it’s been
ages since i’ve
had a proper
update, but that’s
how shit goes sometimes.
1.5 days after
returning from india,
we jumped on
another plane
(maddy’s 28th round-trip flight)
and went to the mn
for thanksgiving with
the family.
everyone was excited
to see madeline,
and only mildly
interested to see me,
which is what
happens when you
have a child.
she got some
quality time in
with awesome auntie deb,
her uncle nick,
her aunties
molly and holly and,
her cousin ava.
and of course,
the grandparents.
i holed-up in
a hotel for
a few days
to work on
my writing,
and spent a few
evenings out
with some friends,
both old and new.
we flew back to
los angeles
after 6 days
in the mn,
and i’ve been more
than a little distracted
since then.
there are several
reasons for that…
my child is more
active than ever.
i’m working on
finding the words
i need to fill
the pages of that
book i mention here
from time-to-time.
and life back
in america presents
a variety of things
that, and people
who weren’t present
in india.
plus now my
days and nights
are generally
the same as everyone
else’s, so hiding
is not as easy
as it was
for the last
two months.
oh.
and i don’t have
rachel’s help anymore.
we both miss her.
in fact, maddy still
calls out her name
as i try
to get her to
sleep at night.
the good news is
that rachel hasn’t
been a total
stranger since we returned,
even though she
lives on the west side
(for those of you not in los angeles, it’s about a 23 mile drive from my place to hers, but the commute can take anywhere from 30 mins to 2.5 hours, so she may as well be in idaho).
she’s been over for
two saturday night
babysitting sessions with
madeline, allowing me
a few nights
out with friends.
so.
madeline
is back at daycare.
her first day
back was a bit
strange for her me.
i planned on sticking
around as long
as she needed me
to do so, with
the idea of easing her
back into things,
but she reached out
for her favorite
caregiver as
soon as we walked
through the door
and gave me a
look that said,
“can you please leave now?”
so i did.
and instead of
pulling into the
parking structure
at my old job,
i drove straight past
the building and went home.
and that’s when
it truly hit
me that i no
longer have a job
to go to.
well, i kinda do,
but it’s not
the same as it
used to be.
now,
i sit in
my office by
myself and
try to write.
i no longer
have my friends
around to drag me to
del taco for lunch,
nor do i
have the privilege
of solving office mysteries
with the mystery squad.
(you know, figuring out the identities of the filthy humans who refused to wash their hands before exiting the restroom and other important mysteries).
but i do have
a couple of
unemployed friends
around town, and
we’ve formed a
new squad chiefly
focused on early morning hikes
and lunch at
restaurants around town.
i write early.
i write late.
the good news is
that the first third of
the book is written.
the bad news
is that
it proved to
be one of the
most difficult tasks
i’ve ever undertaken.
not the writing
itself, but the
thinking about, and the
recording of feelings,
emotions, words that
i’ve held with me,
close to my
heart, unshared with
the rest of the
world, but things i’ve
thought about every
single day since
liz
died.
but…
there is catharsis in
the writing, and knowing
that i don’t have
to think about all
of it
everyday, because
the memories,
they’ve been recorded
and i no
longer have to
rely on my
extremely limited
brain capacity to hold on
to everything.
and now i’m
on to the second
third, and my distractions
have led me to
miss a few deadlines,
but i work better
under pressure anyway.
so what else?
we had
breakfast with a
few friends and santa claus:
maddy decided that
it would be a
good idea to
scratch her friend,
bella’s face.
bella seemed surprised
by the attack,
and i felt like
the most awful
parent of all time.
i mean,
what do you do
at that point?
luckily bella’s parents
are good friends and
chose not to
kick my ass
as a retaliatory measure.
when it was maddy’s
turn to sit on
his lap,
santa said,
“i think you better sit on my lap and have your daughter sit on your lap. i’ve been doing this for years and i can tell when a kid looks uneasy. your kid looks uneasy.”
i took his
word for it.
and four days
later, when i looked
at the photos,
i think i figured
out why she was
a little uneasy
about santa.
after that trauma,
she practiced using
my favorite word.
