Baking for the other Momma!!

I know i've posted a LOT 

about my diabetes 

as well as 

this pregnancy. 

Neither of them got a second out of my 

day but I thought

i'd share something 

completely NOT related

to Diabetes, or pregnancy. 

Something that is delicious, fun to make, 

and makes you thankful

for being able to have it

knowing the baby might want it too!! haha

We are heading to see our friends

from college in Dubuque

(i'm actually doing this while Austin gets ready)

But in case you have an upcoming activity 

and want to make a cake of your own

this Red Velvet is the perfect one!

I'm making you very hungry while just posting photos

until I post later!!

Enjoy!

This is the frosting I have used many times before. 

This is the base, milk and flour headed to a pudding. 

I didn't get the rest of the photos, but you cream 1c butter with 1cup REAL granulated sugar. 

then here is the rest of the mini cakes

then finished..

Hope you enjoy!

I'll post the recipe tomorrow sometime!

Enjoy your weekend everyone!

-C and A

Oh baby....

So I know I have been MIA

lately. 

I feel like between work, swollen ankles

and being plain out exhausted has gotten the worse of me. 

But I promise, we are still

in now week 17 (specifically 17 and 6 days)

and baby is a growing.

This I KNOW.

So a couple things I have learned, 

some about being pregnant,

some about diabetes and pregnancy

I'll just do a list. It's easier!

1. People seriously stare at you like it's their job to figure out your new shape.

2. Getting up and down, and moving side to side is NOT 

as easy. I used to be pretty darn flexible and never had trouble 

bending, or at least discomfort. 

HELLO BABY.

3. I do not enjoy just getting up from the couch, picking up some laundry, or doing the dishes

and seriously, being out of breath. 

this I am NOT going to get used to. 

4. Maternity clothes are expensive. 

Not just are they expensive, there is NO selection. 

Thankfully, my MIL

is making me dresses and some shirts and she has been 

putting pockets in for my pump. 

5. If there is a headache, there is some diet coke. 

I know, you aren't supposed to have caffeine while

pregnant, and I know it is bad. 

But I am hoping, baby thinks it's better for me to have say, a glass of diet pepsi

once a week or every 2 weeks, just depends

instead of hurting my liver more with taking tylenol

(p.s. since we are all being honest here, the only pre-existing 

other problem I have going into pregnancy

is that I have an enlarged liver

and so far when I tried medication it only made it worse

and did nothing but cause problems. 

The one drug they told me to never take is 

Tylenol or acetaminophen and

being pregnant you are ONLY allowed those meds. 

So I take having a little diet pepsi over tylenol.)

6. I have noticed that every other day, or two days is a bad day. 

I will have an extra 5-10 units of insulin needed on those bad days. 

7. For those that are interested in my insulin changes here they are. 

Also remember, that every single person who needs 

insulin is different. 

Everyones bodies are different and

just because mine are higher than 

"someone you may heard of" 

or 

"something you heard from your doctor/friend/TV/Magazine"

We are all different. 

Okay pre-diabetes, 

I took 2units per carb roughly, of Novolog

and 28units at night time for Levemir. 

When I became pregnant I was changed from 

Levemir to Humalin N NPH. 

My Novolog doses changed, but mostly

breakfast: 1u :5 carb

lunch 1u:5 and sometimes 4 carbs

and dinner started at 1u: 6 carb to 1:3

Right now I am still 1:5, 1:5 and 1:3. 

I also am having now on the pump

2.70units of Novolog per hour. 

My NPH before pump was:

Morning: 16units

Dinner: 30 units

Bedtime: 60 units

So I went from 106units to only around 64 units. 

8. When the baby is growing, beforehand I feel like crap, 

all over blah, no energy, no appetite, 

no motivation.

Then in about 2 days I feel like I've gained 100lbs. 

Yeah, that feels crappy too. 

9. For the first Trimester I gained only 4lbs. 

That is great. 

