may 18th – may 25th.
new york city.
maddy’s 5th trip
to the city.
20th trip overall.
(just realized that she is averaging more than one flight per month in her short lifetime. more amazing considering she didn’t take a trip for the first three months of her life).
we were there
to take care of
something kind of important.
(more about that soon…)
we got in late
on monday night.
maddy was great on
the flight, and we
were lucky enough
to have a seat
open next to us,
(note…the twitpics seem to have disappeared temporarily. they should be back soon.)
so we were both
able to get a
little bit of sleep.
we landed, got off
the plane and headed
to baggage claim
to pick up our luggage.
standing at the
carousel, i realized something
for the first time…
i can’t do this.
i mean, with the
previous 19 flights,
maddy was small enough
to fit into a
frontpack, which meant
that my arms were
free to pull, push,
carry everything
that i brought with us.
but now…
she’s gotten too
big for the frontpack.
i had a stroller,
but how do i push
a stroller and
pull two suitcases
while carrying a
camera bag and
a diaper bag?
well, i quickly tried
to teach maddy to
take her first
unaccompanied steps
in the hopes that she
would finally be able
to pull her weight,
but as i let
go of her hands,
her ass just
hit the ground.
fuck.
luggage carts…
yeah, that’s the
way to go.
but $5.00?
son of a bitch that’s
a lot of money
for a 3 minute rental.
i sucked it
up and paid the $5.00.
there was just no
other way as i
saw it.
our luggage arrived
and i got everything
on the cart,
including the now
folded-up stroller.
perfect plan…
or not.
what the hell do
i do with madeline?
well, i could try to
carry her with one
arm and use the
other arm to push
the cart.
two problems with
that totally rad plan.
1. the carts at jfk are the awesome safety carts that require the pusher to squeeze the handle to keep the wheels from locking up.
2. i am weak and unable to do this with one arm.
**brilliant solution**
maddy shall ride
on the cart,
atop the luggage.
so there she was,
talking away
in that loud, happy
screaming voice that
makes me laugh,
waving to her crowd
like a beauty queen
on a parade float.
as we approached the
double doors,
not more than 15
feet from the
baggage carousel,
it hit me…
the unmistakable smell
of a shitty diaper.
damn it!
her timing, as usual,
was impeccable.
just through the doors
on the left side
was the bathroom.
one problem…
the luggage cart
wouldn’t fit through
the door.
and thanks to
the paranoia associated with
an unattended bag or three
in middle of a
nyc airport,
i can’t just leave
the luggage cart outside
while i change
her diaper.
**brilliant solution**
i’ll do what i
always do…
improvise and
change her in public.
i pulled the luggage
cart over to the
side of the room,
laid her down
on top of the suitcases
and started the
diaper change.
i felt the looks
from the people waiting
to be picked up,
but i was
too focused on the
task at hand to
give a shit.
mid way through,
a guy wearing a
blue shirt with a
logo for the electrical
worker’s union,
tapped me on the
shoulder and says,
“uh, you know there’s a changing table in the bathroom, right?”
now…i didn’t have a
lot of time to explain
myself, so i just said,
“thanks.”
and then he said,
“but i’d do the same thing…that bathroom is disgusting and there is no way i would bring my little girl in there.”
…
on the cab ride
into the city i got
a message from
asking if i wanted
to grab a drink.
she happened to be
in nyc on business,
and she happened
to be from the
west coast
(of canada)
so like me,
she was still on
pacific time.
lucky for me
i was heading toward
a hotel with some
built in babysitters.
i had asked
liz’s
parents to meet me
in nyc to help
me take care of
maddy while i went
to some meetings
during the week.
i called them from
the cab and told
them of my plan,
and they were more
than thrilled to
spend the night with
maddy.
i met tom and candee
in the lobby,
got checked in,
dropped off my
luggage, gave maddy
two kisses and i
was out the door
and on my way
to some irish pub to
meet a new friend.
…
i found kristin at
the bar and over the
course of the next
few hours
(it seemed like minutes)
we talked
about a lot of things…
parenthood, advertising,
beer, accents and more.
soon it was 4:00am and
the bar was
closing whether we
liked it or not.
i said goodbye
to my new friend
and stumbled back
to my hotel.
…
four hours
later i was
out the door and
on my way to
a meeting.
the day was filled
with them.
maddy, tom and candee
joined us for
all of them,
which made things
that much better.
that night
my friend, eve
invited me to
a show at a
jazz club i’ve
been wanting to visit
for years.
but first, we
went to dinner
and were joined
i’ve gotten to
know over the
years via their music.
if that wasn’t
surreal enough,
joe said,
“i’ll introduce you to elvis after the show.”
umm…there are only
two elvi in the
world, and one
of them is dead,
so i knew what
that meant.
so off to the
village vanguard we went.
we listened to
a music legend
play the piano,
and watched our
dinner companions help
him through an
amazing set.
i drank pear brandy
the whole time
(wtf?).
and as promised,
joe introduced us
to the living elvis.
it was a night
that won’t soon be
topped, but it
wasn’t over yet.
i said goodbye to
eve and somehow
ended up at
a bar with my new
friend, kristin.
we talked for awhile
then were joined
by a whole
bunch of dudes
who wanted to
join in on
our conversation.
we spent the night
laughing and once
again, found ourselves
closing down
the bar.
we walked a
little ways
then said goodbye.
i wandered through
times square
and found my way
back to my hotel.
weird to be
in a room without
my maddy.
