What is Love?

Love is...

...getting butterflies when 5:00 hits. That means Eric will be home soon! I stare at the clock, play peek-a-boo with Jack, and wait patiently for his arrival. After 10 years of being together...I'm still so much in love with Eric.

...the gigantic smile I get when I get close to Jack. Whether it's 6 am and he's waking up in his crib, or when he's just playing in his gym and I peer over him from the top -- there's nothing better than his big smile. I've waited for the day that he recognizes me...his mommy.

...the big tail wiggles I get from Maggie when I walk in the door. Her little face lights up, her tail wiggles so fast, and sometimes she hyperventilates when I come home! She smothers me with kisses for several minutes as I am running around.

...having the best friends in the world. I have a perfect little group of go-tos who are there when I need them, and there when I don't. They understand everything about me -- from my terrible phone answering/call back habits to my blunt and obnoxious stories =). It used to be about how many people came, now it's all about who's there.

...walking into my classroom after a week-long break with an ear infection, and the kids are quiet and respectful! I wrote a simple note on my board "my ear hurts =(" and the kids totally acknowledged that. In one class, a student who's labeled a 'trouble maker' read aloud the directions for me and helped get class started. In another, a student quieted down class for me and got all of the students listening and paying attention.

...waking up everyday excited for what's to come. I'm thankful for my family, my friends, my job, and my life!

I am so blessed.

"Wherever your heart is, that is where you'll find your treasure." Paulo Coelho

Before...

It's amazing how one little man can change a life so much.

It's almost hard to remember life before baby. I remember wanting to wait to have a baby until we were ready...and our lives finally got to the boredom point. The point where going out wasn't much fun anymore, our careers were set and stable, and most of our friends were getting married and having babies of their own. When going to the mall wasn't about people watching for bad outfits or purses, but stroller searching for cute little ones and being envious of baby bumps.

Before Jack,
I would drag myself out of bed for yet another day. I wasn't greeted by a cooing, smiling baby waiting for a cuddle. I wasn't rushing out of work to drive as fast as I could to Jack's daycare. My focus was work and Eric- to be the best teacher and wife I could be. I'm glad I focused on those two things for several years. Now, I can focus on being a mom.

Before Jack,
Eric and I would work on the plans for the next weekend...that's about as 'in advance' as it got. We looked forward to visitors and nights out with friends. We spent all week trying to plan to fill up our days off. Now, we're not sure what a day off would look like. We talk all day long about coos, feedings, and diapers. We lay on our apartment floor covered in burp rags and bright, colorful, noisy baby toys oodling our little creation. We're almost more content when there aren't any plans for the coming weekend...

Before Jack,
I would run around every day and night looking for things to buy, do, and work on. I was so selfish! It was always about a new outfit, a haircut and highlight, or a new Coach purse. Now, Jack looking cute totally overrides myself. I'm due for a new haircut, I just forget to call to make an appointment. I haven't even thought about a new purse - my diaper bag is what I carry most of the time. And, I hardly go to the mall and pick something up for me to wear! And, that's just the way I want it. Instead of Gap, I'm rushing to baby Gap. Instead of swinging into Loft, I'm pushing a stroller through Pottery Barn Kids.

I remember watching new moms before I was one myself. I remember wondering how they did it all. How were they both a mom and a wife? How did they manage work, baby, husband, friends, cleaning? How could they not spend every waking second with their little. Now, I understand. Priorities change...for the better. It all falls into place. Everything that's meant to be, happens. Everything that doesn't matter is washed away by something more important. And that something more important is usually the adorably amazing little man you see at the top of this post...

A new baby is like the beginning of all things -
wonder, hope, a dream of possibilities.
Eda J. Le Shan

All Things New...

This week was full of firsts.

Friday marked the first day of a much needed spring break for me! Whew! It couldn't have come at a better time. I can't wait for an entire week of cuddling my big man, shopping, and time with Eric and friends. I am actually looking forward to the packing I plan to do as well.

