(still a week behind).
woke up to a
sniffling baby,
snot running out of her
nose and down
her chin.
first time i’ve seen
this coming from her.
grabbed her out
of the crib and cleaned her up.
seems that madeline
is either sick or exhibiting
some more signs of teething.
either way, she’s still
smiling so things
can’t be too bad.
handed her off to
grandma candee so she
could give her a
bottle and i went to
get ready for
our day.
discovered that i left
all the things that
help me get cleaned
up back in the los angeles.
awesome.
i relayed this story
to my mom, who said,
“you’re truly a parent…it’s obvious madeline comes first in your life. you remembered all of her stuff but forgot yours.”
indeed.
forgetting all this stuff
made me think of
another reason
why i need
liz.
she wouldn’t have let
me forget any of
my shit.
before we went on
trips we had this
little ritual where
she’d run through all the
things i needed to have
with me, sort
of a last-minute check
to make sure
her husband had socks
and a toothbrush.
in all our time
together, i can’t
think of a time
i ever forgot anything
of real importance,
thanks to her.
either way, it’s up
to me now and
i sort of failed.
but there’s a place
nearby where i can
buy all the shit that
i need, so it’s not
that big of
a deal.
jumped in the car
and picked up the stuff.
along the way i called
to confirm the location
of the creep meeting
i was to
attend with madeline.
learned that it was
to start in 30 minutes.
guess i’m gonna
be a little late.
got back to the
house, got cleaned
up and took off again.
made it to
the park about 35 minutes
late and immediately
recognized a few faces.
also met a few
people who i only
knew via the comments
they leave on
this blog.
we were greeted with
a few gifts,
one of which tasted
worse than it smelled.
we hung out in
the park, talking
like old friends.
madeline got passed around
while i got a view
of what future madeline
will be doing in
a few short years.
we all posed
for a quick photo
before heading off
to lunch with some friends.
had a great time
with these
strangers friends,
and learned that kids
really like to eat
stuff off of sidewalks.
after lunch
i drove out to
the airport to pick
up my friend cara,
who was flying
in from the los angeles
to hang out for
the weekend.
picked her up and headed
to my grandparent’s house
to kill some time
before having to go
back to the airport
to pick up
my brother david.
my dad met up with
us and he and
my grandparents took turns
holding madeline.
got the call that
david was in,
so i left madeline with
her grandpa and great grandparents
and headed back to
the airport.
drove around the
airport a few times,
making sure to observe
the speed limit
(there was a cop with a radar gun hiding at the arrival/passenger area).
finally found david,
got him in the car
and drove him
back to the grandparent’s house
so we could pick
up madeline and cara.
got there and decided
that we should
change madeline out of
her beautiful sweater dress.
turns out, her idiot father
didn’t wash it before
she wore it
so it was shedding all
over the place, getting in
to her eyes and mouth.
when i went to change
her i noticed that
a whole bunch
sweater fuzz had collected
under her armpits,
making it look as though
she needed a
little shave.
i laughed, but refrained
from taking photos,
envisioning madeline, age 15
yelling at me
for showing the photo
to her friends,
then yelling at me
for taking the photo
in the first place,
then storming out
of the house,
slamming the front
door on the way out.
i hope one day she’ll
be proud of the foresight
i’ve shown in
this particular situation.
now free of fuzz,
it was time to
drive to the st. paul
for dinner with a
bunch of friends
at the house of nate and stacey.
haven’t been here since
last november,
when we all assembled to
celebrate our birthdays.
liz
was with us.
a few months pregnant,
feeling like absolute
shit, but her usual happy self.
it’s fucking tough sometimes,
having all these
wonderful memories
playing through my head as
i walk into places
we both loved.
we loved spending
time with our friends,
often heading straight
to one of their houses
after landing in
the mpls.
she was always there
to make sure
i didn’t have too
much wine and that i
got home sometime
before 4:00am.
she’d roll her eyes
as we told
the same stories,
and listened to the
same music as
we did on all previous trips.
she must have felt
like one of her
least favorite songs was
stuck on repeat.
despite this,
she loved me.
on that trip
last november,
we told everyone about
liz’s
pregnancy, about the excitement
we felt, knowing that
we’d be having a baby
in may of 2008.
tonight though,
i’m here with madeline.
liz
is gone,
her laugh never to
be heard again,
her eyes never to roll
at our stupid stories
and music selections.
