Pregnancy Update: 25 Weeks

This is the best picture I got of the bump this weekend; a pre-workout video taken by abby with my head cut off. :)

Week: 25 down, 15 more to go. And boy, am I counting those days.

Size of Baby: A Rutabaga, according to my What To Expect app. I realize with baby number 3, I mostly know what to expect, but I love getting the updates every week to see how baby boy is growing. Its such a wonderful miracle!! Plus, it counts down the weeks for me.

And his name shall be: We have decided to name him Andrew Samuel Tappana, despite Abbys recommendations to name him otherwise.

Movements: He is going cray cray sometimes. He likes to wiggle at night a lot, which doesn't bode well for when he is born. He is getting stronger and stronger everyday though and I'm loving it.

What I've Been Eating: Honestly, I still have such a hard time consuming food. Its just so hard to eat. I have the hardest time with all meats, so making dinner is a joke. This week I've liked my dads French Toast, Jamba Juices, Bagels for all meals, and those chicken cordon blue individual wrapped things...because somehow I can trick myself into thinking they aren't actually meat...which might be true.

How I've been feeling: Eh. Not fabulous, thanks to my lack of food. I've been extra tired lately and feel like my arms and legs are made out of led. I called my midwife and she told me I need to eat a protein and a carb every 2 to 3 hours, drink water so I pee 2 to 3 times an hour, and make sure I get 8 hours of sleep. She said the baby is probably growing like a weed right now and with 3rd and 4th pregnancies they are just harder. If I don't start feeling a bit more energetic in a few days, then I will get my iron tested early. (My appointment is the 19th and they would check it then anyway. I will probably just wait,)

Best moment of the week: Last Thursday (10/1) my ward threw me a baby shower, which is such a blessing and I'm so grateful to them. I got so many cute boy things that were much needed, seeing as everything we own is pink, and it just made me happy they thought of me, even though its my third kid. I am so blessed to be in the ward I am in!!

What I'm looking forward to: Cooler fall weather and Halloween!!This year I am so, so anxious for the holidays. I mean, I am other years too, but this year I just want them here to 1) keep my mind from thinking about January too much and 2) to go ahead and make time more quickly. I'm so excited that its finally Halloween time!!

Can't wait to meet you little Andy. In the meantime, please let me eat like a normal person. :)

Life Lately

 Life lately has been a fun coloring session in the living room. Usually my girls (especially Madalyn) color for like 5 minutes and get bored. This one lasted a good 45 minutes. Life has been sweet Madalyn hugs, a stinker Madalyn crawling around on the table, and an adorable Abby who somehow got paint perfectly on her nose and cheeks, claiming it "just happened."

Life lately has been bed time reading shenanigans, among the messy floor of Abbys room. Its been Abby having to put makeup on along with me on Sunday mornings. (she is such a girl). Its been Abby...I mean Rapunzel, in her wedding dress and veil on the day I married her and Flynn (you should hear her play. She does an adorable boy voice for Flynn....also don't mind the mess. I was sorting laundry) and its been laying down with her baby Emily to try and get her to sleep. 

 Life lately has been Abby's first day of preschool, and Madalyn wanting to be in the picture too. Its been a sad Madalyn when she realized she couldn't go to preschool with her favorite sister. Its been Madalyn enjoying the time just her and I and Sesame Street at my parents, and its been my adorable girls snuggled up in our bed watching movies.

 Life lately has been Madalyn showing off her flying skills. Its been a protective big sister comforting a scared Madalyn from the Thunder. Its been a stinker of a 2 year old finding my mascara and applying it with perfection, and its been my two girls hanging out, one of which dressed herself. 

 Life lately has been Abby wearing my boots around the house. Its been an upset Madalyn when Abby didn't let her in the bathroom while she pooped. Its been playing basket games on my bed (I promise it does eventually get made...sometimes) and the day in the life of Madalyn, who is easy to get dressed vs. Abby, who doddles all. morning. long. 

