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Thankful for Diabetes: The Best Club No One Wanted to Join

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

I am thankful for diabetes.

Yes, you read it right.  I am.

Even though we've been having a tough time of it lately.  I'm still thankful.

And I'll tell you why...

But first, I've got to say that it's not easy for me to say that.  In fact, I struggle with it quite a bit.  It's really HARD for me to come to terms with being thankful for D.... because of Sweets.

It's hard for me to say that I'm thankful for a disease that brings her so much pain and frustration and anger.

It's hard to me to say that I'm thankful for a disease that she will live with forever.  Without EVER getting a break.

It's hard for me to say that I'm thankful for a disease that could cause her horrible complications.

It's hard for me to say that I'm thankful for a disease that could take her life.  Not in years.  Not when she's old and gray.  But right now.

It's hard for me to say it.  Because I don't always feel it.  In fact, I HATE diabetes some of the time.  I hate what it does to her.  I hate what it can do to her.  

In a way, I feel guilty for saying I'm thankful for diabetes because I'm not the one living with the disease in my body. 

Being thankful for diabetes forces me to be able to hold conflicting feelings, polar opposites, in fact, in my head at the same time.  I hate this disease. I hate what it does to Sweets and I hate what it's taken from her and from us. And yet, I am also thankful for the lessons it's taught us and the things it's brought into our lives.




It would be so much easier if it was just ME with this crap disease.  It would be so much better if it was ME with the bum pancreas.  If we could keep all the wonderful but spare HER from all the bad.  I wish it WAS me.  I'd give anything to take this disease from her.  (I won't go there - that's another post for another day...)

But it's not me.

And it's not going away.

No matter how much I hate it.  No matter how much I wish it gone. 

Sweetpea has diabetes.  Nothing can change that.

And that only focusing on the parts of this disease that suck (and oh, boy - there are a lot!) isn't going to get us anywhere.  In fact, it's only going to make us all miserable.  And it's not going to teach her the attitude that I hope she adopts for looking at life in general.

(Side note - as I said in my last post about this topic, I think it's healthy and important to acknowledge ALL of your feelings about diabetes.  It's all rainbows and sunshine all the time.  And it's ok to say it.  But it's also not all storm clouds!)



So, the only thing to do is be THANKFUL for the good parts of life with diabetes!



I love the saying that diabetes is the best club that no one ever wanted to join!  It's so true.  None of us asked for this life.  In fact, we would probably all give it back if we could. (As I said, we've been having a rough go of it lately.  Sweets said the other night with tears rolling down her sweet little face, in between hiccuping sobs that she wishes she could just give diabetes back.  Me too.)  But since we can't....

I am so thankful for the incredible people I've met through this disease.  The list is crazy long ! 

I've met so many incredibly supportive people online -- THE DOC!   My facebook friends list is NUTS - and it's all diabetes people!  I love being able to go online to facebook or twitter or blogs and read about other people living this crazy life.  I love being able to throw out a question - from how many carbs are in a Kraft Mac and Cheese to HELP! I need tips on keeping bg up when she's puking!  I love the support and love I've found.  I love knowing that I'm not alone.  And SWEETS is not alone.

It's crazy (although not too crazy considering I "met" J online...) that I have people that I've found online - people that I have NEVER MET - who I consider to be some of my best and closest friends.  People who I know will be there for me whenever I need them.  People who "get it". 

And SOME of these people I've been lucky enough to meet in real life!  And every single person is just flat out awesome!  Every. Single.  One.  And you'd think it would be weird meeting someone you've only talked to online - but it's not.  We're family.  As corny as it sounds - I've found it to be true.  It's like meeting an old friend. 

I also must include the amazing endocrinology team at our Children's Hospital!  I would have never met these folks (duh) without diabetes.  And I'm glad I did.  They love us. They love Sweets.  They support us.  They stand by us.  They help us with the most important thing in our lives - keeping our little girl healthy - both physically AND emotionally.  Because BOTH are important to them.  We are so blessed to have them!

Can't forget about the fantastic folks at JDRF - both locally and nationally.  Again - all of them are pretty darn amazing. I've had the honor of being part of our chapter board and through that I've been able to meet others who are serving our local chapter - and you know what?  A large number of the folks on our board don't have diabetes and don't have a child with diabetes.  They just care.  They ride bikes for 100 miles in Death Valley just because they care.  They spend Saturdays at Walks and hours and hours of planning and preparation.  Because they care.  And that includes the folks with a D connection, too.  They all care.  They are willing to give of themselves and their time because it's important.  Not just for themselves personally - but for all of us. 

