Play Date with Cole

Rob and Laura and little Cole Manfredo came over for a play date on this cold winter Saturday. Cole is about 5 months younger than Nate. Rob and Laura needed lots of fertility help to get pregnant too, and there was this moment where Rob and I were standing in the kitchen watching the boys crawl around and make lots of noise and throw things and I said to Rob, "How the hell did this happen my man?" pointing to Nate and Cole, a joke meant to suggest that our fatherhood was like many others, an odd trick of fate, a door we accidentally opened and that which quickly locked behind us. But that was idiotic given our circumstances. These sweet little boys were no accidents.

The adults ate bagels at the apartment, while Nate and Cole, among other things, checked out the freezer,

had a moment or two where they acknowledged each other,

and generally got along pretty well. Nate and Cole were a good match actually. Cole was quiet and confident and calculating (like Fredo?) and Nate was chatty and boisterous and goofy (like Shana?). After, we headed to the Play Center for some indoor toddler fun.

Nate and Cole seemed to enjoy themselves.

Mostly.

Williamsburg, Toddlertown

Shana and I were interviewed by The New York Sunday Times Real Estate Section, a story about how young families are raising kids in Williamsburg (surprise!). The piece ran on my birthday (42 wtf) and for a few days, we felt like celebs. As it happened, Shana and I were in Turks & Caicos on a short vacation, the perfect place to escape the glare of the press. Just to be sure, we donned baseball caps and sunglasses. It worked, no one bothered us.

Here's the Sunday Times article: Williamsburg, Toddlertown

Here's the slide show from the online version: Slide Show.

The photographer made available his pics, where we can order prints. Here's that link to the gallery set up by the photographer, Roberg Caplin.

We got snarked on by the blogs but that's part of the fun. (Here's Curbed's take: What's the Hottest Trend in Williamsburg: Babies!) As I remarked to the journalist who wrote the story, it's difficult to talk about why you prefer your hood, or don't like another, without sounding like an asshole. Anyway, Nate looked cute and that's all that matters. Uh, not.

BONUS LINK! Our 2007 interview in The New York Post's Real Estate Section on Wiliamsburg's new construction condo boom and the young folks choosing to live there. What Will Be... With Thousands of New Homes on the Way, Williamsburg Grows Up.

Post Haircut

Nate post haircut looks more like a little boy, less like a baby. He's still scooting around, saying "hi" and "bye". After our most recent doctor's visit, we were told it was OK to give Nate milk in a bottle, so we do in the mornings and evenings. It makes him happy.

Hairgate

Shana wrote a terrific and funny piece for Brooklyn Based on Hairgate, a bizarre story that features Lucas the kid-hair stylist, my song mocking this lunatic mom (Gretta!) who lost it when Lucas was late to her bratty kid's haircut appointment, and Nate finally getting his haircut (from Lucas).

Green PJ's

Nate's new cool green pajamas make him look like a slightly skanky playboy. Which is precisely the look we're going for.

Protest

On this Sunday prior to the holidays, my Mom and Dad planned to drive into Manhattan and join the protest against the censorship of David Wojnarowicz's video at the Smithsonian Museum. Folks were upset that the head the Smithsonian ordered the National Portrait Gallery to remove Wojnarowicz's 4 minute video, bowing to pressure from right wing, anti-gay and religious nuts. This was Obama time, WTF! So Nate and I -- inspired -- planned to meet my parents on the UES for some serious marching, fist-raising and possibly even violence and/or looting.

But Nate first had to nap so that he was in a good state of mind. And then he was hungry so he had to eat his yogurt and pieces of omelet. And then it took time to dress him since it was chilly outside and of course there was some traffic.

So we were late and missed the protest. But while my Dad and Emma listened to the Giant/Eagles game in the car, my Mom, Nate and I found a diner in which to warm, grab a bite and hang for a bit.
There aren't many kid-friendly joints for 1-2 year olds in Williamsburg and so we've gotten used to feeding Nate at home. So this was weird and kind of adventurous being in restaurant with Nate, and it was hilarious to see Nate out in the world, eating a snack in a booth in a bustling diner, looking around making noises, playing with sugar packets, trying to drink out of a straw, saying "hi" to the waitresses and busboys and every other person around him. My Mom and Nate were a funny team on the west side of the booth, Nate eating his snacks and my Mom in her sunglasses and all black beatnik wear. I took several pictures so as not to forget.

Sunny Morning

Nate wants yogurt. Then he wants apple sauce. Oh wait, then he wants yogurt again. This boy has definite opinions about what he eats, when he eats and -- I'm sure one day -- how the overly-enthusiastic waitress could possibly recommend the braised short ribs.



In this regard, Shana understands him WAY more than I. Here is one video -- cut into three parts, each about 45 seconds long, of Shana and Nate on a random sunny morning, Nate eating breakfast and all of us listening to Pete Yorn's On Your Side.