Just Chase

I keep this blog for three reasons. The main reason is to keep friends and family updated on Chase's progress with his type 1 diabetes. Another is to keep up-to-date with his antics as an aside to his baby book. And, finally, it is therapy for me!

I don't want Chase's diabetes to define who he is in anyway. Although, through it all, I've seen a kid that I'm so very honored to be called his mom.

I was going to do a blog on him starting his insulin pump on Thursday, but I've decided to talk about who Chase is aside from his diabetes.

Here's just a little bit about Chase:

There isn't a day that goes by that he doesn't make me laugh. Some things he does on purpose for a laugh like his intensity face (this one was done during his 3 year photo shoot at JC Penney). Other times, he'll do things like demand a "chip" in church during communion to get me chuckling.



He loves to be cuddled and held. He'll ask to hold your hand while driving in a car...which I will agree to if I'm not driving.

When you get him laughing he will hiccup for about an hour afterwards.

He can be bribed into doing almost anything for a trip to McDonald's! Except use the potty - have I mentioned yet that he's stubborn?

He picks up on quotes from movies quite well. My favorite was when we were in Florida and from the back seat of the car, I hear, "I have make-up on my butt!" It took me about 30 seconds to figure out he was quoting the skunk from "Over the Hedge". He keeps us on our toes trying to figure out what he's talking about some times due to this gift.

I'm not sure, but I'm guessing that he has the largest Pez collection of any 3 year old in the world.

And, lastly, some day I hope his kids smash Play-Doh into his carpets as often as he done to mine.

Happy New Year!!!!

Merry Christmas & Best Wishes for the New Year

I don't know if I'll get back to the blog before the end of the year, so I want to make sure that I wish everyone a very, very Merry Christmas and the happiest times for the new year.

From our family to yours - Merry Christmas!

You only turn 100 once

I've been busy lately creating a video CD for my grandpa Art's 100th birthday that will take place in Devils Lake in April. I've been scanning photos, adding sound, and editing it until it is perfect (a sign of a true Virgo - good thing I've got another 3 and 1/2 months to obsess about it). It's been fun. At work I don't get to tap into that creative side unless you call creating formulas in Excel to compute financial investment gains or losses creative.

My grandpa is one of the calmest people I know. That may be why he will soon be celebrating his 100th. He lives alone in his own apartment, cooks and shops for himself, and still drives his little red mini van. He also writes some of the best letters I've ever received. One that I have saved in Chase's baby book reads, "Chase seems tractors interest him. He is such an enjoyable little fellow - so fun to see them grow up. See change each time when one meets." A keeper.

I've enjoyed seeing a playful side of my grandpa that I didn't know existed. Below he is being chased up a pole by his younger sister circa 1920's. And "being difficult" as written on the back of the cake photo circa 1950's.

Just Relaxing

We all enjoyed a relaxing weekend. Gary and I were able to take in The Blenders concert on Saturday night (awesome) while Chase subjected Gary's parents to about 3 Disney movies in a row. Then on Sunday we all went to Charlotte's Web (yes, you will cry when Charlotte dies).


Chase's insulin pump arrived UPS this afternoon. He told me he didn't want an insulin pump as I went to the door to sign for the package. After we got it open, though, he was ready to put it on! That won't happen until the 28th when we meet for one last time with his diabetes education coordinator. In the meanwhile, my mom and I are going to try to come up with a device he can wear to keep the pump and tubing safe from a busy little boy.

Here are some few photos from our trip to Iowa. On Friday we will head out on the road again to Devils Lake for Christmas. After that, our suitcases will be shelved for a while!

5 states down, only 45 to go!

Chase and I just completed Chase's longest car ride. We are visiting my sister and her family in Iowa. We left early Friday morning with my folks and stopped briefly in Minneapolis to visit with my brother.

Chase is in heaven having my 11 year old niece, Brianna, to dote on him. We decided to tag along with my parents since my sister won't be coming home for Christmas. To me, not seeing Ben and Brianna at Christmas just isn't Christmas. We will celebrate an early Christmas with them tomorrow and head back home on Wednesday.

I haven't been to Iowa for about 6 years. It's nice to be able to spend this quality time with my family. And I'm lucky to have a husband that gave me a green light to go! But I'm also guessing that Gary is enjoying his time alone at home to play guitar and piano without a 3 year old to tell him not to!

*Exclusive News* for all blog readers

As a reward to all of you who read the blog regularly, I'm going to fill you in on some BIG news before everyone else hears by word of mouth (or in a Christmas news letter)...

July 12, 2007 - Chase is going to be a big brother! Call us crazy, but we're going to have another child. What was Chase's response when we told him? "Nooooooooooooooooooooo!" Today he also told me that he wanted me to have a big baby. Again, he's not happy with us.

He will be a great big brother, though. And we will continue to buy him shirts that honor our favorite bands. To go along with his AB/CD shirt, I found him a Beatles shirt. I was going to give it to Gary for Christmas, but I just couldn't wait!

Now, we just need to get Gary's parents hooked up to a computer before July 12th so that we can tell them...