The best blog ever

I re-joined a baby board that I was part of when I was pregnant with Nathan. All kinds of stuff there, where people get together and discuss all kinds of issues with pregnancy/parenting. Anything and everything, including names, ultrasounds, siblings, where to buy cheap stuff, etc.

One poster mentioned the blog of Matt, Liz and Madeline. I've been hooked on it ever since. (to visit this blog, click on "The best blog ever", the title of my post, and it should take you. Or, visit http://www.mattlogelin.com)

This guy is a hero. Let me explain.

Matt and Liz were a young couple living in California, anxiously awaiting the arrival of their first baby, a baby girl. Liz, small in stature, was put on bed rest for five weeks, and then delivered beautiful Madeline Elizabeth early. She was born March 24, 2008. They were more than thrilled with a new blessing from God to cherish and love. And simply by looking at the pictures, you can tell Madeline looks JUST like her mother. So sweet. Matt is the blogger, and a photographer too, so the blog is filled with beautiful photographs, perfecly capturing every exciting detail of this moment of a lifetime.

Liz was to rest for 24 hours before seeing Madeline. Matt, meantime, did diaper and feeding duty in the NICU and continued to check on Liz.

The next day was Liz's big day - to hold her baby girl in her arms, after a difficult pregnancy and five weeks of bed rest. Matt and a nurse helped her to get out of bed and into a wheelchair, where she mentioned that she felt lightheaded.

She died of a pulmonary embolism - before holding her baby girl for the first time.

Matt was now a first-time father, and a widower, all in a span of 27 hours.

Matt is now detailing his story in his blog. This guy is amazing and has seemed to have found peace, comfort, friendship and support in his online journal. There are days that suck. Lots of them. Every minute he misses Liz, and is reminded that the two most important events in his life - Madeline's birth and Liz's death - will forever be linked.

He talks about how he had to sit in a wheelchair to wheel Madeline out to the car when they were released from the hospital, and his wife's sister stood by to take pictures. Looks from other patients and visitors asked questions: "Why is the dad holding the baby, and the mom taking pictures?"

He mentions that when some folks say, "Playing Mr. Mom today, heh?" He responds with, "I'm Mr. Mom everyday." People are confused, and if he explains further, he feels badly that he ruins people's day by sharing his story.

The guy is doing an amazing job. Not only that, he's documenting every single move this baby makes, and by looking at the pictures, you can tell that she's a happy, healthy baby who is dearly loved by so many people. Matt, although looking tired, is hanging in there.

I hope Matt realizes that he's a hero, and will forever be a hero in Maddy's eyes as she grows up and understands more about her parents and their journey.

Read his story. It will change your life, and remind you to treasure every minute.