Oklahoma has stayed true to its nature and January has been a roller coaster of weather. Today may be chilly and tomorrow may be spring or summer like conditions. We enjoy it though, whether we’re bundled in our coats, hats and scarfs or relaxing with the windows open, the sun on our faces, and short sleeves on we make the best of our days. During the warm days Esther, Jacoba (Dog) and I have been taking walks to the park down the street and some days invite our friends, Ava and Emma to join us.
January marks the beginning of a new year (2012) and this month Esther turned 7 months. Time sure has flown and just like the overachiever I am, have begun the preparation of planning Esther’s first birthday party for this summer…
Our family rang in the New Year in Kansas and enjoyed games and visiting with family over the weekend. Unfortunately mommy, daddy AND baby did not make it to “ring” in the New Year….we fell fast asleep just before the clock struck midnight. Our lives seem to be a continuous party everyday…
Looking like grandpa Thompson
Playing the piano with Great grandma Friesen
Making memories with Great grandpa Friesen
This month Esther continues to try new foods, and we are so blessed to have a healthy eater. Meal time is such a fun time for everyone. Before breakfast, lunch and dinner we sit down as a family and say a prayer before eating and Esther sits quietly, holding our fingers to pray. Shes started using a sippy cup for water and enjoys blowing “raspberries” in and on EVERYTHING! For those of you with children, this is extremely cute, HOWEVER it is very difficult to not smile, laugh and mimic this behavior back to them. Our goal is to not encourage this behavior because she has decided to blow “raspberries” when we are administering medications, when she is either eating or finished eating, and the list goes on… But it is guaranteed to put a smile on our face each and every time! (Pretty sure this wont be as cute when she’s 2)
Esther's first tooth came in just after the new year began and by the end of this month her second popped up right next door! We are now working on the top teeth.
Caught her in the act….I think the Penguin put her up to this! Or maybe mommy and daddy aren’t feeding her enough?! (*No bunnies were injured during the capture of this photo.)
Blowing “Raspberries” on the back of my hand
January 20th marks the first word for Esther....Even though I'm sad to admit it, she said "Dadda" and continues to sing the word all over the house, ALL day long! You talk about a "beaming" papa, it just makes Jeff's day, and yes mine too. Such precious sounds and beautiful words she is beginning to make. Each morning Jeff usually is the one who gets up to change her before her first feeding at seven AM...now Esther calls his name (Dadda) when she wakes from her slumber, talk about the sweetest thing!
Classes have also started back up for the spring semester for me, and Esther has been attending a wonderful childcare facility this month. She enjoys her playmates, and Miss Katie and Miss Micha are wonderful childcare teachers! They do so well with keeping up with Esther’s everyday routine and they also incorporate signing, singing, story time, cognitive and motor skills throughout the day. Mommy is also able to view her online via a web cam (watch*me*grow) and is easily distracted while in class! ;-) (Her report cards are always a joy to read.)
Jeff is planning to take his GRE and enrolling in a masters program coming up quickly. Please pray for a clear mind and for everything to work out smoothly...He just found out that his deadline for this is in March!
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11
Since Jeff has gotten his new job he is able to spend more time at home with his family and has enjoyed every minute of it! Esther is gradually starting to unattach from me (ever so slightly) and is beginning to open up and bond with Daddy... I'd say she's quickly becoming a "Daddy's girl." Our evening routine consists of “Hide and seek,” “peek-a-boo,” reading books, signing and loads of kisses and giggles!!!
If anyone told me that being a mother was going to be the light of my life or change me in in ways I’ve yet to understand, I wouldn’t have believed them…But now, to be a mother, to be Esther’s mother…WOW, what an awesome privilege and gift from God! The closest, I feel that we can come to seeing love through God's eyes.
My favorite quote:
“Being a parent is like wearing your heart on the outside of your body for the rest of your life.” And this is a pretty big deal for those of you who know me.
Esther helping daddy enroll for his GRE and masters program.
So far this month, Esther has not been interested in crawling like her playmates at school, but she seems to appease us by getting onto her hands and knees and rocking just for a couple of seconds before returning to her rear-end to play. I could be wrong but I think she may decide to bypass crawling all together?! Time will tell and until then mommy and daddy will enjoy the immobile child a little longer before things get really exciting!!!! It’s good to remind myself NOT to rush things but to enjoy each moment and in time things will come.
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