Throwback Thursday

June 24, 2006

2006?!  It's 2013.  It does not seem real that we were married that long ago.  Who was I in 2006?  What in the world occupied all of our time before our kids?

Back then...

Eric worked at Best Buy and I worked in the good ol' Financial Aid Office at UNI.  We both were working towards our degrees.  We always made plans for the weekends and often hosted grill-outs and bonfires in our tiny little abode we purchased months before our wedding (when I was 19...holy cow...)  We spent lots of time with Eric's family -- because I love kids and loved spending time with all of Eric's nieces and nephews. 

My days were filled with carefree shopping, lots and lots of cleaning, organizing, and decorating {and redecorating...can I say that I painted my living room the color of Kate's poo?  Who knew..} and hanging out with friends.  I always made time for working out and loved getting a nice hot dinner ready for my sweet hubby.

I remember one time, there was a gigantic ice storm in Waterloo.  It knocked our power out on our entire neighborhood.  We were sure we could handle the cold for as long as the power outage would last.  We snuggled next to our wood burning fireplace, created a little campsite, and played scrabble by candlelight for three nights in a row.  At one point, our thermostat read less than 50 degrees.  Three days without power was a nightmare, but what I remember were some of the best talks and times.  

Now...

There's nothing more sexy than a pink flamingo burp rag flung over Eric's right shoulder and a sweet little baby adorned with a petite little bow snuggled perfectly into his arms.  We have a non-stop-talking chatter bug of a toddler who is figuring his way around our world.  We constantly hear "what's dis Mom?"  or "Daddy da moon, do you see da moon Daddy?  It's up der in da sky!"  We sing "ABC's" and "Twinkle Twinkle" every. single. day.

Our date nights include putting both kids to bed and cooking dinner together in the quiet.  The other night we bought a hefty top Iowa sirloin fresh from Fareway and grilled and chatted and ate together.  Yes, it was at home...but it was definitely special.

Flashback Thursday brings me back.  I am exactly where I was meant to be and am loving every booger-filled kleenex, poopie squirty diaper, quick kisses stolen from my hubby minute of it.

Sibling Love...

Jack is two-and-a-half next month.  I am SO, so, SO very grateful for the time span between our two littles.  He's just independent enough that he can play and be content if he needs to be, yet...he still loves a good snuggle with momma.  The best part is I'm sure he'll never really remember life "before Kate".  I worried that he would act out or wonder what in the world happened when we brought our new baby home, but honestly since the day we walked in the door with Kate he was smitten.  {Okay, so maybe he scratched a kid's face at daycare his first day back...but the same kid bit him a couple times.  Maybe that's Jack making a stand for toddler bullying and NOT him acting out?!}

1.  Jack is nicknamed "Captain Obvious".  Mom, bee bee cryin!  Mom, time for biper change...me do it!  Mom, Maggie barking...hear it?  Yes, Jack we know...but thanks for filling us in.  He's a helper that little guy.

2.  Pink and blue are interchangeable at this point.  Why buy a new baby bath tub when the blue one works just fine?  Blue bumbo for our sweet little girl...sure, why not.  Jack's in on the color swapping, too, as he rinses his little head in the tub with a pink hair rinser cup and snuggles with a pink stuffed pig he stole from Kate's shelf. 

3.  Trips to Target are twice as expensive.  I pick up a new toy for Jack and a few outfits for Kate.  Two boxes of diapers.  A bag of Goldfish for Jack and another bottle of Johnson's baby wash for the tub.  Two kids = way, way more Johnson's.  MMMMmmmm I never want to forget the sweet baby smell of that unforgettable baby wash.

4.  Never. forget. the. mornings.  It doesn't get any better than waking up to Kate's little cry in the pink and gray nursery across the hall.   Instantly, Jack cracks his door open and instead of coming to our room...he goes straight into Kate's.  I listen intently from the monitor as he climbs on the crib to say good morning to his baby sister.  Within seconds I hear his pitter-patter and he's next to my bed saying "momma, yake up...bee bee Kate is wakin' up!  Mom, get up!  Good morning, momma!"

5.  Two kids crying.  Enough said.  Every once-and-awhile we have a total meltdown in our living room.  When not one but TWO kids are having full out scream fests...Eric and I usually just look at each other and laugh, laugh, laugh.  Eventually it calms back to normal.  Tonight, Jack was mad about me taking away the iPad {the kid's getting addicted!} and we watched as Kate's face went from a smile, to a frown, to a full-out cry!  Adorable.  She already feels for her little bro.

{I think they like each other...}

"Lord help the mister that comes between me and my sister." 

- Irving Berlin

happy *2* sweet girl

You are two months old today!  As always...a broken record...time is flying.
 

{We have a lot of bows.  Okay, maybe A LOT...}

Diaper Size:  Size one.  Right now we're rocking good ol' Pampers Swaddlers with the adorable Elmo and oh-so-wonderful yellow indicator line that turns blue when Kate pees or poos.

Clothes Size:  A whole lot of everything.  We've packed most of her newborn stuff away...okay fine ALL of her newborn stuff away.  *tear*.  Kate mostly wears Carter's size 3 months and she swims in 6 months but we're getting there!

Sleep:  Oh, we've got another good little sleeper on our hands.  Kate sleeps through the night most nights!  We give her a bath -- which she absolutely adores.  Then, we snuggle her in comfy jammas and feed her and she's off to bed.  Most nights she sleeps from 9/10 - 4/5.  It's amazing.  She takes a good morning and afternoon nap, too.

