Life Lately With a New Baby (as of a few weeks ago)

 Its true what they say. The third baby is a game changer. A wonderful one, but a big one. So with this big game changer, life has been Abby trying to hold her baby brother at every chance she can get. Its been a handsome baby boy fresh out of a bath. Life has been a quick dinner date with my boys, because when I have a newborn, I need to get out of the house. And life has been Madalyn loving on her baby brother as well. 

 Life lately has been a sneaky Madalyn finishing her milk quickly, and then stealing her sisters when she leaves. its been giving Madalyn extra snuggles so she doesn't feel replaced. Life has been an adorable picture of my two favorite guys, and its been appreciating my girls being asleep. 

 Life lately has been Madalyn falling asleep in Abbys bed, and Abby waking up in Madalyns. Its been Madalyn getting strong at my moms house, and its been my adorable baby's face. 

 Life has been still trying to figure out how we all the sudden have 3 kids, but loving it (most of the time anyway.) Its been eating at Leatherbys for our friends 30th bday. Life has been spending fun times with my family of 5, and not being able to resist a picture of my boy actually awake. 

Life has been Abby reading her book in church, and of course needing her glasses. Its been Madalyn not being able to resist poking at Andy. Life has been Andy meeting his cousin Wyatt, who was born in August, and its been him being adorable as he sleeps.

Life has been going to the movies on MLK day to see the Good Dinosaur. Its been a happy big sister and a handsome little man, and its been Andy's first real bath and him not enjoying it whatsoever. 

And lastly, its been finding Madalyn asleep on the floor because waking up was too hard. Its been another close of of Andy because i just can't get enough. Life has been full of finding selfies much like this of Abby on my phone, And its been lots of time spent on my bed watching movies while adjusting to a mommy of 3.

Its been chaotic, busy, exhausting, and wonderful. 

Andrew Samuel Tappana

(This blog took me 2 weeks to write. Life with three kids, right?)

Andy's birth story isn't my favorite. I know, sounds terrible but let me splain. I usually love the labor part of pregnancy. I hate the pregnancy so much, that once I'm in labor, I know its almost over and it is my last...hurrah i guess you could say? Sounds weird I know. So after having such a fantastic labor and delivery with Madalyn, I thought for sure Andrew would just fly out. Not so. It was my hardest pregnancy, and its almost as if Andy wanted one last guarantee that he will be the youngest, by making labor long.  (Disclaimer: no guarantees are final)

On the morning of January 9th, I started to have contractions. They weren't too painful, but they were pretty frequent. We went about our morning as usual. All the sudden, they got so bad I could hardly breath through them, so we packed up everything and headed to the hospital.  By the time we got there at about 1:30, they had calmed down quite a bit. I was progressing a bit, but not a ton so they had me walk for an hour and then get checked again. In that hour, i progressed a centimeter, but since my contractions weren't bad anymore, they wanted me to walk for one more hour. Two hours of walking in bad shoes at 39 weeks pregnant is exhausting. But i was determined to stay, so walk i did. Me and Sam even did some stairs. Well, that did the trick because when i got back, i was at a 5 and they kept me. However, shortly after, my contractions all but stopped, thus my progression did. By this time it was maybe about 7:00? Sam decided to run home to get the girls some things to stay at my moms for the night and nothing happened in that time. At about 9 or so, they came in to check me and i was only at a 6, so i decided to have them break my water. Shortly after the contractions started again with finally some more intensity. About an hour later, I asked for the epidural and got some nice sweet, sweet relief. Sadly, that once again, stopped my progression. I think they waited about two hours and came in and I was still just at 6, so they asked if pitocen was ok. At this point, i just wanted him out so I didn't mind one bit!! After that, we just snoozed as often as we could. My epidural was starting to wear off and I was feeling pretty bad contractions in my left side. I was able to push the button for more medicine and rolled over on my left side. Before I knew it however, it was time to push. The epidural was actually quite perfect. I could feel the contractions enough to know I needed to push, and I could move my legs by myself, but nothing else!

