It always amazes me how unique God has created each of His children. We can all read the same Bible and even if we go to the same church and/or subscribe to the same theology, we can each get something different out of the same passage of Scripture. In fact, there are many times I have read a verse I have read before and receive a new revelation of the same words. Or, see it in a different light. And there's just one me!
I say all of this to say that the other day a friend of mine wrote a blog that another friend of mine replied to on his blog and so what else can I do except to reply to their blogs on my blog? If you want to get the entire subject matter in its context, please take a moment to read the blogs, and their corresponding comments before reading on. Otherwise, I will do my best to summarize for you.
The jest of the first blog, Jesus Was a Democrat, is about a song written by a band which got Britt to thinking about Jesus. While I disagree with Britt's opinion on whether or not Jesus would be financially affluent, I do agree with her statements on the types of people he would hang around. After all, the well do not need a Physician. As far as the question she poses of where would Christ be in the political spectrum if alive today, I think He would still be a radical who surrounded himself with sinners and tax collectors.
Then Ryan says that while Jesus supported giving to charity, He never legislated it or required it amongst his followers. True, that. However, He did send Peter fishing to get money to pay the temple tax in Matt 17:24-27 (Ryan if you read this, the dialogue btw Jesus and Peter almost sounds like the Fair Tax ideology).
So the hypothetical situation is that if Jesus were alive today, lived in America and had the right to vote, how would He view social programs? Only He knows, but it got some good banter going at my house!
My personal opinion on the matter stems from an account in Acts 3 where Peter and John go to the Gate Beautiful to pray. They pass a man lame from birth, who is begging for his livelihood. The man looks to them expecting to receive a handout, and then Peter tells him to rise and walk in the name of Jesus. The beggar was healed (and I suppose was no longer seen begging at the gate...as he was able to go earn a living). I think it would behoove us if more of us took an interest in those sitting at the gates we pass by each morning.
Paul tells us in II Cor 8:9 that Jesus was made poor that we through his poverty might become rich. Jesus proclaims in Luke 4:16 that, among other things, he came to preach the gospel to the poor.
I know this is taking an extreme liberty with that scripture, but I really feel like Jesus was a "give a man a fish, he'll eat for a day; teach him how to fish and he'll eat forever" kind of a guy. In Luke 5:4 he guided Peter et al to a catch so large the nets broke. The word gospel literally means "good news". What is good news to a poor person? You do not have to be poor. A sacrifice was made and an escape route prepared for you. I believe Jesus would still be (and is) empowering people to lead better lives.
However, it could be argued that the good news is that you can stand in line for your food stamps and be told what you can spend your stamps on. Or, that if you are disabled like the man at the Gate Beautiful, you can receive a monthly stipend courtesy of Social Security taxes. If you are in the right generation, then this same social program will provide you with a modest retirement at the government-appointed age. He did, after all, feed the 5,000. But, he did it by taking the bread he had, blessing it, and multiplying it. Not by collecting a mandated percentage of wages from the disciples.
While I personally do support some social programs under some circumstances, I feel in large part that they do a disservice by enabling people to stay poor. In fact, welfare began as something designed to TEMPORARILY help you while you're down, and then cut off. Somehow these programs have been poorly managed to the point that they no longer resemble what they were designed to do. My husband points out that America is such a giving nation, that we even give in our legislature, which is part of what makes us a prosperous nation. Even though he'll never access any of these programs, he'll "give to Caesar what is Caesar's".
Who is to say who really needs it and who is abusing the system? I know people who genuinely need the income these programs provide, and I don't mind paying taxes for those purposes. I just would like to see it managed better. Jesus tells the parable that the master gives three people talents, one 5, one 3 and one 1. The two with 5 and 3 doubled the money and the one with one hid the one and returned it to the master. He was scolded, and told he should have left it on deposit with the bankers so the master could at least have received interest! These programs might be more efficient if we had better rulers. But, we only have ourselves to blame for that, as these are elected officials.
One day Jesus will return and set up HIS government. That is the only one which truly matters!
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Big Boy Blue
I guess I didn't think my body was in enough pain. I spent the day yesterday doing hard labor, and not the kind that ends up with a baby in your arms! I painted Jimi's room. With temps in the 70's yesterday, it was a good day to do it so that I could open the window. It is all part of getting ready for the baby. In order for the baby to come, I had to do Jimi's room. More on my rationale later.
We are buying a second, convertible crib that we will give to Jimi and then give the baby Jimi's crib. It can be a toddler bed when he is ready. His Grammy and Grandpa got him a cute little table and chair set so he can color, etc. on a table his size. They also got him a couple of cute outfits and legos. Two hundred pieces of joy.
One of the things we got him for Christmas was big boy bedding. Even though it is for a toddler bed, I put it in his crib because the mattress is the same size. His walls really needed to be painted because the previous owners of our house had a flat paint on them. Flat paints don't scrub, and aren't a good idea for a child's room. Besides, I wanted to make the room more "his" and more like a boy's room. We had set it up as a nursery before I knew whether he was a boy or a girl, so it was very gender neutral, and kinda girlie at that.
So, we moved all of his gender neutral/kinda girlie decor over to Sissy's room, and turned his room into a big boy room. I'm not 100% done, but we have new bedding, new paint, new dresser drawers (in the closet), new drums and a new table and chairs. I also took out the changing table, which I am hopefully going to replace with a changing table/hamper combo if I can find what I am looking for. I also want to install shelving and find a couple of craft drawers types of things to put his drumsticks and crayons and paper in.
