Life Lately

When was the last time I wrote a real post on here? I feel like it's been forever. I mean, I love my kids, but gosh, they take up all my free time! But like a friend who's a mommy of six once told me, "If you have one kid, they take up all your time. If you have two kids, they take up all your time. If you have five kids, they take up all your time!" So I don't really feel like I'd have a lot more time if I had fewer children. Maybe if I had older children, but not fewer…

Anyways, life. Life is crazy up in these parts. Here's why:

Playing in the pool at the Memorial Day gathering with Shannon's stepmom's side of the family.

Lane. Ahh, my dear Lane. Smart as a whip and stubborn as a mule. Still. We have moved past the tantrums stage, past the basic disobedience stage (mostly), and now we're in the manipulative shrew stage. This girl tries to talk her way into whatever she wants. She's also getting some sass and attitude, which is not acceptable. So we're giving her a drop of vinegar on her tongue when her mouth says something as nasty as vinegar tastes. Not sure if it's working, but we're working on taming the tongue.

Checking out the fish at the aquarium in Gatlinburg.

Noel. Dear goodness I love that girl but she is oh. so. two-years-old these days. She's super smart and very verbal, but she is so stinking emotional. Hence lots of fits are being pitched in the Scarbrough household these days. She cries when she doesn't get her way, and then she cries more when she gets in trouble for crying from not getting her way. She has become more work than Lane, and that's saying a lot since she's always been the easier of the two of them.


Love the look on her face.

Raye. Well, let's face it. All newborns are a lot of work. Raye is pretty easy-going and mellow but she still requires the basics. I'm so thankful she's a quick eater. Most of the time we can be completely finished with a feeding session in 20 minutes, including changing a diaper and burping her, and even changing her clothes if necessary. She's sweet and calm but she is still a baby, so adding in the unknown of her schedule and needs on a daily basis and it just helps things be a little crazier around here.

Shopping. Since we're getting ready to head back overseas we're stocking up on stuff for the next three years and replacing what's worn out over the last four years. Clothes and shoes for me and Shannon (he actually needed more clothes than I did…I needed mainly clothes to get me through the 10-pounds-heavier-than-normal-because-I-just-had-a-baby stage. But I needed more shoes than him…I've only had one new pair of good shoes in the last four years). Random spices, medicines, kitchen supplies. Sheets and mattress protectors, luggage, and so on. I'm so tired of shopping!

Surgery. About two days after bringing home a certain 8 lb., 5 oz. chunk from the hospital, I developed tendonitis in my left wrist. Of course I didn't know that's what it was until this past Wednesday, when I found out and scheduled surgery for Friday. It was a last-minute decision in order to fix the problem the quickest so we can still try to make it back out of the country by the end of July. I did it without sedation, and am recovering nicely, although I feel a bit like a gimp with my wrist in such a huge splint. I am grateful to have more capabilities than I thought I would, though!


The girls attended Vacation Bible School a couple of weeks ago. In order to earn some money to put in the offering plate I set them to work gathering sticks out of the yard (it has stormed SO many times here this summer…it's crazy how much it's rained!). I think they did a pretty good job for 2 and 4 years old!

Doctor's visits. Since Raye was born we've been to the doctor…too many times. Three times for Raye, plus a hospital visit for her hearing screen (that they forgot to do while we were actually staying there). Twice for Shannon (basic physical and bloodwork). Four times for me (basic physical, six-week postpartum checkup, initial visit to the orthopedic surgeon, actual surgery). Once for Lane (double ear infection and strep throat). And we've been to the dentist, too. Both Lane and Noel have been for a cleaning, and I went twice for the two stages of a crown (gotta say that as much as it stinks, I'm grateful that after four years overseas the only thing that Shannon and I needed was one crown each…not too bad when the only work you need done is to fix old work that's just…old.). Anyone counting? That's eleven visits just to the doctor and four to the dentist in the last seven weeks. And there's more to come: Raye's 6-week check-up and immunizations this Wednesday. Noel still needs the last booster in her rabies vaccination series, and she needs her hepatitis A booster shot. These involve driving almost an hour to the department of health in downtown Birmingham. I'll have a follow-up visit from this surgery in two weeks. And surely between now and then someone will get sick and need to go to the doctor for a prescription. Yikes.

A rare photo of all of us on the train at Dollywood.

