You're great...

Dear Nicky,

You're just a great little boy. You didn't do anything special or amazing today except be yourself, which is just naturally special and amazing. I'm keeping an eye on your toe, the one that had the boil on it a couple weeks ago. It looks a little raw, but I just think that's normal. Your poops are pale and moist and especially foul-smelling, and we're hoping it's not celiac disease, but I don't think it is. You took a nice long nap this afternoon, so maybe you're doing some growing.

Love,
Dad

A strong and healthy heart...

Dear Nicky,

This morning we went to see Dr. Solo for your periodic heart checkup. Nothing but good news all around. Everything looks great. The longer everything looks great in these developmental years, the less likely we'll ever have to do anything else in terms of correction. Your behavior was just wonderful too. You were so pleasant and mature. You're a big boy with a great big healthy heart. Later in the afternoon, Mom and I put into motion getting a will and trusts set up for you kids in order to better secure your financial future.

Love,
Dad

The dentist...

Dear Nicky,

So I took you to the dentist today. Took a bit of planning. First we gave you the antibiotic prophylaxis, then we dropped off Junie at daycare, then drove to Summit. We drove around till we found a good parking spot. Then I toted you up to the dentist's office. It's still a bit of strain and I felt a little lightheaded, but I was okay. We hung out and you played with some toys till the dentist was ready. He checked you out, said your teeth are basically good, showed me how to brush your teeth, yada yada yada. But no cleaning. I thought the whole purpose of the visit was for cleaning, but he said it would upset you too much. Frustrating! The rest of the day was okay, however, and you ate well for lunch and dinner.

Love,
Dad

Nothing major going on...

Dear Nicky,

You did well with your PT and your OT today, and you ate a nice lunch and dinner. You napped so-so and had a big, wet poopie. I feel pretty much back to normal, but I feel nervous and feeble. At least I'm not sick or in pain, so that must mean something. I'm able to hoist you guys around pretty well, so I guess all I need is a little more time.

Love,
Dad

Not a bad day...

Dear Nicky,

Still tired here, but feeling better. Hoping I'm getting all those toxins from that antibiotic stuff out of my liver. They make you feel bad coming out like they do going in. You went over to Aunt Duchy's today, after Mom flew off the handle over some ridiculous nonsense. Maybe you guys'll eat well over there.

Love,
Dad

Such a better day...

Dear Nicky,

Well, my boy, I'm feeling much better today than yesterday. Got a good night's sleep and am starting to feel on the mend at last. I was feeling quite freaked out yesterday, but it was the meds I'd been on. Mom took you guys to Whole Foods this morning, then to Target, just as a lark. You ate two bananas this morning and a decent breakfast. So that's something too.

Love,
Dad

Feeling improved...?

Dear Nicky,

Yesterday was bad. Today was worse. I was afraid I had torn or herniated something inside from lifting. I was feeling out of control sick all day, and on top of that we had window treatment installers here all morning, making it hard to relax. Plus I had to clean off the snow from the drive, deck, and Honda. I mean here I am feeling faint and I'm throwing snow. A man's gotta man up, dawg. But later I was paying for it, thinking my head was going to explode or I was suffering internal bleeding. I went running like a girl for the Urgent Care place, where they helped straighten me out. Now's the best I've in two days.

Love,
Dad

Had to bail...

Dear Nicky,

Today I was feeling really weak and dizzy during Stones, so much so that we had to leave halfway through. I had to even have Ruth put your coat on and Pat carry you to the car. All day I've felt dizzy. I'm starting to get a titch worried. Tomorrow, you're getting a prophylactic antibiotic and then you're going to the dentist, weather permitting. At first, I told them you wouldn't need one, but then Dr. Solo decided better safe than sorry. Won't be the first antibiotic you've ever had.

Love,
Dad

Totally forgot...

Dear Nicky,

This morning I completely forgot there was no session at Stones, so we got all ready, drove all the way there, only to find the place closed. We just turned right around and came home. On the way back, you fell asleep, pretty soundly, and I carried you and put you to bed, then went to the store and Borders while the nanny minded you guys. Later when I got back, you'd already been awake a long time. Rob the PT worked with you this afternoon, you did well when you weren't being playful. You're making some good strides with your strides.

Love,
Dad

Feeling better...

