(soon i will be caught up…)
back to work,
back to daycare.
week two
is way
better than week one.
daycare drop-off
is smooth.
maddy smiles and
seems happy to
see her
new friends every morning.
i’m settling into
my new/old routine at
work, sitting at my desk
accomplishing some
actual work.
evenings are quieter…
both of us coming home
with less energy
than we used
to have during
our first six
months together.
more and more meals
at home.
fewer excursions outside
the house.
fewer visitors stopping
to by to make
sure we’re doing okay.
just us,
learning what it’s
like to be like
most other families.
that said, there
are still things
happening.
thanks once again
to amy and greg’s friend kim,
we were able to
purchase some tickets
to game 5 of
the nlcs.
maddy has become a good
luck charm for her team.
that’s what i
always thought,
but we’re starting to
convince others of the same.
so the tickets
were purchased,
the bastard was called
and agreed
to fly in from the
austin to see
his team try to
stay alive for
one more game.
on wednesday
we waited on the
couch for
our guests to arrive
the mail carrier delivered
some mail,
including a letter from
the organ donation
folks, reminding me that
it’s been 6 months since
liz
died.
thanks for the fucking reminder...
i was having
a pretty good day
until i opened
this letter.
(seriously…shouldn’t there be an opt in/opt out option for this kind of shit? liz did her part, i did mine. organ donation people…we don’t need to be fucking pen-pals. time to go our separate ways).
ken and amy arrived
then we headed
to the game.
we found our seats
and saw something
that gave us
a laugh.
the laugh was
followed by a
terrible idea.
maddy was okay
with the wig.
for a while anyway.
then she got hungry
and i discovered
that i brought
everything she needed
to the stadium,
except the bottle
she needed to
drink her formula.
what the hell
am i gonna do?
i mixed a little
formula in the
water bottle i brought
with me and
used a straw to
transfer the formula
from the bottle to
her mouth.
that didn’t work
so well.
what now?
i went to the
souvenir stand, borrowed
a lapel pin,
sterilized it with
a lighter borrowed
from a stranger
and poked a hole
in the cap of
the water bottle.
now i can squirt
the formula into
her mouth a little
bit at a time.
success.
after her dinner
maddy went back
to watching the game
while we ordered
our dinner from
a vendor.
before the game
ended, we joined
greg and some
of his friends
in seats
that were a little
closer to the field.
maddy, now back in
her manny wig,
attracted the attention
of a bunch of
folks with similar hairstyles,
and eventually
the attention of
a camera man who
decided that her
little mug belonged up
on the jumbotron
(i know, i know…i am a horrible father for doing this to her)
we watched the sun
set over the stadium
and on the dodgers
2008 season.
maddy’s winning
streak came to an end…
we knew it couldn’t
continue forever, but
it was fun while it last
after the game she
met some
new friends…
first she smacked
the mayor of the los angeles
then got a bearhug
from the owner
of the dodgers.
exhausted, we all
left the stadium.
dropped off greg, amy,
and the bastard, then
headed home.
we witnessed
some great things
today, but i had
no idea that the
most amazing thing
was yet to come.
yes.
she finally found
her feet.
her mother would
be so disgusted
that she had her
toes in her mouth.
that thought made
me smile.
thursday was just another
day for the two of us.
except that i was
finally able to send
$2000 from the lglm5k fund
to a widow with children
who could use
the help.
to date, we’ve received
roughly $4300
in donations.
3/4 of that has
been distributed.
$1000 more will be
sent to someone
very soon.
once again, thanks
to everyone who donated.
please know that
you’ve made a huge
difference in the life
of a widowed mother
and her two children.
friday was a
big day.
visits from the g. grandparents
and awesome auntie deb.
the grandparents
flew into the
airport by my office
and we met up
in a nearby parking lot
so they could
go with me to
see maddy’s daycare.
they loved the place.
we grabbed my baby
and all headed back
to the house.
maddy got changed
and then did
a little reading.
later she proved
to us just how
strong her legs are.
time to pick deb
up from the
airport then we were
off to dinner
at the french restaurant
in the atwater village.
had a nice talk
about how we want
to continue to give
to those who
need the help more than
me and maddy.
despite our circumstances,
we’ve been extremely fortunate…
knowing this, we want
to do so much more
for those in similar circumstances.
(we’ll be working with the creeps in the coming months to make this happen…details to follow).
maddy slept through all of this.
had another
wonderful dinner
and shared a little
wine with a guy
who shared our table
with us.
madeline woke up
happy on saturday
deb read her a few
of her favorite books
then maddy got angry as
deb tried to
strap her into her
high chair
for a little rice cereal.
after making a huge
mess, it was time
for a bath
after bath time
madeline watched as
her father and grandfather
struggled to put together
one of the
toys that has been
sitting in a box
for months.
many, many minutes later
she was finally able
to enjoy the
damn thing.
(i think we had more fun watching her than she did playing with the thing).
after all that fun
it was time
to make grandpa tom g.’s
dreams come true
and take him to the
electric-car dealership
on the west side
so he could drool
on the future.
maddy got a test-sit
and filled her
diaper while
in the driver’s seat
(sorry to the folks in the tesla dealership).
we made a
quick exit and headed
next door to change her.
maddy demonstrated
her flexibility
while i had
a cup of tea.
later, maddy hung out
with grandma candee
and awesome auntie deb
while grandpa tom g.
helped me with something.
the best part of
weekend came next…
maddy’s first trip
to a pumpkin patch.
here’s where i really miss
liz.
she loved decorating
for the holidays.
i never gave a shit
whether or not
there were pumpkins
on the front porch
and i most certainly
would not be the
one to carve them
(touching the stuff inside the pumpkin makes me want to vomit).
yet every holiday
she made sure that
our house was appropriately decorated.
she was really
looking forward to celebrating
holidays with our
baby and i know that
halloween would
have been one of
her favorites.
now it’s my job to
get excited about
the shit that i
used to hate…
i know that’s what
liz
would want.
with those thoughts
bouncing around my
empty head,
we wandered around,
trying to pick out
the perfect pumpkins.
we paused in the
middle of our search
to ride a giant
rocking horse.
then a blog
reader introduced herself.
maddy needed a break
from me so she
rested against some pumpkins
and flashed us a
giant grin.
then it was time
for a little snack
and a sit-down
with some skulls
and a rat.
we ended up taking
home a few pumpkins
and lots of great memories.
we paused for a
photo with a sign
we both liked
then we made our
way back to the car
and out to dinner
with auntie anya
in the eagle rock.
we heard all about
her new life
while maddy slept.
said goodbye to everyone
after dinner and
headed home to sleep.