The same goes for the National folks.  The people that I work with in Advocacy are awesome!  They spend hours fighting for our cause.  And not just because it's a job.  You can tell when someone does something because it's "just a job".  These people do what they do because they care. 

We've had the honor of meeting with our Senators and Representatives (and not because we're special or anything - YOU can meet with yours, too!  Click HERE to find out how!).  That has been a wonderful experience for me as well as for Sweets.  She gets to see government up close.  I have learned that these men and women who serve us both locally and nationally - they are just ordinary people.  They have families, too.  They have all been gracious and kind and have listened to our stories.  A wonderful experience!

Sweets has met all KINDS of people she would have never met!  She has a whole group of friends that she would NEVER know otherwise.  And these are friends who "get" her in a way that no one else can.  They provide "SAME" for her just like my D Mama's provide "SAME" for me.  And that bond is special.  It's different from what she has with her best friend that does NOT have D.  It's something she would not experience otherwise. 

And you know what?  It's not just kids.  There are a couple of adults who really connect with Sweetpea and she with them.  We've had the pleasure of meeting them in real life and that is a precious, precious gift!  That connection is important to her - almost more so than having friends her own age.  She sees in them her future.  And it's a GOOD future.  A HOPEFUL future.  And she would not experience a relationship like that without diabetes.  To them, THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart.  You may not know what it means to Sweets or to us the time that you take to send a quick note.  But it means a lot.  She looks up to you.  In a way that she needs - and a way that J and I can't really provide for her.  She needs those positive role models.  You are special to her.  And to us.  She needs you!  And so do we!

Gosh - the PEOPLE!  I could go on forever just about the incredible people D has put into our lives.



But it's more than that...

I have learned to look for the beauty in the small things.  I have learned to appreciate the good days and the good moments in a way that I don't think we ever would have without diabetes.  Diabetes has changed out outlook on life.  We know that the rain is going fall.  But we also know that it will stop.  Eventually.  And that there is beauty in both places.

I've learned that I am NOT in control.  I do not like this.  But it's true.

I have learned that I am stronger than I ever imagined. 

My daughter may have to grow up faster than I would have liked, but she, too, will learn that she is incredibly strong.  That fear and pain will not break her.  They will only add to her toughness.  And she is tough.  Small - but mighty.

I have learned that I am braver than I ever thought possible.  And so is my little girl.  She, too, will learn that she is a brave person.

I have learned what true PASSION is. 

I have learned that I can make a difference.  Not just in my house or my life or my neighborhood - but in the world.

I have learned what is really important.  I don't get caught up in petty squabbles.  Don't go for the office gossip.  Don't worry about if I'm wearing the latest trend (Let's face it - I'm the Mom of a CWD- I'm lucky if I find ANY clothes to wear much less the latest style!).  Diabetes has broadened my view.

I have learned to be more empathetic.  When someone is having a hard day or a is rude in a store - I now wonder what might be going on to make them behave that way.  You just never know... Maybe they are tired because they were up all night treating lows.  Maybe they have prescriptions to fill and no money. 

My family is closer.  D can make you or it can break you.  Unfortunately, I know too many families where D has added to the stress so much so that things fall apart.  So I am grateful that not only has this not happened to us - that it has done the opposite.  We are a team.  We rely on each other.  We fight for each other.  We stand together.

I spend more time with my daughter than I might have otherwise.  D forces me to hang out at play dates and sleepovers and practices.  It makes me a normal classroom visitor and a constant field trip companion.  At times this can be frustrating.  But it also affords me the opportunity to see my child in situations that I might not otherwise.  It lets me experience special things with her.  And it helps us form an even tighter bond.

D has also forced me to accept help.  I don't like asking for help.  I still am working on this and will still rarely ASK unless I'm desperate.  We even have a babysitter that we "won" at the JDRF Gala Auction - and have not used.  But...  I HAVE to accept help from others when she is in their care at school.  I have been forced to ask for accommodations and special things because of diabetes.  And that is not a bad thing.  It's an uncomfortable thing for me - it humbles me.  But that is not bad.

Diabetes has totally changed my life.  It has totally changed my family's life and most importantly, my daughter's life. 

I have no idea what our life would be like without diabetes.  I have no other children.  I just can't fathom living life without diabetes...

Yeah, I would totally give it back if I could. 

But I wouldn't trade the GOOD things about diabetes for anything. 

Diabetes has made me a better person. 

And it's made - and is going to continue to make - my daughter the most amazing, incredible person I've ever met!





