Elia Irene....

Elia Irene Kimler

Born on 11-9-11

at 7:22am

8lbs 4 oz and 19 1/2 inches long

 

skin time..

 Best lactation consultant ever!!! Happy Elia!

 

 After a early morning feeding, stretching out with Mommy

Daddy and Kahuna time!!!

 Proud Daddy! Hanging out in her sling!

 

This is the only way i'll sleep. If she doesn't have one hand out

she cries until that little hand can touch her face. 

THANKFULLY they make swaddle blankets for 7lbs!!

And at her first Festival of Trees Parade 

enjoying  every minute of it!!!

It has been a wonderful 12 days of having her in our lives. 

It has certainly been a learning experience for the two of us

but we know this was the perfect decision we could have

ever made. 

The first day was the greatest. 

Prior to her arrival we had a very rough, 

meaning extremely heart breaking experience with my

OBGYN which I will explain in her birth story later,

however, with the want to just have her

in this world, safe, healthy and in our arms

we had her via c-section despite other plans or hopes. 

I was able to have low blood pressure and very managable 

blood sugars. 

Going into surgery, I had a great 103mg/dl and stayed in the 90's following. 

Was able to wear my pump the entire time, 

had WONDERFUL nurses and my anesthesiologist was one in a million. 

We were nervous and anxious to meet her

but once we heard her cry,

our hearts melted. 

She is forever ours and we are so

lucky and blessed to have her 

in our lives. 

No feeling, or experience having her in our arms,

or seeing her in her daddy's arms 

can be any better. 

I will let you all enjoy these sweet photos before 

getting into the details of her birth story. 

Thank you all for watching over us, praying for us, 

keeping tabs on our progress and 

wanting a healthy baby and mom as much as we did!!

In case I don't make it back in a couple days, 

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

Enjoy those little moments, those that would normally be upsetting, 

or those when things go wrong, like a burnt side dish or 

dry turkey. 

Just remember, there are greater things in life and the little

miracles in life are the greatest blessings. 

Enjoy family and friends

as those memories are the ones we 

carry in our hearts forever. 

-Cassie

Waiting at 38 weeks...

Sorry I have been MIA lately. 

This month sure has been busy!

Since our last post, we have been to 

A family Wedding, 

My niece and nephew turned

6!!!!

(I didn't make their cakes this year :( )

Not going to miss doing that next year. Store bought cakes are

just not the same. 

Here we are playing with the kids, 

well Emma and the adults made crafts! 

Can you tell how detailed our Birthday Cupcake was..

serious concentration.

Then after spending a wonderful weekend with my family

in the Chicagoland area

we then were blessed with a 

second baby shower!!

 This is a special photo for us, as all of these 

ladies haven't been in a photo together

in well, ENTIRELY TOO LONG. 

It was a PERFECT day, great weather and 

lots of wonderful faces I don't get to see all that often. 

I will say, at this stage you REALLY

have to get clever when it comes to clothing!:)

Then the next week we were back to the grind

of cleaning up our house, trying to finish some house projects,

and for me, getting Elia's stuff all moved in, washed, 

put away, figured out and

sanitized. 

Seriously people, it's so exciting but 

super tiring when you have such a big belly to lug around!

hehe

Don't worry, I'm not complaining. 

Then we met Mr. 38 Weeks of Pregnancy last Friday. 

It has been bittersweet. 

I've been struggling super bad with my diabetes, as it 

relates to my sensors. 

For those of  you, 

NON DIABETICS!!

A sensor is part of a Continuous Glucose Monitoring

system that reads my blood sugar every minute for a 5 minute average. 

This has been stressful when it doesn't work, but 

super awesome when it does. 

I cannot tell  you the number of 

lows I wouldn't have felt if I didn't

have a little reminder. 

However, since week 37, we've struggled and over a week ago

we did this. 

with a desperate attempt to help me this week. 

After practically crying to the NICE Medtronic Rep

(Seriously, he was the NICEST one i've talked to. 

His name was Patrick. )

We tried the arm site, which is COMPLETELY

new to this girl. 

The white part is the transmitter and the sensor which is 

inserted into my arm is the purple part. 

The plastic tape is just to keep it in place. 

Don't you worry, it is TOTALLY necessary,

as on Sunday after 3 attempts for my dear husband to change it for me

that is THREE STICKS

people from a 

harpoon of a needle. 

