Cheeks!

Well, folks...it's been awhile since a baby update and I sincerely apologize for that.  It's been a stressful month and a half.  At my 7 month appointment, I failed the gestational diabetes test.  Some women develop it during pregnancy and others do not.  I went to see the nutritionist and apparently, it has nothing to do with what I'm eating, but rather, how I spread it out throughout the day.  That angered me, even though I should have been thankful for such a response.  In my mind I pretty much would have rather heard her say, "You aren't eating the right things.  Eat this stuff."  Instead I got, "Oh, you're eating all the right things.  You can keep eating all that stuff.  You just need to eat every two hours, versus three times a day."  

So here's how it works (according to both Dr. Lee and the nutritionist)...

Your body produces a certain amount of insulin (some on reserve and others not).  When you're pregnant, your body is on a sugar rush between all the hormones being produced by your placenta, as well as all the food you're taking in for you and the baby.  For some women, especially those with a history of diabetes in their family, they just can't avoid developing gestational diabetes.  I am one of the lucky (yeah right!) winners.  Thankfully, however, because my glucose levels are only 6-10 points above average, I'm able to control it with my diet, as opposed to taking insulin shots.  (Thank you, Jesus!  We all know how much I can't stand the sight of needles.)  So every morning and two hours after every meal, I prick my finger with a needle I can't even see and measure my glucose level. 

Update:  Yesterday, at 35 weeks, Dr. Lee checked my glucose levels that I've been recording for awhile and he says I'm good to go and my levels are great.  The only good thing that came out of this entire glucose situation is that normally, you don't get a third trimester ultrasound, but because of developing gestational diabetes, they wanted to check the baby one last time.  A lot of babies born from moms with gestational diabetes are born overweight and have to be induced before 40 weeks.  According to Dr. Lee, Ella is looking fabulous and is anywhere between 5.5.-7 pounds right now.  He will recommend to my OBGYN that she can stay in this tummy until 40 weeks!  (Again, thank you, Jesus!  We have been praying that this gestational diabetes set back will not affect her growth and sure enough, it hasn't!)

Dr. Lee attempted to take a photo of Ella not pouting (which I knew was going to be unlikely) and I guess moms just know their kids best...even if they are still in the tummy...because this little girl gave nothing, but a pout.  I think Dr. Lee found it funny because every shot he tried to get, he just let out some giggles.

Dr. Lee:  "Hahaha...she's pouting...she's so cute!"

Me:  "Is the pouting still cute when they're older?"

(Hey, it's a good question!  I probably should have asked my mom this question.) 

So here's her best shot. :)

Get ready for some cheek squeezing because this little girl has got some cheeks and we wouldn't want to waste all that cuteness! 

I'm not sure where she gets all this pouty-lipped stuff from!  :P  

Now that we're approaching the final 5 weeks of pregnancy, we're asking that you all pray for us and for a safe delivery.  We've been attending our childbirth classes and the only thing I can say is...everyone does it (differently) and if we ever want to squeeze those cheeks, I've got to do it too!

God Bless,

Kat