Holy Cow

Here's Leah learning the sounds animals make, well, at least one animal.

And here is Chase at his Sunday school Christmas pagent...

A Mother's Revenge

My folks were in town this week. They watched Chase and Leah a couple of days for me while I was at work. Apparently, Leah gave them a run for their money. They say that my little Leah is their revenge for my antics as a child. Highly doubtful, but I agree - she's a spitfire.



Here's a little more about Leah:

She loves her friend Aubrey. Here she is with Aubrey at day care. She will chant "Aubrey, Aubrey, Aubrey..." (more like Aubee) all the way to Sue's house.

She is a really great napper. Here her dad made the sacrifice to take a nap with her. I tend to move like crazy when she is down for a nap, because when she is awake, I'm usually following in her wake of destructiveness.

And, even though she can be a stinker at times - she won't sit in shopping carts, strollers or high chairs, she doesn't like the word no, you break a sweat when trying to dress her...all she needs to do is flash that toothy smile and she's an angel.

5 years ago today...

Chase's birthday is tomorrow, but 5 years ago today the labor pains started. They lasted only 23 hours. I consider it a fair trade for the little boy that has graced my life since then:

Happy birthday, Chase. :-)

The rantings of a happy mother

After some contemplation, I've decided that I am going to blog on the election. I've voted in every national election since I was able to and I have never felt the way I did on November 4th.

During the primary, Gary encouraged me to do my research on all the candidates. I did my research and had my mind set going into the primary. He was still undecided until I sent him a link regarding stem cell research and the candidates. That's all it took.

As I drove to the polls that Tuesday morning, I felt an overwhelming sense of hope. As I filled in the circle for my choice, my hand literally shook. After watching history being made that night, Gary and I decided to call it a night. We found Chase curled up in the middle of our bed. I decided to test Chase's blood - 49 - time for some fruit snacks. It was the only night in nearly 3 years that I went to bed knowing that there was hope in this damn battle with diabetes.

Sometimes the battle with the diabetes is easier than the battle with those that don't understand type 1 diabetes. No, he didn't develop diabetes from being overweight - it's an auto immune disorder. No, he can't take a pill for it and it he will not outgrow it. Yes he has an insulin pump - no it's not "automatic". We still test those tiny fingers and toes 5-6 times a day. How many other parents make their kids bleed everyday? Just watch what he eats and everything will be okay, right? Sure, but don't forget to take into account the days he's sick and won't eat, or the times when he's growing and there's no controlling those numbers. Or, the days, when despite your best efforts, the numbers are too high or too low.

Then, there is our insurance company. North Dakota's sister states, Minnesota and South Dakota, offer coverage for continuous glucose monitors. Maybe next year they say - check back. Sure, he can't tell when he's too high or low, but hey, keep using that mother's intuition because his eyes, kidneys, and legs are fine. Why should they pay for such a device? We've managed to keep him out the emergency room so far.

And then, there's school next year. There is that "little" problem that it's going to be nearly impossible to find a teacher to give him insulin. No one wants the liability. Too bad he doesn't have ADD, because I'm sure some teachers would gladly give him a pill instead of his life sustaining insulin.

A couple of days ago, I picked Leah up out of her crib. My heart sank as I saw she had soaked through her diaper. I took Chase's lancet, poked her little toe and held my breath. 68. Phew! Fortunately or unfortunately, she's become a pro a having her blood tested.

I'm excited to see what the future holds for my children. Things are looking up. I like to have the audacity to hope.

Halloween

I've taken a little break from the blog due to our move. We closed on the sale of our house on Friday. I feel pretty lucky that we were able to sell our house as soon as we did. The market is really starting to slow down here. We are currently living with Gary's mom until our house is built. Chase and Leah have adapted well to the move. They like having a grandparent readily at their disposal (someone to give them sympathy when I won't).

We will have a couple weeks to relax before we take over the finish work inside the house.

Lions and tigers and kids, oh my!

Okay, our zoo doesn't have lions, but they did just receive 3 tigers! They seem to like people, too.

Pumpkin Patch

She loves her brother, really.

Helping Grandma with her pumpkin pie.

Which one of these characters turned 64 on Sunday?

We made it out to the Pumpkin Patch on Sunday. This time my folks were able to join us for their first visit to the patch. Gary's folks joined us last year for their very first trip. I wish they would have been able to join us this year.

Gary's dad, Al, is suffering from congestive heart failure. He will be going into hospice care tomorrow. It's a tough time right now. He's a sweetheart of a man and he's raised 3 great sons, too. I've been so impressed with the way Rod, Gary, and Brad have been their for their dad and mom this last week. Please keep Al in your thoughts and prayers.

South for the summer

Now that the weather is turning cold (51 degrees currently), I may just get back into this blogging business.

We decided to take advantage of Gary's birthday and Labor Day weekend by heading to the Black Hills of South Dakota. Gary and I hadn't been to the Black Hills since we were children, so it was fun for us to relive some childhood memories. Here are some photos from our trip.

Hair raising weekend

We took a trip to Devils Lake this past weekend. My folks couldn't seem to get over how much hair Leah has grown since the last time they saw her?