Happy Birthday to....Mommy!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!

Sunday, March 29, 2009
Dear Max,
Today is my birthday! I'm not a day over 21 (he he he) maybe one day you'll appreciate that joke! Your daddy and I have always loved celebrating birthdays. It's funny - cause neither one of us enjoy getting older - but we love the celebration that comes along with it! We can't wait to celebrate your special day too!!! And I'll tell you Max... there have been some real big ones, like the time your dad surprised me at the Graceland wedding chapel to renew our wedding vows in front of our friends and family, or the time I surprised your daddy with a party atop the Rio Hotel with all his friends, or the time your daddy coordinated a whole birthday weekend getaway with clues I opened along the way to tell me where we were going and ended up in Disney Land and to see the Lion King... I think you get the picture, birthdays are a big celebration in our family. And I know it seems a little quirky - but yes even when you turn 32 (that's my real age) you still get a birthday party thrown by your mommy! That's right, today, Grammy threw your mommy a party with her girlfriends that even included a surprise visit from your mommy good friend Hilary that I haven't seen in 9 years! I cried! It was such a fun day and it was so fun to have you there! And thanks for the card from you and cooper you boys always have the sweetest things to say (your dad hooked you two up...you'll have to owe him later). And your daddy gave me the sweetest present of all. He had a book put together of all these journal entries I've been writing you. I was so overwhelmed to get this book. And your daddy made me a promise that if I kept writing that he would keep publishing for me! What a good daddy! Love you Max!

LOVE

Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Dear Max,
We are so blessed to have so many wonderful friends and family in our lives. You have probably noticed that we love opening our home and having company stay with us! How could you not notice, your room is right next to the guest rooms... And tonight was no exception. Our dear friends Teri and Justin came to town with their two adorable kids. Daddy was working late so you and I headed out to dinner with the gang. We had an "interesting" dining experience (TGIFriday's will be getting my e-mail later this evening). But what is really important is the company! And that part was great!

After a fun night out on the town it was this moment that caught me off guard tonight. Seeing your daddy and you snuggled asleep. So many times I barely feel worthy of the blessings you and your daddy bring to my life. Max, as I waited for you to arrive I will admit I often dreamed of seeing moments like this and wondered what it would feel like. I will tell you with all honesty I had no idea it would feel so wonderful, you have pushed my hearts capacity beyond limits I thought possible. I love you little man!

A Night at The Bellagio

Saturday, March 21, 2009
Dear Max,
Today your Uncle Wayne and Molly come back from their honeymoon. We needed to pick them up from the airport so we decided to go down town a little early and visit the Bellagio. We love the fountains and the conservatory and couldn't wait for you to see it for the first time. We timed it so we would have just enough time... but we ended up having MORE than enough time cause Wayne and Molly's flight was delayed by 2 hours! Somebody one their plane wouldn't sit down for take off and it turned into this HUGE deal that included the man being charged with a federal offense! Well, while they were dealing with all of that... we were watching the beautiful fountains and smelling the amazing tulips! And of course everyone on the streets kept stopping and telling us what a beautiful, cute handsome baby we have! We even saw these two girls on the street in front of the Paris hotel and they said... he is so cute! and then we saw them again over at the Bellagio and they said again.. what a cute baby, and then they realized it was you AGAIN! We thought that was so funny!

Our Family

Watching the Fountains

At the Conservatory

Look at those big watering cans!

Mom got herself into a bit of a pickle...

