holy shit.
what a difference a day,
a happy madeline,
and a bunch of strangers friends
make.
my new buddy windy
set up a play date
so i could meet some local
parents and their kids.
so i packed madeline up
and we went to the park
in the silver lake.
hannah m. even greeted me with
a bag of home-made muffins.
so great to meet these folks.
we got to talk to
each other about everything
and nothing.
asked questions,
got answers.
shared advice,
shared baby wipes.
moms, dads, kids
all hanging out together.
it was fun
and we’ll be doing it
more often.
some of the moms held on to,
and would not let go of
madeline.
she now has lots of
new friends.
and so do i.
after the play date
i spent a few hours on
the phone
rambling on and on and on,
answering some questions
(my writing is spare, my talking is not. sorry, molly m.).
later i toured
daycare centers with
madeline and elizabeth.
the best one is,
of course,
unavailable.
will continue the hunt.
madeline slept the entire time,
which is too
bad ’cause her opinion counts.
spent the evening
opening gifts and hanging out
with my favorite person
in the whole wide world.
strangers friends lisa l and amy c. from the fl
sent a cd, a madeline dvd some
awesome clothes, a sweet book
some baby essentials, a photo book and
shaving cream
(are you trying to tell me something?)
stranger friend larkin a. s.
(a friend of liz’s from elem. school)>
sent madeline a onesie with
momma’s photo.
stranger friend bryn d. from the oc
sent us some awesome
robot art.
the artist, john golden, heard our story,
wanted to do something nice
for us,
and refunded bryn’s money.
how awesome is that?
strangers friends sarah and charlotte m. from the nh
sent a whole bunch of coupons
and formula checks
(very useful).
stranger friend amy w. from the mn
sent some essentials, some clothes
and a book for madeline.
stranger friend linda k. from the wi
sent a bunch of gifts,
some for madeline,
some for me,
and some for awesome auntie deb.
strangers friends katie, ben & eloise m. from the neighborhood
sent these radical onesies.
stranger friend erin o. from the ma
sent madeline the
coolest pillowcases
ever made.
spent the late evening
with madeline
i think she liked
them both.
a good day
that helped turn around an
already shitty week.
97 Comments
Matt…
You continue to amaze the world with your strength and devotion…
That struck me as so cute that you have some waiting music for us. You know we all are hoping you had a good Wednesday. I really look forward to your updates as do so many others.
I am one of the people that posted that you can take a break some days but I know I would miss reading of your adventures with Madeline.
Glad to hear you are busy!
Hey Matt,
I hope Wednesday was better than Tuesday. I honestly think of you and your peanut everyday…wondering how you can go on. Your strength amazes me.
Emily
Minne, MN
no post seems to be a good sign – glad you had a bust day! thanks for the music (such a great song!!) give miss madeline some hugs and kisses from us!!! aloha!!!
jess
I hope this means you had a good day!
We love to read about your days, but Molly is right, if you take a break it is okay with us…live your life! If you’re too busy, we all understand!
Hope little miss Madeline had a good day, too.
How cool – this is like “hold music” – only better!!
looking forward to hearing about your Wednesday… and your Thursday! Wondering why so busy.
*hugs to both you and Madeline*
I hope a busy day means a good one! Can’t wait to hear all about it.
Thanks for the tunes…
ugh I just sat down with a cup of coffee to read about your day with sweet Maddie – I have to wait?
: ) – hope you had a better day today, been thinking of you guys all day long.
What is the significance of all the robot stuff?
I’m so glad that Wednesday was a better day. You deserve it, man. That group of new parents looks so cool and fun. What a great event and muffins too!?
Sending you wishes for a peaceful night of rest.
Thanks for the great music. You’ve always been a “leader” in the cool tunes. I love the Iron & Wine song, hadn’t heard that in a long time. It is a beautiful one.
Like many others, reading about your journey has become a regular part of my day. I even thought of you guys the other day when I played scrabble and spelled “Robot.”
So happy to hear you and Madeline and a wonderful day together. She is so very beautiful!
