On Diabetes

In January of 2011, I was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. My diagnosis came after being very sick for almost two months, just hoping it would go away.
I was living on the third floor at the time, and I could barely make it up the stairs. I kept going to school and work every day, even though I felt terrible, but I had to have water with me at all times because my mouth was so dry that if I wasn't constantly drinking I would gag or get sick.
I can remember lying on the couch on New Year's Eve under a blanket with a trash can next to me, while Fernando and his friends celebrated and welcomed the new year.
If I had to use the restroom, Fernando had to help me walk the 15 feet from the couch to the bathroom. Even with his help, I would be out of breath by the time I reached the door. I even had to shower sitting down because I didn't have the strength to stand up.
In the two weeks prior to being diagnosed, I lost about 20 pounds (of muscle).
Fernando kept telling me I needed to see a doctor, but I kept saying No, I've just got a little bug, it'll go away soon.
But it didn't go away.
One Sunday, I woke up feeling worse than ever. I forced myself to get out of bed and go to work, anyway. (I had never called in before and didn't want to start.)
I could barely hold myself up as I tried to prepare the food at work. My vision blurred as I tried to read the tickets. All of a sudden, I burst into tears. My manager noticed and asked if I was alright. I told him I didn't think so. He took over making the food and told me to go sit in the back. I finally ended up calling my boss and going home. That's when I decided it was time to see a doctor.
The next morning, my mom picked me up and took me to the doctor's office.
Once I was in the room, the nurse tested my blood sugar.
589.
At the time, I had no idea what that meant, but I knew it was serious when the nurse told me I needed to go immediately to the hospital.
My mom drove me to the hospital, where they registered me, gave me a bracelet, and wheeled me to a bed in the Intensive Care Unit.
The next few days are kind of a blur. Nurse after nurse, needles, IV's, hourly blood testing.
For the first few days, I wasn't allowed to eat or drink anything. I slept a lot and watched TV and never left the bed.
After 3 days in ICU, I got a real room. They began to give me carb-controlled meals and showed me how to give myself insulin injections. I met with an endocrinologist, a nutritionist, and a diabetes educator.
I had lots of visitors and received lots of cards and flowers. Everyone was so nice. But I kept thinking (and hoping) it was all a dream, and that I would soon wake up and be okay.
It took me a long time to come to terms with the fact that this is not going to go away.
I can manage my blood sugars and eat right and take care of myself, but I will always have diabetes. I will always have to see a doctor ever few months, test my blood sugar regularly, and take insulin injections four times a day.
Since my diagnosis, I have had to make some major changes in my life. I had to cut out regular sodas and sugary and carb-filled snacks (not completely, but for the most part).  I still don't eat as healthy as I should, which is something I really need to work on.
Having diabetes has changed my life, but I am not letting it ruin my life. There are times when it gets tough, when I feel my blood sugar drop and I start sweating and my hands are shaking and Oliver is crying and I feel helpless. Or when I'm at the grocery store and I start getting hot and my vision blurs and I know I need to sit down and take some insulin.
And it's not always east to sneak an injection in my stomach when I'm out eating with friends.
Being someone who has always been terribly afraid of needles, this hasn't been the easiest thing for me. In fact, it's probably the hardest thing I've ever had to deal with. And I still have a long way to go. But it gets easier every day.

Las Palmas

Tonight, Fernando, Oliver and I discovered a new little restaurant in Gulfport called Las Palmas. They serve all kinda of Latin food, from Mexican to Cuban to South American. I ordered the "Ropa Vieja,"which sort of reminded me of pot roast, but better. It also came with rice and beans and fried plantains on the side. The owners and servers were also extremely helpful and sweet. It was a great experience, and we will definitely be going back.

My Latest Endeavor

I had been thinking for a while about trying my hand at selling Mary Kay cosmetics, so when a coworker approached me last week and said she thought I should do it, I decided to go for it.
I ordered my starter kit and will (hopefully) get it today. So far, I have a few orders lined up, and I am very excited about the possibility of making a little extra money on the side, as well as selling products that I love. Wish me luck!

