Grandma Berger

Some sad news – Grandma Berger went to heaven.  She found out she was sick over the holidays.  We went up to see Grandma Berger a couple of times, once during her Celebration of Life.  You were so excited to see her – you gave her hugs and kisses and pointed out her blue dress! 

Grandma Berger when to see God and her family and friends in heaven on 1/30.  As you grow up, you probably won’t remember her a lot, but Grandma Berger loved you soo much!  She was the kindest person and never had anything bad to say about anyone.  One of Grandma Berger’s favorite things to do was to spend time with kids.  She helped out at preschool for about 20 years and could not have enough grandchildren.  When we found out I was pregnant with you – Grandma was sooo excited, she planned for a shower and gave me a little rabbit pin.  However, you decided to come and join the world early, as a tiger.  Grandma immediately got out the sewing machine and made a little sleeper with a tiger on it.  Mama and baba will really miss Grandma Berger but we are happy to know she is in heaven and watching over you.  Here is Grandma's obituary:

Jean Marie Berger, 65, of St. Cloud passed away on Wednesday, January 30, 2013 at her home with family by her side after a courageous battle with cancer. Funeral services celebrating her life will be at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 9, 2013 at the Church of Jesus Christ Latter-Day Saints (1420 29th Avenue North, St. Cloud) with visitation beginning at 12 Noon. Bishop Tom Walsh will officiate. Burial will be private at a later date.

Jean was born on January 1, 1948 in Mankato, Minnesota to Donald and Edna (Isakson) Nitzkowski. She graduated from Mankato High School in 1966 and was united in marriage to Donald Berger on December 16, 1967 in Jessenland, Minnesota. They moved to St. Cloud in 1973, and after raising their five children, Jean was a paraprofessional at Washington and Roosevelt Preschools. After retirement, Jean continued to volunteer with the preschool classes at Roosevelt and was fondly known as “Grandma Jean.” Jean was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, the St. Cloud Morning Optimist Club, Central MN Noon Optimist Club and the PTA.

Jean enjoyed gardening, walking, volunteering and nature. She was a wildlife advocate.

She is survived by her husband Don of St. Cloud; children, Chris (Pete) Knutson of Sartell, Mike (Holly) of Andover, Bob (Kim) of Avon, Bill (Anne) of Minnetonka, John of St. Cloud; 13 grandchildren; and siblings, Nancy Burger of Mankato, Don (Ilene) Nitzkowski of Woodbury and Tom (Julie) Nitzkowski of Salt Lake City, Utah.

She was preceded in death by her parents; and brother-in-law, Norb Burger.

A special thank you to the staffs of St. Croix Hospice, Health Partners Clinic, CentraCare and the University of Minnesota-Fairview.

I am 2!!

My baby is a big boy!

Oh Beni Bear, I can’t believe you are already two.  Where does the time go?  So much has happened since the last update.  Funny, that’s exactly what I said in the last update too!

We went to Yipao’s house over the holidays.  That was a blast.   You got to see great uncle Johnny, Yipao, Anthony and Katrina.  It was a lot of fun.  You loved seeing the lights on the house and going to Stew Leonard’s.  For Christmas, you received Spongebob socks, a drum set, blanket and feet warmer.  We also went to Yipao’s work, you had a lot of fun there.  Then, we went to great uncle’s work – that was your favorite.  You got to play in a gym with a ton of toys, more toys than daycare! 

Lots of new development and milestones:

12/19/12 – You fell down the stairs.  It really scared mama and baba b/c you couldn’t walk on your leg.  We went to see Dr Inman the next day and you were still a little wobbly.  No break or sprain – it sounded like a little bruising.  You were back to full speed running in no time.

12/21 – You discovered the word ‘mine’ and then all of a sudden, everything is ‘mine!’

12/22 – nod and say no.  You have the cutest “no” ever.  It’s hard to resist.

12/25 – Merry Christmas!  You started to say “all done” “bye” and “hi”  Grandma also pointed out that you love fried chicken just like mama when she was young

1/1 – Happy New Year!  Ju was putting you down for a nap when you told her “baba help, mama no help”.  Too funny b/c you’re right.  Only baba puts you down for nap time on the weekends.  Are you learning to tattle?

You’re favorite color is blue!! And when you watch TV, you are in full concentration, just like your baba. 

1/9 – You thought it would be funny to smear poop on the bed and on baba’s face when it was bedtime.

1/11 – You told your teacher, Kaylee that ‘mama, baba at work’. 

1/15 – thoo thoo and wuv you!

1/16 – You patted your belly and said “Ben!”

The week of your birthday, you were sooo sick.  We went to the doctors three times and learned that you had the flu and then pneumonia.  Thankfully, Nai Nai came into town – you had two weeks off at daycare and you’re all better now. 

Ju went to go see her family in China so you’ll have Nai Nai and then Yipao for two weeks.  Fun stuff!  You love hanging out with Nai Nai and enough doing exercises (leg lifts) with her.  You even started to make mama and baba do exercises.  Too cute

In this past week, 1/28- it’s been a word explosion.  Everyday, you are learning new words, I can’t even keep up!  You can pretty much mimic any word we say.  You know all your colors now – Blue, Geen, Purpel, Yahlow, Baack.  And you love taking ‘bubble’ (bath).

We made up for your birthday this weekend – we all went to the Mall of America and you went on your favorite rides – blue gogo, truck and merry go round.  Followed by McDonald’s and a mango smoothie.  Then, we went home for nap time.  At some point, you ran out of the room, your diaper fell off and you took a big step in your poop.  Sounds gross – I know.  But we all laughed so hard, including you.