It's been nonstop fun (and work). This place has been busy with people coming and going. I've been on my feet a LOT more then normal and for the most part I'm liking it. It started out interestingly and I have a HUUUUGE post waiting to be finished. Instead I'll do the condensed version so you'll all stay awake. ;o)
Friday
Island week started EARLY when 70+ mph winds decided to visit us early that morning.
1st trip kids stepped on the bus and our power went out!
2nd trip kids got ready and ended up dancing in the driveway. Originally it was because mom had the van door open and the radio blasting. Then it was because they announced XX school district was dismissing at 9am. That meant no school for those still at home. Those in school got back on the bus and had a 1.5hr ride to get home due to down trees.
Village got power back at 9:30am-10ish (almost as soon as the buses pulled out of the school parking lot)
Val brought over Br and Ch for the afternoon. We saved all the poor threatened food in the freezer. Mostly soft pretzels, chicken patties, strawberries and ice cream. The rest could melt for all we cared! ;o) I was thankful that my new stove was old school! Pilot lights are GREAT! Never could use the oven without power until now.
Val and Michelle went to Br's house for a few nights. She had electricity and a HOT TUB! Traders!
We joked that our Island week was starting in the Aleutian Islands.
Found out that church had power (2miles down the road). It seemed everyone but our little section of the road had power! Little kids went to church to do activities and spend 1.5 hrs in a modern facility.
Called customer service at 7pm to see is there was hope of getting power. CS person said...I hear little ones in the background. I suggest you make arrangements for the night, your power won't be back before morning.
I put on socks for the first time in a looong time and it drove my feet cRaZY!!!!!
Saturday
CS was right, still off the grid at sunup. The next morning CS put a 6pm timeline on restoration.
I could be heard muttering...I'm going through withdrawal! All I need is to sit infront of the monitor and touch the keyboard...for just a second!
Also to be heard...go look it up! (and NOT just by me!) How did we live without google at our fingertips?
5:30pm...TADA! We have POWER! All is right with the world.
Until....phone call from BIL. They are taking MIL to the hospital again. She gets admitted.
Started reading the book "Christ the Lord" by Anne Rice
Sunday
Michelle and Val get home, bringing along Br
Finished my book.
Spent the day catching up from not having power, doing laundry, and making decorations. (Monday is the main island day).
Went shopping for some last minute things and food. Cha-ching! $$$
Picked up BG on the way home so she could spend the night with Michelle, Val and Br.
Tom and Drew go up to visit MIL.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Need to take Drew and Liz to get passports. Island week report will have to be continued in a later post.
Thursday, February 23, 2006
Wednesday, February 15, 2006
It's in the eye of the beholder
I came home for an appointment on Friday and was told...I know what Dad bought you for Valentine's Day...and it's BEAUUUTIFUL!
I acknowledged her and went on my way. Valentine's Day morning rolls around and Eileen says...I know what Dad got you for Valentine's. It's really pretty Mom...you'll LOVE it! It's so pretty.
Now I'm not getting really worked up. I know my girls. To them a cardboard picture of two teddy bears hugging could be classified as beautiful. LOL It did pique my curiosity though. It also let me know that Tom bought me something. So then I had to get him something (stupid holiday!!!) We were having a "celebration" in the evening with a night of food and treats. So Drew and I ran to the store. I ended up grabbing a mylar balloon for Tom at the $1 store. They didn't have what I wanted...a rain guage and outdoor thermometer.
Tom arrived home with a potted plant behind his back. They were really interesting looking, not even sure what they are exactly. I knew this wasn't what Eileen had been talking about so joked...where's my beautiful present? Tom seemed perplexed until Eileen informed him...I didn't tell Daddy! He then left and came back with this....
Incase you can't see the picture well. It was a Russell Stover Heart Shaped box of chocolates. Complete with red cellophane wrap and cardboard ribbon. ROFL!!! What a beauty! Eileen kept saying...SEE Mommy! Isn't pretty!?! I agreed and then made her day when I told her she could open it and have some.
I thought back to last Valetine's Day when I was FURIOUS that Tom bought me a heart filled with chocolates. I couldn't believe that someone would buy a diabetic pg woman chocolates and it bothered me. This year I just passed it onto the kids. LOL
I acknowledged her and went on my way. Valentine's Day morning rolls around and Eileen says...I know what Dad got you for Valentine's. It's really pretty Mom...you'll LOVE it! It's so pretty.
Now I'm not getting really worked up. I know my girls. To them a cardboard picture of two teddy bears hugging could be classified as beautiful. LOL It did pique my curiosity though. It also let me know that Tom bought me something. So then I had to get him something (stupid holiday!!!) We were having a "celebration" in the evening with a night of food and treats. So Drew and I ran to the store. I ended up grabbing a mylar balloon for Tom at the $1 store. They didn't have what I wanted...a rain guage and outdoor thermometer.
Tom arrived home with a potted plant behind his back. They were really interesting looking, not even sure what they are exactly. I knew this wasn't what Eileen had been talking about so joked...where's my beautiful present? Tom seemed perplexed until Eileen informed him...I didn't tell Daddy! He then left and came back with this....
Incase you can't see the picture well. It was a Russell Stover Heart Shaped box of chocolates. Complete with red cellophane wrap and cardboard ribbon. ROFL!!! What a beauty! Eileen kept saying...SEE Mommy! Isn't pretty!?! I agreed and then made her day when I told her she could open it and have some.
I thought back to last Valetine's Day when I was FURIOUS that Tom bought me a heart filled with chocolates. I couldn't believe that someone would buy a diabetic pg woman chocolates and it bothered me. This year I just passed it onto the kids. LOL
Where are the twins?!?!?
I could be heard frantically asking this question Monday night. Of course it was all in a dream...but it still left me upset when I awoke.
In my dream we had 2yo twin boys! It was open house at school and we all went. The place was packed. While trying to get up the stairs Carrie asked if she could take the boys ahead to meet her teacher. I agreed and off she went with a boy in each hand. Next thing I knew Carrie was walking back and was empty handed!!!
I started to panic and asked her where the boys were. She acted like I had 3 heads and said she didn't know what I was talking about. I then ran through the crowds and around the school searching for my twin boys. No one was helping or cooperating with me. I HATE WHEN THAT HAPPENS!
I then found myself in our house and still looking for the boys. Tom said they aren't here! I started walking out the door and Tom ran after me asking....Where are you going? I told him....I'm going to go look for my boys! Where else would I be going!?!? And I marched down the street with drink in hand. LOL This is where I woke up, totally frustrated.
I told Tom about my dream and he said...Maybe you had it because we DON'T have twin boys! I replied....maybe it's because I'm SUPPOSE to have twin boys and I'm the only one who knows it!!!
In my dream we had 2yo twin boys! It was open house at school and we all went. The place was packed. While trying to get up the stairs Carrie asked if she could take the boys ahead to meet her teacher. I agreed and off she went with a boy in each hand. Next thing I knew Carrie was walking back and was empty handed!!!
I started to panic and asked her where the boys were. She acted like I had 3 heads and said she didn't know what I was talking about. I then ran through the crowds and around the school searching for my twin boys. No one was helping or cooperating with me. I HATE WHEN THAT HAPPENS!
I then found myself in our house and still looking for the boys. Tom said they aren't here! I started walking out the door and Tom ran after me asking....Where are you going? I told him....I'm going to go look for my boys! Where else would I be going!?!? And I marched down the street with drink in hand. LOL This is where I woke up, totally frustrated.
I told Tom about my dream and he said...Maybe you had it because we DON'T have twin boys! I replied....maybe it's because I'm SUPPOSE to have twin boys and I'm the only one who knows it!!!
Monday, February 13, 2006
Busy with a side of cuddle
This weekend was productive even if you can't tell by walking in my front door. I'm bound and determined to get this place in ship shape condition before the kids start midwinter break on Saturday!
Yesterday I got so busy that I lost track of the time. Before I knew it there was half an hour until I needed to be at church and NO ONE was ready! I didn't even have anything completed to bring to the potluck. So we stayed home. The side of cuddle comes in when looking at how much time I spent with Danielle. The kids kept her pretty busy and were passing her around. I mainly took breaks and cuddled with her when she was hungry. I wouldn't feel very comfy doing that too often but every once in a while it's nice to be able to do it.
I did mostly normal upkeep stuff like bathrooms, dishes, and laundry. I was buried in laundry since I slacked off last week. We were this -><- close to running out of propane and couldn't get a delivery until the end of the week. They're weird and require you to pay your previous months bills before they'll bring you more. Knowing it'd be a few days until they'd get out here, I saved what little propane we had for our hot water useage. On Monday I had the kids pick out as many outfits as they needed for the week and washed ONLY that, including towels. I never got a load of white clothes in so some were scrounging for socks by the end of the week. Luckily they had a handy supply UNDER THEIR BEDS to dig through. I guess that explains why I could do 2 loads of whites one day and yet couldn't find certain kids a pair of socks the next day!
Yep, we started in on bedrooms. We'd have finished the little girls room if Liz was here but she was away at church for a young sister's weekend. By the way her mouth ran non-stop after she got home...it was a GREAT weekend. LOL I couldn't work for long because my allergies started acting up. I probably should've just kept on going and figured I'd be sick for the next few days. If I don't want to be sick for the first weekend of Island week I'll have to work on MY room early in the week. Probably tomorrow. Especially since I have appts late in the day on Wed and Thurs.
Drew's car failed inspection last week so they worked on it this weekend. He just got back from getting it approved. Now there's nothing holding him back on finding a full-time job. RIGHT!?!?! Val was gone most of the weekend. Her boyfriend had a wrestling tournament in the Adirondacks (came in 5th) on Saturday and she went out to dinner with him and his family on Sunday. Today J is coming over after school so her and Val can get ready for Valentine's Day.
Hmmm...while writing about J coming over I asked Michelle what we should do for Valentine's Day. She said..."people are coming over". I guess THAT's why J is coming here. So her, Val and Michelle can get ready for their boyfriends to come over after school tomorrow. Not that I mind...they're all great kids. I just wasn't planning on it. I'm sure if I said I didn't know, Val would tell me exactly when she asked for them to be here. She has a way of asking/talking that leaves me clueless at times.
Carrie's lesson for the TODAY study went well on Friday. I was left wishing they went into more details about label reading, exchanges vs carb counts and mixing the protein with the carbs to keep your blood sugar on a more even keel. Maybe those are future lessons. I mentioned that her numbers were too high for my comfort level. They downloaded her meter and agreed. Her glucophage as been increased. It looks like it might be helping so far. I miss the tighter control and aggressiveness I felt I had with the insulin. I have a diabetic rant brewing but maybe I'll save it for another time. Like when I'm in a bad mood. LOL
Danielle is getting GRABBY! She's also realized what we're doing when we put food into our mouths. And she wants to do it too! Yesterday I ended up with my plate of spaghetti and meatballs in my lap. After Danielle failed to get it with her hand (but her sleeve was successful) she got it with her foot! It's a good thing she's cute! ;o)
One more week of school until midwinter break! I can't wait. They all cooperated this morning. I did hear a few...I don't feel goods. I "ignored" them and sent them off anyways. My luck I'll get a call from the nurse with a report that so and so barfed in class. lol They've always gotta find a way to make me look bad. ;o)
Yesterday I got so busy that I lost track of the time. Before I knew it there was half an hour until I needed to be at church and NO ONE was ready! I didn't even have anything completed to bring to the potluck. So we stayed home. The side of cuddle comes in when looking at how much time I spent with Danielle. The kids kept her pretty busy and were passing her around. I mainly took breaks and cuddled with her when she was hungry. I wouldn't feel very comfy doing that too often but every once in a while it's nice to be able to do it.
I did mostly normal upkeep stuff like bathrooms, dishes, and laundry. I was buried in laundry since I slacked off last week. We were this -><- close to running out of propane and couldn't get a delivery until the end of the week. They're weird and require you to pay your previous months bills before they'll bring you more. Knowing it'd be a few days until they'd get out here, I saved what little propane we had for our hot water useage. On Monday I had the kids pick out as many outfits as they needed for the week and washed ONLY that, including towels. I never got a load of white clothes in so some were scrounging for socks by the end of the week. Luckily they had a handy supply UNDER THEIR BEDS to dig through. I guess that explains why I could do 2 loads of whites one day and yet couldn't find certain kids a pair of socks the next day!
