Cleaning out...Found an old buggy

Sunday, April 25, 2010
Dear Max,
This weekend Daddy and I did a lot of cleaning...lot's and lot's of cleaning. Actually not really cleaning...cleaning out! Grampie and Grammy came down on Friday and stayed till Saturday and then came back for a few hours on Sunday for dinner. We are so lucky that they are so willing to drive back and forth and visit and help us when we need it. During our "cleaning out" a couple of things happened. Daddy and I were both really busy, so I don't think you ever made it out of your jammies. I guess that's ok every once in a while! The other thing that happened was all the "finds" we came across while cleaning out. I will say that Auntie Andrea swung by and she felt like she got some good finds. And I don't know how daddy feels about it... but you sure did like the old buggy we came across. I just had to take pictures. We also discovered lot's of things about daddy that we either didn't know or had forgotten while going through his childhood memory boxes. Is it strange that we had fun while cleaning out? I guess that is a true testament for being able to enjoy just being together as a family, no matter what we are doing!

Daddy

Saturday, April 24, 2010
Dear Max,
We are so lucky to have your Daddy! The two of you are just two peas in a pod. I'll be honest Max, at this stage in life, you and daddy spend a lot of time together. I feel like since Daddy gets days off in the middle of the week, the two of you get some extra time just to hang out. It seems like with my weekends off, we always have something planned, things to do or out of time. I love the relationship that you and your daddy have developed. The two of you are just crazy! The other night, I just laughed and laughed watching you and dad wrestle. I know that daddy waited a long time to share moments like this with his son, and is so grateful that you two like so many of the same things. You love to play cars, build things, play catch and have fun! I love you boys!

Getting a horsey ride from Daddy

Such a big boy, climbs up all on your own

So fun!

Get him Max!

You have a good arm! Daddy is convinced that you are going to be a quarter back, point guard and pitcher...which ever you choose!

Look at that arm!

So happy!

Sophisticated

Monday, April 19, 2010
Dear Max,
Today we went to see Dr. Evans your Cardiologist. We love Dr. Evans so much. Every time we see him he just throws his arms around us, I'm sure I know why he feels so connected to us. He saved our sons life. I have such admiration for Dr. Evans and his team of Doctors. All of whom together made the decision to fix your heart. They never hesitated, never questioned who would pay for the surgery, they just made the decision to save your life. They saved your life for not only you, but for us. A faceless family that they didn't even know existed at the time, but had faith that would come. I can never thank him enough, and I'm so glad that we've been able to see him every few months.

Couple things that were note worthy from our visit.

Dr. Evans mentioned last time we visited that he feels like your pulmonary valve may have a bit of a leak, which he says is common for the type of surgery that you had. He is not concerned, but still wants to watch it as you grow.

You also have a slight heart murmur. Again, not anything Dr. Evans is concerned with, but wanted us to be aware. He said on a scale of 1 to 40, with 40 still being mild, he would rank it at a 15.

The last and most exciting thing was that Dr. Evans feels that we are ready to spread our visits out to once a year! I remember meeting Dr. Evans in the Hospital when we picked you up and he was giving us our post treatment plan and said that he wanted to start with visits once a month, until your scare was fully healed, then we could spread to every 3 months, then to every 6 months and then finally to once a year. And here we are.... ONCE A YEAR VISITS!

So when we got to the doctors office, of course all the staff was so excited to see you, and to see how much you have grown. You were giving all the nurses smiles and sharing your Cheerios. When we got back to the first exam room, they weighed you and then measured you. You are 2 feet and 9 inches tall! Then she did your EKG. You are so funny, you didn't freak out or anything, you just laid there with all those wires on you. I did hold your hands, just to make sure that you didn't suddenly decide to rip one off.

