Have you ever seen a Lassie...

who looks like this after pizza and ice cream?

Don't ask me for ONE MORE THING!

That's what I've been saying a lot lately. Little Boy and Baby have turned into complete whiners. He started it, and she's a copy cat. "Mommy, do you think...?" NO. "Mommy, why can't I ...?" NO. "Mommy, I want to...." NO. "Mommy, "

"Don't ask me for ONE MORE THING!"

And then for about two seconds I feel guilty. Just until I hear, "Mommy, could you ...?"

Argh.

TV at the neighbors' house

So we've had some issues with things Grandma and Granddad are letting the kids watch. Again. I just happen to think that any show that has a restricting rating on it is not appropriate for a 5 or 3 year old. Call me crazy. And I told Little Boy he couldn't go over there until Daddy talked to them about it. (They think I'm the bad guy already.)

Little Boy just finished supper, and asked if he could go next door. I said I wasn't answering that question; Daddy is sitting in the same room - let him answer. Little Boy asked if Daddy had talked to them about TV. He has, but said he doesn't know if it will do any good.

Little Boy piped up, "Well, I guess I'll have to go over and test it, and see if it works."

What to do first?

My house is a wreck, the laundry is piled up, the dishwasher is run but not emptied, my head is hurting, and I'm pretty sure the couch is calling my name for a nap. The kids are fed, and I quickly ate a sandwich. I want the kids to play outside for a bit, and then we're all going to sleep. Then I can decide what to do.

You know you have small children when...

...a shower feels like a luxury worth bartering for.

Dead Skunk

So there's a dead skunk on our road. But it isn't like the skunks I grew up seeing. This guy is more white than black. And I can't really find a good picture of one online, and I have no intention of walking down there to take a picture of Mr. Stinky. So, you'll have to use your imagination. All I can say is, "Ick." He smells the same.

Hope is good

I was just reading the current issue of Frontline - the newsletter from the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. There is a study in Canada:

"A short treatment with two drugs partially restores the number
of insulin-producing beta cells in the diabetic mouse pancreas
and also slows their autoimmune destruction—enough to restore
normal blood-sugar levels and reverse the disease."

Let's pray this is at least an option some time in the near future.

A Little Disgusted

I have to admit, I am a little disgusted and disappointed with all my "friends" on Facebook who couldn't take a minute to comment on my son's stint in the PICU/hospital. There were a few friends and family members who were kind enough to acknowledge our heartbreaking challenge, and I greatly appreciate them. However, I have 67 "friends". Where were they all? I got a much bigger response from my Baptist Moms group. Do I say something?

What will YOU do

to save our earth? I am being a bit sarcastic here, because I think people go too far with the whole keep the earth green thing.

I just saw an ad for stainless steel bendy straws. I understand the concept. Washable. Reusable. Durable.

NEVER!

I would never consider putting a stainless steel straw in MY mouth! I would go nuts if it ever clinked my teeth even one time! Just the thought of it clinking my teeth makes my skin crawl. To me it's equivalent to chewing on aluminum foil. Or sliding a metal pan across a stainless steel countertop.

Please. Just let me keep my cute little plastic bendy straws. I promise, I'll make a concession somewhere else.

Some pictures from Little Boy's Hospital Stay

The pictures with Baby were taken Sunday. Little Boy was still very worried about being in the hospital. Baby was so glad to see her brother.

The next couple pictures were Monday - we were watching out the window to see Daddy and Baby.

This was taken Tuesday, after he woke up with a fever. He was pretty out of it - watched a lot of cartoons this day. When the Motrin would kick in, he'd feel good. Then they would skip a dose to check his fever and it would go back to 104.

This was Wednesday - Little Boy got the bear and balloon from some of DH's co-workers. He's back on the IV here b/c he isn't eating or drinking enough.

As pitiful as he looks here, this was taken Friday morning, and we left that afternoon.

Where did it go?

Wednesday I started writing a post about local sayings or behaviors that seem to be uniquely local. In the middle of writing, I was called away from the computer. By the time I came back, I could not, for the life of me, remember what I was writing about.

I thought, "I'll just save it as a draft until I can remember what I was thinking." That draft may be there forever. I just cannot remember.

With the doctor changing Little Boy's insulins this week, I am having to count his carbs to figure his dosage before each meal. Suddenly, I feel so dumb. I am having to write down carbs, and have DH checking my math. It is just so scary. He has about 10 minutes to eat after taking his shot or his blood sugar could go low. Let's just add some more pressure to my life.

