(trying to get caught up here, so this is gonna be a long one)…
after our trip to
hawaii we flew
to cincinnati.
it was our
longest flight together,
and it was
a red-eye…
disaster?
hardly.
my kid slept nearly
the entire way.
i think our heads
were a little fucked
up when we
arrived, what with
a 5-hour time
change and all.
we were in town
as guests of
the p&g corporation,
and more specifically, pampers.
i got the invite
a while back,
asking us to fly
out for a tour of
their headquarters and
to learn more
about diapers.
they even offered
to fly someone out
to keep an eye
on madeline while
i was busy.
awesome. sounds great.
but really, i had no
idea what to expect.
i was one of a
whole bunch of
bloggers chosen to
attend the event.
but why me?
i have no idea.
anyway, as always,
i just say yes
to (almost) everything
and see what happens.
luckily i don’t
get burned
very often.
this was no exception.
when we got
to the hotel,
i learned that
i was the only
male mommy blogger
at the event.
awesome. me and a
bunch of moms.
nothing new, i suppose.
i chose to have
my mom (grandma broccoli)
fly out to be maddy’s
nanny for the
two days of
our trip.
she arrived a few
hours after we did,
and spent the
night at dinner with
madeline and the
family of another blogger
while i
attended a meet
and greet, and dined
with all of my
new friends at the
home of a pampers exec.
it was pretty rad.
what was radder,
is that after dinner
and a lot of talking,
i convinced a few
of the ladies to
have a drink (or three)
with me in
the hotel bar.
why not, right?
i mean, our children
were either at
home or safely
tucked away in
our hotel rooms…
(with supervision, of course).
we must take
this opportunity
for a little adult time.
so we did.
i basically was
made fun of by
melissa, emily, susan and asha
for what seemed
like days, but
was actually only
a few hours.
it’s okay though,
’cause they’re kinda funny.
after saying goodbye
to my new friends,
i went to my room
and got something
i haven’t gotten
in months…a
night of uninterrupted sleep,
thanks to the fact
that madeline stayed
in my mom’s room.
so great.
the next morning
i was up bright
and early and
on a bus with
all of these mommy
bloggers again.
we arrived,
and spent the
morning hanging out
in a conference room
with a bunch
of pampers employees.
sounds like fun, right?
well, it actually
kind of was.
we learned a lot
about the company
and it’s commitment
to helping kids all
over the world,
specifically via the
campaign and other programs.
we watched as
teams of two people
hand assembled a diaper,
piece by piece,
to be used in
various tests.
in that room, we
all had to wear
goggles and a hair net.
and our tour
guide said something
to me about having
to wear a beard net.
i thought he was joking.
as it turns out,
he wasn’t.
in one of the
diaper testing rooms,
we got to watch
as they poured
blue liquid into
diaper after diaper
to show us which
one kept baby’s
ass the driest.
take a guess
which one won?
the thing is,
they didn’t really
have to sell me on this.
through a little
over a year of
thorough testing,
i have come to
find that their
products work
best for madeline.
(which is great, because they gave madeline a life-time supply of diapers when we appeared on rachael ray).
in another demonstration,
one of the
pampers employees
let it slip that
you can still flush
parts of the diaper
(disclaimer…this can apparently only be done in certain places, for instance, places with good plumbing).
i’ve yet to try it,
but i may get desperate
as it gets hotter
here in los angeles.
i spent a lot of time
trading direct
messages via twitter
with my new bff, melissa,
and laughing as
emily sniffed diapers.
but really, we were
there to help pampers
understand the world
of blogging and social marketing.
now i know why
i am here.
i didn’t contribute
too much, but
i’m pretty sure
my presence was felt…
the night before,
and during the
morning session, i
noticed a lot of
talk about moms…
“moms and kids” this,
“moms and babies” that.
some of the presenters
would nod my way,
obviously remembering that
there was a dad
in the room.
but dads were
always an after thought
in these discussions.
by the afternoon,
that had all changed.
hmmm…i wondered why that was?
later i got an explanation.
i was taken aside
by one of the execs,
who told me
that she was not
happy about the
fact that dads were
left out of the discussion,
and she had a
little talk with
her people.
i told her that i
didn’t really mind,
and truthfully,
i didn’t.
i mean, shit…
i can’t really complain.
this happens to women
all of the time…
(often times when i mention maddy’s doctor, i get the question, “is he any good” and i have to say, “yes, she is amazing.”).
but i explained
that it’s not really
about being me
being offended,
it’s about the company
missing an entire
segment of the
diaper-buying market.
i told them that
many dads, in positions
far enviable to mine,
actually buy diapers,
so you better start
advertising to them
before your competitors do.
the exec already
knew this, and
she knew that she
had to get her
people to understand the same.
so…what were
madeline and grandma
broccoli doing during
our corporate indoctrination session blogger event?
they went to
the aquarium in cincinnati.
all-in-all a nice event,
though if they’re
going to have dads
at future events,
they may want to
find some more
man-appropriate t-shirts:
and i have to say
that it was pretty
cool to be around
all of these famous
mommy bloggers.
that night i had
dinner with my
mom and maddy,
then watched as
the wind nearly stole
my daughter from me.
the next day we
were on a flight
back to los angeles.
april 25th & 26th.
this weekend
we got to spend
a little time with
a new friend
and her family.
andrea’s husband passed
away late last year.
we connected
via my blog and she
let me know she
was coming out to
visit her brother and
his family.
we caught up
a couple of times…
on saturday
i went out and
bought a new accessory
for my daughter
and we did a little
hiking around
griffith park.
we stopped to admire
some graffiti
then we played
in the sand,
on the playground,
and in the swings.
and i have nothing
interesting to say
about this next photo…
i just love it.
on sunday we went
down to disneyland.
this was maddy’s second
trip to the place,
but it was her first
as an alert
human being.
well, sort of.
she spent most of
the day completely
passed out.
in between naps,
she actually had
a little bit of fun.
a lovely weekend
with new friends.
can’t ask for much more.
may 2nd – 4th.
our buds, chrissy and jd,
and her brother, brian,
were in town for
chrissy’s reading and book signing.
on saturday we
met up in venice beach,
where we heeded
a warning
and nearly got
swept up in
a sand storm.
after a little bit
of play time, we
decided to take a
trip down to
long beach to visit
the aquarium.
we called up
our friends, jayneoni and sophie,
and told them
to meet us there.
we fought our
strollers through the crowds
and watched as our
kids stared in awe
at the sea life
we stopped for a drink
and eventually freed our
children from their prisons
so that they could play.
later, we ran into
blog reader, emily and her husband,
and their daughter, miya.
all of the kids
played together
until maddy hit miya
in the head with
a shovel.
(so, so sorry about that!).
after the aquarium,
we stopped for dinner,
during which madeline
proved that she
truly can sleep anywhere.
we went home that
night and slept
harder than we
had in a very
long time.
on sunday,
strangers friends,
the glover family,
stopped by for
a visit with
maddy and the robot.
later, we went to
the park with
our buds, jayneoni and sophie.
the kids loved the ducks,
and i used this as
an opportunity to
emphasize the letter, “d”
the next night
maddy and i joined
our friends for
dinner at the restaurant
in their hotel.
i recommended this
hotel to chrissy…
she wanted a nice
place somewhat close
to the beach
i knew of only
one hotel off the
top of my head.
and i knew it
pretty well.
i dropped
liz
off at the same hotel
few years ago…
she stayed there with
her friends, sister and cousin
while they celebrated
her bachelorette party.
i tried to ignore
this thought
as i pulled up.
…
we had a great dinner
with hilarious stories
from brian and
entertainment in the way
of flying food and utensils,
thanks to our
lovely children.
i filled chrissy in on
my new compensation plan
for restaurant wait-staff
(an extra 50 cents added on to the tip for every piece of anything that maddy throws on the floor).
after dinner,
brian watched the
kids while chrissy and i had
a couple of beers
we had a
conversation about pasts,
presents, and futures.
it was a great
to have a little
adult time with
a great friend.
