Finally the Guilt can stop!

Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Dear Max,
Today you went for your 6 month check - up with Dr. Downey. Your daddy, Grammie and I all had a wager on how much you weigh. I WON! I guessed 19 and 1/2 lbs. Your daddy said 23 lbs. and Grammie said 21 lbs... you are 19 lbs and 12 oz. That put's you in the 75-90th percentile. I guess you are an over achiever! The big win in today's Dr. visit?

WE ARE MOVING ON TO RICE CEREAL AND BABY FOOD!

Now I'm sure your saying to yourself...Mom, I'm 6 month's old! What took you so long?!? Well, we were super anxious to start feeding you at 4 months but the doctor told us to wait. He said that you would have a better chance of not developing food allergies if we could wait until you are 6 months old. So we will be doing 3 day's of rice cereal, if all goes good, we move to 3 days of oatmeal, then to 3 days of grains. Then it's onto Baby food. Now I have to say I was thrilled by this news, cause in the past couple of weeks it has been PAINFUL to eat in front of you! HORRIBLE!!! THE GUILT!!! OH! TERRIBLE! For example, one Saturday morning your daddy and I were eating pancakes and you were sitting on the table in your bumbo chair. You watch every bite go into our mouths. You couldn't take your eyes off of it. I felt so horrible I finally had to turn you around so you wouldn't stare any longer. Then a few days later I was eating some chips and holding you and every time a chip would come towards my mouth your mouth would open and you would lean in to snag my chip! So the doctor giving us the green light was so great! We came right home and geared you all up in your booster chair, plastic bib and some rice cereal. It might be hard to believe but you took to it like a champ! You are great about opening your mouth and staying on task. It has been nice to feed you at dinner and not feel so guilty about eating in front of you. Family meal time will never be the same! Oh and don't think for one minute that Cooper hasn't already calculated this out. He takes his post right by your side just in case anything might fall... He hasn't figured out that nothing falls yet, but when that day finally arrives... He's all ready! We love you Max!

I Can't Believe It's Finally Happening....

I'm Eating!

I'm Eating! I'm Eating!

Oh! It was worth the wait!

I can't believe it's already over... more?

Ruth's Last Visit

Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Dear Max,
Today marked the last visit from Ruth our case worker with Premier Adoptions. She has been by our side since the day we received the fateful call that you were waiting at the hospital for us. Ruth has visited us once a month for the last 6 months. She has watch you grow and progress in our family and has become such a dear friend. Ruth was there with us in the hospital when we first arrived, she was so thrilled for our family and stayed with us as we got settled that day, she made sure that all that your daddy and I were on all your records so we could step in as your legal guardian. It was so nice that day to not have to worry about a single thing but you! She made everything for us so easy. She made sure we were comfortable and had anything we might have needed before she left that night. I remember thinking as she left us that evening that she was our "grandma angel" until your Grandma could get there. Another milestone that is bitter sweet...Ruth's last visit marks another step completed in finalizing your adoption, however, it will be sad not to have Ruth's visits to look forward to. I guess we will just have to find you a little sister so Ruth can come visit again!

Our 1st Day in Court

Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Dear Max,
Today was a very special day for our family. This morning your daddy and I went to the courthouse and took the first step towards finalizing your adoption. We didn't know quite what to expect, but knew that the after we were done, we would be one step closer to ensuring that you will be ours forever. Of course - nothing normal ever happens to us! We walk into the court room and sit down on the plaintiff's side of the court room. The Judge then says "We are here today to discuss the case of Anthony Joseph Trenholm versus Danell Trenholm" WHAT? NO! That is NOT what we are here for?! Then the Judge realizes what he said... I just about died! I looked at your daddy and said I don't EVER want to be in a court room and hear that!! Anyways they asked us questions like, Has Max Trenholm been living with you approx. 6 months? Did your birth mother contact Premier Adoptions on her own? Those types of questions and then just as quickly as it began it was over! And the judge said I grant parental rights to Anthony and Danell Trenholm. YEAH! We are on the fast track to being sealed as a forever family. Your daddy and I are looking forward to being in the temple with you in June. You are such an amazing little spirit and we are forever grateful for you. We love you Max!

Could Max be the next Michael Phelps?