Lastly, life has been catching two naughty girls playing in the dirt after I told them not to. Its been a necklace Abby made with some findings at a yard sale (we took off this necklace shortly after due to it being too tight...oops). Life has been a wonderful date night to the adult session of conference...AKA the only session I got something out of, and it was glorious,  and its been a beautiful walk to Stake Conference the next morning with my two cuties all dressed up. Let it be noted, my girls were so, so good for two hours at Stake conference. Surprisingly so. Abby did keep saying she was bored, and still talks about how long and boring it was, and we had to constantly bribe Madalyn with fruit snacks and Hi-chews, and so it was hard to listen. But we survived. And even though we can't listen like we once used to, it felt good being there and showing the girls how important it is. 

Labor Day Weekend

I have to admit, this summer has been kinda the pits. We have had some fun, but with Madalyn starting out the summer (Memorial Day weekend exactly) being sick for a month and then spending time in the hospital, and me being pregnant sick the whole time as well, its just been the pits.

I'm feeling mostly better these days, and Madalyn is way better, so we decided to have an end of summer celebration this weekend, because heaven knows I'm over the summer and ready for full on fall, and this is the first year I've been like this. I'm totally one to hang on to summer as long as I can. Well, summer 2015, you were rough. Fall, I bet you will be better.

Friday we started out right. Sam got off work at 2, so shortly after he got home we got in our suits and headed over to Oquirrh Park Fitness Center for some swimming. My kids have come a long way with water this summer, mostly Madalyn. At the beginning she HATED even the thought of getting in her suit, never mind actually getting wet. On Friday she was a fishy along with Abby. It was so much fun!! We will definitely have to keep hitting the indoor pools this winter to keep it up! My sister and her family met us there so it was even more fun!! After swimming we went to Wingers together, and I actually ate my chicken!! Wow! I hate chicken when I'm pregnant, but Wingers wings are always yummy. That night after the kids were in bed, Sam and I cuddled up and watched Girl Meets World. :)

Saturday after a banana muffin breakfast, in which my cute 4 year old helper helped me make, we headed to Lehi and hit the outlets there. Sam got some killer deals on work clothes, and I made out with a $12 (originally $40) bra and $8 (originally $28) sunglasses. Not bad. Not bad at all. We took a break and ate our picnic lunch in our car, and then finished at Carters getting Abby some comfy pants, Madalyn a shirt, and baby boy a cute elephant binkie clip.

Sunday church was nice. Sam and I both got released from our callings as young mens president and primary second councilor a few weeks ago, and got called to team teach the youth Sunday school class. It actually is a lot of fun, mostly because I get to be with him!! AND I get to go to Relief Society (haven't been able to in 4 years) AND Sam gets to come home after church AND STAY HOME!! If you can't tell, I am ecstatic. After our long 2 hour naps, we met my family at Copperton Park for a BBQ and I FINALLY got to meet baby Wyatt. My girls were both so excited, but it was Madalyn who melted my heart with how sweet she was with him. That little girl is going to be such a cute big sister!!

Monday, Sam and I got up and speed cleaned our house, and then headed to Park City/Heber with my family once again. The outlets actually weren't as big of a success as Saturday, as Old Navy doesn't have a maternity section there. Yeah. I was mad. I just need some jeans!! But my girls got cute dresses and I can't wait for them to wear them. After a bit of shopping, we headed to Heber and ate at Granny's. Once again, it was pregnant Caitlin approved. I ate most my burger, which is unheard of, and enjoyed every last bite of my Raspberry shake! It was really good. We ate at a park and then just finished off the day watching the kids play at the park while the adults visited and baby boy kicked in glee from my Cherry Dr. Pepper.

The girls were really tired and hungry at this point

It was such a much-needed fun weekend, and I am sad its over. I always get sad when long fun weekends come to an end, but as my dad says: "Such is life in this fallen sphere." And now that September is here, its time for festivals, fairs, caramel apples, and cool weather!!

Pregnancy Update: Half-way done!!

Week: 20!! Its about time I decided to do a bump-update blog. I've been meaning to for like a month, but i just haven't. For shame!! I'd like to say 'wow! I'm already half-way' but to be honest, this pregnancy has been a long one so far. I thought the third pregnancy was supposed to fly by?

Size of baby: a Mango. Still sounds so tiny for how HUGE i already feel!

Gender: BOY! So, so crazy to me. I swear I wouldn't be able to make a boy, mostly because I make such perfect girls. Its what I'm good at. I don't know how to be a mom without dress-ups and princesses. Guess I will find out really soon.