After we went into the exam room to meet with Dr. Evans. Dr. Evans always does an ultra sound of your heart. He puts the goop on your chest and then moves the wand around to see your heart. We set you up on the exam table, laid your head on the big pillow, you looked like such a big guy up there. You didn't panic, you didn't cry, you didn't squirm, nothing. You just laid there and watched the TV screen. You then put your little hand over Dr. Evans and helped him move the wand around to see your heart. Dr. Evans then says... "He is so Sophisticated!" I have never met a 17 month old, that would lay here and beyond that, would be so in tune to what we are doing!" He just couldn't believe it. You loved it when Dr. Evans turned up the sound so you could hear your heart beat. It was such a moment, to see your little hands over the top of Dr. Evans hand. The miracle of modern medicine, the miracle of the human heart, the miracle of the softness of the hearts of the Doctors, and the miracle of you. Sometimes it just doesn't seem possible, you are our sophisticated miracle. Max, we love you with all our hearts!

Getting your EKG done

JELLO

Sunday, April 18, 2010
Dear Max,
Hey Max! When I returned from Salt Lake City earlier this week, your daddy had made all these little tubs of JELLO for you to take in your lunches. I thought it was so creative and thoughtful of your daddy to put these little JELLO bowls together for you. The best was watching you eat and discover JELLO. I love watching things through your eyes for the very first time. You are a constant reminder to me of all the little things in life, the important things! I love you Max!!!

The Perfect Day... And then...

Saturday, April 17, 2010
Dear Max,
Yesterday was just a perfect day. We started out at Auntie Andrea's Triathlon. It was so great to see her do so well. After her race, we came back into town and decided to go to the children's museum. They opened a new area and we hadn't been in awhile. It was a lot of fun, and you certainly enjoyed it more now that you are walking. We got there right at opening time, so it wasn't too crowded and you were able to pretty much have the run of the land. After spending a couple of hours there, we decided to go and try this hidden secret custard place we have heard a lot about. It's called Luv It and it's in down town (scary part of town). It was worth putting us all in harms way to get a taste of the custard! So good. After enjoying our custard we ran a couple of errands and then came home for a nap. Daddy and I had set up a babysitter to enjoy a night out together, which we desperately needed. We decided to try another new place that we had been hearing about called Hot n' Juicy. It was featured on a TV show called Man Vs. Food. It was incredible and lived up to every expectation that we had. It is a casual place, but a fun place. The food is spicy. Daddy and I split some shrimp, the kind that come steamed with the heads still on them. It's different looking at those beady little eye's before you dive in. Then we each had our own crab leg's. I went for EXTRA mild as the shrimp were a little too spicy for me, and they were only a mild. Daddy went for the Hot n' Juicy special sauce, he is a brave man! My lips were burning but it was a blast! We can't wait to go back again. After dinner we went to see How to Train your dragon in 3D on the imax screen. It was a really cute movie! Daddy and I sure do love to spend time together as a family, but it was so nice to get some time just the two of us. It wasn't until we got home that night that Daddy started to not feel so good....

So here we are Sunday morning, Daddy woke up and headed to quick care to see if he could find out why he isn't feeling so good and guess what!?! He has pink eye in one eye and a sinus infection! Here we go again! You and I contained to the downstairs while Daddy hangs out upstairs. Oh heaven help us!

At the Children's Museum

Mommy and Max at School in the Berienstein Bears Section

Wanting to get out of school so soon!?!

Playing with the puzzles

They had a blue man section where you could pound on the pipes to make noises, you loved this!

So proud of yourself!

You and Daddy playing in the water

Playing in the airplane

A familiar place, the airport security line. How is this so much fun for you?

This is the most stressful part of traveling as a family!

Even though Daddy is sick, it sure was fun to spend the day together yesterday! We Love you Max!

Mommies Bike did a Triathlon!

Saturday, April 17, 2010
Dear Max,
Guess What!? Mommies bike did a triathlon. No, mommy didn't do the triathlon, her bike did! Auntie Andrea completed her first triathlon. We are so proud of her. She has been working so hard training and she did a fantastic job. Daddy, you and I woke up early this morning so we could go out and show our support. It was so fun to see her cross that finish line! You clapped the entire time!