Monday, May 25, 2009
Dear Max,
Today your daddy and I got the opportunity to take you swimming for the first time. We were fairly confident that you were going to LOVE the water. But you never know... you have always loved bath time, but that's in a shallow warm tub. So we were a little nervous that we would be disappointed by your reaction. Max, as usual you did not let us down! YOU LOVE SWIMMING! When we got into the water, it was a little cool - but it didn't bother you at all. The deeper we went the more you loved it. We bought this cute little "buggy" for you to sit in. Oh, I must tell you, when I bought your little buggy I didn't realize it said girls swim toy - so your daddy was giving me a hard time about you being in a pink car all day - but you didn't mind. However, your cousin Natalie has just inherited her first set of wheels, lets just say this was your last ride in the pink car.
You loved hanging in your car, you had your shades on cruising around the pool. EVERYONE in the pool came up to comment on how cute you looked. You immediately figured out that if you kicked your legs it made you move, so you just kicked and kicked and kicked. Then we took you out of the car and started with laying you on your stomach and instantly your arms went out, your face down and feet kicking. You loved putting your head in the water and at 6 months old completely submerged and came up laughing! You did equally as well on your back. Floating along. It was AMAZING. I've decided that we will be doing you a HUGE injustice if we are not spending a lot of time in the pool this summer. Between 11:00 am - 5:00 pm you took a 1 hour nap and other than that you were in the pool! You may just be on your way to 14 Olympic Gold Medals too! What a fun day hanging with you in the pool. We love you Max!

Cruising along in my automobile....

Oh yeah... this is the life!


Family pic

Drying off with Mommy

Max and Daddy!

It's Finally Me

Saturday, May 23, 2009
Dear Max,
We had such a nice Saturday today. I was thrilled to get the house clean, laundry done and finally feel on top of the house work and I got to take a nap with you - great day! Saturday night we went over to our friends Peter and Patti's house for some dessert and conversation. During our visit that night - I had a "It's Finally Me" moment. You and Blake were playing on his toy fire truck. It was so cute, you were sitting on the truck and Blake was pushing you around. It was hilarious, cause you and Blake weigh the same, but Blake is a year old. But Blake with all his gusto and momentum was able to push you around. You have not yet mastered sitting up on your own - your close - but not consistent, so I was always by your side making sure you didn't tumble off.

Even with my watchful eye, you tumbled off the fire truck! This is your first "incident" and boy did you cry, a cry like your daddy and I have never heard before. The kind where you don't breath for a few seconds...and we all just look at you say... breathe, breathe, breathe and then you finally breathe! As I stood there comforting and soothing you, you with your head buried into my neck, I thought... It's Finally Me! Your daddy and I have been "honorary parents" to so many of our friends and family kids and it's so fun to be in their lives, but there is always those moments that as "honorary parents" you are not able to succeed in. This would have definitely fit into that category. I can't tell you how many times I have seen little ones take a little fall and you swoop them up - just to hand them to their mommy or daddy - cause you know that's what they need. It was so wonderful to swoop you up and think.. It's me, I'm the one that brings you comfort and solace. It's Finally Me! Your daddy and I laughed tonight as we talked about this... we thought, is it horrible to look forward to your next spill just so we can pick you up and comfort you! Max, we love you so much and we are always here for you. In life you will have lots of spills and tumbles, but never forget that we love you and we will always be here to pick you up!

Yes... Max (6 months) is the same size as Blake (12 months)

Look at them go!

Getting a little shaking

(Thanks Aunt Julie for the fun shirt... it says: Dude, your girlfriend keeps checking me out!)

And down you go!

6 Months Old

Monday, May 18, 2009
Dear Max,
Today you are six month's old. It hardly seems possible that time has gone by so fast. I felt like this after your daddy and I got married. I remember on our first wedding anniversary thinking - it feels like we just got married - yet it feels like we have always been married. The same goes with you - it feels like you just arrived - yet it feels like you have always been here. You are the funnest little man! You are rolling over and scooting around a ton. We no longer can just lay you on the couch and come back in a few minutes and trust that you will be in the same position. You will actually be in a completely different place! You have found your voice and love to make big noises and laugh. You have the best smile I have EVER seen and just in time for your 6 month mile stone. You have started make the loudest bubble noises with your mouth. As a matter of fact, you started this while I was in Dallas and I heard you over the phone and just about died. I'll be honest - I thought your dad had.. um... had... um... passed gas We died laughing. Now the funnest thing to do is to ask you questions... and your response is in these gurgle bubbles. For example... "Max, do you want to wear this shirt or that one?" Response "gggggrrrrrbbbbbrrrrrggggrrrrbbbbrrr" "tell us how you really feel!"
Max we are so glad that you are in our family! We are looking forward to going to the temple as a family and being sealed for time and eternity. We love you!

