2004

September
The big day is getting closer so T&G went to a birth center orientation at the hospital that they had chosen for the birth. What wasn't covered by the birthing courses is now covered. Again, this information is very much appreciated a few days later. Gretchen wakes up Sunday the 12th with a burning pain above her stomach. Tony insists that she call her doctor right away. Gretchen wants to wait. The pain gets worse. Tony dials the phone and hands it to Gretchen so that she can describe her symptoms to the hospital. The hospital agrees with Tony and Gretchen goes to the hospital. It seems that Gretchen had developed Toxemia of the liver. For those of you about to Google Toxemia all you need to know is that if you don't pay attention to it Toxemia causes convulsions that can lead to a coma and even death. Gretchen was very well tended to and monitored at all times.

The next day labor was induced, Gretchen got to second stage (this means Tony's hand was bruised, but not crushed) and then it was decided that she would have a c-section instead. Gretchen did not argue. 15 minutes later Maximilian born. All is well. It is later discovered that Maximilian is deaf in his left ear. Not a big surprise. Hearing troubles run in Gretchen's family. He hears just great on his right side and the many doctors T&G have consulted all agree that he will be able to develop very well just as he is. T&G have truly been blessed by a beautiful little boy. He has his own web site which is updated on a regular basis. It is a labor of love. For those of you who have wondered and asked, Maximilian will be sibling free. Third generation on his mother's side. Gretchen has realized that while her body will still let her get away with many things that other women in their mid 40's would never dream of, having another child would be asking too much of her aged person. If TG&M later decide that their 2-legged family needs an addition, they agree that adoption and fostering are wonderful possibilities.

October
It will be a year of first for all of us, but particularly Maximilian. He went to his first Art Auction, his first big party/reception, his first lunch at a restaurant, his first garage sale, his first Halloween and doggie costume contest. Here he is with his grandmother. He is wearing a spider costume and his stroller is done up as a web.

November
Bianca woke up the day after Halloween and couldn't walk. Her cancer had returned, so we allowed her to move on to her next adventure. We miss her, but are happy that she was with us for so long after her first cancer diagnosis and that she had a great time until the very end. There is a lot to be said for quick endings. On the same day that Bianca moved on, Gretchen went back to work teleprompting. More firsts: Maximilian got thrown out of his first wine bar, but two weeks later went to Wild Turkey night and stayed in his first bar. He went to his first warehouse sale. He had his first vaccines and a CAT scan on the same day to check out his left ear (definitely deaf and will remain so until he is in his teens. Then it can be corrected surgically). Gretchen took the vaccines harder than he did and Maximilian slept through the CAT scan. And of course his first Thanksgiving with his family.

December
Fa La La La La... TG&M handle the holidays by stepping it down a notch. Still they were able to go to several holiday parties and the Christmas Revels (Maximilian's first theatre). T&G greatly enjoyed the new low key holiday schedule. It may start a new trend.
Yeh right, who are we kidding. Gretchen went on a three day work trip out of town. Both sets of grandparents were out of town as well as Maximilian Rex's favorite sitter. Tony was left alone with the baby for three days. Yikes!

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