both of us slept
in until 8:00.
quite a triumph, likely
explained by the fact
that it was 5:00am
in our minds.
opened the shades,
saw the rain.
looks awesome, but not
good when most of our
adventures for the
day included time
spent outdoors.
decided that we should
do something we rarely do…
nothing.
yeah. just sit and stare
at one another.
we did that all morning,
all the way until 2:30.
that’s the time
the sun decided to appear.
decided it was time
for a long walk.
i think madeline was
sick of staring
at me anyway.
but where to?
doesn’t matter.
let’s just go.
got madeline into her stroller,
strolled through the
lobby and out onto
park ave.
a beautiful day now,
we headed north
toward something,
both of us staring
toward the buildings
in the sky.
had the idea of contacting
lauren, a relatively
new friend who, along with
talia had done something
very nice for me
a few months back.
sent her an e-mail
from my bb
and quite surprisingly,
she responded very quickly,
taking me up on
my offer to hang
out with me and maddy.
madeline seemed to like
the idea.
we met on a corner
and talked for a few
minutes before deciding
to walk a few blocks
into the central park.
we wandered,
finally ending up
at a lake.
lauren suggested we
take a boat ride.
madeline’s first.
why not?
we got in the boat,
lauren rowing, me
holding madeline.
i was given a lifevest
for madeline.
it was a lot too
big so it was removed
rather quickly.
lauren paddled
until she got tired,
then i tried my hand
at the task.
i failed.
i’ve paddled plenty of
canoes and i am pretty good
at that, but a rowboat
is a completely different thing.
it takes coordination.
i don’t have that,
especially with my left arm.
we went in circles,
then into the shore,
then back the way we had
just come.
not good.
some teenage girls laughed
at me.
a low point in my life.
i gave up.
lauren had to take over
otherwise we’d be
never get back.
it was around that
time that madeline
started to scream.
and despite all attempts to
calm her,
she wouldn’t stop.
and she was loud.
reached into the diaper
bag for a bottle.
shit.
no bottle.
you’ve got to be kidding.
sitting in the middle of
a lake in the middle of
the central park,
screaming child.
no bottle.
if it hasn’t already been
revoked, that father of the
year prize is now for sure
going to some other dude.
people on the shore,
and folks in nearby
boats stared in disbelief.
she eventually calmed down
and we continued
to head back to
the dock.
from the lake we
could see a giant helium balloon
rising, then falling below
the tree line.
lauren told me all
about it and i told
her we should try to
get madeline into that
big balloon.
a boat and a balloon
ride all in the same day?
awesome.
she used her fancy
new phone to see if there
were any height requirements,
(my idea).
after so many years
of teasing
liz
that she was too
short to do
a lot of fun things,
this requirement is always
on my mind.
in this case, the rider
had to be 42 inches tall.
shit.
no balloon ride for maddy.
but that made me think…
a little quick math
and i realized that at
her current height of
23 inches, 4+ month-old
madeline’s already a
little more than
1/3 the height of her
mom.
fucking hilarious!
i would have teased
liz
so much about this!
if only she were here…
the thought
made me laugh anyway.
lauren rowed us back to shore
and we walked through the
central park, and back to
my hotel so i could
get a bottle for maddy.
from there we walked to
lauren’s apartment in
the hells kitchen,
so i could get a view
of the skyline
from her roof and
so we could
meet up with talia.
we headed up to the roof,
talia holding madeline
as i snapped some photos.
it was awesome.
decided that it was time
to go, we made our
way back down the stairs
through some hallways
and out to
the street so we
could go to dinner.
walked a little ways to
a mediterranean restaurant
that lauren loves.
we had a great meal,
laughing throughout.
they offered to walk
me back to my hotel
’cause neither of them
had been inside the place.
we walked back through
times square,
pausing long enough
to get madeline into
her first rap video.
later she met the rapper
but all she really
cared about where
the lights.
we said goodbye
to our new rapper friends
and continued toward
the hotel.
we made it inside,
and decided that the
girls (but not maddy) should
have a drink at the
fancy bar.
we found a seat
facing the bar
and watched as strange
things happened…
lauren and i
discreetly photographed them
while talia made some
new friends.
later we saw a
guy fall to the carpet.
a good time was had
by all.
said goodbye to the
ladies, promising to catch
up again soon,
and headed up to
our room.
madeline was already
asleep, now it’s
my turn.
a wonderful day
with lots of awesome
new memories
for madeline
and for me.
