7.7!

We did Chase's A1C blood test today. Good news - we went from 7.8 to 7.7! It may not sound like a huge improvement, but any time we can bring that number down is a reason to rejoice!

He literally made my jaw drop this morning. When the lab tech called his name, he took her hand and walked back into the room with her. I was still there to hold his hand, but he really amazes me at how well he has adapted to these "every three months" appointments.

Leah also had her first check-up today. She has gained almost one pound in less than two weeks (8# 3 oz to 9# 2 oz). As a nursing mother, I'm not at all surprised by her weight gain. She also gained a 1/2 inch in height. She's in the 75% across the board for weight, height and head circumference.

Gary and I made the decision to have Leah's cord blood stored after she was born. Currently, it cannot be used to treat diabetes, but we are hoping that someday soon that will change. For us, it is insurance. We hope we never have to use it for her, and pray that it may be a cure for Chase.

I received a call from the cord blood company the day we were released from the hospital letting me know that the cells reached their lab and had been processed and stored. They told me that they needed 100 million cells to store the blood, they average 300-400 million and Leah's cord blood had 750 million. All I said was, "That's my girl!"

He loves her, yah, yah, yah

Chase insisted that I take this photo. He really loves his little sister. I had a fair amount of concerns regarding how he'd adjust, but they were all in vain.

For her part, Leah is adjusting well, too. She is a very easy going baby. Chase was an easy baby, but I think Gary and I are much more relaxed as parents this time around. She likes to be talked to, sang to, and cuddled. I've even taken her on a couple of retail therapy trips, but she has just slept through them all.

I Will

Five years ago tomorrow will be our 5th year anniversary. It spins my head to think back on all that we have accomplished together in that short amount of time.

During our wedding ceremony our friends sang "I Will" by the Beatles. The lyrics ring true to this day...especially the "For the things you do endear you to me" part. I sing that in my head when I find the toilet seat up, empty boxes of cereal in the cupboard and dirty dishes on the counter above an empty dish washer. Those are Gary's trade marks and I love him for them.

Who knows how long I've loved you

You know I love you still

Will I wait a lonely life time

If you want me to I will

For if I ever saw you

I didn't catch your name

But it never really mattered

I will always feel the same

Love you forever and forever

Love you with all my heart

Love you whenever we're together

Love you when we're apart

And when at last I find you

Your song will fill the air

Sing it loud so I can hear you

Make it easy to be near you

For the things you do endear you to me

And you know I will

I will

Ooo, la

Love you forever and forever, love you with all my heart, love you when we're together, love you when we're apart. Love you, Gary.

Happy belated birthday, Brianna

Happy belated birthday, Brianna. I hope your 12th birthday was great. You've grown into such a wonderful young lady. We love you and are impatiently waiting to see you in August.

Ps...Don't tell me how Harry Potter ends - I need to buy the book.

Leah Marie

Leah Marie joined our family on Monday, July 16th at 1:13 pm. She weighed in at 8 pounds, 3 ounces and was 20 1/2" long. She is the spitting image of her big brother, Chase! She is a very good baby that understands that life at this point is all about eating and sleeping.

Chase has taken over the roll of big brother with gusto. He has been a huge help running and getting diapers and wipes as well as helping with baths.

My mom and dad came on Sunday night to watch Chase. They did a great job learning how to use his pump. I'm forever grateful for their help. It was hard leaving my "baby" to have my baby, but they made it much, much easier.

We feel very blessed to have two such wonderful children in our lives.

Chase loves to hold and kiss his little sister.

Chase is ready to show Leah her room.

Leah Marie is named after her two grandmothers, Connie Lee and Diane Marie.

Leah is also in honor of Grandpa LeRoy, and uncles Rodney Leon and Todd Lee. Marie is also for her cousin Brianna Marie.

Four Generations - Mommy Susan, Great Grandpa Art, Leah, and Grandpa LeRoy

Our family.

Manic Monday

Monday is the day. She's got 2 days to come out on her own.
Stayed tuned!

We took advantage of some 70 degree weather on Wednesday by hopping on the Ft. Lincoln Trolley. It is a 4 mile train ride from Mandan to Custer's house. It is a beautiful and very relaxing ride. It is something we try to do at least once a year.

Here is Chase playing with his train whistle. I didn't get to take too many pictures because we forgot Chase's stroller and we had to hear him complain about having to walk. This is the kid that went up the stairs to the Super Slide 7 times on his own yesterday.

Three is a fun age.

Still here

Hopefully, the next time that you read this, Gary will be posting his first blog entry about my quick and painless labor.

Since today is Monday, it is what Chase and I have dubbed "Mommy-Chase Day". Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays are "Sue's House Days", Fridays we go back to "Mommy-Chase Day" and the weekends are "Mommy-Daddy-Chase Days".

Chase told me yesterday that "Mommy-Daddy-Chase Days" are his favorite days. He has a hard time understanding why Gary has to go to work on Monday mornings. The first thing he asked me this morning was if Daddy was at work. I told him yes and then I got the 499,999 "Why?" question (those are very popular in our house right now).

I explained to him that Dad has to go to work to pay for the house, our food and most importantly, for the free health insurance (okay, I didn't stress that to Chase, but it is a big reason for staying employed). Chase then added, "And for a boat. I want a boat." Already the kid understands the concept of money. Gary got a kick out of the story, but told Chase a boat isn't in our budget for a very, very long time.

Potty training reward #2 (pun intended)

Chase's grandparents came on Saturday night as reward to him for his potty training success. He was in absolute heaven and even demonstrated his skills to Grandma. (I figured with all the grief he's given us with potty training these last few months I'd post this picture.)

He's also been rewarding himself with tattoos. He even went so far as to tattoo his grandparents - including Great Grandpa Art.

To top it all off, Grandma and Grandpa thought he needed a bigger pool, so he received a new pirate ship pool. As I was inflating it yesterday, I wondered if I should "misplace" the water cannon that came with the ship. I didn't and I was rewarded with a stream of water in my face. Oh well, it's worth it. He really has done a great job and we are all very proud of him.

In other news, only 9 days (more or less) to go before Chase becomes a big brother. He likes to tell her to get out everyday since I can't take him down the Super Slide! I can't wait to take him down the slide.