D-Feast Friday - Salsa Turkey Burgers

Nablopomo ~ Day 29

We LOVE Turkey burgers in our house.  This is a nice way to mix it up for something new!

INGREDIENTS
1 lb ground turkey (99% fat free)
1/3 cup seasoned bread crumbs
4 tbsp chunky salsa (use medium or hot for extra kick)

DIRECTIONS
Combine all ingredients until well mixed.
Add salt and pepper to taste.
Divide into 4 patties.
Spray a frying pan with cooking spray and cook over medium heat until cooked thoroughly (about 10 minutes), flipping once about half-way through.

Number of Servings: 4
Carbs per burger: about 7 

10 Random things...

Nabopomo ~ Day28

10 Random things...

~I have lived without a dishwasher for the past 12 years.  Yes, it is possible!  (and yes, I REALLY wish I had one though!)

~As much as I like peace and quite I don't like being alone. My house is old and makes lots of creepy noises when it's quiet.

~I am a lover of all things dark chocolate!  Yum-O!!

~I have never flown on an airplane.  Well, okay when I was like 2 weeks old but I would hardly count that!

~The batteries in my camera often go missing and are found in the Wii remote....

~We eat breakfast for dinner almost once a week at my house and tonight was breakfast night.  :)

~Peanut, my oldest, has started randomly doing the dishes for me, I wonder if I should make it a chore?

~My hubby tweeted me a couple weeks ago, and the tweet was so sweet it brought tears to my eyes.  I love that he still does that after 13 years of marriage.

~I can not stand Sponge Bob Square Pants...drives me CRAZY!

~I LOVE McDonald's Chicken Nuggets...yes, I know they are no good for me!  But when I get a craving for them I gotta have em!

DexCom and Guardian: Our Comparison

Nablopomo ~Day 27

Yesterday I wrote about our experience with the Medtronic Revel and what we like and don't like about it. I thought today I would go ahead and talk about the two CGM's we have around our house; The DexCom and Medtronic Guardian.

Lovebug has been using the DexCom for a little over a year now.  We love it.  Honestly, I would be LOST with out it. I feel much more comfortable when Lovebug is wearing Dexie, which is 99% of the time!  I don't like to have her not hooked up to it.  It's like my security blanket, especially when she is at school or when someone is watching her. I don't worry about them having to recognize how she acts when she is low. Sometimes she doesn't act any different.  I have tested her before when she is 36 and is acting completely normal. Then she has been 72 and having a complete meltdown. You just never know with Lovebug.   Lovebug doesn't recognize her lows and the DexCom is a HUGE help with that.  I am positive we have saved her from a trip to the hospital or worse because of  her Dexie (our nickname for "her".) While we have had a few band sensors here and there our overall experience has been great.

Princess uses the Medtronic Guardian, compassionately known as Mini around our home.  Mini is very reliable and we love her too.  What we love most is the fact there is no separate unit to carry around like there is with the DexCom.  The CGM is integrated into the pump and that makes things a lot easier.  Especially with Princess who is very petite and skinny.  One of the downsides to the DexCom is having to carry the receiver with you everywhere.  So Lovebug always looks like she is a bit bulky under her clothing.  Drives me crazy but at the same time I really couldn't live with out it.  It's a bit of a sleep and worry saver around here.

On the bright side Animas has a pump out called the Vibe with a integrated CGM using DexCom's technology.  But like everything else out there that is great and cutting edge technology in the world of diabetes care, it's not available in the states yet.  It's only in Europe.  Darn FDA.  I can not wait to get my hands on that pump!  I am hoping that it will be available in the states in the next couple years.  Earlier would be better because then we could do an upgrade and try it for a while before Lovebug's pump warranty is up and we get to purchase another one.  

To be honest, I prefer the DexCom over the Guardian. Not because one is superior to the other because in my opinion the both do a great job and are very accurate. The DexCom is so much simpler to use and the transmitter isn't as bulky as the Guardian's. 

The DexCom insertion is easier. The insertion tool is a all in one combo and very easy to use, you never touch or get close to the insertion needle since it is enclosed.  The Guardian is a little complicated at first, but you get used to it pretty quickly.  I HATE having to pull out the insertion needle. It drives me crazy and still creeps me out just a bit. There are a lot more steps.  Now to the Guardian's defense Medtronic has a smaller sensor out in Europe called the Enlite Sensor and according to my Medtronic rep there is one that is what I call an all in one package like the DexCom.  Now I don't know if that is how the Enlite Sensor works or not but at least it is smaller and there is no need to wear a huge adhesive patch over it like we do now.  It would be an added bonus if the insertion "tool" as I call it was all in one like the DexCom.

The other thing I like about the DexCom is that the sensor is approved for 7 days and the Guardian is only approved for 3 days of wear.(here in the states anyway) In Europe where they have the Enlite Sensor and in Canada and Europe where they can also get the Medtronic Veo, (another pump that I would love to get my hands on!) the sensor is approved for 6 days of wear.