A bit of fun. *I went to the movies for the first time in I-don't-know-how-long without Shannon. I went with some ladies from church and we saw "Moms' Night Out." It was definitely not quite a mom's night out for me since I had Raye in tow, but it was a cute movie and I definitely enjoyed it. *We bought year passes for the Birmingham Zoo and we've taken the girls three times so far. We're looking at taking them again today if the rain will hold off. It's so nice to be able to go for just a couple of hours and not feel like we have to stay all day to "get our money's worth." Even Raye has been to the zoo. *I went shopping a couple of times and got some new summer clothes that will hopefully fit me after I've lost the rest of my baby weight: maxi skirts and a dress and modest tank tops. It's so great to be wearing something other than maternity clothes! *We spent a week in  Gatlinburg on a much-needed vacation: we just swam and let the girls watch a few more shows than usual, ate special treats, spent a day at Dollywood, and just got to be together without other things pulling us in a million directions. My dad and stepmom and sister and her family came for our weekend there, and Shannon's dad and stepmom and the girls' cousin Alexandra came for the rest of the week. It was a good break for us all.


Daddy in the pool with both his girls.

Getting healthy. Shannon's cholesterol is too high, he has about ten pounds to lose, and I have at least ten pounds left to lose, really more like 15. So we're on a diet…lots of fruits and veggies, not many carbs or sweets. It's so nice to feel like cooking, because that last month or so of pregnancy was just miserable and I did NOT want to be on my feet cooking anything. Now I want to be in the kitchen, especially with it being summer and there being lots of good, fresh produce available. We joined a gym and Shannon's been going regularly for a couple of months now, and on alternate days he exercises his shoulders and upper back (as prescribed by the PT he saw for six weeks while we were in North Carolina in response to his injuring his shoulder last summer). I went three times this last week and am doing the Couch-to-5K program. Now that we think we're done having babies I actually see the point in getting back into shape. =)

So there's a bit of what's been going on around here. I'm headed to Texas on Sunday to visit a dear friend and the bigger girls will probably spend time with their grandparents while I'm gone so Shannon can get some work done. After that we'll be mostly just trying to get ready to move back overseas and keep our sanity!

1 Month Old

Dear Raye,

Today you are one month old. I think this has been the fastest month to pass by in history. It seriously seems like just yesterday that I was miserably pregnant with you and begging the doctor to induce me. It's also amazing to me that I have three daughters. Three. My heart is so full, and I'm so grateful for each of you.


Your first time to "Doughnut Friday," where daddy takes the girls for doughnuts. Mamoo was there, too!



You are a very good baby. I bought a sling/wrap to carry you around in so that you can get some good naps in if we're out and about a lot, or if you're just having a rough day with naps. But as of today you seem to be getting the whole nap thing. You fell asleep in your little travel crib, on your own, without much fussing or crying, three times today. Yesterday you had a nap or two in the travel crib where you fussed for about 15 minutes, but you didn't cry or scream like you sometimes do. I will be very happy when we figure the napping thing out, as so far that is the hardest part of having three kids: when you don't want to nap so I just have to hold you or comfort you…it makes getting anything else done (or spending time with your big sisters) nearly impossible. So I'm happy that we're making some progress there. You are sleeping well at night, though, so for that I am grateful. You generally wake up twice in the middle of the night, but this past week you've done a 5.5-hour and a 6.5-hour stretch without eating, so you were only up once in middle of the night those nights. I'm hoping that you follow in Noel's steps and sleep through the night by three months…maybe you'll even do it earlier since you were over two pounds heavier than her when you were born!





You have passed the super-sleepy newborn stage (and let's face it, since you were 12 days late we didn't get but a couple of super-sleepy days) and are alert and wide-eyed and taking it all in. You've smiled a few times this month and cooed at us a few times. You are perfectly content to look around and don't demand to be held all day, unless you're overtired, and then you just want to sleep in our arms. I think that your ideal wake time length is 50 or 60 minutes…you like to be awake and will keep yourself there if we don't get you to sleep in time, but if we get you in bed before the hour mark has passed you seem to sleep better.



