made it to the
doctor’s office in 7 minutes.
walked into the
waiting room, checked
in and got a laugh
from the guy
at the desk.
he said,
“you made it here pretty fast.”
i told him,
“i live nearby”
still laughing, he said,
“you sounded pretty excited on the phone”
“yeah…sorry about that. i’m pretty excited to get her in early”
he said,
“don’t be sorry…you made my day”
nice to be
able to do that
once in awhile.
sat in the waiting room
for a few minutes,
watching the other moms
sit patiently with their kids.
saw my future
flash before my eyes
as a couple of little
blond girls,
one about one,
one about two,
both talking to their
moms in a manner
appropriate for
their age.
madeline is heading that
way, no stopping her.
the nurse called madeline’s
name and we followed
her to the exam. room.
i got maddy undressed
for her measurements.
she started crying
almost immediately.
i soothed her back
to happiness then
held her in place
while she got measured.
then it was time
for her to
be placed on the scale.
here are the stats:
24.5 inches.
and
13 lbs, 13 oz.
that puts her in
the 10th percentile
for both measurements.
here’s the updated growth chart:
so, so awesome.
she’s still growing,
which means
i’m still
succeeding at my job.
so…the contest.
there were 539 comments.
8 people correctly guessed
her weight,
47 people correctly guessed
her height,
but only 1
correctly guessed both.
congrats to emma
for being dead-on,
and especially for
converting madeline’s
weight/height from
the metric system.
emma…i’ll be in touch soon.
***back to the appointment***
the nurse left
and i worked on
keeping madeline happy
while creepy nancy snapped away.
dr. h. arrived and moved
us to a different room.
i fed madeline
as i answered
dr. h’s questions.
was able to answer
yes to almost
all of them.
another good sign.
despite arriving 7 weeks
early, madeline is truly
a 6-month old when it
comes to most of her
developmental milestones.
awesome.
dr. h. said that she
can start (somewhat) solid foods
anytime, starting
with rice cereal then
on to the veggie
and fruit baby foods.
double awesome.
she measured madeline’s
head circumference
then maddy passed out.
the dr. answered
all of my questions
and assured me that
maddy’s head is not flat
(one of my biggest concerns for some reason).
she said goodbye
and the nurse
came back to make
my child scream.
madeline got the normal
shots, plus the recommended
flu shot.
she screamed when
each of the needles
hit her
chubby little legs,
but i did my
best to distract her.
when the last needle
was pulled from her leg,
the crying stopped
and the smiles returned.
what a great baby.
we left the office
and she was
asleep before we even
made it home.
she took a nap
and i got ready to head
out to see my
favorite band in
the whole wide world
play live.
creepy nancy graciously agreed
to watch madeline
so i could get out
for the evening.
i said goodbye
and drove to the
echo park for
the show.
vinod decided that he
wanted to join me
so he
met me there.
we went inside and
waited for the show
to start.
sat through an opening
act that i
barely remember.
then the silver jews
came out and
did what they
do best.
(if you’re anywhere near where they’re playing…do yourself a favor…go see them. they don’t come out very often).
took some photos
after the show
i don’t give a shit
about famous people,
but i am in awe
of d.c.b. so
as i did last time
i saw the band live,
i waited around to
meet the man.
it was sept. 2006
had two tickets to see
the band, one for
me, one for
liz.
she couldn’t make
it ’cause she was
a little sick,
so i made gentle ben
join me.
after that show,
i asked d.c.b. to
sign a record for
liz
(and one for me).
here they are:
(apropos of nothing, i bought some of his artwork) from a gallery in the nyc a few years back and approached him in order to help me identify a mysterious poem on the back of one of the drawings).
***back to tonight***
out came d.c.b,
signing stuff and posing
for photos with
all of those
who waited for him.
he got to me,
and posed for a
couple photos
i took this
opportunity to ask
him to sign
a record for madeline.
i mentioned that
he signed something
for me and my wife
last time i
saw him.
that got me on
the topic of
liz.
we talked about her for
a few minutes.
not sure why
i felt the need
to tell him about
liz,
but i’ve been
listening to his
music almost religiously
since she died
so i figured he should know.
(plus i was a lot star struck which made me act like a fucking fool).
a very gracious man
with a very
gracious note for
my baby.
i left pretty
fucking happy.
vinod and i
got outside
and decided to
pass the veggie dogs
and take
down one of
those famous
bacon-wrapped hotdogs
i drove him
back to his
hotel in the burbank
and wished him
a good trip back
to the bangalore.
i drove home,
found madeline
in the exact same
spot i last saw her.
creepy nancy said
she barely moved
(must be exhausted after the visit to the dr.).
i put my sleeping
baby in her
carseat and drove
nancy back to
her hotel.
got home,
put madeline back where
she belonged
then went to sleep.
a great day.
further validation
from a professional that
i am not fucking up
my job as madeline’s father
nearly as much
as i expected,
a live show by
my favorite band,
and a happy,
healthy baby.
can’t ask for
much for than that.