When the DexCom receiver is out of range of the transmitter (meaning they aren't close enough to collect any data) it only takes up to 5 minutes to get a signal and a reading from the receiver.  With the Guardian, if you get away from the sensor for too long (like when swimming) you get a Weak Signal and then eventually what they call a Lost Sensor.  Rather then just getting the pump and sensor back in range of each other you have to tell the pump to locate the sensor again and then it takes about 10-15 minutes before it can find a signal and then you have to enter a BG.  I really wish this feature was a little more user friendly. I have been told ours should only take 5 minutes yet is still doesn't work that way for us.  I'm probably doing some small thing wrong and one of these days I will figure out what the small thing is!

Overall my experience with both of them has been great.  Like I said before, my only reason for preferring the DexCom over the Guardian is the ease of use and smaller transmitter. With that said Medtronic does have those available, just not in the states. Really they are both excellent CGM's and I would recommend both of them.  Just depends on which pump you are using and rather you prefer to have the CGM integrated or not and that, to me, is a very personal preference that you have to consider when you choose a pump.  That is why my girls have two different pumps.  It's not because I prefer one pump over the other. (or one company over another). It's because I did what was best for each kid when the decision had to be made about which pump to choose and I don't second guess myself for a minute.

We didn't know that a CGM would be so valuable to Lovebug or we may have gone another route. We loved the fact that Animas had the remote and (at the time) could deliver smaller doses then the Medtronic.  Those were good fits for us (and Lovebug) and still are, despite the fact that she has to wear her pump and CGM receiver around her waist.

Just like I wouldn't change the fact that I knew I wanted to CGM for Princess right away and I also knew that her carrying around a separate receiver would just not work for her. Like I said before, she is just too petite and too skinny.  So I did my research, I asked a lot of questions and made my choice for her and I wouldn't change a thing.

Our Revel

Nablopomo ~ Day 26

When I sat down to blog for today, I had a post in mind that I was going to write then I realized that today is the 26th. The 26th was Princess pump start day. The 26th will be one of those dates that forever sticks with me, right along with the 1st, and the 10th. Want to know something crazy?  Lovebug was diagnosed on April 1st and her Pump start was on September 10th.  Then Princess was diagnosed on April 10th and had her pump start on May 26th. If I hadn't begged for a different date, Princess pump start would have been on June 1st. (that was the date that was originally scheduled.)  Kinda crazy, huh?  :)

Pump start day was two months ago now. Yikes, has it only been two months??  Goodness, it seems a lot longer then that. Pretty sure the days since Princess was diagnosed have dragged on...good thing it's summer and it's making summer feel longer!

I am getting used to Princess's pump and loving it.  I'm not an expert on it yet, I know there are more tricks to learn, but I am getting the hang of it. The pump continues to amaze me.  It's not because I don't like Lovebug's pump, it's that I am finding there are many features on the Revel that I just like better then on Lovebug's Ping. (that is also the joy of having the girls on two different pumps.  I am getting to know both of them inside and out.

I love the Bolus button, it makes it SO much quicker to bolus and easier for friends and family to operate it since there aren't as many buttons to push.  I think the resevoir set up is a easier too.  I love that there are fewer steps to fill the resevoir, even though it took me a few try's to get used to it and in the process, squirted myself with insulin. (the smell of insulin is really not that pleasant) I like that the resevior has cap similar to a bottle of insulin. It makes it easier to draw insulin into the resevoir and to take it out with a syringe if needed.     I also love that the pump saves the amount of insulin you use to fill the cannula. It's just one small step that makes the whole site change process go quicker.

Of course there is the Square Wave Bolus feature that I talked about here. (that I just LOVE) I also find that changing the battery out is a bit easier too.  You don't have to do a complete rewind and prime with the Revel like you do with the Revel. Although when the battery goes on the Revel, it goes quick.  With the Ping I know I usually have 6-8 hours before I have to change the battery.

We really do love our Revel.  Of course there isn't the remote bolusing like there is with the Ping (which I really love) But I also I feel like I just traded the remote for the integrated CGM.  Which for Princess is perfect.  She is so small I couldn't see her carrying around her pump and CGM reciever.  Way to much for my little pumping Princess.

There are a few things I don't like about the CGM but I will save a comparison of the DexCom and Guardian for another post.  Don't want to do a information overload on you! :) Needless to say, we are very happy with our little Revel.

Struggling

Nablopomo ~ Day 25

I was looking at the girls numbers the other day.  Looking at averages over the past 30, 60 and 90 days.  It was an eye opener to say the least.  Well, maybe a heart attack would describe the feeling more appropriately.

I have always been really good at making little tweaks to Lovebug's numbers when I see trends and follow through. Honestly, I am a bit of a perfectionist about it, It is my kid's life I have in my hands here! How good I take care of her now may determine a lot of thing as she gets older. I want to give her every opportunity to live a long, happy life.  For a while I had a system going and it worked.  Now I find myself catching up looking at her numbers and thinking, I really should have made those changes weeks ago!  The system I had in place just does not work when you have two children with Type 1.  Mostly because I could remember all her blood sugar numbers in my head.  Now with two of them, that has flown out the window.

