i was up early
and ready to go.
madeline was not.
she slept until 9:00.
we didn’t have anywhere
to be until 1:30,
so we spent the morning
reading together.
was nice.
finally got out of the hotel
and made our way south
to meet up with chrissy, jack and
friends for brunch.
arrived to find a group
of chrissy and jack’s friends waiting
outside the place, chrissy and
jack nowhere to be seen.
their friends welcomed us instantly,
admiring my little
stroller-bound beauty.
chrissy, jack and another friend
arrived a few minutes later
and we went inside.
sat at one end of
the table with chrissy
and our kids.
looked like one big
happy fucking family.
if only the people knew…
brunch was great,
conversation was better.
we finished up and wandered
the streets
in search of more food.
some ate cupcakes
while others ate ice cream.
yet others ate neither,
spending time minding
the children.
later we went to
the playground.
jack and some of
his auntied enjoyed
the swing set,
madeline slept
through some jazz,
and chrissy and i
watched it all.
madeline finally woke up
and demanded something
to drink,
then demanded to be
a little closer to jack.
then it was time
to go.
madeline said goodbye to
her new friends
and we left the playground.
we ended up a street
but turned a corner
to another
and found a cab
to take us to our hotel.
stopped long enough
to change a diaper
(madeline’s)
then headed downstairs
to meet lauren for
a cab ride back to
where we’d just been.
we went to one of
lauren’s favorite restaurants
where we met up
with talia and had some
amazing food.
madeline first slept,
then cried
right next to me
in the booth.
after dinner we
said goodbye to a sleepy
talia and walked
from one corner to the next
to a bar
with some awesome lights.
had a beer with
madeline strapped to my chest,
the music was loud enough
to keep madeline asleep
(just like home).
lauren picked up
a serious case of
camera/lens envy,
using my camera to
photograph us
for the rest of the evening,
getting some incredible
shots in the process.
eventually it
was time to go.
i went to the bar to
pay the bill
and the hipsters
took notice of the
baby attached me,
commenting on how
“chill” she was.
indeed.
we talked a little
about my parenting
and they were quite plesant.
did i stumble into
parallel universe
where hipsters don’t hate babies?
maybe, but i think they
were just drunk.
jumped in a cab and
headed back to the hotel.
lauren, unwilling to give up
my camera quite yet,
took a few more photos.
said goodbye to
our friend and took the elevator
back to our room.
everything is awesome.
almost…
67 Comments
Again, wonderful shots.
Looks like you two had an amazing day.
Beautiful new pics, that baby is really in love with you! I love how she snuggles
Kia Kaha Matt + Madeline
Glad you had fun in the city! Love the pics.
Another great post from the NYC. I love all the photos. Lauren got some great ones of you and Madeline. Love the one in the corner where you are hugging her – just awesome.
Sending you hugs today from the mn….
…stopped long enough
to change a diaper
(madeline’s)..
Thanks for the clarification lol!
Great shots as always (Lauren’s too). She captured some beautiful images of you and Madeline.
Great pictures of the two of y’all.
I love how much you clearly adore and love your daughter. I also love how she is everywhere with you! She is going to have the most amazing pictures to look at as she grows!
If only you had a D3 – the low light feature fucking ROCKS. Great pics by Lauren. I love the one of you and Madeline in the corner.
Long time reader, second-time commentor…
I just wanted to say Hi and let you know how great you are looking! I was worried about you months ago and your weight loss but now you are looking so much healthier!
Love reading your blog. Keep up the good work with that little one and enjoy traveling when she’s so small. Soon she’ll be running circles around you!
continued good times, i see. your spirits seem up and i think we are all so happy to see how much you enjoyed this trip. aren’t good, true friends the shit?
i know your travels continue and look forward to reading/seeing about the banff.
still in the thoughts of many…
…sounds like the hipsters are kinder when you get some liquor into their smirking maws…glad to see they have redeemed themselves.
Grace
Wonderful pictures of NYC! The pictures of you & Maddy are gorgeous as well.
Awesome photos!
The pics are great! Love the one of you snuggling a sleepy Madeline. Beautiful.
Love the one of her stretching. Great photos and glad you had a good day.
I know it’s an after trip high, but you look and sound great (it’s like Madeline’s thriving-ness is wearing off on her dear old dad) and it is wonderful. Keep on keeping on because you are doing so fucking well. It may or may not feel that way, but whenever I tell my mom and grandmother about your plight and how far you have come, they are as impressed as I am. I don’t believe in god, but the ruler of fate only puts these painful situations on the hands of those who can rise above and deal fabulously, and I truly believe that this is why this happened to you. I don’t believe in heaven either-usually I believe that you die and you turn to ash or go into the ground. But I look at your pictures and I know that Liz knows and Liz sees. And she couldn’t be anything but proud. As a product of divorce, I wasn’t sure if men loved their wives the way that you love Liz, and that gives me hope as i embark upon adulthood. You are such a good role model for your daughter. You are a better man than you could ever have known you were before your family’s tragedy.
