Big Weekend

This week we will be 34 weeks!! Time is ticking away! It is so amazing to see how far we have come. To think I was put on strict bed rest at 22 weeks! I wasn't sure we were going to make it this far, and now I can see the finish line.

Dan and I were so blessed this weekend with a baby shower hosted by our Sunday school class. Many of our family came in from out of town. Abby is one Blessed little girl. So many people love her and have been praying for her upcoming arrival! This is going to be one stylish girly girl!!! Lots of baby gifts, lots of clothes!!!Abby's first Steelers outfit!!

My cousin Amy loves to take pictures and dabbles in photography. She offered to take some maternity pictures of Dan and I while she was in town. So after the shower, we went to downtown Charleston and took pictures.

I am now back at work a few hours a week. Mostly doing secretary stuff; entering orders, answering phones, etc. It's nice to get out of the house, and back to some sense of "normal".

I've been blessed with a boss who understands motherhood!! She is doing what she can to help save some leave time for after Abigail's arrival.

My Doctor's appointments are going well. Abby is growing like she should. She is actually more active this week. I have a feeling she's going to be one active girl!

Dan and I can't thank you enough for your love, prayers, and support!!!! We are getting excited to meet our daughter, and we can't wait to introduce her to all of you.

Love,

Dan, Kim, and Abigail

Randome Pictures

Me and my Grandma! Oh and don't forget baby Abby!!

Dan and I celebrating my Birthday downtown Charleston

My Birthday Flowers...who wouldn't love "flowers" you can eat...especially when dipped in chocolate!

Abby's first Baby Shower, with 3 other mommy's to be that work in the ER with Dan

And....My FAVORITE SPOT!!! Who said "BEDREST" was tough??

32 weeks!

I really didn't think that 10 weeks ago , when I started having pre-term labor, that I would really make it to 32 weeks! It's what we've prayed for!! God has answered our prayers! 8 weeks till our Due Date!!! We are praying that she will stay in and KEEP COOKING!!
I've been feeling sooo much better, with no signs of contractions!! The doctor released me last week to go back to work, but the hospital had an issue with the restrictions the dr put on my work ability. We are trying to get everything worked out. My 12 weeks of FMLA is running out in a few weeks, and from that point on the insurance issues change. Things may get pretty costly. Please pray that all these financial issues can get worked out. We have placed all of this in God's Hands!!
The nursery is well on it's way to getting ready for Abby's arrival. Dan spent Sunday afternoon putting up the chair rail. I LOVE having a handy husband!! A friend has offered to paint for us, and is coming tomorrow!! Little by little...we are getting ready! I'll have to get some pictures.
Dan is planning on staining the Dresser/changing table this weekend.
Tonight was quite a different experience.... Everything with the baby is fine...but I took a line drive soccer ball to the head at a Charleston Battery game. My dad is a ref, and was refing tonight. I haven't been to a game since starting bed rest. Tonight was a cool evening, after a thunderstorm. So I decided to go to the game. I was texting...and didn't even see the ball coming. We were sitting in the first row...and don't think I would have had time to respond anyway. I'm fine!! A little sore, I'll probably have a nice bruise in the morning, and my earring pierced the side of my head. But it could have been a lot worse. What DRAMA!!!
This has been quite the pregnancy!!
Thank you for your continued prayers!! 8 more weeks!!!!
Dan, Kim, and Abigail

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 :)