Now I am going to box up all of his clothes which are 2T and/or short sleeved. Then I will make his old dresser Sissy's dresser (it's already in her room, just needs to be organized). I am going to put my rocker in there, and try to find a lamp. The window in her room faces the front of the house, so there is a window and then a half-moon window on top of that. I found some window covering that you can cut to size and then put up to filter light from coming in and I have a valance Dapo will be installing.
So far we have moved around four different rooms in preparation for this child. I guess you could say five if you count the bassinet in our room. We had to move the study to accommodate the musical instruments, because we had to move the instruments in order to make the music room the guest room. We had to move the guest room in order to put the baby in a room in the same hall as the bathroom and to not get afternoon sun, and we had to move Jimi's room into a big boy's room so that all the baby things would be in the baby's room.
I also had Dapo install her car seat in my car and so that is ready to go. I am going to pack soon, just to be ready and not have to do anything but sleep, eat, pee and chase Jimi for three weeks. Oh, and blog and facebook.
We are buying a second, convertible crib that we will give to Jimi and then give the baby Jimi's crib. It can be a toddler bed when he is ready. His Grammy and Grandpa got him a cute little table and chair set so he can color, etc. on a table his size. They also got him a couple of cute outfits and legos. Two hundred pieces of joy.
One of the things we got him for Christmas was big boy bedding. Even though it is for a toddler bed, I put it in his crib because the mattress is the same size. His walls really needed to be painted because the previous owners of our house had a flat paint on them. Flat paints don't scrub, and aren't a good idea for a child's room. Besides, I wanted to make the room more "his" and more like a boy's room. We had set it up as a nursery before I knew whether he was a boy or a girl, so it was very gender neutral, and kinda girlie at that.
So, we moved all of his gender neutral/kinda girlie decor over to Sissy's room, and turned his room into a big boy room. I'm not 100% done, but we have new bedding, new paint, new dresser drawers (in the closet), new drums and a new table and chairs. I also took out the changing table, which I am hopefully going to replace with a changing table/hamper combo if I can find what I am looking for. I also want to install shelving and find a couple of craft drawers types of things to put his drumsticks and crayons and paper in.
Now I am going to box up all of his clothes which are 2T and/or short sleeved. Then I will make his old dresser Sissy's dresser (it's already in her room, just needs to be organized). I am going to put my rocker in there, and try to find a lamp. The window in her room faces the front of the house, so there is a window and then a half-moon window on top of that. I found some window covering that you can cut to size and then put up to filter light from coming in and I have a valance Dapo will be installing.
So far we have moved around four different rooms in preparation for this child. I guess you could say five if you count the bassinet in our room. We had to move the study to accommodate the musical instruments, because we had to move the instruments in order to make the music room the guest room. We had to move the guest room in order to put the baby in a room in the same hall as the bathroom and to not get afternoon sun, and we had to move Jimi's room into a big boy's room so that all the baby things would be in the baby's room.
I also had Dapo install her car seat in my car and so that is ready to go. I am going to pack soon, just to be ready and not have to do anything but sleep, eat, pee and chase Jimi for three weeks. Oh, and blog and facebook.
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Sleigh Ride Together
My family has a Christmas tradition. Usually on the 23rd of December we load up the car with cookies and hot cocoa and go drive around and look at Christmas lights (when I was older I learned the adults' cocoa was really coffee and Kahlua). Since we moved here I have made Dapo drive me around each Christmas. This year it was extra special, having Jimi old enough to be amused by it all.
Tonight Dapo, Jimi and I went out to look at the lights. I saved two carbs from dinner so that I could "afford" the hot cocoa without sending my blood sugar skyrocketing. Jimi settled for warm milk. We had delicious white chocolate peppermint cocoa! We drove around an area by our house that has $400k homes with like budgets for lights.
We saw lots of inflatable snowmen, Santas and reindeer. Jimi was genuinely interested in the lights, as was I. I am glad he is tall enough to see out the window with ease. We listened to a "black tie Christmas" jazz CD, which I enjoyed very much. With the temps in the 60's this week, it truly was lovely weather for a sleigh ride together!
Tonight Dapo, Jimi and I went out to look at the lights. I saved two carbs from dinner so that I could "afford" the hot cocoa without sending my blood sugar skyrocketing. Jimi settled for warm milk. We had delicious white chocolate peppermint cocoa! We drove around an area by our house that has $400k homes with like budgets for lights.
We saw lots of inflatable snowmen, Santas and reindeer. Jimi was genuinely interested in the lights, as was I. I am glad he is tall enough to see out the window with ease. We listened to a "black tie Christmas" jazz CD, which I enjoyed very much. With the temps in the 60's this week, it truly was lovely weather for a sleigh ride together!
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Closed and Long Day
Today I went to the OB. You may recall I thought I was going yesterday to Dr. Rushing. After signing in and waiting for my appointment at his office, the receptionist called me up and told me Dr. Rushing was not there that day. She proceeded to tell me he was there on Tuesday, and that's when my appointment was. No biggie, she said, she'll just reschedule me. Did I want to see so and so at such and such a location, or Dr. Rushing at Crestwood. I choose my Dr. even though it is CLEAR across town.
It was maybe not the best decision, as we wound up being at that office for nearly TWO hours. Poor Jimi did the best he could to be a good boy. He just wanted to tear up the office. Dapo left the waiting room three or four times with him while we waited to be called back. There were so many people there that all of the men were standing, because all the chairs were taken. So he didn't mind.
When I finally did see the Dr., my blood pressure was its standard high 138/84. The baby, as usual, did not want us to listen to her heart. I told the nurse that I thought the baby must have dropped because I have been feeling a lot of pain in my hip/pelvis area; along with pressure and a few contractions. Dr. Rushing checked me and described me in a way I'd never heard before: "you're closed and long". I thought, "wha?" It means not dilated and not dropped. So, if not dropped, why so much pain? Dr. Rushing explained the baby is breech, that's why.
