Dear Kate,

Dear Miss Kate,

My little ray of sunshine.

My little dolly.

In the morning, I can hear little tiny noises coming from your room.  I go peek in to see if you're okay, and I find you chewing on the tag of your pillow or just laying there snuggling your blanket wide awake.  As soon as you see me, your chubby little arms flail and you make these adorable little high-pitched noises.  I love that you are so content that you will just hang in your crib until someone comes to find you - wide awake.
 
Everyday, you rock a bow/headband and never take it off.

You have the most adorable little smile, that still crinkles right at the tip of your nose.  Unlike your big brother, you flash this smile to anyone and anything that comes near you.  You're not skeptical even the slightest and I think you'll find the best in everything.  I can just tell.  You are still, literally, insanely easy and content.  You're sitting, crawling everywhere, and absolutely love bouncing around (in my lap, in your bouncy-jumper thing, anywhere, really).

I am obsessed with baby girl clothes.  I recently bought almost every article of girls clothes at Baby Gap and cannot wait to dress you in sophisticated layers for this winter.  Honestly, you look cute in anything you wear.

Kate, I cannot believe that you're crawling around on my floor and eating Cheerios already.  I can already envision late night chats, Saturday morning shopping sprees, and boyfriend talks.  I am already planning to be one of 'those moms' who puts you in anything and everything from gymnastics to dance.  I am thinking you will be chill, reserved, and amazing -- just like your daddy.  I am so in love with all things you.  You are my dream, my sweet little girl, Kate.

I love you to the moon and back (and back again),
Momma

Look at how teeny weeny you were...

And look at my brown eyed, brown haired girl.

Life is good..

Life is busy in the Krieger household.  Busy and wonderful.

I am now teaching 5th graders -- and loving it!  There are a few more things to plan teaching elementary (okay, one million) but I truly am loving the pace.  You really can't beat the relationships I'm building with these adorable kids.  I go to work early and stay late most nights...but I like the challenge of doing something new and completely different! 

Our new daycare rocks.  Anyone with kids knows this is HUGE!  We switched to a new in-home closer to our home.  She has four full-time/part time kids...making our two often the only kiddos!  How perfect.  In a matter of weeks we've sunk into a routine and our kids feel just right at home.  It's awfully comforting knowing your kids are in good hands while they are not with you, you know.

Party of four groove.  By the time Jack man was 6 months, we had our little life narrowed down to a perfect routine.  Now that Miss Kate is 6 months old, we feel the same.  We can pile out our whole family - diaper bag in tow - in a matter of minutes and rarely hesitate to do anything with the four of us.  Eric rocks at bath time and I am a master at putting away all of Kate's little wardrobe essentials {there are SO many more little things for girls..}  I am the 'picker-upper' and Eric is the newest master chef.  Jack is our wingman and Kate is off on the sidelines chewing on something -- anything, really.  We really have this whole two kid lifestyle down for now!

Jack.  Almost potty trained!  Today -- no accidents!  I decided I was ready and frankly changing his nasty poops were disgusting.  We used the "babies wear diapers" a lot -- and so far so good!  Finally.  My hope was before he turned three and it's looking like we'll make it official before the end of November.  Whew!  He's a sweet little man.  I gave up pop and today had a killer headache -- so lame.  I told him my head hurt and he said "you'll feel better, mom.  Lay on the couch!" as he hefted Kate's heavy carseat off the couch to make room for me.  He still loves the alphabet and knows all of his letters and loves to write or practice on his iPad.  Loves books and gets uber excited for his baby sister.  "I wuv her, mom"

Kate.  Seriously, couldn't get easier.  Our little dolly.  Super sweet and crazy chill.  Eyelashes galore.  Holds her own bottle, sits up like crazy, and is crawling around putting everything in her mouth.  We put her swing away {tear} because she just was never into it.  We stored her bouncy chair and brought up the Jumperoo.  She's growing up so stinkin' fast!  I just love having a sweet, sweet baby girl around. 

Clothes.  There's nothing more fun than shopping for a boy AND a girl.  I went on a shopping spree at none other than baby gap and scored so many cute baby clothes (including a few adorable skinny jeans for little miss).  This year's color scheme is navy, pink, leopard, and cream -- love, love, love.  Last year it was mustard and maroon and I hated nearly everything.  I'm leaning a little more towards Gap for both kids clothes which make life easy.

We just love our little kids, our house, our neighborhood, our jobs, and each other.  Life is good in the Krieger hood.