However when I stopped taking birth control, 

I gained about 15. 

Which after researching and calling the company, 

that affects 1.2% of the women who take it and stop.

AWSOME.

10. I am now at 16weeks, had gained another 3lbs from the 4. 

So with only baby I have gained 7lbs. 

11. I have been dealing with low blood sugars during the night now

and my pump alarms, yells at me, 

and then

I test, and in fact I am facing a predicting low. 

I've now been drinking juice boxes, in my sleep, 

and woke up one night with the juicebox straw still in my mouth,

my bloody finger dried against my cream sheets and 

pump light still on. 

AWESOME. 

12. During the day, I have had to do 

a temporary basal rate (the one that is 2.70 units per hour)

to 50-70% less. 

13. I felt the baby move for the first real time

two days ago. 

It was very weird. 

Actually it was Monday, while I watched and cheered clients on 

while bowling. 

It felt like a pinball machine

and I was not winning. 

14. I now can eat pretty much an entire whole, seedless watermelon,

or a whole fresh pineapple

with my blood sugars dropping. 

I promise I am not doing this, but with out measuring it, 

or whatever, 

it is as though I am drinking water. 

It's awesome. 

15. I HATE shaving. 

It is so uncomfortable, my legs cramp up and

it is not fun. 

I know, it's only going to get worse

but some how I wish there was an invention

where we stepped into this like 

auto water sander

that we'd put our legs in and

while getting wet it's sand our hair down like we shaved. 

okay, so that might have been stupid but while in the shower

I think of all the ways I can possibly get around not having to shave

by inventing other things. 

My other invention was getting Austin very upset, and allowing him 

to wax my legs. 

I think i'll wait on that one. 

I hope that helped answer some questions, or 

allowed you to understand my diabetes pregnancy life a little better. 

If anyone ever has questions please feel free to contact me or 

even email!!

Thanks again for reading!

 I promise next post I will try to get my 15 week, 16 week and 17 week photo posted. 

I'm Popping..:)

Take care everyone!

-C and A

A new day, a new technology

Today is CGM day. 

I knew this was coming, and after getting the pump on

on May 9, 2011

I knew the CGM was the part I wanted that would help me know

what was going on when I didn't. 

Well, I met with my awesome

Pump Nurse Peggy! 

By far the most educated and patient person yet

that has given me the most

confidence that I can do this.

So after an hour of "class"

or educating me on the 

technology of this little device, and how to work the

duel and square wave bolus's (I'll talk about this in a different post)

and when I might want to use them

I was then taught how to put it on, what is what

and then this happened..

BAM, there it is. 

The big white thing is the actual sensor

that shoots to my pump and tells me what my numbers are. 

Now, in case I have almost lost you 

just skip this part too. 

(The blood "sugar" this sensor checks is not really my blood sugar

because it is in the interstitial fluid which is different then when I do blood checks.

So at times, the numbers will not always match perfectly,

but it is a good estimate of what my BS should be)

the purple part, which you can see is full of blood

is the part that is stuck inside of me. 

Much like my pump cannula, the needle

is fed under my skin with the cannula

to help it go in

and then I pull the needles out. 

I will post on my next site changes the size of them. 

This is what I see on my pump now that I am now receiving 

data:

So now that I did my pump site change 

this is what I'm looking like today, and for the next 2.5 days

What a Robot? Really. I think that describes how I feel perfectly. 

Plus, my belly is getting bigger,

obviously. 

Not to also mention, these pregnancy pants are HORRIBLE photo 

takers. so sorry if I blinded any of you!

Speaking of belly, here is where we are at today:

16 weeks 7 days!

and now for the little alien..

No, this is not my belly button, 

no this is not my child

this is one of two bumps

you can see through my shirts. 

Sometimes I think about when I'm out shopping

and people see these and wonder what is wrong with me. 

Do I have an alien in there?

sometimes I think so..