I also told him sometimes when I walk my legs just buckle under me. He is such an even kilter guy that he nods his head yes. I said, you are just okay with that? He makes a good point, he can't do anything about it. Alright, so he tells me to try to stay off my feet and get rest. No problem, Doc, I will just need some go-go Gadget arms to play and chase Jimi with. I guess the leg buckle thing is due to the hormones loosening the joints.
He looked at my blood glucose levels, which have been good overall, but are consistently high in the morning. In fact, no matter what I do at night, they are higher than they should be. Since I've started monitoring, I've not yet had a number within range. He started me on a medication to help that and I only have to take it once a day, at night.
He did not take an ultrasound of the baby, so whoever told me they would just had a doctor with a different philosophy than mine, I guess. I also made him feel my abdomen and tell me how big the baby is. And, I told him, DON'T say 7 lbs plus or minus a few...because we all know what happened the last time he said that! He felt and said, okay, "6 plus or minus..." Everyone wants to be a comedian. Don't quit your day job, Dr., at least not until after January.
After the Doctor I had arranged to get my haircut at a friend's house. She has a little boy about a year older than Jimi and they get rowdy and play and have fun while she cuts my hair. Because of the wait and the fact I was on the other side of town, I didn't get to her house until 1. Jimi was so tired because he woke up at 630, but he couldn't get that nap until we left. We wrapped up by 3 and went home.
It was a long day, but more importantly: it was a closed and long day.
It was maybe not the best decision, as we wound up being at that office for nearly TWO hours. Poor Jimi did the best he could to be a good boy. He just wanted to tear up the office. Dapo left the waiting room three or four times with him while we waited to be called back. There were so many people there that all of the men were standing, because all the chairs were taken. So he didn't mind.
When I finally did see the Dr., my blood pressure was its standard high 138/84. The baby, as usual, did not want us to listen to her heart. I told the nurse that I thought the baby must have dropped because I have been feeling a lot of pain in my hip/pelvis area; along with pressure and a few contractions. Dr. Rushing checked me and described me in a way I'd never heard before: "you're closed and long". I thought, "wha?" It means not dilated and not dropped. So, if not dropped, why so much pain? Dr. Rushing explained the baby is breech, that's why.
I also told him sometimes when I walk my legs just buckle under me. He is such an even kilter guy that he nods his head yes. I said, you are just okay with that? He makes a good point, he can't do anything about it. Alright, so he tells me to try to stay off my feet and get rest. No problem, Doc, I will just need some go-go Gadget arms to play and chase Jimi with. I guess the leg buckle thing is due to the hormones loosening the joints.
He looked at my blood glucose levels, which have been good overall, but are consistently high in the morning. In fact, no matter what I do at night, they are higher than they should be. Since I've started monitoring, I've not yet had a number within range. He started me on a medication to help that and I only have to take it once a day, at night.
He did not take an ultrasound of the baby, so whoever told me they would just had a doctor with a different philosophy than mine, I guess. I also made him feel my abdomen and tell me how big the baby is. And, I told him, DON'T say 7 lbs plus or minus a few...because we all know what happened the last time he said that! He felt and said, okay, "6 plus or minus..." Everyone wants to be a comedian. Don't quit your day job, Dr., at least not until after January.
After the Doctor I had arranged to get my haircut at a friend's house. She has a little boy about a year older than Jimi and they get rowdy and play and have fun while she cuts my hair. Because of the wait and the fact I was on the other side of town, I didn't get to her house until 1. Jimi was so tired because he woke up at 630, but he couldn't get that nap until we left. We wrapped up by 3 and went home.
It was a long day, but more importantly: it was a closed and long day.
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Mary Did You Know?
One of my favorite Christmas songs is "Mary Did You Know?" ...although I first heard it sung from an itinerant minister at our church during non-Christmas season. I didn't realize it was a Christmas song until I started hearing it on radio stations who only play Christmas music for the month of December.
It is Christmas time and I am pregnant, so I began to wonder as I drove home from my Doctor's appointment (which was yesterday, BTW) about the song. I believe that Mary must have known what a special event had occurred (see Luke 1:46-56), because first she was visited by an angel, overshadowed by the Holy Ghost and conceived the Saviour of the World, then her once-barren cousin turns up pregnant and her cousin's husband was able to speak only after writing "his name is John" after being unable to speak for nine months. I mean, call me crazy, but those are some seriously supernatural events for Mary not to understand the gravity of the situation. Still, I like the song.
My thoughts then went to Mary's pregnancy. Did she show right away? Did she have morning sickness? Cravings? Hemorrhoids? Gas? Heartburn? What was it like to carry Jesus? I don't mean that from a "Mary did you know" standpoint, I mean what kind of baby was Jesus in her womb. Did he kick? Did she have trouble sleeping at night? How often did she have to go to the bathroom? And how on earth did she ride a donkey from Nazareth to Bethlehem right before she gave birth!?!
The Bible mentions in Luke 1:41 that John leaped inside of Elizabeth when she heard Mary. Elizabeth was 6 months along by then. Even if Jesus had leaped, Mary would not have felt him because she was only a week or two along. That is all the Bible tells us about her pregnancy, except that she was "great with child" (Luke 2:5). Okay, so maybe she gained a little weight, but other than that...what was it like?
Part of me suspects it was a great pregnancy, and that she had that pregnant glow, because Jesus was all God. The other part of me thinks well, he was also all man, so it must have been just like yours and mine, with lower back pain and the works. I mean, as a Christian I have God on the inside of me, but I still have heartburn with my baby. But, maybe it is different when the baby IS God.
