Reaching Milestones on Mommy's Birthday!

I had a BIG day on Thursday!  I turned 29... or as I like to say, "my last year of happiness!"  Just kidding (sort of).  Turns out, Eli had a really big day as well!  Check out what little man accomplished on Mommy's Birthday...

 Eli ate his first rice cereal on Mommy's Birthday!  He wasn't so sure about it at first, but you will see that he quickly gets the hang of it and starts diving for the spoon :)  I had to fix him another small bowl!

Eli is quickly becoming mobile.  I don't know if I should be happy or sad.  I put him on his play mat and went to the bathroom.  I returned to find him like this...

Keep in mind that he was on his back with his feet facing the bottom of the picture.  I have no idea how he got like this.  When I returned, he was looking at me like "what??"  I started squealing like a dying bird... he looked at me like I was crazy.  I think that he realized he did something special because I tried to get a close up pic of him and this is what I got... (you know how kids always turn away from you when you really want a pic??)

29 Years

What I've learned in 29 years on this earth:

- I've learned that people will treat you how you allow them to treat you

- I've learned the deep love that a mother has for her child

- I've learned that just because people make a lot of money or drive nice cars doesn't mean that they   
  are happy

- I've learned how to forgive

- I've learned how to truly love and be a good wife/mother

- I've learned that life is so short and that we should enjoy every minute of every day

-I've learned that you can't take back hurtful words that you have said to others

- I've learned that my career is not the most important thing in the world

-I've learned that some friends will come and go...others stay by your side no matter what

-I've learned that you can count your true friends on you hands

- I've learned that my Momma was always right and knew what was best for me

- I've learned that there is nothing like a grandparent's love

- I've learned that spending time with family is one of the most important things

- I've learned how to bite my tongue and pick my battles with my husband

- I've learned that there is nothing like seeing your husband hold your child for the first time

- I've learned patience

- I've learned that it's ok if my house is not spotless at all times

- I've learned that it is much harder to lose weight after having a baby

- I've learned that fate will bring your soul mate to you

- I've learned how to start my life over, start a new job, make new friends and have a new baby 670
  miles from home

29 years ago, a beautiful 21 year old and a very handsome 28 year old man went to the hospital and came home with their daughter...Erika Brynn.  Momma, thank you for all that you have done for me during these 29 years.  You always provided for me and made sure that I had the things that I wanted.  I miss you so much...wish there were not so many miles between us.  I now truly understand when you told us that until we had our own children, we wouldn't know the love that you have for us.  I know that love and it is the greatest feeling ever.  Thank you for giving me life and loving me. 

Oktoberfest 2012

This past Saturday we went to Oktoberfest in downtown Tulsa.  They had lots of live music, carnival rides, vendor tables and FOOD (the best part)  We had such a good time and Eli seemed to really enjoy it.  He loves being outside and he loves to people watch :)

I ate WAY TOO MUCH.  We ate at Fudrucker's before we went, I shared strawberry dipping dots with Josh and I got a RED VELVET FUNNEL CAKE.  Yes, that's right, a red velvet funnel cake.  OMG.  It was heaven on a paper plate...no kidding.  I wonder why the scale won't budge from that horrible number it's stuck on??  Hmmmmmm....................

Here are a few pictures from our super fun day!

Prettiest eyes in Oklahoma :)

 

 

 

We had stripped Eli of his pants at this time.  It was so hot!  Crazy for the end of October!

 

 

 

Sunday was a great day as well.  We finally decided to join a nearby church that we have been going to on and off since we moved here last fall.  I am so excited about this!  It feels wonderful to finally belong to a church family!  I'm so glad that my son will grow up in church and learn about God's love for us! 

 

I hope everyone has a wonderful Thursday!  The weekend is almost here ;)



 

 

 

 

Prejudice

Let's define the word prejudice-

prej-u-dice
Noun
Preconceived opinion not based on reason or experience.

Call me what you want- white girl, honkie (my all time favorite), cracker, pale face...whatever.  I answer to them all.  One thing I will NOT BE CALLED is prejudice. 

Let's go back many years ago...I was in elementary school and I met a girl named April.  She became my best friend and I even went to play at her house in the projects on numerous occasions.  I never saw color in her.  She was just my sweet friend that I enjoyed riding bikes and playing board games with. 