100 Comments
Sounds like an amazing day in NYC–my favorite city in the world!
Madeline is so beautiful. I love the pictures of her looking at the lights of Times Square.
what a great, memorable day! you smiling & laughing makes me smile. great pics of maddy in the NYC lights!
One of the best days I’ve had in NY, thank you for that! Glad we could immortalize some of those moments on video.
Matt, you’re such a great dad! And Madeline is so beautiful…she looks so much like her mother. We think of you often!!!
Much love from the Pankakes
That happens to every parent at least once! I always have a bottle or snack for my kids when we go anywhere, and the one time I forget or think we won’t need it…complete meltdown. I had a good chuckle thinking of you in that familiar predicament!
Maddy looked especially cute that day. Love the shots of her looking at the lights. Ahhh….NYC.
I love the picture of Madeline surrounded by all of the Times Square signs. It’s beautiful. And, the rap video is perfect! I hope she ends up in the video–THAT would be hilarious.
i lovelovelove your city pictures. and your tales from such a killer nyc trip.
yeah – i know it’s been said, but i do love that city.
keep on keepin’ on, matt!
It souded like an awesome day and some great photos to go with it. I had to laugh at the height thing, where Madeline is 1/3 of her mom’s heaight at 4 months. At 9 months (and still, he hasn’t grown taller since), my son is almost 1/2 my height at 29 inches.
Have to add…I’ve never forgotten to pack at least a bottle and some formula, but I’ve forgotten on a couple of occasion to pick the nipples. Ain’t that the same.
What great pics of NY. Just makes me want to go there even more. And that one of Madeline smiling – it is just amazing.
And what great views from the roof – the best thing about knowing people in the places you visit – you get a unique view that most tourists don’t. You captured it beautifully.
Matt,
Found your blog via http://www.mamakatslosinit.blogspot.com. You rock. Madeline is one lucky little lady. If you’re ever in Houston, send me an e-mail! I have a niece just a few months older that would love to play
Definitely sounds like a great day for your two!
Trust me when I say EVERY parent has a moment like you did in the canoe without a bottle! My experience happend over an hour away from home with my son in a carseat full of crap…he had a poop explosion and I had ran out of the house without the diaper bag! My son turns 6 on Sunday and I still remember that day like it was yesterday!
Ahhh, another great post. So far I am loving your trip to NYC!! It looks like you and Madeline did as well. Again, great photos and smiles from both you and Madeline. Just awesome.
Thinking of you today in the mn…
Wow – sounds like an amazing day!
I am jealous that your kid has seen more of this country than I have!
Oh, and I’m pretty sure your job as a dad is to keep her OUT of rap videos!! *wink*
there is a real shift I’ve noticed in your posts when you talk about Liz. You smile more now and appear to feel better, not worse. I’m so glad to see it. Have a super weekend, Matt and Maddy.
That sounds brilliant.
She’s about 2/5 my height… could you like, slow her down or something?
I hope you’ve started a list of things that madeline has done. Unlike many people, she will grow adding to the list, instead of crossing things off. She has already done things that some people think are impossible! You are a wonderful father (one screaming baby moment will not revoke your father of the year award)….
That sounds like a fantastic day in NYC. I love the pictures of Madeline looking at the lights of Time Square. She’s just SO cute! You are a wonderful father.
Another good day. blessings.