Not that I'm really that curious, or Catholic for that matter, but I thought it was interesting fodder.
It is Christmas time and I am pregnant, so I began to wonder as I drove home from my Doctor's appointment (which was yesterday, BTW) about the song. I believe that Mary must have known what a special event had occurred (see Luke 1:46-56), because first she was visited by an angel, overshadowed by the Holy Ghost and conceived the Saviour of the World, then her once-barren cousin turns up pregnant and her cousin's husband was able to speak only after writing "his name is John" after being unable to speak for nine months. I mean, call me crazy, but those are some seriously supernatural events for Mary not to understand the gravity of the situation. Still, I like the song.
My thoughts then went to Mary's pregnancy. Did she show right away? Did she have morning sickness? Cravings? Hemorrhoids? Gas? Heartburn? What was it like to carry Jesus? I don't mean that from a "Mary did you know" standpoint, I mean what kind of baby was Jesus in her womb. Did he kick? Did she have trouble sleeping at night? How often did she have to go to the bathroom? And how on earth did she ride a donkey from Nazareth to Bethlehem right before she gave birth!?!
The Bible mentions in Luke 1:41 that John leaped inside of Elizabeth when she heard Mary. Elizabeth was 6 months along by then. Even if Jesus had leaped, Mary would not have felt him because she was only a week or two along. That is all the Bible tells us about her pregnancy, except that she was "great with child" (Luke 2:5). Okay, so maybe she gained a little weight, but other than that...what was it like?
Part of me suspects it was a great pregnancy, and that she had that pregnant glow, because Jesus was all God. The other part of me thinks well, he was also all man, so it must have been just like yours and mine, with lower back pain and the works. I mean, as a Christian I have God on the inside of me, but I still have heartburn with my baby. But, maybe it is different when the baby IS God.
Not that I'm really that curious, or Catholic for that matter, but I thought it was interesting fodder.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Drop In
The baby dropped over the weekend, and now there is a lot of pressure in my pelvic region. She is not sitting so high, which I haven't really had the opportunity to enjoy, since I am so preoccupied with waddling. Interestingly, I have been sleeping BETTER since this occurred, catching over 8 hours of only-once interrupted sleep on three separate occasions since Friday. Dapo hasn't been snoring and Jimi hasn't been waking up early. Wow. God is working on my behalf! I would love it to last, but if it doesn't, it has been a well-needed, much-appreciated reprieve.
The other thing is I have had my only craving since my 2nd trimester. I was really craving Greek Souvlaki from Yanni's, a restaurant in SLC. Once I started thinking about it, I posted it as my status on facebook and the buzz increased my desire for it. Greek Souvlaki from Yanni's is basically a shishkabob served with lemon rice, a pita bread and a side salad with greek dressing. I looked up a recipe for the souvlaki online, and a friend of mine, Mikal, found a recipe for lemon rice. I made it and Dapo and I really enjoyed it, while Jimi turned his nose up at the chicken, rice AND pita bread! I thought he would at least like the pita bread.
Speaking of Jimi, I wanted to blog down the antibiotic that seems to be the only one that only has to be administered once a day, and only 3/4 tsp at that. It also only has to be taken for 3 days instead of 10. He hates taking medicine (who doesn't?) and is a very good wiggler/spitter/trickster. Anyhow, the last time he got sick he fought it pretty well but after about 2 weeks I took him to the Dr. and got this prescription. They always want to prescribe amoxicillin, which he proceeds to vomit and have diarrhea with. I finally started telling them "he's allergic" rather than, "can you give him something else?". I don't really think he's allergic, but that's the only way they listen to me! The antibiotic is called Zithromax and is usually only prescribed by the youngest Doctor on call at his pediatrician's office. Now I will have this in case I need to remember what it was called, and I can throw the bottle away now!
I go to the Diabetes Center tomorrow for a visit and I also have my OB/GYN visit tomorrow. If my numbers and food choices are satisfactory to the RD at the DC, I won't have to return for any more visits and/or classes. Hopefully I pass because I think the alternative is insulin shots. YUCK. I am also hopeful to have Dr. Rushing tell me a little about when he thinks this sweet baby girl is coming. I simply cannot tolerate the pressure/waddling for another 6 weeks. Although, she does not have a name yet, but that is the least of my concerns! I will name her in the hospital if I must!!
The other thing is I have had my only craving since my 2nd trimester. I was really craving Greek Souvlaki from Yanni's, a restaurant in SLC. Once I started thinking about it, I posted it as my status on facebook and the buzz increased my desire for it. Greek Souvlaki from Yanni's is basically a shishkabob served with lemon rice, a pita bread and a side salad with greek dressing. I looked up a recipe for the souvlaki online, and a friend of mine, Mikal, found a recipe for lemon rice. I made it and Dapo and I really enjoyed it, while Jimi turned his nose up at the chicken, rice AND pita bread! I thought he would at least like the pita bread.
Speaking of Jimi, I wanted to blog down the antibiotic that seems to be the only one that only has to be administered once a day, and only 3/4 tsp at that. It also only has to be taken for 3 days instead of 10. He hates taking medicine (who doesn't?) and is a very good wiggler/spitter/trickster. Anyhow, the last time he got sick he fought it pretty well but after about 2 weeks I took him to the Dr. and got this prescription. They always want to prescribe amoxicillin, which he proceeds to vomit and have diarrhea with. I finally started telling them "he's allergic" rather than, "can you give him something else?". I don't really think he's allergic, but that's the only way they listen to me! The antibiotic is called Zithromax and is usually only prescribed by the youngest Doctor on call at his pediatrician's office. Now I will have this in case I need to remember what it was called, and I can throw the bottle away now!
