Whalen Tales: Miss Avery Elizabeth!

I am thrilled to announce the arrival of our new niece, Miss Avery Elizabeth Gourley! She was born on June 25 at 2:30am. Born at 36 weeks, she is 5 lbs, 12 oz and 19 inches of cuteness! She's healthy, happy, and adorable!

While her mommy's pregnancy was much easier than her first with big brother, Carter, the last few days in womb were drama filled. Ashleigh was going to the doctor's twice a week for check-ups and her blood pressure was all over the place. Her doctors encouraged her to go the hospital several times, but once she showed up, the UCI doctors would question why she was there. Sometimes her doctors were convinced she had eclampsia and were afraid she'd seizure at any moment. They would take away her food and her c-section surgery would be imminent. However, her blood work never showed any organ distress, so they would then change their minds and tell Ash her symptoms (headaches, nausea, blurred vision) were due to her medication or were plain 'ole pregnancy symptoms. This roller coaster ride went on for over a week.

On the afternoon of June 24, Ashleigh had been stuck at the hospital for a couple days. Again, the doctors hemmed and hawed about delivering Avery and ultimately decided they would wait. Dr. Risky, the same doctor who told her two days earlier she would deliver Avery the next time Ashleigh's blood pressure spiked and she had a headache, now said Ashleigh would be on hospital best rest indefinitely! She would not be going home anytime soon! Feeling depressed, Ash settled in. Then came the shift change...The new doctor didn't like Ash's blood pressure readings or her headache. They took away her food (again!) and for what felt like the zillionth time, told Ash her c-section would be scheduled for that evening. Not wanting to cry wolf, Ash didn't tell anyone this news until it was a for sure thing. We got the call at 9:30pm on the 24th and sure enough after a little delay (Ash's 11:00pm surgery on the 24th was bumped after she was all prepped in the operating room because of an emergency with another patient), Miss Avery was born in the wee hours of June 25h.

Due to being a late-term preemie, the NICU team was in the OR in case Avery had any issues. While it took a few minutes to get her breathing after her delivery, the NICU team was the first to leave the OR...and they did so without Avery! For my family and me, waiting anxiously outside the OR, this was the first sign that Avery was a healthy baby. We were absolutely elated! A few minutes later, Grant left the OR holding Avery, all swaddled up, and looking like a porcelain doll. She is so little and her features are so beautiful and delicate looking. She is absolutely perfect, and we couldn't be more excited for Ashleigh, Grant, and Carter! Congratulations Gourleys!