I just feel like I am walking in a fog right now. Maybe my brain will come back to me soon.

Another Day - Another Trip

So yesterday started early, all because I made a 9 am appt. for my kids' well visit check-ups. What on earth was I thinking? Last week, I had our pediatrician do Little Boy's check up as long as we were there. DH took Baby yesterday, while I was home getting things ready for Little Boy and I to go back to Morgantown. We left at 11:30 am, just to be sure we would make it with the rain coming and having to stop to check blood sugar.

It's a good thing. We did stop and check and it was a bit high, so I had to give him an insulin shot sitting in the car. Then I gave him his packed lunch and we finished the trip. We were there at 1:30 pm. The doctor came into the room at 2:30. We were there for about 25 minutes; she gave me new instructions for new insulin (more on that in a bit). And then she sent us to the lab. I had a bad feeling about it, and I was right. Little Boy fought me. I had to forcibly take his coat off, pick him up and hold him on my lap with my legs wrapped around his, and it took 3 nurses to get the blood drawn. And he was crying and yelling.

One of the techs gave him some graham crackers, and I told him we'd go find the diabetes educator - she and Little Boy really hit it off. (I like her, too.) I wanted to let her know we were being sent back for more education so that she could make sure she was the one who we'd see.

On the way home, I was so tired. I caught my head jerk twice, and it really scared me. I turned on the cold air and called DH. I finally felt ok. We got home at 6; I helped finish up supper, we ate, and then I went to the pharmacy to get Little Boy's new insulins. He'll be getting a shot before each meal and another just before bed. I don't think it's possible to fully explain to a 5 year old that this new insulin will offer better control. All he will hear is that he's getting 4 shots a day instead of 2. This is all so horrible. I just hate it for him.

I think I'm going to go try to take a nap, even though it's only 9:15 in the morning.

Other people's mistakes

can really mess up my day! Last week when I got home from the hospital, I made a couple phone calls. One of those calls was to the WVU Eye Clinic. I knew Baby had an appt., but I wasn't sure exactly of the day or time. So I called to make sure of the date and time - Feb 17, 2:45. I wrote it in my brain date book. I fed the fam, loaded Baby up in plenty of time for the 1 1/2 hour drive, and took off. I was hoping to get done with the appt. and to get home in time to take care of Little Boy's shot.

We got to the clinic, got out of the car without any barfing incidents - THANK THE LORD - and went in to check in. I told the lady Baby's name and the time of our appt., and she told me, "That appt. was at 12:45." NOOOOOOO! I told her that I called last week and the lady told me 2:45 and I wrote it directly into my book - and I showed her the book. She called back to the doctor and said, right in front of me, "Your 12:45 appt. just showed up for a 2:45 appt. - She says she called last week and someone told her 2:45. I don't know who would have done that. SOMEone got it confused." At that point, I wanted to reach across the desk and poke her in the shoulder - hard.

Thankfully, they were able to see Baby, but I kept watching the clock. I didn't stick around to find out when exactly her next appt. is - I told them to send me an appt. card. It was getting later, and I knew traffic would be heavier than normal. I ended up calling Mike's parents; they had to check Little Boy's blood sugar and I had to walk Grandma through drawing up his insulin. She said he was very cooperative. I told them what he could eat for supper. Baby and I stopped and ate supper at BK, and rushed home. Little Boy's blood sugar was a bit high tonight, and I had to give him an extra shot.

As for her appt., the doctor wants us to patch for two weeks, not patch for 4 weeks and return. If there is no improvement, she wants to talk to us about surgery. I just want to do anything possible to avoid that. Poor Baby - she is not happy about patching.

Tomorrow DH is taking Baby to see our pediatrician for her 3 year old check up, and in the afternoon, I'm taking Little Boy to Morgantown - trip #2 in one week. I'll be double and triple checking the time of his appt. tonight. Good grief.

Baby-ism

Baby got a bath this morning b/c we are going to the doctor later. I had her on the bed, getting dry when she looked at her fingers.

"Oh man. I'm all wrinkled."

Another disgusting food story

Apparently monkey poop coffee hasn't filled the void.

Now some crackpot in India is trying to market cow urine cola. If you're interested, the story is here.

I am sticking to my filtered tap water, thank you very much.

My favorite part of the day

is the moment both kids are in bed, and I sit down on the couch with the remotes, my laptop, the phone, and a big glass of water.

