World Diabetes Day!

This was our 1st World Diabetes Day, we weren't quite sure what to do for it then the random idea of the hubby and I getting blue ribbon tattoos came to mind! He was totally up for it (as he is for any tattoo) I was pretty scared but thought if my child can be poked with a needle 1500 time in 1 year I can be poked a few thousand (not really sure exactly) for a tattoo honoring her...but then it hit me you're pregnant you can't get a tattoo!!! Well there's always next year for me! Hubby went ahead with it and his sister took my place and got one honoring Alivia too. Here's the hubbys... And here's his sisters, hers is Alivias initials and the dot of the j is the World Diabetes Logo...

Dreams do come true!

A while back I posted about my meltdown when I finally realized my "dream" of finding a perfect insulin to carb ratio for Alivia and getting on with our life wasn't ever going to happen. She'll grow, get sick, stressed, exercise and so on.

Well... dreams do come true! They don't last forever but I'll take what I can get! About 9 weeks ago Alivia had been running high at EVERY blood sugar check, so being that I just took the "insulin adjustment" class I played around with her ratio all on my own and after many tries figured that instead of the 1:30 ratio she was on it needed to be 1:20. We put that into effect and had 8 weeks of PERFECT numbers! Not just 70-200 but 70-150!!! For the first time since being dx I didn't cringe while I waited for the meter to count down I knew it would be perfect. I can't tell you how much of a blessing it was! Alivia was doing great those 8 weeks but I was horrible, my morning sickness was so bad, I ended up losing 15 pounds from throwing up no matter what I ate. I really don't think I could of handled being that sick and fighting with the diabetes monster at the same time. Someone was definitely helping us out!

At the end of our wonderful 8 weeks we had our 3 month endo appt on 10/30 and her A1c was 6.8%! I at first thought we'd be in trouble because it was low but the Dr looked though her log book and only found 1 low (45) so he was really happy with it and so were we! We talked about the pump and he said based on her A1c she didn't need it right now but if I wanted it I could sign up for the classes and get started right away. I compromised and scheduled my classes for 3 months out. I would really like to have the pump established before the new baby comes that way hopefully some of my family members will feel comfortable enough to watch her while I'm in the hospital.

Well at some point you have to wake up from your dream, and that we did when Alivia woke up at 250 last week and spent 3 days in the 300-550 range even after countless corrections. She never had any ketones, fevers or acted sick so she just must be growing or the end of our honeymoon. Either way back to the drawing board for me not only for the insulin to carb ratio but also for the corrections I guess... oh the joy! The good thing is that I'm finally starting to feel better, although I'd take a few more weeks of being sick if that meant I didn't have to fight the diabetes monster! But like I said I'll take what I can get!

Here is my cute little Kitty on Halloween!

Candy Carb Amounts...

At our 3 month endo appt our wonderful Dr sent us home with this list of carb amounts in most of the Halloween candy! Just thought I'd pass it on to the rest of you so you're not forced to eat all the candy just because you don't know the carb amount...although most of us will probably eat it anyways!

Sorry they're kinda hard to read, if anyone can't read it I'd be happy to e-mail it directly so you can enlarge it.

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!

Our Family Is growing by 2 Feet!!

I promise a update is coming soon!!! But I couldn't wait to announce that...

I'm Pregnant!!!

Our baby is expected to arrive on or around April 30th 2010.

We were actually "trying" before Alivia was dx but then we decided it probably wasn't the best time to be having another baby so it was put on hold, but God had other plans for us!