Baby Must Haves!

Now that I've been a mommy for 7 weeks now, I've realized there are quite a few wonderful inventions that make our lives much easier. These are the things I've found to be amazingly worth every penny. Below you'll find a list of must-haves if you're having a baby! =)

1. Thank you, Baby Gap.

Baby Gap never fails; it's an absolute must-have. They have adorable little man clothes, unlike most brands that plaster random animals/trains all over baby boy clothes. After a few washes, Baby Gap clothes always look brand spanking new. They are always updating and changing, so there's always a reason to stop by. Even cheap-o daddy Eric agrees their clothes are the cutest and nicest for baby Jackson.

2. Chicco travel system.
One of the most used items we've discovered with having Jack is the carseat. Why not spend the most on the most used item? Well, I would completely suggest the Chicco travel system. The carseat is reliable and sturdy. In fact, Jack's even slept in it overnight when we were out-of-town! The stroller is a one-handed breeze, and it makes any new mom look and feel like a pro. It's compact, glides perfectly, and is adorable.

3. Pampers.

Thank you, Pampers, for your outstanding swaddlers diapers and wipes. You make an unsightly diaper change more bearable. Your wipes are so soft on little Jackson. The diapers never fail! Even when Jack sleeps the whole night through, his diaper always proves to be the champion. You make his bum smell baby-fresh each and every time.

4. Nuk pacifiers.
Enough said. I've bought so many packs! It's amazing where pacifiers end up...

5. Thank you, Pottery Barn Kids.
Again, I believe you pay for what you get. Pottery Barn Kids has a small collection of things for baby. Everything I've bought has become our favorite. From the adorable little frog that keeps Jackson company as he sleeps in his crib, to his little play gym that entertains our big man whether he's on his back or tummy. And, how could I forget about their chamois collection of wonders. We've even bought two of one blankie so that Jack can have one at daycare!

6. Gerber Good Start.

After weeks of trying to find a formula, try #4 is a success --- so far! {crossing fingers} We went from the hospital-used Similac, to the hypoallergenic formulas, all with no success. After paying $27 for one small can of formula, Eric and I decided we were destined for a picky, expensive eater. Well, our little Jack was ALLERGIC to the hypoallergenic! Who knew! Desperate, we decided to give this bright orange can of Gerber Good Start a try. We were sure it'd be another failure. WRONG! Jack loves it. Jack coos after drinking it down. He doesn't spit it up, hasn't broken out in hives, and the best part is it's only $12 a can! YES! I'm still breastfeeding so for now we just supplement, but it's so nice to have an option that he can handle. Gerber Good Start, I owe you one!

Life is Good...

Have you ever had one of those days where you are just completely happy and thankful for life?

Today was a great day.

First, Jack woke up around 5:30, same as usual, except this was the first time we heard his little cry since putting him down for bed around 8:30. That's right, Jack slept through the night! What a great start to the day. Then, I fed Jack and cuddled as he showed me gigantic smiles. I continued to get ready with my big man by my side. {I've retired my 'little man' nickname, since he's not-so-little at all. Not even a little bit.} I actually was ready for school earlier than normal; if you know me at all that never happens. So, I got to spend a few extra minutes with Jack. I quickly packed my lunch and was off to school!

The radio played the perfect mix of songs as I trudged through the snow in my 'mom car'. I'm teaching my kiddos about the Moon right now --- and there happened to be a full moon last night. Which meant a big and beautiful almost-full moon was high in the sky for us to see this morning. My classroom seemed cozy and comfortable for the first time since I've been back from maternity leave. I'm back into the swing of things; my plans are ahead of schedule and grades are entered in my gradebook.

After chit-chatting with the girls after school, I rushed home to pump, change, and go workout. I took the long way so I wouldn't pass Jack's daycare - or I would never work out. I ran for 20 minutes (for the third time this week!) and it felt SO good to be back in the gym. I drove as fast as I could to pick up little Jack. {Insert best feeling in the whole wide world.}

Eric came home to a happy baby and a happy wife. We scooped up our little miracle and shared a nice dinner at our favorite - Carlos O'kellys. After a few minutes of our usual "how was your day chats", we both discovered that at some point today we were feeling so thankful and excited about life. I thought that was so interesting. Life with a newborn can get very challenging; life with a baby and two working parents can get even more interesting. Yet, Eric and I both had days that made us so excited for all that we have. Oh, we're blessed!

