News Flash...We're a busy bunch!!!

So the idea that I would be able to post around the first of each month is quickly fading into the distance. As a busy momma and student the blog may just have to update...it's self?! But seriously, I apologize for the late monthly update and even though the "first" of the month may not work I'll continue to update the blog as quick as possible each month.

To all our family far and wide and friends close to our hearts but far from our sides, we love you and miss you and are excited to share last months milestones and adventures!

So, last month marked the end of my spring semester at OSU. I finished with a 4.0 GPA with a lot of hard work and studying! The two classes I enjoyed the most this spring included Organic chemistry and animal nutrition.

After finals were complete I quickly started my new research position at the Vet school and am excited for the opportunity to learn, research and gain valuable experience throughout the next year. I am currently working on several specialized tests on antibodies, managing the lab and orders and maintaining our labs rat and mice colonies. Jeff and I have also been able to meet a wonderful friend who has been training me in the lab and is currently working on her Post Doc. and is far from home (Australia). We have been able to help her settle into her flat and make her feel more at home just a little more each day!

Other plans for my so called "summer break" include:

1. Beginning an internship at the vet teaching hospital on the 4th of June, where I will be expected to follow cases, report and write papers over concepts learned in the clinic.
2. Study for the GRE and then take the GRE by the end of July
3. Plan Esther's 1st birthday...WOW...
4. And APPLY FOR VET SCHOOL! (Applications open mid June and close in October)

Needless to say, my plate is quite full for the rest of the summer months.

Jeff continues to work at the vet school himself, under Dr. Little, and still very much enjoys his job there! He finds time to garden each day and is very proud of his fresh veggies he has collected for his family.
Of course I've known for some time now but I just want to say it out loud...to the world...I have such an UNSELFISH husband who is loving, devoted and supper supportive in everything that I do!!! I have accomplished so much because of his unselfishness and just adore how he encourages me each and every day to follow my dreams while he lends countless helping hands and cherishes being a father! So0o0o0oooooo...for that, thank you baby for your commitment to me (and Esther), because without you I couldn't have come this far! Jeff and I will be celebrating our 5th year of marriage this month and look forward to many more amazing years to grow in our marital walk with Christ and set an example for Esther.
 

"Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God."

~ Ephesians 5:1-2

"Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it."
~ Proverbs 22:6

On a "different note," it's time for us to introduce the newest addition to the "Gruntmeir pack"...After a 90 day probation period Jeff is finally (although much to his dismay) allowing me to announce MY exciting news..hahahaha

We welcome Buff (In the Buff) Gruntmeir! Long story short, Buff's previous owners were no longer able to care for him and thus gave him to the shelter. He was sent to OSU to be neutered and vaccinated and one of our friends quickly texted me a photo of our beautiful boy! You see, I have always wanted a Chinese crested and after a long wait, he is finally where he belongs...In our pack. He is such a sweet sweet boy!!! WELCOME Buff...

Ok, now on the GOOD stuff! Esther...

She has grown like a weed and just matures right before our eyes. She is going to start her transition from the nursery at the daycare into the toddler room throughout the month. As parents we are very nervous but also know that the teachers there are very good and work hard to make the transition easy for the little ones. Esther has dropped her "baby naps" and only naps once a day now, right after lunch time. We hope to be fully moved into "toddler land" by her first birthday.

Our first Easter  with Esther was last month and we enjoyed family time that Sunday at our home for lunch (all the little girls in the house had matching dresses this year). The month of April was busy and flew by but here are some photos of some of the fun and new adventures April held for us...

Esther's first Carousel ride!

Great Grandma Friesen is helping her read her book...and boy does Esther love to read!

Silly faces and windows...

We have 8, going on 9 teeth in that mouth!

We always enjoy a day at the park and friends are ALWAYS welcome!!!

 Esther is learning to walk and can take 2-3 steps without mommy and daddy's help this month.

Her SIGN vocabulary includes:

1. Ball
2. More
3. Eat
4. Dog (this is her favorite)
5. Mommy
6. Daddy
7. Milk
8. All done
9. Fan

Her verbal vocabulary includes:

1. Mommy
2. Daddy
3. Uh-Oh
4. Blue
5. Bu (Book)
6. Ba-bah (Jacoba)
7. Duh (Dog)

My very first mother's day was supper special and perfect! Jeff, as always, helped me to relax, we ate a special mother's day dinner at my parent's house where dad took a few mother's day photos before we parted ways.

