18 weeks

 

 

anxious to really feel the babies start moving. i've felt a few flutters, but ready for the real deal.

drinking ice water like it's going out of style.

still working on names.

crying at the drop of a hat.

still wanting to take a nap every day, still falling asleep early every night.

and then waking up what seems like every hour to pee. seriously? it's going to be SO bad when these babies are really big.

craving grilled cheeses, noodles, buffalo wing sauce, sweet tarts.

not liking it one little bit when people ask me what i'm having, and when i say girls they say "oh no" or "ohhhhhhhhhh" with a sad face.

loving it that we are almost half way through the deployment.

not having the full, pretty hair that i did other pregnancies.

so glad the "barfing, as sadie would say" is done.

trying to go for a walk every morning.

seeing the doctor every two weeks.

nervous and happy.

so ready to see what the future holds.

praying faithfully.

Comments

[bluemoon]

You look beautiful Stephanie! Glad to hear you & babies are doing so well. Luv your dress too!

[Elizabeth Rosemond]

beautiful!!! you just reminded me that i haven't taken belly pics in almost 20 weeks! i agree with bluemoon, the dress is divine!!

[Sarah D.]

you look lovely. I am glad everything is going fine (except the peepart maybe :))

[elise blaha cripe]

that picture of you and harper is perfect.
so happy for you.
love that dress.
OMG you're having girls!!! so rad!!

xo.

[Olivia]

You look fantastic. Loooove that necklace, would love to know where you got it. Enjoy those naps and early bedtimes....it won't last near long enough!!!! Thanks for sharing your experiences with us. I love how positive you are about life!! You and your family remain in my thoughts and prayers.

[Ali Edwards]

You look great :)

[Rhona]

You're looking great and that dress is so flattering! Glad to hear things are going well and Yay for being half way through the deployment :)

[Andrea]

You look beautiful Stepahnie, radiant and happy. Congratulations to you and your family.

[Harley Dee]

You are adorable! I'm 24 weeks into my pregnancy with twin girls. I'm loving this stage of it! :)

[Carol]

you look so cute and you are gonna be such a great mom to those 4 BEAUTIFUL girls!

[tara pakosta]

gorgeous pix!
that bugs me too when people
say, "aren't you sad you didn't have a boy?".
or "are you going to keep trying for a boy?".
Actually, I say, I wanted all girls, and if I had
another, I would hope it's a girl! ha.
I also have a step-daughter, so 3 girls total.
it doesn't bum me one bit!

tara

[Barb @ getupandplay]

Lookin' good, mama!

[Jennifer Henson]

You look absolutely wonderful! Tremendously beautiful!
We used to get that with our second, where people would be "sad" that we weren't having boys. They would ask my husband if he was sad that we weren't having a boy and he would say, "no, but I would like a lefty" since he's left handed and we're all right-ys. :) And he loves his girls soooo much- it's funny, one is a teen and one is a preteen and I'm the "village idiot" while he is Prince Charming in this stage of growing up. :) He's wrapped so tightly around their little fingers. ;) Praying all goes well for all of you!

[kelly]

You look amazing... :) Praying for you and hoping that deployment goes by really quickly. :)

[Ann]

You'll have to tell us non-twin moms what it feels like when you can feel the two cuties moving around! Smile sweetly when people make those silly remarks about all of your daughters, saying, "I don't know why you are so sad. We're delighted."

[kara s.]

gorgeous mama!! we too are having our 4th girl and we get the dumbest comments from people. i HATE 'your husband must be so disappointed'. Yup, we hate that we are having a healthy baby. :p
you look great! teeny even. i am 24 weeks and feel like a balloon

[Megan A]

I always read and almost never comment, but when you mentioned peoples' reactions to you telling them you are having twin girls, it reminded me of my sister. she has 4 kids and the last two are 18 month old twin girls (the oldest is a 4.5 yr old girl, and the second is a 3 yr old boy). Hers are closer together than yours, so she knows a little something about the craziness of having two more come when you already have two. I know she has found lots of support online and has several blogs by women in similar situations that she reads. here is her blog if you want to check it out, I think she probably has links to the other ones she reads too. http://thebrowns4.blogspot.com/

[Agnes]

You look amazing! Can you believe it - 4 girls!!!!