Blowing Bubbles is fun!

Blowing Bubbles is messy!

Blowing Bubbles can be very unattractive!

Our sweet baby boy!

Big Boy Bath!

Saturday, May 16, 2009
Dear Max,
Today you took your first Big Boy Bath in the Big tub! I can't believe you have already graduated from the little tub in the sink to the Big Tub. One thing is for sure... you LOVE your baths, regardless if they are in the little tub in the sink or the big tub. You are such a fan of the water - that your daddy and I can hardly wait to take you swimming for the first time this summer. I think you will love it if the bath can be used as an early indicator. Gone our the days of standing by the sink and bathing you - now we have officially entered the "back breaker baths" Love you Max!

Holding on for dear life!

Not too shabby!

Nice

Mommy first business trip...

Thursday, May 14, 2009
Dear Max,
Mommy left on her first business trip Tuesday morning. I have been dreading leaving on the first business trip ever since I went back to work. I knew the day would come and it was crazy how fast it arrived. I woke up at 3:30 am on Tuesday morning to catch a 6:00 am flight - just so I could be home one more night than I typically would have been. I cried the entire way to the airport - but as soon as I parked in the garage I knew I had to be brave. Your daddy takes such good care of you - so I wasn't worried about you... I was worried about me. Of course thoughts come to mind all the way from the outrageous - what if the plane crashes! To the ridiculous - How will I live 2 1/2 days without seeing you! The time went by fast, as I was really busy meeting with customers. However, the breaking point came on the flight back home. I woke up Thursday morning to terrible thunder storms in Dallas. They had to temporarily close the airport, so all the flights got backed up and we were delayed 4 1/2 hours. These were the longest 4 1/2 hours... waiting and so badly wanting to be home! I did finally arrive home at 6:00 pm versus 2:30. I do think you were a little mad at me when I got home though... I came in the house and you were in the process of getting your diaper changed... so I took over. You wouldn't smile or look at me - finally when I picked you up and started kissing your cheekies you decided it was ok and gave me one of your infamous smiles! Let's just say that the next business trip is in July and lucky for us Grammie is on summer break so we will ALL be going on the next one! Love you Max!!!

1st Mother'sDay

Sunday, May 10, 2009
Dear Max,
It's finally here... my first official mothers day! A day to celebrate Mother's. I loved Mother's Day growing up. It was a day that I got to pamper my mommy and let her know how much I love, admire and cherish her. That has never changed, however, when your daddy and I started to experience the pain and hurt that comes along with infertility and waiting, mothers day became a day filled with the painful reminder that I was not a mother. Some years were easier than others, but the pain associated with those hard years is still so close to the surface, even on this first mothers day. I will never forget one year walking into relief society to a room filled with balloons, flowers and treats all in honor of mothers. While the reasonable side of my emotion understands that mothers day is the celebration of the mothers around us - the empty and painful emotions could not be contained. I broke into tears and had to leave church. Ever since then I've always attended church on Mother's Day Sunday with my guard up and with caution. I had a strategy... it was go to sacrament meeting and always leave before the closing song... that way the poor deacon that was handing out the mothers day treat at the end of church didn't have to encounter the ever so awkward... do I give her a mothers day gift or not? She's not a mom...what do I do? And Deacon's aren't always the most tactful of young fellow's. So to avoid this all together has always been for the best. And of course then theirs your poor daddy... In the first couple years your daddy and I were married your daddy started buying me mothers day cards (I was to be the future mother of his children). Well, then the year came where he bought me a mothers day card as he had in years past... I'm sure you can imagine how that went over.

So to come home Saturday night to a line up of cards and gifts from my boys was what we have all been waiting for. Finally I'm a mom! Max, I'm so blessed to be your mother. You have healed my heart and given me the greatest gifts. To love you is loving like I have never loved before. I've been so blessed to have an amazing mother. I pray that I can be as thoughtful, loving, kind, fun, spiritual, compassionate, fun and wonderful. I know I said fun twice - it's cause Grammie is so fun! I'm glad I have Grammie as a constant reminder of a good mommy and all the other examples in my life. Celebrating this day was wonderful. Staying till the end of church and taking my cookies from the deacon was amazing. Sometimes it's hard to imagine that's it has all happened. But it has... you are here, you are ours and I'm your mommy! Love you Max!