Yep, we started in on bedrooms. We'd have finished the little girls room if Liz was here but she was away at church for a young sister's weekend. By the way her mouth ran non-stop after she got home...it was a GREAT weekend. LOL I couldn't work for long because my allergies started acting up. I probably should've just kept on going and figured I'd be sick for the next few days. If I don't want to be sick for the first weekend of Island week I'll have to work on MY room early in the week. Probably tomorrow. Especially since I have appts late in the day on Wed and Thurs.
Drew's car failed inspection last week so they worked on it this weekend. He just got back from getting it approved. Now there's nothing holding him back on finding a full-time job. RIGHT!?!?! Val was gone most of the weekend. Her boyfriend had a wrestling tournament in the Adirondacks (came in 5th) on Saturday and she went out to dinner with him and his family on Sunday. Today J is coming over after school so her and Val can get ready for Valentine's Day.
Hmmm...while writing about J coming over I asked Michelle what we should do for Valentine's Day. She said..."people are coming over". I guess THAT's why J is coming here. So her, Val and Michelle can get ready for their boyfriends to come over after school tomorrow. Not that I mind...they're all great kids. I just wasn't planning on it. I'm sure if I said I didn't know, Val would tell me exactly when she asked for them to be here. She has a way of asking/talking that leaves me clueless at times.
Carrie's lesson for the TODAY study went well on Friday. I was left wishing they went into more details about label reading, exchanges vs carb counts and mixing the protein with the carbs to keep your blood sugar on a more even keel. Maybe those are future lessons. I mentioned that her numbers were too high for my comfort level. They downloaded her meter and agreed. Her glucophage as been increased. It looks like it might be helping so far. I miss the tighter control and aggressiveness I felt I had with the insulin. I have a diabetic rant brewing but maybe I'll save it for another time. Like when I'm in a bad mood. LOL
Danielle is getting GRABBY! She's also realized what we're doing when we put food into our mouths. And she wants to do it too! Yesterday I ended up with my plate of spaghetti and meatballs in my lap. After Danielle failed to get it with her hand (but her sleeve was successful) she got it with her foot! It's a good thing she's cute! ;o)
One more week of school until midwinter break! I can't wait. They all cooperated this morning. I did hear a few...I don't feel goods. I "ignored" them and sent them off anyways. My luck I'll get a call from the nurse with a report that so and so barfed in class. lol They've always gotta find a way to make me look bad. ;o)
Friday, February 10, 2006
Another week flew by
And one week closer to Island Week...woohooo! lol Things have been so unorganized around here that I feel out of it. You'd think with finally getting to stay home for 3 days straight I'd get to work and get somethings accomplished. NOPE! Very little got done actually. *heavy sigh* I really don't know what's wrong with me.
Things sicknesswise are still up in the air. Kids keep complaining they don't feel well on and off. It's been really hard to get them out the door to school everyday. I'm looking forward to midwinter break, with or without island week.
Today is lesson 2 of Carrie's TODAY study teaching session. Her numbers are too high for my liking....especially the morning ones. I finally got her an appt for late afternoon/after school. We'll be going in there once a week and she's already missed a lot of school for doctor appts. I'm not really happy about the time since it leaves me no time to run errands in the city. Especially since the varsity volleyball team has a home game for sectionals. People are looking for me to be home so they can go. Maybe I'll cram in a quick run through the produce section on the way home.
Danielle is so adorable! I'm dying to take a pic and share it. Problem is that it seems near impossible to get the camera and the rechargeable batteries in my hand at the same time. The kids are hilarious with her. Just a few minutes ago I stopped typing to wipe her nose. Luke makes the comment...I already picked her nose this morning...like it was all taken care of. LOL
I've found myself in a place I haven't been in before. Thinking/talking about another baby when Tom says we're done. I'm not to the point of being devastated if we are done. But I'm at a spot where it'd be harder to come to terms with. Before Eileen and Olivia were born we just took each pregnancy/baby as they came. After Eileen Tom said we were done...I didn't think he sounded sure of it though. After awhile we both casually mentioned that we'd thought about another one...I was pg that month. lol With Olivia Tom was more adamant that we were done and I was ok with it. My pregnancies were getting increasingly difficult. We both were getting older (especially Tom lol). We had a lot on our plates. For some reason these reasons don't seem to be there or make a difference now.
I know the age thing really bothers Tom. He doesn't want to be an "old guy" when the kids graduate. He keeps mentioning on creeping up toward 70 when Danielle finishes school (he'll be 65!) Although I respect his thoughts on this, I don't understand it all the way. I guess I don't see myself as getting old. ;o) As the kids get older things get easier in some ways, busier in others. I think having the age gap between Olivia and Danielle kind of takes the full plate reason out. Danielle's pg was one of my smoothest. Yes I had to do 3+ wks of bedrest but I still think it was one of my easier ones. Maybe it was because it happened during summer vacation. Maybe because I had older kids to pick up the slack. Even thought I wasn't on strict bedrest with the others, I'd always been put on "restricted activity" notice at the end of most of them.
I find myself thinking...Danielle is such a blessing...how can we NOT have more. There's not enough of Danielle to go around! The kids need another baby to love on. Danielle needs someone to grow up with. Who knows...maybe I'm tempting fate. I jsut wish I didn't have to think about it at all. It was so much easier when we accepted them as they came. All this thinking, planning, avoiding drives me crazy!
Things sicknesswise are still up in the air. Kids keep complaining they don't feel well on and off. It's been really hard to get them out the door to school everyday. I'm looking forward to midwinter break, with or without island week.
Today is lesson 2 of Carrie's TODAY study teaching session. Her numbers are too high for my liking....especially the morning ones. I finally got her an appt for late afternoon/after school. We'll be going in there once a week and she's already missed a lot of school for doctor appts. I'm not really happy about the time since it leaves me no time to run errands in the city. Especially since the varsity volleyball team has a home game for sectionals. People are looking for me to be home so they can go. Maybe I'll cram in a quick run through the produce section on the way home.
Danielle is so adorable! I'm dying to take a pic and share it. Problem is that it seems near impossible to get the camera and the rechargeable batteries in my hand at the same time. The kids are hilarious with her. Just a few minutes ago I stopped typing to wipe her nose. Luke makes the comment...I already picked her nose this morning...like it was all taken care of. LOL
I've found myself in a place I haven't been in before. Thinking/talking about another baby when Tom says we're done. I'm not to the point of being devastated if we are done. But I'm at a spot where it'd be harder to come to terms with. Before Eileen and Olivia were born we just took each pregnancy/baby as they came. After Eileen Tom said we were done...I didn't think he sounded sure of it though. After awhile we both casually mentioned that we'd thought about another one...I was pg that month. lol With Olivia Tom was more adamant that we were done and I was ok with it. My pregnancies were getting increasingly difficult. We both were getting older (especially Tom lol). We had a lot on our plates. For some reason these reasons don't seem to be there or make a difference now.
I know the age thing really bothers Tom. He doesn't want to be an "old guy" when the kids graduate. He keeps mentioning on creeping up toward 70 when Danielle finishes school (he'll be 65!) Although I respect his thoughts on this, I don't understand it all the way. I guess I don't see myself as getting old. ;o) As the kids get older things get easier in some ways, busier in others. I think having the age gap between Olivia and Danielle kind of takes the full plate reason out. Danielle's pg was one of my smoothest. Yes I had to do 3+ wks of bedrest but I still think it was one of my easier ones. Maybe it was because it happened during summer vacation. Maybe because I had older kids to pick up the slack. Even thought I wasn't on strict bedrest with the others, I'd always been put on "restricted activity" notice at the end of most of them.
I find myself thinking...Danielle is such a blessing...how can we NOT have more. There's not enough of Danielle to go around! The kids need another baby to love on. Danielle needs someone to grow up with. Who knows...maybe I'm tempting fate. I jsut wish I didn't have to think about it at all. It was so much easier when we accepted them as they came. All this thinking, planning, avoiding drives me crazy!
Monday, February 06, 2006
We're improving...
I think. Michelle's knee looks a lot better and she can now walk on it fine. It's still a bit red and tender. I'm hoping there's nothing left there to cause a flair-up once her antibiotics are done. Olivia still looks really worn out to me. She has dark circles under her eyes. Eileen is still complaining she doesn't feel good on and off but that's par for the course for her. I'm still keeping my eye on her. Luke is home again today. His stomach has been bothering him again and he's had some groin pain for over a day. I called the dr this AM and got him a late afternoon appt. Tom needs to come home early since I have to have a few girls at the dentist this afternoon. I know this winter has been really mild here until now. I'd still love for it to be SUMMER and have all the germs GONE!! (then again...we've had summers full of strep and mono too...oh well)
With all these kids home so often I feel like I'm going to have the school officials knocking my door down and dragging me in. On one of the email lists I'm on they were talking about a family needing to go to court and facing fines over too many tardies and absences of a child. (child's grades were EXCELLENT and they had never been in trouble before) I guess I'm thankful we don't have that policy in place. I'd be up to my eyeballs in fines! We have a more stringent attendance policy this year but luckily court and fines aren't mentioned.
Sunday was interesting. We had a brother visiting from Norway who needed to be translated when speaking. We also had Ukrainian families from Western NY visiting who spoke little English. So the Norwegian brother had to be translated into English and then translated into Ukrainian. Hope it was successful....I assume it was since no one seemed to get offended at anything that was said. :o) We all had a good time eating together. I like that we're starting it back up again. It allows us to sit and visit more. For once I was prepared ahead of time. I even have something planned for NEXT Sunday! I'm so proud of myself. LOL Liz went to a wedding at the fellowship in Delaware this weekend. Sounds like it was a beautiful ceremony and everyone had a good time.
With everyone feeling a bit better and my schedule not jampacked, I've found some time to visit a few blogs. I use to have my blog tour that I did everyday. Cutting back on my online time I got out of habit doing it. It's been nice visiting old friends. I even made a few new ones! I'm hoping to spiff up and update my blog and links this week. I'm considering moving to a place since kmomof10 doesn't fit anymore. I've wondered about going to a place that allows password protected posts since I tend to hold back on mentioning somethings I'd like to.
I managed to go grocery shopping Friday and Saturday. It's amazing how comforted I feel when I have a house full of groceries. Same goes when my van has a full tank of gas. It's silly and I'm not sure they're great things to let control my emotions...but I can't help it. It just feels good! Tom asked what was for dinner on Saturday and my answer....I don't know! He was puzzled for a second since he knew there was tons of food. I explained...that's the problem...I'm not sure what to pick now! LOL
Danielle has another new trick. She's learned to give kisses. She takes your face in both her hands and then attacks it with mouth WIIIIIIIIDE open! Nice and slobbery. She usually aims for your mouth. I'm not sure why she does this since anyone rarely gives her a kiss on the lips.
Carrie and I started the learning section of the TODAY study. The first lesson was on what diabetes is, differences in type 1 and type 2, ways to improve how your body uses insulin, how to test your blood sugar and keep a log (which we've been doing but everyone has to be taught the exact same things). We were given a new Ultra Smart Touch meter. I've been wanting one of those since it allows you to imput info and shows you graphs of your numbers. We also went over some foods and drinks...how to make healthy choices.
Next week's lesson is with the nutritionists and we'll be making up a new food plan for Carrie. I'm hoping this time is a little more informative. Last time we met with one we skimmed over things (since I was already doing a lot of it) and left it vague as to carbs allowed and such. I'm the type of person that doesn't mind hearing info I already know over again. I've found that I tend to not remember things exactly as I was taught. LOL Also things change as time goes on. I know it won't have changed much since the last time I saw a nutritionist last year. But when I think of the thoughts on food when MIL was first diagnosed with it and now....WOW! I don't know how many times I've had to enlighten people...yes Carrie can have a small piece of cake. We fit it into her carb counts one way or the other.
