Any parents that work outside of the home and have children that aren't in school yet, know what a nightmare finding good childcare can be. With Tate, we have been truly blessed.
About 18 years ago, I was coaching JV softball at Loveland High School. That is where I first met Tate's babysitter, Danielle. She was a freshman or sophomore on my team. I only coached one year, so after that, we kept in touch a little bit for a little while. But years went by with no communication or contact. Then we reconnected on facebook when I was pregnant with Tate. I noticed that she had in home childcare. I asked if she would be interested in watching Tate. Of course, she said yes.
Since day one, we have been nothing but happy with Danielle. Tate loves her and loves going to her house. When we found out that Tate had Diabetes, one of my first thoughts was how would Danielle be able to do this. It took a little while for me to process the idea that she might not do it at all. Then I became terrified!!! However, I don't think she ever even considered not continuing watching him. While we were in the hospital, she came to see him and to learn a little bit about his diabetes and what to do. The nurses were so impressed and commented on how lucky we were to have someone who cared so much about him. They said they don't see that happen very often.
Over the next two weeks Brian and I took turns staying home with Tate until my 2 week Christmas break. That would give us a month to figure this out and teach Danielle. She came to our house and spent hours with us counting carbs, measuring insulin, learning how to give shots, where to give shots, how to hold him so he stays still, going through the "what-ifs..." By January 5th, when I returned to work, she was ready. I was so nervous. I told her how I felt and assured her that I wasn't nervous because it was her, but just because it wasn't me. It is so scary to hand your baby off to anyone under these circumstances.
It has almost been a month that he has been back to Danielle's house. She has done an amazing job. She texts me every time she checks his glucose level and every time he eats. She tells me what she is going to do. She always knows what to do. ALWAYS! I am so blessed. I can't even put into words how I feel. God is so good to us.
I believe God puts people in our lives for a reason. Sometimes we will never know the reason. I know why God put her in my life 18 years ago. She is here for Tate. She loves him as her own child. She would do anything for him...ANYTHING! It doesn't get any better than that!
So, our blessing is Danielle. Thank you God for placing her in our lives! We will forever be grateful! Thank you, Danielle! We love you, and will forever be grateful to you, too!
Saturday, January 31, 2015
Sunday, January 25, 2015
Team Work
Tate is doing great! His glucose levels are usually pretty consistent and in his range most of the time. He doesn't cry about his finger pricks or getting shots. He doesn't cry for certain foods anymore. He wears a medical alert bracelet with trains on it and can tell you why he wears it:)
I've learned so much in the past 7 weeks that I didn't think it was possible to fit anymore into my brain. But, going through all of this takes me way back to my days of playing sports. I believe that there is so much to learn about life through sports. I didn't see this as a kid while I was playing, but as an adult, I do see it and I try to teach my kids through sports, as well. For those of you who know me well, know how competitive I am. I love a competition, and I love winning. I don't like to lose, but when I do, I do it with good sportsmanship. Brian is the same way. When we compete, it is best we are on the same team:)
Well...we are on the same team in this journey...TEAM TATE. We have to work together to get through this and to take the best care of Tate. There are times where Brian has made a mistake (I have, too) and I have to tell myself that it is ok. I even have to tell him that, too. We talk through it and figure it out together. We are team mates and we have to pick each other up when we are down or when we need some encouraging. If we place blame on each other, we are not helping each other, or helping Tate. We win together, lose together, make mistakes together, rely on each other. I feel like we have only gotten stronger as a family because of all of this. We rely on each other more now than ever before, and that is the blessing I find today.
Thank you for your prayers!
I've learned so much in the past 7 weeks that I didn't think it was possible to fit anymore into my brain. But, going through all of this takes me way back to my days of playing sports. I believe that there is so much to learn about life through sports. I didn't see this as a kid while I was playing, but as an adult, I do see it and I try to teach my kids through sports, as well. For those of you who know me well, know how competitive I am. I love a competition, and I love winning. I don't like to lose, but when I do, I do it with good sportsmanship. Brian is the same way. When we compete, it is best we are on the same team:)
Well...we are on the same team in this journey...TEAM TATE. We have to work together to get through this and to take the best care of Tate. There are times where Brian has made a mistake (I have, too) and I have to tell myself that it is ok. I even have to tell him that, too. We talk through it and figure it out together. We are team mates and we have to pick each other up when we are down or when we need some encouraging. If we place blame on each other, we are not helping each other, or helping Tate. We win together, lose together, make mistakes together, rely on each other. I feel like we have only gotten stronger as a family because of all of this. We rely on each other more now than ever before, and that is the blessing I find today.