Loved Madeline’s appearance in the rap video, I am glad she kept her clothes on. LOL!
I look forward to seeing NYC one day… even more so now after seeing your pictures. What a fun day! Love the pic of Maddy staring up at the lights. Her little face is just in awe.
So, so glad that thinking of Liz brought smiles and laughter, not tears.
Know you will be traveling again soon. Hope all goes well…I’m guessing there will be some emotional punch to this trip, to say the least.
On another note…wanna take bets on how quickly you get a comment on the disgracefulness of your having a kid in a boat with no life jacket…?!
These are some of the best pictures of Madeline to date. I think she looks like you around the eyes, particularly in the picture where she’s on your shoulder in Times Square. Looks like it was a great day for you both, screaming session in the boat aside.
What a top day.
Some quality photos. How much did Madeline like the bright lights eh? One for broadway maybe?
Also loved the height quip. Great that Liz was with you today.
Sounds like a lot of fun!!
That is the one thing I love about NY, you never know what you are going to see or experience. Glad all of yours and Maddy’s adventures so far have been wonderful. Amazing how much she looks like you in that last picture of you two together!
Asalamalaykom,
Miss Madeline is indeed a muse to many. But why wait for her to appear by chance in a video? I think you should have a contest in which readers make her the star of videos. They submit to you, then the readers vote.
Loved the photos of you in Time Square. It’s like the whole big huge world surrounds you and it’s bright and noisy and chaotic BUT you are holding on to each other. Wonderful!
OMG, what a beautiful child.
Hello Matt and Madeline –
I have been away on vacation “up north” for the week – great to read up on your trip to NYC. Looks like you guys had a great time. Hope your trip to Banff goes equally as well.
Take care –
Jen and Zoe in Robbinsdale
That baby is getting cuter and cuter by the minute. Love her blue eyes.
Bad Dad!
She is so damn cute and happy.
Lucky Dad!
So that last pic of you in Times Square, where you have Madeline propped up on your shoulder? In that picture, it’s the first time I could honestly say she looks exactly like YOU and not just 100% Mini-Liz.
Love hearing about your trip to the NYC, my hometown (pre-1976 anyway)!
Lovely pics from the Big Apple. The one of Madeline sitting on your shoulder in Times Square–she looks just like you! And that’s a beautiful thing!
Of course you want her to look like her beautiful mom, but every now and then it warms the soul to have someone tell you your child looks exactly like you. Happy Summer.
What an awesome day in the NYC. Wow, love the photos of you and Madeline with the rapper. The wonder on that girls face! Priceless. You have such awesome photos! Helps to have such a beautiful subject!
I agree with the others, the propped up photo of Madeline in times square, she is her daddys clone there!
Love the pictures of Maddy in Times Square! She is bright eyed and beautiful!
Too bad about the hot air balloon ride though!
She is getting so big, and so beautiful!
So many adventures! Maddy will love the stories when she’s older!
What a fun day!
The pictures are precious- Madeline is at such a sweet age. The wonderment is priceless. Glad you had such a great time in my hometown.
Wow! Hobnobbing with rappers? Watch out! I love how big her eyes are looking at the lights! Such a doll!
What a fun day (despite being caught without a bottle — not the first parent to do so and you won’t be the last!) Magnificant photos, too. I’ve only been to NYC once and couldn’t believe that a relatively small town girl would love it as much as I did. You really capture the essence of your subject be it Miss Madeline’s beautiful smile or a stairway. Beautiful work.
What a wonderful day that sounds like. And for the record… I think you are still in the lead for Father of the Year
Glad you had a great day!
ya gotta love those cheap ass dreams.
aim high in life.. that is what I always say.
no bottle in the middle of a lake.. I am sure she wasn’t traumatized too badly Matt!
No worries about your father of the year award- i think it is just a mug anyway.
and it is probably made in Taiwan by some 8 year old..
pass on that one and settle for a happy healthy baby.
