Happy New Year! (a little late - but still heartfelt!)

January 2010

Dear Family & Friends,

It seems I may have slipped a bit at the end of 2008 and didn’t get the traditional Christmas letter written. Oops. I’m also willing to bet that it didn’t upset the balance in any of your lives. The annual letter is probably more for me, than it is for you. This is my chance to recap the year and remind myself that for any struggles or frustrations that we might be experiencing; our blessings far out number the troubles. Our greatest blessing is taking a cat-nap as I steal some quiet time to write to you.

So, about this blessing…where to begin? The new “management” took over on September 30, 2009 at 9:18 PM (weighing in at 6lbs. 10oz. and 19 ¾” long). A few hours in our household and you’ll know why I refer to our beautiful son as the “management.” Anyway, Jonathon Abram Weitgenant came into our lives to set-us right on life’s essentials and has quickly taught us that we can no longer run this household according to our terms. We run lean, meaning meals are optional and will become available when he says, as well as showers, household duties and sleep (well – up until a month ago). In fact, it’s time for a break, because this ends my 10 minute “break.” I’m telling you – this new boss, he’s tough! (Just like his Daddy). :o)

Alright, I got an extension on my break – you think I’m exaggerating? I wish! Did I mention that Accounts Payable (that’s Travis or “Daddy” as he is now known) has taken off for the first snowmobile trip of the year? He will be gone until Sunday (it’s Thursday). Ill probably be knocked out of the running for Employee of the Month (thank goodness that babies have short memories) by Friday night and may be demoted from my position of (Household) Operations Manager to something more manageable like Dietary or Housekeeping. It’s a tough world out there – as most of us are made aware whenever we turn on the news or pick up a paper. Anyway, back to the management change. First order of business was to “update” the equipment around the house. That started this summer when the forty year-old windows were replaced on the front of the house. We still need to replace one of the windows, but we’ll have to put that on the back burner. Then we needed to clean out one of the upstairs bedrooms, which was painted and fitted with new closet shelving for the new “boss.” He hasn’t said whether or not he likes it, but Jonathon (the “boss”) does spend about 10 hours sleeping in there every night, so it can’t be too bad (another blessing – getting a good nights sleep again). Jonathon has also taken over the family room. We are constantly tripping over bouncy seats, rattles, swings and clothes baskets (Travis complains that his laundry isn’t getting done anymore because I only have time for Jonathon’s. HELLO! He is the “BOSS!”).

So, now that our vacation time has been cut and our operating budget slashed, what are we up to??? LOVING OUR SON! We are so enthralled with him. There are no words to express the joy we get from watching him and seeing those unbelievable smiles. The new “boss” is the best thing that has ever happened to us and we know that our lives have forever been changed by Jonathon.

I guess whatever I would have written about 2008 would have paled in comparison to our 2009. Our 2008 was still good because we had our health, family and friends along with our faith to get us over the bumps. We even had a fantastic trip to the Black Hills to celebrate our 5th anniversary (definite highlight – would require its own letter). However, our 2009 was a year that changed our lives and with our family having grown by one beautiful and healthy boy, we look forward to a year that will continue to broaden our horizons and open our eyes to more of what life has to offer. We are amazed at how quickly Jonathon is changing and growing and the things he learns everyday, but our favorite thing in the world is to walk into a room and see his face light up. Those smiles are the best payment as parents and I hope you forgive this rambling, because as a “new” Mom, my heart is full and maybe even a little bit more whole these days. Not a day goes by that we don’t think of Olivia and Julia and thank them for watching over their baby brother to make sure that we finally would know what it’s like to bring home a baby to hold and enjoy. We are also thankful to the fabulous staff at Minnesota Perinatolgy and Dr. Gaziano who took such unbelievable care of us.

Our love to you and yours during this New Year. May your lives be full in ways that you never knew possible and any struggles be eased with the love of family and friends to see you through. Our prayer is for a year full of blessings and memories that you will enjoy reflecting on years from now.

From our home to yours…Happy New Year!

One of those "perfect" days...

Today was one of those "perfect" days. When life gets so chaotic that you need to be stopped in your tracks in order to take inventory, it's time to just breath and...exhale. For the past six months, I have been filling my plate full of life. Life itself is full, but I mean FILLING! Motherhood, being a wife, sister, daughter, friend, employee and student. In pieces it's not so bad, when various aspects start to overlap though??? Oye.

Last week one of those hats was removed. TeamDetroit (aka JWT - aka J. Walter Thompson) released me from their employment. After 8 years, it might have been time to go our seperate ways, but it was a bit of a shock and I'm still trying to figure out what I should do now. My primary concern is of course, Jonathon. Our beautiful blessing from above. He reminds me daily how important my job as a mother is. It's not just feeding, changing, rocking (when he'll let me) and doing the laundry - in fact, the time with Jonathon goes so quickly, that it's difficult to remember that I'm still growing a human being. Even though he's no longer growing inside me, I still have much to provide. Lest we not forget though, he teaches us as well. He teaches us that even though we have "responsibilities" outside of the home, we have an obligation to love, respect, support and encourage one another. So, even though I won't be leaving the house everyday for a job that I enjoyed, I will be rising to the most important role I will ever have. I relish it. I love it. And I will enjoy the opportunity that I have, until such a time that life dishes me a scoop of something else that I need to make room for. And I will, make room for it - somewhere alongside motherhood, wife, sister, friend, etc...