…
three hours
later i was
out the door and
on my way to
a meeting.
the day,
once again,
was filled
with them.
i got to go
into this building:
maddy and the
grandparents didn’t
join me
until much later
this day because
maddy was tired.
i missed her.
that night i joined
my friend, kate c.
for dinner before heading
back to my hotel
for a night
of actual sleep.
…
i got more than
four hours
of uninterrupted
sleep for the first
time in weeks
then i was off
to more meetings.
the day,
once again,
was filled
with them.
maddy and the
grandparents joined
me today.
by the end of
the day we were
all exhausted.
maddy joined me
in my room for
a few hours,
during which we
took the kind of
nap i used to
take in college.
it was the last
night in town
for tom and candee,
so they spent
some time
with their favorite
granddaughter while i
walked underground
with my friend, lauren.
we found ourselves
on a train
headed south.
we enjoyed dinner
and a little record shopping
after wandering around
for a bit,
and seeing some
people who looked
like i felt
we headed north
and said goodbye.
maddy spent one
final night
with her grandparents
while i spent
a few hours
watching baseball highlights,
and thinking about
liz.
…
at 7:00am i
knocked on
liz’s
parent’s hotel room door.
they were packed
and ready to head
back to the mn,
they weren’t, however,
ready to say
goodbye to madeline.
but they
had to catch their
flight and we
had a full weekend
of events planned
so we said goodbye
and went back
to our room
for a nap.
i only had one
meeting that day,
a phone call,
and maddy woke up
just as the call started.
she spent some
time hanging out
near the window
while i did
a whole lot of talking.
after my call
we took a
short walk and had
some pizza before
heading back
to the hotel
room for a nap.
after we both
got a bit of
sleep, it was
time to head to
the bar to meet
some friends
and strangers friends
for a few drinks.
quite a nice turn out.
saw some familiar
faces from the
previous outing
as well as a bunch
of new faces.
after drinks,
we joined up
with some
friends for dinner
at a thai restaurant
around the corner.
maddy threw ice cubes
on the floor
and i held my
head in my
hands, just waiting
for someone to slip
and fall.
something is happening
with this child…
she is getting older
and less interested
in allowing me
to have a quiet
dinner in a
public place.
the next few years
should be fun.
another early night
for us.
maddy passed out
while i did
a little reading.
…
the next morning
we woke up
and played for while.
and maddy showed
me just how
old she is.
she got up
with no assistance,
and stood in
place for 15 or so seconds
before dropping
to her ass
or falling backwards.
we played this
game for a very
long time
before heading out
the door for brunch.
we met up
with lauren, talia,
in brooklyn.
had some tea
and a great meal
while maddy squirmed
from person-to-person.
sarah barely got to
eat ’cause maddy
spent so much
time in her lap,
hiding from, and
finding her reflection
in the giant mirror
on the wall.
after lunch, maddy
took a long nap
with talia and kirstin
while i went
on a photo excursion
with melissa and lauren.
here are some of the
photos from our walk:
(and no, that was not my tag).
after the photo
excursion we
picked maddy up and
headed back toward
the city for dinner.
ate at one
of lauren’s favorite
restaurants, then took
a little walk
around the city.
maddy made some
new friends
and practiced walking,
smiling,
(the man in the chair behind her looks really unhappy)
and hanging upside down.
later we continued
our walk,
taking some photos
along the way.
we learned something
very important
then lauren took these:
eventually maddy got
tired, so we said
goodnight to our
friend and headed
back to our hotel.
….
sunday was another
day of walking
around and taking photos.
maddy looked like this
then she woke
up and got
sorta pissed.
and seconds later,
passed out again.
a few minutes later
she was asleep
again, and i thought it
would be funny to
bring her to the
middle of times square
to see if she
truly can sleep
through everything.
i guess she can.
then i decided i’d
take a short
nap with her.
later we jumped in
a taxi and headed
south, in search of
some rad graffiti
i saw from the
window of a
cab a few days earlier.
we found it:
we then took
a short walk over
to the water
and spent
a little time on
a pier.
we walked toward a
a park where
we learned about
one of the most
notorious killers in
the city:
then we went
down the slide
a few times.
it started to
rain so we
jumped in a taxi and
headed toward our hotel.
as maddy and i
got out of the
cab, we ran into
a couple of strangers friends
who happen to work
with a former
high school classmate of
liz.
what a small world.
they invited us
to join them and
some family members
for a glass of wine,
so of course we did.
we had an early
dinner that night
and we were asleep
before 10:00.
…
monday morning i
packed up our
things and we made our
way to the airport.
no empty seat next
to us this time,
so we had to
make due.
as squirmy as this
child has become,
i am really looking
forward to her second
birthday so that
i am forced to
buy her
her own seat.
soon enough we
were back in
los angeles,
back in our house.
it was one
hell of a whirl-wind trip.
so what happened
in the nyc?
a little bit of drinking.
a lot of meetings.
a lot of fun.
and very little sleep.
oh.
and something else.
i’ll tell you about
that next week.
