A Twin Birth-part one

The birth of Eleanor and Josephine is probably one of my favorites. One of the (many) reasons why I was nervous to give birth to twins is because I knew this was going to be my last pregnancy, and I love giving birth, so I was afraid that the birth wouldn't go as planned. Ultimately, I knew the end result of healthy babies was the goal, but I was still so nervous about early labor and/or a c-section, and I selfishly wanted one last final good birth experience, and I was blessed enough to get it. In fact, I was blessed enough with a healthy twin pregnancy. No bed rest. No early labor. Really, no major health problems at all, and for that I am truly so blessed.

Our very first sonogram, when we were shocked to learn we were growing twins

 So, as I was getting further along, we set an appointment to be induced with my doctor; October 6th, where I would be 38 weeks along. It couldn't come soon enough!! Well, one night I was scrolling through the feed in a facebook group I'm in called "Mormon Moms of Multiples" when I stumbled across a girl that had her babies at 37 weeks due to Cholestasis. The typical sign of it is intense itching on the hands and feet, but hers was just on her stomach. My stomach itched like crazy, but I just chalked it up as a growing stretching stomach. But still, I googled more symptoms and another symptom was dark pee. Mine basically looked like apple juice no matter how much I drank, so I decided at my next appointment I would just bring it up to my doctor. She thankfully listened and ordered me a lab and they called the next day saying I did in fact have Cholestasis and that I would be induced in a week. I was shocked that something I googled I actually had, because usually its me being paranoid. I had 7 more days of being pregnant ever and I couldn't have been happier. Of course, I did worry about NICU time, but since Cholestasis can be fatal to the babies after 37 weeks, I knew the possibility of a little NICU time was preferable.

Andy spent the Wednesday before we had the babies throwing up

So, we spent that week preparing as much as possible and had one last date night to the only place that ever sounded consistently good: Bombay House. A few days before my induction, my kids got a nasty flu, so that was pretty stressful, but other than that, the week was great and it flew by. Thursday night, the 28th, I got a phone call with instructions for my induction, saying I had to be ready by 6am on Friday the 29th. We spent Thursday cleaning, and I spent a good part of the night crying. I was nervous and the realization hit that I would never just have 3 kids again, and that Andy would no longer be my baby. I cried a lot, especially when Sam played Enya and when we put the kids to bed. That night I actually slept better than I had in weeks, which surprised me, and when my 5am alarm went off, I excitedly popped out of bed and got ready to be ready to leave by 6 just in case. My mom headed over and we all sat around until about 8:30 when the hospital finally called and told me to be there between 9:15 and 9:30. So we said our goodbyes to the kids and headed over to the hospital at 9.

We checked in, and headed to my room in Labor and Delivery where they got me all set to start being induced, and there we waited.

37 weeks pregnant

Such an unflattering picture of me, but shows my hugeness. 

Part two coming soon!

Andrew Samuel Tappana: 18 Months

My favorite little boy is now a year and a half. Its pretty crazy to think that I've only had him for 18 months, yet it seems like he has always been around.

I know I've mentioned this before, but I did not want to have a boy. I pictured myself having all girls, because I already had two and I knew how to raise girls. I didn't know how to entertain a busy boy and I was scared in my ability to do so. I cried in the ultrasound when I found out and the last half of my pregnancy was filled with anxiety, because I thought I wouldn't be good enough. And then they laid my chunky 9.5 pound boy on my chest in the hospital and all those fears and anxiety melted away. I was immediately smitten and have been ever since.

Andy has brought nothing but joy into this house. Well, joy and a bit of frustration at times, lets be honest. I never knew how different a little boy could be from my girls, but he is so different in so many ways!! I love it!!

Andy loves carrying around sticks. You will usually find him with one in each hand. I frequently find them in my house and have to throw them outside while I'm cleaning. He laughs when he toots, and the other day as I was getting him ready for the bath, he peed all over the floor and thought it was hilarious. He loves driving cars on the floor and he has a pretty good arm when he throws balls. One of his most favorite things to do is play catch. I've had many balls hit me in the face or neck or chest because I'm not paying attention to his throwing. On the other hand, we will find him also cuddling the girls dolls, which is adorable.

Andy is also trouble. He does things my girls have NEVER done. He won't stay off the table. If someone is sitting at the table, he climbs right up and walks around. He's even fallen off (thank goodness not too injured) and doesn't learn. He will climb back up. He also colors on things. I think I caught each of my girls coloring on something they shouldn't maybe one time each. He is frequent. The other day, I walked in to the living room by finding blue chalk drawn on the floor, on the rocking chair, and on the couches with him smiling, still holding the blue chalk.He also loves playing in things he shouldn't, like toilets, and when we catch him he hurries and gets as much play in as he can before we grab him.

Some of Andys favorite things include: me and Sam. He loves both of us pretty equally now. But usually at night once Sam is home, he spends most the time with him, which makes me happy. He loves cuddling. He will frequently come up to me and wrap his little arms around my neck and puts his head on my shoulder and just sits there. I can't get enough of it. He loves his big sisters and he loves ruining his big sisters games by taking their dolls or barbies or whatever they are playing with. He loves his morning chocolate milk and freaks out if I don't get it to him fast enough. He loves playing peak-a-boo by hiding around walls and popping his head out or squatting down behind the couch or his crib and popping up. He loves helping me unload the dishwasher, which is super cute, and he loves messing up my laundry as I try to fold it.  And he LOVES his binkies. I used to be so strict on no binkies in the day time by this age. But right now, being pregnant and tired and all, I let it slide much to Sams dismay. He also loves books and will frequently stuff one in my hands and crawl on my lap. And he loves jumping off things in mine and Sams arms, or on soft cushions.

