“is this the parent of madeline logelin?”
ugh.
i hate when that
call comes in.
immediately i get worried…
my first thought
is always,
is she okay?
did she puke
on some kid
at daycare
or bump her head
on the sidewalk?
i try not to
panic, reassuring myself
that she is fine.
then the ridiculous
comes to mind.
did she start something on
fire at daycare
or steal a record
from the record
store or tag
an underpass with
spray paint?
too early for
most of that,
but i guess i’m
preparing myself for
what could be
the future.
anyway, the phone
call this time
was her doctor’s
office calling to
remind me of her
15-month appointment.
(glad they called…i had totally forgotten about the appointment. i know, i know, i should use the calendar on my blackberry and set a reminder, but i always forget to do so).
so…
on tuesday, we headed
in to see our
friend, dr. h.,
but first, we had
a nurse visit our
room and take
some measurements.
at 15 months and 6 days,
madeline weighed in at
21 pounds, 10 ounces (30th percentile)
and was found to be
30 and 3/8 inches tall (50th percentile).
(that’s 51% of the way to liz’s adult height).
updated growth chat below:
no one guessed
both her height
and weight correctly,
so i guess that means
madeline gets a
new book and record.
back to the visit…
as we waited for
dr. h, i took a
couple of photos:
not long after,
dr. h. arrived
and conducted her exam.
in her words,
“maddy is doing great”
and by extension,
i take that to
mean that i have
still not ruined her.
(yet).
no mention of
her premature birth,
only comparisons to
“regular” 15-month old kids.
awesome.
i asked a few
questions about a
trip i hope to
take with madeline
in the next few months
(this one is gonna require some additional shots).
then dr. h. said
goodbye and we
waited for the
nurse with the
shots to come in…
her visit always
ensures that i
harm my child
psychologically, by
turning from caregiver
to an accomplice in
the delivery of untold pain.
thankfully madeline
is quick to forgive.
and i try to make it
pleasant, hugging her
and holding her
arms at her sides.
(i have to hug her rather tightly, which means i probably am harming her physically),
while whispering to
her about kitty cats,
chirping birds and lollipops,
this also keeps
the nurse from
getting scratched
and slapped,
which i suppose
she appreciates.
the nurse arrived
and i did
exactly what i described
above while she
poked madeline’s right
arm twice, and her
left arm once.
she screamed the
scream that only
comes when she’s
getting shots.
(it’s very distinct and totally unpleasant).
within seconds the
nurses job was done,
and mine was about
to get much
more difficult.
now i have to sit
and rock back and
forth with this
crying, flailing kid who
hates me as much
as i hate shitty music.
i was able
to calm her down
by reading her
a book about dinosaurs.
then we were
out the door and
headed back home.
she was in
bed early, but i
was not…
the writing is happening
and i don’t want
it to stop,
even though
i could use a
bit more sleep.
(and just for fun, here’s a video taken yesterday as i tried to do something with her hair. note…she refuses to keep a bow or a clip in her hair, so the only thing that seems to work are these black hair ties that liz used to use. had to use them ’cause i have no idea what else to buy. any advice in this area is much appreciated).
295 Comments
You are such a sweet, loving father. It’s truly admirable! Good, good daddy.
I remember that backbend thing where if they didn’t want to be somewhere they flung their head back and arched their backs … like when trying to buckle ‘em in the car seat!
And I don’t have any advice for you. My daughter didn’t even have hair by the time she was Maddie’s age!
Could I have really been the first to leave a comment? WOW! Slow day on the ‘net!
Those giggles are pure joy!
Clear elastic bands work great for that fine baby hair! And it goes faster and stays smoother if you do it when her hair is wet (use a spray bottle to wet it if you bathe her at night). Maybe she would be more cooperative if she’s distracted by something? Maybe!? Good luck and that laugh is infectious!
There is nary a toddler on the planet with blonde, baby fine hair who will keep a clip or barette in her hair. You can buy girly colored, smaller versions of the black ones. Those usually work pretty well….if you can get her to sit long enough to put it in.
Poor girl, shots stink! You can get little, little elastic bands for her, they are tiny and usually clear; they’re a little more tacky than what Liz would’ve used. If you can’t find them I can mail you exactly what I mean.
So cute! Glad you got comfirmation that she’s totally healthy and that you haven’t ruined her, which we all knew already =). The hair problem is gonna continue for a while. Kids don’t like sitting still, or leaving things in their hair till their older. Keep trying though, she might get used to it.. Love the video!
by “their” I mean’t “they’re”..
so cute! they make ‘kid size’ rubber bands for hair…check @ any target in the hair products aisle. you can also probably find kid size rubber bands at some clothing stores. i’ve used these before too for my girls: No Slipply Hair Clippys http://hairclippy.com/ (apparently these can be purchased @ a couple stores in the LA area too).
That video is too cute! I think you should try using barrettes instead of the elastic hair bands… It will be one snap and done instead of trying to wrap it around her hair a bunch of times:) She is such a cutie!
These work really well.. You can get them at Target for about $2. They’re really small, maybe the size of a dime, and work great for baby hair. They come in clear, black, or assorted colors. I think the brand’s name is Goody.
http://i2.ebayimg.com/04/i/001/14/6e/043f_2.JPG
..or just shave it all off?
heehee
Love watching you two!
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5668628
bloomz hair things
“No Daddy! I don’t want it!!” Sounds just like my daughter. Maddy is so cute and getting so big. You are really doing a great job and it looks like you are both having alot of fun experiencing everything together! I don’t really have any advice in the hair department. My daughter won’t keep anything in her hair or sit still enough to try either. Hopefully, she will let you try soon enough! Maybe bribery will work?
Try some cool new toy or something to keep her still? Good Luck!!
Oh and the only ways that have worked for me to get little ones to sit still while during their hair is either give them snacks or let them play with the faucet while sitting on the bathroom sink/counter.
lol that’s awesome!
There are little elastic rubber bands that work great in little girls hair. They are small enough to fit on your finger, and can be used to put her hair in pig tails (or as I call them “Shrek ears”). She is also less likely to manage to pull these out.
By the way I’ve been reading your blog since Maddy was just a few months old. You’re doing great with her! Keep it up.
I have to pin my daughter down just to get something in her hair as well – the only thing that works for us are those clear elastics (no tangle ones I believe – come in a pack of 50 or so small or you can get bigger, small is good = faster!) I have to use my teeth and one free hand to stretch them and get them around her hair, but because they’re little it goes fast! My other suggestion would be to put it up wet – either after a bath or wet it down quick, it’s easier to hold onto what you’re putting up when they’re trying to wiggle away!
Good luck – she’s adorable as always and growing beautifully!
Aww she’s a real star (as are you)! Hannah won’t keep a clip in for long either, but I found these small hairbands that are (I think) made from terry cloth. They are quick and easy to put in, and they don’t get caught in, or pull, on her delicate hair. She doesn’t even seem to notice them (for now). They usually have them in small bags, or on a little card, in the section of the store with combs, brushes, etc. Might be worth a try!
As always, it’s a joy to read about the adventures you and Madeline have. Hannah adores the photos & videos, as do I!
Good luck Matt! My dad could not do anything with my hair as a toddler when my mom was in the hospital for a few days and over 30 years later, I never let him forget it.
My daughter Sophie’s hair is too fine to hold a bow or clip, so I just always put headbands on her, and she has always tolerated those okay. Some kids don’t though. Most of the headbands allow you to interchange bows in them, so one headband+multiple bows = lots of cute looks. Ask any mom in your group and I bet she will know where to find stuff like that in your area. Congrats on Maddy’s great appointment stats! Incidentally, she and my 10-month-old are the same size, but both my husband and I are tall, so she is on the tall side for a baby! You are doing great…can’t wait to read your book. Have posted before a few times. I’ve been following your blog since I was pregnant last summer. All the best!
You need the little hair rubber bands. I buy them for my Addie @ Target. They’re made by Goody, they’re clear little rubberbands that won’t rip their hair out. It’s like $2.50 for a pack of 100. They look like this, but in a clear plastic zip baggie: http://www.beautyofnewyork.com/shopping/product_view.php?itemCode=JNLO230407KE1247&base
Put the clip in when she is distracted, and just keep it up…eventually she will leave it alone!
Have fun in India!!
there’s tiny hair elastics that you can use that only need one turn in them to make a ponytail. –
http://www.amazon.com/Elastic-Ouchless-Ponytailers-Assorted-Colors/dp/B001H64O80/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&s=hpc&qid=1246569341&sr=1-4
also there’s also headbands –
http://www.amazon.com/Baby-Toddler-Fashion-Headband-Elastic/dp/B001VEN4JS/ref=sr_1_17?ie=UTF8&s=hpc&qid=1246569231&sr=1-17
Try doing her hair while she is sitting eating breakfast each morning. At the grocery store or Target, in the hair care aisle, you can find small, clear, elastic bands – I believe called Hair hints – by Goody. They are smaller than typical hair bands and work great on baby’s fine hair. Good luck!
Soooo close on the height, but a pound over on the weight. Damn, and I need some new books.
Unbelievable job as always, Matt. She’s healthy, beautiful, and just full of joy.
And I’m intrigued by this trip she needs extra shots for. That usually means Central or South America or Africa…
Anyway, Happy early Fourth of July!! Enjoy the holiday weekend with that stunning little baby. I bet she loves fireworks!!
You need to get Goody brand tiny clear rubber bands, they’re the only thing Tess will keep in her hair, because they are too little to pull out!
One more milestone proving what a good job you’re doing!
Are you taking her to India? That would require extra shots!!
you know what? she doesn’t need anything in her hair, don’t worry about it! Aint no one going to mistake her for a little boy! Noticed (somewhere) you are a johnnie. Son is a johnnie ‘06. What was your major? Impressed that a johnnie would even think about hair do- dads!
keep smiling, you are doing fine
I loved that video. Thanks for sharing it with us. She’s beautiful.
She’s adorable. I don’t know really, because I have boys, but my sister’s solution with my niece is to cut bangs and remove the need for hair implements of any kind.
my friends with lil girls LOVE clippopotamus. theyre super cute little clips, which might be easier than getting hair into a ponytail. theyre from canada, but you can order online @ clippo.ca.
velcro clips…easy in, easy out. ; )
My oldest refused to wear anything in her hair until she was almost 6. I would put them in, she would take them out. On days when we did professional pictures I gave a treat (something that required both hands) and quick put what I wanted in her hair. Then for the next hour I had to say “Don’t touch it” constantly until pictures were done. My youngest is following this same pattern. When I do get a pony in, I use what the previous poster suggested – little elastic rubber bands. They hold the best. You can get a small pack of colored binders for a few bucks. If you want me to send you a pack, just let me know.
On someone Maddy’s age, I don’t recommend using barrettes yet as they are a choking hazard.
“who
hates me as much
as i hate shitty music.”
teehee
so glad she’s healthy
Oh my god she is so cute! I miss that age. Now my 4 year old is just sassy.
You’re doing a great job! And yes, try the clear hair ties, or the little barrettes that snap into place are good too.
No advice. She would do that to any other person that touched her hair. You seem to need absolutely nothing when it comes to advice in parenting. Maddie is such a happy girl, and apparently oh-so healthy too!