Oh technology...

Finding those positives...

Before I say anything,

I am 16 weeks and 6 days pregnant

with baby Kimler. 

CRAZY.

I know it has been a while

since something nice was posted about diabetes,

but lately, 

even though it is ALWAYS at the front of everything

I do and I think about it before I go to bed,

during the time where I am supposed to be sleeping,

and the first thing when I wake up. 

BUT,

I can feel that baby is growing.

I felt an all of a sudden "pop"

and then BAM,

baby is REALLY growing, 

this is weird. 

then all I can think about

is how great my friends and family have been. 

Between my sisters being so excited and asking how i'd doing,

to my mom who cannot be ANYMORE thrilled 

for another baby in the family,

to my mother in law who is

pretty much a maternity clothing factory these days,

making me many different dresses and shirts to wear

as these maternity clothing in stores

are either super stupidly 

expensive,

or too long, or not comfortable or 

not for my age.

My father in law and my husband Grandparents who have been

working so hard with house questions, projects,

always lending a hand.

I cannot think of a better family 

to have on both sides. 

And that my husband

is so supportive and helpful

and putting me first. 

Don't think for a second he doesn't already,

but really, when i come home and he's willing to help

in the kitchen or bring boxes up or down stairs.

He's always understanding that

not only am I getting, slower, 

bigger, and i'm sure much more

emotional

but he's there in this. 

He's just my rock and I am so thankful that Diabetes so far isn't keeping me

from trying to find the good

in this pregnancy.

 OKay back to baby updates

Also, I have had another OB appointment since

April and it was okay. 

I don't care for this doctor either,

she was pretty much whispering and didn't feel any more 

confident she knew anything about diabetes. 

I'm really sick of being told that

this place is the best for "high risk" 

yet I am doing more of the educating when it comes to 

pregnancy and diabetes. 

It's like I feel like I know nothing, but when I meet with some of

these doctors, 

I feel like a CDE or something. 

BTW- CDE stands for Certified Diabetes Educator. 

I go again on June 23rd but 

on June 27th I have a level 2 ultrasound. 

I have NO IDEA what is involved with a level 2, so if you do,

please feel free to inform me!

Also, hopefully we'll find out what it is I am carrying?

Baby Boy Kimler

or

Baby Girl Kimler!!!

Thanks for sticking by me and supporting me

and reading about our life and

our journey!

-Cassie, Austin and BabyK!

Heal My Sole.. or Fingers..

I know I have been some what

MIA 

lately. 

I promise I have plenty to share with you all

regarding more updates with the 

little growing Kimler.

I've been battling headaches and some

stomach/over all feeling of not feeling good

if that explains it at all. 

But, 

ever since I checked out Sarah from

Thrifty Decor Chick

(if you don't check her out you REALLY should now)

guest post regarding her giveaway for

a store named Heal My Sole

I checked it out. 

Maybe it was my pregnant self wanting

another reason to try something that 

might make me feel good, 

or

the fact that my feet and hands are sad looking.

My feet just from the constant abuse of walking in different shoes

all the time

and my poor fingers from all the 16-25 blood sugar checks

a day 

they needed help. 

So I went to Heal my sole's website:

http://healmysole.com/

and checked out their items. 

I MUST TELL YOU, 

I promise I was not paid, given anything free, or even

asked to write anything about them. However, If I do ever get anything free

I would gladly accept it!:)

But SERIOUSLY. This stuff is serious. 

I bought many things but I really want to tell you

this stuff, 

It's the citrus foot rub 

However, it smells so tasty, and delicious you almost want to lick it. 

Okay, sorry for the TMI

but it smells so good. 

I've tried many scrubs before and they are all okay. 

But this stuff SERIOUSLY works. 

I went to really sad looking fingers with blood marks and pokes

to such soft no blood marks on my fingers. 

It has filled in the holes, cleaned them and getting rid of all 

the dead skin and have really done wonders on my fingers.

