Happy 7th Month Birthday, Jackson!

I can't believe it once again, but Jack is another month older. Seven months sounds so much older than 6 months? Jack has been growing and changing everyday...and we just love watching all of his little milestones.

Weight: 20 pounds-ish. He was 18 pounds at his 6 month check up. He is about average for height and weight. However...in his carseat he feels like he may weigh 100 pounds. We've already started the search for a booster seat in the car, so we don't have to lug him around in his carseat much longer...

Diaper size: Size 3! They are still a little big. We've moved on from Pampers to Up and Up's, and they are fantabulous! I would highly recommend the Target brand to any new mommy.

Clothes size: This one makes me sad. I've been shopping in the "toddler" sections for clothes now. I realized it the other day when I was at Von Maur. I went straight for the "infants" section, and could only find clothes up to 9 months, which is what Jack's in now. In order to buy some bigger clothes for a few months from now, I had to venture over to the big boy section. It was so weird...but there are many more options! Boys are so easy, a cute t-shirt and plaid shorts work every time.

Sleep: Jack's still our little sleeper man. He goes down around 7 p.m. and wakes up around 6:30-7 a.m., depending on teeth. He takes a little nap right away in the morning, and then a few hour nap in the afternoon!

Favorite activities/things: Snuggling, attempted crawling -- he's getting close, chewing on everything and anything, growling, baths and pools, and people watching.

Eating: Jack's eating about everything. Our doc said by 9 months he should be eating what we are eating, so we're working on real food. The other night he had peas and pancakes for dinner! He will pretty much eat whatever we put in front of him. He's still working on picking things up and getting them to his mouth -- but it's adorable to watch him try.

Nicknames: Boogs. That pretty much sums up what we call him...and he always has boogers. Fitting.

Talking: I've been saying, "Do you want to go to the pool?" about everyday. So, Jack's newest talking attempt is "p" "p". While he tries, he blows bubbles out of his mouth. So adorable! I started mimicking him when he was coughing, and he gets such a big kick of out it! It's really helping him learn how to talk, because he loves to watch and copy now.

Oh, and he still growls, screetches, and coughs for attention. I was reading my What to Expect the First Year book, and it said that baby's will find interesting ways of communicating. I'd say so!

New adventures: Crawling, almost. He's up on all fours and can turn sideways, but before he moves forward he lands on the ground like a beached whale. So close!

Pool -- is a huge success! We even have a little routine down. We go right at noon (feeding and then nap time). We splash and play, he eats, then passes out for an hour or so. It's still relaxing pool for me, I just have a little booger snoozing on my chair with me. When Jack wake's up he's so happy and we splash and watch the kids together. He even likes dipping his face in the water already! My little fish.

Teeth -- 2 little pearly whites have popped through. And, I can feel rough edges in the back of his mouth. It's not fun, though. Not. One. Bit.

(Can I do this?)

(Almost!)

(Or how about I sit up? I'm really good at that!)

(You want me to wear what?! Shoes?!)

(I don't like shoes, not one bit. But, I'll chew on my shirt instead. His first big boy outfit!)

(Jack LOVES his jumperoo, for about 20 mins. He's too smart!)

Dear Baby Jack,

I love you.

Keep making me laugh and smile as you gurgle your new food adventures. Keep up your splishy-splashy ways at the pool. Thanks for being such a good shopper, and thanks for working so hard to say your first "p" sound.

You light up my life. You make us feel complete.

I love you today, tomorrow, and for always.

Love, Momma

Master Suite Re-do!

Apple Green. That's the name of the paint color swatch I found that would make my master bathroom absolutely perfect. Really?

It didn't take long for me to absolutely hate the color...in fact, before I finished the final coat, I was wondering what had just happened. My wall paint color matched the "frog tape" I used to trim. Some of the responses we've gotten from our many guests (we love guests!) have been:

"It's a really bold choice!"
"I'd never do it, but it looks nice."
"I can't believe you painted it lime green."

All of these say: WHAT THE HECK?! :)

It's not the first time, and it won't be the last, that I paint and repaint a room. Once I get an idea in my head, I go for it. So, Sunday after a busy, busy week and weekend I spent hours at Menard's in an attempt to re-do my master bath. I decided while there that I might as well tackle my master bedroom, too. Why not? My 10-page grad paper was due Tuesday, so this was the perfect distraction.

I came home with bags upon bags filled with lamps, picture frames, paint rollers, and paint in shades of tan and gray.

Here's the BEFORE: (it's almost hard to look at it...)