What a difference a day makes indeed! I’m so happy to see that Wednesday was a better day for you and Madeline. Love that you’ve made some new friends nearby. That will be wonderful for both of you. And, the photos of Madeline are unreal. She is exquisite! So lovely. You are doing a wonderful job, Matt. Have a great night.
So good to hear that a day can really make a difference. It is so nice to see you hanging out with other parents and kids. You should do that more often!!
As always your photos and words are inspiring. Madeline is getting so big and with so many facial expressions – it is exciting to see her grow.
You are doing a great job Matt! Keep it up. As always, thinking of you and Madeline and sending you lots of love from the mn….
I am so, so happy to hear that you had an awesome Wednesday!! Also so happy to hear that you (and Miss M) made some new friends. I hope you have more days like Wednesday and less days like Tuesday.
Keep on keepin’ on, Matt. You’re doing a fantastic job!
xoxoxo
Very happy to hear about the parents’ group! You don’t know me, but I’m happy about it.
Had read about you in the Star tribune. Didn’t have the endurance to have a cryfest and read the whole blog until tonight. Just so happens its a cold stormy night all the better to read.
Thanks for sharing the most unique of circumstances. I hope that you know people are thinking and praying for you all the time. It’s incredibly heartwarming that you want to make the best life possible for you and Maddy. Liz would be very proud of you.
You cannot spoil them until they are 6 months. Snuggle Snuggle Snuggle. Sleep when you can and NAPS are the best thing ever.
That picture of Madeline swaddled looking up is SO cute!
Hey Matt-
Greetings from one of your many MN “lurkers”. Thrilled to hear that you 2 had a good day! Amazing how Miss Madeline is starting to fill in her little face. Is she getting cuter?! Is that possible? Good call on looking into daycares. Hope you find one that makes you comfortable, that isn’t easy.
Take care and keep up that great work.
Matt,
I leave notes for you now and then, but this is my first real question.
Just how many onesies do you think Madeline has now? They’re all great, but you’re really going to look forward to shirts without snaps when the time comes!!!
So glad today was better. A post worth waiting for.
Finding the right parent’s group is a godsend for all parents. I am so happy that you met some new friends to connect with. Just getting out and meeting them at the park does amazing things!
If I were in Cali I would watch Maddy for FREE! I think it’s crap that people charge *so* much for something that basically just poops, eats, and sleeps most of the day! It’s not like they’re doing long division for something!
I’m glad you had a good day!
Looks like it was a lovely day! Other parent friends make all the difference in keeping your parenting sanity, its lovely to see you found some! *hugs*
Oh. You can’t spoil a child by holding them and cuddling with them. Ever. Giving into them when they through a fit in the store will spoil them. Hugging them, holding them, kissing them, well that just creates love, security, and a bond that no one can break! IMO
Matt, I haven’t left a comment before, but have been reading all along. You have been in my thoughts and prayers since I started reading. Your strength is amazing and your character shines! You are truly the best dad I know!
I have to agree with Jenni! You can’t spoil her by loving her, so snuggle, hug, cuddle, kiss her all you want! It’s good for her! She needs it!
Thank you for sharing your life with us! You will continue to be in my prayers.
Dear Matt,
I’m a stranger that has been reading since your blog since the article in the STRIB, and I’m a first time poster. I anxiously wait to read every day of your adventures with your beautiful daughter. Your love for Liz has me captivated. It gives me such joy to hear a man with so much love for his spouse. God rest her soul. Today’s play-date and the pix shared from the day, is the first time you’ve had a smile that made me just smile for you. My heart breaks for your loss. I’m so happy you have so many outlets, good friends, and family. It’s so important to have these connections. Many more good days ahead… I’m sure – Mary
Just finished reading Wednesday’s post. Your mention of daycare centers promted me to comment. I am the ExecVP of New Horizon Academy and Kinderberry Hill Child Development Centers in Mn. We will soon be sending you some information on what to look for while searching for high quality early care and education. (In the mean time you can check our web site.) I hope that you will find the information helpful as I know how tough a decision this is.
