The world welcomed my niece Aria Leigh Nowak into the world Saturday evening at about 11:30 p.m. Congratulations to my sister Jessica and her fiance Damon.
My sister tells me she went into the Owatonna hospital at about 3:30 a.m. Saturday. Both she and the baby were pretty exhausted by the time she finally arrived nearly 20 hours later.
Aria weighed 5 lbs 14 ounces and measured about 19 inches long. My sister is 30 years old and this is her first kid, thus it was my first experience at being an uncle.
I sped over to the hospital first thing on Sunday. It was exciting.
I wasn’t as emotional as my mother was, rightfully so, but my heart was warmed nonetheless.
Holding my niece for the first time was profound. I’m looking forward to being an uncle. I learned a great deal about what parenthood means when I saw how my sister and Damon were with Aria. I have to smile when I think about them all together. Monday afternoon they arrived home to Waseca as a new family.
It has been an incredibly busy week which followed all the excitement of becoming an uncle.
Going back to last Tuesday, the Waseca City Council meeting. It was rather uneventful, besides a 45-minute discussion about the Blain Nelson property. Uffda.
Last Wednesday was an exhilarating night for football fans. NRHEG gave fans an incredibly exciting come-from-behind win. Waseca, unfortunately, backed into the playoffs with a loss to Fairmont. I’m more optimistic about a potential rematch going the Bluejays’ way.
Thursday I covered the Waseca/Steele County Drug Court.
It was my first experience in a courtroom. I arrived early and was surprised by the large number of people in the waiting area. I recognized more than one person and more than one person recognized me. (Aside from inside the courtroom, where I was acquainted with Perry Berg, County Attorney Rachel Cornelius, and all of the other members of the Drug Court team.)
The officer monitoring the courtroom entry was kind enough to let me bring my camera in for the ceremony as well as my iPad to take notes. The graduates had powerful stories for which I’m grateful for the opportunity to share.
Over the weekend I was asked to attend a surprise party for Kipp Routh and his girlfriend Monica Olson. I had a pleasant time. I arrived early, the party started late and I got to know a lot of the Routh friends and family.
Sunday, of course, was spent visiting my sister and baby Aria.
Monday night I asked Dad to cover volleyball as I was, by all conceivable standards, pooped.
Tuesday evening was football in the rain. Not a pleasant experience. The Panthers lost this time and the Bluejays won. The night was definitely a “loss” for me: I got poured on and went home dripping wet.
Wednesday morning I attended the grand opening of FM Bank. Congratulations Jon Butler and company. I don’t know what it’s like to open a bank, but I do know what it’s like to start a business. Exhausting. Jon looked both energized and tired at the same time. Oh, and incredibly happy.
I was grateful to meet the staff and visit with folks. I’m grateful for FM Bank’s investment in Waseca. I can only hope for continued growth.
This column was written just prior to the candidate debate among those persons vying for county commissioner. My sister Jessica wrote three very good articles on the candidates. Each has a different opinion regarding the county jail decision. Ann Fitch believes we should outsource to other counties, that is, not have a permanent jail. Brad Milbrath is in favor of a new jail in Waseca County. Larry Johnson is unsure.
Unfortunately I’m also unsure. Prior to hearing Ann’s opinion I was in favor of the jail staying here. After hearing her explanation I think she, and many others have sound logic. But as I sit here today, I feel the jail should remain here. I don’t like the idea of the county, or its services, shrinking.
“As soon as I saw you, I knew a grand adventure was about to happen.” –Winnie the Pooh