Put her in her highchair, some cookies, make sure you’re quick and “BOOM” you’re done and good to go!
Just a tip in reference to all the suggestions for the small elastic rubber bands…make sure they’re no tangle or specifically made for kid hair or else they’ll tangle really bad and it will probably be worse trying to take them out than putting them in. Good luck!
You are going to know more about hair elastics than you ever wanted to know!
Maddie is doing so awesome, keep up the rad dad buisness.
Try putting the hair bands in her hair while she is in her high chair eating in the mornings — she’s distracted and strapped in so you have two free hands to work with. Good luck!!
Yay for a good doctor’s appointment, minus daddy being an accomplice in that needle stuff. Mine run like track stars. I literally have to put the game face on and RUN after them. I get a work out when it comes to shots! Ha! She is progressing right on up! My twins were 30 weekers, so I know the difference from preemie charts vs. full term.
The hair thing. I recommend distracting her with tv, toy, something. (I know, I love bribery!) I would tell my daughter how pretty she looks, she might. Those above mentioned, plastic/clear bands, those do work wonders and the velcro clips do as well. Try a headband. They have ton on Etsy! (And I am sure in LA!)
You should go to Target or Walmart and get baby hair ties….What worked for me when my daughter was that little was sitting her in her highchair and distracting her with a cookie or toy and you stand behind her. Good luck!
OMG she is so gorgeous. I love that hysterical laugh that they do when they’re being tickled. That is the greatest sound.
I see someone already recommended the No-Slippy Hair Clippy, which is really good. I also use the regular ol’ snap-clips, which technically aren’t recommended for kids under 3, but I’ve been using them on my little girl since she was a year old. (She’s never been one to put foreign objects in her mouth, so you know, use at your own risk, I guess.)
(They’re basically these, only I found them at Target in bright little girl-y colors.) If you’re just trying to keep her bangs out of her face, they’re pretty easy to sneak into her hair even while she’s on the move.
I used to nanny for a little girl who had the exact same kind of hair- in her eyes and very fine! I used these small, clear, elastic bands found at Target (that’s just my obsession…I’m sure they are sold at any store like that). Since they are smaller, it takes less time to wrap it around her hair. I also sat her on the bathroom counter in front of the mirror, so she could watch. Madeline seems to like to squirm, so she might not be into it…but it’s worth a shot! Good luck!
For her hair… go to Target and get these little tiny rubber bands. I mean they are pretty small… but smalls fingers don’t seem to be able to pull them out. They remind me of the rubber bands that you would use when you had braces (if you had braces I guess) to correct an overbite or something. They take a while to get use to, but they do work. Not sure of the brand, but they are in a clear plastic bag… easy enough I hope!
Do it at a calm moment. Get her while she is totally distracted with something to play with….and be fast!
ok, seriously that video just made my day! She is such a happy girl. My advise is to go to wally world, or target and get some smaller meant for little girls hair ties, that way you only have to wrap it around a couple times. Put a movie on…or do it right after you change her diaper and she is still laying on her back. That is all I have for you…good luck!
ohh, i LOVE that giggle. i’m sure you hear this all the time, but you’re an awesome dad.
ps- wilco = excellent choice!
I second everyone saying the clear hair ties work best. My dd doesn’t have nearly enough hair for a ponytail or a clip so we just use headbands. And yes she pulls them off after having them on for 5 minutes. But you can try to put something in her hair, the more you do the more she’ll just get use to it and eventually she’ll leave it alone.
Hair is still a struggle even at almost 3. She’ll let me do her hair when she’s watching TV. Sometimes appealing to her vanity helps (it’s a PRINCESS hairstyle!) Good luck!
So CUTE !!!
Gorgeous, fine blonde hair that blows in the breeze… she doesn’t need anything in her hair
She’s absolutely perfect just as she is. Great job, Matt. What a wonderful dad she has.
I turn on carttons or distract my daughter to get her hair in. I also use a pray bottle to make it easy. The thing is, you really need to start young so it isn’t so forgein. Come to Ohio and I will teach you
http://www.mercuriomomma.blogspot.com
I always do my little girl’s hair right before we get out of the car to wherever we are going. It usually works pretty well because she is strapped in to the seat and can’t runaway, and she is then distracted by getting unbuckled and won’t pull it out of her hair right away and will usually forget about it.
Matt,
As some one else said you don’t need advice you’re figuring this all out just fine on your own. Miss Madeline looks great without hair do-dads but if you want to add something try these clips – put one on a little stuffed animal for her to play with while you put the other in her hair. Twist and slide and she should be good to go!
You’re such a good daddy
http://www.headgamesonline.com/Products/index.cfm?fuseaction=ViewDetails&productid=1970&Categoryid=2
PS. I get to see my daughter this weekend in Berkeley – It’s been six weeks. It’s still hard to let them go even when they are grown.
Try distracting her with something… keep her hands busy. I usually give Abby some type of delicious finger food (grapes are a favorite right now). I also like to do it while she’s asleep or in her carseat and somewhat restrained. I can only do little topknot ponytails, though… she will not abide a barrette or clip of any denomination.
The hair never gets easier. I find I win the hair battle when she is given a snack or is watching a show-great parenting, I know. Clips seem to work best and you will probably have the best luck finding them at little boutique kids shops rather than target-they seem to stay in better. Good luck and great job!
Maddy has waaaay more hair than my 16 mth old, I can’t even get a clip to stay in her hair yet. best of luck!
Nicole up there gave great advice…..the clear elastic bands found in the hair section at the local Wal-mart works PERFECTLY for baby hair!
ANother idea is this….I do photography and one client I had used to trick their baby. As soon as they would put in a barrett or clip, their daughter would take it out. So they would put two in at once and only draw attention to the one so that she still had one in. Kinda of trick her…lol
It is so fun to watch you interact with Maddy! I love it and she is growing so well!
I would suggest you not do a ponytail because it IS impossible to get them to sit still for that. I suggest simple clips. These are good for fine hair…
http://staymybaby.com/osCommerce/catalog/index.php?cPath=22
http://hairclippy.com/shop_bows.asp
and you have to practice being quick and then distract her ASAP. Good luck.
I’m bummed that I missed the weight/height.
I have two daughters that are now 12 and 10. My oldest daughter had hair similar to Madeline’s and water works best. My suggestion is let her spary her own hair with a water bottle (with help) she will think it is fun. Another trick is to sit her in front of the mirror and I always used to let the girls play with my makeup. You probably don’t have a lot of that laying around but you could just get her some chapstick to practice with. Good Luck! You are doing a great job!
As a mommy of a 2 year old blonde who immediately pulls hair bows, clips, and ponytails out of her hair the minute we get into the car and go somewhere she needs to look decent (i.e. grandparents, church, etc), I would also suggest the slick the hair to the side and keep in place with the clip-on bow/snap in place bow (with the matching one in your pocket so you can stick it on as soon as you arrive) or the small Goody’s elastics. The small Goody’s elastics are of the braces-size variety and can sometimes be a little painful to both the baby (pulls hair) and you (snaps fingers). They also have them in a covered style–usually 50 to a bag that are a little easier on both you and baby. They are pretty cheap and you can locate them at Target or Walmart.
Have fun! She’s beautiful!
What a beautiful happy little girl! You are doing just fantastically! She’s growing into an amazing little person! She’s definitely going to be beautiful inside AND out!
Oh my goodness! Is Maddy going to be going on her first trip to India soon? I could be totally off and you didn’t ask us to guess but still. How fun!! India is at the top of my list of dream destinations. I don’t know that I’ll ever make it over for vacation/recreation purposes but I hope to go on a medical mission once I am a nurse. I wonder if they have a need for NNP’s?
Oh! You’ve probably already done this, but sometimes if you hand her the ponytail holder/hair tie and let her play with it and try and do it herself and let her try it out on you she may be much more willing to have hers done. Be careful with the rubberband type things, some are okay but others can get completely snarled in her fine hair and will cause frustration and pain for both of you. Here are some links, but you can go to Wal Mart and/or Target and look around in the baby/toddler section and in the hair product aisle with all the hair brushed and combs. They have lots of good options. Also, the $1 bin always has some sort of fun ponytail holders or barrettes you could buy just to do some experimenting! Oh! You could also get her a doll with long hair and let her practice on that. Something about giving them some control makes it a-ok…most of the time.
http://www.bittybowsboutique.com/
http://hairclippy.com/
http://www.lilsugarplum.com/cart.php?target=category&category_id=64
http://www.target.com/Ribbies-Clippies-Hair-Clip-pk/dp/B0013EXSH4/sr=1-2/qid=1246573436/ref=sr_1_2/189-3973295-4825631?ie=UTF8&frombrowse=0&rh=k%3Ahair_barrettes_babies&page=1
http://www.gollygumdrops.com.au/online-boutique/accessories-hair-accessories-c-5_56
http://www.weeones.com/catalogindex.tpl?cart=12465735814093869
http://www.etsy.com/category/accessories/hair
She might like something in a bobby pin style. No more links. Sorry!!
(oh and a random yay! for Dinosaurs! Dinosaur was my attraction as a Cast Member at when I did the WDWCP and then stayed on seasonally. Though that ride generally makes little ones cry…not stop crying…)
Hi, I’ve read for a while but never commented. I will go ahead and say I concur with everyone who says you are doing a GREAT JOB with Maddy and I love reading your story!
My daughter also has fine, blonde hair and when she finally had enough hair for a bow at about Maddy’s age (she’s 21 mo. now), she refused to leave it in. I tried everything! I have even, sadly, put hair her up while she was still sleeping, in hopes that she wouldn’t rip it out. I found that those tiny, clear rubber bands would hold it and she’d often leave them in – but once at the mall I turned around to pay for something and when I looked back one of her pigtails was down and I totally freaked thinking she’d swallowed the hair band, so I haven’t used those again. (I found it in her stroller, whew.)
Now, she’ll keep a clip in her hair if I put it in while she watches me in the mirror – and I “ooh” and “ahh” about how pretty it is every time she goes to take it out.
The ones with the tiny ‘teeth’ (?) inside work well, since I just have to quickly slide them in on one side and sometimes she doesn’t even notice! (I know they have them at Gymboree, and I’m sure they’re online lots of places.)
She’ll let you eventually – and if she doesn’t it’s ok because her hair is beautiful up or down.
Good job at the doctor’s office… part of being a parent can sometimes involve some not so fun stuff.
Hair ideas… give her a dolly with hair and a baby brush to hold while you do her hair. I always pulled my hair out when my Mom did it. ‘Cause I didn’t like bows. So, that may be Madeline… or she may just not like the process.
I’d say give give Madeline a choice of what color hair band- they have smaller little girl ones that are all different colors and are almost a fabric material. The little plastic rubber-band-esque ones would probably work best for Madeline because her hair isn’t too thick. You just have to be quick.
You could try love and logic- tell her you’re going to do it, but give her options…. what color band… now or in a couple of minutes.
And when her hair gets longer and thicker- use de-tangler spray, wide tooth combs when it’s wet, and soft bristled brushes when it’s dry… and start brushing at the bottom- she will thank you later.
