heading back to work

My time off for the birth of Z-Jay is coming to an end. I can't believe I go back to work on Monday after nearly two weeks of absence. I'm not looking forward to the overflowing e-mail inbox and the voicemails awaiting my return. It'll probably take me the entire day to play catch up.

I've enjoyed my two weeks off, although they've been exhausting. I forgot about the sleep deprivation that comes with having a newborn. Beginning Monday, it's going to be especially hard to get up for work and also help out in the early morning hours.. Luckily this period of frequent late night feedings and diaper changes won't last too long.

To help out, Z-Dub is off to San Diego with his cousins. He'll be gone all week. He left at around 2 p.m. today and we miss him already. I'm sure he misses us and his brother too.

*******************

Gratuitous Picture Interruption

*******************

Now Back to My Post

HotMomma went Christmas gift shopping for the kids at midnight on Friday and again at 5 a.m. Luckily, now we're pretty much done with all the gift buying for the holiday season. We just have one more gift to buy. We're doing a Secret Santa type gift exchange with her family this year. It takes a lot of stress off of everyone. If we hadn't set it up, we'd have a lot of people to buy for. 

to cut, or not to cut?

We've introduced a second son into the world and now we struggle with decision of whether to circumcise or not circumcise him. I know the practice of circumcision can stir contentious debate, so I expect a lot of passionate comments from both sides. Luckily, we're open to examining all of the "facts" before moving forward.

For the record, Z-Dub was circumcised in an Arizona hospital just a day after birth. It was performed by an experienced pediatrician and it was done before we took him home. It was great because the nurses and doctors were able to keep an eye on his naughty bit to make sure there was no infection and healing was progressing well. And thankfully, he had no adverse results from the ritual, or at least none that we know of.

Here in Nevada the insurance companies don't allow circumcisions to be performed in the hospital. Instead you have to take the baby to the doctor's office after being discharged. It's because of the greed of insurance companies. Performing the procedure in a doctor's office is far less expensive than doing it in a hospital. At least, that's what the folks at the hospital told me. Interestingly, there are a lot of insurance companies now not covering circumcisions as they are now classifying them as cosmetic and, therefore, not a medical necessity.

If we decide to move forward with circumcising Z-Jay we have to take him to his doctor in the next couple of weeks. Now that he's more than a week old we're having reservations about having it done. Will it be more traumatic at this later age? Is a doctor's office the right place for such a procedure? Does having the procedure at a doctor's office increase risks of infection or complications? And, is circumcision necessary? These are just a few questions we've struggled with. Unfortunately, we have to make a decision soon. We only have a month. If we wait longer, it's no longer a procedure the pediatrician can perform. Instead, it becomes a general surgery situation. It's sickening to think of it that way.

If we decide not to do it, will it be weird to have one son circumcised and the other not? Will the difference in appearance create body image issues later in life? We obviously can't answer these questions now, but they are issues we're concerned about.

HotMomma's sister was telling us about an acquaintance that got married to a guy that was not circumcised. She apparently was okay with his uncut tool until after the wedding. She was grossed out by it and demanded that he get a circumcision. And at the age of 28 he did just that. Of course, I think this guy's wife is incredibly selfish. She knew what she was getting. I can't believe the guy went through with it. I've heard of other people going through similar issues. We don't want Z-Jay to be subjected to the same thing. 

We have a lot of deliberating to do this holiday.

adjusting

I feel refreshed. Really, I do. Z-Jay slept an astonishing six hours straight last night. It was awesome, especially after a couple of rough nights when we brought him home. Z-Dub is home from visiting his grandma, auntie and cousins too. Like a typical two-year-old, he hasn't quite grasped the need to be gentle when touching his little brother. He's always shoving toys into Z-Jay's face. "Here Z-Jay, here's a car for you," he says. Yesterday I took Z-Jay out of his bouncy chair for a feeding and found several Matchbox cars tucked under his arms. I love the fact that Z-Dub is so giving, but that was a little much. But, overall, he's adjusting very well in his new role as a big brother. We only had a couple of "time out" moments yesterday. He's also was recently educated about Santa and his gift giving criteria, so the threat of no Christmas presents seems to be a great motivator for good behavior as well.