The delivery was quite the chaotic event. As i started to push, Sam all the sudden got quite dizzy and had to sit down. A nurse took over holding my leg, while Sam sat on the couch and immediately passed out. We don't know why he passed out, but we concluded that he could not be a doctor someday. As he was going through that, I all the sudden started throwing up. Andy had to get one last puke out of me. I fear I sprayed the poor nurse and midwife with my vomit, but i'm sure they are used to that, although i was quite embarrassed and tried to apologize between pukes. As i was finishing up, my midwife with some urgency told me i needed to push him out now. His shoulders got stuck and he wasn't doing so well. She was calm, but i could tell it was eminent that i got him out right then. So i used what energy i had left and pushed him out. They put him on my chest and i could tell something wasn't quite right. He was a little floppy and lifeless. However, everyone was calm and they just took him and started to rub him and that i when i heard the sweet cry of my baby boy.

Andrew Samuel Tappana was born January 10th 2016 at 4:18am weighing 9lbs 5oz and 20in long. Its no wonder I was so miserable near the end. He was HUGE!! After they weighed and measured him, they gave him to me for skin to skin and sacred hour. Bonding with my new baby boy for that hour was the best feeling in the world. As soon as i saw his face and he started making little snort noises and started rooting, my heart was forever changed. Another boy came into my life that took a large piece of my heart that i didn't know existed.  I'll admit, i was nervous having a boy. i only knew girl everything up until this point. What was I going to do with a boy? Was i going to love him like i love my girls? All that worry and fear i carried around for 20 weeks fell off my shoulders as i fell in love with my sweet little boy. I will never be the same.

Andy is a dream baby. He eats really well and sleeps ok. I pulled a couple all nighters the first week, but lately he wakes up to eat and goes back to sleep. I hope it lasts.

Abby and Maddie are smitten by him. Anytime he cries, they gather around him and try to shush and comfort him by making him even more upset, since they are right in his space. Poor kid. Haha. Abby always asks me why he is crying and she is fascinated with breastfeeding. She admitted one day to me that a baby brother "isn't so bad after all." Madalyn loves to hold him and push him in his swing. She also loves to try and suffocate him with her hugs.

I feel so complete right now in life. I was terrified for 3, and though its definitely been an adjustment, it has also been the sweetest 3 weeks of our lives. We are in love with our new addition!!

Christmas 2015

We had such a wonderful Christmas season. I'll admit last night as we were finally getting around to putting our decor away, I was a huge baby about it and was a silly sobbing mess. I don't know why. All I have wanted was to end 2015 so we can meet this baby, and now all the sudden its over!! It was just so magical this year. I blame it on the pregnancy hormones. :)

We kept Christmas simple this year. a) we didn't have a ton of money and b) pregnant Caitlin didn't have a lot of energy. I also didn't take many pictures, because I was using my video camera, but thats ok. The video is priceless. Anyway, Christmas morning we all slept in later than I thought. I woke up to Abby telling me it was time to get the presents. So we headed downstairs and Christmas morning was over in about 20 minutes!  Haha. We didn't have a ton like I said, but why does it have to get over so quickly?

Abby's favorite gifts included her Baby Alive (even though it didn't pee and poo. Thank you Santa!) and her Ariel doll. Madalyns favorite was her bubble machine and her princess ball.

After a lazy morning, we headed to my moms house to continue the celebration and open more presents. My girls got the cutest outfits from my mom, Andy got some burp cloths, Sam and I got tickets to hale center theater show with the rest of my siblings, and my sister and brother in law were awesome this year and got the kids and us some great gifts. Abby got some frozen lipgloss, Maddie got a Jake and the Neverland Pirates figurine, which she also loves and sometimes goes to sleep with it, and we got a gift card to Amazon. We can't figure out what we are going to get with it yet!!!

I knew she would like her gift from the McGees, but I didn't think this much!!!

After a yummy dinner (that I didn't enjoy wah wah wah) the adults spent some time visiting while the kids ran around like crazies. My niece Tiaree got a Harry Potter trivia game that made me feel awesome because I was doing pretty awesome if I do say so myself.  It was just a nice all around night, even when Abby broke out in hives somehow (we think maybe she got into some fiberglass that was in my parents basement) and we had to go get her benedryl.

Best cousin award.

Seriously Christmas 2015, you were awesome. A favorite in our books. 

Life Lately: December Edition

December has been a fun and busy month. Here are some of the happenings of December so far:

 At the beginning of December, we decided to make sure and get our trip to Temple Square in, so we didn't miss it. Good thing we did too!! It was a fun but cold night!!

 December was also full of little girls with cute Christmas nails,(beware Sam, your son will probably have painted nails on occasion) decorating our house, and ice cream cones bigger than our faces. 

