Youngest Daughter - (Growing Like A Weed)

Youngest daughter a year before diagnosis at a friend's birthday party

I have been doing some reflecting lately.

Things have once again been changing over here in the Naturally Sweet Sister household.  Nothing too obvious but more like the subtle changes that only a mother would see.

I  see that change happening to youngest daughter.

It is that magical age of growth, physically and emotionally, that happens to most little girls right around 4th grade.

She is taller, smarter, sillier and with a sharper sense of self than ever before.

In type 1 diabetes world, the changes are even more apparent.

It started with youngest daughter asking me to put the clip on her pump so that she could wear it on the outside of her pants, for the rest of the world to see.

At camp, she volunteered for the infamous leg site that has sparked change in a few other (and older, might I add) kids.

Yesterday, when her site fell off due to heavy play with water balloons and sprinklers, she came to me with not only the information that she needed a new infusion set, but with the supplies to put one on.

But the biggest change came in the form of an innocent question.

"Mama, do you worry about me all the time?"

It was said with the sweetest of voices but with an urgency that made me look quickly at her.

"Of course.  I love you very much."

With a solemn nod, youngest daughter said, "You don't have to worry.  I am going to be OK.  I know what to do now."

Ahhhhh.  Change.  I should feel better because I know that she is not the just turned 3-year old that was diagnosed.  She is a strong, capable young girl that has grown tenfold and is proud of herself AND her type 1 diabetes.  Even so at that moment, my heart broke just a tiny bit... because no one should have to worry about their mother's worry.

That is a cue for me to change... to try to embrace the idea that I am giving my children the tools that will allow them to thrive without the need for constant worry.

I just wish I knew how to do that.

That's the thing about type 1 diabetes, even if you think you know how to handle it, sometimes it sneaks up with a shockingly low or high number that pushes the need for having someone else there to take the reins of care. 

For the moment, I don't bother to explain that.

Instead, I grab youngest daughter for a big squeeze (thanking my lucky stars that she hasn't outgrown that) and say, "I know you can do it.  I am SO proud of you!"

Happy Fourth of July

Fourth of July is one of my favorite holidays, mostly because of the wonderful summer weather and also for the fact that the food is easy to manage and count carbohydrates. 

Hot dog?  Buns are a solid 21 grams of carbohydrates and if in doubt, the package is never far as no one wants a stale piece of bread.

Watermelon?  A cup is a neat 10 grams of carbohydrates.

Potato Chips?  Easy-peasy and usually about 15 grams of carbohydrates for 15 chips.

And chip dip?  Well, it is always FREEEEEEEEEEEE! 

With all of that no-nonsense carbohydrate counting going on, the girls and I decided to try our hand at making some "Fire Work Cupcakes".

Notice that little finger heading into the mouth?  Do you count carbohydrates for taste-testing?

Eventually, after taste-testing, the real taste has to happen.

Yum!  And so carb-worthy! 

From the Naturally Sweet Sisters, have a safe, fun and happy Fourth of July!






Ps....  To make Fire Work Cupcakes, follow direction on one box of white cake mix.  Pour batter into baking cups.  Before placing into oven, add one drop of food coloring to the center of batter and using a tooth pick, swirl into a design.  Do not over mix or you will not be able to get a fire-work effect.  Bake as directed on box.  Frost or serve plain.  Carbohydrate count will vary upon the amount and size of cupcakes. 

Peer Pressure (Or Seeing is Believing that Anything Is Possible)

Sometimes, seeing is believing that anything is possible.

During camp week, youngest daughter braved a "first" and asked to have an infusion set placed into her leg.  Her only wish was that while it happened, oldest daughter be there to hold her hand an offer encouragement.

Which they did.

While holding her sisters hand, oldest daughter watched her sister show great bravery and at that exact moment, decided that she too, wanted to try a leg site.

The only problem was that she wasn't in need of a site change.

Oh, the irony of type 1 diabetes.

Finally yesterday morning, both girls needed infusion set changes and both decided to do legs.

Bravely they sat down, criss-cross, apple-sauce style and waiting impatiently for their pokes (Inset 30s with Animas Ping).

Each sister shouting out words of encouragement.

"Hurry up, Mom! She is ready and she needs you to GO FAST!" 

"You can do it!  Just think happy things" 

"Remember when I spit out my milk?  That was so funny!"

"See, it didn't hurt, did it?"

This is the kind of peer pressure that makes having two sisters living with diabetes a little bit easier.  They have each other to lean on and to encourage and to hold hands when the going gets a little bit rough.

And maybe by showing the world this, we are also showing that anything is possible and offering everyone a little bit of that sister encouragement to try something new in the world of type 1 diabetes.

Seeing IS believing.

Anything is possible. 

Even getting a cat to hold still long enough to have his picture taken too.