day was that she was 40 pounds!!! She was 27 pounds only 4 months ago! She also grew 2 inches since then. This put her in the 50% for height and over the 95% for weight! The Dr was a tiny bit concerned and wants me to talk with her endo about meeting with the nutritionist again.

The Dr was really impressed with how quickly Alivia has adjusted to the whole thing! And how well she just does what needs to be done without any kind of reward other than a verbal praise. She picks what finger she wants poked, actually pushes the button on the lancet to poke herself and picks where she wants her shot (usually one of her arms unless I tell her is the Lantus then it goes in her tummy). She was also amazed that her A1c went down from 14.1% to 7.7% in just 2 months!

Walk to Cure Diabetes...

"Diabetic Princess"

Sunday, October 4th was our 1st Walk to Cure Diabetes! We all had a blast! It started with a pancake breakfast (which is Alivia's FAVORITE breakfast)

n n n

Then we went on our 3 mile walk! I had no idea it would be SO long, but I'm so glad I brought the stroller! It was so nice to have our families there to support Alivia. My dad who recently had back surgery and needs both hips replaced was determined walked the 1st mile with us, and he did! My brother even made the 4 hour drive from Ft. Lewis on his only day off to be with us. My Mom, Sister, other brother, his wife, their 1 year old, my mother, sister and brother in law were all also there. Alivia knew everyone was there for her!

( my momma, sister, and sister-in-law)

(my dad and brother)

(Alivia with her Uncle & Auntie Shell)

All our shirts said "We love our Diabetic Princess" and Alivia's of course just said

"Diabetic Princess". She was very proud of her shirt :)

Surprisingly her blood sugar numbers cooperated all day, she was a bit high after breakfast but that's too be expected since she doesn't get a shot until after she eats and those pancakes were loaded with carbs! It was wonderful that they had all the nutrition facts posted at all the food booths! Now if only EVERY restaurant would do the same!

Crossing the finish line!!!

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I know I still have a TON of updating to do, the last 7 week have been so rough! This by far has been my worst case of morning sickness aka: ALL DAY EVERY DAY SICKNESS! I'm just getting to the 12 week mark so hopefully things get better soon! Alivia's been such a great helper, she rubs my back when I throw up, covers me with a blanket when I lay on the couch and brings me water all the time. She's going to be a great big sister!