Jenna

I've often referred to Jenna as, "Jimmy's Other Mother". She was 5 when he was born, so she was right by my side for all that needed to be done. From the minute he was born - bottles, diapers, outfits, kisses, books, etc... You name it, she was there! She helped him learn to walk, learn his colors, numbers & letters, taught him how to write his name, how to play hide and seek, and even helped him learn how to swim!Jenna and I even studied the art of giving a successful "time out" together so that when Jimmy needed one, he would get one. Super Nanny was instrumental in that department. Jimmy is tough - or is it strong willed - or stubborn - I think I actually need a word that combines all 3 of those. It took us MONTHS in order to get Jimmy to stay on a time out for the appropriate number of minutes. If you've ever seen the show, you know where the kids BOLT off the "naughty spot" and it takes the parents close to an hour to get the kid the complete the time??? It took double that sometimes.They can be the best of buddies sometimes, and then I'll hear her say, "Jimmy, please find something else to do or you will get a time out!!!! ONE........................ TWO......................." And then you'll hear him say, "OK, I'll stop!!!" She goes back and forth between sister and mothering him. They make a pretty good team together!Sometimes, she can get him to do things I can't get him to do... today for example. My niece came down to do a project for her HS class. Her assignment was to research a childhood disease and tell the class about it. So, for part of her project, she wanted to present how Jimmy takes his insulin with the pump vs. how her brother takes insulin with shots. Her plan was to video them both and incorporate the videos into her project.One problem: Jimmy was NOT going to be video taped. He was being - ummm - still looking for that combination word for how he gets - well... he was being, let's just say, JIMMY!!!Here comes Jenna to the rescue. She came over and said, "Hey Jimmy, let's make funny faces in to the video and watch ourselves!" And that was it. He snapped out of JIMMY mode and they had 2 minutes of fun with the camera and we were able to get the project done! He wasn't in a perfect mood, but - she got him to do what my niece and I couldn't do!!! Here's the video.....

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Not the best, but he got through it, and it was all thanks to Jenna!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

She helps with Jimmy so very much - before the pump, she was even able to give him his insulin shots - at 10 years old! Now, she's 11 and helps so much with his pump. She's learned how to count Jimmy's carbs and how to manage some of his diabetes "stuff". I'll look for a video of them in action together and add it another time - Just wanted to get this down while I had a minute. (And the reason I had a minute is because Jenna took Jimmy outside to make sure he got his exercise - they're playing basketball right now!!!) She's really the best!!!

Peace,
June