You haven't had any tummy time this month because your stubborn umbilical stump just won't fall off. Your neck is strong, though…I can tell from letting you lie on my chest and lift your head, or when I'm burping you and you look around…you have good head control for a 1-month old. I took you to the doctor almost three weeks ago and you had gained 1.5 pounds from your birthweight…you were 9 lbs, 13 oz three weeks ago. Surely you are a good ten pounds now, if not 11. You are a fast eater, usually finishing in about five minutes per side. You have a little bit of baby acne but not too much. You still have a ton of hair. And the general consensus seems to be that you look like Lane (and therefore like your daddy).





This month you've met all of your aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandparents except for your Uncle Sean. You took your first road trip through Georgia (briefly) and on to Tennessee. You got your first passport. You went to the aquarium in Gatlinburg, although you slept through the whole visit. You've had a lot of adventures already. Your big sisters love you so much…they love to "pet" you, and Noel constantly says, "Raye is so teeny." They're glad you're here, as are the rest of us. It's been a wonderful month, and we pray for many, many more with you.

We love you,
Mommy (and Daddy)

The Birth Story

The bigger girls are in bed, Raye is snuggled on my chest asleep, Shannon is watching Star Wars, and my mom, who's in town for a few days, is also in bed. I have about an hour before I need to feed Lil' Miss Raye and put her down for the night, so I figured I'd try to type out her birth story before I forget it. Not that this blog has a huge readership anymore, or that I even post often, but still…I want to remember her birth story, as uneventful as it was. =)

On Wednesday, April 30th I went to the doctor for my 41 week check-up. Since the previous Monday I had progressed to "a good three" centimeters dilated and 60% or so effaced. The week before I was 2.5 or so and 40/50%. I. was. miserable. Seriously, on Monday I woke up and told Shannon that I wanted to call the doctor and go in and be induced that day. My joints were (still are) super swollen…my hips hurt from lugging around an extra 45-50 pounds. My hands were/are arthritic at night time…I can barely bend my fingers for an hour or so after waking up. And I was just…you know, 41 weeks pregnant. Or more like 41.5 weeks pregnant. So miserable.


Moments with daddy.

So anyways, I went into the doctor's appointment ready to ask to be induced. I think she would have given me another few days if I'd wanted them, but considering Lane was 17 days late and I was already 11 days past due…I really didn't want to just keep waiting just to be induced the following week. So we went into the hospital on Wednesday evening for a slow overnight induction. I have to give my doctor props for not pushing me into their normal induction schedule…she allowed me to dictate what I did and did not want, and she listened to me. She spent the night at the hospital so I could be induced overnight and didn't insist on the "get 'er done" route that is usually taken with inductions. Major props to my doctor. After being induced with Lane I really didn't want the ramrod of pitocin that produces a baby in eight hours…it was just so miserable. So I asked for a slow pitocin drip and for them not to break my water. I wanted to try it without getting an epidural but knew (from previous experience) that pitocin-induced contractions are worse than natural ones and that I might cave on the epidural. But I didn't care enough about standing firm on the "no epidural" thing to wait for Raye to come on her own.

So we ate some dinner and then checked into the hospital around 6 pm on Wednesday night and got the induction going around 8. It was a very slow, very boring first eight hours. I couldn't sleep because, well, I had an iv attached to me, and I was starving by early morning. Around 5 am when the nurses changed shifts my contractions began to pick up. Shannon and I walked the halls a bit, I sat on the birthing ball, and just kind of breathed through the contractions. I think my doctor came in around 6 or 6:15 and checked me and I was dilated to a 5. She left and we decided to walk the halls a bit, but the contractions were picking up and making me want to stick close to the bathroom, so we didn't walk for long. I think that around 6:45 I told Shannon, "I don't want to do this," meaning, "I don't want to do this without an epidural." I was exhausted and was starting to feel the effects of 12 hours with no food…I was starting to get shaky. And I was doubting my ability to endure labor and delivery knowing how my body responds to low blood sugar and an empty tummy: getting the shakes and feeling like I'm going to pass out. I knew that I could do it without the epidural…I just didn't want to.


Three girls! Lane and Noel meeting Raye for the first time.

So I asked for an epidural. The man who gave it to me was so nice and calm…it was really nice after the one I had with Lane where the lady talked on her cell phone and made me sign the consent form while going through contractions. I got the epidural around 7:15 and was feeling much more relaxed within 10 minutes or so. Honestly it was just so nice to not notice how hungry I was. Shortly after receiving the epidural I did, true to Michelle-in-labor fashion, throw up. Granted it was only popsicle that came up, but still. I guess I'm just one of those women who always puke when in labor.