My life has changed so much since the birth of Esther Ruth and to feel the love of a mother first hand is definitely somethings wonderful! I can't imagine life without her in it and am so very blessed to be a MOTHER to one of God's perfect gifts!!!

Thank you Lord for entrusting this gift, that You alone created with your own hands, to Jeff and I...May You guide us and teach us to raise her in Your loving image. ~Amen

A Home Full of Life and Love

The fullness and life that spring offers makes me so energized this time of year! I am so thankful for all the beauty around me and the gift of being able to live another day….To be a blessing and to give thanks!

The month of March flew by so quickly, but we always seem to feel that these months do. So many wonderful things have been happening in our home since last month and God continues to bless our family as we continue to trust Him fully and completely.

I was approached last month, and offered a  wonderful opportunity to work under one of the veterinarians on campus…I have attended  two day seminars so far to learn techniques and the new ultrasound machine she had just purchased. Upon completion of a few online IUCAC courses and exams I plan to start research at the end of this semester along with the internship I will also be working this summer at the vet school/teaching hospital.

Jeff continues to enjoy his job working at the vet school. He finds more time to work out and do the things he enjoys around the house and with friends.  Jeff has always had a green thumb and keeps our yard lush and green and his vegetable garden is full of life and healthy foods for our family. Just as he has been working in his garden I have also been working in the flower beds around the house. I’ve enjoyed the new blooms and anticipate blooms to come; our home is full of life, inside and out!

Of course there is always little miss Esther! She’s been quit the handful this month since she has been able to crawl and walk, holding on to stationary objects. As persistent as she is I can’t help but think, “She’s definitely my child”!!! This month she has had three ear infections along with teething…this equals a busy home, that’s for sure. She had a follow up Doctors appointment this week only to find that we are, "not out of the woods yet," and will be on another round of antibiotics for 10 more days before the next follow up. Please pray for healing this month. She's been such a trooper and hardly skips a beat.

Esther’s ears haven’t stopped her from this month’s exciting explorations and milestones. Esther helps feed and monitor the dogs while they eat and enjoys watching her fish tank in the mornings with daddy.

Now that she has mastered standing, walking and balancing holding on to stationary objects she has decided this month to take numerous leaps of faith by standing up then letting go to see if she can stand on her own. She laughs each time she plops to her rear end, only to try over and over again. She works on balancing with little support, and walking (with help) at the day care each day. The girls are so wonderful with her and also continue to incorporate her signs just as we do at home.

New signs learned this month include:

• Dog
• More
• Fan 

Last month we had 2 teeth…this month we now have 4, with 2 more emerging! She’s discovered new noises to make with her mouth and enjoys mimicking us with a variety of sounds, including but not limited to coughing, blowing bubbles and using her wrist to make a “blah blah blah” sound with her lips. With new teeth she is able to take baby bites out of apples as well as other fruits and vegetables. We continue to make our own baby food and have begun to introduce table foods this month as well. She feeds herself soft fruits, cooked peas, carrots, egg yolks and noodles, cheese, dried yogurt, arrowroot cookies and just about anything cooked and edible. We’ve been so blessed with the abundance of food that we’ve made and for the opportunity to still be breast feeding well into our tenth month. God is good!

Esther has also been able to enjoy her backyard swing several times already and loves to swing high and fast….I’m a little worried that roller coasters will be in our future! (yikes)

She has learned to wave and say “bye-bye” this month and enjoys driving her car and riding the pony at school.

Her favorite way to sit, with her feet in the seat…I think she needs a little drivers education.

Reading books and playing chase are two very fun pastimes in our home on the weekends and evenings after work. Esther squeals with laughter when mommy and daddy chase her around the kitchen island, and once caught…..let’s just say, she’s very ticklish! Our hearts just melt with love and sheer joy when she’s all smiles and laughter. 

Books, books, books and more books….this girl LOVES to read! She points to any book she sees and wants you to sit and read with her and enjoys turning the pages. I’m positive we have a “book worm” on our hands; she could sit and read for at least an hour or more at a time.

We’ve packed and stored away her bottles; she no longer drinks from them since she has mastered her Sippy cup and drinks her morning milk and afternoon water from her cup. 

Our first school photos were taken with real bunnies for Easter! Esther posed pretty for the camera and our first photos were a success. Our precious baby girl continues to grow up so very fast…it’s difficult to think that in just a few short months she will be one year old. Jeff and I have learned so much as parents and couldn’t be more excited for Gods plans in our life and for what He has in store for us next month.

9 months Old (March 2012)