Come on guys, I know you're reading. But let me know that you are. I would love to see some comments to my posts. There's not a single comment on the entire front page of posts.
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Someone please explain to me....
Why the smoke detectors have been going off in this house every 10 minutes since 6 am? It'd be one thing if there was a fire. At this point, I almost wish there were. Then at least there'd be a good reason for ALL OF THIS FREAKING NOISE!
Nothing like getting home at 1 am to be woken up by the smoke detectors and your toddler who was awake until after midnight. Sigh. It's going to be a LONG day.
At what time is it appropriate to get tired of the alarms and go throw something at my husband who is somehow sleeping through them?
Nothing like getting home at 1 am to be woken up by the smoke detectors and your toddler who was awake until after midnight. Sigh. It's going to be a LONG day.
At what time is it appropriate to get tired of the alarms and go throw something at my husband who is somehow sleeping through them?
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Chicken salad
I have to say, I was actually excited about last night's dinner and I really enjoyed it. Todd and Will loved it, too. It was the first recipe I have tried out of my new diabetic cookbook, Betty Crocker's Diabetes Cookbook.
Chicken and Cantaloupe Salad - 1 carb exchange per serving
6 servings
1/4 c plain yogurt
1/4 c mayonnaise
1 tbs lemon juice
1 tbs chopped fresh chives
1/4 tsp salt
5 cups 1 1/2 inch pieces cantaloupe
2 1/2 cups cut up cooked chicken
1 cup red or green grapes cut in 1/2
1 medium cucumber cut into 1x1/4 inch strips
Mix together dressing
Cut up produce and chicken
Combine - serve immediately or chill for 2 hours. But no longer than 24.
Okay, but I totally changed it based on what I had on hand.
I didn't have plain yogurt, so I used vanilla - which gave it a sweet kick w/ the fruit. I didn't have chives, so I used dill. I added some cut up celery, too. I cut up everything more finely than they said, I wanted everything uniformly sized.
You could serve it on sandwiches, but I just put it on a big piece of lettuce.
It was REALLY, REALLY good!
Chicken and Cantaloupe Salad - 1 carb exchange per serving
6 servings
1/4 c plain yogurt
1/4 c mayonnaise
1 tbs lemon juice
1 tbs chopped fresh chives
1/4 tsp salt
5 cups 1 1/2 inch pieces cantaloupe
2 1/2 cups cut up cooked chicken
1 cup red or green grapes cut in 1/2
1 medium cucumber cut into 1x1/4 inch strips
Mix together dressing
Cut up produce and chicken
Combine - serve immediately or chill for 2 hours. But no longer than 24.
Okay, but I totally changed it based on what I had on hand.
I didn't have plain yogurt, so I used vanilla - which gave it a sweet kick w/ the fruit. I didn't have chives, so I used dill. I added some cut up celery, too. I cut up everything more finely than they said, I wanted everything uniformly sized.
You could serve it on sandwiches, but I just put it on a big piece of lettuce.
It was REALLY, REALLY good!
Medical updates
I had an appointment with my diabetes counselor on Monday and an appointment with the OB/GYN yesterday. So I figured I'd cover all those bases at once.
First the OB -
I was having a little spotting, so she went ahead and checked me - said all was well in there.
Blood pressure was good and I've lost 6 lbs.
Baby's heartbeat was in the 140-150s.
She said my Nuchal scan came back w/ a reduced risk of abnormalities.
We scheduled my big u/s 1 month from today.
And I'll also get my blood drawn for the AFP.
Diabetes Counselor -
My A1C number was 6.2. The cut off for diagnosis is 6.0. She said that yes, she does have to diagnose me as type II diabetic. However, that's not a very large number and (Her words, not mine) I'm not a very large woman. She said consider this a wake up call, follow the diet, exercise every day. And she really believes after the baby is born I'll pretty much go into remission.
She started me on Metformin - 500 mg 1x per day, working my way up to 3x per day. She wants me on it permanently. UG.
She gave me insulin, but I'm not starting it yet. She just wanted to save me a trip down to her office - thank goodness. Once I'm adjusted to the Metformin, we'll add the insulin as needed. She gave me tons of samples since my copays were $100 per month last time.
Good news is that my long term prognosis sounds better than it originally did. So that's comforting.
I started the Metformin last night. I didn't notice a difference in my fasting number this morning, but my post breakfast number was really good - esp. considering I had Cheerios for breakfast.
First the OB -
I was having a little spotting, so she went ahead and checked me - said all was well in there.
Blood pressure was good and I've lost 6 lbs.
Baby's heartbeat was in the 140-150s.
She said my Nuchal scan came back w/ a reduced risk of abnormalities.
We scheduled my big u/s 1 month from today.
