I can see how it becomes easy to forget to check blood sugars. It was so much a part of my routine while I was pregnant, but suddenly I find myself going hours with out checking. Then I’m quickly reminded, by shakey hands and a cold sweat, that yes, I still have diabetes (that did not go away with the pregnancy), and I should eat and check. Being post-partum and breast-feeding has made me very sensitive to insulin, so I need to snack and check my blood sugar often, but it is hard to squeeze into my chaotic day of caring for others.

Then there are all the emotional changes that occur with the hormonal shift of being post-partum. My sweet four-year old daughter periodically asks me, “Mommy, did you lose your smile?” It hits me right in the chest like a ton of bricks. “No, baby,” I reply, “it’s right here.” And I put on the most genuine smile I can muster up. In reality I wish I could explain to her, “It’s not that Mommy’s smile is lost, it just takes me a little longer to find it right now.” I’m not sure how much of my emotional changes are due to hormones and how much of it is due to sheer exhaustion, but regardless, it can be difficult.

Despite all the adjustments and hard moments, there are also such tender and sweet family times. Aliya and Evan wake up in the mornings and want to see their baby brother. Watching them talk and hold Baby Jake is wonderful. They are both already so in love with their baby brother.

Okay, Jake is fussing to be fed and I need to pick up the house, go to the store, and get to Aliya at school… so I’m off to tackle another day.

Until next week,

Laura