I then accidently ripped one completely out while handing out candy and bled. 

UGGH. So the 4th is still in today. 

And it better stay until after this baby is out. 

Oh yeah, that is where we are now. 

Wanting this little precious girl OUT OF MY BODY. 

We've continued to be monitored and both

she and I are doing well. 

She is kicked away, even though her movements 

have slowed down,

but she is definitely lower now. 

I'm just in this stage that I never thought, Me, 

and this disease would have this little girl

baking inside of me for this long. 

I'm so grateful that she is doing great and healthy. 

By this point, I'm sure it's mostly excitement, 

but now my body is super uncomfortable, 

having contractions, the pressure

the waddling, the having to use the restroom

at least twice an hour, and if I move around, watch out, 

I can't even hold it 10minutes. 

We really should have taken stock in

Charmin. lol 

But despite how grateful I am that she is 

still all cozy and warm, 

Momma wants you out little girl. 

It is super hard to concentrate on work now, 

with the million things my body is going through and

still trying to work 

so I get every extra day with her later. 

So, hopefully after this post

the next one will be

"She's HERE"

or

"We did it"

or

"Meet the World Elia"

or 

"A diabetic really DID have a healthy baby"

lol or

"MOM TOOK ALL MEASURES TO GET BABY OUT"

Which ever it is, she'll be here soon 

and we are so thankful, lucky, blessed and excited!

Don't you all worry, we WILL

post birth info and pictures up

but for now.. 

just keep us in your prayers for a safe,

and healthy Mom and Baby. 

And oh yeah, a helpful non working pancreas 

to take it easy on me. As these blood sugars are gunna be hard to control!!!

Thanks everyone!:)

-Cassie

Soon...

Soon... We'll be past 35 weeks

Soon... We'll finish the last touches of her nursery

Soon.. I'll be able to nap!

Soon... I will have time off work to enjoy being with Family

Soon... my feet with stop swelling

Soon... my house will be even more of a mess

than it is now

Soon.. We will have one more visit with family and baby shower

Soon.. We will be packing the bag for the hospital

(you read that right, still haven't gotten there)

Soon... We'll be waiting for real contractions to start

Soon.. We will be heading to the hospital..

Soon.. We will be bringing items from the hospital back for kahuna 

Soon.. We'll be delivering our Daughter

Soon.. our family will be a family of 3+ Kahuna

Soon... Austin and I will be parents. 

As uncomfortable as I am, 

As unslept as I keep becoming,

As exhausted I get from still working too much and 

too hard

We are 35 weeks tomorrow. 

in two weeks, the

17th of October we have our last little look

and Baby Elia inside me

for our LAST ULTRASOUND!!!!

It's amazing to think that in March we couldn't believe how long 

this process and journey would be. 

Now, it feels like I'll be a mom tomorrow. 

It's amazing how fast life moves,

and we don't even have born children yet. 

Regardless of anything else, 

I'm so happy to be here right now, 

this pregnant

still have Elia growing and living inside of my body

and blessed to have what we have. 

Here we are... at just shy of 35 weeks..

Of course us with Kahuna.. the ladies of the house

My front view!!

Another side view in Elia's Room!

<3 Cassie

34 weeks.. Can you Believe it?

This is us at 33 weeks, at our first baby shower

in Bettendorf!!!

*WARNING: this is a photo/information loaded baby post*

okay you were warned..

Okay first the diabetes/medical stuff:

I had my 33 week ultrasound last friday, and we were able

to see hair,

an adorable Kimler nose and lips,

a belly practicing breathing,

a little girl punching her Mommy,

and that she is weighing in at

5 lbs 0oz!!!

YAY!!!

We cannot be more thrilled, 

heck, I cannot be more thrilled,

i've been having bad dreams about her being 6 plus lbs at this stage,

and happy to know she is averaging at an even 5!!!

I never thought i'd make it this far, 

have a growing child instead of me

and still be doing so well,

(knocks on all wood in the room)

Not only did she measure up great, 

but my non stress test Monday went great,

and today my 8th non stress test was just perfect!

At my appointment, my lovely OB is happy where she is at

growth wise,

I have more than normal amniotic fluid, which after quizzing him, 

he just said that it basically means you have diabetes,

which is obvious, and won't affect her or her growth or

delivery. 