I go to the Diabetes Center tomorrow for a visit and I also have my OB/GYN visit tomorrow. If my numbers and food choices are satisfactory to the RD at the DC, I won't have to return for any more visits and/or classes. Hopefully I pass because I think the alternative is insulin shots. YUCK. I am also hopeful to have Dr. Rushing tell me a little about when he thinks this sweet baby girl is coming. I simply cannot tolerate the pressure/waddling for another 6 weeks. Although, she does not have a name yet, but that is the least of my concerns! I will name her in the hospital if I must!!
Friday, December 12, 2008
More Words
On Wednesday I went to the Huntsville Hospital's Diabetes Center for Diabetes Education (for gestational diabetes). It was very informational and I received a meal plan tailored to my age, weight/height, activity level, usual eating habits, and weeks of gestation.
I know it sounds silly, but I actually wish that I could have known about this program sooner...because although the first couple of days last week were hard to adjust to, I feel so much better on the meal pattern. One thing I learned is that fruit is taboo for the diabetic's breakfast meal. Also, I had no clue that protein helps keep your blood sugar down, and slows the digestion of carbohydrates. So every time I have a carb, I have to couple it with a protein. Like salt and pepper.
Also, peas and corn don't count as veggies, they are starches. Who knew? I guess that's why they are my favorite vegetables, eh? I also never thought of fruit as a carbohydrate...because there's no flour involved.
Anyhow, I am having 14 servings of carbs a day (i.e. slice of toast, 1/3 c rice, 1/2 c mash taters, 1/2 c peas, 1/2 hot dog bun, etc.). Then, I am having 12 ounces of meat/protein a day. That is the only thing I am required to count. I have been counting calories, though, because they suggested 2100/day for me. The two days I have been logging I have come up over by about 200 calories both days. At first I thought 2100 would be hard to hit but then I saw that it is pretty easy!
A friend of mine from church who only works a couple of days a week watched Jimi that morning, because it was a 3 1/2 hr class, and children are not invited. She also teaches Jimi's Sunday School class, so he is very familiar with her. Laura Beth is an avid baby-signer with her toddler daughter. The next day, I saw Jimi do the sign for thank you. He also said "tsa ku" while he did it. I knew this meant Thank you! I would not have known what he was saying, had he not done the sign with it. So, now I can recognize another of his words!
I rode that momentum into breakfast where I asked him if he could say juice and he replied, "JU". Wow. When he dropped his sippy cup, I said "Uh-oh", and he jabbered back, "Ah O". What else have I missed? Had it not been for a 1/2 day at Laura Beth's house in the world of baby signs, I might not have recognized Jimi's words. Thanks, Laura Beth!
I know it sounds silly, but I actually wish that I could have known about this program sooner...because although the first couple of days last week were hard to adjust to, I feel so much better on the meal pattern. One thing I learned is that fruit is taboo for the diabetic's breakfast meal. Also, I had no clue that protein helps keep your blood sugar down, and slows the digestion of carbohydrates. So every time I have a carb, I have to couple it with a protein. Like salt and pepper.
Also, peas and corn don't count as veggies, they are starches. Who knew? I guess that's why they are my favorite vegetables, eh? I also never thought of fruit as a carbohydrate...because there's no flour involved.
Anyhow, I am having 14 servings of carbs a day (i.e. slice of toast, 1/3 c rice, 1/2 c mash taters, 1/2 c peas, 1/2 hot dog bun, etc.). Then, I am having 12 ounces of meat/protein a day. That is the only thing I am required to count. I have been counting calories, though, because they suggested 2100/day for me. The two days I have been logging I have come up over by about 200 calories both days. At first I thought 2100 would be hard to hit but then I saw that it is pretty easy!
A friend of mine from church who only works a couple of days a week watched Jimi that morning, because it was a 3 1/2 hr class, and children are not invited. She also teaches Jimi's Sunday School class, so he is very familiar with her. Laura Beth is an avid baby-signer with her toddler daughter. The next day, I saw Jimi do the sign for thank you. He also said "tsa ku" while he did it. I knew this meant Thank you! I would not have known what he was saying, had he not done the sign with it. So, now I can recognize another of his words!
I rode that momentum into breakfast where I asked him if he could say juice and he replied, "JU". Wow. When he dropped his sippy cup, I said "Uh-oh", and he jabbered back, "Ah O". What else have I missed? Had it not been for a 1/2 day at Laura Beth's house in the world of baby signs, I might not have recognized Jimi's words. Thanks, Laura Beth!
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Lil' man-nerisms
When we got home from the pool this morning, Jimi found a way to remove his shoes, socks, then his pants, and finally his diaper, and went streaking through the house. I grabbed the camera, and took pictures of him, and some day he will be mortified to know that I have posted them on my blog!
He also has picked up some pretty fun mannerisms lately, as well. He doesn't use his words much...except I hear "bahloo" a lot. I know that he knows them, he just chooses not to use them. Nowadays when I ask him if he is hungry, or ready for lunch he will just take off running to his high chair if he is. Sometimes, I don't ask him, but I find him standing at his chair. So cute.
Dapo has been letting him play with his phone for quite some time. I resisted at first, but that went over like a lead "bahloo". Jimi now takes your phone and instead of calling someone whose name starts with a letter on the #5 key (sorry Jon, Jill and Jody), or using it as a teether, puts the phone to his head. He walks around with it against his ear, and then when he tires of it, puts it against your ear. Such a smart boy!
Pool of Thought
I made a recent post about all the senior ladies that converse (among other things) in the pool during aqua aerobics class. I have since noticed that the crowd is usually only there on M,W,F at the 8:30 am class. Because of my Doctor appointments, last week I wound up going on Tues, Thurs instead. The instructor is different, the tempo is different, and so is the demographic. However, a few silver faithful still turn out.