all of that went
through my head
as i parked the car,
walked to their house
and stood on their porch,
waiting for
the door to open
after knocking.
josh answered the
door ’cause the male
host of the party
was wrist-deep
in some sort
of food concoction.
we all went inside
and things started
to feel right again.
talked to my friends,
as madeline napped
in her car seat.
eventually she woke up
and became the star
of the show,
getting passed from
friend-to-friend.
she laughed and smiled
for awhile, then
that runny nose got the
best of her.
she got a little fussy
and a lot tired.
it’s at that time
i would have left
with her,
but grandma broccoli and her
friend debbe had
already offered to pick
madeline up so i could
enjoy some adult time
with my friends.
they arrived, staying long
enough to say hello
and goodbye.
i kissed my baby
goodbye and went back
in to join my friends.
dinner and the rest
of the evening
were awesome.
nate made one of
my favorite meals
and made it well.
we stayed up a little
too late,
telling those same stories,
listening to that same
music, perhaps drinking too
much wine, but somehow
that felt great.
it’s what
liz
would have expected,
it’s what she would have
wanted.
82 Comments
glad to know your visits are filled with so many who love and comfort you – and cook for you!
your visit with the creepy ladies had to have been a blast – so glad you got to connect with them before the walk (even if i am a little jealous – i’d pay to pinch madeline’s cheeks!)
Okay, I have been reading you blog since forever, and have never left a comment, but today I couldn’t resist. I am still laughing hysterically about the armpit fuzz. I can picture her little armpits with the 5 o’clock shadow (maybe more like 10 o’clock shadow) and I can’t believe you didn’t take a picture. Awesome for Madeline that you didn’t, but I would pay GOOD $ to get a peek at that!!! Thanks for sharing your stories, especially the armpit one. I guess it just hit me and I cannot stop laughing.
Looks like another successful trip for Super Dad and Sweet Madeline! Hard to believe you were in my backyard and I missed the chance to meet you. I hope you enjyed your time with family and friends and visit the MN again for another chance to meet some more “creeps”.
Glad you had a nice visit. Loved the sweater dress, so cute.
Madeline may some day appreciate the foresight, but as a parent I must say I’m disappointed. What are we here for if not to embarrass our children…?!
Leave it to good friends to balance out the discomfort. Glad they are in your life.
Great post. That’s all. Just a really great post.
Glad to see you are having a great time!
Matt, I can usually make it through your posts without crying (although I do get choked up). This one did me in. I don’t know if it is because I am so tired and overemotional from being in prelabor since Monday, or if there was something else there in your words about Liz. Probably a little of both.
I’m so glad you had a great time in the MN. And way to go on being a great Daddy. Madeline will always be taken care of because of you.
HOLA Matt
Buen dia
WHAT A BEAUTIFUL POST!
Full of what I love the most…baby,family, friends, music, food, wine & memories!
And OF COURSE…. have finally met some of these beautiful ladies called “Creeps”
HAVE A WONDERFUL WEEKEND
Besos y abrazos
Sol
Torn between being really impressed and really disappointed at the armpit fuzz. Good call though. I can still remember teasing my brother when he was about 10 for making my mother cut/edit a slide we had of us in the bath as toddlers
Yes, Madeline will eat off the pavement.
You’re a great soul Matt. I never really understand the ways of this world, but you are certainly blessed with great family and friends. I’m glad you can find comfort in them.
I think Liz was undoubtedly there with you, rolling her eyes as only she could do.
I too loved the sweater dress/armpit story. I turned my son’s entire body blue once, forgetting to wash something before he wore it. It’s a parental rite of passage.
And yes, you are truly a parent, remembering everything the baby needs and putting yourself second. Welcome to the next 18 years of your life, pal. LOL
Those fucking creeps are everywhere!
Oh Darcie will be so honored that her sidewalk eating kids made it to the blog!
Glad that you had an awesome time with friends.
A little fuzz in her pits and little rice in her rolls, it’s all good!
Cheers!
Go Steak with Bacon and Ham on top!
I still can’t believe you ate one of those mints. You’re WELCOME, by the way. haha
WTG, Darcie!
Glad you had a nice evening, but K8 and I really don’t approve of wine drinking, do we, K8?
Love the sweater dress on the little miss..she is just so happy all the time…despite the running nose (having same problem with my 13 month old Madi). Have to agree with Erin in the L.A. about feeling choke up today, must be the weather…Glad you had a good time with the friends and family.
