Life is good..

Life is busy in the Krieger household.  Busy and wonderful.

I am now teaching 5th graders -- and loving it!  There are a few more things to plan teaching elementary (okay, one million) but I truly am loving the pace.  You really can't beat the relationships I'm building with these adorable kids.  I go to work early and stay late most nights...but I like the challenge of doing something new and completely different! 

Our new daycare rocks.  Anyone with kids knows this is HUGE!  We switched to a new in-home closer to our home.  She has four full-time/part time kids...making our two often the only kiddos!  How perfect.  In a matter of weeks we've sunk into a routine and our kids feel just right at home.  It's awfully comforting knowing your kids are in good hands while they are not with you, you know.

Party of four groove.  By the time Jack man was 6 months, we had our little life narrowed down to a perfect routine.  Now that Miss Kate is 6 months old, we feel the same.  We can pile out our whole family - diaper bag in tow - in a matter of minutes and rarely hesitate to do anything with the four of us.  Eric rocks at bath time and I am a master at putting away all of Kate's little wardrobe essentials {there are SO many more little things for girls..}  I am the 'picker-upper' and Eric is the newest master chef.  Jack is our wingman and Kate is off on the sidelines chewing on something -- anything, really.  We really have this whole two kid lifestyle down for now!

Jack.  Almost potty trained!  Today -- no accidents!  I decided I was ready and frankly changing his nasty poops were disgusting.  We used the "babies wear diapers" a lot -- and so far so good!  Finally.  My hope was before he turned three and it's looking like we'll make it official before the end of November.  Whew!  He's a sweet little man.  I gave up pop and today had a killer headache -- so lame.  I told him my head hurt and he said "you'll feel better, mom.  Lay on the couch!" as he hefted Kate's heavy carseat off the couch to make room for me.  He still loves the alphabet and knows all of his letters and loves to write or practice on his iPad.  Loves books and gets uber excited for his baby sister.  "I wuv her, mom"

Kate.  Seriously, couldn't get easier.  Our little dolly.  Super sweet and crazy chill.  Eyelashes galore.  Holds her own bottle, sits up like crazy, and is crawling around putting everything in her mouth.  We put her swing away {tear} because she just was never into it.  We stored her bouncy chair and brought up the Jumperoo.  She's growing up so stinkin' fast!  I just love having a sweet, sweet baby girl around. 

Clothes.  There's nothing more fun than shopping for a boy AND a girl.  I went on a shopping spree at none other than baby gap and scored so many cute baby clothes (including a few adorable skinny jeans for little miss).  This year's color scheme is navy, pink, leopard, and cream -- love, love, love.  Last year it was mustard and maroon and I hated nearly everything.  I'm leaning a little more towards Gap for both kids clothes which make life easy.

We just love our little kids, our house, our neighborhood, our jobs, and each other.  Life is good in the Krieger hood.

in a blink

Does time ever pass so fast that you can't even hold still?

All summer long I had been soaking up time with my little kids.  I crossed off items off of my to-do list that continually grew.  I planned bridal showers and organized cupboards.  I decorated and redecorated.  I spent more hours than I can count laying on my living room floor right in the middle of the action.

We splashed at the pool.
We took afternoon naps.
We learned the letters of the alphabet and "rain rain go away".

Then, all of a sudden, it was over.

Alarm clocks and blow dryers before 7 a.m.  Rushed cereal instead of french toast sticks.  Packed lunches and daycare drop-offs...

Not only has summer come and gone, but my little kids have also grown up in the meantime, too.  In just a matter of days, sweet miss Kate has learned to hold all of her weight off of the ground on her all fours!  She's not even 6 months old and has long since mastered sitting up and rolling...but I never would have thought so soon she'd be nearly crawling.  Really, I'm shocked that my little girl is almost halfway through her first year.  Why does it seem that now that she's away from me most of her day she's growing oh so fast?  Why did the summer and maternity leave have to fly by?

Everything changes in the blink of an eye, people.  Just one blink.

As Kate learns to move, Jack has learned to spell, talk, and reason.  He's smart, my little blonde boy.  He knows when to charm and has learned exactly how to get his way -- no matter who he's around.  He reads for fun...sometimes we storm into his room, mad at him for not taking a nap.  Then, we catch him reciting the ABC song the best he can to his little baby doll -- using the little light that is shining through his curtain.  He's thoughtful and caring and adores his baby sis.

