monday,
second day of feb.
woke up in my
bed again,
looking forward to
two days of the
mundane, then
it’s time for us
to take off again.
after work and
daycare, i set out
to make up for
the time i lost
with madeline while
i was in nashville.
for the first time
i watched as
she pulled herself
to a standing position,
using her little
pink piano for leverage.
i got a phone
call from the g.
grandparents and i
told them about her
newest trick.
they told me that
she was doing
that while they
were in town.
shit.
she pulled
herself up, then
dropped her diaper-padded
ass back on
the floor,
over and over again,
as if to say,
“see what happens when you leave? you miss out on shit like this!”
i felt guilty as
hell as that
i missed the first
time she did this,
but then i remembered
a comment from
a blog reader
left many months ago…
it went something like,
“the first time you see it is the first time it happens”
(she was a bit more eloquent than that, but you get the idea).
along with this
whole pulling herself
up trick, she
has also learned
that she can
get quite a thrill
by standing up
and falling backward.
you should hear
the laughter.
this is fine
if she is
on the long part
of the couch,
in her crib or
in my giant bed,
but not quite as
awesome when she
does it on the
living room floor.
let’s just say
there were a
few tears when
her head hit
the ground.
tuesday.
feb. 3.
time is moving
way faster than
i am.
can’t remember what
happened on this day,
and i don’t
have any notes
or photos to
help jog my memory.
i know it was
like many others
in the past
few weeks…
i packed two
suitcases,
one for madeline
and one for me.
wednesday.
four days into
the second month
of the year.
round trip flight
#13 for madeline
this flight proved
that my perfect
little traveler never
really went away,
she was just hiding
behind a lingering cold.
the flight to
the nyc was lovely.
got into
town in the late
afternoon and headed
to our hotel to
drop off our stuff.
had dinner with melissa,
lauren and talia
that evening at
a wonderful italian restaurant.
melissa bought maddy
an awesome kid’s
book about our
new president.
went to bed
early that night,
taping rachael ray tomorrow.
thursday.
feb. 5.
this should be
an interesting day.
got a call from
one of the producers,
arranging to meet
us at our
hotel for the short
walk to the studio.
i asked,
“what should i wear?”
“wear anything you want.”
seriously?
awesome.
one of my biggest
fears was that i was
going to have to
get all dressed up
for this thing.
(remember, i am 31 years old and i don’t know how to tie a tie).
i’m a pretty informal
guy and looking
fancy is just
not me.
and if this
appearance was going
to work,
i had to be me.
that said, i
did bring a
suit and some
nice clothing,
just in case.
who cares what
i’m wearing anyway?
it really only
matters how maddy
looks, and i knew
that she would
look incredible.
one of
liz’s
former coworkers owns
a rather awesome
and offered to send
maddy a couple
of outfits.
i got her
all dressed up,
and couldn’t believe
how old she
is starting to look.
lauren met
us in the lobby
where we waited
until the producer
arrived, then we
all headed over
to the studio.
as i walked in
i realized i
wasn’t at all
nervous about this.
10+ months ago,
there is no way
i could have
entertained the thought
of going on
national television,
but after standing
up and speaking
at two memorial
services for
liz,
i’ve gained an
unbelievable amount
of confidence.
i know now
that i can do anything.
well, almost anything.
made it to
the green room
and madeline napped
while i spent
some time talking
to the producer
about what was
going to
happen on the show.
maddy woke up
and got a lesson
on how to high-five
from our green room
next-door neighbor.
we spent some time
talking to her
and she invited us
to hang out
with her after
the show
so that maddy and
her daughter could
play together.
yes.
of course we’ll
join you.
i went to
hair and makeup
then came back
and talked to
a few people
in the room next door,
while madeline
charmed them.
then we were on.
maddy did a
great job, entertaining
the crowd during the
entire segment.
we were surprised
with the life-time
supply of free
diapers from the
folks at pampers
as well as the visit
from jenny,
a blog reader who
sent me a
wonderful e-mail
many months ago.
and yes,
rachael was kind
enough to let
maddy keep her bracelet.
after the show
we met jenny,
and invited her to
hang out with
us until her
flight took off
that evening.
we went over
to the unicef office,
where we watched
a press conference
with our
green room neighbor
delivering some words
about a very
worthy cause.
after the press conference,
i spoke with a
few mommy bloggers
and some folks
from pampers and unicef,
then it was off
for lunch.
we joined our green
room neighbor
and her daughter
in a room
and watched
as our kids
played with play-doh.
eventually we said
our goodbyes,
then maddy, lauren,
jenny and i
went out for a drink
before jenny’s
return flight.
had a great time
talking and laughing
the afternoon away.
maddy and
i said goodbye to eveyone,
then it was time
to head to
dinner with our
friend kate c.
it was at this
meal that two
very important
things happened.
1. kate c. presented me
one of the greatest
things of all time…
an original painting
by bob ross.
2. i caused an
injury to madeline
that would require
her first visit
to the hospital
(well, first since she was born).
so…
maddy likes to
sit on my shoulders
and throw her head
backwards, as i hold
her arms.
we’ve done it
countless times during
the past few
months and she
always laughs.
tonight…
she did what
she always does
but this time
i heard a
crack and then
came the tears
and the screams.
“oh shit. i just broke her arm”
kate tried to
reassure me that
i hadn’t done so.
i took maddy for
a walk so she
could get her
screams out
she fell asleep
in my arms rather
quickly, so i figured
she was okay.
said goodbye to
kate, went to
my hotel to pick
up our luggage
and then off
to the apartment
we were going
to stay in
for the rest
of our trip.
we got to the
place and maddy
woke up.
on came the
screams and the
tears again.
they subsided into
a dull whine,
but as i played
with her,
it was obvious
that her arm was
bothering her.
a lot.
it just hung
there, not moving.
i realized it
was time to
go to the hospital.
jumped in a taxi
and headed north.
the whole way
there i had this
fear that we’d be
admitted and within
minutes some child
services worker would
take her away
from me,
claiming that i
had abused her.
fuck.
got to the hospital
and was extra
careful as i explained
what happened.
careful not to
make it sound like
i was trying to
cover up a
pattern of abuse
or something.
i mean,
what does it
look like when
a father who
looks like a
common street bum
brings his daughter
into a hospital
with an arm injury,
at 11:00pm on a
thursday night,
without her mother?
double fuck.
luckily the thoughts
in my head were way
more dramatic than
what actually happened.
the wait to
see the nurse/doctor
was minimal.
no one questioned
whether i had
abused my child
(well, at least not out loud).
when we got back
to the room,
i offered up my
now well-rehearsed,
but absolutely true story.
the nurse explained
what she thought
maybe wrong with
my girl.
her opinion was backed
up by that
of the doctor…
nursemaid’s elbow.
“what the hell is that?”
the doctor explained
it all to me.
“did i ruin her?”
she laughed,
“no. she will be fine.”
the doctor grabbed
her arm and
gave it a
quick twist.
maddy’s face turned bright
red, mouth wide open
she held onto
her scream for
what must have
been record time.
the doctor said,
“she should be back to normal in 24 hours. now i have to get out of here.”
as she stepped out,
madeline let out
the loudest, shrillest cry
i have ever heard.
within two
minutes she was
done screaming and
swinging her left arm
all over the place.
it was good
to have my baby back.
and it’s good to
know that we
weathered this crisis,
even if i feel
like the worst
father in the world.
made it back
to the apartment
and passed out quickly.
today was amazing.
liz
would be so fucking
happy about all
of this,
(except, of course, the hospital visit)
i just wish
weren’t happening
because she died.
friday
feb 6.
another busy day
ahead of us.
woke up early and
headed north for
a few meetings.
maddy acts as if
nothing ever happened
to her arm
and i once again
feel like i’m
not the worst father
in the world.
decisions made,
it was time to
celebrate with friends.
aj is flying out
tonight to hang out
for the weekend,
but he won’t be
here until much later.
had dinner with
cara d. at some
chocolate place.
we laughed the
entire meal.
then we met up
with lauren and melissa
for a drink.
maddy sat in the
restaurant and happily
screamed at everyone
she could see.
later, we found aj
wandering the streets
in front of
the apartment.
got him upstairs
and we spent the
rest of the night
talking, playing with
maddy and drinking
some wine.
saturday.
7th day of
the month.
aj, maddy and i
wandered off to brunch
with a bunch
of friends,
maddy slept through
most of it.
then we did
a little walking
around the city,
stopping long enough
to witness a
memorial service
then we took
the subway
over to
the brooklyn bridge
for a quick
photo shoot.
then i realized
that madeline’s diaper
was soaked.
no restrooms nearby,
so i changed her
in the middle of
the brooklyn bridge.
she was sort
of pissed at me,
but it had to
be done,
and she got
over it rather quickly.
from the bridge
we headed north
and west,
stopping long enough
for a few
more photos
i got a phone
call and had to
run to meet
up with someone,
so aj and lauren
offered to hang out
with a sleeping
maddy while i
took care of
a few things.
an hour later
i met them
for a drink and
then we headed to
an indian restaurant
for dinner,
and later,
stopped by a hotel
bar for a nightcap.
in the lobby,
aj snapped what may
be one of my
favorite photos
of maddy and me.
exhausted, we
went to bed pretty early.
feb. 8.
heading home again.
the next morning
we were up early
and out the door
for our trip to
the airport.
said goodbye to
aj, knowing
that we’ll see
him and his
family again
at the end of march
when we meet
down in mexico to
celebrate maddy’s birthday.