Thanks for sharing your love of Liz and Maddy with all of us. Your photographs are amazing!
Loved the post today. Loved the pictures… always love the pictures.
Your posts remind me of a book I had my class read a couple of years ago called “Love that Dog”. It was all written in the same short thoughts, each line separated by an empty line.
I hope you don’t mind a question, I have read the last 11 weeks of posts, but maybe I missed it. What do you do? I think I assumed you were a photographer, but when you mentioned daycare I realized you must have a job to get back to somewbere…
Headed to bed for the night. Hope you can sleep well.
Kindall
What a great post today, Matt! I’m so glad your Wednesday was good. I got a huge kick out of all the crazy Maddy photos over on Flickr. She is a riot with her crazy expressions!
I love the new “what’s with the fuckin’ robot?” addition to the front page! Most excellent.
Can’t wait to hear how the rest of your week unfolds!
Matt you are so friggen amazing!! I’m glad today was a better day & glad that you made some new friends and that Madeline made some new friends. I really want to send you something special from Ontario (I’m just outside of Toronto) but don’t have a mailing address for you … should I email you to get it?
I LOVE the new “What’s with the fuckin’ Robot” addition, supper excellent.
Have a good Friday & a GREAT weekend (oh & up “North” in Toronto we’re supposed to have 30+C weather + humidity felling in the 40′sC so I’ll feel like I’m with you … oh the heat, so much nicer than the fuckin’ snow).
Much Love (as always)
Leighann B.
P.S. My Great Aunt just suffered a tragedy (her dear friend was killed in a head on collision on Tuesday) so I’m passing along your blog to my Aunt who will pass it along to her friends family, I’m sure your blog will help them to see that as tragic as life can be it can be amazing at the same time.
I think Madeline looks like her Grandpa Tom G. in the photo where she’s wrapped in her blanket. (Of course, I’ve never seen Grandpa stare out of the corners of his eyes like that, but otherwise . . .)
Rosemary in the CA, from the MN
Just wanted to piggyback on the comments about parent groups. They are a wonderful support system-especially with a new baby. Good luck to you….your story was recommended to me and I am hooked. I am so sorry for you and Maddy, but it looks like Maddy is so lucky to have you for her daddy. You are amazing. Enjoy your sweet girl.
I have to agree with the comment above. I’ve passed your blog along to many folks I know who have unfortunately lost their loved ones recently. There is healing in your words. And people who are all too familiar with loss and grief find comfort in them. Thanks for being vulnerable and sharing yourself, Liz and little Madeline with us.
Glad you had a better day on Wednesday. It was nice to see you with a little smile meeting up with new playmates.
May I just say how impressed I am that Madeline always looks so cute and her outfits & blankets are always so well coordinated! Today my husband dressed our daughter in an orange t-shirt with a navy blue & white Summer dress….he could use some of your fashion sense.
Your new parent/baby group looks cool!
OK, now I’m off to check out Liz Phair music cause I’m not familiar with her. Thanks for all the music recs!
I’ve been reading your blog every morning while I nurse my 3-month old daughter. She likes to see photos of Maddie too.
Sometimes I feel pretty shitty about my husband being in Iraq while I’m left alone with the babies, but your posts remind me how lucky I really am. Maddie is an incredibly lucky little girl to have you as a father, and to share the wonderful support system that you have. We’re crying and laughing right along with you halfway across the world! Keep on keepin’ on…
Feels kind of strange at times to read your day, knowing it is a day behind and then either hoping the current day is better or how it is going….man, Matt, all this positive energy waves from strangers and friends alike has got to be enough to, to, well CHARGE ya up!
I just want to make sure that you realize today that you are doing what you need to do for yourself and Madeline to continue to move forward through this maze of grief and loss. You are finding the balance, or the need to balance…almost as though you can take those slugs to the soul as long as they are countered with pieces of uplifting hope and peace. My prayers for you are always about the balance. Something like this, “Tuesdays suck for Matt, so fill Wednesdays with new friends, an outing or two, robot onesies, gifts from strangers who turn into friends and the delighful warmth of a baby in arms!” So cool that my prayers were answered!
