update on ck

Since his open heart surgery in January to repair his Aorta, our nephew CK has been recovering before his next round of surgeries. They're scheduled for next week at Duke. On Tuesday he will undergo a Cath procedure so doctors can determine the severity of his heart failure. Based on the results, they'll attempt either a mitral valve catheter balloon valvuloplasty or a full-blown mitral valve replacement on Friday. We're hoping the valvuloplasty will work, although it's only a temporary fix. Please continue to keep him in your thoughts and prayers next week.

I'd like to also extend a huge thank you to all of you that donated money to help my sister's family during these tough times. Every little bit helps as they continue to struggle with mounting medical bills as well as the financial stress caused by missed work and travel to and from Duke from their home on the North Carolina coast. We were able to raise more than $3,000 in just two months. The money has been presented to her and it's already being put to use to help the family. Of course more will be needed as CK endures more surgeries.

In the meantime, New Bern, the town in which my parents and sister live, has shown tremendous support for the family. Last week the local hospital hosted a blood drive in CK's honor. It was an overwhelming success. More than 100 people came out to donate blood, with more than 90 qualifying to do so. They collected 270 units of blood that will undoubtedly save lives. The human spirit is alive and well in New Bern, as it is in the blogging community.

Next week I'll update on CK's surgeries and their outcomes. Again, thank you for your thoughts and prayers as this amazingly strong two-year-old goes through what children shouldn't have to.

a swanky new hang out

Living in Las Vegas is great. We're home to world-class resorts, restaurants, night clubs, shopping, etc. It truly is a playground for grown-ups. Not so much for kids though. Which brings me to the point of this post. We have a brand new resort/casino/spa opening up this weekend just a stone's throw away from our home. We've watched its construction from when it was just a desert lot nearly two years ago to now. It's a truly impressive property featuring a lot of great amenities. We can't wait to hang out there.

I wrote an article about it for Uptake.com. Check it out.

toddler speak: tool edition

Last night Z-Dub and I were playing with his Bob the Builder tool bench:

Z-Dub: "Daddy, what's this?"

Me: "It's pliers."

Z-Dub: "No Daddy. It's a grabnabber."

Me: "A grabnabber!?!"

Z-Dub: "Yep, it's a grabnabber. It's for grabbing things."

Me: "I'll call the Home Depot and let them know."

bitter sweet rejuvenation

Yesterday we got our massages at Green Valley Ranch Resort & Spa as planned. It was great. The tension headache I've endured for the past week is finally gone and I feel good.

We arrived at the spa for our 5 p.m. rub downs a few minutes early. At check in I was informed that I was set up with a dude masseuse. HotMomma was paired with a female. I've never had a massage by a guy before, so I felt a little uneasy at first. The thought of a guy lubing up and rubbing my naked body down from head to toe was just weird. So much so that when I went back to the luxurious locker room to remove my clothing and sport a comfy robe, I actually kept my skivvies on. I felt like a weirdo going into the a massage with my boxers on. Kind of like a redneck that has no clue about spa etiquette.

Anyways, I'm so glad I had that dude massage me. I learned that a man's hands get the job done. It felt GOOD. Now, let the jokes begin.

As for HotMomma, she enjoyed her massage as well. However, afterwards she mentioned that she'd like a guy next time. Apparently the girl wasn't rough enough (again, let the jokes begin).

Everything was great until this morning though. That's when HotMomma realized that she accidentally left her necklace, a family heirloom, in the massage suite.She was freakin' out. Apparently she forgot to take it off in the women's locker room and the masseuse requested that she take it off in the suite. She set it on the counter and totally forgot. Now it's nowhere to be found. HotMomma has spoken to the manager of the spa and they're searching high and low for it. HotMomma is switching from anger to sulking this afternoon as she eagerly awaits a call that it's been found. Unfortunately, my guess is somebody swiped it. But a very classy place like that must do anything and everything to find it or do something to make up for it. Although, nothing of monetary value can replace the sentimental value of that necklace.