…
and now, two public service announcments:
1. sunday is june 7th. please consider donating to the the liz logelin foundation’s 7 on the 7th campaign.
(disclaimer…you don’t necessarily have to donate $7 on the 7th. you could donate $23 on the 23rd, or $1 on the 1st or any amount any time you please. no amount is too small, and no amount is too big).
to date we’ve raised $20,000+ (!) but we hope to bring in a lot more in order to help families in similar situations.
(look for some more specific information about the our fundraising efforts in the coming weeks).
2. don’t forget to sign up for the soaring spirits loss foundation’s national conference on widowhood at the marriott hotel and marina in san diego, california – July 17-19, 2009. there’s a bunch of great events planned and you’ll be able to hear some distinguished folks (and me) speak about topics relevant to the widow/widower experience.
thanks…
m.
160 Comments
Awesome pictures! You’re such a tease. I was hoping to hear why y’all were in NYC!! Maddie looks adorable as always.
Just a little tip for having your hands free again…Maya Wrap. They are simple to use and you can carry her on your hip. I still use one with my two year old. They come is tons of different colors. I’m glad you guys had fun in the NYC. She gets more beautiful everyday! : )
you exhaust me.
Looking forward to hearing the announcements. Maddie has an amazing father! Liz is proud of you!
Hope all of those meetings went well, and can’t wait to hear whatever it is we’re going to hear next week!
Teasers- no fair!
Maddy has traveled more than I think I ever will in my lifetime! 
Sounds like an awesome trip! I love NYC and haven’t been there in forever! I hope to go again soon! Mady is growing up so wonderfully and its so exciting and humbling that you share it with us! I can’t wait to hear about the news!
Glad you guys had such a great time. Can’t wait to hear what’s been going on!
And I can’t stop laughing my ass off about the sleeping picture! So fricking funny!! I would have loved to listened to what people said about you lying there! Nice work!
tease….
I’m wondering if it’s a coincidence or not that The Pioneer Woman and you were both in NYC at the same time…and you both had meetings…interesting…
Now I am going to take a nap, that was exhausting. Can’t wait to hear the outcome from the NY trip. She is getting more beautiful by the day.
I have a toddler a few months older than Maddy. I had your same problem of wishing she could walk before she could (on her own) bc I couldn’t keep carrying her, and all of our stuff, everywhere. Now she can walk and it’s so freeing. I’ve never had to do an airport with mine, but it sounds like you handled it perfectly. What an amazing trip. I’m glad you got to hang with Maddy, see friends and drink!
that video is absolutely hilarious. it’s almost like the people walking by are expecting it to be a truth ad video shoot or something. “did smoking make this baby fall asleep?”
Wow I live in NJ and I think Maddy has seen more of NYC then I have… She is such a little traveler. God bless
elvi … awesome.
WOW what a trip! Maddy just keeps on getting more and more precious. I’m glad to hear she got to spend sometime with the grandparents. I really hope all your meetings went well and only positive and more great things came out of them. I was aleady missing you guys. Take care, hugs.
I love you both taking a nap! That’s halarious!! Can’t wait to hear the news you are keeping from us!
Wow, that’s a well-traveled (and beautiful) girl. Damn you for teasing us
!!! I want to know the news.
You two are quite a team. I love reading about your adventures. Kisses to that sweet little girl! Can’t wait to hear about what the meetings in NYC were all about. xo
Just a real fun post! I had no idea about the grass killers! Imagine that a blanket sits on the ground for what maybe 2 -3 hours…but when it goes on for 5 or 6 hours, man the damage is done! Love your sense of humor!
You love keeping us on the edge of our seats, don’t you? ;o) Sounds like another grand adventure for “Maddy and Daddy” and thanks for reminding me that the 7th is fast approaching. I will donate!
I have no children, no husband, not even a current significant other with which to relate anything your write about but your blog is the most inspiring and beautiful thing I have read in a long time. You and Maddy make a great team. Thanks for sharing.
Sounded like the best kinda fun!!! Fast and productive!! Can’t wait for you to share the news….
You should get the Ergo baby carrier- u can use it till she’s two- and wear it front or back- I love mine
I swear Matt….I dont know where you get your energy…Like Liz did, I need my sleep
You could always get a beco carrier (or even a mei tai) and do a front carry with her. I still use mine with my almost 2 year old! I love the pic of you two “sleeping” in time square. So cute!
I love that you laid down in the middle of Times Square! Awesome.
Can’t wait to hear whats in store for M&M!! You like to keep your readers in suspense!!! Glad you two had an awesome time in NYC, it’s a great city!! Wish we could have made it out there to meet you guys!! Maybe next time!! I love the pictures of you sleeping next to Maddy in Times Square!! You are too funny!!
Great post as usual~
So good you get a little time by yourself. You need it. Maddie needs some time without you too. Remember that and treat yourself well.
what a trip! reading exhausts me…but that’s the way it is when you land in NYC… fast fwd to fast mode… I love NYC. Love all the pics you shared! i can’t believe you layed on the ground of times sq LOL… can’t wait to hear all about your meeting in NYC… maddy is adorable! have a great wkend! XO
Great NYC pictures. Just wait til Maddy hits about 18 months, that’s when the “terrible twos” really start. Even the sweetest of babies can’t escape from it. She won’t want to sit still for a meal after that.