80 Comments
You are doing an excellent job with your beautiful baby girl!!! Soon enough she will be a teenager and never want you to be around. Enjoy it while you can.
yea for madeline moving up the charts! awesome!
did you happen to look at the mn date for the silver jews. go to the triple rock social club they are playing at on wed and guess what else is on wed????
“FREE BACON WEDNESDAYS
FREE BACON FROM 9PM TILL 11PM OR WHILE SUPPLIES LAST
FREE FRICKEN LICKEN BACON
$2.50 PBR’S ALL NIGHT ”
found it very humorous.
I demand a recount.
You know what was freaky, one of the pics looks like Madeline has a hairy belly, but then I realised it was your arm.
I should lie down.
You are doing a great job as a father to Madeline, glad the doc said so too!
At my daughters 4 month appt 2.5 weeks ago the doctor said she wasn’t teething–but she cut her first 2 teeth this monday. Funny how that worked out!
Glad you had such a great time at the concert!
Awesome, so awesome! You are doing a Fabulous job….She is going to have 1 amazing story to tell someday!!
Awesome post! You’re doing a great job, but you know that already! She’s growing and thriving… great! have a great wkend! Love Maddy’s pics!
Of course you are doing a good job. Proof of that is not just in her gorgeous face, it’s in the very fact that you obsessed about her perfect head. That is mandatory mom worry. Congratulations you’re a mom.
silver jews are at the metro in chicago on the 10th. unfortunately ben folds is at the chicago theatre on the same night so he wins out.
thanks for introducing me to SJ though. now i know what my itunes gift card is going to!
Wow. What a day.
It’s obvious – to me anyway – that you’re doing an awesome job (I’m being Americani
szed!).Enjoy the weekend and our best wishes for your return to work on Monday.
Congrats Emma!
I guess I should give the SJ’s a listen…
Way to grow Maddy!!! Sounds like she had an excellent visit. Good luck with going back to work next week(what do you do).
Take care,
Debbie
i can sooo relate to the flat head fears. you are such an awesome dad!
The record that was signed for Liz… talk about turning on my eye faucets. “Sorry we couldn’t dance” – Wow Matt. Also, awesome that you have one for everyone now. I hope they end up somewhere special. Very cool.
Well, I missed the hell out of that show, didn’t I? I didn’t think anyone worth seeing ever came to Houston.
Way to go, Maddy!!
Sounds like a great day. Your little Madeline is sure a sweetie! Love seeing the bond between the two of you in the pictures. You didn’t need the doctor to tell you she was perfect, you already knew. I was so close on the weight and height! I was off by 6 ounces! That’s it! I had the rest right. Oh well, win some and lose some I guess. I hope you have a great weekend! I will be thinking of you a lot on Monday.
Are you ((kidding)) me ((??!!)) You are *such* a wonderful, **LOVING** father! You are so, so connected with your baby girl on every level. As someone on the outside looking in, I am in awe and *very* proud of you. You hear me?
Of course, you are TOTALLY acting like a parent, worrying about all that baby stuff too. It goes with the territory.
I’m serious, you make me smile when you talk about your baby. I hope all the daddy’s are taking notes.
Glad you got to meet that guy. You needed that.
Keep on, daddy.
OH drat, I was so close yet so far from getting her measurements right!!! She’s doing great!
Sounds like you had a great time at the concert too…I need a night out like that. I haven’t been somewhere fun like that in AGES.
Have you seen the silver jews documentary?
http://www.silverjewmovie.com/
I know your posts are a week behind, but since you’re going back to work on Monday and I just wanted to wish you good luck. Madeline is absolutely beautiful. Thank you for sharing her with us.
DOGGON~IT I Just barely missed her sizes! GRRR! heh! MORE IMPORTaNTly, MADDIE is a growing girl. She will surely shoot up when she starts getting baby food.
Don’t ever doubt, you are a great dad~
Dang, I think I was spot on for her height, but she psyched me out on her weight. She will LOVE those autographs some day!!!
So awesome that:
- you got out to see your fav band
- you have kick ass friends (creepies too)
- your baby is growing strong
- you sound like you had a great day !
Way to grow, baby girl! Way to grow!