Our Family with our poster of support

Here they come! Andrea on Mommies bike!

Yeah! Great job!!

Coming in on their bikes...

Transitioning into the run

Almost to the finish line

Crossing the finish line

Such a great job! We are so proud of you Auntie Andrea!!!

Oh Look! It's mommies bike... Number 690
Way to go Mommies Bike!!!

Your Growing Up!

Friday, April 16, 2010
Dear Max,
It is such crazy how big you are getting! Just tonight, after dinner you got out of your booster chair, you immediately went to walk under the kitchen table. Our kitchen table is counter top high so you really like the fact that you can just walk right under the table without bending over. Well tonight you started to go and the next thing we hear is "thud" and then another "thud" your too tall to stand under the table! I can't believe how fast you are growing! Just two weeks ago when we were in California, the entire weekend you wanted to walk, but you wanted to be sure that you were holding both Mommy's and Daddy's hands. This past weekend in Salt Lake City, you could have cared less where Mommy and Daddy were, you just wanted to take off! Max, I'm not ready for you to be a big boy! Your shoes are getting bigger, your clothes bigger, your hands bigger, you get big kid dirt under your nails, you play so hard during the day that you stink at the end of the day! Where is my sweet smelling, snuggling, little baby? Oh the moments I miss of just holding you in my arms. It has just passed too quickly. I'm grateful you still need your mommy, even if it is just to wipe your face and make sure you have a clean diaper. You even are feeding yourself now, and don't really care for us to help, even though you would probably get fuller! Oh Max. I love you so much and just can't believe how fast time is going by.

Max, this is the very first picture we ever took of you.
Just moments after we met you for the first time

And now! It is hard to believe how much your life has changed in the past 18 months...

Another Business Trip and Birthday Celebration...Do you see a pattern?

Thursday, April 15, 2010
Dear Max,
I'm home! I'm home! It feels so good to be home...and home for awhile! I can actually unpack our bags and put the suitcases back in the closet! YEAH! So here is the rundown on our last adventure. I arrived Friday afternoon in Salt Lake City. Daddy and Uncle Geary picked me up from the airport. It was so fun to be reunited with our family and to see Daniel, Natalie, Aunt Jali and Uncle Geary. We have such a fun time together and I wish we could see each other more.

Friday night, we headed down to Pirate Island in Provo. It is this pirate themed restaurant with a little arcade and play area for kids. Our niece Camri and Lexi met us at the restaurant. It was so good to see them. The last time we saw Lexi she was just a few months old, she is getting so big and is SOOOO adorable! It runs in the family! I will say Pirate Island was a bit stressful. It was a bit over stimulating and you had not had a nap yet, and had spent the day with Grammie and Aunt Jali eating bubble gum ice cream, so you were a bit of a terror while we were trying to eat. But we had fun all the same.

We got to eat in the Cave... which is a little private area. We were there celebrating Daniel and Natalie's birthday's so each of the kids got a pirate hat and some tokens for the arcade and a treat bag. Daniel was so excited!

Our birthday pirate


Our Daddy pirate... Giving a good Arr

Our little pirate... trying to give an Arr

The waiters all came to sing Happy Birthday to Daniel and Natalie

Daniel was SOOO excited!

And to make life sweeter, they brought him an ice cream dessert

Max and Lexi

Birthday Girl Natalie
1 Year Old!!

Birthday Boy Daniel
4 Years Old!!

After we ate we headed over to the arcade and to play on the toys. You are such a big boy! You rode the merry go round all by your self. You held on tight and rode around and around. You had such a great time. And Daddy made himself useful using the rest of your tokens to win enough tickets to get you a hot wheels car.

Riding the merry go round

Look at you go!

Daniel liked it too!

So did Natalie... I'm not sure if Aunt Jali did, I would have gotten dizzy!

Such a big boy!