Speaking of delivery, I have made efforts

to try and stay a little ignorant as to 

every detail of what happens,

like this baby having to come out of me, somehow and

made sure he knows, I pretty much

know nothing. lol. 

He laughed, told me some information, 

we talked about the birth plan, that he said,

to think about, figure out things that are important to me,

and just know that in the moment things change

and what I might have wanted before, 

woman often change in the moment. 

However we are both clear, 

my goal is to have this Type-1 

Momma deliver NATURALLY!!!

meaning, unless all fails, or something bad happens,

I do not want a C-Section. 

(Don't worry, I understand that it's not the end of the world,

and the safe, health and well being of both myself and my child

are the most important, and I will do whatever it takes,

but i'd like to try for one more thing

a diabetic mommy can do. )

We scheduled my next and LAST

ultrasound on Monday October 17th. 

After that, which I will be 36 weeks,

will just be waiting for her

to make her arrival!!!

So her room is getting closer to being finished. 

here are some sneak (messy) peeks!!

the embroidery hoops I painted and put together, along

with her name I made. Those are also hand made rosettes with button centers

Ikea shelves, with "stuff" on them. 

The ceramic pieces I made including the kahuna dog :)

Top shelf which will eventually have breakables and items we don't need

all the time

Diaper Cake from my baby shower, the little bird

is actually her LED nightlight!!! it's rechargeable too!!

I lined her drawers, one orange and white polka dots, one green with white design

and one that you can't really see, white with bright flowers

Top Ikea shelf. My awesome caddy from Zulily.com and kahuna dog. 

Am waiting until her arrival to put photos in the frames!!!

Under her crib, is a rolling drawer that came with the Crib. 

We are using it for blankets, sheets, and covers for items.

This is Kahuna trying to find the squeaker in Elia's giraffe..

at least that is what I think!

While taking photos she then went to the top of the stairs

and threw her ball down for me to throw up to her..

such a little girl

And can't help but take another photo of her trying

for attention while taking more nursery photos!!!

Planet Wise Wet bags we bought for our cloth diapers!

Austin's Daddy not a diaper bag- diaper bag. 

It's Chicco and this inside is ALSO orange.

<3 <3

So that's her room. Just have some items to hang up still,

finish her orange hooks, and her mobile. 

Thanks for hanging around and checking out our 

slow but steady progress on our daughters room!

New world in the 3rd Trimester...

I never fully realized that when people

said the third trimester

was hard, I didn't expect this.

Don't worry, we are still VERY VERY excited

about our little girl, 

and kind of freaking out now that she will seriously be

here in less than 2 months,

YIKES...

But her and I have been busy. 

As in, a growing factory 

and getting everything as ready as we can

for her arrival. 

Let me be clear, 

I am not one of those mom's 

who has everything done at like, 20 weeks or 28 weeks even.

I am at 32, and

we have a crib, bassinet,

shelf and dresser in her room.

That's it. 

lol

Oh yeah, and her name on the wall.

Nothing is finished people. NOTHING. 

For those curious people,
this is the crib we have for her,

Delta Parker 4 in 1 Convertible Crib

in cherry finish from Target!!!

Then her book shelf

Expedit brand storage from Ikea in the brown color

along with these shelfs from Ikea

in white

EKBY HEMMES is the brand, we have two of them

in the 4.5 foot length

then of course you saw me make these:

Which look like this:

well kinda and 

her letters that I decorated:

We also have now her crib skirt and drapes,
which we purchased
from Land of Nod Outlet
and are in this family

We only have the polka dot bedskirt

and the matching polka dot drapes. 

I must have this problem with her whole room to be

theme-less

as i felt a lot of them had too many pink 

and not enough other fun colors, like

orange, brown, green, or aqua. lol

We are in the process of finishing her room by the

current to do projects:

1. Build trendle under her bed that 

came with crib

2. Paint tree on wall

3. Make/Finish/Install bird mobile from tree on wall

4. paint decor/stripes on wall

5. Stencil animals on wall

6. Install/ pick up fan for ceiling

7. Sand and paint small rocking chair

and hooks

Plus stock her nursery with needed items prior to her arrival.

