Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Things I'm Thankful For
As the Thanksgiving Holiday is fast approaching, we start to consider the things in our life that we are really thankful for. It is sad for me that we are either too busy or too focused on the now to do this more often.
Here is my Thanks list so far (not necessarily in order of importance):
My family first and foremost. My husband who goes to work for us everyday without complaining (or mostly ;)) so that I can stay home with the kids. That he loves sharing his sports with me. My two beautiful children that I have the privilege to watch grow up more every day. What a blessing they are too me! Usually one or both has me wanting to pull out my hair at some point during the day, but they sure do keep it interesting!
My MOPS group who are always encouraging us to recognize our value (we had a speaker on that subject just this last week). I sometimes get caught up in the faulty idea that since I'm not out earning a living, I am not as valuable as the other women I know who are either Partners or Owners of their companies. But, what I forget is that I am raising up the next generation of leaders! And besides that, I have immeasurable value just being me and it's not based on anything more then just who I am.
My friends and family that keep me sane through their encouragement and often their helping with the kids. Beth especially, who visits and babysit for us once a week. I love it that my sister is developing strong bonds with her niece and nephew, and I don't have to worry about how they are doing when Jake and I are out together.
My great relationship with my Mother-In-Law. How many people dread the holidays because they have to spend it with the In-Laws? I absolutely love this time of year because it is another excuse to be around Jake's incredible family. Marlin is an absolute sweetheart and reminds me a lot of my dad. Cody, his brother, always keeps me laughing and entertained. And I have a great relationship with his mom Lori whom I love! She is always there for us with non-judgemental advice if we need/want it and she is 100% devoted to her grandchildren! I couldn't ask for more. Sadly, Katie, Ryan, Taylor and Logan won't be there this holiday as they've moved to India, but we'll be thinking of them!
Starbucks. Ok, now don't laugh. I love my Starbucks break! Somehow I get a warm cup of whatever I feel like on the few occasions now we splurge and I instantly feel myself relax. Jake and I have been really trying to crack down on our budget and we've had to cut back a lot on this simple pleasure. But I was so excited yesterday when my friend Ben, who asked me to write a letter of recommendation for him, gave me a $25 Starbucks card as thanks. It meant a lot to me and came at just the right time! Thanks Ben!!! Now Jake and I get to enjoy some yummy goodness on our way to and from Oregon this week (we were just about out of our allowance for the month and were going to have to chose one way or the other). Also, once a week I go sit down at Starbucks and read for an hour or so to get some ME time. It's lovely!
I think that's going to have to suffice for now because Allie has been playing tea in her high-chair for the last hour and is one soaking wet little girl. I can actually hear her behind me slapping the tray and splashing the water that didn't make it in her little teacup, all over the place. Little Monkey!
Here is my Thanks list so far (not necessarily in order of importance):
My family first and foremost. My husband who goes to work for us everyday without complaining (or mostly ;)) so that I can stay home with the kids. That he loves sharing his sports with me. My two beautiful children that I have the privilege to watch grow up more every day. What a blessing they are too me! Usually one or both has me wanting to pull out my hair at some point during the day, but they sure do keep it interesting!
My MOPS group who are always encouraging us to recognize our value (we had a speaker on that subject just this last week). I sometimes get caught up in the faulty idea that since I'm not out earning a living, I am not as valuable as the other women I know who are either Partners or Owners of their companies. But, what I forget is that I am raising up the next generation of leaders! And besides that, I have immeasurable value just being me and it's not based on anything more then just who I am.
My friends and family that keep me sane through their encouragement and often their helping with the kids. Beth especially, who visits and babysit for us once a week. I love it that my sister is developing strong bonds with her niece and nephew, and I don't have to worry about how they are doing when Jake and I are out together.
My great relationship with my Mother-In-Law. How many people dread the holidays because they have to spend it with the In-Laws? I absolutely love this time of year because it is another excuse to be around Jake's incredible family. Marlin is an absolute sweetheart and reminds me a lot of my dad. Cody, his brother, always keeps me laughing and entertained. And I have a great relationship with his mom Lori whom I love! She is always there for us with non-judgemental advice if we need/want it and she is 100% devoted to her grandchildren! I couldn't ask for more. Sadly, Katie, Ryan, Taylor and Logan won't be there this holiday as they've moved to India, but we'll be thinking of them!
