Max is Five!
Watching Max arrive was an incredibly surreal experience. No pain like with Madison's arrival but I wasn't able to think too hard about his arrival because as I watched them pull him from my abdomen...let's just say that's really weird and if you thought about it too much you'd vomit or pass out.
There were a few reasons I was thrilled Max was born on March 20th. I could not stand being pregnant for another minute, my body hurt and I'd already lost my voice twice from the incredible digestive acid eating at my throat. I couldn't sleep and it was also during those months Madison discovered that even though I said, "Don't run away from me." I couldn't actually do much about it once she went running.
I was also happy because I wanted a spring baby and Logan had been laid off two weeks earlier meaning we had about two more weeks left in our insurance grace period and three whole weeks until his actual due date.
Forget spicy food and nightly sex, the best way to bring on labor is to face complete financial ruin and paying for a c section delivery out of pocket. If only I'd known that when pregnant with Madison who was two weeks late and refused to budge.
I hate to go on and on about how much I love Max, because it's hard to say it in a new way. We all love our kids like this. Though I love Max differently than I love Madison. There's something in Madison which makes her my kindred spirit. She's smart and thinks things to death and all of that makes me think of what a complex woman she will be and I love that about her.
With Max, things are more simple. There was a time when Max was 9 months old where I'd catch myself staring at him with a stupid grin on my face. He's just utterly and completely loveable. He loves to laugh and have fun and he loves to be around people who like to laugh as much as he does.
It freaks me out a little bit to see my youngest child turning five, it freaks me out more than I was expecting actually. But then it's so fun watching Max have a life outside of us, to see him in school learning and making the teachers fall in love with him, to see him making buddies he loves with all his heart.
Watching him turn five is just watching him do more of the same. I can't wait to see what six brings.
Happy Birthday Max!
(You can see Max's bowling party here.)
(I'm still thinking about the Yates thing. I don't have time to form my feelings into a meaningful post. But I'll try...do not hold your breath.)
Happy Birthday Max! I didn't realize he was so close in age to my eldest. (Due March 20th, born April 1st)
Posted by: PrideMama | 2006.03.20 at 06:10 PM
happy birthday max! you're a WHOLE HAND!
Posted by: jennster | 2006.03.20 at 08:08 PM
Might I post wht I always think when you guys have a birthday party for one of your kids: Why you gotta' make the rest of us look bad???
And why don't you do this professionally?!
Are your kids this creative?
It just isn't fair.
Posted by: Sarah | 2006.03.20 at 08:51 PM
Awwww. Happy birthday, Max! I love five year olds, they're still little kids but such little people as well. Also, you watched the birth? Wow, you are a badass. Couldn't do it, hate the sight of blood and was freaked out enough already.
I hear you on the immediate financial ruin due to C-section thing--Paul left his job right before Maggie was due and we had to spend $$$$$ on COBRA just in case she was late.
Posted by: AmyinMotown | 2006.03.20 at 09:04 PM
Happy Birthday Max! With the cake and the CD and the bowling, that's way cooler than any party I've been to in years. Did you make the cake? It pretty much rocks my world.
Posted by: leigh | 2006.03.20 at 09:33 PM
I SO remember the bowling parties of excited little kids. Good memories! Happy Birthday, Max!
Posted by: anastasia beaverhausen | 2006.03.20 at 09:44 PM
What an AWESOME party and a lovely tribute. My favorite part was "we all love our kids like this." So very true.
Happy Birthday Max! What a cutie pie.
Posted by: Ninotchka | 2006.03.20 at 10:49 PM
What you do about that "insured", but not for maternity thing,(aka out of pocket) is have a really stupid,immature, meglomaniacal(sp?),asswipe for a OB/GYN. When he completely screws up your baby's delivery, it becomes an emergency c-section paid in full by your lousy insurance. It also warrants you $1000.00 in hush money from said idiot doctor to prevent you from suing.You know, to pay you back for the visits that also weren't covered by the lousy insurance. And even though your kid survived and is fine and beautiful, you still hate that mofo Dr. with every fiber of your being. But I digress... Sorry!Happy Birthday, Max! Great party!
Posted by: Jaycee | 2006.03.20 at 11:13 PM
Happy 5th Birthday Max!
Posted by: UndoneLady | 2006.03.21 at 01:29 AM
awww...happy birthday to one of the sweetest-faced kids on the internet! ;)
Posted by: Sarcomical | 2006.03.21 at 03:04 AM
He's a beautiful little boy.
Posted by: ozma | 2006.03.21 at 07:00 AM
My youngest just turned five the 5th of March, and I am going through the same thing. I will be 40 this summer, and honestly, that isn't impacting me nearly as much as my baby turning five! Kiss preschool and all things 'baby' bye bye, she is a kid now. No turning back. Makes me kinda sad and very nostalgic - and I thought I had a few good years left in me before the home movies made me cry!
Posted by: AnnieEmm | 2006.03.21 at 07:03 AM
Spring is a great time to have a birthday (mine's March 17th)! Also, I can't believe you watched the c-section. I had three and I had the curtain up for each one. My husband didn't look either (his choice).
Posted by: Cherie | 2006.03.21 at 10:12 AM
That's lovely--and I so understand what you mean about the separate but equal feelings of love for each li'l midget.
Happy Birthday to your boy indeed!
Posted by: zeldafitz | 2006.03.21 at 10:22 AM
Hope you had MAXimum fun on your birthday!
ha ... ha ... eh.
Posted by: christy | 2006.03.21 at 11:06 AM
What a fun party! I love the photo of him hugging his friend at the end of the bowling lane.
Posted by: ChristyD | 2006.03.21 at 11:10 AM
Looks like a really fun party! Your kids are adorable. Happy 5th to Max!
Posted by: Mrs Ca | 2006.03.21 at 11:52 AM
Can one more person say how cute he is without making you barf? He is very... And the cake? Wickedly cool. And the CD, a party favor, I assume? That's a fabulous idea!
And now, please tell me how you guys get your photos to have that beautiful golden glow instead of washed-out flash lighting. I'm serious. I really want to know. I'll give you money. Do you accept Paypal?
Posted by: IzzyMom | 2006.03.21 at 05:19 PM
I know what you mean about loving all your children, just a little differently. I too have extra special feelings about my youngest. He was born at a particularly difficult time in my life, and I didn't really want to be a mother again. He is however, the most lovable, happy and go lucky kid ever. He's now six, and as he gets older, I FEEL older. I adore him, because his joy for life reminds me (and forces me)to enjoy every day I get with my three kids, because the days seem to pass so quickly.
Posted by: MJ | 2006.03.27 at 08:45 AM