I Give Up

We had another doctor's appointment yesterday. This is the third time we have tried to get the ultrasound on tape and I guess it is not meant to be. I love the profile picture above with his hand up by his face. They are getting bigger and it is harder to get them in the same frame now. Based on the measurements, they both weigh about 2lbs. 4 oz. They are about a week ahead in their measurements which I am happy about. They are moving all the time! I get kicked and punched a lot. People ask if I can tell where they are, but I haven't figured that one out yet. It seems like one of them (or maybe they take tums) likes to lay sideways just under my ribs. At the last two ultrasounds, one of the boys has been laying up there. I feel movement at the top of my uterus often. We are aiming to go to about 36-37 weeks which is sometime in the first couple of weeks in May. It is crazy to think that we will have two little boys join our family in such a short time. Brooks and I are both thrilled and feel extremely blessed!
The last week or so I have really been starting to feel the strain on my body of being pregnant. I am starting to have Braxton Hicks contractions occasionally and that is a new experience for me. Nothing painful, just a little uncomfortable. I am also beginning to feel the strain my growing belly is putting on my back and abdomen, and good sleep is a thing of the past. How is it possible to wake up more sore than when you go to bed? I enjoy my sleep and I am having to get used to this new situation.

My latest craving is ice cream especially twist ice cream cones from McDonald's. When Brooks and I go out now, I almost always want to go get ice cream afterwards. The conversation goes something like this:

"Brooks, do you want to go get a treat...maybe ice cream or Bahama Bucks?"

He responds, " Somehow I knew you were going to ask that?"

Then of course we go get some kind of treat. Even he, who isn't one for dessert, likes an ice cream cone from McDonald's. I have probably had 5 ice cream cones in the last week...seriously:)

Hospital Class

I convinced Brooks to take a short one hour class with me at the hospital on Tuesday night. It was basically a preview of what happens when you come to the hospital in labor. We walked around to various rooms and got a short explanation of where things are and what to expect. We started in triage and then went to the labor & delivery rooms. The nurse explained various equipment around the room and even gave a brief lesson on how to work the TV:) We were able to peek into the OR, and see where we would be if having a c-section. We also saw the nursery and the postpartum rooms. Overall, it was helpful for me just to see what to expect when we come to the hospital. Probably not an essential class, but I enjoyed it. Thanks to Brooks for being a willing husband!

President's Day Snowboarding

On Sunday, we had a big stake conference where they took the 3 QC stakes and made 5 stakes. My dad was put into the stake Presidency of the QC stake. We are in the QC South stake. It was neat to be at the meeting and see all the change happening in QC. After the conference Brooks and I took Michael, Mason & Tannis with us up to Heber for the weekend. The Crandell's were already up there so we hung out with them Sunday night. On Monday, I went with Brooks and Michael to Sunrise ski Park. They snowboarded and I observed. I am obviously in no condition to snowboard. Even though I knew the day would not be very exciting, I still wanted to go. I enjoyed going with Brooks last year (even though I ended up with a concussion) and wanted to go this year. I brought the camcorder and the camera and took a few pictures of Brooks boarding. We ate lunch together, and I got in some reading as well. The weather was great and I had to shed a bunch of layers throughout the day due to the heat. Maybe next year I will actually be able to attempt snowboarding again. Now all I need is a babysitter!

I was a little out of breath after walking up the hill to take this picture, but it was worth it. The snowpark was pretty busy, but Brooks still enjoys trying out jumps. He already has plans of taking our kids boarding. They will be better than me after the first day probably!

Brooks with Ian

About a week ago Brooks and I went over to Sterling & Taryn's house for dinner. Taryn made fajitas and we enjoyed a great dinner. We also got to play with Ian for a little while before he went to bed. Brooks likes playing with his nephews and nieces and enjoys being an uncle. He tries to "scare" them and get them to smile. Ian didn't seem too impressed, but Brooks definetely startled him a few times. Ian might have cracked a smile a time or too, but he was making Brooks work for it:)

We're In!

Brooks got his first letter of acceptance to law school in the mail today! I came home from my lunch date, checked the mail, and saw a big envelope from Gonzaga University. Brooks luckily was home from work already, and I rushed in to show the envelope to him. It would have been almost impossible for me to wait to open it if he hadn't been home. At first he thought it was just a pamphlet from the school, but when we opened it up we saw the acceptance letter. This is the first school we have heard from, and it was an acceptance letter! We weren't expecting anything to come this quickly, but we were both thrilled. He was also offered a scholarship from the school which is even better. Now all the stress of wondering if anywhere will accecpt him is gone. We can relax a little and wait to see what the other 7 schools say. It is a big stress that is gone! Brooks is very excited and I am very proud of him! Gonzaga is in Spokane, WA. Yes, that is a very long way away. We immediately called family to share the good news! We are very excited for Brooks to pursue his dream of going to law school. It will be hard to be away from family and friends, but we are excited about the future. We have until the middle of April to notify them of our decision. It will be interesting to see what happens between now and then.