Wait til she starts getting her belly full of cereal and yummy/messy fruits.
i am so happy you had such a great visit (not that i was worried) and an excellent night out with one of your favorite bands.
@ cara – seriously!? y’all are making minnesota sound more and more attractive all the time! i have a friend that is opening a bar soon – i am going to have to tell her about this.
Hi Matt – I just found your blog 2 days ago – and for the last 2 days (while at work) and in the wee hours of the night, i managed to get caught up. I am convinced of one thing – You are an amazing, stong, and awesome dad!! I will keep reading. Im here locally in LA so please add me to the long list of stranger friends!! that will always hold you Maddy and Liz in my prayers and thoughts. And I believe you are in an area close to me so if there is ever a week you need a meal( espeically now that you will be going back to work and Maddy can start on solids) let me know – Im a great cook!!
Keep writing, keep taking photos of your beautiful daughter and documenting what will be wonderful memories for many years to come
oh and i have to add – that through my reading i cried and sometimes laughed so loud that im getting stares from my co-workers – there were a few posts that had me in uncontrollable tears that a few of my co-workers came to my desk to see if everything was OK – they are still AIM(ing) me to make sure im alright – Fucking hilarious!!
Congratulations Emma
Matt – I dont know why you doubt yourself as a father, you are doing an awesome job. Madeline is growing strong and she is just beautiful.
My sons head was mishapen after he was born and i was also worried about, but now he has hair you cant tell lol.
Great pictures yet again, and it was great that you were able to see them play in concert. I must check out their music.
Take care.
I’m smiling. Just wanted to share that.
Forgot to ask, that address for Logelin family Memorial Fund at the top of your blog, is that where people can send you stuff for Madeline?
Awesome fucking day!!!!!!!
Don’t ever doubt yourself as a dad. Maddy looks like the happiest baby in the world. Anyone can see you are an awesome father. She’s perfect and you rock as a dad!!
Awesome post.
This post made me unbelieveably happy for some reason – but I’m not here to comment about that. I just wanted to say that you could start a record collection of signed records for Madeline! How cool would that be? It probably means she’ll grow up and want to listen to Zamfir – but just in case she doesn’t it would be pretty freakin cool!
Fuck yah – sounds like a great fucking day!
glad to know maddy is on track. and how could you fuck up as her daddy? you do better than some dads, i am sure. the most important thing you do is love her….unconditionally.
a fucking awesome day. sending kisses to maddy from the OH.
You have a beautiful daughter. She is lucky to have such a loving papa. Best to you and little Maddy.
Oh how I just love having a new post from you pop up in my reader! I love seeing new pics of that baby…she is so precious. The cutest….no wait…second cutest….no, third….yeah….THIRD cutest baby EVER. (After my two boys, of course!) My favorite pic of this post is the one where Madeline’s crying…that sweet little face…
I think a little self-doubt about the job you’re doing as a parent is good…it means you’re trying to make sure you’re always doing the best you can. It’s those parents who have no such worry and doubt that makes me a little concerned for their kids.
I’ve said it before, but…that is one lucky little girl!
What a wonderful update! Like other commenters said, I don’t know why you doubt yourself as a father– you are doing such a fantastic job.
Seeing Madeline’s smiling face, I can’t help but smile– the fact that she is *always* so happy, that says something about you, Matt.
She is beautiful. Keep it up– you’re doing it right.
Good luck on your first day back to work.
Matt…get Madeline the Baby Einstein dvds…it’s her turn now! She will love them!
Good luck at going back to work….I imagine you might be crying when you leave her!
Sounds like an awesome day.
Stop doubting yourself as a father Matt. If it is any consolation us mothers feel the same.. going on almost 16 years for me. Parenthood.
And yes, amid the pain of circumstances you are still a very lucky man. Madeline is gorgeous and healthy, and yours and Liz’s. How lucky you are to have her.
Matt, I always love hearing about the good days. I hope you’re able to keep it up after you go back to work. It’s gonna suck – I go every day, no baby, and it sucks. But your blog always gives me something to look forward to while I’m in the hell. Ahem, I mean work.
Madeline, I see Liz in her, as much as I can from your stories and photos. Your photos melt my heart, and the ones of her smiling always jumpstart the biological clock.
Always hoping for good days for you guys.
You are doing an amazing job with Madeline! Always remember that! Glad that her appointment went well too!
She’s a growing girl! I’m glad you had a great day! Enjoy your weekend and gl with returning back to work Monday!
So glad that Maddy continues to thrive…she is absolutely precious. Thinking of you this weekend as you gear up for the return to work. Will be eager to hear about that adventure. It’ll be great. Enjoy the weekend!