And I'll also get my blood drawn for the AFP. Diabetes Counselor -
My A1C number was 6.2. The cut off for diagnosis is 6.0. She said that yes, she does have to diagnose me as type II diabetic. However, that's not a very large number and (Her words, not mine) I'm not a very large woman. She said consider this a wake up call, follow the diet, exercise every day. And she really believes after the baby is born I'll pretty much go into remission.
She started me on Metformin - 500 mg 1x per day, working my way up to 3x per day. She wants me on it permanently. UG.
She gave me insulin, but I'm not starting it yet. She just wanted to save me a trip down to her office - thank goodness. Once I'm adjusted to the Metformin, we'll add the insulin as needed. She gave me tons of samples since my copays were $100 per month last time.
Good news is that my long term prognosis sounds better than it originally did. So that's comforting.
I started the Metformin last night. I didn't notice a difference in my fasting number this morning, but my post breakfast number was really good - esp. considering I had Cheerios for breakfast.
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
I feel like a little old lady
Here's a list of what I've put together in a "medical pouch" to carry in my purse. Ready to laugh?
Metformin
Zoloft
Zofran
Tylenol
Glucose Tablets
Prenatal Vitamins
Iron Supplements
Glucose Meter
2 Insulin Pens
Alcohol wipes
Extra insulin needles
Extra package of test strips
Extra test lancets
And a package of PB crackers and a granola bar for emergencies.
Yes, I am a 32 year old woman trapped in a 90 year old woman's body.
More diabetes info to follow - I met with Jo yesterday, but I've got to go to the OB now, so I'll update all that medical info when I get back this afternoon.
Metformin
Zoloft
Zofran
Tylenol
Glucose Tablets
Prenatal Vitamins
Iron Supplements
Glucose Meter
2 Insulin Pens
Alcohol wipes
Extra insulin needles
Extra package of test strips
Extra test lancets
And a package of PB crackers and a granola bar for emergencies.
Yes, I am a 32 year old woman trapped in a 90 year old woman's body.
More diabetes info to follow - I met with Jo yesterday, but I've got to go to the OB now, so I'll update all that medical info when I get back this afternoon.
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Scary morning
So this morning we're getting ready to go to church. And I'm struck with the thought that I haven't seen Bandit (our cat) in hours, in fact, almost 24. I begin tearing the house apart looking for him. I can't find him anywhere.
I keep thinking back to the last time I saw him. I'd let him out in the back yard (there's a 6 foot privacy fence and he's declawed) about noon on Saturday. And here it's 10:00 on Sunday morning and I can't find him. I can't remember letting him back in yesterday.
I start calling him in the yard. Nothing. I start calling him from the front door. Nothing. I get my shoes on and head out searching for him. I yell to Todd that I'm leaving.
I make it 1/2 way past my neighbor's house up the street and stop. I turn heel and start heading down the street instead. Calling him and whistling every 10 - 15 feet.
Finally, about 6 doors down, I hear him crying and he comes running out from behind someone's house.
Dear Lord in Heaven, I thought I was going to die on the spot. I scooped him up and waddled home as fast as I could carry his 17 lbs. I can't believe he spent the night outside with no food or water.
He immediately ran to the dog's bowl and started eating because he was so hungry. I carried him upstairs to his bowl where he ate and ate. Then he passed out cold on the guest bed and hasn't moved since.
Thank goodness he's okay. I won't be letting him go in the back yard again. Since he's somehow figured out how to heft himself over the fence.
I keep thinking back to the last time I saw him. I'd let him out in the back yard (there's a 6 foot privacy fence and he's declawed) about noon on Saturday. And here it's 10:00 on Sunday morning and I can't find him. I can't remember letting him back in yesterday.
I start calling him in the yard. Nothing. I start calling him from the front door. Nothing. I get my shoes on and head out searching for him. I yell to Todd that I'm leaving.
I make it 1/2 way past my neighbor's house up the street and stop. I turn heel and start heading down the street instead. Calling him and whistling every 10 - 15 feet.
Finally, about 6 doors down, I hear him crying and he comes running out from behind someone's house.
Dear Lord in Heaven, I thought I was going to die on the spot. I scooped him up and waddled home as fast as I could carry his 17 lbs. I can't believe he spent the night outside with no food or water.
He immediately ran to the dog's bowl and started eating because he was so hungry. I carried him upstairs to his bowl where he ate and ate. Then he passed out cold on the guest bed and hasn't moved since.
Thank goodness he's okay. I won't be letting him go in the back yard again. Since he's somehow figured out how to heft himself over the fence.
Wish me luck
I was going to clean out the fridge this morning and throw away some of the stuff that I'm not able to eat. I picked up a can of Pillsbury Cinnamon Rolls. I turned it over and checked the nutrition label. Hmm........23 grams of carbs in 1 roll. And I can have 30 grams for breakfast.
I figure it's worth a shot. I scrambled some eggs and nuked some precooked bacon and baked the rolls. I have to tell you, it was like Heaven on a plate. That was the first taste of baked goodness I've had in weeks. I had the eggs and bacon with it so the protein will help counteract the sugars in the cinnamon roll.