(here’s what chrissy had to say about all of this)
may 5th – 7th.
maddy and i
spent the middle part
of the week recovering
from the past few
weeks of activity.
we’ve both been
a little exhausted,
but we took some
time out to appreciate
the apple blossoms
on the tree
in the front yard
and to do a
little writing.
we spent some time
at one of our
favorite places,
and by the weekend
we were ready for
more adventures…
on friday
our friend,
came in to town
to attend a couple of
shows with gentle ben
and me.
maddy played the
drums for me
before heading
out to spend
the evening with
the valdivia family.
gentle ben, patient dana, lauren and i
went off to
see iron & wine
inside the masonic lodge
at the hollywood forever cemetery.
the show was in
the second coolest
venue ever
(right behind the cumberland caves where i saw the silver jews).
the show was
great, but was
outdone by
the performance
the following night.
not only did
i get to meet
sam beam of
iron & wine after the
troubadour show,
(no, we are not related to one another)
i also got to
meet a couple
sometime during the middle
of the show i
saw a twitter message
that read,
“is that you with the corona at the troubador? cause if you ever need a free babysitter for maddie I’ll come introduce 
”
i responded and
toward the end
of the show i had
a couple of
new friends
(we’re going to dinner tonight).
where was maddy?
she was hanging out
with her friend, isabelle.
also, earlier in the
day i went to
arcadia and had
this done…
maddy got one as well:
(calm down…her tattoo is fake).
on sunday,
mother’s day,
it was brunch
in pasadena,
some play time in
front of our house
and finally,
a trip to maddy’s
favorite park.
we played on some
railroad tracks
and nearly got
hit by a train
then we took a walk
around travel town,
climbed on some trains,
and finally,
we rode on a
maddy-sized train.
then we were off
to the playground,
where i let madeline
stretch her legs a bit.
she perfected a tactic
her mother used
on a daily basis
(liz could barely reach the plates on the bottom shelf of the cupboard and had to stand on the tips of her toes to do so),
and unlike her
mother,
she willingly posed
for a few photos:
then it was on
to the swings,
lauren had her
video camera rolling
for part of the day.
this is what
she put together:
from the park
we went to dinner,
then we dropped
lauren off at
the airport.
maddy and i headed home
and we spent the
rest of the evening
playing with her toys.
i kept thinking that
this day would have
gone much the same
way if
liz
were still here.
knowing that we’re
carrying on without
her
is somewhat comforting,
but i kept
thinking this:
yes…what could
have been is fucking
hard to think about,
but what is,
hurts more
than i can
possibly describe.
(and no, the tattoo is not a led zeppelin reference (as some have inferred)…it’s a line from a silver jews song, though i changed the “was” to “is”).
253 Comments
your guys’ adventures are so awesome.
despite the sad events to lead to all of this,
maddie is a lucky girl.
I love the tattoo, Matt. It’s perfect. I also love the font which is nerdy but there you go. It strikes me how awesome and full Maddy’s life is. I know you’re missing Liz, but you’re really out there doing it despite that.
Epic post, with so much good news. Miss Maddie sure seems to smile more with you than with anyone else. Now…what is the great news?
Looks like you had a great time, awesome tat. I love the font.
It looks like y’all had a busy few weeks! Neat about the Pampers trip. The tattoo looks good. Maddy is getting to be a big girl. Sweet.
Thank you for the update! That baby feet swing picture is beyond awesome! I hollered baaaaabbbby feeeeeet when I saw it. Ya’ll have had some adventures the past few weeks and little Miss is getting to be such a big girl. She’s so beautiful. Hope you have a restful weekend!
Such fun adventures!!! Miss Maddy is just growing up so much! She will be walking before you know it! Then you better watch out! She will be unstoppable!
Maddy is so lucky to have you.
Love the new ink! Glad you have been having so many fun adventures. Wish I could have gone to that Iron & Wine show at Hollywood Forever, but it was right before my project turn-in
I have been enjoying some free shows at The Echo recently though!
That video is too precious!!! She is beautiful.
i absolutely love this post matt. you two have been pretty busy! and i must say i really love madeline’s pink sneakers, so cute. seriously your daughter is dylin
finally, an update!
she is cuter every.single.day.
beautiful as ever.
you’re doing a great job w/ that girl of yours.
What an awesome video!! Love the new tattoos. I am tired just reading about your weeks of adventures
If you are ever in Santa Barbara, Pablo at Iron Cross Tattoo does FABULOUS work. He gave me both my tattoos and he’s a cool guy!
Maddie’s tat is adorable but I love most that she is so laid back she can sleep anywhere!
Asalamu Alaykom,
Busy guy, eh? I think your tactic to cram as much as humanly possible into one blog posting is to prevent us commenators from really saying much other than,”WOW!” I mean, Pampers (I’ve been a Huggie mom, myself), to Disneyland (wanna come visit DisneyWorld this summer?) to concerts, to tattoos! DANG, dude! Good thing I have you on Twitter so I can take it in small bite-sized portions!
Oh! And tell Grandma B. that she is looking GREAT! Mashahallah!
I’m tired just reading all that! Love the tattoo
It is nice oto have an update and see what you guys have been up too. Madeline is getting cuter every day, and almost walking, that is excellent. I love her pink sneakers.
Despite the events that have lead to where you are now, you are doing an awesome job and Maddy is lucky to have someone like you, giving her all these awesome opportunites (even if she is only 1!!)
Love the tat, keep up the good work
love ur new tat. what are your other ones of?
ps lovin Miss Madeline’s shoes!
Absolutely adore the pictures of Maddy at the park. The camera (and the guy behind it) certainly loves her!
Yay! An update!!
So, I swear I’ve read all of your blogs… (but not all the comments – that’d take FOREVER!)
Why is she called Grandma Broccoli again?
I tend to think companies are just realizing the free advertising potential of reaching out to bloggers….besides reaping the benefit of all your knowledge on how to achieve and maintain attentive *followers*… every single invited guest there is a blogger and will no doubt go home and like you blog about their experience..
i ’spose that is a given.
Tattoos are addictive man.
i have a keen appreciation for tattoos that have sentimental- emotional value…here is hoping we never log on to find a cartoon character taking a pee inked in the mix on yer fleshy flesh.
or with yer advertising potential being recognized- maybe the golden palace will be contemplating said fleshes.
loved the update and the pictures/videos. but seriously, READING about all you do makes me exhausted!
no wonder maddy is a super sleeper wherever!! 
glad you are doing so well…..
aloha friend!
You guys are seriously on the go all the time. I am exhausted just reading about all your adventures you get to go on.
Loved the post and Laurens video was perfect. Glad you guys are keeping busy, but also fitting in some relaxation time. Can’t wait to hear more!
That is a wonderful post. You are so freaking busy, I don’t know how you do that! You tattoo is awesome, I’m trying to figure out what to do to add onto my tattoo on my back…it is really hard to figure out. Maybe you post has inspired me to add on this weekend.
Enjoy your beautiful baby.
I’ve been on vacation for a few days, so I just read the posts about you being a terrible father. DON’T YOU DARE say that! When my sister was seven and I was nine, we bought a new house that my Mom had to fly out and look at. And you know what he said? “You have to take one with you. I CAN’T DO THIS.” He NEVER could have handled raising a baby on his own. You are an AWESOME father! Everyone knows that!!!
oh and for the record, we just bought a box of huggies, and they have LEAKED the last 3 times…over that REAL quick.
I hope you had a great time in Cincinnati. I love the picture at Fountain Square!
Wow, you and that guy could be twins!
I love the tattoo.
oh matt… such a fan of the ink. it’s beautiful and perfect. please come to DC soon.
I just showed my 19 month old daughter Addaline your videos and she was waving the whole time saying “bay bee, bay bee, bay bee” to Maddy… how cute! Glad to hear you guys are still alive and well, Maddy is adorable as ever!!
Maddy is growing up so quickly-you are doing such an amazing job with her. It totally sucks that you have to do this without Liz. But I know she is up there, somewhere, smiling down on her two special people.
Hugs to you! You rock.
Madeline is growing up into a beautiful little lady, she is a perfect mixture of you and Liz both!
Those small steps will turn into a full on run in the blink of an eye, watch her closely!
Whew! That was a big one.