Glad you had such a good day on Wednesday! I think Madeline is trying to sign “I love you” with her fingers.
Madeline is looking so pretty and content in those shots.
I reckon you should keep the beard, although maybe that’s just ’cause I can’t grow one!.
Nice music tips too.
Oh so happy to hear you had a better day! I pray for more to come
Your strength is amazing and fortifies me when life’s trivial little things start to bug me. I think of you and Madeline and what you are overcoming and I think, gosh darn it, if Matt can dig deep and find the beauty and love in life, when faced with such heartbreak, then I can get through my day too. Thank you for your continued sharing. I wish with all my heart there was something I could do to take away your pain and make things better!!!
I am so glad that you had a busy day at the park with that parents group. As cheesy as they can be ( or sound like they are cheesy) They can be a huge encouragement and support. And when Miss M won’t eat her peas, or go potty, or refusues to wear anything that matches ie; stripes and polka dots- you will have a group of people to laugh with you and tell you it will be ok- and not to stress.
You are doing great. Really great.
What a beautiful bunch of families you have found. How marvelous!
You’ve found the real reason for playgroups: for the parents! Hang on for what’s coming up: Madeline giving you a delicious smile. It’s coming soon….
I am so glad you had a better day. It will be a great outlet for you connect with these other families for play dates, advice, opinions and maybe a little help with Madeline if needed when the time comes.
I know you want to go to all these places that meant a lot to you and Liz..but it seems that these places of memories with her(at this time) offer you the hardest punches to the gut and nuts. It will get easier over time…so please try to be kind to yourself. I am sure just getting through a day, hour, minute is tough…so maybe these new places will be a little more kind on your heart, soul and gut. It breaks my heart to see you hurt.
Madeline looks great in the pictures. You will enjoy her so much in these upcoming stages. My youngest is 3 mo. and is getting so much more interactive now. Get ready….hold on..she will be cruising before you know it. You better start baby proofing your wall of music. Have a good day.
Thinking of the two of you.
That first picture of Madeline…she looks like such a big girl. She is growing up nicely! Adorable. Glad you had a good Wednesday. Still praying for all of you in TX.
So good to hear that you had a good day. As others have said, there is nothing like having a bunch of other parents to hang with and bounce ideas off of. You’ll treasure those “playgroup” times.
I just found out that a friend from high school lost his wife in a similar situation. My heart breaks for you both. I am hopeful he may be led to your blog to see that, although it’s very hard, he can be a great dad to his baby. Your strength continues to amaze me….
Take care and here’s to more good days!
I’m lovin that you had a much better day yesterday
Madeline looks like she is practicing raising her hand for school in the first pic (either that or doing her morning stretches). She must have known you were going to scout out daycares.
I also love that you found a nice group of rents and kiddies to hang out with. Your smile in that pic is full of warmth and that makes me happy.
:::sending lots of hugs from sunny but brutally hot south florida:::
I don’t know why, but I just love the photos of her hands.
Too funny about the shaving cream.. I like the beard!
So happy to hear you had a better Wednesday! As always, Madeline is beautiful!!
Sweet!!!
I’m so thankful for your good day. And wow, Matt… something about these pictures of Madeline really show how much she favors you. Good luck with your daycare search, too – I’ve heard it can take forever!
Big hugs to you both
So nice to read about you having a better day. Madeline is beautiful, and your strength is truly admirable.
sounds like some great peeps in the la…i’m glad wednesday was a good day!
Matt (and Matt’s friends)….something quite lovely happens if you scroll so the beginning of the Tuesday story is at the bottom of the screen, and the end of the Wednesday story is at the top…Lovely Liz with her beautiful smile, looking UP at the two of you..lovely Madeline and lovelier even still Matt. Ahhhhhhhh.