Before class started, one such lady approached me as I entered the pool. "If you don't mind me asking," she said, "when are you expecting?" I told her no, I didn't mind her asking, and I am due in January. But it got me to thinking...why does everyone else just blurt out "when are you due?" Even I myself approached someone I didn't know who looked about as pregnant as me and without even introducing myself, said, "so when are you due?" Granted, it was during a social mixer where we had to ask questions about each other as a crowd breaker, but, I could have started with, "Hi, I'm Kari."
I don't want to get into a "what have we become?" about our generation. As I approach motherhood a second time, the way my senior friend posed her question leaves me inspired to instill in my children proper behavior and good manners.
Before class started, one such lady approached me as I entered the pool. "If you don't mind me asking," she said, "when are you expecting?" I told her no, I didn't mind her asking, and I am due in January. But it got me to thinking...why does everyone else just blurt out "when are you due?" Even I myself approached someone I didn't know who looked about as pregnant as me and without even introducing myself, said, "so when are you due?" Granted, it was during a social mixer where we had to ask questions about each other as a crowd breaker, but, I could have started with, "Hi, I'm Kari."
I don't want to get into a "what have we become?" about our generation. As I approach motherhood a second time, the way my senior friend posed her question leaves me inspired to instill in my children proper behavior and good manners.
Friday, December 5, 2008
No more juice?!
Well, today I went in to the DCC for my three hour educational class I'm supposed to take. During this class I will receive a diet to follow for the duration of my pregnancy. However, when I arrived for my appointment, the nurse seeing me asked, "Do you know why they wanted you to come today before the class?" I asked, "Isn't today the class?"
Evidently they stopped offering the class on Fridays over a year ago and the nurse at my OB's office didn't get the memo. Dapo has already taken off two hours twice this week, and since two of his projects have been made priority, he can't really take off any more time. Thankfully, a friend from church can watch Jimi next Wednesday, when the class really is.
The nurse at the center did take the time to go over the preliminary documentation such as what have I been eating, who does the cooking, have I had any children over 8 lbs?, etc. She also gave me a glucometer and test strips to begin taking my blood sugar. And, then she said, "I also want you to stop drinking juice". My dad is a Type II Diabetic, so I know that drinking a glass of apple juice is the equivalent of eating 8 apples, but what is the harm in eating 8 apples?!
Then, we took my blood sugar, which was high at 184. I purposely had the worst breakfast I could think of, so that I would see my blood sugar at its worst. That will probably be the last time I see it that high, as I need to be eating 3 snacks a day in addition to my 3 meals a day. That's not a problem, but it sounds like a lot of making meals and standing on my feet.
I'll be pricking my finger and taking my blood sugar 4x a day, beginning today.
Evidently they stopped offering the class on Fridays over a year ago and the nurse at my OB's office didn't get the memo. Dapo has already taken off two hours twice this week, and since two of his projects have been made priority, he can't really take off any more time. Thankfully, a friend from church can watch Jimi next Wednesday, when the class really is.
The nurse at the center did take the time to go over the preliminary documentation such as what have I been eating, who does the cooking, have I had any children over 8 lbs?, etc. She also gave me a glucometer and test strips to begin taking my blood sugar. And, then she said, "I also want you to stop drinking juice". My dad is a Type II Diabetic, so I know that drinking a glass of apple juice is the equivalent of eating 8 apples, but what is the harm in eating 8 apples?!
Then, we took my blood sugar, which was high at 184. I purposely had the worst breakfast I could think of, so that I would see my blood sugar at its worst. That will probably be the last time I see it that high, as I need to be eating 3 snacks a day in addition to my 3 meals a day. That's not a problem, but it sounds like a lot of making meals and standing on my feet.
I'll be pricking my finger and taking my blood sugar 4x a day, beginning today.
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Glucose Schmucose
At my OB visit on Tuesday, I got the lab slip for the 3 hr glucose test. This was because I tested high the previous week when I went in for the normal screening. So, Dapo had to take off of work to entertain Jimi while I had the test. I showed up at 7:45 or so, after a night of fasting. They drew my blood, and then gave me 10 ounces of a "delicious" orange glucose drink. Really, the drink wasn't terribly horrible, but it was like a very syrupy version of Orange Crush without the carbonation. The hematologist had chilled it, so it went down a little easier.
I went back every hour for three hours to have my blood drawn at exactly an hour past the last draw. It took me about 10 min to drink the drink, so my draws were at 745, 855, 955 and 1055.
I was napping this afternoon when the phone woke me up. It was the RN from my OB's office informing me that I did not pass the 3 hr glucose tolerance test that I took yesterday morning. Uh-oh. The first draw on fast at 745 should have been between 65-94, and it was 108. After the drink the second draw should have been under 180, and was 228. The third draw should have been under 155 and was at 222. The final draw, should have been under 140 and was 114. So I failed on 3 of 4 draws. I guess the good news is that I did eventually wind up where I should have been, but not soon enough.
The gal at the lab kept asking me how I was feeling, and I was groggy and tired and hungry...normal pregnancy stuff. Anyhow, the nurse said that if I have been feeling tired, sleepy and weak that monitoring my diet and blood sugar will most likely help with that. That is good news, because this baby has been kicking my butt!
Tomorrow I have to go to the local Diabetes Control Center to go through a 3 to 4-hr class at 730, and children are not invited. This means Dapo gets to take more time off of work. I guess it is a necessity, so what can you say?
I went back every hour for three hours to have my blood drawn at exactly an hour past the last draw. It took me about 10 min to drink the drink, so my draws were at 745, 855, 955 and 1055.
