below are photos of three different children…
the child in photo #1 is the madeline i used to know.
*she laughed when i made dog and cat sounds.
*she ate well, only throwing food to indicate that she was finished with a meal.
*she was calm at restaurants.
*she could stay out as late as her old man, passing out wherever we were.
*she screamed with joy as she played with her toys.
*she crawled slow enough that i could catch up with her before she knocked over my records.
this madeline did not stick around long enough. (where did she go?). i so loved this madeline.
the child in photo #2 is the madeline that is materializing before my eyes. she exhibits some of the same traits as the child in photo #1, but i assure you…this is not the same child.
*she said her first real word on friday night. “down.” she likes to stand up and then fall on her ass, yelling “down!” on the way down. i taught her that last week, but i think it was in a different context. something like, “maddy! put that record down!”
*she can now stand on her own and will be walking any day now. (in fact, she took three steps on sunday without falling down).
*she is becoming an independent woman who no longer wants to be constrained by things like car seats, cribs, stroller or my arms.
*she’ll willingly go into the arms of any man she sees, but refuses to be held by nearly every woman who tries. (oh fuck).
*she no longer sits still when we’re out for dinner.
*she throws more food than she eats.
*she has a schedule all of a sudden (what’s that?).
*she’s beyond tired at 7:30pm every night and tells me this by having a meltdown.
*she can’t stand it when she’s not the center of attention. on sunday she decided that, after several unsuccessful attempts to get his attention, she would simply to smack her new friend henry in the face multiple times to divert his gaze away from sesame street.
*she tells me what to do rather than listening to my instructions.
i love this madeline and i love the progress she’s making, but some of these things frighten me as i think about the future (especially the whole, “going into the arms of any man” thing).
the child in photo #3 is the madeline i hung out with every night this past weekend.
*she was a whiny mess.
why? she has four teeth coming in at the moment. i thought it was kinda great ’cause i had this terrible fear that maybe she would never get any more teeth than the four she already has. but then i realized how not great it was. on friday night i got 3 hours of sleep because she wanted to be awake and in my room. on saturday night she slept from 7:30pm to midnight, but was up from 12:01am to 3:30am, talking my ear off. last night she decided at 2:15am that she should not only be in my room, she should injure me. as derek* would say, she “summoned the power of all the gods”, and brought the television remote down upon my balls just as i started to fall back asleep. she stayed up until 4:30am laughing. i was up for another hour after that trying to think of unicorns, rainbows, bunny rabbits…anything but the tremendous pain she just inflicted upon me. i love this madeline as well, but i kinda wish she could stay with a set of grandparents until the rest of her teeth come in.
*(only click on that derek link if you want to hear a profanity-laced, 54 minute treatise on heavy metal and the consequences of removing a boot from a car).
288 Comments
welcome to the joys of life with a toddler. just wait ’til she hits age 2. you haven’t seen anything til you’ve seen a 2 year old meltdown.
but that’s why we love them so much!
she’s ALWAYS cute!
Hate to break it to ya, but this is only the beginning. There are many more Madelines to come. Some day you may even find yourself missing the Maddy that near nutted you with the remote, who knows?
Wow, it’s truly amazing how much she is growing up! Such a sweet little girl.
Does it help to hear that it does get better? No, at this point in time it probably doesn’t. Hang in there, dude.
on the bright side, i’m sure there are hundreds of thousands of baby-sitters all over the country.
also, do you have any free time when you come to mn? there’s going to be a rap battle over the weekend that your here, and i’m sure it would be a good photo op/generally cool thing.
I loved this post. My little guy (born March 7/08) is a couple weeks older than Maddie and I totally know what you are saying. In the past few months, he has transformed from a sweet 1yr old boy to a running 15month old MONSTER – LOL. I love your blog – you are doing a great job with Maddie – she is such a doll.
Praise Odin. I was *srsly* starting to resent the hell out of you.
She looks so much like Liz in photo number 2. She is such a beautiful baby! Good luck with the teeth. Motrin, motrin, and more motrin! It worked wonders for us!
It is hard, but it will pass and she will go back to being agreeable. She will go back to sleeping anywhere, and not whining, though that may take 20 years or so. She has held out longer than most kids I know.
It’s toddlerdom. Rewarding but difficult. Sorry about the twins. Kids seem to have nad seeking radar.
This is why we call our almost two year old, Aidan “Aidan, Viking God of Rage”. Already plotting this year’s Halloween costume around it.
I think its incredible how you were able to so eloquently describe your child and the little person she is becoming. I never really had thought of describing my 13 month old such as you just did… but I sure wish I could!
Good Luck tonight….. Oh, and Motrin works wonders for a teething baby!
I am laughing so hard, the tears are running down my face! Not at you Matt, with you. My daughter Micaela was a Maddy type baby. She traveled to S Africa with me at nine weeks. After that, she traveled every couple of months to Ireland, Holland, England and beyond. She slept everywhere, she was easygoing and all round a fantastic baby.
Your wife would be so proud of you…
The same switch that you describe with Maddy went off at about fourteen/fifteen months. Tantrums, misery, charming every man she met. (She still does and now she’s 10). But, she had a mind of her own, an independent streak and she was not letting anyone get in her way. She is still an absolutely adorable child, who never gets anything but glowing reports from school and friends when she’s at their houses. She’s still a charmer. And very smart.
Sounds like your Maddy is doing some really important developmental stuff (outside of teeth growing). It can be a challenging phase when you get frustrated with each other. Wait it out. It will get better again. I’ll bet you too that she reminds you of her mother. Micaela is just like me. My pediatrician has always told me – babies that fight you on things are the ones who end up successful, smart and achievers in life. I pray that it’s true.
All this to tell you – hang in there – she is still your beautiful girl, she just has more of an opinion now. And wait till she starts to answer you back!
You are doing so awesomely. (Is there such a word??)
Enjoy her and loan her out to the grandparents sometimes too.
i love it…in picture #3 my first thought was how much she looks like liz…what a beautiful little girl you have…
We completely understand. Our 13 month old daughter is going through the same thing. All of a sudden she has opinions and shares them willingly. We found that the HUMPHREY’S Meltaway Teething Strips (at Walgreens) help throughout the day and night. Also, we wouldn’t make it through the day without a few mini bagels from Trader Joes.
Madeline is a cutie pie, thanks for the great pictures.
Haha, this was comical! However, I am like the rest, just hang on tight for a wild ride, it only gets worse or er um better. Which ever way you want to say it…lol She is adorable! I can’t wait to see pictures or better yet, video of her walking soon!
I remember feeling the same way when my Anna was turning into a toddler, where did my baby go? I have now gotten used to her “independence” as “they” like to call it. I try to look at it as a developmental milestone, although some days that is much easier said than done!!
LOVE YOUR BLOG, Been following for quite a while since I was pregnant with my now 15-week old baby boy, Aidan. I missed your episode of Oprah but watched the video on her website.
I also have a 12-year-old son and believe me, they grow up too fast. Cherish her at this age.
I love your candidness and honesty about things, reminds me of my husband. The robot would just annoy him.
Oh Matt, it sounds like she’s just like my girl, also born in March 2008. All she does is whine whine whine. Wait till she starts saying “No” to everything.
And I get “injured” constantly. I don’t have balls but I guess my boobs are the equivalent. Somehow her elbows always collide with my boobs at tremendous speeds. And her sharp little nails have a way of shredding my face.
I love the way you write by the way!
I am right there with you, raising a toddler who is simultaneously beyond frustrating and excessively charming. I hear it gets worse before it gets better, but I have been promised that it does get better. I love your blog and the photos of your angel. Every time I visit, I am struck by how much she looks like Liz. Just beautiful.
She’s still a doll though! And I agree, you do such a great job of describing her… you totally understand her. I’m sure she’ll change a lot more in the future so good luck!
This is so fucking funny. From now on she’ll be known to me as Maddy “the ball busting” toddler. You should have named the posting the 3 faces of Maddy like the Joanne Woodward movie The Three Faces of Eve (lol – one of my favorites)
p.s. I like the new font, above! How long has THAT been there without me noticing?!
I love all your Maddy’s!
it’s true- toddlers are a sure reason for any sane man to sport a cup during his daily functions.
what the hell Madeline number three—come now missy- you don’t want the whole of internet reality to hear your being *difficult* do you?
Still–I figure when we adults get in teeth we get sedated and have them pulled- but little kids get em -sometimes several at a time.. and basically just have to *deal*..sucktown.
…in watching my kids I have developed some thoughts… they go from having us answer to their every whim and need.. and at some point their whims and “needs” expand..
going from being the center of the universe to a part of it..
it takes years to really figure out what your part is.. some of us are still trying..
if she doesn’t lay her foot down hard and really own her little part of it all- she might miss out..
She might be testing her boundaries..hopefully you can lay down some of yer own boundaries..
let’s say between your hip bones and your thighs?
cause when it boils right down to it- could **anything** be LESS child proof than yer nut sack?
Its gonna be this way until she’s about 2 and a half. I suggest taking up drinking. My daughter is 5 now and has always been quite a pleasure, except from 14 months to 30 months. During that time she acted like a meth head. good luck.
Ahhh, the many faces of a toddler. Going through the same thing with my 19 month old daughter.
the not sleeping through the night thing might not be teeth — if she’s standing alone and almost walking, they sometimes go through about a week or so with interrupted sleep. It’s like when they reach a new development level their brains don’t shut down so easily for a while until they get used to it. which is good, because if it really is the teeth, you’d be looking at about a month straight of not sleeping through the night. And then a small break before she starts in on the molars.
Cute post! Love the descriptions…she certainly keeps you on your toes
Sounds like a normal life of a kiddo! Congrats on making it to this point so eloquently! Keep up the good work and purchase a nut cup, I doubt this incident will be the last! But thanks for the laugh at your privates expense!
oh my. i LOLed and LOLed.
Matt…I have one word for you, “Motrin.” If Maddy is in pain, motrin will definitely help and maybe you can get some sleep!
My 1 year old has just progressed from child 1 to child 2 and 3 this week as well. What is with the sudden hate-on for the car seat, high chair, crib stroller, my arms?!? And the injuries he has inflicted on himself while trying to stand and take steps – yikes!! I feel for you but am glad to hear I am not the only one suffering through the joys of early toddlerhood. I have been down this road once before so, unfortunately, I know that the fun has only just begun for us!
I’m with you Matt. I am sooooooooo with you. It’s been a good *cringe* 10 months of this now. And with tantrums so bad that I would call the pediatrician because I SWORE that she was hurting herself. My daughter will be 2 at the end of August. I don’t know what’s ahead, but it scares the life right the fuck outta me. Let me know if you’re ever in Vegas. We’ll set up a play date.
When my daughter started throwing tantrums at 12 months her OT told me she was “advanced”. Just what I’d always wanted her to learn at an early age… the attitude
Amazing how their moods swing and how fun meal time isn’t most of the time!