I know life can get hectic. I know being a mommy and a teacher is going to be stressful. I am well-aware of my lack of time to do housework. I also know that there is nothing better in this world than to snuggle with my 7 week old son, even if that means there are toys all over my floor and burp rags in the dirty laundry basket. Here's to a less-stressed life and many more good days with our little family.

"All of life is a journey; which paths we take, what we look back on, and what we look forward to is up to us. We determine our destination, what kind of road we will take to get there, and how happy we are when we get there."
~ Patrick Whiteside

Oh, and of course I'll leave you with some pictures! =)

{Bumbo seat for the first time!}

{I got him to wear his overalls finally!}

{Jack can finally grab onto his toys!}

Weekends!

I have a new-found love for weekends.

It's Saturday and there is no crazed get-ready-for-daycare extravaganza. We don't have to set an alarm. I don't have to wonder what Jack's up to all day; he's with me! We aren't forced to go to bed when Jack falls asleep. Eric and I can actually enjoy each other without worries.

Yesterday was a fabulous day. I am determined to stay positive as I transition back into my working mom reality, and yesterday was a much-needed wonderful day. Eric and I had fun taking turns hanging out with Jackson; I think we even argued about who got to hold him a little. We went out-and-about to see the progress on our house - which now has two stories! We also went looking for furniture. We're starting to look more like experienced parents with our car seat, stroller, diaper bag, etc. At first it took us about a hundred years to get from the car to the store. Now, before we can even blink we're rolling and strolling with Jack along for the ride.

Instead of heading home for the night when Jack was hungry and fussy, we went to Jordan Creek where there's a tiny little nursing room. We talked over our furniture debate and Jack was perfectly content eating in an unfamiliar, cozy little room. After that, we ate a quick dinner and continued to shop! Success :) Jack scored some adorable new jammies for his gigantically huge body, and Eric and I got some much needed time out of the house.

We're starting to figure this whole "parenthood" thing out. Slowly but surely we are growing more comfortable in our new roles. When Jack was fussy in the mall I didn't panic; he's a hungry baby for goodness sake! That doesn't make me a bad mom. Instead of feeling stuck at home, we ventured out for some new experiences as a family. And, we spent the night giggling and ooodling over Jackson's newest milestone - coos and noises! I'll trade nights out and selfish ways for a Saturday filled with family any day.

Here's to another quick work week so we can repeat our amazing weekends home as a family!

{Sleepy Jack in his swing!}

{We had a little hawkeye photo shoot with our little man}

{Daddy and Jackson}

{Yay for two stories! March will be here soon!}

I'm a Working Mom...

...and it's not so bad!

Jack and I have successfully made it through three days of life as a working mom. I really thought it wouldn't be hard. I do love my job, my kiddos at school, and Jack's going to my aunt's in-home daycare. I was wrong. HARD! Probably the hardest thing I've ever done in my life was to walk out of my door after giving Jack a kiss...knowing I wouldn't see him for 9 hours straight. I wanted anything to give up teaching and stay at home with my little man. I bawled at the thought of someone else trying to figure out his schedule that I'd worked on for weeks. I was saddened by the thought of having so much to do and spending much less time with him. And to top it off, there was snow in the forecast - lots of it.

Monday: after drying my tears and fixing my not-so-perfect make-up, I walked into school with the "can do" attitude of Thomas the Train. Maybe that's already the mommy in me? I let out a few more cries to some great friends. I made a little pumping station in my storage closet so I wouldn't have to figure it out during my already short lunch. I wrote the agenda on the board for the first time since before Thanksgiving. And, as soon as I saw my 8th graders I was okay. We caught up, I showed them a few pictures of Jack, and the day was perfect.

Tuesday: no tears! I thought about Jack all day long. I changed my desktop picture to my little man. I got an email from Eric saying "Jack loves you". I had students thank me for teaching them. I was glad to be back.

