christmas greetings 2017

Dear Friends and Blog Readers,

How is it that yet another year is quickly coming to a close? It seems like just yesterday I was preparing last year’s year-end review. How time flies—especially with a little one underfoot!

Here are some highlights/Olivia milestones from 2017:

Jan:        Olivia outgrows her cradle and moves into her crib in her own room

                We finally figure out Olivia is sensitive to cow’s milk

Feb:        Olivia’s 1^st word: “Da-Da”

                Olivia eats solid food

March:    Olivia gets 1st tooth, crawls forwards, and stands for 1^st time

                 Olivia says “Beppe,” “Mama,” and “Kitty”

April:     Olivia transitions to only 1 nap a day

                Olivia has lip tie surgery

May:      Landscaping and outdoor projects begin; backyard fence installed

June:     Jared installs our new lamp post 
               Olivia’s swing set assembled and sand box filled for the back yard

                Olivia celebrates 1^st birthday; starts walking 6 days later

                Surprise visit from the Ryttersgaard family-we finally meet Wade!

July:       1^st meal out in a restaurant as a family of 3!

                Spent an afternoon with Brandon & Kristin at Ferris Provincial Park

                Visited the Broekema clan twice at Wesley Acres

                Olivia starts baby signing: milk, more, all done

Aug:       Celebrated 6^th wedding anniversary

                Olivia starts drinking goat’s milk

                Olivia cuts all 4 molars

                Olivia’s first tractor and lawnmower rides

Sept:      Olivia’s 1^st beach day--took advantage of the summer-like weather and went times  this month.

Oct:        Olivia goes trick-or-treating--the first kid to hit up our neighbourhood in 20+ years!

Nov:      Olivia says her own name: “EEE-ah”

               

Dec:       Olivia finally starts sleeping through the night and using the potty!

Mr. Gryce works for the same company (7 years and counting), as a Senior Software Developer. He is currently going through John Eldredge's "Wild at Heart" with two close friends. He remains passionate about brotherhood and godly masculinity--the core focus of the series. 

I love being at home full-time with Olivia. The past 6 months have been so much better than the previous 12. Thankfully, Olivia's stomach issues and milk protein sensitivity have just about resolved themselves.  We are all much happier for it! In my spare time, I still make jams and preserves, and do online consignment sales for people. Once in a while, I get some scrapbooking done. Quite often we go next door to visit Beppe, and every few weeks we try to get over to see Grandpa Larry and Grandma. Our days are full. 

Now that Olivia is talking (55+ words!), we enjoy interacting much more.  She is very independent and outgoing, loves music like Daddy and reading books like Mommy. She is fascinated with cats of all kinds, especially her beloved Chester. 

We hope this letter finds you well. We wish you a Merry Christmas and many blessings in the New Year.

With Love,
The Gryce Family

Links to previous Christmas greetings:
2016
2015
2014
2013
2012