I just read the comment above my last comment and went to look. Maddie, especially in that third picture, is almost a spitting imagine of Liz in her pictures. Beautiful.
Matt,
You have blogged about SEVERAL funny instances and I usually always laugh out loud when I read your blog but today I’m totally cracking up laughing at this post. Your 3rd post fits my daughter to a T lately as she is getting all 4 of her ‘I’ (incisor) teeth and our lives in the evenings have been a living hell as well. It will get better (not soon but I promise it will). Unfortunately the throwing more food than she eats, and a few other things you mentioned will not get any better. My 19 month old still does many of those things although I wish I could tell you differently.
You’re doing a great job and continue to amaze me with your humor and strength. By the way I still haven’t erased Oprah from my DVR, a little ridiculous I KNOW!
2 words: frozen washcloths
She’s beautiful, but you already know that! Hope the teeth come in soon so she’ll be a little less of a cranky grumpy mess and more of a sweet destructive angel!
It’s good to know that Maddie is developing perfectly, and right on schedule!
BTW, we call our son “He Who Will Not Be Ignored”. It goes with the program.
Hang in there Matt, you are doing a great job!!
There will always be a part of you that longs for what used to be as she grows, but the best is yet to come. For all of the challenges that toddlers pose, they are freaking awesome little people. The pics of Maddy are an absolute delight as usual!
Despite the screaming, she is so incredibly beautiful. Just relax, and take a deep breath – you’ll get through it. You’ve survived so much already!
Ah, the joys of toddler hood! And the girls have that added attitude and hormones, even at only 15 months.
She’s a beautiful, precious little girl! Teething sucks! Alternating Motrin and Tylenol is helpful. Also natural teething tabs are great, too! I hope the teeth come quickly and she is back to her happy-go-lucky self in no time! And the schedule will be nice, I promise. It will be good for her as she begins to be more active and growing-her body needs a lot of rest!
Thanks for sharing Maddy with us.
Ohhh, I know all too well exactly what you mean. And yes, it’s terrifying. But you’re doing a damn good job.
Totally normal. Totally SUCKS!
I have had times where I have said about my children “I love him (or her) but I don’t LIKE him”. They’re monsters!
Welcome to toddlerhood! I can’t believe Maddy is getting there so quickly. She’s right on schedule;-). Thanks for the laugh…and I hope you get more sleep tonight!
mine’s 3 now… i assure you it’s hard but then you’ll get ” i love you more than the whole world, daddy” and you’ll forget everything you’ve just posted here. she’ll want to sit with you while listening to your records and follow you and ask you a million questions. she’ll start to sing your favorite songs and that will melt your heart 1,000x over. and you’ll love that madeline even more than you ever thought possible. oh yes, you’ll take up drinking and possibly go crazy. you’ll smirk when your friends announce they’re having a baby because you’ll want them to join the club you’re in. you won’t tell them they have to pass initiation first, you’ll wait until their child is madeline’s age and then giggle. she’ll frustrate you more than anything in the world, but she’ll make prouder than you can possibly imagine.
it’s amazing to watch them change and grow practically by the hour, isn’t it?
madeline is beautiful.
oh yes, motrin & hyland’s teething tablets (homeopathic) – as other’s have stated. man’s best friend, no?
I laughed at that last story so hard I cried, then my husband asked me what was so funny. I let him read it, too, then we both started laughing(me with tears running down my face again!)
you know the saying “women rule the world” and that “men are only here for company”…that is what Maddy is telling you at this tender age…lol.
enjoy every moment with her, as she will grow up very quickly.
Its really fun to watch them grow, but it is also can sometimes be a pain in the ass! Willow smiles very serenly as I say “No!”–and defies me all the way. Best advice I ever got for parenting: Everything is a phase.
Hahaha! She’s going to be trouble.. laughing at your pain at such a young age! Good luck with the teeth.. we’re getting 3-1yr molars in ourselves over here.
Ha!
The “new” Maddy is becoming a toddler. She’s headed for the “terrible twos”, but wait until the “fucking threes”. It only gets more interesting the older they get. And then, once you think you might be in the clear, the preteen stuff starts. That’s where I am now with my oldest (a daughter) and oh boy! haha!!
she is gorgeous!!!! and a normal toddler. this is where babysitters start to come in really handy. and baby gates. and doing everything ten times slower because “I DO IT, ME, I DO IT.” Its a good thing shes so cute
mark and I were having the same convo tonight. “Where did our sweet little Luke go?”. He has 4 teeth coming in right now, as well. His favorite word is no. No one told me about the “terrible 16 months”
My daughter (who is five) went through the terrible three’s. My son (who is two) is giving me HELL!!! I feel ya, man! Hang in there! (And keep plenty of ice on hand. My son has almost knocked me out by head-butting me)
hahaha. oh sorry, that was mean. i have to say i’ve been wondering when this maddie would emerge, it was bound to happen. precious girl.
my pediatrician says people are confused. its called the terrible TOOS. because it starts too early and lasts too long. i think he’s right.
That has to be the hardest discovery as a parent. That moment when you realize that they are not “mini me’s”, but little people with their own thoughts and desires, likes and dislikes. I remember things seemed to run in three month cycles with my daughter. Just when I thought I couldn’t make it through it seems she would change into somebody I really liked! Hope that helps some.
You really are doing a great job with Maddy.
Take care of yourself
lol….this was hilarious Matt!!
::Hawkfeather sighting::
Ah ha ha that post made my day. I was literally laughing out loud. She’s not a baby anymore that’s for sure. She just gets cuter and cuter.
It only gets worse, LOL. Three is worse than 2.
D My boys were both angles when they were babies too.
Every time Ty switches personalities on me and I think that my favorite little personality is long gone, I later find out that it’s still his personality, overall, but outside influences hid it. You just have to sit back and let their little tears wash away the
monsterpersonality they currently are, and that sweet little person you can’t get enough of will resurface again!we are going thru the SAME thing right now. my son is 13 mos. and God forbid he be held or restrained for a second. and i don’t think he’s teething.
one thing, i’ve figured out is that the more they sleep, the better mood they are in. i was quick to drop the a.m. nap and i had to bring it back as he and maddie sound like twins with the attitude. did her daycare drop her to one nap now that she’s one?
you’ve been lucky she’s done well without a schedule this long. right now i’m reading ‘toddlerwise.’ awh, daddy….i know how tiring it is! it’s exhausting! and i’m sure it’s very difficult doing it alone. hopefully it’s just teeth. hang in there, it will pass soon- i hope!
This to shall pass!!!! Teething tablets, tylenol, frozen wash clothes,popsicles will help with the teething part!!
She’s getting cuter everyday. Jonathan does the same thing with the women… he’ll go to just about any woman willingly, but he’s picky about which men he’ll go to….
She’s doing exactly what she should be doing. (and it’s not to make your life any easier, btw.) And a warning, most 1 & 2 year olds take life at a dead run and, as my husband has observed, they are at an unfortunate height with very hard heads.
LMAO! It will get better. But when she starts walking watch-out she is going to be into even more stuff…welcome to having a toddler. =D
No offense but I’m so happy to see a pic of Maddy where she isn’t smiling and looking like the best behaved toddler on the planet. Welcome to my “nightmare”, Lord knows misery loves company. :0) I have to admit that there may be a few days like that but your old Maddy will be back, I promise.
Thanks for the smile. She is beautiful as always.
My daughter, for the most part, is a pleasure, except when tired, she can be a bit much… but, between 18 months and now (22 months, almost), she has become increasingly difficult… I am assuming it’s the ‘terrible twos.’ We still have a great child most of the time though, luckily! But, she is much more difficult then before, wanting lots of stuff her way! You are describing my daughter at the same age as your Maddy. I think we are in for a tougher year together, but, they still are a great joy, right!
even being a hot mess, she’s still a little cutie pie. it does get better and then it gets worse until they finally move out. i’m waiting for my 16 year old to get his head out of his ass so i can kinda feel your pain (minus the ball beating by the remote). keep up the great work. you’re an awesome dad.
She is perfect, Matt, no matter what she does!
And like so many others have already said, fill your medicine cabinet with Motrin! You’ll need it in the middle of the night so always have more than one bottle on hand. Trust us. It works!
I hate to break it to you but the Fearsome Fours are way, way worse than the terrible twos (and why do they name them that way when they typically start 6 months earlier like 1 1/2 and 3 1/2). My 3 1/2 yr old truly believes he is boss of the universe and doesn’t hesitate to yell no or boldly tell me exactly what to do. Its enough to drive you insane.
Miss Maddy is absolutely PERFECT!
one thing that always helps me to maintain somewhat sanity with my little girls.
remembering that sometimes the traits that we see in them that drive us crazy RIGHT NOW … are the traits that we need to encourage in them as women.
except for the going to any man part … nip that in the bud tonight.
if she needs a playdate next time you’re in mn … holler. my girls would love a bit more company …
Toilet training is coming your way too. My son was trained to urinate in the toilet at 9 months but wanted to wear a diaper for # 2 everytime till age 3. By age 14 months he had 8 teeth and was talking “baby talk” non stop but did not walk/run independantly till he was 16 months old. That is when he would want to play with pots and pans rather than toys. Ahhh! the joys of parenthood…thoroughly enjoy it on a daily basis.
I was wondering when this post was going to come — all experienced parents know the “easy” stage doesn’t last much past the “newly mobile” stage. Once they move, all bets are off because they want to do it NOW and their way.
Sorry about the teething. My pediatrician says if you even suspect teething is bothering them, dose ‘em up with Tylenol or Motrin before bed. Can’t hurt them and can only help. Also, we had success with the Orajel stuff in the middle of the night when the sleeping went all to shit.
And if you think this is anything remotely willful, just wait until she’s 3. Oh my lord, 3 might kill us all in my house. So enjoy almost-1.5 while you can. It’s still a delightful age where you can actually chuckle at the tantrums vs. ducking them chucking objects at you when they are pissed!
Try not to panic. It gets better — really. Then it gets worse. Then better, then worse. But all the time, it’s a true privilege.
I’m sorry but I LOVE IT!!
it gets better way better but way worse… They understand and can do for themselves more witch is better but they also get a vocabulary to go with it which is really NOT!
Notice the spelling of the previous
That’s funny, Bridget started saying “up” recently! I didn’t think it was really related to anything, but she walked over to the stairs tonight and said it, so I guess it’s her first word! The changes we see in them are sometimes frustrating, but always amazing! My husband is also already worried about boys, she much prefers to play with them and give them kisses than to acknowledge any girls. And teething is a bitch, but hopefully it’s better to get 4 out of the way at once?
