The best gifts of all...

1. Time with Eric.
Eric and I had a wonderful date night on Saturday. My cousin, who's mom is our daycare provider, offered to watch Jack overnight! We dropped him off after his afternoon nap and were baby-free for the rest of the night!

I know, you're excited to hear about our wild, crazy adventures...here goes.

Jordan Creek shopping madness:
Pottery Barn Kids secret Santa gift, check. Pandora charm for my aunt, check. Bath and Body Works secret Santa gift items, check. Shopping without a stroller or squirmy baby/toddler - priceless!

Bravo Italiana:
We split an amazing salad, dined over lots of conversations about more than just Jack, and dug our forks into the world's biggest meatballs I swear. MMmmm.

Tonic Sol Fa:
Eric surprised me with tickets to this amazing acapella group. We held hands on our way into the beautiful, tucked-behind-the-big-city Hoyt Sherman Place Theater. It was definitely worth seeing!

Downtown:
We stopped by Sbrocco {a wine bar} for a glass of wine. After, we marched over to Heroes -- more of a "going out" bar. We lasted a few sips of our beers before laughing at the crazy, drunken dancing and left. Man, we're old. Then, we stopped by Fong's! A Chinese/pizza place. Weird combination, I know. We shared the Kung Pao pizza, and we were on our way.

Home by 11:30.

Picked up Jack by 8:30 Sunday morning.

Exciting adventures? I'd say so! It was nice to chat over dinner without having to make bite-sized pieces for Jack. It was great to hold hands and just enjoy each other's company. It was nice that we both agreed it was bedtime at 11:30...

2. Jack.

Time away makes me realize just how much I love this little guy...

..and we have way too many toys. Santa, take it easy this year!

3. Camera!
I just love my camera.

Best. gift. ever.

A little bubble bath to end our nightly routine...

Hey little duckie...

Hey, Mom...what's this?

I. love. baths.

4. Winter break. A whole week-and-a-half to spend with Jack, Eric, and the best family and friends around.

Happy Holidays, everyone!

Jack Dances!

Jack has been shuffling his feet and shaking his booty for about a week now. We've been trying and trying to get it on camera, but he's so excited to grab the camera that we can never film it. We finally caught a tiny glimpse of his "booty shaking" tonight! So funny.

Wordless Wednesday

Cheese Tortellini & Tomato Soup!

I am a simple, routine kind of girl. When we travel to the grocery store, I stock up on the usuals (ground turkey, frozen peas, canned petite diced tomatoes, and mozzarella cheese). Each time I cook we enjoy chili, tacos, chicken-spaghetti toss, and some sort of grilled meat with veggies.

Not today.

Yep. I tried a new recipe. One I found on Pinterest, actually.

It. Was. Fantastic. See below!

Cheese Tortellini & Tomato Soup

{MMMMMM waiting for Daddy to get home from work!}

{Ready to eat...}

{Yum-O!}

It only took about 20 minutes from start to finish. Want to try?

First, boil a small pan of water for 1/2 package frozen cheese tortellini. Cook for 3 minutes. Drain and add to soup pot.

Then, in a large pot, bring to boil the following:
One can tomato soup (Campbell's)
One cup 2% milk
One cup half-and-half
One can chicken broth
1/4 cut chopped sun-dried tomatoes
Sprinkle in:
minced garlic
garlic salt
onion powder
basil
course-ground black pepper

After cooking for about 20 min, sprinkle in 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese...and enjoy!

Dear Jack,

It's been awhile since I've written you. It was so easy to do when you were just a little rumbling in my tummy long ago. Now, I tell you all the time just how much I love you.

Right now, you're stealing our hearts with your booty bump, your shuffling feet, and your giant smirk when you know you're in trouble. You walk around and talk and sing - no matter who's in the room to hear. When you fill your diaper with some awfully stinky stuff, you find your way near me as if to tell me -- change me, Mom! Can't you smell it? Adorable.