Saturday, March 21, 2009
Dear Max,
Well, today I got myself into a little bit of a "situation" But I will get to that in a moment... it all starts with our couch. Your dad and I have had this REALLY comfortable sectional. It just engulfs you when you sit down. Which we love. However, since your arrival we have ran into a bit of a problem. If you sit on the couch while holding you, well, lets just say you can't get up! Your dad has another word for it, but we'll wait till your an adult with children of your own before we go there. So the re-arranging of furniture began. We moved a portion of the sectional out into the garage and moved the two leather arm chairs from the formal living room into the family room so we had two nice chairs to sit in and snuggle with you and still be able to get up! It's a novel idea. But this left a problem in the living room - it left us with just a couch. That doesn't make for a very comfortable conversation room. And dad does call that room the "serious room"... just a forewarning. That's where dad goes to have all his "serious" chats. So I've been begging your dad to move the big chair from our bedroom down to the living room so at least their would be another chair to sit in. But he kept saying... just be patient, cause eventually we would like to get two recliners for the family room, then move the arm chairs back into the living room. Is this too much detail? Do you really care? Well, this is where you come in. So I decided that I didn't need your dads help. I could do this all on my own! So after your dad went to work I moved the chair. In my defense...it's a REALLY big chair. So you were up on our bed hanging with cooper while I moved the chair down the stairs. I decided that I would go down the stairs first and slowly bring the chair down. It worked like a charm...until I hit the landing. O boy! It was a mess... I moved the chair this way... would turn... moved it that way...wouldn't move...I tried everything to the point that I had the chair wedged between the railing and the wall. Big problem. I was on one side of the chair and you on the other. I started to panic! I could call your dad - besides he was at work. I know... I'll call Aunt Andrea! So I called...the conversation was like this.
Hi Ang! How's your Saturday going?
Good How's yours?
Well, I've seemed to have gotten myself into a bit of a pickle!
What?
I explained...
It was silent...
Ang replies... I think this is the best way to start my Saturday as she is bursting into laughter!
So does this mean your coming over to help me?
Yup! I'm on my way
So I tried to remain calm...I figured you were not crying, and I hadn't heard any loud noises and Cooper was keeping you company!
As soon as Andrea arrives I'm ready to get this sucker moved... but NO! Aunt Andrea has to stop, take pictures and what?!? That's right! Text it to your daddy! I will never live this down! The Great news! You were fine... like most things it was far more traumatic on me than it is ever for you! Love you Max!

Look how big that chair is! And it was heavy too!!!

Uncle Wayne and Molly Got Married!

Saturday, March 14, 2009
Dear Max,
Today we attend Wayne and Molly's wedding. It was very exciting cause you hadn't met Wes and Diya or Heidi, Zach and Olivia! They were all so excited to meet you for the first time. They love you so much and have been waiting patiently for you to arrive and then had to wait even longer to meet you in person. It was such a fun wedding. Wayne looked handsome and Molly was as beautiful as ever. We are so lucky to have such great friends that they are family! They love you and We love you!

Wayne and Molly

With your Aunt Heather


With your Cousin Olivia

You and Uncle Zach

Such a snappy dresser!

With Daddy at the Temple

With Mommy at the Temple

Your First Haircut!

Saturday, Marc h 14, 2009
Dear Max,
Today was the wedding of your uncle Wayne and Molly. It was a busy day but we made time for one very important item! YOUR FIRST HAIRCUT! Of course you needed to look like a million bucks for all the people that would be meeting you. And your faux hawk was getting a bit long and was difficult to get to stand up. So into the beautician chair you went. Thank goodness Auntie Julie is to the rescue! It was so funny - we actually cut such a small amount of hair that I had to hold onto it so when Auntie Julie made the cut we didn't loose the hair. Of course I kept it for us! You are so handsome! We love you Max!!

I think you look a little nervous.

Preparation for the first cut...

Here goes nothing or everything?!?!

Looking Good!

You are such a stud...

And you know it!

"Wait... Hold the Phone...Have I always had these?"

Monday, March 9, 2009
Dear Max,
Today you discovered you have HANDS! Yup, it's crazy but true and the best part is you have TWO! Love you Max!

"Woah! When did these show up?"

"Was anyone ever going to tell me?"

"Now if I could just figure out how to get these into my mouth!"

I have a new toy!

Saturday, March 7, 2009
Dear Max,
You are growing up so fast! Today your daddy and I decided it was time to try out the Exersaucer! Some of mommy's friends gave you this totally fun toy so thanks to them for thinking ahead for us!!! You are still a bit to small, but we just put some blankets around you to help you steady yourself and just like that you were a pro at exersaucering! You are so smart!! It's sad to say that the good ol' stand by swing has taken a back seat to the every exciting exersaucer. How quickly you have forgotten the sweet, sweet sollace that the swing brought to you...now it's all about lights flashing, noise making, spinning and bouncing! What's next... Play Station 6 (maybe that has been invented by the time your reading this?) Happy Exersaucing to you Max! We love you!

"Wait Mom...Where are you going? Don't leave me in this thing!"