5.5 hours later and
another perfect flight
with my baby,
we were back in
los angeles.
after traveling every
weekend since mid.
decemeber, i’m happy
to know that
we’ll be staying put
for a little while.
unless, of course,
something comes up…
190 Comments
LOl – I think every parent can relate to the “I hope I don’t sound like an abuser” story…
Amanda
you got to play with selma and valentina??!!?? i am super jealous! hope madeline is feeling better.
I’m so happy for you and Maddy and yall’s success
How cool it must’ve been to meet Salema and sitting like celebrities right next to her.
hahaha! If you didn’t want her to be left handed, all you had to do was say so!
Isn’t it great to get reassurance that you’re not the worst parent like you thought-regardless of what form it may come in….oh memories–of the time I closed my child’s hand in the car door and trunk like 3 times in one week!
Lol I love reading your blogs! Im so glad that Maddies arm is all better:) I once thought I broke my child as well….I think alot of us have. I remember when my daughter was only a few days old & i fed her & burped her & I put her down in her crib & she puked…..forcefully…all over the place….I flipped out, thought I broke my child, had no clue why she would projectile vomit all over me but I knew it wasnt suppossed to go that way so……I had her all cleaned up & in the car seat ready to go to the ER cause I was SURE i broke her….thankfully I worked at the local ER so they knew me & knew I was a scared new mommy….so I didnt feel quite as stupid when the nurses told me that babies will projectile vomit when you over feed them & apparently 8 oz is too much for a newborn (duh…i know that but after the first few days post-partum I was reallly really stupid) I like to think my brain has made a full recovery but to be honest Im not sure lol
Also–the first time you see Maddie do something is THE first time:) She’s getting ready to move…better get some running shoes pops! She looks adorable in her pics! She looks like she loved up the whole crew over at the green room!
Thanks for sharing Matt! Keep up the great work!!
Oh and the diaper change on the Brooklyn Bridge is priceless! Love it! Great pics!!
Lurker here! I love reading your posts abour yours and Maddy’s adventures! Totally relate to the “I hope they don’t think I abused them” thoughts! She is just the sweetest little girl!
Well, you survived the first ER trip. I am so surprised that I haven’t been with my son, yet. I’m glad she’s ok!
I bet you’re gonna get a kasquillion responses now from people who have dislocated their chidren’s arms/elbows/wrists.
Ev’s was caused when Diane & I were swingin’ him as we walked thru a parking lot! WTF?! People do that all the time! But yes, it can dislocate their little joints. Who knew?!
Everyday, a new lesson. It’s alotta fun. *ahem*
I have to say Maddy is possibly the best dressed little girl I’ve ever seen! Got a great laugh over the diaper change on the Brooklyn Bridge.
Sounds like an awesome trip! Watched you on RR from our hotel room at Disney World.
The arm thing is just the first of about a million things that will make you feel like a horrible parent. You’d be a horrible parent if you didn’t take her to the hospital. Accidents happen and we’re all only human…what makes you a great dad is the fact that you recognized that she needed to be seen. You did good, Daddy! She probably didn’t even remember it the next day. Kids are great like that!
The abusive father story was pretty funny, I’m glad to hear it was not a big deal though and Maddy was fine after all. Maddy is so precious, she is getting so big. It is amazing all the stuff you get done while taking care of her at the same time. I don’t know how you do it, Maddy is a wonderful baby! Goo job Matt.
glad her little arm was ok! I am sure all parents have that same oh my god fear when taking their kid to the hospital! you did great. glad you had a great trip! sounds amazing!
i don’t really know what to say….
Definitely not the worst father of all time. We have ALL been there. Please. I had to take my daughter to the ER when I tripped holding her carseat (with her in it) and she slammed on the floor really hard. I was sure she had a concussion. She was OK, but I felt awful. You’re doing great, and Maddy is MUCH more traveled than I’ll ever be!
I’m glad Madelines elbow healed quickly. I always hope I’ll run into you on the subway or at a store when you’re in NYC and I know that is creepy, btu I hope you can stay put in LA for awhile–all that traveling much be exhausting.
OMG THE DIAPER ON THE BROOKLYN BRIDGE IS RADICAL! ESPECIALLY THE LOOKS YOU GOT AT THE PEOPLE IN THE BACKGROUND! I OFTEN CHANGE DIAPERS IN THE MIDDLE OF BOOKSTORES, ETC AND GET THOSE SAME LOOKS! HEY, IF THERES NO POTTY, YOU DO WHAT U NEED TO DO! I ALSO LIKE THAT NEW PIC OF YOU AND MADDY ON THAT COUCH! BRILLIANT! MUCH LOVE FROM VEGAS!
By the way, I hope Maddy feels better soon. Make sure she drinks plenty of fluid though. Try some orajel swabs for the teething or even the gel works. A humidifier will help with the cold, also if you elevate her mattress a little she will breath better while she is sick with a cold.
The same arm thing happened to my nephew twice already… he yanks himself away from my brother’s grip a lot and he’s had the same things done. The pictures on the bridge are amazing. And how cool was it to meet Salma?! Maddie was awesome on TV that’s for sure… I set it on my DVR just to watch her.
I can’t believe our girls will be one here soon. (Mine on April 4th) Mexico sounds great!
Very good outfit choice! Looks like she ad fun!
Nursemaids elbow… very common, happends all the time
I lovethat she got her diaper changed on the brooklyn bridge, too funny. Not many people can claim that!
Looks like ya’ll had a good trip. You have some crazy adventures. I like the diaper in the middle of the bridge! Too funny! Glad Maddie survived the ER!
It’s about time you get around to blogging about RR/Salma Hayek Day! Sheesh. Are you busy raising your kid or something?
The circumstances under which we met definitey goes down as “most strange way ever” in my book. What a great day.
sweet- I was so glad that just after I became aware of your blog, I was inadvertently able to see your appearance on the Rachel Ray show. It was happenstance as I am not usually home during the daytime hours.
And as many others, I too have felt the pang of guilt and fear of being accused of abuse. It all rally just boils down to the fact that you are living. and things happen when we are living life. sure beats the alternative to that
Oh, I’m proud of you for making it thins long without an ER visit!
I did the whole “run to the ER because the baby has a fever thing”.
Still dying, by the way, to know what the fuck’s going on.
Haven’t commented in AGES, but I am one of the millions who will now bombard you with stories of their own children’s dislocated elbows. Isn’t it a relief to know how easy it is to fix…?! : )
Know this month will have some enormous ups and downs. Hope you are doing well.
my father-in-law dislocated my husband’s arm when he was little by swinging him around by his arms….my husband is fine & not permantly scarred by the event
I too have felt like a bad mom….like when my daugher feel off of my bed one day and another day when she rolled right off of her chaging table…boy can she move fast 
It happens to the best of us….
You may miss alot of Maddy’s “1st’s” but what really matters is that you were there (and continue to be there) for her when she really needs you….as parents we beat ourselves up too much for the things we are not or cant be or cant do & overlook the great things we can do & do do (did I prase that right? do do looks a little strange
) Anyway, keep up the good work.
So glad Madeline’s arm is ok. I think all of us probably have a story or two much like that. My Madelyn took a header down the stairs (hardwood stairs, no less) when she was just a bit under two. I’d gone to the bathroom and she snuck off and decided to try out her skills at descending the stairs. She had an egg on her head that was so big, it looked like she was trying to grow another head. She was fine, but I aged about 20 years from that little mishap.
You’re not the worst parent in the world. My 13 month old ended up in the ER on Christmas day, after he fell down a flight of (hardwood) stairs (company left the gate open at the bottom of the stairs, and I wasn’t fast enough). A month prior to this, he sustained a 2nd degree burn on his finger when he tried to investigate the pilot light in the gas fireplace.
Shit happens. Some kids (like mine) are especially gifted at getting into predicaments that will inevitably maim/injure them in some fashion. Fortunately, most ER doctors and nurses know this.
Thinking about you and Maddy as 3/24 and 3/25 approach…
With three girls of my own. ive given them nursemaid’s elbow LOL its pretty normal, but i felt the same as you! love the diaper change on the bridge, that is priceless!!!
love reading your posts! hope you have a great day!!!
I’ve decided I can’t read your blog posts at work anymore as I am laughing like crazy at your “abusive dad” story and the people around me are wondering what the hell my problem is.
Love your stories =)
Hey Matt,
Nursemaid’s elbow is so common in toddlers – you would be amazed. Once she has it though, it may happen again. To pop it back into place yourself, take her arm, hold it straight out, palm up to the ceiling. Then take her hand and put it up next to her ear, bending at the elbow. That tendon should slide right back into place easily.
Don’t feel bad about it at all!
I always love reading your udpates. Thanks for all you do!
OMG, really, i had to laugh at how you describe your thoughts on the way to the hospital… “father who looks like a common street bum”.
love the pics from the bridge…and especially the Maddy in the window shot.
i did a similar thing to my daughter’s elbow. minutes before we got to the doctor’s office, it must of snapped back into place and i looked like the biggest idiot. the doc opened her office early just for me and here i was with a smiling baby. embarrassing. the second and third time it happened, i had to snap it back for her. she kept screaming ‘no mama no’. it broke my heart. but afterward she kept saying ‘mama fixed it’. hehe..
that reminds me of the time my daughter also got ‘nursemaid’s elbow’. i was terrified! it happened when we were leaving daycare, she was being stubborn and didn’t want to hold my hand while walking to the car, so she decided to sit down abruptly, while i was still holding her hand. That’s when she started crying…i seriously thought i had broken her arm too, and felt awful. we got to the hospital, and they just showed me how to pop it back into place…which came in handy the next day when it happened again!
I was so afraid they would think i had abused her too, i kept waiting for someone from CPS to barge in the ER and take her from me.
It is good to know that all parents do things like that from time to time.