1. You sure you two aren’t related??? Freakish resemblance.
2. I’m betting money now that when Maddye gets her first tattoo, it will be that sparrow, in that spot… very pretty! Love your new ink too… powerful. You say what “is” hurts, but given what could have been even if everything happened the same way with Liz… you just have to pat yourself on the back, you have made an incredible life for you and your little girl. I know you’d trade it all in a second to have Liz back with you both, but truly, she is somewhere very proud of you right now.
3. pink chucks – am I really jealous of a baby’s wardrobe?? The girl is going to be the COOLEST kid in school…
4. Hope to send you a similar tweet some night… would be most cool to hang for a night. Feels like I know you so well already!
It’s okay that you are behind… we just love hearing from you! I probably speak for more people than myself when I saw we’d rather you skip a few days and wrote more often than get bogged down in time you’ve missed. Maddie is beautiful! Lots of love from Illinois!
I’m thankful that there are dads like you out there, Matt. I really appreciate reading things like this.
All I know is Maddie has been more places than I ever have in my 50 years. Great for Maddie! Not so great for me.
She will not remember these times, however the extra activites in her life will go far for her brain development.
You are blessed, both of you. I know you also have the saddness. Do not forget she also needs alot of time at home just being Maddie.
you take my breath away with your honest openess. we could all hope to be as genuine as you. you’re doing a great job and maddie will reap the rewards of your being her father. congratulations, what an adventure you have ahead of you with her.
1. love love LOVE the tattoo!
2. iron & wine… i believe they have a song in twilight.
3. as usual, love the pics. can’t believe how fucking big maddy is getting!
Huge post! I’ve been wondering what you’ve been up to. You’ve sure been busy.
There are a number of AWESOME photos in there Matt.
You and that guy may have been separated at birth. I’d check that out!
It never ceases to amaze me where your daughter will sleep. I dreamed of that everytime one of my babies woke if I tried to move them.
It was really great to read your news today Matt.
That video is great of you two. Maddy will be walking so soon. As always so nice to hear about all your adventures.
If you’re ever in Atlanta, bring Maddie to the GA Aquarium. A sight to behold for sure. I have a Zoe who is just her age and would be happy to show her around.
And also, Pampers rock.
You two sure stay busy. I always love your pictures. I’ve been reading since Maddy was only a few weeks old so it’s amazing to me how much she’s grown, but you have too (not upward).
Awesome tattoo. Love Maddy’s too!
Is she walking yet? I bet soon!
I’m totally jealous of two things Maddy has. 1. an amazing dad who totally gets how cool she is. 2. those pink converse.
Thanks for the update and thanks for sharing your lives with us! I always anticipate the newest news! The video of you and Maddie in the park is ridiculously priceless and incredibly awesome memories and Maddie and daddy! Your friend did an incredible job putting it together!
Sheesh Matt – you kept us fans waiting long enough since your last post but Im glad it finally arrived. Loved hearing more about the tat. Your too much! and Miss Maddie is as sweet and cute as ever!
Lauren’s video is brilliant.
That Farmer is one talented cookie.
I think it’s time to bring Madeline back to the MN. There are some creepy “aunties” that miss her. And, uh, it’d be great to see you too.
Wow, that made me tired and I wasn’t even there! You have great people all around you. You and Maddy are so lucky to have people that love you the way they do. Glad you both had a great time.
I love the tattoo Matt. For the longest time I was determined to get “Not all who wander are lost” tattooed somewhere on myself….your new tattoo has inspired me to re-visit that desire. My best to you and the beautiful Madeline.
All the sleeping your sweet little girl is doing makes me think she is in the process of a growth spurt. Good luck! My kids always grow once Ive purchased all the clothes they need to get through the next “season”!
Hooray for a new entry! I’ve been waiting for a new update on life with M&M.
That girl has done so much and seen so much in her short little life. I truly think it’s amazing that you’re not willing to allow “what is not but could have been” to keep you from doing what Liz would want you to do-enjoy your sweet baby girl. It’s very inspiring.
Thanks for sharing about all of your travels! It’s so fun to live vicariously through you and Maddy as you schlep around the country (and Mexico)
But I really need to know… WHY do you call your Mom Grandma Broccoli?
forgot to tell you that the video of maddy with the bottle nearly made me wet my pants. hil-a-rious!!! i could watch that over and over and over again…
Fabulous tattoo.
Darnit, Maddy’s is fake, huh.
She all of a sudden seems to have tons of hair!
Love Iron and Wine. They made our Wedding Top 40.
um, do you work?
just wondering…
(seriously!)
yes.
i have a full-time job at a very big internet company.
Beautiful tattoo, Matt.
How could Maddy possibly not have fun at the happiest place on Earth?
I never get tired of looking at pictures of that gorgeous baby of yours and really enjoy reading about all your adventures with her. She is very lucky to have you.
Those pictures are great. I tried to comment on last weeks entry too. Get a key lanyard… look like a dork wearing it, but you don’t lose your keys! I have used one for about 7 years.
Cool tattoo and glad to see you back! As always, love the pictures of you and Maddie, especially the ones of her asleep in her stroller. And you’re right – that venue looked amazing!
Wow, such love! I have a suspicion that Maddy’s momma would be quite proud of how you’re raising her girl. You both are so inspirational.
loved the catch up matt. thought about you guys A LOT on mother’s day. cruel day for us both.
loving the new tatt, and maddy’s fake one. and that picture of you guys together – awesome.
take care xo
I’ve been lurking for a while, but I don’t think I’ve ever commented. Found your through MckMama’s blog back when Stellan went in the hospital.
Anyway, de-lurking to say that I’m sorry for your loss. I feel like I’ve gotten to know Liz a little bit through this blog, and I hope it brings you some comfort that as you chronicle your life with Maddie, you’re doing so much to further Liz’s memory and legacy, too. You have a beautiful daughter, and you seem to be doing a great job.
Best of Luck,
Liz B.
You two are fabulous! YOu can tell by th way that you look at each other and your interaction that you really “get” each other… Something special. So glad to hear from you!
that is one cute girl in those chucks (soft-soled, i think?). she’s so close!
Good to see you and Maddy getting out and having some good times as usual. I worried for you on Mother’s Day and I’m glad that the two of you made it and still did something fun together even though her very special mother wasn’t able to be there with you physically. My heart still breaks for you both. I’m positive I’ll eventually run into you since I live so close to all your haunts. Hopefully you’ll be home for a bit so you can enjoy all the beautiful weather we’ve been having!
“but what is, hurts more than i can possibly describe.”
I can’t even imagine.
Thanks for continuing to share. Give a smooch to the little peep.
I think you two need to come up our way for a vacation retreat. We’ll show you two lovelies a great time! Take care.
goodness gracious matt you amaze me with every new blog. you are such an amazing father. you love that little girl so much and she definatly adores you. liz is smiling her huge beautiful smile from heaven because she knows your loving maddie for two people. You are gonna raise maddie to be a strong amazing person just like her mom and dad.
I am new here…what an awesome first post to read! And luckily my kids are in bed so I actually had time to get through the whole thing!
I am just so incredibly awed and inspired at how beautifully you have carried on and how open you seem to be able to be. I can tell that you are an amazing dad.
Gracious, you do get around. Love the pic of you modeling the Pampers tee–I laughed & laughed & laughed…
What you and Maddie have is amazing. Yeah, as parents, we all screw up from time to time. Not a big deal. And there will always be a part of your heart that hurts and feels empty. But that amazing little girl, who has already been through so much, is proof that love exists and Liz will live forever through her. I think every woman who reads your blog wishes she had a daddy like you.
Lovely update. Worth the wait. I’m glad you guys have been having such a great time enjoying life.
I wish I had been at the iron and wine concert. I bet they were awesome.
How great it is to see you and that precious daughter of yours. You all have had many an adventure, have you not? But you will have so much to share with her as she grows older. Maddie’s getting so big! If only all parents took the time and effort that you do with your child. I know that some don’t have the freedom with their work and that’s understandable, but some parents don’t appreciate the precious gift they have. You do. That is commendable. Maddie will have lots of proof of how great of a father she has. She’ll be a better adult for it. I can’t imagine how much you miss Liz. But know somewhere in heaven, she’s smiling and pointing to show everyone how proud she is of you. You have the very best of her in that sweet little person you put to sleep at night. Keepin’ you and Maddie in my prayers.
I’m exhausted just by hearing about all you do…geesh!