Starbucks. Ok, now don't laugh. I love my Starbucks break! Somehow I get a warm cup of whatever I feel like on the few occasions now we splurge and I instantly feel myself relax. Jake and I have been really trying to crack down on our budget and we've had to cut back a lot on this simple pleasure. But I was so excited yesterday when my friend Ben, who asked me to write a letter of recommendation for him, gave me a $25 Starbucks card as thanks. It meant a lot to me and came at just the right time! Thanks Ben!!! Now Jake and I get to enjoy some yummy goodness on our way to and from Oregon this week (we were just about out of our allowance for the month and were going to have to chose one way or the other). Also, once a week I go sit down at Starbucks and read for an hour or so to get some ME time. It's lovely!
I think that's going to have to suffice for now because Allie has been playing tea in her high-chair for the last hour and is one soaking wet little girl. I can actually hear her behind me slapping the tray and splashing the water that didn't make it in her little teacup, all over the place. Little Monkey!
Just a couple pictures
So Adrian didn't like this position so much. Could be because he's almost falling off. But Allie has claimed this as her new chair. Now she fights over it with Lucy. Surprisingly, Lucy usually wins.My Little Helper
Allie helped me make Banana-Blueberry Muffins and Bread from some really over ripe Bananas I had been cultivating... best kind! She had a lot of fun make and eating them. Now we just need to work on transitioning gracefully. She gets really upset when we are done with the making part.
Getting stronger
The last several days, I've made it a point to have Adrian play on his stomach for a couple minutes every time he's awake. I haven't been good at getting him to do it much before now. I often make the mistake of assuming because Allie hated tummy time, that Adrian will too. Of course I was wrong and he loves it.
In just a couple days he went from barely keeping his head up to holding it up for quite a while, resting and then picking it up again. Another month and it's going to be time for the Johnny Jump Up!
Dismissed
For breakfast this morning I made Allie oatmeal with chocolate chips. I put just enough in at a time to get her to eat the oatmeal if she wants more. Hey! Sometimes you have to be creative to get picky eaters to eat!
Anyway, she was really just picking out the chocolate chips and eating those, but i did eventually get her to eat the oatmeal as well. On the last little bowl full (she's using her tea set bowl and tiny spoon her Sassy got her) she actually gave me the hand and told me to go to 'Mama's room' hoping that then I wouldn't stop her from picking the chips out of the oatmeal.
How do you keep from laughing at something like that?! She is such a bossy little girl, but it's so cute sometimes. Of course I stood my ground... which means I made her eat one full bite of oatmeal before I turned my back so she could pick the rest of the chips out. Little stinker!
Anyway, she was really just picking out the chocolate chips and eating those, but i did eventually get her to eat the oatmeal as well. On the last little bowl full (she's using her tea set bowl and tiny spoon her Sassy got her) she actually gave me the hand and told me to go to 'Mama's room' hoping that then I wouldn't stop her from picking the chips out of the oatmeal.
How do you keep from laughing at something like that?! She is such a bossy little girl, but it's so cute sometimes. Of course I stood my ground... which means I made her eat one full bite of oatmeal before I turned my back so she could pick the rest of the chips out. Little stinker!
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Dirty Little Boys
Why are boys so dirty?! Even Adrian, who can't do anything but squirm on the blankets (clean ones) I put him on and smile up at me, is sooo dirty! He has dirt under his fingernails, unbelievable amounts of ear wax (over-sharing?) and just smells like a dirty little boy most of the time (except right after I give him a bath). It's like they are genetically predisposed to just be dirty. Amazing...
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
No More Doctor Appointments!
So, I met with the diabetic counselor Monday afternoon and it was a total waste of time. I didn't learn anything new and all she basically said was I would have to redo the 2 hour glucose test after I'm done breastfeeding. Duh... I already knew that. As for why I had the seizure, she said I just had no sugar going to my brain. That's it. No other explanation. And she suggested keeping either cheese or peanut butter crackers in my purse in case I feel it coming on again. Allie will like that at least. Not sure why this couldn't have been said over the phone.
Anyway, the good news is I don't have anymore doctor appointments at least until I'm done breastfeeding. Between prenatal visits, the non-stress test and the diabetes I felt like I was living at the doctors office for a while. I'll be happy not to be back there any time soon!
Anyway, the good news is I don't have anymore doctor appointments at least until I'm done breastfeeding. Between prenatal visits, the non-stress test and the diabetes I felt like I was living at the doctors office for a while. I'll be happy not to be back there any time soon!
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Good News!