Z-Jay's jaundice has had us a little worried. On Friday he seemed to turn more yellow. Luckily we had an appointment with the doc that day. They drew blood, which by the way is excruciating painful to watch, and sent it off to the lab to check his bilirubin levels. The number had risen since his phototherapy, but the doctor said it was still in the safe area. Z-Jay is going to be checked again on Monday, but this morning I think he looks a little less yellow. Perhaps the bilirubin level finally peaked and his jaundice is on the retreat. We're crossing our fingers.

Now we're working on getting a routine down. Yesterday it literally took us six hours to get ourselves ready for the day and out of the house. Of course, we all woke up after 9 a.m., including Z-Dub, so we had a late start. We didn't have breakfast until about 11 a.m., so I guess you would consider that brunch. It also seemed like every time we were close to ready Z-Jay would either need to eat or he'd poop. It wasn't that big of a deal as we really didn't have anything pressing to do, but we need to learn to get things moving a little better. I think part of it is HotMomma's adjustment to breastfeeding again. I feel sorry for her. Like she did with Z-Dub, she's having challenges. But she's committed to providing Z-Jay with the same important nutrients that Z-Dub got, so she's keeping it up.Hopefully it will get easier.

That's my update for now. Now we're going to enjoy Z-Jay's first Sunday.

practically twins

I was able to capture a photo of Z-Jay in a similar pose as Z-Dub when he was just days old as well. Check out the remarkable likeness between the two. On the left is Z-Dub in April 2006 and on the right is Z-Jay today.

In additional to their nearly identical appearance, our first night home with Z-Jay was just as rough as our first night home with Z-Dub, except this time we knew what we were doing. I guess 24 hours of sleeping under a phototherapy light was more than enough rest for the little guy. He was wide awake last night and didn't fall to sleep until about 5 a.m. this morning. Needless to say, it was an all night eat and poop fest for him. We didn't get much sleep. Despite that, we're enjoying every moment.

I did take a break from Z-Jay care to accompany Z-Dub and his Auntie and cousins at Chuck E. Cheese's today. He had a blast. 

Now...for all my fellow bloggers, I plan to catch up on the back log of posts in my feed reader as soon as possible. 

the pics you all have been waiting for

We're home from the hospital this evening, but without or little Z-Jay. He developed a serious case of jaundice today and is being treated overnight. We get to pick him up at the hospital tomorrow morning. We can't wait. However, with Z-Dub at his Grandma's house tonight, we're home alone. It will be the last night of uninterrupted sleep for a long, long time.

Now, without further delay, here are some photos of Z-Jay's Birthday.

HotMomma waiting patiently.

HotMomma poses for pics with her mom and sister before the pushing action begins.

As I mentioned in my previous post, Z-Jay didn't wait for the doctor to arrive, so HotMomma's amazing nurses delivered him. He had the umbilical cord wrapped around his neck, so his tone was a little white at first.

Grandma checks out her new grandson.

The proud parents.

VegasDad and Z-Jay.

Z-Jay takes a nap.

HotMomma's sister with her new nephew.

Cousins.

Z-Dub meets his little bro. 

There will be many, many more photos to come, of course. I can't wait to get a good shot to show side by side with one of Z-Dub's baby photos. I kid you not when I say Z-Jay is a clone of his older bro.

he's here!!!

Z-Jay made his grand entrance into the world today at 2:30 p.m. PST after a relatively short labor. Actually, he came so quickly the doctor didn't make it for the delivery. The nurses that delivered him were great.

He was 8 lbs. 1 oz., which is 2 ozs. more than Z-Dub. He is 19.5 inches long, the same as his brother. And he looks just like his brother too.

I can't put photos up here at the hospital, so that'll have to wait until tomorrow.

In the meantime, HotMomma is doing great and Z-Jay is sleeping peacefully. In about a half hour, HotMomma's sister will be arriving with Z-Dub so he can meet his little bro for the first time.

