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There's just something about this town.

As soon as I saw the weather forecast {for the 10th time of the day...maternity leave = daytime tv = lots of newscasts saying the exact same thing...} I was excited for spontaneous play dates across the street.  We live directly across our little neighborhood park, and Jack has buddies that live next to us on both sides.  Sure enough, at around 6 pm, you'd think Elmo or Jake's Pirates were across the street with the number of toddlers attempting to run and play.  We all get excited for nice days and playing outside.   I adore that at any given time I can look out the window and see a toddler, a cute family playing, people walking their doggies, and lots and lots of planting grass seed.  Everyone is outside, smiling, and so friendly.

One of the reasons we moved to Waukee was because of the cute signs that said "please drive slow, we love our kids".  Boy, are there a LOT of kids.

When we were in the hospital with Kate, Eric's parents came to stay with Jack at our house.  They came home to our sidewalks and driveways already cleared of snow and we had dinners for our first nights home as a family for days thanks to our amazingly wonderful neighbors.

After teaching 140+ tweens for the past three years, I can't really go anywhere without seeing either a student, a fellow teacher, or a parent that I know.  Tanning -- ran into a student.  Fareway -- ran into a student.  Even driving through the McD's drive through I see students.  I absolutely LOVE seeing them and watching them grow up!  The only downfall is I usually see them without makeup and I'm in sweats.  Mrs. Krieger at her finest, kids. 

It's easy to forget the little things.  Sitting in my tub every night while chatting about our days with Eric will never get old.  Climbing into my giant bed with sweet black and white photos of our little journey will never get old.  Waking up to Jack saying "Morning mama, seeep good, wuv ooo mama" will never, ever get old.  I am so thankful for our little family, our little house, and our little town we call home.  Because, after all...

there is NO place like home.

too fast...

When I picked you up from your nap today, I realized just how big you already are.  You stretched your neck to look at me and gave out a big sigh of relief.  You have the most adorable big brown eyes that gaze at me so intently.

Stay little.

You are very routine, little sweets.  You eat and sleep on your little schedule that lines up perfectly with your big brother.  You like to be on the floor on a big, cozy blankie in the middle of the living room; no swing or bouncy chair needed.  You HATE wet or dirty diapers and smile when I change you.

Stay little.

I love the big smiles you let out when you see me.  I love your little toenails...especially painted pink.  I love your crazy, wispy brown hair and the face you make after you are nice and full.  I love the way Jack plays with you -- so careful and sweet.  You smile so big when he comes to see you.

Stay little.

I cannot believe just how fast you are growing, baby Kate.  We've moved on and out of your little newborn wardrobe and it's already hard to pack away some of my favorite outfits.  I am soaking in every moment of you right now.  I can't wait for you to grow, but can you please, please...

Stay little.

Wordless Wednesday

Matching toenails :)

What Two-Year-Old Doesn't Love...

A FORT!

The other night, Jack kept asking for a tent.

We were confused.

Eventually, I realized he was asking to make a fort.  My first attempt was just tossing our throw blanket over a few chairs in the kitchen.  He was in love.  The next night, daddy pulled out ALL the chairs into the middle of the living room and made a REAL live fort.  {Sometimes I wonder who is the toddler?  Eric just LOVES to play like he's a kid again.  Fort -- yessir!  Nerf gun, sure!  Legos -- let's build.  I'm secretly waiting to play dress up with barbies to show him how GIRLS play! :)}  Jack pulled all of his trucks, legos, and every other toy in around to fort and insisted we come sit in it.  He was so, so, so very excited for his little "tent".

It didn't last long -- I could not stand my living room to be in shambles.  :)

This is tent day number 3...which was set up IN Jack's room upstairs.  I liked this one MUCH better.

I am still trying to figure out why 2's are called terrible?!  I am just LOVING this stage of the toddler years.  Jack can play all by himself, knows how to tell me what he wants or what hurts, and listens well {ok, most of the time! :0)}  He is SUCH a great helper, too.  He'll clean windows, pretend vacuum, and even gives me "biper changes" for Kate.

Now for this whole potty training business...wish us luck! :)

Happy 1 Month Birthday, Baby Kate!

