Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Some of what you've missed

The kids are on spring break this week.

And sadly, all of Joseph's friends are out of town, making for a somewhat quiet few days.

To remedy this situation, we're heading out tomorrow for an impromptu visit to Chicago. Three days of traipsing around our old neighborhood, of taking in some sights... Millennium Park, the Art Institute, the Lincoln Park Zoo. Oh yes, and eating awesome Thai food, maybe some sushi.

It's gonna be great.

Now, while I'm here... I realize my posting has fallen way the heck off. And I'm sorry.

Really.

I can't make any promises, but if you're still out there reading, I will try to post more often.

In the meantime, a few short updates:

The shoulder is better -- much better. Not a hundred percent, but I made about 20 "backboard shots" playing one-on-one with Joseph on our driveway yesterday.

So, yeah.

The job has been crazy, but still pretty great.

Parenting a teenager has been a learning experience for us all. Sometimes it feels like I'm parenting two teenagers, Evan is just that savvy.

And then there's the diabetes.

Still there, still throwing us curves every once in a while. But (thankfully) nothing like it did this past fall.

Joseph continues to take ownership of more and more of his diabetes management. Last night, for example, when he finished eating a big plate of pesto pasta, he got up and cleared his plate while Ryan, Evan and I were all still eating. I turned to remind him to bolus, but before the words got out of my mouth, I saw him leaning over the kitchen counter, diabetes supplies laid out in front of him.

"What are you doing, Bud?"

"Oh, it's a set change day... I'm just gonna put in a new set before I bolus."

"Good thinking, Bud-- nice job."

"Mom, I'm getting pretty good at this stuff, you know."

"Yes, you are," I said. "And I'm getting pretty good at sitting on my hands."

At that, his head came right up-- and then, flashing me that wonderful grin of his:

"Yes-- yes, you are."

To fill in still more gaps, I thought I'd share some images/a bit of video footage from this fall and winter -- for example, giving you all a glimpse of what the kids wore on Halloween, a peek at some night sledding on this year's backyard hill, my fabulous makeover... and really, just how much the kids have grown over the last six months.

Enjoy!




16 comments:

Anonymous said...

Have fun in Chicago, Sandra! I love your video!!! Such beautiful children!

Karen

Kerri. said...

I always love when you post, Sandra! Thanks for catching us up on what's been going on!

Unknown said...

LOL...loved the makeover! the barbie line-up on the back of the couch .... and LOVE the boys jamming out in the car.

Thank you so much for sharing. Your family is beautiful.

phonelady said...

what a beautiful family and hope you have a wonderful time .

Anonymous said...

Glad your feeling better can't wait for your posts.

Mel

Nicole P said...

Wow! That's a lot of barettes! :) Love that you are doing so well. And I look forward to seeing you here... xoxo Hugs to the kids for me.

connie said...

I loved that video! Thank you for sharing it with us, you have a beautiful family.

Bernard said...

Sandra, thanks for such a fun video. I especially like your outfit at the end, you're so classy.

Happy spring, I'm hoping we'll meet again later in the year.

Scott K. Johnson said...

What a fun video! It really made me grin!

And you know what - you should not feel any pressure to post more often (of course, we would LOVE it). Life is busy, and you should never feel stressed about "getting a post up". :-)

Penny Ratzlaff said...

Sandra,

So good to hear from you again. Been following your blog for 4 1/2 years now and it's always so nice to see your kids again and get an update.

I can't believe how big they both are. Keep the posts coming when you feel like it. Just before I looked at your blog was thinking I should write a post too. Don't know why it's become so hard to do.

Pam K said...

I'm glad I found your blog. My son was diagnosed at 2, and we're coming up on our one year mark in a couple of weeks. It's nice to see other people handling it, and I get a glimpse of what's coming as he gets older. Thanks.

Anonymous said...

Sure I am still reading! Please keep posting!

Anonymous said...

Loved it Sandra!

Kylee had her walk today in Missoula, MT...raised a ton of money!

hugs
xoxoxoxo

Donna

Enav said...

Hello,

I read your post and totaly understand u. my son, diabetic too, he is 6 1/2 years old, and we are "sweet" for more then 5 years. we live in Israel now, but we just came back from 1 year in Chicago, Hyde park.I wish we knew you before. I LOOKED UP FOR DIABETIC NEW FREINDS THERE, BUT COULDN'T FIND...I just opened a blog too about it but in Hebrew... so... I totaly with you!!
have a wonderfull week.

Anonymous said...

Sandra,
I am not sure how I found your blog, but I have to tell you that it feels good to read about someone else that is going through similar situations as myself. My son is 14 years old and was diagnosed Jan. 09 with type 1. He was placed on the pump Oct. 09 and had been doing awesome until with his sugars until Jan. 2010. Hia last A1C was 9.2 and I just about cried. I think he has just come to realize that this is for life and he wants no part of it. I am trying to convince him to try the camp out this summer so he can meet other kids his age with the same situation, but he wants no part in that either. I am not sure how to go about this weather I should make him go anyway or take him off the pump which I am not sure if that will help either. He is also sneeking snacks like your son was and not taking anything for it and also only checking his sugars about 3 times a day unless I am on him which he hates. How has you situation worked out. Do you have any suggestions.

Karen DeVeaux said...

Good for you on sitting on your hands! That's always tough to do.