Thank you for your prayers!
Sunday, January 11, 2015
Tate's Journey
Tate, Brian, and I spent 3 days in Children's Hospital learning how to take care of Tate. We are so blessed to have Cincinnati Children's right here so close to us. Everyone there was wonderful!!!! Brian and I learned so much in those 3 days. We still don't know everything. There are so many "what-ifs" and judgement calls to make.
Tate gets his finger pricked every three hours to check his glucose level. On a good day, he will only have to get 5 insulin injects...breakfast, lunch, dinner, bedtime snack, and a 24 hour insulin shot. Some days he has more than that if his glucose level is too high when we check. When we first came home, he was getting injections almost every 3 hours...every time we checked him. The first time he had a normal glucose number, Brian and I weren't sure what to do...LOL. His numbers are much better now and his days are usually "good" ones.
He is a champ. The finger pricks don't bother him at all. Never have. In the beginning the shots made him cry, but not for long. He cried more before hand in anticipation of getting one. Now he doesn't cry at all. He squirms and makes it difficult for us to give it to him, but doesn't cry. It is amazing. When we first came home, the hardest part was limiting his snacks that had carbs in them. He didn't understand why he couldn't have fruit snacks right now. That is when he cried and threw fits. It is amazing how quickly a 2 year old will adjust. Within a few days, he knew he couldn't have them whenever he wanted. We would give them to him when he was getting a shot anyway. Now...5 weeks later...he doesn't even ask for them. When we ask him what he wants for snack, he says things like cheese, peppers, tomatoes, peanuts, pistachios. What 2 year old asks for that? It's a good thing he likes a variety of foods!
Thank you for all of your prayers for Tate and our family. We really appreciate them and need them!
Tate gets his finger pricked every three hours to check his glucose level. On a good day, he will only have to get 5 insulin injects...breakfast, lunch, dinner, bedtime snack, and a 24 hour insulin shot. Some days he has more than that if his glucose level is too high when we check. When we first came home, he was getting injections almost every 3 hours...every time we checked him. The first time he had a normal glucose number, Brian and I weren't sure what to do...LOL. His numbers are much better now and his days are usually "good" ones.
He is a champ. The finger pricks don't bother him at all. Never have. In the beginning the shots made him cry, but not for long. He cried more before hand in anticipation of getting one. Now he doesn't cry at all. He squirms and makes it difficult for us to give it to him, but doesn't cry. It is amazing. When we first came home, the hardest part was limiting his snacks that had carbs in them. He didn't understand why he couldn't have fruit snacks right now. That is when he cried and threw fits. It is amazing how quickly a 2 year old will adjust. Within a few days, he knew he couldn't have them whenever he wanted. We would give them to him when he was getting a shot anyway. Now...5 weeks later...he doesn't even ask for them. When we ask him what he wants for snack, he says things like cheese, peppers, tomatoes, peanuts, pistachios. What 2 year old asks for that? It's a good thing he likes a variety of foods!
Thank you for all of your prayers for Tate and our family. We really appreciate them and need them!
Tuesday, January 6, 2015
Tate's Journey
A little over a month ago, on December 2, 2014, Tate was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. The most frequent question I get is, "How did you know?" Tate was drinking and peeing EXCESSIVELY, especially during the night. He is normally a great sleeper, but he kept waking up asking for a drink. He would pee through a nighttime diaper is less than 2 hours. His mouth was so dry that he wouldn't even want to use his pacifier. Finally, on December 2, I took him to the doctor knowing that there was a possibility that he had diabetes. He tested positive in the pediatrician's office. We went to Children's late that afternoon for a 3 day stay. It was very scary...all of the unknowns running through my mind. I felt bad for him, knowing that he was going to have to take insulin for the rest of his life, knowing that he was going to have to have many shots everyday, and prick his finger multiple times a day, as well. At the same time, I knew that he had it, and we had to deal with it. There was no looking back, only ahead. God was with us and had chosen Tate for a reason. I would find the blessings in this journey.
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