before hitting the couch
i put the pumpkins
on the porch.
closed the door,
turned off the lights.
not sure i can
take this on.
sunday was a busy day.
the in-laws helped
me open the packages
that have been stacking
up all around my house.
the house went from this:
to this:
we laughed at the
gift sent to maddy
by a
“republican with a sense of humor”
(of course maddy loves that fucking thing. but seriously…thanks for having a sense of humor).
grandma candee read to maddy
while we put
together the rest of
her big toys.
so i know the question
has been posed
before and i think
i answered it,
but here it goes again…
“what do you do with all of the stuff that maddy outgrows?”
the stuff she outgrows
plus the duplicated stuff
gets distributed to
many different places.
i’ve sent a few
packages to single mothers
in need of help
(brought to my attention by readers of the blog).
i’ve given some
stuff to friends who
are about to have
a babies.
and some of the stuff
has been donated
to local shelters.
we will continue to
do this as long
as there is stuff
to donate.
yes.
we have been very
fortunate to get
so much help
from strangers.
we never wanted/expected
any of this,
but we certainly appreciate
it and will continue
to do everything
we can to
pass on our good fortune.
thank you to everyone
who has sent us something.
grandpa tom g.
took awesome auntie
deb to the airport
while maddy, grandma candee
and i stayed behind.
madeline took a nap
as i stared out
our front window.
i noticed
a dude staring at
liz’s
car.
i went outside
and asked him
if i could help him.
“is this car for sale?”
he said.
fuck.
i hadn’t really
thought about that.
i don’t really
need a second car
and i could certainly
use the money.
hmmm…
“uh, yeah. it is.”
funny thing is, there was
no “for sale” sign
on the car.
turns out that
the guy just saw
a dirty car and figured
it was dirty because it
was no longer
being used.
he was right.
the great thing about this is
that i didn’t
have much time
to use the irrational
part of brain
to say no
to the guy
just to hold on
to her car.
we negotiated over the
price for a few minutes
and agreed
on one that we
both believed to
be fair.
he promised to
come back in
a few days
to pay me
and take the car.
shit.
i think i would
have paid him
just to get
thing out of my sight.
it’s been difficult
to look out the
window and see it,
to walk past
it everyday.
this is a step
in the right direction,
albeit a hard one.
told grandma candee
about what happened
outside and she
agreed that
i was doing the right thing.
so did grandpa tom g.
awesome.
that night we
had dinner at
the house while
madeline bounced around
in her new toys.
the grandparents left
for the hotel
and it was just us again.
tomorrow is another day,
the start of
another week.
we made it through
another one.
thanks, madeline.
162 Comments
Love the Ramones tee-shirt.
And thank you for donating money to families that need it and babies toys/things to shelters and charities – its a wonderful example to set for Maddie.
She is just getting more beautiful by the day.
Wow, that was a lot to read. Eventhough it feels like things have slowed down a bit, you still manage to stay quite busy! By the way, the bath pics were my fav this time. She just looks so precious there all wrapped up in her towel and be cuddled by you in the bath and in your arms = sweet!
We’ve been doing the pumpkin thing too and last night we (I) carved them. My son also doesn’t like the feel of the “guts” inside, so he used a spoon to scoop out the stuff. You could try that or just get Ben over there to do the dirty work for you!
And now a funny tidbit for you. When I was shopping for one of those toys like you now have with all those activity things on it for Madeline to play with, the salesperson asked me if I wanted the “American style” or the “European kind”. The European kind had maybe 4 things on it…nothing too fancy. The American kind was packed with all those things on it, made annoying sounds, had flashing lights, etc. – the works!
Has the guy picked up Liz’s car yet? I hope you told him that he must drink Diet Coke in it in her honor
)
You are doing an awesome job. Madeline will laugh at herself at the adorable Manny look-alike pictures on the jumbotron (the should have won!!!) and will appreciate her first trip to the pumpkin patch for your efforts. You are lucky to have each other.
That sucks about the car. So sorry that you have to do that. As always, though, Madeline is SO CUTE. I love her peach fuzz hair.
Hey Matt – it’s nice to hear that week two was a little easier. Madeline is getting so big and is still the cutest baby I have ever seen.
So glad to hear how much we raised in the LGLM5K and to see it be passed on to help others in need. You truly are an awesome person.
I hope the weeks continue to be easier and as always I am thinking of you and Madeline here in the mn.
Matt, you are doing such a fabulous job. Between raising Maddy and helping out other parents out there in similar positions, you deserve huge pats on the back!!
I love all the pictures….there isn’t a single one where Maddy doesn’t look adorable!
PS- Pumpkin guts make me want to vomit, too!
wow you posted this one really late at night (or super early morning)! a very very busy week. I can’t believe how much Madeline has grown. you can see the knowledge in her eyes. you picked out the perfect pumpkins. i love the picture with the pumpkins over Madeline’s head, she’s batting them away like she’s saying “Daddy you’ll mess up my hair!!”
that was a whole lot of packages. hope you got some good stuff!
Liz would be happy to see that you’re carrying on her memory by doing things you otherwise would not have been excited to do. You could have just as easily given up doing the holidays like Liz did, but you aren’t. You’re keeping her spirit alive and Madeline will thank you for that. but then again I think you secretly liked doing those things all along but gave Liz trouble to keep up your macho image.
hugs from NJ,
erica and Landon
Glad the second week was better than the first.
Happy Halloween (Is that what you say? We don’t really do it on the same scale here in Australia).
Oh my gosh, Madeline in the dreds was so funny! Of course she made it up on the Jumbotron! She’ll love those pics someday when she’s older. (Make sure you keep those handy to show all her boyfriends. She’ll really appreciate that.)
So glad to hear things are getting less intolerable. And good for you taking that plunge with Liz’s car…sounds like it was meant to be.
Ahhh baby paraphernalia it’s the necessary evil of children. I love that your paying it forward in everything. Madi is so darn cute them cheeks just scream for kisses. Love the pumpkin patch pictures. Thanks for sharing your lives with us. Have a great Halloween.
Matt, you continue to amaze me with your strength. (I know, you don’t see it, but it’s there).
I love Maddy’s t-shirt collection and her opinion on propositions. You’re a great dad for showing her the way. As far as the elephant goes, let her chew the darn thing up!
Does Maddy have a costume for tomorrow?
liz would be so proud of you, as i am, a stranger friend as you would say. i am glad there are more days filled with smiles and good times, as there will be many more ahead for you.
Hello, MacGyver with the impromptu makeshift bottle. Very clever, sir.
I’m glad it’s getting easier. Thanks, as always, for sharing it all with us.