I am really struggling to maintain both of the girls blood sugar numbers on a consistent basis.  Trying to remember everything in my head worked with one Type 1 in the family. Not so much with two of them. I mix blood sugar numbers up in my head now and it's just now pretty.

After looking at both of their numbers the other night I about had a heart attack.  Lovebug's numbers are horrible!!  I don't think they have been like this since diagnosis! I'm slacking! I feel like I have let her down in some way, even though I know I am doing the best I can right now. I try not to let my emotions get in the way too much, but it's hard. Hard dealing with the emotional aspects of this disease and trying to do what you have to do on a daily basis to take care of their basic needs.

Most people tell me I am doing a wonderful job, but I am perfectionist here, I would like perfect thank you very much!  Well, maybe not perfect but at a nice steady line.  Right now bg numbers are going up and up and up and up.....

And yet here I sit, making tweaks here and there. But I'm not making the aggressive tweaks that I need to and Lovebug's averages are up as well as Princess's. In all honesty, it's kind embarrassing! I feel like I have been "lazy" in making changes and now the girls are paying for it.  I find myself wanting to call my CDE and have her look at the girls numbers and make changes rather then having to think about it myself.  It just seems overwhelming still.

Maybe that is why their numbers are up, I have been trying to do too much myself.  Yet, I know how to do this and for the past two years I have been handling Lovebug's really well.  I just can't seem to get a handle on the second one.  I know it will come, but it's still a struggle. Someday's I wonder if I will ever stop struggling with it and come to terms with all this like I did with Lovebug.  I have to someday, right?

5 Question Friday on Saturday

Nablopomo ~ Day 23

1. If your husband had the BIG V and you got pregnant what would your first reaction be?
~pretty sure I would cry.  It would take some getting used to the idea but I would still be happy.  Always wanted more kids until Type 1 came along.

2. Best memory about this summer so far. 
~spending the day with a couple of my D Mama's Hallie and Misty. That goes along with getting away from the house kid free for 4 days!!

3. How often do you change your sheets? Your kids sheets? 
~I don't know if I really want to answer this question, it's rather embarrassing.  I keep up with the laundry pretty good but I slack when it comes to sheets. Needless to say, I need a sheet schedule.

4. Having just gone through TSA, would you rather have a full body scan or a pat down?
~um full body scan please. I don't want someone's hands all over me! In all honesty though, I have never flown so maybe I would change my mind after having actually flown! :)

5. Since it is fair time...what's your favorite fair (county or state) memory? 
~I have been to one but which one I can't remember, it was a looooong time ago.  I just remember that I loved the rides that spun around and went up and down. I have no idea what the ride was called. I'm not much of a fair person anyway.  Now that my kids are getting old enough to enjoy it I might have to take them to a couple though.

D-Feast Friday - Caribbean Chicken

Nablopomo ~ Day 22

Caribbean Chicken
A quick meal for busy summer evenings!

INGREDIENTS

• 1 pound skinned and boned chicken breasts, cut into bite size pieces
  
• 2 cups pineapple tidbits, drained, reserve 1/4 cup pineapple juice
  
• 1 cup chopped green pepper
  
• 1 cup water
  
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  
• 2 tablespoons cider vinegar
  
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  
• 1/8 teaspoon dried garlic powder
  
• 1/8 teaspoon dried ginger
  
• 1 medium diced banana
  
• 1/4 cup slivered almonds
  
• 1 cup uncooked brown rice

DIRECTIONS
1. In a large sauce pan cook rice according to package directions.

2. In a large skillet sprayed with vegetable cooking spray, sauté chicken for 5 minutes until tender. Stir in pineapple and green pepper.

3. In a small bowl combine the 1/4 cup reserved pineapple juice, water, cornstarch, vinegar, brown sugar, garlic, and ginger. Stir well.

4. Pour mixture into chicken mixture. Mix well to combine. Continue cooking for 5 minutes or until mixture thickens, stirring often.

5. Fold in banana and almonds. Heat through.

6. Prepare brown rice according to package directions.

7. Serve over cooked brown rice.


Makes 6 servings (approx 4 oz chicken with 1/3 cup cooked rice) 
Carbs per serving - about 34

Thankful Thursday

Nablopomo ~ Day 21

After my "downer" post yesterday, I thought I would focus something a little more positive today. Despite life being pretty hard at the moment, I really do have quite a few things I am thankful for.

The one that comes to mind today is my hubby.  Our whole marriage he has bee there, standing beside me when others wouldn't.  He is the one that lets me cry on his should night after night.  He is the one the encourages me and makes me smile, even on my worst days.

