To Grammie and Papa's House we go...

Monday, February 22, 2010
Dear Max,
We had a really fun extended weekend hanging out with our family. We haven't seen each other since December, so you can imagine our excitement! Uncle Geary and Aunt Jali had a conference in St. George on Saturday so they needed to come down - it was the perfect excuse for an impromptu reunion. I took Friday and Monday off and Daddy worked early on Friday. We left around 3:00 in the afternoon and arrived to St. George by 6:00 pm, St. George time. It took us a bit longer than normal, we had to stop in Glendale to wet our whistles. Traveling with you has changed a bit. You use to just fall asleep in your car seat and sleep soundly until we arrived. Oh those were the days...we were very unprepared for this. We have already made adjustments so we are better prepared for next time. But we just had to improvise on the spot, which was Daddy and I singing to you EVERY song we know. I mean from Primary to Bon Jovi hits from the 80's to Today. "Stop! Collaborate and listen, ice is back... Running just as fast as we can, holding onto one another hand...Jesus wants me for a sun BEAM...WOAH we're half way there WOAH livin on a prayer" just to give you a small sampling of our works! Daddy and I have decided that we need to make a CD - were good! :)
We arrived at Grammie's and Papa's not a moment too soon - we were starting to sing the same songs over again! Grammie had prepared dinner for all of us. We sat and visited, Grammie college room mate and our dear friend Swendy and some of her family were in town so they joined us as well. We had a weekend full of family, friends, food and fun! All the greats! It's good to be home.

Here are some of the highlights of the weekend:

Saturday morning Uncle Geary and Aunt Jali headed out to their conference. Natalie went down for a nap and Grampie fixed you and Daniel breakfast.
You and Daniel eating breakfast...



While we were eating Natalie woke up and decided to join us for breakfast
Rise and Shine princess



So sweet!

You and Natalie enjoying Grampie's yummy breakfast



Daniel enjoying a good breakfast...


Later that same day....

We had lunch!


Grampie and Daniel eating lunch


They were a little focused before.

After lunch Grampie took Daniel on a ATV ride around the neighborhood. We forgot your helmet, so you just got to pose for the photo op this time. I promise I will remember your helmet next time. You were super sad about not getting to go on the "vroom vroom"

Grampie with his boys


Daniel and Grampie off on their ride


Later that night, Grampie took you and Daniel on a different kind of ride. A whirl around the office chair. The simplest of things entertain the two of you!


So much fun!


Daniel is such a good older cousin to you. It was so sweet, Saturday morning, Daniel was already awake and came in our bedroom. You were still in your crib so Daniel came over to the edge of your crib and was talking to you. He then said "We are best Friends!" Melts my heart! I love you two so much!

Sunday morning you decided to try your hand at feeding yourself... you did pretty good!






Cooper always close by hoping for some "left overs"





Uncle Geary, Aunt Jali, Daniel and Natalie brought you this fun toy! You draw on it and the faster you draw the faster the music goes. It's really cool!

You love it!

So happy to be playing


Later Sunday afternoon we went over to visit with Grandma Trenholm. We had such a nice visit with her. You are so sweet with Grandma Trenholm, and love giving her kisses

Grandma Trenholm, you and Daddy


You and Grandma Trenholm


Grandma loves you so much. She loves smelling your sweet baby scent, feeling your soft skin and looking into those sweet blue eyes. You are so special to her.



Showing Grandma how you clap and sing


Helping Grandma Sing and Clap


You loved pushing Grandma in her wheelchair. Daddy and I were so surprised at how strong you are! You just pushed Grandma along.



You did alternate from pushing to pulling... It was quite funny to watch


Monday Morning...The best thing about staying in St. George an extra day! The Bear Paw, you miss the Saturday morning rush!!


Daddy, Max and Mommy out front. You were a big fan! We knew you would be!!!


Two of my favorite guys in the whole world!

Love you!

Daytona 500

Sunday, February 14, 2010
Dear Max,
Today was the first race of the NASCAR season, the Daytona 500! As we did last year, we watched the race from our living room. Hopefully Uncle Wes and Aunt Diya won't move away from Florida before we have the chance to go back and see the face first hand again. You are definitely a fan of car's and of NASCAR! You actually sat in your car for a large portion of the race making your own car noises. You fit right in!

It's like a drive-in movie



Beep - Beep Out of my way boys...


You are a man on a mission


Oh wait...Let me get my blinker, oh yeah and it's the left one!

Happy Valentines Day!

Sunday, February 14, 2010
Dear Max,

Happy Valentines Day! Perfect timing to have learned "I LOVE YOU!" We love you Max.

I

LOVE

YOU!

A Day to celebrate Love! I know some people don't like Valentines day and say it's just a "commercial" holiday. But I love Valentines day! I love that their is one day a year dedicated to love. We don't do anything extravagant for Valentines. We typically stay home and cook. The last several years we have cooked lobster or crab legs and this year is not different. As a matter of fact, this year, your Nana sent us a gift certificate from one of our favorite places out of Maine that ships live lobsters directly to your house. We opted to not go for the live one, but instead for some lobster tails and crab legs. It was funny, your Auntie Julie came into town for a conference, and the "box" was being delivered on Saturday and we were up in St. George so I called and asked her if she would bring the box in for us. She said sure, after she opened it up! I told her she wouldn't want to do that...Their is a live lobster inside! He he he... She was freaking out. But she's a good Auntie, cause she picked it up and brought it inside, screaming the whole way I'm sure.

Daddy had to work today, so you and I got to spend the afternoon together. I just had to share these pictures with you, I thought it was very funny, especially on Valentines Day. Online dating at the ripe young age of almost 15 months!