I’ve never commented here, but am always reading your blog. I think you are doing a wonderful job with Maddy, just look at how happy she is and the way she looks at you. She looks so much like her mom, it’s unreal.
Take care!
Oh, Matt – your blog never fails to make me smile. Your little Maddy is such a special little lady – I adore the pics you post of her.
Your diaper change in the middle of the Brooklyn Bridge was priceless. I’m sorry to tell you, but the ‘pissed off-ness’ gets even worse as they get older. My son is 14-months old and all I have to do is mention the word “diaper” and out comes the frown… and then the yelling and flailing.
I’m so sorry to hear about Maddy’s elbow. The first big accident sucks, doesn’t it? It’s like some sort of crappy Rite of Passage or something. For my little guy, it was falling out of a shopping cart. I was the not-so-proud owner of the “Worst Momma” title there for awhile – and can still feel the guilt creeping back up when I simply think about that day. Ughh…
Hope you and Maddy have a nice weekend. Thanks for such a wonderful post. I know this month is going to be difficult. We are thinking of you.
I knew as soon as you were describing the injury that it would be a dislocated elbow. I did the same thing to my son when he was about 1.5. We were holding hands. He went one way. I stayed still. Felt awful. But it is such an easy injury to recover from!
When my daughter was a newborn and my husband was 22, he was giving her what must have been her second bath ever, and nervous as hell, he accidentally whacked her head on the faucet. These things happen. I’m glad it all worked out. When Maddy’s a little older, you’ll have to try our “catapult” trick. Lay in front of the couch and put your little one on your legs and flip them over your head with child landing on couch. Our kids LOVE it!
You did such a good job w/ Maddy’s outfit for the RR show – as usual. Dang you dress her well!!
I can’t wait to hear what all these meetings are for! You are one busy guy.
As usual, such great pictures.
no way! an original bob ross painting? my husband will be so jealous. he’s a HUGE fan.
loved you on rr. especially loved maddy on rr.
i too love the lobby picture of you and maddie. it looks like such a tender moment between you two that you’ll be able to keep forever.
Your Maddy is adorable. I totally feel you on the missing things though. I missed my Maddie’s first steps recently. (She’s about the same age, too.) I was a bit miffed, but the first time I saw her do it… well it was like the first time anyway. Now I can’t get her to stop. lol
And that last picture… so cute.
Welcome to the club! I think all of us have at least one parenting moment where we think, “I must look like a total schmuck.” Okay, I have lots of those. But the whole ER visit? Don’t feel bad! And do you stop to wonder why they call it nursemaid’s elbow?? What the heck kind of nursemaids were yanking kids arms so often they named the injury after them? My awesome BIL did this to his little boy once and felt terrible, but the little guy recovered quickly and doesn’t even remember it. Love the blog!
what a great trip (and great photos as always). I’m glad Madeline’s arm was okay! And don’t worry, kids always get hurt in some form or fashion, it doesn’t make you a bad father!
What a whirlwind! I enjoyed seeing you on RR and as far as her arm goes–you made it 10 months without something happening like that which is perfectly normal! We have all been to the ER for crazy things cause that’s what kids do.
Our middle guy split his head open when he was three on our coffee table. Then again a year later on a corner of a wall and then again a month after that on our daughters doll house. By the third ER trip, the doctors were looking at us a little funny. They never actually accused us of hurting him but I’m pretty sure they thought I was the most absent minded mother in the world. I mentioned this to his ped and she quickly assured me she would have my back. I would think your ped would do the same for you in a heartbeat! Shit happens lol! Kids are tough and the bounce back from almost anything. Now that I’m thinking of it, one of my husbands friends broke his daughters leg when she was about Maddy’s age…he bounced her right off of the bed. Broken leg…cast all the way up. She’s about 12 years old now and I’m pretty sure she’s not ruined for life. LOL!
Take Care!
Lisa in Pittsburgh
Wow, Maddy has flown more times than months she has been alive!
So cool that you (and Maddy) met Salma Hayek and RR! No pics of Maddy and Valentina playing?
I love how dramatic your “abuse” story was in your head. If they HAD thought you damaged Maddy on purpose you could have told them to look at your blog as evidence at how much you love her! (:
Enjoy your visit to Mexico!
My daughter had nursemaid’s elbow as a baby too. It’s very traumatic when it happens and having to go to ER, but it’s amazing how quickly they recovery. Don’t be surprised if it happens again — my daughter had it happen 3 times before she was 4 (at that point doctor’s said her bones had developed enough for it not to be a risk)
i took a couple of photos, but was asked not to post them publicly. sorry!
Matt, you are doing an incredible job! So proud of you for making it through the first trip to the ER in NYC… Thank you so much for continuing to share your story and your incredible daughter with all of us!
When my son went down the basement steps in his walker at 9 months old, he flew out and landed on the cement floor, and I rushed him to the hospital convinced he had a traumatic brain injury. And even more convinced that the social worker wouldn’t believe me when I said I went downstairs to put the laundry in the dryer and thought I shut the door at the top of the stairs behind me, yet he burst right through it and down he came, bouncing in the walker like a ball down the steps, and that I really wasn’t a negligent single mom….turns out he was fine, and I was above suspicion so all was well.
But the guilt for a week damn near killed me.
Turns out, at 18 he’s clearly suffered no long term effects (LOL) and it wasn’t the first parenting mistake I made or the last. He survived in spite of me!
Some day I’ll tell you the story of me sitting him on the kitchen counter, only to have him fall off, and his top teeth went through his bottom lip. All I could see was a MOUTHFUL of blood and I was fairly certain he bit his tongue off.
Yeah, Mother of the Year. LOL
Welcome to being a parent, Matt!
lol….I have two friends whose kids had nursemaids elbow……it happens….I could tell a couple of real horror stories but it’s not the time or the place…;)
Day at a time friend
You’re a better parent than I am…I’m fairly certain my sense of decorum would lead me to avoid any/all diaper changes on bridges. “Sense of docorum” in this case is really a nice way of saying “chicken shit”. I would have been far too uncomfortable with the stares of passing strangers.
Way to take care of your child’s needs at all cost!!
4 summers ago I had one daughter with a broken arm (from falling off of the monkey bars) and another with 14 stitches in her head, 2 black eyes and a broken nose (from running & tripping into a door jam, she looked like a clingon).. it sucked having to walk around with two little girls that had extremely visible injuries.. Thank god the little shits answered honestly when people asked what happened!!
Love the pictures – Brooklyn Bridge Diaper change = hysterical!! We do what we have to do!
I was telling my 85 year old Dad about your Bob Ross, and his response was “How the hell does a 31 year old kid even know who that is”. Too funny,I told him you were wise beyond your years..
Matt,
I haven’t posted for a while, but am a devoted reader to your blog. I can relate to the hospital “thing”. My son was in the hospital twice within two weeks, because he kept running, falling and hitting his head, eye – you get the point. After the second visit, the doctor asked if we had any concerns about his daycare provider abusing him. OMG – no!
haha, I think every parent out there has thought “omg, they think I abuse my kid”. Nursemaids elbow is pretty common apparently, but I would have bee freaked too.
Glad you had a good time on RR ( I LOVE HER!) and have fun in Mexico!
Matt-My husband put Hershey’s Chocolate Syrup in our sons bottle at 2 weeks of age while I was running errands. Needless to say he forgot to tell me. Later that night, he vomited and I thought it just had to be blood. During the ER visit the Doc asked what kind of formula he was taking, thats when my husband told the Doc his trick to get him to drink his formula! I was horrified they would take him from us.
Only thing worse than getting to the doctor and feeling like they think you are abusing your child is getting there, and the nursemaids elbow has corrected itself, so they tell you what it probably was and that “she’s really ok” which you can see because your daughter is laughing and being her happy self. Then you are “that parent” who overreacted. Yup, been there done that. and the nurses in the peds office were kind enough to have THAT conversation while the door was open and we could hear. You’re baby is beautiful. Take Care!
Oops, meant “your baby”
ok…the chocolate syrup thing is absolutely hilarious.
thanks for sharing.
Our first ER trip was because my darling daughter got a kick out of putting peas up her nose. At the time, she had a huge goose egg on her forehead from running into the corner of a wall and bruises up and down her legs from tripping over her todller toes. The whole event was very embarassing, but no authorities were called.
I absolutely love the photo of you changing her on the bridge, priceless!! And the two of you on the couch is gorgeous
you are by far not that world’s worst daddy!! you’re a great daddy!
I got the biggest smile on my face at that picture of you changing her diaper on the Brooklyn bridge. I love the people staring at you, haha
lol at the chocolate syrup comment. i too have given my kid a case of the nursemaid’s elbow. he survived and is now able to write properly and can even drive a car!!! so far i haven’t caused any significant damage to my younger child, but the day is still young.
changing a diaper on the bridge. priceless.
Aren’t you glad to know that almost every parent has a “I’m a horrible parent” story?? When my oldest son was being potty trained, we had a small seat that fit over the toilet seat. One day he decided to put it on his head like a hat and then proceeded to pull it down around his neck. It was really funny at first until my husband and I realized we couldn’t get it off (it was getting stuck on his ears). Yes, that’s right, the poor kids had a toilet seat stuck around his neck. The harder we pulled, the more upset he got. Luckily we were able to get it off without having to call the fire department to come cut it off
You’re doing a fabulous job Matt! Liz would be so proud.
Mexico for a first birthday? Fucking awesome!
My son was behind me one day and I unknowingly turned and pushed him into the pantry door in the kitchen. He cried and held his arm wierd for a few hours and we took him to urgent care. They took X Rays and told us he was fine just give him some tylenol. BS!
