its beginning to look alot like...

...Christmas, here at the Posmas!

This time of year is my favorite. I love all things Christmas. So tonight, after I put Bentley down, I decided to haul all the boxes upstairs and start the decorating. Most of my decorations have been handed down by either my mom or my grandma, so its always fun to get them back out, since they have such memories attached to them. There are a few things I want to add to and elaborate on, but for now, the majority is done.

i .love. hanging the stockings every year. its been much more fun adding a stocking every year!

Ever since I can remember, one of my favorite decorations was the Christmas Nativity that my mom always put up. She had quite the spread, in fact, for as many years as I can remember, Jenna and I would get to go pick out a new "member" for it each year. By the time we stopped doing that, I believe it was almost the size of  a large coffee table.

When I went to snag some more of Grandma's decorations this year, she asked if I wanted her Nativity. Of course, I couldn't say no. I am very anxious to see how Bentley reacts to it, since it is on a table he can reach, and I hope that he is gentle with it and doesnt break anything.

Christmas morning Jenna and I would wake up, bright and early, and go into the living room where Baby Jesus waited on a different table, to finally be placed in his manger. We never put him in there until then, since that was his actual birthday and all. That is why, if you notice in the picture, Baby Jesus isnt in our Nativity yet either. I know that it will take Bentley a few more years to understand, but starting already this year, we plan to let him place Baby Jesus and his manger in the Nativity, where he belongs, on Christmas morning! :)

We are looking forward to starting some new traditions this year now that Bentley is a bit older, and one that Brandon has decided he wants to start is to go cut down our own REAL tree! We both always had real trees growing up as kids, and he really thought him and Bentley would enjoy the time and "job" of cutting one down together. We are hoping to go get that this weekend, because I am super anxious to get it up and decorated!

We are also going to start the tradition of The Elf on the Shelf this year. I unpacked him with the rest of the decorations, but couldn't put him out without reading the story with Bentley! We plan to read the story and make sure the Elf makes his appearance sometime this week too! Stay tuned!

Blessing #2 [[update]]

It almost doesn't feel normal to blog about baby #2, since we have kept it a secret for so long!!

There really isnt a whole lot to tell though. Other than, thankfully, everything looks great so far. We first went to the doctor at 9 weeks, and baby was too small to find the heartbeat so doctor did a quick ultrasound so that we could see the heartbeat. We could even see little sprouts of arms and legs! So amazing!

We went back last week, at 13ish weeks and were able to hear a nice strong heartbeat. Hearing that is one of the best sounds in the world; I had almost forgot what an amazing feeling it was!

I have been growing a little bit, but havent even gained 5 pounds yet. I try not to let myself gain alot of weight, cuz I don't want to have to take it back off. I am starting to get a little bump, well, its not so little anymore, I guess. I have been feeling great, a bit nauseaous here and there but no actual vomiting. I am very blessed to have easy pregnancies, and quite frankly, I enjoy being pregnant. There is something about knowing you are carrying a little miracle that just makes me feel so good, all the time. Just like I always said with Bentley, If I could have seen what his little face looked like, I could have stayed pregnant for another few months. I really truly do enjoy it!!!

This is baby at 11 weeks. For some reason, I didn't start taking pictures with Bentley until 13 weeks, so soon I will have some comparisons.

We go back the week of Christmas for a checkup and then shortly after the new year for our ultrasound. We are disagreeing about finding out the gender yet...good thing we have some time to try and come to an agreement!!

"Every good and perfect gift is from above..."

James 1:17

We are beyond thankful and beyond blessed to share that another baby posma is on its way!

It's been a tough secret to keep, but after two wonderful and healthy doctors appointments, we can't keep it a secret anymore!So far, everything looks very healthy and right on track and baby is due to arrive around the end of May!

We continue to pray for a smooth and healthy pregnancy and thank the Lord everyday for blessing us with another little miracle. We can't wait to meet the little one!!!

Great (Great) Grandma Ellie Posma

Today we stopped to visit Brandon's Great Grandma Ellie Posma. She is in her early 90's and in a nursing home, and we learned this week that her days are numbered.