 We've also had lots of mommy-Madalyn bonding time, which will make the transition to baby number three hard on her. She is certainly a mommy's girl and I love every minute of it. However, this mamas girl also has a bad habit of chewing up her food and then spitting it out when she realizes she is done with it. So gross. Especially when its her pb sandwiches. (gag!) I've also taken lots of warm baths this month. They help my back feel better, but getting out of them is a bit of a comedy act. December was also full of Holiday crafts from Abby's preschool. This reindeer hat was one of my favorites.

 December has been the month of the girls having fun together. They mostly play nicely with their toys and it makes me so happy. Also, how gorgeous is Abby in this picture? She just HAD to put on her lipstick before bed. We have also had a lot of lazy mornings in which Abby made her own bed downstairs, and these two girls cuddling together during nap time makes my heart happy!!

 December has been a month of feeling huge and pregnant, and my sweet Abby taking care of me by putting a blanket on me and letting me cuddle her bear. What a sweetheart!! Its also been a lot of skipped naps making it so sweetheart number two can't handle it anymore and falls asleep on me while at Grandma and Grandpas. Also, December brought me my mom and sisters annual shopping day. That hat saved the day multiple times, and eating at Red Robin was fun for all!!

 One day while Abby was in preschool, I had a doctors appointment and brought Madalyn with me. It was an unusually long appointment, and Madalyn was a little angel the whole time!! (of course, one kid is always easier than two.) December also has brought more snow than I've seen in a few years. Though I'm not a fan of driving in it, we sure have loved having it. Abby was so excited to build this snowman with a huge carrot nose and goldfish eyes. I'm also a super lazy cook these days, so one night we ate at the food court and rewarded the girls good eating/behavior with a carousal ride, which they both were so sad when it ended. Abby also had the best time holding her newest baby girl cousin Raegan. She is one beautiful baby!! Since August, we have had two new baby boy cousins on my side and a boy and girl cousin on Sams side. So many new babies!!! (we are next!!)

 Again, December has had some slow mornings, but this new picture is one of my most favorites of my girls. Also, a lot of races have taken place downstairs and the girls FINALLY got to sit on Santas lap!

 This month has also brought some forced family pictures. I had to get one of all of us in our red clothes the Sunday before Christmas!! Its also brought the naughty out of my girls as they ripped open a new package of gum while I was showering and ate 8 pieces!! I also had to include this super creepy and hilarious picture of Abby, because it seriously had me ugly laughing one night after a particularly trying day. And its been these sisters avoiding nap time like the plague but being cute about it. 

And lastly, this month has been a little 2 year old whose life was over at Harmons one night. Its been new makeup from Aunt Ashley which made for one happy 4 year old, and its been more naughtiness on Christmas Eve. Apparently, Abby got bored while pooping and her little sister helped. 

Yes, December was a good month. A good last month as a family of 4. Stay tuned for Christmas and our 2015 in review!! (and before we know it, a baby update!)

37 weeks and 5 days

Man alive, this pregnancy has been rough, both physically and emotionally. With Abby and Maddie, I was of course ready to have a baby, but this time around I am flat out done!! I've been done for months now and I am so, so happy that there is a huge light at the end of the tunnel!!!

I'm looking forward to so much once this baby comes. Here is a list of a few of the major things I can't wait to do!!!

1) Eat. Eat like a normal person. I hate food, as I have complained about quite a bit (sorry about that!) But its bad. Even food I do manage to eat I still don't really enjoy. And, I honestly can't wait to get back to eating healthy. That's just not happening as much as i'd like these days. I'm looking forward to salads for lunch again and cooking a healthy meal that I will actually enjoy!!

2) No more heartburn. A common complaint of the pregnant woman.

3) Being able to hug Sam again really tight without a hard belly getting in the way. I love to hug that man and It will be wonderful to be able to really really hug him again!!

4) Rolling over in bed without causing a mini earthquake as I do so. Also along those lines, being able to get out of bed without struggle, getting off the floor with ease, and not needing a crane to get out of the bathtub.

5) Running. I cannot wait to run again!! I'm so excited to get back to it!! And along those lines, being able to workout harder again.

6) Not gagging at the slightest thing. Anywhere from wind in my face to changing a diaper makes me gag. And every time I do gag, I have to sit and wait to see if I'm going to puke, because every. single. time I feel stuff wanting to come up. Gross.

7) Sleeping better. I know, I know. With a newborn I wont be sleeping much at all, but when i do sleep, I feel it will be more soundly and if nothing else, more comfortably.