My doctor came back around 8:30 and I had dilated to a 9. She broke my water and went to get her scrubs (or whatever) on and by the time she came back I was a 10. I pushed four times (the whole time the doctor and nurses kept commenting on what a good pusher I was, which was a little strange…) and our little Raye was born at 8:49 am on Thursday, letting out a cry the second she was completely out of me. The doctor's first comment was something like, "Wow, this is a fat baby!" And she was a chunker for me at 8 pounds 5 ounces, but she was also really long, almost 22 inches. The doctor put her on my chest all slimy and gross and we just stared at each other for a few minutes. She was very congested sounding so after a few minutes they took her away and ended up suctioning two teaspoons of amniotic fluid out of her stomach. The doctor stitched up my small tear, Raye began to nurse, and Shannon's mom and stepdad came with Lane and Noel at around 9:30. My epidural wore off and we went up to the recovery floor at 10:30 or so.


First moments with Raye.

We got to go home on Friday afternoon…later than we had hoped, but I guess it was actually earlier than most women who deliver at this hospital do. Policy is that you have to stay 24 hours, but they want you to stay 48. I was ready to go home on Thursday evening but of course that's not allowed. So we stayed. We actually got a decent night's sleep on Thursday evening because we were so exhausted from being up all night the night before, and the nurses only bother you once every six hours after the first 12 hours. So it ended up being a blessing in some ways that Raye was born so early in the morning…it made the nighttime much more bearable!

And that is the story of how our youngest peanut came to join the fair. It's been a good 12 days since she joined us. A tiring 12 days, but good ones. And I am so glad to not be pregnant anymore.


First family-of-five photo…horrible as it is of at least two of us!

Introducing...

Leah "Raye" Scarbrough
May 1st, 8:49 a.m.
8lbs 5oz, 21.75 inches long



More details to come later, but for now let's just say she's nursing well, pooping well, and so far the most content and quiet baby we've ever had. Mama is exhausted and Lane and Noel are ready to come home, but everyone is so glad baby sister is finally here!

40 Weeks (third time around…kind of)

Here we are again. 40 weeks. I had really hoped that this one would be like Noel and come a few days early, but no dice.

So here I am with swollen hands, swollen ankles, and +50 pounds. Yes, I gained another 3 pounds last week, some of which is probably water weight and some may have been my clothes (it was a good bit colder at my appointment this past week than it was the week before), but still…I'm not relishing this huge weight gain.


40 weeks and a day or two. Easter Sunday, 2014.

The only good news about this baby being late is that I had time to a) get my hair cut for the first time in 14 months, and b) get a pedicure for the first time in five years [side note: the man pulled out something that looked like a bottle opener but must have actually been a heavy duty shredder/razor to use on my calluses. Embarrassing.]. And now chances are very great that all of our girls with have birth dates with a "2" in them…Noel was born on the 12th, Lane on the 22nd, and now this one will probably have a "2" as well. I'm picking at straws here, people. Don't laugh at me.

So that's life at 40 weeks. I'm done. I ate 2/3 of a pineapple yesterday and may go walk a couple of miles later today in effort to move this baby along. No such luck so far. Today would be a good day for her to be born…it was my great-grandmother's birthday…just sayin'… 

38(.5) Weeks (third time around)

Lest anyone think I've gone and done the impossible for me (have a baby a week or two early), rest assured, I'm still here, still pregnant. *smile*


This past Friday, 38 weeks.

I went to the doctor today and I am proud to announce that for the first time this pregnancy I have not gained any weight (since last week, at least). So that just puts me at around 40-45 pounds gained overall, and I'm about 32 pounds up from the high end of my "normal" weight range…I was definitely underweight at the beginning of this pregnancy due to a stressful summer.

I'm feeling alright, I suppose. My sternum finally stopped hurting about a week ago. My back still hurts in that same spot. My reflux has almost completely disappeared. My only real complaint/problem (other than just general discomfort) is that I am really swollen, especially at night time. I now have to take off my substitute wedding band before I go to bed, because my fingers and hands swell up so that even it doesn't fit at night time. I'm just hoping that my fingers go back down to their regular size after the birth so that I can wear my regular wedding rings again! Someone please tell me that the swelling goes away!