Dear Nicky,

Hi pal! This was Presidents Day. So today I woke up feeling much better. I slept long and deeply last night, and that's always the best thing for one's health. Not much else to report other than you're walking more and better, just a little bit each day. Mom took you guys over to Granny's today where you ate well. Not much else to report.

Love,
Dad

What a day...

Dear Nicky,

This wasn't such a good day for Daddy. I woke up at four this morning, sick sick sick. Vomiting, diarrhea, fevers, chills, dizziness. I could barely handle you guys. I had to call your grandparents for help. They came, perhaps not 100 percent willingly, but they did. While they were here I went back to the urgent care clinic and got checked out. If I hadn't had a appendectomy just 10 days ago I would've shrugged it off, but I'm a little worried about complications. So, they think I have some kind of gut bug and now I'm on antibiotics. They want me to go see the doc tomorrow, and I have to bring a stool specimen. Talk about humiliating. I think I'm feeling better, so hopefully those antibiotics are working.

Love,
Dad

The grandparents visit...

Dear Nicky,

Your toenail is looking pretty good I think. I'm washing it and applying antibiotic lotion three times daily and checking you for fever. So far, so good. I did everything the way a doc would have, so I think we're okay. Your grandparents came over this afternoon to watch you guys while I took a little break. My break consisted of going to Borders, Stop and Shop, and Target. At Borders I got another Bukowski book. I find him very readable. I'm trying to read The Road by Cormac McCarthy, but it's kind of distressing, about a man and his son in a postapocalyptic wasteland. You guys had a great time with the grandparents, but I sure felt my tail dragging in the late afternoon. I felt great yesterday and this morning, but I guess things catch up with you. Thankfully, Mom is coming home tomorrow.

Love,
Dad

Gosh, I sure do feel better...

Dear Nicky,

Granny came over this morning to watch you guys while I went to the docs to get my incision examined. All seems well. I feel good. I came home, gave you guys a nap, and fed you lunch. I ate well all day myself, including taking some vitamins. You and June were very well behaved, probably sensing that Mom is out of town and that Daddy needs you guys to take it easy on me, so thanks for that. You, Nick, are definitely showing an increased desire to walk. I love it; keep up the good work! You are now at the point where you get up and spin around when a particular Wiggles song comes on. Also this afternoon I noticed a sizable boil on your big toe. I followed strict sanitary procedures and lanced it with a sterilized wire brad, then applied antibiotic cream and a bandage. You cried but were very brave. If it doesn't look better tomorrow, we must go to the docs, but for once I feel positive about something.

Love,
Dad

Still recuperating...

Dear Nicky,

I took you to Stones this morning and you had a reevaluation with the speech therapist who came here, but got nothing out of you. Today was a trying day for me physically as it was the first day back to the normal stuff I do. I'm really tired. You did well with Ellen this afternoon, doing nice imaginative play that was very appropriate looking. I haven't been able to hold you for a while, but I'll soon be able to.

Love,
Dad

Silly Mommy...

Dear Nicky,

Today we had a fill-in babysitter named Bar. She was really nice and you guys seemed to like her a lot. This morning I ran the snowblower for the first time, despite my recent appendectomy. No way was some surgery gonna prevent me from playing with my new toy. Mom said she'd be home early tonight, then at the end of the day calls to say she's going to be late. Now she calls to tell me she missed her stop. I told her to catch the next train going the other way. I took some pain medication and can't get behind the wheel of a car. Mom's really annoying me lately. I don't know why I'm so angry all the time. Maybe it's the surgery?

Love,
Dad

Rotten mood...

Dear Nicky,

Well, Angela your nanny is back, which is something I guess. Meanwhile today I've just been tired and cranky the whole day. I don't know if it's the painkiller withdrawal, the weather, being cooped up for so long or what. I just feel miserable. My pain's better, but I just feel like jumping out the window.

Love,
Dad

Aunt Duchy to the rescue...

Dear Nicky,

Last night I had terrible insomnia, and didn't get to sleep until really late. This morning when I got up I was wiped out and dizzy, so dizzy I had to lie down during your PT. Then your evaluation people came and I managed to tough it out while performed pretty well. Then your Aunt Duchy came over and stayed the whole day and played and fed you guys and just took care of you so I could get some rest and not have to lift you guys. I took a nice nap and woke to find you guys happy and well-fed. How refreshing!

Love,
Dad

Loopy...