Now we wait to test my blood glucose. One of two things is going to happen - either I made a huge mistake or I just made my entire week.
We'll see soon.
I figure it's worth a shot. I scrambled some eggs and nuked some precooked bacon and baked the rolls. I have to tell you, it was like Heaven on a plate. That was the first taste of baked goodness I've had in weeks. I had the eggs and bacon with it so the protein will help counteract the sugars in the cinnamon roll.
Now we wait to test my blood glucose. One of two things is going to happen - either I made a huge mistake or I just made my entire week.
We'll see soon.
Friday, September 19, 2008
Seeing God in your own life
I recently was involved in a discussion online with some people regarding God being real. And if he's real, then why doesn't he show himself. My response was "anyone who thinks God doesn't show himself, hasn't bothered to look". God shows himself to me and makes sure I'm provided in my life with what I need.
So, I've been pondering this lately and I wanted to share a few examples of ways God has shown himself to me in just the last few years.
When we were looking for a house when we first moved to Tennessee, I found a house that I fell in love with. I wanted it - hands down. I brought Todd to see it and he agreed with me. We put in an offer and settled on a price. We signed the contract w/ our agent and sent it off to the sellers.
As soon as this was done, I started to have my doubts about the situation. Something wasn't right. I could just feel it. I began to become so nervous and upset about this that I made myself physically sick. I began to pray about it "Please God, if this is a mistake, tell me. If this isn't what I'm supposed to do, let me know. Give me a way out of this situation if it's not right". We'd given our real estate agent $1,000 as earnest money and signed a contract - we were a done deal.
And then about a week later our agent called us and told us that there was a condition in the contract that the sellers weren't happy about and they hadn't signed the contract. We'd assumed all week that it was done. But at that moment, we didn't have a signed contract - at all.
Todd hung up the phone with Brenda - our real estate agent - and told me the situation. I looked right at him and said "it's not happening, we aren't buying the house". I told him I'd been praying and praying for God to give me an out. And He'd done it. Talk about an answered prayer.
We told our agent "no deal" and about 3 months later ended up in our house - the RIGHT house in the PERFECT neighborhood. God really listened and helped me then.
More recently we've been attending and have since joined a church. I swear, every time I go there, I see something new that God reveals to me. To the point where I have actually thought "how can people think there is no God - He's EVERYWHERE!"
There was a week that I attended church alone. Which I've never done before. I can go to movies alone, eat dinner out alone, do all sorts of things. But I was scared to death to go to church alone. But I did it. And on the way there I prayed "Please God, don't let me sit alone. Let me know someone is there with me". About 10 minutes into the service, I felt a hand on my back. I looked and it was my friend, Lori. It turns out she NEVER attends the 11:00 service, but happened to be there that day. God put a friend there with me to let me know I am never alone when I am with Him. And of course I broke down and cried in church that morning.
Just 2 weeks ago we went to church - to the 11:00 service. We were running late and I hadn't grabbed a snack. To most people, that's not a big deal. But to a diabetic, it's important. I need to eat every 2-3 hours to keep my blood sugar up and at a level amount. In the car I stressed about stopping to grab something I could bring with me. I knew they'd have food out in the lobby at church, but it's always donuts and lemonade. And I can't eat that. But I walked into the church and there sat a plate of cheese and crackers at the table. I've never seen cheese and crackers laid out in the lobby at church before.
At this same service, the pastor read a passage from the bible about worry. At the time, I didn't think too much of it. But 2 days later, I received the news that I'm Type II diabetic. While I am still reeling from this diagnosis, I am drawing strength from the words spoken that Sunday morning.
Matthew 6:25-33
25 "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?
28"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
It's funny how God put the exact words of scripture that I would need into Stephen's sermon just mere days before I would need them. As I am reeling with the news that food will never be my friend again and wondering how will I live and what will I eat, the answer was laid out before me.
And some people think that God doesn't show himself. Funny, maybe they should just open their eyes.
So, I've been pondering this lately and I wanted to share a few examples of ways God has shown himself to me in just the last few years.
When we were looking for a house when we first moved to Tennessee, I found a house that I fell in love with. I wanted it - hands down. I brought Todd to see it and he agreed with me. We put in an offer and settled on a price. We signed the contract w/ our agent and sent it off to the sellers.
As soon as this was done, I started to have my doubts about the situation. Something wasn't right. I could just feel it. I began to become so nervous and upset about this that I made myself physically sick. I began to pray about it "Please God, if this is a mistake, tell me. If this isn't what I'm supposed to do, let me know. Give me a way out of this situation if it's not right". We'd given our real estate agent $1,000 as earnest money and signed a contract - we were a done deal.