"Interesting...."


"Umm..."

"I LOVE IT!"

Oops!

Thursday, March 5, 2009
Dear Max,
Today was your first day home with just dad. You see Kelly only comes on the days that your dad is at work, so if he is off during the week, then Kelly doesn't come. Well, the funniest thing happened today. Your dad was so excited to hang with you - he got you up, dressed, fed and everything all on his own. He is such a good dad. Your dad and I decided to meet in town to run a few errands. So dad got you all buckled up and the two of you headed off. Well, I meet you two and I was so excited to see you - but as I'm looking at you, I see that something doesn't look right... Your Shirt Is On Backwards! The three little buttons were in the fronts! Oh My - we were laughing so hard! The people in the store were all looking at us - cause we just couldn't stop laughing.
Your dad then says... "that would explain a lot"
"Like what?" I asked.
"Why when I was changing his diaper the snaps were clear up his back!" Your dad just couldn't firgure out what was wrong with that shirt.
I said..."Didn't you question it when you saw the tag in the front"
"What Tag? There was no tag when I put his shirt on!"
I love your daddy - he is so funny!
The best part was you totally gave your dad a dirty look while all this was happening - it was as if you were saying... "I can't believe you would bring me out in public likc this? I'm humiliated!"

But wait... there is more!
So we continue shopping - your dad asked if I wanted to change it around, but I said no, your in your car seat and really - who would we see. Well, just then a strange couple comes up to us to tell us how cute you are (it happens all the time). They are staring at you... I panic...I don't want them to think that we don't know how to dress our own baby! So I did what moms sometimes do... I threw your dad under the bus! I told these complete strangers how your dad dressed you today and put your shirt on backwards - it was his first time being home with you cause I had gone back to work! Your dad says "He's Breathing!" And the other dad - says... "that's right man - I don't know if I would have known!"
I couldn't resist - as soon as we got home I hurried and took pictures before changing you into your jammies! Love you Baby Max!

Mom is Back to Work!

Monday, March 2, 2009
Dear Max,
This day seemed like a million miles away...but here it is. Today, was my first day back to work. When you first arrived and I knew that I would be taking 12 weeks off - It seemed like forever - but it is crazy how fast time goes by. It was of course very exciting to be back, but it was sad to leave you. However, I will say - I didn't cry. I can't believe I'm admitting that to you. I know the reason for that was cause I knew you were in such good care. Your daddy and I were so worried about what we would do when I went back to work, and I tell you it seems like Kelly just fell down from Heaven! She comes to the house to take care of you during the day. It is so nice that you can stay at home and have all your comforts, which include your swing, it use to be your favorite but has quickly been replaced by the Rain forest bouncing chair and your baby Einstein play mat and of course your own bed for nap times. You and Kelly will have a great week! It was fun to get pictures from Kelly on my phone of you throughout the day. She sent me one during "tummy time" which you are not a fan of. When you were napping, and even while you were playing in your rain forest bouncy chair. It was like she knew that would be what I needed to make it through the day! Of course having a good nights sleep always helps too! Thanks for being such a great baby. We love you Max

Hanging With Grammy

Monday, March 2, 2009
Dear Max,
Your dad and I enjoyed a fun weekend at the Races. Possible that you may have had a better time hanging with Grammy. Grammy and Grampy came down to take care of you. Grampy did join us for the race on Saturday. It was his first official NASCAR race and I think we may have another fan in the family! You loved hanging out with Grammy, I think you love that she holds you all the time. I'm pretty sure she didn't put you down once the entire weekend. When it was time for Grammy and Grampy to leave they were so sad, they had loved spending so much time with you and can't wait to see you again! Good thing they only need to wait one more week.

Grammy with her Boys!

I think we're raising Nick Jonas

Sunday, March 1, 2009
Dear Max,
Oh Boy! We had no idea...

So your Auntie Julie brought this silly wig down this weekend when she was visiting- The real question is what is she doing with a short curly brown wig... but we will save that question for another time. Anyways, your dad decides to try the wig on you! And just like that you are transformed into Nick Jonas. Now - I don't know if Nick Jonas will still be famous when you grow up - but right now he is a tween heartthrob. The girls love him and the boys want to be him. Looks like your on the fast track to heartthrob status! You are so much fun little man!