Boys in school!

I am one proud momma today as both boys headed to school. Tommy started Chinese Immersion kindergarten and Sammy started preschool!! I can't believe my boys are that old already. They both did such a good job and were so ready! I can't wait to see them at the end of the day and hear about their days!

I printed pictures for each of them along with a special note so they had something from mom and dad for their days and we were with them :-) They didn't need it, but Mom did. It was a rough morning for me as I watched my boys take this giant leap. I am so proud of both of them!!!!!

Smoke and smells

Happy New Year everyone! So...we are extremely happy that 2013 is over. My motto for last year - it could be worse. Some of you may know - Monday evening we got home from work to a house full of smoke. Scared to death we looked for whatever was on fire. Found nothing visible but called 911 and got out of the house. Apparently the furnace malfunctioned and burned up from the inside - melting plastic and parts and spreading a horrible smell through the entire house and all of our stuff. We spent Monday and Tuesday night at a hotel and today move to a long stay hotel for a few weeks while they are hopefully able to clean all of our belongings. Everyone is ok. Just displaced and trying to see if everything can be cleaned, replaced. It could be worse - we could have been home, sleeping...it could have burned everything...we could have gotten hurt.

Both boys are doing well. They are doing ok considering we had to leave all of their brand new toys in a house that we don't know if it can be cleaned. Tommy is doing well with his diabetes - he's adjusted pretty well and does a good job most days. Again, it could be worse.

We'll try to update as we can.

More Halloween

Spooky ghost and Optimus Prime! Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween

There will be more pictures to come, but here's a preview of some Halloween pics

Happy Halloween!

Hi everyone. I just wanted to get on here and give another quick update and keep everyone in the loop. The last couple of weeks has been an absolute 180 in our lives. From getting Tommy's diagnosis, the hospital stay, the doctors appointments, and all of the adjustments we have made. Our children truly are amazing. Tommy is doing great. He is going through what is called a 'honeymoon' phase now, kind of the pancreas's last stint. His numbers have been all over the place the last couple of days. We are tracking closely and adjusting with our doctors to try to get on top of things again. He really is amazing. I know I wouldn't have been able to handle this as well as he has been. He is so incredibly brave and so smart. He is already asking how many carb choices and carbs are in things. He knows he has to have a shot in order to eat his meal. He holds the glucometer himself and is telling us the numbers. He is figuring out how he is feeling when he goes low. He can still eat anything he wants -- he/we just has to plan a little bit better so we can include things with his meal with the insulin. He gets 4 shots a day, and at least the same amount of finger pricks. He barely even cries now and most of the time doesn't even feel it. :-) The power of incentive parenting! Good job means a check mark and so many check marks gets him a new video game or toy :-) He's loving that!

Poor little Sammy is a little confused yet, but he knows that Tommy has to have his shots and even told him the other day he thought he was doing a good job. He seems to have grown up a lot the last couple of weeks as well. He is a very strong little man. My children truly do amaze me.

We are all adjusting to our new lifestyle. I'm back to work now. John has been back to work for a while now. Sammy and Tommy are back in daycare and Tommy is going to school just fine. Both kids are enjoying this time of year and are looking forward to trick and treating :-)

Thank you again for all of your love and support. We really are lucky to have such wonderful friends and family.

Tommy update

I just realized that I updated when we were in icu but haven't done anything recently. Tommy was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes on Thursday 10-10. We were sent to Peds ICU to lower his sugars. He was released on Friday 10-11 and we were sent down to Park Nicollet to meet with a pediatric endocrinologist. For the last week there has been a flurry of doctors appointments, dietician appointments, and adjustments. Tommy is now getting 4 shots a day in addition to blood glucose checks at least 4 times a day with finger pricks and as needed if he feels low or weird. We are slowly returning to normal...although he is very scared to be away from mom or dad so that is a slow process. He really is doing amazing though...its a lot for a little kid. Hell, its a lot for me and John. I'm having a hard time because I can't take this away and can't make it better like Mommy's are supposed to. My brain knows I'm doing everything I can, but my heart is having a hard time. For now though, things are going well and he is amazing us again with his braveness and courage.

Tommy

Some of you may know this already but for those that don't. We currently in Peds ICU at St Cloud Hospital for Tommy. We went to the dr yesterday where he was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. We were then sent to the ICU to get admitted and try to get his sugars under control. He got an IV and lab work, which were both very traumatic  for both him and Mom and Dad. It's torture to see him in pain - but for now that part is done...until the next lab draw. :-(  He is doing well now but lots of adjustments for us and him going forward. I will try to update when I can