Here's the AFTER:

Ahh...refreshing! The new-and-improved master bath feels much more relaxing than a hit-you-in-your-face green =). After spending hours in Menard's, I came home with a really light tan paint. After a few sample swatches, I realized it looked a little like a band-aid. And, this time I wasn't going to hate my paint! So, at 7:45 (Menards closes at 8) I was frantically back in the paint aisle. Instead of alabaster, I went with basketweave...and I love it! Finally =)

The next day I was determined to paint the bedroom. The white and empty walls were driving me bonkers...but I vowed to leave that room since no one really sees it. Now, my vision for our bedroom, furniture included, is perfect!

Here's the BEFORE:

Here's the AFTER!

It's painted a light gray all around, and then I painted a dark gray accent wall -- Eric's little input. I think it looks great!

Scout -- A MUST BUY!

Say hello to Scout, our newest favorite baby toy --- EVER! This toy is from leap frog, and it comes in green (Scout) and purple (violet) for either a boy or girl. We've had this toy since Christmas, but just recently I realized just how cool it really is.

Of course, the batteries died...just like all of Jack's noise-making toys. If it sings or lights up, chances are they become our favorites. Well, while changing the batteries I noticed a USB port in the back. I did a little research, and sure enough I could personalize this little toy.

I went on LeapFrog.com and uploaded Jack's name, favorite food, color, and animal. I also picked the songs I wanted it to play! SO cool.

Now when Jack or I push the power button, it says "Hi, JACK!" He looks every time! It also sings songs that spell out Jack's name. And, there is a lullaby feature that will play for your choice of 2, 5, and 10 continuous minutes of songs you pick. When it starts it says "Goodnight, Jack."

So, if you're expecting, or if you have a little....GO BUY THIS TOY :) It comes highly recommended by baby enthusiast, Jenni.

(Did he just say my name?)

(Give me that tag! His newest obsession..)

(Did he really just say JACK?! Love his eyes...)

Happy 5 Year Anniversary, Eric!

I can't believe how fast time is flying. Today is Eric and my 5 year wedding anniversary. That means we've spent the last 10 years as a couple...crazy! I couldn't imagine life getting any better than it is at this moment, but I'm looking forward to our future together.

At fifteen...

Eric was working as a bus boy at Beck's on weekends. I worked at Hy-Vee as a customer service rep. Eric just got his driver's license and a sweet blue Pontiac Grand Prix. He drove us everywhere for the first six months! Eventually he would teach me how to drive in that car. I still remember going 5 miles per hour trying to figure it all out while he patiently explained blinkers, windshield wipers, and not putting both of my feet on the brakes and accelerator.

At the time, I went to West and Eric went to East. Every single day he picked me up and took me to school...and at the end of the day I could be sure that good ol' blue car would be waiting for me. I would write him notes, which he hated reading, because we could chat about what I wrote as soon as I got in the car. Eric was the truest meaning of reliable and dependable, and not to mention lovable.

We spent our days watching movies, hanging out with friends, playing with Eric's nieces and nephews, and going out to eat -- all things we still love to do now (minus the movie part, there was nothing else better to do back then)!

At 25...

Eric works as a Senior Lender at a local bank, where he works with lending and real estate mortgages. I am an 8th Grade Science teacher in Waukee. We've built our "forever" home in this perfect little suburb that we adore.

Most importantly, we're new parents to our baby(not for long!) Jackson Charles Krieger. He's changed our lives in so many ways, and I cannot imagine what it would be like without him.

We spend our days playing with Jack, spending time with friends and family, and going out to dinner. A typical Saturday usually includes a stroller ride around town with Jack and Maggie, a trip to the grocery store, and a grill-out with friends. You will find both Eric and myself laying in the middle of our living room floor cooing, singing along, and reading to Jack.

It is so crazy to see how lives are so different now then they were before. I am more in love with Eric each day. We've pretty much grown up together, and I can't imagine it being any other way. I am thankful for our carefree days together as we figured out what being a teenager was. I love thinking back to the days of college, late night study sessions, and crappy cars. I am happy right where we are in this little life we've made for ourselves and our family. It's weird to think of ourselves as adults, celebrating our 5 year wedding anniversary. I will always remember the beginning, the now, and I will always look forward to our future. Here's to many more, Eric Dean Krieger!

I love you, hub bub,

Love, Fife

My Little Study Buddy!

Yes, Jack's into reading graduate level texts =)

It's absolutely, ridiculously, impossibly hard to get any school work done with this little boogie at my feet. So, Panera has become my second home. In college pre-Jack, Panera was too crowded and all I would do is people watch. Now, it seems peaceful, quiet, and much less distracting than an adorable, loud, chatty, and grabby baby Jack.

