pajama party

Before bows and hair brushing.  Before socks and shoes.  Before breakfast.  There's this moment -- where Jack realizes Kate is awake and waiting...in his old room.  In his old crib.  He proclaims, "Mom, baby Kate is wakin' up!  Go get her!"  And we both pop up and go to rescue our little sleeping beauty.  It's one of my favorite things about waking up.

I just love my comfy cotton-y carter's pj kiddos.  Excuse Kate's hair....I'm lost until its ponytail-able.  For now it's a crazy mess that big bow headbands covers up.  This, however, is pre-bow hair...watch out!

jack & kate = best friends forever

Jack // 3 years old
Kate // 9 months old

{...and I *melt*}

When Kate was a baby, we spent our days figuring out how to balance life with a toddler and wee little baby all at once.  Most of the time, Kate laid around while we played with Jack.  Now-a-days, Kate won't even sort of sit in one place....and it's becoming so much fun to watch the two of them create a bond that is untouchable.  Pictures of Jack and Kate together will forever be my absolute favorite.  It doesn't get sweeter than a big bro kissing the cheek of his little sis -- who's having a blast in his arms.

 And why not end the perfect little moment with a little book reading? Adorbs.

on the flip side.

For the past five years, and for as long as I've known any better, I've been a teacher.  I see kids and want to teach them and help them learn about all things life.  I love what I do and I pour my whole heart into my past, present, and even future students -- the ones I always call my "kids".  I've lived through five "first days of school" and new student jitters, as well as 500+ parent/teacher/student conferences where I convince parents their kids are just as great as they think -- and more.

Okay, we know you love teaching, Krieger.  What's the catch?

Jack started his first day of "school" on Monday of this week.  Preschool.  Instead of being in an in-home with I don't know, maybe four kids at the most, he's now in the 3-year-old butterfly room with 7 other 3 year olds learning, playing and growing.  I have to admit...I was so nervous that first day.  Would he do okay without his little 'ducky seat' that he learned how to pee with?  Would he listen to his teacher?  Will he know how to sit, play, eat at a little kids table?  Will he show him how much he knows already or just sit quiet and observe?

After five years of teaching other people's kids, my kid was the one being taught.

So many things clicked.  Things like... why do I work so hard to get to know each of my students?  Because at home they are someone else's baby.  Every kiddo has their quirks, their talents, and their feelings.  I want Jack's teachers to know his.  I want them to teach him to be his best.  I want them to learn about what he knows and to laugh with him.  I am trusting them with my baby...and it's crazy.  So far, we are three days in.  Two accidents, a few tears, and a whole lot of adorable activities and we're smoothly transitioning into school mode.

I asked Jack who his friends were on the first day...none other than Miss Ashley his teacher.  Today she was gone.  The first thing he said, in the most adorably disappointed voice ever, "Miss Ashwey was gone today, Mom".  I asked him, again, who were his friends today and he still replied his teacher.  So far, so good!  I am loving this place.  They work on letters/sounds/numbers/reading/sitting/playing so many wonderful things for little kiddos to figure out before they get to school.

Today, as I pulled up from a long day of school, eager to pick up my little man....I saw a little pile of tiny 3-year-olds huddled in front of a teacher.  I could see Jack but he couldn't see me.  I sat there in my car.  Breathless.  There's my 'baby Jack'....sitting at the carpet, sitting just like he should with all the other kids.  How could it be that my little man is already 3?  How can it be that he's ready for school?  It feels like yesterday I was kissing his adorably chubby newborn cheeks and today I sat watching him grow up right before my eyes.  As I finally caught my breath, I thought to myself -- write this down.  This is one of those moments you'll never want to forget.

So, after months of not writing...I pour my heart onto this screen.  About continuously learning, life, growing up and this amazing journey of motherhood.  It takes me places I never think about going.  I love it more and more each day.

I've said it before and I'll say it again,
I was made to be your mom, Jack.
I am proud of you -- all of your stubborn, pee-on-yourself, cry about a blanket self that has already taken on this new challenge in your life.  I cannot, and I mean cannot wait to watch you grow.
Love,
Your mom.
Your forever teacher.

sit and wait....and do a potty dance.

I have to be honest, people, I truly wasn't sure we'd jump over this hurdle.  I mean sure, Jack can talk in full sentences, can usually tell you what day it is, and has an uncanny ability to understand emotion and feelings in books and movies already.  However, going pee on the potty was a seemingly insurmountable task.