It feels like just yesterday we were snuggling our new little you in our quiet little hospital room.  Four weeks later you...

• SLEEP!  A lot.  At night, we give you a bath around 10, I feed you, we put you down....and you're out until four or so.  We only have to get up once...and I'm hoping that 4 am feeding disappears soon?!  Good job, little Kate.
• Adore my hair.  You give me the biggest grin when you see it down...which doesn't happen very often.
• Are a good little eater.  You eat, and eat, and eat.  When you're awake...chances are you are hungry. =)
• Pee a hundred times a day.  You like to pee in new diapers.  So, I change you.  You pee.  You cry because you don't like wet diapers, I change you...you pee.  Can you see a trend?  I think we've used hundreds of newborn Pampers Swaddlers already. =)  You're so a girl already.
• You love to be warm and snuggly.  Jack was ALWAYS hot, so it's fun to be able to bundle and snuggle you.
• Have crazy wild hair.  We wash it at night and by the time you wake up in the morning it's all over the place.  There is a tuft on top that stands straight up and I never understood why.   Then, as you were playing the other day, I noticed your little hand pulls and tugs at it all. the. time.  It's adorable to watch.  Was that your toy when you were in my tummy?
• Do NOT like the swing or bouncy chair.  You are content either laying on the ground, on your tummy, or hanging with Daddy, Jack, or Me.  Good thing we have all these fancy gadgets for you, huh?  Maybe you know that we're trying to set you down or distract you in them??!!  How'd you get so smart already?
• You rarely cry.  If I pick you up, you almost let out a sigh of relief.  You're awfully content little one.
• Are already a thinker.  You make the 'miss biz' face just like Jack did.  You look as if you're trying to figure out the world already. (Your brother did the same thing and he is just that way.  Hand him a lego, he'll stare at it and try to figure out if it has batteries, what color it is, how it will hook to other legos, and more.)

We love you more than you'll ever know.  You have been the perfect little addition to our family.  I am thankful for our quiet, snuggly days at home.  I am excited for a long, long maternity leave so I can soak up all of your little milestones before handing you off.

Random Tuesday Ramblings...

This is my fifth time attempting to post after such a long hiatus.   Here's to actually hitting the orange "publish" button at the top of my page...

Wedding Ring Woes:
This morning, I learned a big life lesson -- don't let your 2-year-old play with your wedding ring.  I thought it was adorable.  "Mama's yiiing."  Until...
I couldn't find it this morning.   I asked Jack, "Where is Mama's ring, buddy?"  He replied with "uuuummm, shoes?  Ownsairs (downstairs)."  Then, he opened the cupboard to the garbage.  In a hustle to get to work, I left without it and confessed to my students all day NOT to let toddlers play with their future diamonds.  {I teach science, I can relate any life event to science, right?}  When I picked up Jack from daycare, I asked him if he could help Mama find her ring?  He said, "uuummmm, pack pack (backpack) and shoes." three times.  As soon as we got home, I checked his backpack.  No ring.  Under the couch, no ring.  Dug through his shoes?!  No ring.  Finally, he attempted to pull up the couch cushion.  I jumped off the couch and pulled off the cushion to find a shiny, wonderful, even-more-gorgeous that I ever imagined it could be, RING.  Whew.  Disaster aborted.

Pregnancy Waddle, Check:
While pregnant with Jack, I could fake it and pretend to not NEED to waddle.  I would even say, "Pregnant women who waddle are woooosies!"  Not this time.  When I stand up, I feel as though my body can ONLY sway, waddle, move awkwardly, etc.  And, that's if I can move after I get up.  I don't remember these things from the last one...maybe I just forgot to write it down?  While at school, I attempt to walk normal as if there isn't a gigantic belly forcing me to move funny.  When I'm home and just getting off of the couch, however, you better believe I'm swaying and walking strangely awkward.

Four. More. Weeks.

Hubby of The Year?
Right now I can hear Eric's footsteps attempting to organize and put away laundry -- a task that is daunting and frankly too heavy for this 8 1/2 months preggo momma of a toddler.  What a guy!  And, he gave Jack his bath (since my belly gets in the way, dressed him for bed, and read him yet another round of "Santa gook" (book).  I know, Jack's still thinking about Santa in January.  He's a little obsessed.