Fast forward to 2009.  My sister, Shelby, delivered the most precious and beautiful little girl named Peyton.  Guess what?  She is mixed and I must say I'm a little jealous of her beautiful skin color!  We tell her she has a "perma-tan" :)  My sister is attracted to people of color.  I could care less about this.  It is not something I chose for my life, but who is to say that it is wrong?  I think that we are all human and we are all children of God!  He loves us ALL!  God doesn't see color.

Throughout my life, I have made so many friends who are not "honkies" like me.  It doesn't matter to me.  I love them all the same. 

With all that being said, I am SO TIRED of being called prejudice just because I don't support President Obama.  The exact people that are calling me this are people who don't even know me- they have a preconceived opinion not based on reason or experience.  I don't normally speak out on politics. I like to keep quiet and laugh histerically at some of the posts I see about the upcoming election.  I have had ENOUGH!  I'm so tired of people playing the "race" card.  I would like to say one thing...the ONLY people I see talking about President Obama's race are the ones that are supporting him- not the ones opposing. 

I am definitely not saying that Mitt Romney is going to turn this country around.  Let's be honest, I don't think either candidate is a good choice.  I do know that nothing has really been accomplished these last 4 years.  Maybe it's someone else's turn. 

I am a healthcare professional, a Registered Nurse, and I truly believe that Obama's proposed health care reform will be detrimental to the healthcare system.  Check the facts.  Educate yourself.  I am not claiming to be a know-it-all about politics, but I have a lot of common sense.  It doesn't take a rocket scientist to understand what is going on in our country. 

Everyone, get out there and exercise your right to vote!  Thank God that we are able to make an informed decision and choose the person we think will best do the job! 


Red, Yellow, Black or White...I don't care! Let's just get someone who can turn this country around and put God first! If I hear ONE MORE PERSON speak of race, I think I might lose my mind! 

Have a GREAT Wednesday!

You Lost How Much??/ Randomness

Men can really get on my nerves.  Seriously.  My husband can get in his head that he wants to drop 5 pounds and magically it just falls off of him WHILE he is eating his chicken McNuggets.  I, on the other hand, could eat no more than 1200 calories in a day and exercise non-stop until Jesus comes back and still not lose a pound.  What is up with that???

Josh let me know that he lost nearly 5 pounds over a course of 3 days. The way he did it you ask?  His response-  "I just started drinking water instead of diet Mountain Dew."  I mean REALLY!?!?

..........

So, I had this awesome chart for my working out.  It included running, work-out dvd's, etc.  Friday night, while in the pits of HELL Wal-Mart, I totally messed up my baby toe.  It got caught under the wheel of the shopping cart.  I keep saying "It's broken", mainly because that sounds more interesting, but whatever I did HURTS!  It's extremely hard to wear a shoe, so running is out for a few days.  Guess bike riding will have to do for now.  I rode 4.5 miles yesterday in 26 minutes.  It felt fantastic!  The weather was perfect.   

..........

We spent the weekend in Oklahoma City.  Josh had to work a little Saturday night and most of the day Sunday.  I really enjoy going along with him on some of his work trips even if it's only for a night or two.  I love lounging around the hotel and catching up on TV shows that I don't normally get to watch.  When I'm home, I constantly feel like I need to be doing something productive.  So, it's almost like a mini vacation for me!  We spent Sunday afternoon shopping at the outlet mall in Oklahoma City.  I love that place.  I got 2 shirts from Banana Republic and a pair of sunglasses for $22!  Score!!!  It was a great quick trip!

..........

My sweet angel had his 4 month check-up yesterday.  He is growing up!  15 pounds 2 1/2 ounces and 26 inches long!  Weight is in the 50-75th percentile and height is in the 75-90th percentile!  The Doctor also said I can start giving him rice cereal.  He is really starting to notice our food and is grabbing at our plates!  I'm excited to start feeding him and see his reactions to different baby foods!  We are also on the look-out for more signs/symptoms of diabetes in our little man.  His daddy is a juvenile diabetic, and we have noticed a few jittery moments when Eli is really hungry.  His whole body will shake and nothing calms him until he gets his bottle.  I pray it is nothing.  Please pray too?  I know he will be just fine! 

..........

