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!

Happy Birthday Jackson!

...well, kind of. Why not celebrate 12 birthdays for his first little year of life? Well, I'm going to! So, here's to your 1 month old birthday little man!

Things I want to remember about your first month:
1. Your actual birthday that we'll celebrate for the rest of our lives! I'll never forget that day. It was so amazing to finally see your squishy and wrinkly little face. Even more amazing to share you with everyone. And, even better to finally snuggle you on my chest skin-to-skin and call you mine.

{Day two at the hospital}

2. Supportive and amazing friends and family. Our tiny hospital room was filled with friends, family, balloons and flowers supporting us. It was so great to see all of the wonderful people in our lives.

{All of the balloons and flowers we had crammed in our room :)}

3. Taking a million pictures of your everyday accomplishments. My poor memory card on my camera. I have it near my side each day...and I take more and more pictures. I capture your little outfits that you might only wear once, the little quirky faces you're learning how to make, and all of the little things you do to make me smile.

{This is what we do every day! }

{Maggie LOVES giving you kisses! You turn your head to find her!}

{You're starting to like your new toys}

{These are just SO adorable...but you hate them. Love this!}

4. All of the nicknames you've acquired. Daddy calls you 'buddy' almost always. He comes in and says "HI JACK!" and you always turn your head and wait for his kiss. From then on, you're little buddy. I call you Jack Jack Jack, little man, Jack-y (although Daddy says that's a girl name so I only call you that when he's gone...shh don't tell!), and most often stinky man when you poo. Some others have nicknamed you "YAACK" and "Jack Chuck". I'm sure they'll keep coming!

5. Bathtime! I love baths, and I'm SO glad you share that love with me. I can't wait to take you to the pool with me this summer...and can't wait to splash around in our whirlpool tub in our new house. You've figured out that if you blow raspberries with your little lips you'll get bubbles in your mouth --- so all while I'm cleaning you you're eating bubbles. And, your pictures of you straight-out-of-the-bath are so darn cute!

{Another one of your many gifts -- embroidered with your name...love!}

6. Our first Christmas as a family. It was so fun parading you around to everyone. There were so many people who were dying to see you! It was an adventure to say the least; packing for a family of three plus a four-legged friend was quite a bit more challenging than before. I dressed you in a million cute outfits and passed you from one set of arms to another. Oh, and you made out big! You already have a nice collection of toys we can't wait to play with soon! And, no Christmas present will ever be better than you.

{All of the grandkiddos...we finally have one to put in the picture!}

{Daddy opening your FIRST EVER Christmas gift!}

7. Getting comfortable being your mommy. The first few days we tiptoed around everything we did for you. From changing your diaper to putting on clothes, we took our time and were super careful and cautious. It's fun to see myself evolving into my new role. I am pretty darn sure I could change a diaper in the dark in my sleep now. Unlike the first few days where we'd even have some blowout diapers because we didn't know what we were doing. I went from using like five wipes on a poo diaper to only one -- maybe two if it's real bad. I whip your little limbs into your clothes in a matter of milliseconds, where I previously would be so careful not to break you. It used to take hours to get out the door, now I have your diaper bag packed and ready...and I toss you in your car seat and we're ready to go. I'm getting better each day at figuring out life with baby. We love being a family. You make us feel complete. Can't wait for your 2nd month birthday already ;)

Dear Baby Jack,

Welcome to our world! You have not only joined us in this crazy thing we call life, but you have transformed every moment we share together. We are so blessed and thankful for your little feet, your smile you are trying to figure out, and even your poopy diapers.

Tomorrow you will be one month old already. All throughout my pregnancy I wrote you little notes to fill you in on how much we loved you and how prepared and ready we were for you. I poured my heart into every post capturing precious thoughts that can never be forgotten. Now, you're right here with us (sleeping in your swing as I type) and I can't imagine life being any better.