Thanks for sharing your momma with some school work, Jack. Daddy spoils you and you have "boys nights" without me, and that's okay. =) Just keep being you little man.

And....now my book has a big smudge of slobber. I get to think of you every time I grab this out in my all-day classes. Thanks for that big guy. =)

Summer Has Begun!

The sun was shining bright, Jack was in a way good mood, and our only agenda for the day was to test out a brand new baby bug floatie at the pool. It was Jack's very first trip to the pool. And...it was a success! Oh man, he absolutely loved the water, being outside, and napping on my towel as I soaked in the golden rays of sunshine.

It really wasn't hard to get us packed for the pool. All I needed was a towel, and I basically packed a 'waterproof' diaper bag of sorts for Jack's things. When we first got there, I went straight for the water. It was ABSOLUTELY freezing. My first step in took my breath away; I was scared for Jack's reaction. Slowly, we made it to the point where his little feet were in the water, too.

Jack's reaction? A big, huge sigh, a squinty "biz face" as we always see, and then a big ol' smile as he started splashing away! He almost fell out of my arms because I think he thought it was a giant bathtub and he was ready to play! He absolutely had a blast in the water. I put him on his little bumble bee float and we floated, splashed, kicked, and giggled for almost a half-an-hour.

After that, Jack played with some toys on the chair while I just relaxed and enjoyed the sun. Eventually he fell right asleep, and we spent more than 2 hours just hanging out.

I was pretty proud of my sunblock/baby covering up skills, as I got a little burnt, and Jack looked just like before - white as Casper the ghost.

It now feels like summer has begun. All those days in the pool with a little "baby Krieger" in my belly must have paid off. Once a fish, always a fish.



It also feels a little more like summer because our sod has grown roots and is more like real grass everyday =) After a stroll through Valley Junction Farmer's Market yesterday, we plopped our happy little Jack in the grass when we got home. He fiddled, pulled, and chewed on grass for what seemed like forever! Who needs toys when you have grass. The neighbors came and chatted and we enjoyed a wind-less evening outdoors. (We live way out in the "middle of nowhere" for now, until more houses are built in the development, so it's really windy here!)

He could have sat and played for hours!

Yep...he's eating the grass. Boys will be boys?!

He's looking up because the sprinkler got him! =)

I am excited for bonfires with friends and neighbors -- we love our neighbors already! I can't wait for more sun shiny days at the pool with Jack's buddy, Quinn. I can't wait for these wonderful summer days when we stay in pajamas until lunchtime, snuggle for an afternoon nap, and do nothing but enjoy our time together.

Cheers to summer everyone! Glad I'm a teacher =)

A perfect summer day is when the sun is shining, the breeze is blowing, the birds are singing, and the lawn mower is broken. ~James Dent

Jack's 6 Month Pictures!

We had Jack's 6 month pictures last weekend. I requested for them to be outside, just for a change. Although, I didn't realize Jack had never been on or around grass before...

We have just-laid sod, so he can't be on it yet. He loves to be outside so far, so I figured it would be no problem.

Well, I thought wrong! As soon as we plopped his butt in the grass he was MAD. Not just unhappy, MAD! He screamed and cried for the remainder of the session. I am so glad he was happy for the family photos, and that our amazing photographer, Jennifer Waters, was able to capture some good ones even with his grumpy butt!

Here they come...

TEETH!!!!!

Well...we've been anxiously awaiting the arrival of this little milestone in Jack's life: teething. Since he was 2 month old we've watched, felt around, and prepared for little pearly whites in Jack's mouth. A few months later and he's still a mouth full of gums. However, everything has quickly taken a turn for the worse, and we're watching the rough little boogers pop out of his gums a little more each day.

It started with my first day of summer. Jack was happy and content. He can sit for hours, so he easily entertains himself as long as there are lots of toys around him. I wrote a 4 page paper for grad. class before it was due, I finished and put away all the laundry, and I organized cupboards and drawers {my specialty!}. Summer at it's finest. Thursday was my perfect little glimpse into stay-at-home-mommyhood...and it was quite amazing.

Friday rolls along...

....Jack's crying. Jack has a really, really, really runny nose. Jack poops three (which seemed more like a hundred) awful, nasty diapers. Jack's crying some more. Jack naps like ten times in a matter of a few hours...

Where did my perfect summer vacation go? So quickly it was ripped out from underneath me!