If you really want a bow in her hair, put it on her while she naps (a big one though, so when she wakes up it doesn’t end up in her mouth), then she may not realize it’s there. Or try giving her M&M’s (plain) and tell her she can have them after you put her hair up. A little bribery can go a long way! Oh, keep the m&m’s in mind when it comes time in a couple of years to toliet train.
You are an excellent Daddy. I feel for you about the dr/shot thing. I will be the accomplice to my 18 mo-old’s appt next wed. I always feel so guilty.
As far as the hair thing goes. I use the Goody elastics from Target. Then I distract mine with her favorite tv show, cookies, money, whatever works. I try to do it as fast as I can. Ok, so maybe most days she has lop-sided ponytails, but at least it is out of her face.
It sure is hard to style girls’ hair. My littlest girl (2 yrs. old) always takes her hair out a bit after I put it up, lol…No help there, sorry. BTW, what a happy girl she is!! Great job, Matt.
boys and girls are so crazy how they differ, my little man just has his 15month wcc and he was 25pounds and 35inches…..
I love love LOVED watching her giggle like that! She was so happy she was momentarily delirious!
If you haven’t gotten enough suggestions on how to do Madeline’s hair…
The assorted color/size elastic hair bands from Goody are what we use. They range in size from your pinky to your thumb. Stretch them with your finger and teeth. Use the teeth of a comb to get a hold of one piece when taking it out. My daughter has had long hair since she was born and my husband is the one that has to do her hair. He puts her in the bumbo, puts some cheerios on the tray, and lets her watch one of her favorite videos while he is styling her. He also uses Johnsons and Johnsons hair detangler to wet it down. It is a lot easier to control that way. A spray bottle of water would do the same trick. Good luck! I know it’s hard!
She’s growing well! You’re doing a wonderful job with her!
I wouldn’t worry about putting anything in her hair. It’s pretty common for them not to keep things in their hair, at this age. She’s cute, just like she is… wait a couple of years & she’ll want you to put them in all the time.
Why put ANYTHING In her hair?
You’re an awesome dad, Matt! I like your analogy of the shot scenario- they do my kids’ shots in the leg, though- wonder if one hurts more than the other. For the hair stuff, I have a friend who makes adorable clips and headbands for little girls. Her website is http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5299107, called “Tutu Monkey.” Tell her Nat sent you- she’ll give you a deal.
one day she’ll wear i bow- i hope! keep trying!!!
i do the same thing to my son with his belly button- love the squeels!
another successful dr. appt! good job, daddy!
what a sweet heart! I have no tips for you, I only have boys… though I would give an arm and a leg to have a girl!!
I would be wanting to put her hair and and dress her in all things girly if I had the chance though, I am completely out numbered 4 – 1.
Awww she’s adorable and I just love watching you with her and reading about your life. I have two boys and neither will wear hats, which I guess is similiar to your situation. I am not sure there is a way to get them to do it if they don’t wanna but she’s cute either way!~
You are so fucking awesome. I have a 13yr old and 8 year old, both girls. Take if from me, fuck the hair. FUCK IT. When she gives a shit, she will do it, she will, and HER way. YOU will look at it and giggle(under yer breath cuz she is an emo girl) and just let it ride.
The best is yet to come my friend. I mean that. Enjoy. Hugs to Maddy on shot day. That always sucked.
Those giggles are wonderful!!
My daughter wouldn’t let me put anything in her hair and then one day she all of a sudden LOVED the pretties in her hair.
=D
Matt, you are doing such a terrific job with her. The good news about shots is that as they get older, their frequency gets less and less. Now I can bribe my kids with an icecream cone after shots and they are totally forgiving. They forget those things and remember the cuddles and love you’ve handed out all these months. you are an inspiration to me as a single mom that it can totally be done alone, even when it truly sucks some days. Hugs to Maddie. xoxox
Sooo cute!
so i know a lot about “untold pain”. i have to put drops in BOTH of my 3 year old’s eyes 4 times a day. and man can that kid kick. he is definitely going to be a soccer player!!
I ditto all the tiny rubber band comments. IF you want something in her hair, otherwise I say leave it. She is adorable without them.
Sooo what was the winning album and book?
so i’m watching the video thinking, gosh wasn’t it just last week that I watch the video of her eating baby food for the first time?? geez the time flew by.
hair help: put her hair while she’s doing something else, like coloring, playing with the piano, watching tv. anything that can keep her distracted long enough. second her hair is very fine and will take multiple twists of the hair tie before it’ll stay in, SO twist it at least once so it’s doubled BEFORE you put it in her hair, it’ll take you less time to put her hair up. (you’ll have to hold the hair tie open with your thumb and forefinger)
you can buy hair ties in all shapes and sizes in target, most grocery stores near the shampoo aisle and pretty much all dollar stores.
hugs from nj
Erica and Landon and secretly named baby boy
Dinosaurs Happy and Dinosaurs Sad.
Maddie won’t even recall the psychological trauma. I remember diaper changes and rectal thermometers, but the first shots I remember were the ones I had at five to register for school.
When my girl was around 12 months, I would set her on the bathroom countertop, give her a kiddy toothbrush, and get to work.
A spray bottle,
fine toothed comb,
and really tiny baby hair bands….
The masterpiece started out as two tuffs jetting out straight atop the blond wisps.
Now that she has just turned three, everything goes smooth.
We still do the whole, “I’m doing your hair, you play with something” routine, and finish rather quickly.
Poor kid…I’m *ahem* years old and I was a big baby when I got a TB shot. And that’s nothing.
And it looks like everyone has steered you in the right direction for Madeline’s hair. Clear plastic rubber bands. Buy numerous packs and keep some everywhere – they’ll come in handy.
Oh and I love how you said “let me put the thing in your hair.” Too funny. And like the music in the background. Good choice!
I imagine my daughter’s hair will be like Maddy’s hair when it fills in a bit (she’s 11 1/2 months) – super straight and fine. Maddy has such a sweet little face – I love it! I can’t wait until I can put Malia’s hair in a top-of-the-head-pigtail. So cute.
Sounds like you hate bad music as much as my husband. I call him a music snob. Are you a music snob?
you know i could just eat her up!! i love that laugh, really i do. just cant help it!! you’re doing such a marvelous job! well done!! sorry i cant provide you with any sort of advice re: hair. have 3 boys in the brood!!
She is definitely doing amazing for being born premature! My daughter is just two days younger than Madeline (and was born three days after her due date), and at her 15-month checkup she weighed 20 pounds, 4 ounces and was 31 inches tall.
The giggles made me smile!
No advice here from the one without kids!
No Slippy Hair Clippies is the name.
She may sit still for a clip longer than a full ponytail.
Plus, the clips are light and she may not sense that they are there.
Sit her on the bathroom counter in front of the mirror and give her something to play with, that she doesn’t usually get or a treat that she doesn’t usually eat. If she’s like every other woman, she’ll respond to being told how pretty she looks too!
Her laugh is AWESOME! So infectious!! I loved that video!
Way to go Maddy (and Daddy) on her growth! WOOT!
Can’t wait to hear about this “special” trip you’re going to take.
I love reading about you and your darling little girl. I have a few questions for your book…. I thought the story on Oprah of Larry Shine (sp?), who at one point, was in a situation reminiscent of yours, was so wonderful in that he felt that growing his family was part of the healing for him. Did you get a chance to talk with him at all? Like other people who comment here, I am just curious whether any life changes are starting to feel like the right thing for you and Maddy. And of course I wonder, what is it really like to be on the Oprah Winfrey Show? I’ve never even been in the audience. I also wonder if you’re still doing any running like you were last summer. You’ve talked so much about your passionate responses to music, and I’m curious about your music background. Do you play any instruments? Have you studied music history, or done something else with your interest in the subject? Lastly, and I sort of don’t want to ask this, but do you think there will come a time when you allow Maddy to raid her momma’s closet?
Even though we all can’t wait for your book to come out, please take care of yourself while you’re writing and get enough sleep if you can. Congratulations on Maddy’s 15 month check up! You deserve every bit of that validation and way more!!
Hair suggestion:
don’t put anything in it.
I laugh almost as hard as she does each time I watch this clip. That laugh and giggle needs to be recorded and gift wrapped for all to hear.
By the way…the still shot of this video clip is my favorite. Nothing but love.
Love the video, she is so cute! I do the same thing when people mess with my hair, so I have no valuable advice to offer.
The video made me laugh…hard. I have 3 girls and it’s super hard to do anything with their hair at this age. My best option is the little tiny rubbery bands for little ponies or pigtails. They stay in well (grippy) and it’s hard for them to pull them out and choke on them. When’s she ready, this lady and her bows are awesome. emmasbows.com
Poor thing with those shots… that will get her everytime. Heck I still cry when I have to get something like that done and when dealing in infertility, well it happens more than I’d like to admit.
Anyway, good luck on the whole getting the hair tie in her hair… maybe do it when she’s sleeping? Give her something to hold and distract her while you tackle the hair do…? I don’t know. You’ll figure it out, I’m sure. You always do!
My new baby starts getting shots in 5 weeks and I am DREADING it!
On a separate note, my husband is a former dancer and when he saw that 1st picture of Madeline with her pointed foot he said she has beautiful ballerina feet. Maybe it’s time to sign her up for some dance classes????
I figured when we hadn’t seen a bow in her hair in pictures in a while that she has hit that stage. My 17-mo-old won’t keep anything in except ponytails either. Target sells wee little tiny ones in a pack of about 1,000 that will work much better than the adult-size ones Liz used.
And I am REALLY impressed you know how to put in a ponytail! My husband would have absolutely no clue on how to wrap it.
Oh and one more thing, I usually do Emmie’s ponytails on the changing table. I give her a comb or brush to hold and that distracts her while I put them in. Added bonus of the little ones they sell at Target is they are really hard to pull out so she leaves them in.
You have probably gotten a ton of comments on hair accessories, but for Anna I use these hair elastic bands from Target, they are the Goody brand and it says “ouchless” on the packet it came in, Anna has yet to really cry when i take them out. The ones I bought are 250 pieces, they come in 3 different sizes so they can be used as Anna gets more hair. You can find them in the hair accessories aisle. Good luck! Maddy is adorable, still would love to catch up sometime
Ahhh I was soooo close! How bout you tell me your book/record pick and I’ll just pick it up on my own! Glad to hear she is doing well!
OKay – I use these little hair ties (because my girl’s hair is just as thin as Maddie’s) that work really well. You can find them at Walmart and Target and you get about 1000 for a few dollars. The are called Pony Holders “So Doable”. Silly, right? But they are really small and really skinny and hold thin hair. My 6 1/2 year old still uses them in their hair. You can get them tight enough that they will last all day.
Then because you get so many for so cheap, I just throw them away each night at bath time (they really can’t be reused easily).
Forget the bows. When she gets around 2 or so, she will be more willing to leave them alone. 
Also, if you wet her hair, it might help to get the pony tail holder in quicker. I just get a spray bottle, and wet the hair a little, and then put the pony tail in quickly.
Very impressed you can do this – good for you!! She will get better, and more used to it.
Wow. She sounds JUST like my Cady Cake (born 11-20-07) when she laughs! If I didn’t already think she was the third cutest baby in the world, I would now.
And of course, you’re cute too, Matt… but certainly not as cute as Maddy.