Yay Maddy, you’re doing a great job growing! And good job to her daddy too.
What did he sign on the album for her? I can’t tell but it’s awesome you have a signed album for everyone now.
she is beautiful
They always sleep pretty well the first day os so after getting shots. I always feel so evil taking them!!
Madeline is growing so well, and you are so blessed to have such a well-mannered baby! Mine never slept after shots!
Awesome about the band and the autograph!
Matt! Awesome post!… you have a gift. Maddy is just so deliciously cute…My eight year old loves to look at her photos, (no worries, I do not let him read!) I used this often, a food mill/grinder http://www.happybabyproducts.com/kidcofoodmill.html , I used this with my kids and it was great to serve them food that I had cooked..not that you need advice, you are doing a kick-butt job as a Dad, just sharing best practices as a parent : )
Oh, she is soooo precious.
Sounds like you have a very kind and reassuring pediatrician. A very important thing!
That’s awesome about the CD for Madeline. What a nice guy.
My son is in the 10th percintile too. Sounds like a fabulous concert. I am glad you had a good day. I read your blog all the time, but I just never comment. I reference you in my blogs though. Good luck, and your daughter is precious
Matt, I’ve been following your blog for a while now… when I was first directed to your blog several months ago, I read it from beginning to end. You are a great man and father! My heart aches for you and Madeline, I have also endured a great loss. I have never felt the urge to comment here but tonight while reading your blog I see that you use the word apropos and just felt like I should say that it made my day! You see I own Apropos Antiques & Florist in Bastrop, Texas, it was my mother’s business before she passed away (my great loss). Back to my point – you see my husband has wanted to change the name Apropos to something more mainstream because people our generation or younger don’t know the word, how to use it or pronounce it and we spend alot of time and effort educating people on the word (but my mother chose it and I want to keep it – her explanation flowers are appropriate for any occasion)… so it just really made my day today to see you use it!!!! I was feeling kinda down after signing the closing documents for selling my mother’s land today… thinking about all the plans she had for the old farmhouse and her bed & breakfast out there… and then I get online and see that you are using her word!!! They work in mysterious ways don’t they?? I feel she is telling me in her own way that everything is apropos. Thanks for that, Tiffany
Matt
All you have to do is look at precious Maddie’s face and healthy body to validate that you are doing an amazing job. The look of love for each other that the pictures show in your faces is just shining forth.
Keep up the good work.
Your wonderful stories make my day.
Thanks and blessings, Mary in the IL
If her head is a little flat it will pop out. My Niece had a really flat head and at nearly 2 you can’t tell she did.
Love the pics of Madeline at the doc’s office- esp. the close up one. She is such a mini-Liz there…always amazes me when I see pics like that of her.
Also wanted to say good luck with returning back to work- I hope it’s an easy transition for both you & Madeline.
I’m also curious about what David Berman wrote for Madeline- do you mind sharing? I’m glad you got to see one of your favorite bands live. There’s nothing like be surrounded by good music that you love. Sometimes I think I’d be ok being stranded on an island by myself if I had all my favorite music with me. It seems we have pretty different tastes in music. I like a lot of different types really, but for some reason have been into old Southern Rock lately and I came across a song that reminded me of you called Tuesday’s Gone. I sincerely hope that one day Tuesdays won’t be so painful for you.
Alles Gute von Berlin!
She is beautiful! Great pics! Great story! Good growing Madeline and great job dad!
Ok, I will graciously congratulate Emma, as my guess (once again) was low, so I’m happy to be wrong! GO MADDIE, GO MADDIE!!
Matt, you are the coolest Dad EVER, I know the Doc doesn’t have to tell you, you’re doing great.
@ Creepy Nancy…were you a little pissed that Miss M SLEPT the entire time you were in charge, or WHAT?! Don’t get me wrong sleeping babies are the MOST precious, but DAMN, I would have wanted to play with her!!
Woo! Half-right!
How awesome to have had Nancy along to take such great pictures at the doc’s office.
What an awesome day for you Matt! Great news on the Maddy front too! Nope, definetly not fucking up your baby! You’re doing an awesome awesome job!! She tells you that every day in those smiles!
Great job Matt! I know Liz is very proud of you also! It sounds like it was a awesome day and evening.
Wishing you well on Monday!
If most fathers were 1/10th the dad you are, the world would be a peaceful, happy place. You are model for all parents.
(This is my first time posting and I’m actually nevous about it-god, I’m a dork)
I feel you on the flat head thing! I obsess about my sons head every day…it’s not healthy for me. Madeline looks great and you are doing a fabulous job! I look forward to your posts everyday!
Plagio is a major concern I think for most new parents nowadays.