Oh Matt…I feel your pain! (not your ball pain, but your parenting pain!) I am going through the EXACT same thing with my 17 month old! She is EXHAUSTING me and the tantrums are killing me. Just recently she has started to throw “fake” tantrums with no tears just for fun. She actually threw herself on the floor tonight kicking and screaming for no reason just to get attention from my husband when he came home from work. I find myself wondering what in the hell am I going to do with her when she is 15 if she is acting like this at 1.5!!!! Glad to know we are all going through the same things and that my child isn’t abnormal! Take care and hang in there!!!!
Sounds like Madeline and my daughter Alexa (13 months old) would get on just great! You just described my daughter to a T, except for the going to the arms of any man part, lol..
I’m 40 years old and so f—–g jealous of her wardrobe. Seriously. She’s really, really cute, even as a whiny mess!
and so it begins…have fun:) you’re doing a great job, and we all have or are going through the same thing. don’t forget you’re an amazing dad. and sorry don’t know what to tell u about maddy waking up at o dark hundred. i’m dealing with it right now and all i can say is i feel your pain,hehehe.
I certianly hope you, ahem, balls are ok now!
I seriously busted up at this. I couldn’t help it. *laughs* My hubby has had his “daddy button” as he calls it whacked, stomped, smacked, kicked, etc. so many times it’s a miracle it still works. =P
I wouldn’t trade any of it in for all the money in the world. =)
She’s adorable! I love her pretty clothes. And i have to agree that it’s only gonna get bumpier from here. I have an 8 1/2 yr old, a 3 1/2 yr old and a 2 1/2 yr old.. and it NEVER stops! I feel for ya.. but know that all of it is totally worth it.
And motrin works well, or tylenol. Teething is horrible. my 1st did very well with it. you never knew she was getting teeth until you opened her mouth and saw them. with 2 and 3, it just interrupted their sleep. gave them tylenol and they were back out.
awww, little girls are so fun
she is 14 1/2 months going on 14 1/2 yrs lol. good thing she is still totally adorable!!!
I’ve been reading the blog since it started and I love the pictures but this blog entry HAS got to be the funniest yet. I called my sister and told her to read it and we BOTH were laughing so hard we had tears! They rule the house hold and just wait until she gives you the evil eye….it will scare you! I’ve been babysitting for 15 years and still today love kids, but it never surprises me what they do. Good Luck Matt things will get easier…just remember….Benadryl is the best drug OTC to drug the kid to sleep!!
HAHAHA! Sounds like my life at the moment! Only, throw in a disgruntled 3 year old along with the whiny 1 year old and you have really fun times.
Love to see her wearing the shirt I sent even if she is whiny. She looks beautiful regardless! 
At least your girl is stylish.
That was hilarious. LMAO!!
Aww at least she doesn’t bite. My 11month old bites not just me strangers and ankle he gets with in biting range. But no worries she will grow out of the fussy stage and her teeth will come in and you will have maddy number #1 back.
I always bought a bag of carrots that were big enough so my children couldn’t bite the ends of them off. Wash them up, and they are nice and cold to chew on – great for trips in the car to and from daycare, errands 0:) Motrin is still the #1 choice during the night though. She is beautiful and that is enough, isn’t it? Remember check and diapers. I still write on my hand.
What did the robot do to be in time-out? Poor thing didn’t even get a corner just beside the fireplace.
I wish I could tell you it was gonna get better soon, but the tantrums only get worse. Katie is 19 months and her tantrums are continuous unless we give in to her every whim, which doesn’t happen a whole lot. But she always goes over to the rug to throw herself on the floor, she never does it on the wood floor. And she doesn’t even argue about going to the time-out corner anymore.
Good Luck with this new Maddy.
While I feel for you, at the same time your post made me chuckle, it was so cute. (I’m sure I wouldn’t say that if it were *my* child having a meltdown.)
It’ll probably get worse before it gets better, but there’s a light at the end of the tunnel!
I couldn’t help but laugh while I was reading this! You’re only going to go through a million changes from now until… well… the rest of your life. I saw my 3 yr old in most of what you wrote, minus the remote part, lol.
Best of luck with the new Maddy’s that you’ll come across!
While my daughter is 2 1/2 I am having quite a time with her right now too! Good luck on the schedule thing. I was always AMAZED at her resilience of your “crazy” schedule, and her ability to sleep ANYWHERE!
I give your permission to call a grandparent when you need some rest and let her spend the night there. It’s okay! We all need it. Oh and welcome to the world of toddlers. I wish I could tell you it’s only gonna get better, but??? You will have good days and you will have bad days. But once those teethers on in! WHOO HOO! Then it’s potty training time! LOL. Just keep on loving her!
You are freakin HILARIOUS! Love how you think!
Wait until she’s 2- then she’ll be back in your arms. My daughter was a terror in stores- running away, laughing her head off as she went. But when they get closer to 2 they (usually) revert back and want you again. My daughter has now begun the “use a parents’ legs for protection” phase where she hides behind us and never strays too far. It was during the previous “run away- ha!” phase that I did ponder getting a leash, but didn’t- I just didn’t take her anywhere that freaked the crap out of me.
Oh dear, I just went through this same transformation with my son. I now have a 16 month old who seems pretty pissed off most of the time. Oh, and he has all his teeth, so we can’t blame it on that…yeah, fun times.
Ok, I don’t think Madeline can compete with Em in the Baby Olympics as Madeline is no longer at “amateur” status — she’s a professional baby now with her almost-walking and food-throwing.
Tylenol or Motrin at bedtime. A squirt of Orajel on a toothbrush brushed along gumline. Always worked like a charm for me. Sweet dreams, for M & you, too.
ok, i LOVED this post!
I am right there with you.
I’m smiling from ear to ear. This too shall pass, Matt. I promise. In the meantime, motrin for teeth, wine for Dad. Soon you’ll be experiencing yet another version of your angel as she grows up and becomes more independent! Try to enjoy it!
Nice to know what we are looking forward to in a few months! Guess we better play all we can now!
That Derek thing is hilarious! I didn’t listen to the whole thing, but that is funny. I have a profanity laced, adult audio piece that you might enjoy. It is so very funny!
That transition to a movable being is tough! After she has been able to move for a few months, she will be a bit more tolerable. I believe in Tylenol for teeth! Do it up! She doesn’t need the pain, and neither do you – or your boys!
All will be well until she is 3 1/2 or so. That is when they really are a pain in the ass. Puts “terrible two’s” to shame!
There is a reason God made babies so cute!
Same boat here, Matty. My free tips… I still use the Hyland tabs, I give her 1/2 a banana an hour before bed/milk (sleeps better, I swear) and although I keep the room cool, I keep her warm. Snuggle soft layers make the bunny sleep.
And I try reallllly hard to find joy in her independence… today she screamed “mogwi” at the top of her lungs for the whole hour we were at Cub. At 1st I cared, then I just enjoyed the smiles it brought her shopping friends. Granted they were all 90 and couldn’t hear her, but nonetheless, it was cute. And try to stay on her regular schedule as much as you can.. she’ll eventually go back to sleeping how she used to, as long as you don’t fuck it up in the interim with something new. het het.
Holy, sorry about your balls, but I seriously laughed til I cried. She’s well on her way to becoming a toddler, my four year old has meltdowns daily and my 8 month old bawls every time I put her down lately. Just remember to go to your “happy place” with all those rainbows and unicorns, and put your precious records in a place where she CAN’T REACH!!!
So this is what’s to come, eh? Well, no matter the actions of the little one (or not so little one anymore), she is still just as beautiful as ever. She’s still amazingly beautiful, and you are still doing an amazingly wonderful job with her.
She’s growing up dude. Your EASY days are almost over. Sorry. someone had to tell you. Soon it will be all about reason, logic and because I fuckin said so, that’s why!
Maddie is great… hope she feels better soon.
but…
Who’s Derek????
Hilarious
sorry about the remote mishap.
hearts, stars, moons, and ladybugs,
mrs boo
You gotta love maddy!!!
Sorry Matt, but I have to laugh a little about the new Madeline. It’s nice to know she isn’t a perfect angel ALL the time and is a “normal” baby/toddler afterall! With all three of my kids the Terrible Two’s actually started around 15 months and were much better shortly after they turned two. You will survive, hopefully without pulling out all of your hair!
LOVE IT!
Matt, Sorry to hear Maddy’s been having a tough time.
From our experience (and obviously every kid is different), but she’ll train you into this new Maddy just in time for her to then change yet again into Maddy #4. (And we won’t talk about what the 2.5 year-old Maddy will look like and do to you. You just don’t want to know!)
=) Good luck on the teeth. Jason swears by the Hyland’s Teething Tablets, but I think they’re bunk.
Beki
Kinda fun to see old friends tonight, its been awhile. Matt, take charge of that baby, or screw that, just have fun She will be fine.
LOL My daughter Lilly is the opposite. She goes to any woman (same with my son, but he’s a boob man. no seriously he is. He has no problem pulling a woman’s shirt away so he can literally look down her shirt…..:P lol) but a man, she FREAKS! I hope she keeps this up for a while longer!!! But welcome to her age. She’s going to get even more independent and let you know exactly what she likes and doesn’t like! LOL Have fun!
I don’t want to be a “know-it-all” (I have 3 boys and I always question myself)….but, from my experience most kids go to bed WAY to late. My almost 6 yr. old still goes to sleep by 7-8 most nights. My 1 yr. old is tired by 6-7 and still takes 2 naps a day if we’re home. I know this isn’t right for every child and/or family but just thought I’d share. My kids are a mess if they are up too late too many times in a row. Not to say we’re not flexible when we need/want to be.
I liked this book just for the explaination of how children sleep, how much they need etc. I didn’t follow his plans but it was a great reference http://www.amazon.com/Healthy-Sleep-Habits-Happy-Child/dp/0345486455/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1244519410&sr=8-1
Side note…I remember seeing online that Tom Cruise & Katie Holmes’ baby was “MIA” at one point and I remeber thinking, they took her everywhere until she got to THAT age and then it wasn’t so easy for a while. It was so about speculation and where could she be but I knew she was at a hard age. Kinda funny. It does get better!
Love your blog, your wife would be extremely proud I’m sure.
MG in WI
Sorry Had to chuckle at that whole remote control scene. She is growing up and making herself a Identity dad. She is so loved by so many and I love to see her progress. I can’t wait to here more about the adventures of Madeline
Ah yes, unfortunately they change a bit at this age. You’ll love her anyway, but it does get harder. She is adorable in all three pictures.
On the sleeping thing – even with teething I just gave mine tylenol and let them cry it out in their bed. I’m a mean Mom, I know. But you might want to consider it lest she get used to waking up with you in the middle of the night.
Yah, just wait until she’s fully mobile and has a melt down. Full on throwing her little body on the ground and kicking and beating hands.
But the whiny moments are completely over shadowed by loving hugs and sloppy kisses.
Welcome to the toddler years, my friend!
Good thing she’s super cute, right!?
oh just wait until age three, it is by far the hardest so far. they get more defiant and there is still the fits.