My feet feel great too!

I've used this just about every other day for a week now 

and I promise you won't regret this. 

Also, not to mention, this 4oz 

Citrus Foot Scrub Mini for only

$4.50 

was worth $15 I promise. 

So you too should stop by and test out some of her products. 

You won't be upset I promise!!

-Thanks for being patient with me and 

I promise, I'll post baby info soon!

Plus, we are at 16 weeks 5 days can you even BELIEVE it,

time is FLYING!!!

-Cassie

P-Day: May 9, 2011

All of my anxiety,

all of my stress, worries

time, energy and irritation writing everything 

down,

blood sugars, food, carbs, insulin

exercise, how i'm feeling, 

all of that I wrote down from

March 8th until now. 

I've had my Medtronic Minimed Insulin Pump

the Paradigm 723 

in my hands for a few weeks. 

I looked at some stuff, but then would get so nervous

I'd stop. 

Then I had a problem with the battery and being out of student mode

so I actually couldn't play with it for a while. 

I met with my fabulous pump educator Peggy and

this dietitian who will remain nameless

that I did not care for.
Throughout the entire time writing stuff down

each week, 

when I met with the dietitian 

all she did was criticize what I was eating. 

She picked and poked for example:

15g of Strawberries.. she would ask me, well how did you know how much 15g were?

I told her I looked off the worksheet she gave me

She then of course told me I was doing it wrong and 

how I should do it. 

For EACH THING, 

well it seemed like that. 

At this point I was exhausted, working and trying to keep up with the energy

that I didn't have

and on top of that, I had this weird thing 

where at night time,

at first it was at like 2pm,

then mostly just after work.

I COULD NOT think about food,

I couldn't put foods together,

or plan how to make them

or prepare them. 

BAM, 

nothing. 

You say chicken, 

I'd have to try and think about where it would be in my house,

how to cook it, 

what to eat with it, 

how long it would take to cook,

nothing. 

I couldn't do it. 

So Austin started making all our meals at night time

bless his heart. 

From going to not cooking really, 

to making a whole grilled meal, 

spaghetti, seasoning meat with a side dish,

to making homemade mashed potatoes, 

My way. 

What a blessing to me. 

So after explaining to her this problem I am having, 

she then picked and poked at why I am eating this, or this and how 

I can change this, and then 

told me I need to stop eating Jack's frozen cheese pizza. 

I tried explaining to her, 

that was easy, bland, 

enough carbs and could be made by my love

of a husband is 13 minutes, 

and when I'm nauseous and ready to puke, it's great. 

I was so burned out by dealing with her

and all her changes that even my 

endocrinologist told me not to listen to.

And then came P-Day.

Pump Day. 

( my supplies on my vanity, pump, reservoir, Inserter, tubing with needle/cannula, Novolog(insulin), pen)

I knew this wasn't something I wanted to do without

having a reason. 

I am only doing this to help keep our baby

as safe and healthy as possible. 

So I went all day to learn about the different features,

basically learn how to 

treat my diabetes differently with more insulin

and keeping in mind I am already staying pretty low

she didn't want me doing anything or going anywhere without

juice and glucose tabs. 

( This is what is in me at all times. This is put under my skin, with the help of a needle

and this plastic thing is a cannula that the insulin goes into me with)

I was cold, nervous, 

sporting my first pair of maternity jeans

and scared. 

They told me to be prepared for numbers in the 

200's and that it will be okay for the baby.

I was terrified of seeing those numbers 

I had worked so hard to not see a number at or near 200 in months. 

I cried a couple times. 

( The set up)

Then the pump went on. 

It wasn't as painful as I thought,

I can feel it being in my skin. 

I can feel that tug each time I move and walk. 

I started having to take blood sugars, 

every 2 hours, before driving, when not feeling well, before meals at bedtime and a

11pm, 1am and 4am. 

or of course if I felt low. 