How on earth did you get her to ride the carousel? My son screams the entire time. And he’s almost 6. A bit embarrassing. Looksl ike y’all had a great couple of weeks.
Thanks for the update, totally worth the wait!
I
LOVE
the
shirt!
Seriously! You look mahvelous!
Wow! What a great post. I love the fact that you two were “playing on the railroad tracks” — you’re cracking me up with that one! Also the pic w/you holding Maddie, you know, the one that you say you have nothing interesting to say about ~~ it’s one of the best. It looks like the two of you are just soaring thru the air as if to say “hey! look at us!”
Long story short, the two of you are extremely busy ~~ yowsa! Loving all your pics……
I still love reading your blog. Seriously. Maddy is so very photogenic. I love it. The pink converse are precious, too!
Love, Mere
Madeline is so lovely. She look so much like her mother! It looks like you had a good time. I love the tat. Awesome.
Maddy gets cuter with every new picture. You guys have the best little adventures.
Would love to see some pictures of Madeline in places where you’ve taken pictures of Liz to compare. To see if they both looked at something the same way, expressions, stance? Would be curious to see.
Gorgeous Madeline! Wonderful father! The best!
haven’t been here in a while…loved catching up. your photos are amazing. maddy is beautiful!
Next time you travel to Cincinnati, give a heads up…I was in downtown Cincinnati with my daughter/son ( 6 and 2) the same day you were there…been following your blog long enough…would love to just say hey!
Too bad you missed out on the Newport (KY) Aquarium…There is a fantastic Mediterranean/Middle Eastern restaurant called Cafe’ Istanbul there at the Newport Levee (same place as the aquarium)…if you’re ever in town again, I highly recommend it. Something tells me you’d be a huge fan of Hofbrauhaus (Ginormous beers, really loud, and dancing on tables) 
We can be just as fun as LA! 
Wow, what a busy few weeks you two have had! Love the new tattoo! Maddy will be walking so quick, you better have that coffee table cleared off! I think that it is so funny that a fellow tweet found you at a concert. I am headed out to LA in September for Gina Lee’s photo workshop, so we should get together for lunch or dinner or something!
Thanks for the catch up! Loving the new tat!
Love the font! Thanks for sharing all of the wonderful pictures. I’m glad you’ve been busy with Maddy! XO Take care of yourself and Miss Maddy, and enjoy every minute of every day you get to spend with Maddy!
Matt,
Maddy is perfectly precious!! It is pure joy to watch her grow and become her own little person. Thanks for sharing her!
I’ve always heard the expression, “Takers eat well, but Givers sleep well”. You are such a natural giver my hope is that you are sleeping better these days.
(( )) Hugs -
Wow, busy busy! Happy belated Mothers Day to Liz. Im sure she was smiling down that day watching Maddie walking around.
Keep it up Daddy… You are doing an amazing job!
Just beautiful!
OMG Maddy is getting so big. I love reading about your adventures and am so impressed with the parent you have become.
It totally cracks me up that Maddy can sleep basically anywhere! She is a super star!
Thanks for the update and great photos! Any plans to come to Cleveland, let me know!
what can I say other than she is one of the most precious and adorable children I have ever seen, and you and she are incredibly blessed to have each other.
I have loved watching her grow up over the last year and plan to continue to do so as long as you have this blog.
Sending hugs and cuddles from our family of 6 in NC….
the video was a masterpiece! how awesome to have those precious moments with you and Madeline. one of my favorite posts.
if that tattoo don’t say it all. wow. truly inspiring despite circumstance.
all the best to come!
Thanks for the update! I love Maddy’s little pink shoes. Nothing so sweet and girl where I live:)
Luv the ink!! SLOW down! life is gonna pass you buy so much faster than you ever fucking thought possible- SLOW it down guy and enjoy a moment at home
I say that cause while I lived in California I found the speed too fast and love living in itty bitty place I live now! I love home…
Hold onto the thoughts of Liz… 6 years later I still think of my jeff- all the TIME!
I was seriously LMAO when I saw you in the Pamper’s shirt. I wish my little ones could go to sleep anywhere llike Maddie. Does she even cry first? Or just pass out? BTW she looks scared shitless on that merry-go-round. I am glad you can stay so busy.
The pictures of you with the Pampers t-shirt made me laugh so hard that I started to choke. It was great to read an update on your crazy-busy lives.
You have definitely been busy. And that tattoo…great. Getting inked can sometimes be quite cathartic. I hope that you got to experience that a little bit. I might just be inspired to get another…
awesome post! I have a daughter that is a few months younger than yours and see my daughter do the same things. I loved the part where your daughter is shaking her head on the train. My daughter is into shaking her head alot now too.
You are doing an awesome job raising your daughter.
Your wife would be proud.
She is SO close to walking! How exciting! Wait till she can run! Then the fun begins. Or does it begin when they learn to climb stuff? hahaha She is as cute as ever! Glad to hear you got some adult time in with a few drinks. A parent can always use that!
OH I almost forgot to say, that Pampers shirt, SO you!
lol (j/k of course!)
Glad you guys have been having such a good time! I’m so sorry you can’t share it with the one person who is most important. Hope you guys have another great week-end!
I love the tattoo but at the rate you’re going you will be covered by the time Maddy starts school!
You guys are so lucky, always doing amazing things I always wonder when you get to have time for the ordinary boring things that everyone else does, like washing?!
I bought “Rattled” for Mother’s day gifts. I love hearing about what you guys are up to. I didn’t know Liz, but from what I gather, I’m sure she’s smiling upon you and proud of the father you have been.
Thank you for sharing your weeks with us. It helps me to be grateful for everything I’ve been blessed with.
That pampers shirt is the funniest damn thing I’ve seen in weeks. I’ve not laughed that hard in a while. Thank you!
Hey Matt,
I haven’t checked in with you since those early days, and yours certainly has been a full year. It’s nice to watch your process.
I found out about a widows conference in San Diego in July, and it would be great to meet you (or any of the other young widows out there!) there if you’re interested.
http://www.sslf.org/
The line that convinced me to go was: “Saturday morning will begin with a gathering unlike any you have ever attended. Standing shoulder to shoulder with widows of all ages, creeds, and circumstances we will come together to celebrate our strength, our love, and to discover our passion.”
Thanks for sharing. I love the video of Maddy falling asleep with the bottle. She just wouldn’t give it up.
I have to say the Pampers t-shirt really flatters your figure. Ha. Cool ink, even though the sentiment behind it is painful.
@melodie
i am speaking at the conference…
http://www.sslf.org/c_speakers.html
and many widows that read my blog will be in attendance.
hope to see you there.
m.
Maddy is so very lucky to have you Matt. She will have the most well documented childhood ever! I am so very thankful to be able to watch her grow.
Wow….sounds like you guys have a had a fun-filled and busy few weeks!! I LOVE the new tatoo Matt….very fitting indeed!! And the video Lauren made of your Mother’s Day with Maddie brought tears to my eyes….thinking of you guys and what “should” have been, but is not!! What a beautiful video. Looks like you guys had a very special day!! I can’t believe how big Maddie is getting…she will be running around in no time….then you are in trouble!!
My 17 month old daughter just figured out the whole mobility thing and now never stops!!
Shannon, Alex and Caitlyn
British Columbia
You’ve been really busy! I can’t believe how grown up Maddy is looks. I could not stop laughing when I saw the picture of you in the Pampers shirt!
Squinted for awhile. Should have gone to the last pic to read your tat.
Good. Good stuff.
Plus, there’s the Dodger’s Hat.
Beautiful pics, as usual.
That Pampers shirt was AWESOME! I LOL’ed really loudly.
thank you for your wonderfully inspiring blog. Not just because of the tragedy you are coping with. Sometimes parenting/working/life etc is just about rushing around all the time. Like you have to remind yourself to make eye contact when you speak. Yet here you are, a single parent et al managing to ‘be present’.
I saw all these pictures on Flickr. Thank you for posting the story that goes along with them. Maddy is so well-traveled and adventurous already! And to think, because we are in a digital photo age, she will have OODLES of photos documenting all of these wonderful memories for her. Pictures are worth more than a thousand words, they are a memory captured in time and Maddy is so very lucky to have hers.
i really suck for not looking at concert dates. i cannot BELIEVE i missed not one but TWOOOOO iron & wine shows
oh my god. as i was sitting here reading this entry i was youtubing a stream of iron&wine. i’m going to go cry now.