Pee. 

It goes in the toilet. 

What a concept. 

For months, Jack has been rocking his big boy underwear, adorned with creepy, giant images of Spiderman, Cars, and Thomas the Train.  {If I had my way, he'd be snug in white under grunders.  Turns out 2 year old's do not prefer actual tighty whiteys.  Bummer.}  He literally would keep his underwear dry every. single. day.  We had maybe two accidents in like four months.  The catch, you ask?  He NEVER. ever. went on the potty.  He'd hold his pee/poop ALL day long.  He'd get a diaper on at nap and let it all out....the same at bedtime.  Anytime in between, he was dry and happy as can be in underwear.  On weekends, we'd attempt to stick his stubborn butt on the toilet.  We tried everything (even though everyone said not to, I was determined to NOT have a diaper-wearing soon-to-be three year old).  We gave him m&ms if he tried, peed, or pooped.  Nothing.  We found a potty song on youtube.  We memorized that song, in fact.  We downloaded potty apps equipped with games, we turned on the water faucet to have water running.  Nothing.  Jack would sit there and smile and refuse to go pee.  It was the most frustrating time...hmm maybe ever.

Fast forward to last weekend.   I was determined.  I told Eric I thought no diapers at nap or bedtime might be the key -- then our stubborn, sneaky kid wouldn't be able to just pee in diapers when he had planned.  Eric wasn't so sure {or really just scared of the mess/laundry/tears to come} but I was ready.  I sat on the cold tile floor with Jack for 40 minutes straight.  His knees were trembling he had to pee so bad but was refusing.  I finally threw my hands in the air and took him off the potty.  Within seconds a stream of pee landed on my leg (which had happened time and time again before) but I yelled, "STOP" and instantly sat his little butt on his 'ducky seat' on the potty.  In a matter of seconds, the stream of pee restarted and Jack was crying and smiling all at the same time!  It went all over...the floor, my leg, the toilet, Jack's clothes.  However, there was DEFINITELY pee in the toilet.  We celebrated over the yellow sight and said goodbye as he flushed for the first time for real. 

We knew we were probably just lucky.  After doing a little potty dance, giving away 20 m&ms and celebrating, we went on with our day.  Eric ran to the store and happened to pick up three little cars (you know, the .97 kind that we have 865,423 of).  When he got back, Jack was interested in the cars.  Eric said only if he went potty he could have one.  Jack said, "I have to go potty"...walked into the bathroom and within seconds he peed again!  We couldn't believe it.  Two times in a matter of hours.  After another successful trip, we decided we needed more cars.  {At this point, I was well prepared to buy hundreds of them to keep this thing going...}

It's been two weeks.  The only accidents we have is during the nighttime -- but we're determined to bust out even overnight potty training all at once.  Jack's a peeing champ and even poops in the potty, too.  Cars or no cars, he pees like a pro.

It is official. 

Jack is potty trained.

I am convinced this may be one of the greatest, most challenging, and most rewarding parenting milestones of all time.  I mean, without this Jack couldn't go to school, work, or be anything, really.  It may sound ridiculous, but this is the first step towards Jack being independent.  And, I am proud.

settled.

It usually happens in October.  It's peaceful, refreshing, and rejuvenating.

In August, I'm running around like a chicken with my head cut off.  I am attending meetings, hanging "class rules" and trying to figure out why people wear real clothes and not sweatpants.  I juggle my time between lesson plans, decorating, shopping for new classroom get-ups, kids, and Eric.  We eat out nearly every night and I hit the pillow exhausted.

Then comes September.  Just keep swimming, just keep swimming.  I am drowning in standards, objectives, rubrics, checklists, benchmarking, how to teach kids fractions and decimals and more.  I am still figuring out my balance between life and school.

Now comes October...when I figure out my teaching job to the point where I'm not spending every. single. night. attempting to recreate the world's greatest plans for the next day.  I finally have my groove.  These darn 5th graders are proving to be a breeze.  They listen, are respectful, love to work hard, and are extremely excited to learn.  Not kidding.  Finally, in October, I feel comfortable in my skin as a 5th grade teacher.