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Diabetes Awareness Month Giveaway: Too Sweet Boutique and Claudia the Cupcake Lady

Monday, November 28, 2011

This is our last week of November - aka Diabetes Awareness Month!

But - don't cry!  Because the giveaway this week is very SWEET!


The first exciting prize is from Too Sweet Boutique!

Amy, the incredible creator of the most beautiful pump/cgm pouches I have ever seen, is giving away a CUSTOM MIX IT POUCH of your choice!


Check out that awesome fabric - HOPE for Diabetes!  LOVE IT!



And there are cute fabrics for boys, too!




Click HERE to see fabric choices for GIRLS and HERE to see fabric choices for BOYS.

If you've been reading this blog for any length of time, you know that Sweets and I are faithful customers of Too Sweet Boutique!  I just love the cuteness of the pouches!  And Sweets loves the way they feel - comfy!  Of course, she loves how they look, too!  In fact, she has been known to pick a favorite and wear it until I have to sneak it off her body in the night in order to wash it.

I love that these pouches hold the pump or cgm close to he body without being bulky and leaving a huge bump under her clothing.  She loves that they are so comfy to wear that she forgets she has it on!  I love it's discreetness - but they are all so cute that showing them off is fun, too!

And they LAST!  These pouches hold up to Sweetpea's daily wear - her 24/7 wear - and still look darling months and months later!

Of course, Amy should know what works well!  She has a beautiful little princess with diabetes AND she is also the wife and daughter of Type 1's.  As she says, "Pumping should be fun, functional and fashionable"!

The second exciting prize is also super sweet!  This prize is from Claudia, the Cupcake Lady!

Claudia makes the most darling fondant cupcake toppers I've ever seen!  ( I SO wish I'd known about her before Sweetpea's first 5 birthdays! And her holiday toppers --- oh my!  So pretty!)  She is giving away a set of her diabetes awareness cupcake toppers!



You will get 6 of the Diabetes Awareness ribbon with red sparkle drop and CURE letters toppers and 6 of the World Diabetes Day "O" logo toppers!

Are these not the perfect thing for Diabetes Awareness Month?!?  Of course - they are perfect for ANY time of year!  What a great way to raise awareness! (A yummy way, too!)  How cute would these be for your Walk?  Or other D related activities?!?

Claudia donates 100% of the sale price to the Diabetes Research Institute!  So not only are these darling and yummy - they are also supporting a cause that is near and dear to our hearts!

Claudia is not only a baker with heart of gold - she's also a D Mama!  Her 8 year old son was diagnosed with T1 on September 10, 2008.  I love that she has found a way to do something she loves FOR someone she loves!

Pretty SWEET giveaway, huh?

Wanna win?  Here's how...

I will pick TWO WINNERS!  Winner one gets the custom mix it up pouch from Too Sweet Boutique!  Winner two gets the super sweet diabetes awareness cupcake toppers!  You do NOT need to say which one you want - I'll just pick at random.  If for some reason you do not need/want the prize you win, I will pick another winner (like if you don't pump or have a cgm or something...)

THE RULES:

1.  Leave me a comment before midnight (EST) Thursday, December 1, 2011.  Include your first name (comments left with out a name will be eliminated).


** You MUST leave me a comment on this blog to be entered.** 

2. To earn extra entries for the giveaway post a separate comment for each: 

     * Tweet about this giveaway, then leave a comment
      
     * Facebook about this giveaway, then leave a comment

     * Blog about this giveaway, then leave a comment 
 
***  LIKE Too Sweet Boutique on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/TooSweetBoutique

- You MUST leave a comment for each separate entry (ie. one for the basic entering, one for tweeting it, one for linking it on facebook...)

- No duplicate comments are allowed and will be eliminated.

- Winners will be selected via random draw at http://www.random.org/.  

- Winners' names will be posted here on The Princess and The Pump on Friday December 2, 2011

- After a winner is named and posted, the winner will have 48 hours to send a message to me at theprincessandthepump@gmail.com.   If I do not hear from the winner within 48 hours, I will select a new winner.  

 GOOD LUCK!




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Redbench Designs and Tallygear - WINNERS!

Saturday, November 26, 2011

Thanksgiving totally got away from me!  We had a very nice holiday and I hope you did, too!  It was so nice that I completely forgot about picking a winner!  Or THREE winners!

But... the Black Friday haze has passed and now I'm back and ready to announce my THREE LUCKY WINNERS!

