Smooth Operator

The boys had a terrific time at the beach this past week. Most of their days were spent playing with their two buddies Maddie and Sophie, exploring the beach, eating, napping, watching Disney movies (a new activity for them), collecting shells, and doing some sort of craft or thinking activity. Not bad for a two year old.

Tas and Chance both enjoyed "the girls" and were sad when they left before us. On Sophie's last night, Brian (her Dad) put on 101 Dalmatians as the after dinner entertainment. Wow - did this movie grab their attention to the point that they were asking for the "puppies" the next day.

During the 101 Dalmatians movie Sophie was sitting on Brian's lap. Tas decided that he wanted to sit up there too. At some point I noticed that Tas was rubbing Sophie's feet. Then, he leaned over like he was going to kiss her! I was sitting right next to them and said "Whoa Tas - what are you doing?" He never really answered me, but he did not kiss her and Brian said, "Heath you at least have to teach him not to make a move on a girl while she is siting on her Dad's lap!" The whole thing was very funny but made me realize that Tas is going to be a smooth operator. We'll have to keep our eye on him. As for Chance, he spent most of the week engineering things - making designs with shells, using shells to decorate our sand collages and other interesting things.

Sunday, we packed up our things and drove up to Kitty Hawk for a kite festival. This was very cool. There were all kinds of giant kites like an octopus, a crocodile (cocodrie) and several others.

Today, was back to work where we got some excellent news - we no lomger have to go do the diabetes daycare routine. the teachers feel comfortable enough doing this without us on days where things are going well - WOW!

Best Buddies

A few things have occurred to me since being at the Outer Banks:

1. The Outer Banks are just gorgeous espeically Avon. I don't really need to go anywhere else for a local beach vacation;

2. Tas and Chance have a really good life filled with lots of outdoor stimuli and adventure;

3. Heath is a great Dad and is very engaged with his family;

4. Tas adores Heath and loves the thrill of it all just like Heath;

5. Chance adores Mommy and feels very safe with her;

6. Tas and Chance are best buddies and hopefully always will be. I can't help thinking how lucky they are to have each other as playmates and friends. This evening, we were walking back from a late afternoon frolic at the beach. Heath was carrying our friend's heavy tent, the boys chairs and a beach backback. I was carrying our chairs, my beach bag and their sand toys. Neither one of us had a free hand. In order to get from our house to the beach, we have to walk over a large sand dune. While good exercise for us, definitely a tough hike for a 2 year old. Most days, I have carried Chance over this dune. Today, I couldn't.

Heath and I forged forward figuring that we would get all our gear over the dune and then go back to carry them if needed. As I walked back to check on them a vision appeared. Tas and Chance were coming over the dune holding hands. I can only assume that Chance was scared or intimidated to go over and Tas reached out and took his hand. It was a beautiful site. One I could only capture in my mind since I didn't have a camera with me. The lighting at 6pm was beautiful and they had a warm glow on them. How special this moment was for me. I don't think I will ever forget it.

We do have some great shots of the boys. Our internet connection in the beach house is slow tonight so we'll try uploading tomorrow

6 Adults, 4 Two-Year Olds and 3 Dogs in Avon, NC

Today, was day two of our 2010 beach trip. Yesterday, most of the day was spent traveling. We took the ferry to Okracoke and saw their 4 th of July parade then took the ferry to Hatteras.

The photos are from our time on the beach today. Our house is very nice, is on the beach and in a great section of Avon. We are here with the our friends the Dexters and Penlands whom we know from SAS daycare where their daughters Sophie and Maddie go.

The boys are having a great time so far. They keep

asking for "more boat" meaning the ferry ride. I told them that Aunt Lala and Uncle Charles have a boat that they can ride on at the lake in a week, but no more boat this week. They also keep asking for more Jimmy Buffet music, which makes Heath smile.

The interesting thing about today was the boys interests on the beach. Chance was classic Chance - picking up all the shells and examining them, collecting them in his beach pail and using them this afternoon to decorate the "beach collage" that we made. He could literially spend hours doing this stuff.

Tas on the other hand wanted to play in the water with Dad and be footloose and fancy free on the beach. One thing is for sure - they LOVE the beach!

I am exhausted tonight from being outside most of the day. Beach in the morning, bike ride around mid-day and then beach in the late afternoon, which is my FAVORITE time of the day on the sand. By far my favorite activity was the beach time this afternoon and the family shower that followed.

The photo of Tas is by our beach collage. I would build the hoodoos and Chance would decorate them with shells he was collecting. How sweet.

Since I am falling asleep at my computer, it is time for bed.

So far our trip with 6 adults, 4 two year olds and 3 dogs is going great!

Oh What a Night (Month)

I am not sure what we have been doing that is keeping so busy, but I suspect it has something to do with our two sons. Last night, was the epitome of diabetes and 2 year old craziness.

Chance's numbers have been elevated for the past few weeks. At first, we thought this was due to an ear infection, but his BG levels have neve really come down after the infection. His average BG is now 203 up from 175 just a month ago.