Maddy is at an amazing age, but making some changes to your world, I’m sure! It was while on vacation, being in a restaurant high chair three times a day, that led my daughter to her first full sentence at 15 months…” let me outta here”!
Just keep on doing what you’re doing, because she is precious!
Sounds like a great trip–and I’m dying to know the “something else” part…
So glad to hear from you guys! Your number one gal sure is getting big. What a sweet little bean! And you look very well, too! I love how you try to fit all of your friends & strangers into your life. You have some regular cast f charectors, but you never seem to miss out on the opportunity to include others. Passing along Liz’s legacy… Awesome.
http://www.jetwithkids.com/book_freeChapter.html – seriously – buy Maddie her own seat now!
Maddy is a beautiful baby. She gets prettier every time I see her. You are a good daddy.
Might want to check out the Patapum toddler carrier. We’ve used it with Marion when traveling, in museums, etc. It’s great!
http://iwp02.hostfilemaker.com/fmi/iwp/cgi?-db=Patapum&-loadframes
She gets more gorgeous with every picture. I usually have her as my desktop. My husband has finally quit asking who that baby is.
Love all the pictures !!!
I love seeing your photos as much and sometimes even more than I like reading about your adventures. You have real talent Matt. Can’t wait to hear what you have cooking now.
that bailout picture is perfect in so many ways, it one of my favorites of yours can’t wait to read-i mean-hear your news
Ergo carrier. A must have for traveling (and everyday use) and more manly than a wrap. My 11 month old son weighs over 26lbs and it is still very comfortable and easy to wear him in it. You can wear Maddy on your back or front and will put all her weight on your legs instead of your back and then your hands are free. My husband loves it as well.
no fair, spill the beans!
Wow, looks like you guys had quite a trip. She’s getting bigger and cuter.
Great pictures as always. I’m terribly curious about your secret doings though.
Wow, what a trip. I love reading about your and Maddy’s adventures. For the next trip, you need an Ergo. Front or back carrier, 40lb weight limit.
http://www.ergobabycarriers.com/babycarriers/category/carrier/
Sounds like you had a busy but good trip! Maddy has become quite the traveler! I’m jealous! Anyway, can’t wait to hear about what happened in NYC. Love the pictures!
You are the busiest person I know! Glad to hear more about the trip and see all those pics, looks like you had fun AND were productive
Maddy is too damn cute and I hear the squirming and ice throwing lasts awhile…fun times. haha Love you guys and see you soon! *HUGS*
xoxoxoxo,
Tricia and Bella
You tease! We have to wait until next week to find out about the NYC trip. I’m assuming some of it has to do with your cryptic Twitter messages, too. Hmmm.
Anyway, sounds like you had an awesome trip to the NYC and the pictures, as always, are amazing! Can’t wait to read your next update!
so much fun and ahhhhh the suspense!!
by the way…i have decided that i’d much rather get the stink eye for changing my child in a random public place than in the nasty bathrooms too!!
Maddy is adorable as always!
Thanks for the update. I enjoy hearing about your adventures. You are a very inspiring person (and your daughter is adorable). I’m sure Liz is watching over you both with love and a big grin on her face.
Matt, I know you are very intelligent so I am sure you have thought of this solution, but what about using one of those back pack seats now that Maddy is bigger? The only thing I am not sure about is how well it would fold down or compact for travel…Just a thought. You are doing an awesome job and I love following ya’ll’s journey. Madeline is just precious and you can see she is so loved and well taken care of. Hope ya’ll have a great weekend!!!
The picture in Time Square of you “sleeping” next to Maddy had me laughing so hard in my office. Might be my fav. picture to date
WOW you were busy! Sounds like you had a fabulous time though. =D
You and Maddy are getting your own TV show, arent you?!
I read your blog every week but have never commented. You are an incredible father and Maddi is soooo lucky to have you. As unfortunate as your situation is, you seem to be making the absolute best of it. You are both so lucky to have each other. Can’t wait to hear the news!!
Oh, and meeting Elvis Costello, my husband is going to be so jealous.
Finally a new post! Yay! You ARE such a tease with that tidbit of info you are withholding though! Maddy is just so adorable. Love the #1 Dad photo and the sleeping one! Sounds like you had a great time and how great that Liz’s parents were there to help.
Can I just say how awesome I think you are? Every time I read a post you inspire me to get out of my own way and go DO something. The pictures tell a great story–can’t wait to find out what went down in NYC.
love the video and blankets kill grass. i know you would give it all up to have your beautiful wife around to help you carry the luggage cart, but seriously, what a lovely girl you have, and what a lovely life you have together. i’m sure the news is big – can’t wait to hear what’s in store for you next.
matt – you need to buy an ergo baby carrier (ergobabycarrier.com). I’ve used mine since my 3 year old was a baby and now for my 1 year old as well. It’s the best carrier around, can be used front or back, and the basic colors are dad-friendly (my hubby uses ours regularly too). Thanks also for the update, glad you had a great trip and looking forward to your big news next week.
