(still one week behind).
***saturday***
madeline woke up
at 4:30.
she was hungry.
loving this new routine.
fed her then both
of us went back
to sleep.
slept in a
little bit, waited
for our housekeeper
to arrive then
picked up
creepy nancy for breakfast.
went to the
breakfast place
with the cupcakes
in the eagle rock.
had a nice breakfast
in the shade of the awnings
drove creepy nancy
to the airport, thanking
her for everything.
went home and took
a nap in our
clean, clean house.
woke up in the early
afternoon with a
visit from catherine and family.
they offered to
watch madeline while
i went out for
the night.
going out to dinner
then to a movie
on the west side,
a movie that wasn’t
to get out until
after 12:00.
catherine offered to
keep madeline
for the night…
this served a few purposes.
it allowed me
to get a
(hopefully) uninterrupted night
of sleep, it
kept me from waking them
and their
baby up at an
awful hour
just to pick up my baby,
and it gets madeline
used to being
away from me in
anticipation of oct. 6th.
a hard thing
to agree to, but
i figured it was good
for all of us.
it was quiet
after madeline left.
it took me a few
minutes to realize
that i didn’t have
to sneak away to
the shower.
once i figured that
out i showered for the
first time
in two days
(i seem to shower a lot less these days…just can’t find the time).
headed to the west
side to a burger restaurant
that i’ve wanted
to try for awhile,
one that
liz
suggested long ago.
it’s funny.
i never really had
the best dietary intake and
liz
constantly battled me
to stay healthy,
saying things like,
“you need to eat healthier…don’t you want to be around to see your baby graduate?
that’s not the
funny part though.
the funny part is that
roughly every other week
she’d come home,
telling my about some
other burger joint we
just had to check out.
i never understood this,
but now i know
she was just trying to
make me happy.
she was awesome.
***reality***
so here i am,
pulling up to one
of those burger joints
she wanted us to try,
one we never
made it to together.
met my friend
laura and we each had
a great burger,
a burger
liz
would have loved.
then we drove a
little ways to the
movie theater to
see a movie i’d been
wanting to see.
got a text message
from catherine right
before the movie
started letting me
know that maddy
was asleep and doing
fine despite the fact
that she had
a low fever.
for the first time
ever i left my
phone on during a
movie and obsessively checked
my e-mails/text messages
in case there
were any problems.
of course there weren’t
any problems,
other than the movie
being a little
too long.
left the theater, said
goodbye to laura
and walked to my car.
tried to get on
the 10, but there
was a serious accident
so i took side streets
all the way home.
didn’t realize it
until i was driving
past our old neighborhood, but
allowing madeline to
stay at someone
else’s house
meant that
i will be alone in our
house for the first
time since before
liz
died.
yes, i’ve had nights
away from madeline
but this will likely
be the most
difficult.
had this entered my mind
earlier, i would have found
a way to pick
madeline up
(earlier movie, movie closer to our house, wake everybody up no matter what time it is ’cause of my selfishness).
pulled up,
walked into the
most empty
house in the whole city,
crawled onto the couch
and immediately fell asleep.
things suck.
171 Comments
Knowing tomorrow is the ‘real’ October 6th…i’m thinking about you and Madeline on your first day back to work. Hope Madeline’s fever was short lived!!
I agree. Things suck. But at least your daughter is one hell of an awesome baby. I regularly show her pictures to coworkers who “ooh” and “aah” over her.
Today is my dad’s birthday. He died (of lung cancer–don’t smoke, kids!) on MY birthday over three years ago. He could be a real asshole at times, but for the most part he was an awesome dad. I’m sure Maddie will say something at least as nice as that, about you, one day.
(For one thing, you’ll not torture her with ONLY country and accordian/polka music–that alone makes you uberdad.)
To the “creeps” in the TWin Cities: Silver Jews are in the Twin Cities Wednesday (10/8/08) at Triple Rock Social Club. Might be a fun Matt-oriented night for y’all. Plus, you’ll get to hear cool music, and tickets are only $14.
Sorry you had to face the empty house Matt. That does suck. I am glad you had a night out and hope you had a nice uninteruppted sleep. Hugs.
I’m so glad you have so many awesome friends who love to watch Maddy. Hope you survived the night and got a lot of sleep.
Empty houses suck. I hope you were able to sleep without your baby for the night.
Good luck tomorrow!
Coming out of lurkdom to wish you a good day tomorrow on your first day back to work. I’m sorry that Maddy has a fever. Keep an eye on her because she just got her shots. My children got high fevers from their shots.
yes, things suck.
I hope you’re having more unsucky moments than sucky ones.
