Mom and Dad's 10 Year Wedding Anniversary

Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Dear Max,
Yesterday your daddy and I celebrated our 10 year wedding anniversary. It is crazy to think how quickly 10 years has gone by! In so many ways it still feels like we were just married, yet in the same breath it feels like we have always been married. Much the same way that it feels like you have been here forever, yet it feels like you just arrived. Your daddy and I were very brave and took a trip to San Diego for a long weekend and you stayed home with Grammie. Daddy and I left on Friday after work, I did have a bit of a cry on the drive down to San Diego, I called and talked to you and heard how happy you were hanging with Grammie and knew that you were fine, it was me having the hard time.

Daddy and I enjoyed a ghost hunting tour of the Whaley House on Friday night. Supposedly it is the most haunted house in America. My question is, if it is so haunted why do we have to do the tour from 10:30 pm - midnight? Why can't we hunt for ghosts at high noon, in the light of day? We had fun and yup we did have a couple of ghosts visit us! It was crazy, but the dogie ghost kept licking my feet and Mr. Whaley the owner of the house talked with us (do you think your daddy and I are crazy yet? - cause for the record, this was all your Dad's idea!).

Ghost Hunters Using a Frequency Device so we can "talk" to the Ghosts

Meanwhile you and Grammie took a walk up to the Chinese restaurant down the street and picked up some dinner for Grammie. It was such a nice evening outside. You love to go for walks! Grammie left Cooper home, she didn't think she could manage you both on a walk. Your Daddy teased that Grammie could make it up to Cooper and take him on a walk Saturday night and leave you home! He wasn't serious!

Exhausted after a long walk

Saturday we spent the morning at the spa having a massage, facial, manicure and pedicure... yup your daddy had all the same treatments as me. Don't let him fool you... he loves a spa day! That afternoon we had a lot of fun at Babies R' Us purchasing your next phase of car seats. I know it doesn't sound that romantic, but it was a lot of fun for us. It still feels weird that we are buying things for our baby and we felt like it was a great thing to do on our anniversary weekend. And since neither of us had bought the other a gift we decided to get two car seats and that would be our gift to each other. Our very own car seats for our own cars! Now that's love!!!

That's a very relaxed Mommy and Daddy after the spa!

The spa brings pretty toes!

Meanwhile, you and Grammie got to hang out with the Rogers clan. Your Auntie Julie came down to Vegas with her mom and dad and Jaden. You and Grammie went to lunch with the gang at Mon Ami Gabi, which is a really cool restaurant right on the strip down town. It has a great patio and the best macaroni and cheese! After lunch you all walked over to the conservatory at the Bellagio. They all kept telling your daddy and I how much fun it was to have you with them. They said that everyone would stop and say how cute you are! Your daddy and I know exactly how that feels, whenever we take you anywhere people always comment on how cute you are, so it was fun for Grammie and the gang to get to experience that first hand!

Grammie, Jaden and Max at the Bellagio Conservatory

Me and My Auntie Julie... Yup T-shirt says
"Lock up your daughters"

She's the only lady for you!

Max and Jaden

Hey Ladies!

Sunday morning their was a marathon that ran in front of our hotel. Because of this event we were trapped at the resort. Not a bad place to be trapped at all! Our Hotel was right on the ocean and our room had a patio that walked right out to the ocean. So we could open up the sliding glass door and hear the crash of the waves! So relaxing!!! We relaxed all morning and then left in the afternoon and drove up Pacific Coast Highway to our favorite restaurant on Sunset Beach. It is a place called Captain Jacks and it has the BEST crab leg's in the world!

I think your daddy is sitting in an onion...
This is suppose to be comfortable?

This is more like it! A nap in the Cabana by the pool

Dinner at Captain Jacks!

Daddy's Favorites:
Cherry Coke - Check
Crab Leg's - Check
Fillet - Check
Mommy - Check

Meanwhile you had a quiet day at home with Grammie, you did go for a drive in the afternoon with Grammie and Auntie Andrea to see Auntie Andrea's new place. We are so excited for her to be moving into her house. The big perk is that the community has a swimming pool! We know how you love to swim!

Monday is your daddy and my wedding anniversary. We had a quiet morning of breakfast by the ocean and then lounging by the pool before getting in the car and driving home.

Max, I want you to know how much I love your daddy. I'm so grateful for him and grateful to watch him be such an amazing daddy to you. He is always concerned for you and handles your needs with such care and caution. Your daddy and I have been very lucky to have experienced some wonderful things since we have been married. Being able to spend your life with your best friend is amazing! I hope that when the day comes you too will find your best friend and take her to the temple to be sealed for eternity. Having a spouse that enriches your life is a true life saver. I truly do not know what I would do with out your daddy. Here's to another amazing 10 years! I love you Max and I love your Daddy too!

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!