[sharron]

You look so pretty...love that dress and those beads!!!
stunning girl...

[emily]

Wow, you look gorgeous!! People and their comments to pregnant women, tsk tsk. When I was pregnant with my third I had a woman ask me why on earth I wanted any more as I already had a boy and girl. EEK!! I'll say it again- you look gorgeous!! :)

[Jenni Hufford]

just beautiful, stephanie!!!

PS did you end up getting that DQ blizzard last night? I did! heehee

[justem]

You look great! :)
Where do you get all your cute maternity clothes?
I hated everything I had when I was pregnant!!

[Stephanie Howell]

thanks, emily! the dress in the photos actually isnt maternity! :)

[Debby Schuh]

You are cute pregnant! You look great... praying faithfully for you all, too!

[Katherine]

You look beautiful and yey to more girls, there can never be enough of us in the world!! We have to keep the guys in check!!!! ;-) love K x

[Account Deleted]

You look just beautiful Stephanie! People comment to me all the time...am I going to have a girl next time, since I have two boys?! You can't just push a button! A few people have also said that a girl would "complete" our family. Some people just have no idea...we love kids for WHO they are, not what they are! Anyway, rant over. So enjoying your pregnancy posts. :)

[Kimber-Leigh]

you look lovely steph. (pregnancy looks very good on you, my dear!)

[Dolly]

And I can't think of anything more delightful and heartwarming than you and J having twin girls. Can you just imagine a picture of your family a couple of years from now, all four girls wearing the "twirliest" skirts and the six of you playing ring around the rosy? Flower wreaths in hair, sun flare in the background...I can't imagine it being anymore perfect for your family! The thought of that image makes me smile, what the heck is there to be sad about?? Silly people!

[Colleen S]

You look amazing! And girls are the best! YAA!

[Michelle]

You are in my prayers also. I have 4 kids also! Love It!!!! You are going to be perfect!

[C. Rayevich]

you look beautiful!! when will jimmy be home?? is he going to be there at the birth??
xo

[Jennifer]

I love your self portraits...whenever I try to take those of myself in the mirror I end up looking really weird. What is your trick?

[Stephanie Howell]

Heeee!! Girl I look weird too. I just take about a million!!

Sent from my iPhone

[Valerie]

You look beautiful Stephanie. I remember when I had my 3rd and 4th boys people felt sorry for me & it really made me mad. I remember the nurse in the hospital actually apologizing to me when I deliverd my 4th boy. People sometimes are so insensitive and it is at a time when we are the most sensitive. Your girls are so lucky to have each other and you.

[Carrie K]

Steph...you look STUNNING! truly! so happy to hear the "bad stuff" is gone and you can enjoy your time...and yippee for halfway done :)

[Courtney]

you look beautiful Stephanie! I can't believe people would say that. I have 2 boys and a girl and I would LOVE to have had more girls. She's my easiest one and how fun is all the girly stuff?!!! You are truly blessed with 4 girlies.

[Dana West]

You look so beautiful, Girl. That necklace and dress are stunning. Where did you find the necklace, if you don't mind...

I am sad to hear that rude people make comments like that about having girls. I have 3 girlies myself and feel very blessed. Do you know the song, "That's My Daughter In the Water", by Loudon Wainright? I just love it!

[Ilona]

you look so beautiful!! love the dress and the necklace is fab! can't wait to see those babies!

[Jen Thompson]

Looking gorgeous Steph!
I can't believe how rude people are! I fo rone am so excited your having identical girls!!! I can't to see those beauties :)
Hoping you will feel those babies very, very soon.

[Jen Thompson]

Ooops I meant to say "I can't wait to see those beauties" ;)

[Jennifer Lan]

Absolutely stunning! Beautiful dress. :)

Stumbled upon your blog, and am loving it so far.

[Tracy]

You look so pretty and YOUNG in these pics!! Wishing you all the good fortune in the world and super glad to hear you are seeing the doc every 2 weeks already. I have pregnancy paranoia :)

[Marti Richards]

You look gorgeous!!! Gotta love the comments from people sometimes. Girls, boys- it doesn't matter- they are all a blessing!