Ever since they discovered that babies HAVE to sleep on their backs SIDS has gone down dramatically. On the other side, the exact same percentage of the SIDS downfall has risen with plagio.
My Boos (niece and nephew) had to do the helmet thing, which fixed the flattening, my buddy at works daughter sent me a photo of his daughter to which I replied I loved her helmet designs and why hadnt he mentioned she had plagio! He replied WTF is plagio? Which made me laugh. Granted I am using a shortened term for the condition called positional plagiocephally. But his term was flat head too.
Better the helmet than SIDS peeps. And Matt seems to know this since he mentions tummy time very often.
Yay Matt & Madaline! So SO great to hear that she is doing awesome and that you got the official validation from your doc of what an awesome job you are doing with her! Glad to hear you got to treat yourself to some live music and R&R that evening…..but totally bummed I missed out on the guess…..ugh – can I say that I mis-typed and that’s what I meant to post?!
Kelli in Georgia here, still checking your blog- I think you are doing an amazing job as a father for Madeline. Your baby is a lucky little girl and it’s so clear that you put her first. She is just absolutely precious (which I know you already know) but she has such a sparkle in her eye! Take care- praying for you in GA.
Kelli
@Tiffany – Weird. I’m from Bastrop. I’ll stop by the next time I’m in town and buy some flowers.
Glad to hear Madeline’s dr appointment went well. Frankly there hasn’t been a doubt in my mind that this girl has been doing anything but thriving! We need more fathers like you in the world.
I just missed the Silver Jews in my area, but I’ll have to check out some of their music.
Thanks to creepy Nancy for the cool pics at the dr’s office.
Hey Matt….thinking of you as you get ready to head back to work. I’m sure it will be hard to leave sweet little Madeline for a few hours each day! She is the cutest, little thing!
Yay for Madeline growing so well! My God-daughter was born 10 weeks early 14 years ago. Now the only thing wrong with her is her love of black eye liner, teen boys, and pop music. But we are working on all three. Good luck tomorrow, its going to be a rough one. My son just had his first friend sleep over and it made me pretty bummed.
Hey Matt! I just wanted to say GOOD LUCK for the big day tomorrow. I have a feeling that going to work won’t be as hard as dropping Madeline off at daycare for the first time. I am glad that she is going to a place you really like, it’s one less thing that you will have to worry about everyday. Can’t wait to hear about the first day for both of you!
Goodluck with work tomorow Matt. Thinking of you and Madeline.
These days most babies have flat heads to some extent. It’s because they sleep on their backs and don’t move a whole lot. Once she starts moving around more easily (which should be soon), her head should round out. And your doc is brave, naked weighing and all. Mine always made me change the diaper before weighing. Best, Jen
From the older generation, way to go…..i have followed your blog since i found it, and like the others, i have laghed and cried. Maddy is a doll and you are doing a fantastic job as a single dad. good luck on returning to work.
Berman! I love trying to understand him.
Sounds like you had a pretty great day. I’m glad. You deserve many more.
I didn’t realize she was SO early. She’s growing perfectly and acting just like the other babies I know her age. What a perfect perfect baby!
Just saw the Silver Jews myself for the second time. Sounds like we may have the same record collection.
what is not but should have been…….
Way to go daddy! She is just beautiful…
You know Liz was beside herself for the great day it was… and so perfect for Madeline to have her own signed record!
Ya know as she starts to eat more solid stuff her poops will change…just saying, I forgot about that the second time around.
Hope you had a decent Monday…back to work?
I’ve never written a comment before, but I have checked out your website many times since it was first posted on a parenting site I go to (I’m a busy 27 yr old mommy of FOUR little ones!) and you and Maddy have really touched me!
I just had to comment that in the one close-up pic from the dr’s office, where Madeline is smiling up at you, she looks SO much like your wife!
She is just an absolutely gorgeous, precious little girl.
Thanks for sharing your sweet baby with all of us.
P.S. We’re in the Los Angeles, too.
NO WAY!! I won?????
Wow, I’m glad! Even better that she’s happy and healthy… 13′ 13″ is a good weight!
And it’s more than apparent (even to long-distance lurkers like me!) that you’re doing a great job
Matt,
you are not a fucking fool. You are doing awesome.
p/s Her smile looks like you. uh… well, so does her hair…. I’m SURE she’ll grow out of it. No worries….
Sara
Thought of you when i read this.
http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/news/148664-silver-jews-david-berman-calls-it-quits
Couldn’t find the post you made about going to see them in the TN cave, but didn’t you write that a while back? Anyway, kind of a bummer, but at least you will see their last show. . .