Fantastic- thanks for the update! Terrific pics taken by Lauren! I especially like the one you said you loved too. The one with you & Maddie together with her hand outstretched. There’s something about it. So serene, so telling, just wonderful really! Nice video as well on Mother’s Day. I know the day must have been difficult but as usual, looks like you made the best of it.
Keep climbing Matt, you are so good for Madeline by showing her so much of the world.
What a great post. You look good in the pampers t shirt.
Loved the video maddy is such a big girl now.
Great post, thanks for sharing. Looks like you guys have had a lot of fun lately. You both deserve it. Does Maddy ever have stranger anxiety? She seems so easy going and happy all the time. It’s wonderful to see. Love the new tatoo and the pampers Tshirt! I’ve also been wondering why you call your mom grandma broccoli… Keep taking good care of that wonderful baby.
Matt – the new ink is great, but the reason why continues to not be. I cant imagine how you feel each day, but I have to say that I continue to be proud of all you’re doing and doing for madeline.
AND I love lauren’s video.
Hey Matt,
be careful!!!
Awesome stuff. One of my co-workers, a first time reader of your blog, says Maddie is so cute that he could be tempted to kidnap her
First off – the Pamper’s Tee picture is hilarious. Very flattering on you! I almost spit out my coffee when I saw that!
Love the video – Lauren is so talented! One of my fave parts is where you let go of Maddy & she is standing on her own. She’s so wobbly – it’s adorable!
Love the new tattoo…
Maddy is so lucky to have you. She will look back on all of your adventures and be so thankful at the way you handled all the events in your life. Thanks for sharing your life with us. What an awesome dad you are!!! Liz is looking down from Heaven smiling
You’re doing great with all you have to deal with. I hear you on the diapers. Someone gave us some other name brand and they were horrible. If only Pampers had offered us a lifetime supply.
So sorry about your mixed feelings on continuing to move ahead. I feel the same way and have been struggling with it a lot lately. I hope you won’t see this as turning it all toward me…I comment here and read your posts because even if it goes unread or never sees the light of day anywhere, I feel like we’re going through some of the same struggles since we’re in very similar circumstances and that I have a kindred spirit in that with you. In a way, I think that although people get it to a certain extent, unless you’ve been through the same thing (having a new baby at exactly the same time as losing your best friend/spouse/co-parent), it will always be different.
Good times! Looks like you two are staying busy and doing well.
Maddy had me cracking up, as she struggled to hang on to that bottle! How long would that go on for, I wonder? Don’t take her ability to pass out whenever/wherever for granted…I wish my little guy could do the same.
I’m so glad you posted again. I check every day! Love to read about your new adventures with your precious baby girl. You are an awesome dad! I enjoy your blog so much.
Oh, wow. Just watched Lauren’s video. Beautiful…Matt, I can tell that Maddy is such a happy baby. Just wanted to let you know that you’re doing a great job with her.
Matt, I love, love, love every update that you ever write. That little girl is so incredibly, deeply blessed. I’m close with my dad, and I just look forward to what a wonderful relationship the future holds for the two of you. These years when she is young are beautiful and priceless, of course, but the future ones will be just as amazing as you grow, travel, and overcome obstacles together.
Also, this is unrelated and perhaps a little strange to hear from a total stranger, but I wanted to say thank you for something. I just returned from a fabulous vacation overseas, one that I almost didn’t take because it just didn’t seem like the right time. And the day I was thinking that, I read a new blog post of yours and started thinking about how you and Liz (and now you and Maddy) have such a “seize the day” mentality about taking adventures and risks and seeing the world. It finished off my doubts and sent me to Orbitz to book my flight. Again, maybe a little strange to hear that you’re inspiring people not just to be better parents and people but world travelers as well, but there you have it!!!
Keep loving that gorgeous girl with all you have … every picture shows how much she feels your love for her.
Wow I am exhausted reading about all the new friends you meet in a 24 hour time period. As M gets older, she will learn to play by herself and that is an important part of any child’s development. You will want her to be able to play dolls in her room for a few hours and play pretend, and talk to herself. Those hours you will treasure so you can get things done in the house and in your office. Those moments are very dear and you will find yourself someday listening to her pretending she is a “mommy”! Just make sure she gets down time in your home….You have had me nervous all week about her tattoo! I kept thinking, no he didn’t have that done, but who knows maybe it was done when she was asleep. As we know she can sleep anywhere and through anything….Keep those new posts coming…U rock -
Nooooo….you were in Cincy and I was just an hour and a half away in Columbus???? Arrrgh….
I loved seeing Maddy walk with her toy thing. That is the cutest thing ever. Get ready, Dad…you are about to get more exercise than you ever imagined when she’s walking freely. You’ll be chasing The Divine Miss M. all over the house, all the time!
Love the video!!! I was so much looking forward to a new post and this was worth the wait! You are so great to Maddy, you can see and almost feel it, she is so so happy around you, you have done such a great job!!! Your new tattoo is so so powerful, it hurts…
Take care, hugs
I love the video of Maddy falling asleep with her bottle. So sweet!
You are doing an amazing job, Matt. Truly.
And I bet when Maddy’s older she’ll decide to get her own tattoo to honor her mom. My girls (3 of them, 24, 21 & 21) did. We all got them together to honor my husband, who had died 6 months earlier (18 months ago now).
So I love the tattoo …… as will Maddy ….. as does Liz.
Thanks for sharing your life.
Janine
Gotta tell ya, you totally ROCK the bedazzled Pampers tee. ;0) It’s perfect for an afternoon in the park with Maddy or an evening spent at a concert. LOL Takes one helluva man to not only put that shirt on, but model it for the interwebs. As usual, Maddy’s beauty captivates me. I love the videos and pics. Oh! And the tat??? Yeah, that’s very very cool Matt. I love it. Hope you guys have a wonderful weekend! TGIF.
Promise us you will wear your bejeweled Pampers T-shirt out in public and take pics! That is just too damn fabulous for words!
Wow, that video was absolutely gorgeous! The song was perfect, and damn if Maddy can’t light up the screen! She’s truly gorgeous, Matt, but more importantly, that girl is HAPPY! When you’re having a bad day, hour, minute, just look at your girl and see how HAPPY she is…her huge smiles are a testament to what a fantastic job you are doing!
P.S. Love the new tattoo; it’s perfect….and truly gutwrenching.
Great Tat.
Wonderful adventrues.
Great vids.
Yup, short & to the point… great post. Missed you guys. Glad to see you are doing well.
There is notyhing wrong with Zeppelin… let people infer what they do.. People think my tattoo is a goat and it’s not. It’s a translation of my name in Mayan heiroglyphics. So, at least people don’t say… “look at that tat! It looks like a goat”.
Second, if you are ever in the San Fernando valley, Yoni Tattoo on Ventura is well priced and awesome… for script, Bobby is the man. For color work, the lady is awesome.
Damn, that photo pf you in the Pampers shirt made me snort coffee out my nose.
Maddie is getting so big, she looks like the best little girl. Thanks for sharing…rad tat, BTW.
I have been peeping in on your lives for a few months. Wow – I am totally in awe at what a wonderful dad you. My little girls have this amazing relationship with their daddy for only a couple hours a day. To see Maddie and you together everyday brings tears to my eyes, something about a daddy and his little girl! Your doing a wonderful job, Liz would be amazed and proud (as most mothers are of you!!!)
Wish i would’ve known Maddy was making a trip to the aquarium here in KY. My SIL works there and could’ve gottten a behind the scenes look at the penguins for them, oh well. If you come back this way let me know! Hope you had a good time in the Cincy!
the update was great, you have yet to slow down on this journey and I applaud you- I swear Maddie gets more beautiful each post. (and yep, I thought that was you on stage the the guitar at first and you could def be related to the band dude!) Smiles and hugs to you both!
Seriously…love your pics, love the video, love your tat!!! I check your blog everyday and have read every one of your postings. I’ve never met you, but I feel like I know you…I laugh with you and cry with you. You’ve given me a great appreciation for my child and my husband! Thank you so much for sharing your life with me (us)! You’re the greatest!