Forever 21 Haul

I ordered a bunch of jewelry and a scarf from Forever 21 last week and I felt the need to show it off.

(Sorry for the crappy picture quality)

I LOVE Forever 21. They have the cutest stuff for such low prices (I got all of this for about $60 bucks). I won't say it's the best quality; I have to return the shimmering flower studs (left,middle) because they are missing a stone. But hey, for $3.80 I'm not gonna complain (that much).
I honestly think I'm addicted to buying earrings. I have so many and I always want to buy more. 
I'm also always on the lookout for cute bracelets to hide my tattoos at work.

But anyway, another weekend has come to an end. Tomorrow is Monday, and I have a feeling I'm going to have another busy week. Hopefully it will be better than last week (crosses fingers).

Au Revoir

Well, they're gone. :'(
I'm not sure if it has completely sunk in yet since it's only been a day, but I'm really starting to miss them already.
My mom and I were talking about taking a trip up to visit them and to see NYC at the end of May. I really hope it works out because it would be something great to look forward to (if I can afford it).

It's really funny how happy (some of) these photos look, because I'm pretty sure this was the saddest day of my life.

Going Away

Well, I guess I can't deny it anymore. My sister and nephew are really leaving. :'(
I don't think it's really hit me yet that she really won't be here. We haven't been away from each other for more than a few days as long as she's been alive. Now she'll be 1,400 miles away. I won't be able to drive down the street just to hang out. There won't be anymore lunch dates with the babies or visits to Papa and Keiki's house or riding around in the van.
I guess it's just a part of growing up, but it's painful.
I'm not just losing my sister. I'm losing my best friend.
And Oliver is losing his best friend and cousin, too. I'm heartbroken that they won't grow up together and be as close as I was with my sisters. I wanted Greyson and Oliver to play together and go to school together and be best friends. Now I'm worried they will hardly know each other.
But I'm sorry for the sad depressing post. I really just wanted to say that we had a little going away party at my grandma's house today. It was good to have everyone together for one last time before they leave.

A Day with Keli and Julia

Today, Oliver and I were visited by Keli, her niece, and her daughter, Julia.
Oliver was so excited to have another little one to play with.
I cut and dyed Keli's hair (I hope you like it!) while her niece played with the babies.

I liked this one for some reason, I think it's the eyelashes.

true love ;)

Later on, Fernando, Oliver, and I went to my grandparents' house for dinner to celebrate my grandma's birthday. I love spending time with my grandparents. I am so lucky to still have both of them, and to live so close that I can visit them often. 

My grandma always cooks the best food, and tells the best stories.

For some strange and stupid reason, I didn't bring my camera to dinner. :(

Settling In

We've finally moved all of our things to the new apartment, and are starting to settle in. Most of our stuff is still in boxes, which I am (slowly but surely) unpacking. Emily is still staying with us until her house is finished being redone, which means Oliver is sleeping in our room. Which means he doesn't want to sleep. At. All.  Which means mommy and baby are not always in the best of moods.

I am excited to finally be in the new apartment, but this week has been extremely stressful and I have hardly gotten any sleep. Hopefully I can catch up on some rest and work on unpacking everything this weekend.

We are also currently lacking a sofa. Our old sofa was in such bad shape, we decided not to bring it to the new place. You know what that means- furniture shopping!

Here are a few photos of how the apartment is looking now. I'll get some better ones once everything is unpacked.

Peanut Butter & Llamas

Notice Oliver sleeping in his carseat.

In other news, my mom asked Oliver's babysitter, Mrs. Janice, if he bullies other kids at her house (because he pushes my nephew around when they are together, even though Greyson is twice his size). Mrs. Janice said he beats up on all the other kids, and that he likes to knock them down and lay on top of them so that they can't get up. I just find it hilarious, considering Oliver is the youngest and smallest one there. I think he just gets so excited he can't handle it, so he goes a little crazy!