Nerdy April

In our house you won't hear "Alexa...play country radio..." for two reasons. (1) We are not that into country music and (2) our "Alexa" is named "Computer" just like the interactive onboard computer on the Starship Enterprise. That's how I like my home decor too - it's a style I've nicknamed "subtle nerdy".  #subtlenerdy

Apparently 'subtle nerdy' doesn't have quite the following that 'farmhouse chic' does...yet! So, that means I have to get creative and DIY many of my nerdy touches. And, while you may not be super onboard with the 'subtle nerdy' trend sweeping the home decor world this hole-in-the-wall-internet-spot, I bet you have your own ideas just waiting to be manifested on a blank wall! So, let's jump in, starting in our master bedroom!

The showpiece of this room is that gorgeous four poster bed and amazingly detailed hand-made quilt. Confession number one: I did not DIY the bed (it was an ex…

The bags under my eyes and the formula stains on my shirt are proof that I am a new mom, again. And the sweet chubby cheeks, striking eyes, and uncoordinated hand movements of the babe in my arms? Well, those are proof that Type 1 Diabetics can, absolutely, have successful pregnancies, no matter what Steel Magnolias depicts. Today I have decided to highlight the tech that made my two T1 Diabetic pregnancies (and subsequent, adorable children) possible!













1) Tandem t:slim X2 insulin pump During my last pregnancy I used the Animas ping exclusively, but have since switched over to the Tandem t:slim X2. There are many-a-T1-diabetics who can pull off the multiple daily injections (MDI) course of treatment, but for me, an insulin pump is a gift from the heavens, especially during a T1D pregnancy. My insulin needs change dramatically from those first few weeks after conception, to the last few weeks of omg-am-I-ever-going-to-have-this-baby. The Tandem pump allows me to fine tune my basal rate …

It's so interesting to start the week on Monday with hopes and dreams and thoughts and plans, and then see where you end up on Friday. For me, it often feels like I only got a tenth of what I had planned done, but then I scroll through my phone pictures and realize how many little moments, completely unplanned, were totally worth the to-do list derailment. Tell me I'm not the only one?! Those organic and authentic events, like when your baby wakes up and can't stop smiling, or your toddler uses the phrase 'good morning' like a polite adult, or when walks to the mailbox turn into a driving lesson, or you have to change a diaper right after you changed a diaper, or story time becomes a feminist movement. There's just no way you would even want to schedule these sweet memories because it would take away the incredible surprise ;-)

And while many times these little feel-good vibes aren't especially noteworthy or documented, they are absolutely my fuel day-to-d…

This morning I woke up early, the baby monitor was chirping just a few minutes before my alarm was set to go off. Chris graciously rolled out of bed and set out to re-insert Otto's paci. Meanwhile, I pressed my clothes, curled my hair and brewed some coffee - my standard pre-console routine. After a quick breakfast Zara peeped her head over the railing and I heard a gentle "mama" echo down the stairs. It was still dark, but this little one was ready for her daily breakfast of oatmeal and milk in preparation for a fun day at swim lessons and school. As she sat, eating her "oatsss" (as she calls them), I whirled around the kitchen prepping bottles, gathering outfits for school, and ensuring all the swim lesson supplies were set out. It's hard leaving Chris to take care of both kids in the morning (#momguilt) so I try my best to complete as many get-ahead tasks as possible, in hopes his morning goes smoothly. 
This morning schedule description may seem mundan…

It's definitely Monday. Otto spit up on my work clothes this morning, I forgot to brush my teeth and I sat down in my car forgetting to clean the layer of sand from the beach yesterday. Whoops. But, it's also MONDAY!!!!! Which means you get a special look behind the proverbial curtain of Mission Control in a series I'm dubbing "Mission Control Monday". We all need a little "boost" (pun intended) at the beginning of the week, so why not get it from the heart of Manned Spaceflight itself - NASA's Mission Control! 
This week I am highlighting the little known fact that sometimes, as an ADCO Specialist, I am scheduled to be "On Call". It just so happens I am "on-call" this week! Even though we don't have a sweet 1990's pager, the ADCO on-call is a Specialist with the cumbersome responsibility of having their cell phone strapped to them at all times. Yes, even during the night. Yes, even when you have a 3 month old. Yes, just…

The day has come...to set my days of pajamas-as-actual-clothes, shower-maybe, baby-talk-instead-of-nerdy-talk, aside and return.to.work. Badge and all. Coffee at the ready. Only forgot one thing for daycare today. Already have dinner planned. Eyes may get tired after reading the 17 million missed emails.

But, overall,  life is so, so good.

My precious little baby Otto is sleeping through the night! My other precious baby Zara is bananas, but also sleeping through the night (ha!) And potty trained. All of these are huge milestones in my mommy book!

Life as a working mom marches forward, albeit a tad more planning with four of us Blackwells. Diabetes is back in my side mirrors and is holding pretty steady. Chris is still my bestest, best friend. We still have two doggos and a bad case of taco Tuesdays.

I miss my babies during the day but you guys, space is so exciting right now! The astronauts for the first US commercial missions to ISS were just announced last week (more on that soon!…