And then about a week later our agent called us and told us that there was a condition in the contract that the sellers weren't happy about and they hadn't signed the contract. We'd assumed all week that it was done. But at that moment, we didn't have a signed contract - at all.
Todd hung up the phone with Brenda - our real estate agent - and told me the situation. I looked right at him and said "it's not happening, we aren't buying the house". I told him I'd been praying and praying for God to give me an out. And He'd done it. Talk about an answered prayer.
We told our agent "no deal" and about 3 months later ended up in our house - the RIGHT house in the PERFECT neighborhood. God really listened and helped me then.
More recently we've been attending and have since joined a church. I swear, every time I go there, I see something new that God reveals to me. To the point where I have actually thought "how can people think there is no God - He's EVERYWHERE!"
There was a week that I attended church alone. Which I've never done before. I can go to movies alone, eat dinner out alone, do all sorts of things. But I was scared to death to go to church alone. But I did it. And on the way there I prayed "Please God, don't let me sit alone. Let me know someone is there with me". About 10 minutes into the service, I felt a hand on my back. I looked and it was my friend, Lori. It turns out she NEVER attends the 11:00 service, but happened to be there that day. God put a friend there with me to let me know I am never alone when I am with Him. And of course I broke down and cried in church that morning.
Just 2 weeks ago we went to church - to the 11:00 service. We were running late and I hadn't grabbed a snack. To most people, that's not a big deal. But to a diabetic, it's important. I need to eat every 2-3 hours to keep my blood sugar up and at a level amount. In the car I stressed about stopping to grab something I could bring with me. I knew they'd have food out in the lobby at church, but it's always donuts and lemonade. And I can't eat that. But I walked into the church and there sat a plate of cheese and crackers at the table. I've never seen cheese and crackers laid out in the lobby at church before.
At this same service, the pastor read a passage from the bible about worry. At the time, I didn't think too much of it. But 2 days later, I received the news that I'm Type II diabetic. While I am still reeling from this diagnosis, I am drawing strength from the words spoken that Sunday morning.
Matthew 6:25-33
25 "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?
28"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
It's funny how God put the exact words of scripture that I would need into Stephen's sermon just mere days before I would need them. As I am reeling with the news that food will never be my friend again and wondering how will I live and what will I eat, the answer was laid out before me.
And some people think that God doesn't show himself. Funny, maybe they should just open their eyes.
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Genetic testing results
Brooke called from my doctor's office and confirmed that the tests came back normal. Granted, that's not 100%, but it's pretty safe to say that our little one is okay in there.
More names
I pulled out my "Baby Names Now" book and started reading it last night. I came up with 3 more boy possibilities between A-H. :)
Gavin
Foster
Connor
I'll come back and add a few more as I finish paging through the book.
Who knows, maybe we'll actually be able to name this baby after all.
Gavin
Foster
Connor
I'll come back and add a few more as I finish paging through the book.
Who knows, maybe we'll actually be able to name this baby after all.
Backyard time
Will and I ran around in the back yard last night while Todd mowed. Then Todd asked me to take a picture of the back yard because "it'll never be this green again". LOL We've had a pretty decent summer and our grass isn't fried this year.
And you can't go outside and NOT take pictures of the cutest kid in the world.
And you can't go outside and NOT take pictures of the cutest kid in the world.
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Dental fun
I've finally found a new dentist that I'm happy with. After Todd and I both being burned by the last guy, I'm really excited to feel comfortable with a new practice.
That being said, I'm not looking forward to Thursday. My first "real" dental work. Yikes. I'm getting a tooth filled (not the first time) and I'm getting a crown. EEP! I'm a bit scared, as I'm not sure what to expect.
Wish me luck!
That being said, I'm not looking forward to Thursday. My first "real" dental work. Yikes. I'm getting a tooth filled (not the first time) and I'm getting a crown. EEP! I'm a bit scared, as I'm not sure what to expect.
Wish me luck!
Monday, September 15, 2008
Scared
There's one friend of mine that doesn't know I'm pregnant. I'm worried about telling her. She lives in another state, so it's not that I'm hiding myself from her. I've just been avoiding making the phone call to tell her. She and her husband have been struggling with infertility for 2 years and are getting ready to start IVF to try and have a baby.
I have fertility guilt. Not that this baby was super easy to conceive - it did take almost a year. But I still am dreading telling her we're having a baby. Not because she'd freak out on me or hold it against me. She'd never do something like that. But just because I know telling her is going to be one more little heartbreak on this journey of hers.
There are times I'd gladly trade places with her so that she could have a baby. I've had one, I almost feel like it's not fair that God has given me a 2nd baby to love when my dear friend hasn't been blessed with her first.
Please pray for me to have the strength and grace to be able to tell her as gently as possible. And please, please pray that they're blessed with a healthy pregnancy soon. They'll be amazing parents and she really deserves to be a mom.
