Brooks said "Go!"

Hallelujiah!

Brooks said his 3rd word!

We made some progress with his talking today. Up until today he has only said 2 words meaningfully. "Dad!"... and "Uh-oh." Occasionally he says "Mom", but only when "forced". I know that he is comprehending a lot... and he has his own way of communicating... it's just not in the form of actually words. So I've been thinking that it will all 'click' and he'll be talking like crazy (similar to what Josh did when he turned 2). But the past few weeks, I have been a little more concerned because he doesn't even TRY to mimic words... only sounds and voice inflections.

But today he said "BALL!" We were sooooooooo excited you would've thought the circus was in our house!

This may seem like a little thing (especially after having 2 kids whose speech has always come easily)... but this is a big milestone for us... and hopefully the first of many more new words!

I would've taken a picture...

... but there was nothing to take a picture of since Josh actually swallowed his tooth!

He does not like to wiggle his teeth, so they hang on by threads for weeks. We always tell him that he needs to just pull them out before they "fall" out. But he can't stand to wiggle them. So, tonight he took a big bite of juicy quesadilla, and *poof* it was gone.

I don't know which is worse... seeing a tooth all crooked and eventually hanging... or knowing that he now has a tooth in his stomach. (shudder!)

Take me out to the ball game!

Josh started baseball this year... and as usual, he is doing great! He's especially sensitive to his biggest fans... his little brothers! Just comin' over to say hi!

Coach Dad and Josh #9. He sure likes having his Dad on the field with him!

And he sure is a great hitter! He's been working on his swing in the garage with the famous "Hurricane". Even Caleb follows after Josh's example and tries to perfect his form. And Josh is a good teacher and gives pointers to him!

What a hit!





Good job Josh!

Caleb's talk in primary

Caleb gave a talk in primary today. He did a great job... and I didn't even have to bribe him! He's given a couple other talks... and I think I have them written down somewhere... but just in case I forget... here's what he said.

"A little while ago, I had my tonsils out. I was nervous at the hospital. My dad gave me a blessing that it would be ok. After the surgery, I was only a little bit sore, and I could play with legos the same day. We are learning about how Joseph Smith helped bring the Priesthood back to the earth. I am grateful that my dad could give me a blessing."

Good job, buddy!

Bye Bye Tonsils

March 30, 2010

Caleb's pre-surgery gifts... along with a lego set. And he earned every bit of it! His last meal of choice was McDonald's... even in spite of Mike and Josh's complaining, Caleb held strong and insisted that we go to McDonald's for his last meal! He loved every minute of it. And before bed, he was allowed to eat/drink anything he wanted, since we had a long day of fasting ahead of us. this was the beginning of a very sporadic/non-traditional eating schedule

We had to be at the hospital by 10am... and we arrived about 9:45 just to be safe. I didn't want the surgery to be postponed until any later. Especially since I spent all morning keeping him occupied to keep his mind off of food. He did really great!

By noon, we were snapping a bunch of silly pictures... and saying one last goodbye to his tonsils! Little did we know that we still had a couple more hours of waiting left. We had our own private waiting room, which made Caleb feel less embarrassed about his fancy jammies and booties. This waiting room was fully equipped with the latest technology... a VHS. We spent the majority of the time waiting for the movies to rewind... come on people, "be kind, rewind!"

Once the anethsethiologist came in to talk to us... I thought we were on our way. Once again we waited and waited and waited..... they gave him some oral medicine, aka truth serium, where he professed his undying love for a little girl in his preschool class. He gazed longingly at a card she made for him, and spouted out his best 4-year old pick up lines, and announced that he was going to kiss her. Next thing I know, he's puckering up and moving the card slowing towards his lips, slowly closing his eyes. I'm still wondering where he learned those moves!

FInally around 2 pm, they loaded his weak, food-deprived little body into the wagon and rolled him down the hallway into the OR. He was so brave, (more like loopy and dazed) and that was the last time I laid on eyes on those problematic tonsils!!!


After about 50 minutes, I was back in the recovery area, rocking him in a rocking chair, while silent crocodile tears filled up those big eyes. Never once did he complain of a sore throat... which was in stark comparison to the little girl in the next bed. She was screaming and crying. Caleb let out no more then a few wimpers and coughs!

Then, one glass of apple juice later, we were on the road heading for home. We arrived around 4, and he laid on the couch for a couple hours while his curious brothers looked on. Then by 6, he was up playing legos and walking around acting almost normal. This first night, I slept in his room so I could help him. He woke up and coughed a couple times every 4 hours just in time to get a dose of medicine... then he would go back to sleep. I think it was the best night's sleep he's had in a year because he didn't snore, snort, gasp, or stop breathing! Hallelujiah!

For about a week, we hardly heard a peep out of him... I received a lot of taps on the leg, and motioning with his hands... and when he did talk, it was in his high-falcetto voice to avoid any pain on his throat. But when I would ask him if his throat hurt, he would always say "no." Not only is he brave, but he's tough too!