Wait till she’s a little older and then she can pull her own suitcase through the terminal…we got the death glare as our 4 year old pulled a suitcase bigger then him
Hey, it’s on wheels! Beautiful pics as always, look forward to your next blog Matt 
Ohhhhhhh…….you are such a stinker!!!! I can’t take the anticipation!! Glad you had a great time in New York!!
That is the funniest picture of you “napping” in Times Square! Thanks for the laugh
It sounds like you had a great time! I can’t wait to hear the announcement. It looks like rom other pictures I saw you now have a backpack for Madeline. Good idea. She is such a sweetie! Hope to meet you both this summer in the MN!
ahhh i’ll be going internet-less in 3 days.
i guess i’ll have to wait a month to read what you were up to.
Great post! What a little traveler your girl is.
She’s getting SO big! I would have done the same thing that you did with the luggage fiasco…just plop her up on top and away you go.
Well, since I know what is primarily housed in the building that you had meetings in, I have an idea of what’s going on, but can’t wait to hear the details!! Awesome…so awesome!
I want to go on a photo excursion with you sometime! If you ever make it through Detroit for something, let me know…I’ll meet you down there (I’m north of there).
Oh…and I would like for you to post a photo of you actually wearing that MJ belt buckle. You’re too funny!
LOve the pics of you and Maddie sleeping in Times Square and strangers looking at you strangely.
Can’t wait for your announcement?
P.S.
Did you get a book deal?
I need a nap after reading that.
Speaking of reading… looking forward to hearing about your little meeting in the pie shaped building.
You do so much stuff its making me feel like a failure. Btw, you forgot about the sexy (lol) Elvis Crespo!
Ah you got to meet Kristin. Lucky you! She is too sweet!
Sounds like you guys had two fun nights of closing the bars.
Looks like New York was fun as always.
Glad you guys had fun in New York! Wow! Maddy looks like you in that picture of her sitting on the bed in the purple shirt and jeans! Can’t wait to hear why you were in New York this time!
awwwwwwe maaaannnn!!! you are such a tease-btw, try the ergo carrier or even a back pack for the “getting through the airport/or similar situation” events
Forgot to add… You should try a Beco Butterfly. It’s awesome for a back carry and you can use it until Maddy is 40 pounds if need be. It’s easy to get her in the back carry, too.
Here’s the link for the Butterfly: http://www.becobabycarrier.com/collections.asp?cat=3 (I am in love with the new Blue Scooters print!) I’m suree there are lots of stores in LA that sell them and they will help you learn how to use it. And there are videos on YouTube for helping you figure out different ways you can “wear” her if you need more help than the instructions give. This is the one I liked the most: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jZyDgIncUeM Trust me-these are well worth the money!
Amazing! Sounds like an interesting trip, can’t wait to hear the outcome. You like to keep us waiting….afraid we’ll stop reading? Never going to happen!!! Unless you stop writing. (Please don’t do that!!)
you. are. such. a. brat.
Seriously, NEXT WEEK!?!? That’s cruel, Matt, just cruel.
Love the pics and especially the one of you 2 napping in Times Square, hilarious!
Great pics of NYC. It’s such a fabulous city.
I know you’ve been given a slew of suggestions, but for hands-free baby carrying, I love my Ergo baby carrier. It’s a soft backpack (and frontpack if necessary) that’s easy to pack, easy to use, and my girls loved it. I still use it with my 30 month old kiddo.
I can’t wait to hear about why you were really in New York. Hey, when the time comes for you to be buying Maddie a ticket you might want to look into this airplane seat I heard about. It is a completely safe car/airplane seat that has wheels and handles that unfold from it… making it a stroller! I don’t remember where I saw them, but maybe you get a sponsorship from them and they’d just send you one if you tell us all how much you love it!
HAve a great day! Can’t wait to read more from you!
Wow! What a post – sounds like you and Maddy had a great time. The photos are great. As for carrying Maddy, try the Ergo carrier. It is a great carrier and you can put her on your front, back, or side. She’d likely love the back position as she can see tons of stuff. And it folds up super small! http://www.ergobabycarrier.com/
Good luck! Thanks again for sharing your life. Give the little sweetheart a big hug for us.
Looks like u had fun! I remember my parents helping with my 1 year old while my 4 year old had chemo or was hospitalized with said side effects. Couldn’t have done it without them…and they are very close to my boy now which is a blessing. And by the way, Joe Henry WTF!, I’m very glad I can live vicariously through u on this trip…I remember seeing him at First Avenue in the late 80′s early 90′s with the Jayhawks. I’m a devotee of his lovely poetry.
Namaste
Your pictures kick ass! All of them. Wow!
A great post yet……I’m left trying to figure how on earth you can stay out til 4 AM without falling over! Even with the time change, I’d be out like a light long before that! I bow down to you and your energy…….
Looks like you guys had a ball. I’m so jealous! I wanna go to NYC!
Can’t wait to hear what is next. It looks like you had a great time.
I love reading your posts. You enjoy your time with Maddy so much. You can never have enough baby carriers in life so check out the ERGO baby carrier is is a soft backpack carrier.
Loved the update. But got as much from your twitter updates.
I agree with Amy, you are a fucking brat lol.
Looks like a busy week, but I take it not as pleasant?
Two is even more fun than One. Don’t let anyone bullshit you. They are terrible.
