In the midst of death and destruction comes new life. I’m pleased to announce the arrival of my daughter, Claire Marie Annedore Klint.
We live in a cruel world, particularly in this era of COVID-19. There is tremendous uncertainty, doubt, and pain over the future, for me in particular. My primary business has been hit very hard over the last year and the pandemic has only made it worse.
Financially, it is a terrible time for a child. The betrayal of employees, vendors, and customers has left me jaded and bitter.
But Heidi and I made the deliberate, prayerful decision last autumn that it was time for a second child. We wanted a sibling for Augustine and we opted to stop letting fear control our decision-making processes.
I had forgotten what it was like to hold a newborn. Oh what a joy it was to hear those first cries as she left the womb. My precious wife was such a trooper, squeezing out the baby without even the help of an epidural. She doesn’t like hospitals and so Claire Marie, like Augustine, was born in a birth center. Six hours later, she was home and right back to her studies. I am so proud of her and thankful she is the mother of my children. I’ve had to literally force her to limit her work and allow her body time to heal.
The plan was that my mother-in-law and sister-in-law would join us from Europe and help in these early, sleepless days. That’s impossible with U.S. borders closed. They will have to wait to meet Claire Marie. Even my parents, who also live in Los Angeles, will need to wait. After a friend of ours experienced a near-death scare with her newborn contracting a virus (not the virus), we are limiting all social interactions.
And yet I cannot help but to look ahead. My dear little girl, I cannot wait to show you the world. I cannot wait to take you to Germany, where you can meet your grandparents and see where Mama grew up. I cannot wait to show you the Taj Mahal, pyramids of Giza, Machu Picchu, and the night markets of Hong Kong.
I’m incredibly grateful to welcome a new “coronavirus baby” into this world. Life will not be easy, but is worth the struggle.
> Read More: And Baby Makes Three
That is incredible news, Matthew. Congratulations to you and your wife. Welcome to the world, Claire and to great adventures ahead!!
Congratulations to you and your family!! Enjoy the new baby girl!!
I can’t imagine how stressful the lead-up to this was, and you already know from experience that the next couple of weeks will be grueling, as always. But babies are worth all the trouble they bring.
Congratulation Matthew!!! All the best for the baby, you, your wife and big brother. Enjoy every moment since they grow too fast.
Congratulations!
OMG Congratulations! Wish you, your family, and your new baby the best! Hope you’re all staying safe and keeping healthy! Definitely surreal world we live in now. I have all these miles saved up for our, now postponed, international business/first class miles vacation…oh well…that went away so quickly….sigh
Congratulations, Matthew, to you and Heidi! Welcome, little Claire. A beautiful journey awaits.
Mazel Tov! Kol Hakavod!!
Congrats! Every Dad needs a Daddy’s Girl. Make sure you take just as many pictures of the second that you did of the first.
Awesome news! Congratulations to all of you guys!❤️
What’s stressful is people that can’t have kids and especially those that are on their second IVF cycle and had to pause all treatment during this time. Not to mention the additional mental, physical, financial stress on top of it. But it’s nice to see that people want to brag about their first and second kids all over the world! Going on 8 years without any children, I used to read this blog daily but I guess people in the world forget about those who can’t have children and think it’s automatic. But what do I know? Be happy!
I’m truly sorry that you have experienced so much trouble bearing children. No doubt, COVID-19 has only made this problem even worse. I cannot purport to walk in your shoes, but I still feel your pain.
I am sorry to hear this as well. We were blessed to have our son (early 2010), first try, after we got married – bullet proof right?
No…4 miscarriages later and a failed IVF (and 3 DNC’s!) – she wanted to continue, I told her enough was enough, but she still feels she failed me and our son.
A few months after her last miscarriage (mid 2014), she was diagnosed with breast cancer – double mastectomy, she survived.
The pursuit for a 2nd child consumed us for 5 years. It could have easily destroyed our marriage if I took a selfish approach (I’m one of 5, all of my siblings have 3 kids….heck, I wanted 5 kids!!), but it is humbling when you realize you cannot always have want you want or believe you can control.