Wanted to say that really like your blog and also comment on the organ donation part. I work for a organ donation program on the other side of the country, and wanted to say that if you no longer want to receive letters, etc from the organization near you, simply call and tell them you want to be taken off the mailing list. They should respect your wishes and discontinue future mailings until you are ready to receive them. I hope this helps.
I’m not sure how I found your blog but I’ve been reading for a little while now. I was a single mom for 8 years. Not due to death but because someone left before my daughter was even born. I think you are doing a wonderful job. Madeline looks so happy and you are making some great memories for her. I haven’t commented before but when I saw that we share a birthday, I just had to say hi and happy birthday.
Matt,
Good to hear that you are Maddy are still doing well with some of those big changes! It looks like your house is going to be decked out for Halloween! What is Maddy going to be for Halloween? I am sure she would be adorable as anything
hugs from Chicago
Matt–I sure enjoy reading your blog…Maddy is getting so big. I am now PG (wasn’t when I first started reading) with hopefully my first baby to bring home. We have one angel already…You are quite the guy…I wish there was just some intricate cool way to say thanks, but there isn’t Thanks for everything. Donations from the fund, from Liz (I just had a friend who received a kidney 3 weeks ago-it is amazing…I know hard for you, but honestly absolutely amazing)..and passing on things from Maddy.
I am completely humbled by everything you write. Smiles and hugs to you
erin
Yay! You’re back! You’re doing a great job at catching up on things, don’t stress about it. Thanks for keeping us updated on it all…
I think you did the right thing about Liz’s car, too. And I think the way the situation worked out was just right…like you said, no time to dwell on it and talk yourself out of it.
this is a step
in the right direction,
albeit a hard one.
So true. You’ve been making a lot of hard steps lately, Matt. I wish you didn’t have to.
Argh, ok…before I get teary. Madeline was freaking hilarious in her Manny dreds. Those pics totally make up for the missing armpit fuzz/hair pics. Thank you.
Oh, and I see you have a jumperoo (the giant toy with all the rainforest creatures that make noise). She will LOVE that, at least, my son does. Sometimes I thought he would bring down the house, he was jumping so hard.
Anyway, good on you for getting through another week. You are, as always, making all of us
strangerfriends proud.Fun week. Love the wig, love the pics, love the fam, love it all. Glad things are going well.
Matt, I LOVED how you improvised with Maddie’s bottle dilema – way to go!!! You are the bomb!
Janet
Yippee….Maddy on the jumbotron. Not much better than that!!!
what a great weekend with family.
now go carve that pumpkin (the guts make me want to vomit too).
She’s getting so big! It’s amazing all of the packages that people have sent you over the last few months. I am so happy to hear that you’ve been able to pass the smaller stuff on to others who need it now that Maddy is growing. Love the RAMONES onesie. That’s perfect. Have a great Halloween–can’t wait to see the pictures!
Thanks for the great pics of Maddy. Glad to hear she loves day care. She is beautiful! Keep up the good work!
Much love to you and Madeline. I’ve been reading your blog for a couple of months now. Your strength is inspiring. Madeline is so lucky to have such a super daddy. My heart goes out to you both, you’re doing an excellent job!
Matt – you rock the house. Keep up the great work!
First off I know it is impolite to comment on a ladies thighs . . . but I love her chubby wubby legs. And she seriously is getting cuter by the day. I’m sure you are starting to have so much fun with her as her personality emerges.
I love how into the baseball games she always seems to be. She is little Liz sitting right there with you enjoying them just like big Liz used to do
The picture of her standing on her changing table is so exciting!!! She is getting to be such a big girl!
Ordinarily, after you have a baby your house becomes flooded with baby gear and yours seems to be no exception with the swing and bouncer and exersaucer. I can’t imagine the amount of “stuff” you have accumulated from well wishers. I admire you for spreading that around to families in need. Just another example of what a wonderful person you are.
And the pumpkin patch – as a Momma I want to commend you for doing those things which you know are important but that you kinda, sorta might hate a little bit! It is important – at least to me as a Mommy – to build memories with my children around the holidays and for kids Halloween and the pumpkin patch are pretty important. You’re making wonderful memories for Maddy. On the plus side – for the next couple of years you *might* be able to get away without actually cutting and sticking your hand into the pumpkin . . . but not forever. Sorry!
I know it was hard to let Liz’s car go but a part of me thinks she had a hand in that . . . seriously, there was no for sale sign on it. She knew it was time.
Can you tell I’ve missed your updates! I’m glad the second week was better and hope the third week is even more so. Take care!
she is so precious. are you going to dress her up for halloween? Mine wasn’t old enough to go trick or treating or anything but we still dressed him up like a bumble bee and took him to get pictures.
Maddy on the jumbotron – love it! Just where she belongs! Good for you going out and buying some pumpkins. I’m sure Liz would love knowing your house has a couple pumpkins on the front porch this fall!
Powerful powerful stuff…
Thanks, Matt!
Wow! First poster? Could it be! I am normally just a lurker but I wanted to telll you what a wonderful job you are doing with Maddy. I know you hear it all the time but once more isn’t going to hurt is it?
I’m glad that you got some pumpkins. I know the holidays will be difficult, but celebrating them with Madeline will be wonderful. Can’t wait to read about your past couple of weeks….. but take your time. You’ve got more important things to do than write for a bunch of strangers. seriously. I wasn’t being a smartass.
So glad your days are getting easier. BTW, this is my 13 month old daughter’s favorite blog. She watches the pictures of Maddy, and smiles and points at the pretty baby. She actually clapped her hands when she saw Maddy in her exersaucer!
Awesome post! Glad you had a good week. My favorite pic is the one after you’ve just changed her into the gray outfit – she’s standing on the changing table, giving you the BIGGEST smile ever. Adorable.
Way to MacGyver the bottle at the stadium. Glad that you had some help opening and organizing packages.
So Beautiful. Thanks for sharing. The bathtime pics are precious. You are taking baby steps in the right direction. Maddy isn’t too far behind.
Much love from Utah
Thanks for sharing another weekend with us. I adore your pictures of that gorgeous baby!
The Ramones shirt is too kewl! Awesome job, awesome job!
Glad to hear things went well last week Matt. Maddy is growing more and more beautiful with each picture! Hope you had fun in the NY!
~Mariah in the WI
Aw, can I just say how much I love all the pictures you post of you and Madeline? It’s so wonderful watching her grow. Loved her on the jumbotron! That is priceless!!
Matt,
Thank you for being so open and honest and for letting us see a small glimpse into your lives. Maddie is beautiful, you are an awesome father, and a great inspiration to others. Thank you for passing on your blessings, along to others. Hopefully one day when your back this way again in MN I will get to meet the two of you.
