FINAL FAMILY:
Emile & Therese = Ambre, Adria
Roman & Lydia = Franka, Tobias, Nicolas
- Adria & Tobias = Tobias / Micha / Adrian, Lydia, Valerie, Julian
YEAR 0DW [24] Adria Travert
DH [25] Tobias Micha Laurenz
Meet our newlyweds! Adria, an anthropologist from Canada, and Tobias, a financial advisor from Germany met while they were in university when Adria went to study for a year in Germany. They kept in touch while finishing school, got engaged, and just got married. They currently live in Toronto, Canada.
YEAR 1Adria and Tobias take a road trip to Niagara Falls!
YEAR 2Tobias gets into a major argument with Adria’s sister, Ambre, because she kept pestering them about when they were going to start a family. Since the couple has been trying for over a year without success (they haven’t told their families this) he reached his breaking point this time and told her to leave them be. Things are a bit tense and Ambre’s not speaking to either of them at the moment (taking him literally). Adria hopes it will all blow over soon (and hopefully because they get pregnant), though she’s also a bit glad that Tobias told her to back off since Adria wanted her to, too.
YEAR 3DW [27] Adria Travert
DH [28] Tobias Micha Laurenz
DS [nb] Tobias Emile Laurenz/ DS [nb] Micha Roman Laurenz/ DS [nb] Adrian Nicolas Laurenz
Our couple decided to begin fertility treatment and have had fraternal triplets! They now have three boys, whose first names are after their parents and middle names after their grandfathers and paternal uncle. They were born a bit early and, while the first two are quite healthy, the third, who was the smallest and most underdeveloped at birth, was found to have congenital heart disease. Adria and Tobias were very worried, but he got through his surgery and the doctors give him a good prognosis.
YEAR 4Adria and Tobias, crazily, decide to take a 5-year anniversary cruise with all three boys (they couldn’t imagine leaving them). It’s a river cruise in Europe where they’ll be able to visit Tobias’ family in Germany during it.
YEAR 5DW [29] Adria Travert
DH [30] Tobias Micha Laurenz
DS [2] Tobias Emile Laurenz / DS [2] Micha Roman Laurenz / DS [2] Adrian Nicolas Laurenz
DD [nb] Lydia Therese Laurenz
It’s a girl for the Laurenz-Travert family! They weren’t trying for another – certainly not yet with the triplets being so young still and with Adrian’s frequent hospital checkups – but they were surprised and are nonetheless pleased, especially to have a daughter. She is healthy, and is named after both of her grandmothers.
YEAR 6Adria is diagnosed with post-partum depression. She’s started therapy and some medication, which seems to be helping.
YEAR 7Adria got into a major argument with Tobias’ sister, Franka, when she was critical of their parenting techniques. Thankfully, they live on different continents.
YEAR 8Tobias ends up needing his gallbladder removed.
YEAR 9Micha is proving to be very talented at piano and is beginning advanced lessons.
YEAR 10Things were better for a while between Ambre and Tobias, but Adria’s sister can’t seem to keep her nose out of their business or her mouth shut about it, and Tobias likewise isn’t shy about communicating back, so they’ve gotten into another major argument and Ambre’s not speaking to them again.
YEAR 11Our couple decided to try for a “final” baby and again had trouble conceiving. Adria went to the doctor and was diagnosed with PCOS, which explains their infertility issues and some other symptoms she’d been experiencing as well. It’s good to get a diagnosis, but it’s a difficult condition to be living with.
YEAR 12It’s been a difficult number of years medically for our family. Adria had some warning signs of cancer but thankfully the tests came back negative!
YEAR 13The family visits the popular theme park, Canada’s Wonderland. The kids (and adults) have a great time.
YEAR 14DW [38] Adria Travert
DH [39] Tobias Micha Laurenz
DS [11] Tobias Emile Laurenz / DS [11] Micha Roman Laurenz / DS [11] Adrian Nicolas Laurenz
DD [9] Lydia Therese Laurenz
DD [nb] Valerie Clara Laurenz
While it was hard with her PCOS and because she’s a bit older now, Adria’s treatments went well and made it possible for her to conceive and have a successful pregnancy, and a thankfully healthy baby. They’re not planning on having any more kids and everyone’s overjoyed to welcome another daughter/sister! Adria and Tobias chose names that felt joyful to them and with positive meanings (“strong” and “bright”).
YEAR 15Tobias’ father passes away. The family travels to Germany for the funeral which is a sad time, but does provide a good opportunity for the family to spend time together and meet the baby, for which all are grateful.
YEAR 16Tobias decides to stay in Germany for longer than expected after helping with his father’s affairs. He says that he needs some time for himself. Having experienced depression herself, Adria understands this, but when he still isn’t returning after a second month there she begins to question if there is something else going on. She feels abandoned, especially with a toddler and teenagers to care for, and it makes her question their relationship. She talks to her therapist about it and want to try to work through it with him. He comes home the next month and apologizes for staying away so long and thanks her fun understanding his need for more time with his family, to have self-reflection, and to grieve. She’s relived that he’s back and happy that it had nothing to do with her or their own family.
YEAR 17Adria is feeling really unwell and finally goes to the doctor to find out her thyroid isn't working properly.
YEAR 18The Laurenz-Travert clan moves into a new home! This is wonderful since, with five children - the youngest getting bigger and the oldest still a few years away from possibly moving out – they really needed more room.
YEAR 19Adria and Tobias take the kids to Micha’s first “important” concert (his words). He plays beautifully and is hoping it will help him get into the prestigious piano program at university.
YEAR 20DW [44] Adria Travert
DH [45] Tobias Micha Laurenz
DS [17] Tobias Emile Laurenz / DS [17] Micha Roman Laurenz / DS [17] Adrian Nicolas Laurenz
DD [15] Lydia Therese Laurenz
DD [6] Valerie Clara Laurenz
Julian Vincent LaurenzDefying all expectations (or plans), Tobias and Adria get pregnant and have another surprise baby, a son! They want a name that sounds sweet, but impressive so go for two classics.
This message was edited 3/8/2020, 4:42 PM