I wish you well, and I hope you are able to find peace.
Don’t take out your bitterness of your own circumstances on an innocent bystander. He is allowed to have joy & has zero to do with your problems. Btw…plenty of kids in foster care that would love a permanent home & family. Stop playing the victim
I agree Dora. While it’s unfortunate that the poster was unable to have more children, it was not right to put someone down who already has children. Congrats Matt!
Dude chill out. Why can’t you be happy for Matthew and others? Sounds like you want to take your own life over this…you are probably not fit to be a parent.
Congrats, Matthew. All the very best!
Lovely. Congrats to you both.
Nice to have good news on the blogs.
@ Matthew — Awesome!
I am over the moon HAPPY for all. I love her name. She is beautiful!
Congratulations on your second baby! If that’s her in the picture, she’s beautiful! All the best to you and your family!
That’s her! Taken this morning.
Congrats on your new little bundle of joy!!
Warm – special congratulations to you and your family. This is certainly the best news I have had all week! Thanks for sharing such a special moment with us. She is a darling!
Wonderful news! Congratulations! Welcome dear little Claire! It will be such a thrill for little Augustine to have a baby sister…
Congratulations Matthew.
Congratulations, Matthew. This is very good for Augustine for he will have a sister of approximately the same age. If a sibling is 7 or 10 year older, the relationship is different, sort of a half parent sometimes.
Want to enroll her in United Mileage Plus? How about making a flight log for her. I do not have a complete one because early flights are based on conjecture.
Congratulations Matthew! Tha’ts wonderful news!
Congratulations! That’s exciting news for you and your family.
Congratulations to the whole family!!
Congrats, and nice to see a sign of hope and optimism during these times.
Happy 0th birthday Marie Claire!
Thank you, Matthew, for sharing this very special event in your life. You’ve experienced a lot of anxiety and disappointments over the past year. Happily, this child will bring a lot of much-needed joy into your home. Congratulations!
Congrats! I assume that’s just a stock photo, but it would be great to post a real one sometime. What a joy to bring in new life in these times of darkness. And I’m sure Gus will love having a baby sister.
Thanks, but that’s not a stock photo. That’s her! I took it this morning.
Cute baby girl. And look at that head of hair! Congratulations
Testament to Matthew’s photography skills.
What wonderful news for your family! Congratulations and best wishes.
Congratulations! I recall the sage pronouncement from my mother that there is never a good time to have a child, which due to circumstances of time, money, or other considerations is pretty much always true. Best wishes.
Congratulations to you all! Claire Marie is so precious. Hopefully we will be able to meet her sometime in the near future. Enjoy this time together.
Oh my gosh, congratulations!
Congrats Matthew, I’m really happy for your family.
Fantastic news! Beautiful! Next to etihad apartment space having a kid is pretty awesome 🙂
I’ve got three. Makes finding award space in qf first pretty hard 😉
Congratulations – good health and happiness to all!
Very Happy for you and your wife, Congratulations!
Congrats Matthew!
Congratulations to you and the entire family ! The world just became a better place !
Happy for the both of you even in these challenging times!
Oh, Matthew, what beautiful news! Congratulations to you and Heidi. Little girls are so precious.
Congrats Matthew!
A lovely photo indeed.
May she bring joy to all
Congratulations Matthew. Beautiful baby and story.
Congratulations Matthew and Heidi. If Claire’s indeed born in the morning of May 22, then she’s exactly a half century younger than me.
Congratulations Matt. Thrilled for you and your family. I’m sorry to hear about the business disruption but you’ll be back at it sooner than later and stronger than ever.
You’re a braver man than I, Gunga Din. All the best to the baby!
Congrats Matthew!!
Would also be interested in hearing more about your business if you feel the need to vent. Totally understandable if you don’t. I hope things improve.
Congratulations Matthew and Heidi!! Some good news at this interesting time! x
Congratulations to you and your growing family, Matthew. The times ahead won’t be easy but I trust that you will pull through with the support of your community.