SERIOUSLY CAN SHE GET ANY CUTER!?!?!?
I was thinking to myself, how could I have missed how cute her little chin is? It’s because she’s looking up at the lights! So adorable. This sounds like it was a great day.
Sounds like another great day in NYC!! I hate those times when you can’t them to settle – always at the most inconvient places! Hilarious about Maddy’s height vs. Liz – I’m sure Liz would have gotten a kick out of it too!!
Those pictures of Madeline looking at the lights are priceless!
mannnn i’m so jealous!! i’d give my right pinky toe to be in nyc!!! ok, really i wouldn’t because then i’d look funny in my flip flops but you get the point. it’s so nice to see you and the little cutie pie smiling so much.
i’ve been away so i had the pleasure to read three posts!!!
i really like the boat pictures! she looks so cute when she cries!
Thanks for sharing your NYC travels and pictures. I miss that city so much. Its the one vacation place my daughter keeps asking to go back to! Be careful… Maddie with be next to ask to go back.
I think you are very brave to have gotten in the small boat with her. I remember the first time I went on I was terrified, and so was my boyfriend.
I love the pictures of Madeline in Time Square.
The photo of Madeline with her tongue sticking out is by far the cutest picture of her yet.
OMG. I fuckin LUUURVE the pic of the hooker. Classic! Sounds like such an awesome day! Cool pics from the rooftop, too. Too bad the only view I could offer you in the AR is of some cows and a few barns. Sweet-ass, doncha think?
Hi Matt!
I check in on you and Madeline about once a week. I love reading your posts and looking at your pictures. You’re a very talented photographer! Madeline is getting so big.
I hope you’re doing well and our family prays for you often. You’re an amazing Father and Madeline is so very lucky to have you. Looks like such a fun trip to NYC!
Another awesome day spent with amazing friends.
I will be thinking of you on your next journey. Know it is gonna be a tough one.
Madeline is definitely starting to look like her daddy.
Excellent photos from the roof. I miss living in a real city. *sigh*
That first picture of Madeline in this post is absolutely adorable!!
The fact that you had such a good day just put me in a great mood, and I’ve not even met you. I think there’ll be many more awesome days for you and your girl.
email me next time! I have room for you and Maddy at my apt (although the Waldorf looked pretty sweet) my kids would be so excited! Glad you had fun in my hometown, the pics of Maddy are beautiful. You’ve been more places with her than I have with my kids (12 & 8), I’m constantly in awe of you.
Matt, I’m glad you had such a great day with Maddie and Talia.
When I saw the NYC pictures yesterday, I had to look at the rest of the Flickr stream. Let me tell you, it caused a wave of homesickness that I didn’t think possible. I really miss NY and you captured the vibe, the essence, so well.
(I loved the other Hell’s Kitchen shots-those are what did me in. Fabulous)
What a great post! Maddy is an amazing little girl. She is so lucky that you are taking her all over the place, experiencing so many things! She is going to be a very cultured little lady.
Pure Liz (and a touch of grandma broccoli) in that picture with her smiling and her tongue out: beautiful. Can’t wait to see Maddie’s next rap video (after this one). Mags wanted me to pass a message to Maddie, “goo goo ga ga, ma, dadadadadada la la, mana, mooooooooo, NYC, wa wa wa!” P.S. “baba la loo moo, me, knnn!” Which I think translates as, “I’m so jealous you got to go to the NYC, I saw the Chicago, but Times Square looks so much better. P.S. I don’t like boats either!”
Matt,
How could you, a rap video??!!! Love the picture with her tongue sticking out! You look really happy in the pictures! Once again, thanks for sharing the awesome pictures!
Take care,
Debbie
I just had to write to say you are both amazing. I love your site, the pictures and your writing.
All the people loving you, Liz and Maddy. Liz will never be forgotten.
I have to ask what kind of camera do you have? Your pictures are amazing. I know you’re super busy, I’ll check the website to see if it says anywhere. You’re very talented! Safe traveling!
