Almost done!

Since it's technically Tuesday (hey pregnancy insomnia, how you doin'), I can officially say I'm in the last ten weeks of my pregnancy! 30 weeks down, 10 (less than that, really) to go. How crazy is that? I mean, really? It feels like I just found out that we were going to have a little bean join the family yesterday and now I'm sitting here at 1am feeling him kick and jab away in my tummy (he's taken quite the liking to my punching belly button and left hip lately. Mama is not amused by this to say the least). 

At my next endocronologist appointment, my doctor is going to go over my insulin levels for labor and delivery. When a diabetic mama who is insulin dependent like myself goes into labor, her need for insulin falls back to pre-pregnancy levels (yay!) and in some cases, the need for insulin is completely gone for a day or two after birth (double yay!) For some reason this is really making it real. We're going to have a real live baby soon and they might actually let me take him home (but probably only because Todd looks like a responsible adult)! 

Because of my diabetes, I'm probably not going to make it to 40 weeks before they induce me and it's something I've struggled my entire pregnancy with. In my ideal world, I would go into labor naturally when he was ready to come and labor without much medical intervention. But, as I've learned during this pregnancy, life doesn't exactly cooperate and is rarely ideal (and your body isn't cooperative much either). So, I've accepted it and am moving on with a picture of what my birth expereice is going to look like: possible & likely induction in a hosptial with monitoring around the clock. It may not be my ideal situation, but it's my reality. Without these medical interventions that will define my birth, it would be very hard (life threatening even) to get pregnant and carry a child to term. It took me a while to come to terms with that. I'm a big believer in natural labor and labor being something that is beautiful and every woman should get to experience in her own ideal way. But, we don't always get what we want. I keep reminding myself that I am so very lucky to have been born in a time where such medical advancements are avaliable to me. 

I'm not feeling 'huge' yet, but my OB insists that there is still time for that. So, I'm looking forward to being a whale soon. I've been working on my Shamu impressions to make everything more realistic.  Despite the fact that I'm working a limited schedule, I still find myself exhausted at the end of the day (and then wide awake as soon as my head hits the pillow. Thanks kid.)

Todd and I are enjoying our last few weeks of having a two member family while still being anxious and excited for our family to grow into three. The knowledge that I'm going to be a mom so soon is freaking me out more than a little, but I can't wait to meet my little. 

Here's an insta-look at what we've been up to while settling into our new routine at home in Michigan: 

We bought his crib! I love walking into the nursery and seeing it there, just waiting for him to come home. 

We went to my favorite place on earth, Bronner's Christmas store in Frankenmuth (and got chicken dinner. I was a happy pregnant that night) 

I turned into a master baker and made ALL the pies for Thanksgiving

We decorated the tree (I'm working on convincing Todd to let it stay up year round. So far, he's not into the idea.)

AND! I got to see my little's cute face. One of the benefits of having diabetes and being pregnant is that you get lots of ultrasounds! I love seeing him kick and squirm away up on the screen. 

Next up: 

Christmas! 

New Years!

My baby shower! 

Todd goes to Utah for his sisters wedding! 

And then...

BABY TIME! 

Something Special

That's right! Todd and I are expecting baby #1 in February. We're thrilled, excited, nervous, anxious...all of those crazy feelings you have as first time parents. It's been an interesting journey so far with morning sickness, high sugars, and low sugars but things seem to be settling out now that I'm almost into the second trimester. I'm automatically high risk becuase of my diabetes, but so far our little bean (who is now really the size of a plum) is growing strong and we've heard his/her heartbeat at every single appointment.

:)

My new additions.

No. Not THAT kind of addition. 

This kind of addition: 

and this: 

The first picture is of Pinglet. And the second picture is of Gordon. Pinglet is my insulin pump and Gordon is my Continous Glucose Monitor (CGM). Together, they help me keep tight control over my diabetes. And having Pinglet hooked up to me 24/7 means NO MORE SHOTS! 

Pinglet is kind of an external pancreas. Technically, Pinglet is an Animas Ping Insulin Pump. Since she's pink and I want a piglet but H won't let me get one, Pinglet came to life. My pancreas doesn't really work all that well and shots suck, so when my doctor and I talked about the future and starting a family, he suggested I consider the insulin pump and CGM. It will allow me to have tighter control over my sugars while I'm pregnant (no, this is not an announcement!) and will allow me to have a healthy pregnancy and baby! 

My CGM continously monitors my blood glucose (hence the name...) and it allows me to catch those highs and lows easier and quicker. I can correct highs and lows a lot easier. Gordon is a Dexcom G4 CGM. He's pink. When I got him I was on a marathon watching of 'Hell's Kitchen' hosted by Gordon Ramsey. That's where he got his name. He alerts me to when my sugar is rising or falling fast. 

While making the decision to go on both of these (it was a big decision. Pinglet and Gordon are big committments) I talked to a lot of people that had them, including my mom! My mom has diabetes too and she has always been a great help to me. She has her own version of Gordon and has had hers longer than I've had mine. She's been really successful on hers and that inspired to go ahead and get my own. 

When I had people tell me these two things are life changing I kind of rolled my eyes. But, after a month on both of them, I can honestly say they were all right. Giving myself insulin is easier and less invasive and awkward (try giving yourself a shot in the stomach while wearing a dress and not bringing attention to yourself! Newp. You can't) and catching my highs and my lows makes life easier as well. 

If you're considering going on either of them, please leave a comment with any questions! I'd be totally happy to talk about either Pinglet or Gordon. They're awesome. :)