Comments on: thursday.

By: Sarah

Sarah — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 22:07:57 +0000

Hi Matt,

I live in New Zealand and just saw you guys on the Rachel Ray Show today. I just had to email you to say what a great job your doing and how inspirational you are.
Madeline is lucky to have a father like you.

Have a great day.

Sarah

By: Jennifer

Jennifer — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 03:29:35 +0000

Hi Matt!
I know this entry is old (I just found your blog and I’ve only gotten this far!), but I wanted to say that my husband constantly tells me how beautiful a baby is or says “Hi Baby” to little ones he sees. I know he would never do this if it were just him though.
We are expecting our first in late September. It’s so wonderful to know that there are such loving and caring fathers out there.

By: Carol

Carol — Mon, 05 May 2008 00:38:01 +0000

I lost my husband of 57 years on February 29th. I miss him so much and can’t imagine what it is like for you. Raising a baby should be a family affair and my heart goes out to you. You are so brave.

By: Kristyn

Kristyn — Sun, 04 May 2008 18:54:06 +0000

Hi Matt,

A friend sent me the link to your blog, and I spent the better part of my morning crying, and smiling while I read through your writings. You are an inspiration to everyone.

Having children gives us strength we never knew we had. Somedays you don’t know how you keep going, but you just do. I guess because once you have a little life completely depending on you, you have no choice but to keep going.

I plan to keep up with you, and follow you on your journey. Much love and hugs to you and Madeline.

P.S. You have some great suggestions already, but when my boys were small (they are now 6 and 9), running the shower and holding them in the bathroom while it ran always put them to sleep. They loved the sound of the running water.

By: Jana

Jana — Sun, 04 May 2008 00:18:49 +0000

Hey you two ) Always love your pictures and videos.

I can see you already have tons of advice, but I guess I won’t let that stop me. My little preemie hated tummy time when we brought her home from the hospital. The funny thing is that at the beginning, when she was itty bitty and in the NICU she LOVED being on her tummy. Anyway, Sadie would scream like no other when we put her on her tummy. The nice thing is that when she was mad, she would actually work her neck muscles! So you have to think of that as a positive. We ended up buying her a tummy time play mat that has a small pillow that props her up. This has made such a difference! This is the mat we bought:

http://www.target.com/Infantino-Tummy-Time-Surfmat-Pink/dp/B000TADPYY/sr=1-1/qid=1209859997/ref=sr_1_1/602-9881109-2035839?ie=UTF8&index=target&rh=k%3Atummy%20time&page=1

She loves music and lights to look at too, so we also bought this: http://www.target.com/Bright-Starts-Tropical-Turtle/dp/B000TFLAZ0/sr=1-1/qid=1209860221/ref=sr_1_1/602-9881109-2035839?ie=UTF8&index=target&rh=k%3Aturtle%20bright%20starts&page=1

It is a musical and light up turtle. She gets distracted that she is on her tummy and pays attention to it. Anyway, we took her for her 5 months check up a couple weeks ago and the doctor was very impressed by her neck strength on her tummy. (She’s still a peanut– less than 10 pounds)

Hope this helps you in some way. Best of luck to you and Madeline.

By: Jaclyn

Jaclyn — Sat, 03 May 2008 07:35:07 +0000

Hi Matt. Just another stranger from MN. I have been “checking in” on you since reading your story in the Star Tribune. It sounds like you are doing a great job, and I love the pics of Madeline. Such a cutie! I have a 6 month-old daughter, so I know how the new parent thing goes. She hated tummy time too – still does. But, we found that the boppy pillow worked well in the beginning. We propped her up on it and she could look around some. Then, when she got used to it, we “graduated” her to tummy time on the floor. The boppy also came in handy when she was learning to sit – we set her inside of it and it supported her some.
As far as the smelly baby thing, I think they all go through that. Keep an eye on those neck folds. I found this to be the source of my babes stink – and cleaned it a few times a day (use a baby wipe during diaper changes). Seemed to help.
Keep up with the amazing work!

By: Aja

Aja — Sat, 03 May 2008 05:43:56 +0000

I have no advice as I am expecting my first baby. Just wanted to say thanks for sharing your life. Madeline is so sweet. I don’t know what your religious beliefs are, but I believe Liz is around you guys and sees you taking such great care of little Madeline.
You are a Hero!

By: Stella T.

Stella T. — Sat, 03 May 2008 05:01:21 +0000

loved seeing madeline in action! thank you so much for sharing the experience with us first hand. i agree with the other folks about tying up the diapers in plastic bags afterward.. the things you learn from handling cat poopies for 6 years. at least madeline will eventually be pottying on her own!

By: Melody

Melody — Sat, 03 May 2008 04:49:47 +0000

Ah, the sweet sounds of Madeline are music to my ears! I miss her, though I much prefer that she was the prodigal premie and didn’t stay with us long. How nice to watch her grow through your site.

Gee, what am I going to tell parents now (with this awareness of TT rebellion)? Maybe it’s just not her thing. Heck, I’m 41 and still don’t like being on mine. Anyway, try putting her on your tummy (have you ever referred to your stomach as your tummy?) as suggested above. No worries, she’ll continue to grow/develop just as she’s been doing.

Say, are you okay receiving stuff in the mail from an (almost) perfect stranger? i.e., baby stuff, daddy stuff.

Peace to you.

By: J.W.

J.W. — Sat, 03 May 2008 04:37:14 +0000

I was reading through some of your comments on your site. Yeah women just love babies! I think most guys just ain’t into that kind of thing. Although I do meet some who will make comments, but maybe that depends if you are a man or woman. Anyways the best advice I can give you is that baby’s (I don’t know how they know) know how you are feeling. It’s like one of the sense’s that they have that is just mysterious to us all. But hey if you need any advice I will gladly give it to you. Just ask! I have 5kids with 2 in diapers and I am almost 27. So I am still learning! Try a boppy pillow for tummy time. It will give her some support so she is a little more elevated! She’ll be able to see a little more. Good luck!