Matt-
YEAH!!! So happy to hear about your FUN Wednesday! Good for you and Madeline!
All your new friends look so nice- it will be great for you to be bale to hang out with that group!
The pictures are fabulous- Madeline is getting cuter( is that possible??) she is getting a little personality…the 1st pic is so wonderful!
Lots of cool gifts from friends. too! She is going to be the BEST DRESSED little girl in CA!!!
Again, thanks for sharing it all with us Matt, you are doing a SUPER JOB!!!
Here’s to a fabulous weekend…
Hugs & kisses from here in the MN.
Matt,
I’ve been silently following your story for the last two months. Thanks for your honesty and your powerful words. Madeline is blessed to have you as her Daddy. I can see that your heart is overflowing with love for her and Liz. Thanks for sharing that with us.
I found a tiny plastic green robot (just like those little green plastic army men) in my car one day. It was strange – I have no idea where it came from. But of course I couldn’t help but be reminded of you and your story. Now I keep him in my pocket and every time I pull him out I think of you guys and pray for you.
Thanks again for blessing our lives with yours.
Tracee
Yay for better days! Here’s hoping the rest of your week is good.
I love the new Madeline pics, especially the thought bubble one…has she started “talking” to you yet? She’s beautiful, and like many other people have noticed…she looks a lot like Liz.
Matt, you’re awesome. Keep on keeping on, and thanks for letting us share the ups and downs. Thinking about you guys daily here in GA.
Matt,
You are doing awesome! I heard an interview from Dr. David Walsh yesterday. He has done studies on brain development and kids. He is from the MN too. I would highly recommend his book “No, Why all Kids Need to Hear it, All Parents Can Say It.” He talks about the connection that is made in the first two years between a parent and their child. How kids don’t have memories that they can explicitly remember before the age of two but the implicitly remember the connection you made by holding and nurturing. You are right now building trust with Madeline that will carry out to her teenage years. You are building a connection that will help her make the choices you would want her to make because she and you will have a great relationship and bond that she will not want to break. Keep doing what you are doing! I held my kids all the time and loved them. They are all awesome teenagers who like to be with me and their friends like me. I hope this gives you some comfort that you are not spoiling Maddy. Dr. Walsh says that you really can’t spoil up to 18 months and then the kids get the will of their own. It is an interesting read. I recommend it.
Matt, Reading this post really made me happy. When I read your words and “hear” the smile on your face really terrific! Thanks for the wonderful pictures of you, your new friends and of course the beautiful baby that you have.
Squeezes to you both!
I’m glad you had a good day…and a good playdate!
Sometimes it’s nice to be around other parents and be able to ask questions that you can’t find the answers to on the internet.
Matt-I’m glad your day was much better today. It’s amazing what a difference meeting new people can make.
I started yesterday crying at your Tuesday post and ended it by smiling at Wednesday. Thanks for sharing your strength. By the way … she looks gorgeous against pink!!
love, love, love the picture of madeline in her little blankie burrito. she’s a doll.
glad you had a good day.
So glad to read you had a great day!
Madeline is changing so much. She is such a cutie. I pray that you coninue to have the best days yet!
So cute! Looks like she is waving to all her adoring fans!!
Your good day helped my day to stay good, despite its attempts to do otherwise. Thank you so much. You’ve helped – a lot.
Also, that picture of the Divine Miss M. with her wrapped in the flowered blanket, looking up – she doesn’t look like a squashy infant. She looks like a “real grown-up” baby with her own face and her own expressions. It’s amazing how much she has changed in ten weeks.
Love from New Jersey!
So glad to hear you had a better day and that you got the checks. I wasn’t sure if I had put enough postage on them.
If I get anymore, they’re yours!
Parenting groups are a great! Good days, bad days and better days, they all happen and you get through each with more strengh than most have.