“Almost.”
Indeed.
Such amazing photos that Lauren shot. I’m so glad she held on to your camera for just a while longer.
Sending happy vibes your way. Hope you are enjoying whatever it is you are up to right now!
Cheers
Fuck the asshats
Go pork!
I LOVE the photo’s of you and Maddy!! I MUST hoever know where Grandma Brocolli got that Paci leash!!! I need (well the Turtle) NEEDS one terribly!!! Maddy is starting a trend!!! Hugs to you, and be careful, those NY people are to strange!! LOL
)
Thanks for the update. As always you manage to evoke emotion to your friends/strangers. Love the photos Lauren took, especially you “hugging” Madeline while she sleeps in the Baby Bjorn. She’ll cherish that photo when she is older.
Look forward to tomorrow.
Love the street sign photo.
I cannot wait til the first time Madeline says “Dada”.
You are going to be one big puddle on the floor.
(and so are we)
NY was good to you, my friend.
(((hugs)))
Love that you had so much fun in the NYC. Rob and I are headed there before we come to see in a few weeks. We’re staying at the Waldorf too! Thanks for the preview
xxoo,
renee
I believe that the hipsters have “feelers” out there and they got word that the “parent types” are not keen on their dislike of the younger drooling folk. Fearing that they may be tainting the future generation of possible “hipsters”, they softened . . . Ok, time for me to go to bed. Babbling.
You always have a moving way of ending a post.
Wowza.
I heard of your blog today and I am terribly sorry for your loss (silly words, but sincerely felt). Your words are so touching and painful to read. The picture of Madeline stretching is acutely precious. Your love for her and Liz shines through every photo. Praying for unimaginable peace and comfort for you all.
The picture of you hugging Madeline is my fav. Or the one of her stretching.
Great photos!
The stretching picture is awesome. Lauren did a great job! Glad you had another good day!
That’s it! Everyone loves the photos “Lauren” took so you should probably just send her your camera so she can expand her skill set.
Was lovely reading your Saturday and Sunday posts. Talia and I had such a great time with you and Madeline, look forward to many more trips.
What a beautiful picture of you and Madeline hugging…it shows so much your love for her. It brought a tear to my eyes…
*siiiigh*
love the one of you holding her foot. (sweet)
Just wanted to say how great you look! Maddy is, of course, as beautiful as ever. I loved the pic of her tounge sticking out from the Saturday post. My son, Carmine, was eyeing her pics tonight as well!
The picture of Madeline stretching is perfection-you have a little piece of perfection strapped to your chest-but I am sure you already knew that!
Asalamalaykom,
Can I be the first to say that dude in the hat is hot?
Ummm…actually…maybe I shouldn’t…but I did anyway.
Love the lights in the bar! Great pics in this post, as usual!
Madeline and her Dad are both getting quite photogenic! lol
Gosh, did you find “Elizabeth” street on purpose of by some other unseen power?
Sounds like another wonderful day — you & Madeline look so perfect together! Sending happy thoughts your way.
I love the photo with your arms wrapped around Madeline….that’s precious. How freaking ironic that you stumbled upon an Elizabeth street? That just tells me she’s with you all the time, watching, laughing and loving you with your daughter. It’s nice to see you having some good times and getting so many terrific photos of your daughter.
Oh gosh that photo of your arms wrapped around Madeline had me in tears. So full of emotion
Beautiful shots! Glad Lauren held your camera hostage for awhile to get some wonderful shots of you and Madeline together. That stretch is just priceless. Awesome day.
hi matt! im so glad to meet you and madeline. that sunday brunch with babies was such a fun afternoon, and madeline is such a little peanut. beautiful photos today. im glad you wound up on elizabeth street. hope we get to hang again!
Amazing. Simply Amazing. I have been following your “story” for months. I haven’t ever written anything, as I never felt anything I had to offer would be beneficial. (still don’t – sorry) I HAVE to ask for you to clarify for me what a hipster is. I continue to giggle at them and their response to you/Madeline and other children. But, I just need clarification of what I am picturing “them” to be. Matt, you are an amazing man. Madeline is fortunate to have you. As was Liz. I’m guessing from the wonderful descriptions you’ve given of her, that is where Madeline may get her “chill”.
I pray for you guys frequently and wish you many more wonderful days!!! Take care and God bless!
New York looks good on ya.
and on Madeline..
Madeline is getting bigger and more beautiful each time I see her pics. It’s crazy to think she has experienced more in her 4 months of life then I have in my 30. You are a wonderful father!
D
Hi Matt! I am a new reader of your blog. I am totally addicted. I’ve read all your archives throughout the past week. I am so sorry for your loss. You are such a strong person & a wonderful father to Madeline. I find you & Madeline in my thoughts all the time now. When I am feeding my daughter (5 weeks old), she sometimes gets really mad when I take a little too long fixing her bottle. Well, when this happened this morning, in my head I was thinking “I wonder if this classifies as a baby getting ‘robot pissed’.” As a brand new mom myself, I am very proud of what an amazing job you are doing taking care of Madeline. To be honest, I’m not sure I would have the same amount of strength & courage that you have if I was left alone. You rock!
