Sigh...

Today Gram and J worked on Avery's swing set. We didn't finish it completely but Avery was able to try the swing. We still need to level the set, add a cargo net and trapeze. Its very sturdy and will last for many, many years (until we have grandchildren J said!). Avery had lots of fun and giggles playing with just a tarp in the backyard.

Max really went downhill last night. He was really struggling to breathe. We tried giving him extra medicine but it didn't give him any relief. Finally this afternoon we had to let him go. We already miss him so very much. Avery was napping during all of this. When he woke from his nap, I told him that while he was sleeping Max went to doggie heaven.

A: "Oooohhh (very quiet and sad) ... did you bring him there?"
Me: "Yes"
A: "Oh... I didn't give him enough love today" What a sensitive little man I have! It was all I could do to not completely break down at this... and I explained to him that he gave Max lots of love and he knew Avery loved him. A few minutes later...
A: "When is he coming back"

Going for a Swim

Sunday afternoon we packed a picnic and headed out to the lake for dinner. As you can see, both Max and Avery enjoyed the cold water. Avery started out innocently playing in the sand. Then he wanted his shoes off... then his pants rolled up so he could dip his toes in the water... I should have anticipated how this would end! Luckily, I was prepared with a backup wardrobe.

Update

Paige is now smiling and cooing lots! This is the best I have done to capture the smile. We made a trip to the pediatrician this week for her belly button that had not healed properly. After a little topical medicine, all is well now. She loves to eat... at 6 weeks she's already 12.25 lbs. She's been sleeping in her crib since Monday. Last night she slept from 9pm until 4am, let's hope that trend continues.

Avery absolutely loves his new classroom. He's never ready to come home at the end of the day. Fridays are our new "home day" while I'm on leave. Today he really wanted to go to school and so I brought him. I miss him. It would have been a lovely day to spend at the park. Last Friday we spent hours there playing on the playground, kicking around a soccer ball and having a picnic lunch. He had so much fun kicking the soccer ball on the field and into the net. (We forgot the camera.)

Max is doing well. The steroids have reduced the swelling in the lymph nodes and relieved his coughing. He doesn't like to walk quite as far these days but you can still find him chasing the cat occasionally. He's being groomed at the moment... getting his spring haircut!

First Born

Max was diagnosed on Monday with Stage IV Lymphoma. We have been trying to resolve a chronic cough he developed a few months ago and finally know the cause. He will be twelve in the fall and so we have decided as a family to keep him comfortable and love him as much as we can for the next few weeks. That's what the vet thinks we have with him, a few weeks.

Max has been the best dog ever... I remember finding him at just 5 weeks old and 3lbs, he and I driving from Florida to Maine and only stopping 4 times, earning the notch in his tongue (he lost the fight with my carpet tack strips as a pup), being a great hiking dog (even though stray lobster traps terrified him), trying to lay claim to infant Avery by rolling on him like one of his toys, camping (he loves camping), being the neighborhood dog that everyone passing by stops to love... the list goes on and on. Max has always seemed more than a dog... he has always had a spirit that seemed more connected.