You fell down the stairs the other day. You've been so brave going up and down. Finally, you discovered that if you throw your toys down, you can play fetch with yourself. Well, the stairs won. BUT...you're not afraid of them and are still trying to play your game of fetch. Good thing I was gone at class or I might have cried with you. Boys will be boys I guess...

You absolutely love teeth. I know, weird. You play with yours, dig through my lips to find mine. You do this little excited shake when we hand you your little toothbrush...and you even do a "brush, brush, brush" motion in your mouth when we ask. Maybe someday you'll be a dentist?

I hope you grow up to love our family -- for what it is. You have lots and lots of "aunts". All of my friends who have grown up with you as if you are their own. Eric's family who loved you before we even had you. And, lots of fill-in grandmas who love to hang out with you. I hope you're not sad that you'll never know some of your family on my side -- my mom included. I'm hoping that it's easy for you since you'll never know any different...

We're working to make our life as happy as can be. And, although it may never be perfect, your dad and I will try our best. I can promise you one thing: you will grow up knowing this house is your home.

I cried on your birthday, bud. I know...sappy mom. It was so surreal to believe that it had already been a whole year since the day we met you. My little baby wasn't so much of a baby anymore...

I hope you continue to grow and thrive. I hope you still have a love for reading when you make it to school someday. I hope you never, ever, ever stop snuggling your momma. Ever.

I love you to the moon and back, Jack.

You are my whole world wrapped up into a tiny bundle of Gap fleece with a snotty nose.

Love,
Momma

"Sometimes the smallest things take up the most room in our hearts."

What's New?

Christmas cards sent -- check. I sent out more than 70 cards this year! Phew! We have a lot of people we love.

Pinterest is SO addicting...

Jack is so much fun right now! He walks ALL around, plays with his toys, and absolutely totally loves to snuggle. This week, he's a total Momma's boy -- he cries when Daddy takes him from me. :)

{Jack taunting Maggie with HER toy!}

{He loves his "gak, gak, gaks!" BOOKS!}

We had his 12 month check up. He's "thinned out" according to the doctor. Something I definitely don't see! He's 95% on the charts for height, and 45% for weight --- so a tall and skinny little man. I am wondering if he'll get the height side of my family? The doctor was amazed at his walking and talking. She said he acts more like a 15-month-old, and gave us some 18-month skills to work on (holding a spoon while eating, stacking blocks, colors, etc.) She asked for his vocab, and I told her "mama", "dada", "gak" (book) and "aaappplle" for apple. She said "are you sure he can say apple?" and before she finished Jack looked up and yelled "aaaaaappple". She was amazed! The poor guy had lots of shots and blood drawn though. He was settled down with his very first sucker -- which he LOVED. He's a sugar addict. He doesn't ever get sweets and junk food, so when he does...he chows down.

{He doesn't remember that he just got THREE shots and his finger pricked}

Class is OVER...for a month anyways.

It's such a relief to not have to worry about 50+ page readings, 3-5 page papers, and giant assignments for the next MONTH! No Wednesday classes until 10 pm, and no wasting my Saturdays in class. The cohort I'm in is way fun though. It helps to spend all this time away from my family with some funny people!

Maggie got a new haircut. She looks so cute! We finally found a groomer here in Waukee that isn't booked up into the new year. It's nice to call and get her right in.

We're thinking about finishing our basement soon. We've accrued quite the collection of toys -- and I refuse to let my living space turn into a crayola box of pukey bright colors. Solution? Finished basement family room with toy storage! We plan on finishing an extra bedroom and bathroom, as well as a big, comfy family room. Eric wants to do it himself. SCARY! If you know anything about Eric...he's the least handiest person I know. BIG time. I am hoping he caves and hires a friend to do it...

I got a new camera lens for Christmas - early.

It's a Nikkor-AF-s f1.8 50mm lens (for any of you camera users out there). Basically, I can get close to Jack and blur the background -- which is exactly why I wanted a nice camera in the first place. It's nice because its really pretty easy to use...and now ALL of our photos look professional. It's so hard to choose which one's I like.