Now, about 3 weeks later... he's eating like normal, and even his voice is back to normal.

So if anyone out there is considering tonsilectomies (for just cause, of course), I would highly recommend it. Caleb was such a trooper!

Josh is baptized!

We are so proud of Josh and his decision to be baptized! We were lucky enough to have family here to help celebrate. Of course, Mike's family was there... but my parents, along with four of the cousins were able to travel from Alaska for the occasion.

Josh requested Chicken cor don Bleu for his special Baptism feast (good taste for an 8 year old, eh?). As we were getting ready, there were little bumps along the way. For example, once the kids got dressed, they went outside and were supposed to just stand there quietly and look at the grass. An impossible task, I know. But I wasn't thinking clearly. Anyway, Caleb took a spill in the mud, needing a complete change of clothes. But even with that, we managed to get to the church on time, to set up the chairs and refreshments, leaving just enough time to practice their special musical number.

Once it started, Josh got to hear from both sets of grandparents. Grandma and Grandpa Trentadue gave a talk on baptism, and then the cousins sang Nephi's Courage. And then Grandma and Grandpa Grover gave a talk on the Holy Ghost. Josh was very happy to have so many family and friends supporting him on his big day!

Thanks to all who came... especially those who travelled sooooooo far to come! We love you all... and appreciate everyone for the wonderful examples you are to our boys! We couldn't do it without each of you!

Calebism 2/11/10

Caleb: "Mom, am I going to die?"
(I'm assuming this question was triggered by something Josh said or teased.)
Mom: "We're all going to die someday... but it will be a really long time away!"
Caleb: "We'll be with Heavenly Father and Jesus, right?"
Mom: "Yup... it will be really nice and happy."
Caleb: "Well, if they don't have Legos there, I'm going to be REALLY mad! .... They are going to have Legos there, right?"
Mom: "I think something could be arranged if it's that important."

Josh is 8!!!

Today is Josh's 8th Birthday! Here's a few pictures of him (in no particular order)!

Top 10 Things we love about Josh! (also in no particular order)

10. Humorous - he likes to make people laugh, and will even do it when it embarrasses himself. He's coming out of his shell more and more!

9. Dedicated - If there's something he wants to learn how to do, he will do it. During the summer, he wanted to learn how to pogo stick. Despite my fear of it, he kept trying (and falling) until he mastered it! He's currently attempting to teach himself to play the piano as a result of his mother's laziness to give him lessons.

8. Competitive - He loves sports and wants to win and do his best! He is doing so great in baseball, and works hard to fine tune his abilities, with the help of Dad!

7. Humble - Even though he gets super excited about catching that fly ball, or tagging out a runner on 1st, he does really good about keeping in all in perspective! He doesn't rub it in the other team's face, and is a good sport!

6. Grateful - He surprises me sometimes by saying "thanks for that great dinner, Mom!" or "Thanks for taking us to the park!" He seems to know when I need the "praise" the most, and is good about showing it!

5. Good example - He is a hero to his little brothers! Caleb can't wait til he gets home from school... and Brooks literally lights up whenever he sees Josh!
4. Simple - He is a man of few words, but when he does start talking, it's important. Ever since he was a baby, he hasn't needed a lot of toys to keep himself entertained. He was happy playing with measuring cups and spoons. And now, he's as happy as can be with Legos!

3. Loving - he shows love to his family and friends by trying to be nice to everyone. Even though he's constantly teasing Caleb, I'm almost positive it's intended in fun... Caleb just doesn't always see it that way.

2. Obedient - He tries to choose the right in everything he does. His teachers at school have always said that they wish they had an entire class full of Josh's! He is overall just a good kid!!!

1. FUN! - before I had kids, I was worried that I would be annoyed by them once they got to that pre-adolescent stage. But Josh continues to entertain us! He is genuine in everything he does... and we thoroughly enjoy hanging out with him! We love him to death and are so excited and proud and happy that he is in our family!!!

Happy Birthday Dude!!! Hope it's a good one!!!

TRENTADUE FLICKS

Tune in for the highlights of 2009... and get a glimpse into our favorite flicks!!





CAST OF CHARACTERS:
Mike: as “Real Estate Dad”
KaLisi: as “Household Managing Mom”
Josh – age 7: as “Baseball Playing 2nd Grader”
Caleb – age 4: as “Bike-Riding Pre-Schooler”
Brooks – age 1: as “Toddling Bundle of Rolls”

FEATURING:
NCIS – (Naughty Children Investigative Service) is more than just an action drama. With silly doses of humor, it focuses on the complex and always amusing dynamics of three young boys forced to work together in mischievous situations. Mike and KaLisi continue to brush up on their forensic skills to determine the “victim” from the “perpetrator” in every crime. Test your own forensic skills by predicting which family member, who in a strange turn of events, backed into Mike’s car one dark night.