I'm sleeping alright (when the girls sleep well, I sleep well). I have no stretch marks (hooray for good genetics there!). My belly button is still in, although it's mostly flat. I'm a "tight 1 cm dilated" according to my doctor. Baby is head down and well engaged, although she's kind of sideways inside me…head down but feet on my left side and bottom on my right, with her back running down the right side of my stomach/uterus/whatever. It's really weird to feel her push on both sides of my stomach but to know that she is definitely, 100% for sure head all-the-way down.

I'm hoping for a baby by Easter…I'm due sometime between the 19th and the 23rd…I say the 19th, doctors have all said the 23rd. So we shall see. Either way…I'm hoping that two weeks from today we're holding a baby in our arms!

And Then She Was Four

Lane's fourth birthday started the way our family's birthdays usually start: with birthday pancakes. My brother traveled down from Norfolk to spend part of the week with us, so he was here that morning, too. Lane opened a few presents from her Alabama grandparents, and we took her to the movies to see Frozen for her main birthday present from us. (She also got a new jean jacket and a book, to which she replied, "I wanted a toy." Grateful child, this one.) It was the first time either of our girls have been to the movie theater, and I think they both liked it for the most part. They at least liked the experience of it, even if the snow monster in Frozen was a little scary for them. Later that evening my mom brought a small ice cream cake and we sang "Happy Birthday" to Lane and all had a small piece of cake before bed.


A birthday "4" for our oldest girlie!


Enjoying some popcorn and…the previews, I think. Noel sat in Shannon's lap during most of the actual movie…the seats were a little strange to her since they kept wanting to fold up on her.


Birthday cake #1 on her actual birthday, courtesy of Food Lion's frozen food section.

Lane's birthday fell on a Wednesday this year, and my niece Denali's birthday is three days after Lane's, so we had a joint birthday party for them on the Saturday following Lane's birthday. We just had pizza and cake, and everyone opened presents and played. It was very low-key, but I think the kids had a lot of fun. The girl cousins all dressed up and we called it a "princess party," even though the only thing that made it one was the fact that the girls were all wearing fancy dresses. Lane requested a butterfly cake, so I was more than happy to oblige: this cake only took me about two hours of labor to frost and decorate…I've spent much more time on her previous cakes!


Butterfly cake with sticker butterflies and sparkler candles!


Princess birthday girl!


Opening gifts…you can see Denali in her "princess' tutu on the right!


My oldest (younger) brother with all his nieces and nephews (nephew?…there's only one boy…).

Lane's big gifts were a couple of new princess dresses with matching shoes and jewelry from my sister and brother-in-law, and my dad and step-mom took her shopping for new shoes the day after the party. And my mom gave her a box of art supplies and tickets to the…circus! So, while Shannon was in Ohio my mom and I took the girls to the circus, and my brother-in-law and nephew came along, too. It was fun, although the girls cared way more about the animals than about any of the other cool stuff at the circus. In hindsight, the rinky-dink circus we took them to last summer was probably about as "fancy" a circus as we need to take them to until they're older. We were too far away for them to really get into it, but they did like the elephants and lions and kangaroos.


All dolled up and ready for the circus!


The one thing they still mention about the circus: the elephants "standing" on each other.


My mom and the birthday girl!

And finally, I actually conducted this birthday interview with Lane on her fourth birthday, so it was relevant two months ago. I'm not sure how much it is now, but then…it was current!

1. Your favorite color is purple.
2. Your favorite toy is dollies.
3. Your favorite fruit is strawberries.
4. Your favorite TV show is Care Bears.
5. Your favorite movie is Winnie the Pooh.
6. Your favorite thing to wear is dresses.
7. Your favorite animal is cats and dogs.
8. Your favorite song is "Bless the Lord."
9. Your favorite book is Green Eggs and Ham.
10. Your best friend is Mommy.
11. Your favorite snack is cheese and crackers.
12. Your favorite drink is lemonade.
13. Your favorite breakfast is yogurt.
14. Your favorite lunch is peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.
15. Your favorite dinner is spaghetti.
16. Your favorite game is Hiss.
17. Your favorite thing to play outside is kicking a ball.
18. Your favorite holiday is Valentine's Day.
19. At night you sleep with: blankie.
20. You want to be a mommy/chef when you grow up.

I love seeing how these answers have changed since last year! And I also love how about half of them are totally not her favorite things…she just can't think of what her real favorite things are at the time I'm asking the questions.