A big NEGATIVE!!

Yaaa!!! The test they did yesterday for the fetal fibronectin, came back negative!!! This means that we will continue with our current course of action. The chances that Abigail will make her appearance in the next 2 weeks is highly unlikely.
Thank you for your continued prayers.

This weeks Make 30!!

Well, we've reached another Milestone this week!!! We are now 30 weeks!! PRAISE BE TO GOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We started this pre-term labor at 22 weeks. It is amazing that we've made it this far. God has truly blessed us!! So many of my fears have been relieved, although we would still love to make it another 5 weeks.
This weekend I attended a birthing preparedness class. Dan had to work, so my friend Mary Elizabeth (and now my birthing coach), went with me! Thanks for enduring that with me!! I'm not sure that I learned that much from the class. I guess if you have no experience with labor (i.e nursing school and watching your best friend deliver her baby)...then maybe the class would be helpful. It was a nice refresher class though. I guess you could say, I'm as ready as I could be when Abigail decides she is ready to come into this world. (again, praying for a few more weeks)
The past few days I have been experiencing a lot of new pressure, almost as if Abby was ready to fall out of me, but no contractions. I spent all day Sunday in bed and on the couch with my feet up. This morning, still having this feeling, I called the doctors and they got me in today. Good news is... I am still not dilated, not any more effaced, and she is not pressing as hard on my cervix as she was last week. So, No real explanation for this pressure. I guess just part of the pregnancy. Other than that, every thing is staying the same. They did do a screening test today for fetal fibronectin. http://www.marchofdimes.com/professionals/14332_1149.asp The test can indicate if labor is possible in the next 2 weeks. If the test is negative, we will continue with our current course of action. If the test is positive, we will add in another medication to help stall labor. So you can pray specifically for a negative result!!!
The past week I have really started to feel and look pregnant! FINALLY!!! You have to remember that my stomach is actually smaller now 7 months pregnant than it was a year ago, before i lost 100lbs, so it has taken me a bit longer to really show.
I'll have to get Dan to help me upload some pictures.
Thank you for your prayers, and thank you for supporting us on this journey for these past 8 weeks. We could NOT have done it without the support of our friends, family, and our Savior JESUS CHRIST!
Keep praying for the rest of our pregnancy and for a happy healthy Abby!!
Much love to you all,
Dan, Kim and Abigail

P.S. I follow a blog of a Christian mother of 4, who's youngest has had heart problems since before delivery. God alone can be created for Stellan being alive today!! But he is sick again, and in the Hospital. They are currently being flown to Boston to see a specialist. If you want to read and pray for this family, you can follow their blog/twitter here http://www.mycharmingkids.net/

Good News & Bad News

The past week has been nice. My Grandma Chek (my dad's mom) has been here since the 6th. It's been nice to have someone around to keep me company. I've enjoyed spending time with her, although we didn't do much of anything.



July 11th I celebrated my 29th Birthday!! I splurged and went and got a much needed pedicure. Then I went to my friend Haley's baby shower (Noah and Abby have play dates lined up already) After the shower, Dan and I went to dinner with my brother and his girl friend. All in all.... I DID TOO MUCH!! I know!!! I had several runs of contractions later that night! I've learned my lesson and I'm taking it easy! But it was a nice day after all!!!
This is the Rocker/Glider my grandma bought me for my Birthday. And the Animal Stacker from Mary Elizabeth


On Tuesday this week the Dr had scheduled my 28 week Glucose Tolerance test and ultrasound. I was able to take my grandma to see the ultrasound. She is a retired labor and delivery nurse. All the technology has come a long way over the years. She was very excited to get a glimpse of her first Great-Grandbaby!



I saw the doctor today. Good News... We passed our Glucose test!!



Bad News... I'm a little more effaced and her head is pushing on my cervix again :(



So that being said, Dr Martin isn't letting me go back to work! I know this is for the better, but I was really hoping. I've gotta keep taking it easy!



I guess Abigail is in a hurry to meet all of you! WE are just praying that she will rest and wait till it's her time to come!!

Happy Independence Day!!

