Meeting our 4th child

In 2006 we welcomed our first son, Tommy. It was a long pregnancy and the last few months I spent on modified bed-rest. We were concerned when we discovered he wasn't growing anymore and 3 weeks early I would be induced. The induction didn't work and after 3 days of labor he was delivered via c-section. At 5 pounds and 14 ounces he was tiny but he was the cutest baby I had ever seen, he was perfect. At only a few hours old we found out his blood sugar was low and would need to be in the NICU for a bit. A bit turned into a few days. His blood sugar came up quickly and the IV only needed to be in for 2 days but he wasn't eating well and couldn't find a formula he could keep down. His low blood sugar was unrelated to his current diabetes but now I see it as foreshadowing of our current state. We went through many things with Tommy and for much of his very early days he was in pain due to acid reflux that required medication and special, prescription formula. It was a hard time. Our first baby and we had no parenting experience to rely on. At a month old he developed psoriasis that covered his face, head and any folds in his arms or legs. Our beautiful baby boy now covered in dry, red patches. I look back at pictures of this happy baby smiling and think thank God it wasn't painful and I'm thankful I didn't see how bad it really was. Jump ahead 3 years - so many changes - no more acid reflux, no more psoriasis, nothing - he was perfectly healthy. His perfect health came in great timing, we were about to welcome a baby girl. Allison was born in June 2010 and life was great. She was born on time, she was healthy, no worries. We were busy but who isn't busy with a 4 year old and a newborn! Our life took another turn when Allison was 4 months old we found out we were going to have another baby! Brady was born a year and a day after Allison. But before we could celebrate the birth of our son Brady we had a shock that nothing could prepare us for, we discovered Tommy had diabetes, and so our 4th child was born. I think of Tommy's diabetes as another person in the house because it has it's own needs and time table. It has it's own doctor's appointments and special things to buy for it. Diabetes is another person that lives in our house and it's accepted but I do wish I could send it away.