Ben

Ben's 7th Birthday! I can't believe this boy is 7.

(posting a month late as always)
Ben WON this bike at school. The Department of Transportation donated several bikes and scooters to Ben's school. On Fridays the kids walked or ran around the track to earn tickets that were enter into a drawing to win a bike or scooter. Every Friday Ben would say he was going to win the bike . I kept thinking, he sure is going to be disappointed. Well, I guess I was wrong. He won and was so excited. Luckily we had a couple of nice days so he could enjoy it, before it got cold again.

Our backyard has a small hill, or slope. It is awkward and Kory and I were never really sure what to do with it. When the snow started falling Ben knew exactly what to do with it. GO SLEDDING. It is perfect, tall and steep enough that it is fun, but not too much that the kids can't do it themselves. We may just have to keep it for a few more years.

Cruisin

I guess it is better late than never... For Christmas Kory's parents took us on a Cruise. We were so so excited and had a lot of fun.

We drove to San Diego and the kids were amazing. First stop after we got there was Sea World. I have to say that was my favorite part. It was SUNNY and 80 degrees. Having lived in California until I was 15, I was in heaven, I am a wimp when it comes to cold and snow. Ben, a boy after my own heart, fell in love with San Diego too and is planning on moving there when he is grown. He said a hundred times, and many times since. Ben and Seth looking at the beluga whales. It was to first stop and they couldn't believe it.

The sea otters. Dang Ben wouldn't let me get a good picture of of all three of my boys.

Petting the sharks, with grandpa and Aunt Marissa.

Watching the dolphins.

Touching the sea stars.

Sea Turtle, I think these things are so cool.

Josh and "Unca", Kory's brother Kristofer. Look at Josh's reflection. Love it!

Ben after the Atlantis ride, he had gone on the rapids just before so he was soaked. We where dumb and went at the end.

Cute. Kory got wet on the ride too, although it does look like that something else might have happened.

Waiting for the Shamu Show. It is so amazing what they do with these Killer whales. It kept saying who was the crazy person who first thought "lets train these animals".

I was about to get a good picture of Ben but, no, grandpa had to be silly. You notice he lost his tooth. His other tooth was loose and later that night we walked into Target and he pulled it out too, so the tooth fairy found us in San Diego.

He is such a goof, I should have put the picture in I took before this one. He wanted a picture of his hair.



The next afternoon we headed to Long Beach to board the ship. We walked around, found our cabins and set sail. I was sick... I felt like I had vertigo anytime the ship was moving. I did not like it very much. I bought sea bands and had acupuncture done, it helped for a while but as long as the ship was moving I was dizzy, queasy and very disoriented.

The first stop was Catalina Island.

Our Ship the Carnival Paradise

We had to ride a ferry to get to the Island.

On the Island. It was kind of chilly so we all had to wear jackets.(the whole cruise)

Isn't this guy handsome?

Catalina was mostly shopping, which my boys (Kory included) don't like. We decided the kids would like a glass bottom boat ride. It was cool to see the bottom of the ocean, fish and kelp.

Cute Josh dropped the lid to my chap stick on the glass. I wonder how they got it out.

Looking at the fish.

The boat driver said they have a special "snow" cap mountain here at the island. The lady sitting next to us asked how does that happen? Her husband explained to her.

Chillin on the boat.

While we were "docked" at Catalina at least 100 dolphins swam past the ship. It is hard to see in the picture. It was awesome.

Seth showing off his dance moves.

The Cruise had a cool water slide and Ben was in heaven, he is a fish. Nobody else went swimming we just sat and watched in our jackets. The next day he said my legs hurt. I wonder why he climbed the stairs probably 50 times.

Next stop Ensanda Mexico.

Beautiful.

We went a saw El Bufador. One of only 4 natural blowholes in the world. (Now I have seen two)
It was pretty cool.

Watching and waiting for it to blow.

Form our shopping trip. NACHOOOOO!

It was a lot of fun, but next time no kids. Hehe!

Josh Turns Two

Josh's Birthday landed on Thanksgiving this year. I can't think of of anything better to be thankful for than this little guy.

Opening presentsPlaying with presents

Blowing out his candles. He got pie this year, a casualty of having his birthday on Thanksgiving, I guess. And like we need one more thing, like cake to eat on Thanksgiving. I always want pie for my birthday not cake. When he gets older he'll have the choose. His Birthday only lands on Thanksgiving every few years anyway.