So much for my romantical plan. A lost necklace ruined everything. That and the fat naked guy I saw boiling in the men's hot tub. That was gross.

naked saturday

This morning HotMomma had to work, so I was left with the boys. At 11 a.m. I decided to hop in the shower and get dressed for the day. I took The Deuce upstairs and put him in our bed. Z-Dub stayed downstairs to watch Max & Ruby. Everything was cool.

About three minutes into my shower I heard Chi-Lo barking uncontrollably and Z-Dub yelling. With haste, I hopped out of the shower and headed to top of the stairs. Right then I heard Z-Dub yell, "just a minute. I open door!"

"Holy crap," I thought. "He's actually trying to unlock and open the front door for a stranger."

I ran down the stairs to intervene. I made it just in time, removing his hand from the key in the deadbolt lock just as he unlocked it. Right after I realized that the exterminator was standing right there outside the window looking at me.

And I was naked.

Thanks Z-Dub.

mommy and daddy need a break

Valentine's Day wasn't very special this year. We just had too much going on. That, and we had family visiting as well. So to make up for it, I've made plans for a special Sunday evening with the exceptionally hot HotMomma. The reservations are made and arrangements are made to pawn the kids off with family.

It's not a secret, so I'll share. We'll first be getting a couples massage here.

We'll follow that up with dinner here.

I can't wait. Not only will it provide a relaxing and romantical evening for me and my girl. It will also provide some material for Uptake. I've been slackin' a bit with my writing. My day job has been horrifically busy, leaving me incredibly exhausted in the evening. All I've wanted to do is sleep.

I think this late Valentine's Day celebration will be rejuvenating.

wordless wednesday: crack is whack

This is the view you get when you walk up the stairs behind a two-year-old with a severely wet and sagging diaper.

You're welcome.

Posting this is further proof that I don't deserve this.

undeserving, but appreciative

Offering proof that I'm undeserving of it, DCUrbanDad awarded me this award a week ago today and it's taken me until now to even mention it. What a horrible blogger friend I am. Seriously.

The award is supposed to show that I transmit cultural, literal, ethical and personal values every day. Whether I actually adhere to these standards is for you to decide. Regardless, I do want to extend my gratitude to DCUrbanDad for the honor bestowed upon me.

Now, as a rule, I'm supposed to award 15 other bloggers with the same award. Some of these folks may have already received it from others, but it's probably because they are very deserving.

Here they are:

Fear and Parenting in Las Vegas
Tao of Gini
Jogging in Circles
The Weirdgirl
Zoe's Dad
The Playpen
Spain Dad, A Baby Blog
Oh My God, I'm A Daddy!
Luke, I Am Your Father
Honea Express
Daddy Dan
Building Camelot
A Family Runs Through It
Dad Thing
Written, Inc.

Wow, 15 is a lot!

chicks dig him

Z-Dub got a butt load of Valentine's Day gifts yesterday.

blahhhh!

Today I took the day off from work because family is visiting. Instead of having a relaxing time I ended up having a busier work day than if I was in the office. I was putting out fires all over the place, all over the phone. I'm exhausted. The result, of course, is a sore throat, laryngitis and a not-so-good feeling. I think I've come down with something. It sucks. I think I'll sleep now.

the little brit

You'd think given the fact that he's around his Filipino grandparents everyday he'd pick up a bit of their accent. However, instead, for some reason unknown to us, Z-Dub started talking in some kind of British accent today. It's just weird. Perhaps he's been watching too much of that cartoon Charlie and Lola or maybe he's seen me watch too many of Dan's Ukulele videos. Or there is the slight possibility that he's possessed by some dead Brit. When he starts asking for crumpets and tea and yelling "oh bloody hell" I'll immediately call for an exorcism. I wonder if you can order one online? I'll check on Amazon. If not, maybe at Vatican.com or something.

new toys

I got one of these today. I love it.

And I've ordered one of these. I should have it next week. Can't wait.