Every morning I wake up to your sweet coo, or sometimes a scream cry if you're hungry, and I smile. I get up from my warm bed to scoop you up and spend the rest of my day with you. We cuddle, we giggle, and we nap together. I run around the house trying to keep up after all of your messes while you lay on your tummy and watch with your little head held high. Sometimes I wear you out and you fall asleep right there in the middle of the living room floor!

Your daddy and I are obsessed with your little milestones. Yesterday was your one month well-baby appointment and we found out that you are already 11 pounds and 3 ounces! So much for a little man, huh? The doctor said that you're at the 98th percentile for weight for a four-week-old. I knew you'd be a big boy! You are also holding your head high, standing on our laps when we attempt to get those big burps out after eating, and you are starting to figure out your voice. All of these little things seem so big to a proud momma and poppa! I swear I'd stop a stranger to brag about you already. Yes. I'm one of those moms. Sorry Jack.

All the preparation, cleaning, and crossing off to-do lists didn't prepare me for the love we'd share, Jack. Everyone told me it's unlike anything I'd ever felt before...and they couldn't be more right. What I do know is that I was put on this Earth to be a mom - your mom - and it's everything I've ever wanted. I cry when you cry. I worry about every bump, noise, and hiccup. I stare at you when you sleep to watch you breathe. You're my world. You're our everything. And, you're perfect.

Love,
Mom

Live and learn...

....and that's exactly what we're doing. Living and learning.

From the day I found out I was pregnant I spent hours upon hours perfecting our home for the baby's arrival. 'Nesting' was a large part of my every day (and that hasn't stopped). It's funny to look back at my "I'm ready for you little man" posts with my perfectly placed nursery decor, stacks of diapers I thought would last a lifetime, and piles and piles of clothes. Again, I'm living and learning.

The nursery decor changed as soon as we came home from the hospital. Oh, and by the way, you leave the hospital with more than you go there with - so pack lightly! The drawers which I thought were perfectly placed on the bottom shelf (they weren't too sightly, so bottom shelf it was) were instantly shoved to the top. They were filled with burp cloths and bibs...two things I never realized would define my life. I also had to find a spot for all of my breastfeeding supplies which I was totally ignorant of. I now have a place for my pads, lanolin, breast shells, and everything else I didn't realize I'd need. The shelf above the changing table is our lifeline. Instead of cute stuffed animals, our shelf adorns destin diaper cream, baby wipes, lotion, and a baby brush for after baths. Far from cute, but very practical!

{Before - and that chair is now in the living room! I live in it.}

{After}


I remember washing and REWASHING Jack's clothes...just to make sure they smelled like Dreft. Who knew I'd be washing so many clothes! There's definitely never a chance that something doesn't smell like Dreft now. Also, I never thought twice about washing the clothes. That means you rip the tags off. Yep. There were several (and when I say several I'm using the term lightly) pieces of clothing that Jack never made it into, or spit up and couldn't fit after washing. Living and learning...

Diapers. Pacifiers. Bibs. Burp cloths. Booger-sucker-upper (who really knows the name of that thing?!). All of these things define my day.

• We have (well had) a gigantic stock of diapers. They disappear quickly. We've already bought our own box of size 1 diapers yesterday. I was sure they'd last...
• I was also sure that I wouldn't stick those sightly pacifiers in MY baby's mouth. They are so ugly and they are just a plug for your baby to express themselves. WHO WAS I KIDDING? Those things should cost more than gold or diamonds. I love you, Avent and Nuk pacifiers.
• Burp cloths are so amazing. They catch every fluid that comes out of any orifice. As soon as one is spit up on...dirty clothes basket! And, it's Eric's specialty to loose them. He changes Jack - new burp cloth. He puts Jackson in the crib - burp rag disappeared. We go through a lot of burp cloths.
• Boogers are the devil! I feel so bad when I can hear Jackson trying to breathe with boogers blocking the way! He and I both love the booger-sucker-upper. He moves his nose to make it perfect viewing for me. I feel like I've accomplished an insurmountable task when I get a boogie out. So glorious, huh? =) Just call me the boogiemister!
  
