Tiny Dancer

This one is for you, Michele! Leah LOVES her dress. She started dancing immediately once I put it on her. Let me know when I can sign her up for Just for Kix.

Mr. Stockert Goes to Washington, DC

Chase was chosen to represent North Dakota at the 2009 Children's Congress! When I found out, I said, "Chase, we get to go to Washington, DC. Isn't that exciting?". To which I got a "No." I then told him we get to go on an airplane and those blue eyes popped!

It will be an awesome experience. It's going to be exciting to meet other families. We will also meet with our congressmen. I don't need to badger them too much, because they are great supporters of JDRF.

Exciting!!!!!!!!!!!!!

From the mouth of babes - 2008

Last year, I chose my favorite "From the mouth of Chase" story. This year's Chasism came in just last month.

I woke one morning to find that Gary had Chase in the shower. He'd been battling high blood sugars the day before and it was inevitable that he would wet the bed (it's the body's natural response to rid the body of excess sugar by urinating). I went into the bathroom and asked Chase if he wet his bed. He said yes. Me, being me, (and knowing that he'd have a quick witted response) asked, "Why'd you do that?" Chase's response: "Just be glad I didn't poop."

"Good point," was all I could muster.

Boy I love that kid.

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.