Living With An ANGEL For The First Year

June, what a beautiful month of memories, past and present! Our beautiful Esther turned ONE this month.

June 12th, 2011, 2:35pm...it was TIME! It was God's perfect time. Esther Ruth Gruntmeir was born on this beautiful HOT summer day. Jeff and I were smitten, in love, in awe, and so very unaware as to what God had in store for us. But we learned that by putting our trust in Him we would make  the "perfect" parents for this "perfect" gift. He knew what He was doing when He placed her into our care and blessed our home with life!

We celebrated Esther's 1st birthday at home surrounded by loved ones and friends. here are a few photos from her BIG day.

"It's fun to be ONE!"

The BIRTHDAY girl!

Great Grandma and Grandma (Pam-ma)

Great Grandma and Great Grandpa Friesen

Esther's favorite teachers!

She's learning so quick and getting into mischief everywhere she goes... Esther has learned to walk and along with that comes a very independent little girl! Esther zooms around the house giggling as she goes, chasing the poor dogs in hopes of catching and giving them a great big hug.

Picking up new signs and beginning to really verbalize her opinions, Esther has added new signs and verbal vocabulary to her repertoire this month:

Esther's Signing vocabulary includes:

1. Fish
2. Ball
3. More
4. "All done"
5. Baby
6. Sleep
7. Fan
8. Milk
9. Water
10. Eat
11. Dog
12. Mommy
13. Daddy 
14. Gental
15. Please
16. Book
17. Bath
18. Swim

 Esther's Verbal Vocabulary includes:

1. Op-a (Open)
2. Ba-bah (Jacoba)
3. Uh-oh
4. Momma
5. Dadda
6. Blue
7. Bu (Book)
8. Duh (Dog)
9. Bubble
10. (Shakes her head NO)
11. All Done
12. Boooow (Close)
13. Duck

Esther is able to make the "kissy face/ fish face" and it's silly when mommy and daddy kiss one another and Esther is watching, she loves to make the kissy face and smack her lips. We just died laughing when she first started that!!! She can be quit the comedian.

Still following simple commands, Esther will retrieve items when asked and understand the meaning behind our requests. It's so exciting to see her blossom into a toddler. And interesting to experience the many learning opportunities we have had. This month we have incorporated "time outs" as Esther has become more independent and VERY "matter of fact!"

Jeff and I continue to focus on our relationship first as we realize that having a toddler/baby can easily  take over and leave little room for "us time." We try to date each other once a week and spend time in devotion each evening in order to focus on one another. I love that God has placed Jeff in my life and that we have the same beliefs and views...it sure makes family life and parenting so much more enjoyable.

Jeff still enjoys his work as he stays busy but not to busy for family. And I continue to work in the lab, shadow vet students and staff at the teaching hospital, study for my upcoming GRE exam, and work on my vet school application. This summer seems to be flying by rather quickly and Jeff helps to keeps me focused on my goals when I feel I am not. What a wonderful husband he is!!!

I can't wait to share next month's adventures of home, school and work with all of you. We enjoy sharing our life and love for one another in hopes that we set an example and keep you updated on what's new or as we like to call it... "Growing With The Gruntmeir's."