Hey Matt, have you tried the tiny claw clips? They look sort of like these: http://mp.hairboutique.com/HB-HairJewels-Lucy-Collection-Mini-Claws-Set-of-Four-Black/P/116126/C/
But they’re super tiny. I’ve bought them in cute colors, in the haircare aisle at the supermarket. Good luck!
I just wanted to tell you how much I loved that you read her a book to calm her down after her shots – what a good dad! It’s such a cool lesson for her to start to realize that books (and music) can transport you to a better/different place
My daughter is a month older than Maddie with the exact same pale skin – isn’t it amazing how red they can get when they’re mad/upset??? Keep up the great work!
CUTEST.VIDEO.EVER.
I think I just OD’ed on cuteness! I know all too well the backbend flail, my daughter is 16 months. Unfortunately we have no hair issues because we have no hair. One little girls this age you are not required to do much with their hair. It looks adorable all by itself, you will have lots of time to get better at the hair thing as she gets older. But you may try a fabric hairband that goes all the way around. And if that doesn’t work don’t worry, most little kids refuse the hair accessories.
don’t bother doing the hair at this point. both my girls were the same writhing little wrigglers too. impossible
one of my fave wilco songs playing in the background. love it.
You are so amazing!!! So fun to see you two interact!!! Much Love…
i love you guys.
Idk if you’ve been told, as I didn’t feel like reading all 100 of your comments, but if you go to the baby section at Wal-Mart, they have hairbows and things there. There is a pack (it looks like a weekly medicine holder) that has prob 200 tiny hairties that are in prob 6 different colors. From my experiences, they don’t pull either, and I think they’re $2.50ish…
Glad that Maddy is doing so well…she’s come a long way. As have you….I cry a tear(or okay, several) for you everytime I read, but I always enjoy when you have new posts. Can’t wait for the book!
I love her giggles and wiggles! She is such a happy little girl, good job daddy!
I also use the Goody brand clear mini elastic bands-smallest size. My daughter has super thin hair and we never have any problems taking them out. I also agree with the pig tails, I put those in my daughter’s hair and she loves them too, now she asks for them all of the time and they stay in so well!
Can’t wait to see pictures of Madeline in a little red, white and blue outfit with a little flag! You will have to let us know what she thinks of the fireworks. 4th of July is one of my favorite holidays!
I think a headband with big flowers or ribbons would be easiest. People always think my son is wearing a headband and want to know where to get one just like it. It is a hearing aid on a elastic band and his curly hair makes him look girly. Also, maybe she needs to be distracted in the moments prior to hair wrangling. That said, I predict 100’s of girly bows & headbands will now be showing up on your doorstep.
I have 3 little girls and putting their hair up was always a challenge when they were Maddy’s age. I usually have them stand on a stool in front of the bathroom sink when I do their hair. They play with their toothbrush or a bath toy while I do their hair. It usually works pretty well. They’re distracted and I can pull their hair back.
Maddy is adorable!!!! Love the giggles!!!!!
my kids have always gotten shots in the legs. ugh. makes for kids with swollen, sore legs who don’t want to walk for a couple days. bleh.
maddy is gorgeous whether her hair is did or not.
i like the metal barrettes that snap the opposite direction when you close them (if that makes any sense). they make littler ones for littler humans. ponytails are harder, especially when kids are that little and wiggly. bangs help when they’re a little older. we keep my daughter’s bangs pretty short, but her hair parts naturally in the middle, so she kinda looks like a dork. 
hee. love my little dork.
you gotta fill us in on the international flight you guys are gonna take soon (india perhaps?)!
Glad the writing is happening…. got to strike while the iron is hot.
About the hair…. you’re screwed! Your kid is pretty strong willed, bless her…. I’d say either get her haircut so that she has shorter bangs or just glue all the hair up front to the side, can you tell I have no children? She seriously doesn’t need a bunch of girly crap in her hair…. she’s adorable regardless. Getting pressure from the readers to do something with her do? Do you even read all these comments?
We got these tiny little hair bands in the baby section of Target (I’ll send you some if you can’t find them, or put the grandma’s on the job). There are a million of them in the container,
but they work great on fine baby hair. her’s looks a lot like M’s
Matt, you could never ruin her. Just look at what all you’ve given her that has made her life better.
I hate being the “bad guy” during shot time at the doctor’s too. Just that look of “how could you betray me like that?” – so heartbreaking.
I don’t know much about babies’ hair, but Goody StayPut works for runners, and they have a little girls’ line. Try this: http://www.goody.com/Products/Collections/StayPut/Girls/Girls.aspx
Matt –
Maddy is doing great. Ironically 21,10 is what my Cori weighed a few weeks ago @ her visit. Funny. I should have put a guess in.
I use the “ouchless” clear bands. The package I’ve bought has three different sizes of bands and I use the smallest. I sit Cori in front of me and cross my legs over her (much like a seatbelt). It takes less than a minute. Although bows are cute and she has the hair I ‘m not doing alot of bows just yet, besides once she realized she could pull them out, the bows were a waste. But then again I was never that into bows — wonder if she will be.
Have a great 4th Matt!
Try these:
http://www.amazon.com/GOODY-Elastic-Band-52-pcs-Clear/dp/B00122CP30
my daughter is one month older then Madeline and I have found these to work. They are tiny – but stretch a lot, but since they are tiny you only have to wrap them around her hair twice instead of like 5 times with the others you were trying to use – so it should be quicker to get them in. Plus they are ouchless so you can just pull them out – or if need be cut them out since they are so thin. Hope this helps! Keep up your amazing work…Madeline is one lucky girl. And her giggle is precious!!
My husband does my daughter’s hair every morning, and he prefers the exact same black bands. But you can get them in other colors, too! Good luck, Matt.
So hair…you are luck, maddy got good hair, I had super long think hair by the time i was 16 months with very funny pics to prove it…those are hair ties, they come in different sizes, strengths, and colors. You can buy the basic black ones in drug stores, gas stations, and grocery stores. There are softer ones that are smaller for little girls, in colors with like butterflies on them, that can be found at Walgreens or stores like Target or Walmart. I suggest using a small elastic instead of a hair tie, they come in different colors and are harder for her to remove. The trick I learned while babysitting is brushing hair and such while they are eating or distracted by the tv. Good Luck!
Matt, when my now 3 year old daughter was Maddy’s age, the only way I could do anything with her hair (and she had TONS of it) was to sit her in front of the mirror on the bathroom sink. She liked watching me do it! And I always had water running in the sink at the time and sometimes put just her feet in to distract her! Good luck! She is a beauty (like her mom!).
We use itty bitty Goody elastics for Teagan’s hair too. They also have little clips that for some reason Teagan doesn’t rip out of her hair right away.
I love Maddie’s giggle. It is so precious!
I totally relate to the immunization screams too…but I think the worst thing about them is the “How could you let him DO that to me?!” look. It breaks my heart every time.
Maddy is beautiful! You are an amazing dad. Love the video of you trying to get that wiggle worm’s hair in a “pony”.
Try the tiny ponytail holders for tiny people!!! You know they are like Liz’s but half the size. My daughter also has very thin hair, so not many bows stay in.
Do you have an India trip in the works?
I would just leave her hair as is. It looks super cute anyways with those cute outfits you always have on her. I read somewhere that pulling the hair tight promotes hair loss later on in woman.
I have a 13 month old and she is always pulling clips out that I put in her hair.
I see alot of target tips. If you dont see anything in the hair care aisle- check to see if they are in the toddler section (ie diapers, formula,bottles). I sometimes find cute hair clips there,.
Have a great holiday weekend with your baby girl. You really are doing a great job!
Sweet video! Love the baby giggles!
Eventually, she will probably leave it alone, so just keep trying. I don’t have girls so I don’t have too many hair issues with my boys. But, if there is anything they hate (like my 2 year old hates shoes) I wait until we are getting ready to leave the house and then strap him in his car seat before I put the shoes on. He is sort of trapped so it is easier. Is that kind of mean and torturish? I guess kind of, but it usually works.
When my daughter was little, I used these tiny barettes (?) that had rubber on them. I know they still sell them, and you can find them at Target or any other store. The rubber on them kept them from sliding out of her baby-fine hair. Good luck! ; ) P.S. I love the video! She is such a cutie-pie!!!
My technique always involved placing daughter in front of fav t.v. show (in her case, the ever hypnotizing Barney), giving daughter some form of easy edible (cheerio’s, fishy crackers), and filling a little cup of water to use with a little brown goody brush (dipping the brush keeps the flyaways under control) and using the tiny goody elastics. There was always a little bit of “don’t touch” and “uh oh, no touching” being repetitously reminded throughout the process. This worked for a few years, but by Kindergarten…I gave her a brush and let her at it.
Good luck!
Good luck with that! My daughter is the same age as Madeline to the day and she too, refuses to have anything put into her hair. It does not matter how simple or frilly. There are only two way that I can get anything pretty or fun in her hair.. one while she is napping or two while she is in her car seat in the car but she must have a book or toy in her hand as a distraction! For some reason she does not pull it out. Otherwise it is not happening.
Oh my, she is going to love you for many many things but this, this hair attempt is priceless. What a precious thing that is. I have only boys, no advice on hair. I applaud you for doing the things you know her mommy would have appreciated.
Happy 4th!
p.s. Isn’t it funny that all the dr offices are so alike. Looks pretty similiar to ours here in WI.
I’m not going to read through all the comments – I’m sure someone, or some twenty hundred have already told you to get the small elastic bands (target sells a pack of 200 multi colored ones for $2,00 & for some reason they aren’t near the hair things-they are in the baby dept where you find diapers, baby shampoo, etc etc – they look a lot like these
http://www.beautyofnewyork.com/shopping/product_view.php?itemCode=K0J9210109KO0854
they are literally the only thing that stays in – even when she doesn’t WANT them to – and this might not be too nice – but I’m a little bit glad she’s not letting you do her hair or keep her pony tails in – because that means that you might actually have a NORMAL kid on your hands….she’s been too perfect in every way!!
Matt – I’ve recently started reading your blog, and I think both you and Maddie are amazing! Her eyes are mesmerizing. I too use the little, clear “no tangle” hair elastics on my 18 month old, and they work great. Just a tip … if they do work out for you, don’t put them in your mouth to hold them while you’re gathering some hair to put into said elastics. Maddie will copy you, then you panic, drop the hair you’ve gathered to pull it out of her mouth, then you’re starting all over again! Keep living your life abundantly. Hailey
So sweet. It’s amazing how they can twist and turn their bodies.
As for the hair. My 4 year old daughter refused to let us do a thing with her hair until just in the past few months. And even then, a pony tail or pig tails, etc. will come out within a few hours if she decides she’s done with it. :/ LOL.
The trick that has worked for me…. do her hair while she’s in her high chair eating…
Try sitting her in the bathroom sink in front of the mirror while doing her hair. If talking to her & making silly faces doesn’t keep her still long enough…try giving her something like a toothbrush to play with
Worked for my daughter, a trick I learned from my sister who has three girls. When my daughter got older…the TV worked best.