Sounds like your really enjoyed your visit and that everyone (as usual) enjoyed Madeline. She’s just so adorable. And I LOVE that sweater dress. Too cute. She looks like she adores her grandpa. Glad you had a chance for time with your friends. Liz was there with you….she always will be, but you already knew that.
Rosie
I cannot believe all the people in your life! It’s truly wonderful to see.
I loved the pic of your dad (?) holding Madeline and that little (adorable, adorable, adorable) smile she was giving him.
LOL at the kiddos eating off the sidewalk. That is so real life. And you forgetting *your* stuff. Ha ha…Yes, you *are* a parent and that’s what Target is for anyway. ;D
Glad you had a good time with good friends. It all looked good to me (esp. the wiiiiine…i’m just saying…). Hope it was good for your soul.
Keep on, daddy.
Beautifully written. You have a stunning baby! She’s so gorgeous. And it’s funny…Madeline and your dad have the same hairstyle!!
Sorry for the nose drool, I would have never thought it was a teething side effect before I became a parent!
Yeah, me and Kate in the TX are WAY anti-wine.
And we have NO plans to evacuate to the Napa next time a hurricane hits Houston, so don’t EVEN think that we do.
Love the picture of Madeline where there is a Summit, Baby Bottle and Martini on the table! My kind of party!!!!
Hey Matt..
I never knew Liz- but I know how I felt as a new momma…
you say you felt a bit of a failure for your packing blunder- forgetting your things.
My first reaction–if Liz was here packing with you for a trip, travelling wiht her beautiful family to show off her precious girl- she would be doing it as a mother with a six month old..
I would give so much of my own to have your world changed- to know how Liz would handle the TOTAL INSANITY of motherhood.
Because that ‘primal’ mother bear love- that is SOO fierce it scares you…it is also sacred and wonderful and **every** woman desveres to feel it.
A lot of the draw to your blog for me comes from that mother place deep inside me, knowing just how deeply and powerfully becoming a mother changed me. I tune in because Liz can’t, if that makes sense at all.
Anyway- I think your mom is right- THIS is parenthood..and it would be for Liz too..
really how things would be with liz at your side mothering Madeline- I have no idea.
..but from what I know of Liz- she would be a wonderful mother- and i bet she was more head over heels in love with Madeline than she could have imagined possible-
Liz should have had a lifetime of forgetting belongings and leaving parties because her baby has a runny nose (and maybe dragging her husband home too) and 3 am arguments because she isn’t sure Madeline should have cried *this long* and does it warrant a trip to the E.R..and waking up her beloved husband to show him the cute position her daughter fell asleep in..
I am sure you knew Liz better than anyone- but so very sadly- no one got to know her as the mother she deserved to be.
I am sorry if i am over stepping the comments here. Maybe this is too indepth a comment from a stranger.
I just read words like *failure* and think.. no.. this is the ride- and if Liz had forgotten her things- I bet you would have been in awe for how devoted to her daughter she is for putting her needs first.
Asalamalaykom,
As a parent you do have some short-term memory loss for real.
As a child, you never forget the times your parent embarrases you. Good call on not doing the armpit fuzz photo op.
Oh, and once Miss Madeline has been around longer, she’ll do the eye rolling at your stories and songs, believe me. I’m glad the boogey nose didn’t slow you two down too much.
And you’ve got to love those photos with the proud grandpa! Mashahallah!
Its so great to hear you have such a wonderful family surrounding you and Madeline. Family is such an important thing, sad thing is i only just realised this after growing up with such a shitty family.
And he sounds like LIz while packing, he has a checklist and we never forget anything. lol.
My husbands family is the best.
Gorgeous pictures of Madeline, and you have such a talent when using your camera. I love the lighthing in the porch picture.
Have a great day, and again i look forward to your next update.
As a frazzled parent, take it from me…I always forget stuff for me because I’m so worried that I’m going to forget something for my little guy! So you’re not alone on that one!
I know I’ve said this before (and I hope it doesn’t upset you)…but Madeline is just looking more and more like a mini-Liz!
Despite your ineptitude in the laundering department, I am LOVING the sweater dress. Madeline is quite the fashionista.
Sometimes a little too much wine among friends is precisely what the doctor ordered.
