Christmas magic!

What a difference two fun loving toddlers can make at Christmas. It is truly magical and the punkins are little miracles. They had the best Christmas thanks to all the love and presents they received from our families and from Santa. How special too to have Mim and Granddaddy with us to celebrate!

We went to Aunt LaLa and Uncle Charles' house for a lovely Christmas Eve. They showered them with all kind of fun gifts including two huge Tonka trucks for the sandbox, two electronic keyboards to explore their musical talents, matchbox cars, and other googies. Then, Santa made a visit to our house and left two trykes, legos, matcbox cars, puppets, books and other toys.

The next morning, we had the video camera rolling. The punkins ran into the room with all the gifts and ran right to the kitchen table to eat a hearty meal first. They really enjoyed opening all their gifts, which were nicely left in the beautiful wooden toy chests from their Nana Fiero and Grandma and Grandpa Fiero. The boxes were definitely a hit and still are. They are a perfect size for the boys to sit in them and play. One other notable popular gift is the teepee and tent set from Aunt Heidi and the Jakob crew. Tas' favorite book is his Elmo potty book. He points to it and says "Elmo".

Christmas is a magical time of the year!

Grove Park Inn

What a delightful holiday week it has been. Heath and I are currently at the Grove Park Inn for a 2 night retreat. I must admit though, the four days leading up to this and then actually leaving, were filled with enromous stress and worry for me. This is the first time we have left the boys since Chance's diagnosis. That first night in the hospital, a doctor with a diabetic son told me that Chance and I would be bound together until Chance could one day manage this himself. I now understand what he meant. It is good to know though, that we can get away while the boys are being well cared for and getting lots of love from Mim, Granddaddy, Aunt LaLa, Uncle Charles, and Amanda. Thank you all for making this possible!!

The first night, we had a decadent dinner at GPI's Horizon's restaurant. This was a world class dining experience! We brought a world class bottle of Freemark Abbey wine to enjoy as well. Ralph the server was outstanding. Yesterday, we had a leisurely day. Ate a big breakfast, overlooking the Blue Ridge Mountains, strolled around in downtown Asheville in the abundance of art galleries, dined at the Biltmore historic Stable cafe and then did the candlelight Biltmore Christmas tour. For me, this fulfilled a long time item on the "want to do" list. Today, we'll eat more and hike if it is not too cold. It is quite cold here. My new down jacket has served me well - thanks Momma!

'Tis the Season for Ear and Sinus Infections

Bah humbug! This has not been a good week so far in terms of health for the Clayton household. Heath and I both have sinus infections and are on antibiotics. I also have a wicked ear infection, which has left me with very little hearing in my right ear and continuous pain. Today, I gave in and went back to the doc whom put me on prednisone - a strong oral steroid - to help clear it up. A bit of a downer to be this sick so close to Christmas, but I am optimistic that both Heath and I will feel better by Christmas Eve.

This is a big Christmas for us since it is the first Christmas where the boys will sort of get it. Santa will come and deliver trikes, blocks, logs, puppets and an assortment of other goodies. The boys will also get toy chests (a gift from their grandparents) so they each can begin their own sense of self AND cleaning up their own mess. This should be interesting.

On a very positive note, Carita and Marshall arrived last night. They are wonderful and we're soooo happy they are here as are our boys. Let's hope and pray that the rest of the Christmas season will be a healthy one for us and that I can hear by Thursday. Tas and Chance continue to say Ho, Ho, Ho every time they see a Santa or Christmas lights. This has me wondering what we will do after Christmas.

Oskar

Oskar is a two year boy who has type 1 diabetes. Oskar has a brother Gunner and delightful parents Andy and Fredrik. We spent time with Oskar and his family today. I met Fredrik at Dr. Lagarde's office. We really enjoyed getting to know them better. We tested Oskar and Chance's blood at the same time so they could see that there are other kids who have diabetes. Chance enjoyed checking out all the cool toys at Oskar's house. Tas enjoyed opening all their cabinets, spraying their household cleaners, and exploring all the nooks and crannies of their home. It is great to talk to other parents. We are not alone in this.