I know I’ve said it before, but you are such an amazing photographer! All of your pictures are wonderful, but it’s something about these NYC pictures that really captured the essence of the city. They almost make me feel like I’m there.
You should make a book for Maddy with all her travel pictures. I’m doing that now and they are so great to look at. If you want a really great website, I’ll give a name of one to you.
The one of Maddy smiling with her tongue out made me smile! Shows how crazy she is about you.
The last sentence was awesome!
The photo of you both at night – daddy smiling, Maddy looking up, lights blurred in the background – is priceless! Can feel the happy moments shining through you! Take care.
I think you’ve posted it somewhere before…but just curious….would Liz have been tall enough for the balloon ride???!!
Hope your travels are still going well.
In honor of NYC and Wicked, the source of today’s quote:
(Glinda):
I’ve heard it said
That people come into our lives for a reason
Bringing something we must learn
And we are led
To those who help us most to grow
If we let them
And we help them in return
Well, I don’t know if I believe that’s true
But I know I’m who I am today
Because I knew you…
Like a comet pulled from orbit
As it passes a sun
Like a stream that meets a boulder
Halfway through the wood
Who can say if I’ve been changed for the better?
But because I knew you
I have been changed for good
(Elphaba):
It well may be
That we will never meet again
In this lifetime
So let me say before we part
So much of me
Is made of what I learned from you
You’ll be with me
Like a handprint on my heart
And now whatever way our stories end
I know you have re-written mine
By being my friend…
Like a ship blown from it’s mooring
By a wind off the sea
Like a seed dropped by a skybird
In a distant wood
Who can say if I’ve been changed for the better?
But because I knew you
I have been changed for good
Beautiful and amazing pictures, as usual, Matt! Madeline in the vest is a hoot! Don’t feel bad, I’ve forgotten bottles and/or formula with each of my three boys at least one time! Notice I said ‘at least’ one time! Of course, I never realized it until they were in mid-meltdown! Too funny about Madeline being 1/3 of her momma’s height!
sounds like a great day! NYC is an exciting city. Madeline has the most gorgeous eyes. seriously.
hugs from NJ,
erica and Landon
I have yall beat! I’m 28 and Madeline is 2/3 my size! So there!
Matt – always look forward to reading your blog on a daily basis. Keep up the amazing work. You’re doing an awesome job!
Dude,
I think is was Chris Rock who said you have failed as a father if your daughter ends up in a Rap video or on the pole. Be careful and don’t try to encourage that shit man…
The photos of you kissing Madeline are beautiful. Esp the one of you guys in the rowboat.
I know these Internet blog “awards” aren’t really all that real and are a little bit silly (but still fun! =)), but I got one from a friend of mine and I wanted to pass on the so-called honor to you, Matt.
If you’re feeling so inclined, see here for more.
Madeline looks a little concerned or maybe a bit scared by all the lights and activity around her. I love the 99cent dreams sign…everything $1 and up. Who knew that dreams could be had for so cheap? I am confused by the (not) truth in advertising but I would go ahead and pay the extra cent for a few of the dreams I have had!
Looks like a cool trip, wish I could go there. This crazy lady in Texas is still pulling for you.
Beautiful pictures. Enough Said.
Love love love the pic of her with her tongue sticking out. She’s as good combo of feisty-ness and chill-baby.
The Times Square pics are also equally great! Glad your trip was fun for you and Lauren seems like a really nice person; glad you’re coming across more nice people these days then not so nice ones.
fan-flippin’-fantastic photos of Madeline in Times Square! And woot for the rap video!
I love that Maddy has seen to much of the world already – has experienced the inside of airplanes, cabs, shopping malls, restaurants and bars; and has even been on a boat in Central Park. I know so many parents who don’t take their children anywhere and it’s such a shame… So, way to go, Matt!