Kari
Lakeville, MN
is it weird that i like the pumpkin guts??
as always, awesome post. you’re awesome. maddy’s awesome. the g grandparents and aunt deb are awesome. sounds like a great week! can’t wait to hear about your trip to the NYC!
Your sweet girl is becoming quite the character – adorable! And it’s great to see that so many other people are also getting some help through this crazy network of stranger/friends. It’s a nice reminder about how our world seems a little better when we all help each other out.
Will Madeline get to help you vote on Tuesday? I’m waiting for photos of that.
Hi Matt…
Hi Madeline…
Still reading, still completely amazed, still think you’re my new hero in life!
Matt,
the pis of Maddy with the Manny wig is the funniest sh*& I’ve seen in a long time.
I love your creative makeshift bottle. That is so awesome.
It is great that family got go along on the first trip to the pumpkin patch. My oldest is two and half now and it is hard not to excited about the holidays with him. We did 3 pumpkin patches this year (he loves watching the pumpkin canon). I can not wait to see his excitement at Christmas time it is exciting to see it through their eyes. So in a couple years she might just be dragging you to the pumpkin patch.
I hope she is enjoying her exersaucer. My daughter has the same one and loves it. If it was up to her she would spend all day in there in there or her jumperoo.
Glad this week went smoother. Happy belated birthday from Illinois.
Great post, great photos. She is so pretty.
So hard to take the first steps of letting things go, my heart goes out to you…
Thanks for the update Matt. I think it is great that you are donating so much to those in need. The Mister and I both found ourselves out of work when I got pregnant and had a super hard time finding jobs (especially once I started to waddle) so we got a lot of stuff from friends and we are now happy to keep passing it around. No point in just storing when there are other babies out there who could be using it! I also wanted to say a)were those Robot baby legs? Seriously – I need to get Moira some of those! b) it must be time to get rid of the car if the Universe is just sending you someone to buy it off of you. c) I would totally have put my daughter in the wig-thing too – those pics were hilarious.
Thanks for sharing your life with us.
you both look fabulous…as well as g.grandparents and awesome auntie deb. the pics from the game were great and you were very inventive with the bottle…
Great post today, made me laugh and cry. I dont know why… I think it was the pen pal shit….anyways, you are a great Daddy , the part about forgetting the bottle ha ha first thing I thought of McGuyver, there will be lots more of those “inventions” Well Happy Halloween, cant wait to see Maddys costume…..
Way to go with the makeshift bottle! Brillant! Madeline is lucky to have you for a Daddy. Your doing a great job with her and its touching to hear that you are doing things that Liz would have loved. My kids love to go to the pumpkin patch – each year my oldest seems to get more excited (he’s 5 and spent an incredible amount of time in search of “the perfect pumpkin” – aka the biggest pumpkin in the patch!) I’m happy to hear that work/daycare is getting a little easier. I can only imagine how hard it is to get used to your new normal. You’re doing an awesome job!
Awesome post Matt. I of course am a loyal follower, and have truly enjoyed watching her grow. I don’t know if you remember, but I’ve posted a few times, and I’m the one that was pregnant. Notice I said was. My little girl was born on 10-21, and I am amazed at the height of emotions I feel. Now I understand some of the emotions you explain. Now that she’s here, I think about you sometimes, and my admiration of you grows by ten each time. I really admire you doing it all on your own. My daughter is in the NICU still (she’s having seizures), and although you don’t have Liz right there, Maddy is half her and you, and you seem to have the amazing support of so many people.
Again, you are doing a great great job!
Awesome resourcefulness with the bottle at the game! That goes in the category “you know you’re a parent when…” And glad the grandparents and awesome auntie deb got to visit.
Great idea with the lapel pin – what a dad!
Love the pics of Madeline playing with toes and the shot of her on the big screen in the rasta cap is hilarious
You’ve been very generous with helping other people, by giving away what Maddy no longer needs, and by organizing the walk and future events. Selling the car is another way of sharing something that someone else can use.
aaaaaaaaarh…. I just want to bite those legs… Hers Matt.. not yours.. ha..:)
.. Hey, you have to bring her over to look at our light display this year for Christmas.. A whole new set up yhis year… I think she will love it… we will have a special spot just for you guys..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=26ivOUXnPgE
~G.
It took me three hours (by myself with baby playing) to put together that exersaucer, so I feel your pain. To boot baby girl thinks it is just ok…. sight.
Great work and I love your blog. It has become a daily habit.
Congrats on hands-down, the most creative solution for not having a bottle at the ready I have ever heard. I am a mom of 3 and I hadn’t ever gotten that creative myself. Most impressive work! And sterilizing the pin made all of us moms (including Liz, I am sure!) most impressed!
It makes me soo very happy to read your posts and see that there really truly is goodness left in this world. Some days, I have to wonder. Seeing how much was raised for the first annual LGLM5K and knowing that it is and was being paid forward – that is so fantastic. Same thing with all of the goodies that get sent your way on a daily basis.
Something that might seem so little, so insignificant to one, is huge to another.
Thanks for being you Matt – you are making our world a better, brighter place to be!
xoxo -
You are doing such great things for Madeline. Liz, I’m sure, continues to be so proud of you.
I think that you are right about the car. I guess that guys is like a little gift from God helping you get over that speed bump.
Love the wig on Madeline too! So cute!
Matt, you are going to LOVE the exersaucer it will give you a bit of freedom when she starts moving and crawling, I use mine every morning with my 8 mo old and she has so much fun allowing me time to get a shower and eat breakfast!
Also Matt I love the picture of Maddie in the bath with the sun on her face, I believe that is Liz’s warmth surrounding her and you! so so beautiful!
Great job, you are a wonderful person, man and father!
Normally a lurker, but had to drop a comment to say how beautiful Maddy is – which I know you already know. And to say how wonderful I think it is that you’re taking the time to share donations and pass along duplicate and outgrown things. That’s an awesome thing to do, and I love that Maddy will learn all about generosity from you.
And you rock those toes, Maddy!
I don’t know if you’ve carved your pumpkins yet, but I came across this website with some ideas and it made me happy: yeswecarve.com. Happy Halloween!
Wow – I can’t believe how big she is getting! And she is absolutely beautiful (of course).
Glad you enjoyed the game – the pictures of her in the wig are priceless. And good job on getting the toys put together, looks like she’ll enjoy them.
I have that Obama shirt too! What up, moveon.org!
My girls are still kinda scarred from the year they carved their pumpkins into adorable jack-o-lanterns and left them out on the front step…only to wake up the next day to find that squirrels had gotten at them overnight and left horrifying, disfigured remains.
So now we just paint ‘em. No muss, no guts…no gruesome crime scene.