As our little family adjusts back to reality, I am thankful for the times we do share together.  Our eat-at-the-dinner-table chats.  Our bedtime routine.  Our "Good mawning, Mom!  I seeeep good!" proclamations from our boy who sounds more like he's from Boston than from Iowa in the morning.  And our countless kisses, snuggles, and giggles as we walk through this thing we call life.  Although I'm not home all day every day, I can still soak in the moments I do have...because before you know it, both Jack and Kate will be grown.  In the blink of an eye.

i don't care {i love it}

Is it nerdy to say that I just really, really, really love being a mom?  Okay fine.  I'll accept being a nerd.  I really do love it.

Before we had kids people would always say, "you just don't get it until you have kids".  I thought, hmmm, I'm a teacher -- pretty sure I adore kids.  No, they were so right!  It's such a different, unexplainable feeling to be a momma to my own.  Every single day I crack up at the goofy things Jack says, the silly faces Kate makes when she's pooing, and the look on Eric's face when he walks in the door from work and is greeted with three big smiles excited to see him.  There isn't a quiet dull moment for a second, but I literally laugh my way through the day.

The other day, Jack was finishing up his lunch and I was cleaning up the kitchen.  I heard this cute little sound -- Jack was singing "i don't care, I wuv it" as if he was on the radio!  It was one of those moments that stopped me in my tracks.  I smirked and tried to act as if I didn't see or hear, but secretly I was cracking up and smiling all at the same time.  How did Jack go from a baby to a kid in a blink of an eye?  Time flies much too fast I'm afraid.

 arrrr {muscles}

 {mom, here's wour canndy from da stowe!}

Kate, I am convinced, is still the easiest baby in this town.  Literally...sometimes we forget she's there {insert mom-of-the-year-award}.  She's quiet, content, observant, determined, silly, and adorable -- all of the time.  Okay, so when she does cry she wails.  But she rarely does it, so I laugh through it.  She's giddy with excitement over everything.  Her blankie, fresh, warm bottles, snuggling, chewy toys, sitting up, food, her big bro, our doggie, outside, music, tutus.  She even leaves her bow in -- the bow that I put on her head every single day.  I just love having a little girl.

Sleep.  Have I told you my thoughts on kids and sleep and happiness and marriage and well-behaved children? =)  I really attest having great sleeping kids to my happiness in being a mommy.  Our kiddos go down anywhere between 7 and 8.  Both of them like clockwork.  All. through. the. night.  This is wonderful for so many reasons.  Our house gets cleaned.  Our ears experience some quiet.  Eric and I have uninterrupted time for chats, catching up, swapping stories, and snuggling to our fav shows that neither of us agree on which is best.  I think a lot of my love for this little life is the fact that we still have us time through all of the diapers and alphabet flash cards.

By the time we go to bed, I'm already missing my wide-eyed littles.  I sneak in and give each of them a middle-of-the-night kiss and tell them "goodnight, I love you." in my most whisper-y mom voice. Every night.   I do believe people are destined for certain things, and this girl was made to be a momma.

Here's to many, many more laughs, kisses, middle-of-my-living-room-dance-parties, dinner chats, family cuddles, and building memories for our little party of four.

must haves

It's here, it's ending.  All of us teachers are looking at the calendar...realizing that this August business is coming sooner than ever.  Signs are everywhere.. giant pencils are attached to the ceiling at Target and Iowa is boasting a tax free weekend starting on Saturday.   Back to school.  In an attempt to soak up every moment from summer, however, I've compiled a list of must haves that have kept me happy and sane. =)

New perfume.
Nothing makes me feel less like a frumpy mom than a squirt of this new stuff:

Chanel Chance.  I randomly walked by the perfume aisle and sprayed just this spray.  I walked away and couldn't stop smelling my arm!  I went back the next day and bought my very own bottle.  {I never find perfume this way.  I normally spray like every bottle.  This must be the new and improved busy mom style??}

Melissa and Doug toys.
If it's raining, grab a coloring book.  When Jack's bored with his toys, grab a new puzzle.  Mix things up mid-week with a paint-by-number.  Whoever these so-called Melissa and Doug people are, I love them.

Oh, I almost forgot.  You know those annoying facebook ads?  Well, I ran across one of them called Citrus Lane.  I was intrigued by the cute toys in their ad, and figured out that they send monthly boxes with hip, cool, age-appropriate toys for your kiddos once a month.  The first month was half off {only $10!!} and had a cool lace up Melisa and Doug toy, a squeezy pouch, a cool new storage container with dishwasher safe stickers -- because after all, what 2-year-old doesn't want stickers everywhere?  I love so many things about the little yellow box that came in the mail.  The excitement on Jack's face when he said "a pesent por me, mom?" and the fun we had that afternoon as he laced his animals up and took them on a walk.  Definitely cool!