We went to his regular doctor the following day and they took more X Rays…I broke his collar bone. His arm was in a sling for a few weeks and I felt horrible. He was only 4 yrs old.
Good to hear Maddy is flailing around like little girls should!
i hate to admit it but at 9 months my son was so chubby that my husband was holding him on his lap feeding him oatmeal and my son decided he didn’t want any more and did one of those jerk his head moves. Well my husband didn’t want him to fall on the floor so he turned to the side so he would fall on the couch. Since was son was so chubby, 36 pounds at 9 months, the weight of his own body broke his left arm.
After a trip to the doctor and the emergancy room we were home with a cast. Well my chubby 9 month old did not like the cast. In 2 weeks he managed to wiggle 4 casts off. You can’t even imagine what if felt like to take him back each time. I swear they thought i was CRAZY.
Needless to say in 8 years there are many trips to the emergancy room for all sorts of CRAZY thing you could only imagine.
Loved to hear about your crazy adventure. Thanks for letting us be a part of your life! Have a GREAT weekend!!!!
Nursmaids elbow happened to my daughter and I felt the EXACT same way, thinking they would take her away from me or come to question me. The doctor told me that once it happens, it is very likely to happen again until her bones mature, so he showed me how to pop it in myself. yuck.
I love what you wore on the RR show. It made me happy that you were comfortable and completely yourself. Maddy looked gorgeous as always!
When my oldest son was about 10 months old, he fell off our porch and cracked his head on the corner of a concrete rain gutter. Went to the ER (with CPS paranoia) and got his forehead “derma-glued” back together. Then, a week or so later, he fell off the bed onto the tile floor during a nap. In my hurry to get to him, I smacked him in the head with the side of the door, right on the derma-glued goose egg… And when he was about 2, I inadvertently drop-kicked him out of bed (also onto the tile floor) — I didn’t know he was sleeping on my feet. Parenting is AWESOME. Nothing like parental guilt!
You wrote, :”i know now that i can do anything.”
I truly believe that you can.
the shot of her in the window at the hotel is adorable! & the one of you two on the couch is awesome.
I love the adventures of matt & maddy.
Oh, the poor little babe. That’s horrible! Is her arm all better?
I know what you mean about planning out your story. My youngest was ill last week and we had to call 911. I kept thinking, what if my story doesn’t match the story my older daughter will provide? I knew that I hadn’t done anything wrong, but my irrational mind was going crazy with the idea that I’d be blamed!
Hope that you two feel better soon – sounds like Madeline is really sick. Give her a big smooch for us.
FYI — now that Madeline has had nursemaid elbow, her elbow could pop out again very easily. My daughter had it and since her elbow has popped out 3 other times, just as a heads up.
oh man! not you too! i dislocated my little girls arm, not one, but twice… i was crying in the ER, so afraid they would think i had abused her!! i felt so bad when they popped it back in, that expression you described is just what we had! her poor mouth dropped open, and she couldn’t even scream.. – oh- but i sure did cry with her! your so brave – Matt… it’s so hard, this parenting thing. but sooo worth it.. what an amazing job your doing, and what a cutie pie Miss Maddy is. she is just gorgeous!
I had never heard of nurse maids elbow before and was with a friend and her daughter one afternoon when it happened to her daughter. I was horrified as she just popped it back and said it happened all the time to her daughter!
I alwaus tought maddy looked just like liz… but on the photo of you and her on the bridge, we can see she has a lot of you too!
You are such an amazing dad… don’t ever doubt about it!
My dad did the same thing with my elbow, he was swinging me around in circles and all of a sudden POP. I never have any problems with it!! You’re not a bad dad, just a fun one!
Just a little note. The elbow thing used to happen to my youngest all the time. Once it happens it is VERY prone to happening again. I would be very careful not to jerk that arm at all for few months or it will pop out once more. I cringe now when people pick up their toddlers by their hands or swing them around by their forearms! We were in the ER so much that they actually taught my husband how to pop it back in himself. The simplest thing as you holding their hand while they walk, them tripping and you trying to catch them by pulling up will do it. Ouch.
the chocolate syrup story is a riot!!!!!! both my kids managed to grow into adulthood in spite of my husband and i, and yes, they’re “normal” (whatever normal is!!!) my husband always tossed my daughter into the air. the higher she went, the louder she giggled. welllllll, her grandma had a ceiling fan that happened to be turned on when my husband tossed her up in the air. yup, her head hit the ceiling fan…..no concussions etc, lots of tears, and my husband got yelled at by his mom (he was 27 yrs old) and he acted like he had when he was little….hung his head and apologized to his mom. yes, he continued to toss her in the air until she was to big to toss!!!!!!
follow your gut instincts and you will seldom be wrong!!!! the diaper change is priceless and screw those who give weird looks!!!!!! you do what you have to do.
enjoy all of her firsts…..she’ll be a young lady before you know it.
you’re an excellent dad and it shows in her pictures and smiles. take care.
you know – you do sort of look like a common street bum dontcha?
BWAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAA
My 22 month old has had that happen to his elbow twice. the first time I had no clue and was sobbing as we drove to the hospital on my mom’s 50th birthday. I was sure we were going to be booked for abuse. As we pulled into the parking lot the whining stopped and he was waving his arms around like crazy. We let him out to run around in the parking lot a few minutes just to make sure before we rejoined the birthday festivities. The doc said it is very common and more likely to happen again once it has happened.
On another note, we LOVE Max Brenner. Everytime we are in NYC we go there-just for dessert and drinks.
I absolutely LOVE the picture of Maddy in the window in front of the luggage. Great catch. Glad to hear you’ll be staying put for a little while so you and Maddy can have some alone time. Keep up the great work, I know the next few weeks may suck but you’re doing amazing!
My daughter hasn’t had an the nursemaids elbow, yet. I’m sure it will happen. I did while I was pregnant with my son fall (like tumble over myself) down my stairs holding my daughter. Scared the shit out of her. She was fine, but I was pretty bruised up. Of course my son was fine too, I was only three months along…. But seriously she will have many more injuries, bruises ect as she gets older. Wait until she is walking and becomes your little dare devil. My daughter is two and I swear she tries to give me a heart attack daily. Gave herself her first black eye. You would of thought I did it or something. lol So many more of those to come.
How cool about the Rachel Ray show!!!!!!! Hooray!!!
Sounds like you guys are doing great, but of course you would you are a great father. I love the photo of you and Madeline on the couch. Very cute!
My sister-in-law did the same thing to my 2 year old! The next week, two days after she got her soft splint off, it happened again. Apparently, they docs say that once it happens, it is easier for it to happen again. They said that sometimes they just show the parents how to pop the elbow back into place! Yikes! I cringe everytime I see a parent grab their child by their wrists and lift them up.
Keep up the good work, it won’t be the last injury.:)
just wanted you to know that your little Maddy is trend setter! lol I saw her on the Rachel Ray show (which is where I first hear of you guys..) wearing jeans with her dress. I thought..That is SO cute! I do that often with my girls now and it is adorable! She is beautiful by the way. Thank you for sharing your sweet little family with us!
Well you survived your first ER trip. You both did great even if it was nerve racking. Although I am not yet a mom I can still remember when I thought I had to take my baby cousin to the hospital. He was playing, learning how to walk and all and crack.. hit his head. I panicked! I thought for sure he damaged his skull and brain! Luckily no ER trip was needed and he was ok; but imagine a 22 (this was years ago!) girl who looked about 16 coming in to the ER with a kid that wasn’t hers and saying “Fix him!” I to thought they would take him away, I’d get arrested, all that. Things happen and part of the panicking is because we love that little baby so much and them being hurt is basically us being hurt too. Don’t worry your a awesome dad and Maddy knows it. I have to say I am totally jealous that you got a Bob Ross painting!
Don’t feel too badly about her arm. I can’t even tell you how many times my dad accidentally did that to me when I was little! I always got over it quickly and I’m now 20 years old with elbows that function perfectly fine
Nursemaid’s elbow can be pretty freaky the first time (even for a nurse), but I am proof that when it happens again, you will be as calm as can be (despite feeling like shit because your kid is in pain)! Can’t believe I’m admitting this, but out of our 4 kids, my dearest husband has landed us 3 trips to the ER for nursemaid’s, each for a different kid. Talk about feeling like CPS is going to be knocking on your door any minute, all because your kids like to hang like monkeys!
Awesome pics and stories. Don’t feel bad about the arm. My dh was playing with my child when she was 3 and we noticed she was moving her arm, so we took her to the ER where she proudley announced to the staff, “My daddy broke my arm”
Ya, just wait till she’s 3!
I was trying to be Mom of the year and bake a cake for my 5 year olds school bake sale when I turned my back for a second my 1 year old opened the oven and burned his fingers on the inside of the oven door. The drive to the doctor with him screaming the entire time was the longest drive of my life. I still think of that day, a day he of course does not rememeber but is a day that is burned in my mind. Then there was another time I walked out of my room to go to the laundry room and realized I forgot the TV remote was in my hand and whipped around only to hit my 3 year old in the lip with my hand – I had no idea she was behind me. She does not remember it either. It lives with us for a long time, and in the end means nothing. Your a great Dad…period. Maddies smile is a barometer of that.
I think Maddie used her grandparents to practice so she would have it perfected by the time her favorite person in the world can see her do her new trick!
The first ER visit is never fun, but way to go! You handled it perfectly.
If you are stuck without a changing area again, and you have her stroller. Drop the back all the way down so it’s flat, lay her down and change her diaper. Much more comfortable for both of you.
Awesome pictures, have to get to NY sometime. Also loved seeing you guys on the RR show, crazy to see you on TV after following you on the blog since April of last year.
Great blog entry.
Sorry about your er trip. I hope it’ll be your only one.
