Proud mamma continued...

Every once in a while I've got to brag on my little buster.

He just amazes me all of the time, I just can't hold it in!!

He is reading so well... I have NO idea what he is going to learn in Kindergarten. haha.

Tonight he read "red fish, blue fish, old fish, new fish" to me.

I realize I have read that book to him a million times so he knows a lot of the words, but that book is LONG with a lot of words and he read the entire book word for word... its not just memorization...

Its so nice to see him sitting and reading on his own. I love it when he puts a little bookmark in his book to hold his place so he can read through the entire thing.

The other area that he is just amazing me is in his math. Now, this is an area that I have very little interest in so I don't work with him very much with math. I knew that he can add 2 +2 and basics like that but he SHOCKED ME the other day when he was adding numbers like 7 + 8 IN HIS HEAD and the basic adding 2+3 and such - he has completely memorized, so he doesn't even count those to get the answer.

I never taught him to use his fingers because, like I said, I don't work on math with him much. So,he taught himself how to add totally in his mind. We were quizzing him for about 30 min the other day.... any numbers that total under 20... and he got them all right!

I think my biggest challenge for him in school will be to make sure that he doesn't give up when he is challenged (since things come so easy for him) and to keep him from getting bored.

You know you've been in Puerto Rico too long when you log onto your blog and the entire site is in SPANISH!! haha. Thank you, google translate for making my own blog entries legible :-)

Anyway... a little update on the happenings out here...

On Saturday, Lance, Javan and I went on a tour in some really awesome caves in a town called Camuy. It was a guided tour but we all got headphones that gave even more info. I think they did it that way since it would probably take twice as long to get through the tour if she had to say everything in Spanish and English. The headphones were great because they had a children's version for Javan to make it more interesting for him.

The caves were spectacular!! I really had never seen anything like it... of course the pictures we took just don't even come close to what it looked like in real life. I've GOT to invest in a really good camera... its on my list of things to convince Lance to buy for me  ;-)

Sunday mom arrived. We spent the afternoon on the beach. It was great!  Javan is turning into quite the little surfer. Lance was body surfing with Javan on his back and by the time we were done Javan was body surfing on the little waves close to the shore. He LOVES the ocean.

Mom and Javan are sharing a room. Every night mom lays in bed and tells Javan a story. According to Javan, Mom-mom is the best story teller in the WHOLE world.

One night she fell asleep before him. After about an hour or so, Javan came out into the living room and said "Mom, Mom-mom keeps snoring and is waking me up!" So, I told him to give her a little nudge to wake her up and she will stop snoring.

Ten minutes later - mom comes out and says "Javan will not fall asleep, he's tossing and turning in there and he's keeping me up!"

I couldn't help but laugh "Well, mom.. that's not the story Javan just told me"

Needless to say, we had to make a little adjustment on bedtime. Javan goes to bed first  THEN mom can snore all she wants ;-)

************
Well, I'm so thankful that mom came when she did. Last week was moderately slow with work. But, THIS week... shew.. its been BUSY (hence the lack of posting lately). I've basically been cooped up all day working while Javan and mom play at the beach, shop, eat donuts and drink soda... ya know usual "mom-mom" stuff.

I am so so so thankful to have her here!!


 

It was a rainy morning so we had to stay in. Its a good thing we have unlimited netflix on demand so Jav got to watch some movies to pass the time.

The rain let up just enough for us to take a walk to the park a few blocks down. Shew. He had some serious energy to burn.

At the little sprayground by our apartment.

Took a little walk to the beach by our apartment. It wasn't rocky like we thought it would be...Javan is having fun splashing! Should have worn his swimsuit!!

Well, we are here in Puerto Rico.

Yesterday was a day of travel. Really, the hardest part was getting out the door. Once we got to the airport, it was a smooth trip. Javan did great on both flights.

The first flight, the lady next to us had an 18 month old boy, so we had fun playing with him and chatting. The 2nd flight... he fell asleep 1 min after take-off!

Javan was so excited when we got here. Waiting at the airport for Lance, Javan kept saying "We are in Puerto Rico. I CAN'T believe we are in Puerto Rico" haha.

The apartment is a beautiful 3 bedroom right in downtown Puerto Rico.

