Adventures in KAndylaND

Snow Tickles

by Christy
As adults, we have all probably experienced snow falling at one time or another in our lives.  But I never gave much thought to all of the sensations that go along with experiencing snow for the first time.  That all changed today when Andy and I stood waiting for the bus.
Andy Andy's Story ASD Autism babies with diabetes DEND syndrome Developmental Delay developmental delays Developmental Milestones Developmentally Delayed monogenic diabetes Neonatal Diabetes Rare Disease SPD Special Needs Parenting

Moving (and other life events)

by Christy
So it’s been a few months since I’ve posted and a LOT has happened in those few months.  Andy became almost completely potty trained in August just before he began Kindergarten.  Katie celebrated her first birthday.  Both kids increased their …
Andy ASD Autism babies with diabetes DEND syndrome Developmental Delay developmental delays Developmental Milestones Developmentally Delayed Katie monogenic diabetes Moving with Special Needs Child Neonatal Diabetes Rare Disease Special Needs Parenting

The Never Ending Hallway : Potty Training the 5 Year Old

by Christy
Warning:  There may be graphic details in this post.  Read at your own risk. It’s been a while since I’ve posted and there is good reason.  Our lives have been really crazy in the last few months.  Andy graduated preschool …
Andy Andy's Story ASD Autism babies with diabetes DEND syndrome Developmental Delay developmental delays Developmental Milestones Developmentally Delayed monogenic diabetes Neonatal Diabetes Potty training Potty Training and Autism Potty Training the Special Needs Child Rare Disease SPD Special Needs Parenting therapy

Andy’s Story: Part III : Insulin Injections

by Christy
So after a long week in the hospital and 3 days of crash courses in how to check blood sugars, give shots, and count carbs, we were sent home with our baby boy.  How do you explain how hard it …
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The Dilemma of ER Visits

by Christy
One of the worst parts of having a child with a rare disease is the dilemma of having to take that child to a new doctor when there is an emergency.  Andy fell off a chair on Friday night and …
Andy Andy's Story ASD Autism babies with diabetes DEND syndrome Developmental Delay developmental delays Developmentally Delayed Glyburide monogenic diabetes Neonatal Diabetes Rare Disease Special Needs Parenting

Andy’s Story: Part II : The Hospital

by Christy
It is late tonight and I have just come to the end of three very exciting days where I have seen great improvement in Andy’s behavior and communication.  But that won’t make sense if I don’t tell the resthis story . . .
4 month old with diabetes Andy Andy's Story babies with diabetes DEND syndrome monogenic diabetes Neonatal Diabetes Rare Disease

How Do You Measure Success?

by Christy
I can’t say how most parents measure how they are successful as a parent, but for us, being parents of two children with diabetes, our success is measured in small and unusual ways.  The most obvious success is that our children are alive every day when we wake up.
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The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

by Christy
Katie has discovered her hands!  Looking through a babies eyes is so amazing.  How is it that something so simple as looking at one’s hands, turning them over, back and forth, can be so entertaining?  She hasn’t quite figured out what to do with them yet, but she gets them to her mouth every once in a while and giggles and coos because I get so excited saying “good job!”.
Andy Autism Developmental Delay developmental delays Developmental Milestones Developmentally Delayed Katie medication monogenic diabetes Neonatal Diabetes Potty training Rare Disease Special Needs Parenting
Background of a baby with the title Developmental Milestones in Neonatal Diabetes overlaying the picture. Logo of Babies with Diabetes

Developmental Milestones

by Christy Vacchio
It’s amazing how fast 3 months go by.  It seems like just yesterday, we were welcoming our little baby girl Katie into this world.  Now she is 3 months old and so far seems to be developing normally.
Andy babies with diabetes DEND syndrome Developmental Delay Developmental Milestones Katie monogenic diabetes Neonatal Diabetes Rare Disease Special Needs Parenting