Every good parent has forgotten their own items while remembering to bring everything and spares and then some more for their baby. Don’t beat yourself up about it, it was easily fixed.
wow, turned out to be quite the busy friday. glad you got to bring madeline to the park to meet us creeps and our offspring.
i don’t usually read this at work and i should never again because…
“despite this,
she loved me.”
pulled on the ole heart strings. that is love in my book. loving someone through all the quirks.
madeline looked ravishing as always and the pics are wonderful.
have a stellar day/night!
@ali: you look beautiful!
Today I found out that I lost someone very close in my family, and while I was sitting here being sad, the armpit fuzz story made me laugh so hard – it was just what I needed. Thank you for that. The sweater dress, while fuzzy, was beautiful on Madeline! You know, I keep noticing she looks amazing in every color you put her in! Take care – as always you are doing an incredible job.
This is my first time responding although I have been reading for awhile, but I literally laughed out loud at your very apt description of a 15 yr old Madeline screaming at you for showing pics of her as an infant with “armpit hair”.. that was hilarious. good call on skipping the photo, teenage Madeline would not be amused by that!!
She is beautiful, love the pics, and yes the short term memory loss will only get worse. 
i’m really bummer we don’t get to see armpit fuzz. oh, well. maybe next time huh? you and liz were so lucky to have each other. so are you and the little cutie pie.
@Hawkfeather~Thank you for your eloquent words…they echo my own thoughts after reading this post.
@Matt~My boy has the snots, too. I swear it looked like he rubbed his nose in green beans this morning when I got him out of the crib. A humidifier has helped a bit! We leave it on for naps and bedtime.
Great post Matt.
My baby, born April 8th, is going through her first cold too. YUCK!
I forget things all the time!
Too bad you two won’t be passing through Nebraska any time soon, I think Molly and Madeline would just sit and smile at each other.
I just marvel everytime I read you site at how many wonderfully supportive friends you have. You and Madeline are lucky in that respect.
Had to laugh about the armpit fuzz. I’m not a mom but I’m not sure I would have washed that dress first either. We live and we learn.
Your words “despite this she loved me,” this is what love is all about. My husband loves me this way (as I do him) and I feel it every day.
Lots of trips to the airport. I have seen that speed-trap on the overpass but never by arrivals, that is not nice. Funny story about the outfit, net you’ll know better next time. Love Madeline’s smiles for her grandpa, such a sweetie! Is she feeling any better? Glad you could enjoy adult time with friends, you are very lucky to have friends like that to feed you. So you must be having a birthday soon, too?
Hey Matt-
Welcome home! Hope you enjoy your time home with old friends in the MN. I’m not able to check your blog everyday like I used to, but I’m still around.
Madeline is getting so big and still as beautiful as ever.
Matt,
Sounds like a nice trip with friends and family…. good for you and Maddy. Have a great wkend and love reading your blog!
Loving all of the pics of Maddy. Memories are bittersweet at times…but always great to make and have! I’m sure Maddy will be rolling her eyes like her mama
Can I tell you that seeing Madeline’s smile seriously brightens my day? Just amazing.
I, too, have to admit I’m a little sad we don’t have the armpit “hair” shot. I mean, Madeline will be a teenager, meaning she’ll be embarassed no matter what it is you are doing, so you may as well have taken the shot!
I suppose this is another reason why you’re such a good daddy.
Thanks for the sweater dress armpit fuzz story…so cute. Don’t feel like afailure because you forgot to pack stuff…If it makes you feel any better at all, I pride myself on being a good and organized mom, yet somehow we forget stuff on every trip AND leave things everywhere we go. I guess with 4 kids, this is to be expected, but I got to the point where I felt that as long as we had everyone present and accounted for, made it from point A to point B and back again, and had the basic stuff with only a few things having to be purchased at the local drugstore, it was a successful journey.
Pat yourself on the back for all your accomplishments and don’t sweat the little crap like forgetting deodorant or whatever. By the way, if Madeline, who has traveled extensively, is just NOW getting her first sniffles, you have achieved great success in parenting. I know babies who are sick nonstop from birth with repeated ear infections and more!!!! (thank goodness, none of these were my kids, but they did all have their first cold by 3 months).
Anyway…looking forward to an update and keep the Madeline photos coming…she is too freaking adorable.
Absolutely love the sweater vest! It is perfect for MN fall weather!
And don’t miss the eye rolls too much b/c soon Madeline will be giving you plenty of them!