This morning, we walked to find ourselves some breakfast...Javan was so hungry that "he didn't think he was going to make it" so we settled for Subway. haha. Sounds like an unusual breakfast, but for me... salad for breakfast is quite normal (actually, i just ended up getting a sub and dumping the contents out onto a plate - I did splurge a little had some of the yummy subway bread )

I'm hoping to find a little break during my work to take Javan for a little walk to the beach. The sandy beaches are about 5 blocks from the apartment but there is a beach about 2 blocks away.. rocky and more for onlookers but I bet Jav would love to throw some rocks in :-)

My battery to my camera is all charged up so I'm ready to take pics... I did, however, forget the plug to upload them onto the computer. I guess you'll have to wait until we get back to check out pics. In the meantime, we are thankful for camera phone pics :-)

Javan's Birthday

Well, yesterday was Javan's birthday and it was a great day!

After breakfast we make a trip to Dunkin Donuts

(I know I am a horrible mom for making my son eat breakfast before we head over to Dunkin Donuts but the idea of eating donuts for breakfast is just one I can't understand - to me, Donuts are a desserts....but anyway...)

Javan got a big chocolate milk and a donut (actually Mom got him 2 donuts but he saved the 2nd one for the next day -  be still my heart) and he got to open a present that mom got him.  A book and an animal that goes with it. its really cool cause the stuffed animal talks during certain parts of the story. Technology.. sheesh.

After that, we came home and I took a looooong walk to burn off the carb/sugar from my donut (shhhhhh.....) and then Chad came and took Javan for a few hours during the day.

According to Javan, they went to his Grandma's house and played on the slip and slide with his cousin's Austin and Aislinn, had some birthday cake and went to Chuck E. Cheese for lunch (not necessarily in that order).

They were back by 4:00. That gave me plenty of time to get my work done and run to the dollar store to get some presents for him to open.

I know shopping at the dollar store for his birthday sounds a little cheap, but seriously, we learned at Christmas that a bunch of junky dollar store toys = many hours of happiness! haha. (plus, we have a bigger present to give to Javan on Saturday before his party)

Shana and Seth came over for dinner (Shane had to work and Luke is at camp), we opened presents and had some cake...

Javan got colorwonder stuff from Aunt Shana and family, dollar store stuff from me and Lance and a skateboard, rollarblades, hunting clothes and another book from mom-mom and pop-pop.

All in all it was a great day for the kiddo. :-)

I have some pics but they are on mom's camera so I will upload them hopefully soon

Javan had his last T-ball game today.

I made cupcakes cooked in ice-cream cones and put a cherry on top of the confetti icing....

I forgot to take a pic.

It was the highlight of Javan's day.

Not sure what he loved more, the cupcakes or his entire t-ball team singing happy birthday to him. :-)

Javan had a sleepover tonight with his buddy Ryan. Of course, Lance has the camera so I can't get too many pics but I took this one of them going to bed with my phone. Jav wanted me to set up his tent for them to sleep in. Haha.

Ok...I hear them sneaking around upstairs...gotta go crack the whip ;-)

So, today I went to my first appt with Dr. Schwartz.

I was really hoping that I would be able to get an ultrasound... but.. it didn't quite work out that way.

He happened to have a patient who was delivering her baby RIGHT at my appointment time.

I guess that's a fair excuse. haha.

Anyway, it was about 5:30 by the time i saw him (my appt was at 3!) so we just didn't have the time to do an ultrasound. His main concern was that my uterus is much smaller than what it should be at 17 weeks.  Which could mean I am off by my dates or something isn't right with the baby (or a million other options, I suppose).  He took some bloodwork for a test that checks for cystic fibrosis. He chose this one because he said it usually comes out abnormal when your off with the dates.

If it comes out abnormal, then he will have me come in next week for an ultrasound. If it comes out normal, then 4 more weeks until we can see how everything is progressing in there (and find out the sex of the baby).

He was happy with the blood sugars and all that was good. I have to call in with my numbers for the next week and do a fasting blood glucose test.

All in all, I really liked him. He was attentive and receptive to my crazy rebellious choices... haha...

Javan was already tucked into bed yet I could hear the pitter patter of little feet above me while I was doing the dishes. So, I head upstairs to lay down the law...  ;-)

As I'm walking up the stairs I yell "Ok, Javan, you need to go to bed"

And I hear calling back "Ok, mom, but would you give me two or three more hugs?"