Tomorrows the big day. Sendinig good thoughts your way.
six post, three jen’s… weird. I just wanted to say that I’m really proud of you for not turning your car around, picking up Madeline and going home…. you did it… another thing to cross of the long long list. I hope that tomorrow is manageable – I’ll be thinking of you!
i thank you for everything as well…
especially for letting me invade your life for 48 hours. it was extremely enjoyable for me to see you soo happy!!
i hate that things suck.
sigh.
nbl~
best of luck this week. i will be thinking of you and madeline.
and maybe manny is like to have madeline as a fan now??? we still don’t miss him in boston
Good luck tomorrow, I trust that since you are writing a week late that you survuved the sucky night and that Maddy is also well. How’s the cereal going? Fun times, enjoy and be sure to take lots of pictures of her messy face!
Asalamalaykom,
I feel like I’ve been lurking these last days.
Tomorrow. Tomorrow. The sun will come out tomorrow. LOL! Ya, dude…tomorrow is my first day back to teaching and Mr. Boo’s first day at a new daycare, inshahallah. Is it too late to catch the flight out of here to live where $100 buys you a life for a month?
For me, and maybe for you, it just seems like MAN! it’s been soooo much work these past months—internal, external, and all of it tiring. Rewarding, yes…but how is it that being out of work feels like so much work? And NOW? Now we have to return to work? Like, where is the energy reserve? Can’t we get a vacation from our time off? We have to go back to work but I SWEAR if there was a circus passing through today I’d run away with them (grabbing the kid and passing him off as a midget).
Delurking here to let you know I am thinking of you re tomorrow. Our twins were born on 3/14 and started daycare several weeks ago. It was tough on us, but the kiddos seem unfazed. Madeline will do great.
The night alone sounds like it sucked. I am sorry.
Let me know if you are ever in the Portland (OR). The hipsters here love kids.
Best, Amy
Matt,
Thinking of you and Maddy. Hoping for a good week! I hate nights alone too! So quiet and lonely. Normally I read. Hope you had a good nights rest. Take care of YOU and Ms. Maddy. She’s getting so big and getting ever so gorgeous.
Just wanted to send my best wishes as you head back to work tomorrow – please know that you have many friends (strangers) behind you!
Good luck tomorrow!!
Sorry you had to come home to an empty house. I imagine that feels pretty awful.
I’m amazed that you have the ability to remember things in detail from last week. It’s been a week now from last Saturday and you’re probably dreading tomorrow. Back to work and Maddy’s first time at daycare.
Wishing you well for tomorrow and peace and no anxiety for you or Maddy.
Kelsey
good luck for work tomorrow
Oh, that must have been super hard. After my Dad passed away, my Mom slept on the couch/guest bedroom for a year. Too hard for her to sleep in their bed (they were married for 34 years and 11 months). I hope you were able to get some rest while Maddy was away for the evening, but understand its hard to shut you brain off. Good luck tomorrow and I will be sending happy thoughts to you and M.
~Z
You will have a great day back at work despite being away from Maddy. In reality this gives you both a chance to grow. Just think of how sweet the reunion will tomorrow afternoon when you pick your precious baby girl up! Im sure all of the creeps, stranger/friends and lurkers will all be thinking of you.
Matt, good luck tomorrow. I am glad you have good friends to help with Madeline. I am sorry that coming home sucked. Take care.
Holly in Canada
Good Luck at work tomorrow, I’m sure Maddie will have a fine time at daycare.
I am sorry you had to face an empty house too. Also that you have to return back to work tomorrow. Hugs -kriss
thinking of you – and praying that your first day back at work is a good one.
kiss your baby for me!
I’ve been lurking, reading here for a long time… crying and smiling along with everyone else. I’m a single mom back in the MN who knows a bit of what you’re going through (never would I think that our situations are comparable in total), and I think you are doing an awesome job with Madeline. You give me encouragment!
god bless.
Stacy
First shower in over two days? Is THAT what that stench is?
Yes, thinking of you tomorrow…
Things totally fucking suck.
Good luck tomorrow. You betcha. ::wink::
Good luck on your first day back at work…Sure hope it goes well for you & Maddie. Hope all is well, cant wait to hear how it goes in the real world again.
Matt,
Sorry things suck! I have been there. I had 5 nights after my husband and I separated with no kids. They were gone, it was tough and lonely. I had lots of tears and talked to the dog a lot. I cannot imagine missing someone you loved so much and being alone! Sorry you have to suffer. I am happy the Madeline did well, I hope that gave you some comfort. Tomorrow is the big day, you are in my prayers.
Wow, it does suck.