It was a great Birthday.

the wait continues

Despite frequent evening contractions and extreme discomfort on the part of HotMomma, baby Z-Jay has yet to make his grand entrance into the air breathing world. I must have some anxiety about it because HotMomma told me this morning that I woke up several times in the middle of the night hallucinating that it was time. I don't remember any of it though.

HotMomma has an appointment with the OB this morning, so we'll know how things are moving along.

In the meantime, we wait. And wait. And wait.

---------------------------------------------

Update at 12:17 p.m. - HotMomma's back from her OB appointment. Her due date is Sunday and she's not progressing as fast as the doctor would like, so if Z-Jay doesn't decide to come this weekend, HotMomma is scheduled to be induced on Monday morning. We want to avoid that, of course.

pardon this commercial interruption

Congrats to UpTake.com for becoming the largest travel search engine on the Internets in just six months. For those of you that haven't checked it out, it's a great site for getting information, reviews and opinions about vacations destinations, hotels, motels, camping, beaches, spas, golf courses, attractions and restaurants. It's kind of a one-stop-shop for all things travel.

As many of you are aware, because I keep mentioning it, I've been contributing to UpTake's blog for the past couple of weeks, providing information for family vacations in Las Vegas and the sourrounding region. I'm very excited to have a very, very small part in such a successful venture. I'd have a big part, but I'd probably screw it up. That's why they have the genius of Whit instead.
Feel free to check out the site and/or the posts I've written:

History and Adventure in Boulder City
Las Vegas Aquariums Showcase Exotic Marine Life
Celebrate Veteran's Day Weekend at Aviation Nation
Explore the Natural Side of Las Vegas

end of days

I was flipping through the channels on cable last night and came across a program on The History Channel that captured my attention. Actually it freaked me out a little. It had to do with the significance of December 21, 2012.

Based on research of multiple prophecies, including the Sibylline Oracles, I Ching, Merlin, the Mayans and the Hopi Indians, a number of overly analytical professor type people with bad hair have predicted a cataclysmic event on that date. They basically conclude that I we can kiss our asses goodbye in just four years and a few weeks.

Since most prophecies of the past have not come true (i.e. Nostradamus), I'm not too incredibly concerned. I'm definitely not ready to dig up my yard and build a fallout shelter. And, darn, I may have to pay my bills.

But the fact that all these nerds were able to come to the same date by looking at all of these different prophecies from around the world was a little disconcerting. That program really had me at the edge of my seat.

So now what do I do with this newly gained knowledge of a possible end to all things human?

I think the answer is clear...Partay!!!!

You're all invited to my End of Days Extravaganza on December 20, 2012. It will definitely be in Las Vegas. Who wouldn't want to spend their last full day on Earth in the city famous for sin? I wonder if I can get some cool bands to play? I'll make some calls. Oh, and feel free to bring the kids. It's their last day so they might as well go wild with the grown ups.

If the world doesn't actually come to an end the following day, just remember that "what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas."

balls...

For DCUrbanDad's contest, Z-Dub had balls last year. Lots of balls. He still has balls. But they're bigger now.

arrrgggghhhh!!!

Yesterday evening Z-Dub was a swashbucklin', Lacoste wearing pirate. He kept talking in his pirate voice and singing "a pirate, a pirate, a pirate says arrrrggghh." The night before he was Spiderman.

I love his imagination.

las vegas aquatic

Sharks, sting rays, dolphins, Jelly fish and tropical fish all live in Las Vegas. I know what you're thinking --how so given that Las Vegas is located in a giant sandy, desert wasteland? Well, I wrote an article at Uptake.com explaining it all. You should check it out. Seriously, I know you're intrigued.

gourmet poop?

HotMomma went out to dinner last night with her girlfriends to celebrate one of their birthdays, so Z-Dub and I were on our own for dinner. I took him to Jason's Deli, a family favorite. After we spent more than an hour there we headed out the door. On the way Z-Dub grabbed a bag of crackers from the salad bar. I guess he wanted a post-dinner snack to go.

Later, during our short drive home, he said, "Daddy, I'm gonna share crackers with Tallulah."*

"That's nice of you," I replied.