I’m speaking from very little experience here, but I’ve found that (with the baby girls in the church nursery) a woman’s vanity starts verrrrrry young. I know of a few toddling ladies who will keep their hairclip in after being shown themselves in the mirror with lots of cooing “Don’t you look pretty?!” I don’t think you’d be imparting any inner beauty/outer beauty issues, given that you’re only speaking the truth
As many others have said, they sell tiny clips and bands in the hair aisle at Target. Just go towards the shampoo section and you’ll find them! As for getting her to hold still, how about sitting her in front of the mirror while you do her hair? She would probably become interested in watching what you’re doing. Good luck! She’s adorable….even without hair accessories.
I pull part of my Maddie’s hair back and to the side with a little hair clip. My Maddie has a lot more hair than your Maddy though. But it is quick and easy and giving her a toy or something else to look at always helps her to sit still.
If you give her a piece of scrunched up tape in her hands, she will likely be inclined to mess with that while sitting still and you can fix her hair…or shoot a photo of a not then moving target. Either one.
she is looking healthy as an ox.
a beautiful ox.
on the contrary, I have found that doing my daughter’s hair when she is eating only means she will have breakfast (peanut butter or cream cheese) in her hair. Even if I can get the binder in, she takes it out as soon as she is secured in her car seat. I give up.
Matt,
You are doing a great job with her. I can’t believe her hair is getting so long! She is adorable, and that laugh of hers is delicious
if you can’t find the tiny rubberbands at target, the chain store in the mall called claire’s has a brand of baby hair accessories. they have tiny ones too. spray her hair with water (buy an empty water bottle from target near the travel sized accessories or at the container store in the travel section). if her hair is super thin, you can also try suave kids spray hair conditioner. it’s a leave in product and make her a little tackier. definitely use tv or a toy for distraction. you’re making it so much fun NOT to cooperate. the sign of a good parent…
Expert advice: So she won’t let you do her hair? When and if she finally lets you (whether it be a clip on bow or something), take her to the bathroom and fawn over what a very pretty girl she is (make it a huge deal)… Kids love looking at themselves in the mirror! It’s great! So when my 2 yr. old, Willow, needs her hair done, I ask her if she wants to see a “pretty girl”. She gets really excited because she KNOWS she is going to see something spectacular in the mirror! And she lets me do her hair! LOL
Here are my hair tips
1) Wet her hair. Use a comb.
2) Use mini ouchless rubberbands.. like these ones:
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=10319715
3) Giver her some things to hold while you’re doing it to keep her occupied.
Goody makes kid sized elastic bands, I always find them at Target. They were about the only thing my daughter didn’t rip out of her hair. Then Barney always worked great to get her to sit still when I put them in her hair. Oh…the things we do to our kids
BTW, it doesn’t get better with age. Mine is 5 now and still won’t keep the barrets in. She has this habit of taking them out and clipping them to the bottom of her pants. “I didn’t lose it mommy….” Uh huh.
I always took my daughters and set them with there feet in the sink (barefoot of course) and ran the water gently and that distracted them. Good Luck!
Don’t stress about the hair…mine always pulled it out anyway until it got a little longer and she WANTED it out of her face. They do have some much smaller hair ties though, they might be easier since their hair is still so fine! Loved the video…so adorable!
So I think some have already said this…but you first need to distract her…a toy, food…something new….anything. Then there are these little elastic bands…they are in clear colors. They sell them at Walmart or Target (other places too) and they come with about 400 in the package. THEY ARE AMAZING!!!! The only thing that has worked in my daughter’s hair! After a while of consistency…she will just sit there beautifully while you do her pretty blonde locks everyday!
So, now as I read, I see everyone is talking about the same little hair elastics I was talking about. Once you start using them I swear you will love them…and I agree…you only use them once and throw them away after. They are no good after a use.
Love ya Maddy! So happy!
What I did with my girls: Put them in the bathroom sink so they can see themself and tell them how pretty they are. Works well then they would usually kiss themselves in the mirror
@Kellie
i read every single comment.http://www.mattlogelin.com/wp-admin/edit-comments.php?comment_status=moderated#comments-form
and yeah, i was getting a little pressure from some of my readers, but mostly i was getting a lot of pressure from myself. really want maddy to look like her mom did her hair.
matt mate, maddy’s hair looks gorgeous and you know what, does it really matter what you do with it? your choice, your decision. if you want to trim it or whatever, you choice mate, and as long as maddy if comfortable and happy, thats all you can ask for
oh and shouldn’t you be in bed sleeping instead of posting? Niiight!
My daughter hated the putting things in her hair too, until one day my sister took her into the bathroom to put ‘hair prettys’ in her hair (she was about Maddy’s age then). She explained to her all about how ‘hair prettys’ work and how special she is that she gets to wear ‘hair prettys’. To this day (my daughter is almost 6) we call them ‘prettys’.
You should get the snap clip barrettes, like these: http://www.walgreens.com/store/product.jsp?CATID=100740&navAction=jump&navCount=1&skuid=sku363978&id=prod363977# and either clip two pieces up on the side, or one piece up in the front. They have cute/fun ones other then this bland examples
What a little lady you have on your hands! Happy 4th!
That’s funny…we call them “prettys” too. My daughters are 10 and 8. I used to put the TV on to their favourite show and quickly do their hair while they were mesmerized!
Little kid laughter is totally the best. And “shot” screams are the worst. Our nurses ring a bell after they get their shots and my kids didn’t pay any attention to that stupid thing. It almost makes me cry when they cry like that because I know it hurts them, and I’m LETTING someone do it. I sent my husband with my daughter for her first shots cuz I didn’t want to do it! Don’t worry though, she doesn’t hate you (that will come later when she wants to go to a party and you won’t let her lol). The hair thing…my daughter is 9 months and already turns her head away and won’t let me put in a barrette, and I’m hopeless with ponies. To put a barrette in I kind of have to straddle her with her head between my knees so she can’t turn her head, all I need is 30 seconds! Either that or when she’s strapped into her car seat and distracted by the buckle. I wouldn’t worry about it too much, I think Maddy is totally adorable just the way she is, and if Liz were here I bet she’d think so too.
I think you have to ease into it. Try just playing with her hair when she is sitting with you or being docile (which actually may not work, ha ha) so she gets used to her hair being messed with. When my sister was a toddler, this is what my parents used to do because she, like her hair, was out of control. Now, as an adult, she still loves to have her hair played with! And my parents could finally do cute things with it. Or just do it while she’s sleeping
ok so I do have one way that worked great for me! My duaghter wouldny keep and thing in her hair. I would have to send you a pic of my duaghters hair and explain it step by step in an email> I SWEAR its easy though and you will LOVE it!!!
My daughter has fine hair similar to Madeline’s. We put it in black hair ties like you’re using. Sometimes I use white or gray ones because they don’t look so dark in her hair. I have tiny clips that I slide in front of the hair ties. Otherwise, they’ll fall out. We look in the mirror and tell her how pretty they are and usually she’ll leave them in. She’s vain and oves the mirror. Mostly, I leave her hair down though. It looks really cute and Maddy’s does too.
Are you taking Maddy to India or Nepal? I spent a few summers there as a teenager. I love India. I always wanted to move there. I looked through a lot of your pictures from your travels and they are captivating.
For Ava’s hair (8 months old, but she had a LOT of hair) I use the little tiny rubber hairbands (they are about as big around as a dime) and then if I want to put a bow clippie in her hair I put it through the part of the hair that is under the rubberband. Does that even make sense? I find that if I put the clip through the part of the hair that is pulled tight it stays in there longer.
P.S. I have been lurking for a while and I just adore reading about Maddy and am inspired by your story. Thanks for sharing so much!
What a cute video! My daughter refuses to wear clips, bows barrettes too. In fact I don’t know one girl in her pre-school class that will wear them. Some do, some don’t. Don’t sweat it…as long is hair isn’t a tangly mess, it’s all good.
Funny thing is, my daughter will *only* wear 1 particular headband in her hair. Know what it is? Bunny ears. So yeah, I’m sure people think I’m trying to turn her into a Playboy bunny…so not true btw, but it’s the only thing she wants in her hair.
So are you going to India? I know you don’t need extra shots to come here to Germany. Bummer…make a pit stop over here anyway, ok?
By the way, where’s Yosra? Does she not post here anymore?
( I liked her comments. Does anyone remember her blogsite?
I loved this: “(that’s 51% of the way to liz’s adult height).”
She looks awesome and gorgeous and healthy.
My daughter’s hair is pretty fine as well, and I found that the little clear elastics that everyone is talking about is the only thing that stays in… but getting it in was much more of a challenge. She never let me even try to put it in until the teachers at daycare one day put all the girls hair into ponytails. Once the teachers did it, suddenly it seemed OK. Now she lets me almost everyday (and will even ask for a “pony” now)
Although come to think of it, I’m hoping the “pony” she is asking for is the ponytail for her hair – and not a real pony. I don’t think that’s in the plans just yet!!!
Happy 4th.
I put the bands in when my daughter was strapped in the car seat. She counldn’t squirm away then. Now (17 months) we go into the bathroom and put them in looking at the mirror so she can see how beautiful she is with her hair all done up.
My daughter LOVES her FisherPrice shopping cart so much and I see that Madeline has one too. Does she love it SO MUCH too?
Wow three comments after you tell us that you ready every…single…comment.
Well, Matt, you are doing an amazing job. and blah blah blah strangers/friends tell you that all the time but I have never told you that and wanted you to know, man, you just keep doing the best you can because it’s what ALL of us do (the best we can).
Hair: my brother was my daughter’s caregiver during the day from 10 weeks old to 4 years and up until the very end he’d slick her hair down in the morning all 50’s style (back and behind the ears) with-without gel and there it would stay most of the day and when it was dry, it’d stay there too. It took me a while to let go of the fact that it looked like ass because you know what, it worked for him, kept the hair out of her eyes when it was down even past her ears, AND he didn’t have to mess with ANY hair things, ever. From near birth to 4 years old, the man never used any hair thingees and her hair was always out of her eyes.
How about you just buy a hat and call it a day. Charlotte will not wear hair clips, or any other thing in her hair. I will spend all this time putting a clip or hair band in her hair and the minute I set her down she pulls it out! I have given up.
There is no shame in letting your child’s freak flag fly
. Seriously, every child is different – some love dressing up and wearing girly things in their hair (both boys and girls!) and some can’t stand anything confining anywhere on their body. So if she won’t roll with hair stuff, why make her? Trim her bangs so they stay out of her eyes, and let her be herself!
put her hair in rubber bands when she’s asleep, yo. since she sleeps through EVERYTHING, she’ll certainly stay still for that.
~
fantastic video.
NOW COME TO DC.
Stick with the small Goodie elastics. My 17 month old loves to put everything in her mouth. Clip, barretts and claws are huge chocking hazards, as. I unfortunately found out the hard way.
hey Matt- sorry I can’t help you with the hair predicament as I never had the joy of fixing a baby girls hair (only boys for me!) but I just want to say that I LOVE your “chirping birds, kitty cats and lollipops”.. so cute! and I also love that you are using Liz’s hairbands on her!! Pony tails or not though she is the cutest little girl EVER! kisses to her..