Still so surreal to me that you two met… and I’m so glad you did. Now for a trip when we’re all three together. Someday, but by then I think Maddy will be able to beat up Benjamin. Nolan would join her.
Love the pictures!
I’m with the multiple other commenters who have suggested the ERGO. You can wear it on the front, back, or hip. It’s very comfortable for parent & child and Maddy can use it indefinitely. I’ve seen people with sleepy five-year-olds strapped in it! It’d also be a lot gentler on Maddy’s body than some more mainstream carriers.
Love the double-nap photo!
i just got an Ergo front/back/side carrier for my big baby. you can use it until the kid is 40lbs.
oh to be 30 again…all night in nyc, it would take me a week or so to recover now. fantastic fun though…
Glad you had a fun trip. A tip on the hands free – try getting a backpack for her – like hikers use to put their little ones in. You’ll be able to use that until she’s big enough to carry her own weight.
One travel tip (and I think I’ve mentioned it before)…its a must have if you have a britax car seat…and use a car seat when travelling…go go babyz! Its essentially a luggage carrier that attaches to your car seat (it attaches to others, but most easily to britax). Its another item to have, but let’s you check the stroller and you can gate check the car seat. Keeps her contained securely as you’re walking thru the airport…you do however have to go thru the oversized security check point.
Looking forward to next weeks update!
I know, just when you’ve got it kind of figured out, and think things should be getting easier, they don’t.
Different, but still hard.
You know something? It’s not just that you and Maddy are so damn likable. You are an awesome, awesome blogger. Thanks for the peeks inside your brain.
OMG–That pic of Maddy on the bed–she looks just like Liz!
And I love that nighttime pic of Maddy in Central park.
Oh–and–we have the same shoes! The gild Nikes w. the blue…
As usual, you’ve captured everything perfectly in the photos! Love the sleeping shot in times square! Can’t wait for the announcement next week, whatever it may be!!
Have you thought of buying her her own seat now? She doesn’t HAVE to be 2 to do this… it’s so much safer for her, you and the rest of the passengers. Plus, she’d probably be much more comfortable in a car seat on the plane than on a lap. There are adapters to make the carseat have wheels and then you can just wheel her through the airport as if she was in a stroller.
A WEEK?!?!?!
Oh well, this post was really hilarious and will hold us over until then. I love NYC, what a fabulous city. Even more fabulous when M&M nap together in the middle of Times Square.
Donating my first of many $7′s on the 7th this Sunday…
Have a great weekend, you two!!!!
Sounds like you had alot of fun, Your little one is adorable, Thanks for the post
You should check out this week’s People Magazine. There is a story in there about a man who lost his wife 11 hours after their son’s birth. It also talks about the women who nurse this little boy. Really Great.
i miss the city so much. i left it in 2002. your photos brought back memories. maddy, no doubt, was in her element. if time sq couldn’t wake her, you’ve got a good sleeper on your hands. however, i’m afraid you’re dinners will not get any calmer. get ready for a wild ride.
We have the ERGO and it’s great! Maddy could use up to 60lbs (which is ridiculous cuz that is like 6-7 years old). My 5 yr old is 36 pounds and my 22 month is 28 pounds. You can wear front (up to 20lbs but we cheat on this), hip or back. Check out this site as they have a money back guarantee if you don’t like it!! They have a video that will show you the features of it … You won’t be sorry!
http://www.myfavoritebabycarrier.com/ergo.html?gclid=CJjZ8MPM9JoCFQZqswod11d9eA
Madeline is getting so big! It still cracks me up that she can sleep anywhere! Lucky you. Love the photos as always.
Debbie
You need to tell us about meeting Oprah, unless I missed it?
crazy day in the city- your photos are hilarious.. and fun
thanks for sharing your life
Haha squirmy child syndrome…it’s a nasty disease and they all get it at some point or other. My daughter is 8 months and she has it already! It only gets worse, as they start talking and such, and nice quiet restaurant dinners become a dim memory lol. I’m sure you’ll figure it out. Things also get more fun the older they get, as their personality continues to shine through. Love your photos, and as always the ones of you and Maddy are the best. My fave is the one with the red wall and red bed and she’s napping with a red shirt on, how lovely!!
Just something I’m curious about. Probably kind of silly but just humour me! How do you jet off in all these cabs with Mady? You know, the whole car seat situation. Enlighten me!
Sorry I spelled Maddy’s name wrong…only because we spell my Madelyn like this…Mady!
You need a Kids Fly Safe CARES restraint for Madeline for her airplane trips. It is an FAA-approved small little harness (fits in a tiny sack and weighs less than 1 lb) that attaches to an airplane seat and serves as a 4-pt seat belt for toddlers and children. http://www.kidsflysafe.com or http://tiny.cc/M7yW2 It is small enough to fit in your diaper bag so that if you have an empty seat next to you, you can quickly make use of it. Having her safely restrained for take off and landing is very important — plus it keeps your sanity (for example, when you are trying to keep the food/drink on your tray table away from her busy hands while you prepare her food/drink).
