Week 25

Well, we are into our 25th week! So far so good. I had an uneventful week, with NO contractions or cramping in over a week! PRAISE GOD!! I've spent the last week laying in bed, on the couch, and lounging in the pool. It's been a nice HOT week, so the pool was nice.
I went to the doctors today, and left with a good report!! We are going to do some trials of light activity this week. Which consists of getting up for a few hours each day, around the house. Nothing stressful, no lifting, no housework, but something is better than nothing! It's going to be hard not to over do it. But I know that if I over do it, it's going to mean that I go back on strict bedrest! SO NONE of that for me!!
We are going to continue to take each day as it comes. Every day and week that Abby stays put, the better!
Thanks again for your love and prayers!
Dan, Kim and Abby

This is Dan's "almost Father's Day" gift he got.

And whether or not he will admit to it

He is WRAPPED around Abby's finger!

Pool time, New Meds, Baby Panic, and Dr's Appt

So, I've now been on bed rest for a week and a half. I think I've done a pretty good job at staying sane. The doctor told me last Friday that I can lounge in the pool for a few hours. I was very excited about this!! It's my time to be out of the house, around other people, and time to work on my tan...err tying not to BURN.
I've had a few friends come out to out community pool and hang with me.
I went Thursday last week till Monday morning with NO cramping/contractions. That was until Monday morning and Monday after noon when I had a few bouts of Contractions. Uggg, I was so disappointed. The good thing was, that my new meds arrived Monday! So when Dan got home Monday night, I got my first shot! It's called 17 Hydroxyprogesterone. This stuff is thick as PASTE!! YUCKO!!!! Dan even had to run back to the hospital to get a different size needle, cause the ones we had at home were too small. SO, my butt hurts!! But like my aunt said "better a sore butt, and a baby in the belly"!!
The doctor wanted to set up a home health nurse to come out to the house to give me my shot, But since Dan and I can both give shots, plus I have TONS of friends that could come do it, there was no point. If at some point I start having more contractions and need more monitoring. He said that the home health company can come set up a home monitor. That way he can keep me out of the hospital as long as he can.
Dan and I have been overwhelmed at the people who have offered to come sit with me, to cook, and to clean. It's hard to let people do stuff for me. But, I have to realise I can't do it for my self. And Dan has been picking up extra hours at work. And things still need to get done. My mom and dad have been a great help too.
So...about the PANIC!! OK, so if lil Abigail's shenanigans are any prediction of how things are going to be as she gets older...We are in for trouble!!
So I started the new meds on Monday. By Tuesday evening, I realized that I hadn't felt her move all day. She's normally a pretty active lil one. My friend Mary Elizabeth came over to spend the evening, since Dan was at work, and she had cooked me dinner. After dinner, I was paying more attention that she hadn't moved, and even after trying to wake her up and get her to move. I started to get worried. I called Dan at work, and then called DR Martin. Dr Martin said he was pretty sure she was just sleeping, but I could go into the hospital if if would make me feel better. I have the advantage of Dan working in the ER, so we decided that Mary Elizabeth would take me in to see Dan, and we would call Dr Martin back if there was something off. I was soooo anxious! I was so glad that Mary Elizabeth was there with me, she was so reassuring that everything was going to be ok.
When we got to the hospital, the first thing we did was check the heart beat. It was good and strong!! I was soooooo relieved to hear that lil swoosh swoosh!! All I could do was cry!! Such RELIEF!! I could then breathe again! Then Dan hooked up the ultrasound machine. She's definitely gotten bigger, her head is down, and she's all crunched up in a ball. After we pushed and manipulated her a bit, she started to wake up. I love just looking at her on the ultrasound. I can't wait to hold her in my arms and stare at her!! (well, I can wait, and hope she does...at least until September)
I had another Doctor's appointment today. Things seem to be holding steady. The new meds seem to be working already (and not just on making Abby sleepy). Dr Martin said that he could tell that the uterus isn't as tight and low as it was last week. He still wants me on strict bed rest (bathroom and pool visits only) for the next week. If things continue to get better, then next week he said he'll think about starting to increase my activity by a few hours.
So, we are praying Abigail continues to stay put, and not cause Mommy any more panic moments.
Thank you for your thoughts and prayers. And to those of you who have come by, made meals, sent note, cards, packages, and other wonderful treats...THANK YOU!!! You are all a special Blessing in our lives!!

