Dear Max,

You are three weeks old today. It is hard to believe you've spent your first 21 days of life in the hospital. Being home without you, seems strange. I wake every morning and see your empty bassinet at the foot of my bed, waiting for you. I try to be strong and not let your brother and sisters know how sad I am and how much I miss you, but it's getting harder every day.

I spend my days at the hospital feeding, changing, and snuggling you. Dad stops in during the day too and then visits you again each night. We try hard to spend as much time with you as we can, but it never feels like enough. The hardest part is saying "good-bye" and leaving you there lying in your little crib without us.

Your brother and sisters like to come visit too. Payton has been coming with me every day. She loves to hold and love on you. She is a special girl and will be such a great big sister to you. She and Avery have been playing "NICU" recently and have organized their bedrooms just like your little space at the hospital. They are excited for you to come home so they can have a "real' baby to authenticate their make-believe play.

Your dad and I are so anxious to have you home, Max. We joke about "stealing" you from the NICU, or as your parents, telling them it's our right to bring you home... NOW! We know that wouldn't be wise, but we're just getting impatient and really want you home where we can care for you ourselves.

I am so sorry for all you have endured, Max. It truly breaks my heart. Watching from the side-lines, I don't know how you do it, because it's been A LOT. Thank you for being strong, my tiny boy, and fighting hard to be here and continuing to do so. The Dr.s still remind us how lucky we are to have you. Although they say we almost lost you, I always knew you'd make it, Max. I knew you were meant to be a part of this family. So, I will continue to pray for you, hope for you, and always love and care about you.

Your dad calls me an idealist. He often tells me I need to be a realist.

It's just not my style.

You'll be home soon, Max. I just know it. And everything WILL be O.K.

When that day finally arrives, we'll all celebrate BIG...

for you, ...our tiny miracle.

Sweet dreams,

Mama

AvErY J iS sIX!

From Avery Tavasi

(Miss Ave's Tavasi spring performance)

Let's face it, nothing is really "normal" around here right now. We're all starting to feel it, maybe even crackin' just a little, hopefully I'm just speakin' for myself. I don't even have a pic. to post of Miss Aves on her big day; the day she's been talking about and looking forward to for months. Thank goodness for grandma McBride and Payton who shopped for her presents, and Bob, who wrapped them and set them out nicely so she had them first thing in the morning, and Aunt Amy who made her an adorable cake, which we were all excited about since Aunt Amy makes the most delicious baked goods.

Although I knew it wouldn't be perfect, my goal for Avery's big day was to make her feel special. I wanted her to forget about the chaos around her and enjoy one day that was all about HER. So we sang, danced and shouted about it being HER birthday. We smothered her with hugs and kisses. I told her the story of the day she was born, funny things about her over her sweet six years of life, let her choose what we were eating, doing, listening to on the radio, and even excused her from chores. She wanted more than anything to go to Roaring Springs, and even though getting in a swim suit was the last thing this mama wanted to do, we braved the water park. Avery is a fish in water, and the highlight of her day was finally being tall enough to ride every single slide in the park.

Miss Ave's you are quite the character. Even though your craziness has brought more dramatic entertainment to our lives than we know what to do with sometimes...

We love you something FIERCE!

Happy, Happy 6th, my BABY GIRL!

GO BOB GO

From Bob

We met Bob downtown for lunch yesterday. The place was happening: live music, fountains spraying, people everywhere. The IRONMAN is here! We waited as Bob stood in an enormous line to pick up his swag bag. I know he's nervous and excited, and we're feeling it too!

Today's the big day. Six months of hard work, dedication, and sacrifice....all comes down to this. The weather is looking promising, maybe a little on the warmer side than we expected, but no rain! Family is coming to cheer him to the finish, we have our "GO BOB GOB" t-shirts ready, and our cow bells and horns are anxious to rip and roar.

I told Bob to get to bed early last night, but when we were all hitting the hay, he went to the hospital to hold Max. I'm thinking he needed his tiny man to give him last minute inspiration!

We love you, Bob and are so proud of you whatever race day brings.

With that, there's just one thing left to say...

GO BOB GO!

Thank You

From parents

I always enjoy my dear friend Molly's Thankful Thursday posts.

Today I am thankful for MANY things, including Max, modern medicine, all our amazing friends and support system, and especially, OUR PARENTS.

I've been in a serious fight with this C-section. I'm afraid it's still kicking my trash!

I've done nothing but rest, and spend my days at the hospital with Max.

This would not have been possible if it wasn't for THEM.

My parents came the first week and Bob's mom the second.

They have been AMAZING!

They take the kids all over, cook, clean, do laundry, plant flowers, make home-made treats...

the list goes on.

My kids will never want me back full-time, and quite frankly...I don't blame em'!

In all seriousness, we would not have made it without them.

.....with a heavy heart I can't express enough how much I love them.

Thank you

Aunt Mikkel is on her way to help for the weekend. When I told her how incredible her mom had been this was her response...

"I feel so bad because I am going to do such a better job than her. I am going to de-throne her from "Master Mom." Just wait, I will razzle, dazzle your socks off and put my MAMA to shame!"

This gave me a good laugh, and although they say laughter is the best medicine...

after the C-section....I'm feelin' it's more like a small twist of torture!

MIRACLE MAX

From Collages

M

Max Hales McBride

entered this big, new world on....May 28, 2010 at 1:14 p.m.

weighing a whooping 3 lbs. 3.5 ounces and was 16 1/2 inches long.

The NICU staff calls him "Mad Max" or "Mighty Max"....

to us....

He's our MIRACLE!