27 Weeks

7 lbs gained, 20 total

52 inches around the belly

Ultrasound and Doctor Appointment today. Babies are looking good, both measuring at about 27 weeks 2 days! Baby A - 2lbs 4oz Baby B - 2lbs 3oz. Heart rates are looking good and they are now both head down. They just can't make up their minds on where they want to be. At one time during the ultrasound, we saw all 4 feet in a close shot. It was pretty cute!

The Doctor wasn't able to get a good look at my cervix, but from what he can tell is that its short/small. He scheduled me for another ultrasound for next week to double check. He asked me to drink as much water as possible before it starts to hurt so we can get a good look.

Because of my cervix results the Doctor told me to lessen my activity even more. What?! How can I lessen doing absolutely nothing? He told me that I need to come straight home and lay on my side, left preferably. I guess I have still been doing stuff that I can cut back on... I just feel so bad for Kelly. I hate not being able to help around the house or cook dinner. But he tells me not to worry. It's better that I stay off my feet and relax now so we aren't sorry later. Financially, Kelly and I need me to work as long as I can. We're looking to move my desk at work temporarily so I'm closer to the exit and bathroom. Less walking should help.

Now, two questions that we wanted answers to. 1) How many placentas? 2) Fraternal or Identical? Well, I guess we have to be patient, because we won't find the answer to either one until the girls are born. Right now with the ultrasounds, my placenta is very large, so my Doctor believes that I did once have 2 but they have fused together. (something common among twin births) We'll just have to be surprised!!

I'm starting to go to see him every 2 weeks now, so maybe that will make the time go by faster. I swear the last couple of months have been the slowest. I'm doing good though, other than some back pain every once in awhile and trying to get comfortable sleeping with a bowling ball attached to me. I haven't seen any changes in my feet, but then again I can't even see my feet anymore!

I'll be taking it super easy from here on out, but I'm looking forward to next month! I'll be having all 3 baby showers next month! I can't wait to see all of the family! Love you guys! I'll be sure to keep you posted with any new news!

**************************************************

OH!! Speaking of news!!! Kelly got the job with Reagan Outdoor Advertising as a billposter!! He starts his 30 day training on Monday April 5th! He'll be taking down and putting up billboards all over Salt Lake County. Definitely a change from Reams, but he'll be making a lot more money! He'll say goodbye to Reams next Friday after 12 long years. He doesn't really know how to feel about it. He's excited, but Reams has been his home so he'll miss it! I'll let you all know how it goes!

Updated Picture

Yup... This is me. About 24 weeks pregnant!

Getting used the belly can sometimes be challenging. I'm running into things, can't lean over the kitchen/bathroom sinks, or sit in restaurant booths. And it's just getting started!!

Be gentle with remarks... It's a sensitive subject!

*Sore Belly*

*13lbs total gain*

*Feeling babies move*

*Aching back*

*Exhausted*

So there you have it!! Isn't pregnancy the best?!

I went to my Dr appointment today and the babies are doing well! Both of them are no longer head down, but breached. Dr advised that they won't stay that way, so not to worry. I've gained only 13lbs so far... which is still so crazy to me! My belly is getting really big, really fast and that's led to a sore belly. I can feel it stretching and can generally tell when I'm going to wake up bigger. Like today, it's been hurting all day... So I'm sure I'll wake up a few inches bigger tomorrow. This has also led to the start of my back pain. It feels like I'm carrying around a bowling bowl under my shirt! And then, all this of course leads to me being exhausted! Ah, the joys of pregnancy!

But there are some positives! Feeling the babies move is such an amazing feeling and it gives me reassurance that they are still there. I've even had a few hard kicks start. Of course they aren't big enough to really hurt or for Kelly to feel... but it will be fun lying in bed and get a really hard kick all of the sudden! However, I'm not a fan of how they use my bladder as a trampoline. I swear I'm running to the restroom once every hour!

Unfortunately I wasn't able to get all of the answers at todays appointment. In case you haven't heard, I went into the lab for an ultrasound at 21 weeks and the ultrasound tech stated that I had only 1 placenta, while earlier on in my pregnancy my Dr advised that I had 2. This of course raised a few eyebrows only because there are more pregnancy risks with having only 1 placenta. I was hoping that my Dr could tell me today on my placenta issue, but he wants to plan a more extensive ultrasound with him to look that over and also measure the babies growth. That's been scheduled with my regular monthly appointment with him in another 4 weeks. Besides me freaking out on the more risks you have only have 1 placenta for 2 babies, it also helps determine whether the girls are identical or fraternal twins. My Dr stated early on that they were fraternal... but the ultrasound tech a couple of weeks ago stated Identical. UGH! Why can't they all just be on the same page?!

Either way, me and the babies are doing good!! My Dr has put me on a "semi bed rest." I'm able to get up and go to work, but no other activities. He advised coming straight home from work and just hanging out. I'm not able to do any lifting, climb stairs or anything that would require a lot of movement. I think I can handle that! Although I hate being a burden on my husband, I can't be put on bed rest because I need to keep working. So if that means I just come home and do nothing for the next 3 months... that's what I'm going to do!