Hoping tomorrow goes smoothly and quickly, for both of you. Good Luck!
I know just what you mean about the showers – hard to fit in!!
Thinking about you and Maddy and hoping that tomorrow is OK. Sucks to go back to work but I know it will be harder on you than on your sweet baby girl (I was a mess my first day back to work and my little man, who is now 5, was completely unfazed). How is the cereal going? Nice and messing, huh? Such fun
Sitting here with my trio while my husband is at our property in the West Virgina alone. They get a kick out of your pictures of Madeline. Its the only time they can look at a computer screen without a fist fight breaking out.
I’m sorry. That must have been hard. It’s amazing how much one little baby can fill a house, and how empty it can seem when they’re gone.
Maddy will be so awesome at daycare! She will not miss you any where near as much as you will miss her….and you will discover yourself driving way too fast to get there too pick her up! She will be entertained and be learning so much. You will be distracted and worried. And each day it will get a little easier (You gotta be sick of hearing that!) It is yet another hurdle you two will pass with flying colors. Nonetheless, I will be thinking very happy, peaceful, calm thoughts for you tomorrow!
Oh my. The first year of firsts is so hard. I hope you were able to get some sleep that night…and I hope Madeline’s fever wasn’t anything major, maybe just from her shots.
I know you haven’t updated the week in between yet but I wanted to say for you to please have a good day back to work. It’s going to be hard to leave her for that first time or two, but it will get easier. She will love the interaction with new people and with other children and babies, and it’s probably just what the two of you need now. When my two oldest girls were small, my husband left. I managed to stay home for a few months, but when money ran out…it was back to work. I cried a lot that first day when I dropped them off, but as time went by, I grew to enjoy my time at work and appreciate my time with them even more. Four years later, I remarried and have not worked since, but am facing that reality soon due to the economy. I will soon be searching for a daycare, and leaving the last baby of four there while I go make money too. It’s bittersweet really. Anyway, good luck tomorrow and hugs and smooches to your sweet baby girl. You’ve done so very well with her, not just as a dad raising a baby, but as a parent…male or female. Nice job.
Thinking of you tomorrow. Maddy will do great. She is a real trooper and a very beautiful baby.
Good luck for the first day at work!
It’ll be okay.
Just hoping that everything goes well for you tomorrow. Thoughts and prayers coming your way from the Riverside.
Everything is going to be OK!
Besos y abrazos
Sol
Thinking of you today, tomorrow, and everyday.
I’m so sorry things fucking suck.
I can only imagine that must have been hard. And I hope the fever was short-lived. Maybe it was those damn teeth? I’ll be thinking of you two in the morning. Hope you have a great day back in the swing of things.
I’m just imagining how surreal that empty house experience must have been for you – hope things seemed better in the morning.
Like everyone else – I’m also hoping tomorrow goes well for you and Maddy and work and daycare. I’m sure she will charm the hell out of all the daycare workers. She certainly works her magic with all us creeps on the internet.
I’m sure it was hard going back to your empty house. The first night is the worst and it will get easier over time. Good luck tomorrow! I will be thinking of you and Maddy.
Thinking of you as you head back to work in the morning. Hope the transition is smooth for the both of you.
I’ll also be thinking of you both tomorrow and I hope it goes smoothly. Will the robot be running the blog now or what?
Thinking of you as you go back to work tomorrow. I do think the daycare thing, is much harder on the parents than the kids. Most kids seem to have no problem with the transition, it is us parents that miss them like crazy & wonder what the heck they are doing & what is being done to/for them! Wishing you a great day tomorrow!!!
Best wishes tomorrow! First day of “school” is a big deal.
Hi – just wanted to wish you good luck tomorrow on another first that will totally suck…. But both you and Madeline will do great. You have lots of stranger friends (can’t figure out the strike through on my bberry!) routing for you.
As the old wives’ tale says – make sure to step out the door with your right foot tomorrow – it will bring you luck.
Wishing you both a good nights sleep tonight and a good day tomorrow…
Wishing you and Madeline a good day tomorrow.
Give Madeline some cereal at bedtime ( like the Dr suggested) she might start sleeping thru again.
Good luck returning to work tomorrow…it will be a hard day for you, but Maddy will be fine! Unfortunately, it’s harder for us than it is for them. I’m so sorry for all that you’ve been through, You are such a wonderful father and Maddy is so fortunate to have you. She looks so much like her mommy…very beautiful. Bless you and her. I’ll be thinking of you tomorrow…
~Tracy
Saginaw, MI
Can I just say how proud I am of you? One step at a time. Tomorrow is the first day of the “new” reality. Yeah, most likely it will put you in a funk. Nobody likes change. Especially when its forced so cruelly upon us.