A BIG THANK YOU to Red Bench Designs and TallyGear for donating such amazing products to our giveaway!




So, without further ado, here we go!

Winner #1 is the lucky person who will take home the Jack's Joy Necklace from Red Bench Designs!



And that lucky lady is...... #41 - Shannon from The New Normal Life!

Winner #2 gets their very own original tummietote belt from TallyGear!



That lucky lady is....  #83 - Misty from Life is Like A Box of Chocolates!

Winner #3 gets the NEW Micro Mini Tummietote from TallyGear!



That lucky lady is ..... #77  Ronda from Autoimmue Island!

Winners, you have 48 hours to get in touch with me at theprincessandthepump@gmail.com to claim your prizes!

If you didn't win - it's not too late to place an order for Christmas!  You'll not only be getting amazing products but you'll also be helping raise money for diabetes research and awareness!

And.... Stay tuned for out LAST Diabetes Awareness Month Giveaway on Monday!

It's going to be very SWEET!  Here's a hint...



See you Monday!

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Happy Thanksgiving!

Thursday, November 24, 2011

Happy Thanksgiving!



Wishing you a wonderful holiday filled with love, laughter, and in range blood sugars! 


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One of Those Days...

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Thanksgiving is just around the corner. 

And I was planning a "thankful" post.  That's what I intended to write when I sat down tonight. 

But life got in the way.  And here we are.

The thankful post will have to wait.  Because I'm just not in the mood.

Fair warning - this post may not be all happy, carefree, positive, optimistic, or rosy.  It's may not be very uplifting and it's probably not going to "politically correct" to some.

What will be is REAL.

Honest, truthful, and real.

Today I would like to kick diabetes very hard.  I would like to wrap it up in a box and ship it to Timbuktu.  I would like to hold it down and make it beg for mercy.

I really just want it to go away.

I remember hearing many people say that your journey with diabetes DOES get better in time. That it doesn't always hurt like it does at first.  Or when it's your turn to grieve. 

That slowly but surely the good days start to outnumber the bad.

And I've found that to be true. 

Slightly over two and half years into this... experience... and the good days definitely outnumber the bad.  There are many days that the routine of this life is but a blip on our radar.  We just carb count and bolus and site change and trouble shoot and SWAG and what-not...  Without ever blinking an eye.

In fact, I go for days... weeks... now when diabetes doesn't get to me.  In part, I think it's because I don't let it.  Maybe I've just learned to keep my guard up. 

But today was not one of those days. 

Today I despise this disease with the passion that I felt in those first few weeks when we were holding Sweetpea down 5-6 times a day to give her the insulin shots.

It started on Friday.  LOWS.

Sweets was low about 4 times at school on Friday.  And then a few more times that night. 

And not just low.  Like 50's low.  Lows that take 40 or more grams to raise into the 90's. 

The lows continued on Saturday.  And Sunday.  And Monday.

We are frustrated.  Exhausted.  Scared. 

I keep waiting for her to puke - but it's not happening and she says she feels fine.

Nothing is working.  

Today was better.  Only 1 low today.

But today was pod change day.  After school, I had a meeting.  Then I had to put away all the fall and Thanksgiving things and get out the Holiday/Gingerbread Man things.  Sweets and I were having dinner with Gaga and Mimi because J had a meeting at our house.  This meant that I had to start the pod change at school.

No big deal, really.  We've done it many times. 

But the last time, I had to use the Opsite Flexifix on the pod.  Pods usually stick to her like GLUE.  But this one had a crumpled tape edge when I put it on and it was right by the cannula.  I was afraid it would work loose since I'd messed up the tape.  So I added the extra.

Opsite Flexifix works GREAT. (We buy it on Amazon... Seriously take a look if you need something that will stick to you kid - or yourself!)  It's like SUPERGLUE.  So that pod was stuck and it was stuck tight.

We put on the adhesive remover and let it sit for a few minutes.  That always works well and she can peel the pod off easily.  But it didn't work on the Flexifix. 

It was REALLY stuck.  And she pulled and pulled.  She would NOT let me touch it.  Her little skin was bright red.  And she was SOBBING.  SOBBING.  Screaming that it hurt.  That it felt like it was ripping her skin off. 

And there was nothing I could do.

Maybe she was a little more emotional because she'd just been low.  I don't know.  But it hurt her.  All you had to do was look at her skin and you could see it.

Red.  Raw.  Irritated.  With lots of little red spots where the pod and Dex has previously been.

All I could do was hold her while she cried. 

And after all the lows...  the battling the blood sugar... the testing and testing and testing... the pain from that tape sent me over the edge.