(rachel taught her that one and i can’t tell you how thankful i am).
maddy has adjusted
quite well
after all of the travel,
and is now regularly
sleeping from 7:00pm to 8:00am,
without waking up.
we spend our
evenings playing with her
toys and dancing
around the living room
to our favorite songs.
i try to be a
good father
and allow her to
listen to yo gabba gabba
as much as she
has to listen to
my favorite music,
but sometimes i fail.
this past weekend
we had our friends,
mark, jeffra and mckenna
in town.
andrea and her
kids joined us and
we visited rachel at
her old/new job
at the santa monica museum of art.
the rain ruined
the kid’s chances of
making art projects
of their own,
so we went inside
and checked out the
art of lynn hanson
and i ended
up with one of
her drawings.
(fell in love with it as soon as i saw it and now it’s hanging in my bedroom).
and i spent
more than a
little time talking
art, writing and
life with robbie conal,
which was pretty
damn awesome.
all-in-all it’s
good to be back
in town.
we’ve got some
exciting travels
planned for january
and the future
(more on that soon).
108 Comments
Excited to see what the future holds. She’s growing up fast. Looking forward to the book, too.
I think Santa’s getting a bit too close there Matt..The look on your face is priceless though…
Way to fake like it’s all Maddie, Santa.
I’m not sure about that Santa either,,,,,,,,,,,,,I think he had other things in mind!! Kinda’ scary!LOL Glad to hear that Maddy fell right back into place at daycare. Can’t wait to hear where your January travels are going to be taking you & Maddy!
So happy to read an update! Loved reading your tweets from India! Maddys Christmas dress was/ is gorgeous – way to go fashionista!
If that second picture of you guys with Santa isn’t your Christmas card this year – well, I don’t even know what to say anymore. Awesome!
lol I think Santa really liked you Matt. Thanks for Sharing those pics. Look forward to hearing about more travels!
Going to revisit the earlier photos to erase that smarmy Santa.
Glad to hear you getting on well. Well done on completing first third of the book! My kids have bitten/injured other kids and have fallen victim to these kiddie crimes too!! All part of the childhood!!! Your bro looks so like you! And also I like the grand piano!! (I’m very nosey/observant!!!) D
I know what you mean about writing, and the feelings. I’ve been tossing around the idea of an auto-bio of my life, specifically my crazy-cycled marriage, and recently started going through old emails and pictures.
Wow.
Those can get you. I ended up stopping, because maybe it’s me being pregnant, or hormonal, or something– but, the emotional onslaught was too much to bear.
Santa appears kinda perv to me. I think Maddie recognized it. Good instincts you’ve given her!
It’s sweet yet sad that Maddy’s calling out for Rachel. It seems natural that a motherless little girl would bond with a woman who’s with her all the time for 5 weeks. While you are clearly doing a great job raising her on your own, she will need some maternal influence as she grows up. Hopefully you will be able to have great women in your life for her.
Great post. That Santa was a little creepy. Glad you had a great Thanksgiving with your family.
Glad you are both doing well. Finally you updated, I check everyday, I guess I’m a stalker, lol. Maddy reminds me alot of my little girl, now 9, haha look out! I know what you mean about her scratching Bella, but it happens. Hope you and your family have a blessed Christmas and a Happy New Year, looking forward to your book.
when you say how much you have held close to you and still have yet to express, it is a reminder that although you have shared so much on this blog, there is still so much emotion inside of you. i hope the second and third parts of the book give you the same catharsis.
on another note, my little abbie is almost 6 weeks and i love looking at the pictures of beautiful maddy to see what my future holds.
Santa really seemed to think you were a good boy. Can we talk about how much that made me laugh?
Like I posted on twitter, looks like Santa was crushing on daddy!!! LOL
Glad you guys are home and made it safely! Love how she says please! JonJon says it the same way..puhwease!
