Spiders are just Roly Polies wearing costumes

Ruby: I'm scared of spiders

Molly: Don't worry. Spiders are just silly Roly Polies wearing spider costumes
Ruby: Oh. I'm scared of spiders.

Happy Birthday Molly!

Here's some old news! Molly is 5. Holy Moly. She is so funny and seems so grown up. She has had quite the year. She started Kindergarten where she is learning Chinese, was diagnosed with Diabetes (and is ROCKING it by the way), and learned how to ride a two-wheel bike. It's great to be 5!

First day of Kindergarten pictures. She is so excited to eat school lunch.



Modeling with Ruby

We put together a team for the JDRF 5K to find a cure for Diabetes. Here is Molly standing behind her poster along the walk route.

Molly wanted a Zoo party with a Baby Zuri cake. Here is my valiant effort.

We love Molly.

Height: 44 inches 83%

Weight: 40 lbs 56%

Island Park

Our annual Jensen reunion took place in Island Park this year. We spent a day in Jellystone, went tubing, and got really dirty. The weather was perfect and the kids had so much fun.

On our way to go tubing in Warm River. Yeah, Warm River- not so warm.

Ruby and Grandpa

Molly, Grandma, and Grandpa at Old Faithful

All the Jensen Grandkids, and Marc. We had a 10 month old, a one year old, a two year old, a three year old, a four year old, two five year olds, and a nine year old. Why would we willingly go camping? Crazy.

Hey Rub!

Help us find a cure for Diabetes!

Dear Friends,

On May 11, 2010 our little four year old, Molly Strawberry, was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. Unfortunately for Molly and many other children who have Diabetes, there was nothing that could have prevented it, but we can be part of finding the cure. Prior to Molly being diagnosed we knew little about Diabetes. Like many people, we have friends who have it but we never realized the extent to which it changes your life. Molly endures finger pokes up to seven times a day and insulin shots every morning and before every meal. She is an inspiration to all who meet her, especially her family.

Our journey began when we noticed Molly was drinking a lot more water than usual and taking more and more trips to the bathroom, sometimes not making it there in time. While out on a hike Molly complained of being tired, which is unusual for her because she loves hiking and has tons of energy. Mother's Day night was the day that we decided something was seriously wrong. Molly went to the bathroom four times in one hour and still work up at midnight to go again. We called her pediatrician, who told us to bring her in as soon as possible. He felt that he knew what was wrong, but wanted to do a blood glucose test to make sure. Upon receiving the blood glucose test results he sent us immediately to the Emergency Room at Primary Children's Medical Center. After a few hours of more tests we were informed that Molly indeed had Juvenile Diabetes. We spent the next three days in the hospital learning how to count carbohydrates, poke fingers for a blood sample, inject insulin, and how to take care of high and low blood sugar. In the short time since Molly was diagnosed we have been looking for ways to become more involved.

We are writing this letter to inform all of our friends and family that we have created a team for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Walk to Cure Diabetes. We are hoping to raise $500.00 to help find the cure for Diabetes. You can make a donation or join our team and walk with us Saturday, August 21 at Wheeler Farm by visiting http://walk.jdrf.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=extranet.personalpage&confirmID=87706545. Please help us be a part of finding a cure for Type 1 Diabetes.

Thank you for your support,

Team Molly Strawberry

Kindergarten!

Seriously? SERIOUSLY?? Yep, Molly's first day of Kindergarten was today. Hooray! She was so excited. After some tears and a little shyness, she had a lot of fun. We are so excited for school. But it's only July, the summer's just getting started. Did you always hate the traditional first day of school picture your Mom made you take?

Diabetes Update

I don't know how many people read my blog that I don't actually talk to on the phone or see in person each week, but just in case there are some souls out there who want to know- here's an update on Miss Molly Strawberry Bybee. Marc and I talk about how we love Molly's middle name and that no one will ever know it because, let's be honest, how often do you use someone's middle name? Well, apparently the medical field does. Everywhere we turn, Molly is Molly Strawberry Bybee. On all her prescriptions, all her records, everything. Everyone we talk to is always commenting on this little kid's middle name. So much for no one ever knowing it I guess.

Molly is doing well. She doesn't fight to have her finger poked at least 5 times a day. She asks me how many carbs everything has. She'll bring me her blood glucose meter and say, "Mom, I want an airhead, am I low?" She is a rock star. And we are rockin' this Diabetes. Right now she is on minimal insulin because her body started creating it by itself again. When kids under 7 get diabetes they sometimes go through a "Honeymoon" period where their pancreas creates insulin again. This can last anywhere from two weeks to a year. So, we don't have to give her any insulin for the carbs she eats, and she's on a very minimal dose of basal insulin. We are even lowering that dose every few days trying to keep her blood sugar where it needs to be.


We are adjusting to this lifestyle just fine. I feel like poor Ruby gets forgotten with all the finger poking and carb counting that's going on, but she's a champ, too. She told me she was low the other day and that she needed an airhead. Silly. Sometimes I forget Rub just turned two a few months ago. She talks like a six year old. She loves taking care of Molly and even checked Molly's blood the other day, almost all by herself. She wouldn't let me help. But I had to step in or we would have had a blood bath on our hands.


Once again, we'd like to thank all our family, friends, and neighbors who have ridiculously stepped up and given us everything we need. We still have a freezer full of food. It's awesome. And it's giving us a little carb counting practice.


I'm horrible at taking pictures, but here's some we've snapped over the last few weeks.
Ruby trying to talk me into letting her take a nap on her changing table. "Look Mom, I fit."

I cut all my hair off. I have a 13 inch ponytail to donate to Locks of Love. Marc and Molly stained the deck on Memorial Day. Molly was painting and singing Lady Gaga all day. Nice. I'm your biggest fan. . . na na na. . . till you love me, Papa Paparazzi.

D is for Diabetes

Molly has been diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. She is insulin dependent, and we are trying out our best carb counting methods. We were admitted to Primary Children's on Tuesday after having her blood drawn at our pediatrician's office. At the time of admission her blood glucose levels were at 691. Her's are supposed to be between 100-200. We were in shock when they told us the diagnosis. I'm still having trouble wrapping my head around it. I kind of feel like she's sick for a minute, but she'll get better. But no, this is now our new life. She is amazing. She has been so brave through all the finger poking and shots. She recieves shots of insulin at least four times a day, and has her finger poked at least five.

She tells her fingers to be brave. That's the worst part. The insulin shots aren't too bad, but getting her finger poked and then the blood squeezed out is really not her favorite thing. We stayed in the hospital for three days, and are so happy to be home. We still report her blood glucose levels to her endocrinologist every night to see if we need to make adjustments, but her little body is coping pretty well.

On Tuesday night Molly fell asleep while Ruby and my parents were visiting us at the hospital. Ruby was tickling Molly's back saying, "I'm here, Molly, I'm here." Little Ruby is only two, but she could tell her sister was sick. It was the sweetest thing ever. She laid next to her in the hospital bed saying little soothing things.

Marc, Molly, Ruby, and I would like to say thanks to everyone who brought us dinner, brought Molly and Ruby presents, called us, prayed for us, and even cleaned our house. We feel like we have been able to make this horrible situation a little bit better because of the support of our family and friends. Thank you everyone.

Here's Molly teaching Ruby (A.K.A. Sleeping Beauty) how to give their toys shots.