I have been through a few er trips with each of my kids and it doesn’t get any easier.Maddy looks great.
I had an experience with my son that made me feel like the worst mother in the world. When my son was 8 months old the entire right side of the family entertaiment center fell on top of him while he was in his walker. He reached up to grab something off of one of the shelves and somehow managed to pull it over on top of him. No one’s fault. I just didn’t get there in time. But I felt like the worst mother in the entire universe. My brother and I rushed him to the ER and the docs said he was completely fine. Not a scrape on him. I however was a wreck!
Its important to remember that even in times like those you are still a great parents, accidents just happen! And it stinks when they do!
I know that horrible feeling being in the hospital alone without your spouse. It is a place that is better in numbers than just alone with child. I just use to feel so sad, and yet I had to be so strong with a happy face for my daughter. Trust be you have been added to the “no accident” list that God updates once a year. I have been on that list since Joe died. Welcome to the club. God is going to protect you both from going to Hospital.
Awesome. What a life you’re giving this baby.
I, too, wish that this was not because of Liz but rather with Liz. But I’m telling you that for the rest of her life… the pictures of you changing her diaper on the Brooklyn Bridge will be the coolest thing ever. And yes, every parent knows the first trip to the ER feeling and the “someone is going to think I’m abusing my child” feeling. Especially when your daughter is prone to face planting into the coffee table like mine. :-/
Wait until she sticks something up her nose! My oldest, who is 7 now, decided to stick a soy nut up her nose, when she was 2. She’d NEVER stuck anything up her nose before. So I was shocked. We tried to get it out, but she was screaming the whole time. Took her to the ER & you should’ve seen the look the triage nurse gave me, lol. She even chuckled. While sitting in the waiting room, I noticed that the earlier crying spell seemed to have made the nut slide… we popped the nut out with a key of all things, lol. Kids… they will always keep you on your toes!
I can relate to being abusive. My son was 4 when he fell off his bike and broke his arm and there after it seemed he was always breaking or bone or two LOL a broken wrist, a broken ankle, a broken collar bone, all playing basketball! My good friend told me “the Dr’s are going to think you’re beating him up”! LOL
Wow Maddy’s 1st Bday in Mexico…how cool is that?! Love all of the pics! I bet she was upset that you changed her diaper in the middle of the Bklyn Bridge in the middle of Winter LOL awww she’s a trooper for sure! Enjoy every minute of every day you get to spend w/ Miss Maddy. She’s a doll! Have a great wkend! XO
Matt: I can relate with the abuse thing. When our middle son was little he was ALL boy, we had many visits to ER. You have to take into account this was back in the 80s when the abuse thing was really at a high peak. One time when he cracked his head on the head board of our bed I was questioned A LOT and they questioned him also. It was awful, but as I said he was ALL boy LOL as were his two brothers. He is now 28 and healthy as are his brothers, so we made it through all of those trips to the ER with all 3 of them. We now have 2 grandsons who are giving their parents a run for their money LOL. Glad to see that all is going so well. Take Care Dot K
Matt,
There is no way you’re the worst father in the world. When I was 13, my father picked me up by the arm and threw me onto the ground just because I made a nasty comment (which everyone agrees was true, by the way) and then said I was lucky he didn’t bloody my mouth. Can you imagine you doing that? I can’t. Alexandra
Hey Matt! If you feel this is true: “father who looks like a common street bum” – that’s all the more reason to be thankful Maddy looks like Liz!! Whew! LOL (and she certainly does look like her happy mom)
As a CPS worker (child protective services), my biggest fear was that the pediatrician would call CPS on ME!! LOL, now I realize how silly that was. So jealous you got to meet Rachael Ray- as she nice??? And, I usually don’t read all the comments, but has anyone ever observed that you eat out A LOT?! ;o) Maddy is super cute in her little outfit!
Congratulations on surviving your first trip to the hospital – I’m glad Maddy is better.
So awesome that you got to hang out with Salma and baby Valentina! I think Maddy has a new friend…
Can totally relate to the hoping they don’t think you are a child abuser thing. Apparently that is a common thought. Glad you made it 10 months before the first ER visit, not bad!
Love the picture on the couch.
I think that you’re an AWESOME dad. A bad father would have told her to ‘rub some dirt on it’ and not taken care of her arm.
RR show was awesome! I think it’s super cool that you got to hang out with Salma Hayek. Liz was probably so pissed off that she missed it, but you did her proud, Matt.
So I am the 101 commenter, and I am pretty sure you probably wont read this, but I wanted to share my story about the THREE times I took my son AJ to the hospital. The first time was around two months. He was laying on a blanket on the front lawn. My family and I were playing Crockett. I was done playing gave a light softball tossed of my ball towards the boxed container. It bounced off the container and hit my infant rather hard in the eye. OOPSY. I was devastated. It was his first black eye. the second time was around 15 months when he had a cold so I took him out of his crib and laid with him in the guest bedroom as not to wake up my husband. We both fell asleep and he ended up rolling off the bed into the small, very small, space between the wall and the bed. I was in that half awake phase and felt him going over the edge. tried to catch him but didnt in time. I felt around for broken bones, didnt find any. He eventually fell back to sleep. Exhausted I did too. DAYS. as in more then one later. I was trying to change his shirt and lifted his arm. He screamed in pain. I took him to the ER and found that he had broken his collar bone when he fell nights before. How could I have missed that. There was also another time when he was barely a year when he got into his grandmother’s cigarettes. (that I had just given her heck for having them in his reach. She put them up on a shelf but they fell off) We have no idea how many he ingested. There were parts of at least four hanging off his face, in his mouth or on his lap. We called poison control, who called the ER to tell them we were coming. Did you know that eating straight tobacco is deadly. VERY deadly. It’s toxic. I had to force liquid coal down my baby’s throat, much like someone ODing. He was a trooper. We could write with his poop for days after with the coal extracts. So no, Matt. Playing silly games doesnt make you an abusive father. Shit happens. It’s not the first time Maddy is going to be hurt nor the last. I think the biggest miracle for children is surviving their parents, no matter how much we try to keep them safe.
My oldest son broke his femur when he was 21 months old. Talk about feeling like an abusive parent! Six weeks in a spica cast (from his chest to his toes) and half a summer later, he was just fine. But I remember quite vividly how I felt when it happened, and how every doctor would ask me what happened, and how I figured they were looking for cracks in my story … nevermind that we were at a teaching hospital and that’s how they learned. Fun, fun times. I’m so glad that it wasn’t anything serious and Miss Maddy is back to her old self!
And Mexico for her first birthday?!? Shit, I’m lucky if I get the Olive Garden!
fyi…i read all of the comments, no matter how many there are.
thanks for sharing…
I cant believe how big she is getting! And she gets cuter by the day- if that is even possible!
Keep up the awesome work! I saw some of Laurens pictures on Tumblr – looks like you had a blast- keep up the great work you are doing- not only with Madeline but with everything you are working on!
Aww. Sorry you felt like a bad daddy. But you arent! Be glad that you dont live in the MN. Snowsuits with an unwilling participant is infamous for dislocations.
My Mom did it to me when I was little. When my Dad got home he knew something wrong because I was quiet lol.
My Sister has done it to her daughter with a snowsuit as well. I looked it up and it seems girls are more prone to it. And also the left arm is more prone to it.
As to the above post with hitting the kid with the ceiling fan in the head. I did that to my godson. I was crying when my friend got home because her kid had a bump on his head and told her what happened. Turns out it had happened more than once with her AND her husband. Then she yelled at her husband for not fixing the ceiling fan higher as they had BOTH discussed many times and he never got around to.
HE was pissed at me however. DIDNT I know not to hold him over my head after I KNEW that it had happened twice? He then got bitch slapped by both my friend and I. As she was embarrassed that she did it, HE was embarrassed that HE did it. He figured that she had told me. Not so much. (he can be a pill and always thinks he is right, ie, when both of us were recovering from surgery, her a C Section, and me the equivelent of a C Section in September he always had the heat up to 80 degrees to protect the baby. When ALL of us broke out in heat rash he thought that we had a disease, yeah, the disease of your Mom’s old wives tales!)
K – ramble over, I was about to start talking about him forcing to watch his hunting videos while I was recovering from surgery at their house and trying to help my friend with her newborn lol.
I would have been mad too, if I had to strip from the waist down in the middle of the Brooklyn Bridge….I loved your fav pic too.
Awsome Post!! I Love the pics of you and Maddy on the couch in the hotel and the one of Maddy in the window! LMAO!!! So Cute!!
I felt the same way when I took Caleb to the ER!! It Sucks cc u feel so helpless and scared!! But you are a great Daddy!!! Shit Happens!!!
Amazing post. You packed so much info in there! Maddy just makes me smile every dang time I see her! I would imagine it’s hard to see, but you are so very blessed by the people who surround you in person and through the blog. So glad the elbow thing worked out well. My kids are all grown and in college, and I still vividly remember the visits to the ER!
um this is my new favorite comment bunch…
“well ‘you’ may have given your baby nursemaid’s elbow… BUT this ONE time.. there was this tractor, and a pit bull was driving it, drunk..AND unleashed…”
Someone will seemingly always have a worse off- or at the very least- shockingly similar parenting horror story.
I love the whole- we can relate- and CPS was never called sentiment..
but I can go ya one better.
with a CPS call.
Our best friend’s son was walking to school with his mother- in the cold- got a runny nose- so loving momma reaches to wipe it- the same time he leans in to tie a shoe and wham.
he gets to school with a bloody nose- and when asked what happened the story sorta relayed this way..
~Well my mom made me miss the school bus and took me out in the cold where she punched me in the face~
RING RING RING…….