He is the one who is gentle and kind with the girls and calms me down when my patience in gone. (really I think we cancel each other out here because I tend to do the same thing for him) He is the one that works his rear end off to make life as good as he can for us.  He is the one that tells me it's okay to go away for a few days, that I need it and deserve it.  He encourages me to go and hang out with the girls, because he knows I need it and I always come back laughing. :)

He is the one that when I am feeling overwhelmed will do the dishes (I know that may sound like a small thing, but for me it's huge.) for me and has even offered to take over the grocery shopping (God bless his soul, but I'm afraid all we would eat would be eggs, brats, hamburgers and chicken on the grill.). He will even do the laundry and put the girls to bed.  He is the one that after my longest days, will treat me to a glass of wine and a nice foot massage.

He is the one that I can complain to and he doesn't take offense.  He is the one that no matter what I do or how much I screw things up, he loves me anyway. He is my rock.  I don't know where I would be without him and his love for me and the girls.  So today, he is what I am most thankful for.

  

Settling in?

As my hubby and I were doing two site changes and two sensor changes with the girls tonight, the thought crossed my mind that this is becoming normal. Two of everything. Two bottles of insulin. Two infusion sites for pumps. Two pumps. Two resevoirs for the pumps.  Two sets of IV Prep and Unisolve.  Two of  everything.  I think that we are finally settling into a routine when it comes to blood sugar checks, site changes and sensor changes.  The routine seems, well, routine.  The rest of it, not so much.

It just shouldn't be this way. While we have a "routine" it still doesn't seem "real" to me. I think 3 months later it is still sinking in.  In someways I wish it would just hurry up and hit me. On the other hand I treasure the days when I don't mope around the house all day (or feel like moping)  It feels like I am in a "dream" (someday's) and I will wake up one day and realize that this isn't real. Lovebug was supposes to be the one with Type 1.  Not Princess.  Lovebug was the one I would have to worry about all the time. Not Princess.  She wasn't supposed to be part of the equation.  At ALL.

Don't worry, I'm not delusional. I really do know I'm not in a dream.  Although sometimes I do wish it was a bad dream that I could wake up from and everything would go back to our "old" normal.  Not this new normal of doing twice the work to get anything accomplished.  Not twice the worrying and twice the amount of diabetes supplies in my closet.  (Have I mentioned that the supplies have taken over my linen closet!  My towels no long fit in there.  I have to keep them on a shelf in the bathroom.) While I did always want twins, this is not what I had in mind...

I guess someday's are just harder then others.  Today was one of those days.  Everything seemed to pull on my heartstrings.  Seeing two of them deal with Type 1 day and and day out, is hard.  It's hard to see them wince when you put a site in.  It's hard to see them struggle to sit still so you can get that sensor in.  It's hard to see them cry when they pull a site out. Or when you realize the depth got changed on the lancet by accident and poked their little fingers deeper then it should have.

When you see your kiddo's struggle day in and day out it's just exhausting and today was an exhausting one for me.

Combo Bolus Squared

Nablopomo ~ Day 19

When I first decided to go with two different pumps for the girls, I thought I might be taking on too much. Maybe I had lost my mind?  Well, I am pretty sure I lost it a couple years ago when Lovebug was diagnosed but I was thinking pretty clearly when I choose to go a different route for Princess then I had for Lovebug.

So, when it came time to choose a pump for Princess, I was immediately drawn to the Medtronic Revel with the integrated CGM.  I knew the CGM would befit her and if I could avoid her having to carry two devices around her waist like her sister, then I was going to go for it.  Of course I had some reservations about Medtronic's Guardian. The size and the insertion are a lot different then the DexCom and I was a little uncomforable at first.  I decided to call our endo and see if there was a trial like with the DexCom.  Thankfully there was and after a few days, I was hooked.  I knew we were going the right route with Princess and her pump.

Needless to say, there are A LOT of things that I LOVE about the Medtronic Revel.  One of my favorite is what they call the Square Wave Bolus.  At first I was a little "scared" to use it, but I was like that with the Combo Bolus on the Lovebug's Ping.  Are you wondering what the heck a Square Wave Bolus is? Well here you go:

Square Wave Bolus: delivers a bolus evenly over a period of time (30 minutes up to 8 hours). This bolus can be used for insulin delivery when you have eaten a long meal with extended snacking (commonly called grazing!) It can also be useful for delayed food digestion or (my favorite) meals high in fat (hello Pizza!) A Square Wave bolus can be useful if a normal bolus drops your blood sugar too rapidly.  

Can I hear a WOO HOO! I LOVE this bolus!  It works GREAT with ice cream, pasta and pizza. (for Princess anyway)  All the foods with fat or slow adsorbing carbs.  It has worked SO well for Princess that I found myself wishing that Lovebug's pump had that feature.

Cue the "aha moment"!  One day I was thinking about the Combo Bolus and how it works on the Ping. Remembering that you can give a certain percentage of insulin upfront and a certain percentage of the bolus of a period of time. Then it hit me...I bet I could do a Square Wave bolus using the Combo Bolus on the Ping.  How, you ask?  Well let me explain.