Lastly, did I mention that I got a TREE!?  Contain your excitement, people :) I don't think I have ever been more excited about a tree in my life!!!  I have been begging our neighborhood landscapers for a tree or maybe even more colorful landscaping and low and behold we got a beautiful maple tree!  My sister told me I need to get out more when I excitedly told her about it ;)  I think it makes our place look a little more cozy :)  I'm weird, I know.

..........



Eli and his sweet Daddy



Eli is loving his feet!

My big boy at his 4 month check-up!

26 inches long!

Eli trying to stand by himself on the couch!  Big boy!

My lovely maple tree!

Follow-up Post on the Hot Blonde :)

This is to all 3 of you that actually read my blog and saw the post from yesterday ;)

If you would like to read it, you can find it here.  It's kind of necessary to read yesterday's post before this one or you will think we are a bunch of weirdos over here...well, I guess we really are :)

This is the text that I got from my witty husband while I was at work yesterday...Goodness I love him :)

 

 

I don't think there is anything more to say!  He said it all...yep, this is my life :)

Happy Friday!!  I hope everyone has a great weekend!

My Husband, Taco Bell and the Hot Blonde

Has anyone ever had a recurring dream? 

Anyone??

Well, I have had the same dream multiple times since I had Eli in June.  It has to do with my husband, a Taco Bell commercial, a club, and a hot blonde. 

Here it is...
**********
So, in the dream, I am watching TV and my husband is at work.  A Taco Bell commercial comes on and guess who the main actor is???  MY husband!  He is driving this really cool convertible and has a REALLY hot blonde beside him!  They are munching on their Doritos Locos Tacos and  gazing into each other's eyes!  They look VERY in tune with each other and VERY MUCH in LOVE!  So, in this dream, I am VERY SURPRISED!  My husband is a District Loss Prevention Manager with Dick's Sporting Goods, so you can imagine my surprise that he has a side job of being an actor in a Taco Bell commercial! 

My husband comes home from work (in the dream) and I ask him what was going on.  When did you become an actor??  How do you know anyone in the acting world?  WHO IS THE HOT BLONDE AND WHY DO YOU LOOK SO COMFY SITTING BESIDE HER AND MUNCHING ON YOUR DORITOS LOCOS TACO?????

Josh tells me I'm acting crazy and he will not answer any questions!  We have dinner and I am balling crying inside of the restaurant!  "Why won't you  just tell me how you know these people??"  I leave the restaurant and go to a club...with my son (who was born in June) in my arms! 

They let me in the club, with my son in my arms, and there are people dancing these CRAZY dances.  I'm talking weird stuff!  It was like I was in the Twilight Zone!  I go to the back of the club and there are these separate little rooms.  I find him in this tiny little room and we make up.  End of story. 

**********
Isn't it funny how our brain works??  The really funny thing is that I have never actually been to a club.  Seriously.  I attempted once with my best friend, Megan, and it is quite a hilarious story!
We were being designated drivers for my mother and her best friend.  They were celebrating a 40th Birthday.  We went to a local comedy club and later they wanted to go dancing.  We dropped them off at a bar for "older people" and we headed out for the clubs downtown.  Yep, we drove around for 10 eternities and could not find how to get to downtown!  Ha!  Keep in mind we were only 18 at the time!  We felt so ridiculous!  We went to pick up my mom and her friend and had to literally drag them out of the bar!  It was not funny then but SO funny now!  Ha!  Good memories!

So, moral of the story, if you see the guy below...



My adorable and smoking hot husband :)





with a smoking hot blonde then you better LET ME KNOW ;)

You all know that girl that I'm talking about...long, flowy, beautiful hair that is always blowing in the wind, even when there is no wind.  Perfect skin, perfect make-up, perfect teeth.  Ughhh!!!

Maybe since I'm talking about the dream, I won't have it anymore!  Who knows??!
It must be a post-pregnancy thing!  I'm sure my hormones are still so out of sorts!

Josh, I'm watching you...and if you come home with a new convertible...well, let's just say that it will be bad news bears for someone ;) hahaha!

New Exercise Plan

So......

I started running...again.  Last spring, my best friend forced me talked me into running a half marathon with her and some other friends.  We called ourselves "The Luna Chicks".  "Luna" is an understatement :)

Our first race was an 8K to "Save the Grist Mill" in our hometown.  I didn't really train for this.  I mean, how hard could it be to run a little over 5 miles??!!  Well, I managed to cross the finish line, panting, red-faced and as close to death as I have ever been.  I was drenched with sweat.  It was fun...after I was all finished and headed to the house to ice my aching joints.  I just kept thinking, "I'm too young for my joints to ache like this!" 