EMLA cream is something you may want to consider for her next needles. You can buy it over the counter from your pharmacist (at least in Canada you can) and it is a topical “freezing” cream. Put it on an hour before and they can poke you all you want and you won’t feel a thing. I use it myself, so here is one wimpy adult vouching for what works for her……
Mom to 4 daughters here. Her hair looks to be very fine, just like one of my daughter’s hair, and she too hated hair things. My advice? Don’t use anything. At some point, if her hair bothers her, and she has access to the hair ties and such, you’ll find her trying to use them on her own. Maybe then she’ll be ready.
I’m going to assume you mean India. Are you coming to Mumbai, perchance? And if so, are you having a get together with various internet strangers? The Husband is en route to Iraq and my soon-to-be-toddler and I are here for my job. I’d love to take the little guy to a Maddy Meet n’ Greet.
This blog is perfect for little girl hair do’s. It has pictures and instructions.
http://shedoeshair.blogspot.com/
Matt: She is so cute. Be happy that she has hair. Our Sophia has what I call Chemo Hair. It looks like she went thru chemo. She has very thin hair. The way that you brush Maddy’s hair now looks cute. She might not like hair bows or rubber bands in her hair. Sophia went to the doctor Wednesday for her check up and shots. She too let out that scream one that could shatter glass. She only weighs 18 lbs. and is 30 inches tall. Her doctor wants her to drink Pedi-Sure and no more formula. Do you or your readers know where we can get some coupons or free Pedi-Sure? My brother is not working and that stuff is more expensive than formula. Sophia is walking now and I think because she never sits still that is why she is so skinny. Well Matt you and Maddy have a great 4th of July, I am sure you have lots of great stuff planned. Continue to be the great dad that you are.
Rosann
http://www.onetruemedia.com/shared?p=8ca85df3f0f4d62c9a76ea&skin_id=1603&utm_source=otm&utm_medium=email
Once again For you and your readers here is a link to a video I made. I would love to make one for you and Maddy with all the great pictures you took over the past year. Would you like to have one? Let me know and I will make one for you. I am thinking of starting a business making these for people who don’t have the time or patience to make one themselves. Anyone out there that wants one let me know!!!
Matt,
My Sophie is also 15 months old. As much as I distract her to put a clip in her hair, she ends up pulling it out a few minutes later. I just think it is the age. Give it a few more months!
Awesome check up for her!
She is a sgorgeous as ever.
Take care,
Debbie
Dear Matt:
You are a great parent. The pictures, your writing and videos are a testament of your love, adoration and devotion to maddy. Don’t pressure yourself about the hair. Maddy’s hair is perfect. If you need some tips maybe the girls at Liz’s salon can show how to use the all the hair stuff, I bet they would love it .
I am a parent of a teenager and young adults and my advice to you is to enjoy and savour each and every moment. The baby giggles, chubby legs, food in the hair, bubble baths and hearing her sweet voice is all that matters.
Love to you and the adorable Miss Maddy
Hey Matt, I’m not a mom, but my mom friends tell me that the key to doing a toddler’s hair is to sneak up on them when they’re absorbed in some activity and then git ‘er done ninja style! Seriously – when they’re not paying attention is when they’re the most willing to let you do it.
As for hair stuff, a woman I know has a company that makes clips specifically for little ones and they really do work with fine baby hair: http://www.clippo.ca/
Hope this helps! You really have a doll on your hands, Matt, and you’re doing a bang up job. I’m quietly rooting for you all the way over here in “the Canada”.
I didn’t take the time to read all the comments so sorry if this is a repeat…. My girls didn’t leave clips in their hair at Maddie’s age either (in fact my three yr old still pulls them out). So don’t be too hard on yourself. As far as getting it in there in the first place…. have her look at a book or watch tv/computer while you are doing it. And as far as clips, I found these tiny rubber bands about the size of a dime at walmart for $1.87 for about 100 of them (which comes in handy when Maddie pulls them out and loses them). Also, barrettes that have material seem to grip wispy hair better.
Good Luck!!
Try doing her hair while she is sitting in her highchair, eating breakfast. And if you get the good hair clips (No Slippy Hair Clippy is good), it is much easier than elastics. Also, a fine tooth comb will help. But more importantly, she is healthy and happy and smart enough to put up a fight! You’re a great Dad.
Ok, my kid, same age, loves to imitate me. So I suggest brushing your hair, then brushing hers, showing her how to brush hers, etc. -Gulp- you may have to put a scrunchie or two in your hair. Or try while she’s buckled in to the high chair or stroller.
If all else fails she’ll be like me-the girl with the pixie instead of the pigtails. Just as cute!
Hi Matt,
You’re such a good daddy! I just wanted to let you know wha t a great job you are doing!
I am the owner of Lil’ Sugarplum and i would be happy to send you some free hair accessories. Please e-mail me.
http://www.LilSugarplum.com
Thank you!
You’re doing a great job Matt!
I’m the owner of http://www.LilSugarplum.com . I would be happy to send you free hair accessories for your little girl. Please send me an e-mail.
Monique
That video is adorable! About the hair bows, try sitting her on the bathroom sink in front of the mirror, let her watch what you are doing, while talking to her ABOUT what you are doing! Another thing, put one in your hair, she’ll want to be like you!
I love the video of you trying to put Maddy’s hair in a pony! My husband won’t even attempt to put one in our 18 month old daughter. The best hair ties to use are the small ouchless ones. They come in a million different colors and clear. They are really small. If I put it my finger it could be a ring so it doesn’t have to go around their hair too many times and they don’t get stuck in their hair either.
Have a great 4th of July! And good luck with the hair ties!!
Matt, what I suggest is that you practice on a doll first. Then when you can put a pony in a dolls hair really fast, then put Maddy at the table with her favorite finger foods, with wet hair, and be sure she’s happy. Maybe even put a dvd in the laptop that she can watch while you work. I think women have an easier time doing hair, our hands are smaller and it’s just what we do. Men’s hands are bigger and it’s harder for them to use those little hair elastics or clippies. So find some cheap doll that has long hair, get your fingers and hands working quick and then take on Maddy.
I hope this helps! And you’ve got a sweetie on your hands, that’s for sure.
She is getting so big! She’s the same height as my 18 month old and only 2lbs lighter. Speaking of my 18 month old…The only person who could put hair clips and rubber bands in her hair and make it look so cute was our babysitter and the second I would get home from work, she would pull them out. But only recently will she let me put them in her hair but I’ve done what you did SO many times before! I have no advice other then to keep her distracted with something she likes. Sorry. Eventually she’ll keep them in. Maybe try a headband? But my daughter pulled those off too. My sister in law used those clear, really small bands that everyone was talking about above and then she would put a hair clip on over the rubber band. Still doesn’t help with trying to put them on when they move around but it helps to keep them in.
You’re doing a great job!
The 3 girls I nanny are under 4 and LOATHE to have something in their hair. It usually works if I put them in the bathroom sink and let them check themselves out or play with the faucet if I haven’t dressed them yet. I go on and on about “Look how pretty your hair is! Just like Emboly’s!” They’re all for it then. Rubberbands for braces work really well in fine hair if you can’t find a pack of Goody’s clear elastic ones.
OK, for thin baby hair you need TINY rubber or plastic hairbands. They are very small and impossible to get out. I actually cut them out of my girls hair to avoid the pain of pulling them off. I use them and then put something cute on top, ribbon or scrunchie. You can get them in any store in the hair care section, mine are Goody brand and come in a small pack of like 100. Good luck!
Just wanted to leave a comment to say I just found your blog and your little girl is adorable. Wish I had some more input on the hair thing, but as mom to a boy, that is something I have no knowledge of ! Wishing you luck with that lovely blonde hair.
That cry after the shots is the worst. It is the most unhappy sound in the whole world. My daughter’s hair still isn’t long enough to put anything in so words of advice here. I walk around though like you were in the video – black hair tie on my wrist. Good luck with the hair.
Maddy is pushing you around already LOL
) Fun…huh? They sell the lil itty bitty colored elastic bands for very fine hair. Those worked well when my daughter was a baby. The tighter you wrap around the hair, the harder it’ll be for her to pull of. You’re doing a great job! Keep doing what you’re doing! Have a great 4th of July weekend! Maddy is gorgeous with or without girly items in her hair 
I was just wondering what type of camera you use to take your photographs and what type of video recorder you use for “Maddy’s Movies”?
Lol I had to many hair bands in my hair when i was little..So i can understand why she would like them lol…and shots stink I dont think they dont ever realy get better you just grow a custom to them as you group up..
*snort*… now 300 moms are going to send her Itty Bitty Baby clippies and she’ll get a admirable contract offer from Pantene. You sly fox, you
PIGGIES! PIGGIES! PIGGIES!
i am guessing little Madeline is headed to India….
Kathmandu maybe….
no matter where- i bet you’ll have a great time with her Matt..
she is growing beautifully- far from ruined~
I have 3 boys so I MAY not be the best to give advice… Although I do admit dreaming and putting the odd pony tail in their hair when they were babies… Try doing it when shes napping !?
I love reading your blog and look forward to every post. My daughter is 16 months and we always seem to hit the same milestones and dilemmas you do! Carson has crazy curly hair and it looks like albert einstein if we don’t put a bow in it, but she refuses to keep anything in her hair. Another thing that cracks me up is her brother got a robot for his birthday, that she has staked has her own. She hugs and loves this robot like it’s her baby, and it always makes me think of you and Madeline. You are doing SUCH a great job! Have a great 4th of July!!
Okay… I know this sounds odd but it totally works!!
When my son was in NICU and they were taking pictures of the girls, they wanted them to have bows in their hair. What can you put in PREEMIE hair to make a bow stick that is water soluble???? Good old KY Jelly!! Put a little of that on her hair where you want to put the clip and VIOLA!! A clip that sticks. Also washes out really well!!
I got mine from Walmart. Over in the HBA (health and beauty aids) department. But you can go to the infants department and get some cute colored ones. You get tons at a great price, which is great since you will lose them for sure. Oh and do it while her hair is wet, while she’s eating.
You’re doing a great job, by the way, she is so happy so you’re obviously doing something right! I figure as long as they’re smiling, it’s all good!!
My daughter use to be the same way. One thing that worked wonders was I would take her into the bathroom and stand her infront of me on the sink. she would laugh and make crazy sounds looking at herself in the mirror and it kept her occupied for a brief moment. Try it out!
She’s beautiful and you’re doing simply amazing!
Take Care –
Melissa
You are NOT ALONE! It’s normal for her age…my daugther did the same thing. The best advise I got was keep doing it…do it every day! I put hair clips in maybe 15 times a day and didn’t manage to “win” the battle. But one day…it changed. My daughter Trinity now won’t go without something done to her hair…even going to bed she must wear some sort of hair clip…sometimes up to 10.
And by the way…there are SMALL…toddler size black bands. I suggest using those as you don’t have to go round and round and round. They are though in the normal ladies hair supplies section of walmart or target.