It never gets an easier reading your story, I always end up in tears and then I count my blessings, which isn’t many, but you always seem to remind me that those few blessings are Just enough. Thank you.
You have the most amazing support group of any parent I’ve ever seen! You are truly blessed. And no, Madeline will never thank you for NOT taking the pictures of her pit “hair” but it’s better than having her scream at you for your stupidity and storm out of the house. Trust me on this one.
Thank you for sharing and letting us have a peek into your busy life. It’s really sweet to see such a great bond between a father and daughter. There’s nothing sweeter in the world! That little sweater dress has really made an impression; I think you should share your shopping secrets! I’m impressed that you even remembered a bow…don’t think we didn’t notice.
yes, you are a parent…..always putting miss maddy first. and it’s a beautiful thing, isn’t it?
thanks for joining in on the creepy playdate & letting us pass maddy around! she’s such a good sport!
hope the creepy gals you hung out with yesterday were able to make you laugh. i know they always make me!
hugs from milaca
@cara—thanks. he caught me mid-sentence in that shot. probably a good thing the sunglasses covered the rest of my face
Well, you know what you’re going to look like when you’re older, cause you’re the spittin’ image of your Grandad. I hope Maddie’s teeth don’t give her too much trouble. I think the remedy my Mom used on me was brandy, but that might get you into trouble these days.
She’s got such a sweet smile, and those teeth are going to make it even sweeter someday.
Thank you for sharing your story, I have been reading it for a few weeks and I’m hooked. Madeline is such a doll and very loved. Last trip I took over Labor day I forgot my bag of toiletries but my two year old had her toothbrush, ahh the joy of being a parent!
Ah, yes…a shining moment in this parent’s life when her kids are shown around the world eating off the ground…my son, with his tongue no less! (giggle giggle)
I LOVE it…thanks again Matt – what a fun day that was!! I’m honored you included my ragamuffins on your blog!
Here’s to many more sunny days ahead – those pics of Maddy with Grandma…AMAZING smiles…it seems not much else matters when you have that staring you in the face.
Thanks for continuing to share your journey with us…your no longer stranger (yet perhaps a bit strange) friends!
xoxo ~ darcie
I’m still laughing about the fuzz too. That’s just too cute. And happens all the time around here.
It’s good that you have so many people to be with, to laugh and to cry with. Miss Madeline sure is growing up into a beautiful little girl. Before you know it, she’s gonna be walkin’ all over the house! *hugs and love to you both*
Madeline will totally be bragging about her cool dad – “He has a robot and he totally knew not to photograph my fuzzy sweater fuzz in my armpits”.
Only you will remember that you forgot your toothbrush.
Oh armpit fuzz – I would have paid to see that, I am sure it was hilarious!
It is great that you have so many wonderful friends and family to suuround and support you.
Love the kids eating off the ground – does no one feed them!?!
as hard as those memories are now, they will sustain you in the future. They are also important to Madeline. She will need the stories of where she came from and how much she was loved.
Matt…….never doubt that you are a great Dad. Except maybe to claim the stupendous dad title.
What’s a little armpit fuzz from an unwashed sweater dress when she was so cute and happy in it. My hubby would have taken her out in a diaper. LOL
I sit here all teary, simply because it IS what your sweet Liz would want! =)
Fond memories of the past and building memories for the future.
Love the armpit fuzz story! You ARE way TOO nice! I phot set my baby/kid up mulitple times for those occassions yet to come. I have some really nice butt in the air shots-really ladylike! My first baby is now (almost) 13. I have and always have had plans to blow these shots up for the grad party. Ya, come on Matt, Paybacks are hell, you’re gonna need some of these photos someday as a (threat
)
It’s just part of the fun of being a parent!
Glad you had a great time here in the MN!
Don’t feel bad about not remembering to pack some essential items, my husband and I ALWAYS forget something when we take a trip with the kids, it doesn’t seem to matter that there are two grown ups. Looks like you had a nice trip, hope you are coming back to the mn soon!
I think you should take a photo of her armpit and photoshop your own armpit hair onto it, then tuck it away and tell her later it’s the one you didn’t post, just to mess with her head. THAT’S the real joy of parenting.
As for parenthood-induced dementia, I took my babies (on my own, no husband or hotel reservations) backpacking in Europe for about two weeks when they were 5 and 7, and remembered absolutely everything…except the fucking camera.
