The Scoop

Where to begin…

This week I received the call from my OB’s office that I was dreading. Turns out that my numbers were elevated and I have to revisit gestational diabetes again. It’s taken me a bit to process the news…and I didn’t want to post about it until I met with the dietician today and got more information. I was surprised to burst into tears after I got off the phone with the nurse when she told me. I’ve been down this road, so it would stand to reason that I can handle this, right?

Please forgive me, but my first response was to be really mad and scream about life’s unfairness…dramatic, I know…but we all know my major in college so this isn’t really a stretch. I know so many people who had gestational diabetes with their first child but then skipped it the second time around. WHY me????? WHY am I the one that is now forbidden to indulge in Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Lattes because they don’t have sugar-free pumpkin syrup?? WHY am I the one who has to give up Munchkins altogether???? This is so not cool.

After a really good cry and a pep talk from Auntie Em (who reminded me how fantastic I was at this the first time) I am feeling better now. I met with the dietician today, and it turns out that things are a little different this time around. I did have elevated levels for two out of four of my blood draws last week (which technically gives you a diagnosis of gestational diabetes), BUT I only “failed” one out of two of those draws by 1 point.

1 POINT??? 1 measly point. 1 measly point = counting carbs and bye-bye Starbucks seasonal lattes.

The good news is that I don’t (at this point) have to monitor my sugars by finger pricking three times a day like the last time. They want to test me again next week on a full stomach (instead of the highly concentrated glucose drink they give you) and see if that brings my numbers down a bit. At that point, I may or may not have to monitor my sugars. Until then, I am to move forward with the diet.

The diet, by the way, is really the way we should all be eating, I suppose. Tons of fiber, whole grains, vegetables, healthy fats, etc. It’s all about balancing everything so you can have it all, but you have to be aware of portion control and you have to count your carbs (breads, milk and yogurt…) so Chipotle is out unless I get a bare bones burrito bowl, sans the rice and beans. Tonight I had Vann stop into Wishbone for me. I had grilled salmon, sauteed spinach, mashed potatoes, and a small bite of mac n’ cheese. Sounds doable, right??

I think that the hardest thing is when you are being denied something and it’s not your choice. (And yes, I know that this will be the best for the baby, I’m not totally heartless, but c’mon, we are all selfish beings, right??) But with the coming of fall and the holiday season means apple cider donuts, chocolate-covered marshmallows from Crate & Barrel, peppermint bark, and doggone it, eggnogg. God Bless eggnogg. I don’t eat all of these things at one time, for goodness sakes, but these seasonal goodies are part of why I love fall/winter so much.

So, all that to say, if you come to the hospital or to our home to welcome Baby B #2 after November 23rd, I won’t be mad atcha for bearing some type of delicious pumpkin or peppermint flavored treat. I won’t turn you away…I will lovingly welcome all seasonal goodies, whether they come in solid or liquid form. Trust me. No really, TRUST ME.

The Birthday Extravaganza Continues…

Our original intention was to have a final cupcake/present celebration for Charlie on Tuesday night, but she was so worn out from a day of no real nap (aka she fell asleep in the car and Mommy decided to go shopping instead) that we ended up putting her straight to bed after dinner.

We tried again last night with MUCH greater success. Aunt Janet gave Charlie her very own doll (named Chloe) who has her very own chair, just like Charlie! Thanks Auntie Janet, we love you!!

I should also mention that I went fall decoration hunting yesterday…yes, I know, it’s not officially fall, as my husband likes to remind me…but you all know it’s my VERY favorite time of year and I just can’t contain myself! So, considering it’s a three day weekend, I hope to take down the rest of Charlie’s party decorations (so sad!) and replace them with many fun festive things, including candles that smell like pumpkins!!! Yay!! (That’s a shout-out to Auntie Em…)

Happy Birthday, Charlie!!!

Last year we started a tradition of our birthday’s being like Christmas: first thing in the morning, we sing “Happy Birthday” and give the birthday girl (or boy, aka Daddy) their gifts. Today was no different. Because we don’t have the room for a real kitchen for Charlie until after we move, we bought her this little inexpensive stovetop from Target, to get her by. She immediately made Mommy some delicious pizza.

We are heading out to meet Daddy for lunch with his colleagues downtown. I had plans to have Charlie wear her birthday petti again but it may be a tad chilly. We’ll see what I can find. Once Daddy gets home tonight, we have a few more gifts (believe it or not) to open, specifically Aunt Janet’s, which we’ve been saving! This little girl is so well-loved, and we are overwhelmed with all of the kindness people have shown her on her 2nd birthday.

Girls will be Girls

This morning we had a playdate over at Ms. Kim’s house. Our original plan was to go to the water park, but it was much too cool for all that! As you can see, the girls are in jeans and long pants, hopefully a sign (sorry, sun lovers) that summer is coming to a close.

With four spirited toddlers (in the bottom pic, from left to right: Charlie, Emilyn, Elynor, and Olivia), we definitely had our hands full. After some time outside, the Mommies moved everyone inside to watch a little Elmo and give ourselves a break from sharing interventions.


The Perfect Fall Day

Sunday was such a gorgeous day, in the 60’s and not a cloud in the sky. It was definitely our first true fall day. I was so excited for the change in weather, but completely unprepared, as none of Charlie’s fall clothes are washed and I am sadly in need of some maternity clothes for myself. I have had enough to “get by” throughout the summer but will have to purchase some sweaters and maybe even a lighter coat as the weather changes. Since I buy most of my wardrobe (and Charlie’s, for that matter) on Gap.com, I am trying to wait it out to see what they have in store for fall and winter.

At any rate, this little outfit is from Baby Gap’s fall line and I just adore the dark colors. It happened to be easy access for me (in a bin in the office), so on it went for Sunday’s activities. After church, we met up over at Ms. Heather’s with my former women’s small group (my first one in the city!) for a yummy brunch. Lucky Charlie, she got to hang with another Ethan, Ms. Vicky’s handsome little boy. Ethan is very into Thomas the Train, so he and Charlie hit it off right away!

A Word about the Party

We had such a wonderful time yesterday…so much so that I’m a bit sad about it being over, which I realize is a normal reaction. By the same token, I feel like it was a job well done, and I am glad all the planning paid off. I failed to get a great picture of the decorations I ordered off of Etsy.com…check out Party Poms for some really fun stuff. Our apartment is SO dark (due to the lack of any/little overhead lighting, yay, vintage) that getting any shots of the interior are proving more difficult as the days get shorter.

We filled the inside of our apartment with about 25 purple and gold balloons (also doubling as a favor for the kiddos to take home) and had two gold star balloons out front along with a bubble blower to greet our guests. That was definitely a crowd pleaser!!

And finally, I made these “washcloth” lollipops. Most people make these with baby washcloths for showers, etc…but I found these super bright washcloths from Target and asked my friend Jen for help. I think they turned out pretty cute…for this non-craftsy gal, I was pretty proud of my small contribution!

Once again, we are so thankful to our friends for their generosity. Charlie received many fun and educational things from her pals and we were so touched by all the thought put into her gifts. She also received some darling clothes, which you know always puts a smile on MY face! We are amazingly blessed and Charlie is a more well-rounded and happy (and social) child because of our community. Thank you to everyone who made her feel special yesterday, and everyday. We love you!!!