(oh and i love mady’s yellow shirt in the whiny picture, My daughter has the same one and I love it)
Matt, get the book Aliens took my daughter
it’s so great! and the illustrations even look like Mady!
Matt, just wait till she hits 16.
This post made me laugh so hard I nearly spit out my wine.
I feel for you.
Good luck!
Like many other people said, Motrin, Motrin, Motrin. And yes, our kid was a horrible sleeper until the day she started to walk. Then I woke up the next morning going, “What’s wrong? She didn’t wake up in the middle of the night!!!” For the next year, she sleep consistently through the night. (That is, until she was 2 1/4 or so and decided she wanted to sleep in a regular bed instead of a crib, and then got a bunch of colds, and it all went to hell in a handbasket for a while)
The good thing is that you live in an area with great weather, where you can be outside a lot. Playgrounds seem to help make the grouchies go away.
Toddlers are still insane though. No getting around that fact.
matt,
poor you!! and poor little maddie with all those teeth coming in!! OWEY!! i feel your pain b/c my little guy cried and screamed every time a tooth came to be. i would say it gets easier as they get older but i be lying so i wont.:OD just hang in there!!
Be careful with the Motrin! I ran out of Tylenol, gave my boy Motrin and he was up from midnight-7am. It makes him hyper as fuck!
Toddlerhood is the reason they made beer! My 22 month old walked up to me and hit me over the head with a book this evening. Then he said love you and threw a block at me. Then I had some beer. Good luck Matt! This phase is way too long. I’m surprised I have any hair left.
Maddy goes to men without a fuss, is because most of her life she has spent with you and so she relates to men easier.
Frozen teething rings and baby tylenol will help with her teething.
I remember when my wisdom teeth were growing in when I was a teenager; it was the worst pain I’ve ever felt. With four teeth growing in at once, no wonder Madeline isn’t at her best. She’s still awfully cute, though.
Oh gosh, I have to laugh about the going into the arms of any man thing because my twin girls are the same age and just the same. They are all about their Daddy and much friendlier to the fellas than the ladies. The amount of times I’ve had to peel them off the legs of terrified single men at BBQs… Not to mention when I take them to the park and they see a man in the distance and go tearing off after him screaming “Daddy! Daddy!” which always makes me feel like I’m living in a trailer park or something.
I also hear ya on the teething scene. My Lily’s teeth just pop up like pez, but for my Maddie, each tooth is like passing a kidney stone. All about the children’s motrin. Stay strong
I liked this post. Good idea. Who woulda thought that little sweetie would turn out to be such a toothy tornado?
SHE.
IS.
AWESOME!
Thanks for the laugh! I’m sorry about your pain. No really, I am.
ps. CHECK & DIAPERS!
Two is lovely. Challenging but lovely. Four through seven you might just consider selling her!
Funny post Matt! Sorry about the remote control accident. I have similar stories, although it’s my boobs that are always getting injured.
I know you’ve heard it before, but when my daughter was cutting 4 teeth at once, that’s when I decided to give the teething necklace a try so she wouldn’t be constantly taking tylenol or motrin type of stuff. She was 18 months old at the time. And again, I tell you…the difference was amazing. No crying, no whining, no pain, no stuffing her full of medicine. But Maddy does need to keep it on 24/7 to work. They are built to last and should it break (which is unlikely) it’s made to break so that they beads don’t all scatter. If you don’t have one or lost the one you had, just email me. I’m heading up to the Baltic Sea in a few days and those necklaces are all over the place there since they originally come from that area of the world.
Your daughter is just getting more and more beautiful every day. Can’t wait to hopefully meet her in person one day…maybe she’ll willingly be held by women again at that point. I sure hope so!
loving the closer updates! i also loved the pics of the three maddie’s…and can’t help but chuckle about the remote too. also can’t help but notice your wedding ring is gone..but i notice liz’s is still there. i know there will come a day when you remove that too..but i have no idea why i care or why i hope its a long time. i suck.
Thanks for sharing. I had to chuckle because I remember the teeth and they came in slowly but surely. Then I wished for talking so mine could FINALLY tell me what the heck the problem was. Now she is 5 and sometimes I think I really shouldn’t have wished for all the talking.
Oh your fun has just begun.
Haha. I love it. I’ve become a professional slap victim in my home. My 20 month old daughter smacks me in the face when I stop her from doing something….then she laughs like crazy. She seems to understand everything but the word “no.” She can throw food across the dining room to our dog. My husband and I argue about where to sit in restaurants bc the person next to her is covered in food by the end of the meal. Her trick is to chew food and act like she loves it then she spits out the chewed food. nice. She’s still a funny, sweet and interesting kid… just a pain in the ass sometimes. I breathe a sigh of relief at 815pm each night when she’s in bed.
One piece of advice, leave her in her crib at night, even if she wants to get up. Give her some motrin for the teeth and say goodnight. If our kid’s crying is out of control, then we pick her up, hug her and put her back down. Maddy will learn all too quickly that crying will result in an all night play date with daddy. My daughter’s ability to self-soothe and go back to sleep has saved us.
Such a precious girl! You need patience and wisdom don’t you? There is ONE who can give that to you if you ask. If you have a Bible read James 1:5. There are some helpful books on training and raising your children. Shepherding a Child’s Heart is a good and helpful one. Be encouraged….she won’t be like this forever! If you can begin training her to have self control she will be a blessing to you forever!
This post cracks me up Matt. It is just the beginning, my girl started her terrible two’s at this age, you’ll get through it. She’s testing you to see how far she can get, all kids do. Mine’s 8 and still testing my patience. You are doing a great job and she is just beautiful.
Hahahahahhahaha…this ain’t nothing, pal. Wait another 9 months tilt he Terrible Two’s hit. And then tell us how much you miss this Madeline!!!!!!
See, kids are tricky little buggers. They lull you into a false sense of security that they are very adaptable, very easy going, and that they will work with you on whatever you want to do, when and where. Then bam….they change it all up and start making rules of their own, even at the ripe old age of 15 months….
And frankly, I love the fact that in the 2nd picture she is clearly shaking her finger at you. You are in such trouble with that one…..
Welcome to the crazy world of toddlerhood!!!
We all live through it, although we don’t think we will.
Good luck to you. Just remember that she will be 13 some day and this is nothing compared to THAT!
Oh yes, this is all very normal…I have a 3.5 year old daughter (boy, that is lots of fun). haha! Someone has told me that 3 is horrible (1.5 to 2 is easy compared to 3…at least I think so)…but 4 is a dream. I sure hope they are right…that means only 6 more months to go. (but I’m not really holding my breath on this, because I have to remember she is a girl and an independent one at that…I’m just wishful!) Yikes…I think we both have our hands full! Best of luck….
Oh Matt you are funny! I have a 2.5 year old that we call CHUCKY when she turns into a whiny mess!! Some people might not think that is appropriate, but it makes us laugh!
When are you visiting Minnesota?
Wow. . . She is really growing up! Sounds like she’s becoming more of a handful, but man, she is is still adorable.
Oh how I loved your post!!!!! It had me laughing out loud during the entire thing!
I must note…. It doesn’t gey any better!!! My almost 22 month old has now begun the “terrible 2′s”. I have to tell you they are more like, what in the hell are you doing, STOP, NO, oh my God what was I thinking, is it bed time yet, 2′s! So here’s to wishing you all the best!
I can not wait to see a video of her walking! Oh, and to hear about your awesome book deal that I know is happening!
~Stacy
I have grown children, and I have come to believe that toddler-hood exists only to prepare us for puberty, which will come much faster than you think. It also exists to provide opportunity to draw firm boundary lines. Oh and be thankful that the nut shot was an accident. My middle child used to kick my ex in the nuts every time he saw him. He’s 22 now and might still do it if 1) the ex came around and 2) he still had huevos to kick!
Yeah. This is so typical of all things parenting, I’ve found. The better a job you do (in this case raising a baby to be so secure and happy that when toddlerhood hits she is completely independent), the more you get kicked in the nuts. It’s the strangest thing. Do a really good job and our reward is that they leave us (often in pain.) Awesome.
As hard as it is…..it is so worth it!! Toddler years are so fun, bc you can watch them learn so many new things!!
Not so fun are the whiny tears or the fits, but I have realized that sometimes we need a timeout too
I use ear phones with my IPOD to block it out at times 
I can see them, but its so nice to hear music instead of the tears and screams…it makes it easier to deal with it too!
With my first I was the same way about schedules…then #2 and #3 came and I realized “I” needed the schedule just as much as they did! You might even see a happier teething toddler with a routine
Good Luck…These years are fun..but Fucking hard as HELL at times!!
Yup,, welcome to parenting a toddler!!!!!
HILLARIOUS!!!!
My youngest is slowly but surely finding her way out of the “terrorist” cave she’d been inhabiting, so your post is especially amusing to me. I always thought it was so fortunate that you had such an easy going child during the first 12+ months of your daddying experience.
Hang in there (assuming Maddy hasn’t done any permanent damage to your anatomy).
Holy Shit Balls…. that’s a funny post!
Sorry about the “boys”… that’s gotta be horrible.
Matt – I love in pic #2 she’s pointing her finger, as if she’s giving you the instructions.. adorable
Oh my goodness, I laughed at this! I remember these stages so well from my own kids. They are 8 and 9 now, but the baby and toddler years were my favorite. They are hard, but magical.
My friend, Lani, has a little boy who needs the center of attention. One day Lani had a massive headache and lay down on the floor for a rest. Her son brought the vacuum cleaner attachment down on her face and gave her a huge black eye. She locked herself in the bathroom for the next three hours to keep from pounding him!
Hope your Charlie Browns are feeling better.
Oh Matt she is such a doll that sweet Madeline.
Also I have 2 words for you…
Teething Tablets.
Sorry about your privates! They’ve got great aim at that age. Poor thing–tooth pain, and a daddy who actually wants her to be safe and sound! She just wants to experience everything, and you won’t let her. No wonder she gets pissed off. Try and hang on to your sanity–take breaks when you can place her in a playpen. Stay consistent with the rules (I always found that kids flounder less and stress less when they have rules to follow) and try and empathize with the fact that she wants things she can’t have.
You just described my one year old…glad to know I’m not the only one!
Great comments on the 3 versions of maddy! Been a follower/lurker for a long time. It’s great watching Maddy’s progress! Great job Matt! We have a 2 year old and they go through the same phases. You really have done a great job with her. You can definitely tell this from both your writings and pictures.
Hi Matt-
Maddie is so gorgeous, and you’re such an incredible daddy and person in general. This is definitely a tough time, but it will pass before you know it. There will be other challenges, but I COMPLETELY disagree with other commenters who tell you that it’s just the start of trouble, and that you should watch, out, it just gets worse, etc. Nothing makes me more frustrated as the mother of two little boys (6 and 2 1/2) than those sorts of comments. It’s all wonderful and difficult in varying degrees all the time. You are doing a better job than most anyone I’ve seen at making Maddie’s life special, while also continuing with your own. Take care and, yes, Motrin, is a great remedy for teething pain!