Favorite Activities/things:  Kate is simple and picky.  Give her a blanket in the middle of the living room floor and she's happy!  Bouncy chair -- um, no.  Swing -- depends on her mood...most of the time no!  Oh, and she's perfectly content right in my arms anytime of course.  I just love snuggling with her.

{Still playing with her little tuft of hair}

How could I forget her snugglebunny?  I bought this adorable little snuggly bunny in a clearance bin at PBK thinking it would probably end up on a shelf collecting dust.  Nope.  We don't leave home without it!  She snuggles it so sweet and tries to eat it, too!

{Mom, do you have that silly camera again?! Uh oh, I sense attitude already...}

Eating: On a perfect little schedule.  She is a slow eater!  She stares at me so intently when I'm feeding her.  OH, and she's happy as can be when she's done eating.  Whenever daddy feeds her a bottle she falls fast asleep.  We had to buy a deep freeze for all of the extra milk I have -- so I'm hoping she'll never have to drink a drop of formula...for now. :)

Nicknames:  Baby Kate, Baby Doll, Sweetheart, Doll, Sweet Girl..

Talking:  Oh, she is going to be a loud talker I'm afraid!  When she does talk, it's a raspy voice for such a tiny thing.  She coos a little and gurgles so far.  We'll see soon!

New adventures:  Awake more!  She's starting to have long stretches of being awake and watching our crazy little family adventures.  She loves to stare at the lights through the windows.  Her tiny little eyelashes have grown like crazy and I'm excited that she will share her gorgeous eyelashes with her big bro and daddy.

 {Love. those. eyelashes.  This was a few days ago and they just keep growing and growing!}

 Dear Baby Doll,

I love you, sweet baby girl.  You have molded our family in a whole new way.  It's hard to keep the smiles and the tears away when your brother climbs on the floor with his elbows on his chin and says "Hi bee bee Kate" in the sweetest, high-pitched voice I've ever heard.  You grab onto his finger and even let out a big wide-open-mouth smile to him as you watch him so intently.  I love the way your little foot finds its way right out of the sling in your baby bath and the scrunchy, figuring-out-what-in-the-world-is-going-on face you give me a million times throughout the day.  I love dressing you in all of your girly pink clothes...topping every outfit off with a bow.  I love that you scream your little head off if I try and put you anywhere but the floor.  I love your coos and your white knuckles as you clench your little fists.  I love watching your eyelids get heavy as you fall asleep so peacefully in my arms.  I can't imagine life without you, sweet girl, and I'm so thankful to be your mom. 

Love you, doll,
Momma

Wordless Wednesday

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 I got my wed beeloon, mom!

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

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

Milestones...

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Throwback Thursday

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

Jack & Kate

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

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

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

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

And this is my everyday...so blessed.

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

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

Home

There's just something about this town.

As soon as I saw the weather forecast {for the 10th time of the day...maternity leave = daytime tv = lots of newscasts saying the exact same thing...} I was excited for spontaneous play dates across the street.  We live directly across our little neighborhood park, and Jack has buddies that live next to us on both sides.  Sure enough, at around 6 pm, you'd think Elmo or Jake's Pirates were across the street with the number of toddlers attempting to run and play.  We all get excited for nice days and playing outside.   I adore that at any given time I can look out the window and see a toddler, a cute family playing, people walking their doggies, and lots and lots of planting grass seed.  Everyone is outside, smiling, and so friendly.

One of the reasons we moved to Waukee was because of the cute signs that said "please drive slow, we love our kids".  Boy, are there a LOT of kids.

When we were in the hospital with Kate, Eric's parents came to stay with Jack at our house.  They came home to our sidewalks and driveways already cleared of snow and we had dinners for our first nights home as a family for days thanks to our amazingly wonderful neighbors.

After teaching 140+ tweens for the past three years, I can't really go anywhere without seeing either a student, a fellow teacher, or a parent that I know.  Tanning -- ran into a student.  Fareway -- ran into a student.  Even driving through the McD's drive through I see students.  I absolutely LOVE seeing them and watching them grow up!  The only downfall is I usually see them without makeup and I'm in sweats.  Mrs. Krieger at her finest, kids. 

It's easy to forget the little things.  Sitting in my tub every night while chatting about our days with Eric will never get old.  Climbing into my giant bed with sweet black and white photos of our little journey will never get old.  Waking up to Jack saying "Morning mama, seeep good, wuv ooo mama" will never, ever get old.  I am so thankful for our little family, our little house, and our little town we call home.  Because, after all...

there is NO place like home.

too fast...

When I picked you up from your nap today, I realized just how big you already are.  You stretched your neck to look at me and gave out a big sigh of relief.  You have the most adorable big brown eyes that gaze at me so intently.

Stay little.

You are very routine, little sweets.  You eat and sleep on your little schedule that lines up perfectly with your big brother.  You like to be on the floor on a big, cozy blankie in the middle of the living room; no swing or bouncy chair needed.  You HATE wet or dirty diapers and smile when I change you.

Stay little.

I love the big smiles you let out when you see me.  I love your little toenails...especially painted pink.  I love your crazy, wispy brown hair and the face you make after you are nice and full.  I love the way Jack plays with you -- so careful and sweet.  You smile so big when he comes to see you.

Stay little.

I cannot believe just how fast you are growing, baby Kate.  We've moved on and out of your little newborn wardrobe and it's already hard to pack away some of my favorite outfits.  I am soaking in every moment of you right now.  I can't wait for you to grow, but can you please, please...

Stay little.