OK so far...

Dear Nicky,

You seemed fine this morning so we sent you back to school. I called around midday to see how you were doing and they said they had no problems. This evening you seemed happy and comfortable. You had some crustiness around the inside of your nose, but that went away after a nice warm bath. So far your adenoidectomy has gone smoothly postop. I hope it stays that way and that we see results and that this procedure was not something that could be considered unnecessary and ineffective.

Love,
Dad

The aftermath...

Dear Nicky,

Today was a pretty great day. You seemed to have slept quite well last night, and woke up in a sunny mood. We kept you home for today just because we wanted to make sure everything was fine. Shortly after the cleaning lady came, we three went to Wegman's to get some groceries and kill some time. While there, you called out for a tissue, and I turned to see the biggest lunger I've ever seen hanging off your nose. Hopefully it was the last hoorah of your evicted adenoids. In the car on the way home, so slightly pink, mostly clear snot glazed your nose and cheeks. You fell asleep on the ride and only slept a little for your nap. You and I had a bunch of laughs while Junie napped. You ate well for dinner. I thought about giving you a bath but you seemed too tired, so I jst put you to bed.

Love,
Dad

The sting...!

Dear Nicky,

This afternoon I got stung by a yellowjacket. I don't know how it snuck up on me, but it must have been on my clothes. I'm just glad you kids weren't stung. Your verbal development continues at a nice pace. Tomorrow morning you're going to have some surgery to have your adenoids removed.

Love,
Dad

Hot Sunday...

Dear Nicky,

It was another hot day today, but your mood was much improved, although you did wake up way too early yet again. While Mom took you to church, I went to the grocery store. Then we all went to the gym. When we came home we had lunch and you took a nice nap. Upon waking we went out to Granny's, arriving just in time to see your cousins leave to go to their house. You played in the baby pool for a while, had a nice dinner, then we came home for a bath and bedtime.

Love,
Dad

Jump into summer...

Dear Nicky,

It got very hot today. This morning Mom took you guys to Music Together, then we all went out for lunch when you got home. You've been sort of moody and lethargic all day. Maybe it's the heat or maybe you're coming down with something, one can never tell. You resisted taking your nap but finally did, and after you woke we went to Target, where you perked up again. When we got home, you and I did some drawing on the driveway, including three shadow tracings of you. Then Robin the babysitter came and Mom and I went out to dinner, then to the bookstore. You seem to be sleeping fine tonight, but Junie has a cough.

Love,
Dad

The A/C guy...

Dear Nicky,

This morning two substitutes picked you up for your ride to school. They seemed nice enough, and you seemed fine this afternoon. After you left, I dropped off Junie a little early to her school because the man from the heating-cooling company was coming to check our system and put new filters in, etc. He was here a long time, so I hope that means he was very thorough. Afterward, I picked up Junie and we drew in the driveway for a while, then Laurie came and I went to the gym, then my doctor's appointment, then for a coffee and some donuts, then for some comic books. When I got home you guys were so glad to see me you came running over and gave me lots of hugs and kisses. You had some veggie nuggets for dinner, then went to bed under duress, but you soon settled down into sleep.

Love,
Dad

Both awake...

Dear Nicky,

So this morning shortly after Mom left you kids both woke up at the same time. Harsh. Of course you didn't eat anything and left in a crabby mood, but you came home in a fine mood, ate well, watched some Peter Pan, then went easily to bed.

Love,
Dad

Street...

Dear Nicky,

This afternoon after you came home and I put you on the potty, we went outside for quite a while and played with a couple kids from the neighborhood. You kept wandering out into the street. They were nice, then we came in for dinner. You guys had a bath while I went to return some stuff. When I came home you were already asleep. I cleaned up the basement and tried to get the network to work on the new PC, but no luck. I never give up on these things.

Love,
Dad

New computer...

Dear Nicky,

There's a new computer here that you kids will soon be playing with. It's a Windows PC, and it came this afternoon, and I finally just now got down updating all the necessary software to make it more secure. Tomorrow I'll probably get a wifi card for it, some kind of hutch, and maybe a webcam. You kids can share it. I'm going to try to load it up with kid games so you guys can learn and have fun at the same time. Insidious!

Love,
Dad

Mom's back from her trip...

Dear Nicky,

This morning we went to Wegman's to get some groceries and kill some time with you kids. The lesson learned is: never go to Wegman's on a Sunday morning. It was packed, but you guys enjoyed saying hi to everyone, with Junie introducing us both to total strangers. When we came home it was time for lunch and a nap. Mom came home while you guys were asleep. She was disappointed with her trip. When you woke up you were both so happy to see her. While you guys hung out, I went to Barnes & Noble, then for a cup of ice coffee and some donuts. When I returned, you were finishing your dinner, then Mom gave you a bath while I cleaned up. Later we watched some Peter Pan, got your meds into you, then put you to bed.

