indoor exercise

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Over Winter break, I treated the boys to pancakes for breakfast. There was only one problem- it was raining outside and cold. Too rainy and cold to go outside and burn off all those carbs. So I came up with this idea (I know, WHY? and please don't call child protective services. They ARE wearing their helmets for crying out loud. LOL!). Anyway this went on for an hour and his blood sugar was 112 when we checked Rocco again an hour later! Sometimes, in this life, you do what you gotta do!

new neighbors

                                                

Today is a great day! My little website has already been hit 536 times today, and it is only 1:30pm!!! So far it has been hit 2,887 times in the past month!  I feel very appreciative and hope I have helped a few people get through their day. This information made start thinking about something that my family and I discussed over our Christmas dinner.

We decided that with technology, a new type of "neighbor" has emerged and is rapidly evolving everyday! Expanding just like the strange life form in the old movie The Blob (I know I am dating myself).

Let me explain what I mean. When I was a kid, I lived in a neighborhood where the houses were lined up one-by-one no more than a driveway apart. We (adults and children) were always outside. The men would joke that if you wanted to hang out with someone, all you had to do was open the hood of your car. Within twenty minutes you would have six guys standing with beers, surrounding you, explaining how you should solve your latest car dilemma.  The kids didn't have “play dates” - you just went outside, and within five minutes you were playing hide and seek with ten kids. We had block parties on the 4th of July and Christmas parties with the neighbors. It was very Norman Rockwell. Forty years later, these people are still my best friends. I feel lucky that our small houses that were so close together provided me with the opportunity to experience these most important friendships.

Years later, when I moved into a larger house with Michael and the boys, I worried that I was depriving them the opportunity to live close to others and experience the same type of friendships. However, as much as I miss the old neighborhood, I also notice that a new type of neighbor is emerging. Not one that lives next door or down the street, but one that is online. One that may have the same issues that I have or one that is experiencing the same feelings I have about my current "cross to bear". This is true for me and millions of people around the world! 

Currently, there are people in Malaysia, Austria, Russia and even Latvia (I'll have to look that one up!) reading Everyday Highs and Lows! Wow! What a rush that is, to be a “neighbor” to someone in a country half way around the world.

People are Googling daily and finding their new neighbor. People are connecting across time zones, racial divides and language barriers. 

It is so exciting to be part of this and I truly can't wait to "meet" more of my new neighbors. 

Thanks for logging on and Feel free to tell your "neighbors"!

Everything happens for a reason

For five years, my husband and I struggled with infertility. It was the most heart-breaking experience I have ever been through. During that time, I was in real emotional pain. Though I’m not strongly religious, I begged God for a baby. I asked him if I wasn't meant to have a baby, just give me the courage to move on. I never mustered up that strength and just kept pushing myself, my body and my husband. I was determined (and obsessed).

 

We tried in-vitro fertilization twice without success. We were devastated and nearly without hope. We tried one more time and it actually worked!! I always wondered why it took me so long. I also wondered what was the purpose of this third try working and the others not. I knew there was a plan for me. I just couldn't see it yet.

 

When I found out it was twins, Michael and I were thrilled! Wow! We hit the jackpot.

As I look in my backyard, watching my six year olds working as a team by whipping old lettuce heads all over the backyard for the deer, I now know exactly the plan that was in store for me, and it is much more than I expected.

 

First, I believe the purpose of my early trials and tribulations was to ensure that I was ready. Having a high-risk pregnancy, heart problems, twin infants, one with Type 1 diabetes, was the hand I was dealt. Six years of injections, disappointments and heartbreaks were my training.  By the time I actually got pregnant, I was ready.

 

Second, I think these two boys were and still are my gift. Heaven's present wrapped in two swaddling blue blankets! Rocco's constant happy demeanor and easy, determined spirit fills me up every day. Despite the challenges of his diabetes, he is always happy and has a zest for life.

 

Then there is Zeke. I am convinced that Zeke is meant to be my and Rocco's guardian angel. He is the sweetest boy you will ever meet. He is sensitive to other people's feelings and can really hone in if someone is hurting. He knows exactly how to comfort them. He has a calming presence with anyone he meets. He even has a sort of magical spell over animals. His interests lie in quiet activities. He just has no interest for the loud, obnoxious ways the world can offer. He is the strong, silent type.

 

Third, I feel like Zeke was given to me to help me watch over Rocco. His personality allows for the openness to be aware of others, and because of his calm spirit he has the ability to hone in on Rocco's blood sugars and to sound the alarm.  Also, Zeke has always respected Rocco's diabetes. When they wrestle like bear cubs, Zeke knows just how to work around Rocco’s insulin pump, infusion site and delivery line. This is not easy. Such an apparatus can definitely get in the way. Not a problem for Zeke.  Also, when we have to stop doing something fun to care for Rocco's diabetes, Zeke never complains. He just sits and quietly waits. Then he proceeds on like nothing happened. 

