Once there were two people who loved each other very much. Their love for each other was so strong that they wanted to share it with someone.

So they decided to make a baby.

For many months, the baby grew. His parents learned he would be a boy and they named him ``Max.''

Dr. Nancy checked in on Max every month. She asked Dr. Jami to look at him with a special machine. When they found out that Max was not growing well, everyone agreed he needed to come out early.

Dr. Nancy took Max out of his Mommy and he was very excited to see his Mommy and Daddy.

Max was so tiny that his Mommy and Daddy needed help from the doctors and nurses in the Special Care Nursery to keep Max healthy. His Mommy and Daddy were worried about Max but they knew that one day he'd be big and strong.

Max's friends and relatives thought about him all the time. Grandma Glor, Grandpa David, Aunt Jenn, Grammy, Grampy, Aunt Jill and Uncle Marc all got to see Max in the Nursery and thought he looked great! Other friends watched Max's videos and saw pictures of him.

Some days Max didn't feel well and the doctors and nurses needed to give him special attention.

But he always got better quickly.

Max had many friends in the Nursery. Nathan, Justin, Garrett, and Andrew kept Max company night and day. Their parents helped Max's Mommy and Daddy stay strong for Max.

Max's Mommy and Daddy were always trying to do things for him. Max's Daddy made things for him on the computer.

Max's Mommy wanted to buy him nice clothes to keep him warm. But the stores only had clothes that were too big. Luckily she found a store far away that had clothes that were perfect for Max!

Every day, Max's Mommy and Daddy visited him in the Nursery. They sang to him and sometimes got to hold him.

Max had special toys in his isolette. Lambchop and Cow watched Max's progress and cheered him on.

For many weeks, Max grew and grew! Max's parents were so proud.

One day Max was so big that he was ready to go home with his Mommy and Daddy. Everyone was so happy! Max and his Mommy and Daddy sang and danced and laughed and played together.

And they lived happily ever after.

About the authors: Max's mom is a physician and Max's dad is a computer scientist. They wrote this book together to read to Max while he was in the hospital. At that time, the ending was just wishful thinking. Now, just over 4 months after Max was born, he is home with his parents and growing steadily. From his tiny one pound beginning, Max is close to 8 pounds at the time this book was finished.