Happy Thanksgiving 2010

Jack can be such a GRUMP at times, seriously. But than he will break out in these laughing fits and it makes you forget about his grumpy moments. I mean I guess we all can be moody at times, he is only a tiny little human (Michelle I just laughed as I typed that, an inside joke).

Back in Barrington one of his favorite spots is upstairs on the landing area. I get quite a workout here chasing him around from the basement to the 2nd level. Anyways, he likes to go up there and just "get wild" and he just breaks out in laughter. Warms my heart and makes me fall in love with him even more. And I need those moments lately because he has been waking me up at 2-3am. And while I bring him into bed to cuddle, he soothes himself by pinching and pulling my hair. It's a bit like torture.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone.

I hope you have a day filled of love and laughter.
Count your blessings.
Have a thankful heart. 

Don't be a grump, cherish the time with your family & friends!

 "A good laugh is sunshine in a house."~Anonymous

 "You don't stop laughing because you grow old. You grow old because you stop laughing."~Michael Pritchard

 "Laughter is inner jogging."~Norman Cousins

"You cannot be mad at somebody who makes you laugh - it's as simple as that."

~Jay Leno

And if you woke up in a grumpy mood with nothing motivating you to laugh (maybe you stayed out a little late), here's my last bit of motivation. It burns CALORIES! And we all need that on Thanksgiving. 10 to 15 minutes of laughing burns about 50 calories:) USA Today Article

First Haircut

Our little Jacky Bear was starting to get a bit of a baby mullet/ a vampire point. Aunt Katie agreed to cut his blonde locks during our GR visit. So glad she did because he was pill and I only think that someone who loves him would put up with it! Thanks Aunt Katie:)

Katie's youngest and most difficult client. 

"Hey, I like it short in front and long in back."

Using the cell phone as distraction.

They are both sighing that it is over! 

Prayers for Sara Postma

My sister-in-law, Sara Postma, was diagnosed with a brain tumor in June of 1999. For 10 years Sara had been doing well. But just a few months ago, at 7 months pregnant with her first child Noah, the doctors told Sara that tumor was growing again. We have sent out lots of pray requests for Sara and would like to update everyone as well as ask you to keep her in your prayers.

Noah James Postma was born November 3rd. Healthy, cute as a button, and with a full head of hair! On Saturday Sara flew to Duke for surgery on Monday. The surgery was successful and the doctors removed the tumor which was the size of an egg. Sara's Mom updated everyone that Sara was sitting up, eating, and even walked a bit on Tuesday. The biopsy results will take 7-10 days.

Grandma & Grandpa Postma and Aunt Katie are taking care of baby Noah back in Grand Rapids, and hopefully Sara & Dan will be back in just a couple of weeks. What an awesome Grandma do our boys have:) They set up skype before they left so the new parents can check on baby Noah everyday!

Prayers for a quick recovery for Sara with no complications. Prayers for a sleeping baby for Grandma & Grandpa:) Prayers for a safe journey back home. Prayers that Sara and Dan feel at peace.

This is a week of remembering what we all have to be thankful for. I am so thankful that Sara's surgery was successful and for a healthy new precious little nephew!

Sara getting ready to board her Wings of Mercy flight from the Tulip City Airport. 

Possibly the best baby ever! 

The proud Uncle Mike. 

They look like pro's at this grandparent thing already! 

A Visit to Rolled Alloys

This afternoon we took Jack to visit his Papa at his office, Rolled Alloys. Jack thoroughly enjoyed himself and it was so good to see everyone at the office too! I am sure my Dad has told them lots of stories about Jacky Bear, and since we abruptly moved to Alabama after Jack was born we never got to make a visit out there. Who knows, Jack may just end up in the metals industry one day...

Jack did not dig wearing a hardhat.

Taking a tour of the warehouse.

Jack had on the "ohhhhh" face the time. He was simply amazed by all the trouble he could get in back there. 

Driving the forklift. 

"Papa jump in, I got this."

With Linda!

Getting ready to enter some BIG orders. 

Jack loved this magnetic promotional thing, but of course he wanted to eat all of the pieces. Ahh...more on Jack eating small objects later! 

Successful afternoon field trip. 