But I do know that you can do it. You are most particularly awesome!
I remember crying every day the week before I had to go back to work after Alex was born. But the day of, I hopped on the freeway and immediately discovered my old working self. You will be okay and Maddie will be okay.
The good thing about having a baby is that it puts work into perspective, and things that bothered you before (especially after all you have been through — not so much). All those people getting worked up over every little thing! It will be hard to relate.
much love
kp
Hey Matt –
Glad to hear that you got out for the night – hope you were able to sleep the night – Have a great day back to work tomorrow – Tip: take a shower before going!! LOL
I cant imagine how hard it was with an empty house like that.
Hope tomorow goes smoothly for you and Madeline. Thinking of you both.
Good luck tomorrow!! I’ll be thinking of you and madeline!!
As everyone else has said…..wishing you luck and sending you good thoughts for tomorrow.
Madeline – have a great time at daycare….Daddy will be thinking about you all day!
Amy from Louisville in the KY
Good luck on your first day back at work! I’m sure Madeline will rock daycare AND be thrilled to see you after work.
Good luck tomorrow Matt. I will be thinking of you both.
I was doing ok until the last part of your entry. I’m so sorry you had to go home to the empty house.
You and Madeline will be in my thoughts tomorrow, will be waiting to hear how things went. I think things will work out well, different reality than what you imagined, but it will be well.
It occurs to me that Monday will be so much more than “just” leaving your daughter at day care for the first time (I don’t use “just” lightly here). For you, returning to work and leaving Madeline is one more link in the chain of events that will occur without your wife.
I can totally know what it feels like to leave a child at day care for the first time…I can’t even attempt to imagine what it feels like for Matt Logelin to leave his beloved child at day care for the first time.
Take care of yourself
Good luck with work tomorrow!
Thinking of you and Maddie and sending happy vibes your way. I’m sure you have the day care’s number on speed dial. It will probably be harder on you than Maddie, but I know she will miss her Daddy bunches. Good Luck!
Hi Matt, Hi Madeline! Good luck on your first day back at work tommorow—- Madeline is so lucky to have you as her father. Your Awesome. Take Care.
Matt,
Trust me… I would know. Anyway, hope all goes well. I’m sure her teachers won’t be able to get enough of her!
Thinking of you and Maddy on the eve of your return to work. It’s probably going to be a little rough (though it’s much harder on the parents than it is on the babies). No doubt your little one will be on your mind all day… and, no, it is not annoying to call every hour to check on her
*hugs*
good luck tomorrow. I will be thinking of you and that sweet baby girl all day
try to get some sleep tonight. Really!!!
Matt, lots of hugs to both of you tomorrow as you head back to work! Please let us know how it goes! Don’t worry, you’ll get a new routine going.
Good luck tomorrow!! I’m sure just thinking of that huge toothless smile you’re going to get upon your return will help you to make it through your day! Blessings to you both~
Just wanted to wish you and Maddy the best of luck tomorrow.
i’m joining in the best wishes for you for tomorrow. i finished my maternity leave a month ago and the first day i left my son at daycare i did nothing but think about him, talk about him and show pictures of him (yes, one of those annoying people). and i could not get to daycare fast enough to pick him up. it seemed like i hit every red light. when i was about 5 minutes from the daycare and in traffic, i came thisclose to getting out of the car and running to get him. dramatic? yes. but i survived and he is growing and thriving.
will you miss madeline? of course. but as parents we do what is best for our child and ourselves. good luck!!
Everyone has sent you such positive sentiments, wishes, energy and support. I’d like to add mine as well.
I hope and I hope again that your day will go better than you think it will.
If your worries are big, may they become smaller throughout the day. If your expectations are good, may you end the day feeling great.
Glad you made it through the night- sounds like you had a ton on willpower that night, im sure falling asleep helped also so your mind wasn’t running crazy. Thinking happy wishes for your first day back tomm and first day away from maddy, I know you will do amazing!!
I’ll be thinking of you two tomorrow and hoping the day apart goes by quickly so you can be back to snuggling and smiling together.
When I dropped my *dog* off at doggie daycare for the first time, I cried. And then I called two different times to make sure she was okay. And that was just a dog. Besides showing that I’m pretty lame, my point is that it’s hard to leave a baby and we’re all hoping the day goes as well as can be expected.
Love from the MN.
things suck.
you will get through tomorrow just as you have somehow gotten through each day. I wish you well on your first day back to work and maddy’s first day at day care.
and I am so glad your house is so so clean. one less thing for you and maddy to think about…when you get her home, it will be all about you and her.