Oh enjoy! I have heard that little girls become sort of divas as they grow up (can’t wait for that stage with my Madison). Hey at least you got three different kids this weekend.
I only get the crying one every weekend. She is growing up beautifully. I love her personality traits. She is so going to tell you what to do! What are you doing to ease her tooth pain?
I didn’t read all the responses so I’m not sure if this was mentioned but there are teething tablets by Highland that are great as well. Teething times are tough, hang in there! Maddy is adorable.
My little girl is about six months older than Maddie – I laughed when I read this post because we went through the same things! Lauren went for the longest time with four teeth, now she has 12 – including four molars. I dread when she cuts her two-year molars because she also becomes a whiny mess! Love reading about the progress she’s making – you are doing an awesome job!
We are going through the same thing here. 6 teeth right now, but you would never know! However she loves to throw herself to the ground and have a tantrum(14 months) and will try to bite something when she is mad…..I so do not love this stage! I feel your pain though!
FINALLY!!! We have a baby exactly one month older than Maddy and she turned on us a little over a month ago. She has always been a “GIANT ITCH”…but recently has graduated to “ANNOYING BABY”. She screams at the top of her lungs when she doesn’t get what she wants…When you are out in public, you have no choice but give in to her demands….Some days I would like to hang a ‘For Sale” sign on her!!!I In Clare’s case, she is our 5th…you would think that I would know how to break her of this, but sadly I have nothing. None of our other children were like this. It probably has something to do with 6 people being at her beck and call at all times…she is totally spoiled. Cute, but spoiled. I think as parents, we just need to ride out this storm….it will pass. (I think!)
Oh Matt, this was a great post it made me laugh. It is sweet and real, everything you said, I’m experiencing with my 14 month old boy, is like when you thought you had her figured out, then something else comes up. But she is still precious and cute as ever. Try Orajel swabs for the teething. Take care.
I am SO WITH YOU… My Melody is 3 days older than Maddy – she also has 4 teeth and is cutting 4 more.. OUCH!! We were up most of last night. In between the sleeplessness and the meltdowns are glimpses of the little girl she is becoming.. hang in there!
Have you tried Hyland’s homeopathic teething tablets? (Along with lots of Ibuprofen/Tylenol!)
Hi Matt. I don’t know if I’ve posted before. Maybe once? Anyway, this made me laugh out loud! Welcome to the club, dad!!
As soon as her teeth come in, things will get a little better. Promise! Use Ora-gel and Motrin for the time being.
Oh Matt, I’m sorry to laugh out loud at your pain. Although I think the guys at Jackass have proved that a blow to the privates is a universal source of laughter.
When my sweet daughter entered Maddy’s stage a few months ago, I took her to the pediatrician and begged him to find something wrong with her. I kept saying, “Please, it must be an ear infection of something.” Could deal with the fact that she was just suddenly cranky and not sleeping through the night. At least for us, it passed after a few weeks, maybe a month at the most. So there is hope. And the Motrin, love the Motrin.
Hi….I have never commented, been following you since Maddie was born. Just wanted to congratulate you on doing such a wonderful job. You and Maddie are quite the pair. Thanks for letting us have this glimpse into your life. You are an awesome father! Keep up the good work!
My little girl is a little older than Maddy (21months). I know what you’re going through. Some days are great, others are hell. It does get easier. You’re doing a fantastic job!
Ah, yes. I remember these days all too well. I recall putting my kids to bed one night and then having them wake up the next day acting like completely different people. This happened with each of my three at about this age. They went from relatively laid back to insane lunatics instantly. They developed attitude. Opinions. And the ability to screech with displeasure in a way that shatter the enamel on your teeth and make everyone in a 12 mile radius stop in their tracks.
The walking thing….oh, man. She will walk and then in a day or two she will learn to run (and climb..eek!). I remember my oldest learning to walk. She was so cute…and then we realized that she had just increased her arsenal of destruction tenfold. She was also a houdini who could get out of any harness put on her (car seat, stroller, etc) in record time. I honestly don’t know how I survived her early toddlerhood.
It’s a crazy time….they are still essentially babies, but are so much more on the move and unpredictable. If you have not done so, get some of those reusable gel freezer boo boo packs. You’ll need them. Trust me.
I hope Madeline’s teeth come through quickly and she’s feeling better. Enjoy this new phase…it’s both magical and maddening. I can look back on it all now (having done it three times myself) and honestly say it was a lot of fun.
Ha! Sounds like my 21 month old, Ava. I kept thinking how is it that Maddy can sleep anywhere and stay up late when required, sit through dinners in restaurants etc??? In my world, we have literally stopped going to restaurants for the time being. It’s hard. We do have a short list of places we are willing to attempt still. We had to do this with my first as well and then it passed. Ava is the same way. She can go downhill FAST past 8 p.m. Sometimes if there is enough action, she will be fine and other times there is nothing I can do and we need to leave whatever fun thing we are doing.
I bet Maddy will remain more adaptable than a lot of toddlers though. You are pretty relaxed and she is used to going to a lot of places and even though it will get harder, she will still remain pretty versatile. I mean, she can sleep anywhere and a lot of toddlers won’t sleep anywhere except at home or maybe in the car.
You’re doing awesome!!!
Wow…all I have to say is that I am sitting here laughing right now. Teeth suck and one word comes to mind…Tylenol!! Now…wait until she says her first swear word!!
This really made me laugh. Our babies are almost the exact same age and seem to be morphing before our eyes. My Noodlebug ALSO has four teeth coming in at the same time. And his new method of alerting me that he wants more food is to scream at the top of his lungs. Love that.
-Amy
(Life by Candlelight)
Thank goodness! I was beginning to wonder what kind of kid you had – I mean really, spending hours at a restaurant with friends at all hours of the night? Kids just don’t let you do that.
It sounds like Maddie is getting some of her Mommy’s personality. Wasn’t there a story you posted once about a young Liz on a swing demanding that people pay attention to her? I love it!
She is such a doll! Do you have pictures of Liz at that age? She looks so much like the adult Liz pictures you’ve posted that it is almost as if you are raising wife! What is the weird factor of that?
Three words for you: Hylands Teething Tablets. They work like a charm, well at least for my almost 11 month old they do! Teething is hard on everyone around! Hope you both get better sleep tonight and the days to come.
Oh.. before I hit send… isn’t it so bittersweet to see your child changing! I look at my 7 year old and wonder how on earth she got to be so old! I look at my 11 month old and am excited for all of the changes to come but would love to cuddle that tiny baby a bit more!
Matt, I love your honesty! She summoned the power of all the gods and brought the remote down on my balls… love it!! Not that I have balls, but I do know what it is like to be severely injured by a kid at that age!!
It’s a sucky age. After the teeth come in, I think you’ll see more of Madeline #2. Hopefully. No promises though. You’re doing great and its okay to wish your kids away to grandparents – how else do you think the rest of us survive?!
Hang in there – it DOES get better… but not for, awhile.
Aww! Sounds like you have been on a bit a of a rollercoaster! I seriously think that we have the same child or they are related somehow. Mia has started to throw mini tantrums! They are at the age where they start to see how far they can push you. The hitting is not fun either. I get slapped and hit constantly because she thinks it’s fun. All I can say is that I am right there with you! I miss the easy going little girl of mine too!! Hopefully, it will get better soon!! Great job, Matt! Hope you feel better!
As they have all said above….welcome to toddlerhood! Just wait until she starts saying “NO” to everything. I have been trying to explain to my son that sometimes Mommy is not asking but telling him to do it. I LOVE my independent 19 month old…..I LOVE him! It is a fun roller coaster ride my friend….enjoy!
Whew! I am totally with you on this one! My son is almost 1 1/2 and has become “difficult” (to put it mildly)…last night at dinner, after leaving a generous tip to compensate for all the food and utensils on the floor, we stayed 30 seconds too long and his plate ended up on the floor-broken…sigh..another couple hasty bucks left on the table…It really used to be easier… We are re-learning how to deal with this new child…many moments are enjoyable but others really do just make you wonder where that sweet kid is that you had just days ago! Since his 16 year brother is ok (and we can bring him anywhere!)…I do have hope that this stage doesn’t last forever! Hang in there!
Finally! I was so jealous of your perfect child. I haven’t eaten a peaceful meal, at a restaurant or at home, in 3 years! I think I’m developing an ulcer from the stress….
Welcome to life with a toddler! It’s great isn’t it…isn’t it?? Just be glad that she wasn’t walking at 9 months. My son Rocco walked at 9 months, started climbing the next day and now at 13 months he runs, fast. Oh, and he can through a mean meltdown.
It’s all part of the life of a parent to small children, but this too shall pass, but do enjoy it because before you know it she’ll be a teenager asking to borrow the car.
Sucks when they get a mind of their own!! Wait till she starts really talking and she makes sassy little comments. You won’t know weather to laugh or cry!! Oh the joys of parenting!!
Sorry about the teething I wish I had some advice on what would make it easier but I don’t just hang in there. It won’t last forever…it will just seem like it does!!
my daughter has sort of turned into an asshole. i mean that in the best way possible. and, while i sure do appreciate her moxie and i definitely want to encourage the fight in her, i keep telling her to “USE YOUR POWER FOR GOOD. USE YOUR POWER FOR GOOD.”
it seems that these little blonde-haired-blue-eyed babies we’re producing are some sort of super human bent on taking over the world. all while looking adorable.
are we prepared?
I found myself in my office chuckling after reading this post. I have a son who is almost the same age as Maddie, and pretty much has the same temperment. Until recently, we would drag him around everywhere, travel with him, go out to late dinners while he slept in a stroller or lap, etc. and it never phased him. He used to love being held and everything we did was funny. Now, suddenly, he doesn’t want any part of containment, shrieks and throws fits at dinners out, melts down entirely by 8pm, throws food, toys and silverware on the floor, no longer finds us funny, wriggles to get away while we are holding him and is in teething HELL! I, too, was secretly relieved to find that he had more than 6 teeth and was willing to overlook the vast amounts of drool running down his chin and fingers. That was until he suddenly stopped sleeping through the night! I’ve taken him up to our bed in hopes of getting a few minutes of shut-eye, at which point, he launches himself around our bed, pinching, slapping and headbutting me repeatedly, laughing hysterically. I often wonder what happened to my sweet, low-key baby. Now I have an opinionated, independent toddler who has learned how to turn on the bathtub faucet
(of course, he can only reach the knob for the hot water), has taken and hidden the volume dial from our stereo, and folds himself in half while sitting, puts his head on the floor and screams bloody murder whenever we take something away or do something he doesn’t approve of. Fuck.