And tonight is no exception. DH is on 2nd shift, so supper and bedtime are all on me, so this time is even more enjoyable. And I might play racing on the Wii - we got a new game today - DH bought it "just for me". LOL Little Boy likes it, Baby sat next to me tonight with the other steering wheel and I pretty much had her convinced she was racing. She's really bad at it - she ends up going the wrong direction or stuck somewhere and the game goes on forever.

She hasn't been eating very well in the last couple weeks, and having Influenza A further messed her up. So I follow her around during the day with a sippy cup, trying to get enough fluids in her. So tonight when she didn't eat a single bite of her hot dog, green beans or fruit, I did give her a juice box when Little Boy had his nighttime snack.

Tomorrow I take Baby to the eye doctor in Morgantown to try to make up her appt. from the barf trip last month. Wednesday, DH will take Baby to the doctor in the morning and I'll drive Little Boy to Morgantown to see the metabolic doctor. We may have to go back at the end of the week to see his endocrinologist. That's a lot of driving; DH bought a AAA membership for us - just in case.

I'll be thinking of Little Boy the whole time I'm gone tomorrow. He was worried I wouldn't be home for his insulin shot at supper. I told him I'd be home - I just HAVE to be. I'm looking forward to Saturday. LOL

A Cough and a Sneeze

in my face!

Baby had a rough night - coughing and sneezing. I think she was dealing with post-nasal drainage. I've been trying to keep up with her on Benadryl. But she wasn't due yet, so I finally climbed into bed with her this morning about 3 am. She settled down, but not until she had coughed and sneezed on me multiple times. If I don't get sick, it sure will be a miracle.

It sure is nice to wake up to a sweet little kiss, a pat and Baby saying, "Mommy, it's time to get outa bed."

How They Met

The summer of 1984, when my sister Ang was still home, she, Dad, and I would sit up at night and play "How They Met". It was so silly, but we would laugh until our sides hurt. I think it's one of my favorite memories of that summer.

We would each have a piece of paper and we would write the name of a man, fold the paper and pass it. We'd add the name of a lady, fold it and pass it. We'd write the place they met, what he said, what she said, what he did, what she did, and how it ended. We used names from people at church, family members (and Dad had a huge pool to choose from!), people we knew from the race track, you name it. What silly combinations and situations we came up with!

Never would have imagined I'd have such an interesting "How They Met" story. In 1999, I found a Christian matchmaking website, and decided to be brave. It was all very safe - I could make up an anonymous screen name, the site had internal email, and I didn't have to share any personal information. I jumped right in - I wanted to make the most of the free trial. Soon, I was writing to 10 men! I entered my filters - single, never-been-married, didn't smoke, didn't drink, Baptist, active in church. Those were the most important. I kept all my emails in a notebook so I could keep everyone safe. There were a couple who were more serious about me, and I eventually found a way to shake them. There were a couple who were intriguing to me, who didn't reciprocate my interest level. If I saw someone who looked interesting, I'd send a quick, one or two sentence comment.

I saw DH's profile (no pic) and was intrigued. Everything he said about himself was so modest, and had a sweet spirit about it. I sent a note commenting on him playing guitar. He wrote back, and the rest of the guys were history! It seemed like a long time before I saw his picture. I was a bit afraid - I could tell I was really interested in him, but what if he was homely? When he did send me pictures, I prayed as they loaded on my screen. "Please, Lord, if he's homely, make him good-looking before the picture loads." LOL. The first picture I saw loaded slowly. I squeezed my eyes closed as it finished. And I finally peeked. Oooooo! He was handsome!

When I had filled out my profile, I had checked the box to indicate I felt I was average looking. Shortly after I received his pictures, I loaded a picture of myself. He wrote back saying he felt I was better than average! Well, that earned him a boat-load of points! Before long, we were emailing at least a couple times a day, sending email cards, and then the phone call. It was like 3 hours long! I couldn't get enough. From then on, we talked every day, and we shopped for a phone plan that wouldn't break the bank. For 6 long months we communicated. Not about where to go, or what movie to see, or what we wanted to do. We talked about ourselves, our past - present - future. But there was something we agreed to not say. We agreed that until we met in person, we would not say, "I love you."

We both knew that our relationship was good, but it was all long-distance. We didn't want to get so involved emotionally and then meet and not get along. But it didn't matter. When we would talk on the phone, we'd say good-bye and as I hung up, I'd make sure he had hung up and I'd say it - softly. He sent me pictures from the mountains here, and a pic of his house and I cried. I felt the Holy Spirit tell me I was looking at pictures of "home". Finally, 6 long months had passed and he was coming to Green Bay to visit - in January. I was so nervous and excited that day.