I was napping this afternoon when the phone woke me up. It was the RN from my OB's office informing me that I did not pass the 3 hr glucose tolerance test that I took yesterday morning. Uh-oh. The first draw on fast at 745 should have been between 65-94, and it was 108. After the drink the second draw should have been under 180, and was 228. The third draw should have been under 155 and was at 222. The final draw, should have been under 140 and was 114. So I failed on 3 of 4 draws. I guess the good news is that I did eventually wind up where I should have been, but not soon enough.
The gal at the lab kept asking me how I was feeling, and I was groggy and tired and hungry...normal pregnancy stuff. Anyhow, the nurse said that if I have been feeling tired, sleepy and weak that monitoring my diet and blood sugar will most likely help with that. That is good news, because this baby has been kicking my butt!
Tomorrow I have to go to the local Diabetes Control Center to go through a 3 to 4-hr class at 730, and children are not invited. This means Dapo gets to take more time off of work. I guess it is a necessity, so what can you say?
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
What's the Difference?
I will be 32 weeks on Thursday, and am seeing the OB every two weeks now. My blood pressure was high, 142/84. I gained two pounds since they saw me two weeks ago, and I have to take a blood glucose test tomorrow. It is the three-hour long fasting test that no one likes to do. Dr. Rushing assured me that the baby cannot kick my spine and paralyze me. I know, it's silly, but she kicked me and hit a nerve and my leg jerked out all crazy, and so I wanted to know what else she could do!
I was thinking what a difference my two pregnancies have been. With Jimi, I craved salad, chicken, apples and jalapenos. With this baby, Chinese food, Mexican food, cookies, donuts and chips. My bp with Jimi: "textbook" (the OB's words, not mine), this one has been around 140/85. I was dancing and flying across the country and having a great time at Dapo's graduation when I was 7 mos preg w/Jimi. I am just now 7 mos and feel like I have been for two months, and am not interested in flying or dancing, or even moving off the couch on some days.
Jimi I carried low and back, this baby is high and out. I am actually thankful for that, because my back killed the last two months or so. I was terribly swollen with Jimi from about the 4th month throughout, and I have yet to really swell with this baby, still wearing my regular sized shoes.
This baby is the world's most active fetal mover! Jimi would thump his leg like he was playing the bass drum. In fact, while I was playing the drums I remember I could feel him moving his leg to the beat (swear I'm not making that up). This baby doesn't even like the sound waves that they use to listen to her heartbeat with. If I sit too close to speakers or music is too loud she will kick until it stops. My mom says she is just dancing, but to me it feels more on the demanding side.
With Jimi I had the "glow", with this baby, I have the "oh, no". My hormones feel different, and my hair seems to be bearing the brunt of the changes. I do think that I've been less temperamental with this baby, though. I felt like I was losing my mind with Jimi, and was an emotional wreck for most of the pregnancy. I would cry because I would drop things, and now I understand it's part of the gig. I haven't done anything like leave the clutch in neutral to have the car roll out of the driveway with this baby, and I forget the names of objects even less than I did before. I wonder if that is because I'm used to it, or if I'm handling it better the 2nd time around, or if perhaps I have indeed lost my mind and there is no logical reasoning to compare my current emotional condition against.
I'm waking up every hour, two hours, hour and a half, three hours or so. Sometimes it is for no good reason, other times b/c of snoring, crying or needing to urinate. Sometimes I go back to sleep, others it takes me as long as an hour. I don't remember this happening so soon with Jimi and never had trouble falling back asleep. And, when I was pregnant with him it was every three hours like clockwork, a trip to the bathroom and I was back to sleep.
I know some differences can be chalked up to the fact no two pregnancies are the same. Some can be attributed to the fact one was a boy and the other is a girl. Further, some can be first pregnancy/subsequent pregnancy differences. Whatever the reasons, I am glad certain things are different, and can't wait to see my baby girl. That, and sleep on my stomach.
I was thinking what a difference my two pregnancies have been. With Jimi, I craved salad, chicken, apples and jalapenos. With this baby, Chinese food, Mexican food, cookies, donuts and chips. My bp with Jimi: "textbook" (the OB's words, not mine), this one has been around 140/85. I was dancing and flying across the country and having a great time at Dapo's graduation when I was 7 mos preg w/Jimi. I am just now 7 mos and feel like I have been for two months, and am not interested in flying or dancing, or even moving off the couch on some days.
Jimi I carried low and back, this baby is high and out. I am actually thankful for that, because my back killed the last two months or so. I was terribly swollen with Jimi from about the 4th month throughout, and I have yet to really swell with this baby, still wearing my regular sized shoes.
This baby is the world's most active fetal mover! Jimi would thump his leg like he was playing the bass drum. In fact, while I was playing the drums I remember I could feel him moving his leg to the beat (swear I'm not making that up). This baby doesn't even like the sound waves that they use to listen to her heartbeat with. If I sit too close to speakers or music is too loud she will kick until it stops. My mom says she is just dancing, but to me it feels more on the demanding side.
With Jimi I had the "glow", with this baby, I have the "oh, no". My hormones feel different, and my hair seems to be bearing the brunt of the changes. I do think that I've been less temperamental with this baby, though. I felt like I was losing my mind with Jimi, and was an emotional wreck for most of the pregnancy. I would cry because I would drop things, and now I understand it's part of the gig. I haven't done anything like leave the clutch in neutral to have the car roll out of the driveway with this baby, and I forget the names of objects even less than I did before. I wonder if that is because I'm used to it, or if I'm handling it better the 2nd time around, or if perhaps I have indeed lost my mind and there is no logical reasoning to compare my current emotional condition against.