So, I got the results back from my 2 hour glucose test and it came back normal... I guess meaning I'm no longer diabetic. I'd feel more relieved to hear that from my doctor instead of just the receptionist or whoever called to tell me. I have an appointment with the diabetic counselor Monday afternoon to figure out where to go from here. I've even taken my blood sugar levels after eating carbs and it has come out normal every time. Woohoo! Thanksgiving dinner now feels so much more exciting!
Now the big question is why did I have a seizure from low blood sugar. Most people would have just fainted. Guess I'll save that question for Monday.
Now the big question is why did I have a seizure from low blood sugar. Most people would have just fainted. Guess I'll save that question for Monday.
The Family That Doesn't Sleep
So I'm contemplating changing our name to "The Family That Doesn't Sleep" because I think lately that is overriding our trash making abilities. I might have been wrong about Adrian being hungry instead of colicky. Last night was definitely not hungry after I gave him 13 oz in 3 hours and he still wouldn't stop crying and go to sleep. Is it possible for a baby's stomach to explode from too much milk? If so, I think he might have been on the verge last night. It took 2.75 hours to get him to finally go to sleep and I finally won by just walking around the house in the dead of night just trying to stay upright. After enough bad nights in a row, and I actually think I probably spend a bit of time sleeping on my feet.
Anyway, last night Adrian and I were up for hours and then after I finally got him down Allie thought it would be fun to be up for two hours. Jake finally went to bed in her room in an attempt to get her calmed down, but instead of sleeping she just tried playing with his eyes, nose and tickling him. He finally gave up and came back to bed and she only cried for another couple minutes and went back to sleep.
Hopefully tonight is a little less painful, but since Adrian is already fussing I'm not counting on it. I'm holding out for him to start sleeping longer then 2.5 hours in another couple months. I think I can, I think I can....
Anyway, last night Adrian and I were up for hours and then after I finally got him down Allie thought it would be fun to be up for two hours. Jake finally went to bed in her room in an attempt to get her calmed down, but instead of sleeping she just tried playing with his eyes, nose and tickling him. He finally gave up and came back to bed and she only cried for another couple minutes and went back to sleep.
Hopefully tonight is a little less painful, but since Adrian is already fussing I'm not counting on it. I'm holding out for him to start sleeping longer then 2.5 hours in another couple months. I think I can, I think I can....
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Tractor
This is a tractor Jake had when he was a wee little one. It's incredibly heavy but a really cool antique all the kids have loved playing on.
Adrian at two months
I took Adrian in for his 2 month check-up where he got three shots he almost slept through. He is such a little trooper! He screamed right away and then went immediately back to sleep after they got the bandaids on. Real traumatic for him huh?! Everything checked out just great. Dr Wu was so surprised how mellow he was as he just laid on the table watching while she looked him over. She even asked me if he's always that way. I told her most of the time expect between 7pm and 11pm (Jake's favorite time).
Jake and I thought he might actually be colicky during that time since he just seems to want to scream. However, I've since figured out it's because he's just really hungry. I basically feed him between 8 and 10 oz (a regular feeding for him is 5oz every 3 hours) over a period of 2 hours and I can usually get him to sleep by 10pm now with very little crying. It's such a relief. We'll see if he keeps that up over the next couple days. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.
Jake and I thought he might actually be colicky during that time since he just seems to want to scream. However, I've since figured out it's because he's just really hungry. I basically feed him between 8 and 10 oz (a regular feeding for him is 5oz every 3 hours) over a period of 2 hours and I can usually get him to sleep by 10pm now with very little crying. It's such a relief. We'll see if he keeps that up over the next couple days. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.
So here's his measurements at 2 months:
- Weight - 14 lbs
- Height - 24.75 in (I actually think he is longer but Adrian was squirming while she measured)
- Head - 15.75 in
- Percentile - 90-95
Allie's were the following:
- Weight - 14.1 lbs
- Height - 24.5 in
- Not sure, but I know it was HUGE
- Percentile - 90-95
Dancing
Allie loves to dance and learns a new move every so often. This last week it was the ballerina leg. Jake would twirl her around and then she'd put her leg up behind her more like an ice skater then ballerina but it was really cute. Lori's oven and refrigerator have the perfect height handles too.
Buttons
For Allie's craft one day Lori pulled out a huge tin of buttons and beads from her sewing room to string on pipe cleaners. I guess this was a big hit with Taylor when she was about the same age. Allie was more interested in mixing the buttons and beads together in a little dish then in stringing them, but she had fun and that was the point. As she was playing with them you could hear the occasional pinging as a bead bounced to the floor soon to be joined by another. I'll bet Lori is still finding them around the kitchen!