Happy 4th of July Everyone!!

Happy Birthday Uncle Dean!!!!

Dan is working today. His parents just left to head home. Dan's dad has to preach tomorrow, so they had to be home for Sunday.

So I am hanging around the house this afternoon, and then going to a friends for a picnic later.

Our church is also having a cookout and fireworks tonight. I may stop by for a bit, but I have to leave before the fireworks! The doctor said that the loud noises can startle the baby and cause contractions. Since I've already been having pre-term labor. There is no reason to take the chance the fireworks making it worse.

My parents and brother are hanging out in DC today and are going to enjoy the 4th Spectacular over our Countries Capital. The DC fireworks are some of the best around (other than Disney's Magic Kingdom). I wish I was there!!

We wish everyone a safe and happy 4th!!

Dan's in the ER today waiting for all the firework injuries :)

Another Good Week

The Pavlischek Marines

Wayne, Dad, Josh

As of today we are 14 weeks (98 days) away from Abigail's scheduled due date!! After being on bed rest for 3 weeks, I have been allowed off bed rest! I went to the doctors today, and left with a good report. I have had no contractions in over 2 weeks. I have been obeying doctor's orders. My cervix seems to have thickened some, and Abby isn't sitting quite so low in my pelvis. With all that said, and the fact that Dan is a PA in the ER (and very good at making sure I follow Dr's orders), Dr Martin is allowing me to do more. I am allowed to drive again!!! I am allowed to do VERY light activity (shopping, outings, dinner) for short periods. So no all day shopping in my future.

I have a list of things that I want to get done; hair cut, pedicure, going to register for baby stuff, all the important stuff...right???

I am very excited that the shots I am taking are helping slow down Abby's arrival. I also know that our daughter's arrival has been handed over to her Heavenly Father, and she has a team of prayer warriors praying for her continued growth every day!! Dan and I both thank you for your Prayers and Encouragement!! It means so much to us to know that we have brothers and sisters in Christ who are praying for our precious daughter!

All of this said, this week is an emotional one for me. Before I was put on bed rest, i had plans to leave tomorrow for DC and Maryland with my family.

On Thursday July 2nd, my baby brother will graduate from TBS (the basic school) with the USMC. We are very proud of him!! He will be joining a Tank unit in NC after tanker school. I am glad that Wayne will be on the east coast, and close to home! We are also praying that Josh, my other Marine brother will get stationed @ Cherry Point, NC where he will fly C-130's. (his other options are California and Japan) It would be nice to have both the boys close!

On that same day July 2nd my father, Colonel Wayne A Pavlischek, will retire from 30+ years of service. I sooooo want to be there for my daddy!! He had loved his time with the Corp! He is and always be a MARINE!! I know it brings him great joy to be able to watch his boys become Marines! he never has asked them to follow in his foot steps, and I think he even tried to talk them out of it at some point.

On Sunday July 5th, my cousin, Justin Pavlischek (the other Marine in the family) is getting married in Maryland.

Needless to say this week & weekend is going to be a little sad, since Dan and I will be missing 3 family events!! They all understand that I would be there if I could!

To help keep me occupied, my in-laws, Don and Crystal, and Dan's Nana are coming to visit for a few days. They were planning to come to my dad's retirement. But since we aren't going to be there, they decided to come here instead.

When my parents return from DC, they are bringing my Grandma Chek (my dad's mom) home with them. She's going to keep me company the next week while my mom and dad fly to Texas for Josh's graduation from Flight School.

I'm not allowed to go back to work as of yet :( I would really like to get back to even light duty. Dr Martin seems to think that when I go back to see him in 2 weeks, he may let me go back to work.

I don't go back to the doctors for 2 weeks. Then I will have another ultrasound and the most dreaded glucose tolerance test.

I am excited to have some more freedom, and the fact that I'm not "tied" to the couch/bed is nice. Just so you all know, I WILL be VERY cautious not to over-do-it!!!! I don't want to be back on Complete bed rest!! And Dan will be keeping a close eye on me too!

Thank you again for your continued Prayers!!!

Love,

Dan, Kim, and Abigail

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!!