I never really had the chance to spend alot of time with Great Grandma, or get to know her very well, but from what I hear she was quite the woman, and quite the character. Brandon has some very fond memories of her and the funny things she did and said, as well as the love she had for every single grandchild and great grandchild...and just family in general.

We took a trip up north as a family to see her in the summer of 2010 when I was pregnant with Bentley. She got to meet and hold Craven, and was very very excited to see Brandon. She kept rubbing his hair and commenting on how much hair he had, just like her husband, Ivan, had had when he was younger.

When we showed her my big ol' belly and told her that another little boy was due to arrive in September, she looked up at me and said

"Well! That didn't take long!"

Still to this day, we don't really know if she actually knew how quickly we did get pregnant, or if it was just a coincidence, but knowing grandma and her wit, I would say she knew exactly what she was talking about!

This weekend was a very different event when we went to visit. She was laying in bed, very calm and peacefully, but not very alert and hardly responsive. We did get her to open her eyes a few times, when the boys were making noises and when Dan and Uncle Tom would talk to her.

To me, she still looked beautiful as ever and she even managed to crack a little smile when she saw all the "babies" by her bed. She has a baby doll that was in bed with her, and when she was able to get out of bed, she took this doll everywhere with her. She had an unconditional love for all babies and children. We knew if she was awake she would be so happy to see all their little faces!

Bentley getting to meet his Great Great Grandma, even in the condition she was in, was quite a big deal for us. Bentley makes 5 Posma Generations! Not very many people can say they are blessed have 5 living generations!!!

Even though we know neither of them will remember, we are so thankful that they got to meet one another.

\

*blowing great great grandma kisses*

5 Generations - just missing Great Grandpa Lee Posma

It was tough to see Great Grandma that way, but she has lived a very blessed and wonderful life, and we are sure she is anxious to see Great Grandpa again!

We will love you always, Grandma!!! xoxo

*only because I know I wouldn't want pictures of myself laying in bed without makeup on or my hair done, on the internet, I decided to blur Grandma out. This was not meant to be rude or disrespectful but reather to honor and remember her as the beautiful woman that she really was*

WEEKeND UP NoRTH**

Brandon came home for his meeting Friday morning and then headed back up north. They are working hard to get this project done before the snow flies. So after I finished painting the kitchen, Bentley and I packed up and headed up to join Daddy for the weekend.

Bentley was so excited to snuggle, kiss and wrestle with Dad!

While Daddy worked on Saturday, we played with cousins Craven & Cohen. It's so fun to see them all together, we miss having them in town!

A sip for me...

A sip for you!

They did pretty well playing together, but had a few moments. Craven has one CAT dozer toy that apparently must be super fun to play with because a lot of tears were shed over it...until Aunt Danielle finally made it disappear! :)

We decided before lunch to try out a Pinterest craft with the boys. They had a ball playing in the paint, but things got messy pretty fast! Thank goodness for washable water color paint, and Aunt Danielle who doesnt mind the mess!!!

He painted pretty much everything BUT the paper. Its hard to tell from the pic, but his belly, arms and legs and his face are all painted. As you can tell, painting the kitchen table was pretty enjoyable too!

Here is what we made....

Not too bad for our first go round...it was pretty challenging to get the boys to sit still while we painted their feet, let alone get them to stand perfectly on a piece of paper! :) Either way, when we look back on them in a few years, I am sure we will find them adorable!!!

While Daddy's Away...

Last week Brandon worked out of town all week so it was just Bentley and Mommy! At times, it was a tough week but I really did enjoy the time I had with just Bentley. Words cannt describe though how much we both missed Daddy and how excited we were to see him Friday! In fact, we got up extra early to meet him at work before his meeting so we could get some kisses in! Bentley smiled and squealed and then buried his face in Brandon's shoulder...talk about heart warming. They are just two peas in a pod, and although I don't think Bentley really actually realized Brandon was gone, he knew when he saw him again on Friday that it had been far too long! :)

Sunday night Bentley helped me make some treats for Daddy to take along

And then pretty much all week he walked around the house with my cell phone or the house phone at his ear, just jabbering away. I think he thought he was calling his Daddy.