You two must be racking up some serious frequent flyer miles! Sounds like the trip to NYC was great. What fun to meet Salma and her daughter! Very cool. Sorry to hear about Maddy’s arm, but I’m so glad she is OK and was back to normal quickly. You’re not a horrible Dad AT ALL! You took her in and that was the best thing you could do for her.
I love love LOVE the picture of you with Maddy in the lobby and the one of her looking out the window of the hotel. Probably my 2 faves thus far.
Enjoy some time at home before Mexico! WOOT!
Hope you and Maddy are feeling better! Love all the photos as usual! The one on the Brooklyn Bridge is a riot! But you have do what you have to do no matter where you are.
Take care,
Debbie
Matt,
I happened to be at home with the flu on the day you were on Rachel Ray and saw the show. I immediately began reading your entire blog from the beginning, and I’ve been an avid reader since then. I am thankful that I happened to be at home that day to see it.
You mentioned in this post that you received a children’s book about President Obama. Would you mind sharing the name of the book? I have a three year old and an almost one year old (born very close to Maddy) and would love such a book to share with them.
Thank you for sharing your story.
Matt,
I’ve been reading your blog since I found the article in People, but this is my first time commenting. I too have waited for your post about being on the RR show. It’s soo cool to hear that Maddie & Valentina got to hang out together!
Anyway, like everyone else my husband & I have almost “broke” both of our sons. I dropped the oldest off the changing table at 14mos old & my husband dropped the youngest off the changing table at about a year old. Today they are healthy, and mostly normal 4 & 6 yr old little boys! But it scares the crap outta ya huh??
Loved the Brooklyn bridge pic, but I would’ve been cranky having a bare butt outside in Feb in NY too! LOL!!
Keep up the great work! Maddie’s a doll!
Jody (in NJ)
I know the panic that comes with the first ER visit. My husband threw away bacon grease one morning in a concentrate juice can, and my son grabbed it out of the garbage. He had 2nd and 3rd degree burns on his arm. Like you, I just knew they would take him away, but they just treated him and said, “Shit happens”. Now, you can’t even tell he was burned, and my husband is much more careful when cooking. Other than the ER visit, sounds like you had a great trip! Thanks for sharing! : )
Your not a horrible dad at all!
You are a pretty good one actually.
Accidents happen.
I loved all the pictures, especially the one with maddy
in the lobby. Thats a deserving 8 x 10 for your house.
Enjoy the time at home before mexico.
Wishing you the best from the OK.
My son was almost 1, when he Superman dived off the couch with me sitting next to him. He is 20 now but I still remember the feel of the back of his shirt as I missed it. He had a broken collar bone! and I just knew they were going to call the police or someone at the hospital. They didn’t thank goodness but still felt like worst mother of the year. You are doing a great job don’t sweat it!
Awsome – as always!
I just found your blog and am upset to hear that I missed you guys on the RR show! I think you are a truly amazing father Matt, someday little Maddy will look back at all this and feel so blessed to have a daddy like you! Keep up the fantastic job, it is the toughest one you’ll ever love!
My youngest son was late for preschool and was walking to slow for me, so I picked him up to hurry in and my foot slipped off the edge of the sidewalk. I fell and dropped him on his head. About 15 or so people saw it and rushed over. I thought he had a concussion or brain injury when I saw the size of the knot on his head. I didn’t even know that I had cut my knee really bad. The poor kid! A few weeks later he was in the bathroom and I flung the door open and hit his head with the doorknob. Cut it pretty good! The kid has a hard head. I feel like the worst parent sometimes. If you are a good one you will.
What a great way to end my Friday night..thanks!, great post and greater pics! Hawkfeather..tractor, pit bull..funny stuff. But..if you are a parent and have not kept in your child in a bubble, you have been where you were with the nursemaid’s elbow..we have had a burn from hot water that my 3 year old son grabbed from the counter (husband making tea) to a child falling running UP concrete steps knocking teeth out and up into his gums…one of the scariest things that happened though, was when a friend was visiting with her baby and she had infant tylenol in her diaper bag which was slightly out of sight..yes, my two year old at the time, found it opened it and drank a good bit, talk about panic…that experience made me learn “child-proof” caps do not exist. So now that your head is full of things to worry about, don’t, you are doing great, Maddy is a very lucky girl to have you as her Daddy.
You are not alone…my husband was swinging our daughter Stella around in the yard one night and gave her a case of nurse maid’s elbow too. I was ready to head to the ER but decided to call my pediatrician first to find out what area hospital he recommends and he actually walked me through setting it back into place over the phone.
Of course this entire time my husband is freaking out (as I’m sure you can relate) and not so sure the DIY treatment
is the way to go, but I’m a bad-ass and it worked out flawlessly.
I wanted to tell you though, I’ve heard that once that happens, it is more likely to reoccur. And Stella has had it happen once again since the first time by just randomly falling off the couch or something like that.
OK, enough rambling.
good night!
I’m glad the hospital visit was essentially a non issue. Have a relaxing time at home before y’all head to Mexico.
We had the same thing happen with our daughter. I don’t know if they told you, but it will most likely happen again.
haha – i am dying with all these stories!! what a riot!
I must be the gazillionth story, but i must too share my story.
I was sitting in my bed and my daughter was standing up in the bassinet of the pack-n-play right next to me and the bed. My husband came up and tickled my knee. A split second later, I back handed my daughters face!!!! her JAW WAS DISLOCATED!! it was popping every time she would move it!!
my story at the ER “uh ya, i accidentally back handed my 6 month old. i swear i dont abuse her!”
Loved this post!! hope all is well!!
The vegetable peeler guy! My husband’s aunt lives in Manhattan and she was telling us about him while we were there (curiously, we were there Feb. 5 through 8 — my husband and our friend were at the New York Comic Convention).
How many other girls have said they had their diaper changed on the Brooklyn bridge.
I’m thinking about you lots as you get through this month.
Love the pictures, as always! Just wanted to let you know, I did the same thing to my oldest son’s arm when he was two years old. That was in February. In late October of the same year, he was trying to twist his hand out of my husband’s, and my son threw himself in the floor, and twisted around. He hurt his arm again, requiring another trip to the e.r. so they could pop his elbow back into place. Nice, huh? The dr. told us it’s not only common in young children, but also they can do it on their own doing something as simple as playing on the playground. A week later, our son smacked his face off a broken piece of wood at reception hall where my bil’s wedding reception was held and required going to the e.r. for three stitches. The next morning, fifteen hours later, he tripped, fell and smacked his face off the edge of door and required ten stitches in his forehead. He’s accident-proned, to say the least! You are a great father and things happen!
The injuries get better the more mobile they get. My son somehow got the razor off the back of the sink and shaved his tongue. I KNEW they were calling CPS to come take him and then escort me to jail. Thank God Dr.s have a sense of humor
I was pretty sure I was going to get a call from Child Welfare after calling Poison Control for the 3rd time! Boys are much different than girls, at least in my house and my son always seemed to manage to find something. The first time was during a diaper change when he grabbed the Baby Powder and turned it upside down and got a mouthful. The second time I had been grocery shopping the evening before and forgot to put the fabric softener in the basement, that morning I was in the kitchen making breakfast and my son was playing quietly in the living room…..with the fabric softener as I found out when I peeked in on him. I noticed some had spilled on his clothing and wasn’t sure if it was only drool around his mouth or if he ingested some of the fabric softener. I was surprised at his dexterity removing the cap and hating myself for leaving it out unaware. Fortunately it didn’t sound like he ingested any and after following a few steps while on the phone with Poison Control I was reassured he’d be okay. The last and final time he managed to pry open the cabinet with the safety lock (someone hadn’t locked it tight enough, doesn’t really matter who) just enough to retrieve the spray bottle with vinegar diluted with water I used for cleaning. I thought he had a reaction to it but by the next day I realized it was hives from a virus, something both he and his sister have had.
even if all your readers are collectively shaking their fingers at me, no more than I was at myself let me tell you.
And now I am pretty sure you must think I am the worst Mom in the world, and I still think you are pretty much the best Daddy. I still feel guilty about every one of those incidents.
To add to the list…
I’ve closed the door on my son’s hand – by accident of course
Hit my daughters head on the faucet (she didn’t even cry) when she was still a baby – and spent the rest of the night about how soundly she was sleeping and woke her up more than once
Hope I’ve made you feel better
that should say “PANICKING” about how sounly she was sleeping
Wonderful post. My daughter’s first trip to the ER was also with my husband. I sent him b/c he was there when the accident happened and I didn’t want to look like the “bad guy” either! Ha!
P (Plus I had to stay home with my son who had pink eye at the time ) My daughter was pulling towards the train coming into the train station and he had to pull her back…I guess it was a little too forceful and she ended up with nursemaid’s elbow too. Anyway, one turn of the wrist and she was good as new too! So see….it happens to the best of fathers and daughters!
The picture of Madeline standing in the hotel lobby window is so cute by the way!
I hope you will be able to enjoy your upcoming trip to Mexico…Madeline’s 3rd international trip already! Wow! Don’t forget Germany in the Summertime is wonderful! So much to see and do….don’t you think she needs an original dirndl dress? I’m sure we could come up with some lederhosen for you too
P It’s chic-casual dressing…perfect for you!!
Hey Matt! How do I find video of your Rachael Ray appearance? Are you going to post it? Her site only has the pre-taped part, not the show part!
And for my two cents…I had to learn to overcompensate for the fact that I am wider with my son on my hip…after repeatedly banging his head on doorways and truck side mirrors in parking lots!
@ everyone, your stories are great, well not great as in i’m glad your kids got hurt, but that it’s great we can all share these experiences and live through them.