Can’t wait to hear updates!! Oh and I got my fabulous postcard artwork from Maddy!!! Love it!
Now THAT Santa has a beard to be proud of!
Santa likes you!
Thanks so much for the update. I’ve been thinking about you guys since your return to the US.
Good to hear from you! Maddie sure is growing up and into her little personality… She is a very ‘wordly’ little girl
Oh and don’t worry to much about the sraching incident… it will not be last tiem something like that will happen and I am sure it will happen to her at some point too… kids will be kids..
The beard is back in full bloom but I am not sure which is scarier: Santa, da beard or the Mr. Rogers cardi.
That photo is exactly why I haven’t brought my kids to see Santa. Seriously…I never like the idea when I was a kid. Hopefully I haven’t traumatized my children with the missed opportunity
It was very exciting to see another post from you!!
Great update!! I am glad you are able to record those feelings instead of keeping them all bottled up!! Good luck with your Book and your future deadlines!! Most people work better under pressure! Thats the story of my Life!!!
Oh and Maddy is getting Huge!!! What a Beauty!!
That Santa picture is PRICELESS! hahahah! Maddy is a doll.
Santa pictures always have an element of scary in them, I think.
Glad to get a “proper” update. I was wondering how y’all were adjusting to being back in the states.
i can’t wait to read your book.
i was one of those “uneasy” kids. there are several pictures of me with santa as a kid where i am full-on bawling my eyes out. at ridiculous ages too, like five and seven. santa is just a creeper.
LOL @ Amanda’s comment above.
The “please”s are sooooo cute! I can’t believe how big and independent she’s getting!!
The santa pictures are priceless!
Can’t WAIT for the book. Glad you’re having such a cathartic experience writing it.
Glad to hear you are both adjusting well to being back in LA.
That Santa picture is a little creepy. Maddy clearly recognized a weirdo when she saw one
I hear ya about the “no real job” thing. I’m a SAHM. No friends to talk to during the day (they all have jobs) and you’re lucky, at least you have your unemployed friends. They’ll go to lunch with you.
Oh I do love your Santa photo…it gave me a good laugh this morning. Just one more example that you are an awesome Daddy to that precious little girl of yours. Happy Holidays!
There are so many great things in this post, but I just can’t get past Santa. Every time I see that picture, I turn red at my office desk trying not to burst out laughing. Maddy was hesitant for VERY GOOD reason.
Can’t wait to hear about your next travels and adventures for the New Year.
wow…creepy Santa!
Wow, that Santa kind of freaks me out. You’re pretty brave to sit on his lap.
You are such a wonderful dad, Matt. What a lucky little girl your precious Maddie is.
I can’t wait to read your book and buy lots and lots of copies for my friends.
Santa in that pic = creepy stranger fan. We are tame compared to him.
LOL to “mystery squad.” I’m going to steal that from you for my work. I have a government job! So it will be MYSTERY SQUAD!
Thank you again for sharing your life with all of us. I have learned a lot from you and Maddy.
And about Maddy whacking her friend… my daughter is a month older than your Maddy and she is doing the same thing with other kids! I handle it well sometimes and other times, I am at a loss for a decent strategy. As long as we provide them with love, I really don’t know what else to do! Good luck.
Happy Holidays.
So happy you are posting about the daily routine again. LOVE seeing the “before work/daycare” picture back on!
Have a great Christmas!
Glad to hear things are well with the two of you.
I saw this at Target last night, my (almost) 2yr old daughter loved it, and I thought of Maddy washing the elephants.
target.com/FurReal-Friends-Zambi-Baby-Elephant/dp/B001TME3ME
It moves and makes elephant sounds.
Be well.
I am STILL laughing about the Santa-snuggle. In fact, my whole house is.
LOL love the pic of her an cousin Ava’s “quality time”!