BedRest and More BedRest

This week, I have been to the doctors 3 times. I'm really starting to get to know the girls in the office :) And I really like Dr Martin, my OB.
I've had some cramping on and off. When I went to the doctors yesterday, I am still 60% effaced, but it hasn't gotten any worse.
The doctor ordered me a progesterone shot that I will take once a week. It was hard to get ordered, but after a long day yesterday, we got it on order from a pharmacy in Columbia, SC. They are mailing it to me, so it will start when it arrives.
The goal is for me to stay on complete bed rest until I go several days with no cramping or contractions. Then the doctor said he will start letting me do an hour or 2 of light activity. From there, it's just to find a happy medium, where I have no cramping/contractions with activity. He is not sure I'll be able to go back to work, but at least off the couch/bed. My boss has offered to try and find me "desk work" if the doctor will release me for that.
Dr Martin said it would be OK for me to spend some time floating in the pool. We have a really nice pool in our subdivision. So I am really excited about this!! It'll allow me to get out of the house a bit and allow me to get some sun!
We have been blessed with an awesome church family. Ladies have been offering to help Dan with cleaning. And they are bringing meals a few times a week. One of my friends has offered to teach me to Knit. And a few are going to come over to scrapbook.
I have also decided that I should use this time effectively, and I am going to start studying to take my Oncology Certification. I've been putting this off for some time now, and I may as well put my time to good use.
I know that God is in control of all of this. None of this is a surprise to Him.
At times I struggle with having peace that all things are going to work out. Satan tries to get me down with thoughts of all the bad things that could happen. He tries to get me to see myself as a failure at my first task at a mom, that somehow I'm letting my baby girl down. I know all of these are lies!! I constantly have to remind myself that God is in control. Little AbbyBeth is his child no matter what happens.
My prayer is that God will be glorified through this pregnancy.
When I start to think, "God, why me?!?!?!?!" I remind myself to think, "God, Why not me!!!!"
So,
please continue to pray for us, all 3 of us!

All in God's hands.

Well, sometimes what we have in mind, is not exactly what God has in mind for us.
On Saturday, I started experinceing some cramping that woke me up at 2am. I went back to sleep, but when I woke up to get ready for work, the more I was up, the more I was cramping. I called the doctor on call. She had me go to the Hospital. There they sent me to L&D. I was placed on the monitor. Abby was doing great, heart rate was wonderful and she was moving all around. They had me on the monitor all day, and no contractions. But they did say my cervix was 60% Affaced, but it was closed and high. Since I wasnt contracting and no spotting, they sent me home. Told me to rest and follow up with my doctor on Monday.
Well, today I went to the doctors. I am still 60% affaced, but the cervix has gotten a little lower. And baby Abby's head in already down puttting pressure on the cervix.
So, I guess Abby is already asserting her independance and trying to come before she is supposed to.
To help stop this pre-term labor, I've been placed on bedrest. They are going to start me on a medication to try. I go tomorrow for an0ther ultrasound.
From here, it'll be week by week.
I'm hoping this doesn't mean another 17 weeks of bedrest, but I'll do what I have to and for as long as I have to, if it means that Abby stays put!
Please pray for all of us, as we make adjustments. Pray for Dan as he picks up the slack. Pray for me as I try and keep for going stir crazy. Pray for Abby as she continues to grow!!
Praise that we have my parents close by to help. And we have a wonderful church family who has already been offering to come keep me company.
I'll keep you posted.
THanks
In HIM
Kim, Dan, and Baby Abby.

It's a....GIRL!!!!!!!!!

Today was my "Almost" Mother's Day (as Dan calls it)

We found out the other day that we are expecting a baby girl! Dan was in shock and probably a little bit of denial, as he was looking for "boy parts"...too bad they just weren't there!!

He's going to be a great Daddy!! And I have a feeling this little girl is going to have him wrapped around her lil finger!!

So we waited to tell everyone today, on Mother's day. SO we called all our families and gave them the good news.

So what is her name, you may ask??? Her name is Abigail Elizabeth Caskie. I've liked this name since I was a little girl!! So the decision was quite easy!!

We can't wait to meet her!!!

Love to you all!!

Kim, Dan, and Abby!!

Kayaking with friends

Our friends, CLiff and Denise, came in to town from ALabama this weekend. Cliff and Dan were classmates @ Wake Forest for PA School. We haven't seen them in a few years, and it has been fun to catch up.

Friday we went Kayaking on the Edisto River. Here I've grown up here, well high school and college years anyway, and I've never been down the Edisto River. We had a blast. We borrowed a few kayaks from some friends at church. And we are now planning on buying our own. Dan is trying to convince me that we also need a real BOAT!! Well, he's been trying for a few years now, and since I enjoyed our time on the water, he is fully taking advantage on this!!

We spent a few hours on the water, and even stopped so they could all jump out of tree from a rope swing, into the water. I, of course, did not do this, being pregnant and all...but I'm not sure I'd have joined in if I wasn't. We ended the day with a cook out. And if you know Dan, you know it was no SMALL ordeal! We even roasted marshmallows and had Smores!!

Saturday, Cliff and Denise went to a family reunion that was here in town. So I took advantage of the down time and took a much needed nap!! While Dan went and played fireman and learned how to cut people out of cars, using a tool they like to call the Beast!!

Later that night we all met up and we went downtown. We took them to Hyman's Seafood. If you've never been there, you MUST go the next time you are in town, great food, reasonable prices. Check them out http://www.hymanseafood.com/ And, since we are local, we have a special pass, and it saved us about an hour of waiting for a table, as they move us to the front of the line.

We ended the evening with a stroll downtown, even stopped for some ice cream and WARM gooey pralines!!!!! Yummy!!

Am I making you want to plan your visit to Charleston yet?!?!?!?

We have lots of room and LOVE to show people around our town!! And we may even have that boat Dan wants so bad!!

"Babymoon" at Disney....

My Princess with my future little princess or knight in shining armour!