@ matt you should totally give us assignments for stories you want us to write about.
i loved all of the photos. 13 flights for little miss Maddy, wow. that’s awesome. one of the things i loved most about my childhood was how much traveling we did.
here’s my story about hurting my kid accidentally:
Landon is 19 months old. Last year while Landon was 9 months old we were visiting my grandfather in Brazil. Landon fell asleep on our bed and I was laying next to him, reading a book. Somewhere along the line I fell asleep to and Landon proceeded to roll off the bed,onto a hard wood floor. I woke up to his blood curdling scream. I was picking him up when everyone in the house burst through the bedroom door. Two days later I was letting him cruise along the coffee table and he slipped in water from his sippy cup and banged his head on the marble floor. The look on the face of my grandfather’s housekeeper was enough for me to think I was the worst mother in the world.
he survived and is fine, then yesterday he snuck up behind me as I turned around my big ass bumped him and he flew backwards into the dining room table’s leg. screaming ensued. he’s fine. but I think he learned not to stand to close to mommy’s giant behind.
hugs from NJ
erica and Landon
p.s. I keep getting updates like “daily digest march 6th” on my blog roll and then I click on the link get your little “we’re not sure what you’re looking for here” message. it happens with everything labeled daily digest…. maybe it’s a secret club I’m not in or something.
holy crap that was long, sorry.
erica and Landon
Another great recap, Matt. Thanks so much for the great photos.
And I’m thinking that when Maddy is older, she’s gonna look back and say “Dang…my dad changed my diaper on the Brooklyn freakin’ Bridge. How awesome is THAT??”
You are officially a super parent. Hospital visit followed by a diaper change in an incredibly awkward place. You are incredible, keep the stories coming!
My husband had our daughter on his shoulders when she was about 21/2 and as he swung her off we heard an awful crack and her arm went limp as she screamed her head off. I have never seen my husband so upset before, b/c he thought he had broken her arm too.
Same story, nursemaids elbow…….but he still feels so bad to this day!
I am glad she is all better!
Hi. I’ve been reading for a while but never posted. I have a son who is 4, and my husband did the exact same thing to his arm on Christmas day. It of course was totally an accident, but I can soo relate to how awkward it is to explain since I was the one who had to take him to the doctor’s office. You are doing such a great job with Madeline. I love all the pictures. You have inspired me to take more of my own children.
How cool is it that you blog; speaking as a midwest grandmother (I have a 31 year old son)…. it will mean everything to Maddie when she is my age. When I was pregnant with my 31 year old son, I started a diary and then later trashed it because I thought no one would be interested, and here I am now… wishing I had continued and we were in the age of digital cameras. I found your blog through my daughterinlaw… and I simply love it. Kudos!
hi matt. i just got home from vaca.. and i am in the middle of catching up… i would have read the posts… but it was 55 cents a minute on the ship and that adds up. can’t wait to finish your posts!
Two of my children had their arms dislocated also. The last time it was my fault, and I felt awful, and being that it had happened before, I was sure they were going to think I was jerking my children around by their arms. I was so upset. Luckily, as it turns out, my children apparently, genetically have weak elbow joints.
Did the doctor tell you that it can happen easily for the next 6 weeks, so be careful? They failed to tell me that with my first son, and it happened again 2 weeks later while we were playing. Freaked me out! Good luck, and you are an AWESOME dad! I love reading your blog.
Just think of all these stories as advice… I seem to be more careful of things once I’ve heard someone else did it. My daughter and I were taking a nap and had just layed down when she had to go potty, We got up to take her and tried to shut the dogs in the room. I kept pulling the door closed and it wouldn’t close and I thought it was the dog in the way so I tried again.. Yep it was her fingers in the other side of the door. Her nail had a white line on it for over 6 months.. I felt guilty each time I saw it.. As soon as I cut it off with the clippers.. Dad slammed the same finger in the truck door so we have another tell tell white line!
I am 28 years old and Maddy has flown more in her 12 months of life than I have! I think it’s fantastic! I’ll be in Mexico at the end of March as well! What part of the country are you visiting? Hopefully not anywhere near the border.
Dear Matt – I have been reading your blog from the beginning and its time to say hi! I have loved watching you and maddy grow, she is so beautiful. I have a sone born on 23 Jan 2008, so a few months older than maddy. About missing the firsts, my hubby and I both work full time, so there is some nerves about missing the first _________, but then we see the first steps the first words, etc are a process and its hard to draw the line as to when it even happens! So we just enjoy watching him learn. About being an abuser owen is covered in bruises 24/7 (new walker) so I am there with you. And he has a chipped tooth. which will be staring us in the face for five years. He got it at daycare a day he had to stay longer because of a meeting, eff.
Oh,boy, I know that feeling! Bridget fell off the bed when I left her sitting there to brush her teeth. She was not mobile yet, I thought there was no way she could get to the edge of a queen size bed. We will make many more parenting mistakes, and as long as there is no permanent harm and we learn from it, we can’t stress too much about it. Glad Maddy’s ok!
And as for firsts, we have to remember that it’s their milestone, not ours. It may be hard to take, partly because it is a reminder that even though they are a part of us they are their own person, getting more independent every day.
I have been following your blog for a while and I am completely inspired by you and your daughter. You are doing beyond an exceptional job and l look forward to seeing all of the amazing milestones that you achieve. Your daughter is so lucky to have a father like you.
Great pics and what a fun trip!! Wow!!! I can relate to the “oh fuck what have I done” story.. when my now 6 yr old was about 18 mos I accidentally slammed her hand in the sliding door of the minivan – she reached for a toy just as I slid the door shut and WHAM! A trip to the ER with a screaming baby and a nearly-as-hysterical mommy and the doc said babies bones are flexible, she’ll be fine, and oh here is a valium for you LOL. We have all done it and lived to tell the tale. (Seems like every person responding to this post has a similar story, so dont you feel better now?
Keep up the great work and I just want to squeeze and hug Madeline, she is such a precious little cherub!!!!
I comment rarely, but I am impressed by your spirit on a daily basis. You take the crappy hand you have been dealt and go on with your life the best you can. You have made me put my life and life’s happenings into perspective. Things that people get worked up about are just so silly. Thinking of you and Maddy this month especially.
Hi Matt! I have been following your blog for about 6 months now (I can’t believe how big Maddy is now!) but have never commented. I am not yet a mom, but I remember one of my first babysitting experiences – I was probably only 12 or 13! I was spinning around my one year old neighbor in an office chair, and she flew out of my lap onto the ground! I was terrified that she was hurt and that would be the end of my babysitting career! Needless to say she was fine and I sat for that family for another 7 years! I think babies are made out of rubber somehow.
Can’t wait for pics from Mexico!
Annie
hi matt .
i know you from a magazine in my country,indonesia.
before, i wanna say sorry if my english isn’t good.
matt..your baby is really beautifull.
with her blue eyes. i love her ( in indonesia, the color of eyes is black and the color of skin is yellow )
you are a strong father..loving your daughter.
without yor wife, withour her mom..
hopefully, the next time she will know all things that ever you have done.
she will know what you have done,when she was 1st years old.
and coz her, you are famous in other country…
*think that your story is popular in my country, indonesia!
actually, i’m really really want need you all.. hhu
but, i know we are really far..
i like your baby and father like u . a best guy
nice guy..
may or may not have thrown the little boy i nanny up in the to catch him, forgetting about the low hanging chandalier. i don’t think i’ve ever felt so bad in my entire life. he cried for a few seconds, i think i freaked him out more than he was freaked out, seeing as i cried from the guilt after. worst.feeling.ever.
fucking low hanging cielings and lamps should be banned. not okay.
Great post, as usual. Please quit abusing your child. okay, j.k.
My mom dislocated my elbow three or four times when I was a tot. I have no hard feelings, hehe.
Also, just wanted to give you a shout and say hi. I recently discovered you and Maddy, and your story has really helped me feel better about my own recent losses. Thank you.
I think you will bear more psychic trauma for the arm incident than Maddy will. Besides, I’m kind of surprised it took you this long to break her
xxxxxx,
j.
I too, know the fear of going to the hospital and thinking child services were going to show up. i remember sitting in the car and running the incident thru my head a million times just so i wouldn’t forget anything.
My toddler was admitted last week after he was running in the house, slipped, and split his head open on the corner of a pole in our kitchen. luckily they were able to glue his scalp back together instead of using stitches. Luckily, all was forgotten the next day. it’s amazing how resilient babies can be.
First of all, Maddy is gorgeous and I cannot believe how much she looks like Liz in the picture “Maddy + Daddy”. You’re doing an amazing job not only with Maddy, but also helping so many other people. Thank you.
Just FYI, Once she’s done the nuresmaids elbow thing once, it’s easier to do it again! The tendon stretches out, and it’s easier to pop over.
I know you have gotten lots of comments on the nursemaid’s elbow, but I can’t stress enough – learn how to put it back in yourself and make sure they know at daycare as well. We had to pop our daughter’s elbow back in 4 – 5 times and made sure no one did anything that required pulling on her arms.
One day my non-yet-verbal daughter walked up to her daycare provider, held out her arm and indicated it hurt. It was only half out and the daycare provider popped it back in. She outgrew it around the age of 5.
You are a great dad and doing a terrific job.
i think that you have been doing a great job matt your daughter is very beautiful,and your wife well no words can explain her beauty
When they are tiny, and hurty things happen, it sucks. When they are big, sometimes almost bigger than you, and you accidentally crush them emotionally, it stays in unsettling ways. There are neither breaks, nor free days, nor twinkie minutes, when all just falls away and you are yourself again.
Sorry to hear about Madeline’s arm and glad you got her all put back together.
Can you post a picture of your original Bob Ross painting? I’ve always always wanted one/wanted to see one!