Matt…check these out…you are an impressive father…you are doing a great job! I let my daughter (23 months) wear some of the tiny ones as rings (#3 below) while I do her hair…she can roll and wrestle like an alligator so it isn’t easy…but then I show her how pretty she looks in the mirror after, she’s starting to get the idea…
1. Very cute and easy clips (seller is on vacation right now)
http://www.etsy.com/shop_sold.php?user_id=6956412
2. The Goody brand is sold many places, including Target and drugstores.
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=10320318
3. These are good for fine hair.
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=10320315
Just take everything out of her hair when she sleeps…these things can pull the hair and make their scalps a little bit tender when they lay on them.
arrgh…I meant the soft scrunchy ponytail holders were used as rings (#2 on my list)
Ok Daddy… if you must put something in her hair (don’t let me fool you, I don’t leave the house without my 2yr old daughter’s hair in 1 or 2 piggy tails with bows!) you can get tiny rubber bands at Target or Walmart in the baby section. They come in sets of 5 colors usually for like $2.99. I use johnson’s (or an cheaper no name brand) baby hair detangler spray and a fine tooth comb to do Brookie’s hair. If you ever want to be able to do her hair I would at least make an effort every day, so she gets used to it. I sit her down in front of a mirror and give her a toy or all the hairbows to play with and try to get her hair done as quickly as possible. Let me know if you want some pics and I will email them to you to get an idea.
Keep up the great work Matt! Love you guys!
I would take one of Maddy’s dolls and put the holder/bow in the doll’s hair, and show her the “ponytail.” Then, after she learns what that is, ask her if she wants a ponytail like her dolly. It may intrigue her or she might not care. Hard to tell with toddlers. It worked for my daughter. Now she asks for a “po-tail.”
Shots are the worst! For my girls I get these small clear rubber bands but depending on your hand size they might be hard for you to get them on her – my husband can’t do it – but they would stay on fine baby hair
Love your blog, when I come you warm my heart 
Take care and enjoy your holiday weekend!
make sure you give her some tylenol with the next round of shots. That always helps J feel better.
The dr is right, you’re doing great with her!! She’s beautiful!
my girl at 2 yrs old doesn’t keep hair things in either. clips are the easiest to put in, but unfortunatelythat means they are the easiest to take out. we just us mostly clips. small small hair rubberbands are good too cuz then she can’t pull them out.
great video! you are a wonderful father!! happy 4th Matt and Maddy!
I used to do my daughter’s hair while she sat on the counter in the bathroom watching in the mirror. Sometimes I would give her something that I didn’t normally allow her to play with so she was distracted.
My daughter didn’t keep anything in her hair until she was 3. Good luck with that. I started her w/ headbands. She loves those. She’ll wear 4 at a time. I wouldn’t worry about it yet. The little bitty clear ones are great. My daughters hair is to the middle of her back and I still have to fight her to comb it. She has 3 brothers so she’s rough and tough. She’ll come back in the house w/ dirt up to her knees. So her hair is always a mess. Which is fine during summer vacation but it is a pain for school.
Your daughter is so cute. My only advise is to distract her with something, like give her her own brush or something. I was just going to ask if you heard the old wives tale about how tall children are going to be….they say that they are half their size when their 2 years old. (so however tall they are when their two you multiple it by 2)Not sure if it’s true or not…if so I will have one girl that will be 5′7 and one that will be 5′1..
Only time will tell.
That video is the best. I wouldn’t worry too much about the hair. When my girls were little I used Detangling spray and small hair bands. I tried to do it while they were engrossed in a TV program or playing with a toy. If it didn’t work , oh well, no “do” for that day!
We use little silicon pony tail holders, you can get them at any drug store. They are not grip so they don’t hurt to come out.
Also, we use California Baby hair detangler…we call it “Rain” in our house, so we distract with “Rain” and then put the hair up. She will get used to it after a while. I agree with a PP that doing it while she is distracted, like breakfast, works best.
Your doing an amazing job with that little girl of yours!
For my daughter when she was Maddy’s age (she’s now 4) I used to sit her IN the sink, facing the mirror to play and watch what I was doing to her hair. The ‘do never lasted long but it got her to sit still long enough to tolerate me!
Hey Matt—Just an FYI, even when us mom’s do the kid’s hair, it never stays perfect for very long…Just long enough to get it up before they roll all over the floor and screw it up. What worked for me on my 6 year-old was like everyone else says…the little elastic rubber bands…I believe Goody makes decent ones…I thought those were kind of yucky looking though…I then covered them up with a Gymboree curly or another barrette/bow. Lauren didn’t like it at first, but if I sat her in front of the mirror and went on about how ‘big girl’ it was to get her hair fixed (all of us girls fall into this trap early) she loved it! Gushing about how beautiful she looks with her bows really helps!
i was just sent the link to your blog yesterday. due to a recent surgery, i am mostly in bed these days, so i spent the last two days laughing and crying through yours and maddy’s story. tragic and beautiful to experience your love for both liz and maddy. can’t believe how precious your sweet girl is.
thanks for letting us be a part of your life.
The only way I was able to get any hair accessory into my daughter was when she was strapped into something. I know you’re fazing out the highchair, but that always worked well. When she’s no longer using that, a car seat works wonders. They’re totally defenseless in the car seat:)
I’m so glad she’s thriving, and so are you! Great job Matt…that video made me smile, you are so stinkin’ cute with her!
She is gorgeous and, no real advice on the hair. Some little girls are very resistant to having their hair controlled…LOL.
I hate being the accomplice too!
Forget the whole hair thing for a while. My youngest daughter has the same fine blonde hair, and I never had any luck at all with anything in it. We just keep it in a short bob, she is now six and still prefers the short bob with maybe just a clip to keep it from falling all over her face.
The small clear bands are indeed best. Once you manage to get one in, you can then clip any bow just above the elastic and it should stay. To distract her, you can try to give her a couple m&m’s or fruit snacks. Sometimes I give my daughter some fruity lotion to put on while I do her hair and she loves that too. If worse comes to worse, you can always try doing her hair once you’ve already put her in her car seat in the car so she can’t escape!
I agree with everyone else about the teeny-tiny rubber bands. My friend (who has 4 girls) also clips a bow or barrette after the rubber band is in, just to dress her girls up a bit.
As for getting Maddy to sit there and tolerate it, that’s a different story. I have boys and didn’t have to deal with the bows, but went through it all with hats. They wouldn’t keep hats on for any reason… until I connected it with going outside… as in “Oh, you need your hat before we can go outside.” They would totally wear the hat with no problem after that. Now they are 12 and 8 and never comb their hair before going out in public, but that’s a totally different story! LOL
It will take Maddy a bit to get used to it, because really, it does make a little girl’s hair feel funny to be pulled up – and sometimes one tiny little hair pulls and it’s annoying. Once she’s used to it, though, you won’t have this struggle. She’s adorable regardless of how you fix her hair.
You got a ton of great suggestion. Just keep doing what you have been doing.
Don’t let up. One day my now 21 month old just started bring me her barrettes to put in her hair. Oh and putting them in yours helps, too. LOL. Just remember to take them out before you leave the house. I find the my kid is almost willing to let me do anything to her that I do to myself, too. Good luck. You are doing great.
there is nothing cuter than a toddler’s laugh.
Doing baby’s hair is never easy!
These are what I use for my daughter:
http://www.walgreens.com/store/product.jsp?CATID=100745&navAction=jump&navCount=2&nug=VPD&skuid=sku307392&id=prod7392
You can get them at any drugstore, including CVS
The easiest thing to do is put her hair up while she is having a bottle (if she still takes one) or give her something that she’s usually not allowed to play with.. (like a remote control or cell phone) Good luck!
Such a good daddy!
too lazy to read through the comments, but have you tried doing her hair while she’s in her highchair. Don’t call too much attention to yourself, then come up from behind her and do it. That way there’s less limbs to deal with, lol.
Also, they have sets of hairties for little girls in various places, I’m thinking at least Target.
YOU NEED TO BRAIN WASH HER! Before my daughter even had enough her to do anything with it. One day I bought her a little mirror and hard headband. I started to play with her and put in on her head, she refused to keep it on and I started to tell her that she looked SEXY ha ha, she still wasn’t convinced, then I put in on my head and I said I was sexy, then the dog (he was sexy too!!! ha ha). We kept playing this game until sexy became one of her first and favorite words. Then I moved in to trying to tie her hair while she watched cartoons and I told her I was going to make her look sexy…it worked!!! then I was able to do it in front of the bathroom mirror and gave her a doll, so she messes the doll’s hair while I fix hers. Now When she wakes up in the morning she says SEXY while she tries to push her hair away from her face…So now it’s a fun experience and she is starting to ask me to put on her everyday the nice bows that I only use for special occasions. MADDY I WANT YOU SEXY!!!!
By the way you should try to tie her hair with little rubber bands (they sale them in Walmart and Target, they’re all different colors) They stay better since their hair is so thin. Also making her hair wet will make it easier for a quick hair do.
Yeah! Clapping of hands for a happy doctor’s visit…I also forgot about the 15 month one…we’re going for 18
Maybe it’s just me…but the good, good daddy comment sort of creeped me out….does sound like you’re getting the hang of things though
Maddie looks like she is having lotsa fun! The bond between you two is incredible! Keep it up!
I know it’s like the FIRST COMMENT, but while I read this, all I could think about was what a great father you are and how clear it is to thousands of strangers how very much you adore your daughter.
Liz would be proud.
Cheers for a wonderful, successful doctor’s visit =)
For doing hair, I put my daughter in her high chair, and then turn on her favorite cartoon/commercial/etc. Then I put some toys on the highchair tray, and she is distracted enough that I can do just about anything to her hair. Look at Wal-Mart or Target for the small, elastic, no pull ponytail holders. They make them in really small sizes for little ones. Good luck!
i must say, you dress your daughter darn well!
from a fellow Minn-a-sooooohh-tan
My daughter, who is a few months older than Maddie, also hates clips and bows…she actually only wears them if I do. You could try that!
Just a thought…
Who cares about her hair clippies or baby whale sprouts (the teeny ponytails)?? I’ll take those baby belly laughs any day of the week.
Yup, you have as much luck with her hair as I do with my daughter’s. At her last haircut, they asked me if I wanted them to put bows in it. I said sure, give it a shot, and they managed to get a lilttle ponytail in with a big ol’ ribbon with a lollipop shoved through it. I took a pic immediately with my cell phone because I knew there was NO WAY that was staying in long. It was pulled out before we even got out the door.
Love the video – too cute. I use the so dorable clips – you can find them at target – they are really light and super easy to use. My little one doesn’t even know she has one on.
I didn’t read all the comments, so maybe someone already suggested this, but the only way I can get my daughter to hold still long enough to do her hair is to have her watch Elmo or Dora. Having her strapped into the high chair helps too, but then it’s hard to see the back of her head. Of course, even if you get some cute little clips in her hair she’ll probably just rip them out anyway!
Take care, Matt. Maddy is a doll!
She’s getting so big. I’m sure someone else has told you by now but those hair ties like the one you had are okay but they make them in baby size so you don’t have to twist it around a million times on her little bit of hair. They come in all different colors. You could give her some Cindy Lou Who pig tails…would be too cute! Can’t wait to hear where you will be traveling next! Have a great day Matt and Maddie!
Isn’t a great feeling when your baby starts to catch up on the growth chart? My older preemie baby at almost 3-years is only an inch or two shy of her 5-year old cousin. Yeah! And my younger early but not as early baby is almost in 50% range! Both are doing great!