[Krista Nash]

You look great! And for those that say, "oh no," think of it as a compliment. That's their reaction because THEY couldn't do it. But YOU can and will!

[Jill]

I know what you're saying about the girl thing. Whenever people ask what we're having and I say I don't know they always say "oh, hopefully a boy!" And I'm like, hopefully a healthy baby. Even Mark doesn't care what we're having. I figure after I have the baby, if it is a girl they'll be less likely to act sad for me. Though if I was having twins I totally would have found out! You look beautiful steph, I'm so happy for you.

[Amanda Sevall]

What a cute dress!! These pics are so sweet -- and I love the ones with Harper!! New blog background is pretty!! :)

[Elizabeth]

You look amazing! Pregnancy sure does agree with you, love the dress and necklace too.

[Steph H]

Anyone who would be sad about you having two more girls clearly doesn't know how awesome it is to be a Howell chick! Those four girls are going to make the most amazing pink, glittery memories together!

[Megan]

I started reading your blog a bit ago and I enjoy how down to earth you are. You seem like a person that gives 100% in everything you do...whether it be with your beautiful girls or your husband (God Bless him and what he does for our country every single day). I look forward to reading your blog and seeing your layouts. Thanks for being a creative inspiration to me. **Megan Ann

[Emily]

you look gorgeous! So glad that the "barfing" is over with! Ignore the nay-sayers, twins are awesome, lots of work-but awesome!

[Karen]

you look great and i for one am super happy we will have stories from 2 more howell chickies! oh, and do tell where you got that fab necklace! let me know the next time to plan to be in atlanta and i will meet you there! xoxo

[Gail L]

Wow! Just had to comment to say that you look fantastic! And I would loooove to have a house full of girls :)

[jung a]

i know what you mean. i have a daughter, and when i told people that i was having another girl, they would say, oh...well maybe the next one will be a boy.
i just had my second girl 8 days ago, and couldn't be more happy with my girls. :)

[Sue Sykes]

You look gorgeous, Mama!!
And just ignore those who give you the sad eyes upon hearing the wonderful news about the twin girls - they're just jealous! :)

[MARILYN]

You look beautiful!! A lot of blessings for you and the girls!!!

[Amy A.]

You are simply amazing!!!! Having just said goodbye to my son for a year long deployment, my heart and prayers go out to all the wives left at home to keep things going. You look simply stunning!

[breanne and madelyn]

you look stunning!! and crazy people thinking girls aren't such a joy! what a full life you will have with four beautiful, bouncy, happy little girls! they are going to grow up to be best of friends. that is AWESOME.

[Vanessa M Santamaria]

Stephanie, you look radiant!!! And I am so happy that you are having more girls :) I don'thave a baby yet but I LOVE girls :) It's hard for me to make "manly" layouts when I scrap. Layouts of my hubby always end up with butterflies or something cute... LOL!

[Jessi W.]

You look so beautiful! Congrats on the twins!! I would be soo excited! Love your posts..Jess

[Tonya Dieterlen]

OK, I say....meeting you on the street and asking if you know what your having, you say "girls", I say, "YAYYYYY, girls!!"

mom of 2 boys;) I like them too!
blessings,
tonyad

[Vivian]

You look great!! Yay for being almost halfway through deployment & yay for barfing less!!

[Brenda H]

you look so cute!!

[Janell]

You look beautiful!!!!

Can't wait to hear your names. I'm so excited for you! (and I know what you mean by people's reactions - I have 3 boys and with the third one people said some strange things!).

[j.leija]

i know your preggo but your face still looks so skinny! you're probably one of those ladies that doesn't look pregnant from behind! the walking everyday must be helping :)

[Veera]

You look fab!!! Love the necklace btw!

Can't wait what you come up with the names... Harper and Sadie are both so nice!

[Joan Umano]

OH MY...YOu are absolutely beautiful!!!! What an amazing time for you right now...rest, eat, rest, cry, eat, rest, eat, laugh & love those adorable girlies!
(notice I didn't mention peeing!!!)

[Denise Laborde]

You look beautiful. Congratulations on your girls!