I’m so proud of you chicken!
I love how aloof Maddy is to her instant celebrity. But how happy she looks to be with you.
At least our Dodgers can say we lost to the eventual World Champion.
Matt,
I’ve been reading you for a while now. Such an amazing blog. Madeline is like everyone’s favorite little girl. She is so loved all over the world. I think it’s proof that Liz is watching you guys and loving every second of this.
She really does look like her mother. You are such wonderful people and you are doing a damn good job Matt. Be proud. Liz is proud and Maddy, when she understands all of this, will be so proud.
Angela
Cincinnati, Ohio
Okay, I looove the Ramones t-shirt and the “Republican with a sense of humor” bit…
I’m glad you’re back. I can’t even get over the busy life you lead, guy. You.are.so.busy. But you need to be. I know this is the hardest thing you will ever do, but you are strong, strong, strong. And good. What a heart. You are by far one of the best father’s I have ever come across. Let alone one of the best people. And I’m so proud of you for going to the pumpkin patch. I can see that was a huge dealie.
Did I mention I was glad you were back? Keep on, Daddy.
WOW! What a week! I am sorry about the letter….not sure why they have to “remind” you. I am glad that you guys had a great time at the game….sorry her streak came to an end. Love that she is meeting high profile people and smacking them in the face!
So good the see the g-ps and AAD got to visit. Madeline is getting so big…my son is 11 months and starting to walk (so cool)….just wait Matt it gets even better! Sending you and Madeline good thoughts and prayers.
Amy from Louisville in the KY
why does your pen pal always have such stellar timing. i tell you, enough is enough from them.
madeline in dreds – i don’t know, but i think it will make a great costume. and she is still a good luck charm – even with the dodger loss. and good on ya with the bottle improvisation. you never cease to amaze and teach me things.
glad you had a good visit with the family. i love grandma candee grandpa tom and aadeb!
i am so impressed with the amount of $$ that was raised this year and looking forward to raising even more next year so the circle of families being helped can continue to grow. i honestly hope it takes away a little bit of the pain knowing how many people have been touched in one way or another by you and your whole family.
can’t wait to hear more about the NYC excursions. looks like you might of had some good times.
(((hugs)))
Good work on the water bottle. You obviously are from MN, as you pulled off a stunt another MN native could pull off. And, that man’s name is…MacGyver.
Maddy was slapping the mayor of Los Angeles for being such a cad!
Thanks, Maddy!
Pleased to read that you new normality feels exactly as that.
I was rooting for the Dodgers, shame Madeline’s luck ran out.
Good on you for selling Liz’s car, I did similar with Sam’s. She loved it but I didn’t need it. I just kept the pink fluffy dice (I know) she had in it!
that donut dealie is awesome – albeit a pain to put together. logan (my nephew) loved it. however, i think we all had more fun playing with it than he did…
it’s hard – but you & m. are doing so well. too bad baseball is officially over now.
You’re doing such a great job with your girlie. I’m sure the ‘holiday things you used to hate’ will get easier once Madeline is old enough to show enthusiasm for things like Halloween and pumpkin carving. As always, she’ll get you through those days.
I’m thankful the car-buyer just showed up out of the blue like that. It saves you the heartache of listing the car, showing it to a bunch of people, etc. This way kind of seems like ripping the bandaid off quickly instead of pulling it slowly.
Enjoy your toes Maddy.
Thanks for sharing all those pics of Madeline – she is just gorgeous.
My husband was never bit on holidays, and then we had two children. This year he spent hours making a Link sword and shield for our 7 year old. It will get easier to enjoy the holidays. I promise.
SO much to say…
the improv bottle – you are a rock star. I would have made a mess with that situation.
baseball game/hat/wig – those pictures are so cool, the jumbotron is fucking incredible.
toy assembly -it’s great that the family keeps close and helps with the assembly of these children’s playthings. What a test of patience and love!! Great family you and Maddie have.
pumpkin patch – Maddie will not let you, not celebrate the kiddie holidays, so good thing you are carrying on Liz’s traditions!! The more she enjoys it the more you will.
Car – I totally agree that it was a case of Liz making things happen. You are very wise to let it go, good decision – you’ve said before that she was a pretty smart gal and she is helping you how she can.
Overall – YOU GUYS SOUND LIKE YOU ARE DOING GREAT, SETTLING IN & STARTING A GOOD ROUTINE FOR YOURSELVES. WOOHOO!
Keep up the ::::awesomesauce:::: work you’re doing!
Love to see the Liz clap in that picture of Candee doing the exact same gesture. And OMFG – selling the car is a big deal. And a even bigger step. All I can say is ‘wow.’ Proud of you…
Madeline is getting irresistably cuter!
xoxoxo
I am a new comer to your site and I am blown away by your strength and ability to show your emotions.
‘I am sorry’ seems to be an empty comment… but I am. No one should have to go through what you have just endured.
Your daughert is beautiful and she is VERY lucky to have you as a father!
Matt, it sounds like you’re doing a great job. I’m sure you’ll make the holidays lots of fun for Maddy, and you’ll make Liz proud in the process.
I love Maddy’s Manny wig!
I can imagine she was quite a hit at the game!
Oh Manny… sigh. You can have him =)
Freaking awesome update….thanks!!!!! So many neat things, sad things, good things, funny things happening…..just like parenthood is supposed to be….you are doing an amazing job with Madeline, and with life….keep it up!!! Normalcy feels pretty OK sometimes, doesn’t it?? : )
Your blog rocks! Thanks for allowing us to follow along in both yours & Miss Maddy’s life.
On a side note, not sure that it’s your style, but there’s a southern funky rock band that will be playing at The Wiltern in LA the end of November…. you should check them out! http://www.drivebytruckers.com on tour with The Hold Steady. I’m going to see them Halloween night at The Ryman in Nashville!
Hope you & Maddy have a fabulous Thursday!
She is seriously the most beautiful baby I’ve ever seen.
This was such a great post today…so many things made me laugh and tear up.
ahh, that fucking letter – that was not so nice. good work with the makeshift bottle, even more kudos to maddy for being so adaptable!! she did look adorable in the manny wig – and she’ll totally love you for that kinda shit when she grows up. i love when the babies find their feet – tess forever has hers in her mouth, her socks are always wet. you got quite a few gifts there…good to hear the distrubution efforts of those and the lglm5k funds.
again (you may be sick of hearing it) you are doing a kick ass job and i hope things keep moving forward for you!!!
madeleine is such a dodger star, i love it. and she definitely rocks that manny hat better than anyone else i’ve seen
@Kate in the TX — JINX! You owe me a coke!
I loved all of your pictures.