Remember that a Square Wave gives you your entire bolus over a set amount of time. It drags it out, so to speak.  Well, I figured with the Combo Bolus if I gave 0% up front and 100% over a certain period of time, wouldn't that be the same as a Square Wave Bolus on the Medtronic?  A couple weeks ago I got brave and tried it when we had pizza for dinner.  And you know what? IT WORKED!!!  Lovebug didn't have a delayed spike from the pizza!!  She stayed nice and steady!  I was super excited!! (yes, I have used it numerous times since then and It's still working!)

Another common problem we have with Lovebug is that she will be low before a meal, we will wait to bolus her until after she is done eating (yes, we typically bolus before meals, for both of the girls) and then a couple hours later we check her (or Dexie is beeping at us) and her blood sugar is HIGH.  Then we do the big, "oops" I forgot, yet again!  Ugh, I hate it when I forget and she suffers for it!!

So another conclusion I came to was, why not use a Squared Combo Bolus (as I call it) for Lovebug when she is low before a meal? (I am talking  between 60 and 80 here) I can still bolus her (because she isn't getting any insulin up front) and then by the time her blood sugar is back up and her food is starting to kick in, the insulin is starting to trickle into her system. Hence no low blood sugar and no rebound spikes from the low either. And guess what?  I tried it and IT WORKED!!  It works wonderfully!

Needless to say, I am VERY happy!  These two little "discoveries" were a God send to me. It has made managing Lovebug's crazy numbers a little easier.  Anything to make this disease a little easier to handle makes for one (a little) happier mama!!

Breaks can be good!

Nablopomo ~ Day 18

After 4 wonderful days at Thirty-One National Conference....I'm getting back in the groove of things. (well, for the most part.) It was SO nice to get away and I had TONS of fun!  I have to admit that even while away sleep eluded me, so I can't say I came back rested up, BUT I was relaxed.

It was kinda strange, yet SO nice to wake up in the morning and just have to get myself ready.  I didn't have to make breakfast, our hotel had a hot made to order breakfast. Simply heavenly.  No carbs to count or fingers to poke. No alarms on insulin pumps to turn off. No sites to change.  It was almost like a dream.  I forgot how nice it is to NOT have to worry about all those things.  I live in my little "bubble" where I've excepted that's just the way it is for us. Except when I get the rare chance to get away and not have to think about it.  It seems weird, yet so nice.

I have some stories to share with you in some later posts!  I didn't just go to conference, I had  fun with some of my D Mama's too! :)  It was wonderful to meet up with some of them.

While I was gone my super wonderful husband, graciously stayed at home with the girls for 4 days while doing carpooling for Worship Arts Camp at church and became great at multitasking while I was gone. (I'm sure this will not last with me around though...well, maybe! One can always hope right? ) He also decided to start up his own little blog.  I know! Can you believe it!?  A D Dad blogging?  I think it's pretty cool!

I was so impressed with his first blog post, that I decided I really needed to give him a big shout out on my blog.  In all seriousness, I would have given him a big shout out anyway!  Love ya, babe! :)

So go over and check out my hubby's new blog at Bleedingfinger - Advocacy4Juvenile Diabetes It's really good. And I'm not just saying that because he's my hubby.  Promise!

ABC MeMe

Nablopomo ~ Day 17

I saw this on a couple other blogs and thought I would give it a try!  Enjoy!

Age:  34 ~ yep, hubby reminded me of that the other day.

Bed Size:  Queen, only because we can't fit a King size in our bedroom. 


Chore you Dislike: Hands down...CLEANING THE BATHROOM!! YUCK!

Dogs:  I had one named Fritz growing up. Mom and Dad got him when I was a baby and he was around until I was about 14 years old. We had a couple other dogs after that but they weren't my dog like Fritz was. We currently don't have a dog mostly because we just don't have time for one. Seriously, I don't need another kid around here! :)


Essential Start to your Day: I wish that I had one right now, every morning is so different with the girls around. I usually get up the same time my hubby does but lately he has been telling me to go back to sleep, which I need but I love getting up and making his lunch for him in the morning.  Maybe that is my essential start to my day...loving on my hubby with acts of service. 


Favorite Color:  For my home, blue. Everything else pink and brown. 

Gold or Silver:  Silver. Except for my wedding ring.  I would say I like to mix it up but right now I wear more silver then gold. 

Height:   5'8"

Instruments you Play(ed):  I played the French Horn  5th through 7th grade. I was in choir all 4 years in high school.  

Job Title:  Wife, Mom, Pancreas, and Thirty-One Consultant

Kids:  Peanut, age 7 (will be 8 in September) Lovebug, age 5.  Princess age 4. 

Live:  In the Great Lakes State.  I am reminded every winter why I should have moved to Florida when I got married! 

Mother's Name:  Rebecca Ruth (yes, we have the same middle name) 

Nicknames:  I don't have a nickname, except the one my husband  gave me which I can not repeat on my blog.  Don't ask either because I won't tell you!!

Overnight Hospital Stays:  When  each of my kids was born and with Lovebug at diagnosis. 