Hi there,
My name is Christine. I pen a daily blog for Glamour.com, affiliated with GLAMOUR magazine (a national mag). One of my faithful readers sent me a link to your blog. I would really love for you to guest blog on Storked! Like I said, it’s in association with Glamour magazine (I’m a FT writer), so the visibility is huge. I also have a book coming out next summer…anyway…I relate to you, doing it solo. My son’s father didn’t feel like participating–I realize our life stories are radically different…that is why I want you to share. You’re daughter is beautiful. Stop by my blog and please, shoot me an email. Best, Christine
wow, such hip parents!
Yay! I’m so glad Wednesday was an awesome day.
It sounds like your playdate was awesome. I’m so glad you’ve found some friends [with babies] you can spend time with.
Maybe today will be even better?
Love from the TX.
Wow! Glamour magazine! How cool is that!?! Next thing y’know, Ellen DeGeneres will be popping by, and maybe Regis & Kelly…
How wonderful to read about your great day. You know, you discovered something that women have known for eternity: That a small posse of other parents can really lift your spirits. I’m 50-something, and my best “girlfriends” are those I met when we all had little ones.
Madeline grows more beauteous day by day!
I’m glad Wednesday was better. When you get a minute, I blogged about your story and people left comments for you on my blog. Here’s hoping Thursday was even better.
I’m so glad that Wednesday was a good day! I’m also jealous of your playgroup time! I so wish I had something like that. The pictures of Madeline are so precious! I hope the rest of your week is good!
I just heard of this blog (and your story) today. I spent the last 3 hours reading it and crying my eyes out. My 2 year old asked me what was wrong. Then my husband called and I told him the story (in tears of course). I am so sorry that this happened to you Matt (& Madeline) but you are clearly a great person and are/will be a fabulous dad.
As a photographer, I thoroughly enjoyed all of the pictures you posted of everyone. My thoughts and prayers are with you both (and your loved ones). I’m pretty sure Liz is still there with you though and will guide you through fatherhood without too many hiccups.
Keep it up-and thanks for sharing your story.
the top pic of maddy is my favorite so far….
oh my is she ever cute!!!!
matt, hang in there…there ARE more good days to come…..
Thinkin of you both…
Yay for a Good day! So nice to see you smiling in the pix with what looks like an awesome group of parents – so glad you have connected with them
Hoping that you will have a very awesome weekend with the Divine miss M, who is so darn beautiful, and her daddy dresses her very fashionably by the way!
Keep on, keeping on Matt, your an amazing human!
she has Liz’s eyes.
She is growing so much! And beautiful! You are doing an awesome awesome job. Awesome Auntie Deb gets a name– so you should too… how about Magnificent Daddy Matt???
I’m so glad you had a much better day and the other new parents in the photo look like a fun group! It is so important to have friends that are parents too – as sounding boards for your adventures in parenting.
Madeline is so big already – you are doing a wonderful job with her. I love seeing her grow through your photos.
Thanks for sharing with us all the amazing gifts you receive – especially the robot inspired ones! Amazingly fun!
matt you are amazing!
I love hearing your updates everyday!!
Be on the look out for a package from lake norman mommies in north carolina :}
Hi Matt (and Ms Maddie, of course)!
Glad that you had a much improved day on Weds. We’re so jealous of those new stranger-friends who’ve been able to hold Madeline. We look forward to that hopefully, later this month.
Thanks for the video link to Wilco’s “On and on.” I’ve saved it. Lovin’ my Wilco album. Thanks again.
Uncle Rich, aka Iowa Rich
You got shaving cream? Too funny. Just the other day I was wondeirng what you’d look like clean shaven. Do you have a picture we could see? Have a great rest of the day!
Glad you have met some friends with whom you can bond! And right in your neighborhood, no less! Speaking from experience, finding that crowd of (in my case) moms that had kids my same age and could relate to my issues made an ENORMOUS difference in the first year of my son’s life. I could not have made it without them…and we are still friends four years later. So I know how much that means and I’m so glad you’ve found that for yourself…it is even better when you share the same values as your new friends, which it kinda sounds like you do. Finding this situation will make a world of difference for you.