Wednesday: it's getting easier! I can kiss Jack goodbye and know that in a short time I will get to see him again. I know that he's very well taken care of. I know that he's getting used to his new surroundings. And, I know its best for both of us. My personality is not at all suited for staying at home surrounded by animals and a baby -- I like to talk way too much for that! I'm thinking we can do this.

I didn't imagine the sobbing, blubbering mom scene on Monday morning. I didn't expect the break down of feeling overwhelmed after my first day back to work. And, I didn't think that it would get better. But, it has. I'm thankful for an amazing little baby Jack. I'm so glad to have a great hubby who takes such good care of Jack and me (he even drops him off at daycare so I don't have to say goodbye; I get to say hello). I'm feeling very blessed for my fabulous job that I truly love.

{Jack after his first day at daycare...still in one piece!}

Wish us luck for a continued success in our new journey as a family! Love you, Jack =)

Our house...

...will be a very, very, very fine house :)

With all of my baby ramblings, I've forgotten about another exciting happening in our lives this year: our house will be built. Our move-in date tentatively is at the end of March.

It's become our little family tradition to go check on the progress of our house a few nights a week. For one, it gets me out and about. For two, after the car ride we find Jackson sound asleep in his little car seat. For three, it's amazing to watch the building process. It still seems a little surreal that all of the tiny details we envisioned will soon be a real house. A house our family will soon make a home.

Things I can't wait for:
Storage. I told Eric I could survive in our 2 bed/2 bath apartment with baby. Wrong-O! I never envisioned just how much baby stuff we would accumulate. I refused to admit that we'd need storage. And, we're bursting out of the seams of this place!

A sense of community. I already know several of our neighbors...and I can't wait to feel like a part of Waukee. I've heard rumors of block parties and beer trick-or-treating on Halloween on our block. There have been a few times that we've stopped to check out our lot, and someone says hi or welcomes us to the neighborhood. I can see the school I teach in from the windows in the living room. There is an overwhelming sense of community.

This house will be our home. I'm so glad Eric and I have found our little place on this Earth we'd like to call home. I am so proud of what we've accomplished. This will be first time in my life that I feel stable in one place; I know we'll be here forever. I am beyond excited for Jack to grow up in only one house.

Home is where the heart is...

Playdates with Baby

There's nothing better than hanging around the house in sweatpants all day with my little man.

This week is my last week before going back to full-time teaching. I've been spending my days relishing in these precious little moments I will soon miss. Normally I set Jack down for tummy time, give him some independent time in his swing, and set him in his crib for naps. This week, however, little Jackson has been permanently glued to my arms. When he falls asleep, I find a comfy spot and just cuddle with him. When he's on his tummy, I'm right there next to him filling his little face with kisses from mommy. And, the swing is starting to get dusty...

Jack is starting to learn how to smile. He's given us smiles since the day he arrived --- usually when he's relieving himself one way or another. As of this week, I can sometimes get him to smile on command! It's amazing how this tiny little feat is SO HUGE to us. The other night I laid Jack down to go to bed. He opened his giant wide-eyes and laid on me the biggest smile I'd seen yet; the kind of smile that makes your eyes squint. I wondered....is he farting? And then...another! And yet another. Stinker Jack; of course I picked him up and cuddled some more before truly putting him down for bed.

I can't wait for the many milestones ahead. First, smile. Next, who knows? What I'm trying to prepare myself for is the little things that may be missed while Jack is at daycare. I told Eric last night that if he learns how to do something at daycare, he's destined to show off when he gets home. So, rather than feats we might 'miss', I'm trying to think positively. If he's truly reached another stepping stone, he'll show us at home where it will melt our hearts as if its the first time. And, how will I know better? Until he's big enough to talk, I won't. I find peace in that.