I'll keep you guys updated with any more news!! Hope you are as excited for Spring as I am!!

OH!! P.S. I've been given the glucose drink for my next appointment! I've been told that is so much fun!

- Baby Names -

Yes, we've chosen them, but no you won't hear about it.

I'm sorry, but unfortunately I'm cursed with caring WAY TO MUCH about what others think. So Kelly and I have decided to keep the baby names to ourselves. I'm just too afraid that if I tell everyone, if I don't get an amazing response I'll start second guessing. And we really like the names we picked out.

But I will tell you this, their middle names. That was decided even before their first. We decided to carry on a few of the family names. We will be using Raye, my Mom's middle name. Only I would like to spell it Rae. I like it better that way. Our second choice was a no brainer. With Kelly's Grandma meaning the world to him, he wanted to use her middle name Joy.

So there you have it;
Joy Hellstrom
Rae Hellstrom

What comes before the middle names? Will I tell before they arrive? I really don't know! Maybe, maybe not. I'm sorry to those who really want to know! I just can't let others opinions persuade me either way, especially when I love the names so much! But just know that we've got the names picked out and we can't wait to meet them!

[ We've Got Cribs! ]

Not crabs... CRIBS!! :)

After having to return one for being broken, we were able to get them both up this afternoon! I'm so excited that the room is finally coming together. Mom and Kel plan on making some shelves for the walls and we'll be adding in the chair and changing table any day now! Now it's time to start thinking about wall decor...

I CAN'T WAIT!!

*more pictures on facebook!*

We're Getting There!

MORE TO COME, SO STAY TUNED!

- Dum Da Dum Dum! -

Here it is! The first pregnancy photo!! OY! Man, I'll be honest I really didn't want to put any pictures up! Especially knowing other Moms out there that are having twins and look amazing... Ms. Kari! But I figure why not?! I'm excited and happy that I'm pregnant, it's nothing to be ashamed about. I've also had to make sure to tell everyone that I'm having twins. Women will look at me and wonder how I'm due in June when I look so big. But when they find out that I have two babies in there, they are more understanding. Plus it didn't really help that I was already a curvy woman to begin with!

Andee @ 20 1/2 Weeks

Looking at this photo really makes me sad!! I'm huge!! I look like I'm only a few weeks away instead of 16-18 weeks. The funny thing is. is that I stayed the same weight at my last appointment. I weigh 11 lbs lighter than I did when I wasn't pregnant. How is that possible? I mean really?! Was I HUGE before I was pregnant? I'm just really self concious and hope that KJ will still love me even when I get bigger! I guess I'm lucky that it's only in my belly now... I haven't noticed it anywhere else like my face and stuff. So that's some good news! Oh well, it still makes me sick looking at it! I don't know how many I'll end up posting.

Favorite Toy Purchase So Far!!

Aren't they cute? I love them!! Kelly found them at Babies R Us and we just couldn't pass them up! The best part is displayed in the video below. Sorry it's sideways, but you get the picture! They also vibrate, but Erica is holding them, so you can't tell! We just need to be careful that we don't run the batteries out before the girls come!! They make me smile!

- Nursery Prep -

That's right!! We're getting a jump start on the nursery! I know I still have about 4 more months, but I'm sure they'll go by fast!

This past weekend was spent clearing out the room, moving everything out! Thanks again Erica and Joe!! Now, this week the plan is to wash the walls and get ready for painting this weekend! My Mom and Kelly are going to be putting up some crown molding, chair rail with bead board and base, but my Mom suggested painting prior to all of that. That way we don't have to tape anything off and can just go with it. Such a smart woman, my mother!

Not only are we getting ready to paint, but we've been shopping!! Last night we went out to dinner with Dad and Nancy, then stopped by Babies R Us to look around. We had been there once before so I kinda already knew what I was looking for. Most people don't know this, but we found out Babies R Us gives a 10% discount if you are buying multiple large items, i.e. cribs, strollers, car seats etc. It's the "Twin Discount" Well, I guess the cribs I found were an Online Purchase Only and you don't receive the discount while purchasing online... that sucks! Not only that, but the credit card Nancy signed up for gives you 10% off your purchase, but that doesn't work online either. This wasn't working out! I wanted to save as much as possible since we were buying double of everything! The last time we were there I saw a really cute white crib for a great price and kept it in the back of my mind just in case the black crib wouldn't work. Well not only did the white cribs save Nancy 20%, they had 2 in stock!! I never really understood the whole "nesting" thing until now! But I am so relieved to get going on this and get some furniture! Not only am I excited to paint and get everything organized, I can't wait to hang all of their clothes in the closet!! I'm so excited!!

So Dad and Nancy spoiled us last night! We picked up our cribs and even our bedding! It's really cute! Thanks Dad and Nancy for everything!! We love you!!

I'm off to my 18/19 week appointment! Don't expect anything too exciting, hopefully a little weight gain, but not a ton! I'll be sure to post pictures of the nursery painting this weekend, cribs and the bedding!