Belly update

I can't believe I am almost half way through this pregnancy. It has flown by faster than I could have imagined. Overall I am feeling pretty good, much better than during the 1st trimester. I have some days that I don't feel fabulous, but I can't complain.

Jones likes to talk about his baby sister and pulls up my dress or shirt (sometimes in public) to "see baby". We are working on that. I can't wait to see him with Anna.  He loves Noelle Adams so much and is so sweet with her - even when he is loving on her a bit too hard.  It's going to be fun watching them grow up together. I can't wait!

I am struggling a lot knowing that I will have to go to work when she is so tiny. I didn't work when I was pregnant with Jones and was able to stay home when he was young. I wish that so badly for this child. I am already dreading leaving her.

I know that is terrible, but it's the truth. I am trying to not focus on it, because that only makes me sick. The truth is I love where we are in life right now. I love that Trey is so happy and satisfied with work. He is truly doing what he is supposed to do and to see that is amazing. Jones is in a good place - he loves school. He is thriving. He is learning so much and is becoming so social. I know he is where he needs to be. With his personality (and energy level) he needs organization and structure. I know he is getting that at school more than he could get it from me at home.

But a baby?? I am seriously struggling. A baby needs his or her mama. Not a stranger.

I know sending a baby to daycare or to a sitter is completely normal. I know millions of mamas go through this everyday. I just keep praying for peace and for the desire to stay home to go away.

I love my job and I know, if for nothing else, I must work to provide health insurance. So I just keep on going knowing that in some ways I am doing the best I can for my family, even if I am not physically there with them.

Didn't mean to get off on that track. Just kinda happened. Sorry if I sound like I am ungrateful or complaining. Just being honest. So thankful for my family for putting up with me!

In happy news: I have decided on a nursery and can't wait to get started. I will wait for one more ultrasound to triple check that Anna is in fact a girl, then will get started.

With that said, a glorious belly shot.
I am pulling my dress in an awkward fashion. Excuse the look.

18 weeks (I think.)

My big boy

Last week Jones discovered the joys and thrills of climbing out of his crib. Nighttime became an instant struggle. I was prepared to move him into a big boy room this winter in anticipation for baby sister to make her appearance, but Jones moved those plans up to this past weekend!

I quickly ordered bedding and chose paint colors. Thankfully, my wonderful mama came over Saturday morning to paint his bed and bedside table. I already had a twin mattress and I found an awesome deal for his bed online so i snatched it up months ago for a mere $60. I was pretty proud! It was in good shape, I just didn't love the ivory color.

His first night in the big boy bed was Saturday night. It took him a while to calm down and go to sleep...about 2 hours... but after that he didn't make a peep! Last night was even better. He was so proud. Trey and I were pleasantly surprised at how well the transition went. Nap time yesterday was a different story, but I will take what I can get.

My sweet baby is getting too big too fast.

Now I can focus on decorating the walls in his room and then work on getting baby Anna's nursery in order.

That's the baby's name, by the way: Anna Joy.

My Mamaw's name is Annie, but most of the time goes by Ann. My other grandmother was lovingly known as Nana. Anna reminds me of both of my grandmothers.

Joy is both mine and my mamas middle name.

Jones and Anna
My sweet babies!

Bedtime stories

His rocker. He still lets me rock him. I will rock him as long as he lets me!
Still needing pulls for the bedside table and decor.

His bed. Wrinkled duvet straight out of the PB package. 
He loves "heee-orses and cowboys" and is so excited to sleep on them!

Sweet Noelle Adams loved trying out his new bed Saturday night

Night-night!
Lion (my old Simba), blanket, Elmo (not pictured) and Jones are all tucked in!

Baby Skaggs #2 is...

Trey and I had fun finding out the gender together last night over dinner. We patiently waited until Jones was asleep and the babysitter was there before we went to dinner and ripped open the envelope.

Before dinner with Trey. Gender was in the envelope!

We were so excited to find out it is a sweet baby GIRL! Our hearts are overflowing with love and joy already.

We told Jones this morning that he was getting a baby sister. His response was a very sweet "awwwwww"! He loves his "baby girl", Noelle Adams, so I can't wait to watch him be the protective big brother to this sweet baby. .