I'm waking up every hour, two hours, hour and a half, three hours or so. Sometimes it is for no good reason, other times b/c of snoring, crying or needing to urinate. Sometimes I go back to sleep, others it takes me as long as an hour. I don't remember this happening so soon with Jimi and never had trouble falling back asleep. And, when I was pregnant with him it was every three hours like clockwork, a trip to the bathroom and I was back to sleep.
I know some differences can be chalked up to the fact no two pregnancies are the same. Some can be attributed to the fact one was a boy and the other is a girl. Further, some can be first pregnancy/subsequent pregnancy differences. Whatever the reasons, I am glad certain things are different, and can't wait to see my baby girl. That, and sleep on my stomach.
Monday, December 1, 2008
O Christmas Tree
Yes, we finally are finished with decorating the house for Christmas! I am happy to say my husband put all the American neighbors to shame by being the first one with lights. In Nigeria, they do not decorate the outside of houses and yards like we do.
When we were newlywed in Utah, we did not get a tree. That year, we did not see our families, either, after both his mom and my parents spent Thanksgiving in our student housing apartment (or, cell block, as I referred to it). I mentioned to him that I was kind of sad about it, not having family around and not having decorations up. He didn't realize how much it meant to me. It just doesn't seem like Christmas to me without them. Since then, he has gone to great measures to make sure the lights get up on Black Friday, and the tree gets up on Saturday.
Jimi has been absolutely adorable helping Daddy with the lights, and helping Mommy with the tree. Once the tree was up and the lights were on, he kept staring at it in awe. I now understand why those traditions got ingrained in me so much growing up. The wonderment on his face as he beheld a lit-up tree made it worth all of the trouble. I hope we have started our own tradition that he will one day share with his family.
If you remember the Harvest Fest post, Jimi was enamored with the balloons at the party. As I was decorating the tree, putting on the bulbs, Jimi kept pointing at the bulbs and saying "bahloo". I said, as I usually do to his jibberish,"uh-huh, that's right". He kept on pointing, and saying, "bahloo, bahloo" until I said to Dapo, he is trying to tell me something and I don't know what. It finally dawned on me...BALLOON. He thought the bulbs were balloons, what a smart boy! I told him they were bulbs, but "bahloo" is what they are to him. He of course wants to touch them because 1) they are shiny, 2) he is curious 3) they look like bahloos. He has done a good job of just poking at them. I would hate to have one break and hurt him.
I did remember to grab the camera, and hope you enjoy my pix of Christmas in the making!
Both of my guys with their identical grumpy faces
Both of my guys with their identical smiling faces
Jimi with his ball
Dapo hanging lights
Jimi wanted to play in the landscaping, since he couldn't climb the ladder
Jimi poses for the camera
Jimi's abominable snowman impersonation
Jimi on another union break...doing snow angels without the snow
Jimi takes time to ponder the meaning of life
Dapo admires his handiwork
Sipping on some cocoa
Jimi shows me there's a tree in the living room!
Jimi is climbing the ladder, or at least trying to
Jimi wants to try this Christmas decorating thing out
Looks more like he's ready for Mardi Gras instead
Jimi points out to me all of the "Bahloos" he sees
I am trying to decorate faster than Jimi can take them off
Jimi is filled with wonder
Are you sure I can't take 'em off?
Dapo found a real "bahloo" for Jimi
Putting the bow on top
Ta da
All done!
When we were newlywed in Utah, we did not get a tree. That year, we did not see our families, either, after both his mom and my parents spent Thanksgiving in our student housing apartment (or, cell block, as I referred to it). I mentioned to him that I was kind of sad about it, not having family around and not having decorations up. He didn't realize how much it meant to me. It just doesn't seem like Christmas to me without them. Since then, he has gone to great measures to make sure the lights get up on Black Friday, and the tree gets up on Saturday.
Jimi has been absolutely adorable helping Daddy with the lights, and helping Mommy with the tree. Once the tree was up and the lights were on, he kept staring at it in awe. I now understand why those traditions got ingrained in me so much growing up. The wonderment on his face as he beheld a lit-up tree made it worth all of the trouble. I hope we have started our own tradition that he will one day share with his family.
If you remember the Harvest Fest post, Jimi was enamored with the balloons at the party. As I was decorating the tree, putting on the bulbs, Jimi kept pointing at the bulbs and saying "bahloo". I said, as I usually do to his jibberish,"uh-huh, that's right". He kept on pointing, and saying, "bahloo, bahloo" until I said to Dapo, he is trying to tell me something and I don't know what. It finally dawned on me...BALLOON. He thought the bulbs were balloons, what a smart boy! I told him they were bulbs, but "bahloo" is what they are to him. He of course wants to touch them because 1) they are shiny, 2) he is curious 3) they look like bahloos. He has done a good job of just poking at them. I would hate to have one break and hurt him.
I did remember to grab the camera, and hope you enjoy my pix of Christmas in the making!
Both of my guys with their identical grumpy faces
Both of my guys with their identical smiling faces
Jimi with his ball
Dapo hanging lights
Jimi wanted to play in the landscaping, since he couldn't climb the ladder
Jimi poses for the camera
Jimi's abominable snowman impersonation
Jimi on another union break...doing snow angels without the snow
Jimi takes time to ponder the meaning of life
Dapo admires his handiwork
Sipping on some cocoa
Jimi shows me there's a tree in the living room!
Jimi is climbing the ladder, or at least trying to
Jimi wants to try this Christmas decorating thing out
Looks more like he's ready for Mardi Gras instead
Jimi points out to me all of the "Bahloos" he sees
I am trying to decorate faster than Jimi can take them off
Jimi is filled with wonder
Are you sure I can't take 'em off?
Dapo found a real "bahloo" for Jimi
Putting the bow on top
Ta da
All done!
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