Jack has his first cold. I picked him up from daycare on Friday afternoon...only to hear this awful little baby cough. It was Jack! His nose was running like crazy and his little eyes were glazed over. His first little cold. He was surprisingly happy, despite the bug he caught from daycare. We've been doing a lot of boog sucking, baths, and baby Tylenol, but otherwise he's been normal, happy little Jack!

Here's sick little baby Jack with Mr. Snuggles...his favorite new toy!

Eric and my first night out without our big man. Jack spent some quality time with Aunt Ally and Uncle Brandon as Eric and I headed for dinner and drinks with some friends. I was nervous and excited. It proved to be a fabulous night; we had a great time out and Jack loved spending time with my sister. We have some really great friends and it was nice to spend time together.

I love Eric :)

This picture pretty much sums up our night :)

Jack's first time holding his own bottle! We are working on getting him to help hold his bottle. He's got this 'smoosh it' move. When he's hungry, he'll smoosh our hands and arms to his chest and face! So, we are trying to get him to smoosh his bottle on his own. It's probably the cutest little milestone we've seen so far.
And another big first: our house is almost move-in ready! Our scheduled close date is just weeks away and we couldn't be more excited! We actually walked through it for the first time in a month today, updated pictures are coming soon...

3 Months!

Well, she's done it again! Our wonderful photographer, Jennifer Waters, took Jack's three month pictures over the weekend. It is hard to choose which ones I want to order for my desk at school!

These are just a little sampling of our big man. Can you believe he's 3 months old already!?


http://jenniferwatersphotography.blogspot.com/2011/03/jack.html

Dear Jack,

It has been three whole months since I kissed goodbye my gigantic belly and said hello to a brand new baby. Oh, how our lives have changed since the days before you.

Instead of staring at each other from across the perfectly spotless apartment, we're tripping over burp rags and blankies to watch you roll over and coo. A good night for us is no longer how long we stayed out, but if the bottles are washed and your diaper stacker is stocked up and ready for the next round of changing.

You always amaze me. I will never get over your adorable smile, attempts at giggles, and your stinky farts - probably the only thing you get from me! I love that at three months I know exactly what you want. When you cry your "waaa" cry you're just telling me "Mom, I'm bored...get me outta here!" When you rub your eyes or clench your little hands to your chest you're telling me it's time for bed. It's amazing how you aren't able to talk, however I'm able to listen.

Just a warning big man - your dad is goofy! He sings to you and he plays the Iowa fight song to you every Saturday just to get you ready for football season. He takes care of you in the mornings and makes sure you make it to daycare. You have him wrapped around your wrinkly little one-inch fingers already. I have a feeling you'll get away with everything when Daddy's in charge.

Being a mom, Jack, is the most rewarding job in the world. There are no words to describe how I feel when I'm cuddling with you. I can't wait to spend our days this summer splashing in the pool and taking walks around our new neighborhood. I can't wait for all of the little milestones that keep popping up as you grow older already. Thank you for the good night's sleep and the wet, slobbery kisses. Thank you making our little lives complete.

You are one lucky big man.

We are two lucky parents.

I love you to the moon and back,
Mom

Happy 3 Month Birthday, Jack!

Can you believe it? Time is flying by! Jack is one quarter of a year old already. The days weeks are just flying by, just like everyone told us they would. I already look back at his newborn pictures and think about how sweet, small, and innocent he was. Now, he's holding himself up, learning to roll over, and I even got his first crack at a giggle yesterday! Talk about melting my heart.

Milestones for month three:

• Slobber - is a new word I say more than 10 times in a night...maybe more! Our little man has learned how to salivate, and it's never-ending!
• Routine - is a big deal in our house. Jack has the perfect little schedule. He eats close to the same time every day and night. We put him to bed around 8:00, he wakes up around 6:30 - just like clock work! It's so amazing to expect what's next. It makes for a very happy and well-rested baby and parents!
• Giggles - which are melting my heart! He's a talkative little fella, and when he's smiling he's trying to talk, which comes out as a little chuckle. SO CUTE!
• Jack leaves his poo at daycare - we rarely have to change a stinky diaper! Only on weekends... =)
  
• Rolling over - well sort-of. While on our first "date" since Jack was born, Eric's mom called to tell us Jack rolled over for the first time! He's yet to do it since! Such a stinker...
• Size 2 diapers - now fill our closet! We've stepped it up a notch!