I completely know how you felt at the airport…Traveling alone with a child is tougher than you would ever imagine…my husband passed away a year and a half ago when our daughter was 10 months old, so I am forced to travel alone a lot of the time…One such time I had the same predicament you had only instead of just a stoller, toddler, and luggage I also had a car seat to lug up to the check counter…to top it off we were running late, there was no where to park in the parking lot and the gal at the check counter was a complete witch…I feel your pain…
You take such amazing pictures, I’m always in awe at them.. and what you find. Your little girl is growing up but I’m sure you’ll be even more amazed by her!
Another great post and beautiful pictures of your trip to NY.
I’m sure you were happy to have the mn grandparents come and help with Maddy. I was worn out just reading about all your adventures. Glad you made it home ok.
Ok, you are officially the Alfred Hitchcock of blogging – the master of suspense. I am dying to know what when on in nyc and don’t think I can wait until next week…the suspense is killing me. I’m glad you and Maddy had a great trip though.
Awesome pics. Glad to hear that you guys had such a great time and that Maddy got to spend some time with her grandparents. Can’t wait to hear about the reason for the trip. Tease.
Love how all those people walked right past Maddy and not one managed to bump into her. awesome.
Looks like you guys had a great trip to NYC…..you are such a tease…..keeping us all in suspense until next week!! I can’t wait to find out your news!!
LOVE all the pics…Maddy is getting SO big…but adorable as ever!! LOVE the one of you two having a nap in Times Square 
Shannon in Victoria
You just need a bigger carrier for Maddy! Like a Mei Tei, Ergo, etc. I have the Action Baby Carrier (goes front and back) and use it with my son in airports (exact same age).
Or-you can counter check the stroller (doesn’t count as a checked piece) and get a Toteatot, (toteatot.com) that attaches a car seat to a piece of luggage. Strap her in the car seat and you’re good to go (you can gate check the car seat and then pull her through the airport). Good luck!
Ahh, I miss you! And that is all I wanted to say about that
great pics !!
Yes, you totally need an Ergo! What a great adventure you all had. Can’t wait to hear more
That Tom Jones song was perfect for that video. I have never been to NYC (Looks so fun btw) but I never imagined it would be that freakin loud. I love your photos… they always help tell your story even better.
How are you able to function off of 3 hours of sleep. I could in college but now…forget about it!! i love the stories you have when you take trips. Maddy is looking more like mama everyday!!
Hugs….
Matt,
Thanks again for the great post and pics. I have learned something in the last 18 months that I see in your blog: to drop things at a moment’s notice and change plans when something new falls in front of you. I have met the nicest people and had some great times doing that. My “before” self would most likely not have changed plans to have dinner with a complete stranger …. and so would have missed out on making a new friend.
I love how you do that …. make friends out of strangers in a matter of seconds. We all need to do that ….. thanks for sharing.
Hope to meet you in July!
Janine
It is a small world. My very good friend, Sarah Schieber, will also be speaking/singing at the widowers conference in July. I am going to have to tell her about your blog! She lost her husband less than 2 years ago very unexpectedly, leaving her with 3 children. God has continued to bless them as he has you.
Still loving your blog!
Hey…I agree with Jenny…you need an ERGO baby carrier…front, back or hip…you still get to be hands free and bonus it is comfortable!
I’ll give up my brunch anytime for more playtime with Madeline.
It was great seeing you two again.
You’ve got to get an Ergo. It’s kind of like the front pack in that it’s easy to stash away but it can be a backpack too – and you can wear them in it until they are a lot bigger – at least 2, maybe longer if she’s as petite as her mama.
She is so beautiful Matt and obviously so happy. You reminded me of the time I took my daughter (at nine weeks) on a flight to South Africa (21 hours) and I had that issue with the cart and the bathroom – I mean you can’t leave your infant child in the bathroom while you use the stall can you? It was extremely frustrating travelling alone. It’s got easier as my children got bigger, but I also had the issue of well, who hold the baby when I use the restroom on the airplane? Luckily there were some really nice staff who helped me and I knew that they couldn’t kidnap her! As for breastfeeding in flight? Well, at least you don’t have to worry about that one, ha ha. My children are incredibly good travelers due to all the out of country travel they have done and it’s made them incredibly social and outgoing. You are doing her such a great favour – she will end up loving people like mine do. You are a great Dad. I know you miss your beautiful wife all the time, but she has got to be so proud of the job you are doing.
I remember the first time I traveled with my infant after my husband died, staying in a hotel without a bellman or elevator and being totally overwhelmed with getting our bags to the room. I made about 10 trips with my son in one arm and a bag in the other. As you know babies don’t travel lightly.
Awesome pics as usual! Looks like a great time! Can’t wait to hear what you are “keeping secret”
Here’s another shout out for the Ergo! You can wear Maddie on your back, your front, your side… Oh, how I love my Ergo… I think the weight limit goes over 40 lbs… .
Loved the pics, especially the looks you got for napping in Time’s Square! LOL
Maddy needs to teach my two kids how to also sleep through anything! lol i wish my kids did that! lol As adorable as ever! Can’t wait to hear what you were up to in NYC!
Another vote for Ergo! And I can’t believe we still don’t know the NYC news…hoping it’s something amazing for you and Maddy. On an unrelated (yet always related) note, my 29 year old brother-in-law was in a motorcycle accident this week and didn’t make it. I’ve encouraged my SIL to check out your blog and the Liz Foundation. Hopefully she can find some help and ability to cope through your words.