Monday, November 10, 2008
Thursday Morning Seizure
So, I haven't had much time to post lately but have definitely had a lot going on. Many of you may or may not know about the seizure and diabetic coma I went into last Thursday morning due to extremely low blood sugar. Before I get too far along, let me assure you that I'm fine and have learned a valuable lesson about the importance of carb consumption.
I have been struggling with gestational diabetes since about week 32 of my pregnancy with Adrian. I believe only 10% of people continue as diabetics after delivery and it seems I'm in that lucky 10%. Woo hoo!... no, not really. I went in today to take a 2 hour glucose test where they take a blood sample before and then 2 hours after swallowing a high concentrate glucose solution (which by the way is nasty and hard to keep down). Hopefully in the next day or two I'll get the results and some counseling on how to keep my blood sugar at a healthy level.
I do have to say for the record that this diabetic diet I've been on for the last several months really isn't that hard and is probably close to what I should have been eating anyway. I've also shed about 20lbs from my prepregnacy weight. Definitely won't complain about that. But I'd sure like to not struggle with the low blood sugar again. The outcome would have been very different had I been home with just the kids instead of at Jake's parents house where Lori (thanks to her previous paramedic training) knew what to do.
So here's what happened: I usually eat a pretty low carb dinner, but then before bed have a snack of a piece of toast with peanut butter on it to get me through the night. Even with that I generally wake up with a low reading of 70. Wednesday night I skipped my PB toast (not on purpose) and had a very long night of waking up with Adrian, Allie and pumping far more times then is usual. I woke up Thursday morning about 6:50 and knew instantly that my sugar was extremely low as I was shaky, weak and about to throw up. I got out of bed and up the stairs, pausing at the top so I didn't pass out, looking for something to eat quickly before I did throw up.
Lori was thankfully in her kitchen doing her bible study lesson when I made it upstairs and asked me what was wrong. I told her I didn't feel well and needed to eat something because I could tell my sugar was low. She told me to sit down before I passed out and I quickly complied.
The next thing I remember is feeling like my world was spinning completely out of control, having someone holding me and the sound of distant screaming. As I started to come too I could feel Lori holding me on the floor trying to force feed me apple juice from a straw. The screaming apparently was me... though I have no idea why. I heard Marlin on the phone telling someone what was going on and Lori yelling at him to get her blood sugar level testing kit. She pricked my finger and I was only at 53.
It took several more minutes to get enough apple juice into me to steady myself enough to be helped over to the couch. A few minutes later in walked 8 very tall men (or so they seemed from my perspective on the couch) from the Woodburn Fire Department and Emergency Response. What followed was a lot of questions, vitals being taken (lots of finger pokes... really, I think I still have the marks) and me trying to choke down this really nasty tube of Glucose. It did the trick though and raised my level up to 108 (I think was the #) but then made me finally start throwing up like I thought I would from the beginning.
I was taken to the emergency room in an ambulance (my very first and hopefully last ride)where Marlin and I sat for a really long time just to have the doctor say my levels were back up and I needed to follow up with my doctor back home. Wish someone would pay me to say that!
By the way, those paramedics are incredible at inserting IV's while in motion. I not only barely felt it go in, but the guy that did it did a far better job then the nurse who gave me one for my c-section (it took her both arms to finally get it in) and she was on solid ground.
There are several things I'm really thankful for and it's pretty amazing how they fell into place. 1) That Lori acted quickly and knew what to do, 2) that Marlin made such an effort to come home early from his flight training (he wasn't supposed to be home until I think Saturday but wanted to see the kids) 3) that I happened to grab a couple of apple juice boxes from the pantry for Allie the night before and had them handily right by the fridge where I passed out and 4) that I'm alive to tell about it!
Anyway, I'll keep you updated on what I learn from the glucose test in the next few days.
I have been struggling with gestational diabetes since about week 32 of my pregnancy with Adrian. I believe only 10% of people continue as diabetics after delivery and it seems I'm in that lucky 10%. Woo hoo!... no, not really. I went in today to take a 2 hour glucose test where they take a blood sample before and then 2 hours after swallowing a high concentrate glucose solution (which by the way is nasty and hard to keep down). Hopefully in the next day or two I'll get the results and some counseling on how to keep my blood sugar at a healthy level.