Saturday morning we got up early to get ready for Daniel and Natalie's 2nd birthday party that was Saturday night. We got the treat bags, food and decorations ready. Then you and Natalie went down for your morning naps so you would be refreshed and ready to have Auntie Emilie take your pictures. Natalie was getting her one year old pictures, Daniel his 4 year old pictures and your 18 month pictures. Here is a sneak peak of a few of the pictures Auntie Emilie took that day. It was so fun to take pictures up in Salt Lake City again. And of course, you are so stinking cute, so that makes the pictures that much more fun!!

You Love Playing Peek A Boo!

Your favorite new song is "I'm so glad when Daddy comes home" and your favorite parts...
"Clap my hands" and "A Great Big Kiss! Mmmuah!"

After pictures, we swung by Sonic to get a soda, we could all use the refreshment of a drink. You love drinking from a straw like the big kids. Our other task was to pick up balloons for the birthday party. Well, I got a little carried away in the store buying balloons and didn't quite think about how we were going to get all these balloons home in the truck! For some reason, I had plenty of room, but apparently everyone else was a little cramped. Oh the memories!

You love to drink from a straw

Awww! Refreshing!

Where's Grammie?

Max, are these balloons in your personal space?

Yeah... I think they are in Daddy's

The view out of Daddy's rear view mirror!

Seeing Daniels Face when we brought home a kid size Transformer Balloon?
Priceless!

The best part of Saturday? Papa surprising us all and driving up to SLC to see his grand kids. He just couldn't stand being away from his family when we were all together. We were so glad that he was able to come up!

Later Saturday evening, Grammie's best friend Swendy came over with her kids to celebrate Daniel and Natalie's birthdays with us. It is always so much fun when our families get together. We do miss that part of her family lives far away, but always think of them when we are together. Seeing Elle, Michelle and Erica together, reminds me of Julie, Becky and I and spending our summers together. We had so much fun! Memories I will never forget.

One of Swendy's daughters Ruthann just got a brand new puppy. It is a Chug, a chihuahua and a pug mix. It is about the size of a large rat, but you loved, loved, loved her! Cooper was really afraid of her, which was funny cause even as little as cooper is, he was 5 times the size of Shelby.

Daniel got new sunglasses for his birthday

Natalie got a purse piggie bank to match her bedroom

And of course all the kids love to listen when Miss Swendy has something to tell. She is such a great Grandma! She brought along the pickle game, which was a blast!

We ended the evening singing happy birthday to Daniel and Natalie and having Cake and Ice Cream

You were so sad to see your little puppy friend Shelby go! Cooper on the other hand was pretty excited to see her leave!

Sunday was spent relaxing and just being lazy. We played games and visited for the day

You and Daniel playing cars

Daniel with his Batman cape
Max... Where's your pants?

One Happy Boy!

A lazy Sunday with Natalie

This sums it up!

Oh, but wait... one more birthday celebration! Natalie eating her one year old cake. It's not a first birthday without a cake disaster!

1st Birthday wishes... Natalie has such eager antisipation

Such dainty small bites...

Oh, she figured it out pretty fast!

The end result? Pure icing bliss!

Sunday night I went to and checked into my hotel that I would be staying at the rest of the week. Before I left I tucked you into bed. What's so sad about leaving so much with you at this age, is that you really don't know that I'm leaving and just want to get on with your normal routine, while I'm wanting to take every snuggle moment in, which just drives you crazy! Daddy drove me to the Hotel and the next morning, Grammie, Daddy and you woke up bright and early and headed for home, while I stayed in Salt Lake City to visit with my customers. We had a successful trip, but I was ready to come home this afternoon. I'm so glad that I don't have to leave again for a business trip until June. I'm hoping since it will be summer time that Grammie and you can come with me! It shouldn't be too hard to convince Grammie to join! I love you Max, and I'm so grateful that you have such an easy going personality that you can accomodate our crazy lives. We sure are busy, but we sure do have a lot of fun! I love you Max!