"Help Me"

At any point in my day I will hear Jack sing out "Help Me" (and then I start humming the Beatles song). Jack can climb into just about anything but never out. This includes his crib, at 28 months he hasn't tried to climb out, just now finding out how to get in. Yesterday after nap time he called me into his room and Jack was planking across his crib telling me he had "super powers", pretty sure he thought he was flying since his hands and feet were off the ground. Mike and I have a feeling the big bed transition day is near in our future...

Dinner & A Movie

Preppy has had business dinners this week leaving Jack and I on our own. Eating at the table gets boring, we wanted to picnic but it rained, so we set up his little table in front of the computer and watched a movie. Actually he didn't even make me watch an animated movie, he watched "The Wonder Years"! It showed up as a new release on Netflix and the music captivated the little man's attention. Jack thought I was pretty neat letting him eat in the office, it doesn't take much for a 2 year old to think I am cool. Let's see what it takes when he is 13.

Jack was then on Daddy look out. He told me, in a very serious tone that he was, "waiting for Mike to get home from work". I just about died laughing, he listens and may repeat just about everything I say!

Peonies

While doing dishes I noticed some beautiful hidden peonies growing along side our house. When Jack and I walked outside we were amazed at how many there were and how wonderful they smelled! At some point somebody put a lot of TLC into this homes landscape, Jack and I are appreciating what is left to discover as each new season unfolds. Peonies will always remind me of Lolo's wedding day, such happy times, so I snipped a few to fill up our kitchen with sweet spring time air. Jack now loves the newly discovered side yard, mostly the small trees he can pretend to swing on. I think I have a tree climber on my hands!

Jack and I are on the mend finally. Although, poor Mike had to sleep on the couch last night because I was snoring so badly (we have 3 extra queen beds set up but he picked the couch)! We had Bible Study this morning, the ladies at the nursery were so sweet when they greeted Jack, they kept telling him they missed him last week when we were out sick. And when I picked Jack up he had 2 little girlfriends following him around. Too cute. It was also reported he was showing everyone his new sandals that Oma & Opa got him for Easter. Once again so thankful for the great church we found and my "Welcoming Hearts" group!

Chicken Soup Monday

Louisville > Birmingham>Louisville>Barrington>Grand Rapids>Louisville.

The week of travel and lack of sleep caught up with us. Boo. Jack picked up a runny noes from one of his little buddies and then passed it on to me, where I then passed it on to the hubby. After a whirlwind of a week with lots of socializing and eating out I knew just what we needed. Mom's Magic Chicken Dumpling Soup. Homemade, all from scratch, and as Jack would say it has "magic super powers". It is one of my favorite meals in the whole entire world! I can remember eating it as a little girl with a sore throat and craving it after I had Jack. It tastes better when Mom makes it, but I think it was my best batch yet. Classic meal that I have to perfect for Jacky Bear and Baby Girl.

Mom's Chicken Dumpling Soup

1 Whole Chicken (clean and take out the yuck)

1 Jumbo Onion

3 Bay Leaves

2 cups Carrots

2 Cups Celery

4 Eggs 

Flour 

2 Handful Chopped up Parsley

Chicken Bullion cubs or Johnny's Garlic Seasoning

Water 

Directions: Cover chicken with water, add Bay Leaves, Onion, salt and pepper. Boil for about an hour or until the chicken starts falling off the bone. While waiting for Chicken to boil cut up carrots and celery. Once Chicken is ready remove it (onion and bay leaves also) pull off meat and add back to the pot (you don't have to add all of the meat). Add celery and carrots. If you would like more broth add water and chicken bullion cubes, I added Johnny's Garlic Seasoning instead time. For the dumplings, whisk together eggs and flour until it is a good dough like consistency. Drop a spoon full of dough into the boiling broth. About 10 minutes before serving add parsley, I love parsley especially when sick, so I add a a lot. Serve to your little ones and hubby with love:) 

In other news, Baby Girl had her 26 week appointment. Everything is great! Jack is such a trooper going with me to all of the Doctor's visits. He loves the attention from the nurses and the treats they give him. It is too cute for words how excited he gets when it is time to hear the heartbeat! As stressful as it is keeping a 2 year old occupied in a waiting room, I will forever look back with such fond memories of my sweet little boy and me anticipating the arrival of his little sister.

Mom's don't get a sick day. So after grocery shopping, unpacking, and cleaning we got in some relaxing. Jack is happy to have his best buddy Dutch home! There's a whole lot of love in those 7 lbs.  

Weekend Road Show

As you can see Jack was very excited to pack up the car Thursday after Preppy got home to go to "Mimi's House"! He did not mind one bit that he had only been home for 2 nights, Jack is a traveling fool. The ride to Chicago is always an easy one because the roads are clear and Jack is just happy thinking about his destination. I love all of the family car time, it gives us so much uninterrupted time to talk. It makes me feel like Preppy and I are dating again, rediscovering each other likes/dislikes and just making one another laugh to pass the time. We got in around 11pm, let Jack play with Mimi & Papa a bit and then head to bed. Jack has it down to a good routine there!