Lunch with Women I Love & Miss

Today I went to lunch with Katie Layton, Jorgi Andersen, Becky Acosta and Brooke Anderson. These were all the women I served with when I was in the stake YW presidency over the 1 and 1/2 years I was in. It was great to be able to see them all. I was released from my stake calling in August, and it was definetely a big surprise. I was getting quite cozy in that position, but I guess it was time to branch out and experience something new. Now I am serving in my ward YW, and it is wonderful to be back working more closely with the girls. They really are great to work with. Even though I love my calling now, I still miss seeing all these wonderful women all the time. It was fun to just sit and chat like we used to. I am know for being the "listener" of the group, and I really enjoy that role. I think everyone just has funnier stories than I do, and they know how to tell them better:) I am blessed to have met all these great friends!

Day at the Spa

Yesterday I was able to go to the spa to get a massage and a facial. I also had my makeup done which I can't believe I paid for. Brooks got me a day at the spa for Christmas and I was thrilled to be able to use it. What a good husband! The massage was fantastic. The lady who did the massage used to be a doula (pretty much a labor coach). She definitely knew her stuff about pregnancy massage. The hour went by too quickly. My facial was also great! I have never had a facial before, and I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed it. I am not used to be pampered like that. The makeup was part of a pakage deal, and it was fun to have someone else make me look cute. I was a little worried how it would turn out, but I actually liked it. There is still the manicure and pedicure part of the package left so I get to go back in a few weeks for more fun. Brooks took me out to dinner when I got home. I certainly didn't want my makeup application to go to waste without going out in public to show it off. Kelley also got me some $ to a spa for Christmas. Now I get to figure out how to spend that as well. How lucky am I? Thanks to Brooks for the great gift!

Can you say Shelci?

Today, I was able to go out to lunch with Becky and Kim. It was supposed to be a big group of camp people together, but most everyone else had other stuff come up. It ended up being a small group, but still fun. I always enjoy visiting with all the wonderful women I met through my stake YW calling. I get filled in on all the stake info that I miss out on in my ward calling:) I also spent a few hours watching Dallin and Steven. Heidi had a training to go to and I told her I would watch the boys. I am definetely not used to having 2 kids around especially as a pregnant lady. Nothing too crazy happened. Dallin was napping for half the time which makes things much less complicated for me. Just all the everyday little things add up. Luckily Steven is good at taking a bottle so no problems there. These are some pictures of Steven. I took them while Dallin was napping.
Dallin recently decided that he no longer wants to say my name. Little stinker. He will say just about any name but mine. (He is also pretty stubborn with saying Michael's name.) Here is how the conversation goes:

"Dallin, can you say Brooks?"
"Brooks"

"Can you say mommy?"
"Mommy"

"Can you say Amerae?"
"Rae"

"Can you say Shelci?"
"...... (silence usually with a look in the other direction)" OR occasionally "GaaGaa"

"Can you say truck?"
"Truck"

He is totally doing it on purpose. Dallin sets his mind to something and he does not forget. I admire his dedication, but it is a lttle annoying. I think it has been at least a week since he has said my name. I still love him though!

Looking More Pregnant

I am now 23 weeks pregnant and the babies are definitely growing. They are about 1 pound each now! The past week or so I have been feeling them move a lot. I am actually feeling them kick me right now:) Of course I never know which one is doing what, but it is reassuring to feel them wiggling and kicking. I have had a few people want to touch my belly, but no complete strangers yet. I don't think I will be a big fan of that. I am thoroughly enjoying being pregnant!

Last night Taryn and I went out to eat and watch a movie at her house while Brooks and Sterling played some video games. Ian tagged along and was a good sport. I am sure that dinner and a little shopping are not on his list of favorite things to do.

Cole

I don't think I have ever posted pictures of our dog, Cole. When it gets late, he goes to hang out in his crate even if we haven't gone to bed yet. Sometimes he drives me crazy with all the dog hair and other dog inconveniences, but we like having him around. Brooks went on a campout with the scouts this weekend and I especially like having Cole around then.