34 1/2 weeks down, Only 5 1/2 more to go!!

Since it has been a little less than a month since my last post, I thought I would update those of you who like to be in "the know" and know what has been going on.

My last doctors appointment was the scariest one I have been to so far. I started my two week appointments last Thursday, July 17, 2008. I have been having some "female problems", so when I went to the doctor I told him what has been going on to see if he could run some tests or at least tell me what I can do to make my "problem" go away. He asked me what I had for breakfast that day & I told him Oatmeal Crisp Almond Crunch cereal (side note: This is the best cereal I have ever tasted, so I have been having it every day since I discovered it in May.) Well, he then proceeded to tell me that I had A LOT of sugar in my urine that morning & they wanted me to come back the nest day (Friday) for another blood glucose test. (I took this same test at 24 weeks & passed with flying colors.) So, I go home not sure about what to think or what do do at this point. I go back to the doctors office at 8AM on Friday morning for the 1 hour blood glucose test. Well, to sum it all up, the results came back that I "failed" the blood glucose test this time. I have gestational diabetes!! I was instructed to buy a glucose meter & check my sugar levels first thing in the morning (8 hour fasting blood) & two hours after every meal & a dietitian would be contacting me to go over a diabetic diet. I'm still having my "problem", but hopefully it will go away soon & that it's not something else.

Ben & I met with the dietitian, Amy, on Monday. I read her what my sugar levels have been over the weekend (Friday-Monday) & they were in the "normal" range. They should be between 70-120. Only a few times have they been over 120, which she said is normal for the levels to fluctuate every now and then. She gave us a list of what a diabetic diet consists of & some food choice ideas.

Ben is such a sweet husband! He is doing the 2000 calorie diabetic diet with me even though he doesn't have to. He said that if I have to go through it then he will too. He has been so sweet, understanding & makes me feel like i'm not alone on this whole adventure. He told the dietitian that the only way he eats 2000 calories a day is if he sleeps most of the day!! haha. Funny, but true!! The diet is somewhat hard to get used to because we are both used to eating whatever & whenever we want. Now we have to watch our carbs & sugars. I am still craving ice cream & icees which are big no-no's, but I know that this is in the best interest of me & Avery. And plus, I only have 5 1/2 more weeks & the diabetes usually goes away after birth. I'm keeping my fingers crossed!!

So, today is Wednesday & my sugar levels are still in the "normal" range, so that is very good news. I go back to the doctor next Thursday, July 31, 2008. Starting in August is when I will start going weekly. Avery moves ALL THE TIME & sometimes I feel like she is going to bust through my belly button. But that's ok because I would rathar feel her move than not.

Please continue to keep Ben, Avery & I in your prayers.

Oh, Baby, the Places You'll Go!

Excerpt from:
Oh, Baby, the Places You'll Go!
By: Dr. Seuss

You'll find that this world's
a great place to begin,
but it could use some help-
which is where you come in.

So now, as my voice
burble-urps in your ear -
with a bump-thumpy sound
that is not very clear -
the words I am saying
you hear in your heart,
and know that I wish you
the very best start.

It's a scrumptulous world
and it's ready to greet you.
And as for myself...

well...
I can't wait to meet you!

Baby Shower

I had a wonderful baby shower on Sunday, June 22, 2008. It was held at the Maxwell home and the hostesses were my sister Angela Neel, sister-in-law Lindsay Cooper, Leslie Wooters & her mom Jeannie Maxwell, Liza Bush & her mom Linda Ortego, Courtney Halle & her mom Debbie Sherrill, & Chrissy Soileau.

I had an amazing time and Baby Avery got lots of good stuff. Here are a few pictures from the shower. If you would like to see more pictures from the shower, go to the following link.

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2367609&l=7986e&id=23401590

Her crib has arrived...

The boxes of her crib & dresser/ changing table combo


Big brother helping daddy while mommy goes to a breastfeeding class.


All the parts scattered throughout the nursery.


Daddy working hard putting together the crib.


Avery's bed! It also converts to a toddler bed, daybed and a full size bed complete with a headboard & footboard.



The dresser/ changing table combo & the adorable ladybug lamp!! Of course all the tags aren't off yet.

A couple of pics...

Mid-April: Around 22-23 weeks.


Daddy kissing Avery!!!

June Doctor's Appointment

I had my June doctor's appointment today and everything is going great. Besides my hormones constantly being in overdrive, I have had a very good pregnancy so far. My appointment was at 8AM for an ultrasound and a glucose test which checks for gestational diabetes. I was not in the waiting room for very long when I was called back to give blood. I had strict instructions to fast since midnight the night before. The nurse took my "fasting" blood, then I had to drink an orange, thick drink which reminded me of a thicker Sunkist drink. It did not taste as bad as I thought it would. =) I looked at my watch and it was exactly 8:13AM. I was told I had to come back in exactly one hour at 9:13AM to give my second round of blood that would later be sent off to compare the two sets. My test results should be in this afternoon or tomorrow morning. If it comes back positive then I have to schedule another appointment where I will have to go through all this again, plus they will take blood 4 times instead of two. No news is good news, so I hope my blood comes back negative.

Avery was very active for the ultrasound today. She is already so adorable and has the perfect little nose!! =) She weighs in at 2 lbs 7 oz. and is 28 weeks old. They could not measure her length since she is in a ball, but she is about the size of a head of cauliflower. Her heartbeat was in the 140's which is good for a girl. It looks like she will have big feet. She was kicking the entire time her picture was being taken. My next appointment is July 3, 2008 which will just be a regular check-up. Dr. Hall will measure my belly and check her heartbeat. After my July appointment I will be going for check-ups every two weeks until she decides to make her debut. Please keep praying that she stays healthy and keeps growing.

Here are her pictures from today:

She has a name...

After much thought and consideration, Ben & I have finally decided on a name for our baby girl. We both wanted a unique, uncommon yet classic name. Her names is...

Avery Elizabeth Cooper

Avery: The boy's and girl's name Avery \a-ve-ry\ is pronounced AY-vree. It is of Old English origin, and its meaning is "elf counsel". Feminine form of Alfred that originated as a Norman French pronunciation of Alfred. (Side note: My maternal grandfather's name is Alfred Preston Futch, so in a way she will be named after the sweetest man to ever walk this earth!!)

Elizabeth: The girl's name Elizabeth \e-lizabe-th, el(i)-za-beth\ is pronounced ee-LIZ-a-beth. It is of Hebrew origin, and its meaning is "God's promise". Biblical: the mother of John the Baptist. Since the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, Elizabeth has been one of the most frequently used names, with variants and short forms being created today.

Cooper: The boy's name Cooper \co(o)-per\ is pronounced KOO-per. It is of Old English origin, and its meaning is "barrel maker". May also be the English form of a German surname meaning "coppersmith"