Movements: I'm feeling them more and more. I am surprised by how long it took me to finally feel him. But according to the ultra sound last week, he is going crazy!! With Abby i had an anterior placenta so they said I wouldn't feel her as much for longer, but they didn't say anything about this one. Perhaps I'm just so busy with the two girls I don't take the time to notice as much. I'm feeling him enough though that I know he is alive and well.

What I've been eating: Not too terribly much. I still have such a hard time with food. Usually i eat something once, and I'm done with it forever. I was craving broccoli cheddar soup last week really bad, so I gave in. It was divine. I've had a fair share of tomatoes thanks to kind neighbors, and I've finally been able to eat a little bit of chocolate. Oh, and I had spicy cheetoes last week for probably the first time this pregnancy. they were so good, but I later woke up from my nap and my chest was on fire with heartburn.

How I've been feeling: Compared to the first 16 weeks of this pregnancy, I'm feeling fantastic. but I still feel more awful than I want to a couple days a week and my energy level is super low. My house is just a mess because I just run out of steam despite taking a nap still everyday, and heartburn is more frequent. I also have a constant pain in my left side (its nothing though). Haha. However, I haven't thrown up in over a month and for that I am happy. (boy oh boy I sound like the worst type of pregnant gal!)

What I've been doing: I'm trying to get back into a routine. I'd love to get out of bed earlier to get my workout done or to clean something without kids. But so far that hasn't happened. But I have been working out more this pregnancy than my last two, and I'm just trying to soak up the last few months of being a momma to the two girls.

Best moment of the week: Getting our gender ultra-sound last week!! As complainy and miserable I am this time around, the fact that I have a healthy baby is such a blessing. I've been so blessed to be able to 1) get pregnant right a way 3 times (even with this surprise this last time) and 2) never have had anything serious wrong with our babies. Knowing everything is ok with baby boy makes me feel so happy and blessed!!

What I'm looking forward to: swimming this coming weekend as a family, Labor Day next week, and abby starting preschool next week!!

How the girls are doing: Madalyn is still pretty clueless...or maybe just in denial she is about to be kicked out of youngest child. But she does obsess over seeing babies which makes me hopeful that, even though she is a huge mommy's girl, she won't be too jealous when brother gets here. (although last week I was babysitting my niece who is 3 weeks older than her and every time I would hold Daphne, Madalyn would get really mad and run off crying.) Abby is so excited!! She was disappointed for a minute when we told her she was having a brother instead of a sister, but sine then she has been happy and has his name picked out. It was going to be Alex Marie for a bit there and she was going to call him Ali. Now its Max. Actually its Andrew Alex Max Tappana, but she will just call him Max for short. Silly girl.

Madalyn Marie- Two Years Old

Last week, August 18th, Madalyn turned the big number 2! Unfortunately for her, the day ended up being kind of lame. Once again, I felt like crap, (but I think I had more of a bug then being prego sick. Who knows these days though) so sadly we kept the day low key. I was planning on having people over that night for cake and ice cream, but cleaning my house and making the cake sounded a bit like a joke, so we invited a few people to Leatherbys instead. I think it was just perfect. Madalyn loved licking the fry sauce off her fries and enjoyed her vanilla ice cream all to herself. She was a little hesitant of everyone singing to her, but made sure and grabbed my hand and looked around at everyone just in case they tried anything tricky. That night she opened her presents: a baby doll and a little car she absolutely loves, and then went to bed happy and satisfied with the days events.

Madalyn has quite the personality. She is one of the goofiest little girls I know. She is always doing silly things and making the silliest faces. More often then not she will come up to us and lick our arms as if she were a little puppy. She loves to copy everything her big sister does because she adores her so much. I will often find the two snuggled up watching a show or just being goofy and playing games.

Madalyn is starting to talk more and more. She will excitedly point out/say the names all the Disney Princesses, she asks us to do little things like "jump me" and she is starting to sing along to parts of our music. Speaking of the princesses, she is obsessed. Nothing would make her happier than taking her to Disneyland to see them in person.