His new bike, from Grandma and Grandpa. Classic eyes closed.

He may have only just turned two but he acts like he is older, way older.

He does everything his brothers do, even if he shouldn't or even can't

He is stubborn
Very independent.

Wants what he wants, when he wants it.

He talks a lot, yells more.
He loves his mom a lot.
Loves his brothers

and dad.

He is not afraid.

We are so Thankful for this kid.

A Year with Diabetes

It has been one year since Ben was diagnosed with Type 1 or Juvenile Diabetes.

Last November Ben lost a lot of weight. I thought it was because he had started school. He was acting a little ornery too, but again I thought it was just school.
We went to my moms house for the weekend to go to my uncles wedding and just have a fun time at Grandma's. Only a few hours after arriving I sprang ed my ankle stepping out of my moms front door. I was stuck on the couch the rest of the day and the all of the next. Ben just sat by me the whole time. He wouldn't play. He looked very tired. I thought he was getting a cold or something. My mom went to my uncle's wedding and took me and the boys to my sisters so she could help me with my kids. When we got there Ben asked for a drink and shortly after threw it up. So he was getting sick. Then he slept for 2 hours. When my mom got back I decided just to go home Ben wasn't feeling well and I was a gimp. We drove home and Ben slept the whole time. He threw up again and went to bed shortly after arriving home. The next day he slept til 10. After that he was acting much better, although he said he still had a sore throat. Kory and I went to a football, stupid of us but he said he was better. My sister said he slept the whole time. Came home and slept the rest of the day all night and most of the morning. He was still saying his throat hurt. strep throat right? The next day was Sunday, I took him to an insta care. They did a swab, not strep, the Doctor said he probably just had a very bad cold. Well he slept all day. I knew it was not a cold. Something was seriously wrong. I called my Doctor first thing in the morning and got in that afternoon. I was hysterical. He was just sleeping, not at all coherent. I called Kory and told him I was taking him to the E.R. and he said just take him to the doctor. I told Kory he better come too. He meet me at the doctors. Our Doctor took one look at him and said it looks like new onset diabetes and we need to take him to Primary's Children Hospital. We went to the ER at Primary's. They rushed us in even though there were other people there and it was confirmed Diabetes. After a very long time and three nurse's and one Doctor tyring to get an IV in he was being rehydrate and given insulin. We spent one night in intensivecare and four days at the hospital. Ben slowly began to me more like himself, though not completely. Kory and I were taught what diabetes was and how to treat it. we gave shots to oranges then to Ben. We learned about the glucose meters and how to notice highs and lows. His fingers from being tested every hour.

Hospital Bed.

Playing at the Fun center in the hospital. This picture shows the best how skinny he had become. But still doesn't do it justice.

This is the other day, him testing his blood. HE tests himself a minimum of 5 times a day. He also gives himself insulin shots with every meal and at bedtime. Again a minimum of 5 a day.

This is our diabetic supply cupboard. This is kind of empty too. There is usually a lot more.

I want to get on my soap box for a minute. There are a lot of misconceptions of Type 1 diabetes. Ben did not get this because he is over weight or eats too much sugar. Ben's pancreas does not produce insulin and will never again. Insulin is what turns carbohydrates into energy. Carbs are a vital part of every ones diet. They are found in almost everything you eat. Fruits, veggies, milk, yogurt, whole grain bread, and nuts for instance all have them and they are all very healthy for you.

Ben does not need to restrict his diet, but just like everyone else needs to eat sensible.
There is no cure (yet) for type 1. It is not reversible.

In Ben's case it was genetics that caused it. Kory's mom has had Type 1 for 40+ years so he carries the gene even if he doesn't have it. But it can happen to someone who has no family history of it.

After a year we have adjusted and now it is just our life. Ben is doing wonderful. He tests himself and after I tell him how much insulin he needs, he gives himself a shot. He is very shy about his diabetes and doesn't like to talk about it to people other than family. He still has moments of "whoa is me" but I would too. He still has mood swing when he is too high or two low but we are able to recognize them better now. He is amazing and we love him very much. Kids with diabetes are so incredible.

Bright eyed and Bushy Tailed

Josh can not keep his eyes open when I take his picture. It is so annoying. Here are a few of many pictures of Josh with his eyes closed.

This last one really bums me out. He wanted to go to work like dad and brought me a shirt and tie and made me put them on him. Needless to say this is the best picture of him.