Seeing the car leave will be hard, but probably necessary. It is nice to see that you are donating and helping others in the same position you are in. Hope you and Maddy have a good Halloween.
*smiles* what a great entry. i just loved seeing her on the jumbotron. and when i saw her grabbing her feet, i got all gushy. i can’t help it. you would’ve laughed if you could have heard me, serious.
i think it’s great that you’re passing on all your good fortune to others that need it. i wish more people were like you.
i’m sorry about the car, but agree that it’s a step in the right direction. 1 forward and 2 back is usually how it goes.
as for the pumpkin guts, i agree 100%. i get squeamish just thinking about it.
did the guy ever come for the car?
So glad you’re back and posting again. What a great week/end!
wow. you are doing an amazing job. good on you. and that little one is a delight, thanks for sharing her with all of us.
Tiffany
Don’t carve your pumpkins, just opens the door for GNATS everywhere…our porch is infested…ick and i’m with you on those pumpkin guts!
I’ve been reading for a while, though this is my first (maybe second?) comment – love the pictures – capturing maddy’s early years like this is incredible and you are an incredible father for doing this. I can’t commend you enough on your strength, and all the good you are doing for others.
Things like Liz’s car are such a wild card in grief. I got rid of some things–the car Charley drove (although it was my car before we bought the family 4-door when I got pregnant), the car we bought together, one of his bikes, some of his clothes and bike stuff–when I was totally still in a fog. Some of it was in the first few days or weeks, some the first six months. But the longer I held onto things, the harder it was to see them and the more loaded it became to get rid of them–like with the track bike he raced on and the bike he died on, the fancy mountain bike he bought only a month before he died and rode only 2 or 3 times, or the bulk of all his bike gear and tools. Some of it I just needed to get rid of and never see again, some I needed to hold onto until I was ready. But they were all hard to deal with, in different ways. In the end, I found it was easier to part with things than it was to hold on to them.
It’s a weird vibe when the “normal” you were used to in this shitty world of widowhood starts to shift and change. I remember thinking that I could handle all the shit okay as long as I did this, if people continued to do that, etc., etc. And then once all those “I’ll be okay if [fill in the blank]” things started changing and I was just left with me and my grief, it got really hard. It felt like everyone else got to go back to their lives yet I still needed them, their presence, their understanding, so desperately…and probably more than I’d needed it in the initial weeks and months. But when I really needed it most, it was gone. Sure, there were some people who stuck it out for the long haul, but the number was very, very small compared to the initial outpouring. It seems like people’s support and attention span and memory that yes, you DO need extra help lasted for about 4-5 months, but then we hit Christmas time and people got busy and distracted, and then it was 6 months, and then 7, and I was supposed to be back at work and past the worst of it all. People showed back up around the 1-year anniversary, but as I crawled into a hole as it all got too hard, they inevitably disappeared for the long term. It wasn’t their fault, and it wasn’t because anyone was being uncaring…it’s just what happens. Ultimately, you’re left to deal with your grief alone, to struggle and make mistakes as you attempt to find out which combination of things works for the shitty new normal, both in the immediate present, the short term, and the long term. Nobody can grieve for you or make it any easier; sure, people can do things to help you out, but it doesn’t make the pain and the grief go away. It just gives you some welcome distractions.
Hoping that things are settling into a tolerable form of okay these weeks….
Hugs,
Candice
WOAH … INN.O.VA.TIVE – mr. on the spot bottle maker. never in my life would i have thought to do that – i would have just offered in in a cup with a straw (my daughter, however, HATES change, so it wouldn’t have gone over well). i am impressed. very very impressed.
loved the post, love miss maddy’s new do’, love that the amazing grandparents and the awesome aunt deb got to visit, and LOVE that you have a huge heart to help others in need. YOU ARE DOING AN AWESOME JOB!!!!!!
I loved your post today. And Madeline is getting more and more beautiful each month. Happy early halloween to you and your bundle of joy.
I love the pic of Maddy in her Manny wig! HILARIOUS! Love her chubby cheeks and chubby legs. Thanks for keeping us up to date. Thanks for sharing! So great that you can donate the things Maddy outgrows or the double items. That’s great! Keep doing what you’re doing… you’re doing great…and Liz would be so proud of you! What will Maddy be for Halloween? Have a great Friday! xo
A couple things:
LOVE the Ramones Tee.
I cannot believe you MacGuyver’d a baby bottle at a ball park. Bravo!
I’m sure selling Liz’s car was hard but its good it happened like that.
OK, on to pumpkin guts: you’ll need long rubber gloves (think scrubbing the toilet type), a strong ice cream scoop and a lot of newspaper or garbage bags (to hold the pumpkin goo). Much cleaner way! Then I just use a stencil to carve out something halloween-y.
Have I mentioned lately how much I love your baby? She’s such a gorgeous little thing. She is obviously happy and thriving. You’re doing a fantastic job with her. My heart breaks a little for you both each day and I am always thinking of you. Thank you for sharing your life and love with all of us.
Madeline is becoming more adorable & beautiful every day!
You are an amazing father! Liz would be proud!
wow, what a week. looked like a great one.
watch out for those baby go-go gadget arms. noticed that hers are coming in nicely in that reach for the nachos. they may only be 8 inches long, but they can reach 2 feet. it’s mostly for food items and, in the excitement of actually getting the food item, the food is flung to the floor. good times.
anyways, hope you and madeline are having a wonderful day!
Great pictures. And tough to sell the car.
Heck, it’s just metal, but it belonged to a time of life you simply can’t get back. Nostalgia ain’t what it used to be. Not when it’s stained with grief.
Take a picture of the car before it goes. And try to get the address of the new owner. That way at least you can drive by and wave to it, now and then.
As I have now most shamefully to admit, I did once.
What a week! First I love the Manny wig, awesome! The pictures are wonderful! She is just thriving. I also love decorating for the holidays! I put out my Halloween stuff the second week of September…SO great you pass stuff on. I am a big believer and giver. My son was granted a wish and the generosity is totally overwhelming.
Happy belated 7 months Maddy and have a Happy First Halloween! Can’t wait to see what she dressed up as!
Take care,
Debbie
How do you stay so humble….perfect daughter…perfect Dad !!
We all love m&m !
You may be grieving, but you have so much to be thankful for!
Love ya man but those self protraits with your loooong arms fuckin FREAK ME OUT!
Anyways, I never thought it would be possible for Ms. Maddy to get any cuter and darnit – she is ADORABLE!
http://meredithkwilliams.wordpress.com
I absolutely love the Ramones t-shirt! I am glad to hear that you are passing on your many gifts to others. I just wish everyone else could get into giving back. I don’t understand waste. If you continue you will be teaching Maddy a valuble life lesson. Our kids learn what they see us doing, not what they hear us saying. I haven’t posted anything in a long time but I still read your blog everyday. The crazy lady in Texas is still pulling for you and Maddy.