  
  

Eric is loving my realizations one-by-one. He knew it'd be this way...and I was determined to keep 'cute' in place of 'functional'. Every time something changes or moves he chuckles and smiles. Can I blame him? :)

I've quickly discovered that being a mom is not all glorious, cutesy, and perfect. And...that's just how I like it. I'm getting used to letting things go and enjoying the moment with the best Christmas gift of all. I've given up make-up and a cute outfit for sweatpants and a good headband to cover my not-so-stylish mom do. I relish in the quiet, peaceful moments of our little family slowly figuring out our lives together. I'm blessed and thankful for all that we have been given. And, I'm living and learning each day...

I'll leave you with some pictures of our little Jackson Charles...

{Jack cuddles with his first toy - this little frog makes noise and lights up! He clenches on for dear life to it!}


{Lots of tummy time has paid off - he can lift his head!}


{Quality time on his pottery barn gym with daddy and maggie}


{Another day out shopping - first day wearing shoes! So cute}

Can you believe it...

...Jackson is TWO WEEKS OLD already!

And he's growing and growing already. Everyone says "enjoy them while they're tiny...they grow too fast!" I never really thought about it until today. Jack is already two weeks old. I glanced at the millions of pictures from his first days we spent in the hospital - and he really IS growing and changing.

Milestones of our {not so little} newborn:
1. Jack can sleep stretches of 5+ hours through the night. I'm hoping the trend continues...
2. Our little man already uses his strong little neck! When we try and burp him he flings his neck out to check out our faces and the world around him. Good job little buddy.
3. Unlike the first few days, Jack can stay awake for an hour or two at a time. It's been fun reading his first books, playing with his little hands and feet, and dressing him up in all of his clothes.
4. Newborn clothes are officially packed. It was a very sad day. There were a handful of adorable gap ensembles that Jack never even got to wear! Whoops :)
5. Jack still loves baths. I've yet to hear even the hint of a cry. He just adores being in the warm water. I scrub and scrub and he just hangs out.

Eric and I are adapting to our new, unselfish roles of mommy and daddy. It's funny what our conversations have turned in to:
"Whoa, did you hear that? I think Jack pooped a big one!" ~ Daddy Eric
"Can you believe Jack ate 5 ounces this afternoon!" ~ Mommy
"The diapers and wipes just keep magically refilling themselves." ~ Daddy Eric

The best part is that they all seem so exciting to Eric and me. Truly moments only we as a family can relish in.

I've been exploring my amazing Chicco stroller system at the local malls; you didn't think I'd be stuck inside and not shopping did you? The first time I took Eric along with us, just in case I couldn't figure it out. After that -- watch out West Des Moines. This new momma is on her way! I've been out-and-about with Jackson every day since then. He's a trooper, too! He passes out in the car and then sleeps and sleeps. I bump into clothes racks, hit big bumps, and he still sleeps! Eric and I even went to dinner last night. Carlos at it's finest. My first margarita since March. A contented little baby sleeping in the booth right next to me. It was more than perfect.

I won't tell you how many pictures I've taken since Jackson's arrival...but I'll leave you with a few goodies:

{He was SO mad to be naked and taking pictures}

{Jackson getting ready for a day out shopping}

{I just love his little jeans}

{Another great one of his wailing! He never cries so I just love these pictures}

{Daddy took this one...like father like son. Jack loves watching T.V.}

{A view from the top - this is how he sleeps now!}

Breastfeeding 101

I was bound and determined to at least try and breastfeed little Jackson. I knew it was better for him, and me. I didn't know if I'd enjoy it or could handle it; it actually has proven easy! There's a lot to the simple concept that I didn't realize but overall it's simple, quick, and easy.

The good...

• It's the best nutritionally for baby. I'm allergic to life...so I thought feeding baby Jackson breast milk would be easiest -- rather than deal with possible allergies (it took my parents 9 different tries with formula before they discovered one I could keep down). And, I hear IQ levels are higher in breast fed babies :) So far, Jack loves my milk!
  