I have fertility guilt. Not that this baby was super easy to conceive - it did take almost a year. But I still am dreading telling her we're having a baby. Not because she'd freak out on me or hold it against me. She'd never do something like that. But just because I know telling her is going to be one more little heartbreak on this journey of hers.
There are times I'd gladly trade places with her so that she could have a baby. I've had one, I almost feel like it's not fair that God has given me a 2nd baby to love when my dear friend hasn't been blessed with her first.
Please pray for me to have the strength and grace to be able to tell her as gently as possible. And please, please pray that they're blessed with a healthy pregnancy soon. They'll be amazing parents and she really deserves to be a mom.
Sunday, September 14, 2008
An important milestone and other baby excitement
I am 13 weeks pregnant today. That means I've officially survived my first trimester (for the last time ever - thank goodness). Thus begins the "good" trimester of pregnancy, or so they say.
Partly I'm amazed that this has flown by - I swear, it was only yesterday that I was staring at 2 lines on a test and flipping my lid. But it also seems like a lifetime ago.
This baby will be here before we know it. Heck, we'll find out who this baby is before we know it. My doctor has offered to do my big ultrasound a week early since Todd is leaving to go overseas for 6 weeks. That means that in less than 6 weeks, we'll know who is baking in there.
Crap, that means we'll have to come up with a name. Heck, it should be easy since Todd's practically refusing to participate in the discussion at all.
While I'm thinking of it, I'll list a few names I'm considering. I didn't say "we" since Todd's refusing to discuss names yet. HA HA
Boys:
Reid
Parker
Cohen
Landon
Girls:
Reagan
Reese
Lauren
Ava
Paige
Harper
Caroline
Coincidentally, we made our first big purchase for the baby this week. AAFES was running a sale, plus a 15% off code. Combine that with no shipping and no tax and I scored our $300 double stroller for $160 - delivered. It arrived yesterday and I couldn't help but set it up. They even threw in the $25 organizer for free. Score!
It's Joovy Caboose Ultralight. It's a sit and stand style stroller which means that instead of being a full double stroller (and a giant, heavy, monstrosity), it's got 1 full seat for the baby (and will even hold the infant carrier bucket) and a "caboose" for Will. He can either sit in the back or stand on the back. That'll be perfect for him since he'll be nearly 3 1/2 and not wanting to ride in the stroller like a little guy.
Here's a link to the website so you can see it. We got it in the sage green.
http://www.joovy.com/pages/pd_cabooseultralight.php
I'm also very excited that a good friend of mine offered to throw me a baby shower this week. (Thanks, Shannon!!!) I'm really excited about the idea of celebrating this baby with all my mommy friends. And thankfully for them, I will need next to nothing for this baby. Especially if it's a boy. :)
Partly I'm amazed that this has flown by - I swear, it was only yesterday that I was staring at 2 lines on a test and flipping my lid. But it also seems like a lifetime ago.
This baby will be here before we know it. Heck, we'll find out who this baby is before we know it. My doctor has offered to do my big ultrasound a week early since Todd is leaving to go overseas for 6 weeks. That means that in less than 6 weeks, we'll know who is baking in there.
Crap, that means we'll have to come up with a name. Heck, it should be easy since Todd's practically refusing to participate in the discussion at all.
While I'm thinking of it, I'll list a few names I'm considering. I didn't say "we" since Todd's refusing to discuss names yet. HA HA
Boys:
Reid
Parker
Cohen
Landon
Girls:
Reagan
Reese
Lauren
Ava
Paige
Harper
Caroline
Coincidentally, we made our first big purchase for the baby this week. AAFES was running a sale, plus a 15% off code. Combine that with no shipping and no tax and I scored our $300 double stroller for $160 - delivered. It arrived yesterday and I couldn't help but set it up. They even threw in the $25 organizer for free. Score!
It's Joovy Caboose Ultralight. It's a sit and stand style stroller which means that instead of being a full double stroller (and a giant, heavy, monstrosity), it's got 1 full seat for the baby (and will even hold the infant carrier bucket) and a "caboose" for Will. He can either sit in the back or stand on the back. That'll be perfect for him since he'll be nearly 3 1/2 and not wanting to ride in the stroller like a little guy.
Here's a link to the website so you can see it. We got it in the sage green.
http://www.joovy.com/pages/pd_cabooseultralight.php
I'm also very excited that a good friend of mine offered to throw me a baby shower this week. (Thanks, Shannon!!!) I'm really excited about the idea of celebrating this baby with all my mommy friends. And thankfully for them, I will need next to nothing for this baby. Especially if it's a boy. :)
Friday, September 12, 2008
Just a cool picture
I snapped a great picture of a building thunderstorm we had the other night. I was quite proud of myself for this one. :) I just wish the picture would have done the pink colors a little more justice.
My little scooter rider
Will has a Radio Flyer scooter. And OMG, that has got to be his favorite toy these days. He's always harping to go outside and ride his scooter. We were out the other evening while Todd was mowing so he could ride.