A few things Andy hates, which actually isn't too much: getting bathed. He likes the bath until its time to wash him, and then watch out world. Not getting his milk fast enough, as i mentioned above. We took him to nursery the past two Sundays. The first Sunday he was sad, but stayed in. This past week he cried the whole time. Hopefully he warms up to it fast. And he hates getting his face wiped off. Its the end of the world for him.

Andy doesn't say much yet. He grunts and points a lot and we can understand him. He uses his own sign language too, and we decipher that pretty well. But he can say "No" and does quite frequently. He says "uh-oh" when something drops, and he says "mama" really well. He also says "hot" when he sees things boiling on the stove or when he touches the hot sidewalk etc. But he is really smart and understands us a lot when we ask him to do stuff. He just knows that we can understand him when he grunts.

Andy, you are the best little boy this mama could ask for. You bring such a light and joy into our home, and keep us on our toes. Thank you for choosing us as your parents. I am the luckiest mom in the whole world!!!

Since I've been gone...

Wowza!! What a long leave of absence I took. I'd be lying if i said i will try and be a better blogger. Life is about to get crazier. But I'm going to do my best. For today, for your reading pleasure and for my posterity, here are the highlight's of our little family since I last blogged in December:

1. My boy turned one on January 10th. I kept meaning to blog about it, but i never did. We didn't do much. We were going to have a party, but then someone got sick so we had to cancel and we never rescheduled. Thankfully, he won't remember. I kept meaning to do an update of all the things he can do, because lets be honest; he is probably one of the cutest boys on the face of the planet, but I never did. I do have a goal of doing an 18 month update next month, so lets hope i can stick to it.

One years old!

2. On February 13th, I found out I was pregnant. I cried. A lot. I definitely wasn't ready to be pregnant so soon, but then i came to terms with it and got mostly excited for a new baby and to be done with having babies. Because pregnancy and me aren't friends. Also in February, Sam turned 31 and we went bowling. (and that was also the day my morning sickness hit with full force.)

3. At the end of March, i went in for my first doctors appointment with my midwives. The night before, i had a dream i was having twins. As the midwife was giving me an ultrasound, I joked with her about it being twins. She admitted she wasn't good at ultrasounds and ordered me one because you know, my dream. I honestly didn't think anything of it. I thought, since it was my 4th and final kid, she was ordering one for me for fun. Because the midwives are fun! And I went home that day with no other thoughts. The day of the ultrasound, Sam didn't even come because we had been there, done that 3 other times. On March 30th, I was back with the technician. She then got quiet, and just turned the screen around so I could see what she was seeing. Low and behold, there were TWO babies on the screen. I said "is that two babies." She nodded and congratulated me. I, on the other hand, started to cry. TWO BABIES? at once? I fought tears the rest of the time. She thought they were excited happy tears. (mind you, I do feel blessed to have babies, but I was terrified,) As i left, she congratulated me and said the rain boots i was wearing were my lucky boots. I drove home in silence and when I got home, with a tear-stained face, I just showed Sam the ultrasound pics. Oh how i wish i got his reaction on video. It was awesome!! We decided to tell our families on April fools day. I don't know if they appreciated it, but we did. 

4. May was a busy month for us. Both girls finished their school years. Maddie, the first year of preschool, Abby, Kindergarten. Their last days ended up being the same day and to say I was a wreck would be an understatement. I literally cried all. day. long. Mind you, double the babies, double the emotions. I've cried so easily and so often this pregnancy its ridiculous. I wasn't so sad about Maddie, because she has another year of preschool. But Abby is growing up. She is now in 1st grade and I can't even believe it. So yes, I cried all day over her and when i look back at pictures of her in school, i still get emotional. Its ridiculous. But that night we celebrated at (gross) Del Taco, as per request from my kids. (they have the best play place, according to them.)

 

We also celebrated our 8th anniversary, but as of yet haven't really gone out on a date for it, so that is still TBA.

Also on May 31, we had our 20 week ultrasound. Along with my heightened emotions, I have also had heightened anxiety. I've had 3 really healthy babies, so I just knew something would be wrong with the twins. So, after much gagging and nausea, me and Sam dropped the kids off at Grandma Nonies and went to the appointment. They scanned the first baby, and all seemed well (even though the technician isn't supposed to say much, I could tell by her face things seemed great.) And Baby A was a girl. I felt a bit of relief. Then she scanned baby b, which also seemed healthy, and Baby B also is a girl. Then she left, and we waited for the doctor. Just a few more minutes and i could relax. The doctor came in and said that both girls look fantastic and healthy and are growing amazing. What a relief!! I am so blessed to be able to grow healthy, happy babies!! And, I'm really good at making girls too.

 

Abby is thrilled they are both girls, Maddie is pretty sure one is still a boy, and Andy, he doesn't realize it yet, but he can't wait to be sandwiched between 4 amazing girls. And he is pretty happy that he will always be my favorite son. 

So, that sums up the main events of the Tappana family. Hopefully, I'll have more upcoming blogs about Andy and the pregnancy. We are pretty nervous to have 5 kids, 6 and under, but I know that we are meant to end our family with two babies. (because Heavenly Father has a sense of humor, and knows I wouldn't have a 5th pregnancy, so we get two!) I know things will also work out, because this is how it is supposed to be, but doesn't mean we aren't nervous. 

Oh, and as for names?

Eleanor Kaye

&

Josephine Kate

Well, thats all for now. This blog has gone on long enough. Stay tuned for more updates...hopefully.