Love,
Dad

We go to the ARC...

Dear Nicky,

This morning we went to the offices of the ARC of Essex, which is the organization that runs Stones, for a Saturday morning warmup type of activity for a regular play group kind of thing. We'd never been there before, but I Googled it and got perfect directions. It was a lot of fun and you did great for the most part, till you sort of shut down near the end. Oh well. After that we went to Target and got some stuff, then we had a nice lunch and a nap. When you woke up we went to Granny's house for a while and had dinner there. Junie played the trumpet. When we came home, we washed our hands and faces and brushed our teeth and went straight to bed.

Love,
Dad

Calling it a day...

Dear Nicky,

The weather was beautiful today, but we didn't much of chance to enjoy it. This morning we waited around for the water guy to come and replace the meter downstairs. When he left we went to the gym. Just as I got out of the shower, the child care center paged me because Junie had dropped a deuce. We had some lunch when we got home, and you made an unholy mess. After I put you guys up for a nap I had some lunch myself then also tried to catch 40 winks, but that didn't happen. By the time you woke up, it was 4:30, too late to head down the hill to Target, and you were in a fussy, groggy mood. For the rest of the evening, you guys kept me busy. I made your dinner and barely got to eat mine at all, let alone in peace. After that you had a bath and then I put you straight to bed. I'm knackered.

Love,
Dad

Cardiologist...

Dear Nicky,

This morning, in order to make sure your heart is okay to undergo an upcoming surgery to remove your adenoids and replace your ear tubes, you, Mom, and I took a drive to Paramus to see our old friend, Dr. Solo. Your behavior was just wonderful. You were sweet and cooperative. You were a little scared during the EKG, but you were a patient little prince during the echo. Good ol' Dr. Solo gave you a thorough exam and was extremely pleased with your progress. He has no concerns over you having a procedure don and will be in touch with your ENT in a few days to share his report. You fell asleep on the way home and slept for over three hours. This evening you ate well from some veggie nuggets and some banana, then acted nicely when it was time for bed.

Love,
Dad

Dentist...

Dear Nicky,

Today we went to the dentist, the very nice, very warm Dr. Ed. Junie went first for her first time and she was calm and cooperative. You, when your turn came, not so much. Both you guys looked pretty good. Afterward we had a late breakfast at this diner down the road. You had some of my fries only initially, but then you ate your french toast with zeal. Then we came home for a nap. Later we went to B&N where some college kids were doing a puppet show. They all thought you were cute. We had some veggie pizza for dinner, then a bath, then some Little Mermaid, then bed.

Love,
Dad

Longish day...

Dear Nicky,

This morning we took a trip down to Target, then a run over to Wegman's. By the time we got home it was time for lunch, then a nice long nap. When you woke, we went to Walgreen's to get some meds for your dentist visit tomorrow. Then it was dinner, Little Mermaid, then bedtime. Doesn't sound like a long day when you write it down like this, but trust me, it was.

Love,
Dad

Finally finished...

Dear Nicky,

I finally finished this book called "Salt." I started this book shortly before you were born, then put it aside for a while. I started frin the beginning reccently and finally finished it tonight. In other news, I took you to the gym this morning, where one of the attendants in the child care room was raving about what a sweet, kind little boy you are. Everywhere you go you always make an impression.

Love,
Dad

Happy Easter 2009...

Dear Nicky,

Today was Easter Sunday, so we went to church. They must've added some services because today our usual service began at 9 instead of the usual 9:30. After we dropped you kids off in childcare, we went and got our seats. It was fine until an old sat next to us, making it so we had to move over. Now I was stuck in the middle, which I hate because I am claustrophobic. Combine that with this lady's bad breath and my sudden intense urge to go to the bathroom, I was very uncomfortable for the next 45 minutes. Also, the choir sang too much and the congregation had to rise and sit way too much. I had to bolt for the bathroom five minutes before the service was over lest I faint! Afterward we were going to go to the Great Swamp but it was too cold. Later we went to Aunty Dutchie's, where she had prepared an Easter feast for us. You played with your cousins, whom you love. You guys did an Easter egg hunt. Junie took a little spill and freaked out. After dinner we put your pajamas on there and put you to bed when we came home.

Love,
Dad

Imagine that...

Dear Nicky,

So anyway, yesterday was an okay day. It was actually technically Good Friday. We went over to Grace's house to help her mother with the computer. It was nice to help them. You guys had fun running around with the other kids. We basically hung out the rest of the day at home. Today was rainy most of the time. We went out after your nap to this place in Florham Park called Imagine That, a so-called museum for kids. Honestly, the place was a little shopworn but you guys liked it, and it may be worth another trip. At home you ate some sausage then had a bath. Imagine that!