(((hugs)))
Good Luck tomorrow ! Little Miss M is such a lucky girl to have such a cool & awesome dad !
Babies have this thing called “the 4 month wakeful period” which her waking early could be. Was Liz always late for everything, or is that you?? lol… If you want advice (which you don’t need) don’t start the feeding routine now, she’s fine going all night without it. She’ll get used to that, and that becomes your new breakfast time. Just go in, soothe, pat her back, replace the pug, and that’s it. Take it or leave it, worked for us.
Also, the 1st day of daycare is tragic for only you. Thank goodness these kids have short attention spans and memories. It’ll be pickup time before you know it. And be PICKY about your instructions for the daycare. We had to switch from “the best” in town because they would not communicate with me. Go figure.
Matt (that feels weird typing, thats my husbands name) nothing anyone will say or do will make any of this any easier. I can’t even begin to say that I know what you are going through, cause I don’t.
Know that Madeline has one fucking awsome father who will do anything for her, and Madeline is one awsome little girl. You two will be there for eachother. Remember, she needs you and you will be ok.
Good luck tomorrow at work! You both will be ok! You have alot of ppl (Creeps including LOL) that care for you both! You’re doing awsome and will continue to do so…..*HUGS*
Good luck tomorrow and I hope it doesn’t suck too bad! I’ll be thinking of you both!
Lots of first steps this year for you. Hope they get a little less painful soon.
Good luck with the first day back at work!
Well since the empty house night was week a go now, so I’m hoping that today was better then last Sunday.
Hoping tomorrow will go as best as it can…
@Angela: I do believe they are in the mist of working that out !
A new day for you and Maddeline. Go, and the best to you.
Wishing you all the caffeine, reminder lists, and tissues you need to get through tomorrow…and a three-hour lunch, too.
Good luck tomorrow Matt and Maddy! Sending you lots of love and warm thoughts! And Matt, get to bed! (If you’re not already there)
Thinking of you two especially hard tomorrow.
Empty houses suck.
Burgers rock, though, especially when there is bacon involved. Glad you enjoyed one, with or without the bacon.
Best wishes for your first day back at work tomorrow! And for Madeline, too, at her first day/opportunity to knock the socks off of everyone who encounters her at daycare!
Best wishes for a good day. She’ll make new friends and the smiles you’ll get when you pick her up are amazing. Melts my heart everyday–and my oldest is 5.
Will you be sporting your Liberace t-shirt on your first day back to work? Maybe you should hang Madeline’s Elvis sunglasses by your computer to give you an extra smile during the day.
Viel Gluck!
Hey Matt,
Good luck on your first day back to work! Maddy seems so easy going, that I think she will do fine at daycare, just miss her daddy like he is going to miss her. I think this is harder for you because it is one more step towards a reality without Liz, but you are doing an awesome job. Maddy looks happy all the time.
Well Matt…Today is the day! Best of luck to you, It will be a difficult day to say the least. But, You will do fine and so will Madeline. I hope Madeline is feeling much better (those darn teeth and low grade fevers!!!). Hope today goes by smoothly! Oh and btw, showers become a true luxury when you become a parent. The sneaking off thing doesn’t work forever. LOL I try, but my now 15 month old Luke will stand outside my shower pulling the shower liner out leaning his little head in to watch. But the time I am done….not only do I have a wet floor, I have an adorable little blonde boy drenched from head to toe.
Thinking of you guys today!
Good luck on your first day of work. Keep your sense of humor. You are terrific.
absolute best wishes for a smooth transition into the working/daycare world today.
hey. i’m reading this on monday october 6… sooo hope everyting goes well today. i’m sure Madeline will have a great time at day care. have a nice first day back. you’ll end up talking about Madeline a lot. (parent brains tend to defer to their children during adult conversation even if the subject has nothing to do with them) if Madeline’s day care has a baby web cam, try not to check it every 5 minutes… 15 is better, less conspicuous to your co-workers…
can’t wait to read all about it!
hugs from NJ,
erica and Landon
Like many others around the world, I will be thinking about you today Matt. I like was em said, we’ll all be wishing you lots of caffeine, tissues and a 3 hour lunch to get you through the day.
Matt,
You CAN do this. Good luck today.
Madeline weighs 1 pound and 11 ounces more than my full term baby did at 6 months! She is indeed growing perfectly. I know you don’t need me or the doctor to tell you that you are doing a great job, but I’ll do it anyways. Great job, Dad!
Have a good first day back at work.
Just when my heart couldn’t break any more from your story. The whole empty house thing kills me…
I hope that with time it won’t hurt so much to be alone in your own house!