One interesting thing about this study. They now provide all of Carrie's meds and supplies. Since Carrie may eventually be taking glucophage and a placebo (in place of Avandia...depending on which group she's entered in), they have her taking 2 generic looking capsules AM and PM. I've noticed that her numbers are starting to creep up. I'm not sure if it's hormone/cycle related or med related. I'll have to talk to the dr about it on Friday when we go in.
We started a new family tradition last year...Island Day. Tom's now turned it into Island WEEK! LOL During midwinter break (third week of February) we have a luau type of party with lots of food and fun decorations. Tom's really excited about this and has been planning it since the end of last year. I've started gathering supplies and food for it. So far we're having chicken skewers, veggie kebabs, hawaiian pizza, rye bread bowl/dip, artichoke and parm dip, various fruits, candies and snacks, along with fruit punch to drink (pineapple, banana and guava so far)...adult "flavoring" optional. ;o) Michelle and I were planning on making a pinata (pineapple shaped maybe), I'll be "sewing" up some grass skirts out of a roll of plastic green colored table covering. I'm hoping the $1 store still has leis. I'll post pics when it's over.
Well I guess that's enough rambling for now. Need to get something done around here before I pick up the girls from school.
With all these kids home so often I feel like I'm going to have the school officials knocking my door down and dragging me in. On one of the email lists I'm on they were talking about a family needing to go to court and facing fines over too many tardies and absences of a child. (child's grades were EXCELLENT and they had never been in trouble before) I guess I'm thankful we don't have that policy in place. I'd be up to my eyeballs in fines! We have a more stringent attendance policy this year but luckily court and fines aren't mentioned.
Sunday was interesting. We had a brother visiting from Norway who needed to be translated when speaking. We also had Ukrainian families from Western NY visiting who spoke little English. So the Norwegian brother had to be translated into English and then translated into Ukrainian. Hope it was successful....I assume it was since no one seemed to get offended at anything that was said. :o) We all had a good time eating together. I like that we're starting it back up again. It allows us to sit and visit more. For once I was prepared ahead of time. I even have something planned for NEXT Sunday! I'm so proud of myself. LOL Liz went to a wedding at the fellowship in Delaware this weekend. Sounds like it was a beautiful ceremony and everyone had a good time.
With everyone feeling a bit better and my schedule not jampacked, I've found some time to visit a few blogs. I use to have my blog tour that I did everyday. Cutting back on my online time I got out of habit doing it. It's been nice visiting old friends. I even made a few new ones! I'm hoping to spiff up and update my blog and links this week. I'm considering moving to a place since kmomof10 doesn't fit anymore. I've wondered about going to a place that allows password protected posts since I tend to hold back on mentioning somethings I'd like to.
I managed to go grocery shopping Friday and Saturday. It's amazing how comforted I feel when I have a house full of groceries. Same goes when my van has a full tank of gas. It's silly and I'm not sure they're great things to let control my emotions...but I can't help it. It just feels good! Tom asked what was for dinner on Saturday and my answer....I don't know! He was puzzled for a second since he knew there was tons of food. I explained...that's the problem...I'm not sure what to pick now! LOL
Danielle has another new trick. She's learned to give kisses. She takes your face in both her hands and then attacks it with mouth WIIIIIIIIDE open! Nice and slobbery. She usually aims for your mouth. I'm not sure why she does this since anyone rarely gives her a kiss on the lips.
Carrie and I started the learning section of the TODAY study. The first lesson was on what diabetes is, differences in type 1 and type 2, ways to improve how your body uses insulin, how to test your blood sugar and keep a log (which we've been doing but everyone has to be taught the exact same things). We were given a new Ultra Smart Touch meter. I've been wanting one of those since it allows you to imput info and shows you graphs of your numbers. We also went over some foods and drinks...how to make healthy choices.
Next week's lesson is with the nutritionists and we'll be making up a new food plan for Carrie. I'm hoping this time is a little more informative. Last time we met with one we skimmed over things (since I was already doing a lot of it) and left it vague as to carbs allowed and such. I'm the type of person that doesn't mind hearing info I already know over again. I've found that I tend to not remember things exactly as I was taught. LOL Also things change as time goes on. I know it won't have changed much since the last time I saw a nutritionist last year. But when I think of the thoughts on food when MIL was first diagnosed with it and now....WOW! I don't know how many times I've had to enlighten people...yes Carrie can have a small piece of cake. We fit it into her carb counts one way or the other.
One interesting thing about this study. They now provide all of Carrie's meds and supplies. Since Carrie may eventually be taking glucophage and a placebo (in place of Avandia...depending on which group she's entered in), they have her taking 2 generic looking capsules AM and PM. I've noticed that her numbers are starting to creep up. I'm not sure if it's hormone/cycle related or med related. I'll have to talk to the dr about it on Friday when we go in.
We started a new family tradition last year...Island Day. Tom's now turned it into Island WEEK! LOL During midwinter break (third week of February) we have a luau type of party with lots of food and fun decorations. Tom's really excited about this and has been planning it since the end of last year. I've started gathering supplies and food for it. So far we're having chicken skewers, veggie kebabs, hawaiian pizza, rye bread bowl/dip, artichoke and parm dip, various fruits, candies and snacks, along with fruit punch to drink (pineapple, banana and guava so far)...adult "flavoring" optional. ;o) Michelle and I were planning on making a pinata (pineapple shaped maybe), I'll be "sewing" up some grass skirts out of a roll of plastic green colored table covering. I'm hoping the $1 store still has leis. I'll post pics when it's over.
Well I guess that's enough rambling for now. Need to get something done around here before I pick up the girls from school.
Tuesday, January 31, 2006
12 hours later
I started falling asleep mid post last night, then Danielle started crying. I just got up and went to bed...left my post open. Normally I'd delete it and start all over again. In other words...don't bother posting at all since I didn't consider the post completed. Instead I decided it's a partial post or none at all. So I had whoever was nearest the computer hit "publish". It was hard to do...I couldn't watch. Then I had to keep myself back from hitting the delete button.
Things are looking up for Michelle....I think. For the first time she woke up without a fever! :o) It's threatening to edge back up but so far it's sticking to very low grade. Her knee is looking better, but I thought that yesterday morning too. I hate how that happens. Things look good first thing but then they get worse as the day goes on UNTIL nighttime (after office hours) and then all hell breaks loose! I'm ok with letting her go one more day now though. Last night I wasn't sure if I should let her go one more hour.
Danielle's culture came back + for Group A strep too. UGH! At least she's a relatively happy sick baby. She's getting cuter by the day! Just when you think she can't get any cuter she goes and does something new. Her new trick is she crinkles up her nose, showing lots of gum and tips her head back when she smiles. Only thing missing is the actual words..."I'm cute!" coming out of her mouth. It always manages to make me lol when she does it. Which is OFTEN!
Most of the kids went to school this morning. Carrie being the exception. I was busy doing "paperwork" and forgot she was home. Finally remembered but couldn't find her. Just as I was starting to panic I found her. She had fallen asleep in Luke's and Jake's room while she was reading her book. I'm still not sure why she picked the boy's room instead of her own or mine.
Well need to get something done around here before school kids start getting home. Now if Danielle would cooperate...I'd be all set! LOL
Things are looking up for Michelle....I think. For the first time she woke up without a fever! :o) It's threatening to edge back up but so far it's sticking to very low grade. Her knee is looking better, but I thought that yesterday morning too. I hate how that happens. Things look good first thing but then they get worse as the day goes on UNTIL nighttime (after office hours) and then all hell breaks loose! I'm ok with letting her go one more day now though. Last night I wasn't sure if I should let her go one more hour.
Danielle's culture came back + for Group A strep too. UGH! At least she's a relatively happy sick baby. She's getting cuter by the day! Just when you think she can't get any cuter she goes and does something new. Her new trick is she crinkles up her nose, showing lots of gum and tips her head back when she smiles. Only thing missing is the actual words..."I'm cute!" coming out of her mouth. It always manages to make me lol when she does it. Which is OFTEN!
Most of the kids went to school this morning. Carrie being the exception. I was busy doing "paperwork" and forgot she was home. Finally remembered but couldn't find her. Just as I was starting to panic I found her. She had fallen asleep in Luke's and Jake's room while she was reading her book. I'm still not sure why she picked the boy's room instead of her own or mine.
Well need to get something done around here before school kids start getting home. Now if Danielle would cooperate...I'd be all set! LOL
Whoooooooooaaaaaaaaa!
Things have been moving along here at a pretty good clip. I can't believe January is about over already. Our house has become a den of germs. It seems Group A Strep is running rampant through here. Olivia had it on the 9th and took all her meds. Luke tested + for it on the 23rd. I took Michelle, Eileen and Olivia into the dr's this last Friday. Michelle had what looked like pimples...one on her back and another on her knee get huge and really infected. She was put on antibiotics with the mention it's most likely strep and staph together. I had Eileen and Olivia's throats cultured.
The dr's office called on Saturday to let me know that the girls tested + for Group A strep(yes, Olivia AGAIN!). I informed them that I had a number of kids with two or more of the following symptoms...fever, headache, sore throat, upset stomach. By the time I had all the prescriptions filled everyone but Pat, Val and Danielle were on antibiotics.
Michelle's knee hasn't gotten better and she's still running a fever (since Friday) so we went back into the dr's on Monday. I took Danielle along too since she decided to run a 102 degree fever that night...along with hoarseness and being miserable. We're waiting on her throat culture results before starting meds. Michelle was given a second antibiotic to take. Her leg is killing her (back is clearing up) and is pretty swollen. If she still hasn't improved and/or is running a fever tomorrow she'll be going back to the dr. She's been informed the next option is admission to the hospital for IV antibiotics. I kinda think it should've already happened....but I'm willing to give this a shot.
It looks good for most or all of the kids to go back to school tomorrow. There are a few I'm ok with staying home if they don't feel up to it. Carrie and Liz mostly, they both were pretty sick this weekend.
As for regular everyday stuff around here...
Valerie is into her last week of volleyball. Thursday is her last game and it's a HOME one! It'll be fun to be able to see her last game. It'll be nice not to have a commitment every evening. I don't think any of the girls are interested in spring sports...so we'll be spared for a while.
Drew saw his finace Allison off to Italy on Saturday. She's studying abroad this semester and will be gone until the end of May. What fun! I don't know how she's doing it. I think I'd be scared senseless over it. I'm really happy she can have this opportunity though.
Pat started classes again last week. :o) It's nice to see him going again. He's not working right now since his old job was for morning hours. I'm not sure what his plans are in terms of employment right now.
Carrie has been admitted into the TODAY study (Treatment Options for type 2 Diabetes in Adolescents and Youth). We start it on Thursday. It'll be interesting to see how they want us to treat her. This'll be time consuming at first. I think there was mention of weekly classes for a while. I'm sure we'll know more when our appointment is over. With this illness I didn't have her do her glucophage (not suppose to take it when severely ill). Her numbers were great or low...especially for her. It doesn't help that she barely ate all weekend. Now that she's feeling a bit better, her numbers were starting to climb tonight.
The dr's office called on Saturday to let me know that the girls tested + for Group A strep(yes, Olivia AGAIN!). I informed them that I had a number of kids with two or more of the following symptoms...fever, headache, sore throat, upset stomach. By the time I had all the prescriptions filled everyone but Pat, Val and Danielle were on antibiotics.
Michelle's knee hasn't gotten better and she's still running a fever (since Friday) so we went back into the dr's on Monday. I took Danielle along too since she decided to run a 102 degree fever that night...along with hoarseness and being miserable. We're waiting on her throat culture results before starting meds. Michelle was given a second antibiotic to take. Her leg is killing her (back is clearing up) and is pretty swollen. If she still hasn't improved and/or is running a fever tomorrow she'll be going back to the dr. She's been informed the next option is admission to the hospital for IV antibiotics. I kinda think it should've already happened....but I'm willing to give this a shot.
It looks good for most or all of the kids to go back to school tomorrow. There are a few I'm ok with staying home if they don't feel up to it. Carrie and Liz mostly, they both were pretty sick this weekend.
As for regular everyday stuff around here...
Valerie is into her last week of volleyball. Thursday is her last game and it's a HOME one! It'll be fun to be able to see her last game. It'll be nice not to have a commitment every evening. I don't think any of the girls are interested in spring sports...so we'll be spared for a while.