Dear Nicky,

As you know, I had my appendix taken out the other day. I've been quite uncomfortable since, and at night I take a couple pills for the pain. They make me feel less pain, but they also make me a little dizzy. You got to watch out for stuff like that. Sure, it's good to make pain go away, but some medications can be addictive, and they hook you, and that will cause you more and greater pain in the long run.

Love,
Dad

Hurtin' but persevering...

Dear Nicky,

So today was rough for me just because of my surgery, but it wasn't so bad with Mom around. She took you guys to Music Together, then later to the mall. I did a few chores around the house; I wasn't totally useless, but I couldn't really do much with you guys because I can't pick you up. You ate a decent dinner and seemed good most of the day. Junie was pretty fussy when I could've used some peace and quiet. Now I'm going to go to sleep.

Love,
Dad

My appendix...!

Dear Nicky,

Hi pal, I missed you a lot yesterday! I had my appendix taken out. Wednesday morning I had a really bad stomach ache and it lasted all day and into the night, ate nothing, couldn't sleep, etc. The next morning I went to an urgent care place up the hill and got a CAT scan. Yep, appendicitis. This requires a fairly routine procedure called an lapriscopic appendectomy. They don't cut you wide open; instead they use a video camera and remote controlled surgical instruments. Mom took me to the hospital where eventually I was admitted, then operated on, then put in a room overnight. No books, no Internet. Just pain medication. Everyone was very nice to me, but I couldn't get much rest. This morning I got to eat for the first time in a day and a half. They checked me out and I left around five. Granny sort of helped Mom take care of you guys while I was out. Now I'm back, but I'm still going to be somewhat out of if for the next couple days till I get better. As you know, having had all sorts of surgery, there's no such thing as minor surgery.

Love,
Dad

Stomach ache

Dear Nicky,

Not you, me, I'm the one with the stomach ache. Had it all day. Took you guys to daycare, you did great. Put you down for a nap, thought I'd catch one too--forget it, you start fussing. Ah well, you guys were pretty good. I'm feeling better at last with a couple Advils in me. Hope I can get some sleep, had total insomnia last night. Got about four hours' sleep. I felt like a zombie all day. A stressed, put-upon, weary zombie.

Love,
Dad

Still rather moody...

Dear Nicky,

You did okay at Stones today, but were rather silly with your home PT. At least it was a lot of laughs for you. Nothing new or major going on. Peace out.

Love,
Dad

Sleepy Monday...

Dear Nicky,

Well, this morning you had a speech evaluation from the Board of Ed. You were completely uncooperative, which is good for our ultimate goal, but a parent never likes to see his kid performing less than they are capable of. You took a nice long nap this afternoon, and probably would've napped longer if I hadn't woken you for your OT, who was half an hour late. Nonetheless, you did reasonably well with her, and she's always impressed with your words. Anyway, I napped with you a little too, since you fussed and I put you in the grown up bed. I would've gotten some good napping done but Granny shows up with some foolishness and a piece of stale cake in a shoebox. Too bad; Aunt Duchie made it and it looked really good, but it smelled of shoe, so straight into the trash it went.

Love,
Dad

Superbowl Sunday...

Dear Nicky,

So I'm watching the Superbowl; it's kind of boring. Today I hung up some pictures. Mom took you guys to church and to Granny's. You ate okay. You're grinding your teeth something awful lately. You won't have much of a jaw when you get older if you keep grinding the way you do. Sounds like icebergs working against each other. So far tonight you're sleeping okay. But this is the usual time you start hooting. Mom's kind of pouty because I won't go to this silly event she wants me to. Too bad, Mommy!

Love,
Dad

Yet again...

Dear Nicky,

Crying and fussing again tonight. You need medication. Maybe melatonin. We got to do something.

Love,
Dad

Some peace and quiet...

Dear Nicky,

Last couple nights we've been giving you some Triaminic to help with this cold that appeared with great and sudden ferocity on Tuesday night. It helps keep you unstuffed. You're nice and quiet and getting the rest you need tonight. Not much else to report. Your spirits are good, you ate a fairly decent meal this evening, so that's something. Yesterday, Mom took you to Stones, where you did well, and you did well with your speech and physical therapies in the afternoon. Did I mention that you got evaluated on Wednesday morning? It was the cognition part. I think you did pretty well, especially considering that some of the questions were quite challenging. But then, you've got a lot on the ball.

Love,
Dad