Now on to the medical part:

So two weeks ago, as in 

September 2nd
we had the first of many
fetal monitoring sessions
i.e. Non Stress Tests.

These consist of me sitting in a recliner,
with my feet up of course,
putting two straps around my midsection
both having some kinda of sensor/monitor on it.
(sorry for the lack of real terms)
One it on the top of my uterus,
and one is placed, more like moved
to keep her heartbeat steady.
Then I hold a clicker to push when i feel her kick,
or move.

(I really only punch it when my belly moves, when I can see her body parts,
or a big movement that you can hear on the machine, no little flutters.

I do this, for anywhere to 35-1 hour 30minutes depending on
her.

It records graphs on paper the entire time
and when Dr. J feels I have had
a good baseline of readings with enough movements,
I am clear to go!

Fun huh!!!

Yep!

I do this every Monday and Thursday until she comes.
So from today, I have had 4 of them.

Today particularly, she was super active and made for
the shortest time yet.

only 38minutes!!!

My blood sugars numbers are rising, meaning
I am pumping more and more insulin into me every day.
I used to be able to go 2.75 days on 3mL of insulin,
now, I do set changes every other day,
so like this am, I did a site change,
and by tomorrow night I have to change it again.

Medtronic didn't appreciate my increased amount
needed as she kinda of didn't care
I am over 8 months pregnant and need more insulin
than say, 5 months ago.

So as we stay busy we have a busier week.
I have another non stress test Thursday,
With an appointment to follow,
then meet with the diabetes center to review my
progress/liking/disliking of the Medtronic Minimed Insulin Pump,
meet with Endocrinologist to up my basals,
and have a growth ultrasound on Friday.
Woohoo.

Wanna guess her current weight?
I'll let you know, at 28 weeks she was abotu 2lb 15oz!!

Oh and not that this will help,
I gained one full complete pound from
Thursday the 15th to today, the 19th.
haha..
growing baby.

Until next time
Cassie

Invisible Illness Week

Today is the last day for 

Invisible Illness Week. 

After reading many in the 

DOC (Diabetes Online Community)'s

posts, 

I decided to also fill it out. 

Here I go!:

1. The illness I live with is: Type 1 Diabetes

2. I was diagnosed with it in the year: 2007

3. But I had symptoms since: at least 4 weeks prior to diagnosis

4. The biggest adjustment I’ve had to make is:learning

how my body reacts to blood sugars, which is never the same, and that 

I can't enjoy as much fruit at one time as possible anymore :( 

(Just know, I CAN eat fruit, and sugar, just not how i enjoyed it before Diabetes)

5. Most people assume: like I mentioned above, when people

assume you can't have or eat that. Or that I can just take a pill, or lose weight, or

work out and no longer have it. NOT TRUE.

6. The hardest part about mornings are: When I wake up too low, not where I want to be, 

or too high. Makes for a MISERABLE day.

7. My favorite medical TV show is: I used to enjoy ER when it was on, 

otherwise, I try to stay away from medical shows, ESPECIALLY when the information

is not correct.

8. A gadget I couldn’t live without is: "A gadget" means supply closet that I cannot

live with out. Insulin- HELLO?

9. The hardest part about nights are: never really knowing what the night will bring. 

Will it bring, 4 juice boxes, 2 packages of fruit snacks and glucose tabs,

or putting on a temporary basal all night and waking up every hour taking blood sugars

to prevent lows.

10. Each day I take a couple vitamins and Insulin but could easily take multiple pills

later when more complications occur...

11. Regarding alternative treatments: Find one, too bad you'll be looking a long time. 

Type 1 diabetes, does not have alternative treatments. Only one: Insulin.

12. If I had to choose between an invisible illness or visible I would choose:I don't know. It was always somewhat invisible until I got the pump. 

Now I get the most ignorant stares and rude people staring at what i'm doing,

or what I have clipped to my pocket..etc.

13. Regarding working and career:  Diabetes is always on my mind, regardless of 

what I'm doing. I do hate when diabetes interferes when I need to focus on work.

14. People would be surprised to know: That even though I take as great care of myself

as I can, and even if my numbers are all good, Diabetes is so emotionally and mentally 

draining that everything I do, is actually much harder than I make it out to seem.

15. The hardest thing to accept about my new reality has been:What complications

are in my future, not knowing how carrying a child would be and if

my diabetes will keep me from enjoying life, or hurting my husband or family.