Chocolate.
Because who doesn't love a little piece of chocolate.
Every day.

Snapchat.
I was kind of being an old lady and thought that anyone who used snap chat was a nerdy teeny-bopper.  Then, peer pressure caved and I downloaded it.  It is an app that lets you take snapshots of anything and send it to anyone for up to 10 seconds.  After that, the image disappears forever.  No, I don't send nudies to anyone -- but I do send funny snapshots of my kids and myself throughout the day.  I have to admit, it's fun! 

Apple.
No, not the healthy snack.  Apple as in the devices!  My laptop at home is fast and wonderful - and it has a cute pink cover, too.  My phone is phenominal.  And our iPad is amazing.  Jack LOVES playing on the iPad, and it's teaching him how to write letters!  What would we do this summer without our Apple stuff??

Must not haves...

Space bag?
I just watched a commercial about 'space bags'.  Big, giant ziploc bags that you suck the air out of to 'store more'.  Um, if you can commit to putting something in a bag and sucking the air out for pretty much forever -- chances are someone else could use it.  You're welcome, Goodwill, for the shameless plug. =)

Oh, and as always Pinterest and Facebook.  I've been decorating my new classroom -- details to come -- planning my friend's bridal shower/bachelorette party, and just finding cool ways to entertain my family.

That's it.  There's my list.  I could go on and on, but I think I'll go eat another piece of chocolate.

Happy *5* Kate!

One more month and you'll be halfway through your first year of life.  Holy smokes.

I won't even say it {instert 'I can't believe Kate is this old already}.  Whoops, did I just say it?  Where oh where has the time gone?  I remember dreaming about my giantly long maternity leave.  February to August.  Now that it's close to August it really seems as if it can't be ending.  I am excited for reality -- and I really do love to teach -- but the four chubby cheeks on my kiddos are going to miss the 4,567 kisses they get each day.

Weight:  14.5 pounds -- 20th percentile.  Pretty boring here....you're perfectly plump, yet still tiny.

Diaper Size:  Size two.  Do you remember when I said I loved Pampers for their little yellow line that turns blue?  Well, Target must have read my thoughts...the last time I bought up and ups for Kate they were completely different!  Say goodbye to the blue and green polka dots and hello to white diapeys with yes, a yellow line!  Not only are they TEN dollars cheaper per box, but now they really do offer the same exact thing.  Okay, minus the cute baby scent.  Let's be honest -- that mixed with poo doesn't smell swell, anyway, right?

Clothes Size:  6 months.  It's that easy!  3 months is too small and 9 months looks like I'm being cheap and trying to skip a size.  I think 9 months are coming soon...but we have a whole lot of 6 month options so I'm hoping we can squeeze in lots of wearing action before they are packed away.  Still obsessed with Carter's.  Dreaming of leggings, sweaters, and cardigans to come in the near future...

Sleep:  8-8.  That's right.  12 hours.   And, when she wakes up around 7 or 8 in the am, she drinks 6 oz down and then heads back to sleep!  Oh, and still a 2 or 3 hour nap in the afternoon, too.  She's my little sleeper, miss Kate.  I can't even describe just how happy she wakes up in the morning.  Every inch of her chubby arms and legs flail, she grins from ear to ear, and she squeals like I am her most favorite person in the world...every single morning.

Favorite Activities/things:  'My name is baby Kate and I like to put things in my mouth.'  Enough said.

Eating:  Everything!  She's a big fan of banana + apple cereal mixed with all kinds of fruit.  She also loved peas, carrots, sweet potatoes, and pears.  She chows like crazy already!  Also, we're into using our millions of totes of frozen breastmilk and so far Kate's a fan of that, too.  She's also not picky with formula {thank goodness}.

Nicknames:  Baby Kate, sweetheart, dolly doll, sweet miss...they go on and on as usual.

Talking:  You found your voice!  A while back, we had a playdate with kiddos and teachers from our new school.   I set you next to a 7-month-old...and bam!  You started talking and talking and talking...and haven't really stopped.  You're so content and quiet...but when you want to be in on the action you are loud, little one.  I wonder where you get that from??

New adventures:  Grasping with both hands, laughing, rolling all over the place, sitting up with help, Jumperoo action, and much more!

