Trent's Journal...

October 21, 2008

It's been over a month since I last wrote. I have to keep up better than this; I am forgetting the funny and memorable things that you are doing. Here are a few...

Why is Ethel afraid of Haase? Translation: Ethel Freida Haase. You came up with that all on your own and thought you were the funniest person ever. Grandma Cindy and I could not stop laughing. I will catch you every now and then asking yourself, "Why is Ethel afraid of Haase?"

Another funny thing is you ask me almost every morning if Batman has bug spray on and if you can pet him. Every few months I tell you not to pet Batman because I have put Advantix on him. You are a very cautious boy.

You say "really" in a really cute way. You say it at the most bizarre times at an end of a sentence that doesn't need a "really." It's so cute!

To you everything happened "last week" even if it happened a minute ago. In your world it's "last week."

You also say "You'll never know" when you really mean "You'll never guess."

When you were getting dressed today you recited the Pledge of Alliance and then proceeded to sing God Bless America.

When you don't want to finish something, mostly eating you say "I'm taking a break" or "I'm tired."

You love listening to the Dodgers CD in Daddy's car. You think Walter O'Malley is buried in the cemetery behind our house.

I love you, Trent. You are so very special.

Here are some pictures from Halloween in 2008.

You and Jeremiah (your favorite teacher)

Sponge Bob made an appearance at the Halloween Parade.

We had a great time trick-or-treating and we came home to pass out some candy.

Daddy as a Chick Magnet...funny Daddy.

Trent's Journal...

September 7, 2008

We had a busy weekend. Daddy and I went to Buzz's 40th Birthday Party on Saturday night. Auntie and Uncle Jeff watched you for the night. You had a great time. You and Madison play so well together. We are lucky to have such a great family. I am so glad they moved back from Omaha. You love playing in the pool on Sunday afternoons with Zachary and Madison.

We have a busy week ahead of us. You start going to preschool 4 days a week. Wow! When did you grow up so fast? I am a little nervous, but I know you will do just fine. Love you lots!

Trent's Journal...

September 3, 2008

We went to a Dodger game tonight. Do you know that you have been going to the Dodger games since you were about 3 weeks old? You are a pretty lucky boy. You love the baseball games. Last year, you knew at least 40 of the past and present Dodger players, pretty amazing. People would just stare at you when you would recite the number and corresponding name.

You had a fun day at Grandpa Wayne's today. This is the last Wednesday you will go to Grandpa's house. Next week you start going to school four days a week and only on Mondays will go to Grandpa's. I know Grandpa is going to miss you. You have been so lucky to have Grandpa watch you since you were about 9 months old. Very lucky indeed.

More on another day. Love you lots!

Fun at the Dodger game.

Trent's Journal...

September 1, 2008

We had a wonderful Labor Day weekend up in Lake Arrowhead. We went fishing and you caught a fish. You didn't want to touch it, but at least you held the line. You and Madison played, played and played some more. You two play so well together. We had a relaxing time up at the cabin, you didn't want to leave. We are so lucky to have a place to get away to for a few days. We brought your farting machine and, of course, you loved playing with it. You would hide it all over the house and wonder who was farting. Too funny!

Tomorrow you start in the 4 year old Teddy Bear class. Suzanne, Alma and Jeremiah are your teachers. You are going to learn so much and you love to learn. I can't believe next year you will be in Kindergarten, it has happened so fast.

More on another day. Love you!

Fishing at Grass Valley Lake.

Look at those huge fish in Lake Arrowhead.

Trent's Journal...

August 24, 2008

You turned 4 year old today at 6:44 a.m. We had a great day. We had your birthday party last Saturday at Jump n' Jammin' and today we celebrated with family.

We got you a digital camera, which you love. You were given a lot of cool gifts, including a Leapster2. The start of playing video games begins. Auntie April probably got you the best gift of all a much needed farting machine. You love it and you love making Batman fart. I love hearing you laugh when you hear the fart. You have the best laugh and smile. Daddy told you your baby story this morning and you loved hearing how you were born and when you used to cry.

I can't believe you are 4 years old. The time goes by so quickly. I love you so much!

Pictures with Mommy and Daddy on the day of your birthday party.

The theme of your birthday party was Scooby Doo.

Having fun at your party.

Present time! Love the glasses!

You tried the pjs on over your clothes. Silly!

Opening presents on the day of your birthday.

Trent's Journal...

June 13, 2008

What a nice day we had. Daddy is still on the road back from Omaha. They are hoping to get in Saturday evening. I am sure they are going to be so tired from the long drive.

We took Grandpa Wayne and Grandma out to dinner to Casa del Rey this evening to celebrate Father's Day. They will be up at Great Grandpa Roger's this weekend, so we won't get to see them. I am so glad they got the Harley and are getting away for the weekend.