Pet Peeves:  People who nag.  Socks that are inside out in the wash, I really don't like putting my hands inside dirty socks to turn them right side out.  People, whom when learning that I have children with Type 1 say, "That's the bad kind, right?" 

Quote from a Movie:  "And I said, I don't care if they lay me off either, because I told, I told Bill that if they move my desk one more time, then, then I'm, I'm quitting, I'm going to quit. And, and I told Don too, because they've moved my desk four times already this year, and I used to be over by the window, and I could see the squirrels, and they were merry, but then, they switched from the Swingline to the Boston stapler, but I kept my Swingline stapler because it didn't bind up as much, and I kept the staples for the Swingline stapler and it's not okay because if they take my stapler then I'll set the building on fire... " Milton from Office Space. 

Righty or Lefty:  Righty!! :P

Siblings:  I am the oldest of 4. I have two younger sisters and a younger brother.  (in that order)

Time you Wake Up:  usually 5:30/6:00am

Underwear:  no comment.... ;)

Vegetables you Don't Like: don't really have one I really don't like at all. I guess beets would be at the top if I had to pick one. 

What Makes you Run Late:  My hubby and my kids.  Drives me CRAZY!!  I hate being late.  I've learned ways around it...can't divulge my secret here though since my hubby reads my blog. 

X-rays you Have Had:  Not sure I have ever had one...

Yummy Food you Make:  this is a hard one to narrow down!  Right now I would say; stuffed peppers, chicken chili, ninja burgers, pickles wraps, and chicken on the grill.  

Zoo Animal Favorite:  Panda Bears :) 

5 Question Friday on Saturday

Nablopomo ~ Day 16

So here are the answers to this weeks questions, because I know you are dying to know! :)

1. If you know your best friend's spouse was cheating on her or him, would you tell her (him)  
~ YES!!  Yes, it might cost us our friendship but at the same time if they found out I had been keeping it from them I would loose the friendship anyway.

2. Soda in a can or bottle?  
~actually, my favorite is in a plastic cup from McDonald's and it's called fountain soda!  BUT if I have to choose between can or bottle, I would say bottle because I can put the cap back on for less spillage.  Can you tell I have little kids? :)

3. What do you wash first, hair or body? 
~hair and then body. Don't know why, I have just always done it that way.

4. What advice would you give to any new mama?
~in all seriousness, when they say wait six weeks after.....WAIT!!

5. What is your best hangover remedy? 
~seriously, I don't have one. I know this is hard to believe but I have never had a hangover and don't ever plan to.  I HATE throwing up and feeling sick to my stomach, so why in the world would I want to drink so much I would still be feeling it the next day?  No thank you!

D-Feast Friday - Strawberry Sandwich

Nablopomo ~ Day 15

This is a great dessert that's delicious when strawberries are in season and it is oh so YUMMY!

INGREDIENTS
3 T cream cheese, low fat, softened
1 c strawberries, sliced
1 whole wheat pita bread
1 sprig fresh mint

DIRECTIONS
Cut pita bread in half. Gently open pocket. Combine cream cheese with 1/4 cup of the strawberries, mashing the berries as you mix. Spread half of mixture inside each half of the pita. Fill with remaining strawberries. Heat a cast iron pan or skillet to warm. Spray sandwich with nonstick spray and grill both sides until golden. Enjoy warm. Garnish with mint.

Number of Servings: 2
Carbs per serving: about 21

Swim Lessons - A Guest Post

Giggle Giggle!


While Heather is away on her little trip, I high jacked her blog!  But I'm not going to go crazy and run amok.... I'm just going to be nice and do a little guest post for her while she's away having fun!  And I DO hope she's having a blast and getting in some relaxation!


Let me introduce myself... I'm Hallie.  I blog over at The Princess and The Pump.  My daughter, Sweetpea, is FIVE days younger than Lovebug.  And Sweets and Lovebug were diagnosed just a few short weeks apart.  The girls even have the very same purple unicorn that they BOTH named "Uni".  I hope that they can meet each other someday very soon!


Today, I'm going to let you into my world and talk about something LOTS of kids do each summer - take swimming lessons!  With diabetes along for the ride (swim?), it's always more complicated than you expect!

Sweetpea started swim lessons this week. 

She has been waiting for lessons to start and eagerly anticipating all the fun she would have!  But the night before her first lesson, it wasn't FUN that was on her mind.

"Are you going to tell them about me?" she asked.

"Tell them WHAT about you?  Your name?  I can tell them. But you could tell them too,"

Now, I know what she was asking  but I didn't want to just assume and inadvertently make it a big deal. 

"Nooooooooo!  Are you going to tell them I have diabetes?" she asked in her 'you are so annoying' voice. 

"Oh, that!  Well, what do you think?  Do you think that is something your teacher might need to know?"

"Yes.  I do."

"Ok!  I'll tell her.  I think it's a good idea to tell her, too.  Then if you feel low she will know what you're taking about. She can help keep you safe."

I felt conflicted.

