We're having a...

BOY!!!!!!!! That's right folks, another bundle of cuddling, wrestling, mud pie making, building fun is headed our way! We love boys and are very excited! I was a little shocked because this pregnancy has been a lot different in many ways, so I thought it must be a girl. I was wrong! Loud and clear it's a boy! Good thing we love um!

Caleb is getting used to calling the baby a little brother, if I say its a boy he says, "NO! It's a baby!" He's a "big boy" so that just wouldn't work haha. But he is getting used to calling the baby by name. That's right! We're 95% sure so I'll let ya know if it changes! For now this baby is gonna be Shane Sterling Scarbrough. Shane means "God is gracious" and we definitely feel that in our life right now! Caleb likes it, just don't mention that it could have been James! haha!

The most important thing (that I was so scared about today my blood pressure was WAY high at first) is that this baby is perfectly healthy and growing right on track! I'm fairly healthy as well, though still dealing with pesky symptoms like intense bouts of nausea and back pain. With temps at 100 this week I'm just trying to stay cool! Caleb was thrilled to see the heartbeat even more so than the ultrasound, and loves when they put the "goo" on my tummy. Next up- glucose screening! Little nervous about that one too, cause I eat lots of candy to combat nausea, and have craved things like doughnuts. I'm trying to be good the next few weeks! Anyways, there ya have it folks!

Hooray for halfway, Doughnuts, and Dreams

Soo, I've been pregnant before. Duh. And I had crazy dreams while pregnant with Caleb- but seriously they don't compare to these! It seems every night is more crazy than the one before! And it seems that instead of random, irregular nightmares or wierdness, it's every night! Man, I need some sleep! Luckily we have a darkened window, and I share a queen bed with Caleb right now, so cuddling helps him sleep the morning away! At least that way I get about 10 hours of interrupted sleep! hahaha

Doughnuts. What can I say? I have a new found addiction I think! And I went one time to the other local doughnut shop in town with my brother, but as we pulled to the drive-thru (another perk of this particular place) he said they used to smoke inside so he wasn't sure if they did or not! Sheesh! I normally don't love smoky places, but especially while pregnant that just sounded gross! So we went somewhere else. HOWEVER, my mama took me to the store the other day, and while were out she asked if I wanted some doughnuts- um yeah! She took me to the first place and I was hesitant, but she said NO they used to smoke in there, but after the clean indoors act was passed in TN, whenever that was, they no longer do! Lucky me! These doughnuts are even better! Oh chocolate iced chocolate cake doughnut- some days I pine for you! PLUS, the more you get, the cheaper it is! That's why we get so many every time for my mom, me and Caleb- being thrifty of course! hahaha ;)

YES! I am finally what I'm considering HALFWAY!!! 19 weeks today, but since I'm having a scheduled c-section, I'm hoping to only go to 38 weeks. Halfway is good, but man, when my brother's wife had their baby last week, I was slightly jealous!!! :) Yeah, she definitely deserved to be at the end, I just wish I was too! Hoping I feel up to a trip to N.C. to see that babe this summer!!! Ashlyn is her name. I so want to hold her! )

Next week people!!!! Tuesday is the big news day- and as long as this babe and I are doing alright, it's gonna be good news! We're down to the top two names for a boy or a girl, so hopefully we can decide soon. Caleb is still set on James for a boy- I like it as a middle name- but we'll see- maybe he'll just call the baby that anyway regardless of what the birth cert. says! haha
I'll keep you updated!

Pain and then Reward

17 Weeks TODAY!
This pregnancy has been full of pain. One of the scariest ones is my hips and tailbone. Many don't know this, but I actually BROKE my tailbone during delivery of Caleb. Yeah, it was bad along with everything else that went horribly wrong. Ever since my long drive to Tennessee two weeks ago, I have been having to ice my tailbone, lower back, and hips almost everyday- mostly if I get some exercise in or overexert myself. I'm sure it could be a different bed too, along with not resting enough, so I try to take care of it, but I hope it stays under control while I gain weight with this pregnancy, cause I haven't weighed this much since I was pregnant with Caleb.
Tummy troubles. My stomach has had so many different pains this pregnancy, mostly normal I hope. Yesterday at church I was doubled over in pain and crying it hurt so bad! I had to leave, take some Tylenol (first time I've given in so far), eat, and take medicine before laying down to rest. Mostly its been regarding ligament pains, hunger pains, and upset stomach before and after puking, so I hope that's all it was.

Last night I felt the baby for the first time!!! It was super weird- even though I've had one child, the first kicks are strange and foreign to me. For me it always feels like bubbles popping on the surface of my stomach, then frogs, then elephants stomping in there! For now its fun and unexpected, especially after the horrible day I had with stomach pain- flutters are much nicer!
It felt like such a tender mercy from the Lord after pain to feel my baby move!

I have some bump pictures to post, so when I get those organized I will!

Cravings, Aversions, and food- oh my!

I've found the last few weeks especially that I have really needed lots of fluids to keep from being nauseous and also stay dehydrated. However, one problem that I've had is that I can't drink much water before getting nauseous or at least an upset stomach. WEIRD! I used to drink so much water everyday that it's hard for me to resist it and always try to find something else. Especially when you add to that fact that I now cannot drink MILK! I love milk, but during pregnancy I become somewhat lactose intolerant- meaning not drinking milk (it can be in things), eating ice cream, large amounts of cheese (like a grilled cheese sandwich is too much), or anything else with tons of dairy. It makes me sad since we eat So much dairy at our house- my husband is a MAJOR fan of it! I feel like I take in SO much sugar just through my drinks, does anyone have any better suggestions to keep myself hydrated (especially if I've been vomiting)?? I have been drinking these liquids lately:

100% juice, mainly orange juice sounds good
kool-aid
powerade or gatorade
quality ginger-ale
and occasionally lemonade
I'm going to try buying lemons and just drinking lemon water because I really like that usually, it adds flavor so maybe the water won't make me sick, and no sugar! Did I also mention that citrus scents on my hands is one of my FAVORITES? And my outlet air fresheners right now are lemon- I think I'm officially on a kick.


Next, I just want to remember all the wierdness this pregnancy has brought in the way of food, so for my sake I'm documenting all major cravings and aversions.

AVERSIONS
*chicken-everything about it
*dairy- makes me sick but sometimes I still want a glass of milk I have to avoid
*anything too saucy
*cold cut sandwiches
*pizza- it tastes good, but makes we weary cause I've thrown it up half the time I've had it
*any room that is stuffy or too hot

CRAVINGS
*breakfast foods made of bread (pancakes, french toast, biscuits, toast, bagels, crepes, waffles etc.)
*DOUGHNUTS! This is so weird cause I can totally usually avoid them, I'd much rather have a brownie or cookies or something else! I might eat them twice a year if they're given to us or something, but I've gone to a local doughnut shop twice in the last two weeks and bought WAY too much! haha

*salad or cut veggies with dip- I have to be careful with this one though, cause too many raw veggies hurt my tummy
*pickles-yes, giant kosher dills - we've already gone through a gallon jar, and my mom bought two more!
*fruit, mainly citrus including oranges, lemons, and limes, but I've branched out to berries too now and will eat most fruit.
*fried green tomatoes- YUMMY!
Mexican food- ALL OF IT, even chimichangas at 10 am!!!


I never really had cravings with Caleb, just foods I asked for cause I knew I could keep them down! In fact, I couldn't handle citrus at ALL so this pregnancy has been MUCH different!