GOOD LUCK, MATT! Go easy on yourself today, it’s gonna be a toughie for SOOOO many reasons. I can’t wait til you catch up and blog about this day!
ATTENTION, Matt’s work peeps: take good care of our boy today!!! And please note that he will require approximately 15 minutes per hour to approve blog comments.
Matt, Good luck with your first day back at work! We’ll all be thinking about you!
::thinks:: I shouldn’t post comments close to bed time… sigh.
Good luck today.
I have thought about you and Madeline today, being that it’s the 6th. I’m sorry you you had to face the house by yourself, but I hope you got some much needed uninterrupted sleep.
Big hugs to you and Madeline!
Today is the day. We’re all thinking about you.
Just a quick note to say ~ Thinking of you today Matt – I know you’ll do great as will little Miss M. ~
xoxo – darcie
Good luck with the big transition today – work, daycare… it will feel like a lot to absorb, but you can do it!
Oh I just want to hug you!
It’s October 6th and I’m thinking about you guys! Hope the first of many firsts in a long string of lots of previous firsts is a good first day. Hope you can still find time to keep all of us updated – you guys are part of my daily life now!
Good luck.
I’m sorry, I know that must have been a rough night. :\
I hear you about the shower thing. gah.
good luck on your first day back. They say the first day is rough but it gets better after that. And don’t worry about pestering the daycare people with checkup calls; they understand
Don’t feel bad about not showering as often, it happens when there is a baby around. When my son was about Maddie’s age I would pull his bouncy seat or exersaucer into the bathroom so I could get a shower in some days. Also a good suggestion for the next time she gets a runny nose. The steam in the bathroom will clear her nose right out and you get a shower in.
I am thinking about you today, the real 10/6. You are probably getting ready and going out the door right now. Good luck to you on your first day back to work. Madeline is so great, she will have no problem going to daycare.
…and don’t feel bad about calling to make sure she is OK. If it eases your mind, do it. You will both do great though, so it doesn’t matter!!
Hi Matt,
Just wanted you to know I was thinking about you and sweet Madeline today! I know she is doing great and she is turning on all her great smiles for everyone!! Hope you are doing just as well!
Keep your chin up! You are a great father!
Wishing you lots of strength as you return to work and take Maddy to daycare. You both will survive and thrive as you move into this new chapter of your lives.
Hi Matt… I’ve been reading your blog for a couple months now… it was recommended on the blog of my co-worker. He lost his wife in a plane crash last year and blogs about rebuilding a historic home in her honor. I enjoy reading about a Midwest guy (you!)making it in the big city and watching your baby grow. I’m sorry that all this has happened to you. I really have nothing great to say, no insight to solve the world’s problems, but I wanted to post GOOD LUCK on your first day back to work! I PROMISE that your daughter will love daycare. My son does… the interaction with other children is so great and they learn so much and get to do so many neat things. It will be much harder on you than her, but rest assured that it will be wonderful and you will grow to enjoy the “adult time” at work. Good luck to you!
Hope you guys have a great “First” today. I am praying for your strength and courage today.
I wish you didn’t have to go back, but maybe this will be good for you and Madeline.
Hope she rocked at school today.
Good luck vibes from this NC reader on your first day back to work. I’m glad Maddy got in the daycare that you liked the most, and pretty soon you’ll both be in a groove. Though it may never feel normal without Liz, it will be a new normal, one that Maddy will certainly thrive in. You are doing So So So So awesome. Keep your head up!
Hope you’re having a good first day back! The smiles when you go to pick up Maddy will just make your day no matter what your day was like at work!
Matt-
Thinking about you and Maddy today, hoping things go smoothly and quickly so you can love on that baby girl tonight!
Thinking of you guys today! Take care and have a great one!
Jen and Zoe in the MN
Thinking of you today!! Just put my two boys in day care. First few days were rough – but they are learning tons and really enjoying it! Best part of the day – is when you get to pick her up!!
Sending you good wishes today Matt and Madeline!
Amy from Louisville in the KY
I hope today goes smoothly for you. I’ll be thinking about you and Miss Madeline. You guys will do great!
I know you’re heading back to work today and just wanted to let you know I’m thinking about you and Madeline. Hope it’s a great day for you both!
I just wanted to say good luck today. My little one is a week younger than yours and it sucked leaving her to go back to work. I went back when she was 3.5 months old… and i hated it! Just know that it does get easier. Thinking of you!
Thinking of both of you today as you head back to work. Hope it goes well.
sending extra hugs & good vibes from milaca today!!! but i KNOW maddy will be just great! she’ll make new friends to share her gorgeous smiles with!