In April of 2011, we headed out to the Talladega Superspeedway for our Half Marathon.  I really think that your adrenaline gets you through several of the miles in a race.  I got past the 3 mile mark and it became a lot easier for me.  Around mile 7, my left knee was about to give out on me.  I kept pushing, and pushing and pushing.  It was one of the hardest things I've ever done in my life.  I felt so accomplished when I crossed that finish line.  I did not have a great finish time- I believe I was somewhere in the 2 hours and 53 minute range BUT I FINISHED! 

I ran that half-marathon for my Dad and my Step-dad.  They are both prostate cancer survivors and it was a race to raise money for prostate cancer research.  My goal is to run another half for juvenile diabetes research.  My husband was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes when he was 17 years old.  There has to be a cure out there.  It's a terrible disease with sometimes detrimental outcomes.  I am proud to say, my husband has really turned over a new leaf when it comes to taking care of himself.  He is doing such a good job.  That makes me a happy wife (and a happy nurse that happens to be his wife). 

Wish me luck as I get back out on the pavement.  My knee was already hurting me after my first run yesterday!  I have come up with a plan that I hope will work for me.  I work on Tuesday's and Thursday's so I don't have as much time on those days.  Ripped in 30 will actually become Ripped in 90 but I get really bored with the same thing every day!

Monday- c25k, 10 minute pilates arms
Tuesday-Ripped in 30
Wednesday-c25k, p90x abs
Thursday-Ripped in 30
Friday-c25k
Saturday-10 minute pilates legs, p90x abs

I'm sure I won't be 100% faithful to this schedule.  It will just be a guide for me.  I think as long as you are active, even for 10 minutes a day, it is better than nothing!  I will try my best to stick to this schedule and hopefully I can shed this last 20 pounds of baby weight!

What do you think?  Is this a good plan?  I'm just trying to keep my ADD in check :)  Gotta switch it up now and then!

4 Months

Oh, sweet Eli...why are you growing so fast??  You are developing such a little personality.  You have the most beautiful eyes and an infectious smile.  You make my heart so happy. 
........

You have had so many firsts since last month.  You went to daycare for the first time...you seem to love it!  You are really nosey, so I think you enjoy seeing all the other babies playing.

You rolled over from your back to your stomach on October 3rd!  Now you are flipping over so fast.  I turn around for one second and you are on your belly :)

You are becoming very mobile.  I lay you down on your play mat and you wiggle all the way off onto the hardwood floor.  You could care less, you just keep smiling!

You have times when you are a momma's baby.  I had to leave work the beginning of this week because you were crying and they could not figure out what was wrong.  When I got there, you saw me and smiled the biggest smile!  I think you just wanted your momma :)  We won't tell anyone, but you can get me out of work anytime you want!

You give the best, open-mouth, slobbery, wet kisses in the whole world!  You also say a word that strangely resembles the word "hey" when you want attention!  You started this on September 8th.  You are babbling more and more.  You are also giggling now and it's the cutest thing ever!

We visited Alabama the week of September 16th to meet your new cousin, Ezra.  We arrived on what would have been Nanny Johns' 78th Birthday.  She would have loved to see you!  You had so much fun with your cousins!

I love when I am feeding you your bottle, and you smile really big in your sleep when I take the bottle out of your mouth.  It's like you are saying, "Thanks for the bottle, my belly is so full!"

You love to be rocked and bounced.  You love napping with Mommy and Daddy.  You have the cutest crooked and toothless grin I have ever seen.  You are really enjoying your jumparoo now.  You still can't quite touch the ground, so we put a thin box underneath the jumper to help you out a little bit...and you love it :)

I took you to the doctor for your first sick baby visit on October 2nd.  We thought you had an ear infection, but turns out you only have allergies.  I was relieved.  I hate it when you don't feel well.