Keep growing, big man! I can't wait to watch you roll, crawl, and talk! Happy 3 month birthday already :) Love you, Mom

House UPDATE!

Our move-in date is quickly approaching! Eric, Jack and I drive by and walk through our house on a sometimes daily basis. It's so much fun to track the milestones. This week: we have a garage door, a roof, siding, and shutters!

{Our soon-to-be living room...fireplace is installed!}

It still doesn't feel real, even though our target move-in date is a few weeks away! Now my decorator wheels are turning. I want to paint the kitchen a bold color. We're going to order our furniture for the whole house soon. I can't wait to put it all together!

I'm planning to try a new decorating style...my current style is very country chic. I want to move more towards contemporary, but I still want it comfortable. We'll see what I come up with. :) Any suggestions from experts will be gladly accepted!

Oh, and blinds or shades? Who knew it would be so hard to decide what kind of window treatments we want?! We have a ton of windows - which I love! But, that's a lot of decisions for me to make! Cellular, wood blinds, or both?! Again...suggestions?

The crazy thing is I am actually looking forward to packing. I love to organize. I can't wait to pack my perfectly organized little life and move it to our forever home...well for now anyway. Waukee, here we come! =)

Happy Jack!

These pictures will probably be some of my favorite pictures of our little man....ever.
I figured out if I attach little rings to his gym so that he can bat at them he's happy! It's been so fun to set him down and just watch him play. This was one of the first days where just looking at me made him smile. It melts my heart every time...

Waiting for Baby

Nine months of growing and changing. A crisp, new bookshelf nearly empty holds What to Expect When You're Expecting. A to-do list that seems never ending.

Waiting for baby.

An empty nursery that has been shuffled to perfection time and time again. Five jars of pickles...gone. Pampers, Johnson's baby lotion, and cuddly blankets.

Waiting for baby.

Maternity clothes shopping mixed with caramel popcorn cravings. Sub plan piles compliment the paper clips no longer reachable on the floor. Flat shoes and ponytails.

Waiting for baby.

Doctor appointment and heart rate and contraction monitors. Tender moments between husband and wife; pushing for hours.

Waiting for baby.

It's a boy! Crazed rush in a tiny hospital room. A first kiss and whisper of "I love you" exchanged from a mom to her brand new baby.

A love that's undefinable.
A baby who is more than perfect.
A new little family is complete.
No longer left...
Waiting for baby.

Like Father, Like Son

Long before we knew our bouncing, crying, smiling little Jackson, Eric and I dreamed about what he would be like. Who would he look like? What will his little toes be like? What color of hair will he have? Will he be a tiny little thing or a gigantic monster?

Well, now Jackson is here...and it's clear he's his daddy's son! Other than my nose, I'm pretty sure Jack is a spitting image of Eric.

Take a look...

Mommy at as a baby (3 months):
Yes, that's me! Happy as can be...and gigantic. I can't believe I'm only three months old here...I look HUGE! My hair went from almost black to this blonde/reddish color.

Daddy as a baby (2 months):
Eric, to this day, is nicknamed "The Biz" because of his eyebrows. When he's talking business, whether it is money or mortgages, Eric is focused. So focused that his eyebrows do some crazy things! Look at his scowl as a wee little one.

Baby Jack, or should we say Baby Biz? =)
The first moment I saw Jack in the hospital plopped on my stomach he was making this face! I wonder where he got it from?!

I quick took this picture after Eric said "I don't think he looks like me at all!" I asked him to pull up a picture...and this is what we got.

My dreams came true, little one, the day you arrived. I'm so glad that each time I look at you I get a glimpse of the man I love. Those amazingly long eyelashes that I crossed my fingers you would have melt my heart each time you bat them at me. Your scowl makes me laugh out loud, even in a crowded mall elevator. I'm happy that you look like your daddy. I'm happy that you're you.

I love you more everyday.

Love,
Mom