I wanted to cry, too.  Sitting there on the floor in the middle of my classroom.  I just wanted to sob. 

But I couldn't.  I had no tears.

Have I cried every last tear I have?

Of course, this pod change was not great.  She was scared because it was so tender and she cried and cried and cried.  We've been doing so well....  Pod changes have been going great.  But this one....

Maybe it's just the lows getting to her, too.  Maybe she's also exhausted and worn out from fighting this disease 24 hours a day.  Every single day.

I don't know.... 

All I know is that some days are just like that.

 No matter how long we battle this disease, I think there will always be days when we hate it.  There will always be hard days.  Days of tears.  Days of frustrations.  Days of pain.

Those rough days may get further and further apart.  Thank goodness they do.

But they are always there.  Just waiting to pounce on us. 



Today I got pounced on.

Today I just simply could not stand the pain that my daughter felt at the hands of this disease.  And I could not stand the feeling of helplessness because there was nothing I could do to help.  Nothing I could do to make it better.

We may get used to this disease. 
We may put on a brave face and say it's fine. 

We may count carbs and SWAG in our sleep. 
We may be so used to seeing them attached to medical equipment that we don't even look twice.
We may have the hospital on speed dial and know our way around there better than we do the grocery store. 
We may be on a first name basis with our pharmacy.
We may have a medicine chest the size of an actual chest of drawers.
We may not cry everyday.

But it doesn't mean that this disease does not SUCK sometimes.  It doesn't mean it's easy.  It doesn't mean it's fair.  And it DOESN'T mean it's ok that we or our kids battle it 24/7/365. 

It's not ok.  It's just not.

We do what we have to do to make it through. 

For me, it's trying to stay positive.  It's working tirelessly to find a cure and raise awareness.  It's finding the joy and wonder in the little things. 

And it's also acknowledging the days that force me to my knees yet again.

Tomorrow morning (be that at midnight, 3 am, or who knows how many other times I'll be awake...), I will wake up and it will be a new day.

Tomorrow I will be thankful!  I will FEEL thankful.  And I will write that post!

But for tonight - I'll  find myself finally crying those tears of helplessness and frustration and anger.  I'll be praying and searching for the strength I need to run this race that has been set out of me.  And I'll be hugging and snuggling my little sleeping angel. 

With the promise that tomorrow we will live to fight again. 



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The Tooth Fairy

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Last Thursday night, right before gymnastics, Sweetpea lost her very first tooth!
We usually stop and pick up a snack/dinner for her because she always starving after school and needs some energy!  So there she was taking a bite out of a french fry when she says, "OUCH!"
I was quite surprised!  I really didn't think the tooth was that loose!  She must have bit just right... she reached in and pulled it out.  
Blood.  There was blood.  Not a lot.  But enough to make her a little scared.  
After a few rinses and looks in the mirror to see how super cool she looked, she was thrilled and excitedly talking about the tooth fairy!  


Of course, I had prebolused dinner. 
Of course, she refused to eat another bite because it felt funny.
Of course this happened on bite two.  
*sigh*
A little juice did the trick and she happily went to flip around the bars and balance on the beam.  
Yes, the Tooth Fairy did visit!  (Even though Sweets had stated a week or so earlier that she knew the Tooth Fairy was really your Mom.)  She had to make a run to Target but she picked up a Hello Kitty toothbrush and a Junie B. Jones Tootheless Wonder book!

She also wrote Sweets a tiny little letter!  It's hard to tell but the envelope is about 2 inches by 2 inches!


I was amazed at how small that little tooth was.  I remember when it first came in.  Seems like just last week, at times.
But as I looked at that tooth, I saw something else.  
Something that most people wouldn't see.  Or at least most people without a child with type 1...
Stem Cells
Did you know that there are stem cells in teeth?  Did you know that there are places you can send teeth to have them collect the stem cells in case you ever need to use it?
I haven't done a lot of research on this.  Honestly, I thought I had more time.  Almost three years ago when Sweets was diagnosed losing teeth seemed like something as far off as college.
  
