Wouldn't it be nice to...

[ not have to pee every 2 hours ]

[ sleep on my stomach ]

[ slouch ]

[ take medication other than tylenol ]

[ not have an itchy belly ]

[ get into a hot tub ]

[ walk up and downstairs ]

[ stretch ]

[ help clean my house ]

[ make dinner ]

[ eat sushi / seafood ]

Yes, it would be nice!

but these baby girls are so worth it!!

Only 6 weeks left... maybe less!

31 Weeks

2 lbs gained, 22 in total

53 inches around the belly

My Body: Blood pressure is good and my cervix is still closed! I'll get some sharp pains every once in awhile, but my Dr is sure it's just Braxton Hicks. But I will need to pay more attention to when I'm having the pain and how frequent/long they last. Dr is very happy to know that my activity is still nothing... but he did remind me to still walk a little bit to avoid blood clots. I don't think I could do anything even if I wanted to. I'm exhausted... all the time! My shoes are getting tighter, but my feet aren't noticeably bigger... yet. It's been mostly flip flops lately! I have lost my ankles and my calves seem bigger. Bummer! Unfortunately I already had stretch marks due to my constant up and down weight, but I haven't noticed any new ones. I'm keeping my skin moisturized and trying not to scratch my belly! It's amazing at how much it itches!

Weight: I'm pretty proud of myself in the whole weight gain situation. I really thought I was going to let myself go... especially with twins. But I've only gained 22 lbs! I think Kelly and I are both shocked with how well I've managed my eating. I still haven't had any weird food cravings or 3 AM snackings. Although I could have one of Kelly's BLT's everyday! Amazing!!

Baby Girls: Both are still head down and they have dropped a little. But these girls are active! I'm feeling them move almost every hour it seems like. The most activity I've found is between 9 AM - 12 PM. It's really the best part of my day to feel them moving around! However, every time Kelly wants to feel them, they stop. Typical! But it can also get kinda creepy... you know when they do a somersaults and my belly will do a wave!

I've got 2 more weeks until my next Dr Appt, then I will start to go weekly. My Dr is hoping for full term for twins at 38 weeks, so that means I have only 7 more weeks!! I can't believe it! I'm so excited, but I'm starting to get really scared/nervous/worried about the whole labor and delivery part! I'm leaning more towards NO CSection, but if I have to I will. I'm going to hold out for as long as my body will let me. Plus Dad and Nancy would KILL ME if I had the girls while they are on their cruise from May 8th to the 15th. And it would be really cool if I could hold out until after May 21st, my girls will be Geminis! Twin girls for the twin zodiac!

I've got my final baby shower this Saturday and I'm so excited! This shower is being put together by my co-worker Amanda and is for all my Marriott peeps! It will be great to see everyone and get out of the house for a few hours! Plus after this shower I can finally finish organizing and decorating the nursery! I'm so excited!!

I'll be sure to post after my shower and on the final touches on the nursery! I'm hoping to have it complete by the end of this month! Especially if I can have the help of my sisters! Fingers crossed!

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Kelly is liking his new job! It has had it's ups and downs... but he's getting the hang of it. He'll be out of training soon and out on his own. I think he is really looking forward to that so he can work the hours that are more appealing to him. I'm so proud of him and what he is doing for me and the girls! For a man who doesn't really like change, he's making it work for his family!

Baby Shower Weekend!

What a blast!! But can I sleep now?

Baby Shower #1 @ Mom's!

Just me and the babies!

Great gifts!! Just to name a few; Diapers, Baby Wash/Lotion, Adorable Clothes, Bath Towels, Bouncers and our Pack N Play!

Thank you Mom for the great day, plus my sisters who helped! Everything went great and I loved seeing all the family and friends!

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Baby Shower #2 @ Dad's!

Brittany was in town for the weekend!

More great gifts! Blankets, Diaper Bag, Bouncers, Car Seats, Clothes, Toys toys and more toys!

Thank you Nancy for another great day!! Everything was perfect and I love being surrounded by family and friends!

But a huge THANK YOU to all of my family and friends! Thank you all for the great gifts! We've been so blessed and have had so much help from everyone, I'm so grateful! We are very fortunate to have such a great support system behind us!!

We couldn't do it without you guys!

WE LOVE YOU ALL!

** More photos on Facebook! **

I'm excited about the next 5 days!!

REALLY EXCITED!

Thursday - Dr appointment followed by hair appointment with Erica! We're gonna try something a little different, but nothing too crazy! My roots definitely need some attention!

Friday -Pedicures!!! What is better than getting pampered with two of my favorite people?! I swear... Erica, Kalie and I shouldn't be allowed in public together. We always end up having WAY too much fun! Plus we can get a little loud! Now to shave the legs as prep. Uh, should be interesting!

Saturday - Bath Time Baby Shower!!! Mom is throwing me a shower for her side of the family and we are celebrating Bath Time for the girls! I can't wait to see the family and I have to admit I'm excited to see what I (the girls) get!

Sunday - Play Time Baby Shower!!! Nancy is throwing me a shower for Dad's side of the family! My sister Brittany will be in town, which is awesome and it will be great to visit with other family and friends. Am I selfish to be excited for more presents?! I don't think so.. because technically they aren't for me, right!

Monday - DAY OFF!! I figured I would be exhausted after Saturday and Sunday, so I've scheduled myself off to rest. Great idea right?! I know! PLUS... Charlonian Showcase!! I can't wait to celebrate Jessica's last year as a Charlonian and watch her do what she does best, dance!

See! How can I NOT be excited?! I just hope that I start feeling better! I'm still really congested and have a sore throat. But no matter what, I'm going to try hard to enjoy the next 5 days!!!

They should be a BLAST!

*I'll be bloggin' about the baby showers so stay tuned!!*

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!

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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!