7 Weeks!

Give me all the sugar!

This pregnancy seems similar to the others...minus the crazy cravings already!  I distinctly remember apple-juice-by-the-gallon with Jack and eating everything-and-anything with Kate.  This time, I want a lemon poppyseed muffin for breakfast and pancakes for dinner.

I am anxiously awaiting our first doc appointment this Friday.  I can't wait to hear, see, and confirm this little bean that has been on my mind for the last month.  If all goes well at the appointment, I plan to drive as fast as I can to Target to buy some stretchy clothes!  Baby K3 is already making my clothes feel tight.  I don't know if it's because my body already knows just what to do....or that the lemon poppyseed muffins are settling in already....but I cannot wait for some maternity stretch.

We haven't said anything to the kiddos...I'm trying to think of a creative way to let them know they'll both be a big brother and big sister!  That sounds crazy to think Kate will be the BIG sister instead of Jack's little counterpart.  I couldn't be more excited.

I am extremely thankful for how quickly this news came about!  It's infertility awareness week and I empathize with those who are struggling on their journey to growing their family.  I truly believe everything happens for a reason and I am utterly thankful that conceiving is not one of our families challenges!

Dear Bean,
     Although I am nauseous all day long, I can't help but smile through the yuck.  I am so excited to grow our little fam of four to a party of five.  I am excited for our snuggles during maternity leave and cannot wait to see your big siblings faces when we bring your little teeny butt home from the hospital.  I promise to not drink pop or tea {AHH!} for awhile and will rest up so you are nice and cozy in there.  I promise you'll have one fabulous little life.  I cannot wait to meet you!
Love, Mom

Summer 2014

This summer has already been one for the books, and we're only a few days into our first week at home together.  Jack and Kate play so well together and it's adorable to just sit and watch.

Jack:
He's super sensitive -- to sights, sounds, and more.  He notices the train whistle miles and miles away.  While racing with the neighbor buddies, he catches a glimpse of a butterfly and cannot help but stop and tell me all about it.  Jack, oh Jack, has to be the sweetest 3-year-old ever made.  Lately, he stops randomly throughout the day and says, "Mom" for the 1,456 time that day.  Every once and awhile that "Mom" {which I have to admit gets a tad annoying...} is attached to an "I vu you".  I love that he thinks about that.  I hope he does this when he's 20, too!  Coloring -- Jack could sit and color/draw all day long.  He draws people, flowers, bananas, and little robot monsters.  It's adorable to watch him concentrate and explain every little detail.  He writes 'MOM' and 'Jack' and 'DaD' so far -- and can write almost every letter on command.  He's working on spelling some simple sight words...tonight he figured out dinosaur.  He is busy, yet careful, and loves dinosaurs (Mom, the triceratops has three horns, one, two, three, and they are there to protect the dinosaur -- seriously where does he learn this stuff?!)  He loves Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Little Einsteins, and playing letter games on the iPad.  Basically, he is a sponge and soaks up everything around him.  He can count to 50, to 30 in Spanish, and sings an adorable version of the ABC's backwards even.  He'll be our handful, that's for sure.

Kate:
Still super chill, although her little attitude is starting to show if she doesn't get her way.  The benefit of being kiddo #2 -- we don't freak out when she does, we just wait and laugh.  Sure enough, within seconds she moves on to something else rather than continue to cry.  Whew!  She's all girl.  She responds with a little 'ya' to almost any question and follows simple directions like a champ.  She'll grab a diaper and sit, wiggle her toes to get her shoes on just right, and hands me her clip or bow to fix it if it falls out.  When I whip out the nail polish, Kate plops down, sticks her feet out, and waves her hands to dry her toesies.  She's in training to be the biggest little diva ever.  Kate also reminds me of Lioness in Charlie Brown.  As soon as she wakes up from her naps, she clutches her blankie in her left hand and refuses to get out without it.  She carefully lays it down and sits, snuggles in on it, and drags it everywhere around the house.  Her favorite toys are trucks and dinosaurs {thanks, Jack} but she is starting to get into her dollies.  It couldn't be more cute!  She snuggles them, slams them into her many strollers, and pushes her dollies around the house.  I've been waiting for girly toys for years.

We are hoping for days at the pool, visits to the library, lots of play time outside, and much, much more!  Here's to a summer of snuggles, relaxing, and a popsicle or two.

Oh the places you'll go...

I think we end up with a handful of papers from school every. single. day.  I love looking at them and am sad to say I am getting better at throwing things away!  For the first few weeks I became a hoarder and was proud of every line of crayon Jack drew.  Now, I can figure out what he simply colored during a free choice time and toss it!  {If I wouldn't have done this we may have needed a storage unit for Jack's preschool alone}. 

Today I ran across a little piece of paper that melted my heart.  It read...

First -- do you see that little flower/plant thing?  Okay, I used to teach science in middle school and I promise you I taught that in 7th grade science.  Jack's labeling plant parts and telling me all about how you plant seeds so trees and flowers grow.  Holy moly.

Second -- what does Jack want to be when he grows up?  None other than a DOCTOR!  In Jack's little mind, he wants to be just like Dr. Seuss, so doctor it is for our little man.  Adorable!  {and a whole lot better than the ballerina idea awhile ago as well...}

Dear Jack,
Each day, you tell me about your friends, Jon, Gillian, Jaxxon, and your girlfriend, Macy.  You fill me in on what's for lunch, who got in trouble, and what the letter of the day is in sign language.  You ask, "why?" more than I thought possible and are always thinking, questioning and wondering.  You. Amaze. Me.