I am a long-time lurker. I have read this blog nearly since the beginning, but I have never before posted simply because I never knew quite was to say, and never could not imagine what you have been through. I felt your grief so strongly through you posts, but never thought anything I could say would ever be beneficial to you in the least. I have noticed that over the past few months, the overall trend in your posts is more uplifting and more about your adventures with Maddie, which is so good to see. I can only hope this echos your life.
I really think I just peed my pants laughing!!! The whole remote “unicorns/rainbows” thing was fuckin funny- something my hubby would say/do (and usually does about once a week because the boys think it’s really funny to kick/hit/slap him in his boy parts) I of course just dont understand why he can’t get over it and move on
Matt, you rock and Miss Maddy is awesome, I have loved reading about you all for the past 1+ yr and how your words create such pictures in my head– my ‘baby’ is 3 as of today, the time flies by and I am really not sure how we got here but boy it’s been a cool ride- it’s kinda like they say ‘you forget the bad stuff along the way and only have the good memories’!
They get to an age where they will become unglued if you go off their schedule. She’s at that age now. That’s going to be hard because you travel a lot. You’re going to have to shift around the way you do things. Also at this age they don’t stay put when they’re awake,, and then they have to go down for a nap at the same time every day or they will be crabby. There were times when I had to sit in a hotel room and do nothing because the kids were napping or down for the night. It was either that or deal with meltdowns and a lot of crying. I think the perfect solution is to take her out of daycare and hire a nanny-one who is also willing to travel. Maddy will have one constant female role model in her life who can nurture her in a female way. I’ve been a single parent to three for almost nine years now. My children are 21, 19, and 15. The 21yo and the 15yo are male. I tried to be everything, but I found that the boys needed male nurturing too and blossomed when they had a constant male role model on a daily basis. Also, if you hire a nanny, she can help you with Maddy when you travel. She can put Maddy down for naps and for the night. And on a daily basis, you can spend time with Maddy when she is awake. Everyone will be happier and calmer. Being a single parent is very, very hard. But it can also be very, very rewarding.
sounds exactly like my 21 month old. he was always such a mellow, easy baby. had taken him on about 15 flights and all over the place by the time he turned 1. all of a sudden, he hated his stroller, wouldn’t sit in a highchair and needed a schedule. a little adjusting and things got much better, quickly. she is so beautiful! don’t be afraid of the tylenol for teething…works like a charm for our little one.
I thought it was interesting that Maddy will only go to men. My daughter would only go to women for a long time, which I thought was possibly because she’s a girl. I was wrong. This goes to show how bonded Maddy is bonded to you, and how much she trusts & loves you. At 4, my daughter has grown more comfortable around both genders & I’m sure Maddy will too.
Oh Matt you make me laugh, but we are in the same boat with you, my 15 1/2 month old is changing so much, he has his own little demanding personality and knows how to get his way, and he has this amazing memory and will never forget what he threw a tantrum about as soon as he comes accross the same things again…….geez and he immediately turns red screaming and down roll the crocodile tears ………………its so hard with both parents around and I admire how you handle things on your own. I can’t wait to hear about Madeline’s soon to be Frankenstein walk
and boy hold on Matt you will be in for a bigger ride once she starts to walk full-time………….
I would love to tell you it will get better but it doesn’t. My daughter is 4 and she thinks she is 14. She has been very trying since a little over 3. The terrible two’s..what is that??? She was an angel. Good luck to you and just cherish the finer moments that do happen.
So sorry about the remote issue. My poor husband shares in your pain, I don’t know how we managed to have more children as much as he has been abused.
I remember well how they turn from sweet babies to almost toddlers with their own agendas. With my first son, we too used to take him here, there and everywhere. He was great at restaurants, flirting with all the blond waitress’, chatting away in the cute baby way he would. The only rough part of the meal was the mess he would make, but we would tip extra for that. Then one day, at our favorite Mexican restaurant a different child showed up, we did not recognize him. He was so unruly that when our food finally arrived, we asked them to pack it up to go. Over the years we have been able to know how our children will act, they still have one up on us though.
On the teething, my baby has been going through it for a while now, the teething tablets and Motrin really do help, in fact they were the only thing that helped him get any relief. Good luck!
I was hoping for your sake that this Maddy wouldn’t show, but unfortunately all new toddlers seem to make this crazy transformation. I know my Patrick has. Luckily there are still a lot of wonderful moments. Fill your cup on those days, it will help with the rest!
MATT!!!! Oh I hope I get your attention and you read this comment! I feel like I’m yelling into an abyss…
PLEASE READ THIS!!!
Madeline is beginning to talk- HER TALKING IS YOUR GREATEST ALLY in self -defense (quite literally; if you want her to use words to communicate instead of wield remotes at your balls- listen up!)
Matt- I am a speech therapist who has helped SO MANY PARENTS through this stage of childhood (whining and hitting, etc) by teaching parents how to improve their child’s speech. (Thus reducing the child’s use of ‘alternative communication’ aka- hitting, whining, crying, tantrums. Improving basic speech = decreasing negative behaviors).
The quicker you get Madeline using ‘real’ words, the quicker you can remove the nut cup from your underwear and not have to put visiting children in full armor to protect them from Madeline’s slapping, etc!
Here’s a start to help you.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0vzG0LQYMWQ
I plan on doing a lot more of these, but I too am solo parenting and time to get them done is elusive.
Peggy and Sydney
Oh, thank GOD! I was begining to think I was doing something wrong to make my 2 year old act that way. HA HA!!
Hang in there, Matt! Hopefully the teeth will come out soon and Maddy will have calmed down and returned to Maddy #2!
Oh and I hope your balls are feeling better!
Oh the teething thing… wow, my friends babies just become someone else when going through it! It’s such pain for them and they just don’t know how to control it or make it feel good… poor girl.
And poor dad for having to deal with all of this growth/change… It will get better, right? Right, it will!
Good luck on the whole, not going to let anyone hold me except for a guy thing… hope she grows out of that before she’s 13!
I was WONDERING when the hell your real kid would show up! No-one deserves the kind of fabulous baby-luck you’ve had. Welcome to the real world, mister! BWAHAHAHAHAHA!
Maybe someone has already suggested this or you’ve thought of it, but could the whole “going into the arms of any man” thing be because she lives with a man and not a woman, so she feels more comfortable with that? Just a thought. I’m not sure it’s any thing to really worry about.
Ha.Ha. Ha. I’m laughing at you and with you. Going thru teething horrors with my 16 mo old. You know the drill already with remedies. Now that it’s warm and my daughter can play in her pool outside, she is whipped to shit and sleeps like a log. Get a baby pool. It entertains for hours. Also, we use sign language, it’s awesome that she can express herself with it, helps cut down on her frustration. Good luck dude. Hope you get some sleep.
Welcome to having a toddler! Sounds like she is going to be an independant girl just like her mama!! Look out world here comes Madeline!
Just wait til the teenage Madeline comes along! In all honesty, though, her super strong bond with you and your way of showing her the world is going to help her in relationships with men. The experts say the better relationship a woman has with her dad, the better partner she will pick. And she will be comparing every last one of them to how cool you are, so I think you’re pretty safe!
Toddlers can be so much fun! My daughter is in the taking off her pants and poopy diaper to let me know she needs a change stage. So much fun!
And don’t worry about the “going into the arms of any man” thing. That kind of thing will switch on you around puberty. It’s the girls with the absent fathers that end up being the promiscuous ones. I’m sure you don’t have anything to worry about there!
Have you been peeking into our house? You described the phases of our Madi to a “T”. Good luck with this new (and not so cute) phase. Definitely a creative way to explain the sweet phases of baby-toddler.
Thank you for sharing your Maddy with us!
Oh!! It only gets better. Well, it gets worse and then it gets better and then it gets worse again. And I am only speaking from the experience of 2 1/2 years. “You are in TIME OUT” is the most commonly used phrase in our house.
Welcome to the life of a walking toddler! LOL ;o) Once she’s mobile, as in running, watch out for real! LOL !!!! She’s gorgeous and adorable. Now you are on HER TIME LOL! Teething…oh Maddy the pain…
Why, she is perfectly normal!
Baby Madeline-Toddler Madeline…she’s transitioning just as it should be. I have a Granddaughter born 4/15/08 and she’s doing the same things. I ask her parents what happened to their compliant peaceful baby? However, wouldn’t change a thing. When I have her my life is joyous.
Hang in there, Matt. She’s a ways off from 13 still, enjoy it while you can. (and, maybe, buy a cup?) Father’s day is coming up! Yay!
That is hilarious and sad at the same time. You’re moving into a new phase in your life and the fun is just beginning. Madeline can’t get anymore cuter…
Oh, I could almost feel the remote from here…ouch!
She may need that skill later, running into the arms of any man
All your posts are great Matt because you are a great man with an exceptionally cute daughter, but this one is plain hilarious! I really miss my kids being that age…but I wouldn’t repeat it right now, that’s for sure.
Just wait ’til those pesky teenage years.
Sorry about your balls.
Wow. I totally feel you on this one. I think 15-18 months or so is harder than “the terrible twos.” They know *exactly* what they want, they want to do it by themselves, but yet, they don’t quite have the words or mobility to get it yet. The first time my B started throwing temper tantrums, a wise mentor of mine gave me a hug and said “she is doing EXACTLY what she is supposed to be doing at this age.” Somehow it helped to hear.
My only other advice: try going out to breakfast and brunch instead of dinner. It seems easier for them to sit still earlier in the day.
Great post.
Hope your balls feel better.
This made me laugh hysterically. Poor Henry and poor you.
Old, tried and true teething remedy.
Pour a little brandy into a glass. Take a sip. Now, rub a little bit of the brandy on Maddie’s gums. Rock her, while doing this. Take another sip, and keep rocking her. Rub a little bit more on her gums, and take another sip. Keep rocking. You both should be feeling better by now.
Put the babe into her crib, take a final sip of the brandy, congratulating yourself for discovering a teething remedy generations of parents have used to help calm their babes, and themselves. Go to bed.
I totally know what you mean. We went through a similar transformation with our Madeline at a similar age. She was the most super chill infant – just going with the flow all the time & super happy & easy and then just after she turned one, she started to transform into little miss fuss. it’s worse during teething times, of course.
On the bright side – it’s all part of her healthy development of her sense of self and her drive towards mobility and independence but on the down side, it sure is hard to deal with!
I spent most of her first year as a somewhat single parent as my husband is a pilot and was away a lot (like 4-5 days a week). it really does make it so much more difficult to juggle everything & contain her with just one set of hands instead of two. I empathize with your struggle.
My unsolicited advice is to take advantage of your support network & babysitters & make sure you get a break from time to time. Also – anytime you’re in the midst of feeling overwhelmed or frustrated, keep in mind that that moment/that feeling/that situation/that tantrum will pass…(eventually).