Blew almost half my budget on disposables AND most of the pictures came out crappy. But at least I’ve got the memori…oh shit, not even. They must be with my last three pair of sunglasses and two sets of keys…
My dad has a box in his dresser drawer that I lovingly refer to as the “blackmail box”. It contains several things from my childhood that I don’t care for anyone to see or hear about. Yet he does enjoy showing them to all kinds of people. So, trust me, Madeline will thank you for not taking that photo.
The creep playdate looked so fun. I was sorry that I couldn’t be there – mostly to be able to see you get your “gifts”.
I am so happy that you have so many great friends around you. And the memories of times with Liz, while painful sometimes, will be so great to have as Madeline gets older and you can tell her all about her beautiful mom.
As always, thinking of you here in the MN and sending you ::hugs::…..
I just found your blog last week and spent hours reading it. God Bless You and your daughter.
Forgetting toiletries is just the beginning. She will have you forgetting your name by the time she is moving on her own and talking!!
Matt,
One time I was taking my kids to a hotel with a waterpark. I was so excited, we had a nice drive all of us chatting. I got there, went to check in and realized we forgot the suitcases at home! I was so pissed at myself. We ran to the mall, bought suits, swam, and then at 9 pm, drove the 45 minutes home to get the suitcases and back. I have never done it again! Funny memory now but not so funny at the time!
I have to say once you become a parent you forget crap all the time. I once managed to get both my kids down to my mom’s place but then realized I didnt pack myself any underwear! Another time i forgot my toothbrush, glasses, and blow-dryer. My kids however always have all their paraphernalia arrive safe and sound.
This particular post read like a short story (that I didn’t want to put down). The photos of the house coupled with your thoughts about Liz and the past were seriously compelling. Kind of a superficial thought, but I was really impressed with the overall composition of what you shared today…hope your o.k. with the occasional superficial comment from me on your blog
Matt, you really have the look of your grandfather. I didn’t read the previous comments so someone may have already said that, but wow, family resemblance!
Matt,
Anyway, glad you had a great time with friends and family! Happy belated 6-month b-day to Madeline!
She is such a georgeous little girl! Love the pic in the sweater dress with the flower behind her ear. What a doll! I’m so glad that you have been able to avoid the sickness this long. As a previous poster said, some kids are sick all the time as infants and mine are two of them! It’s terrible! But everyone tells me that they will not miss a day of school as grade-schoolers because they are building up their immunities. They will probably not appreciate that
*hugs*
It is a parental thing I believe to pack twice (or thrice) what the kid needs and neglect our ‘supplies’. Just the way our priorities shift, have confidence. You are doing great.
Madeline is gorgeous and with all the people she has met in her short months and all she will meet I am sure she will be a happy and sociable person. Love the pics of her with her big ol’ smile
She is precious.
So sorry things are as they are for you.. Liz is somewhere out there rooting for you and Madeline and so damned proud at how well you are doing.
Yeap, this post was felt. Glad you made it threw and enjoyed yourself!
Distracting you completely as this has nothing to do with today’s post. It’s about the Twins, so I am obligated to share. In 1982 I was pulled one day from parochial school for a Twins game in the brand new Metrodome. Had seats behind third base. Third-base umpire reached up and motioned me closer, handed me the latest foul ball at my first ever Twins game. I was beaming. I still have that ball..complete with grass stains from using it to play T-ball!!! You’re going to have so much fun with Madeline. And, as you’re probably already thinking right now, it’s just what Liz would have wanted.
Love Madeline’s baby Vans….super cool. You show great restraint by not photographing her fuzzy armpits….I spend much time plotting how to embarrass my kids…they are 15 & almost 11….usually if I yell “Flava Flave” really loud at the mall it works…hahaha
I just started reading this and as a full time SAHM and Army Wife I admire you for your strength. You make me think about all of the things I should be very thankful for. That even though I am doing this parenting thing alone (my hubby is deployed to Afghanistan) I still have him.
I get choked up everytime I read your entries because I couldn’t imagine having my brand new baby without the love of my life with me to enjoy it too.
You are an awesome Daddy! Liz is looking down at you and so very proud of you! You forgetting your stuff and remembering hers in only natural. I’ve been a mommy for almost 3 years (damn it’s gone by fast) and I STILL forget my stuff but always remember her (&my now 1 month old) stuff. I’m sure that will go on forever though.
Matt,
Maddy’s dress is gorgeous!!
She looks more and more like her mama every day.