Tonight, Aunt LaLa and Uncle Cha came over to give us a break for a few hours so we could attend our neighbors holiday party.

A Christmas Carol

On Tuesday, Heath and I went to see A Christmas Carol at the Raleigh Memorial Auditorium - the Lincoln Center of Raleigh, NC. Ira David Wood does this production every year and does a fantastic job with it. It is very entertaining and they try to weave in current events so there was mention of Tiger and H1N1. It was a lovely evening out for me and Heath.

What really struck me about the show was that several of our friends children were in it. Last year, we didn't make it out due to illnesses with our kids so it had been 2 years since we went. The last time we went, our friend's kids played the roles of children in the show. This year some of them played more of an adult role - especially our friend Mark's son Matt. Kids grow up so fast it seems. One day they have food all over their faces and the next they're playing the role of an adult in a theatrical production. I guess the message is love your kids, cherish every moment with them and don't wish for time to go buy any faster than it already does.

Matt - if you're reading this - awesome job!

We're Not Alone

We are doing a play date and lunch with a couple who lives just down the road on Saturday. I am very excited about this becasue they have a son Oskar who was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes right around the same time as Chance. I think this activity will really help Chance to see that he is not alone and we can compare experiences with his parents - Andy and Fredrik. I am really looking forward to meeting all of them. I met Fredrik at a diabetes education class last week.

Tonight, Heath and I are headed out for dinner and to see the Christmas Carol show in downtonw Raleigh. Can't wait!

Ho Ho Ho and a Bottle of Rum

Saturday, we hosted our annual Christmas party. It was a lovely event and a great time was had by all. We hired the Jim Ferris Jazz Duo, which was FANTASTIC!! Everyone at the party commented on how excellent they were. The boys slept peacefully in the nursery, which astounded most of our guests. I think this is a good practice that Heath advocated. Make plenty of noise in the house when the boys are sleeping so they are used to having noise and don't wake at every little sound.

Today, was the daycare holiday party. This party had music too. Nell, the music teacher came in and played a whole bunch of holiday songs including Dradle, Dradle, Dradle; Rudolf the Rednosed Reindeer; Jingle Bells and others. It was very fun to see the boys interact with the teacher. Chance clapped and said "Yeah" each time Nell sang a song. It was very sweet. The boys have changed so much over the past year. I couldn't help but think about how they were at last year's holiday party.

Tonight, when we got home, the boys ran over to our next door neighbors house, which was all decorated with lights. They were looking at the lights going "Ho Ho Ho". I am not sure if they get the whole Christmas thing, but they certainly love all the lights and Christmas trees. It is a magical time of the year.

My Little Laundry Helper

Tas has a new favorite pastime - doing laundry or "bubbles" as he calls it. He is quite good at doing the laundry. He'll make sure everything gets from the basket to the "bubbles" (washer). Then, when the laundry is done, he'll unload it all and pass it to me so I can put it in the dryer without having to bend over. All while doing this he chats to himself in a very important manner like he is taking this laundry very seriously.

While Tas is doing laundry, Chance is usually building something impressive with the legos.

Heath and I are preparing for our annual Christmas party tomorrow night. We should have about 50-100 people all decked out and ready to celebrate the holiday season. This is always a fun event.

Not much new on the diabetes front, except that I took a "Taking Charge of Diabetes" class, which was very informative. Like the titles states, it is time for Heath and I to take change of Chance's care, which includes making some decisions for ourselves on insulin levels. We've graduated and are moving on to the next level.

Chance's Best Day Ever

Chance was in range 100% of the time today. After 2 weeks of very erratic numbers - lots of highs and lows, something worked today and the stars aligned. Interestingly enough, Dr. Lagarde changed his blood sugar correction factor this evening because I faxed in the erratic numbers. I thought this deserved it's own post since this is so monumental.