I found a place called Store-A-Tooth that specializes in extracting stem cells from teeth.  There's a lot of info there that I haven't had time to thoroughly read.  You can check it out HERE.  
I'm definitely interested in learning more...
And here's why...
We didn't bank cord blood when Sweets was born.  We thought about it.  But it was so much money.  And I thought the chances of needing it were so slim.  And I wasn't sure about trusting the process...  So we didn't.
Then three years and 57 days later, Sweetpea was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes.
And I remember being IN THE HOSPITAL at diagnosis and wondering...  
And when I read that some researchers were using cord blood to make new cells and using it in the process of finding a cure... my heart sank.
I have never felt that Sweets got diabetes because I did something wrong.  Or because I didn't do something I should have.  
But I did feel guilt over not banking that cord blood.  Because.... WHAT IF....  
Now that we are three years in to life with this disease and I've read more about possible sources for a cure, I don't know.  I don't know where the cure will come from.  
But I do know that it does me no good to beat myself up about a decision that I can't change today.  
I can't go back in time and save that blood.  
But I can save her teeth....
Not the first one.  That one is mine.  
But maybe another one.  Maybe.  
I'm honestly not sure yet.  
But that's ok.  I've got 19 more chances to make up my mind!

Don't forget to enter the TallyGear and Red Bench Designs Giveaway!  Just click HERE for your chance at three amzing prizes!!


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D Awareness Giveaway: TALLYGEAR and RED BENCH DESIGNS

Monday, November 21, 2011

This week's giveaway comes to us courtesy of TALLYGEAR and RED BENCH DESIGNS!

The first item this week is a Jack's Joy necklace from Red Bench Designs. 


Cindy Schneider is the owner of Red Bench Designs and the creator of all this beautiful jewelry!  Cindy started making jewelry after the birth of her first child, Jack.  The Jack's Joy collection was created after Jack was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes in 2008.

Cindy writes:

"April 1, 2008 is a day I will never forget. This was the day our three year old son, Jack, was diagnosed with Juvenile Diabetes. In a heartbeat, my adorable, fun-loving, active little boy’s life changed forever.
Our carefree, perfect world had been turned upside down. Our days and nights now include up to 10 finger pokes to monitor blood sugar levels for highs and lows, scheduled snacks and meals, and insulin shots with every meal he eats.



So, as a Mom of a young diabetic, I have joined with thousands of other Mothers who have made finding a cure their mission in life. The best way to discover a cure is to ensure that there continues to be adequate funding for research. In honor of Jack and the thousands of children living with Juvenile Diabetes, $10 of all sales of "Jack's Joy" pieces will go directly to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

Through it all, Jack has been the sunshine, hope and joy for all of us - always finding the bright spot on the darkest of days with hardly a complaint, and never a fuss – teaching us all to find joy in the unexpected. Jack will always be my adorable, fun-loving, active little guy, and although our life might not be quite as carefree, it is simply perfect."

I love the message of the Jack's Joy collection - and I LOVE the beautiful jewelry that Cindy has created!  She is giving away a Jack's Joy necklace to this week's winner!

Also - TODAY ONLY (Monday, Nov. 21, 2011) - Cindy is offering 10% off all purchasesin her etsy shop!  Just click HERE and use the code  PRINCESSANDTHEPUMP!  What a wonderful idea for some special people (YOU?!?) on your Christmas list! 

The second and third items come from Tallygear!

Donna Annese is the creator of Tallygear! 

Donna says,

"In 2007, our daughter Tally (a.k.a. tallygear)  was diagnosed with juvenile diabetes (Type 1). Within 1 year she was using an insulin pump 24 hours a day. Tally is a very active child and the standard packs she used weren't right for her. Within a month, we realized we needed to design something that worked better for her lifestyle.




After many many months, and many yards of fabric and hundreds of belts tallygear was born in November 2008.  Although the Tallygear Tummietote belt was designed specifically for the comfortable storage of an insulin pump, we quickly realized the belt can be used for so much more. In fact, an insulin pump is the exact same size as a cellphone or portable music player.


Tally now carries her insulin pump, cellphone and usually gum, starbursts or skittles with her at all times - the Tummietote belt has 3 pockets.


Our wish to you or your child is to make wearing an insulin pump or any other personal item more comfortable and secure. We began with the the idea to create a product to make wearing an insulin pump more comfortable every single day. We think we've done that. We hope you enjoy the same freedom and peace of mind that we have.


For our daughter Tally, we wish that your life will always be full of sunshine."

Donna is giving away TWO incredible Tallygear products!

The Original TUMMITOTE Belt


The Tummietote belt is a lightweight soft sided small personal item storage belt. The Tummietote can be used to carry many small items securely and discreetly. Tummietote is made from the highest quality spandex/nylon fabric. The belt has three (3) storage pockets with heavy duty velcro closures. lt also has a six inch adjustable heavy duty velcro waist closure and it is 3 inches wide..


