{Jack & Kate}

I heard birds chirping.  That can only mean one thing // hello spring.  Well, sort of.

Our little family spends everyday of the summer outside.  We've been itching to break free from our walls -- and today it was a perfect 50 degrees.  So, we bundled up and headed outside for our first adventure as a {two-kids-are-walking-holy-crap} family.  Last summer, Kate was chill and could sit or lay on a blanket for hours while Jack and I played.  This summer....I can already sense the chaos that will exist in my front yard.  Kate went from crawling to running -- with no fear.  So, our little slope on our driveway is my nightmare.  Today was wet, murky, a little windy, but also sunny and warm enough to melt the snow.  Kate waddled like a drunken penguin down a soppy, muddy sidewalk while Daddy and Jack rode along on his bike.  It was an adorable glimpse to the fun we'll have as soon as it gets nice out.

Jack // 3-years-old.
"One time, I rode on a train.  And I brought my friends.  Didn't I, Mom?"  Jack is starting to tell little stories about things he's done -- and honestly things he wishes he could do.  It's adorable and scary at the same time!  Oh, and everything happened "yesterday".  Last summer, we had a block party and a fire truck made an appearance and Jack got to sit in the front seat.  On our way home from school he says, "Yesterday I rode on a firetruck, mom."  Okay, buddy, that was last summer...not yesterday.  It's adorable that he doesn't understand time frames at all, but he still likes to talk about what has happened.

Kate // 1-year-old.
Where has the time gone?  It feels like just yesterday my days were filled with nursing, pumping, and rocking.  Now...I'm chasing, dancing, and laughing along with my little Kate.  She's still a doll -- and almost never cries.  She's finding her voice and still says "dada" way more than "mama".  She is a dancing machine!  We've caught her on camera "baby twerking", shaking her booty, wiggling her whole body and more.  Its fun to think about pink tutus and dance class in the coming years.  I absolutely am obsessed with baby girl clothes.  Kate has the nickname "fashionista" at her daycare.  Tiny denim tunics with bright leggings, dresses and sweater tights, tiny boots and more.  It's so much fun!  Oh, and she LOVES wearing her accessories.  If I forget to put a necklace on, she'll find one and throw it on herself.  All girl and I totally love it. 

Books //  We love books.
Every night, Jack counts in Spanish how many books he wants to read.  Normally, it's uno, dos, tres.  Last night it was all the way up to once (11) books!  Yeah, right.  Eric reads and reads and reads until his little eyes grow sleepy.  His newest obsession is books with CDs that go with them.  There's something about someone exciting reading the book to him that just puts him right to sleep.  Polar Express is a new favorite -- because I think Jack is obsessed with Santa, still.  Also, Pete the Cat.  Pete is AMAZING!  Jack has nearly every book and I think he can recite all of them.

As soon as Kate wakes up I walk right to her closet to find her outfit.  In her closet is her little bookshelf -- so she pushes to get down and starts reading to herself.  Our little wee one is a total bookworm just like her brother.  She already tries to read!  She opens the books and says "da da ra ra da" as she turns the pages.  If she finds a book, she searches for either Eric or me and plops down and hands us the book.  Her favorite book is Hop on Pop by Dr. Seuss.  I think we've read it nearly 100 times (and she got it for her birthday a few weeks ago).  Needless to say, we love books.

<-----Krieger Family Randoms

Celebrating a birthday with a 3-year-old hanging around was one for the books.  We had been telling Jack that it was my birthday coming soon.  On the morning of, I said, "Hey, Jack!  It's momma's birthday!"  His response?

"Thank you, mom!"

Oh buddy.  Well I was looking for a happy birthday, but I'd rather have my little man show off his manners instead.  Those manners melt my heart.  {drops toy on accident -- sorry, sorry mom; give Jack his toothbrush in the morning -- thanks, mom!}  What little kid thanks you for teeth brushing?  I love that he's totally unaware of when he needs to be polite.

I promise we laugh about something he says every. single. day.  Today, I went to walk on our treadmill.  I put a fan in there so I'm not too hot.  As I start walking, he picks up the big box fan and proclaims, "I'm so stronger, mom, I can move this fan so we don't get colder, mom."  Ummmm I put the fan there to not get warm, goofball, but thanks anyway. 

We officially have not one but two wee walkers in our family of four!  Everyone told me the second develops way slower than the first.  Well, so far Jack and Kate are neck-in-neck for hitting milestones.  Kate started taking steps awhile back but is now a real, live, little walker.  She stumbles along and just loves being up on her feet.

Meet George

George has been one of my favorite parts about Christmas in our house this year.  I'll admit -- I was skeptical and bought-into-the-craze all at the same time when I purchased our very own Elf on the Shelf.  I wasn't sure if Jack was too young to understand, and I felt pressure to be uber creative like all of the ideas I found on Pinterest.  But...we took a chance and...

We love "Geowage".

Every morning, Jack pops out of bed and says, "Mom, we need to find Geowage!  Where is he?"  Then, we he finds him {in I'll admit all of our non-creative spots -- Jack doesn't mind...} he screams and laughs and has a little conversation with him about what he wants for Christmas or that he's been a good boy.  It's adorable!

One of the best perks of this little, slightly creepy, red elf guy, is that whenever Jack's on the verge of a meltdown {3 year old tantrums DO exist} we just mention that George will tell Santa and he usually snaps right out of it.  For some reason, the magic behind this little elf really does exist in our toddler's mind.  Muahahaha!

I'm so glad we've added Geowage to our house and will be a tad bit sad to pack him up until next year.

Reliving Christmas and all of it's magic in the eyes of my little people is amazing.

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.