-Valerie
Thanks for sharing the great photos! I looked at the your flickr site with the upcoming photos. The first one of Madeline is STUNNING!
Take care,
Debbie
Matt – I ran into this while a-shopping on etsy and thought of you and Madeline… Just in case she ever needs a toy robot.
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=14119854
Blessings,
Cadi
Hi Matt,
Your blog is lovely. I am tottaly overwhelmed with your sweetie photos.
I love the way you write your days.
I can feel the love in your words.
Sorry for my poor English. I am from Brazil.
Best wishes,
Carol
I love your blog, love the pics….but most especially, I’m still crushing on Madeline. Just love her. She’s awesome, and full o’smiles.
You’ve captured some great NYC moments in those pics! So nice that Madeline is “chill” and able to trvel around everywhere with such ease. Glad you’re having fun!
Beautiful shots of you and Madeline in the NYC. My fav is the one of you and her in the corner; it tells a lot. Keep on keepin on.
Beautiful photos… so glad you had another great day in the city. I know it would have been awesome if…. You’re doing a great job with Madeline. You’re a great dad.
liz is with you and Madeline.
Elizabeth street…what are the chances in NYC.
You guys look FAB!
Great pictures:)
The pictures of you and Madeline are precious.
Love the pic of Madeline stretching.
Don’t want to get too deep here, but I guess I kinda think that seemingly random things like Liz’s phone calling yours (or was it your phone that called Liz’s…?); sightings of places called “Elizabeth Street,” etc. might just be Liz’s way of letting you know she’s still around, keeping an eye out.
Been gone this weekend to visit my 4 month old granddaughter and was pleased to see updates when I returned. Matt, that Madeline gets more beautiful each day. The memories you are making will be cherished forever. Happy travels!
Hello to Matt and Maddy. I got the link to your site from a friend of mine and since then have spent the entire work day reading your posts and getting caught up to the current post. I just wanted to say that I think your pics, baby, and you are amazing and I wish you nothing but luck and lots of happiness.
Love the image of the hipsters chillin’ with Madeline.
Some really lovely shots there too.
Your ‘almost’ broke my fucking heart.
I just can’t stop reading your blog!! It’s so full of hope and yet the pain is there in almost every word. I can’t imagine trying to live my life in the public eye while trying to heal my soul but you do it everyday. I am so amazed by you, your story and the devotion you give to your daughter – it is mind-blowing. How lucky is she that the angels chose her to give to you. You continue to amaze me with your brutal honesty and your heart warming journey. You are my hero.
i love the pictures of a sleepy madeline in her carrier with you, absolutely precious.
Funny, how acoustic renditions of good ole’ songs can bring you back..
We have a lot in common. what we think, who we are. Just some crap-ol-eo (northern Mn. talk for ya)) that makes me relate,, not the shit thaat (too much wine?) makes some stranger want to comment about how adorable Madeline is…. (OBVI…). Some (no offense) people who love your blog, love you for your blog and just for the “you” of it all don’t know or want to know the healing. Take your time…. Don’t take the first “B.J.” that “comes along”. (ha, ha). Get it??? I think that if someone wants to share your past, present, and future (just a cliche.) will embrace your greatness. Not because you are the dad that your daughter can live with, but because you are the father she can’t live without. By the way….. i am thinking that you and Liz had great jobs, cause I am looking for a house in LA, and (hello) kinda pricy for the northern MN gal.. (W/ child) i will keep looking….. Good Luck… “When life hands you lemons, make lemonade, then call me and I will bring the Tequila and lIme,,,,,
Nobody will know what you and
LIZ
were to each other,,,,
Keep it a secret,,,
Awesome you changed the diaper on the carpet outside the men’s room. Very resourceful! I’ve changed many a diaper in odd places in my day. You just do it quick and move forward…
My kids are teens now, so as a single dad I have different issues to deal with. LIke boys hitting on my 16 year old daughter. And girls flirting with my 12 year old son. But it’s all good.
You don’t know what love is until you have children…
The shot of you bear-hugging Madeline is divine. It seems to perfectly symbolize your journey together.
I’m almost convinced you wrote this somewhere at some point, I could be wrong though… so I’ll just ask.
Definition of “hipster”?
I think you’ll appreciate knowing that my husband thinks that you aren’t a real person. The reason? Your pictures are too professional looking! lol WTH?
I love reading what you’re upto. My daughter was born march 22nd so her and maddy are only 2 days apart.
I guess i’m a late reader cause I haven’t figured out yet how you get to stay home w/ madeline? maybe you never said?
Can’t wait to hear more about your adventures!
She’s beautiful.
This is my first comment, and I just had to say that the picture of you with your arms around Madeline and your rings showing….wow. My heart aches for your family