I was glad that she understood that it's important to do what keeps you safe and that telling certain people about your diabetes is important.

But at the same time, it's hard for me to hear that it's something she thinks or worries about.

I just want her to be the same.  SHE just wants to be the same.

But where is the line?

The line between being the same and being safe?

The thing is, she will never really be "just like" all the other kids.  She will never be totally the "same".

It's the unspoken reality.

Things will always be just a little different.

And maybe that's the victory.  That it's just a little different.

And that different is not all bad.

For example, I was one of two Moms who hung out during tennis and swim lessons. 

It's ok with me.  Sweets WANTS me there and I like watching her play. I especially like the "thumbs up" she occasionally gives me!

As it turns out, it's a darn good thing I was there.

I was told that her swim lessons would be a beginners class for 4-5 year olds.  It was day one.  Some of the kids had been to the previous sessions but I was told it was fine to only do session two.

Towards the end of the lesson, the kids went into the four foot section.  Sweets can't touch there.  There were no floating devices.  She was told to tread water. 

She was trying.  I watched her little head go under and come up as she struggled for the side of the pool.  It happened about 4 times.

I was on my feet.  Ready to go.  But she got to the side. 

The two teachers were working with other kids and not watching the others.

I was concerned but I stayed put. 

Then it happened again. 

No one was watching.  She was trying to follow directions and tread water but she kept going under.  She was struggling.

I got up and went to the side of the pool and helped her out. 

As soon as she saw me, she started to cry.  She was scared. 

So was I.

She was done.

So was I. 

But, in that moment, I was also glad for diabetes.  Because of diabetes, I was right there. 

And oh boy, I was so glad that I was right there!

And that's how it is with D.  We walk this tightrope.  Do we tell or do we not?  Do we stay or do we leave? 

Every choice has consequences.

Some good and some bad.

But what I'm learning by living this life with diabetes is that there is good and bad to everything.

Diabetes - just like life-  is not black and white.  Not even close.

So it's my choice. 

I can focus on the black.

I can focus on the white. 

But if I look at it both ways, I see a rainbow!

Simple - A Guest Post

I am THRILLED today to have my very FIRST guest blogger!  

I am even more thrilled that it is one of my favorite bloggers!

Meri from Our Diabetic Life!

I love reading Meri's blog because I can relate to her so well.  She is someone I look to for advice with raising more then one Type 1 kid.  (by the way, Meri is raising 3 boys with Type 1!)  When I read her blogs, I feel like she is quite often taking the words right out of my mouth and putting them on "paper in a way I could never do.  

Enjoy her post today!

Simple. 

 

Nothing seems simple anymore.

 

When I was a kid, things were simpler than they are now.   

 

When I was a kid, running around town at the age of 6, buying Lemon Heads and Alexander the Grapes for 5 cents a pop was simple.

 

But now…simple has gone out the window.

 

My 7 year old can’t even go to the mailbox without me watching him.

 

Simple has made way to cautiousness…and when you have three children with diabetes…cautiousness rules.

 

At least I thought it did.

 

For years and years and years I have been cautious about everything.  Where my children go, how my children go, why my children go…anywhere.

 

Sure, I sound overprotective…but I would have to say I’m more on Team Cautious, than Team Overprotective.

 

But what happens when one of your T1 boys turns into a teenager, and asks for things like, ((((GASP,)))) freedom???

 

There is nothing simple, or cautious about that.

 

Trusting your teen to take over and actually captain Team Cautious is a risky undertaking.  It takes something called trust.  Trust is hard to come by when you have spent the last 13 years second guessing every decision that you have made.  Trusting your child is uber hard when you can’t even trust yourself.

 

Trusting your child is like saying, “I trust everything will be ok.”

 

How can I say that?  How did I even write that?

 

What is a mother to do?

 

Well, I can tell you what I did…

I closed my eyes and jumped into the unknown. 

 

I jumped and TRUSTED that I did all I could to prepare him for freedom.

 

I gave him every tool I had, and coupled with his tool, “intuition,” I had to let him fly.

 

And so he does.  He is “flying” at scout camp as I write this.

 

One of the scout leaders came home early and called to tell me that my son is doing great.  He had one little low, but sucked down some juice and was good to go.

 

It has been gone 4 days, he has 4 more to go…and I’m closing my eyes and TRUSTING him.  And trusting that no matter what happens, all will be well.

 

After all, what good are guardian angels if we don’t lean on them once in awhile?

 

I miss simple. 

 

But sometimes jumping and trusting can yield exhilarating results.

 

It can make my son feel “normal.”  Scout camp for him, today, is simple. 

 

And that is worth me taking a leap of faith. 

 

Trust me.  :)

 

 

 

 

It's a lunch date!

Nablopomo ~ Day 12

So who would you like to meet for lunch?

Honestly, there are a lot of people I would like to meet for lunch!! But here are my top 5 ~ in no particular order! :)

~My good friend Brooke, whom I haven't seen a quite a few years.  Talked to but not gotten to visit with.