Now that I'm not spending my nights working as much...I notice things.  Little things.  Like how Kate makes this little smirk when she sees something and is determined to get it.  Our little 8-month-old is a crawling, pulling herself up on furniture go-machine.  It's adorably adorable.  I notice the way Jack bites his lip -- I was hoping he wouldn't get that from me.  Or the way he tickles Kate in the middle of playing to make sure she doesn't steal his toys.  He's a smart little guy, always working to stay on Kate's good side.

Life in the Krieger household is good and busy.  Our little movers and shakers keep us crazy busy until bedtime.  While browning hamburger for homemade pizza, we're handing Kate toys she dropped on the floor while helping Jack finish his last pieces of his floor sized firetruck puzzle.  Last night we had a family dance party to the oldies.  I walked downstairs and saw Eric dancing with Kate to "You're my brown eyed girl".  I grabbed Jack and we danced and laughed and sang together.  It is a moment in time I want to bottle up and replay over.  And over.

I am glad I've figured out my groove.
I am so thankful to have two adorable, healthy, and happy littles.
Life is so good, people.

{Have I ever told you how hard it is to take pictures of a stubborn 2-year-old?  Good thing Kate likes my camera :)}

After 12 years...

I still get butterflies when the clock strikes 5 o'clock. 

I cannot sleep without Eric next to me.  Once in a while I head back to Waterloo for girls weekend.  I usually have such a blast reminiscing and creating amazing memories with the best friends a girl can ask for.  I have to be crazy busy and entertained or you better believe my little white Venza heads back to Des Moines early.  If I do stay, I am up-and-at-em before the sun shines most days to get back to my little family.  Homesick at 27...not kidding.

We plan and look forward to date nights.  Sometimes we go all out and hire a babysitter {all out I know!}.  Moments of just us two are quiet and peaceful.  Other times, we plan a "date night" for when our kids are in bed.  We wait to eat dinner and spend time grilling steaks and chatting over a peaceful meal with candles together.   Babysitter or not, I love these nights.

I am not a huge fan of sports.   Eric isn't a fan of the Kardashians {or any kind of smutty TV that I like}.  However, we compromise.  I can tell you that on Saturday mornings our littles are dressed to the nines in Hawkeyes gear and I have dips made and a crock pot filled with chili ready to go for the game.  And, Eric knows way more than he wants to about the Kards.  That's life, right?  Give and take and compromise.  

We are busy.  Life with two working parents and two kids is crazy busy.  Between attempting to perfect Jack's potty training with a 7-month-old with a fever...stress can't even explain what happens at our house sometimes.   It's not the norm and times like these only make us more thankful for our overall healthy kids.  Even in the crazy we still work like a well-oiled machine. 

We make quite the team, Eric and me. 

I love you.
You're my forever and ever and ever.

Dear Kate,

Dear Miss Kate,

My little ray of sunshine.

My little dolly.

In the morning, I can hear little tiny noises coming from your room.  I go peek in to see if you're okay, and I find you chewing on the tag of your pillow or just laying there snuggling your blanket wide awake.  As soon as you see me, your chubby little arms flail and you make these adorable little high-pitched noises.  I love that you are so content that you will just hang in your crib until someone comes to find you - wide awake.
 
Everyday, you rock a bow/headband and never take it off.

You have the most adorable little smile, that still crinkles right at the tip of your nose.  Unlike your big brother, you flash this smile to anyone and anything that comes near you.  You're not skeptical even the slightest and I think you'll find the best in everything.  I can just tell.  You are still, literally, insanely easy and content.  You're sitting, crawling everywhere, and absolutely love bouncing around (in my lap, in your bouncy-jumper thing, anywhere, really).

I am obsessed with baby girl clothes.  I recently bought almost every article of girls clothes at Baby Gap and cannot wait to dress you in sophisticated layers for this winter.  Honestly, you look cute in anything you wear.

Kate, I cannot believe that you're crawling around on my floor and eating Cheerios already.  I can already envision late night chats, Saturday morning shopping sprees, and boyfriend talks.  I am already planning to be one of 'those moms' who puts you in anything and everything from gymnastics to dance.  I am thinking you will be chill, reserved, and amazing -- just like your daddy.  I am so in love with all things you.  You are my dream, my sweet little girl, Kate.

I love you to the moon and back (and back again),
Momma

Look at how teeny weeny you were...

And look at my brown eyed, brown haired girl.

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.