On Saturday, we have two birthday parties to go to. I am sure they will be lots of fun. The first birthday party is going to have a petting zoo, so that is sure to be fun.

You were so cute tonight when I was putting you to bed. You kept sniffing me, which is just the cutest thing and your laugh melts my heart. I love you!

You are checking out this alpaca.

Petting a cute little piggy.

Having fun as always on the tire swing.

The Reimers are almost home to Santa Clarita.

We were so excited to see everyone.

Cousins having fun in the pool on Father's Day.

Trent's Journal...

June 11, 2008

Today was a big day for you. It was your first visit to the dentist. You did awesome! You were such a big boy. We have some work to do on your teeth and keeping the plaque down to a minimum, but all in all you did great. Daddy and I are so proud of you. For a treat Daddy took us to get Coldstone ice cream. You got chocolate ice cream with m&m's, twix and sprinkles. Yummy!

Daddy leaves tomorrow for Omaha. We are praying that the weather calms down and that there are no tornadoes. Papa is on his way there now, we pray that he gets there safe and sound.

I can still hear you in bed. You are finally winding down from the day. I love you!

Trent's Journal...

June 10, 2008

Ok, so I haven't been keeping up my end of the deal with writing this journal. I will try to do better. Not too much has been going on. We are getting ready for your Uncle Jeff, Auntie April, Zachary and Madison to move back from Omaha. Papa and Daddy are going out to Omaha to help them drive back. They hope to be back in time for dinner on Saturday night. If your Dad has anything to do with it they will be. Father's Day is on Sunday and we hope to have everyone home in California. We got Daddy a digital camera, so now he won't have to use mine on his bike rides.

Your school year in the Penguin class is coming to an end. You have had some great teachers, Deanna, Sylvia and Andrea. You have learned so much. You can write your name with no problem and most of the alphabet and numbers. You are such a smart boy and we are so proud of you.

You have been doing some cute things lately. I don't know where you learned it, but you love to sniff, yes sniff. I love it. I love your cute little nose all wrinkled up. You sniff and then you start laughing, which is even funnier. You are just a nutball. Tonight, when we were snuggling before you went to bed you looked over at me and said I love you. That just melts my heart. I love you too!

I am looking forward to summer. You are going to take swim lessons everyday at the YMCA in Alhambra. I am sure you are going to do so good. You have been doing so good lately in the jacuzzi. So, my hope is you will be water safe by the end of the summer. Ok, more on another day. Lots of love my boy.

One good thing about swimming in an indoor pool, no sunscreen, sun shirt or swim cap.

Trent's Journal...

May 18, 2008 - Grandpa Wayne's Birthday

Another Sunday is almost over. Today was a special day, it was Grandpa Wayne's birthday. He bought himself a Harley Davidson motorcycle the day before his birthday and he couldn't be more happy. Now, he and Grandma can go on trips with Aunt Mari and Uncle Charlie, which will be so much fun. Growing up we went to the desert for Thanksgiving to go motorcycle riding, which was always fun. I can't wait to hear about all their trips on the Harley.

I think you have a pretty good start with your traveling adventures. You are only 3 1/2 and have been to Kauai (at 11 months old), Maui (1 1/2 years old), Disney World (almost 2 years old), San Diego Sea World, Wild Animal Park and the San Diego Zoo (almost 3 years old) and this summer we are going to Puerto Vallarta, which should be a blast.

You had a great day today. You went to Sunday School, which you love and then Connor Hill showed up for church, so you had someone to play with. A good day was had by all. Love you lots!

On our way over to Grandpa to celebrate his birthday.

Playtime in the pool.

Trent's Journal...

May 11, 2008 - Mother's Day

What a wonderful day I had today. You and Daddy did such a great job making me feel special. You made me hearts that said I love you this much and the hearts got bigger and bigger. Thank you so much. I love you the most!

(I don't have a picture from Mother's Day in 2008, so here is one from around the same time in April of 2008.)

We enjoyed another fun day at Disneyland.

Trent's Journal...

May 9, 2008

There are just so many things I want to tell you. My favorite thing to do with you right now is cuddle with you in the morning. You really aren't a morning person. You are a happy boy once you get up and know what's on tv. So, I started getting in bed with you and you slowly wake up. Sometimes you wake up on your own and you are in a much better mood, but you still want me to get in bed and snuggle. I just love it. I know it won't last forever, maybe not even until next month, but I am going to savor every second. (As I am putting this entry into the blog and you are almost 6 years old, I will have you know that you still love snuggling in the morning and at night. Daddy loves snuggling time too and of course Batman sneaks in from time to time.)

You are just so full of life and you love life. I want to give you all you deserve in life and I hope I can. I don't want to fail you, you deserve the best and I promise you I will try my best. Love you lots!