And here's one of him wearing Todd's safety glasses because it's so dang funny.
And here's one of him wearing Todd's safety glasses because it's so dang funny.
Our new ceiling fan
Yes, high excitement in our house these days if I'm blogging about a ceiling fan.
But, I don't care if you think we're boring. I was dang excited about it. We had a plain white ceiling fan in our master bedroom and there was no fan in Will's new bedroom. So instead of searching for 1 to go in his room, we gave him ours.
And I found the PERFECT fan for our room. It's like it was custom made to match my decor. Now I can officially never redecorate our bedroom.
But, I don't care if you think we're boring. I was dang excited about it. We had a plain white ceiling fan in our master bedroom and there was no fan in Will's new bedroom. So instead of searching for 1 to go in his room, we gave him ours.
And I found the PERFECT fan for our room. It's like it was custom made to match my decor. Now I can officially never redecorate our bedroom.
Gas crisis
I say this with a very sarcastic tone.
Gas crisis? Really? It's a hurricane people. It's a STORM. It's in TEXAS. This is over 1,000 miles away from here. Someone explain to me why nearly every gas station in my city is out of gasoline.
I went to 3 stations this morning before even finding gas. I only stopped at all because I was on "E" and wouldn't have gotten all my errands completed without a fillup.
I picked Will up from a friend's house this afternoon and on the way there, the corner gas station still had gas - for $4.09. I left about an hour later to see $4.49 on their sign. And the rest of the 5 mile drive down the main drag in town proved that NO one else had gas left.
Seriously?
Lemmings. Lemmings, I tell ya.
Gas crisis? Really? It's a hurricane people. It's a STORM. It's in TEXAS. This is over 1,000 miles away from here. Someone explain to me why nearly every gas station in my city is out of gasoline.
I went to 3 stations this morning before even finding gas. I only stopped at all because I was on "E" and wouldn't have gotten all my errands completed without a fillup.
I picked Will up from a friend's house this afternoon and on the way there, the corner gas station still had gas - for $4.09. I left about an hour later to see $4.49 on their sign. And the rest of the 5 mile drive down the main drag in town proved that NO one else had gas left.
Seriously?
Lemmings. Lemmings, I tell ya.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
The other shoe has dropped
The diagnosis is in.
I'm type II diabetic.
The breath has been knocked out of my body. I don't know what to think, what to say, what to do. Jo wants me to come in and get an EKG, do a 24 hour urine test and also have a dilated eye exam.
I just can't believe this is happening.
I'm type II diabetic.
The breath has been knocked out of my body. I don't know what to think, what to say, what to do. Jo wants me to come in and get an EKG, do a 24 hour urine test and also have a dilated eye exam.
I just can't believe this is happening.
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Today's appt and diabetes update
Today was my nuchal translucency screening. It's an ultrasound and blood test done at 12-13 weeks to measure the baby's risk for Down Syndrome and other chromosomal problems. The ultrasound is used to measure the thickness of the skin on the back of the baby's neck. Brooke (our tech) said that this baby looks perfectly healthy and normal to her. The official results w/ the blood work won't be back for about a week, but I feel pretty good.
The baby was bouncing around in there and his/her heartbeat was measuring 150 bpm. He/she was measuring right on target for 12w2d and seemed to be happy. We could see enough to see facial features and arms and legs. Brooke tried to sneak a peek and see if we could tell the gender, but it was just too early. Oh well, 6 weeks to go until we find out who is actually in there.
Here are a few pictures from today's ultrasound. They're not the best pictures, since I had to take pictures of the pictures.
So here's the diabetes update so far.
Yesterday's lunch and dinner numbers were good. Esp. dinner - coming in at 83. Holy crap, that's awesome. My fasting was a bit high this morning - 99, but nothing horrible. My breakfast number was good - I had a bowl of grits and didn't even have to eat bacon and eggs with it. I even had Taco Bell for lunch and had a passable number of 128. Woo hoo! I'm going to survive. At least until they make me start insulin. :(
The baby was bouncing around in there and his/her heartbeat was measuring 150 bpm. He/she was measuring right on target for 12w2d and seemed to be happy. We could see enough to see facial features and arms and legs. Brooke tried to sneak a peek and see if we could tell the gender, but it was just too early. Oh well, 6 weeks to go until we find out who is actually in there.
Here are a few pictures from today's ultrasound. They're not the best pictures, since I had to take pictures of the pictures.
So here's the diabetes update so far.