16. Something I never thought I could do with my illness that I did was: Become a mom. 

I am not yet, but still baking at 32 weeks. Diabetes has made me

push one more week each time. I have to fight for a day, 

instead of think about the months or weeks ahead.

17. The commercials about my illness: Are annoying. Even if there are accurate ones,

you never see them, you get the false information or about how someone or something

"cured" them.

18. Something I really miss doing since I was diagnosed is: Just having a good time,

without thinking of what I have to do, bring with me, or eat/drink before I do this..

19. It was really hard to have to give up: How uncomplicated my medical 

life was before.

20. A new hobby I have taken up since my diagnosis is:I don't know if I have a new one really, right now is growing a baby.

21. If I could have one day of feeling normal again I would:  I don't even know. 

Normal meaning illness free- I would probably fly back to Italy and eat my heart out, and fly

without any baggage.

22. My illness has taught me:I can do what I put my mind to, to understand how hard 

life can be, and having an illness shouldn't stop you from living, you just have to do it differently.

23. Want to know a secret? One thing people say that gets under my skin is: "can she eat that?" "Oh no, she can't have that" or "if it's not sugar free can you have it?"

24. But I love it when people: ASK. ASK. ASK. I don't mind explaining ANYTHING diabetes related, just don't assume I can or can't without asking.

25. My favorite motto, scripture, quote that gets me through tough times is: 

I don't know if it gets me through tough time, but Patience is a virtue, and 

treat others the way you want to be treated. 

26. When someone is diagnosed I’d like to tell them: You can do this, It's hard, frustrating,

and over whelming but I PROMISE it becomes easier. Also, you will find 

your own way of what works and what works with your body.

27. Something that has surprised me about living with an illness is:how much

of your time is consumed with diabetes.

28. The nicest thing someone did for me when I wasn’t feeling well was: Seeing 

as though I am currently pregnant and diabetic, my husband has been such a 

blessing. From helping get supplies, to helping around the house, 

or making sure he gets drinks or sugar when needed

or to prepare for one.

29. I’m involved with Invisible Illness Week because: It is important for me

to share with others who don't have diabetes some more aspects of what 

life is like. How if you can prevent this, DO IT. 

But to show that no matter what diagnosis I may have,

nothing is impossible.

30. The fact that you read this list makes me feel: That you care too about 

what my life is like, and those that have Diabetes or an invisible illness.

Birthday's........

Today is a special day for me. 

Today marks the last of those

"yay, it's my birthday, all about me"

(not that I REALLY think or say that)

but 

after this birthday,

every other birthday will be spent

knowing my family is well,

a family. 

After today, 

(meaning this birthday, not that she is due today)

will be our day. 

Today I am 26 and 

it's the day of my birth. 

Actually, 

I was born already,

on that day, 

Friday the 13th, 1985

at 3:13am. 

I've been thinking lately about

our next thanksgiving,

and CHRISTMAS!!

Ugghh.. Holiday's as crazy as they can be,

as a family. 

With a little girl, and her toys, 

and then bigger toys,

and barbies (oh heaven..)

But I'm happy to say, that I 

was woken up before my alarm today,

something in the 4th hour 

by a very powerful kick

that moved me.

This one, not just my stomach,

like my whole body. 

I think Elia said 

Happy Birthday Mom!!!

hehe:)

So Cheer to you all, for 

praying for us to make it here,

for listening, and caring for us,

for reading our life, 

as sad as my updating skills are,

and for keeping tabs on us

with this new experience of 

growing our daughter. 

(haha sorry that sounds like I'm growing a plant or something!)

Well, 

Happy Birthday to Me,

and 

the fact that I still have this

little girl, kicking and punching away. 

Baby Elia- Kick all day for Mommy!

I enjoy seeing my tummy move, 

and my organs/ribs hurt. 

I'll see  you at your birthday,

the next one in our little family,

(not including Papi, or 

Emma and Landen)

but we'll wait, 

patiently!!!

Happy Birthday, to the last of it's kind!!!

<3C

Little Elia Girl!

On our Anniversary 3-14-2011

At 20 weeks...

I think 28 or 29weeks!

And tonight, I'll post my 31 week 5 day photo..

our birthday photo.. me and our little girl!!!