Oh, and as a writer, I totally sympathize with how difficult your current job/task is. I’m glad it’s cathartic for you, though. (I’m betting that also means you’re writing good stuff.)
Glad to hear she (and you) have settled back in to something resembling a routine, albeit a new one.
And you are right, Santa was a bit creepy, in a kindly old-man kind of way.
fun! glad you two are adjusting back to life in the la! LOVE madeline’s new word-please! so darn cute how she says it!
I really have to say it sounded to me as though she were saying “bitch”. I was like… Why is he encouraging her?? hahaha PLEASE! NOW I get it. hehehe I was on a blog hiatus for a while and have missed out on the past few months of everyone’s lives. So.. no job?? Aparently I have things to catch up on!
I’ve missed you and Maddy ~ Matt. Glad you’re back home.
Hugs ~ Lorena
matt, congrats on getting threw the first part of your book, im sure the hardest part is the ending tho. Also I love the drawing you purchased, it’s lovely.
I don’t think I am going to be able to get that vision of the handsy Father loving Santa resting his head on your shoulder out of my head for a while, it’s ten kinds of creepy.
good luck in January!
LMAO. You look like you’re about to start going you’re touching me you’re touching me every time he leans his head forward. I can’t believe he actually put his head on your shoulder. I about fell out of my chair laughing at those pictures. Definitely need to be your Christmas cards.
Those Santa pictures are frickin’ hilarious.
Just wanted to say welcome home.
My son says please the same way. Love. it. I like your hair.
That Santa pic needs to be your card, needs to be submitted to awkwardfamilyphotos.com and needs some explaining about why the hell is santa only wearing white socks? Where the hell are his boots?
I love that Santa picture! She is such a doll…I love how she says please! You are doing a great job! Happy Holidays!
So fun to see you back, Madeline is as cute as ever, you’re really doing a great job and I had to laugh when I saw the pix of santa
I laughed out loud when I saw the Santa pic. Hilarious! I love the “please!” video. So darn cute!
OMG-the pictures with Santa are too damn funny!!! Ahhh, the memories that Madeline will have with your great writing and picture taking. Thanks for the update. Merry Christmas to you guys!
Santa looks a little like a total creeper!!! LOL!!! I bet you were freaked when you felt his cheek press softly on your back! LMAO!!!!!!
You look great, Matt. Look more rested – Your travels to India seem to have agreed with you. Happy Holidays to you and Maddy.
Wonder what Santa’s gonna put in your stocking this year… Maybe I don’t wanna know…
You guys just never stop, do you! What a fun life. I’m glad the book is going well and that there has been some healing and some relief of those constant memories by putting it in to words. Can’t wait for the book to come out!
Writing it all down can wring you out at times — it can be hard to focus on the screen whilst blinking back the tears — but as you say, it’s a huge relief to put these memories down for now and for the future ahead.
People often say that writing it down is therapeutic, but I can sense that you don’t (quite) buy into that, and neither do I, probably for the same reasons as you — because it really does take so much out of you and because you have to reconfront all the pain.
And unlike the easy cliche of catharsis which so many will often sput, I don’t think that writing it down helps you to put events behind you in the clean and easy way which many people would like to believe.
But for all of that, without a written record, it would be easy to lose track of details. That applies especially to the chronology, since after a while the order in which things happened can seem a little blurred.
For what it’s worth, I think that in writing now, you’re writing at exactly the right moment. Some time and a lot of thought and painful reflection is required to process all that’s happened, and to get it all straight within your mind. The long months which have passed have no doubt been very hard to live through, but that experience helps you to sort out what’s important in your story, whilst still being fresh within your mind.
I look back on my own writing sometimes from another life today and wonder if it was really me who lived through those hard times, and amazing as it might seem, I’m certain that one day it will be exactly the same for you.
For that reason, I know that while this account of all these episodes in your life is enormously important for other people who follow to find and read, at the same time it will be a wonderful resource for you and especially for Maddy across the years ahead, so that you have a record of how it really was and what made you (and her) into the stronger people which you will (and have already) become.