She is certainly a little stinker as well. We will often find her climbing on things she shouldn't, like the top of the table or standing up in her chair. When we catch her, she just freezes with a goofy grin on her face, looking sideways as if that will get her out of trouble. And...usually it does. Because its just so darn cute!!

She is still the pickiest eater I know, and I'm just at a loss on what to do with her. When she doesn't automatically push her plate away from her at dinner saying "uh-uh" and actually tries a bite, even if its just one bite, its a moment to rejoice. Speaking of saying "uh-uh" she knows what she wants and what she doesn't want. At night sometimes I will show her clips on my phone, usually of Disney songs, and as soon as she gets bored, she lets me know by saying "uh-uh" and trying to swipe the clip away. She also let Sam and I know she no longer likes her glow bug. For weeks when I would turn it on and walk out of her room, I would see her little finger push it again so it would stop the glow and music. On Sunday night she took it to a new level and just handed it to Sam. I guess it must just be a baby  toy and she is so grown up at the age of 2.

Other things she loves to do: go on walks, as long as she can sit in the front of the stroller, slide down slides, jump on tramps, in her crib, or on mommy and daddy's bed, play with the tablet, peanut butter sandwiches, her daddy, putting on dress-ups only to get mad she can't get them off 2 seconds later, bubbles and bubble baths, her sisters toys, her binky (yep, still going strong with that. I blame being pregnant and not wanting to miss out on sleep), singing Wheels On The Bus and Jesus Wants Me For a Sunbeam, babies, driving with her window open and letting the wind blow in her hair, and reading books, mostly if they are princess books. Did I mention just how much she loves princesses?

Madalyn is such a beautiful little girl full of life and happiness. We just can't get enough of her and her little ways. Mommy and daddy love you to the moon and back! Never forget that!

Life Lately: Staycation Edition

Last week was such a fun, exhausting (especially for this prego) week!! But totally worth everything!! Brigham and Kari came from Washington, and Tim and Ashley are here from Tennessee so we partied it up practically allllll week. The only downside is I was mostly husbandless due to Sams lame work schedule. But boy I appreciate his hard work!

On Monday, I didn't take any pictures and we didn't do too much except meet at Dan and Nonies house that night to hang out and plan the rest of the week of fun!!

Tuesday we headed to town, ate at Moochies and then headed to This Is The Place Heritage Park.

Here is the crew at Moochies (minus the adults except Brigham) and then at the park. Abby made a ring made out of a nail, made into a necklace, (I forgot the name of the ring. Thanks prego brain!) and Madalyn is trying to brush wool.

Here are the kids panning for gold and riding the train. Abby was the naughty one that stuck her feet in the river when I'm pretty sure you weren't supposed to. But really, I wanted to do it too and at 4 years old of course its a temptation. What wasn't cool was when she didn't listen to me when I said to stop.

Again on the train, Madalyn fell asleep in her favorite uncles arms. Seriously, she LOVED Brigham!! I didn't get many pictures of the little ones, but Maddie and Ruby loved playing near this drinking fountain. We also rode a little train and let me tell you, it was super uncomfortable for me, but so fun with all the adorable kids. And Abby got a dream come true when she was able to ride "Bella" twice!!

On Wednesday, Sam got off work at noon and the 6 of us adults met at Macaroni Grill at 3 for a late lunch/early dinner. It was so fun and I love hanging out with everyone!  Tim and Ashley and Brigham and Kari were heading to the temple but we weren't able to go seeing as Sam couldn't get his expired recommend signed before then. Total bummer, but we didn't know about the temple til it was too late, so he tried but it just didn't work out. So they all went and Sam and I had our own little date. Since he works two jobs and we don't get much time together, it was still nice even though we didn't do anything super fun.

Thursday we met at the Childrens Museum of Natural Curiosity. Ashley got me in for FREE! Which was amazing!

I didn't take very good/many pictures here, but it was so cool and so fun. The kids loved feeding the fish and petting the lizard. The bigger ones went off by themselves and climbed around while the little ones and moms went to the baby place and chatted.

Friday night we met Sue at a park and had dinner, and then got rained out and hung out at her house. Again, I didn't get pictures, but it was nice letting the kids play.