Yesterday's lunch and dinner numbers were good. Esp. dinner - coming in at 83. Holy crap, that's awesome. My fasting was a bit high this morning - 99, but nothing horrible. My breakfast number was good - I had a bowl of grits and didn't even have to eat bacon and eggs with it. I even had Taco Bell for lunch and had a passable number of 128. Woo hoo! I'm going to survive. At least until they make me start insulin. :(
Monday, September 8, 2008
Back from the diabetes counselor
I almost feel like it was a wasted trip. And it's such a pain in the butt trip, too. Her office is at UTMC - which is about 25 miles from my house. And parking is crazy. And it's a HUGE hospital - at least compared to the sweet little women's center where I birth my babies. (HA HA) I have to park in the garage and walk about a 1/2 mile to get into the hospital. Then I have to remember which set of elevators to take to get me up into the correct tower to find their office. Finally, about 14 minutes after I parked, I arrived and checked in.
And I discovered what the pastor at church has been talking about. They're always talking about "the least, the last and the lost". Well, they aren't lost anymore. I found all of them - they're in the waiting room of the high risk OB's office. Holy cow! I firmly believe I was the ONLY person there not on medicaid and I was the only one there actually married to her baby-daddy. And probably the only one over 20 years old, too.
Anyway.......so I met with the nutritionist first. And she didn't really give me any new information at all. So much for the "help me come up with lean protein sources other than chicken - because chicken makes me puke". And then I met with Jo, my counselor - aka the guru of all things gestational diabetes in Knoxville. She issued me a new glucose meter - HOORAY for swag - and a prescription for strips and lancets.
She told me that she firmly believes this is gestational diabetes and not a pre-existing case of type II diabetes. Which is FAB news. Except that is the EXACT OPPOSITE of what she told me on the phone on Friday. So, I'm a little lost. She sent me off to the lab to have an A1C, which is a blood test that is a 3 month look at my average blood glucose levels. Which should help them see if this is a recent development or not - yipee! So hopefully that test will come back well. I wanted to ask Jo about the contridiction from what she told me on Friday, but then she was gone and I didn't see her again.
I have another appt. scheduled in 2 weeks, so we'll discuss it then. Plus, they should have my A1C results by then.
In the meantime, it's testing my glucose 4x a day and recording everything I eat along w/ my glucose readings. I'll keep you posted how things are going. Maybe I'll even keep a daily post of what I'm eating and how it's going every day. Oh boy, I'm sure you'll love it. :)
And I discovered what the pastor at church has been talking about. They're always talking about "the least, the last and the lost". Well, they aren't lost anymore. I found all of them - they're in the waiting room of the high risk OB's office. Holy cow! I firmly believe I was the ONLY person there not on medicaid and I was the only one there actually married to her baby-daddy. And probably the only one over 20 years old, too.
Anyway.......so I met with the nutritionist first. And she didn't really give me any new information at all. So much for the "help me come up with lean protein sources other than chicken - because chicken makes me puke". And then I met with Jo, my counselor - aka the guru of all things gestational diabetes in Knoxville. She issued me a new glucose meter - HOORAY for swag - and a prescription for strips and lancets.
She told me that she firmly believes this is gestational diabetes and not a pre-existing case of type II diabetes. Which is FAB news. Except that is the EXACT OPPOSITE of what she told me on the phone on Friday. So, I'm a little lost. She sent me off to the lab to have an A1C, which is a blood test that is a 3 month look at my average blood glucose levels. Which should help them see if this is a recent development or not - yipee! So hopefully that test will come back well. I wanted to ask Jo about the contridiction from what she told me on Friday, but then she was gone and I didn't see her again.
I have another appt. scheduled in 2 weeks, so we'll discuss it then. Plus, they should have my A1C results by then.
In the meantime, it's testing my glucose 4x a day and recording everything I eat along w/ my glucose readings. I'll keep you posted how things are going. Maybe I'll even keep a daily post of what I'm eating and how it's going every day. Oh boy, I'm sure you'll love it. :)
He's his father's son
This kid loves the lake. And he LOVES to jump in. He's also begging to waterski. It looks like Todd is going to take him skiing in the next few days.
Today he decided that jumping wasn't good enough. He wanted to dive. So he walked up to the edge - leaned over and dove in. We were both shocked because he was really good! He went in head first w/ his feet following right behind.
Today he decided that jumping wasn't good enough. He wanted to dive. So he walked up to the edge - leaned over and dove in. We were both shocked because he was really good! He went in head first w/ his feet following right behind.
The big boy room
I was informed last night that I never posted pictures of the big boy room on here. So I thought I'd share these.
Granted - this is still a work in progress. :) We still need a bed/dresser/nightstand/bookcase/decorations/curtains. HA We've come a long way, but we still have a ways to go. Right now we put his train table and all his toys in there to make the room look a little more full and he's using the old chest of drawers from the guest room until we get his dresser.
But in the meantime, here's the big boy room. :)
Granted - this is still a work in progress. :) We still need a bed/dresser/nightstand/bookcase/decorations/curtains. HA We've come a long way, but we still have a ways to go. Right now we put his train table and all his toys in there to make the room look a little more full and he's using the old chest of drawers from the guest room until we get his dresser.