A Merry Little Weekend

The Clayton's kicked officially kicked off the holiday season this past weekend. We visited Santa's workshop, which did not go over too well with Chance. Let's just say I thanked Santa and removed the boys from the Santa area. We did the Victorian Christmas at the Page Walker House - a wonderful holiday event. I highly recommend this as an annual family activity. Then, on Sunday, we did the New Hill Christmas train - the steam one. This is a REALLY cool Christmas activity to do with little boys. The boys hung over the side of the train and chanted train, train, choo, choo! There was a Santa on the train, whom was much more well received than the workshop one. Maybe the venue was more relaxing.

The real excitement came when we put up our tree yesterday. I am sure the boys were thinking, what is this tree doing in our house? This morning, I lit the lights for the first time. Tas sprang from his breakfast chair and chanted tree, tree! He was so excited. Chance would have gotten up, but I had strapped him into his high chair. I had them put a few decorations on to get their buy in to hanging things on the tree. Tonight, I decorated the rest of the tree so it will be interesting to see their reaction in the morning.

Christmas with little ones is really special. This year they are really experiencing this for the first time and are so engaged. This is how we should all live our lives.

'Tis the Season to be Grateful

I believe the Christmas season should be a time of selflessness, giving and being grateful for the things we have, most importantly friends and family. I think sometimes people lose sight of the things that are really important to them and get caught up in day to day activities and situations. Giving should be personal. We should give from the heart. We should be thankful for all the kind things that people do for us, the gifts we receive, and all the things that we have and don't have.

This has been a week of ups and downs for us. Wednesday night, I had an enjoyable night out with the twins Mom's. Yesterday, Chance crashed at daycare with a 44. This blew our minds, especially the teachers. One minute, he was smiling, the next he lie on the floor out of energy - literally. Luckily, we acted quickly. Today, Chance was 387 after his nap and needed an extra insulin shot. Tonight, I saw Jonathan Byrd, a favorite singer song writer while celebrating with a close friend that she was done with radiation treatment. Done with treatment, but not totally free of her breast cancer ordeal. I am thankful though that her treatment is going well and she is alive. I am thankful that I have two wonderful sons. I am thankful that I am their Mom.

You've Got a Friend in Me

What has truly amazed me about parenthood is the signigicant role that friends have played. I don't think I ever truly appreciated my friends as much as I have in the last two years. Friends are there for the long haul and have an amazing talent for doing a kind act that impacts your whole being.

Last night, our dear frineds Rob and Margaret brought us a wonderful dinner and an adorable Noah's Ark pillow they bought in Williamsburg. What a splendid meal it was - smoked pork from Williamsburg, homemade coleslaw, roasted sweet potatoes and butternut squash, AND for dessert - - -homemade, DELICIOUS rum raisin apple pie - WOW! Now that is a special treat. Our normal dinners most nights consist of searching through the refridgerator for leftovers and pulling something together quick.

We drank good wine and really enjoyed the evening with Rob and Margaret. It reminded us of old times - when we were without a care or worry in the world.

Our bliss came to an end at 10:30 when we did Chance's blood check and he was at 64. This is not dangerously low, but low enough that we gave him carbs and set the alarm for a 2 am check. At 1:30 am the Chance alarm went off. Heath went down and he was 69. He gave him 4 more oz. of milk, which would get him through the rest of the night.

I mention this scenario not to be a bummer, but as a lesson. Diabetes management is about proactively managing blood sugar levels and using insulin to control and regulate this as much as possible. Chance was high after his afternoon nap (defined as over 300), was high at dinner, and as a result, he didn't eat much, had a corerction and crashed a few hours later. I think we can do a better job at managing this going forward.

However, even low on sleep, Heath and I still woke up with a smile on our faces this morning due to the kindness of Rob and Margaret!