2-Year-Old Genius?
I am convinced that EVERY momma is sure their little is a genius.  Now I get it, though.  Every little word they learn, every little milestone they reach is SO monumental in this thing called life.  Tonight, while picking up his "bocks" and putting them into his "yaaaagon" Jack started counting.  And, not the typical "four, six, seeeen, nine, ten" that he usually does, but a full-blown one through ten! (he even threw in some of the teens, too).  He did it twice.  Why can't we just record our living room each night to catch all of these little "firsts"??!!  When asked, "What color is _______."  His response is 9 times out of ten "Geeeeen".  We cheer when it actually ends up green.  We're getting there with colors :)

My favorite words/phrases Jack says:

I did it, mom (he shortens my name for this one -- adorbs!)

More nack pleaaaaassse now

Daddy faaaaaaart.

Happy birthday yincin (Lincoln -- his bud in KC)

Jack's morning routine:
Goooo morning, mama
Wuv oooo mama
Nuggle mama
Daddy -- yake up!  iPad, hot-dog (mickey mouse club), cup, ceeceal (cereal) pllleaasse

Life is SO good.
Life is SO busy.
And...
I am SO thankful for my little family.

Baby K is a....

 

Sweet, precious little GIRL!

And yes, that's her first little dolly.  The pictures you see are of my FIRST shopping spree after finding out the news.  I was SO excited...and SO overwhelmed with all of the options.  I've figured out (after glancing at her almost-filled closet already) that I am drawn to anything PINK, animal print, and BOWS.  Our sweet little one already has so many bows!

We couldn't be more excited.  Jack kisses my belly when I ask "Where's your baby sister?"  He also attempts to say "seessser".  Many times, he thinks we're talking about Maggie...but he's sure to figure it out.  We can't wait to be a family of four....and I can't wait for all of the PINK to come.

We actually did an elective ultrasound in September!  It was so much fun and SO worth it.  Then, the shopping began...

I have her nursery finished too....reveal coming soon!  We are so blessed.

20 Weeks!

Can you believe I'm halfway through?  I cannot wait to hold my wee little baby K.

Food cravings/aversions:  I am picky -- yet again.  I want salads (preferably from Texas Roadhouse).  I order like ten things and eat only one of them.  Tonight, I made Eric run to Panera.  He got me two kinds of soups....just in case one tasted bad.  I buy the weirdest food at the grocery store --  White Castle Cheeseburgers in the frozen section?!  They were SO gross.  But, for some reason I was drawn to them like a magnet!  Each day brings new cravings.  Oh, and I can't forget about the juice boxes...I feel like a five year old at our staff meetings with my Capri Sun.  No judging! :)

These are pictures of homemade chocolates Eric and I bought this last weekend on our little getaway trip to Galena.  I ordered a toffee bear?!  I've never liked english toffee but man was it goooooood...

Changes/feelings:  I feel visibly pregnant.  For the first time, the checker at Hy-Vee commented on Jack being a "big brother".  I love my belly!  I'd much rather have an obviously pregnant belly...than feel large-and-in-charge or like-I-ate-too-much-for-lunch.  OH, and one of my students this week said "Mrs. Krieger...are you pregnant!?"  Um, yes, Ian.  I announced it two months ago. :)

Memorable moments this week:  Gymnastics time!  This wee little one is moving and grooving like crazy.  It's such an unexplainable feeling -- even the second time around.  Baby K usually moves around after 9 pm when I've finally sat down for the evening.  I watch and hope for Eric to be able to feel it again.

What I am looking forward to:  March.  Enough said :).  Let's be honest, people...the nursery is complete and I have a closet filled with clothes!  I am an on-top-of-it pregnant lady who's ready for this baby already!  I can't wait for those snuggle moments...peaceful times...2 o'clock tv shows...yes I said it!  I'm ready for a little change in pace.  Oh, and I'll be COMPLETELY DONE with grad classes by then.  I think I'll have a double-triple margarita to celebrate (after the baby, of course!)