Which was about 80% of the first 3 days. 

I got acquainted with the pump

well within a day. 

( that friendly reminder, 2hr blood check)

So far these are the only positives. 

1. It lights up and is a great night light at nighttime.

2. Telling me what my last blood sugar was

when I can't remember,

3. The Alarm features. 

It's nice not to try and remember when to do things, or

when I need to wake up and take a BS. 

Baby, you are worth this. 

Mommy doesn't care for this pump thing

but she knows it is going to help you grow 

how you should. 

Mommy is trying, and please

forgive me if I have numbers that are out of my control. 

How I've been wearing it while in church, 

(hidden in the bra under a cardigan)

I love you already baby. Daddy and I can't wait to hear your

heart beat again, or feel you kick soon. 

Keep growing big and strong!

Love, Mommy

I hate you stupid articles about CURING type-1.. AHH

I will admit this is not a positive post, but a honest one. 

I've read on other blogs about the Reader's Digest article 

and others "claiming" they know how to 

"CURE Type 1 Diabetes"

bull-sugar you do. 

I don't know what came over me. 

I was at Walgreens this morning picking up some sunblock

and stuff for a ballgame with clients and I saw it. 

One of those STUPID STUPID magazines about

being able to Cure Type 1. 

I was so irritated all I noticed were those words and 

I was upset. 

I tried finding which one it was online but I didn't. 

However, when I did research it, 

you wouldn't believe this STUPID people writing about 

how eliminating ALL Carbohydrates and Sugar helps cure you. 

You're a moron.

As I stood there, tangled in pump tubing, 

my pump beeping at me and then the cashier looking at the tubing coming from my boobs and shirt

all I wanted to do was SCREAM.

If someone ever told me they know how to cure Type1 Diabetes,

I'm punch them in the face, seriously, no joking. 

(between writing that so far I cried on Austin's sleeve as he just came home. 

Gosh these hormones MUST be on high alert)

Or am I realizing this now 

I wish I could explain to those people

how difficult, time consuming, expensive, draining and frustrating it is

to have this type of disease 

where you are NOT in control. 

I mean we try to do our best, can follow directions either from a doctor or 

our body, change all the time,

do adjustments the best that we can. 

But what people don't understand, is it isn't up to us.

While diving home FINALLY from Target after waiting out over 25minutes

in the car eating, drinking,

and chasing that stubborn low that would NOT go up. 

I finally decided to drive at a stubborn 70

and prayed I got home okay. 

But seriously, 

to those who THINK you can "Cure" Type-1

(which I hope no one reading this WOULD think)

I wish Diabetes didn't run my life.

I wish my body wouldn't shake

I wish it didn't feel like my limbs were literally failing to work

I HATE dropping things because all of a sudden my hands are shaking

I hate not being able to drive because of a low blood sugar

I hate having to carry a million things with me

I HATE when i forgot or run out of insulin and i'm not near home

I wish I didn't have to eat when I'm not hungry

I wish I'd never have to know what a glucose tab was

I wish my eyes never fail me because of a stupid blood sugar

I wish I could speak when my body dips low

I hate it more than anything, that I can't live a normal day, and that

regardless of how they feel about it, 

I feel like such a burden to my friends and family

I hate that some friends or family don't know what it's like

to not be in control of your own body. 

It's so hard to explain how

a hard day affects me. 

and now, I beat myself up when I have a blood sugar above 130. 

Non diabetics- It super hard to go months and months with out getting

one above this. 

I work so hard, and things out of my control take that control away

I hate Diabetes, I hate it.

I know I'm not alone, and that makes me happy,

but I wish I could live a day without it. 

Taking a shower with out any pump supplies, needles in, 

tape on my body

is a blessing. 

One single shower... think about your next shower and how great it is to be

free from your failing body. 

uggh.. sorry for the downer but it is that kind of day. 

No pick me ups, just downer..