LOST – We’re constantly teasing you with mysteries, but here’s a few things that we know for sure... Josh continues to lose teeth at an alarming rate; to date, he has lost 7! Caleb is always moving and we often refer to him as a pocket of powerful electromagnetic energy! This energy often rubs off onto Josh and Brooks, which usually leads to destruction of mass proportions! Brooks, who often appears shirtless, can hypnotize the Others with his sultry gaze and round physique.

24 – 24 is broadcast in the semblance of real time, with each season depicting a 24-hour period in the lives of The Trentadue Five, who work together and fight against threats of H1N1, the broken-garage-door-incident, which trapped a mother and her children in the house for three days, and the Fall of 2009, which buried the Trentadue’s with leaves until two brave missionaries raked them out!

Million Dollar Listing – The first season premiered in 2001, and now focuses on the real estate market in Richmond, Virginia. It follows a very prestigious real estate agent at ReMax Action. The storylines range from a down-town listing becoming the final resting place for a local vagrant, to numerous awkward advances from a flirtatious married client. Unlike the show’s title, Mike likes to keep it in the Hundred-Thousand Dollar range.

Cake Boss – This reality show stars the owner of KaLisi’s Bakery. Hundreds of meals go on her table lined with four hungry boys, who have been known to chant, “We want food! We want food!” She’s a one-woman team and has even tried her hand at decorating the kids’ birthday cakes… although she won’t be winning any prizes, the boys loved her first ever Sponge Bob and Teddy Bear cakes!

Sponge Bob Square Pants – This animated series is an extremely energetic story, which centers on the adventures of three brothers who live in a brick, colonial in the Southeast. Some episodes include: “Life of Crime”, which depicts the lone Joshua’s spontaneous excursion around the neighborhood; “No More Mr. Scaredy Pants” featuring Caleb’s victory over the indoor inflatables at Kangaroo Jac’s; and “Overboard”, a heart-wrenching tale of Brooks’ sudden upside-down plunge into the baby pool!

Flash Forward – What’s in our near future? Josh will be baptized in March… Caleb will be starting Kindergarten next fall… and Brooks will graduate to nursery in April! We look forward to many other 2010 milestones in our family and wouldn’t change it, even if we could!

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!
Love, The Trentadue's

This year we drove up to Iowa to spend Thanksgiving with my sister, ShaLene and her family, including their newest addition Max Ellis Jorgensen!! My parents were also there, and it was a wonderful visit!!!

Caleb finally got a chance to hold that baby... and he loved it. I think it brought back memories for him of holding Brooks not too long ago!

Here's about half of the grandkids (Canyen, Brooks, JayLene, Max, Caleb and Josh).... we were missing Dustin, Dillan, Taylor and Cole!!!!

Grandpa (my dad) wore his best Thanksgiving tie just for the occassion!

It took several days, but JayLene finally warmed up to me and fell asleep on my lap, wanted me to read books and play. What a fun treat!

We also went to a indoor bouncing place... I can't remember the name... but it was very big, and clean, and the kids had a ball! I even took a few turns down their big slippery slides. One time I tried it head first (only after I saw another kid do it)... but I got busted by one of the mean workers...I'm such a rebel!
Anyway, it was a fun trip and totally worth the 15+ hour drive, an overnight stay in a crappy hotel, and 3 overtired kids!!! Would TOTALLY do it again!!!

Halloween Fun

Before I got fully dressed, I only had my goth make-up and fake eyelashes on... and I had to answer the door. The man at the door was struggling to know what to say. I didn't say anything, I just acted normal (I'm so mean), and I think he thought I was for real, until he saw the werewolf and vampire peek around the door. Then he loosened up and said, "Oh you must be going to a Halloween Party!" it was funny.

Josh as a werewolf... I painted that face all by myself, after watching a few tutorials on youtube. People at the halloween Party had a hard time recognizing him until I told them it was him!

Caleb made a great vampire... although he got confused that people kept calling him Dracula. He was frustrated that they didn't know who he was, until I had to explain that Dracula was the most famous vampire ever. Then he was happy!

Evil Dr. Brooks wouldn't hold very still while I was drawing on his glasses... and out of all the make-up that the rest of us had on, his glasses were the hardest to wash off. Red spots were left where the glasses were. poor dude!

We won a prize for best costumes... since we were all the Monsters of Halloween... inspired by our JibJab video in an earlier post! If Mike was in town, I would have made him dress up as Frankenstein!

This was the costumes the boys wore earlier in the day to go to Story Time at the library! They were a lot easier to put on, and took a lot less make-up!

Pumpkin Pickin'

We went to the Pumpkin Patch to get some pumpkins! It was a great day... nice and sunny... Caleb's favorite part was the wagon ride out to the field...

Brooks loved just holding pieces of hay...

and Josh thought it was funny that he found the smallest pumpkin in the world!

Try JibJab Sendables® eCards today!