My Crazy Beautiful Life: July 2009

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Gestational Diabetes

I had GD with Allie but really had no trouble with it. It was fairly easy to control and I was really careful. Well, as suspected, I have it again this time. But this time, I'm having a bit harder time controlling it. I saw my midwife yesterday and if things don't change over the next week, she'll want me to start on insulin. Besides the daily injections and added cost, it would mean my dream of at least trying a waterbirth would be gone.

Waterbirth is something I've wanted to do since before I knew anyone who'd done it. I'd read about it and thought it sounded like such a nice way to labor. When I was pregnant with Allie, the hospital had a policy that anyone with GD was excluded from waterbirth. They've since changed their policy and a woman who has well-controlled GD with diet alone and not expected to have a large baby can still have a waterbirth. I was so hopeful that I'd get to do it this time since with Allie my GD was very mild. Allie was only 7 pounds when she was born so I didn't think weight would be too much of a problem.

I'm at a bit of a loss as to what to eat most days. Eating eggs for breakfast every morning gets a bit boring. Sometimes, I tolerate a piece of wheat toast and sometimes I don't. It's trying to find the balance of what I can eat when and how much. My midwife wasn't too thrilled that I've lost 1/2 a pound a week the last couple weeks so I'm trying to eat enough to maintain the weight but keep my sugars down. Boy is it hard!

Of course, the main thing with the diabetes is not just that I won't be able to have the waterbirth I'm hoping for or that I'm bored with my meals, but that the baby is healthly. So, I'm praying that I won't have to go on insulin, but mainly that whatever happens we're able to give the baby the best start possible.

Friday, July 24, 2009

July 09

Random summer events. It's been a busy summer!

4th of July we went to Dad & Mom's house for a BBQ. The kids played on the slip 'n slide, swam, and did sparklers.

This is totally a random picture, but I love these little feet...and the fact that she's actually taking a nap in this picture. She's quickly out growing her naps.

Last week, Lesley, Sarah, Heather, all the kids, and I went fruit picking. We ended up with about 100 pounds of apricots and peaches. That translates to a heck of a lot of peach and apricot jam. Yum!

Tubing is always a favorite lake activity.

Rob and the kids hopped on the tub while we were slowly moving the houseboat from one cove to another. They started wrestling and having a great time. Allie was so excited, she started jumping on the tube. She took about two bounces, then bounced over the headrest, off the back of the tub, and into the lake. Rob immediately jumped in after her and I jumped on with the rest of the kids. She really wasn't bothered by her unexpected swim in the lake. I just wish I'd gotten it on video.

Maddie loves feeding the ducks at the lake.

These puddle jumpers are great for the little ones learning to swim. Allie loves hers and I think it helped give Maddie the confidence she needed to enjoy the lake.