Here's some crafty photos of our tree and ornaments:


Eric and I have a date night planned for Saturday night. It's been awhile for just the two of us to head out together...and my cousin is hanging out with Jack for the night. We're so excited! We'll probably get home early and watch the clock for when we get Jack back :) We'll try!

That's all, folks! Until next time...

It's Jack's Party...

...he can eat cake if he wants to! :) I don't even have to write he can cry if he wants to, because he didn't cry one bit.

We filled our house with our closest friends and family and celebrated our little man turning one.

When I think back I remember:
A happy, wandering, playful little one-year-old who LOVED the attention
Finger foods (suitable for wee ones) in pretty displays
Primary colored sixlets
Perfectly coordinated presents -- which turned into toy after toy after toy
Books and cake
Good times with good friends!

My goal: simple and classic. He's one. He had no idea it was his birthday...so I didn't go crazy with decorations or anything. Simple and low stress...so we could just enjoy the friends and family we had with us! I'm SO, SO, SO glad I did this.

Thanks to all of our friends {who are definitely more like our family} for helping us celebrate our little man's big day.

Happy Birthday Jack! It's been the best year of our lives.

We love you!

Mom & Dad

Winter Break...

...is nearing. Here's my to-do list:

1. Become EVEN MORE addicted to Pinterest. I've learned new ways to take pictures, have become addicted to DIY projects, and laugh out loud multiple times a night at witty quotes. Darn you, Pinterest! Between you, this blog, and Facebook...I'm doomed.

2. Snuggle with my snuggle bug. I just LOVE watching Jack walk, run, play, babble, and eat at this stage. I haven't said this yet, but I think the one-year-old-I-can-be-independent-but-still-love-to-snuggle stage is my favorite BY FAR. He recognizes us, laughs, throws entire rolls of toilet paper in the toilet and then tries to get it out, piece by piece. I can't wait for all day pajamas and play time.

3. Shop?! As if that's never on my to-do list...I need {insert an unlimited list of a random assortment of things from sippy cups to Miss Me jeans}...

4. Date night with Eric. Since we've had Jack, we've officially hired TWO babysitters. One for a wedding, one for a teacher work day. Wow -- we're cool. I want to plan a date night and spend time talking about us and not diapers and hot wheels. I love Eric =)

5. Friends! A good girls' night out is in my near future. When I'm with my girls, I totally forget everything stressful about life and just laugh until my tummy hurts!

6. Clean. I know I'm weird. I'm a sucker for a clean house.

7. NOT think about class. I am VERY excited for this to-do.

8. Iron my dress pants. I have a whole closet dedicated to dress pants alone. How many do I wear? The same five pairs that do NOT require ironing. It's time to iron, people!

9. Learn cool features with my new camera lens. Sweet, photographer-like pictures, here I come! I will get good at it...

10. Continue on my "Random Acts of Kindness" ideas. Today, I donated our couch and loveseat to a family in need. Last week, I put money into a student's account so he could eat lunch. What can I think of next?

Being a teacher definitely has some perks -- including WINTER BREAK! And the sweet facebook message I received from an old student yesterday... =)

{after re-reading this post, I realize that I REALLY like to CAPITALIZE my thoughts. This is NEW?}

One Year Old!

Well, Jack...we made it! You, my little man, are one WHOLE year old. I can't believe how fast that year has flown by.

Yesterday, we had a birthday party for Jack. Our house was filled with our closest friends and family. It was SO much fun. Jack, as usual, hammed up and soaked in all of the attention from everyone. His favorite parts: cake and cars! He screamed when we finally took the cake away from him. For the rest of the night he had blue boogers...

Ten things I will never forget about you being ONE:
1. Now that you're walking (and darn good at it!) there are tons of random things all over the house. I went upstairs to put laundry away and tripped over a stuffed animal in the spare bedroom, a car in the hallway, a sock in our bedroom, and an empty sippy cup in the hallway. You ALWAYS walk with something in your hands. And then, subsequently, drop that something and pick up another toy.