I know I say it all the time, but I am so glad that God sent you to us!  I'm excited about the future and all the "firsts" that are still to come, but I am sad that you are not a tiny infant anymore.  You are already showing signs of being independent...just like your Mommy and Daddy.  You don't want to sit down in our laps, you want to stand.  You are trying to help me hold your bottle...I'm not ready for that!  I know before long, you will be running all over this house.  I'm going to cherish every moment of your life because I know it passes far too quickly.  I love you with all my heart.  Happy 4 months, sweet baby boy!

Now for lots of pictures of the last month!

Lunch at Hideaway Pizza 10-6-12

My adorable Alabama Fan!

He was NOT loving his sunglasses!

 

My little owl

He loves his feet!

 

 

Sweet cousins- Eli and Ezra

Ezra, Peyton and Eli snoozing!

 

Napping at GaGa's House!  I love when he spreads out like this!

13 1/2 weeks apart 

Loving the jumparoo!

Loves napping with Daddy :)

Friday Favorites Vlog

 

 

I'm linking up with Holly and Emily for Friday Favorites Vlog! 

 

 

Let me just start by saying that I was SO nervous about doing this!  I actually decided not to do it but I hated to miss out on this!  So, I know that I look like a total moron...but I'm ok with it.  I can't wait to hear what my husband has to say about this one :)  Here goes nothing!

 

 

 

 

And there you have it.  Can't believe I just did this :)  Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!

*IN*fertile Myrtle/ One Year Celebration!

Today is a VERY special day.  One year ago today, I left behind my 2 year 8 month struggle with infertility and crossed over into the "puke your guts up all day, every day for 16 weeks" wonderful world of pregnancy.  Here is my story...

........October 4, 2011........

This is the day that my life changed forever.  A day that I didn't think would ever come.  My period was 3 days late.  Two years ago, I would have been doing a pregnancy test 5 days before a missed period.  Not at this time, though.  I would wait it out...seeing the negative test just made me more sad and depressed.  It actually had not occured to me that I was 3 days late until I was talking on the phone with a friend (whom I've only met once in person, but I think of her as a true friend) who was struggling with infertility as well.  After we got off the phone, it hit me like a ton of bricks...I had not started and didn't even feel like I would start anytime soon.  I dashed to my bathroom (where I had a healthy supply of tests) and low and behold I WAS PREGNANT!!!  I was in shock.  I kept looking at the plus sign and doubting myself.  Did I do the test right? (how many ways can you actually pee on a stick??!)  Was there really a plus sign or were my eyes playing tricks on me?  So...I took another one.  And guess what??...It was still positive!  Josh was out of town on a business trip.  I called him...he didn't answer.  Go figure!  I called repeatedly until he answered.  I wanted to wait and surprise him at the airport when I picked him up but I could not wait to share the wonderful news!  We were both ecstatic!  I spent the afternoon crying (tears of joy) and thanking God for this wonderful blessing!!!

........How it all started........

Six months prior to finding out we were pregnant, we started infertility treatments.  We had been trying to get pregnant for over 2 years.  I endured 4 months of blood draws, vaginal ultrasounds, clomid, HCG injections (thank you, Megan for shooting up my booty!), HSG procedure (which was very painful for me), an ovarian cyst from the clomid, and peeing on ovulation sticks almost daily.  It was all very stressful and an even bigger let down every month that I wasn't pregnant. 

It seemed like everyone I knew was popping babies out like a candy machine.

My poor husband endured his fair share of uncomfortable moments as well.  Bless his heart.  I won't put on here what he had to go through, but I just want him to know how much I love him and appreciate him for the sacrifices he made for our family.

........Stopping infertility treatments........

August 8th, 2011
I went to the infertility clinic for another ultrasound.  The nurse insisted that we do a pregnancy test because she saw something "different" on the ultrasound.  What do you know...negative again.  Broke my heart.  I remember sitting there thinking that this could be the day that we finally got that positive sign. False hope.  I was so let down and very depressed after this. 

Josh had just accepted a new job that would be taking us away from our family and friends...670 miles to be exact.  We were moving in mid-October to the Tulsa, OK area.  I was so overwhelmed with trying to get pregnant, going to the infertility clinic and trying to get ready to move that I decided I couldn't do it anymore.  I had to pack up my whole life and leave behind the people I loved the most, this was depressing in itself!  I couldn't take anymore disappointment or sadness.  I had an ultrasound scheduled for August 15th and I cancelled it.  We put everything on hold in order to move half-way across the country.  Infertility is very draining- physically and mentally...so was moving away from our home.

