In two days time Ewan will be three months old. Today was the day in Gemma's life that she came out of hospital for the first time. She was 2 days short of three months. A day I'll remember like it was yesterday. At that time we were in Panarama Medi-Clinic Cape Town, and had to fly back home with her - naso-gastric tube and all. That night was the first night we had her sleeping in a cot next to us.
I remember this day in Bryce's life. We were in Clarens visiting my grandparents. I wasn't writing this blog then. I know I loved every minute of having Bryce as a healthy little boy, but honestly I don't remember the details. I think, at the time, I was so focused on keeping Gemma's blood sugars stable, that my memories of him as a baby are very vague. I am so blessed to have been able to have had another chance with Ewan. I have cherished every minute of having him in my life. He is such a chilled out little guy, and is at a stage now where he smiles and giggles at everyone he meets. He has been attached to me like an extra limb - knowing he will be our last baby. Gemma and Bryce love him to bits. Gemma is a great help with him, and luckily he is a strong little boy, as he's been carried around by his siblings since he was a day old. Bryce helps out in his own brotherly way as well. The other day Ewan had the hiccupps, and jokingly I told Bryce to give him a fright so they could go away. Bryce roared like a lion, but so loudly - even I got a fright. Poor Ewan's eyes opened up so widely, and he screamed - but needless to say the hiccups disappeared. I know times were tough with Gemma as a baby - and we missed out on a lot of bonding time with her in the first three months - but have been so blessed to be able to experience that bonding with two healthy boys. Gemma is not a very affectionate little girl - she won't easily come and give hugs like Bryce does. It would be interesting to know if this is a result of that bonding we missed out on, or if it's just part of who she is? GEMMA'S PROGRESS We did an HBA1C test for Gemma last week, and were very pleased with a 6.8% result. We tried really hard over the last 3 months to regulate her carb intake. The previous result was 7.5%, so I think a drop of almost 1% is a great achievement. It hasn't been easy for her, as we live at a lodge where all dinners are served with a desert, and in our village the local people make the yummiest traditional bread. This bread, however, makes her sugars extremely high, and difficult to bring down. We've had to cut all of that out of her diet, and on the occasional day where I know she's eaten "badly" she has protein in the form of omelets, scrambled egg, cheese, nuts etc. to bring her sugars back into a normal range. The other day she really wanted chocolate oats for breakfast. Knowing her sugars would be high (and at midmorning they were - 14 or so), I gave her - what we call - a protein platter - cheese, hardboiled egg and avo. I was meant to test her an hour later and forgot. Just before lunch she told me she was feeling very dizzy, and went and tested herself - she was 1.6 - the lowest she's been since her surgery. I felt really bad for allowing this to happen, but on the other hand, was pleased that she was able to recognise the fact that she was having a low, and was able to control it herself. The next morning I experimented by giving her the same chocolate oats, but together with a boiled egg, and her sugars were 6.7 mid morning. Besides having to be on a strict diet, Gemma is well and healthy. Besides the occasional bump and bruise, Bryce is also well. It's a bit early, but I know I probably won't be blogging until next year, so wanted to wish everyone a happy upcoming festive season. I can't believe 2014 is nearly over. I hope you all have a wonderful few weeks till it's over.
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