You know you're on maternity leave when...

...snuggles, feedings, diapers, and pacifiers take over your life.  My days are filled with hanging with my sweet little baby Kate.  We nap, we sing, we coo, and we play together.  She is so content in my arms and I'm so thankful to be home with her for so long.

...you forget what day it is.  I still do look forward to weekends like the rest of the world.  I get my sweet, thoughtful, and Mr. Mom husband and Jack home ALL TO MYSELF.  On Friday, we did our first big family date night out --- Toys 'r' Us, mall play place, and dinner together.  It went so smooth.  We're starting to feel like pros with our little "party of four".

...it's a good day if you put on a pair of jeans.  Most days I wake up and throw on the next clean nursing bra and tank paired with the most unstylish sweatpants that are oh-so-comfy.  I've been making more and more plans at night to stay busy and keep up with friends -- and when I put on real people clothes I feel so refreshed!  But, as soon as I'm home it's back to easily accessible tanks and sweats.

...you know everything going on in the news times one million.  The same story is replayed on the Today show at 7, 8, 9, and even on Kathie Lee and Hoda.  When Eric gets home, I'm sure to fill him in on the latest dish.

...excitement involves a good old fashioned poop.  We cheer and laugh and celebrate when Kate poops!  She's a one-poop-a-day kind of gal, so when one comes, she's all smiles after.

...your SD card from your camera is filled with 2,564 shots of Kate making goofy faces.

...your to-do list includes laundry, trying out new recipes from pinterest, and organizing closet after cupboard after drawer.  All of the little things I love to do but normally can't find the time.

... You speak fluent "toddler".  I have become a pro at figuring out what it might be that Jack is telling me.  He is an indefinite chatter box and rattles together full on sentences most of the day, however, sometimes he pronounces something wrong and it makes him VERY mad if I can't figure it out.  My current favorites:
"Mama, wake up...let's go donsturrs.  I ant watch otdog mama"
Bebe Kate, matter sweetheart?  Want pafier bebe kate?
Me:  Jack, what doesn't feel good?
Jack:  Gack!  (we'll figure out the who vs. what thing someday, right??)

 I got my wed beeloon, mom!

...your counter is always filled with bottles.  Between pumping and bottle feeding while out and about, there are always bottles to be washed. :)

I am SO enjoying my time at home.  It's peaceful and stressful.  It's humbling and rewarding.  I find things to keep me busy each day and look forward to waking up worry free to focus on my new little princess.

Milestones...

It feels like just yesterday Eric and I were cheering for Jack as he learned how to hold his little head up...sit up without 100+ pillows surrounding him....and even taking his first little wobbly footsteps.  I remember each of them being so important; so crucial in forming the foundation for his future independence.

Tonight, Kate rolled over from her little back to her belly!!!!  It reminded me of the utter joy and excitement parents feel when their children reach monumental milestones in their lives.  Just weeks ago Kate was a teeny, scrunched-up, sleepy newborn and now she can flip her entire body?  I am so thankful that Eric and I happened to be peered over her as she dug her tiny, freshly-painted-red toes into her blankie and pushed and pushed.  She's a stubborn, determined little baby who is completely content as long as she's getting her way {*cough* just like her momma??}.  Clearly, she would rather be on her back then on her tummy, so she figured out how to make it happen.  Eric has his hands full with a queen AND a little princess to take care of...

The difference in Kate's milestones versus Jack's?  Back long ago {I hardly can remember} when it was just Jack, I read every What to Expect book on raising babies and I had accounts for nearly every baby milestone website emailed to me what seems like daily.  I knew what was to come and waited often not-so-patiently for Jack to either meet or beat each little step.  With Kate, I haven't read a single page of any What to Expect book and the baby milestone emails are inaccurate since she came a few weeks early.  I get updates on a 5-week-old and she's nearly 7 weeks....so I don't read them.  When we watched our new little flip....we wondered when it was supposed to happen??  I thought it was early but I truly had no clue.  Well, I finally did a little reading and it definitely is early.  One website said "your baby may flip from tummy to back as early as four months".  I'll take 7 weeks. :)  Way to go, baby doll!

The best part of Kate rolling over tonight (other than that fact that we happened to both be watching her at the exact time) was the face she made after.   Her eyebrows squeezed and she sat there still for a few seconds.  We were cheering and clapping and laughing -- I wonder if the neighbors could hear us?!  She laid their cute, confused, and exhausted.

 This was earlier in the day --- practicing using those big muscles :)

And here's the "mom...what just happened" look.  Oh.my.goodness.

Tomorrow is my 6-week check up and I can't help but think about Jack.  I went back to work right at 6 weeks.  I can't imagine doing that ever, ever, ever again.  I am SO very thankful that I go to the doctor tomorrow and come right back home to snuggle with my sweet little miss.  I have six more wonderful weeks of sweatpants, Today show news, and home-cooked meals straight from Pinterest.

I love you Eric, Jack & Kate --- to the moon and back.

Throwback Thursday

Seriously, does it get any cuter than this?  I feel like this was just yesterday...and he's so much bigger than this already.  My little plumber, Jack.  {BTW...he's still obsessed with sweeping, wiping down windows, vacuums, and "keening up".  I hope this continues.  His future wife will have ME to thank.  Man, I'm a good mom-in-law already...}

Jack & Kate

Before Kate was born I wondered a whole lot.  I wondered if Jack would like being a big brother?  I thought about managing and handling TWO kids under two.  I wondered if I would spend my entire paycheck on sweet little girl clothes {since I literally wouldn't allow myself to wander to the other side of Baby Gap before I knew I was having a girl}.  It's funny how all of those worries work themselves out into reality -- my reality -- and it feels like I am exactly where I was meant to be.

Jack is the best big brother in the world.  He's sweet, patient, and helpful.  He's thoughtful and loving.  Most of all, he is excited and utterly in love with his new little sister.

Kate -- 2 days old  & Jack -- 2 years old:

 These pictures were taken by my photographer, Jennifer Waters. LOVE!

And this is my everyday...so blessed.

I love this picture.  Jamma-time!  Snuggles...and smiles from both of them = priceless indeed.

I hope I never, ever forget these first weeks as our little family grew by two little feet.  I just love watching Jack and Kate interact and I can't wait to see how they play, protect, and grow to love one another.

Home

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.