Sunday, September 14, 2008

Four Generations



Brandon, Mom, Grandma, Great-Grandma

Second Cousins






















While in North Dakota Brandon made a new friend. My cousin, Bobby, has a little girl who is one day older than Brandon. Cora loved Brandon...as you can see in the pictures...Brandon was a typical man already and needed his space...as you can see. It was fun to introduce them.

Meeting Great-Grandma

This past weekend we visited family in North Dakota. Grandma Weigel is mom's grandma. Moms (Melissa), Moms (Diane), Mom (Martha). Funny! She is 80 years old and this was Brandons first time meeting her. We drove up on Thursday night and Brandon did great in the car. He slept a lot and played. On Friday we went shopping (Bismarck is a great place to shop). We went out to lunch, had Grandma's dumplings (nummy). A few folks made a trip to the old farm on Saturday where I (mom) spent my summers. The van was full and that would have been a big trip for Brandon to be gone all day so we stayed back in Bismarck. The old farm is still there with folks living on it and still farming. They also visited Grandpa who passed away 2 years ago. Saturday night we made enchiladas and had fund hanging out together. We laugh a lot when we get together. Brandon too!














Big Boy Holding his own bottle


Brandon is now holding his own bottle. The grandparents spoil him and hold it for him but mom and dad make him hold it himself. You have to hold it out in front of him (kind of like your teasing him) but then he realizes what it is and grabs it and puts it in his mouth. Sometimes you have to help guide it. He is getting so big!

Playtime











Wednesday, September 10, 2008

Thanks Dad

Quick story...

Dad (Rob) has taught Brandon how to stick out his tongue and blow. This causes lots of spit to fly. So Brandon was playing with me this morning. He was flying (not drooling) and decided to try it when a big clump of drool fell off of his tongue all over my face.

I shreeked, Brandon did a little giggle. The joys of being mommy!

Thanks Dad! :)

Who are those people?

I had 2 people recently ask me who the other blogs are on the right side of the page and where did I learn about them. So here is a quick synopsis....we are starting at the bottom....

"light your world"- is from the Sponberg family. Nicol is in a great musician and in a group called Selah. They live down south. I do not know this family personally only through blogs and news stories. Their son, Luke, was a couple of months older than Brandon . When Luke was 10 weeks old he passed away from SIDS. I have been following their journey and keeping them in my prayers. His writing is wonderful and always brings me peace. What a remarkable family.

We are jumping here....

"Bring the Rain"- Angie Smith writes this blog. She is a beautiful writer. Again, we do not know this family personally. Todd is Angie's husband. They have some very cute daughters. One of their daughters, Audry lived for a couple of hours. It was expected (even though you can never be prepared for something like they went through). Todd is the brother of Nicol who is a part of the 'light your world' blog. These 2 families have experienced a lot of grief. It is an honor to be a part of their journey via the blogging world. These 2 families have such tremendous faith.

Jumping again....

"The Life, Faith, & Creativity of Jessica Turner" I again don't know Jessica personally. She is a friend of Angie's from the "Bring the Rain" blog. She had her son, Elias, about a month after Brandon. She's a great blogger and it has been fun 'walking beside' her with our 2 sons a month apart.

Jumping more....

'Matt, Liz, and Madeline' Many of you may know about this family. They have been in some publications and I learned about them from a few friends. They live in CA but have ties here in MN. Matt and Liz were married here in MN. Madeline was born exactly one month before Brandon. It was an urgent C-Section. She was little and taken to NICU- while Liz was also being cared for. The next morning when Liz went to visit Madeline for the first time she got very ill when she stood up and sadly passed away. I really love reading Matt's blog and hearing the stories. What a strong man! It is fun seeing a precious little girl about the same age as Brandon and all her great adventures. One thing I really love about this blog is that Matt and I are alike when it comes to 'baby adventures'. Brandon was a whole 3 days old when I was taking him all over town. I am not one to stay home all day and do nothing...neither is this little girl. She is way up on us with airplane rides though.

More....

'My Charming Kids' is another I learned about from others blogs. She is a hilarious writer ...naming her kids after McDonalds products (just nicknames). She is also pregnant and Stellan (her unborn) has some heart conditions. There is a lot of prayer for this little bundle of joy that he will fight the good fight.

Next...more personal...

'Dave, Rachel, and Ezekial'...Rachel and I worked together at an assisted living for a couple of years. She was my one I vented to, my one that would say if I was driving her nuts and then we would laugh and be over it. Her and Dave got married shortly after I met Rachel. They have tried for a lengthy period of time to get pregnant. God had a different plan for them. They are adopting an adorable boy from the Phillipines. I have to admit I am a little jealous here- I have ALWAYS wanted to adopt a little girl from China or Korea. Rob isn't on board with me on this right now. I am so happy for them and know good things are in the works. They say you become a mother when you get pregnant...I think Rachel has always had that great "mother" in her. I also admire Dave and Rachel's marriage and faith.

Last...

'Nicole Berge Photography'...if you think you have a hidden talent...you should see Nicole's. Nicole is my sister who has always enjoyed photography but has taken it up more seriously in the past year or so. She works at Best Buy full time but could easily be successful with photography. She has saved us some cash by not having to take Brandon to a photographer. You can always find extra pics of Brandon on her site.

There are many others that I have not added...including a family "The Quick Family" We aren't related to them on my dad's side but it was fun to find them and follow their daily lives.

If you have a blog or know of any interesting ones- let me know. This is now my new hobby!