But in the meantime, here's the big boy room. :)
The nursery is even ready to go. I went in the attic and brought down all the containers of baby items and put them in the closet in the nursery.
Now we have room in the attic to try and rescue the guest room from the mountain of crap that needs to be sorted and stored away. Sigh.
Now we have room in the attic to try and rescue the guest room from the mountain of crap that needs to be sorted and stored away. Sigh.
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Light at the end of the tunnel
There's HOPE!
So, after completely freaking out and having a break down this morning, I called my aunt. I should have done that first. She's an OB/GYN nurse and I asked her opinion. She said that 119 isn't high enough of a number to freak out about. She also said that she would have still administered the test. And that there cannot be any kind of official diagnosis with only 1 number and I should have been given the glucola.
Then she called me back again after talking to her boss. He said that it is impossible to give a pregnant woman a type II diagnosis. He recommended to assume it is gestational diabetes (fine by me) and nothing else can be determined until I have my 2 hour fasting glucose after the baby is born.
So for now, no freaking out. I'm still waiting to hear from Jo about all of this, so I'll update when I have more info.
So, after completely freaking out and having a break down this morning, I called my aunt. I should have done that first. She's an OB/GYN nurse and I asked her opinion. She said that 119 isn't high enough of a number to freak out about. She also said that she would have still administered the test. And that there cannot be any kind of official diagnosis with only 1 number and I should have been given the glucola.
Then she called me back again after talking to her boss. He said that it is impossible to give a pregnant woman a type II diagnosis. He recommended to assume it is gestational diabetes (fine by me) and nothing else can be determined until I have my 2 hour fasting glucose after the baby is born.
So for now, no freaking out. I'm still waiting to hear from Jo about all of this, so I'll update when I have more info.
Pregnancy update
Not good news
Thankfully, it's not the baby. The little one is happy as a clam in there, while making me miserable.
Must be a girl - they say girls like to torture their mommies before they're born.
I took a 1 hour glucose test last week. For those who don't know about these sorts of things - it's to test my blood sugar and to check for diabetes. I was diabetic and insulin dependent while pregnant with Will. Due to my family history, there's a high likely hood I'll develop diabetes eventually.
Apparently it's sooner rather than later.
I failed the 1 hour glucose test. So they wanted me to come in again this morning for a 3 hour fasting glucose test. This test is absolute misery - if the fasting doesn't make you feel wretched, then the 4 blood draws and the glucola will. When I drank the glucola for the 3 hour test with Will, I thought it would kill me. It made me so ill.
So I was very apprehensive today about taking this test - I hate getting blood drawn, esp. on an empty stomach. There's usually a high likelihood that I'll black out. And that glucola does a pretty good job of ensuring I'll feel like puking, too.
Fortunately, (ha ha), I didn't get to drink the glucola or perform the 3 hour test.
They did a finger prick to test me before doing anything else. My fasting # was a 119. For anyone who doesn't know about this - that is really high. They couldn't even administer the test because my blood sugar was already too high.
So, Jo, the diabetes specialist will be contacting me later today to set up my 1st appointment with her. I can expect to begin taking insulin again probably within the week.
And the best news of all is that is looks like this isn't gestational. It's really likely that I've just been given the sentence of Type II diabetes.
Thankfully, it's not the baby. The little one is happy as a clam in there, while making me miserable.
Must be a girl - they say girls like to torture their mommies before they're born.
I took a 1 hour glucose test last week. For those who don't know about these sorts of things - it's to test my blood sugar and to check for diabetes. I was diabetic and insulin dependent while pregnant with Will. Due to my family history, there's a high likely hood I'll develop diabetes eventually.
Apparently it's sooner rather than later.
I failed the 1 hour glucose test. So they wanted me to come in again this morning for a 3 hour fasting glucose test. This test is absolute misery - if the fasting doesn't make you feel wretched, then the 4 blood draws and the glucola will. When I drank the glucola for the 3 hour test with Will, I thought it would kill me. It made me so ill.
So I was very apprehensive today about taking this test - I hate getting blood drawn, esp. on an empty stomach. There's usually a high likelihood that I'll black out. And that glucola does a pretty good job of ensuring I'll feel like puking, too.
Fortunately, (ha ha), I didn't get to drink the glucola or perform the 3 hour test.
They did a finger prick to test me before doing anything else. My fasting # was a 119. For anyone who doesn't know about this - that is really high. They couldn't even administer the test because my blood sugar was already too high.
So, Jo, the diabetes specialist will be contacting me later today to set up my 1st appointment with her. I can expect to begin taking insulin again probably within the week.
And the best news of all is that is looks like this isn't gestational. It's really likely that I've just been given the sentence of Type II diabetes.
By a strange coincidence, it seems my friend Staci is in the exact same boat as me. She's 3 weeks ahead of me in her 2nd pregnancy and is already seeing Jo for what appears to be her Type II diabetes. At least we're in this together.
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