Drew saw his finace Allison off to Italy on Saturday. She's studying abroad this semester and will be gone until the end of May. What fun! I don't know how she's doing it. I think I'd be scared senseless over it. I'm really happy she can have this opportunity though.
Pat started classes again last week. :o) It's nice to see him going again. He's not working right now since his old job was for morning hours. I'm not sure what his plans are in terms of employment right now.
Carrie has been admitted into the TODAY study (Treatment Options for type 2 Diabetes in Adolescents and Youth). We start it on Thursday. It'll be interesting to see how they want us to treat her. This'll be time consuming at first. I think there was mention of weekly classes for a while. I'm sure we'll know more when our appointment is over. With this illness I didn't have her do her glucophage (not suppose to take it when severely ill). Her numbers were great or low...especially for her. It doesn't help that she barely ate all weekend. Now that she's feeling a bit better, her numbers were starting to climb tonight.
Thursday, January 05, 2006
I can access photos now
I finally found and installed a program on my computer to allow me to access my fuji camera. Now I can bore you all with pictures. I added a tree pic to my Christmas post below.
One I've been dying to share....DANIELLE!!!
I have a sillier pic of her but I love this somber pic. She had been on the verge of tears before this was taken. Can't remember why.
Yesterday was her 4mo checkup. She now weighs 15lbs 2oz and is 24inches long. So growing like a weed. :o) She's quite the drooler and gets her clothes soaked all the time if she doesn't wear a bib. Based on the amount she was drooling, a diaper rash starting, the fact that she was starting to get stuffy again and her ears were a bit dull (but not infected)...the dr decided to take a throat culture. It came back positive for some germs but luckily not strep. She's starting an antibiotic.
Tomorrow morning bright and early Carrie is due to the lab. She needs to get fasting bloodwork done. It's to determine if she qualifies for a research study about treating children with type 2 diabetes. TODAY study If she qualifies she'll be one of three groups....lifestyle modification. This involves coaches to learn to eat better and exercise more. Continuing on the same course with only glucophage as a med. Or using glucophage and another oral med. The modifications would be the hardest for our TOK family. It would benefit EVERYONE though. They're all at a high risk of getting diabetes. So it might be the best group for her to be put in.
Her numbers have been so so in my eyes. I know there's room for tighter control. Not sure the glucophage alone can do it though. I'm also not sure the JC would think she needs such tight control. I want to see PERFECT numbers...not acceptable ones!
Time to get things ready for tomorrow and bedtime.
One I've been dying to share....DANIELLE!!!
I have a sillier pic of her but I love this somber pic. She had been on the verge of tears before this was taken. Can't remember why.
Yesterday was her 4mo checkup. She now weighs 15lbs 2oz and is 24inches long. So growing like a weed. :o) She's quite the drooler and gets her clothes soaked all the time if she doesn't wear a bib. Based on the amount she was drooling, a diaper rash starting, the fact that she was starting to get stuffy again and her ears were a bit dull (but not infected)...the dr decided to take a throat culture. It came back positive for some germs but luckily not strep. She's starting an antibiotic.
Tomorrow morning bright and early Carrie is due to the lab. She needs to get fasting bloodwork done. It's to determine if she qualifies for a research study about treating children with type 2 diabetes. TODAY study If she qualifies she'll be one of three groups....lifestyle modification. This involves coaches to learn to eat better and exercise more. Continuing on the same course with only glucophage as a med. Or using glucophage and another oral med. The modifications would be the hardest for our TOK family. It would benefit EVERYONE though. They're all at a high risk of getting diabetes. So it might be the best group for her to be put in.
Her numbers have been so so in my eyes. I know there's room for tighter control. Not sure the glucophage alone can do it though. I'm also not sure the JC would think she needs such tight control. I want to see PERFECT numbers...not acceptable ones!
Time to get things ready for tomorrow and bedtime.
Wednesday, December 28, 2005
Mall madness
Tuesday was a lazy day for the most part. I played around on the computer, installing new games and such. I also managed to finally get the right sound driver installed! Woohoooo! It only took 4 different files to get the right one. lol Figures now that things are hunkydory on this computer...I start thinking about getting a new one. I'd love it if I didn't have to share. MINE! MINE! MINE!
Around 4 we finally got out the door to head to the mall. We were curious whether they had some decent sales. I managed to buy a few things are various stores, not spending too much at any. It sure does add up though. We hit the grocery store on the way home. Even though I spent a good chunk of money I didn't buy a week's worth of groceries. Most of it was for this long weekend. We always like to have an at home day on New Years with lots of snacks. On the way home I realized that Tom is on call this weekend. So much for the family day at home thought. Maybe we'll luck out and it'll be a quiet sewer day. lol
Liz, Carrie and Eileen came home last night and brought 2 of my neices with them. The oldest niece (14yo) LOVES Danielle, so my snuggle time has been cut drastically. Guess I should take advantage of it and get some work around here done....naaaaaa.
I sure do wish the clean laundry fairy would make a visit. The Mount Washmore troll has definitely been here! Our septic tank started backing up/slowing down on Christmas Eve so I haven't done too much of it in a while. Not to mention I was behind to begin with.
With New Years being around the corner I've started thinking about resolutions. I don't normally make resolutions but this year is a bit different. I don't see them as resolutions so much as affirmations of what I've already started to accomplish in my life. Also to move mom up on the taking care of scale. Seems she's usually last. (except when pg then she's first!)
The mob is asking for breakfast...onto a pancake making marathon.
Around 4 we finally got out the door to head to the mall. We were curious whether they had some decent sales. I managed to buy a few things are various stores, not spending too much at any. It sure does add up though. We hit the grocery store on the way home. Even though I spent a good chunk of money I didn't buy a week's worth of groceries. Most of it was for this long weekend. We always like to have an at home day on New Years with lots of snacks. On the way home I realized that Tom is on call this weekend. So much for the family day at home thought. Maybe we'll luck out and it'll be a quiet sewer day. lol
Liz, Carrie and Eileen came home last night and brought 2 of my neices with them. The oldest niece (14yo) LOVES Danielle, so my snuggle time has been cut drastically. Guess I should take advantage of it and get some work around here done....naaaaaa.
I sure do wish the clean laundry fairy would make a visit. The Mount Washmore troll has definitely been here! Our septic tank started backing up/slowing down on Christmas Eve so I haven't done too much of it in a while. Not to mention I was behind to begin with.
With New Years being around the corner I've started thinking about resolutions. I don't normally make resolutions but this year is a bit different. I don't see them as resolutions so much as affirmations of what I've already started to accomplish in my life. Also to move mom up on the taking care of scale. Seems she's usually last. (except when pg then she's first!)
The mob is asking for breakfast...onto a pancake making marathon.
Monday, December 26, 2005
It finally happened....
We finally had a Christmas where my head never hit a pillow. In the past I've always managed at least one or two hours of sleep. I was SO far behind that I considered not going over to BIL's house when the rest of the family went. I just couldn't do it though.
We had a great time at BIL's house. I had 49 "kids" to buy for. I say kids loosely as some of our neices and nephews are over 18 and have kids/stepkids of their own. I managed to find a present for everyone, the kids wrapped them Saturday morning. I figure we brought over 60 presents. As usual there was tons of food, drinks and good times. The kids always enjoy getting together and just hanging out. It rarely happens nowadays.
We got home from BIL's between 11:30 and midnight. By the time the kids were in their rooms and I nursed Danielle to sleep it was after 1. I knew I was running low on paper so had to wrap everything that was going to my parents first. (figured I had enough wrapped for under the tree that newspaper wrapped presents wouldn't be so noticeable under there). It was after 3 when I finished wrapping them.
Now I could start on the pile for the morning. Danielle woke up and Tom snuggled with her and eventually took her into bed with him. I had bought a bunch of glittery lingerie boxes at the dollar store so took advantage of them. All the clothes I was giving were put in that and taped shut...no wrapping needed. I think I'd STILL be wrapping if I had to wrap those too ;o) Sometime around 4ish I heard someone up and went to investigate. It was Jake...throwing up! He had the illness I had on Tues and Wed. UGH! At least he made the toilet and was easy to help and get settled back into bed.
We always tell the kids the earliest they can get up. Usually it's 6am or 7am. This year we compromised and made it 6:30. I finally got as much wrapped as I needed to (there were a few odds and ends I could've wrapped but didn't) at 6! I still had stockings to fill and had to get the presents under the tree. As I started hauling out things I'd wrapped earlier in the week out of our bedroom, Tom woke up and helped. There was no time for organizing things and making sure their main present was in the back...saving it for last. I just threw them under the tree. The pile was HUGE! I realized part of it was that I put everyone's clothes into boxes this year. Usually I just roll everything into a ball and then wrap. Part of it was that I'd hit a great sale at the outlet mall (things for $.94 - $2.94) so bought a good amount of clothes. Just as we were making the pot of coffee....6:30 hit and we heard tons of feet...ok...only 22...coming down the hall. (Allison spent the night so she could experience a "real" Christmas, according to Drew)
Things were feverishly unwrapped for almost 2hrs! I thought I did pretty well until I heard Jake in the bathroom crying. He was upset because he wanted a game for his Gameboy and got a bike (Luke had gotten a game for his big thing). I felt bad and told him he could take the bike back and get one if he wanted to. I knew he wasn't feeling well and was tired so didn't take offense to his being unappreciative. I also knew that he was getting a game from my mom in a few hours. :o) The bike stays.
I managed to take a 2 or 3 hour nap after opening presents so was good to go for the rest of the day. This left me with no time to make my pasta salad. Luckily it would've been extra for our meals so wasn't missed. We left for my parent's house about 1:30. Just a little past the 1:00 I'd hoped to leave by. We had another nice time with family....everyone behaved. lol I warned everyone that Jake was sick and to keep away from him. He mostly drank soda all day. He started with a little food near the end of the night. I hope no one else gets it. I got the one present I always was jealous of everyone else getting. A MASSAGE!!!! I've never had one. My dad let me know which of the ladies there is great giving a deep massage. YEAH! No one around here can seem to get hard/deep enough for my liking. I hope it helps, since my lower back has been killing me for a few weeks now.
My sister took Liz, Carrie and Eileen home with her. I was a bit nervous about it. Not because of Carrie's diabetes...my sister was on insulin during a few of her pregnancies. It's because last time this happened after Christmas, Carrie was brought home early. She had meningitis and ended up in the hospital for 3wks. Tom and I stayed for a bit longer after everyone else left. The day ended with me the recliner checking emails (I LOVE my new wireless keyboard) at midnight and falling asleep in the middle of reading.
We had a great time at BIL's house. I had 49 "kids" to buy for. I say kids loosely as some of our neices and nephews are over 18 and have kids/stepkids of their own. I managed to find a present for everyone, the kids wrapped them Saturday morning. I figure we brought over 60 presents. As usual there was tons of food, drinks and good times. The kids always enjoy getting together and just hanging out. It rarely happens nowadays.
We got home from BIL's between 11:30 and midnight. By the time the kids were in their rooms and I nursed Danielle to sleep it was after 1. I knew I was running low on paper so had to wrap everything that was going to my parents first. (figured I had enough wrapped for under the tree that newspaper wrapped presents wouldn't be so noticeable under there). It was after 3 when I finished wrapping them.
Now I could start on the pile for the morning. Danielle woke up and Tom snuggled with her and eventually took her into bed with him. I had bought a bunch of glittery lingerie boxes at the dollar store so took advantage of them. All the clothes I was giving were put in that and taped shut...no wrapping needed. I think I'd STILL be wrapping if I had to wrap those too ;o) Sometime around 4ish I heard someone up and went to investigate. It was Jake...throwing up! He had the illness I had on Tues and Wed. UGH! At least he made the toilet and was easy to help and get settled back into bed.