Lurker here! I have been reading, laughing, smiling, crying, and weeping for months now. I was loving Madeline’s sweater dress and even found myself wondering where it came from, and then I read the armpit fuzz comment and OMG I couldn’t stop laughing!
You are an incredible father! You amaze and inspire me. If you’re ever in South Carolina, you’ve got a stranger, I mean friend. (I am not sure how to do the strikethrough in a comment… sorry!)
Great post Matt! Love the armpit fuzz story.
Hope you had a great time in the MN
Go Twins!
It’s great to hear you had a fun time in the MN. You definitely had great weather for your visit. Maddy’s sweater dress was absolutely adorable. And I agree with the others. You should have taken the picture of the armpits. It didn’t mean you had to post it, but like someone else said, why are we here if we can’t embarrass our kids every now and then. But you did have a very good thought when you decided not to. It was well thought out rationale.
Once again matt- a great post! She is so adorable. Im happy to read about the good friends that you have.
I really wanted to tell you that the picture of Madeline and her grandpop will be one that you should cherish forever. You can tell that they are both so happy and its so nice. I have a picture of my grandfather with my cousin that is very similar and it is one that since he has passed away has become a favorite of everyone.
Anyways… glad you had a great time and looking forward to the next post!
Hi Matt. I’ve been reading you since your first Glamour post back in the spring and I just wanted to let you know that last night a left a “wish” for you on a tree in Pasadena. Went out to a late dinner at Gordon Biersch and couldn’t help myself. I had to leave a wish for you and Maddy, even if it was one in the morning. ; )
sorry about the cold : (
despite what you hear, a runny nose or a fever is NOT from teething –
I LOVE that sweater dress, it’s beautiful! I sent a little gift, about 2 months ago – hope you got it!
have a great weekend
looks like madeline’s hair is a bit red! (at least in the pictures) super cute!
yup i am loving her red hair too… maybe she will be a firey red head….
First off, I love the sweater dress. You are creating quite the fashion plate of a daughter! And if the armpit fuzz happens again, you have got to take a picture!
You obviously have great friends and great family. I am glad for you that you have them to surround you with their love.
Liz Phair’s Exile in Guyville is what my friends and I listened to over and over again back in the college days. Especially singing along to Never Said. Still always loaded on the ipod.
I happened upon your blog back in May while on maternity leave through a website called Metafilter, an ask Metafilter thread about cool baby gear. Imagine my surprise when I read your story. Wasn’t quite what I was looking for at the time, but I am still reading 5 months later.
As all your readers say, you are an amazing father . It is inspiring to read your journey through parenting an infant under the most heart wrenching circumstances. Thank you for sharing with us.
Well, she looked super sassy in her brown sweater dress(whether it made her look like she had some serious pit hair or not!)
Hey, Matt
Another longtime lurker and first time poster!! You are simply extraordinary and such an amazing parent to Madeline. And always remember that you have such a special angel looking over both of you always
And could I just add that you should go on Oprah and share your story!!!!
Matt, I know nothing we say will make your journey easier, but you are blessed with a wonderful supporting supportsystem, friends and family and that is something to cherish. Great pics, Anja.
Read your story in People today at the dentist’s office and thought I’d check in. Maddy looks just like Liz, just beautiful! Liz was with you at the party and is with you everywhere. Are you kidding me, she wouldn’t miss a second of this precious baby’s life with the greatest dad there ever was and that she always knew you would be. There is nothing in the here-after that could keep a mother from this. If you ever have a dream where she is not speaking, that is her visiting you, I’m sure she does this all the time with Maddy.
If I weren’t around, what I would want most would be for the qualities of a mother to be lovingly expressed to my child: unconditional love, gentle nurturing, the teaching of joy or unconditional happiness, and consistent meeting of needs. You and those around you are so lovingly giving these to Maddy in abundance. Through these qualities my child would know me. I as a mother don’t have a corner on the market of these, anyone can express them, a father, a grandma or grandpa, a friend, an uncle or aunt, brother or sister, even a pet. Of course there are always the occasional freakout moments when the bathtub overflows or when your toddler decides the wall is the perfect art canvas at the end of a long day, mixed in for good measure. God bless!
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[...] Matt Logelin Single Daddy extraordinaire talks about the pitfalls of heading out for a trip with a baby in tow; remembering to pack up all the babay paraphenilia, but forgetting his own in the process– truly the mark of a selfless parent! [...]