Find Something Interesting?

How is it that you know how to operate a computer mouse? Grammie and Papa struggle with this and they have had a computer in their life a lot longer than you have!

Had to throw this one in... Max this is proof that EVERYTHING is a truck to you! You are a true boy!

And a little comparison...This is you on Valentines 2009

And Valentines 2010. You were not quite sure about the Bumbo chair. You typically only sit in the bumbo chair when your getting your hair cut.

My "Hunk a burnin' love!"
What a difference a year makes!


I just couldn't resist your cute face this morning over breakfast! I love you Max. I'm so grateful for you!

An Update on Auntie Heather

Saturday, February 13, 2010
Dear Max,

Hi Sweetie, I'm so happy that I'm updating you today on Auntie Heather. It has been an absolutely wild ride, that I will try to depict to you. But know that as we are here on the other side of this journey for her, things are well. Last Thursday a diagnosis was finally given, only a week after being hospitalized. Ecoli. The infection entered her blood stream and went directly to the weakest part of her body, her heart and lungs. In November she was diagnosed with a shorten aorta. Of course having the infection go straight to the most vital parts of our bodies was not good. Hence, ICU, breathing tubes, 10 day coma etc. On Friday, February 5th, Grammie came down to Vegas and picked you and me up so we could head up to St. George to see Heather. Daddy had to work on Saturday and would not be able to leave until late Saturday night. I was so worried, that I didn't want to wait, and luckily Grammie really likes to spend time with you so she was happy to come and get us! Seeing Auntie Heather in the hospital was heart breaking. She looked so sick. I was surprised that Chris was handling everything so well, on the outside I'm sure. They only let 2 people in at a time, so it did take some coordination being the weekend and several friends and family all coming to town to see Auntie Heather. But that gave lot's of extra hands to help entertain you in the waiting room while I could spend some time with Heather. It was surreal to be back in an ICU environment and under such different circumstances. I remember talking with Daddy when we spent those day's with you at the ICU, and even though you were healthy by then, the tension on the floor is really high. To be there with Heather, her being so sick, and knowing that a lot of that tension was due to her condition, it was very different. Although she was stable, things were still uneasy. The ICU does have strict visiting hours. Which I think in part is a good thing, it forced the family to leave the hospital, otherwise they would have been their 24/7. We did take advantage of being all together, and stayed up late Saturday night visiting and playing games. Sunday we went back in the afternoon to see Auntie Heather. No real change to her circumstance at that point. However, by Monday it seemed like she was making LEAPS of improvement. The antibiotics were starting to do her job and her body was finally reacting. And when it decided to react it reacted quickly. Monday, February 8th (Chris' Birthday) she made a big improvement and by Tuesday they had taken her breathing tubes out and she was trying to breath on her own. By Wednesday (her mommy's birthday) they had moved her from ICU back to the regular floor and she was on the mend. I talked to her on the phone on Thursday, it was hard to understand her, her speech was really slurred, but it was so wonderful to hear her voice. Our family went back up to St. George yesterday (the 12th). We went back to spend some time with Auntie Heather. They will be moving her to a rehab center were she will spend the next few weeks re-learning how to walk, talk, eat and getting back her fine motor skills. But she is a fighter and she will be back to as good as new! I felt like a new mom seeing Auntie Heather today. It was such a vast difference from the last time I saw her. I would look at her feet, and say "oh look, your feet aren't swollen anymore" "your coloring is SOOO much better! Your not gray anymore!" it just goes on and on. Autie Heather doesn't remember being in the coma for 10 days. She was quite shocked when she came out that their was such a "to do" over her being sick. We are so grateful for her recovery and will be cheering her along the way as she continues her road to full recovery. Max, it is a true answer to prayers. I'm so thankful for all the prayers and faith of our friends and family, even mommy and daddy's friends that have never met Heather had the faith to pray for her recovery. I'm so grateful!

Saturday, February 6, 2010

Auntie Heather - ICU

Grandma Hein and Olivia helping you walk

Such great entertainment in the waiting room

You are so proud of yourself!

Thank you for entertaining me!


Saturday, February 13, 2010

Olivia sharing her juice box with you.
Olivia pushed you up and down the hall's. She was a really good babysitter!

We got a Walker!

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

Dear Max,

You Walked! You did it! Tonight you took your first steps! I can not believe that both daddy and I were home to witness this! Daddy sat you down on your feet just a few steps away from the couch. One of your favorite toys (a wooden train) was on the couch. All of a sudden you took one step, then a second, then fell towards the couch! Daddy and I both started jumping and screaming for joy. Our reaction scared you to death. You immediately started crying. While I calmed you down Daddy grabbed the video camera and it all began. Taking a few steps between us. What an incredible dream! I can't believe our baby is walking. Frankly, I can't believe we are parents and get to experience this joy. Max, I can not explain to you the excitement and gratitude we felt. Max, I think our dead giveaway will be when you watch the video and hear our high pitched voices. I'm amazed that you took your first steps, when both Daddy and I were home! I thought for sure, this would be one of those moments that would happen at Jaime's, all hazards of being working parents. I know that we are being blessed and I truly believe that you decided to walk when you did for a reason! We love you so much Max! Welcome to the world of walkers... it will be nice to have you off of all 4 and onto 2's!

PS - I won the bet! Daddy said you would be walking by Christmas. I said Presidents Day.

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

Dear Max,

You make me Happy!

Love Mom

Max 1st Birthday Pictures

Thanks Auntie Emilie and Uncle Brian for making Max this cool slide show of his 1st Birthday pictures.