I always thought I'd want to be a stay-at-home mom. We had a short 'practice' a few years back, and I realized I would lose myself quickly if I did stay at home. I would never change out of sweatpants. Shower - who needs one? And, my throat would hurt if I talked to anyone for more than 10 minutes due to my baby babbles and stories. Instead of being envious of friends and acquaintances who are able to stay at home, I'm thankful for a degree and a career that have guided me to my new balancing act called life. I'm truly sad to leave our precious little moments shared together - work and worry free. I am, however, excited to go back to work! I have a fabulous job. I've made some truly amazing friends that I get to spend 40+ hours of my week gossiping and chatting with. I have an abundance of amazingly talented and thoughtful 8th graders who are anxiously awaiting my return. And, little baby Jack will be in an in-home daycare with my aunt. That's right - family! I have nothing to complain about. Oh, and who can forget Spring Break...Summer Break....and more!

Jack,

I will always be your mommy. I will always put you first.

I vow to cuddle you and coo at you every day, regardless if some of my day is spent away from your chubby little cheeks. I can't wait for the clock to strike 3:15; I will drive as fast as my Venza will let me to come swoop you out of my aunts arms and into mine. From then I will fight with your daddy for quality time feeding you, changing you, dumping out toys all over the floor, and reading you all of your many books.

I will deal with breastfeeding while working full-time, just to make your tummy happy, even if that means I won' t have much of a lunch. (Jack's little tummy DOES NOT agree with regular formula. In my mommy panic, I decided to breastfeed at least until summertime when I can try out different formulas)

On weekends, I will make you the priority. I want to parade you around this town, and our new town soon! I will plop you in the stroller and we'll go for a family stroll. I will lay on the living room floor in sweatpants cuddling with you like the good ol' days of maternity leave. I hope you never feel slighted for having me away.

I will love you now, while I'm at work, and forever.

Always,
Mom

Goodbye, 2010 - Hello, 2011!

2010 has been one fabulous year. Sorry to inform you, 2011, but last year may be a hard one to beat! Below are the things about 2010 I never want to forget...and some exciting things to come for the new year. Cheers!

The year that changed our life: 2010

January - After ringing in the new year with some fabulous friends, we decided that we were ready for a change. After turning 24, I decided I was ready to be a mom. I didn't want to wait any longer; I didn't want to perfect one more detail before baby. So, my birthday present: stopping birth control! =)

February - During my first year teaching observation I was informed that there was a big budget cut looming over the district. Basically, I would lose my job almost indefinitely. In February I interviewed for an 8th Grade Science teaching position with the Waukee district in the new middle school not even built yet. The next day, I was offered the position! It was such a great feeling knowing where I'd be teaching and where life would take us.

March - Pregnancy test was POSITIVE! I will always remember that night. Eric and I reveled in the crazy fact that we'd become parents in the coming months! The little pink stick that changed it all...

June - Start of summer! There was a very tough goodbye to my first year teaching kiddos and friends...but the pool was calling my name. I bought a maternity suit and spent my days splashing and tanning with some great friends.

July - We found out we were having a BOY! It seemed like the waiting took forever, but it was totally worth it. From then on, my decorating and shopping habits were out of control.

August - School starts! I started in my new position - more than 6 months pregnant - and I loved every minute of it. I spent my last weeks of summer break decorating every perfect little detail in my classroom to make it feel like home. The first days of school were a whirlwind of wonderful.

October - Eric has a new job! His new position was not only a pay raise, but it also brought him to West Des Moines, minutes from home. No more 70+hour weeks with a baby on the way. And, we are building a house! After searching open houses and listings, we decided our best option was to build. We picked our lot, finalized all the details, and are anxiously awaiting our move-in in March.

November - Baby Jackson Charles Krieger arrived :) His long-awaited entrance to the world happened on the very last day of November. We are blessed!

December - Hello, maternity leave! After many, many months of waiting...my days are spent in sweatpants in my living room. I hang out with baby Jack: cuddle, nurse, clean, swaddle, and bathe him everyday. I will never forget these go-to-quickly peaceful moments of learning to be a mom.

With all of that being said, we're excited for another year filled with happiness, change, and family. I'm not making a new year's resolution - but I plan to be more positive and want to just live in the moment. Things I'm looking forward to this year:

• Watching Jackson grow and change
• Moving into our new house
  
• Finishing my 2nd year of teaching
• Hanging out with friends and family
• Summer!
  
• Starting my master's degree in administration
  

Cheers to another great year!