• I'm down 25 pounds already....and I only gained 8 the whole pregnancy! Breastfeeding burns up to 500 more calories a day. It also makes the uterus go back to pre-pregnancy size faster.
• I can wear JEANS WITH BUTTONS AND ZIPPERS again! And, they are actually a little big now! Shopping spree soon?!? I feel like I have a whole new wardrobe...going from maternity clothes to an entire closet filled with cute clothes that either fit or are too big -- I'll take it.
  
• Can we say cheaper? Formula is expensive! We stocked up on some in case I gave up quickly on the breastfeeding at the hospital. Breastfeeding is free, baby!
• I'd actually say it's easy. Before trying it...I mostly heard horror stories or of people who gave up before they started. It's really very easy. And, I'm a regular milk factory! I could feed all the babies on our block I'm sure.
• Bonding with baby. The thought of breastfeeding before Jack grossed me out to be honest. But, I knew I'd try at least. Now that he's here, it's such a great bonding experience. I feel proud to know that I can provide him with the best nutrition just by being his mom. The cute looks on his little face...his little milk mustache after he's done eating...and his big ol' belch when he's done on one side = priceless.
• Poopy diapers are easier to clean, and they don't smell bad :) And, Jack doesn't spit it up AT ALL!
  
• My breast pump was covered by insurance (usually a $300 pricetag)! So, I'm able to pump and freeze milk.
  

The bad...

• I'm limited and bound to the baby's schedule. Rather than being able to leave him with daddy (or anyone else), I have to either be there to feed him or have some milk pumped out. Which then results in engorged boobies...ouch!
• I can only have one drink at a time -- otherwise I have to pump and dump my milk. Which hasn't been an issue yet; I still feel guilty even looking at a bottle of wine. I'm sure that will disappear soon.
• I don't plan to continue when I'm back to work. I don't have a schedule that I could easily fit pumping into. I only have a 20ish minute lunch, and that'd be just enough time to pump and clean. So, I'll keep it up for now...freeze as much as I can...and supplement when I'm back to work.
  

The ugly...

• Nursing bras. Enough said.
• Clothes. I can't just wear my cute clothes...I have to think about if it will be easily accessible when little Jack decides he's hungry. I walk around the house in sweats, nursing bras, and tank tops. Lovely!

Overall, breastfeeding has been a joy. I'm glad I didn't give up too soon; I looked at the perfectly portioned Similac bottles in the hospital and thought how easy it would be just to cave into formula...

Jack's Newborn Photo Shoot!

Click on the link below to see our preview of Jackson's newborn photo shoot! Thank you SO much to photographer Jennifer Waters! She did such a great job.

Unlike most newborn photo shoots, Jack was wide eyed and awake the entire shoot! There were so many cute poses -- can't wait to see them all!

http://jenniferwatersphotography.blogspot.com/2010/12/jackson.html

Daddy Eric

Everyone told me that having a baby would change everything (and they usually were hinting towards the negative). Well, they were right. Except, having a baby has made our marriage and relationship grow stronger.

Eric was excited from the moment I called him to tell him we were expecting, to the minutes before little Jackson was born. I knew he'd be a great daddy to our little man. What I didn't know is how amazing he really is.

Eric has always been my best friend and the best husband I know. Adding fatherhood to his many hats has only proven to be another success. Each day, he shows me another sweet side of his amazing personality - as he cuddles, sings, and plays with Jackson. He is back to work now, and not a morning or afternoon goes by without a phone call check up from daddy. He asks how I'm doing and how Jack is doing, and says hi to Maggie over speakerphone. He now comes home for lunch...mostly to cuddle with our little man. Even though he's back to work, he gets up each time Jack cries in the middle of the night. Although I'm breastfeeding and there's not much he can do, he wakes up with me to help and support us. He burps Jack and changes him as I get ready for the next round. He even holds up my water by my face, since I'm usually using both hands to help hold Jack up! So sweet...