Reason #12348523 you are a great dad: giving her the gift of music… my dad did the same thing with me growing up and I am so thankful for it. I grew up idolizing hendrix and tears for fears while my friends were obsessed with new kids on the block. I also played guitar and wrote songs during my pre-teen years to help get that teenage angst out.
You are doing an amazing job.
(I also have to add in the second picture of the Madster, she looks like she’s conducting an orchestra. I think you have a child prodigy on your hands!)
(I’m also glad you guys liked the print! Yay for John
I’m jealous there’s another Christine here who has a Glamour job – literally. Anyway, I’m glad you had a better day. And also, is Madeline throwing a gang sign in one of those photos? I know you live in LA, but jeesh!
Your hopefully comic relief,
Christine
In our house, we call the pose in the first picture: “Power to the Babies” or “Babies Unite”!
Hope you’re Friday is goin’ fine.
I am so glad you had a better day. Your sadness shows in your posts, and its so nice to see some happy shine through there.
I hope they keep on getting better!
HUGS to you both from MN!
LOVE that 1st photo – looks like she’s saying “Rock On”
Hi Matt~ Ive said it before, and Ill say it again, you are doing an amazing job. While reading your last post, I noticed that you were searching out day cares for sweet Maddie. My mom is a nurse, who, specializes in taking care of infants in her home. The only problem is, that Im guessing that you live somewhere in the Valley, and she is in the Arcadia area. Just thought Id mention it just in case it could work out. She is wonderful at what she does, and Maddie probably would end up spoiled
So glad you had a good day on Wednesday. Maddy definitely has Liz’s eyes. It’s really evident in the picture of her cutting them to the right. She’s such a beautiful little girl.
I’m glad you made some new friends who can help support you along with those of us online and those truly incredible ones you’ve had for ages. Like several others have said, Keep on Keepin’ on. You’re doing a wonderful job! Much love from NC.
Good luck with the daycare hunting! In the same boat ourselves. One thing to look for that may seem odd,
No False fingernails on the care providers!
There was an outbreak of MRSA in the diaper area on a group of babies at a local day care center here (several came to the hospital I work at for treatment, I’m a RN) and the doctors tracked it back to a safe haven for this bacteria that can be very dangerous to babies.
I hope someone actually goes through these comments and lets you know about this one.
Take care of yourself so you can take care of your sweet baby, and I hope next week is better:)
I was told today about your story and I just got finished reading it. I just wanted to let you know like everyone else here that you are a very strong person and you will get through the ruff days by just looking into your daughters face. I hope your good days start to come more often then your bad ones.
I dont know anyone close to me in your type of situation and I couldnt start to imagine how you feel. But I know in my heart that you are going to be a GREAT father and you are going to teach that little girl everything she needs to know! I know you have so many people but if you EVER need a person to talk to I have 2 little girls one is 9 months and the other is 4 years old add me to myspace if you want to check em out!
Youve really inspired me to start recording daily events and keeping up a journal. I dont know if i will actually keep it up but SHIT im gonna flippin try!!!
Good luck with tomorrow!
Matt,
I am also one of the “strangers” that reads your blog. Can’t even being to tell you the smiles and tears it has brought to my eyes. The power of your words is amazing and I am just in awe about your strenght and the power of your love.
You are doing an awesome job and Madeline is absolutely adorable.
I pray for you guys and think about you guys and always send positive vibes your way.
Today I had to wrok late so my husband ordered chinese. When it was time to eat the fortune cookies (my favorite part about chinese!) we noticed that none of them were really fortunes…they were more like advices or compliments!. My husband said he thinks “the fortune cookie” people got sued at some point. I thought that was hilarus…the “fortune cookie people”…like it is actually a group of people writing fortunes? lol. Anyway, I thought of you and the robot…such a sweet robot he is
I hope you are having a good Friday. Will keep praying for you and sending you guys mental hugs!
Andreina from FL
That last picture. WOW. You are her strength, you are her everything. I love that picture. It’s a true picture of this amazing father and daughter. You are her strength, she is yours.