We always tell the kids the earliest they can get up. Usually it's 6am or 7am. This year we compromised and made it 6:30. I finally got as much wrapped as I needed to (there were a few odds and ends I could've wrapped but didn't) at 6! I still had stockings to fill and had to get the presents under the tree. As I started hauling out things I'd wrapped earlier in the week out of our bedroom, Tom woke up and helped. There was no time for organizing things and making sure their main present was in the back...saving it for last. I just threw them under the tree. The pile was HUGE! I realized part of it was that I put everyone's clothes into boxes this year. Usually I just roll everything into a ball and then wrap. Part of it was that I'd hit a great sale at the outlet mall (things for $.94 - $2.94) so bought a good amount of clothes. Just as we were making the pot of coffee....6:30 hit and we heard tons of feet...ok...only 22...coming down the hall. (Allison spent the night so she could experience a "real" Christmas, according to Drew)
Things were feverishly unwrapped for almost 2hrs! I thought I did pretty well until I heard Jake in the bathroom crying. He was upset because he wanted a game for his Gameboy and got a bike (Luke had gotten a game for his big thing). I felt bad and told him he could take the bike back and get one if he wanted to. I knew he wasn't feeling well and was tired so didn't take offense to his being unappreciative. I also knew that he was getting a game from my mom in a few hours. :o) The bike stays.
I managed to take a 2 or 3 hour nap after opening presents so was good to go for the rest of the day. This left me with no time to make my pasta salad. Luckily it would've been extra for our meals so wasn't missed. We left for my parent's house about 1:30. Just a little past the 1:00 I'd hoped to leave by. We had another nice time with family....everyone behaved. lol I warned everyone that Jake was sick and to keep away from him. He mostly drank soda all day. He started with a little food near the end of the night. I hope no one else gets it. I got the one present I always was jealous of everyone else getting. A MASSAGE!!!! I've never had one. My dad let me know which of the ladies there is great giving a deep massage. YEAH! No one around here can seem to get hard/deep enough for my liking. I hope it helps, since my lower back has been killing me for a few weeks now.
My sister took Liz, Carrie and Eileen home with her. I was a bit nervous about it. Not because of Carrie's diabetes...my sister was on insulin during a few of her pregnancies. It's because last time this happened after Christmas, Carrie was brought home early. She had meningitis and ended up in the hospital for 3wks. Tom and I stayed for a bit longer after everyone else left. The day ended with me the recliner checking emails (I LOVE my new wireless keyboard) at midnight and falling asleep in the middle of reading.
Saturday, December 24, 2005
Ahhhhhhhh!
I feel like I'm back. I bought a new keyboard last night and can now type stressfree. Before, I had to hope that the old one didn't cause the computer to freeze up. Or die and make me have to use the onscreen keyboard which is VERY tedious to use. click...click...click... I've put everyone on alert. If ONE drop of liquid comes near my computer desk they are in trouble. I'm excluded of course. ;o)
I THINK I'm done shopping for Christmas. This morning I did remember I forgot to buy hot sauce for the chicken wings I'm bringing to BILs tonight. The good thing...Tom can run up to the village and buy it. Granted it'll cost 2 or 3 times what I'd have paid if I remembered it in the grocery store last night...but oh well.
I really didn't care to be out shopping last night. I'd hoped to be done and spend the night wrapping. Unfortunately money doesn't fall from the sky and I haven't been successful in growing my money tree. So I had to wait until yesterday for the money to arrive. I'm hoping to finish the wrapping (although I'm not optimistic) before we head over to BIL's house this afternoon. The kids will wrap stuff for BIL's house while I do their gifts for tomorrow. I'll probably wrap for my parent's house tomorrow morning after we open presents. LOL
My mall trip was unsettled a bit when I ran across a group of people I didn't want to. It left me a bit shaken and saddened. It's a great reminder that one stupid decision can really mess up things for a long time. Also that our actions do NOT only affect us, but many many people. Even more then we probably realize.
While shopping I really had to fight the urge not to buy ONE MORE thing for so and so. I am often labled the fairness queen and it plagues me this time of year. I'm so afraid someone is going to be offended because I didn't buy as many or spend as much as someone else. This is made more difficult with the huge age span of my kids. It's so easy to buy a lot of "cheap" things for the littler kids. The big ones it's easy to spend the $$ but not get a lot. I think Luke and Jake were the ones that got a bit shorted. Mostly because the girls have some clearance sale clothes I've put away. WHY are there never any decent boy's clothes on clearance?
So today's plan is....
Clean up the house a bit
hold my baby
Do laundry we need for tonight and tomorrow
feed my baby
Wrap presents
pass someone my baby
Make food for tonight
ask someone to PLEASE get the baby
Get everyone ready
dress the baby is some really cute clothes
Go to BILs
show off my baby
Come home and...
Finish wrapping
try to get baby to sleep
Put out presents
juggle baby
Fill stockings
pass off baby to Tom
Maybe get a few hours sleep
snuggle with my baby
and....
HAVE A MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!
So as you can see I really shouldn't be sitting here. Need to go wake the work crew. I hope that everyone has a happy and safe holiday!!! May all your wishes come true.
I THINK I'm done shopping for Christmas. This morning I did remember I forgot to buy hot sauce for the chicken wings I'm bringing to BILs tonight. The good thing...Tom can run up to the village and buy it. Granted it'll cost 2 or 3 times what I'd have paid if I remembered it in the grocery store last night...but oh well.
I really didn't care to be out shopping last night. I'd hoped to be done and spend the night wrapping. Unfortunately money doesn't fall from the sky and I haven't been successful in growing my money tree. So I had to wait until yesterday for the money to arrive. I'm hoping to finish the wrapping (although I'm not optimistic) before we head over to BIL's house this afternoon. The kids will wrap stuff for BIL's house while I do their gifts for tomorrow. I'll probably wrap for my parent's house tomorrow morning after we open presents. LOL
My mall trip was unsettled a bit when I ran across a group of people I didn't want to. It left me a bit shaken and saddened. It's a great reminder that one stupid decision can really mess up things for a long time. Also that our actions do NOT only affect us, but many many people. Even more then we probably realize.
While shopping I really had to fight the urge not to buy ONE MORE thing for so and so. I am often labled the fairness queen and it plagues me this time of year. I'm so afraid someone is going to be offended because I didn't buy as many or spend as much as someone else. This is made more difficult with the huge age span of my kids. It's so easy to buy a lot of "cheap" things for the littler kids. The big ones it's easy to spend the $$ but not get a lot. I think Luke and Jake were the ones that got a bit shorted. Mostly because the girls have some clearance sale clothes I've put away. WHY are there never any decent boy's clothes on clearance?
So today's plan is....
Clean up the house a bit
hold my baby
Do laundry we need for tonight and tomorrow
feed my baby
Wrap presents
pass someone my baby
Make food for tonight
ask someone to PLEASE get the baby
Get everyone ready
dress the baby is some really cute clothes
Go to BILs
show off my baby
Come home and...
Finish wrapping
try to get baby to sleep
Put out presents
juggle baby
Fill stockings
pass off baby to Tom
Maybe get a few hours sleep
snuggle with my baby
and....
HAVE A MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!
So as you can see I really shouldn't be sitting here. Need to go wake the work crew. I hope that everyone has a happy and safe holiday!!! May all your wishes come true.
Saturday, December 17, 2005
Visiting an old friend
It's been a loooong time since I could come here and play. I've missed it. Between my computer not cooperating and some personal things happening here... *heavy sigh* Please keep my family in your thoughts and prayers the next few months. We're looking at a rough time.
Danielle is getting bigger and cuter by the second. I can't find any batteries for my camera so can't post a picture of her yet. I'm hoping to get one SOON (new famiy one too). She had a stomach bug last week and learned she could screech. She'd start and the other kids would say...Mom! Make her stop! I let them know that she'd spoiled them until now. She's continued to use her screech for everything...happy, sad, mad, attention getting. She's turned into quite the chatterbox.
She's starting to use her hands more but her thumb is still stuck inside her fist. She'll definitely be a thumbsucker once it pops out and is easy to get to. She surprised me the other day. I put her in her swing and stuck it infront of the Christmas tree (wasn't swinging). Next thing I know I hear her laughing and laughing. She was using her foot to kick an ornament and thought it was hilarious. I didn't realize she even knew she had feet, much less knew how to control them.
Carrie is doing well diabetes wise. She's been on Glucophage for about 3wks now and her numbers have dropped like a rock! YEAAAAAAAAAAA! She's still taking insulin premeals and for corrections (when her number skyrockets) Her morning numbers were great last week but have gone back up this week. I guess we'll have something to discuss on Monday when we go to the JC for her next appointment.
You may notice that my weight ticker hasn't moved since I put it up. That's because my weight hasn't moved! I'm stuck at the 191/190 mark. I guess I should be glad it's not going up but it sure would be nice to see it going down. I don't think I've posted about a new messageboard I'm moding now. It's geared for those of us who are trying to lose weight and live healthier along with taking care of lots of kids.
Weight Loss and Healthy Living
Things are happening here whether we're ready for it or not. Still have lots to do before Christmas Eve night (when we celebrate with Tom's family). Today has a few birthday parties the kids are attending in our plans. I have to get ready for a Christmas feast at church tomorrow. Then it's shopping, baking and wrapping...which I haven't done a stitch of yet. At least our Christmas tree is up and waiting. I'm not freaking out yet, but give me time. LOL
Danielle is getting bigger and cuter by the second. I can't find any batteries for my camera so can't post a picture of her yet. I'm hoping to get one SOON (new famiy one too). She had a stomach bug last week and learned she could screech. She'd start and the other kids would say...Mom! Make her stop! I let them know that she'd spoiled them until now. She's continued to use her screech for everything...happy, sad, mad, attention getting. She's turned into quite the chatterbox.
She's starting to use her hands more but her thumb is still stuck inside her fist. She'll definitely be a thumbsucker once it pops out and is easy to get to. She surprised me the other day. I put her in her swing and stuck it infront of the Christmas tree (wasn't swinging). Next thing I know I hear her laughing and laughing. She was using her foot to kick an ornament and thought it was hilarious. I didn't realize she even knew she had feet, much less knew how to control them.
Carrie is doing well diabetes wise. She's been on Glucophage for about 3wks now and her numbers have dropped like a rock! YEAAAAAAAAAAA! She's still taking insulin premeals and for corrections (when her number skyrockets) Her morning numbers were great last week but have gone back up this week. I guess we'll have something to discuss on Monday when we go to the JC for her next appointment.
You may notice that my weight ticker hasn't moved since I put it up. That's because my weight hasn't moved! I'm stuck at the 191/190 mark. I guess I should be glad it's not going up but it sure would be nice to see it going down. I don't think I've posted about a new messageboard I'm moding now. It's geared for those of us who are trying to lose weight and live healthier along with taking care of lots of kids.
Weight Loss and Healthy Living
Things are happening here whether we're ready for it or not. Still have lots to do before Christmas Eve night (when we celebrate with Tom's family). Today has a few birthday parties the kids are attending in our plans. I have to get ready for a Christmas feast at church tomorrow. Then it's shopping, baking and wrapping...which I haven't done a stitch of yet. At least our Christmas tree is up and waiting. I'm not freaking out yet, but give me time. LOL
Tuesday, November 22, 2005
Where were we
Ok...lots of happenings, let's hope I don't ramble too much.
Carrie's JC appt went well last Wedneday. I don't feel like the dietician taught me tons of new things. She did give me appropriate guidelines for Carrie. I can't truthfully say we're following them, but they're there. They redid Carrie's liver function tests. Her NP, Z, from the JC called on Friday and let me know that they came back normal. She was waiting to hear from the KNOT clinic about their opinion of Carrie starting Glucophage. Z wanted to start it immediately but I begged off until Monday since I wasn't going to be home. I waited for her to call today but she never did. She might have been waiting for the school nurse to fax Carrie's numbers to her...I forgot to send them in.
I didn't want to start up the Glucophage while I was away at a Sister's conference at church. We'll be cutting her insulin and I need to be here to know when/if she needs a correction shot. As it is I got at least 3 calls while I was gone and I didn't even sleep there like I originally planned. The theory is that eventually we should be able to drop all use of insulin. I wish I could say I was as optimistic. Maybe if we started this new direction with her numbers looking really good it would be different. She's still running too high.
The sister's weekend was NICE even if I went home at night. lol Danielle was really content the whole time. I had a few people say they didn't realize I was pregnant when they saw me at the Summer Conference!!! (Danielle was born 3wks later) We had a great dinner with a deliciously sinful piece of cheesecake for dessert. I found out afterwards that it was 500 cals worth of cheesecake!!! Not that having the knowledge beforehand would've stopped me from stuffing my face full of it.