{Jackson and Eric...passed out together on the floor}

{Poor Jack was looking for food...}

{The best little man with the best daddy in the world}

I never realized that our relationship could get any stronger...but it has. We hug more, kiss more, say I love you more, and when we lay down to go to bed we tell each other how much we appreciate each other. Our love has grown stronger and I'm very blessed and thankful.

WE LOVE YOU, DADDY ERIC!

Jack's Birthday

Jackson Charles Krieger
Born 11/30/2010 @ 2:55 p.m.
8 lbs 15 oz & 21 inches long


It was 6:00 a.m. on Tuesday, November 30th, 2010. We were actually scheduled for an induction for that day, but we wanted to keep that a secret. I didn't get any sleep, as I was so anxious for the next day. Would we have our little son? Or would the hospital be too full and we'd have to wait another few days? After a few minutes I quickly realized my water had broken! What a coincidence. We showered, packed, and headed for the hospital. On time as scheduled, except I was in labor already.

We were sent to room 2016. A room tucked in the corner of the labor and delivery wing at Mercy Medical downtown Des Moines. Eric and I stared and smiled at each other; we relished in the last moments of 'us'. Within a few minutes I was hooked up to IV's, baby heartrate monitors, and contraction timers. I was checked and was dilated to 4 and 100% effaced. I had a feeling labor would progress quickly. I was right! Within an hour I was dilated to 7, and an hour after that I was ready to push! I kept thinking: this is too easy...

Then came delivery. I never realized labor and delivery were two VERY different things. My labor was a breeze - two hours and I was ready to go! My delivery...that's a whole different story. It was Eric, Me, and the nurse. The baby was turned, but the nurse was determined to still deliver normally. So, we pushed. Then, we turned and pushed. After that, we changed positions again and pushed. Eventually, 2 and a half hours later, we were still pushing. The doctor came in and gave me the option of pulling the little guy out with forceps. At that time, they could have said cement chisel or bulldozer...get him out already! So, in a matter of seconds Jack was plopped on my belly --- screaming and crying instantly.

It was so surreal. The moment I'd waited for 10 months, and really 24 years. I've always wanted to be a mom. I, in my dreary state, looked down. I kissed his forehead and whispered "Welcome, Jack. I'm your mommy. I love you." No one but Jack heard.

Then came the whirlwind. 45 minutes of stiching - all while being able to feel every tug and stich. Afterall, by the end of the pushing my epidural had worn off. I ate a quick bite as they continued to work on baby and me. After that, a bathroom attempt quickly turned into me turning green, passing out, throwing up my just-eaten food, and nurses screaming "EMERGENCY". It was very scary. The worst part: it happened again after all of the guests left...except this time I couldn't even hear. A true black-out! All the wonderful things about labor no one ever tells you about! All totally worth it.

We eventually made our way to our room we'd stay in for the next few days. We had tons of family and friends waiting. Everyone loved our little man.

Being Mommy and Daddy has come naturally for Eric and Me. That first night was filled with chats about life, how blessed we are, and how on Earth will I ever figure out this whole breastfeeding thing. Everytime Jack left the room we frowned and talked about how we miss him already, and how it seemed too easy. So far, so good! One of the most memorable parts of the whole entire day was watching Eric hold him. He didn't realize I was listening -- with a tear in his eye he wispered "Jack, you're the best thing that's ever happened to me. I love you." It was the most adorable thing ever! I had several nurses throughout our stay whisper to me about how great of a dad Eric was and how lucky of a family we were.

We are lucky. We love you, Jack.

Baby Jack is Here!

I'll be blogging about our little miracle soon...but here are a few pictures capturing our special moments these last few days...

After 2+ hours of pushing...I'M OUT!

We're a family now...

Jack's first bath...
He's such a little trooper...

Daddy's very proud...and amazing.

We're very blessed and in love already. He's perfect and is our world.

Love you Jack!