Good luck on your first day back, Matt! I can’t imagine that it’ll be a very productive work day (I remember my first days back from maternity leave for each of my girls), but you’ll quickly get back into the swing. Can’t wait to hear about Maddy’s first day at daycare. I’m sure there will be lots of photos of the milestone. Thinking of you–take care!
Matt, I hope that your night on your own was restful, and I’m thinking about you getting back to work today. It is a BIG, scary step. I can remember November 16th, 1999 very clearly to this day…dropping my (1-year-old – I was VERY lucky) baby off at the daycare center for the 1st time. I got her in there like a Champ. Then walking to the car I cried like a baby. Had to explain the situation at work, cuz my eyes were red & puffy.
I think that you will do better then I did, since you’ve been preparing yourselves for a while!
Just wanted to wish you luck today. I am thinking about both of you.
Have not commentted in a while hope your first day back at work was not too hard.
Just thinking of you. I hope that you’re having a good day today.
Hi Matt,
I have never posted before, I read your blog each day, and I wanted to say that Madeline is such a beautiful baby. You are doing such a great job. I hope going back to work today was not too bad. Take care. Oh and GO PHILLIES!!!
Just stopping by to wish you luck today. I hope it goes smoothly for both of you.
Wanted to wish you a great first day back today, and of course for Madeline’s first day too.
Thinking about you two as you return to work today and Maddy has her first day at daycare. Hope things go well!
First time commenter letting you know I’m thinking of you on Daddy Goes Back To Work Day. I hope it doesn’t suck too much. I have the daycare blues every day and my son is 2 1/2. He, however, is happy to go there *some* of the time. Keep us posted!
Hi Matt, I hope your first day back at work went smooth. But the best part of the day will be when you pick up Madeline from daycare…the smile she will give you will melt your heart….the feeling is indescribable.
And just wait until she can talk and she sees you walk into daycare….she with either run to you yelling daddy or jump up and down yelling daddy (as mine jumps up and down yelling mommy…everyday. The best!). I don’t comment often, but I do think about you, Liz and Madeline everyday. All my best!
Michelle
Hey M & M!
Hope you are both having good first days today. Definitly thinking of Miss. M. I hope she loves the Daycare!
:0)
Good luck on your first day back! I hope the people taking care of Madeline realize how lucky they are to spend the day with “our” girl. Anxious to hear how she did.
Hope you and Madeline are having good *first days*. I remember mine with my daughter… not easy, not fun, but it gets easier.
Thinking of you today Matt…..I’m sure there were plenty of tears…on your part, not hers!
i know it is nice t be reminded by the powers that be (and you ) like your doctor.. that all the measurement the poking- and -(i have of course being the tree hugging west coaster- have my wild Machiavellian issues with anything requiring stirrups -my all powerful woman bits and …. and of course tickets sales- standing room only.
and the prodding all of it has it;s place and examinations will ensure you are despite your *man bits*- someone — a paid professional no less* is reassuring you of your precious girls’ healthy and well being.
i say just go for The tender under belly.. give a good old nibble on one of those juicy baby thighs and you realize your plumping her up perfect she can be.
fucks the scales.. just give her a hug.. weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
First day back… the dreaded day has arrived. Just wanted to say good luck! I think you will find your groove.
I am thinking about you today and hope the first day back to work was not too bad. I am sure Maddy did great at daycare and will be all smiles to see her daddy tonight.
Hang in there!
Smiles,
Melissa
thinking of you and mads today.
Good luck today Matt. Showers are hard to schedule, but it will get better (in a few years). My two year old will stand watching me saying “all done mommy?..all done mommy?..all done mommy?..all done mommy?..” or she and the six year old boy will decide they need to fight over some toy (it’s not like we have 1000s in the house). Best, Jen
I hope your first day back at work brings you some boring ol’ normalcy to your life.
I’m sure baby Mad is being a rockstar at her new daycare.
You might hafta jump ahead on your timeline and post a quick update about today! I daresay me and the other blogees are gonna be flippin’ out until we know how your day went… and Maddy’s!
I remember picking my young’un up from his first day at daycare… He was 4 months old. I walked into the infant room (he was at a big church facility), and they had the lights dimmed in the room, and soft music was playing. The baby wrangler was just sitting in a rocking chair, feeding one of the little ones, and on the floor was a row of about 5 baby bouncers, each with a sleeping baby in it (one of them was mine). I just remember feeling really, really pleased, and relieved, and thinking, “I gotta get me one of them baby bouncers.”
Thought about you and M several times today…anxious to hear how it went.
Hang in Matt.
I have never commented, but read all the time and felt the need to say hi.