Mike took the day off on Friday so we could hang out with the family and head into the city to meet the Harris's. They were spending the weekend in Chicago to celebrate their 5 year anniversary! Chicago has had an amazing spring thus far, but of course when Brian & Gina were in town the Windy city was living up to it's name. Around the low 50's, windy, and wet. Thankful that they fit us into their romantic weekend, they are such a wonderful couple and we are blessed with their friendship. Lunch at RL was yummy and cozy, it was fun to eat a whole meal without the kids!

Jack was back in the 'burbs getting spoiled by Mimi. Papa picked Preppy & I up at the train station, and then we spent the rest of the afternoon all together. Even loading everyone up in the Burb and running errands, Mike won some serious brownie points with Mom taking her to tile store where Dad was held captive and had to go in and look at choices (they are redoing the sunroom). Random afternoon but always fun just being with each other. Later that night homemade pizza's were consumed and "We Bought A Zoo" watched. This goodbye was an easy one because we will be back in 11 days!

The start was early Saturday morning as the Zeilstra wedding started at 1:30pm in Grand Rapids. The 3.5 hour car trip seemed like the blink of an eye. Jack got to spend Saturday with his Grandma and Grandpa Postma, and Auntie Katie! Like usual we left and there were no tears shed by Jacky Bear, he knew another day of spoiling was ahead of him:)

Jack says "Zoom Zoom"

It had been 2 years since we have seen many of Mike's fraternity brother's and their wives. It was so good to spend the time with them catching up. Hope College gave us a great education, Christian foundation, but also amazing lifelong friendships! That just sounded super corny but it's true. It was a gorgeous wedding and I had many a laughs as the sober one watching everyone dance until midnight!

My Gbaby

Some of the OKE gentlemen

Photo Booth Fun

Sunday was spent with the entire Postma family. It is awesome to sit around the breakfast table with all 10, not an easy thing with everyone's busy schedules, so the time is cherished. It had been a while since the last group shot with all of the siblings, of course the sun was not participating even though all of the boys were, but glad I could get a few good ones! Jack and Noah played well together, only one chucking of the toy to Noah's head by big cousin Jack. Next time we are back there we will be bringing another little Postma along...wonder if she will be a blondie!?!?

At 2pm we were back in the car and headed home to our old Kentucky home! I would call it a successful Postma Road Show Weekend.

Ross Bridge Homecoming

What a welcome it was when we arrived back in the RB on Saturday! I had been anticipating the trip since we moved back in October. Stefanie hosted a BBQ and I about cried when I finally got to see everyone in person. It was such a comforting feeling being back with the girls (their hubby's and kiddos as well) and picking up right where we left off! The biggest change by far was the number of kids at a Saturday night dinner, we were the only couple with #2 still in the belly. 9 kids, 8 under the age of 2 years, and 7 of them boys! You can only imagine the wild energy scampering around in the yard. Little Jacky Bear remembered his buddies and was so happy he stayed up partying until 11pm! 

Sunday morning we woke up and headed to Jack's old stomping' grounds, the park! It was cute and sad a the same time watching him slide down the slide and swinging on the swings. He was just a baby when we moved there, now he is my big boy! Around 11am we headed to the "Castle" pool where Jack played for the next 5.5 hours. He was so content and happy! No whining, no meltdowns, he just played and played with his Dad. Preppy and I had been contemplating taking Jack to Disney before Baby Girl comes along, but we are 100% sure that a day at the RB resort beat out Disney. Jack was over the moon with our undivided attention at the pool. Having his Dad take him down the slide about 50 times was an added bonus too! I just thought it was the cutest thing how Jack thought we were at a "Castle", pretty sure he thought we would run into his girlfriend Rapunzel. LOVED spending the day with my blonde boys, my love tank was full:) After a nice relaxing dinner at the Love's we ended the day with a nightcap by the fire's poolside. Family vaca's a the greatest!

Monday Mike headed to meetings and Jack and I spent the day with Gina and her boys. Luke and Jack were such little gentleman at lunch, after the finished their meals they were rewarded with running around the patio. All three boys napped at the same time that afternoon leaving Gina and I plenty of time to girl chat. After nap time we went on a golf cart ride and met up with Stefanie and Volree (and the boys). Ross Bridge totally reminds me of being on a college campus, but with kids! There is always someone around to hang out with.

Monday night Jack and I had a sleepover at the Love's house, Jack "loves" being with the Love boys. Bennet is 5 but he is so sweet hanging out with Jack, and Shea and Jack look like they are little brothers:) Tuesday morning we had a play date at the Wade's. When we moved Volree was still pregnant with Parker, it was fun getting to see her in action as a Mom of two boys! We mostly just played in the backyard letting the boys get out all of their wiggles. I totally forgot how hot and humid Alabama is already in April! We ate lunch again at the "Castle", so spoiled having that in the backyard! That afternoon I got to spend more time with sweet Stefanie before Mike got back around 3pm to load up the car (with all of my girlie goodies).

It was such a wonderful homecoming. The rain but a little damper on the Postma parade as we didn't get to see everyone as much as we had wanted, the pool was closed and the park muddy. But that just gives me another reason to come back and visit again soon! Thank you friends for welcoming us back into your homes! Y'all hold such a special place in our hearts! XOXO