I also agree with the other advice about motrin/tylenol for the teething (teething sucks) Maddie liked the homeopathic teeting tablets but i have no idea if they actually helped with teething or if she just liked the sugar.
My Madeline turned 2 yesterday and is still mostly delightful but she does continue to learn new ways to push our buttons!!! (I still think she’s the best little 2 year old I know!)
Be glad that she is getting her teeth in big groups like that. I didn’t know how fortunate I was with my two sons, then my daughter came along to teach me what teething is really like, one slow tooth at a time – WOW.
Maddy = Teething tablets, lavender oil, ora gel, tylenol &/or motrin, Benedryl – all very helpful.
You = alcohol, babysitters
Oh the progress and digression all rolled into maturation. Hope it makes you feel better to know I’ve been there and also fear what my girls have in store for me just around the corner, or at 4am.
No comment on the personality in #3 but MAN, she looks like her mom in that one. What a beautiful little girl…taking after a breathtaking woman.
every child goes through these changes…dont worry about the whole guy thing yet….you are about 15 years away from the stress of that:)
Don’t worry about the man thing. My husband worked a swing shift several years after my daughter was born and he got her during the fun part of the day (morning to afternoon) and she had a big preference to men and I think that’s why. She had a lot of ‘daddy time’ and he was really fun so therefore all guys must be fun…at least to her. She got over it.
Teething advice – Tylenol saved my sanity and her sleep that’s all I can say.
As for the general beastiness – now is a best age to start having people over to the house for breakfast/lunch/dinner and such instead of going out a lot. Kids crave routine (as you found out) and they LOVE being in their own element. The bonus is that if she’s ready for bed at 7:00 you can put her down for the night and still enjoy several hours visiting with friends.
That’s all I got. Don’t worry too much…maybe drink more. Hehe!
Lisa in the Big D’s suggestion of babysitters is really a good one too. Sometimes just a couple hours off-duty helps ALOT! Might help with the dislike of women too if you have them babysit. =)
Totally normal for the schedule thing!! My kids all 3 of them did the same thing. Especiall my first. He was up until 10:30 or 11pm every night of the week and all of a sudden at around 1 year, we couldn’t keep him up past 8. He would go to his room and point to his crib! So, bedtime became 8pm for him and we started watching lots of movies!!
Awww, Maddy’s being a little rough on her favorite Dad!!! HILARIOUS post!!! P.S. Can you at tell us when the post about what you were doing in NYC will be arriving?? You’re killin’ us here, Matt!!!!!
And so it begins… I wish you a great deal of patience and luck, my friend. I’m a mother of 3 awesome daughters and every day is an adventure.
P.S. Sorry to hear about your balls…
welcome to toddlerhood! btdt x3 now, the youngest is 3.5 yrs and highly bribe-able which makes things easier. do not listen to people who tell you not to bribe your child, they lie.
also, hylands teething tablets are great, they always helped my kidlets.
despite it trials and tribulations, 1 will always be my favorite age. truly full of wonder.
So Funny! okay, now some helpful hints…everytime you are out look for interesting little things she might like..small animals, sticker books etc. You keep this in a hidden place and when you are heading out.. you throw them in the diaperbag for entertainment at the table. I didn’t come up with this , but my good friend always did it and her kids were great. keep her in her crib and let her get herself back to sleep.. really.. this is the way for you to keep your sanity.
Hang in there Matt.. it is fun… i think…
Well Matt this is nothing, wait till the teenage years! It’ll get better when she’s about 25! Your doing a great job, like someone else said, you will meet more Maddy’s over the years ahead and you will still love her no matter what. Hang in there, it will get better.
And I’m sure her grandparents would be more then happy to take her for awhile.
Invest in some baby oragel and a teething ring – it’ll pass.
Well I’m sorry for you. But as sad as it is this is what normal children (toddlers) do. Maddy #1 wasn’t real ha ha. I’m sure she’ll be back to at least Maddy #2, just give her a few days and those teeth shouldn’t bother her as much. Here we’re working on the last 4 molars. I saw 2 coming yesterday and I can’t wait to forget about teething YEAHHH
You are hilarious Matt! She has grown so fast!! Savor every moment….
Love, Mere
This is a tough transition – sweet adorable baby to determined independence. Been through it 3 times and it sucks each time. Other mothers looked at me with shock and disdain when I suggested that I might seriously consider skipping serious chunks from 18 months to 3 1/2 (when reason skills start to kick in).
Seriously, it’s still fun but no kidding – it’s tough.
BTW – when I’m backed up in my Reader, your blog is still one of the first I come to. Such a pleasure and privilege to read.
By far my favorite post to date!!!
In the 2nd & 3rd photo, I can’t help but notice the resemblance of Maddy and her mummy! Kids grow so much, so quickly! But Maddy is still as lovable as when we first got to know her.
can you tranq dart her until the teething is done?
kidding.
poor things, you and her right now.
Hello toddler Maddy!! First real word and first few steps, that is amazing!!! I am sorry to say that your little accident that sent to to think about unicorns bust out laughing, my little cousin who is maddy’s age likes to head butt so i feel your pain. Keep up the great job, be blessed!
Matt: You have been so lucky to have such a good baby the first 15 months of her life. She seems to sleep any place she is, including Time Square, she has been on plane rides from California to New York and not given you any trouble. Be happy she has been such an angel. We have had 12 months of hell with Sophia. As much as we love her, I can’t help saying she is the baby from Hell. My brother has asked himself several times over the last 12 months WHY???? First of all, Sophia or (Sybill as we sometimes call her) hates to sleep, she hates naps and she doesn’t like to sleep at night either. I don’t think she has slept thru the night more than 7 times since she was born. Can’t lay her in the crib to go to sleep, you have to hold her in your arms and rock her. I have been at my mom’s house and seen them put her in her crib and she has cried over an hour, and I mean screaming non-stop until she passes out. They have done this night after night and she continues to scream. She has screamed so much that she busts the blood vessels in her eyes. She hates her car seat so taking a car ride is a real joy. After ten minutes you want to jump out of the car. Forget going out to eat, she hates the high chair. She never liked being in the swing, (they took it back) or the walker. And these were suppose to be the easiest months. Sophia who has had 8 teeth for the last 3 months now decided a couple months ago that it would be fun to bite daddy on the chest, so she took a huge bite right in the nipple. When he screamed she thought that was funny.
Like Maddy she seems to like men alot better than women. Today she was waving and flirting with a guy on a motorcycle. We always tell my brother he is going to have to watch her when she gets older.
Well on Saturday June 13th we will be celebrating her first birthday and thinking about her mother who passed away. We always wonder how she would be if her mother was alive.
Once again I am going to ask you to look at our montage tribute to Jackie and Sophia. Please leave us a comment, you like getting comments on your blog and we would love to get some comments on our tribute. Your readers can also comment, I think some well wishes might help my brother thru this dreaded day. Thanks again Matt!!
http://www.onetruemedia.com/shared?p=8ca85df3f0f4d62c9a76ea&skin_id=1603&utm_source=otm&utm_medium=email
WOW! I can really see Liz in Maddie in picture #3. I think she looks like her mom a lot anyway but A LOT in that picture! Matt, you are doing an amazing job! I don’t even know you and I am so proud of you, and the job you are doing for your beautiful daughter!
My daughter was born a month before Nora, and she is doing the exact same things. Makes me feel better when I read your post. I used to have the sweetest little baby ever, and now she’s morphed into a tantrum-throwing toddler! Can’t help but love ‘em though, huh.
I wouldn’t worry about the being ok with men holding her. I think kids get used to what they are around all the time. She’s with her daddy, so she’s comfortable with men. Mine is home with me all day, so she freaks when a man holds her, but is ok with a woman.
ROFLMAO! Like a lot of people said, sorry to break it to you, but this is just the beginning! My hubby can relate to the whole remote in the balls! It has happened to him more times than I can remember! Speaking of balls…it could be worse anyway. Our daughter turned 2 last week and she totally catches my husband off guard. Not only has she hit him in the balls, but when he is getting in the shower she pokes his balls and says the word, “ball”!!!!! So glad I’m a woman!
Love you guys! Always thinking about you XOXOXO
Reason #1 why babies are so friggin cute — when it’s 2am and the remote control has been slammed into your nether regions, you just have to look at her baby face and know you can’t get angry. My daughter was born on 21-Mar-08, so I am right there with you at whiny baby central! Been following your blog a few weeks after my daughter’s birth and have been continually amazed by your strength and openess. As with everything, what the babies are going thru right now is apparently just a “stage”. When all else fails, get yourself into the fetal position, rock back and forth and chant the mantra, “This, too, shall pass.” Sitting in this position also ensures your balls are covered from another remote control attack
I can half way solve your problems. As you know it’s Summertime here in Germany and guess what we have. Yes, lots and lots of wonderful beer gardens are open. And they’re not just for the students and tourists. Parents love them too. You know why? Cause the parents can drink good German beer while their kids play outside and it doesn’t matter if food gets thrown on the ground or not. I truly do love living in Europe, especially in the Summertime!
So should I pick you guys up at the airport?
OMG, I am laughing so hard. First it will be a big mistake if you let her start manipulating the early morning hours. As long as it does not become the norm you are safe. Don’t worry about the running into mens arms. Paige would go with anyone at her age. When she walked, I had to watch her like a hawk in public as she would go anywhere with anyone. So don’t freak out about not gravitating towards woman. The happiest and well functioning child is one who is on a schedule. Set Maddie up for success. Taking her out late or into bars, restaurants is not setting anyone up for success. Sometimes it is just best not to take toddlers into restaurants as it is more work than it is worth it. I think we will not be seeing as many photos of Maddie in time, as you will have your hands full. But that is ok…Your still an amazing father and Liz would be giving you all sorts of advice if she were here. But for now you get complete strangers to throw their 2 cents in…..
Hilarious! For a whole year we stopped taking our son to restaurants because he would not behave. It was a small price to pay. It kept us sane. We also recently discovered that the terrible twos – don’t go away at the 3rd birthday – instead the tantrums are magnified but not as frequent. Good luck! She’s precious – love the photos.
WOW thanks for the great laugh this morning and remember us moms are laughing with you not at you!! Maddie is such a beautiful little girl- hard to think such a sweet angel would rack her daddy
You are doing great!!
Matt – This made me laugh so much (not at you, WITH you, I swear)! I feel the same way about my son right now. It’s like they are some version of a bi-polar baby when those teeth are coming in. I always blamed his bad moods on teething, from the time he was about three months old… even though his first tooth didn’t pop in until two weeks ago at 13 months!