On November 14th, we saw this precious gummy bear for the first time!

........

I found out I was pregnant 6 days before the moving truck came and packed up my entire life.  We got pregnant when we least expected it.  We quit infertility treatments and magically we were pregnant a little over a month later.  This is the reaction of my bestie. We had a wonderful "girl date" dreaming of the future and planning everything! We told our families over our Thanksgiving gathering.  Everyone was so thrilled to meet our angel :)

Through all the tears and sad days, we now have the most precious angel in our lives.  I am so thankful that God chose ME to be Eli's Mommy.  The pregnancy was not easy.  I had severe nausea and vomiting until I was 20 weeks pregnant.  I lost a lot of weight.  But as I was puking, dehydrated and taking Zofran and Phenergan suppositories around the clock, I was still thankful to be pregnant with our little miracle.

Thanks to everyone who prayed for our miracle.  God works everything out in HIS time!

How to Have a Baby...According to a 2 Year Old

Peyton is my beautiful niece and quite a little diva!  I love her with all my heart.  She is so funny and smart!  Here are her thoughts on "having a baby"...

Keep in mind that she calls me "B".  
They also tell her EVERY KIND OF FOOD is "snake"- aka "steak" or she will not eat it :) 


Peyton instructed my sister, her other Aunt, on how to "have a baby" as she calls it..."You gots to go to the doctor like "B" did when she have a baby Eli...then you come home and you gots to feed yo baby and then you gots to get yo purse ready and then you gots to eat some snake (steak) and then you gots to drive dat truck and then you gots to go to the beach!"...

So that's it...that's how you have a baby :)

Here's my little diva...I could just eat her up!!  So precious!

 

 

I love you, Peyton Jayde!  You make my heart smile :) You are such a beautiful little girl!

Photo Shoots, Back to Work and Getting Fit

I got to go back home a couple of weeks ago to meet my new nephew, Ezra Lander.  I must say, we can sure produce some ADORABLE little boys in this family :)

My sweet baby sister did an awesome job and is already the best little mama!  Breaks my heart that I live so far away from them...BUT it is SO much fun to go back home every now and then!

We did a little photo shoot with all of our kiddos.  Let me just say, it is EXTREMELY difficult to photograph a 3 month old, a newborn and an almost 3 year old little diva :) 

A big thanks to Jenny for taking our pics!  She always comes through for us!

Me and Eli (3 months), Shelby and Peyton (2 years and 9 months), Lorrie and Ezra (1 week and a half)

 

The sun was BLINDING us!  I love pics like this!

 

 

........

 

I started back to work September 13th after almost 14 weeks off!  Luckily, I am able to work part-time (2 days a week).  I am a Registered Nurse and I work in GI at a large hospital in the Tulsa area.  I LOVE my job!  I love my co-workers.  I am very blessed to have found this job.  I take patient's health history, start IV's, sedate patients and recover them after colonoscopies, EGD's and other GI procedures.  Never thought I would work in GI, but it is the perfect job for me!  If you are 50 or older OR if you are under 50 with a family history of colon cancer YOU NEED TO HAVE YOUR COLONOSCOPY SCREENING!  :) 

 

That being said, starting back to work meant that my sweet angel, Eli, had to go to daycare.  Thankfully, I have a great daycare at my hospital and Eli was accepted (he was #11 on the waiting list and they accepted 11...whew!!!)

 

I had so much anxiety about this.  So did my husband.  We had actually decided that I would not return to work because we were so worried about daycare.  I'm glad we changed our mind again at the last minute.  I love having the adult time and a little extra money never hurt anyone :)

 

Eli did fantastic on his first day!  He smiled at me when I was leaving and I got to spend my lunch break rocking him and loving on him!  I know in the long run, it will be so good for him to interact with other kids and possibly keep me a little more sane :)

 

 

........

 

Lastly, I am FED UP with myself!!!  I am 20 pounds over my comfortable weight!!!  I was more active when I was 9 months pregnant!!!  That is unacceptable!  I am on my way to healthy again!  I think I have my husband on board as well!  Healthy eating and exercise is how I'm starting!  I ran a half-marathon last year...I would love to run another one!  My goal is to run to benefit juvenile diabetes research (my husband was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes when he was 17 years old).  Everyone, please hold me accountable!