About a minute later he blurted out, "Tallulah eats dog food."

I didn't hear him well over the music playing on the radio, so I asked, "Tallulah eats dog food, really?"

"No Daddy! Tallulah eats dog poop."

Then I threw up a little in my mouth.

* Tallulah is the neighbor girl (not her real name).

a photo for friday

Two months ago today I posted a pic of HotMomma at seven months pregnant. Here she is today with just two weeks and a couple of days before Z-Jay's Debut.

It doesn't matter how "big" she feels, because she still looks good to me.

a week in disarray

My office was moved from one building to another this week. Actually, the process started on Election Day and wasn't fully completed until today. Having little internet access all day all week has been frustrating, but I'm up and running now. I have a lot of catching up to do with work. I also need to complete a post for Uptake.com. I wrote one today, so hopefully I can get it up tomorrow. I'm hoping I can get a real post up here as well.

For now, that's all I got.

a witness...

...to history.

do your part

As I sit here and watch my son watch Shrek the Third on Television tonight, I reflect on the past two years of political inundation. At times it was inspiring and at other times it was excruciatingly frustrating as the candidates from both parties waged war on each other in attempt to win the most powerful position in the free world. At the same time it has been an historic race with two potential firsts -- a first black president or first female vice president. No one can deny the significance of either potential victor.

HotMomma and I are fortunate to live in a state with early voting and we've taken advantage of the opportunity to cast our picks in what history will certainly write as one of the most important elections this country has ever experienced. And based upon the lines we witnessed at the early voting locations through out the Las Vegas Valley, people here, like others across America, are passionate about their candidates. No matter who they support it's absolutely amazing to see so many people engaged in our sacred right to vote.

As election day finally arrives tomorrow, it's time for all registered voters to make their voices heard. I urge all of those who haven't done so to vote tomorrow. Don't just stand by and watch, be part of history. To all of you that have voted already, thank you.

P.S. -- For those of you in Florida, let's not have any hiccups along the way please.

mr. independent

The annual reign of Daylight Savings Time has come to an end. For the next several months there will be no more after work jaunts outdoors with the sun still shining. We'll be sequestered indoors during the semi-cold winter months as we eagerly wait for the early evening sun to fill the sky with light once again.

Looking at the bright side, at least my mornings are not quite as dark, which sure makes getting out of bed for work a lot easier.

I remember back in the day (pre-kid) having to turn the clocks back in the fall was a great thing because you basically gain a full hour. That extra hour made for a great bonus hour of sleep. When you have a toddler that bonus becomes null and void. Instead of getting that extra hour of sleep, the kid just wakes up an hour earlier. It happened to us yesterday, but we lucked out. Actually, I'm kind of shocked of what Z-Dub did.

I heard the pitter patter of his little feet at about 6 a.m. I did not open my eyes, but just listened as Z-Dub came into our room. He did not say anything, he just stood there quietly for a few moments. The pitter patter headed out of the room and into the loft where I heard the door to the mini refrigerator open and then close. Then there was silence. After about 10 minutes I decided to get up and check on Z-Dub. I walked down the hall and peaked into his room. There he was in his bed, drinking milk from his newly acquired sippy cup and playing with his stuffed animals. Relieved that he was safe and not getting into anything he shouldn't be into to, I slowly and quietly crept away from his door and went back to bed.

It's not too often that a toddler of Z-Dub's age will act in such an independent manner. It actually made us very proud and thankful as we got to take advantage of another half hour or so of coveted sleep. It would have been longer if HotMomma's father didn't accidently set off the security alarm at their house and the monitoring company didn't call my cell phone and then our house. So I guess this year it wasn't the kid that made waste of our extra hour, it was a false alarm.

trick or treat: a photographic recap of halloween

Everyone had a blast on Halloween and here are the pics to prove it.

Z-Dub and Tallulah.

Is that VegasDad or a zombie surgeon?

Z-Dub and HotMomma the devilcat hit the streets.

Trick or treat.

More trick or treating.

We're not done yet, are we?

Checkin' out his windfall as Little Mac the pirate prepares to make her move.

JC as a Zombie and LC as a witch.