I do have to say for the record that this diabetic diet I've been on for the last several months really isn't that hard and is probably close to what I should have been eating anyway. I've also shed about 20lbs from my prepregnacy weight. Definitely won't complain about that. But I'd sure like to not struggle with the low blood sugar again. The outcome would have been very different had I been home with just the kids instead of at Jake's parents house where Lori (thanks to her previous paramedic training) knew what to do.
So here's what happened: I usually eat a pretty low carb dinner, but then before bed have a snack of a piece of toast with peanut butter on it to get me through the night. Even with that I generally wake up with a low reading of 70. Wednesday night I skipped my PB toast (not on purpose) and had a very long night of waking up with Adrian, Allie and pumping far more times then is usual. I woke up Thursday morning about 6:50 and knew instantly that my sugar was extremely low as I was shaky, weak and about to throw up. I got out of bed and up the stairs, pausing at the top so I didn't pass out, looking for something to eat quickly before I did throw up.
Lori was thankfully in her kitchen doing her bible study lesson when I made it upstairs and asked me what was wrong. I told her I didn't feel well and needed to eat something because I could tell my sugar was low. She told me to sit down before I passed out and I quickly complied.
The next thing I remember is feeling like my world was spinning completely out of control, having someone holding me and the sound of distant screaming. As I started to come too I could feel Lori holding me on the floor trying to force feed me apple juice from a straw. The screaming apparently was me... though I have no idea why. I heard Marlin on the phone telling someone what was going on and Lori yelling at him to get her blood sugar level testing kit. She pricked my finger and I was only at 53.
It took several more minutes to get enough apple juice into me to steady myself enough to be helped over to the couch. A few minutes later in walked 8 very tall men (or so they seemed from my perspective on the couch) from the Woodburn Fire Department and Emergency Response. What followed was a lot of questions, vitals being taken (lots of finger pokes... really, I think I still have the marks) and me trying to choke down this really nasty tube of Glucose. It did the trick though and raised my level up to 108 (I think was the #) but then made me finally start throwing up like I thought I would from the beginning.
I was taken to the emergency room in an ambulance (my very first and hopefully last ride)where Marlin and I sat for a really long time just to have the doctor say my levels were back up and I needed to follow up with my doctor back home. Wish someone would pay me to say that!
By the way, those paramedics are incredible at inserting IV's while in motion. I not only barely felt it go in, but the guy that did it did a far better job then the nurse who gave me one for my c-section (it took her both arms to finally get it in) and she was on solid ground.
There are several things I'm really thankful for and it's pretty amazing how they fell into place. 1) That Lori acted quickly and knew what to do, 2) that Marlin made such an effort to come home early from his flight training (he wasn't supposed to be home until I think Saturday but wanted to see the kids) 3) that I happened to grab a couple of apple juice boxes from the pantry for Allie the night before and had them handily right by the fridge where I passed out and 4) that I'm alive to tell about it!
Anyway, I'll keep you updated on what I learn from the glucose test in the next few days.
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Washington Square Playplace
Most weeks the kids and I trek up to the Alderwood mall for some fun at the big indoor playplace inside by Starbucks. It's basically a big padded circle with benches inside for parents to sit on while their kids play in the large soft plastic toys. The theme here is the Northwest with killer whales, mountains and even a seagull and octopus (not sure we have any of those around but whatever). It's really nice because there is only one opening which is pretty small so you don't have to worry too much about your munchkin running off without you seeing them. We stop by first and get my latte and a scone for Allie and I to share, then Allie runs around while I usually feed Adrian. Jake comes with us Sunday morning before the mall opens and gets too crazy.
I thought it was pretty spectacular until we went to the one at Washington Square Mall in Oregon this past week. This one was incredible and much more suited to Allie's age as well. It had an outdoor river theme with canoes, turtles, flowers and even a river running through it and all in vibrant colors. Allie had a blast! Alderwood pales in comparison.
The picture with the twins in the same outfit was really confusing for Allie. Jake said she'd just look from one to the other and back again with a baffled expression on her face. Oh, and isn't her outfit adorable?!
I thought it was pretty spectacular until we went to the one at Washington Square Mall in Oregon this past week. This one was incredible and much more suited to Allie's age as well. It had an outdoor river theme with canoes, turtles, flowers and even a river running through it and all in vibrant colors. Allie had a blast! Alderwood pales in comparison.
The picture with the twins in the same outfit was really confusing for Allie. Jake said she'd just look from one to the other and back again with a baffled expression on her face. Oh, and isn't her outfit adorable?!
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