How adorable is HE?!?!

I gave him four hugs. An extra one because he's so darn cute!

I miss my Lance

We dropped Lance off at the airport today. Javan was totally fine until we got back in the car to drive home.

Javan just burst into tears!! "I am going to miss Lance so much!!"  I made Lance come back and give him one last hug.

Javan literally cried off and on all day about how much he doesn't want Lance to be gone and how much he misses him. (Granted, I assume SOME of it was a good tactic for a little extra attention).

After his swim lessons he goes.. "I miss my daddy....AND I miss my Lance"

Honestly, he's acting as though Lance is never coming back!

I guess for an (almost) 5 year old who has already been through a lot....having Lance leave for 2 weeks is kind of a big deal.  I guess we are just going to have to make this week EXTRA fun.

Its a no-brainer that next week is going to be a blast cause Mom-mom's going to be here AND we will have birthday to celebrate :-D

For fathers day Javan decorated a paper bag with a picture of a "ghost car" that he drew and inside he put a little wooden box he made with a robot on top.

Javan said "you can put money and candy in it" :-)

He was so excited to give Lance his little present!!

The baby wished Lance a Happy Fathers Day :-)

pickles and pregnancy

You know there is that pregnancy cliché about craving pickles....

Well, I've never really had many craving while pregnant with Javan and haven't so far with this one either but....

If I am feeling hungry for a snack at night I usually eat pickles.. it has nothing to do with the pregnancy...it just happens to be a great low carb snack and the vinegar is really helpful in keeping my numbers down in the morning.

I try to keep all of my higher carb foods before dinner :-)

Today was an interesting day. I was awoken with Javan complaining because it was too dark in his room. I told him to just turn the bathroom light on but I could hear him just standing in the hallway.  So, i went to check it out.

He was just standing there in there dark .... trying to figure out what to do because NONE of the lights were working.

I  told him it looks like the electricity went out and to go back to sleep. His reply:

" but, mommy, will my fan work. I'm SO HOT..."  I didn't think about the lack of AC with no electricity. So, we all packed up and slept in the basement.

The electricity didn't come back on until 6:00 tonight. 16 hours later!

So, we ate out at every meal since we didn't want to open the fridge/freezer and let cold air out. Which, for me, is NOT easy. Since last weekend I had a VERY bad experience with a chicken wrap and a salad with bacon... (169 - 2 hours later) i've decided not to stray from my usual salad at restaurants and was super careful about my carbs (you never know where added sugar and carbs get thrown in there without you knowing).  I did get to enjoy an apple and a banana today for my carbs - pretty awesome since I don't usually get 2 fruits in one day! Jackpot!

So... anyway, I was a little hungry this evening...

and so began the little chuckle about my pregnant self's desire for a pickle snack :-)

So, today we were sitting at the dinner table and Javan comes over and starts rubbing my chest.

I look at him with a curious look "WHAT are you doing?"

He says "I want to feel the baby"

Haha... the baby is down here, honey.

 I don't know why but I found that to be soooo funny but I just had to share it. :-)

Javan Scott Conder - world traveler

So, Chad's parents called me the other day and asked if they could take Javan to Hawaii for 2 weeks!!!

HAWAII!?!?!? He's FIVE!  FOR 2 WEEKS!! Yikes.

I had to put a lot of thought in it. On one hand.. its a long time for him to be away and he actually returns while we are in Alaska... which makes it even longer. It will be EXTREMELY hard for me and of course there is the safety factor. I mean its a long flight...what if something happened..I shudder to think.

On the other hand, both of his cousins are going as well. And it is a great opportunity and I know he would have a wonderful time. I trust Chad's parents with him and IF I said no..i think Javan would feel bad at what he missed out on. So, i said YES. He will be gone July 22 through Aug10th.

Now, just yesterday, Lance's boss asked him if he would do a job in Puerto Rico for about 4 weeks. I was soooo upset. I'm not sure what I was more upset about. That he was going to be gone for a month or that he was going to be somewhere cool for a month without me! haha.

So, Lance's "solution"...