Some of us are/were sick. I thought I was heading to the ER with Michelle last night. She's one of my healthiest kids so when she was incoherently crying her head hurt and she didn't feel good...I got scared. Especially once she started complaining her neck hurt. Michelle doesn't really remember most of our conversations so she really was out of it. I was the sick one on Friday. A headache had me in and out of bed all day. I'm assuming Michelle and I had the same thing with her getting hit harder. I'm just hoping Danielle can be spared.
Tonight Tom took a bunch of the little ones to Lights on the Lake. It doesn't officially open until tomorrow. They had a special day for Tom's work where you walked through the displays (2 miles) and then rode a shuttle back to your car. Usually you just drive through. They had free refreshments for them afterwards also. We were a little confused how it was going to go (I thought the shuttle drove you through it and then took you to the parking lot). I'm glad I decided not to go. It would've been hard to keep Danielle warm that long and she would've killed my back carrying her for that long! Michelle didn't really want to stay home alone anyways. (she REALLY wanted to go and tried to tell me she was all better lol) The kids had a ball but it cut homework time short. Poor Carrie was up until 11 doing her's and she's still not done. Oh well! I'm not giving up family time for homework...especially after 6hrs of school!
I'm trying to figure out how to fit everything into tomorrow and Wednesday. I need to go to the grocery store. Even if I'm dreading it, the crowds are going to be CRAZY! Everywhere I look here I see something that needs to be done and it's bugging me. It's almost Christmas Bazaar time and I need to get to work on some things to sell there. I bought supplies to make Christmas fabric backed cookie platters. I also have to work around Danielle and her needs.
Oops...she just woke up in her swing. Guess I'll take her to bed. If I don't get back here...I hope everyone in the US has a great Thanksgiving!
Carrie's JC appt went well last Wedneday. I don't feel like the dietician taught me tons of new things. She did give me appropriate guidelines for Carrie. I can't truthfully say we're following them, but they're there. They redid Carrie's liver function tests. Her NP, Z, from the JC called on Friday and let me know that they came back normal. She was waiting to hear from the KNOT clinic about their opinion of Carrie starting Glucophage. Z wanted to start it immediately but I begged off until Monday since I wasn't going to be home. I waited for her to call today but she never did. She might have been waiting for the school nurse to fax Carrie's numbers to her...I forgot to send them in.
I didn't want to start up the Glucophage while I was away at a Sister's conference at church. We'll be cutting her insulin and I need to be here to know when/if she needs a correction shot. As it is I got at least 3 calls while I was gone and I didn't even sleep there like I originally planned. The theory is that eventually we should be able to drop all use of insulin. I wish I could say I was as optimistic. Maybe if we started this new direction with her numbers looking really good it would be different. She's still running too high.
The sister's weekend was NICE even if I went home at night. lol Danielle was really content the whole time. I had a few people say they didn't realize I was pregnant when they saw me at the Summer Conference!!! (Danielle was born 3wks later) We had a great dinner with a deliciously sinful piece of cheesecake for dessert. I found out afterwards that it was 500 cals worth of cheesecake!!! Not that having the knowledge beforehand would've stopped me from stuffing my face full of it.
Some of us are/were sick. I thought I was heading to the ER with Michelle last night. She's one of my healthiest kids so when she was incoherently crying her head hurt and she didn't feel good...I got scared. Especially once she started complaining her neck hurt. Michelle doesn't really remember most of our conversations so she really was out of it. I was the sick one on Friday. A headache had me in and out of bed all day. I'm assuming Michelle and I had the same thing with her getting hit harder. I'm just hoping Danielle can be spared.
Tonight Tom took a bunch of the little ones to Lights on the Lake. It doesn't officially open until tomorrow. They had a special day for Tom's work where you walked through the displays (2 miles) and then rode a shuttle back to your car. Usually you just drive through. They had free refreshments for them afterwards also. We were a little confused how it was going to go (I thought the shuttle drove you through it and then took you to the parking lot). I'm glad I decided not to go. It would've been hard to keep Danielle warm that long and she would've killed my back carrying her for that long! Michelle didn't really want to stay home alone anyways. (she REALLY wanted to go and tried to tell me she was all better lol) The kids had a ball but it cut homework time short. Poor Carrie was up until 11 doing her's and she's still not done. Oh well! I'm not giving up family time for homework...especially after 6hrs of school!
I'm trying to figure out how to fit everything into tomorrow and Wednesday. I need to go to the grocery store. Even if I'm dreading it, the crowds are going to be CRAZY! Everywhere I look here I see something that needs to be done and it's bugging me. It's almost Christmas Bazaar time and I need to get to work on some things to sell there. I bought supplies to make Christmas fabric backed cookie platters. I also have to work around Danielle and her needs.
Oops...she just woke up in her swing. Guess I'll take her to bed. If I don't get back here...I hope everyone in the US has a great Thanksgiving!
Monday, November 14, 2005
Get DOWN! No! Get UP!
It's a not so fun rollercoaster ride (I normally LOVE rollercoasters lol) Guess this is the life of being diabetic. Poor Carrie is getting slammed physically. Thing is...I should've known last night's dinner would send her skyrocketing. We decided to have some fun and ran to get Arby sandwiches for everyone. When I was first pregnant with Danielle it sent my BS off the roof...so why not Carrie's? It didn't help that she was high to start with either. Here's how it went...
Predinner...236 give her Humalog (H..fast acting insulin)
2 hrs later & bedtime...348, give her H and her Lantus
1hr later...317
1.5hrs after that...184
I see she's coming down and am ok with that number although it's not great. Head into bed. This morning she woke to a 162 and I gave her the H. We upped her H in the morning and I'd never given it to her on a school day. She's running late and I make her stuff a pudding cup down her throat...hand her a slim jim and a individ pack of cheez-its and push her out the door. I'm now yelling instructions out the door...eat those on the bus! I sent her a indi pack of cookies for her bus home snack (not sure if she has to stay after so wanted the higher carbed snack).
Fast forward to 10:30 this AM. School nurse's aide calls...Carrie's here with an upset stomach and feeling shaky. (lunch is in half an hour) I've tested and her sugar is 125 so that's fine. I explain that she's RARELY that low so she might be experiencing low symptoms at that number. I talk to Carrie and find out she didn't eat her crackers on the bus. I'm really not sure what to do. Because I'm not sure if she's still heading downward numberwise I tell the aide to have her eat at least half her crackers and then proceed for lunch testing.
Lunchtime rolls around. Aide calls again. She ate her COOKIES and is now 102. HUH? OK so she was heading downward when she didn't feel so hot. It's good she recognized the symptoms. :o) Technically she's suppose to get a tiny dose of H if she's above 100 but I'm not sure if she's heading downward still or not. I instruct the aid to skip the H and send her to lunch. Test 2hrs after lunch and call me...I'll let her know if she needs to give a correction shot or not.
Phone rings at 11:30...Carrie is testing out at 178 now. Should I give her the lunch dosage of H based on those numbers. UGH! I'm not even sure what I'm doing. What am I suppose to tell her? I ask her to let Carrie go another hour, then test again...we'll correct after that if need to. I'm so use to the highs I'm scared to let her get low now. I hope I'm doing right. Guess I could call the JC and ask.
Dealing with myself with D, I've seen it as mathematical...no brainer. Numbers high...fix it one way or the other. Numbers low...EAT! With Carrie it's not such an easy call. It'd be different if she was home (and I was SO tempted to run to school and bring her home!). I'm not sure if school makes it harder for me because I'm not there. She doesn't have immediate access to everything...although the school nurse is only down the hall and can be there in 30secs. Or I'm afraid that Carrie isn't going to realize what's going on and ignore it, even though she's proven she can. Maybe it's all of the above.
My mind is still racing..trying to rationalize if what I did was right or not. What to do if 12:30 numbers are X or above, X or below. How long before she'll be home to test and eat again. If I should have her test anymore at school today. I'm making myself dizzy!
One second I'm looking forward to Carrie's appt at the JC and the dietician on Wednesday. Other times I've dreading it. The unknown is the problem. Will it make things easier or harder? What are they going to do? Will they know answers to my zillions of questions?
I need to go to the grocery store, also have to pick up some meds at the Rx. I don't want to leave and be gone when Carrie gets off the bus. It's like having all little kids again (no babysitters) and having to be home for the kindergarten bus.
Late afternoon update...She was 190 and will have 3hrs until she can have anything to eat. I told her to leave her at that. Now I wonder if I should've had her given a smidgen of H to correct it. Oh well, guess we'll see how she is when she gets home. At least she's reporting she feels much better. Poor kid.
Predinner...236 give her Humalog (H..fast acting insulin)
2 hrs later & bedtime...348, give her H and her Lantus
1hr later...317
1.5hrs after that...184
I see she's coming down and am ok with that number although it's not great. Head into bed. This morning she woke to a 162 and I gave her the H. We upped her H in the morning and I'd never given it to her on a school day. She's running late and I make her stuff a pudding cup down her throat...hand her a slim jim and a individ pack of cheez-its and push her out the door. I'm now yelling instructions out the door...eat those on the bus! I sent her a indi pack of cookies for her bus home snack (not sure if she has to stay after so wanted the higher carbed snack).
Fast forward to 10:30 this AM. School nurse's aide calls...Carrie's here with an upset stomach and feeling shaky. (lunch is in half an hour) I've tested and her sugar is 125 so that's fine. I explain that she's RARELY that low so she might be experiencing low symptoms at that number. I talk to Carrie and find out she didn't eat her crackers on the bus. I'm really not sure what to do. Because I'm not sure if she's still heading downward numberwise I tell the aide to have her eat at least half her crackers and then proceed for lunch testing.
Lunchtime rolls around. Aide calls again. She ate her COOKIES and is now 102. HUH? OK so she was heading downward when she didn't feel so hot. It's good she recognized the symptoms. :o) Technically she's suppose to get a tiny dose of H if she's above 100 but I'm not sure if she's heading downward still or not. I instruct the aid to skip the H and send her to lunch. Test 2hrs after lunch and call me...I'll let her know if she needs to give a correction shot or not.
Phone rings at 11:30...Carrie is testing out at 178 now. Should I give her the lunch dosage of H based on those numbers. UGH! I'm not even sure what I'm doing. What am I suppose to tell her? I ask her to let Carrie go another hour, then test again...we'll correct after that if need to. I'm so use to the highs I'm scared to let her get low now. I hope I'm doing right. Guess I could call the JC and ask.
Dealing with myself with D, I've seen it as mathematical...no brainer. Numbers high...fix it one way or the other. Numbers low...EAT! With Carrie it's not such an easy call. It'd be different if she was home (and I was SO tempted to run to school and bring her home!). I'm not sure if school makes it harder for me because I'm not there. She doesn't have immediate access to everything...although the school nurse is only down the hall and can be there in 30secs. Or I'm afraid that Carrie isn't going to realize what's going on and ignore it, even though she's proven she can. Maybe it's all of the above.
My mind is still racing..trying to rationalize if what I did was right or not. What to do if 12:30 numbers are X or above, X or below. How long before she'll be home to test and eat again. If I should have her test anymore at school today. I'm making myself dizzy!
One second I'm looking forward to Carrie's appt at the JC and the dietician on Wednesday. Other times I've dreading it. The unknown is the problem. Will it make things easier or harder? What are they going to do? Will they know answers to my zillions of questions?
I need to go to the grocery store, also have to pick up some meds at the Rx. I don't want to leave and be gone when Carrie gets off the bus. It's like having all little kids again (no babysitters) and having to be home for the kindergarten bus.
Late afternoon update...She was 190 and will have 3hrs until she can have anything to eat. I told her to leave her at that. Now I wonder if I should've had her given a smidgen of H to correct it. Oh well, guess we'll see how she is when she gets home. At least she's reporting she feels much better. Poor kid.
Friday, November 11, 2005
Where to start...
My mind has been a rambling mess lately. It's one of those times when I start writing here, it gets LOOOONG and rambling, I give up. Let's hope I can finally get this out and have it make sense.