You guys have been so busy!! You always look like you are having such a great time together too! I love to read about all of your adventures! Maddy is so lucky to have such a cool dad that loves to take her everywhere. I love that you want her to experience everything even as young as she is. She will definitely cherish all of the pictures that you have taken. So, when are you coming to Texas?
She seems to have had more adventures and excitement in her 1+ year of life than I’ve had in my 30+ years. I’m so glad she gets to the reap the benefits of having such a cool, loving father.
I nearly spit my drink out when I saw the picture of you in the studded Pampers fitted T-Shirt…. love it !!! Maddy is growing up so quick…. the pictures are great !!
LoL! Love your new Pampers “Bling” tee. That is awesome! The new tattoo is awesome as well. It looks great and of course says it all. Glad you guys had fun at Disneyland. We are going to have to make a trip there. Anna would love it. We loved the swing video! Nothing better than a baby laughing. Great update!
Maddy is so beautiful!
The tattoo is effing GREAT. Love it. Such a nice, long detailed update, just what I needed, I was having Matt and Maddy withdraw all week. Also, the pampers tee pic makes me think you are the funnest-dad-eVeR.
Laughed hysterically at the pic of you in your Pampers shirt…laughed out loud laugh. LOVE Iron & Wine…got to hear them with Swell Season. New reader here BUT I am hooked already, your little girl’s eyes are gorgeous and you seem like such a strong, REAL(as in honest and true to your feelings), man. Thank you.
The shirt suits you, you should have given one to Sam Beam. He’s an absolute hero of mine.
The tattoo is spot on too.
You never cease to amaze me … I know you probably don’t feel like it (nor want the attention), but you’re Father Of The Decade. The richness of experiences you’ve created is mind blowing. Thank you for always inspiring.
This is the first time i have read your blog and been introduced to your story. my son Gaston will be a year old next month and it has been the hardest and easiest and best year of my life. I cant imagine doing it alone. But from what i can already see from your words is that you were never alone. what a blessing friends can be. Thank you for sharing your life with all of us.
All my very best,
Beth Thrift
My goodness, what a small world after all! (sorry, couldn’t resist) Mady’s photo on Fountain Square (downtown Cinci) caught my eye a while back. Reading your entry today floored me! You see, my husband works for P&G … and designs Pampers! You probably met him, and he didn’t even tell me. Sheesh! He thinks my “blogfriends” are imaginary, and always tramples on my idea to have a blog of my own. He doesn’t understand, Matt. I should have had you talk to him! ;o)
I hope your visit went well. Although, the next time you’re on this side of the country, call me! You and Mady can have dinner with us, too!
Have another great, no one gets in trouble or locked in a car, kind of day!
~Michelle
micheller@cinci.rr.com
Each time I read your blog I keep thinking it more and more: you are doing SUCH a good job, Matt. Kiddie tattoos and all. Though what would it take for you to wear the Pampers tee for a week?? I smell blog contest…
I couldn’t stop laughing when I saw you in that Pampers shirt. Maddy, of course, is as beautiful as ever (her hair is getting so long)! I loved the video! Looks like you’ve been very busy!
Dammit your boobs look bigger in that shirt than mine do. SO unfair.
(It was really nice to hang out with you! I had the hangover to prove it.)
We just got a pack exactly like that and LOVE it. Even I, the “weaker” sex can use it to carry our 35 pound son and it acts as a pretty good saddle bag reducer.
Love follow you and your sweet baby.
I lost it when I saw that picture of you in the Pampers shirt. I don’t know why, but that is one of the funniest things that I’ve seen in days.
i love jellyfish – like opalescent terrestrials.
:*) mo from LA – http://www.dailythoughtsicle.com
be thankful and grateful everyday Matt, that she is healthy…that surely is a bonus for you…tons of single parents (same scenario as yours) out there but their kid(baby) is not healthy.
have you noticed that when Maddie sits on the ground, one leg is always behind her, almost like she is well prepared to crawl away….funny!
awesome, once again, matt.
take care
great video from your friend.
it really exudes happiness, which i love to see from you two.
i really like the tattoo, also.
says it all, doesn’t it?
love her pink chucks. my lil guy has the navy ones. but looks like she doesn’t undo her laces like my troublemaker.
love the pampers shirt! HA! awesome you get free diapers! what a nice thing! are you signed up for their gifts to grow? i just realized this one year into buying diapers, so i haven’t been logging my codes online. oh well…
if you come to nashville anytime soon, maddie has a buddy her age. he was giggling when i played the video of her swinging.
I literally laughed out loud when I saw you in the Pampers t-shirt! Hilarious!! I know you hear it all the time, but Maddy is a beauty..just like her mama!
I noticed u aren’t wearing your wedding ring anymore. Just curious to hear how you got to the point of taking it off??
I will offer my babysitting service to you any time as well, I live just up in Thousand Oaks! I am a sucker for little girls, especially amazingly cute ones like Maddy
Love the pampers t-shirt. Laughed out loud!! My boss wondered what was so funny??
Absolutely loved Lauren’s video footage. I would like to know the title and singer of the music in the video.
Maddy gorgeous as usual!
Happy Belated Mother’s Day
@Lauren
they are still on. liz’s rings are still on my left pinkie, my ring was moved over to my right ring finger while i was in mexico. no reason. it was just time.
@Sharon
iron & wine – “love and some verses”
I cannot believe how big Maddy is getting! I love your new tattoo by the way. You rock, as always..
Matt, that Pampers shirt made me laugh out loud way too loud here at work. Had everyone looking at me. Thanks, I needed the laugh!
I laughed OUT LOUD over the Pampers shirt. Too cute. God. Nice to get a lifetime supply of diapers, though. And the whole Daddy-blogger angle is so smart of them.
Love the new tattoo. Heart-wrenching. Clever. It’s just plain cool.
video…awesome, tattoo…touching, Madeline…well, absolutely adorable…
matt, I don’t know how you do it. you were dealt a shitty hand and yet have managed to create such a wonderful life for you and your little princess. an true inspiration….
Thank you for sharing your life, and your beautiful daughter who is my little girl’s same age. You two are amazing.
hey – get my tattoos done there too! i go to jenn though. lovin it.
been reading for awhile now – we go to the same pediatrician’s office too – i recognize from the pics. lol.
Don’t know the reason why you are fliying to NYC on monday, but I know that good things happen to good people and you are ONE of them. Good luck on whatever the reason is for that trip, I’m just assuming it is something good and unexpected by the way you posted it. As always, I wish you and Maddy only the best. Hugs
video…awesome, tattoo…touching, Madeline…well, absolutely adorable…
matt, I don’t know how you do it. you were dealt a shitty hand and yet have managed to create such a wonderful life for you and your little princess. an true inspiration….
Love, love the video that Lauren made!! Miss Maddy is getting so big and more beautiful with every picture you take!! Will you be in MN anytime soon??? Hope so!
Hello there Matt & Madeline! I’ve been following your blog since I saw you on Oprah. My Mom passed away six weeks ago and reading your words has inspired me to push forward and be the best Mom I can be to my four month old son Charlie despite how shitty I feel. So, thank you, thank you, thank you.
You’re doing an amazing job with that beautiful girl of yours!
I love the tattoo, your blog, the Silver Jews, and the song… will you be getting the other line on your other arm: What is not but should have been?
I’m proud of you for… well, everything. Thank you so much for allowing us a glimpse into your life, I feel like you’ve made a huge impact on my life and wish I could do something for you in return.
I about peed my pants at the pampers shirt pic. That’s a good look for you, there, Matt. So glad you linked Melissa’s blog. I used to read it, but several laptop changes later (my husband is an electrical engineer, need I say more?), and the bookmark was lost and forgotten. So thanks for that. You’re gonna LOVE that baby backpack. I am a self professed baby carrier junkie, and am a backpack snob, so I know a good baby backpack.
Your blog always warms my heart to read, and makes me hug my boys a little tighter.
Matt, as always thank you for sharing with us. The pictures are awesome. The Pampers shirt is just not you:) You are so amazing…Take Care.
P.S.The Pampers shirt is just not you:)
You are amazing!St
1st time posting, though I have been reading since Rachel Ray.