I had a hard time figuring out what to wear, I wanted to get to the airport a bit early, and I couldn't think straight. As I sat at his gate waiting, some people started walking in, waiting for their arrivals. The little plane landed, and finally the door opened. I watched the people getting off, eliminating them one by one. When I saw DH walk down the stairs and walk across to the terminal, it was odd. I knew his voice, I knew his face from pictures, but I didn't know his walk - his gait. I was adding the third dimension in my head. He came into the terminal, we said hi - both beaming smiles - and he kissed me! Knowing how reserved he is, that was a very brave thing for him to do. :0) It was the first of a million. It was hard to drive. I wanted to stare at him - take it all in. And I still feel that way. It's been 8 years, 5 months, 4 days since we were married, and I love him more and more each day.

My Sweet Valentine

My Sweet Valentine is looking a bit worse for the wear lately. He works so hard to help me around the house, is maintaining a 4.0 in his online courses, and goes off to work at all hours of the day - depending on where he is in his swing shift rotation.

Last week, he moved his vacation week so that he could take care of Baby while I was at the hospital with Little Boy. My sweet husband did his best to pack necessities for me from my garbled instructions - he thought to include a sound spa - which may have been one of our most important items.

When we came home, there was a vase of yellow tulips for me, a balloon for Little Boy, and a welcome home sign. I was sweetly surprised, although I may have been too tired to verbalize it.

I look forward to the day when he and I are feeling better. Right now the romance stuff is on the back burner.

I wasn't expecting much today, but I was pleasantly surprised. I got a homemade card with a poem DH wrote for me, roses, a game, a movie and 2 books for us to work through together. And then the florist called this afternoon. He wanted to know if DH was home. I told him DH is at work. The florist said, "Well, there's a problem with his order. Well, not really a problem." He went on to tell me they had had a drawing to attract patrons, I guess. And Mike's and my name were drawn - for $100! I think that is so hilarious! DH is always talking about his terrible "luck". Maybe we're due.

Anyway. I remember our first Valentine's Day "together". It was just before he came to pick me up in Wisconsin. I was so lonely when he flew back to Maryland; we quickly decided that he would come back the next month to move me. All I could think about was being able to see him every day. Sadly, my work at the office did suffer. In fact, everything else suffered. But on Valentine's Day, my Sweetie sent me a dozen pale pink roses - my favorite. I know I was not able to think or talk of anything else at the time.

I still love to watch him while he's not looking. He's everything that I ever thought I wanted in a husband and so much more. I really am spoiled. He cooks, he cleans, does his own laundry, shares in taking care of the kids, and does all the "man" stuff, too. He rarely complains about the clutter and messes, and when I have no patience left, he fills in the gap.

God sure knew what I needed in a husband, and gave me the desires of my heart. My Dearheart!

I love you, Michael!

(This was the day after our engagement - March 2000.)

High winds

The roof of this building was literally peeled back as a result of the high winds we had last night. It looks like we're in for another night of it.

Back to the ER

So I went to my counseling session this morning. I was very torn as to whether to go between Little Boy's care and Baby's misery. I got up and got Little Boy's sugar reading and fixed his shot. I wrote out what he could have for breakfast so DH could take care of it. When I got home, I was upset to find Baby was still sounding wheezy. I called the children's clinic and they didn't have any open appts, but told me I needed to take her to the ER. So I wrote out lunch and snacks and packed up Baby. She has Influenza A - I knew that - and they said I could give her Robitussin DM. So we stopped at a store and picked some up and came home. She wasn't too happy when I gave it to her; apparently it doesn't taste as good as Children's Tylenol.

We are having very strong winds here today. School was on a delay, and my first trip to "town" I took DH's SUV - that was a mistake! Glad we are in for the evening.

Poor Baby

Baby is so sick; when she coughs I can tell it hurts. She just cries, and wants me to hold her. Little Boy is outside for the moment, but I need to check his blood sugar and call the doctor. Could be interesting trying to talk above the crying if she insists on me holding her. I am hoping to talk to the main endocrinologist today. I've been talking to the other doctor for the last couple days, and Little Boy's BG has been running low in the middle of the day, but she didn't lower his dosage.

More later.

Almost too much to bear

DH went to the doctor Monday, b/c I sent him. He was talking to the intern about his cold sore being brought on by stress. She told him there are studies out there that suggest Type 1 Diabetes in children could be caused by a virus. So last night I Googled it.