We got the call we'd been waiting for from the Joslin Center (JC). Carrie's other 2 antibody tests came back negative. So she's a Type 2 diabetic now. I should be excited over this but I'm not. The fact that I'm not is bugging me. I feel like what little control we've had over this will be stripped away with oral meds. Carrie will have to be more careful with what she eats and she'll be encouraged to exercise a lot more. I know this is all good things for her and everyone in the family. Still...it's hard enough for ME to follow my plan, I can't imagine how it will be for an 11yo. Hanging out with friends and them pigging out, having to say no, to watch what she eats for dinner so she can fit in cake. Being offered a treat at the wrong time of the day and having to turn it down. *heavy sigh* An 11yo should NOT have to worry about what she's being offered/served/eating!!! Carrie also has caught onto the notion of what shots of insulin are for. She's asked a few times...can I have more insulin so I can eat this. We hadn't gotten to the point of giving insulin based on carb intake. We'd only been covering premeal numbers with a preset formula.
Who knows....maybe she'll get on the oral meds and her numbers will fall into range. With the trouble I'm having getting them there (we're still in the high 200s after meals) I'm not optimistic. We've just been given her correction ratio (how much her numbers should drop with 1 unit of insulin) that should help.
I have other concerns too. I've been reading up on Glucophage (oral meds she'll be switched to). It's not recommended for those with liver problems. Over the last 1.5yrs the KNOT (Kids Not on Therapy...long term cancer survivor) clinic have been watching her liver function tests. They've slowly been getting worse. Her NP at KNOT was to a point where she felt we needed to explore this more thoroughly. I talked to her yesterday and she said they DEFINITELY need to recheck those numbers before prescribing the oral meds. To add to that she also informed me that her thyroid levels have been following the same trend. It's not at the "treatable" stage but something that they're watching closer now. Oh and to top things off...her lipid/cholesterol levels are HIGH! I'm to the point where I don't want anymore testing done for fear that they'll say her cancer has relapsed. I know it's an irrational thought but it's still there. Of course there will be more testing.
Carrie's had her moments but generally she's doing pretty well with all this. Her hardest times are when every spot she picks to inject is sensitive. After hitting a spot that was sensitive midshot she exclaimed...I'm NOT doing anymore of those! She also has a hard time with me cracking down on grazing/munching all day.
I thought I was doing ok with it all...until I started writing this and the truth came out. LOL I've had a few moments where I noticed I was shutting down. I'm working hard on not allowing this to happen. Danielle is a convenient (and adorable!) excuse to ignore the state of things around here. Her cuddle time is just too hard to give up in order to do dishes or laundry. :o)
Speaking of Danielle...she's CUTE and getting cuter everyday! She's gotten a lot more control of her neck muscles. I've noticed when you hold her on your shoulder she pushes off and stays pretty upright. Makes it easier for her to look all around and into everyone's face. She also is standing in our laps more often. I'm not so sure that's a great thing to encourage. ;o) I took pictures today but have to edit them on Drew's computer before I can share them. Hopefully before the weekend is over.
OK...off to MAKE the kids clean their rooms. We're having 3 of my neice's over for the night tomorrow night. Oh yeah and I have baking to do for a church bakesale on Sunday. Hmmmm....what to make?
We got the call we'd been waiting for from the Joslin Center (JC). Carrie's other 2 antibody tests came back negative. So she's a Type 2 diabetic now. I should be excited over this but I'm not. The fact that I'm not is bugging me. I feel like what little control we've had over this will be stripped away with oral meds. Carrie will have to be more careful with what she eats and she'll be encouraged to exercise a lot more. I know this is all good things for her and everyone in the family. Still...it's hard enough for ME to follow my plan, I can't imagine how it will be for an 11yo. Hanging out with friends and them pigging out, having to say no, to watch what she eats for dinner so she can fit in cake. Being offered a treat at the wrong time of the day and having to turn it down. *heavy sigh* An 11yo should NOT have to worry about what she's being offered/served/eating!!! Carrie also has caught onto the notion of what shots of insulin are for. She's asked a few times...can I have more insulin so I can eat this. We hadn't gotten to the point of giving insulin based on carb intake. We'd only been covering premeal numbers with a preset formula.
Who knows....maybe she'll get on the oral meds and her numbers will fall into range. With the trouble I'm having getting them there (we're still in the high 200s after meals) I'm not optimistic. We've just been given her correction ratio (how much her numbers should drop with 1 unit of insulin) that should help.
I have other concerns too. I've been reading up on Glucophage (oral meds she'll be switched to). It's not recommended for those with liver problems. Over the last 1.5yrs the KNOT (Kids Not on Therapy...long term cancer survivor) clinic have been watching her liver function tests. They've slowly been getting worse. Her NP at KNOT was to a point where she felt we needed to explore this more thoroughly. I talked to her yesterday and she said they DEFINITELY need to recheck those numbers before prescribing the oral meds. To add to that she also informed me that her thyroid levels have been following the same trend. It's not at the "treatable" stage but something that they're watching closer now. Oh and to top things off...her lipid/cholesterol levels are HIGH! I'm to the point where I don't want anymore testing done for fear that they'll say her cancer has relapsed. I know it's an irrational thought but it's still there. Of course there will be more testing.
Carrie's had her moments but generally she's doing pretty well with all this. Her hardest times are when every spot she picks to inject is sensitive. After hitting a spot that was sensitive midshot she exclaimed...I'm NOT doing anymore of those! She also has a hard time with me cracking down on grazing/munching all day.
I thought I was doing ok with it all...until I started writing this and the truth came out. LOL I've had a few moments where I noticed I was shutting down. I'm working hard on not allowing this to happen. Danielle is a convenient (and adorable!) excuse to ignore the state of things around here. Her cuddle time is just too hard to give up in order to do dishes or laundry. :o)
Speaking of Danielle...she's CUTE and getting cuter everyday! She's gotten a lot more control of her neck muscles. I've noticed when you hold her on your shoulder she pushes off and stays pretty upright. Makes it easier for her to look all around and into everyone's face. She also is standing in our laps more often. I'm not so sure that's a great thing to encourage. ;o) I took pictures today but have to edit them on Drew's computer before I can share them. Hopefully before the weekend is over.
OK...off to MAKE the kids clean their rooms. We're having 3 of my neice's over for the night tomorrow night. Oh yeah and I have baking to do for a church bakesale on Sunday. Hmmmm....what to make?
Friday, November 04, 2005
And the verdict is....
WE DON'T KNOW! They ran 3 antibody tests to see if Carrie has T1 or T2 diabetes. Only one came back sofar. Her results were the cutoff number (1.5 or .5....forgot which it was). So nothing conclusive yet. Her NP has been checking the computer all day long for the results. She said she'll call us as soon as anymore news comes in...she's just as curious as we are. Dr seems to think she's T2 and chomping at the bit to get her into his studies. During the whole appt I kept thinking...classic Carrie. Doesn't make anything medical easy or clearcut. LOL
They prescribed her Latnus (long acting for 24hrs)every night before bed to bring her overall numbers down. We are then correcting her before dinner numbers. I'm a lot happier now since they lowered when I can start correcting. Before I wasn't suppose to correct until her numbers were over 200 before dinner (only happened once). Now we correct over 100, like most people. I've been told if she is T2 they'll switch her to oral meds. I'm not so sure I want that. I feel like we have more contro with the insulin. Maybe I'm wrong...it's how I felt through my pg too.
They sent Carrie home with this diabetic bear. She's adorable and a very popular addition to the family. They sent me home with an "Understanding Diabetes" book and a head full of info. I'm trying to introduce it to Tom slowly but surely.
I'm very proud of Carrie. Tonight she injected the insulin herself!!! I drew it up but she did the poking and pushing. It's so hard to get past the..."I have to poke myself" thought. It didn't take her long at all and she said it didn't hurt a bit. :o)
I'm also feeling sad for her. Because I'm not sure how she'll react to the insulin and things aren't stable right now. She'll have to miss out on spending the night at my BIL's house Saturday night. She had plans to stay there for her bestfriend/cousin's birthday. I don't think it'd be a problem if I could tell them...do A, B, C and she should react like 1, 2, 3 (although I know it's not always predictable). It's just too much to ask of someone. To deal with the unknown with someone else's child. It's hard enough for the parent!
On Monday I'll be heading into the school nurse with a bagful of supplies and instructions. Right now though I'm going to test Carrie's sugar and head into bed.
They prescribed her Latnus (long acting for 24hrs)every night before bed to bring her overall numbers down. We are then correcting her before dinner numbers. I'm a lot happier now since they lowered when I can start correcting. Before I wasn't suppose to correct until her numbers were over 200 before dinner (only happened once). Now we correct over 100, like most people. I've been told if she is T2 they'll switch her to oral meds. I'm not so sure I want that. I feel like we have more contro with the insulin. Maybe I'm wrong...it's how I felt through my pg too.
They sent Carrie home with this diabetic bear. She's adorable and a very popular addition to the family. They sent me home with an "Understanding Diabetes" book and a head full of info. I'm trying to introduce it to Tom slowly but surely.
I'm very proud of Carrie. Tonight she injected the insulin herself!!! I drew it up but she did the poking and pushing. It's so hard to get past the..."I have to poke myself" thought. It didn't take her long at all and she said it didn't hurt a bit. :o)
I'm also feeling sad for her. Because I'm not sure how she'll react to the insulin and things aren't stable right now. She'll have to miss out on spending the night at my BIL's house Saturday night. She had plans to stay there for her bestfriend/cousin's birthday. I don't think it'd be a problem if I could tell them...do A, B, C and she should react like 1, 2, 3 (although I know it's not always predictable). It's just too much to ask of someone. To deal with the unknown with someone else's child. It's hard enough for the parent!
On Monday I'll be heading into the school nurse with a bagful of supplies and instructions. Right now though I'm going to test Carrie's sugar and head into bed.
2 month checkup
It's hard to believe Danielle is 2mos old already. Other times it seems she's been with us forever. It amazes me that the kids are still fighting over her. They are usually fighting over her before she even wakes up in the morning. They usually end up making a waiting list.
I've had a few people comment on her head control...she's sorely lacking in it. The rest of her body is strong and fine. Her favorite position to be in is on her back, especially with half her clothes off (diaper changing time). She very rarely has tummy time here. I asked the dr about it and he said it's fine...it can take some babies up to 5mos before it's really strong. PHEW! Other than that everything else was a no brainer.
Her stats are....
Weight...11lbs 13oz (birth-6lbs 9oz) I thought she'd have gained a bit more (she looks it!) Oh well, dr seemed happy with it and she has such cute chubby cheeks!
Length...23inches Her toes are getting squished into her sleepers...time to switch sizes.
She got FOUR shots! Poor thing. She's dealt with them well, although she's been pretty drowsy last night and today. Might have been the ibuprofen I gave her afterwards. She goes back in 2mos. I forgot to ask about the snuffiness and felt bad. Then last night I realized...she's not really stuffy anymore. :o)
She's gotten so friendly lately!!! Her smiles are frequent and huge. Her new thing is to stick her tongue out. When you copy her she tries to smile while doing it. You can see the corners of her mouth turn up a tiny bit and her eyes light up.
Today we're heading to the Joslin Center (JC)with Carrie. I'm hoping we'll have the answers we need to start getting aggressive with her numbers. It's bugging me to see them high and know how to correct them...but not know exactly (precise doses and such).
Last night I had a spoke too soon moment. I finally introduced myself to the Children with Diabetes Parent's list Wed night. I'd mentioned that we hadn't had to give Carrie any insulin yet, according to the JC's parameters. We're only suppose to correct at dinner and the highest blood sugar(BS)limit is pretty high...which she's never hit. UNTIL last night. I had to give her a few units before dinner. She was quite scared and crying. I tried to let her know it didn't usually hurt (then prayed I didn't hit a nerve while doing it!) Luckily for me it didn't. PHEW! She did great and I'm sure the next time it'll be easier. She even asked if she could have insulin this morning so she could have some candy. LOL (fasting was 163...not a chance for candy at that number) I told her if we get a plan ironed out tonight, it should be a lot easier for her. I also let her know she'd probably start feeling a lot better (she's been really hard to wake in the morning and just dragging).