I feel great.  When people say "how are you feeling"...I kind of wonder what they mean by that.  I feel great!  I feel normal...just a little rounder.  But I'm so proud of the roundness. :)  Here's to 19 more weeks of feeling great!

16 Weeks!

The time is just flying now!  Before school started, I would check my pregnancy apps daily, I could tell you exactly how many days pregnant I was, and I had a count down to the second trimester.  Now, I guess how far along I am -- and secretly check sometime (usually days) later.  I haven't checked any pregnancy apps in awhile. :)  School (both teaching and classes at night) have made this pregnancy fly by...so far!

Food cravings/aversions:  For me, pregnancy = cravings.  Crazy cravings.  Hostess crumb doughnuts make their way into my breakfast routine at least once a week.  Chocolate milk.  Recently, the little blue kool-aid juices have tasted like liquid gold.  Oh, and I've eaten Carlos chips and salsa every day for lunch this week.  Just chips and salsa.  I am happy to say that I can still eat chicken (which I couldn't with Jack), and tomato sauce and chocolate.  I don't know if those are good or bad things.

My aversions are:  I feel sick and queasy when I drink pop, especially caffeinated pop.  Weird for me!  French fries are either my best friend or my worst enemy.  When they are fresh, I love them.  When they are stale, I swear I can taste EVERYTHING that has been fried with them.  Weird, again, I know. I cringe at the sight of buffalo sauce.  I ate a little too much of it at the very beginning.

Changes/feelings:  I'm starting to feel like I look pregnant!  I'm getting past that awkward stage of I-can-get-away-with-regular-clothes, however I probably shouldn't.  My maternity pants are too big, but they are much more comfortable than regular pants.  Many of the shirts I am wearing were from pre-pregnancy...only because I know soon they won't fit!  I haven't gained any weight...I've lost 5 pounds since before.  I don't know why I'm good at that during pregnancy?!

Memorable moment this week:  Ultrasound!  It was the sweetest, best idea ever.  It was an elective one.  I was DYING to know what baby K was...so we did it.  We counted fingers (10, check!), toes, organs, watched baby snuggle, and it was such a great experience.  I was sent home with a goodie bag, a cd of pictures, and a dvd of the ultrasound.  Kudos to Prenatal Vision!

Oh, and for the first time in 17 weeks, I woke up this morning without gagging.  Maybe, just maybe, the sickness has gone forever?!  I wouldn't be sad. at. all.

What I'm looking forward to:  Our next ultrasound...which will be our FIFTH one this pregnancy!  I just love seeing our little peanut bouncing around and waving at us.  It makes our appointments much more exciting.

I am so blessed.  I am so excited.  I am so ready for newborn baby snuggles.

March will be here...

...before I know it.

Just as soon as I think I'm ready to head back-to-school for the year, I get the holy-guacamole-I'm-so-swamped-how-can-I-possibly-do-it-all feeling back in my brain.  From teacher meetings, to tucking Jack into bed, to baby appointments and ultrasounds, to grad. class and observations....my to-do list is miles long.  What's keeping me going to start this school year?  My year, and all of my crazy to-dos, will END at the beginning of March!  Thank goodness.

Now, that doesn't mean I won't be busy then...it will just be a welcomed, different busy.  A diaper changing, bottle cleaning, toddler-chasing busy that I'm so excited for.  Not to mention a 5 1/2 month maternity leave until the next school year begins.

So, when I feel overwhelmed, I look down at my growing tummy.  Timing is everything....and the timing for this little peanut is perfect.

I'm looking forward to:

• a short, four day work week
• finishing my big grad. project of a formal evaluation on a teacher (that will be done on Friday)!
• friends!  My besties and their beaus are coming to visit this weekend!  We'll have appetizers and snacks while we root on Iowa for the big game, and then my fav. little babysitter is coming over so we can all go out for a night on the town in West Glen.  So excited!
• ultrasound :)  and the big gender reveal!  Will we have a family of four with two little boys or a boy and a girl?!  Jack still insists on it being a "brogger", however, he will say "sseeser" every once-and-a-while.
• Christmas present shopping.  Although, Jack has every toy I think that has ever been made for toddlers, I can't wait to buy him even more!  Oh, and books, too!

Happy Monday, everyone! :)