Bath Time Laughs

"Hoppa Hoppa Reiter"

11 Months

Jack Michael Postma you are 11 months today. I am absolutely obsessed with you. I can say that, I'm your Mom. You are one funny little Bear and you make me laugh all the time. I don't know when I have ever smiled this much, and I've had a pretty darn good life, but being a Mom beats it all.

Let's see...you still aren't walking but you are walking around all of the furniture and will take a few steps if your Dad and I put you in the middle and entice you to go back and forth. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse is still your favorite and now you dance to the opening song and "Hot Dog". You also look at anyone else the room to make sure we are dancing as well. Nothing is safe in the cupboards or drawers. Oh and the toilet is so very interesting, I just think you miss the pool:)

You have 6 teeth that I can see. Your blond locks are growing in more and more every week, and getting a little darker since we haven't been in the sun as much.

The Red Wagon is your favorite mode of transportation and you just always want to be outside. I make sure to take you on at least one walk a day as well as to the park. In the afternoons we sit the backyard too and throw Dutchie his toys. Dutch is your best bud and you two are getting along together much better.

Sleep, there is more of it! Bed time is between 7 and 8pm, and our wake up call is between 5:45 and 6:30am. You do stir a little in your crib around 4am, but I am sorry little Bear we just let you cry it out.  Naps are a guessing game everyday. Usually a morning rest for 30 minutes, and an hour afternoon nap. On very active days you will throw in an extra for your Mommy around 3pm for 45 minutes or so. Night time routine is dinner, playing and story time, bath, and then we turn on your play list and rock you for few minutes before putting you in your crib. You always cuddled us to sleep before, but now you fall asleep on your own. For naps you have to "cry it out" for a couple of minutes, you just can't settle yourself but I know that you are tired!

You give high fives, kisses, and now wave good bye. Mama, Dada, and Papa come out frequently....we are working on Mimi! Jack you are great at going to other adults and we are working on how to nicely play with all of your buddies.

IT WAS A BIG MORNING! Today was my first morning in 11 months that I didn't breastfed. Yesterday you could tell that Jack really wasn't interested at all anymore. 11 months was always my goal. It has been one of the hardest things I have ever done, and I am pretty proud of myself that I committed to it for 11 months. Breastfeeding is tough work but totally worth it. It is the best thing you can do for your kids, and while I had to sacrifice my body, I gave Jack the best start I knew I could. Plus I didn't have to go back to work and Jack is my only child, so I had the time. Everyone has different circumstances and I know it isn't possible for all Moms to nurse, I am really thankful that I was able too. I'm going to miss how I was the only one that could comfort him. It was such an amazing bonding experience. But that's what little boys do, they grow up.

Now you are drinking whole milk and you love it. You eat A LOT. I try to get you lots of fruit and veggies. Homemade whole wheat waffles and muffins are a daily staple, as well as yogurt and cheese. For dinner you get bites of what we eat, or I save you leftovers from our meal the night before and give it to you. Feeding a baby is hard! I plan on doing a post on that later to get ideas:) Of course you get goldfish and cheerios for snacks. I am very proud of what a self feeder you are.

One of the biggest changes this month has honestly been how much you learn. We show you how to use a toy and then you get it. In the morning you remember where you left something the night before. It's funny. You are still a big drama king when we say "No" or don't give you what you want. And that big bottom lip you stick out...it both tugs at my heart and makes me laugh.

This is turning into quite the post...but you are doing so many new things I just want to keep track of it. I feel like you are growing so quickly now!

I love you Jacky Bear with all of my heart!

Fall Back

Jack did not get the memo on the "fall back" time change. So we were up at the normal time but only an hour earlier:)

Mike noticed that we were out of coffee as well. A Starbucks run at 6:30am on a Sunday it was! It was our first red cup of the season!

We were all very excited:)

My absolute FAVORITE time of the year!!!!

War Eagle

One of the presidents at MHT gave Mike tickets for this weekends Auburn game. It was so fun to go and experience the college atmosphere on homecoming with some of our good friends. Homecoming weekend was perfect to bring the little boys too and I love all the pageantry that goes along with it.

