Baby Girl: Name

Some of the first questions you start to think about after the positive pregnancy test sign are, boy or girl and  what will we name the baby? It is a big decision and it is one I like to settle on and commit to early on.  Since we were convinced that baby Postma #2 was going to be a boy we spent a lot of time on those names, Preppy and I couldn't agree on one at all.

The girl name choice came much easier to us.

At 19 weeks when we found out we were having a little girl we were so excited, now I got to get serious about my girl name choice and I fell more in love with it. After I heard Jack say his little sisters name in the sweetest little voice I just knew, it was perfect for her! I wanted a family name. Maybe because of my time living in the South and also because I just think it is nice to have a namesake. Mike wouldn't go all southern on me and just name her "Rinker", so I went down the list of family names on my side of the family (its only fair since he always gets the last name).

Love and adore my gorgeous Mom. Marilyn is such a beautiful name, but she is such a young Mimi and someone we are always with! Not sure Marilyn could be shared with another yet! I tried to think of a good nickname for Marilyn but nothing worked. 

Oma is amazing and has such a special place in my heart. We have such a wonderful relationship and I would love to name my little girl after her! But Alma just wasn't going to work either.

My Dad's tall dark and beautiful Mom, Grandma Jo, but Joann or "Jo" wasn't a fit for baby girl either.

Then there was Mom's grandma, that we fondly called "little Oma" for all 99 years of her life. I love my German heritage, but "Euffie" is just a little too German.

Finally we came to my Dad's grandma, Lucille Rinker. When I was younger I met her numerous times and my Dad has fond memories of her growing up. Lucille is remembered as a put together and very classy lady. "Lucy"! I love LUCY! There it was! Our quest for the perfect girl first name was over!

The middle name was easy, since none of ladies names mentioned above really fit as a middle name, Mike and I used a very special to place to us. The place we met and fell in love. "Hope"!

Lucy Hope Postma, we are so excited to see what a life you give to this name! 

No More Sugar Bugs

Yesterday was quite the stressful day for us, little Jacky Bear had cavities in his front teeth and needed to be put under general anthestia in order to get them filled. It all started when I saw a brown dot on Jack's front tooth a month ago, I took him to the dentist and sure enough it was a cavitiy. Jack has never taken a bottle or been put to sleep with a sippy cup. But because of all of our road trips he did get a watered down juice sippy cup in the car and would fall asleep in the car seat, that or the Roaring Water Capri Suns. After we were told that Jack had cavities I went into massive research mode. Bottom line is, juice is sugar even if it is 100% organic with no sugar added and all of the packaged snack food is just naughty for your teeth. When we lived in Alabama it was hot and you want to see your active toddler drinking fluids, so I gave him those juice boxes and snack foods. We have always brushed his teeth but it in the past let it slide when he feel asleep first. Anyways, who knows the exact cause but we sure know how to best prevent it from here on out. 


A few weeks before we found out Jack had cavities we cut out all processed snacks and juice anyway, so the news didn't alter his lifestyle much. For a month I was stressing about the procedure, feeling Mommy guilt, and imagining the worse case scenario of what could happen. Well I am happy to report that Jack did great! The Children's Hospital where it was done is right down the street and brand new. Everyone was helpful and efficent. We arrived at 6:45 am and Jack was out of there by 9:20 am. After a 2 hour afternoon nap he was 100% back to himself. It was so scary to leave your little boy in the hands of someone else, but it was the best way to get it done because Jack didn't have to struggle and doesn't remember anything. The Dentist told us there were no other cavities and that as long as we contiue to brush, floss, and do the flouride treatments all should be good from here on out! I can not even express to you how happy I am that this is all over and in the past. 


Jack is proud to show of his new teeth with no more sugar bugs:)

Watching a little Mickey after check in.

Relaxed after the "happy juice" they gave him. 

In the car on the way home. He did wake up a little aggressive trying to pull the IV out and he popped the ballon! 

Lounging at home, he didn't even have sore gums. 

Baby Girl: 35 Weeks

Jack and I went in today for my 35 week appointment at 35 weeks and 4 days. Bless his little heart as we spent 3 hours there! Love my little doctor buddy so much! And I didn't even have to bribe him with treats once! We read the airplane book a hundred times, played with cars, and did the shapes game on the iPhone. I think he likes the undivided attention he gets from me during the visits, and all of the loving from the nurses. These are super sweet times that I will always cherish, just me and my little man getting ready for baby Lucy's arrival. Today he was telling everyone that he was going to be a big brother and that baby Lucy was going to live at his house. Adorable!

First we had to wait 2 hours to see the doctor as there were some complications going on with previous appointments and then the doctor ordered me to have an ultrasound so we had to wait a little longer. My bump hasn't grown since the last appointment and the doctor just wanted to make sure that little baby girl is still growing just as she should.