Basically, it's possible my son would not have diabetes if some fool out there had washed their hands after using the bathroom. And had I been more vigilant about germy stuff, staying home and avoiding sick people, and had I kept up with the kids being on Reliv, Little Boy might be in a different boat.

My head knows that I can't "what if", but I feel like my job as a Mommy is to keep my kids safe. And I didn't. And it breaks my heart that my baby will have to deal with something so difficult for the rest of his life.

Passed with flying ? colors!

So tonight Baby passed the dime. :0) Yea!

However, she's running a fever and wanting Mommy to hold her - constantly. I will be very happy if we can make it through the night without problems.

The Bottomless Pit

So I had hoped Little Boy's appetite would be at least a little curbed now that he's on insulin. But today he's been ferocious. He ate 3 eggs, 2 pieces of sausage, 2 pieces of bacon, half an English muffin w/ sugar free jelly, a small bowl of cheerios w/milk, and a drink of water. No sooner was he done, he was asking how long until snack time.

So for a snack he had a dozen Quakes. And he was soon asking for lunch. I wanted to wait before I took his blood sugar; it should be high after eating his snack. So when I took it, it was only 66! Eeek. I gave him a small can of apple juice he had saved from the hospital and checked it again in 10 minutes. 110 - whew!

He ate two hotdogs on the bun, a 1/2 cup of SF pistachio pudding, a helping of green beans, and a cheese stick for lunch. Plus his water. He finished and asked me to hold him on the couch b/c his belly was hurting.

NO KIDDING.

So the kids and DH are down for a nap and that's where I'm headed, too.

Just a couple thoughts

I feel a great weight on my shoulders to quickly get things figured out for Little Boy's diet. I know that for right now, I am mainly concentrating on counting his carbs. Eventually, I'll want to track his proteins and fats, too. And I'll want to find recipes for diabetic snacks and treats. But from what I've seen, it's a good thing we've never been a dessert-y family. Little Boy could have a half a cup of mashed potatoes or a small cookie. Doesn't seem like much of a trade fill-wise. It makes me sad that I can't just give him a cookie for being good without having to weigh the consequences.

The diabetic educator warned me there would be people who don't understand counting carbs; people who would second guess what I am feeding my son. And I've run into some of them already. People surprised at the amount of potatoes on his plate; people shocked that he can drink - gasp - fruit juice. People who don't understand that the sugar in milk has nothing to do with the percentage of milk fat.

And I don't have time to educate the world. So I have to ignore all those people and concentrate on my little boy, who at this moment is joyfully slurping away on a sugar-free popsicle.

Still on Dime Watch

So. How on earth am I supposed to find this thing if she does pass it? I could tell you how I checked yesterday, but I will spare you the icky details. Baby was sure curious. I keep asking her if she's going to eat more money.

Little Boy is doing ok. He woke up with a headache today, and I was afraid he wasn't going to eat his breakfast after I had given him his shot. Thankfully, he seems to be feeling a bit better, and is eating his sausage, eggs, English Muffin with Jelly and juice.

His blood sugar was good at 2 am, and at 8 am when I woke him up. He doesn't get it that when his numbers are good in the morning, he still gets a shot. I feel so badly for him.

Each night before supper, I call his doctor to give him Little Boy's numbers, and the doctor changes the insulin doses. It is very comforting to have direct access to the doctor. Little Boy gets a bit upset when he sees a "big" dose, but we explained that if he does well with the big one, there won't be little ones during the day. And I bought a bag of sugar-free candy, so when he takes his shot without fighting or fussing, he gets a piece. Seems to help for the time being.

I was doing some reading last night about menu planning for him, and it gets very complicated. So many percentages of fat and protein; counting carbs, etc. I finally closed the computer b/c it was making my head hurt.

Baby's 10 cents

So Baby decided to not take a nap today. She played back there and sang little songs. Daddy went in to check on her after a while and she told him she swallowed a coin. He said she had picked up a dime from my bedroom floor and took it to her room where she was holding it while he changed her didie. She apparently must have left it on her bed, and later, while she was supposed to be sleeping, decided to put it in her mouth.

She wasn't complaining of feeling it in her throat, but I gave her a piece of butter bread to eat anyway. We'll be watching for it in a day or two. I'm wondering if she's feeling the need for attention or if we need to feed her more.

If it's not one thing, it's another.

Nothing is better

than sleeping in your own bed after sleeping in the hospital for 5 nights!

Little Boy is home, and we are adjusting.