Hi Matt & Maddy,
I have been keeping up with your blog for a few months now, though this is the first time Ive posted a comment. I really enjoy seeing into your world, though Im sorry the way it had to come. Your an amazing father and maddy couldnt be any cuter! So sorry about the ER visit! Im a mom of 2 and my 4 yr old has given us so many scares. I have had way to many “Im the worst mommy on the earth” moments. a trip down our basement stairs, a heavy dresser on falling on her..these kids sure like to keep us on our toes!
I LOVE the Brooklyn Bridge photos, and the photo of you holding Maddy on the couch is pure love.
My four year old had a nursemaid’s elbow injury just over a month ago after walking up my husbands legs and flipping over while holding his hands (something we all did as a child). I guess it isn’t at all uncommon, but I sure don’t want it to happen again.
You are a great dad.
Hi Matt,
Little Maddy is looking super cute. I wanted to add, that when my daughter was young she would pull up on many things and as your child is becoming more mobile you need to check out anti tip brackets for tvs, stoves, furniture, etc. Just for info check out my precious kid dot com. ( no affiliation there)
Like many others, I’ve thought about you both a lot lately and keep moving forward and enjoy your baby while she’s little and before you move into the dreaded boyfriend years!!! I’m getting grey hair over that!
I love it! I’ve changed my daughter’s diapers in strange places too. You learn how fast a diaper change can go… I called the nurse line when I dropped my sleeping 2 week old daughter. They could barely understand me through the sobs and I was convinced that the police and child protection would come knocking as soon as I hung up the phone (They didn’t). You’re a great father.
I love the pic on the couch and the one at the bottom, she looks so much like her mommy
And just fyi…I’ve been thinking about you all of March
Matt, please consider contacting this family through the liz logelin foundation. She has very recently lost her husband after a 10 day battle with cancer. She is pregnant with her second child and has a 5 year old son. It was very sudden and unexpected. Here is her website:http://www.mckayfamilylife.blogspot.com/
I do agree with Aj that is a really good photo:) glad you guys are still so happy!
Hi Matt, I finally figured out how to post a comment. Duh, I should have just scrolled to the bottom of the page! Thanks for the e-mail, I am sure things have been crazy busy and I appreciate you getting back to me. I enjoy reading your posts, thanks again for sharing. You are doing a fantastic job raising Maddy! The new pictures that you posted are awesome. I am going to New York in a few months, any suggestions for touristy spots? I know you have a busy month coming up, I will give you a call sometime after Maddy’s birthday so we can catch up, it will be nice to talk to you again. Just know that I am thinking of you, especially in the next few wks. You inspire me to not take any moment for granted and really live up life! Wish Maddy a Happy 1st Birthday from Anna and I!
Aw, Matt. I did the same thing to my son’s elbow a few weeks ago! We were playing and then a crack and a mad dash to the doc. Nothing makes you feel worse as a parent – I felt like a total ass.
Glad the RR show appearance went well – Maddy is obviously a star!
The diaper change part really cracked me up!
Also, I think that picture of the two of you on the couch, with her in your arms, is absolutely precious. I hope you frame it.
My son fell off his changing table and we visited the ER. He was fine, but we had to recount the event for every single person we encountered. They are careful, so that’s good. I noticed the memorial you happened upon was for the peeler man. I have one of his peelers–my husband caught his schtick one day. Shame. He seemed nice.
And that truly is a beautiful picture of the two of you on the couch.
Hi.. Man
I’m Ali From Saudi Arabia …
Isaw Your Story in Rachael Ray Because of the delayed for the episodes “1 month later” today only i saw your story …
Man ‘ I’m pleased that you have all of this power to stand in front of the cam && talk about .. how 9 years of your best days is fallen apart in 27 hours..
I Wish For You & Your Littel Angel The Best In next Period of your lifes Clearly Your strong enough to Move on in your life…
best wishes..
Ali
Too funny!! Sounds like you had a great time in NYC!! You did really well with the ER visit, I am glad you took her, that is one thing I seem to always struggle with, do you take them or do you just wait and see. When my son (now 2) was about 19 months old I had to rush him to the ER, b/c it was a Sunday and a little table had fallen right on his toenail and the blood was just filling up in there and causing a lot of pain, so we sat in the waiting room for 3 hours and then it took the doctor 3 minutes to poke a hole in his toenail and let the blood out and he was like a new person!! I think I could have done this myself, but what if I poked it too far, eww the pain!!
Have a great week and can’t wait to read more from the adventures of Matt and Maddy!!
So glad you had a nice time in the NYC and you were able to get Madeline to a hospital where they were able to help her! Hope you didn’t have to wait too long?
Everytime one of my daughter’s gets hurt, it’s always because of something I accidentally did! It happens to all of us so you can’t beat yourself up over it!! But in the moment, it’s a horrible feeling.
I thought of you about 2 weeks ago when we went to a restaurant with the girls and it didn’t have a changing table. Had to change my 1 yr old on the floor in the bathroom stall. Oh well, you do what you have to do!
And I love that picture that AJ took of you and Madeline in the lobby…it looks so peaceful…
As always, you’re doing a great job! Thinking of you often this March..
Christine D.
Something I’ve learned in my (short) 22 mos. as a parent is that once your kid moves out of a certain developmental stage, you really seem to forget what those past stages were like because you are so wrapped up in their CURRENT stages. Thanks to you and your tales of Maddy learning to stand and then immediately falling over, I was able to get a great chuckle today remembering when my son would do the exact same thing! I remember how difficult it was to have to stand behind him every single moment so he wouldn’t clunk his head on the hardwood floor!
So glad Maddy was okay after her little accident and trip to the ER. I think every parent experiences these little guilt-ridden incidents. As hard as it is to admit to something like that happening, (my little guy fell down 15 stairs at our house, and I couldn’t talk about it for months, I felt so guilty!) I think it helps other parents to hear that they aren’t the only ones. We can chalk them up to constructive cautionary tales.
Oh, and one question for you. I’ve always wondered this (being a MN dweller)…when traveling around a city like NYC with an infant, do you have to strap the baby into a carseat and install the thing in back seat every time you take a cab??? I’m imagining a large hassle…
Two comments in one day…oy! Anyhow, this was emailed to me by a family of a good friend of mine who lost their son, Brett, in a small airplane crash. His wife, Kathy, died 10 years ago at age 26 of cystic fibrosis. This poem is just a poignant reminder to ALL of us but reminded me of Liz and my husband, Dean, who I lost to cancer a year ago.
TO HONOR YOU
To honor you, I get up everyday and take a breath.
And start another day without you in it.
To honor you, I laugh and love with those who knew your smile
And the way your eyes twinkled with mischief and secret knowledge.
To honor you, I take the time to appreciate everyone I love,
I know now there is no guarantee of days or hours spent in their presence.
To honor you, I listen to music you would have liked,
And sing at the top of my lungs, with the windows rolled down.
To honor you, I take chances, say what I feel, hold nothing back,
Risk making a fool of myself, dance every dance.
You were my light, my heart, my gift of love, from the very highest source.
So everyday, I vow to make a difference, share a smile, live, laugh, and love.
Now I live for us both, so all I do, I do to honor you.
My nephew was playing with my daughter when she was about 2 yoa and she suffered the same injury. she is 7 yoa now and has no lasting deficits – the only ones are in my memory…
Hi Matt!
Long time reader, first time commenter. My son is 2 1/2 years old and just got his first nursemaid elbow in January. I had the same fears as you did when I took my son. Luckly the Children’s hospital said they see hundreds of cases every month.
Happy Birthday to Madeline!!
I hope to be able to make a nice donation soon with some saved money for this specific cause!
Ashley, Ohio
Oh yeah… The NM elbow thing… I’ve done that SEVERAL times to my little girl! Only she was like 2.5 when it first happened. I simply held her wrist in place while sliding a floaty on to her arm! I thought I was keeping her safe from the water but turns out, mommy was more of a threat than the water on that day! After the trip to the ER and the cutest little sling on her arm, I still felt like THE WORST parent ever! Then to top it off, less than a month later while holding her hand for a stroll in the park, she started to run and I didn’t let go in time, and BAM! Again! Pop went her elbow and the screams were so shrill! Four other times this happens…. Finally the Dr. in the ER explained to me how to fix her arm on my own… I couldn’t believe it! I actually had to pop her arm back in to place a few times… They explained to me that once it happens one time, the joint becomes more and more fragile… SO.. here we are at 5 years old, and THANK YOU GOD, we’ve not had to worry about her elbow for about a year now.
It’s scary! I was soooo afraid that DCS would surely question me because of the repeat ER visits, but seemingly enough, the doc seemed to understand! Thank heavens for understanding people! HAHA!
You have no idea how much encouragement it was for me just reading that you and other parents as well have been through the same ordeal! SUCH a HUGE relief of weight from my shoulders! HAHA! No one is the perfect parent… I think…. IF YOU ARE… I dare you to tell me your secret!
my little sister would get her arm popped out of the socket a lot. Finally the doctor taught my Mom how to fix it so we did not have to come back to the ER anymore. Do not be surprised if it occurs again and she should grow out of it by 3.
Oh Matt! I can completely relate and try not to feel so bad about Madeline, we’ve all been there. Last May my daughter fell off a counter stool in my kitchen & got a concussion and exactly one week later we pulled her elbow out while swinging her between us, one week two trips to the ER. It was awful and I felt like I surely lost mother of the year. You continue to amaze me with your parenting! Thanks for sharing your life with us, truly inspirational.
If Liz’s story saves 1 person or even 1000 ppl it is not worth it that she is gone~~~!!!! nothing makes her gone worth it!
God Bless!