Saturday Sam ALMOST had the night off, until the girl that was covering for him offered him $150 to work for her so Sam took her up on that. I was so disappointed because it was the last time the 6 of us could hang out for who knows how long, but money is needed. We decided to go to Chilis for dinner and then head up to Silver Lake and walk around. It was so fun, but boy I missed Sam like cray cray. (Pout input: so many fun things this summer have been ruined by either sickness or Sam having to work, so having this much looked forward to fun night ruined really made me sad, but really I am so thankful for a hard working husband!)

 At Chilis, Madalyn actually ate which made this mama happy. At the lake, Madalyn decided to take a tumble off the side into a small puddle of water. It scared me half to death and the pregnancy hormones kicked in and I seriously couldn't stop crying. Totes made a fool out of my self gag crying, but hey at least we were with family. Abby, Ammon, and Jack got distracted with a rock, and the cute kids loved posing for pictures.

Abby was really attached to Ammon this trip, and I still don't think she realizes he won't be here to play this week. It was so much fun seeing all the kids playing together. And seriously, they loved getting their pictures taken.

It was such a fun week. I'm so sad Brigham and Kari had to leave and that in 2 weeks Tim and Ashley will be leaving. I really am so thankful I married into such a fun, close, family. Can't wait until our next reunion!! 

She is Number Four

Last week our little girl turned the Big 4! Seriously? How is it possible that its already been 4 years since she made me a mommy? It came way to fast. I want time to slow down, but 4 year old Abby is one of my favorite Abbys so far. She has a little less tude than when she was 3. Oh yes, its still there. She can be sassy and snotty, but then 10 minutes later she is the sweetest little girl in the world. 

On her birthday, at times she would be mopey and randomly say how she didn't want to be 4. I thought that was odd seeing as all she talked about for the past 6 months was her birthday, what she wanted for it, and how she was going to be four. That evening she finally came up to me, snuggled up, and said "But you don't want me to be four." Insert knife in heart! I would often say to her in a joking manner "don't turn 4. Stay 3 and little forever!" And I guess she really honestly thought I didn't want a 4 year old. Hahaha. Poor sweet little girl. I assured her that mommy was just teasing and I love 4 year old Abby and I'm so glad she is finally 4. That cheered her up for the rest of the night.

Abby is a one of a kind girl. Once she meets someone, she will be your best friend. She is very social. She loves being around kids AND adults the same. She will gab your ear off for hours if you'll let her. Often we will have people stop by and as soon as they sit down, she is bombarding them with questions and showing them her toys and what they do. She has her daddy's outgoing personality and that makes me so, so happy. At the dentist yesterday she was winning the hearts of all the adults over. 

Abby is most certainly a girly-girl. She loves all things princess. She loves dressing up for church and if we are ever late, it could be because she has to stand in front of her vanity making sure her lipstick, (some old stuff of mine she found) is perfect. And really, that girl can put on lipstick almost perfectly. She also would make me paint her nails everyday if I could/would. She loves her hair "straight" which means just brushed nice and air dried. 

Some of Abby's favorite things to do include: riding her horse Bella, playing with her magic clip princess dolls, make "videos" of herself either by looking at the frontwards camera on our computer or talking to herself in the mirror. She loves singing and dancing to Pitch Perfect, watching YouTube clips,  and asking "why" questions. "Why are our faces on our heads?" "Why does poop come from bum bums and not waginas?" "Daddy, why isn't my baby sister coming out of mommy?" And they go on and on and on. Hahaha. 

She loves her little sister and helps me take such good care of her. On the other hand, she fights like crazy with her. Obviously. She is still obsessed with ears and its usually the first thing she points out on babies. "look how cute and little her ears are!" She frequently still annoys the crap out of poor Madalyn by grabbing hers. She is also VERY obsessed with babies and can't wait to be a big sister again. Even if it is a boy, she finally admitted she would like him. "But I still want a little sister." 

And lastly, she loves to say prayers at night. The night of her birthday, this was her prayer: "Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for my birthday. Please bless Maddies birthday will come soon and that she will have a good birthday and bless my glitzy globes and bless my color changer and bless my Doc McStuffins set."

She is the sweetest 4 year old I know!! Abby, Mommy and Daddy love you so much!! Never ever forget!!