Sorry, I forgot to ask…
How do you become a creep- I hope there is not a creep initiation I am sure it would be way too creepy! I want to help, I live in Denver and I know I can do something to help those in similar situations. Please, please, please email me if I can help one of these creep people.
By the looks of her go at grabbing those chips she could be interested in solids soon!
Benjamin started around that age… mashed potatoes were his first…
Damn that letter. We still get mail for Dad. F-d up.
What great quick thinking on the bottle there!! It’s amazing to see how much bigger Maddy has gotten in just a week. Amazing how they change so fast! She is going to have one heck of a photo album with pictures of her with all these famous people too. Oh and don’t worry about the pumpkin guts. Once she’s old enough to want to carve one, I think the smile she’ll have on her face know that she gets to carve a pumpkin with her daddy is going to be enough to overide the gross out of it for good.
Hi Matt, hi Madeline! Matt you never cease to amaze me with your strength. I know your pain is strong but Maddie helps you through it…. Good step in moving foward with Liz’s car. Your super AWESOME!! Take Care.
”
P.S. “That’a what the mayor gets, a good ole’ slap in the face
Love the Ramones onesie – my daughter had the same one, except it was pink. And kudos for not supporting Prop 8!
Maddy getting cuter everyday!
You are definitely doing an awesome job at paying it forward. It’s great that those less fortunate have an opportunity to have something bless their lives by you giving so much!
As always, Maddy keeps getting cuter and cuter!
Take care!
Long-time reader, first-time commenter…
Your post made me smile. You sound happy and I am happy for you. You are doing an awesome job with Maddy and she brings a smile to my face each time I read your blog. She looks very much like Liz and I know Maddy will bring you as much joy as she did!
It was wonderful to catch up on a week of your life. If it’s even possible, Madeline continues to get cuter every time I see her in these photos. I love the shot of her chubby little legs. Just precious. Can’t wait to hear about your trip to NY for your b-day as well. Hope this week is a good one for you both.
She is getting SO big, shes a little girl now, not just a baby!
Big step with the car.
So many people have already said what I would of written so I will just add that you are Awesome to the Max!! Keep up the good work and keep having good weeks! They don’t always have to be super busy to be good either. My favorite times are when I can just hang out with the kids and snuggle.
I don’t have time to read through all of the comments as my baby is waking up, but I wanted to mention something quickly. I work for organ donation up in the pacific northwest, and you can opt out. Just call them up and ask them to stop sending you mail. I always feel bad when speaking w/ a family because I’m supposed to ask if they want *a* letter after the donation is done… they just don’t know that what that means is that my organization will send them stuff once/month for a long time. I feel badly about that but for some reason the organization thinks that the mail is helpful. At any rate, thank you for making such a generous gift on Liz’s behalf. I think it says a lot about someone’s character when they can look beyond their own grief and think of others during such a traumatic experience.
Is it wrong that after reading this entire post I walk away just wanting to bite those thighs!!
And no.
I’m not talking about yours.
She’s wearing a Ramones shirt, how cool is that?!?! Matt, you are awesome. Your mindset is something all in this country could use. God bless you and Maddy and your whole family and new friends, the creeps, all of them. To pass it all along to others in need, fucking awesome!! I am impressed. Best wishes, Fan From Texas
Wow, great pictures Matt. That shot of Maddy in front of the pumkins is a liz clone. Amazing. What a gorgeous baby doll you have. I see she loves her toys too!
You know you are a dad when you are able to make a bottle out of a water bottle! Way to go! Very impressive.
Also, I love your Barack shirt.
I really love catching up with how you’re doing. That toy is the busiest thing I have ever seen! How does that not give a baby a headache?!! LOL
That photo if Maddy staring at the bug made me laugh so loud! That is hysterical.
Thanks for the catch up Matt.
Asalamalaykom Mr. Matt,
Keep flowing: with the days, with possessions, and with your feelings. Letting life flow through you, rather than trying to hold on to anyone or anything is better.
Islamically, we are given blessings and some of them are not meant for us. Some things we are given are meant for us to give to others. We are only the caretakers of those blessings.
Maybe the car was no longer your blessing to have. Even if that man doesn’t know the extent of your emotions involved in selling the car, Allah knows. Allah knows every struggle you have. Subhanallah, you have been through so much—do you want to hold on to all of the struggle? Of course not! By releasing some of the blessings, you release the struggle as well.
I think that’s what has happened on this blog. You really have released here. Those who are loving do understand the blessed nature of these words and pictures. Anyone who doesn’t understand how the power of love is flowing through every effort on the screen….well, I feel sorry for them as they are truly blind.
May Allah continue to send new blessings your way and protect you from those who see you with envious eyes. Ameen.
God Bless you and Maddy! You are in our prayers every day!
A stranger in MN!
Madeline is getting so big! All grown up and appearing on the jumbotron . . . lol
I’ve got to say kudos to you for thinking of other people so much. Helping others in similar situations, and donating the stuff Madeline outgrows to shelters. I work at a domestic violence shelter, so you can rest assured that someone is getting to use that stuff when you donate it there.
I secretly think that those spinny/bouncy/baby toy thingy-ma-doos are created to enthrall adults. It’s a theory of mine.
Good job on the car my friend! That letter certainly did suck, but I imagine a lot of people need that. The ones that dont deal as good as you have been.
Maybe someday you will meet someone that Liz saved! How fucking AWESOME would THAT be! But I know it makes you sad, so boo on you being sad. Perhaps you could call them and tell them you are doing well and if a recipient wants to contact you they are more than welcome, but you dont need their support.
Just a suggestion, not assvice.
(big hugs to M&M) Hey, I dressed as an M&M one year when I was little. That might be a rad idea for you guys in the future! (did I just call my own idea RAD? Geesh, I am not from Cali and dont use the word but was self congratulatory, someone smack me)
Matt,
That photo of Maddy smiling by the pumpkins… WOW does she look like Liz! It’s amazing how she keeps looking more and more like her mom. She’s so beautiful! (But you already knew that.)
Continue to take care of yourselves.
Beki, Jason, Charley & Jax
You keep amazing me! I am glad to see Maddie has some new toys
Good for you on selling the car, too.
Keep on keeping on Matt& Madelyn
I will second that, those exersaucer things come in darn handy when little one is getting more mobile and you need a shower or something.
And also thinking, like another reader, that the holidays will become all the more fun for you now that you have someone who will really, really get excited about it.. It makes it all so worth it and so very special when you see it through your child’s eyes. Trust me.