The first days back to work are definitely the hardest. But you’ll see that Madeline is happy and healthy and you’ll get into a routine and it will go by so fast!
Your daughter is just SO beautiful. I’m sure people tell you this all the time, she looks so much like her mother.
You guys are in my thoughts.
Good wishes on your first day back! You and Madeleine are in my thoughts today!
I hope you’re able to pull your thoughts away from gorgeous little Maddy and get a little bit done at work today. I also hope that your day isn’t too shitty! But… Miss Maddy will be back in your arms at the end of this shitty day, so that will with no doubt bring up your spirits! Happy 28 wk Birthday Madeline!
Hi, Matt – Hope you’re having an OK day at work… if nothing else, it’ll be fun to have a real (vs. virtual) audience for the adorable Madeline stories!
You just have to accept the fact that you won’t be getting a full night’s sleep any time in the next 18+ years, and then you can enjoy that extra half hour together when it happens! 
As for her waking up hungry in the middle of the night – as twisted as it sounds, I somewhat enjoyed that extra time with my little ones after I went back to work. They were both so sweet and cuddly in the middle of the night and it was nice to have those little intimate moments together in the midst of the busy weeks.
@ K8, I second that. I feel like a parent who can’t wait to hear how their kid’s first day went. ha!
Hope everything is going okay!
your first day is probably half over by now, but i hope it is going well. i know madeline will be in good hands at her daycare. i worked at a daycare through college and fell in love with all my babies. i’m sure she’s rocking a cute outfit like usual today, too! she will be so stoked to see you when you pick her up.
sending you two lots of positive vibes today!
Hope you are having a good first day back at work! I am sure Madeline is doing just fine at daycare
I know she’ll have the biggest smile ever when you pick her up!
The whole shower thing is tough, now that my daughter is 18 months I am finding the best way to get one is to get up before she does and be ready by the time she is awake. Just be happy you aren’t rushing to shave your legs!!
i just want to echo the others – been thinking about you and hoping that today has gone by without any big glitches and with lightning fast speed.
you’re both going to love seeing each other in a few hours!
@becky p. – too funny about the doggie daycare story, but also the closest i can come to relating!
I hope you are having a great day back at work!! Can’t wait for the update! I am sure madeline is making lots of friends at day care!
So you’re able to approve comments even though you’re back at work, eh?
Wait a sec…you didn’t convince them you have to keep ducking out in order to pump milk, did you??
You sly dog, you…
@K8, I totally third what you said, I don’t know how many times I’ve come in here dreaming that there might be a little update. LOL
Thinking of both of you, it’s just past lunchtime, hoping all is going smoothly for you.
Hope your day back to work went well. All are anxious to hear how it went.
Wanted to echo the sentiments about things sucking and empty house – sorry about all those sucky things and the empty house.
Less time for showering is a true mark of a parent, in my opinion!
Not that you aren’t a true parent if you do shower regularly. I just think that statement resonates with so many. There are just more important things than a clean ass – like quality time with your sproutling.
I prayed today that your day and Maddy’s day went well. Can’t wait to read a post on your first day back at work.
Yum, Auntie Em’s, they have the best open faced breakfast sandwiches! (Among other things.) Looked over at the clock, saw it was almost two, and thought about you two. I hope the morning went smoothly for you both and that a routine falls easily into place.
Hope your day is going well…been thinking of you guys lots!
Can’t wait to hear the update
I’m curious how your first day back @ work went, sending good vibes to you & little Maddy, hope everything went ok
I have been thinking about you two all day. I hope the transition went well.
Not that I am not interested in what happened in the last week….but I think you should give us a little hint of how today went.
You’re house is never empty…it’s the people in it that make it a home, and a wonderful home you’ve made for you and Madeline…really amazing, many wonderful memories to be made!
I hope work went well today, and Madeline enjoyed her first day at daycare….
That last line just breaks my heart for you. No one should ever feel that way. It is unavoidable right now for you, but it is sad to hear. Also gives me a new perspective on the moments when I cannot wait to ship my son off to Grandma’s for the night so I can get some peace. Hugs Matt!
Hope today is going well – I’m sure it’s been a tough one. We are all thinking about you here in MN.
P.S. I see the little robot I sent you guys – awesome!!! I’m glad he got to CA in one piece. He’s the one that looks like a spider. Got it from Patina here in the MN.
Hey Matt! Well after weeks of reading your blogs, I just got caught up to your most recent entry. I was so excited to be in the present…then I realized that yesterday was your 1st day back at work! DAMN IT! I missed it. I truly hope that it went well. You and Madeline are in my thoughts…ALWAYS!
was that link old or did you actually see bedtime stories????
the link was old right?