 

I think one of the reasons I was gifted twins, one with diabetes and one without, was so I can have an extra person with my son when I can't be there.  Now, I don't dare give Zeke this job or burden. I would never put Zeke in charge of Rocco, but I have noticed it kind of happens organically. I also think it will grow stronger as the boys grow older. They have a very sweet best-friend relationship now and they look out for each other. I hope this stays true.

 

Even though Zeke doesn't have Type 1 diabetes, he has by default melded into much of Rocco’s “life style”. He eats the same foods, lives on the same schedule, deals with Rocco's mood swings, and shares the other minor inconveniences associated with diabetes. The only thing different is Zeke doesn't experience the physical pain or feelings of highs and lows.  (This is a good thing:  One time we checked Zeke's blood sugar because he was curious. He cried for twenty minutes. Cute! Rocco's felt strong and appreciated). 

 

 

When they are eleven and riding their bikes to the nearby Seven-Eleven and Rocco gets a low, I know Zeke will bring him juice and wait with him until he feels better. When they are in college (Of course they will go together! Lol!), Zeke will help him if he is in trouble. Kind of like his diabetes designated driver. I don't expect this, but I hope so.  A close friend once asked me "How do you think Zeke will feel when he realizes Rocco got diabetes and he didn't?" I simply said "Zeke’s got it too, in his own way". She knew what I meant.

 

It actually works the other way too. Rocco has deemed himself the "responsible one". When we are in a parking lot, Rocco is always making sure Zeke isn't lagging too far behind (something Zeke does a lot).  Every morning, he also makes sure Zeke has all of his stuff in his backpack before school. He is constantly making sure that Zeke is paying attention and following the rules. Rocco LOVES to get things right. 

 

Lastly, like all mothers, I think I have a great responsibility to create these two beautiful gifts into two amazing men. I feel as if God said, "You wanted them so here they are in virgin clay. Go and mold something amazing!” Just to make sure we also develop a little character along the way, we were also given some obstacles to make us grow some tough skin! 

Having twins and a child with Type 1 diabetes isn't always easy especially when I can't always be there to protect them. I am glad God offered me another way to watch over both little boys - with each other. 

Sports

Sports

So here I sit and struggle. Another twin dilemma.

Rocco loves the physical. He likes to be bigger than life in sports and non-sports settings. One time, we were in Target and behind me a very loud "ALRIGHT PEOPLE LISTEN UP!" was yelled. Imagine my horror to turn around and see it was MY little three year old with one of these echoing microphones in his hand. I swear the whole store heard him. He, of course, had a cat that ate the canary look on his face. Finally he was able to be as big as he really wanted to be!

For Rocco, sports satisfy this need. He is shorter than most but is stocky and has been deemed the heart of the team in every sport he plays. He just loves the win and gives every game his all. He is the kind of kid a coach loves.

Zeke, on the other hand, could care less about the win. He is the strong, silent and creative type. He wants to be good, but unfortunately he has inherited his parents’ aptitude for any game - none at all. He has a great long and lanky stature and could probably physically handle any sport, but he just lacks the drive. There were many times last winter when I drove him to basketball practice whining, afraid to be embarrassed or laughed at. Most days, I had to bribe him with treats (the kind his diabetic brother is not allowed to have). The first day of practice, the whole thing overwhelmed him so badly that he panicked and ended up crying in the bathroom with me. I had to bribe him with ice cream to try to get him to go out there and try. I knew that would work and it did.

So you are probably asking - "Why don’t you just let Rocco play and Zeke watch?”  Or “They are twins but are two separate people and don’t have to do the same thing every time".  And finally, the obvious one "If you make him play, you will screw up his self esteem".

Ok even if you didn't think these thoughts, I did. I’ve had moments  when I wanted to grab him, bubble wrap him and never let him touch another ball again. Heck with it! Many great men never played sports.

However, then my thoughts went old school. Pretend to hear an old man's voice while you read the next few lines:

"Just throw him in, he'll be fine".

"If you let him quit everything, he will grow up to be a quitter".

"He's six! He doesn't know what he wants".

"He needs to man up and just overcome his fears".

And finally my husband’s wise advice: "When I was a kid, we didn't get a choice.  If we sucked, we just kept practicing until we got better".

So I kind of went with the last comment. There have been many tears but also tons of wins and highs for Zeke along the way. He’s not a superstar but by the last game he thought he was. That was actually my goal the whole time. In the long run, I was glad I didn't let him quit.

In the spring, t-ball had gone the exact same way - tears, bribes and wins. And now that the new basketball season is upon us, my husband, Zeke and I decided to sign him up again to play with Rocco.  Zeke said "Sign me up mom - that was fun last year!"

However, I find that it is again like pulling teeth to get Zeke to practice. Every day, we go out to the driveway and do bounce pass and dribble drills. Zeke gamely tries, but it is not his passion. If I was being honest with myself, I would just honor the child that he is and not force him to be the child he is not. But I also feel there are so many opportunities for learning experiences with sports that he would miss if I just signed him up for an art class.

What do you think? Is the new-school way of thinking (just let them quit things that are not interesting to them) or the old school way (sink or swim) better? I’d love to hear your thoughts below.