And don’t fret about the hair thing. My almost 3-year old won’t wear them. She finally got hair last summer just after her second birthday and still sports what I like to refer to it as a “fraggle rock” style. LOL! You do what you can with them and hope for the best.
Maddy probably has REALLY fine hair. Until she’s older and has thicker hair, not much is going to stay in there. I remember my mom using small rubber bands on my fine hair but they tear your hair and hurt like crazy. Nothing else would stay in…and pretty much still doesn’t for that matter.
Just keep her hair cut so it won’t get in her eyes and don’t worry about it. She’s adorable no matter what. Mk
My friend makes these clips that stay in baby fine hair – http://www.shopmayapapaya.com – she also makes them into pony tail holders too by request. Check ‘em out! If I had a girl, I would have tons of them, as it is, with two boys, I just get to give them as gifts.
Such a sweet video! It brought tears to my eyes and made me want to leave work and see my youngest daughter, who is about Maddy’s age (she was born 3/14/08). I can relate well to the hair struggles! We found some alligator clip bows at Target in about six colors. They stay in fine hair really well, until a little someone immediately pulls them out. It does get better, though! Our oldest daughter was the same way but eventually started letting us put bows & barrettes in.
What a wonderful piece…
Those giggles are priceless! She is a cutie. I have heard that if you put the ponytail, barrett or whatever while they are sleeping they will get used to it and leave it alone. But this is advice from the mom of a 2 year old boy, so what do I know? lol
I just had boys and girl nieces; just keep her bangs trimmed until her hair is thick enough for “gee gaws.” Otherwise you’re just buying things that keep getting lost…….
I do my Anna’s hair while she is sitting in her high chair eating breakfast. She was born with a ton of hair so I’ve always had something in her hair and she is used to it so I don’t have any advice about that.
Love it as always!! You guys are so cute!
I am sure you have gotten lots of good hair advice, but here’s my two cents. Make sure you mess with her hair now even if you can’t completely get it done – will make it easier when she’s older. You need something to distract her. I sit my girl up on the counter where she can see me in the mirror and we sing or play with toys while I try to do her hair. Alligator clippies (look like an alligators mouth and snap shut) easy and fast for you to put in. Little one use rubber bands (target – Goody Goody brand) work best for my girl’s fine hair and they don’t seem to hurt her when I pull them out, but you do have to be careful or wait until she’s asleep.
All that said – when my daughter was Maddy’s age, she would pull everything out. So – I cut her some bangs but still attempted to put bows/clippies in just to keep her used to having her hair messed with.
Hope this helps you out!
‘hate it here’ in the background is a beautifully perfect, yet somewhat melancholy song to be playing during this video.
Ha! We gave up trying pigtails…sad because they are so cute! But bangs can rock too
Glad you survived the doc visit. Isn’t that moment when you see your child get jabbed with vaccination needles the worst? I always feel like crap for subjecting my girls to that. My husband was never vaccinated as a child (my MIL has some whack theories) and he tells me that actually having measles, mumps, rubella, and whooping cough (he got them all!) is about 10 million worse. So that should make us both feel better
I wish I could offer hair advice, but despite the fact that my Maddy is about a month older Maddy, she still has no hair. Just blond fuzz. I have serious toddler hair envy.
Keep up the good work!
I had a horrible day today with alot of stuff on my mind that happened over the weekend, but coming online tonight to check your blog and seeing Maddy’s smiles made me feel so much better. Thank you once again for sharing your life with us…I hope you know what an inspiration you are. You are an amazing person and dad!
I use the Goodie very tiny elastic pony tail holders. Or, I also have some small barrettes that I can get in her hair and she has a hard time pulling out. I have 2 girls 3 years- and 18 months. Good Luck.
Oh that little girl knows her daddy loves her… How sweet!!! I just wish mine had hair to put bows in she is still trying to grow some =-)
I don’t know if anyone else said this because I didn’t read through, but they make smaller hair ties like those for little girls, and in bright colors. Much easier to put in a smaller one than to wrap one of those around a thousand times. Also, they make some others that are cottony feeling. Look in the hairbrush aisle at Target, WalMart or any drugstore. I think Goody makes them.
Maddy is still adorable, as usual!!!
Good job Dad! She is doing awesome!
My daughter is 16 months and hates getting her hair done too. But I refuse to cut it. I do her hair in her carseat in the car with the elastic bands everyone recommended. That way she cant turn into rubber baby and squirm away from me. Good Luck!
Get those bows that just have a metal barrette type thing that you squeeze open with your thumb and fore finger….you can even put those in while she’s walking around. They just slip in.
Too many comments to read so I don’t know if this has been said yet… My kid’s hair is exactly like Maddy’s -thin, blond, straight and hard to do something with. For awhile I could put small clips in her hair to keep it out of her eyes. It was cute, but after a few weeks she started to yank those out, as well as the bands. Now I just keep her hair trimmed and put a part down the side and try to keep it combed.
1. Do it during breakfast….best time, hands down.
2. Spray detangler.
3. Use the hairbands that everyone is talking about.
4. Practice every morning because the dads have a harder time because of their big hands!
5. Good luck.
As much as I hat to say it, I think t.v. is the key. When I need to clip my son’s fingernails, I turn on that obnoxious purple dinosaur and plant ourselves in front of the t.v. I RARELY have trouble getting the job done.
Unless you have slim, womanly fingers the little hair ties aren’t going to help you, they’ll just piss you off. do what my husband did with our little girl…use a hat. it’s quick and easy and when their hair is longer you can pull the hair thru the back for instant ponytail. HTH.
Use the small ones, and do it while she’s sleeping, no fuss from her putting it in, and just maybe when she wakes up wont realize they are there
I loved reading this. You’re such an awesome daddy.
My Kaity is 16 months old and also does not want to keep things in her hair. I have gotten different little clips, blows, and bands at Target and such, and the only thing that ever keeps them in is having her being distracted when I do it. Hats are nice ;0
LOVED the video! She has such a cute laugh! As far as hair goes since she has hair like my daughter around that age, Target has these rubber hair bands (they won’t hurt though) and they are usually just one time use, but they work great for just a little big of hair to put up like Pebbles from the Flintstones! They are from the ouchless line and they always worked great for my daughter!
Hi, Matt and Maddy! Okay, I’m too lazy to read all the comments, so probably someone has said this : if she doesn’t like her hair messed with, keep it cut short so you don’t have to trap her into holding still, until she’s more amenable to the whole process. No harm in short or at least short-ish hair for now! Just my $.02.
Your video just about made me cry…
you are a great dad. Wish i had one just like you…
Keep your chin up Matt.
One day, you’ll wish for days like this soon.
love from Lauren in Louisiana.
Matt-
It’s not CAN I do your hair…
It’s SIT DOWN SO I CAN @#%$@ YOUR @#!@#!$ HAIR!
Hey Matt. No hints on the hair, I have 2 boys and have no clue what my mother did with my hair when I was that little. :p
My baby boy (18 mos.) laughed and pointed and babbled at the screen watching that video of Maddy. Just thought I’d let you know she has another young fan.
Hi Matt!
I’ve been reading your blog since the beginning! I just never posted (yeah, I’m another one of those..)
Love all the videos and updates on your parenting adventure. You are one of a kind
So any luck after all of this advice???
she is just beautiful; you are doing an amazing job.
I don’t know if anyone has recommended these yet, but try http://www.clippo.ca. Clippopotamus makes great hair clips. The gal that makes them is an awesome lady, and she owns a great business that not only makes a great product, but she helps the community as well. Clippos come in all sizes, and they are perfect for little girls with fine, blonde hair. I used to use them on my little guy, much to his Daddy’s chagrin.
They even have some really cool skull/crossbones patterns, which I think are the shit. But I echo the sentiments of so many others too…she doesn’t need anything in that beautiful hair of hers.
We also had a hard time with this…
My little girl 10/4/07 is much like that when i’m trying to fix her hair. I went and bought tiny colorful elastic bands (they sell them at walmart), and let her stand on a footstool to “brush her teeth” and while she is doing that, i comb her hair down wet (its way easier to fix when wet). I comb up a little bit of hair and hurry and wrap it around her hair, and then pull tight. Hope that helps!
You should try giving her a water bottle and a comb to hold while you do her hair…this always worked with my daughter and it works great with my daycare kids when they want a pretty but dont want to sit!
You might try looking for some of the coolest barrettes I’ve seen, which I believe are magnetic, and therefore easier to put in? My friends little girl uses them, and her daughter actually tollerates them. Also, the little clips work good, and are fast. Mini hair elastics, too
GOOD LUCK! (so glad I have boys… shaving in mohawks is WAY easier LOL) ok ok… so I’m totally jealous you have a little girl to DO her hair 
Her laugh makes me want to run home and have my husband tickle my lil one with his beard. Sigh, alas I am sitting at work waiting for 6pm to roll around!
I’ve followed your story for quite some time. It hits home because my daughter and yours are the same age, except I think Kaylee is a week older than Madeline. The hair ties: you can get these little elastic cheap ones at Target. It’s the only thing Kaylee keeps in her hair, although she does struggle to rip these out too. Good luck..
I cannot imagine you are able to read all of these comments, (because I didn’t before I felt free to leave my two cents lol…) What works for my daughter…18-19 months old…is to sit her on the bathroom counter in front of the mirror so she can see everything that’s going on, give her a toothbrush with that ooohhh sooo yummy fruity ‘toothpaste’ on it and let her chew away while she watches what happens to her hair. Now my daughter absolutely loves to see what is going in her hair and she wants to keep it. When I get one half of pig-tails up she grins sooo huge! Also, if you don’t have all the tangles out, and pull her hair just once, she’s done. We use the johnson’s detangling leave-in conditioner every single night after her hair is washed and in the morning it is sooo easy to comb through. Make sure you gently comb her hair smooth and tangle free before you even try to pull it up. (of course, don’t touch her hair at all until you have her distracted with the toothbrush or something)
Best of luck, especially keeping up with all these posts!
I’m going to second the small, dime size elastic rubber bands – my daughter has very similar hair to madeline, and those work great for us. Even now, at 3.5, it’s still a struggle to do her hair, sorry. <3
Love this and love the Wilco song choice, couldn’t be more appropriate!
You two look so sweet together
Very sweet Matt – those giggles are awesome. Also, as a mother to three blonde hair and blue eyed girls – (one who is still Terrible TWO and hard to tame) I’ve learned that the clip-in barretts are easiest. Also, I give my two year old her tooth brush so she can “practice” in front of the mirror and while she’s occupied with that, I’ll fix her hair.
Just a thought.
Matt, My name is Laura. I have a 6 month old daughter, MAkenzie. I lost my husband, John, on July 5th, 2009. He was killed in Auto accident. Does this get any easier? Your daughter is beautiful!
Hi Matt,
I saw the show on Oprah, however I’m from South Africa and we a bit delayed here and the show only aired last week. I’ve gone through your blogs ever since. I’m truly touched by your story and your Maddy is absolutely gorgeous. I’ve got a little one too, Nicole, she is 3 days shy of being a year younger than maddy.
Anyway, just wanted to pass some interresting fact for you, on Maddy’s second birthday you should measure her height and double it. That is how tall she will be when she is fully grown. One of the clinic’s nurses gave me this advise, however I still have awhile to go how tall my little one will be one day.