Matt-Love this post! Pics are fantastic and Maddie continues to get cuter every day (not even sure how its possible, but just when I think she can’t get any cuter, she does). This NY trip seems to be an important one on your “journey” for some reason…not sure why, but it seems like it to me. The city agrees with you, for sure. You both look great.
But, I have to ask about the man falling on the floor???? Drunk? Clumsy? You run into the craziest situations, I swear!!
Hope you are having an awesome time in the Banff
Love love love the first picture of Madeline sticking out her tongue. I obviously never knew Liz but imagine that being a perfect “mini me” moment.
Never been to the NY but you make me want to go.
AMAZING pictures!! The ones of Maddy looking around at the lights are precious.
And the one with you guys walking out of the apartment building and Maddy resting on Talia’s shoulder is SOOOO cute. She’s like “Wow, vacation is hard.”
What a superb day. Rainy morning stare down time sounds almost perfect.
(((hugs)))
Hi Matt.. greetings from Greece..
I was directed to your website a few weeks ago and I was heartbroken even though I don’t know you guys..
Maddy though, looks just like her mom!
You’re doing a great job.. keep it up!
Oh, I love that pic of Madeline in Times Square looking at the lights!
I’m not a boat person–I probably would have been crying along w/ Maddie on the rowboat. And being stranded in the middle of the lake w/out a bottle is bad–though I think it would have been worse on the hot air balloon w/out it!
Sounds like a great day!!
She’s getting cuter and cuter by the minute. Absolutely precious.
great great great photos!!! Madeline is so lucky to be able to do and see so many things with her dad! It is amazing what we are actually capable of that we never thought possible before. You should totally move to ny!!!
Oh, forgot a part….the whole time I was reading this post, I was thinking about the song “Make it Alright” by Jay Farrar. It just seemed to make me think of your situation right now (although, Ill be honest, aside from the chorus, I don’t have a CLUE what Jay Farrar is talking about). Anyway, I tend to choreograph my life (and apparently others’) in my head…its like one giant movie to me…
Sooo, not sure if you’ve heard it, but its a good one….
I like your gangsta pose.
New York, one of my favorite places. It looks like a fabulous time. The picture of Madeline looking at the lights is so striking. It needs to be blown up and framed. Great pictures!!
I love that I laughed through this entire post. I can laugh at the short jokes… since I am 4’11″. Glad you trip to the NYC was great. Madeline is getting more beautiful each day.
Maddie poking her tongue out – my smile for the morning. Thanks as always for sharing the gloriously beautiful moments of your life!
She definitely liked the lights, you had me laughing out loud here with the pictures of her being oblivious to anything else but the lights! And..madeline is a rap star!! that’s amazing lol.
What great pics…my fav her with her tongue out…adorable!!!!
Been reading since “birth” and am finally commenting to share this post with you: http://pilgrimgirl.blogspot.com/2008/08/what-has-to-be-done.html
I really think you will like it.
Blessings. I love seeing Maddy grow… I hope you won’t ever stop blogging.
matt- I have followed your blog since the day I heard about it (I think the day after Liz died) I read it daily, in fact
I love the updates, your photography is AMAZING and I love watching you conquer the smallest and greatest of parenting challenges along with the rest of us (parents)… I am dying to know however, (and please excuse my noisiness into something that is none of my business) but what did you do for a living before Maddy was born??? It is amazing that you are traveling around the country (and others) and able to fly all over, and travel so much, but it has my curiosity peaked and I am just crazy curious to know what you did as a profession? My guess would be something with photography, am I close?
Wow Matt…loving the pic of Maddy that Gina took for you… love her eyes and smile… she’s gorgeous! Keep having fun and smiling!
I’ve been reading your blog for a long time but this is my first time commenting.
Madeline looks so much like Liz in the picture of her with her tongue out. She’s a beautiful little girl and it warms my heart to see that deep love that you have for each other.
I hope you keep this blog going for a very long time because I’ve loved watching Maddy grow up.