Best wishes from a chilly winter’s dusk in London, and temporarily more than just a little envious of those clear Californian skies…
Thank you for making me laugh out loud at the Santa pics…He is a “good” Santa in respect to his appearance but………..ha…….awesome…Best of luck with your writing and travels….
so happy for the update! madeline’s christmas dress is beautiful – i’m not surprised – keep up the good work!
love the santa photos. he looks like he might be a little sweet on you…
Thanks for the long awaited update Matt! Maddy is getting so big and her hair is growing so long! She’s beautiful. Wishing you and Maddy a very Happy Holiday Season! Thanks for sharing the pictures. The Santa picture is hilarious! What a fun life! Keep it going! XX
Loved the post and the pics! The vid? OMG so damn cute. Great to hear from ya and ur still amazing in my book.
Wow. The Santa pics…well…Wow.
Welcome Home!
Seriously, the santa picture is hilarious. You should totally send that to awkwardfamilyphotos.com! I also like your Mr. Rodgers sweater, it suits you! ;P Maddy is getting so big! She is too cute and looks like a ball of energy. Glad that you guys are back home!! Can’t wait to hear about your upcoming adventures. Good luck writing the next portion of your book too!
i’m so glad to hear all is well and that you all are getting back into the swing of your dialy routine. maddy looks like she’s gotten so much older just from your last post. she’s such a little lady in her little holiday dress. best of luck as you continue to write, i’m looking forward to reading the finished piece.
i’m also glad to hear that rachel will continue to be a part of your lives, and the fact that she did manage to teach your little lady to say please…that’s pretty impressive! : )
hope you two have a merry christmas. best of luck as you continue to write, i’m looking forward to reading the finished piece
and can’t wait to see what the new year holds for you both.
as for santa…ho, ho, ho-ly cow…..he’s certainly going to find out who’s naughty or nice by the end of the holiday season!!! tooo funny..thanks for posting the pics!!
yeah, santa is SWEET on you with that gray cardigan. maddy with her spidey sense knew he was up to something hahaha. maddy has flown more than me in my 40 years total WOW!!!
good luck with your writing as always your blogs are funny, touching, and sweet!!! nameste
what a fun update!
I am literally crying at the photo with you and santa. im dying.
You are doing wonderful with maddy (Like you ever weren’t). And I like that maddy has still been able to see rachel. And in light of the comment above, I think maddy has PLENTY of maternal influence, and that you already have FABULOUS women in your life. Maddy isn’t, by any means, going to be without in any way. she is well rounded, happy, VERY LOVED, cherished, and can we say, well dressed? You have given her a gift with this blog, photos, and the book you are writing, that some would only dream of having. You are amazing and have gone above and beyond!
ok. stepping off my soap box now…
Santa was way too creepy. And not in a good way.
Love it all. Cant wait to read the book!
Your entries never dissappoint.
I think Sandy Claus likes you.
Welcome back! I got too used to your regular updates from India. I was going through Matt and Maddy withdrawls…so I was thrilled to see a new update from you all! Merry Christmas to you both!
Today I put a shirt on (my) Ava that had snaps in the crotchy. I put them outside her jeans and laughed. IHO Mads.
Always great to “hear” from you. I just LOVED reading about your tales in India. So envious.
PS – I know you’re the Guru of all music cool, and most likely this guy is old news…
But I’m kinda diggin’ Sufjan Stevens at the moment. The song “The Perpetual Self, or What Would Saul Alinsky Do?” is featured on the new “Babies” trailer. (which looks awesome, BTW. Kinda ticked Mads didn’t get featured, lol)anywho… thought I would share just in case you’re not familiar. (yea right)
I love that Maddie wears Toms!! How adorable and what a good cause!
I am still pissing myself over that Santa pic. OMG! Priceless!