Now onto figuring out a name.

First crush

We had a wonderful trip to Dallas for my cousin's wedding. Everything was beautiful and so much fun.  I have tons of pictures to share!

But first, before I forget: Henry's first crush.

He was the ring bearer and a cute little girl, Elizabeth - cousin of the bride - was the flower girl. 

After the rehearsal, he was telling Kristen all about her and how "it looks like she just got a haircut".  Very observant for a 5 year old!

The next night at the reception, while watching Elizabeth dance with her mama, Henry turns to Kristen and asked if Elizabeth was prettier than her.  Kristen responded that she was a very pretty little girl, but that you shouldn't compare.  To which Henry interrupted with "yes, mama. Yes, she is prettier than you."

Hilarious.

I present his first crush:

Oh, hello, lovely

I am not always one for large jewelry. In more cases than not I tend to go with the less is more theory.

But J Crew's bold jewelry line makes me weak in the knees. Almost every piece I adore.

I have been eyeing this sweet number for some time now:

A few weeks ago while searching eBay for some bedding, I decided to search for this J Crew beauty in hopes of scoring a better price than their price tag of $150.

Well, hello Chinese knock off for $18.00. Don't mind if I do.

My first baby started kindergarten

Doesn't seem possible that 'my' first born, Henry, started kindergarten today. Wasn't he born, like, yesterday? Time seriously flies.  Before I realize it, Jones will be the one starting school. 

He walked right in, asked his mama why she was taking so many pictures, hung up his bag and started doing a puzzle.  Fearless, that one.  He has never met a stranger and is so very, very smart.  He will do great and I am so proud to be his aunt!

I love my sweet nephew and niece like they are my own. I mean, please look how precious...





Splish splash

I like to think of this as some sort of redneck backyard riviera. To add to the redneckness of it all, he swam in a swim diaper alone.

Jones, however, couldn't care less about any of that. He loved it! We passed the time yesterday afternoon waiting for Trey to come home by swimming and playing with stickers. Jones was so happy to see him, and so was I. Three nights used to not seem so long. I will be happy when we have a relaxing weekend... I am sure there will be one in about 15 years, right? In the meantime, I am trying to enjoy the busy that is our life!

Keeping It Real Friday

I was two hours late to work this morning.  Two!

Trey is serving as Dad for a Happening on the coast, so it is just me and Jones from last night until Sunday.

OK, that is not entirely true.  I am a baby and hate staying alone.  Laura spent the night with us last night and we are staying in Starkville for the remainder of the weekend.

Anyway. Not the point.  I was two hours late!

I knew I was going to be a touch late.  You can't drop Jones off at school until 7:30.  I normally leave for work around 7:15-7:20 to get to my office by 8:00. 

What I didn't realize is that during my absence of taking Jones to school, he and Trey had develop some sort of routine in the mornings which includes taking a slooooow breakfast.  The kid just sat and looked at his breakfast. Then he would take a bite.  Say something.  Talk to Sophie. Sing a song. Demand to watch Winnie the Pooh.  Sing another song.  Take another bite. I should have woken him up at 6!

I finally drop him off close to 8, drive to Starkville, drop Laura off at her house and get to my office at 8:45.  Not bad.

But then I had a fear.  I just knew I had left the oven on broil.  I could think about anything else.  So after 10 minutes of being at work, I drove back to Columbus only to find that no, the oven was not on.  I am just losing it. To make the trip worth it, I had a bowl of Honey Nut Cheerios. Then it was back to Starkville.  I was in my office a little after 10.

Good thing I love my co-workers and they love me.

Are you losing it? Is it just me? It is a wonder I am able to function enough to meet deadlines at work. I would blame this on pregnancy, but I never really got it all together after Jones was born.  If he took half my brain, then this baby is sure to take the other half.  You do the math.

In other real news, this is what Jones calls me now:

He is saying Heather, in case you can't understand Jones talk.

And finally,  hooray for USA! I was so proud of Gabby.  She is like a mini-super -smiley-person and I want to just put her in my pocket.  Did you watch? I love her.

Happy weekend, folks!