The tummietote belt is also offered with a clear view vinyl window so that you can view your tech device without ever taking it out of the pocket, saves time and is less of a hassle when you are pressed for time. Adjustments to your insulin pump can be made directly through the heavy duty double polished pliable vinyl window. Also the Dexcom can be monitored directly through the double polished clear view window.

The TINYTOTE MICRO WAIST PACK



This micro expandable pack comes with a standard 1 1/2" width x 3" length heavy duty pliable clear view window. Which makes it very easy to view your tech device while on the go. 

- 85 % Spandex / Lycra 15 % Nylon Material - super soft stretch fabric.

- Coordinating colored 6" inch nylon zipper.

- Coordinating color 1" inch web belt with side release plastic buckle

You can hold lots of small items close and secure to your body.

  •  Insulin pump
  •  Cellphone
  •  Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM)
  •  Ipod
  •  Cash  & Keys
  •  Blood Glucose Test Kit.

- Size / Dimensions 6" inch length x  2" inch width

- Very discreet expandable small pack...to hold all your basics close at hand.

- Great for all your activities -running-walking-basketball-soccer-baseball-shopping-concerts or out on the town.

- Very minimal movement or bounce when using.
- All come with zipper pull for easy opening. 

 Wanna win?  Here's how...

I will choose THREE WINNERS this week!  You do not need to tell me which prize you'd like.  I will pick at random.  Pick one will receive the Jack's Joy Necklace.  Pick two will receive the original Tummietote.  Pick three will win the new Tinytote Micro Waist Pack.  If, for some reason, you win but are not interested in the item you won - you can decline and I will pick another winner.

1.  Leave me a comment before midnight (EST) Thursday, November 24, 2011.  Include your first name (comments left with out a name will be eliminated).

** You MUST leave me a comment on this blog to be entered.** 

2. To earn extra entries for the giveaway post a separate comment for each: 

     * Tweet about this giveaway, then leave a comment
      
     * Facebook about this giveaway, then leave a comment

     * Blog about this giveaway, then leave a comment 
 ***  LIKE Red Bench Designs Etsy's shop  www.redbenchdesigns.etsy.com
 

*** FOLLOW Tallygear on Twitter  http://twitter.com/#!/tallygear

- You MUST leave a comment for each separate entry (ie. one for the basic entering, one for tweeting it, one for linking it on facebook...)

- No duplicate comments are allowed and will be eliminated.

- Winners will be selected via random draw at http://www.random.org/.  

- Winners' names will be posted here on The Princess and The Pump on Friday November 25, 2011

- After a winner is named and posted, the winner will have 48 hours to send a message to me at theprincessandthepump@gmail.com.   If I do not hear from the winner within 48 hours, I will select a new winner. 


Good Luck!!!


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Lauren's Hope and Designs by Janet D - WINNER!!!

Friday, November 18, 2011

Geez - thanks for hanging in there with me!

I know it's late and you've been waiting on pins and needles ALL DAY LONG!!!  I'm sorry!

I have to wait until I get home from work and then feed my starving child before I can blog.  But here I am!

I can't believe I didn't post this week.  I mean, wasn't it just Monday?!?  I have SO MUCH TO SAY.... but life is getting in the way!  We've been super busy with parent teacher conferences in the evenings a few nights of the week, gymnastics, preparing for cheerleading, illness, poopy issues (don't ask...), holiday preparations, school work, homework, WDD post card making, D Blog day scrapbook making, birthdays (a certain husband of mine turned the big 4-0!), birthday shopping, JDRF stuff, doctor appointments, dentist appointments, normal housework and kid work and family obligations and on and on and on.... and no blogs.  Next week - just wait!  I've got a lot to say!  Some pretty cool stuff has been going on here amidst the craziness.

But you don't care about that....

Nope!  You just want to know the winner!!!

And here she is....

Lucky Lady #59!

Mama J aka Jana Robles!!!

Congratulations!

Jana writes this in her entry:  "Hey!  I was blog surfing and stumbled onto your blog!  My 4 year old was just diagnosed with T1 on October 17.  It's been a WiLd ride in the Past few weeks!  Thanks for this blog, it gives moms like me some Hope!"

Jana - I can't think of a better winner!  You are so very, very new to this crazy, CrAzY life!  Sending you big ((HUGS)). Pretty much all of us reading this blog have been there.  And we know how hard it is.  I hope that you find the DOC to be as wonderfully uplifting and supportive as I have!

Now - all you have to do is email me at theprincessandthepump@gmail.com to claim your TWO AWESOME PRIZES courtesy of Lauren's Hope and Designs by Janet D!