The ultrasound was so different this time because she is so big and you can't really make out much. Her measurements came in at 34 weeks 5 days, weight 5 pounds 11 ounces, and the 36 percentile. We were told that everything was normal and that measurements at this point are also just estimates and the numbers can change on a daily basis, so really who knows! My Mom and Mike's Mom did not have big babies so I think it just runs in the genes too. But hopefully I will get to talk to the doctor tomorrow and she can answer some additional questions that I have. Ultrasounds are great but they make you think about the unknown, and its one of those situations I have no control over, all I was ordered to do was relax.

I am 1 cm. dilated, 75% effaced, and she is very very low. So low it was hard for the technican to get a good head measurement. The stats were the same with Jack at this point but there is no telling if that means she will be early or not, the doctors just keep saying "your body tends to do the same thing". So if that is true it may only 10 days until we get to meet our sweet little girl. Prayers she hangs out a little longer though and that she continues to grow strong!

On a side note, prayers would be so appreciated for Jack tomorrow as he is going in to get some cavities filled (I will blog about this whole ordeal later). He needs to be put on general anesthia and basically I am a nervous wreck!!!! Prays for safety and peace. This procedure is very routine but with today's ultrasound and news of measuring small and then my baby boy going in tomorrow...ugh I am just a mess of hormones! Prayers are comforting. XOXO

Summer Nights at the Pool

Growing up I was a total pool brat. Actually I should take that back because besides one summer in college during my internship and the 4 years I spent working, I have spent not only my younger years but my grown up years at the pool. From full days playing at the country club pool, to lifeguarding, to swim coaching, to babysitting, to totting my own baby to the pool...I love to live in my swimsuit during the summer. There are many times I feel self concoius, but for whatever reason when I am in a swimsuit I am not. That is probably why my hubby finds me in my polka dot maternity swimsuit most nights cooking dinner when he comes from work. Kentucky is hot and I am very pregnant. It is safe to say that my offspring is a pool brat too and it does my heart good!

My parents on the other hand spend their time at the club on the golf course, but last Friday we pushed them out of their comfort zone and choose to hangout at the pool and eat in our wet suits rather than the clubhouse. They both found it surprisingly wonderful and relaxing. After the pool we went on "Papa's Wild Golf Cart Ride" through 9 holes. Jack loved it and I have to remember to do that bumpy ride again if this baby girl gets close to 40 weeks! Blessed with a family that we can simply have fun with:)

A Big Birthday is Just Around the Corner...

Leah and Ben were super sweet and wanted to have the family over for dinner in honor of Preppy turning the big 30. Just a little early celebration since we can't spend it all together this year. Bacon Cheeseburgers and Oberweis ice cream, I have been so good for so long during this pregnancy, but these last weeks are becoming a slippery slope! Oh well. Preppy, let the celebrations begin!!!!

Jack's Last "Only Child" Trip To Barrington

Last week in Barrington was Jack's last time to visit Mimi & Papa's house as an only child! In August he will be bringing his little sister along with him, it is crazy for me to think about that, because I don't have a grip on taking care of one kid yet! Visits home are always refreshing and relaxing. Mom and Dad just let us invade their home and adjust their empty nest schedules accordingly. Jack loves his toys at Mimi's house, she has way more than at our house, and he loves playing in the big back yard. 

Our sleep schedule is a little off, Jack wakes up at 5am and doesn't go down until 9pm, but Papa gets up at 4:30am so they have some special bonding time in the morning. Jack eats cereal and watches Mickey while Papa has his quiet time and does emails. I don't get up until 7am...its a treat! Of course our favorite thing about going home is spending time with the family. Oma and Opa can still make the trip down form Milwaukee and we cherish our time with them. Bobo was around this week and Lala has the summer off from teaching so we got to spend lots of time with her which we all loved! 

Tuesday it was 97 degrees so we went to the pool and then Mimi & Papa treated the group to dinner in Palatine, where we lived when we had the condo. Now Ben and Leah live there so it's nice to have the excuse to visit the old stomping grounds. It is simply fabulous to go out to dinner with 4 extra pairs of helping hands!

Apparently diapers are optional at Mimi & Papa's house. Partly my fault as I am letting him go au natural to understand the whole potty thing. He gets it when the diaper is off. He will tell me when he needs to go and then mark his territory in the bushes. However, now that I let him go nudie butt a couple of times, he takes off his own diaper when outside. Jack still does all of his chores and plays though:) One of the best things about the Barrington house is the beautiful sunsets. We just play in the yard and watch the ending of another summer day. Peaceful and perfect for me!

Get ready for a family of four next time....rest up!