More than halfway there!

Man, this pregnancy is flying by, y'all! I cannot believe that I am more than halfway through it. Considering most twins arrive at about 33 weeks, I need to get my butt in gear!

I wanted to start off with some things I have been experiencing and feeling for my own journaling purposes:

• I have been feeling great overall! I can honestly say I have been enjoying pregnancy! And the bigger-bellied I get, the nicer people are to me. Not to mention the bigger my belly gets, the bigger the babies are, and I want healthy twins!
  
• The babies are moving like crazy. I can feel them on the inside and outside now; it feels like popcorn popping in my belly. The babies are the most active early in the mornings and then later in the evenings from about 7 - 11 PM. I love it!
  
• I went to the specialist about a week and a half ago (20 weeks, 6 days). I see the specialist in addition to my regular ObGyn so both can monitor the progress of the babies and to ensure I don't go into preterm labor. Both babies looked great and are gaining weight. One weighed 14 ounces and the other weighed 15 ounces. Here are a few pictures:

• Both babies are still boys. HA! Sorry to anyone who was still hanging on to the hope of a girl.
• We are still working on names but have decided not to reveal the names once we know what they are for sure. We're keeping them a secret for several reasons: 1) we don't want others' opinions about liking/disliking them, 2) we want to surprise everyone once the babies are here, 3) it's one of the things we can keep secret, 4) we know it drives everyone crazy!
  
• I asked the doctor how my (severe) scoliosis would affect the remainder of the pregnancy as well as labor and delivery, an answer I wanted to know but was too scared to ask. He said I would likely have more back pain than a normal pregnancy, which would also be exacerbated by the fact that I was carrying multiples. In addition, it would likely be more safe to deliver via c-section (which my ObGyn and I had already discussed). It might also be difficult for the anesthesiologist to find the right spot in my back for my epidural, and if that was the case, I might have to be completely knocked out for the birth. Definitely not what I want, but I'm glad I asked now instead of being surprised later.
  
• Allen felt the babies for the first time the other night, and I thought he was going to pass out. He raced around the room screaming about how creepy it was! I'm not sure he can believe all this is happening and feeling them kick makes it all the more real, not to mention my ever-expanding belly. Here's me on Tuesday of this week at 22 weeks:
• I'm still not craving sweets, although I will eat them on occasion. Fruit has been at the top of my craving list as well as pasta/carbs.
• I have times when my heart races and feels very fluttery, but all the books say this is normal since pregnant women have twice the amount of blood racing through their bodies.
• My back has started to hurt if I stand too long or sit too long, and I know this will get significantly worse the bigger I get.
• Walking has slowed to a snail's pace. Allen makes fun of me because he says my normal speed is "high gear" and my new speed is "turtle gear." I suppose all the extra weight has really slowed me down, but I think that may actually be a good thing.
• I was never graceful, but my clumsiness is amplified. I trip over my own feet and sometimes just start leaning to one side and have to regain my center of gravity. Again, I think it is due to the belly weight and is totally normal.
• I am beyond absentminded. I can't remember things to save my life right now, so I have things written on notes and then forget about the notes. For those of you that know me, you know this is totally out of character and is driving me crazy. I'm a Type A personality gone astray!
  
• My near-perfect eyesight is off these days too. My eyes get really blurry and occasionally have a very difficult time seeing. This may also contribute to my clumsiness.
• Peeing has become like breathing; I do it almost as frequently.
  
• Last but not least, I seem to be out of breath all the time. I sigh ALL the time, and Allen asks me nearly every single time what is wrong.
• *None of these things are complaints at all; they are more a documentation of my symptoms so I'll remember these fun times later. Allen and I are both thankful and blessed these babies are on the way and can't wait to hold two, healthy sons in our arms!
  

Allen has been awesome! He worries about me constantly, although I like to think I'm still somewhat self-sufficient. He is taking such good care of me, asking about my every sigh, moan, and move. I adore him. No wonder Sunday the 5th we will celebrate our seven-year anniversary. Happy early anniversary, honey!

I had a great weekend with my college girlfriends. We met in Southlake, TX (near Dallas) for a weekend getaway that was just amazing! Three of us are pregnant, and my best friend Leah, the only non-pregnant one, was such a good sport about it all. It was hotter than hot; we kept the room temperature at 61 degrees. HA! Poor Leah about froze her tush off!

Leah & Ashley



The four of us: Ashley, Leah, April, Amy


Amy (27 weeks pregnant), April (due in about five weeks), Ashley (due November 3rd)

Thanks for a great weekend, friends! I love you and am glad we make it a point to see each other at least once a year!

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My good friend Danielle (the one I love and adore) and also the one that happens to be the best blog designer ever is hosting a giveaway that you should totally check out and take advantage of right now. She is giving away one pre-made blog template a week during the month of July. Go read all about it and take advantage of winning a new blog design. If you still want a blog makeover and don't feel you are the lucky type, she is having a great sale on pre-made templates through July 7th. You should check out this special offer too. Or, if you aren't interested in a new blog design, she has lots of other talents too: stationery, buttons for your blog, custom logo designs, and a whole shebang of other things. She is truly THAT amazing and creative, not to mention that she is always doing some kind of crazy sale or giveaway! In fact, if you are not a follower of her blog, you should be so you can take part in all of her fabulous and crazy special offers! I mean, HELLO, she redid my blog AGAIN, and I think it is absolutely adorable! She is so
good to me and does the most awesome blog designs ever! You'll have to leave a comment about her newest blog design for me so she knows how much her work is loved and adored.

I am really behind in life right now (emails, laundry, mail, ironing, baby registry) and blogging has taken a back seat. I'll try to do better about reading and commenting soon, I promise.


Well, I think I have posted plenty this time, but I hope you at least enjoyed the pictures if nothing else. Allen and I are off to Eureka Springs, Arkansas, to celebrate our seven-year anniversary and have one last "hoorah" before these babies join us. We'll be safe, and you can bet your bottom dollar I'll have pictures when I return.