I promise to always listen to those little, passionate, detailed explanations of how the world works in your eyes.  Like how, "all houses have roofs, mom, because the rain will come through.  Our house has a new roof and that house has a roof.  Mom does that house have a roof?  If it doesn't, they will need an umbrella".  Or your depiction of how garbage trucks get the trash into the piles in the landfill and that makes the Earth sad.  Your little hands go crazy, your eyes get big and wide, and you stammer through your 3-year-old explanations as if they are perfectly true.

I can only imagine the places you'll go, little man.  You have a brain as big as the world, a momma and daddy who will always support you and push you to learn more and more, and are just as stubborn and determined your dear old ma.  If you want to be a doctor, shoot for the moon.  If you want to be a garbage truck driver, I'll support you in that, too.  Ballerina -- what a deal that would be.  Whatever you choose, be a good one.  We'll be here, watching and cheering you on.

I love you, Jack.  You continue to melt my heart.

Love,
Mom

Mexico // Tidbits

Eric and I had been planning a little getaway for awhile now.  We weren't sure if we wanted a little weekend trip or an all out Mexican vacation -- and eventually decided the latter was what was in store for us.  A few weeks ago we booked an all-inclusive vacation to Cancun, Mexico...in hopes of sun, quiet, and relaxation.  I didn't go crazy, I didn't make it a huge ordeal....I dug through my closet and only bought one maxi skirt and a shirt -- everything else was already my own.  My sister and her husband watched the kiddos as we flew to paradise.  It was the perfect place, the right amount of time spent away from the munchkins, and turned out to be super relaxing.

1.  It doesn't get any better than a few days in the hot sun without a schedule...oh and a Miami Vice in my hand at. all. times.  Eric mixed it up trying a ton of the drinks.  I found the strawberry daiquiri/pina colada mix and never swayed from it again.

2.  The sound of ocean waves crashing against the white sand was incredibly calming and relaxing.  Every night we decided to leave our sliding glass door cracked open...falling asleep to the recurring crash/splash combination of nature.

3.  I have always claimed to hate reading.  Just typing it sounds silly.  Sure, I read about how to be an innovative teacher or a forward-thinking administrator, but actually reading for fun...yeah, right.  Well, teaching 5th grade has made me change my tune.  I read chapter books so I can guide my kiddos thinking and have become totally addicted.  I grabbed Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children off the Chicago Airport's Book stand and decided what's the worst that could happen?  Nearly 400 pages later after three days in paradise and I'm through it and excited to read the next book by the same author. 

4. Eric is amazing.  It was fun to spend time just ourselves -- no kiddies, no schedules, and no work.  We laughed, agreed, disagreed, compromised, danced, talked about the past and the future.  He's my love, my everything, and it was great to spend time together.

5.  My children will NEVER be allowed to go on Spring Break without me.  Until they are married.  Or 50. We had a few teens on our flight to Cancun.  One of their hats read, "TWERK QUEEN" and they were talking about late nights and crazy.  The thought of all of them being in a foreign country in charge of their own decisions made me sick for them.  Never.  Ever.  Spring break will not happen unless I'm there to supervise. :)

6.  No matter what sunscreen says, it will NOT protect you from a sunburn in Mexico.  We used 50 spf and still are peeling from the sizzling sunburn.  I guess that's what you get for being a pasty Iowan in the middle of March.

7.  Iowa nice is true.  When we would make small talk with anyone at our resort, 9 times out of 10 they were from Iowa.  Iowans are in general nice, outgoing, and like to have a good time.

8.  I don't worry about much.  But, for some reason I feel like something really bad is going to happen to us when we are flying in an airplane.  The whole time I tell myself, we'll land soon...then we'll be fine.  What was that bump?  Turbulence?  Oh, we're going down!"  No matter what I try I can't shake it.  Oh, and I always think there must be a shark lurking in the water.

9.  When you're on vacation without your kids...you miss them and wish they were there.  We both were excited for our little trip alone, but every time I saw a stroller or heard a cry I looked and longed for my littles.  That's the whole point of getting away -- it makes you realize that all of the stress and struggle is so worth it.  I couldn't wait to see the smiles and hear the cries when we were back.  Their faces and Jack's, "Mom I miss you and wuv you" were priceless.

10.  Getting around in Cancun is an adventure.  Driving is a little different in Mexico than it is here in the states.  We went to the downtown area of Cancun to meet up with a friend.  We asked the hotel staff how best to get there.  They told us, oh just take a bus!  So, we waited a few minutes and hopped on the first bus.  As soon as we were on, the bus driver took off!  Before I was even sitting!  I fell and ended up sitting on Eric's lap.  Freaked out, I glanced behind me and found 20+ Mexican workers covered in dirt and dust.  We had not ended up on a city bus, but rather a private owned crazy bus.  He turned up the bass and flashed bright lights and drove double the speed limit...nearly running people over at each stop.  Yes, it was only $1 per person -- but goodness it was an adventure.  We took a quiet, clean cab back. :)

Mexico was perfect.

“Our memories of the ocean will linger on, long after our footprints in the sand are gone.” 

Every time we got back in the water...I kept secretly hoping I'd find my pearl.  Wishful thinking...

{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.