Luke, Brandy Kaitelyn, Reed & Chase: May 2011

Monday, May 30, 2011

Baby #3 - dealing with gestational diabetes

I realized yesterday that I haven't said much about this 3rd pregnancy. Although I've had to endure more testing and ultrasounds (due to my age) it's been pretty easy going.

However, a few weeks ago, my doctor broke it to me that I have Gestational Diabetes with this one. It's not due to my weight and it's not as though I was eating entirely out of control. But mostly because of my age, hormones and probably some genetics I'm not aware of. It was very emotional to deal with the first few days of finding the news and how much my diet had to be altered. I felt that I had failed with this pregnancy somehow even though I've maintained a healthier diet this time around. I had to see a nutritionist and she was reassuring that I was eating healthy, but just had to dramatically cut out carbs such as Milk, OJ, Fresh Fruit and a lot of whole grains. Since, I've kept my diet pretty simple with lots more fresh veggies, salads, eggs and peanut butter. I've cut milk out of my diet which has been really hard and orange juice.

My doctor has me checking my glucose levels 4 times a day. Once before breakfast and then 2 hours after breakfast, lunch and dinner. My levels are supposed to be below 90 in the morning then less than 120 after each meal. It's been a little rough keeping the morning numbers in check, below 90, so we will see what the doctor has to say about that. From online reading, some women have had the same issue so I know I'm not alone. I was talking to one of my friends and she informed me that more and more woman are being diagnosed in the area because they have lowered the numbers.

I haven't been shy about sharing the news because it's amazing how many other women I've come in contact with that have had it regardless of how skinny or healthy they were before becoming pregnant.

You know, I'm kinda glad this has happened because before I never paid much attention to the amount of carbs foods can contain. I'm kinda looking forward to continuing this new diet after the baby comes and hopefully it will help shed my baby weight. I think I've already shed a couple of pounds since 2 weeks ago, we'll see what the doctor has to say about that.

Sunday, May 29, 2011

Good Ole Kansas (Part 3)

Our last stop...Colorado

We stopped in Colorado for 1.5 days to visit our friends Sarah and John. We had a great time catching up with them and the kids played really well with each other.

We decided to take the kids to the Denver Zoo, Kaitelyn and Leah were inseparable. It seemed the kids snacked the entire time we were there. I guess it's like going to the beach for me, it doesn't matter if I had a great breakfast, I'm always in the mood to snack as soon as I get there.

Leah and Kaitelyn being silly.

Reed & Nora

Nora, Leah & Kaitelyn

Kaitelyn had a 1st during our visit with the Kelly's. She learned to pump her legs properly while swinging. Now, I don't need to push her anymore, she can do it all by herself :-)

The girls with Ace standing by :-) Love that Ace!

Homeward bound...Washington

We only spent 2 days coming back home, which was nice. So because we were only spending one night in a hotel, Luke splurged and ponied out the dough for a nice hotel with a pool. We usually stay in the Motel 6's or Super 8 motels while traveling to save $$ for the real attractions.

I was bummed that I forgot my swimsuit, but at least everyone else had a great time.

Good Ole Kansas (Part 2)

Second stop, Topeka...

We spent a week in Topeka visiting our families and my BFF Monica. Our first stop, we visited the T-Rex Restaurant where Kaitelyn built another new dinosaur. This was Reed's first time and he was in absolute awe the entire time. We must've spent 3 hours there shopping, eating and playing.

Kaiteyn bathing her new Dino named Violet

Reed picked out rubber dinosaurs, he just wasn't interested in a plush.

Taylor, Reed & Kaitelyn

Reed loved the aquarium

The kids enjoyed spending time over at their Aunt Shannon's house. Kaitelyn had her 1st sleepover with her cousins and both Kaitelyn and Reed rode a horse for the 1st time. It was so nice to spend some time with the nephews and neices and get to know them a little more. It's hard being so far from them and watching them grow up through pics or video. Seeing them in person is a real joy.

Alex, Kaitelyn, Phoenix, and Lily.

I wish I would have gotten a pic with Griffyn and Reed too.

Kaitelyn with Aunt Shannon and her horse.

Kaitelyn riding for the 1st time.

She must have rode for an hour.

Reed riding with Lily

We visited the Kansas Museum of History and had a great time. The kids' favorite attraction was an old locomotive. It's been years since I was last there and so much has changed that it felt like my 1st time ever visiting the museum.

I took a "personality" quiz and this is what it said

Here is Kaitelyn's

There was a staged diner inside. Kaitelyn pretending to order with grandma Rose.

sitting inside one of the cars of the locomotive

playing dress up

Reed picked out a blue dress

We stayed with Luke's parents while we visited and they had some new little kittens. Everyday, Kaitelyn and Reed couldn't wait to go out on the porch and pick out their favorite kitty and hold em.

This was Kaitelyn's favorite kitty.

Reed's favorite kitty.

On our last night in town,
Luke's dad stopped by with the ambulance and let the kids get an up close look.
They thought the sirens and horns were pretty cool.

BFF'S
Monica and I have been best friends since the 7th grade. I love her just like a sister and miss her everyday. It was so nice to spend some time with her and catch up. She's so much more outgoing and outspoken than I am, it's a good balance. I guess that's what makes us such great friends!

pregger shots :-)
Me...29 weeks, Monica...26 weeks
both having boys
Check out Kaitelyn, I think she was trying to do a belly shot too.

Good Ole Kansas (Part 1)

Last month (April), we decided to take a road trip with the kids and go back home to Kansas and visit our roots. It was a pleasant trip but very exhausting. Kaitelyn and Reed were troopers and really traveled well. On the way there, we made stops every 2 -3 hours to stretch their little legs and burn off some energy. It took us 2.5 days to get to Kansas, but it was worth our sanity.

We spent a couple of days with Grandma & Grandpa Chermak and their farm. The kids absolutely loved it! Luke and I got away for a couple of hours and toodled around in downtown Belleville, Munden and a few others spots he frequented growing up. One thing I will never get used to when I visit the farm is the gravel/dirt roads. They scare me, especially when they are muddy and they were muddy this time. I'm sure it was a sight to see when locals (driving their 4x4's) would see a minivan from Washington state driving down the muddy roads.

First stop, The Farm in Narka...