2. You talk all the time! You say "aah puu" for apple, "caa" for car, "mamamama" and "dadada" all the time. "Duuug" for dog (Maggie), and more! You also know a few little sign laguage signs like "all done", "shake, shake, shake" and "arms up!" You love to mimic us (or anyone for that matter) and it's adorable.

3. S.n.u.g.g.l.e. big time! You are such a snuggler. You give "hugs on demand" to anyone who asks. You are totally content chillin' in Daddy or my arms always. It's the cutest thing, EVER!

4. The sippy cup CHUG. You love, and I mean LOVE your sippy cup. Whether it's water or milk, you chug, chug, chug. You make a {gasp} after every sip and do this cute little excited shake whenever you find one.


5. Cars. You absolutely love little hot wheels cars. It's a total fluke that we figured it out, since we found a random lost on in a cart while shopping at Target. You clutched onto that thing for dear life, we've added a few more into your collection (like 30!), and now you're totally addicted. You bang them together, walk around with them, and you even know how to drive them around while crawling! Yesterday, after you opened cars...you wanted nothing to do with any other toys or presents.

6. You love Maggie, and she loves you. Daily, you and Maggie chase each other around in circles, share toys, and even share food. You NEVER finish eating without tossing her a few bites. You let out the biggest giggle when you see her and do this little wiggle run to get over to her. When I get home, she wags her tail at me and looks for you!

7. Books, books, books! I should have put this first. You absolutely love books. You call them "gak, gak, gaks" and shout it out every time you see a book. You are totally content turning each page all by yourself for long stretches at a time. We read you 'Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What do you See?' at least five times a day. I hope this continues!
8. No more bottles...no more pacifiers! Good job big man :)

9. Sleeper! You sleep from 7-7 no questions asked :) We put you down wide awake and happy, and we don't hear from you until your chatting to yourself in your crib in the morning. You have always been such a good sleeper.

10. Eater! You eat everything in sight. And, you eat like a big boy. Yesterday we out to eat and a lady stopped and asked how old you were. She couldn't believe how good you would just pick up your food and eat it! You take forever to eat, though. You're perfectly happy sitting in your high chair grazing for half-an-hour at a time. You still like peas, except now you like a little salt on them. You totally mow down on butternut squash cubes with cinnamon, and your very favorite meal is a cheeseburger happy meal from McDonald's. We've quickly realized we can no longer share a meal with you -- you'll eat it all!

I love our adventures, Jack.

Keep growing big and strong.
Keep snuggling.
Keep reading.
Keep wowing us with your flirty little personality.

I love you, Jack...more than words can ever say.

Love,
Mommy

Happy FIRST Birthday, Jack!

We're celebrating 365 days of you, little man.

Last year on this day:

We rushed around the house making sure we had everything we could imagine needing for your arrival. We trudged through a snowy drive, I pushed for over two hours, and I snuggled you for the very first time in my arms. I'll never forget that day.

Your birthday.

Our room filled up with baby blue, family and friends, and most importantly you, Jackson Charles Krieger.

We figured out the hustle-and-bustle of having a newborn. From nursing to diapers, and bottles to sleepers, we were determined to be the best mom and dad around. We lost sleep, only to find happiness in the most precious of packages.

It's funny how a mom never forgets those little moments. Seems like just yesterday...


Today, on your first birthday:
We will now call you our "one-year-old". No more counting your age in months! No longer can we call you "baby Jack", although I'll always be fond of the days when we could...

We put away all of your bottles and pacifiers -- sippy cups and regular milk, here we come! You've gone from crawling to walking, and crying to talking...

Dear Jack,

I love being your Mommy. You've given us a life with more meaning than words can describe. When you snuggle, kiss, cry, or walk around I light up with pride. Your big brown eyes can light up the darkest of rooms, and your babbles make me laugh and smile. Keep being you, boogie dude, for that's the best present of all.

I look forward to the many birthdays and celebrations we'll share as a family together.

I'll never forget the day I became a mom. You're mom.

I love you to the moon and back...and even farther than that.

Love, Mom

"How amazing, you're already one... what a precious little person you've already become."