~Cindy Monroe, founder and CEO of Thirty-One

~I would have liked to have had lunch with Betty Ford, the lady just fascinates me!

~Dr. Natalie Strand from the Amazing Race. She is an inspiration to me that my girls can and will be able to accomplish anything!

Last but certainly not least
~My D Mamas!  You all know who you are!  Tomorrow I will actually get to have lunch with 2 of my D Mamas!  I'll tell you all about it when I return from my little trip!

Diving In

Nablopomo ~ Day 12

Today's prompt asked us if we like to dive right into things or do we like to get acclimated first?

I am a diver.  When it comes to learning something new or trying something new I tend to dive right in.
That's exactly what happened when Lovebug was diagnosed with Type 1.  I dove right into learning everything I could to take care of her the best that I could.

For me that meant taking all the training classes as soon as we could get into them. The more I knew about her diabetes care the more confident I was taking care of her.  We were literally at the endo' office every couple weeks that first summer.  

While I was learning about MDI, I started researching pumps and insulin pump therapy.  I quickly learned that would be SO much better for Lovebug and our family as a whole.  While you can be flexible on MDI, it wasn't flexible enough for us. I still felt tied down to a meal and snack schedule because that was better on Lovebug's blood sugar numbers. If I took her off of that schedule it would reek havoc on her blood sugar numbers.

Needless to say I learned everything I could about insulin pumps and which one might be a good fit for Lovebug.  I even took some of the online training "classes" just to get an idea of what I was doing before we even got the okay from our endo.  Armed with all the information in my hands I asked the endo about it and he agreed and we could put her on a pump right away.

So, about about 5 months after Lovebug was diagnosed, I found I didn't have much more to learn.  I mean I did but most of what I could learn had to come from actual experience or trial and error. You have to learn how each child's body reacts to everything from stress to exercise to swimming. It was then that the grieving process started for me and boy did the tears flow.

It has been two years since then and I am still grieving, just in a different stage then I was back then.  Of course I started the process all over again when Princess was diagnosed. I think that was part of what made her diagnosis that much harder for me.  I couldn't learn with her, I couldn't use that to cope. I had to immediately start with the grieving process and I just shut down for a few weeks.  Really didn't talk to anyone I didn't have to talk to.

Yesterday was 3 months since Princess diagnosis.  I can't say that I have totally let myself grieve over her diagnosis yet.  Life seems to have gotten in the way of this one. I have had moments where I break down and feel like I just can't take it anymore. But the girls and my husband need me and grieving sometimes feels like a hindsight.  I know that I need to let myself do it but sometimes, it's just hard to just slow down and think about it.  I just do it because I have to. It is what it is and I can't change it.  Maybe some part of me is just mad about it.  I have always been one to push my feelings aside and try to ignore them. Maybe that's what I am doing now?

Five Question Friday, on Saturday.

Nablopomo ~ Day 9

I ran across this a couple weeks ago when Lora over at My Diabetic Child did this.  I really like it and thought I would give it a try. Only thing is I have D-Feast Fridays here SO  I'm going to participate in Five Question Friday on Saturday!  I know it's not "by the book" but I don't tend to do things "by the book" all the time!

So here it goes...

1. Do you think cursive writing is overrated? (schools in Indiana have not voted to take cursive writing out of their curriculum) 
~um, NO.  I think that there is still good use for handwriting. Especially cursive.  For goodness sake, you at least need to be able to sign your own name!  I am totally for kids learning better typing/keyboarding skills, they are going to need them BUT we also need to stick with the basic folks.  It's got us this far!

2. Do you still use a pocket calendar or notepad or do you keep your info on your smart phone? 
~I use both, actually.  I use my planner for my Thirty-One business and then my person calendar goes on my smart phone.  Although I am considering putting my Thirty-One appointments on my smartphone too so I have them in both places.  Plus, I tend to have a photographic memory so if I write it down I tend to remember it better.

3. What 3 things would you save if you house was burning down? (family and pets are already safe)
~My wedding pictures because I haven't put them all on cd's or dvd's yet.  (yes, I got married before the digital age was big! ) Each of my girls have a special blanket and special lovey, I would want to save those. Last but not least, my husbands Gordy Howe jersey that is signed.  You can't replace that and being the HUGE Red Wings fans that we are....:)

4. Country Mouse or City Mouse, err Person? 
~Oh, this one is easy, City Mouse.  I grew up in the city and live in the city now.  I love being close to everything and or being able to walk to places. I love having sidewalks and neighbors who are close by to help you out.  Yes, there are drawbacks to living in the city but despite those, I love it.  But there is a bit of Country Mouse in me. I love Country things (maybe more Old Fashion things) and I love getting away from city life once in a while. I would love to have a cabin up in Northern Michigan on a lake. (I'm not really the camping type either, a cabin is about as close as I like to get!)

5. If you could pick ANY reality show to go on, which would you pick?  Oh, there are lots I would like to be on but I think What Not to Wear, so I could get a new wardrobe and a make over...much needed for this tired D Mama!