The tatoo is great. I am in awe of how Madeline can sleep anywhere! How fabulous . . . I walk into my sons room (who is Maddy’s age) while he is deep in sleep and he sits up in his bed. What great adventures you two have. She is going to have so many fabulous memories, pictures and videos with her Dad.
I love reading your updates. You guys are always in my thoughts. That video by Lauren was beautiful! Anytime I see you walking off with your back pack pushing your gorgeous daughter in her stroller I get a little misty-eyed. I don’t know what it is about that image.. The video that Gina (I think that was her name) the photographer that took photos for Maddy’s birthday, also had an image of you walking off with your baby and back pack. It makes me feel nostalgic. And now you must think I am crazy, haha..
You guys are awesome! I am glad there is normalcy in your life (somewhat) and am sooo glad that you can continue to smile.
OH yeah, you in that Pampers t-shirt = Hysterical!
pampers tshirt made me giggle
lauren’s video made me a little teary
thanks for the great update
As always, good pics, and I like the new tat. They really are kind of addicting. I love all the pics, as always, Miss Maddy is getting so big, it’s amazing how much she looks like her momma
(i’m sure that never gets old) You always do the funnest things. (I’m originally about 2 hours from Cumberland Caverns and never been)
And what’s the big news about NY?? Maybe another TV show?
So what’s the big news for New York? Another tv show, perhaps?
Maddie is gorgeous… I think she looks so much like her mother.
Love the pampers shirt! Your habit of saying “yes” to everything is a wonderful trait to pass on to Maddy. She’s sure to become an adventurous little girl! You’ll have your hands full and always be having fun. And you and that dude need a DNA test, he’s totally your brother.
We love you guys. You have taught me not to take spouse for granted. Love more, appreciate more.
Thank you Matt, Maddy, and Liz
I can’t believe how much Maddy looks like her mom in the one picture of her in the backpack (bottle of water right next to her). On June 7th it will be two years for me…. Life still sucks, but slowly joy is coming back in. Keep on keeping on.
I just found you through Christine’s blog (should I call her Chris?). Your story is so inspiring – and your strength and truth for your daughter is heartwarming.
I saw you guys at Christine’s book signing in Redondo Beach – you have an adorable daughter with some BEAUTIFUL eyes! I loved watching her and “JD” interact with each other – they were so cute! They are wonderful together!
You guys seem to go on the best adventures by the way! Great pick on the aquarium – you should try the zoo. Her amazement at the giraffes will totally be worth it and she’ll love petting the goats and it’s in the middle of Griffith park so you can always drive down the road to go see the horses (also awesome for someone her age!) or stop at the playground.
P.S. Is that park with the trains in the pictures in Lomita – I think I’ve been there!
Matt: You sure know how to keep yourself busy. Love your Pamper Shirt you wear it well. And your tattoo is awesome. At first I thought Maddy’s was real.
Ok I was reading some of your “what I am doing now post” and noticed that you and Maddy are off to New York on Monday. Are you going to be on Regis and Kelly? I know it is something good because your post below it says why are things working out so good? Remember Good things come to good people!!!
Have a great time in New York and try to stop in Chicago again.
Rosann
P.S. Only a couple more weeks until Sophia’s First Birthday (June 13th)
the train photos are priceless! And, if my children could have slept anywhere when they were little, my mothering back then would have been alot easier. Love the L.A. areas in this post. Having grown up there, it’s all familiar. Griffith Park…where I had my first (thought it was gross) kiss ever with tongue when I was 17.
You have me a good laugh with the pampers tee! I love the new tattoo, & as always adore the pics! Maddie is soo beautiful and despite the tradegy, you are giving her a wonderful life!
I absolutely loved the video that Lauren made! So nice of her!! Its so awesome to have so many love you and maddy~
The way your post started “(trying to get caught up here, so this is gonna be a long one)…”
Made me happy, I love reading your Blog…especially the long ones. Your words are so beautiful as well as your pics, you are so creative and poetic in your post! (I hope you know that) I laughed out loud as well as my hubby when we saw you in the pampers shirt…hehehehe~
Thanks for the “long” post….we love to catch up on Matt and Maddy’s Days!
She is almost walking!! Yayyyyy!!
I am not a tat person but like yours and the meaning behind it.
Great post! I don’t mind the length at all and I love all the pictures. You have the best adventures with your daughter. You are truly out there living and that is wonderful to read about.
The pics of you in the Pampers t-shirt totally made me laugh out loud! Hannah loves watching the Maddy videos, and always looks around the back of the laptop to see if she’s there to play with. You’re an amazing father, and you really inspire me to be the best mum to Hannah that I can be, and to cherish every moment as it happens – good or bad. You’ve even forced me (well, not forced really) into spending copious amounts of money on new camera equipment to properly document her life for her, and for her family who are too far away to see her regularly. So, thank you!
I think Maddy has been on more adventures than I have, and I’m 32. Love the tattoo, Matt. And I’m still cracking up at you in the Pampers bling shirt. Seriously.
Maddy alway has the cutest clothes. I’m curious, do you pick them out or are the mostly gifts? Not meant to be an insult on your clothing choices, just curious.
She is the sleeping queen.
dude, you rock the pampers shirt!! i seriously LOL’d at work. i noticed you moved your ring. how do you feel about it being on your right hand? the lil cutie pie is almost walking!! and all that hair she has!! you’re gonna need to put her hair in ponys and clippies soon!!
Thought of you guys this afternoon…went to Yankee Stadium and saw an AWSOME game between the Twins and the Yanks.
Sorry…hit submit before I could correct my spelling mistake…I meant “Awesome”!!!l Anyway, your baby is beautiful..like your tatoo though it makes me a little sad…wishing you peace.
Ahh, I chuckled at the part where she perfected the mommy-stance on the toes, so stinkin’ cute, that Maddy – probably just as cute as when mommy did it.
I just discovered Iron and Wine yesterday, they opened for Flight of the Conchords. Beautiful stuff. Be well Matt and Madeline.
You guys have been really busy!!! Love the pictures! Jonathan loves trains! He’d love that train ride!!!!!
What is not but could have been…. not sure I understand it.
Do you mean: It is what it is, not what it could have been? Or, do you mean to say: It is (what its not but could have been).
Either way, what could have beens are a way of not living in the present. But you seem to be doing an incredibly good job of staying in the present. I’m proud of you.
I just found your blog through a friend who was also at the Pampers Mommy Blogger thingy in Cincinnati. I don’t know if you read all of the comments here, but I’m hoping that you do, as time permits. I noticed in the video of Madeline walking that her right foot appears to toe in a bit. My daughter had something similar which we discovered at 8 months of age (internal tibial torsion with metatarsus adductus). She was seen by a pediatric orthopedist and treated with casts to turn her foot outward. (this was 20 years ago, so the treatment may be different now). I don’t want to sound like an alarmist, but I would take note of it and possibly bring it up to your pediatrician.
Iron and wine is fantastic! I love Boy with the coin!
sounds like good days with thoughtful moments.
crustymom
Love the adventures you share together! Been stalking for a while and decided to leave my first comment! Love the tshirt by the way, you wear it well! LOL!
I came across your blog while surfing the web a while ago. I love it. It makes me laugh. It makes me cry, It gives me hope.
You and Madeline are often in my thoughts and always in my prayers.
Keep on keepin’ on!!
Very cute shoes and poses! Wish my babe would pose lol (I just get the back or side of her head!) I bet that was fun to learn about diapers……
Your story is awe inspiring, heroic, and bittersweet. Your daughter is breathtaking, and my heart aches of the pain of losing your wife. My father recently passed before christmas, so i really think this is an amazing idea that you are keeping this website for your daughter.
i wish you both the bestt<3
i need 9062616 pairs of baby converse.. they’re adorable. Love it. and the tattoo is very fitting.
You look pretty hot in that Pampers shirt! Just sayin’….
This is my first comment on your blog. I’ve spent the better part of the last few weeks reading from the beginning. I found you via Twitter shortly after Maddie Spohr passed away. My heart breaks for your loss, but I think you’re doing an amazing job as Madelyn’s daddy. She is an amazingly beautiful girl, with an enviable wardrobe!!
Your photography inspires me. It is truly amazing, and I look forward to each and every shot. I long for a wide angle lens now, so thanks for that
You look fabulous bejeweled! Love the sparkly Pampers shirt. The video of M falling sleep while chugging her bottle is priceless!