Okay, the Santa picture and the picture of Maddy and her cousin sleeping in their carseats … totally priceless!!! They have me laughing! That Santa would freak me out too. Maddy has a great radar already.
Good luck with the second half of your book. Not that I know much about such things but you’ll be glad you wrote about it, even though it’s an incredibly hard thing to do. (But what the heck do I know?)
)
Oh, and with the scratching. I’m sure every other parent has told you this but EVERY kid does it, at least once. There is the hitting phase and the tantrums on the floor phase. Always makes ya feel like a crappy parent but seriously … every kid does it. (My daughter has now moved on to the stomping up to her room and slamming the door all while screaming phase. It’s awesome.)
I have chills, I am sending you an email re: the drawing you bought.
btw, Santa is looking a little too happy with you sitting on his lap, ya know?
Glad you’re back into the swing of things at home. Maddy is seriously growing way too fast!! I can’t help but just about wet myself laughing at those Santa photos. Now THAT guy is the stuff that kids’ nightmares are made of! HA!!!
Can’t wait for your book…I know I’ve said it a million times, but it’s true. As soon as it comes out, I have several copies to buy. The first is for me (which you will sign for me when we meet someday!) and the second will be for my husband’s brother-in-law, as I’m sure he will get a lot out of it. My husband’s sister passed away from breast cancer at the end of August and he’s working on finding himself as a single parent after nearly 22 years of marriage. (The kids are 16 and 14)
The other copies will be for other family members. SO damn excited for it!
I was going to insist that the Santa pics be sent to Awkward family photos, and I see someone has already done so. Really, you MUST. Those are freakin’ hilarious. I needed that today. Thanks!
As always… what a wonderful ride through your daily goings!
I have NEVER heard of a Santa REQUEST a parent to sit on his lap. Odd – in a gives me the hebeegeebees -sort of way.
Glad you’re back!
love love love the lynn hanson drawing. maddy’s “please” is adorable. glad you’re all back safe and sound.
Forget awkward family photos. Those pictures need to be on http://www.sketchysantas.com
Um…I think Santa has a crush.
Welcome back to the States. Excited to see what fun travels are in your future!
I can’t stop crying from laughing about those pictures with Santa… I will probably randomly chuckle over the thought for the next week. Really creepy Santa!
welcome back home – i loved reading about your travels and the very special book you’re writing. The pics of your trip were so fun! i enjoyed them!
i can see why maddy might have been scared of santa – he scared me, too!
Welcome back…soo excited to read/see a new update on you guys!! OMG…that Santa was too funny…I think he thinks you have been a good boy this year Matt…I don’t blame Maddy for being creeped out!! LOVE the video of Maddy and the “please”….she is growing up so fast!! Glad to hear the writing is going well..can’t wait for the book to come out!! I hope you and Maddy have a Merry Christmas!! Can’t wait to hear where the new year will take the two of you in January!!
Haha what a creepy Santa!
Glad you guys are back in a way, although I enjoyed your updates from India too. When is your book supposed to come out?
Matt, please submit that pic to sketchysantas.com. I beg of you!
There seems to be something new and good happening ever since your return from India. I don’t know, I just sense that you’ve faced a lot of difficult memories and come out in a good place.
Be well.
David
can Rachel teach my Lulu to say please? What a task that has turned into… Perhaps I will show her Maddy’s example.
That Santa Photo! Priceless. Thanks for the laugh!
Great photos, but I am mostly intrigued by the fact that someone in the mn has a fucking VIBRAPHONE! Who who who WHOOOO!? I play vibes. Good job, vibraphone-owning mn person. Happy holidays Matt n’ Maddie!
My daughter(12 yrs) says you look terrible with the beard. She liked you when you shaved it off. And she said Maddy looks adorable. I am laughing at Santa’s remarks about having the photo taken. I understand how you feel with your free time, but there are times when the silence in the house is difficult. The stillness I am sure haunts you at times, especially since Liz was living where you lived. It was where she spent the last night before going to Hospital. It is where she did her last load of laundry, her last load of dishes she washed…It is weird stuff that you can think of, as I have too many times. Christmas will be fun this year, but again…it has never been the same for me since Joe died. I have put on a brave face, but it is not good. sorry to be so down.