I’m really curious about NYC too!!
Not long before she’s walking now! Get ready to run. Great pictures!
Love the pic of you’ll taking a nap in the middle of the NY crowd……..Maddy is such a cutie!! My little boy is 15 1/2 months and started walking at 14 months……….geez I miss the days days where he was not mobile lol its the cutes thing to see them doing their frankenstein walk though, you’ll see.
I so enjoy reading your blog!
Just skimmed the comments but it appears that there are an awful lot of suggestions for carrying your little bombshell. But I’ll give you mine, anyway. I personally love the ergo. (http://www.ergobabycarriers.com/babycarriers/item/BC6G/) You’ll have to get the salesperson to tell you two important points on how to use it (or email me, if you’d like and I can give you the short version) but it’s a life-saver. It works in the front, on the side, or on the back, and you can carry them until they are huge. My daughter is three and she still fits easily. I usually travel alone with her (she made 24 trips in her first two years, so I’m with you!) and I never bring a stroller either. Too darn hard to push it, as you point out.
Can’t wait to find out whatever this secret thing is…!
Great shots. Great update. LEt me know if you want to try out the ErgoBaby with Maddy. Paul loves ours and Connor doesn’t think it sucks, either.
You need and Ergo baby carrier or a Babyhawk…Strap her on your back and you can go for hours…
You have a lot of energy to keep up that pace.
Fist of all, sleeping in time square cracks me up…the looks of some of the people…especially when you joined Maddy LOL
Second, something that might help you with the not enough hands problem…
http://www.meitaibaby.com/index.html
I Love Elvis Costello too! That must have been GREAT!
That Maddy is a beauty. Can’t wait to hear your exciting news.
Matt,
These photos that you take of Maddy in her stroller – I notice that the photo is often set up so that there is a spot that someone would normally be standing, next to the stroller. Not sure if this is intentional or not, but everytime I see one of these photos it is quite moving to me as I can feel the absence of Liz (even though I neither knew her nor have met you or Maddy).
Great photos from NYC – you are a super photographer.
Can’t wait to hear all about it! Great blog. My fav pic is you sleeping on the street with Maddy. Kinda gross, but funny. But that’s what I live for; the grossly funny.
was the “rod stuart loves the hamptons” picture taken in front of the soho post office?
Baby backpack. Ours has a frame, like a real hiker pack, but you put the kid inside instead. Also has an under-seat compartment for your stuff. Our almost-three y/o son LOOOOOOOVES riding in it. Sometimes too much. Only problem is the kid gets heavier!
Wow! Sounds like a fun trip!
Backpack backpack backpack. Not a huge one but one with a frame so you can stand it up on something (countertop, or even the floor if you are able to get up with her on your back) and put it on yourself. Both my kids LIVED in theirs. It is also helpful for cooking dinner or doing around the house stuff during cranky hours!
Something this size works great and you can find them less expensive it is just the first one the right size I saw…
http://www.childcarriers.com/kokopax-classic-carrier.pro
You need an ERGO BABY CARRIER!!!
Maddy has grown up so much!!!!!!! Still a sweetheart. No doubts!
ERGO, you need an ERGO! It is front or back carry and very convenient for the older kids. i know some using them way into the 3rd year!
http://www.ergobabycarrier.com/
oh my, not fair to tease us…lol
I’m still laughing hysterically at the pic of you laying in the middle of the crowd taking a nap. Funniest thing I’ve seen in a long time.
And the big news, could it be a book deal? I hope so!
okay…it’s now next week! so tell us about your dang book already! i want to know when it’s coming out….i want to buy it…i want to read it!!!!!
Awwww… come on! Don’t leave us hanging! Kelty Kids makes an awesome backpack, even I can get my monsterous baby on my 5 foot 3 body by myself. Its comfy too!
YOU. ARE. AWESOME. AND. SO. IS. YOUR KID.
Wow, where do you get your energy? No wonder you are so skinny!
Love the pic of you laying next to Maddie on the sidewalk..
Meeting in Flatiron Building = book deal.
Great pictures, love the one with the child behind the gate.
On the restlessness in restaurants…I always believed that you just need to work your way through it. If you stop taking them to restaurants when they hit that phase, they’ll never get used to the sitting still. We keep my daughter in her high chair till it’s absolutely unbearable (total screaming meltdown) and then pick her up and pass her around the table till we’re ready to go. The time to meltdown increases a small amount with each restaurant trip.
Ergo is the way to go! Used mine until age 3.5. Best trial by fire? A HELLISH day spent at IKEA ordering a kitchen. Were it not for the Ergo (slept like a LOG) I would still be curled up in a corner next to the LACK shelves . . . .
darling as usual! You need a mei tai! Then you can carry her on your back, and she will LOVE being able to see all around! Contact me if you are interested, they really are great for kids this age! My 16 month old refuses to sit still anywhere, any time, but on my back in the mei tai she is an angle and rarely even wiggles!
I, too, was visiting NYC from CA when you were there. I found out that my friend reads your blog as well while I was there and we had a great time searching the Times Square crowds for you and Maddie the day the Weinermobile photo was taken. Maybe next time!
AWW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! How CUTE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!