8) Snuggling with my girls more comfortably. Lately they have been such snugglers, especially Madalyn. I can't wait til I don't have a big hard belly in the way!!!

9) Clothes/garments not rolling below/above my belly anymore. I  hate things under my stomach. I hate things above my stomach. I hate an exposed stomach.

10) Being able to wear my ring once more!! Yahoo!!

Well, there you have it. My super complainy list of things I can't wait to have happen once this baby makes its exit out of the womb. 2 more weeks. I can hang in there for 2 more weeks...right? Either way, I know our little Andrew Samuel will be totally worth it all.

Pregnancy Update: Less than 4 weeks left!!!

Week: 36 weeks and 4 days!!

Size of Baby: Big and only getting bigger. Seriously, I feel so HUGE!!! Haha. My tummy is definitely in the way all the time. Please bless Andy doesn't make it to 9 lbs plus this time around...

Movement: Through the day he seems pretty quiet. I am obviously more busy so I don't notice as much, but as soon as i sit down for the night he goes crazy. Its starting to hurt sometimes, but I still love it. Except when he jumps on my bladder. I accidentally pee enough as it is. He doesn't have to do that to me too!!

What I've been eating: I've been trying so hard to eat healthy, but its just not working most the time. Food is nasty, unless its mint M&M's, Oreos, Cocoa Dino Bites, and anything holiday. Last night we had a pot roast for dinner and it was actually good though, so that was a Christmas miracle. 4 more weeks and then I can enjoy food again. Yay!

How I've been feeling: Eh. Last week was hard. I was nauseous and achy and sad. But this weekend and today have been good!!

Best Moment of the Week: When Sam brought me home pretzel bites Friday night after work, and yesterday was the best Sunday before Christmas ever!! Church was wonderful and filled with the spirit, naps were a perfect length of time, dinner tasted amazing, and playing Mario/relaxing was wonderful!!

What I'm looking forward to: Christmas this week and the birth of my son. Obviously. Good vibes that he will come a week (or more!!) early please!!! ;)

Thanksgiving Weekend

Thanksgiving weekend was one of the best weekends we have had in such a long time. I thought it was going to be a bummer week. Sams second job at Litzas is really busy around the holidays, so he was scheduled to work Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday, so I really thought it was going to be a bummer. But besides working late on Monday, he was off every other day by 8 and he didn't have to go in til about 5 or 6, so it wasn't too bad after all!

Wednesday we didn't do much. Sam got off work from his day job at 1, and when he got home we all took naps until he had to leave again. Lame yes, but also quite necessary. That night when he got home, we all enjoyed some family movie time. It really was fantastic.

Thursday, my mom sister and I did our normal Thanksgiving swim. It felt so nice for my big pregnant self to float around and stretch in the water for a bit. After the swim, I came home and got busy making some things for dinner, and then we ended up at my moms for a wonderful and delicious Thanksgiving dinner. A few of my aunts and uncles were there, as well as my cousin Tifanee, so it was so much fun!! Also, let me note here that I had 3 pieces of pie and I am not ashamed. That night we were all dead and ended up sleeping fantastically that night.

Friday we lazed around a bit and then we hit the stores to try and get some Black Friday deals. I ended up finding a griddle for $15, we found the Santa Clause and The Grinch, and got a few Christmas toys for the girls. Sam went to work and us girls lazed around til he got home. Once he was home, we watched The Grinch and then fell asleep to the Santa Clause.

Saturday, I woke up sick, so we literally did nothing all day long. I didn't mind one bit. The girls had fun int he snow for a bit, and Sam worked for maybe an hour that night and guess what we did once he was home? Yep, we watched movies.

Sunday I stayed home from church sick and binge watched Greys Anatomy (stupid stupid show) and Sam took both girls to church with him. It was a nice 3 hours to myself resting. After long afternoon naps and some meetings for Sam, we headed on over to his dads for some soup. We planned to stay home, but we both agreed getting dinner made for us was a good deal. Plus, we don't see that side nearly as much now that everyone lives out of state, so it was nice to visit for a bit.

I know the weekend may have seemed mundane to most, but it truly was a fantastic, much needed restful weekend spent with those I love the most. And boy do I love them. I still can't believe sometimes that this is my real life. That I married the man of my dreams who I met when we were just 15, and we have two of the most adorable wonderful girls in the world and are adding a 3rd one to the mix in just 6 more weeks. I truly am blessed!!