He decided to fly me and Javan out there and spend 2 weeks with him!! Javan and I will be flying to Puerto Rico July 5th and returning on the 17th. :-) and then on the 22nd he will be traveling to Hawaii. I think Javan is seeing more of the world at age 5 than most adults!! haha.

T-ball

Javan had another T-ball game tonight.

He in number 10 and I found out this weekend that both Luke AND Seth were number 10 too!! What a funny coincidence! Shana said she thought one of JR and Kim's boys were number 10 in t-ball too but i'm not sure.

Anyway, he is doing great :-) Really getting the hang of how to play.

Here are some pics!

https://picasaweb.google.com/Merriettgrace/JavanSTball?authkey=Gv1sRgCP7X7beZp9mj6AE

16 week pic

Its almost 1 am and I just can't sleep.

There are a few things against me. 

1. Our AC isn't working and its HOT and we are all sleeping in the basement ...which is much cooler... but is not my comfy familiar bed.

2. I got the GAD antibody test results back today and I'm still sorting through my thoughts about it all...

I think the only way I'm going to get some sleep is if I finally write it all out, since I've spent the past 3 hours hashing it out in my mind.

I tested positive for GAD antibodies.  Now from what I understand, everyone has GAD antibodies in their body... but a higher level is a good sign that there is something attacking my pancreas which is what is causing type 1 diabetes.

Now, with that said, I've googled and googled this and the whole thing is really very confusing .... mostly because of the terminology and I'm not a doctor...I did read in a few places that just because you have high GAD antibodies does not mean 100% that you are type 1... but we are talking about google here and  that might be a bit of a stretch since I kind of fit in the perfect case for type 1 (especially the unexplained weight loss over the past year).

So, I guess, if I want to be "real" with myself, I should just do what my doctor says, take the insulin and eat the carbs like he wants me to.

But.... I'm JUST not ready to give in to that. 

One reason is that other doctor I saw... the OBGYN that went back to school and is now helping people lose weight and fight diabetes without insulin.  There are things that he said that make SO MUCH SENSE that I can't let it go.  Mainly, our body needs carbs for energy, and that's when we should be using them. The more we plan on burning the more carbs we eat... and vice versa. That makes sense. And since I don't spill ketones in my urine (meaning my body isn't burning my fat/protein storehouse), i don't see (and neither does this doctor) anything wrong with just adjusting my diet to keep my numbers down as long as I am getting enough calories.

The other reason is that I truly believe that God made our bodies in a way that they can heal themselves. I think it is rare but it can happen with some major sacrifices.

Heh.hem. Like drinking the insulin generator which, I gave up on, by the way ... because it was so nasty I couldn't handle it... and Lance called me a ninny but I don't care cause it was NASTY!!!

But, I have made some major sacrifices, like eating a salad 3 meals a day with a variety of greens, eating brussel sprouts, cabbage, green beans, carrots and lettuce all raw in at least one meal a day - and some other major sacrifices.

With sacrifices like these and some others, i believe God made our bodies in a way that they will heal themselves.

I just BELIEVE it. I believe God will heal me. I believe my body will repair itself. 

I JUST BELIEVE IT!! 

I can't really explain this level of belief that I have but its strong enough for me to buy brussel sprouts at the store (which have always been one of my least favorite veggies).... Now THAT'S something!! haha.

I believe it so much, I was laying in bed daydreaming about the letter I'm going to write to my ENDO next year when I am completely healed... thanking him for being such a great doctor and teaching him a different way of looking at medicine.

The whole thing brings me to tears but it is a different kind of tears then the ones I shed that day at Taco Bell.

Its tears of frustration because I can't explain to a doctor who has gone to school a heck of a lot longer than I did that I know in my heart is right.

Its tears of contentment because I've finally found a diet that works for me, gives me the calories I need, and keeps my numbers in an excellent range.

Its tears of faith at a level that i have never experienced before.

Its tears of fullness of God's assurance that He's got it under control

Its tears of anxiousness to see what the future is going to hold!

At this very moment I can feel the Holy Spirit's loving arms holding me tight and I am so SURE that He's got it covered.

He made the blind see, the lame walk, He's raised people from the dead, He's cured cancer, He's brought people out of addictions, He's helped the helpless, He is a God of MIRACLES and I BELIEVE IN HIM!