Last night, Chance was high at dinner and then was 423 when I checked him at 10:30pm - gasp! We deducted that his pump site went bad and this was causing the high. Prior to this, over the last three days, we had been able to get his numbers back in the 150-175 range by doing a temp basal increase of 10%. I made the mistake of bolusing him on the bad site, then realized it was a site issue.

So I went into the kitchen and told Heath about the BG reading and the bad site. We determined that our only option was to change the site. So we quietly went into the boys rooms with our flashlights and new site paraphrenalia. Heath held the flashlight ad acted as moral support while I cleansed the site area and inserted the new site. To my surprise Chance did NOT wake up! The site looked good and we were on our way.

At 2am, I woke up to do a blood test to make sure Chance was coming down from the 423 and had the expectations of having to do a second bolus. I quietly entered the room with my mini-flashlight, cleansed Chance's finger with an alcohol swab, pricked it - and WOW he was 98! I scatched my head and thought how is this possible? Then, I looked down at the little man I had pricked and realized it was Tas! The boys had changed positions in their beds so Tas was close to the outside instead of Chance! So I redid the whole routine. I wiped Chance's little finger, pricked it and he was 250. In disbelief from testing Tas, I gave Chance a bolus and went back to sleep.

At 4am, Gibson who decided he was sleeping in his kennel last night, started barking probably at a small animal. His barking was very loud since we had all our windows open. Heath got up and brought him in.

At 5:45am, Chance started crying becasue Tas was infringing on his sleep space and he was still a little high requiring yet another bolus.

At 7:15am, amazingly - Chance woke up at 168 - phew!

Tonight, Heath and I did a major analysis of Chance's numbers and his total daily dose (TDD). We implemented some significant changes, which I really think will help. We took a very scientific approach and increased Chance's TDD by 10%, what the nurse at Dr. Lagarde's was recommending. Another change we are implementing is changing the site every other day. It doesn't appear that his site is making it through three days.

Tomorrow, we pack all our stuff and Sunday, we head to the beach for a week in Avon, NC! Yay!

Buzz Cuts

The photos explain themselves. Tas and Chance got their first buzz cuts this weekend. Also, included is a photo of Heath when he got his first buzz cut. Our punkins aren't babies anymore.

Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day to all the fathers in our lives. Father's play a special role in the family. Sometimes, I think they are overshadowed by the role of the Mother so I think it is especially important to recognize them today. Thank you to Marshall, Ralph (my Dad), Uncle Charles and Uncle Bob for being such wonderful Dad's and for being so kind and loving to our boys! Now, I will turn my blog over to Tas and Chance so they can write Heath a special Father's Day message.

Dear Dada,

We adore you! You are our hero everyday! We really enjoy all the things we do together like camping, horsey rides, building houses with blocks and legos, hiking, eating, playing in the yard, sitting by campfires, swimming, road trips, photos by state signs, going to National Parks, Camp Clayton, play dates, and many other fun activities.

We thank you for teaching us to be strong and independant boys. We even appreciate your discipline so we will grow up to be fine young members of society. We know parenting is hard work and can sometimes be difficult, but somehow you always manage to be strong like a Dad should.

We love you!

Happy Dada's Day!

XOXO

Tas and Chance

No Pacie, More Hot Sauce

Three days later and we're still sleeping - yay!

The other change that occurred while I was away last weekend was that Tas involuntarily gave up his pacie. This was something that I never thought would happen without a big struggle. I envisioned that Tas would be scarred for life so I always gave into the pacie request.

It has been a week now and we all have survived. Tas has asked several times for his pacie, but, each time I tell him that the pacies are all gone. That the pacie fairy came and took them all and gave them to a baby who needed them. This answer seems to suffice. I told Heath I did not want to know where the pacies were so I wouldn't be temped to give in. When I thanked Heath last night for taking care of the pacie issue, he let on that it was really Carita's doing. So Carita - thank you! When Tas gets older and has beautiful, straight teeth, I will let him know that his Mim was looking out for him.

Last night, we went to the Loop with the boys for our sausage, mushroom, onion and cilantro pizza. Heath and I enjoyed it and the boys just picked. We learned that we are probably better off with plain cheese for them so they'll eat more. During dinner, Chance inquired about the tabasco sauce on the table since Heath was putting it on his pizza. He wanted to taste it. Heath let him know it was hot and spicy and put a drop on his plate. What happeded next was hysterical. Chance took his little finger and dipped it in the sauce. Then, he licked it and shuddered at the taste. Heath told him to drink milk and take a bite of pizza so he did. Next thing we know, he is sticking his finger in again saying he wants more followed by the same shudder, same sip of milk, same bite of pizza. This scenario played out several times until we determined that we should cut him off so he doesn't get a stomach ache.

After our pizza dinner, I went to see Sex and the City 2. The entire theater was filled with women. This is a chick flick through and through. Good summer entertainment but they should probably quit while they're ahead and not do a Sex and the City 3.

TGIF!