Love,
Dad

IOU a post, Friday April 10, 2009...

Dear Nicky,

Feeling a little rundown right now. Will get back to you tomorrow.

Love,
Dad

Another day, another pair of training pants...

Dear Nicky,

Yep, had to cut off another pair today with some safety scissors. Big number 2 bomb while you were wearing them this afternoon. Not worth it to clean. Sleepy now, going to bed.

Love,
Dad

Spring clean up...

Dear Nicky,

This afternoon, right as you were coming home, the lawn guys came and made quite a racket, but now the yard looks nice. Not much else to report, slow newsday today. It actually snowed a little this morning. For dinner this evening you had chicken/feta/spinach sausages. You asked for seconds. Of course you didn't touch your vegetables. I went to the bookstore later when Mom came home, and when I got back, you were already down for the night.

Love,
Dad

New bookcase...

Dear Nicky,

So I finally got sick of that stupid wicker basket we've been using to hold your books in your room. Everything was always buried; one could never find anything; I was always getting cuts and hangnails from putting my hands in it. At last enough was enough. This morning June and I went down to Target and got a new bookcase, along with a bunch of other stuff. It's just a little one, and I had to assemble it myself, which was a pain--partly because of the cam and lock nonsense they use and partly because you and Junie kept swarming all over me, threatening to impale yourselves on an exposed cam or something. But now it's done and it's much better than that basket.

Love,
Dad

Very rainy Monday...

Dear Nicky,

The week started off with a rainy Monday. Today wasn't too cold, but tomorrow will be. It looks like you ate all your lunch at school, and you ate all your dinner this evening, except for the vegetables of course. We had steak, fries, and corn, with banana afterward. I gave you and Junie a bath, then I put you to bed. There's nothing like going to bed after a bath.

Love,
Dad

Palm Sunday...

Dear Nicky,

This morning we all went to church because it was Palm Sunday. I dropped you and Junie off in Sunday School while Mom went on up ahead of us because she was ushering in the contemporary service. Thar means she gave out pamphlets at the start of the service, went around with the collection plate in the middle of the service, then gave out palms at the end of the service. Afterward you and I stayed home while Mom and June went and got some groceries. Later I went to Target where I got some more Rhinocort for you. I also got you and Junie some jeans and some swimshirts. Then I got a new dehumidifier for the basement. When I came home I spiked all the trees and shrubs with fertilizer, which took longer than I thought, you guys went to Granny's, then I went to the gym, where I had a good workout except that I forgot to do my biceps and triceps. I came home, started some dinner, you guys came back, had a snack and went to bed.

Love,
Dad

Beach house...

Dear Nicky,

This morning we left early and drove down to the shore. We rented a beach house for the end of the summer. It's a nice little house in a nice area close to the beach. Mom almost got us killed driving poorly. Afterward we got some pizza, then drove around for a while. You guys fell asleep quickly. I had to take a nap when we got home. You had some veggie nuggets for dinner, then a bath. Later, Mom and I finished putting together some invitations for a Stones function.

Love,
Dad

Out to the City...

Dear Nicky,

This morning I overslept and wasn't even awake when Mom put you on your transport for school. I didn't even see you! The rest of the day was gray and rainy, and later in the morning I went and got my lungs tested with a spirometry machine. Everything looked pretty good. Shortly after you came home, Robin came over to watch you guys for the evening while Mom and I went into Manhattan with dinner with some of her work friends. It was okay, nothing great, as was the food: okay, nothing great. We made great time coming home.

Love,
Dad

Still waiting on some culture...

Dear Nicky,

We're still waiting to get the results from your sinus culture on Monday. Everybody likes to take their time, don't they? You did very well on the potty again today, although there was a still accident later. I gave you a snoot of Rhinocort before bed, hope it helps things stay clear. I also spoke to our pal Dr. Solo this afternoon regarding any concerns he might have about you getting your adenoids removed. No major concerns at all, he said. He's a good guy, and has been a friend to our family since before you were even born.

Love,
Dad

Big number 2...!

Dear Nicky,

This morning I got you ready and off to school as best as I could all by myself. I was late going to bed last night and woke up with a splitting headache. Mom was away on a sales conference so I was all by my lonesome. I managed somehow. Mom came home around 2:30 this afternoon, and I went out to run some errands and go to the gym. You were already home when I got back, and Mom told me how successful you'd been on the potty. A little later after dinner, Mom discovered you readying yourself to make #2 and quickly managed to get you on the potty, where you did your dooty like a big boy all by yourself. Fantastic work, my friend! We're very proud and happy!

Love,
Dad