I don't enjoy being home alone, so I thought I would envelop myself in a project to keep me busy and pass the time. What better than to repaint the entire kitchen, right? Call me crazy, but I got it done!!! I started on Tuesday night and finished Friday afternoon (with the help of my mom on Friday {{THANKS MOM!}}).

Here are a few pictures of the finished product!

Its a pretty drasctic change from the subtle green we had before, but I LOVE it! As for Brandon, well he isn't such a fan of change, let alone such a dramatic change, but he hasn't said that he HATES it! :)

BiG BoY TOOTHbRUSH

Since Bentley got his first teeth, which sadly I can't even recall the month right now, we have been helping him learn to brush his teeth. I first used a little "finger mitten" that had little scrubbers on it and would do the brushing for him. Now that he has about 15 teeth or so, I have quit, only to save my finger! :)

I got him a cheap little one that he can start to do himself. The only type of brush he has ever had is a hair brush, and he loves to brush his hair. So the first time I put toothpaste on the toothbrush ... yep! you guessed it, rubbed it in his hair. Toothpaste and all. Of course, this gesture was followed by the biggest proudest smile his little face could handle.

I only had to show him once after that what he is supposed to be doing with the toothbrush, and he has it down pat now! :)

It is looking like Santa might be bringing him a "real" big boy toothbrush in his stocking! We can't wait to see that smile on Christmas morning!!!

WORKiN WiTH DaDDY!

Brandon has been beyond blessed to be a busy at work through this fall. Sadly, this means we dont see much of him, even on the weekends. So Bentley and I like to do what we can to get to the jobsite every now and then so they can spend some time "working" together.

they move dirt around...

they play on the hills...

and they stop to smile at the camera! :)

Hard to tell whose smile is larger in this picture...and mine would probably win if you could see it. Knowing they are having fun and making memories together is enough to make any mommy smile! <3

Family Pictures

Sunday afternoon we had family pictures taken by the ever so talented Kelsey Prince.

Here are a few sneak peaks.

Found this idea on Pinterest...and Bentley was just cracking up!! He loved it and didn't want us to stop.

Our big walker!

Oh! 

He did not want to be laid on his back...he was so mad he cried!!

this is our favorite, so far. His smile is just adorable!

handsome <3

Thanks again, so much, Kelsey! We just love them!

There will be more to come in a couple weeks, so stay tuned!!! :)

HaPPY BiRTHDAY AUNTiE NeNNA!!

Love, Bentley <3

Happy Halloween 2011

Happy Halloween, from our adorable little monkey!

Our night didn't play out quite as we had hoped, but we did get to make a few stops. Brandon had the flu this weekend, and we thought Bentley and I were in the clear, but apparently we weren't. While we were making our rounds, Bentley started getting sick, so we headed home, where he continued to get sick and we had one big sleepless night here at the Posmas. :(

On the bright side though, he was an adorable Monkey and had fun while it lasted. Here are some of the pictures I was able to get before our fun halted.

Him and Papa love to share bananas.

MmMmMmMMmMMmM

Checkin each other out in costume...hmmm...

Craven and his uncle "dandon" as he calls him. :)

Cute Dog & Monkey

They were sharing some fruit snacks before we headed out...and Bentley kept "feeding the dog" his fruit snacks...just like he does at home. It was pretty funny to watch.

Baby Cohen, the sweet pea.

Papa && his boys. All dressed up!

Not quite the halloween we had hoped for our little monkey, but we are just glad we caught it when we did, hopefully not exposing too many others. Hopefully next year we will have better luck!

Bentley finally kept some saltine crackers and some pedialyte down this morning after he woke up. After not even keeping down water in the night, I wasn't sure what to expect this morning. He is down for a nap again and I can hear him snoring on the monitor. [[Best. Sound. Ever.]]

All the beds have new bedding (some have had multiple times now), his toys are bleached, windows are open, laundry is going and the floors are mopped and vaccuumed. I am bound and determined to get rid of this bug yet, hopefully before it bites me! Now, it's naptime for this Momma!