A big THANK YOU goes out to Lauren's Hope and Designs by Janet D for offering such wonderful prizes in support of Diabetes Awareness Month!

 If you didn't win- don't fret!  You can still order!

 You can still order your very own MOM shirt from Janet!  Just click HERE to go to her site!




Lauren's Hope is offering The Princess and The Pump readers a 10% DISCOUNT just by using the codeword "PRINCESS"!  
 So just click HERE to head on over...




Make sure you come back on Monday!  I have more awesome prizes to give away!

Here's a little hint....





Have a Great Weekend!



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World DIabetes Day: Lauren's Hope and Designs by Janet D Giveaway

Monday, November 14, 2011

HAPPY WORLD DIABETES DAY!

Today, I am celebrating WDD by giving away some incredible stuff! 

Our first prize is a bracelet from Lauren's Hope



Lauren's Hope specializes in fashionable medical identification jewelry for men, women and kids and has been providing lifesaving medical ID's for over 10 years.  Their medical ID bracelets are custom engraved with you or your child’s important medical information in the event of an emergency and you unable to communicate.  Styles ranging from stylish and elegant medical ID bracelets for women, durable medical ID's for men and fun medical ID's for kids make wearing your medical alert a joy and not a burden!

Here are a few of the styles you can choose from:

The Cake and Kisses Medical ID Bracelet is super sweet and guaranteed to brighten your day! With multi-colored large round beads and small multi-colored seed beads, this bracelet is like sprinkles on icing.
The Fiona Medical ID Bracelet is elegant-yet-modest, you can't go wrong with this triple strand medical ID bracelet. This sophisticated design features black tubing and gray Swarovski crystals to create a look that is subtly stunning.
 The Hot Pink Flower Medical ID Dog Tag is a classic dog tag necklace with a brand new twist! Lauren's Hope has paired their hot pink aluminum dog tag with the new stainless steel medical ID dog tag with cut out flower to bring you safety with a funky new style. The back of the aluminum dog tag can be engraved with up to 5 lines of your important medical information (approximately 20 characters per line). A black rubber silencer is not pictured but will be sent with the necklace.
 The Into The Dark Medical ID Bracelet features 2 lime green GLOW IN THE DARK beads.  All of the beads are accented with sterling silver and black disks.  The sides of the bracelet feature our popular black tubing.

It's going to be hard to pick just one, huh?  The winner will get their choice of bracelet or dog tag, medical tag, custom engraving, and shipping! 

If your CWD is a little one, like Sweets, he or she might need the necklace.  Lauren's Hope was kind enough to send us one to try out - except that Sweetpea's wrist is still too small for the smallest bracelet.  BUT... she sure does love her necklace!  It's a nice option for the littles!

The second prize is from Designs by Janet D

I found Janet's awesome products on Facebook!  I was drawn in by the beautiful necklaces and jewelry she makes!  But what really caught my eye were her t-shirts. 

As I was shopping one night, I found this shirt...

And I thought.... How awesome would it be if the ball was a blue circle?!? 

So I emailed her and asked her if she could make one for me like that.  And she DID! 


But not only did she make a shirt for ME... when I asked her if she would be willing to give one away in honor of World Diabetes Day, she said YES!  Isn't she awesome?!?




So the winner will also get her very own custom made Diabetes shirt!!! 

I am in LOVE with mine and will be wearing it all week long!

A big THANK YOU to Lauren's Hope and Designs by Janet D for being so willing to give away your fabulous products in honor of a day that is so near and dear to our hearts!


Wanna win?  Here's how...


1.  Leave me a comment before midnight (EST) Thursday, November 17, 2011.  Include your first name (comments left with out a name will be eliminated).

** You MUST leave me a comment on this blog to be entered.** 

2. To earn extra entries for the giveaway post a separate comment for each: 

     * Tweet about this giveaway, then leave a comment
      
     * Facebook about this giveaway, then leave a comment

     * Blog about this giveaway, then leave a comment

- You MUST leave a comment for each separate entry (ie. one for the basic entering, one for tweeting it, one for linking it on facebook...)

- No duplicate comments are allowed and will be eliminated.

- Winners will be selected via random draw at http://www.random.org/.  

- Winners' names will be posted here on The Princess and The Pump on Friday November 18, 2011

- After a winner is named and posted, the winner will have 48 hours to send a message to me at theprincessandthepump@gmail.com.   If I do not hear from the winner within 48 hours, I will select a new winner.  
 
Good Luck!!!

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