Happy Birthday Nathan!

Nathan was two yesterday, and when you ask him how old he is, he says "two!" and holds up the index finger on each hand... interesting. As a birthday celebration, Nathan and his friends, Gracie ("Nay Nay") and Robert ("Ralph") went to get their pictures taken. Unfortunately, because of a long line at the picture place and impending nap times, Gracie had to leave and all of the kids started to melt down. They did get one good picture of Nathan and Robert (see above), but I am told that they are going back next week to try again on pictures of Nathan, Charlie, Grace and all the kids together. I'm sure Andi will post more birthday pictures (including Nathan eating his birthday cupcake) later.

I'll Sleep When I'm Dead...

"I'll Sleep When I'm Dead..." is the book I am currently reading about one of my favorite musicians of all time - Warren Zevon. And when I say "reading", I mean in 5 - 10 minute intervals as I watch Charlie play on her play mat or try to get her to sleep in her swing. Coincidentally, it is also how Andi and I feel after a week of both of us having strep, Nathan getting over a runny nose and cough, and Charlie having bronchiolitis and deciding it get up every two hours or so to have a nice cough. So I just got Charlie back to sleep in the swing, but now I hear Nathan banging on his crib that he wants out... oh well.

No, I didn't play with Nicky

Nathan goes to school with three little boys close to his age. Through out the week all I hear is Sean, Mason, Mason, Sean. When I pick him up from school it is Mason this and Sean that. I was asking him if he played with Nicky, the other little boy. He always said "No!". I would then say "Nathan, you did play with Nicky" and he would again say "No!" I assumed that his "nos" were just toddler behavior and he really did play with Nicky.

Well, as it turns out, Nathan was right all along. The kid's name is not Nicky, it's Micky. He didn't play with Nicky, he played with Micky. So now when I pick him up, he tells me about his day and I ask if he played with Micky he jabbers on about something I cannot yet understand but he doesn't say "No!"

My Little Jumping Bean

If you listen closely, in the background you can hear what Charlie is dancing to, Joni Mitchel. Thats my girl!

Trip to the doctor's office

A sickness has been making its way around the Katz house. Charlie started it and now it has made its way to me and Nathan. Poor kid has been so snotty. Sadly, he was too sick yesterday to go to school. We were already heading to Dr. Byrnes's office for round two of Charlie's two month shots. I called and they were able to get Nathan in at the same time.

Taking the two of them anywhere at the same time is difficult at best. Since Nathan begins his doctor office hysterics before we even get inside, I knew this was not a trip for one adult, I needed a helper. Thankfully Aunt Anna Mae was up for being tortured and came along as my helper. Really, I don't know what I would do without her.

Nathan did better than expected and Charlie was her usual laid back self. We were given a decongestant for Nathan which has a side effect of dizziness and drowsiness. Extra sleep Thats a bonus and not a side effect! He was so sleepy after his first dose, he laid down on the floor and could bearly lift his head to say hi to daddy when he got home.

Nathan is doing much better. Good enough to go to school tomorrow, I hope!

Really at stay at home mom, now

As of January 1, my real estate license is no longer active. I no longer have a desk in my office or have an office for that matter. No more voice mail, work email or mailbox (none of which I ever checked anyway). I haven’t worked very much since Nathan was born, but so long as I had an active license I could say I still had a job. Now, I am officially a SAHM.

This next part is a shameless plug, but hey, we can all use a little extra money in today's economy, right? Even though my license is no longer considered active, I do still have it. It went into the Coldwell Banker Referral Network. Wherever you live or want to live, I can refer you to an agent and receive a fee, paid by the agent, not you. I still keep in close contact with William Chulamanis, the agent I worked with (when I had a job :)). He is a fabulous agent and who I will refer you to if you are moving to or from the Princeton area (including Mercer County and parts of Northern Burlington County). Check out his website at http://www.williamrealestate.com/.

Odd eating habits of a toddler

To put it nicely, Nathan is not a big eater. Well, I should take that back. He would gladly eat "sna" (snacks) and "cooks" (cookies) all day if I let him. Since I would like him to eat a healthier diet, I don't allow snacks and cookies all day. If were really as hungry as he makes it sound when he begs and tantrums for cookies then he would eat the jelly sandwich, macaroni and cheese or whatever else I have offered.

I can't even say lunch is hit or miss. Its just miss. I have tried varous foods, the timing of it, everything I can think of and the kid just won't eat! Not even pizza with his buddies at Chuck E Cheese! Today was what I would consider a success, he ate blueberries for lunch.

Up until last week, he refused to use a spoon. He still doesn't use it with any regularity. But, he hates when his hands get messy. He holds his hands up and says "Mess mess" and asks for a napkin. One would think he would be much more inclined to use a spoon if he is so upset by messy hands

I can't complain too much, the past two nights he has passed on his meat and starch at dinner, but ate all of his broccoli and aspargus. The rest will come in time?