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!

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!}