The First moment I became a mom
5:02 pm on Sunday, December 7, 2008

Our Second Day Together


One Week Later...

Our First Month as mommy and son
January


February



March



April

And our First Mother's Day Together!

After Church on Mother Day's we drove up to St. George with your Auntie Andrea to visit your Grammie's and wish them a Happy Mothers Day too! You also had your first adventure swinging on the the swing set in Aunt Andrea's mom's backyard. You loved it! You are fearless!

Max and Grandma Trenholm

Max and Grammie

6 Month Pictures

Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Dear Max,
Here are some of your six month pictures. We had such a fun day taking all sorts of pictures with Auntie Emilie on temple square. You are such a good baby and put up with all our clothes changes and location changes. We feel so lucky! Love you Max

Max at 6 months old

Our Family

With your Daddy

We love you Max!

Salt Lake City or Bust!

Monday, May 4, 2009
Dear Max,
We just spent the weekend up in Salt Lake City visiting with Geary, Jali, Daniel and new baby Natalie. We had such a great time and can't wait to see everyone again. We left on Friday after work. I had this great idea that we would just "power through" all the way to Salt Lake. We stopped and picked up Grammie in St. George and just kept "powering through" As you and I slept in the back seat. Grammie and Daddy kept each other awake and "powered through" to Uncle Geary's and Aunt Jali's. We arrived at 1:35 am.

Lucky for us Baby Natalie was up for a feeding. So we got our first glimpse of Natalie. She is so beautiful and has a TON of hair! She is sporting somewhat of a faux spike versus your faux hawk. But definitely in the same family of faux hair do's. She is so very sweet and definitely looks like she belongs to the family. So I was holding Natalie, Auntie Jali was holding you, Grammie was holding cooper. We all just started giggling... never in a million years did we think we would be this blessed to be holding these babies. Auntie Jali was so excited to see you and see how much you had grown. I guess we got a little loud... cause then Grumpy Uncle Geary came down stairs. He was just pretending to be grumpy, I know deep down inside he just couldn't miss out on the excitement of us seeing Natalie for the first time and seeing you after 4 months. We stayed up visiting until 3 o'clock in the morning. My main concern came when I realized you were definitely "up" - you see you haven't been awake for this part of the day. Since you were a month and 1/2 old you have slept through the night. I started to worry that when we gave you a bottle to go back to sleep that you would suddenly think... "WHAT HAVE I BEEN MISSING? THESE PEOPLE GET UP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT AND EAT! I'LL SEE YOU GUYS TOMORROW NIGHT TOO!" However, you fell right back into your normal pattern of sleeping through the night. You are a true Trenholm! You love your sleep!

Saturday we relaxed and played around the house, we all took turns holding Natalie, You and playing with Daniel and Cooper. It is so fun to have all this energy in our family! That night we drove up to the Ogden Canyon and went to the timber mine, a steakhouse. It's a really fun place with a fun atmosphere. This is the 3rd time we have gone there and Daddy thinks we need to start making that a tradition when visiting...

We also got family pictures and your 6 month pictures and Natalie's Baby pictures taken by Auntie Emilie while we were in Salt Lake. We had the pictures taken at Temple Square and it was beautiful! I can't wait to see the pictures!!! Auntie Emilie always does such a great job and it's so fun to spend this time with her as well.

The final task before leaving Salt Lake was finding a sealing outfit for you. You are just such a "growing" boy that it did become challenging finding something in the correct size. We did find the perfect one! My only prayer now is that it will still fit by the middle of June when we go to the temple.

It was a great weekend! Glad to be home safe and sound. By the way Max your such a great traveler. Your just like your mommy... the hum of the road puts you right to sleep. Your poor Daddy trying to stay awake with a baby, puppy and mommy all sleeping in the back seat! We are so grateful for your Daddy always getting us to and from our ventures so safely! Love you Max!

Waking up with Grammie...what could be better?

Grammie waking up with all her Grand kids!

Daniel is getting so grown up! He just turned 3. It's hard to believe!!!

Daniel and his Daddy

The Grand kids... Max, you don't look to thrilled about this...
and frankly Daniel looks a little panicked!

That's better!

The Page Family.
Wow - It's crazy to see our family growing like this!
We are starting to look like the "other" families do.

Grammie and Grandpy with the Grand kids

Daniel

Natalie

Daniel and Natalie