 When there's Kate, there's usually Jack, too!

Dear Sweet Kate,

I absolutely adore when you wake up and stare at me with those adorable brown eyes every morning.  The way you scrunch your little nose when you cheese it up is just too cute.  You're snuggly and adventurous...and as always content.  You can tell you're working to figure out this world, just like your big bro.  Oh, you love him so!  Keep up the good work -- you're an eating, sleeping, and pooping champ and I can't wait to hear what you have to say someday.  Our life wouldn't be the same without you....and I really appreciate all the pink you've brought to our lives.

Love you sweet girl, to the moon and back.
Love,
Momma

Daddy's girl...

Just like old times...

..well sort of.  If you add burp rags, husbands, and careers that is.  Last weekend, a big chunk of our  high school group of girls got together to celebrate the addition of a new pink bundle of joy to the mix of it all.  Whitney and Tony welcomed their new little, Miss Brynlee, and that's always reason to celebrate.

It's not too often that we end up all in the same place at the same time.  As we juggled catching up, feedings, chatting, and presents....it all seemed so familiar.  It's funny...the faces seemed the same.  The stories lingered on.  And the friendships stood the test of time. 

Next year marks our 10 year anniversary since graduating high school {gasp...that's making me feel older just typing it}.

These families -- these smiling faces -- helped me figure out what it was I wanted as I grew up.  I discovered loving families, relationships, parenting advice, stability, and so much more from merely watching my friends and their parents.  It was immensely refreshing to see the same smiling faces -- years later -- still happy to see me succeed.  I still wonder where I may be if I didn't have these amazing role models at such an essential time in my life...

As we chatted, caught up, put away old baggage and opened new chapters, I couldn't help but to feel proud.  Proud that we're all still friends.  Proud that we've all made it.  We have careers, houses, husbands, each other, changed lives, created lives, achieved goals, and through everything we're still here for each other.  Proud of the littles we are all smitten over.   Just proud.

Here's to many more years of wonderful.  

Here's to all of the rest of our friends finding their forever.  

Here's to us staying friends.

Forever.

as we go on

we remember

all the times we

had together

and as our lives change

come whatever

we will still be

friends forever

Vitamin C / / Friends Forever

every little inch

Half bath revamp --- revealed!  I know, you're so excited you can't stand it.   Here are my thoughts on my little space.

My wimpy, sad little half bath now has a life of it's own.

Thanks to Pinterest, I found all. kinds. of. ideas.  Too many ideas!  Round one of the revamp included framing those mirrors....you know, the ones that look like a piece of glass was just glued to the wall like in a cheap apartment?!  Yes, those mirrors.  We went to Lowe's (both babies in tow) and picked out one of the thousand trim boards.  We ended up with solid wood, painted white boards that resembled a picture frame.  {by the way, lowes has these sweet car carts where the kiddos face forward and pretend drive...genius}  We left with some liquid nails, a caulk gun, and lots and lots of trim board.  While Eric used power tools -- I know, I'm impressed too -- I attempted to figure out how to work a caulk gun.  It's actually really easy!  The biggest lesson learned with this project is:  paint FIRST, attach SECOND.  That seems like a given, but I was so anxious to see the trim on the mirrors that we did just the opposite...which left us with a terrible view through the window of the back of the trim.  We ended up buying a tiny piece of trim and painted ALL of it black before attaching it...which finalized the look.  ABSOLUTELY love the look of them.  They look finished, that's for sure!

Next, operation wallpaper.  Okay...take my advice here people....don't do wallpaper.  Ever.  For any reason.  It is not perfect, it looks ridiculously homemade, and it's terrible.  Eric and I were so excited to adventure into wallpaper...  After spending all morning between feedings and trains we hung three pieces of wallpaper.  Minutes later -- edges peeling, glue drying white, terrible bubbles remained.  I took it down and threw it away as fast as I can, before I even took a picture.  Whew.  Adventures in wallpaper complete.  Never, ever again.

I decided I wanted to buy into the chevron fiasco and searched for the perfect yellow chevron fabric.  I found the perfect beige/yellow pattern at Hob Lob and didn't buy it because I wasn't sure if I was ready to commit to chevron.  I found a different fabric at Hancock Fabrics to match and that was it.  I picked out two half-off frames at Michaels {literally the best store for frames} and a few little trinkets for the floating shelves we installed.  I picked up a gallon of beigy-gray paint and was ready to go!  I painted that half bath in one and a half hours from start to finish (way, way less than it took to attempt three strips of wallpaper).  Then, Eric hung the floating shelves and by the next morning everything was in place!  I am an efficient decorator.  I collect everything and then bust out the room real quick.  I like instant gratification.