Sound asleep in your crib.

First night in your big boy bed. No more crib!

Daddy snuggling with you on Easter morning in 2009.

Trent's Journal...

May 1, 2008 (2nd entry)

The story continues about our adventures when we brought you home from the hospital. I don’t know if I mentioned this before, but it was HOT in August. I think it was probably around 4:00 p.m. and it was still hot and our house doesn’t have air conditioning, except for 2 window units in our room and the sunroom. Even though, it had to be in the 90’s you were all bundled up, don’t ask me why. Your Dad and I were so nervous driving home with you; I don’t know why I didn’t sit in the back seat with you. I remember constantly looking back at you, you looked so tiny in your car seat. We made it home and we put you in your cradle. The cradle was made by Daddy and Uncle Scott. We put you in there and you were sound asleep. You looked so content. We were so glad to have you home, even though we were so nervous.

So, the days, weeks and months went by and we slowly got a little better at figuring out your needs. It took me awhile, but I figured out the nursing and your jaundice went away and all was good. There were times when I didn’t know what you wanted. For example, the time when I think (I was definitely suffering from sleep deprivation) I tried to nurse you for six hours straight. I don’t know why I just didn’t put a pacifier in your mouth or maybe I did. I don’t exactly remember. I do remember Tim coming home and asking what I did all day and I told him I nursed you all day because that was all you wanted to do. I also remember waking up to nurse you and watching David Letterman or Jay Leno, which I had never really watched before. There were some interesting shows on at 1 a.m. There were times when I would put you in your car seat and bring you to bed, just so you wouldn’t spit up. Your knick name back then was “Spit Up King.” You loved to spit up, thankfully you grew out of it.

We had a great time together in your first few months. I worked from home when you would sleep and we would go on errands here and there. We always found something to do. At about 8 months Grandpa Wayne started to watch you for a few hours once a week and I would go into work. You loved going to Grandpa and Grandma Wodke’s house. Grandpa loved watching you. He would take you on walks and you just loved all the attention, especially if Grandma didn’t have to go to work until noon. You loved (and still do at 3 ½) playing games and reading with Grandma.

You went to your first NASCAR race at California Speedway when you were 2 weeks old. Since you came early we already had tickets and had our friends Tom (from Connecticut) and Eric and Jen (from San Francisco) coming out for the races, so we had to go. We went to the Cup race and it had to have been the hottest day ever. You slept and slept, probably because it was so hot. We stayed for the most part in the air conditioned motor home. You went to the race again in February of 2005. That time it was much cooler. You had a great time and you even took a nap during the race. You were such a good boy.

You also attended your first Dodger game at about 3 weeks old. It was the end of the season and we just had to take you. I think you slept the entire time, which was fine with me. We have had season tickets since a year or two before you were born. We love going to the games and you have loved going to them too. You have had no problem making friends with the people around us at the game.

You are quite the spoiled boy because at age 3 1/2, I think you have gone to Disneyland at least a dozen times and have been to Disney World. You are one lucky boy. You have enjoyed Disneyland each time you have been and it’s a new experience each time we go. You just love it and I love taking you. We have Grandma Cindy to thank for our love of Disneyland. Grandma usually goes with us and she loves seeing the smile on your face at Disneyland. For your 3^rd birthday we went with Grandma and Grandpa Wodke. They hadn’t been to Disneyland since John and Justin were little. We had a great time showing them around Disneyland.

Just one more thing before I end today’s entry. One of the main reasons I wanted to start this journal was because I wanted you to have some kind of record of your childhood. A few Sundays ago my thought of starting the journal was confirmed when we were sitting in church and out of the blue you got up on my lap and said “Thank you for playing with me, thank you for feeding me and thank you for taking me to church.” Your Dad and I just looked at eachother in amazement and then Daddy took you onto his lap and you said thank you to him. It was the most precious thing. So, I just want you to know that you make me and your Daddy so happy and we love you so much. More adventures on another day. Love you!

Finally home in your cradle made by Daddy and Uncle Scott.

All bundled up, we don't know why since it was so hot in August...first time parents.

Great Grandpa and Great Grandma Bennett. They gave you your treasured white doggy.

Great Grandma Ethel holding you for the first time.

Eric and Jen visiting for the NASCAR race.

Grandma Cindy holding you at your first Dodger game.

Sleeping in Daddy's arms at the Dodger game.

A little older and still enjoying the Dodger game.

The bouncer was one of your favorite places to sleep.

Trent's first visit to Disneyland in December of 2004.

All smiles with Grandma Jennifer.

Hanging out with Grandpa Wayne.

Having fun in the bath tub. I love your smile!

Playtime!

At the NASCAR race in February, 2005

A quick picture with Great Grandpa Roger at Lois' Surprise Birthday Party.