I'll try to post an update tonight or tomorrow morning. Need to pick her up from school in about 30mins.
I've had a few people comment on her head control...she's sorely lacking in it. The rest of her body is strong and fine. Her favorite position to be in is on her back, especially with half her clothes off (diaper changing time). She very rarely has tummy time here. I asked the dr about it and he said it's fine...it can take some babies up to 5mos before it's really strong. PHEW! Other than that everything else was a no brainer.
Her stats are....
Weight...11lbs 13oz (birth-6lbs 9oz) I thought she'd have gained a bit more (she looks it!) Oh well, dr seemed happy with it and she has such cute chubby cheeks!
Length...23inches Her toes are getting squished into her sleepers...time to switch sizes.
She got FOUR shots! Poor thing. She's dealt with them well, although she's been pretty drowsy last night and today. Might have been the ibuprofen I gave her afterwards. She goes back in 2mos. I forgot to ask about the snuffiness and felt bad. Then last night I realized...she's not really stuffy anymore. :o)
She's gotten so friendly lately!!! Her smiles are frequent and huge. Her new thing is to stick her tongue out. When you copy her she tries to smile while doing it. You can see the corners of her mouth turn up a tiny bit and her eyes light up.
Today we're heading to the Joslin Center (JC)with Carrie. I'm hoping we'll have the answers we need to start getting aggressive with her numbers. It's bugging me to see them high and know how to correct them...but not know exactly (precise doses and such).
Last night I had a spoke too soon moment. I finally introduced myself to the Children with Diabetes Parent's list Wed night. I'd mentioned that we hadn't had to give Carrie any insulin yet, according to the JC's parameters. We're only suppose to correct at dinner and the highest blood sugar(BS)limit is pretty high...which she's never hit. UNTIL last night. I had to give her a few units before dinner. She was quite scared and crying. I tried to let her know it didn't usually hurt (then prayed I didn't hit a nerve while doing it!) Luckily for me it didn't. PHEW! She did great and I'm sure the next time it'll be easier. She even asked if she could have insulin this morning so she could have some candy. LOL (fasting was 163...not a chance for candy at that number) I told her if we get a plan ironed out tonight, it should be a lot easier for her. I also let her know she'd probably start feeling a lot better (she's been really hard to wake in the morning and just dragging).
I'll try to post an update tonight or tomorrow morning. Need to pick her up from school in about 30mins.
Monday, October 31, 2005
They're back! And so am I
THEY are the "ladybugs". The invade our house every fall and terrorize us through the winter. They're flying into our face and hair, landing on our plates, etc. The outside of the house is covered with them. All along the ceilings and lights in the livingroom and kitchen there are hundreds of them. I think they're a little late arriving, I was hoping we'd avoid them all together this year. All morning I've had the ladybug picnic song (from Sesame Street) going through my head.
My computer is back but with limited capabilities. I have NO sound and only minimal graphics (640x480pixels and only 16 colors). I can still read though. :o) The graphics problem makes enjoying all the pics difficult though.
Update on Carrie. We were seen at the Joslin Center last Wed. They're assumption with a child this age is that they are a Type 1 diabetic until bloodwork proves them wrong. The dr did admit with our medical history (family is riddled with type 2s) she could be Type 2. They've given her some fast acting insulin to be administered when her before dinner numbers are off the roof (even for a diabetic). We haven't had to use it yet, although her numbers after eating are still in the upper 200's. They're being pretty liberal with her treatment until they have some set answers about her. We were suppose to be seen in 1.5 wks which is Friday. Because they want her to also see the dietician on the same day it was going to be 2 wks before she could be seen. I realized later that day that the appt she gave us was THREE weeks away (Oct 16th), not 2. So I need to call and get an earlier appt even if it means we can't see the dietician.
I do have to say that she's doing really well with this news. I saw concern on her face when they were talking about things. I've only talked to her in terms of type 2 so some things were a little more then she was prepared for. She's a bit scared about the shots (as is everyone else) but I think once she's done it once or twice she'll be fine. She tests herself and even knows when to test for ketones (in her urine...when numbers are too high). I noticed at the Harvest feast at church on Saturday she skipped the cupcakes and sweet desserts and opted for the chips. I had a bit more to teach her about carbs it seems. I'm trying to get her to understand that a carb is a carb...whether sweet or salty.
My main concern is not making her afraid to eat all together, which I've seen signs of. Last week at the church potluck she begged me to go through line with her because, "I don't know what I can eat". I saw a look of mild "panic" on her face when she stepped on the scale at the ped's office last Thursday. (has strep nose instead of strep throat) Seems she gained a pound since they weighed her 2wks ago. I've been trying to drill into her that it's not a big deal!!! Hard to really blame her since I see a lot of myself in her reaction.
My weight has stuck around the 190lb mark. I haven't been sticking with my food plan or exercising. I'm hoping to get back into things this week although Halloween candy will be tempting me! I'll have a neat announcement later in the week concerning LOK/TOK and weightloss.
Today is a busy one with Halloween parades and parties at school. We're then headed into the city to both Tom's and my parents houses. I'm taking Liz on down with me afterschool for an evening of pizza and trick or treating. We'll go into my mom and dad's house first and go around their block. Then headed to Tom's with most of his brothers and sisters and their families. We'll hit the houses around her house too. Carrie is excited as this is her favorite holiday. Unfortunately she won't be pigging out like normally. Saturday night at church I had to get on her case about putting her candy bag away. Poor thing. I told her not to waste her candy allowance on the cheap stuff like suckers and hard candy. Hit the candy bars while she can! LOL We'll save the more sugary stuff for when/if she goes on insulin and needs to treat a low.
Pat has a new permanent job at Subway. At first I thought it would be bogus, working parttime when he should be working fulltime. He has been working a lot more hours then I thought he would. It's also for a lower pay thne he'd been getting working temp jobs. One of the reasons he wanted this job is that they'll work around his schedule once he goes back to classes...good point. Drew has worked here and there but nothing long term or permanent. He's more motivated to go for the longterm jobs now that Pat seems to have settled in. I just wish I knew WHAT was up with their schooling! I don't get too many straight answers from Drew. Pat says he's headed back in January. Fingerscrossed on this.
Enough rambling for now. I'm sure I'll have lots of fun stuff to report tomorrow after I'm done ransacking the kids candy bags. ;o)
OOPS! I forgot to give a Danielle report! She's getting more adorable everyday. She's 2mos old as of the 26th and getting bigger by the second. Her favorite thing to do at home is to laugh and coo and make cute smiley faces at everyone. While out in public she's still a bit uneasy. At church on Saturday she was the most alert she's been. Not "sleeping" to block things out so much. She didn't really want to make too much eye contact with anyone, including me while there though. Near the end of the night she was a little more friendlier with everyone. I think a lot of people were starting to wonder if things were ok with her for a bit. I've never had a kid who coped by "sleeping" and it is a bit weird to be dealing with her too. I do see her doing it less and less as time goes on though. She even decided to SCREAM during my quick (but not quick enough obviously) trip through K-mart last Wed. A first for her.
Hope to get some batteries charged and take some pictures to post soon. It's a bit difficult to do pictures on this computer so I'll have to do it through Drew's.
My computer is back but with limited capabilities. I have NO sound and only minimal graphics (640x480pixels and only 16 colors). I can still read though. :o) The graphics problem makes enjoying all the pics difficult though.
Update on Carrie. We were seen at the Joslin Center last Wed. They're assumption with a child this age is that they are a Type 1 diabetic until bloodwork proves them wrong. The dr did admit with our medical history (family is riddled with type 2s) she could be Type 2. They've given her some fast acting insulin to be administered when her before dinner numbers are off the roof (even for a diabetic). We haven't had to use it yet, although her numbers after eating are still in the upper 200's. They're being pretty liberal with her treatment until they have some set answers about her. We were suppose to be seen in 1.5 wks which is Friday. Because they want her to also see the dietician on the same day it was going to be 2 wks before she could be seen. I realized later that day that the appt she gave us was THREE weeks away (Oct 16th), not 2. So I need to call and get an earlier appt even if it means we can't see the dietician.
I do have to say that she's doing really well with this news. I saw concern on her face when they were talking about things. I've only talked to her in terms of type 2 so some things were a little more then she was prepared for. She's a bit scared about the shots (as is everyone else) but I think once she's done it once or twice she'll be fine. She tests herself and even knows when to test for ketones (in her urine...when numbers are too high). I noticed at the Harvest feast at church on Saturday she skipped the cupcakes and sweet desserts and opted for the chips. I had a bit more to teach her about carbs it seems. I'm trying to get her to understand that a carb is a carb...whether sweet or salty.
My main concern is not making her afraid to eat all together, which I've seen signs of. Last week at the church potluck she begged me to go through line with her because, "I don't know what I can eat". I saw a look of mild "panic" on her face when she stepped on the scale at the ped's office last Thursday. (has strep nose instead of strep throat) Seems she gained a pound since they weighed her 2wks ago. I've been trying to drill into her that it's not a big deal!!! Hard to really blame her since I see a lot of myself in her reaction.
My weight has stuck around the 190lb mark. I haven't been sticking with my food plan or exercising. I'm hoping to get back into things this week although Halloween candy will be tempting me! I'll have a neat announcement later in the week concerning LOK/TOK and weightloss.
Today is a busy one with Halloween parades and parties at school. We're then headed into the city to both Tom's and my parents houses. I'm taking Liz on down with me afterschool for an evening of pizza and trick or treating. We'll go into my mom and dad's house first and go around their block. Then headed to Tom's with most of his brothers and sisters and their families. We'll hit the houses around her house too. Carrie is excited as this is her favorite holiday. Unfortunately she won't be pigging out like normally. Saturday night at church I had to get on her case about putting her candy bag away. Poor thing. I told her not to waste her candy allowance on the cheap stuff like suckers and hard candy. Hit the candy bars while she can! LOL We'll save the more sugary stuff for when/if she goes on insulin and needs to treat a low.
Pat has a new permanent job at Subway. At first I thought it would be bogus, working parttime when he should be working fulltime. He has been working a lot more hours then I thought he would. It's also for a lower pay thne he'd been getting working temp jobs. One of the reasons he wanted this job is that they'll work around his schedule once he goes back to classes...good point. Drew has worked here and there but nothing long term or permanent. He's more motivated to go for the longterm jobs now that Pat seems to have settled in. I just wish I knew WHAT was up with their schooling! I don't get too many straight answers from Drew. Pat says he's headed back in January. Fingerscrossed on this.
Enough rambling for now. I'm sure I'll have lots of fun stuff to report tomorrow after I'm done ransacking the kids candy bags. ;o)
OOPS! I forgot to give a Danielle report! She's getting more adorable everyday. She's 2mos old as of the 26th and getting bigger by the second. Her favorite thing to do at home is to laugh and coo and make cute smiley faces at everyone. While out in public she's still a bit uneasy. At church on Saturday she was the most alert she's been. Not "sleeping" to block things out so much. She didn't really want to make too much eye contact with anyone, including me while there though. Near the end of the night she was a little more friendlier with everyone. I think a lot of people were starting to wonder if things were ok with her for a bit. I've never had a kid who coped by "sleeping" and it is a bit weird to be dealing with her too. I do see her doing it less and less as time goes on though. She even decided to SCREAM during my quick (but not quick enough obviously) trip through K-mart last Wed. A first for her.
Hope to get some batteries charged and take some pictures to post soon. It's a bit difficult to do pictures on this computer so I'll have to do it through Drew's.
Monday, October 17, 2005
Sorry for the inconvenience
I apologize to all the real people. I have had to make commenting more difficult by turning on word verification. This means that you'll have another step in the commenting process. I hope it doesn't deter anyone real from posting to me (I LOVE to hear from everyone!)
The problem is that I was getting blasted with SPAM! Friday night instead of posting here I had to spend my online time deleteing about 30 bogus comments throughout my blog. Minutes after I posted below and before I could turn on word verification, I got hit again!
The problem is that I was getting blasted with SPAM! Friday night instead of posting here I had to spend my online time deleteing about 30 bogus comments throughout my blog. Minutes after I posted below and before I could turn on word verification, I got hit again!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)