Keep on taking it one day at a time Matt. That is all you can do.
Wow it sounds like you had a great week. Glad for normalness coming back in your life. And they say that necessity is the mother of invention. Way to go with teh bottle substitute.
It will be a good story later.
Try your cuss meter again.. I bet you will find that your blog is g rated again. Don’t know what that means, but I bet it is a sign of contentment/acceptance/maddies love.
awesome pictures, glad the second week for you and maddie went well.
we received mail for my sister for years after she died….my mom finally wrote a forwarding address on the envelope that said to forward it to heaven and we never heard from them again!!!! sucked that she had to do it that way but anything that gets the idea through people’s thick heads….works.
maddy on the jumbotron was priceless and a picture is truly worth a thousand words!!!!!!
loved her in the sunshine in her tub…..sunbathing is always good for a girl…..just not too many rays w/o lotion!!!!! very relaxing!!!!
Pumpkin guts suck!!! no other way to say it…..we finally started just painting faces on them as they lasted longer and nobody had to feel the insides!!!!!!
way to go with the car…..a major hurdle is done and the timing was right with the g/parents to support you.
keep on giving things away ……that’s a good lesson in life for Maddy……we always had the kids give at Christmas, etc as holidays are hard. they would pick a charity and then do what ever was required……mostly they chose something to do with kids.
glad things went better the second week.
Loved the picture of Madeline on the Jumbotron! She got to meet a lot of “important” people at the game, too.
I donated a bunch of my outgrown baby equipment to friends who were having babies, but you should check out your local crisis pregnancy center too. I donated unopened diapers and receiving blankets to be distributed to families in need. That way I was sure they were going to be used by someone who really needed them.
Thanks for continuing to share Madeline, and a little of yourself, here. I don’t imagine it feels all that fast to you, but it seems lightning-fast to me, just watching.
God bless you for paying it forward, Matt. Liz’s car, Maddy’s outgrown and duplicate clothes and toys, the donations you’ve received from the 5K, all of it. Even this blog, I’m sure it’s helped people in ways you’ve never even imagioned. Thanks for sharing your daughter and your life with us, good times and bad. Maddy’s just the cutest.
I just want to send a quick note saying Happy first Halloween to Maddy. I am also glad the second week of daycare/work went well.
HAPPY HALLOWEEN to both you and Maddy! I can’t wait to see pictures of the both of you dressed up in costumes!
My kids can’t wait to go out trick-or-treating…I am sure they will ask me a couple hundred of times during the day if it is time to go out yet! Our 5 year old is Cinderella and our 2 year old is Curious George.
Have a nice day!
Devyn
Jumbotron time……..”priceless”
Happy Halloween you two!
Can’t wait to see what Missy Moo will be today.
Thanks for the updates! Gotta say I love her Tokidoki Onsie! I find it funny that Harris calls Maddy Missy Moo as that’s what I call my daughter! Happy Halloween!!
Happy 1st Halloween to Madeline!!
Awesome update Matt! I am glad daycare/work is getting a little better. Maddy looked adorable (of course) with her picture on the megatron at the game! I am glad the G grandparents had a nice visit and were able to help you put toys together and open packages!
Oh and re:the bottle resourcefulness–that’s more “Jack Bauerish” than “Macgyverish” in my opinion…
love the shots of her discovering her feet!
Happy Halloween! It’s nice and warm here today in the MN….no Halloween blizzard this year. Hope you guys have a fun trick-o-treating experience…oh and go OBAMA:) Woot! Damn elephants are driving me nuts!
That Madeline, she is such a star!
Happy Halloween Madeline.
Hands down Minnie Madeline wins.
Way cute
So, as a massive Phillies fan (Phan. hehe.) and also a massive Matt and Maddy fan (see: creep), I gotta tell you….I was watching the Dodgers/Phils game and I could have sworn I saw you and Maddy on tv….with her wig. But I completely forgot about it (ok, so when I saw you guys, I was at a bar and I’d had a few, and…heck the Phils won. I was celebrating…) and NOW seeing the picture reminded me to tell you, not only did Maddy make it on the jumbotron….she made it all the way to Philly tv
-Kelly
I just discovered your blog. Naturally, your story made my cry. I couldn’t be more proud of a stranger. You’re doing a beyond wonderful job loving your girl. I look forward to reading more of your blog. I love Maddy’s Ramones shirt.
Matt, as someone who received a lung tx in July I had always thought I’d write a note to the donor family, but after reading your comment, I can also see your point about continuing to get correspondence … I know recipients must wait at least a year to write to the donor’s family, and of course it is their option to write back… After having this life changing gift given to me, I feel like it’s only appropriate for a thank you… I hope when I do write to the family, it brings them peace, not upset… As also, with you… You are doing an incredible job with Madeline… I can only imagine Liz would be incredibly proud of you.
Thanks for the entertaining read and so many beautiful pictures to feast my eyes upon. Madeline is getting more beautiful every day…and you seem to be doing better and better, which I attribute to your active lifestyle and wonderful sense of humor.
Keep up the good work there, you’re an awesome dad, and a wonderful person.
That was a terrific post!
Wow….
When Madeline was standing on her changing table, I noticed how long she’s gotten!
I’m so happy to hear you’re paying it forward!
I was a single mom for 7 years and when I had my second child, I donated a good portion of stuff to our local emergency pregnancy place as well as to friends and friends of friends who were in need.
I feel so grateful for all that I’ve been given and want to pass along what I can. Your blog seems to do the same for people who read it. You’ve been through a lot in your life and in the past 7+ months and sharing your experiences helps.
Madeline is a beautiful babe. This post made me laugh out loud, and it made me cry too.
I am glad you and Madeline have such spots of goodness in your lives. You’re both often in my thoughts.
I LOVE that she’s wearing the leggings I gave her WITH a Ramones t-shirt
She is SO beautiful !! You guys are amazing and awesome !!!
Amazing post!
I think you are truly amazing. Found your site through Jackie, who is a friend of mine. Lost my husband 14 months ago to a sudden heart attack. I like to read your site every so often, to know I am not alone.
Your daughter couldn’t have a better daddy and your wife must be very proud.
You have amazing strength and couldn’t set a better example to all other father’s out there.
Hugz to you and yours.
Melody
Melody
I agree you are a wonderful Father and your daughter Madeline is so lucky to have you
I know I am only like 10 months late in posting this, but I am slowly going through your posts month by month and this is my favorite month (b-day month for me and my husband) so I thought I would post a comment. Excellent choice on the pumpkin patch if I do say so myself.
http://losonoincinta.blogspot.com/2008/10/finally.html