Random pics from last weekend.

Christmas

Ok, so not all of these presents are for Mia. But that super cool red kitchen and a few others are.

Like this wooden push duckie with leather, flappy feet.

And Elmo, who Mia calls Elmu.

Mia wanted to make hot dogs for Christmas breakfast.

Here she is figuring out the knobs turn and click.

Somebody woke up from her nap with major 'tude. Look at that face she's shooting over at Daddy!

Grammy and Grandpa show Mia how to rip into her presents. Have a feeling next year she'll be a pro at opening EVERYONE'S presents.

Showing off her new pots and pans from Uncle Corey and Aunt Liz to Abuela.

Chili being the ever so gracious host.

Helping mom sweep the floors after the party.

Mia was not feeling so well that day. We could hardly get her to eat anything - she was running a mild fever. We think this all could be chalked up to the 3 canine teeth she's getting at once. But not eating is a bad idea for a diabetic. We monitored her blood sugar throughout the day, which was low, scary low for us. Christmas ended up being pretty stressful.

It's so hard having a toddler with diabetes. Yes people say it's almost better that she won't ever know anything different, but at the same time, she's so young and does not understand her condition or how important it is to eat. And she certainly doesn't understand why Mom and Dad keep sticking her and giving shots. I think today was the first day she actually started to get upset at us for that. You can tell she's starting to wonder about things.

I posted this picture because, aside from the fact it's adorable, you can see Mia's right eye is slightly more closed than the other. Daddy has this same problem when he's had one too many beers. In Mia's case I've noticed this almost always happens when she is running low. We tested within a few minutes of taking this pic and she was 53. But still grinning.

Our goofy monkey.

Welcome to the World, Olivia Page Bigelow!

Keri and Jamie our now proud parents to little Olivia. After a long labor which resulted in a c-section, their beautiful baby girl was born Friday early evening, December 19th.

Keri is doing well, feeling better each day. The family will settle down at home tomorrow together. Congrats! Olivia is adorable, healthy and lovely and we are all so very happy for them. Oh and happy birthday to Keri tomorrow!

Took Mia to get her first haircut.

She was NOT a big fan of that, lol. I took her to this colorful place at International Mall for kids - they have little cars for them to sit in and TVs playing cartoons. I had to hold her though on my lap and she SCREAMED - like Linda Blair type stuff - the entire time. I was going to take her afterward for a pic with Santa, but decided we'd try that another time, like uh.....next year.

Poor girl has been through a lot these last few weeks and probably thought they were going to give her some shots, poke her, etc. She didn't know what to think. They did give me a certificate for her first haircut and envelope with her hair. And she looks freakin adorable. They trimmed her bangs and added some layers in the back, lol.

Back to the Zoo

Went to the zoo with the playgroup. Here is M with her buddy Ella, who is going to be a big sister in April.

These two were loving the views from the elephant bench.

Distant cousins of Chili.

100% sweet and getting her mid-morning snack.

Mia, what sound does an elephant make?

Dear Santa, please bring us a new camera.

Mia and the little Christmas elf.

Not amused.

Somebody can't get enough of the Christmas tree.

One of her favorite books. Too bad it got tossed in the tub just after this and fell apart.

Never by a Sony camera.

Yay for shatterproof ornaments.

Lights!!! Liiiiiiights!!!!

Taking it one day at a time.

Mia is sleeping - it's been a few weeks since she's gone down at a normal time and slept through the night. Poor girl has been through so much, but she's so tough and brings us all so much joy and laughter still everyday, singing and dancing and talking all day. I just want to hug her and squeeze her, I love her so much.

She's on Nuvalog now in addition to the Lantis. If her blood sugar is above 200 before lunch and dinner, she gets between 1 to 2.5 units, as well as her regular insulin in the morning. It breaks our hearts to have to give the injections and prick her little fingers throughout the day. She hardly cries at all though. In fact, she puts up much more of a fight trying to brush her teeth. Hates it.

Her numbers are finally leveling. We didn't have to give the dinner Nuvalog today because she was well within range, so we all did a happy dance. Anyway, I should go to bed. I'm running on empty and probably not making a whole lotta sense.

Sweetie Pie.

See these pictures? That's the face of the sweetest, bravest, most wonderful little girl on the planet. She's adapting well to the changes in her life. Mia holds out her finger without a fuss for finger sticks, and hardly cries for her lovebug bites. She's too busy being a curious toddler to even notice what's going on. Her latest thing is singing. Check back soon, I'm going to post some videos of her singing along to some of her favorite tunes. It's hilarious. I love her so much.

Our Journey with Juvenile Diabetes.

As soon as I figure out add a permanent link to this, I will. Blogger is giving me some problems with that right now. Anyway, here is another blog from Daddy:

http://type1daughter.blogspot.com/

Mia's got a little boo-boo.

Just wanted to let everyone know that we found out yesterday Mia has juvenile diabetes.

The last 2 - 3 weeks I noticed she's been very thirsty and soaking her diapers, extremely irritable and clingy. So I went to the pedi, more for peace of mind because I thought I was just being paranoid mom, but they tested her sugar and it was very high. Further testing showed she is most definitely diabetic and insulin-dependent. We spent 3 hours yesterday at the hopital with the best endocrinologist in Tampa, and with that they sent us home with a whole new way to care for our baby. I still can't believe it.

She needs a shot once in the morning (more as she grows) and several finger pricks a day to determine her sugar levels, as well as a structured diet of healthy complex carbs and balanced meals. Regular exercise and activity. It's not fun to poke her, she cries and I try my best not to too (don't want her to see Mommy upset), but we'll all adapt to this and soon it will be second nature for everyone. A piece of cake. And Pete is the best Dad ever - he loves his little girl so much. It just breaks our hearts. I'm hoping in her lifetime, and Corey's, we'll see a cure and an end to diabetes.

We go back next week and are taking classes once a month to learn everything we can, do everything we can to make absolutely sure she lives a long, productive, healthy, happy life. She's going to be fine. If anything, she's going to be one heck of a spoiled child, LOL. She'll get her pony! Anyway, send good thoughts her way. She is such a sweet little girl.

Here is a site with a lot of hope, promise and knowledge for children and families dealing with JD. There is a walk in Tampa next April, and we'll get everyone and anyone we know there to raise money for their cause. http://www.jdrf.org/

6 years

So today will be 6 years since my Mom died. I ran into someone this morning who had not seen me in a very long time and asked how she was doing, today of all days. This happens now and again - it's always so weird explaining that she is no longer with us. It doesn't make sense. The whole story - the whens and wheres and whys - still seems so bizarre and surreal. Anyway, with that I'd like to just say that I miss you Mom, and hope you are happy and in excellent company. I'm always thinking of you. Everyday.

Thanksgiving Fun

Watching the Macy's Day Parade with a tub of butter, does it get any better than that?

Kenya, you want some of this on your dog food?

Best buddies.

Pretty girl.

Not letting go of her butter. No way.

Mia goes down for a nap. Here are the old folks.

Chili is already worn out from playing with her cousin Izzy.

Kenya patiently waits for a piece of friend turkey.

Corey: Turkey Fryer Extraordinaire.

The spread: fried turkey, glazed ham, 2 sweet potato casseroles, green bean casserole, mac-n-cheese, cornbead casserole, stuffing, homemade cranberry sauce and about half a dozen different desserts.

Sitting down to enjoy our meal.

Mia has a new friend!

Our buddies John and Amanda have a little boy to bring home for Thanksgiving, Mason Lucious Rigby. Congrats to the new parents. Babies rock.