The Harris's & Wade's made us feel totally at home on their old stomping ground and we absolutely loved it. What a great campus! The red brick buildings, gorgeous trees in the midst of changing colors, and the sea of navy and orange brought back our own Hope College memories. It was our first SEC game and considering Auburn (ranked #2)  kept scoring touchdown and after touchdown, I thought it was pretty fun. I wish we could go to a Cubs game where they just keep scoring home runs:)

It was a gorgeous sunny day but it was SOOOO cold. Like 50 and incredibly windy, plus we were in the shade. Jack was so bundled up he could barely move, very happy I bought him little his own little Uggs so I was confident his tootsies were as warm as mine. The babies made it until half time but then we had to get them into some heat. We all headed over to the Mellow Mushroom to watch the rest of the game, drink a few beers, and eat some snacks.

Great college football game day in the state of Alabama for the Postma family!

The beautiful Harris family, our tour guides for the day!

Scholarship seats, they were great!

Of course he had his eye on someones food instead of the camera.

*Side Note. Since we moved down here I have been very confused by the schools different chants and mascots. Like it is the Auburn Tigers, but you say "War Eagle". University of Alabama has an elephant mascot but you say "Roll Tide" for the crimson tide.  So Brain explained to me the War Eagle story, and for convenience I copied it here from Wikipedia for your daily piece of trivia:) The eagle still flies before each game, it actually swooped down right in front of us which was really fun. 

War Eagle I (1892)

The mythical War Eagle I has the most colorful story of all of the "War Eagles". War Eagle I's story begins in the Civil War. According to the legend, a soldier from Alabama was the sole Confederate survivor of a bloody battle. Stumbling across the battlefield, he came across a wounded young eagle. The bird was named Anvre, and was cared for and nursed back to health by the soldier. Several years later the soldier, a former Auburn student, returned to college as a faculty member, bringing the bird with him. For years both were a familiar sight on campus and at events. On the day of Auburn's first football game in 1892 against the University of Georgia, the aged eagle broke away from his master during the game and began to circle the field, exciting the fans. But at the end of the game, with Auburn victorious, the eagle fell to the ground and died.

Things I Love About Fall...

The Changing Colors in our Backyard
Pumpkin Bread

Apple Cider

Bonfires

Festivals
Bob Dylan

Snickerdoodle & Hazelnut Candles

Smartwools

Chilli

Uggs

Sleeping with the feather bed again

Scarves
Highschool Football

Grilled Cheese & Tomato Soup

Red Wine

Racking Leaves

Layering

New TV Shows
Big Family Meals

Hot Tea with Honey before Bed

Christmas is getting closer....

Jack Bump Photos

1 year ago a friend from BHS offered to take some pictures of me while I was pregnant. Amanda Wright is truly a gifted photographer, and not only was it so much fun to catch up with her, it was incredible to be able to be able to capture some pregnancy moments. What a gift! I wish we were still in Chicago so Amanda could have done pictures of Jack's first year, but maybe we'll do another shoot in the future! 

I came across these pictures because after 1 year I still have not but together the photo wall in Jack's room (I am blaming it on the move). I appreciated these pictures when I first saw them last November, but I love them now. It brings back all of these feelings and emotions that I was going through at that time. Being pregnant is just an amazing experience. Here I was going through each day with this little baby growing inside of me. 

Jack was an unknown. I didn't know what he was going to be like, look like, and just how much I would love him. Looking at these pictures reminds me of all his kicking and how amazing that was to feel. Mike and I were filled with anticipation of what our life with this baby would be like. 

Obviously the story has just started and so far we have loved every moment (even as challenging and tiring as many have been:)). God is good. 

Jack's First Halloween

It was a fun day with our friends and Jack's little buddies! Too cute having them all dressed up as little animals:) The boys were too young to trick-or-treat, but we still walked around the neighborhood to say hello to everyone and check out the decorated houses. Next year Mike is dressing up as Mr. Incredible, there were so many Dad's that had on awesome costumes! Enjoy the pictures:)

Luke, Cooper, Bobby, and Jack

They were so cute riding together!!!

I think the dog got more attention than Jack in his banana costume. Probably because there are lots of babies but not many yorkies dressed up riding in wagons. 

Mike's costume next year! 

Jack Playing