This is Bella grandma,
I am really sorry about scaring Maddy on Sunday,but I had a really nice time visting with and meeting you. Maddy is so cute and such a doll. I love the santa pics little creepy but still cute. well take care and nice to have met you.
Asalamu Alaykom Mr. Matt,
Freeing yourself up from the past is a blessing. I’m glad that you were given this opportunity to write your story. Though the other grieving widows and widowers don’t have book deals, wouldn’t you also recommend they write down their stories? Seriously, I’d like you to comment on this.
I think any kind of huge grief in our life needs a catharsis. A psychologist friend of mine (and I TOTALLY recommend everyone making friends with a psychologist) says everyone needs to properly file away painful experiences—sorting through, understanding and categorizing. If you do not, then it’s like your entry way is scattered with stacks of papers waiting to be put away. When the door opens with a new experience, it BLOOOOOOOOWS every loose thought around and clutters and litters your brain. You can’t think due to the mess! Sure, it’s an extreme pain to examine what’s happened, but inshahallah it prevents you from messing up your head.
Take care…avoid any more Santas (that’s not the Muslim me saying that…it’s the teacher me warning you not to sit on the laps of strangers)…and find more mysteries to be solved!
It’s good to see you and Madeline back at home again. I guess no matter what travels you two have made, or will make, your home is always with her, and hers with you.
Sounds like you are rocking the writing and your India trip was well worth it both for your book and for your soul.
Thinking about both of you this holiday season and wishing you peace and happiness.
Um, where is part IV???? I’ve been waiting and waiting!
those pictures from hiking are beautiful. When I’m out in LA, I must build that into my schedule.
I have been following your blog for a very long time yet have never had the courage to comment for reasons that I may say the wrong thing, but I could not help myself after reading about your Santa experience! I have to tell you I laughed out loud upon reading your comments and viewing your Santa pics, that is just hilarious! You’re simply amazing and your daughter is an angel on Earth as her mother and your wife is an angel in Heaven…you are one heck of a father! Blessings to you and your lovely daughter this holiday season…
funniest christmas card pic with santa – so uncomfortable to look at, but makes me laugh – hilarious –
read carlos whittaker’s christmas story about beating an elf against a table to try to make his kids feel better about it … its hilarious and i think you would appreciate its humor
http://www.ragamuffinsoul.com/2009/12/the-elf-on-the-shelf-my-parenting-manual-and-near-death/
i went to the santa website mentioned above. you *must* send in that photo of you with santa leaning in to your neck. omg..i can’t wait to read the hilarious comments from *that* one! I’m sorry little maddy feels so crummy…brown rice and pedialyte? mey..it could taste okay..
Glad to hear you are both safely home and getting back into the swing of things.
Hiking with friends so awesome, must convince some of my friends to spend their mornings with me doing similar.. Yeah, even if they do have jobs dammit. Not so fun solo.
I too love the picture of you, maddy and the Santa.
Sorry she is not doing well, Does she have a fever? I’m sure you already know this but if she has a fever over 101 make sure to contact your doctor. Did you try giving her crackers? Even those little Gold Fish crackers. Pedialyte makes frozen pops maybe she’ll eat one of those. How about ginger ale. Puking is the worst. The one thing I remember from when my son was little was to make sure he didn’t get dehydrated. The first thing they would ask is how many wet diapers did he have. It’s true what they say about day care. Lots of germs. She was all over India and didn’t get sick she goes to daycare one week and gets the flu. Poor Baby. I hope she feels better soon.
Rosann
I think you need to Photoshop Maddy out of the pic and send it as a gag X-mas card. HA!
It was so awesome to finally meet Jeffra, her beautiful family, and Rachel!