[Amy]

Gorgeous photos Stephanie. I love reading your posts - these lists documenting "where you're at" right now are such a great idea, and they make me smile! I need to start doing that for myself to reflect upon.
Faithfully praying with/for you!
Blessings....

[Tammy Kay]

you look beautiful.

[Linda]

One word-radiant/glowing/beautiful Ok thats 3 but they all apply.

[Stacey]

I have three girls too, and I think they are all three soooo opposite, that it's like having both genders! My brother and I were very similar, but my girls are completely different. Although all are wild and energetic and can't sit still, typical girls!! My friend has all little boys, and they have mom and dad wrapped around their little fingers! I think it's fun to have kids regardless of their gender. And from my friends experience, girls are a lot easier as teens, we just have to get through the little girls stage first. Their boys are all the drama as teens! Your pictures are beautiful!!

[Victoria]

You are so amazingly beautiful - inside and out. :)

[Dawn]

You look AMAZING!! I am so excited for you!! Forget about people's rudeness...I think four girls is an amazing blessing! As my Sadie would say, "it's an all of a kind family mama"!

And so glad to hear that the Howell's are halfway through this deployment. You haven't really mentioned it much and I was afraid to ask.

Take Care.

[Shannon]

Don't ever let the rude comments people say about your pregnancy get to you! People say the dumbest things. That has to be worst part of being pregnant, well, besides morning sickness and swollen ankles. You look fabulous and your dress is gorgeous!

[Stephanie]

You look so pretty Stephanie! The dress is really nice. I hope J. will be go back soon to hold you in his arms and help you to feel better!

[Kari D.]

I have 9 kids - 5 boys and 4 girls with three sets of twins. Some are bio babies and others are adopted through foster care so we are all different colors, but one big happy family. Every time we go out and meet new people I get the same response.... oooh. you have your hands full. I don't know how you do it! Where did they all come from? etc. etc. the list of rude comments is never ending. Are you mormon? catholic? I actually find great humor is coming up with some smart a** comments when I hear them. My favorite is in repsonse to the where did they all come from comment. I often say, I like to sleep around! That catches everyone off guard and mayb gets them to think twice. I just giggle at their reaction to that one! Anyway, much joy awaits you with these little blessings. More fun than you can imagine is in your future.

[Tamara Nicole]

How stinkin cute are you?!

[Sarah W.]

You look fabulous! Thanks for sharing with us!

[samantha]

1st of all you look amazing!
2nd of all I can't even believe people are saying that to you. Aren't ALL babies a blessing!?! Yes, I get it a boy in the mix would be nice but you are such a girl raising momma. When these two little sweeties come along no one is going to miss the boy you didn't have. Besides now you have your very own dance trop, or soccer team ;) can't wait to hear what you guys pick for names, you pick great ones.

[AmyJ]

Aren't you just adorable!!! Congrats again!

[mandie]

steph, you are looking beautiful! :) if you are craving grilled cheese, you should try the ones we make here.... havarti on sourdough. yum!!!

[jennifer evans]

Just amazing photos! You look beautiful! So glad you are taking photos of yourself... wish I did more of that during my pregnancy...

[Rachelle Christensen]

Twins! That is amazing and you look great! I just gave you a brand new blog award launched today at
RachelleWrites Hope you enjoy it!

[Dawn Ramkissoon (rn4jchrist)]

you are soo pretty!! love the dress too!!! pregnancy glows on you!!
praying for you and the babies and the family ! HUGS!

[Angela W]

You look very lovely, Steph! Great pics! I can't believe you are about halfway through the pregnancy, though I am sure you are wishing it would hurry a bit! I am so happy for you and your family!

[jamie]

i'm a bit late in reading your post...but glad i did. i am in my 36th week with our fifth. i can relate a little when people ask me if this is my first (ha!)...either it's a response of joy, or pity. i hate the pity. AND...i have a girlfriend who is about 32 weeks with twin girls too...so i know how important it is to be encouraged during this delightful journey God is bringing you through.
your photo looks great! eager to follow your journey.

[Kat Layton]

You look amazing and what wonderful pics!

[Mary MacAskill]

Congatulations! I totally missed this earlier - had no idea you were pregnant. You look absolutely beautiful. Hope you are feeling well. Big hugs! :)