The only thing keeping me going, and rocking, and cooing, and entertaining --- it must be teeth. So, I attempt to keep him happy, feed him tylenol every few hours, and hold a teething ring and a pacifier near me at all times. {All of which don't really help much...Jack's still fussy.} But, I can feel the rough edges of two bottom teeth. At least I can blame all of this on teething!

You thought that was the worst of it...think again. One of my good friends was getting married Friday night. And, the wedding was back in Waterloo - a two hour drive. And, Eric had taken too many days off work {for his grandpa's funeral}, so he couldn't come back with me!

So Friday went like this:

Attempting to pack enough for myself and a very unhappy baby.
A juggling act to try and make Jack at least content.
A struggle just to get a few ounces of formula down my normally starving dude.
A 2 hour car ride by myself with a crying, teething baby.
A cram session at Autumn's: I had to get dressed, I fed Jack, we chit-chatted.
A swing into the gas station - because of course I hadn't remembered a card.
Finally, landing at Steph and Nick's wedding. WHEW!

Within minutes Jack was fussy. I stood the entire ceremony -- and I couldn't begin to tell you what the reverend said. I can tell you that Jack highly enjoyed playing with a fake Christmas tree in the back of the room :) Thank goodness for lots of friends and family who held on to Jack, rocked him, and played with him in attempts to entertain him!

Not only am I hating this teething thing...I found a new admiration for single moms! I don't know how you do it :)


Dear Teeth:

We're ready for you. We long for our happy, sleeping, eating, cooing baby you've so quickly taken away from us. I am done driving to all three Walgreen's in the DSM area looking for teething tabs {recommended by expert mommy Mandy!}. And, I'm perfectly okay if you pop up and make your appearance! Thanks so much.

Sincerely,
Jack's Mom

{Maybe this will help my gums feel better?}

{Or maybe this?}

{How about I try this?}

{Or possibly this frozen cube of applesauce in a net will help?}

All of these pictures were taken in a matter of minutes. Poor Jack! Wish us luck...

Things I love...

...about our little family.

I love signing cards "Eric, Jenni & Jack". I have waited so long to add the "&..."

I love feeling complete. When it is just two out of the three of us, I feel like a little lost duckling. When its all three of us, no matter where we are or what we are doing, I feel complete. I love having a little family to belong to.

I love coming home to a smiling baby, a hard-working and loving hubby, and a sweet little Maggie who gives millions of kisses everyday.

I love tackling and documenting all the milestones. Having Jack has definitely taken the boredom out of life...and I love every busy little minute.

I love driving up to our house, as I pass the "We love our children, please drive slow" sign on the way. I love checking out our charlie brown maple trees and our newly laid sod. I love sitting on our deck and chatting with our friendly neighbors. I love petting all the doggies that come to visit Maggie. And, I love pushing that garage door opener button on my car. Something about that button reminds me this is my home. Our home.

There's nothing more special than having a family. Everything in life is just a little more special, a bit more exciting, and whole lot more fun. I can't wait to see what our future holds...and even more so I can't wait to spend every unplanned minute with my little man this summer. Watch out, pool, here we come!

I'll Never Forget...

Jack,
I was just flipping through pictures and stumbled upon a handful of photos from your first moments that I must have skipped over. How adorable is this?

I'll never forget...

...pushing two-and-a-half hours to get your big little body out of mine.

...the doctor saying "It's a boy!"

...your tiny fingers that seemingly instantaneously wrapped around mine.

...this adorable yawn.

...our first hours bonding -- as we learned how to tackle this new life together.

...the sweet little nurse who whispered in my ear "You're one luck girl. You have a beautiful new baby, and one of the best dad's we've ever seen." She came to check on you, even when it wasn't her room to take care of.

...your first bath, your first diaper change, your first toot, your first smile, your first yawn, and your first burp.

...sending you to the nursery because daddy thought we should both get some sleep. Well, he got some sleep. I stared at the clock counting down each minute until you'd be back in my room for your next feeding.

I love you, Jack, and I'll never forget the day you joined our world. By far the best day of my life.

Jack and Linc! =)

Our friends, Josh and Terra, had a little one about one month after we had Jack! We spend a day with the new family when little Lincoln had just arrived. At the time, it seemed like they would always be light-years away from each other. Jack was cooing and holding his head up, while Lincoln was a teeny-weeny newborn.

Now, however, at 5 and 6 months, they are pretty much right at the same point developmentally. It was such a blast to see the two together! =)

I felt bad for little Linc, though. Jack rolled over on top of him, eventually stuck his fingers in his mouth, and is a loudmouth, screaming, growling baby! Lincoln just smirked and watched along. Sometimes he'd talk, just a little. Adorable!

These two are going to be best buds :) :) :)