Here's my final, finished product!  I adore this little space.  Welcome to the new and improved...

I think I can say that every little inch of living space in my house is decorated.  Bittersweet!  I wonder when I'll find a reason to redecorate something?  My brand new empty classroom is calling my name...

It's time...

Right now it's nap time.  That means for the next two hours my house is silent AND clean.  Normally, I turn on the DVR and catch up on Kardashians or I'm Having Their Baby {slightly obsessed..} and pump.  However, today I am TV-less and listening to the tick-tock of my clocks without having to pump.  So peaceful!

I've started weaning off breastfeeding these last few weeks.  It's so hard!  There are so many good reasons to do it...and so many good reasons to not do it.   I've been in a battle with myself over stopping and I've finally pulled the plug -- literally.  So here's the scoop...

Goods...
Kate is phenominal.  I mean, outstanding!  She's happy, she sleeps well (8-8 last night!!), and smiles all the time.  She rarely cries.  Therefore, my milk must be doing something good for her.  {enter the guilty feeling}  Breastmilk is free, it burns 500+ calories a day, and I get tons of it.  Like, an entire deep freeze we have is filled with it.  I pump 6 times a day (on top of feeding her) and get 16 oz in my morning pump alone!  I know, that's crazy.  Breastmilk stays fresh forever, so I just fill a bottle, toss it in the diaper bag and we're off.  No powder/water mess or anything.  So, it's easy, cheap, and good for all of us.   Oh, and we gave Kate a few formula bottles just to see how she handled them and she was the same baby.

Bads...
I have to pump 6 times a day.  If I need to run errands, I can only be gone for a few hours.  I must wear clothes that are easily removed at all times.  My boobs are huge.  Not joking.  I have pumped on the floor, in random bathrooms, in my bedroom, living room, basements, pretty much anywhere I am.  There are 1,657 parts to wash each time I pump.  I'm starting a new 5th grade position next year and do not have 'set' planning times, so pumping is a ridiculous option when I'm back to work at the end of summer.  Having a toddler AND pumping is not fun.  Jack even knows how to use my pump!  I've been working out at the Y every morning and in order to run, I pump before and right after I get home!  Annoying.

I decided I was ready to stop breastfeeding/pumping so that I can get back to normal before school starts and can enjoy my last few weeks of summer without the annoying wah-oh-wah-oh noise in the background.  It's not that easy, though.  The first day I "tried" to stop, I ended up continuing and explaining to Eric that I will pump forever {the guilty feeling is overwhelming, you know}.  Two days later I decided I was really ready to stop -- that was yesterday.  My boobs are engorged, leaking, and are crazy-out-of-control.  But, I'm ready to be done.  I have a freezer filled with enough milk to literally feed Kate through her 1st birthday, if not longer.  She loves formula.  My regular bras are calling my name.  Today, I feel okay with my decision to stop.  I am only pumping twice {once in the am and once before bed} just to relieve some pressure.  I am hoping to pull the plug on my pump and pack that baby away by the end of the week.

I am excited for:  regular bras, waking up without giant boobs, working out without the worry, hanging with friends and not having to excuse myself from all of the fun, and kissing goodbye to all of my pump parts. And, all of my freedom and extra time.  Yesterday, instead of pumping I made Kate some adorable new bows.

This is hard.  I'm making the right decision.  I mean, Kate will be FIVE MONTHS in a week or so...that's A LOT OF PUMPING!  It's just milk, right?!  I think I can, I think I can... =)

UPDATE!  It's been nearly a week of weaning myself off this whole breastfeeding thing.  I can honestly say I am completely comfortable with my decision!  I am still pumping 1-2 times a day...and just a few ounces at a time.  It took four days of misery before I finally was able to find some relief from all of the pressure, heat, pain, and engorgement --- which is NOT easy while being at home with both kids.  I cried twice...and I never cry.  This stuff is not easy!  We've figured out the perfect mixture of breastmilk and formula and Kate is just the same amazing baby as before.  I'm learning how to handle my frozen/thawed breastmilk and am adjusting well to all of my newly found time and freedom!  I'm hoping to say goodbye to my pump and hello to growing kiddos.

I love being a mom.  Like, really love being a mom.