:o)

P.S. Our perfect day was spent as a family, enjoying each other's company and checking out Target Field. Go Twins!

I'm terrible at this...

So - you would think I would be better able to keep up with a blog now, without an infant at home, but that doesn't seem to be the case. We have been keeping busy with projects around the house, some baby related, some -- well, lets just say Travis' "honey-do" list for himself better be wrapped up soon because Mommy's got a "Daddy-do" list that just keeps getting longer. We've also been trying to spend some time with friends and family so when junior arrives we can devote ourselves to him. It won't be long now. Less than three weeks in fact.

Yesterday marked the 36th week for us and it was celebrated with an evening of sitting around and finishing up the playpen. Somehow, without the directions (who prints this stuff on the bottom of the playpen pad???) we managed to get the whole thing together, now we just cross our fingers and hope the thing doesn't collapse. Personally I was wiped out from having the cerclage removed and the flurry of cleaning I did on Monday night, just in case the removal led to labor. It didn't. Looks like the baby is in this for the long haul - good news, but Mom is exhausted!!!

On September 12th we did our 2nd Hope and Hearts Run with most of the family and even some friends. This event honors Olivia and Julia. It isn't an easy thing to see so many families affected by infant and fetal loss, but it's heart-warming to know that people still care and want to help raise money to help other families. The event ended with a reading, reading of the names and a balloon release. My heart still yearns for my sweet baby girls, but I know that they have been watching over their baby brother and someday he'll know all about his angel sisters and how they sent him to us to help heal our hearts. We are blessed and comforted by having had all three of them in our lives and trust in God's plan for us.

On September 13th, my sisters and friends, Helen and Lisa threw a tailgating themed baby shower. It was a little overwhelming between the number of people (30+) and the temperature, but we survived and were left wondering if we needed to consider showering more often. I'm thinking that there was a change to the theme and it became a literal "shower" theme given all the wonderful bath towels and washcloths we received. No fear. We'll be sure and keep our baby clean and warm with the utmost gratitude for everyone's thoughtfulness.

So, as we look to these last few weeks of preparing for baby, we are also watching the leaves fall from the trees and know that the season is changing once again and with it, our lives. I will do my best to update everyone as soon as "Baby Bean/Weitgenant/Junior" arrives. Until then - God bless.

Surprise!

I guess we've been withholding a bit, or maybe just enjoying what little spare time we have and forgetting that we haven't shared our news. There is a new resident at the Weitgenant's, more specifically in Andrea's uterus. In October we are expecting Weitgenant baby #3, aka "Baby Bean."

Yesterday was a big day because Andrea went in for a cerclage. This procedure just makes sure that the cervix stays nice and tight until the doctor's, or Baby Bean says that it's time for the Baby to arrive. After a few hours in recovery Andrea was released to Travis for safe keeping and babysitting. We are on to modified bed rest for a few days and with good behavior, Andrea should be back to work by Monday or Tuesday, or whenever Travis gets sick of playing nurse-maid.

We'll try and keep you updated on the progress of Baby Bean, but don't expect any major announcents because gender is the least of our concerns and we are happy to wait until October to find out the sex.

That's our news for now.

Happy Spring,
Travis & Andrea

Okay - maybe I need to update this more often...

I didn't mean to set up a blog and then just forget about it. Maybe I need a little help. The day I get Travis to participate, well...who knows. I'm not giving up yet. He did finally join facebook and has no complaints about that.

Facebook is actually very useful. I've tried working within the confines of Classmates.com, but there is no reason to pay good money to simply have the ability to see who checked your profile. I think I have somewhere close to 100 friends on Facebook. Not that everyone is the kind of friend that you keep in touch with, but none-the-less, it's great to catch up with people that have come in and out of your life.

Today I spent some time posting some pictures on Facebook. Many wonderful memories. I think I'll add some oldies but goodies here, too, because where we've been is a big part of who we are and will be in the future.

I hope these cold days haven't gotten you down. Travis has been enjoying the snowmobiling and I've just been plain busy with AtHome America (which is actually going well - I'm not disappointed).

Take care!

AtHome America

As many of you know, I recently started my own business. It's been very rewarding and I'm actually enjoying myself. In fact, I had a meeting tonight in Young America. I was a little irritated about the long drive and really just wanted to go home, but once I got there...the food and the company were great! And I received a bunch of recognition for placing 3rd for our entire team, hitting my personal goals and reaching the AtHome goals. It felt great! Anyway, enough about that. What I really wanted to share was the tremendous deals that are currently available. You can check them out on my website: www.athome.com/AndreaWeitgenant or view only the sale items at: http://www.myathomeamerica.com/ahatools/catalog/sale.aspx .

Again, best wishes for the New Year!

Andrea

Happy New Year everyone!

We made it into the New Year! I can't remember the last time Travis and I actually went out and celebrated New Year's Eve. Probably 2000 when everyone thought the world was going to come to a screeching halt. Dinner and drinks with friends was fantastic. Staying up until 4:30 in the morning may have been a bit much, but what's wrong with enjoying yourself from time to time? We still managed to pry ourselves off the couch on New Years Day to spend a few hours careening down a hill on inner tubes in the afternoon. We had beautiful weather and it was a lot of fun. I posted some pictures.

We wish you and yours many blessings in the New Year and hope that life, although unpredictable, brings you more joys than sorrows.

Travis and Andrea