Lol my friend…not at you, with you….oh the pains of our little ones growing up WAYYYY to fast…I have three kids and my oldest will be 7 and my youngest 3 in July (my middle child just turned 5)…wtf…where does this time slip away to? You are an incredible person my friend….keep up the incredible job of doing the toughest job in the world…raising kids! A friend of mine, Beau Mundt (I went to high school with him) I think applied for one of your Liz Foundation scholorships?? (if thats what they are called) I’m really hoping he is accepted for some funding, hes been having a heck of a time raising their two young boys…lots of MN love coming your way….Shanna
I nodded (and laughed) through this whole post, as probably every other parent of small children did! My husband jokingly called my daughter Sybil during the same stage of her life! Hang in there!
Ha ha ha. Welcome to life with a toddler. ;o) Babies are sweet, wonderful, great, the most precious things in the world…and then they become toddlers. And then you mostly just want to kill them. I mean, you love them, think they’re beauteous, amazing little children/progeny, blah blah blah…but in reality…for me, toddlerhood sucked ass. No more being able to cart her around wherever I wanted whenever I needed, no more happy, indifferent child about where she was. Toddlerhood was something to survive, not enjoy.
Oh, and gee, the fact that I was grieving, a single parent, and totally socially isolated (as a result of moving to the sticks and because my child suddenly wasn’t so malleable anymore), didn’t make matters worse at all. Nope, not at all.
I thought I could handle grief, single parenthood, and widowhood okay that first year. Anna was easy, sweet, beautiful, and I was so grateful to have her (even more than I had been previously) after Charley died, leaving me a little piece of him still here on earth. But then I hit the 2nd (or the 3rd year) of grief and widowhood, which was a whole different ball of wax from the first year. And then I had a toddler, like what you’re experiencing with Maddy right now. And I was exhausted, sleep-deprived, grieving, depressed, and having to be the primary 24-hour-a-day caregiver for a demon. Not a pretty picture.
The good news is that it did get better. Eventually. It only took til over 3 years of widowhood and Anna hitting 3 1/2 for it to finally shift for the solidly better. But that’s just me; there’s no universal “right” for grieving (or parenting, or the Terrible Twos/Demonic Threes). I’m hoping to hell and keeping my fingers crossed that you survive the next few years as relatively painlessly and happily as possible.
Hugs,
Candice
LOL awww poor Matt ( the remote debacle) I love the 3 hours in the middle of the night that they just want to talk to you. It’s the weirdest thing. My daughter Ella is 2 1/2 and she’ll come in my room after minutes (that feel like hours) of crying and then whisper in my ear for 3 hours while I try to sleep. I can’t even tell if I’m awake or dreaming, or someone slipped me some weird drug… it’s definitely an adventure the older they get!
I would like to say thank you for this blog… Maddie is a month older than my daughter and ive watched them grow together. I am a single parent and have also started a blog. I give credit to you for my jump into the life of blogging. http://vanesalee.wordpress.com/
My life is hectic and though my daughters dad didnt pass away he left us high and dry and didnt look back. Its still tough and I still deal with a loss. Thank you for your hard days and your strength and your smiles.
She is so adorable!
I wanted to thank you for the strength and tears and happiness you have shared. I am a single mother and although my daughters father didnt pass away he left us high and dry while I was still pregnant. I suffer a loss and similar days to yours. Rilee is about a month younger than Maddie (4/22/08) and I have watched them grow together through your blog. It has inspired me to post my own. Maybe ill start healing with help from a support group though I am fairly sure it wont be as good as your following. Perhaps you would be able to steer people to your other single parent friends… for guidance and support and wisdom? I love reading comments others have posted and try to take what they say and apply them to my life. The uphill battle is hard but my daughter as im sure you know makes every bump and rock and tumble well worth it. Thank you again
Ugh, good luck with those teeth! I hope she’s back to Maddie #1 or Maddie #2 soon =)
This post is too funny. Wait til she’s in the terrible two’s and three’s. Yep, there is a such thing as terrible three’s. Once my oldest had a meltdown (at age 3) and my Grandpa said “Is that RoseMary’s baby?” LOL
Oh Lordy! I hear ya with the food throwing, and the sleepless nights due to teeth-aches…except my Jack has learned “No”…and I don’t mean he’s learned that when we tell him “No” that means stop…I mean he’s telling US No!
But, you did get whacked in the balls so I’ll sympathize as best I can, for someone who avoids balls at all costs…those things frighten me!
LMFAO!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I love it…
Let the fun officially begin!!! I WILL get better, it just may take longer than you’d like. MOTRIN for teething. Even if she’s not a whiny mess before bed..until those teeth pop through, give her a dose of motrin before bed.
Welcome to toddler hood daddy. <3
Oh man…..sorry about your um…injury! Anna has done that to my hubby a couple times. Not fun! As for Miss M….I can only agree with the others that it only gets worse……I mean better from here, LoL. But, even though there are some days when I swear I have Dr. Jeckyll & Mr. Hyde living with me the awesome moments still out number the bad.
Hang in there…..we are all here for ya! Sometimes, It makes you feel better just knowing that we are ALL going or have gone through this! 
Test of patience, is what it is! Good luck and get some teething rings. 2 and 3yrs of age were so filled with “adventures”. Thank goodness they grow out of it.
I want to tell you it gets better, and it does, and then worse again, and then better. They trick you like that. Today I had my two boys in a timeout for playing in the cat’s water, then they both had to give the cat a hug and say sorry. It’s so funny but so overwhelming all at once!
A few thoughts:
1. Thank you for allowing us to watch Maddy grow and change into the fabulous little person she is becoming. I am amazed by how much she’s changed and grown through photos and video; I can’t imagine how awesome these changes were in person.
2. I’m sure these changes make you miss Liz more than ever. She looks more like her mother every day, which must feel like a blessing and a knife in the heart, all at the same time.
3. What do you mean, Maddy is not always sunshine and sugar? This is seriously fucking with my reproduction plans, dude! I wanted one of those “incredibly beautiful/sleeps on long plane trips/befriends oprah/never knocks dad in the balls” kind of babies, and this is making me think that’s not an option….
I’m childless, which renders my opinion worthless on most of the points you address, but, for what it’s worth…Maddy, whether she’s teething/crying/ecstatic/pissed/hungry/giggling/happy/etc., is in amazingly loving and capable hands. Liz knew what she was doing when she chose you all those years ago.
Thinking of you and the tiniest blonde one.
j.
“Phases” are good! It’s a sign she’s growing up, and declaring her independence. This will be her strength some day!
I have three children. Ages 8, 13, 14. Thay have all gone through “phases”. Toddler days? Kind of bratty and cute. But the teen years??? These “phases” will be the death of me …
Not like you will experience any of this, though.
;o)
~Michelle
As with my 15 month old, you’ll see #1 Madeline and then you’ll see the #2 and #3. Hopefully more of #1 and someday I am sure they’ll be a 4, 5 and 6. SHe’s such a beauty though…thanks for sharing her with us.
you crack me up. My daughter is one month (and one day) older than Maddy and believe me, I know EXACTLY what you’re going through. Well, except for the balls part. But, her daddy can certainly relate to that.
Matt, I haven’t posted to your blog before. I didn’t know you then, but I was in your class at CSB/SJU. I have an almost 14 month-old boy who is changing from his easy-going, sweet little self into a stubborn, whiny, teething (he just got his first molar), temper tantrum-throwing little toddler. Ah, the joys of parenthood! Give Maddie a good dose of children’s liquid motrin before she goes to bed for her teeth–that’ll give you at least 6 hours of good sleep!
Oh man can I relate. I have twins (born one day after Madeline) and one is going through exactly what you describe above. Overnight I have this stubborn, I can do anything I want little man. Our little men are also teething; the nasty, huge, way to big for their little mouth molars, yikes. Hugs to Madeline, and cheers to you…as in bottoms up, chin, chin, prost!
http://augustusandraleigh.blogspot.com
Hylands Teething Tablets. Magic, I tell you.
I love your story and love her face…she is adorable. WAIT until she is sixteen and you are the dumbest person on the face of the planet. Enjoy the tiny baby years…jacked up teeth and all. BTW What happened with the story in your audio. Too funny.
I have not laughed that hard in soo long. Welcome to toddlerhood. It does get better once the teeth are in, but girls in general like to whine. I agree with the dose of Motrin, it does work wonders.
I hear you on that one. I thought that toddlerhood started at 2, not 1 year + 1 day. Holy crap, the whining! Motrin is fueling our household– for my twin toddlers and for me. Best of luck to us you!
She’ll get over this phase, and hit it again around 12 or 13. Hang in there, my friend.
Terrible twos- they start around 13 months! I have the same thing going on over here! NOT FUN! Has she started throwing herself on the ground and throwing a tantrum yet? If not, give it a week or two- now THAT is fun! hehehe good luck!
Yeah, I know what you mean about those transitions. And those days – tears and screaming and just willful. They’re a trial.
Seriously. Seriously? This is it? No. NO NO NO. No. Madeline’s doppledanger is my 2nd cousin or something. Yes… uncanny. Maddie has a twin. But is Madeline the first one I should think of when I see my 2nd cousin or someones ..picture? Because I’m enticed by your blog? No. You are NOT the first. We’ve ALL lost children. Spouses. And I enjoy the word “fuck”. But. Stop. Just. Fucking. Stop. STOP. And I’m just sad too. And I HAVE been there… so I reserve the option to talk shit.
Oh my! She is adorable! I have a Madeline too and she has that exact same yellow shirt.
Threes are worse… so much worse… and then, the photos, the stories are good fodder for sympathy when the kids are old enough to apologize. It does get better (after the worst is over, of course).
I’m already dreading those days. My little guy is only 10 months and he already does all the things you are saying. He only looks sweet and innocent! lol.
A whiny cute mess! Sometimes I wonder the same things about my daughter! She goes from so nice and sweet to just darn right a mess!!!
I just started reading your blog this week. A friend of mine told me about it and let me tell you….you have a new fan!! I have cried, smiled and laughed out loud many times at work (yes, my co-workers have asked me what I am reading
) I think you and Maddy are amazing. I am getting married in 3 weeks and I can only hope and pray that my almost husband and I share the same amount of love that you and Liz do. I know I don’t know you, but I feel after reading your blog that I do….and I want to tell you that you are an amazing father…Maddy is lucky to have you as her daddy!
Oh, goodness. She is such a doll…even as she becomes a woman….right before your very eyes!
)
I can only hope that you read this….I know your comments are over whelming! But…I have a daughter, Evangeline…she was born March 10th, 2008. So not much older than your maddie, but she is in the same stages, I surely thought I was going to pull all of my hair out, UNTIL I read the book “The happiest Toddler on the Block”…. 15 bucks on Amazon.com and worth every penny…. good luck..and thank you for your inspiring blog…Maddie is beautiful!
Hi Matt,
Came across your blog in People. Your blod reminds me of a similar one of a single dad. You may want to visit this blog.
http://www.evangabriel.blogspot.com/.
Mady is simply adorable! God bless! Peck