Hi Matt,
I’ve just recently found your blog, and wanted to tell you how beautiful you daughter is and how sad I am that you lost your Liz. I have a little boy who’s just 11 months and it’s been a brilliant but tough year and that’s with my husband! Who know those babies would be such hard work
!
So just wanted to drop you a line to say I think you are doing a fantastic job and that your blog is hard but lovely reading. I have tears in my eyes almost every post. It looks like you and Maddie have lots of joy in your lives despite everything.
Take care,
M (from Ireland)
HI Matt,
I have been following you for the past 7 months, but have never left a comment. I just wanted to say how lucky Maddie is to have a daddy like you. Liz would be so proud of you! I am so sorry you have take this journey without your best friend, but you are doing it so well. Thank you so much for sharing your life with us. I have learned so much through your story. Your new tattoo says it all, and I can’t even imagine.
Does everyone say that Maddie looks just like Liz?
I am so glad you have your little girl:)
LOVE the pampers t-shirt!!! You SPARKLE!!!! I literally laughed out loud when I saw that pic. Can’t believe Maddy is almost walking, put it off as long as possible! after a few days of walking she’ll want to run…and that’s exhausting for us(the parents) not them, how unfair is that?!
It’s been over a year of reading your blog and I still look forward to the next entry. You’re addicting!
Life is good for you, enjoy every second. I love reading your blogs your strength is amazing and it shows in your daughters beautiful eyes. love reading about your life in CA, so much to do, if you ever want some good slow fun come see us in Kansas!!
awesome tattoo! Love the font you chose too!
And you in the pampers shirt is killin me!
As a server I LOVE your compensation plan!! Love reading of your adventures but with as busy as you are I am suprised that you don’t fall asleep in weird places like your daughter.
Busy busy bees, no doubt about it. Always great to hear about your adventures. Glad that you are busy but still taking time to feel the things you need to feel.
I have been reading your blog for a few months now and I would just like to say Maddy is beautiful. I like the video that Lauren put together but something in it caught my eye. It was a position Maddy sat in (59 seconds) and that she seems pigeon toed. I sat like that a lot when I was little and it directly contributed to me being pigeon toed. I wasn’t severely pigeon toed but my parents did take me to an orthopedic surgeon when I was about 2. I grew out of it because my parents stopped me from sitting like that. Good Luck
I love your videos in this post> They are just great. The one of Maddy sleeping and drinking her bottle is so funny! She seems to be able to sleep anywhere. A unique talent!
Dude, I am exhausted, that post was a whirlwind of activity. Madeline is dressed superbly well all the time. My husband dresses Vida better than I dress her. Vida just started walking last week. I am sure you have a ton of friends IRL and in blog world. I don’t think there are enough ‘dad’ gatherings. Would love to get something started.
What is it with us early 30-something widows/widowers and tattoos? I really, really, really wanted to get another one after Charley died but for some supposedly logical reason I told myself I should wait. (I think it was because I was planning to get pregnant again via the fertility clinic and I didn’t want some one-year-wait-after-tattoos bullshit to come into question, so I postponed.) And here it is, almost 4 years later, and I *still* haven’t gotten the damned thing. I’m falling too far behind you and Jackie, apparently. ;o) But seriously, love the new tat. And you’re absolutely right what you wrote at the end and engraved in your tat. On so many levels, you’re absolutely right. This summer, I swear to gawd, I’m finally getting that tattoo. Guess I should get cracking on thinking up what I want.
Glad to see you’re still surviving….
Hugs,
Candice
Hey Matt! cool the new tat.. loved the photo of Maddie standing on her toes in ultra fashionable pink converse sneakers.. she is adorable! hope you have a great day..
I love all the pictures, thanks for sharing
Life is hard. You only get one shot. Respect the past but don’t live in it. Move on with your life your sake and Maddy’s. Allow yourself to live and love again for both of you.
thank you for always sharing your adventures with us. i love when bloggers get honest about feelings. what an odd thing, to bare all publically. but it’s what really connects us all. in the nudity, not behind walls.
cheers – mo of dailythoughtsicle.com
I just stumbled accross your blog…I think I heard about you on Oprah…maybe. Not really sure! Out of all the sadness…you are an amazing father! Maddie is a lucky little girl!!
Great post. Lauren’s video was amazing…just beautiful!
Christine D.
You’re exactly right.
These companies are missing a trick and they have a lot to learn in treating Dads as responsible carers rather than vaguely weird anomalies. I mean, every child has a Dad, at least originally (right?) and as you say many of them (not just us) actually buy nappies.
Full marks to the Pampers exec for realising so belatedly during the presentations, but it should have been obvious already, not least since you were on the attendance list.
And honestly, it should have been blindingly obvious long before then — after all, you can see guys buying huge boxes of nappies in Tesco’s every week. The most basic market research in the world would show companies this stuff already. Rather than a light-hearted but understandable slip of the tongue, I think those unjustified assumptions reveal so much about the comfortable but unrealistic preconceptions in child-oriented companies and in society as a whole.
Something’s gotta change.
What is not but could have been — yes, that’s so profound, and so exquisitely hard to bear. In a way, the presence of the tattoo is a confirmation of those words which are indeliby written right through your being from top to bottom, just like a stick of (candy) rock at the seaside.
The question it really asks is how can you survive with that thought, and neutralise the regret and bitterness it holds?
I think the answer lies in recognising and enjoying the wonders of the dreams that might have unfolded. You absorb them, you write them on your skin.
And then you carry on — because there’s just no choice. I know you’re onto that already — as is clear from everything you do.
Best wishes from the London, and spirits up.
Great blog Matt. Best wishes to you and your daughter.
Look what I came across today. I’m a long time reader that has commented once.
http://www.cnn.com/2009/LIVING/personal/05/19/oprah.unforgettable.dad/index.html
matt, i just started reading your blog today and i just wanted to say that your story brought tears to my eyes and that you and madeline are absolutely adoooooorable.
I found your blog today and started at the beginning of your story. I decided to skip ahead a bit (I always liked to “ruin” my books that way as a child) and I wanted to tell you that you look absolutely wonderful and I can tell that you’ve come so far and grown in ways probably unimaginable to you (not to mention physically – which is great) You’re truly inspirational and I will always hold you & little Maddy in my heart even though we’ve never met.
The picture of Maddy on your shoulders and resting her head on your head…. LOVE IT! And her little pink “rubber bumpers” shoes? So frickin’ cute!
That is hillarious!
Want to know what is even funnier? I tried to access your page from my work computer and it came up as “blocked content”. Reason? “porn”. I have no idea why it was blocked as that… but it is funny none the less.
PS I was trying to post on TODAY’S topic… still at work and it redirected me to this page.
That has to be the most beautiful video EVER created! Matt, you are an amazing father. I’m a new mother myself, and I think of how lucky Maddie is to have such a wonderful daddy and mommy all wrapped into one. Maddie truly is Liz’s spirit blossoming into new life.
I hope you enjoyed a wonderful mother’s day!
Glad you made it to the CVG! Aren’t you exhausted?
this has nothing to do with your post, but I saw this shirt and thought of you immediately, I think you better get it for Maddy.
http://www.robotcha-co.com/shopF8.html
I don’t think it would be entirely inappropriate to save the Pampers shirt for Maddy when she starts dating…
Matt of all the pics I have seen of Madeline, I think the one that has caught my attention the most of how MUCH she looks like Liz, is the one on here in the graffiti elevator holding the sesame street book. That look she has is so much like that of Liz, based on the pics I have seen of her. Your little girl is a doll for sure!
OMG! You in the Pampers shirt is hilarious! That’s some amazing traveling you’ve been doing.
Wow! Awesome pics. What a beautiful little girl you have. She is lucky to have a Dad like you to take her on all these adventures.
There is a girl in Arkansas having withdrawals for a new post
Dedicated she is!!!
I have just recently read ur posts,u are a strong man to deal with what has been put on ur plate!!! U seem to be an amazing and loving father!! Ur daughter is sooo lucky to have a father like u!!!
I love that quote.
Matt….Madeline looks just like Liz…especially sitting in “her” train….the one of her all alone!!!