I love gadgets.

of bad medicine, bad words and bad habits

Z-Dub has his first ear  infection in nearly eight months. After his chronic infections last year we were quite happy he went so long without one. His doctor prescribed him Clarithromycin for the first time and let me tell you, that crap tastes horrific. Tonight he was gagging after I gave him his teaspoon. I thought he was over-reacting, so I tried a little drop. I literally almost puked. It's NASTY. Unfortunately, he's got to take it two times a day for the next nine days. Poor guy. He's allergic to penicillin, and after last year's various antibiotic regimens, we have few options. I doubt the doctor will change his prescription.

Speaking of Z-Dub, for some reason he keeps calling the parrot character on The Deuce's bouncy a cock. Today he ran to tell me that The Deuce is "playing with his cock!" I keep yelling back, "it's a parrot, not a cock. Quit saying that."

And, speaking of The Deuce, he found his thumb. And now it's always in his mouth. Here's the photographic evidence:

Also, The Deuce is now stable enough for the Bumbo chair. As an extra precaution, notice the US Weekly Magazine used as back support. I finally found a use for HotMomma's celebrity gossip rags.

toddler speak: braniac edition

Z-Dub: "Daddy, the cadderpiller is medamorphophosis. He turn into a butterfly."

Me: "Huhhh!?!"

Come to find out, he learned it from a new Little Einsteins book that HotMomma bought him. I guess they are educational after all.

travel blog network debuts

Today the folks at UpTake issued a press release officially announcing their Travel Blog Network writing team, which includes me. I can see the paparazzi gathering outside my window. I hope they don't take any unflattering photos.

But seriously, I've had a blast writing for UpTake for the past couple of months under the Vacations category, along with a talented team of writers led by the super blogger Whit. We're writing all about great (and sometimes not-so-great) vacation destinations in this big and diverse country of ours, offering information about where to go, what to do and where to stay from our own perspectives. Because we're writing about the areas in which we live, work and play, our insight is great for folks planning a trip, especially to a destinations they've never been to before. I'm covering the Las Vegas area for obvious reasons. I like to show that there is more to Southern Nevada than casinos, nightclubs, celebretards, hookers and blow. Although we all know that those things are appealing to a lot of people.

Here's some of my posts from the past couple of months. I plan to write many, many more, so subscribe to the RSS feed and enjoy.

Dam Short Film Festival in Boulder City
Family Fun at Lake Mead Recreation Area
Las Vegas - A New Year's Party Destination
Lake Las Vegas Offers Tranquility
Holiday Shopping in Las Vegas
Experience the French Flair of Las Vegas
Boulder City, Nevada - History and Adventure
Las Vegas Aquariums Showcase Exotic Marine Life
Celebrate Veteran's Day at Aviation Nation
Explore the Natural Side of Vegas

For my Vegas friends, if you have any cool, undiscovered vacation ideas I should cover, let me know.

wow...he actually wrote something

I finally found time to do some writing that has nothing to do with my day job. Unfortunately, it's not for this blog, but instead for the other one I write for, Uptake.com .

Actually, I'm excited about the subject of my latest piece. It's about the Dam Short Film Festival in Boulder City. It's coming up in a couple of weeks and will feature 124 short films from indy filmmakers from Nevada and around the world. Check out the article and perhaps you'll want to go.

And on a side note, because I know you'll find it funny, The Deuce peed on my new cell phone last night. It still works, but it has an odor.

just random ramblings

Pardon my absence over the past few days as my day job continues to be crazy busy. Planning and implementing a marketing and public relations campaign for the launch of a new academic program that operates a clinic which requires patient recruitment is hard work, especially at the eleventh hour. The workload will probably not subside for another couple of weeks as I have media tours and interviews scheduled, special events, commercials to tape, and marketing materials to be written, designed and printed. It's amazing how much time and effort this type of thing takes. You have to be really good at time/project management.

Speaking of time management, this experience will probably serve as great training for my next big endeavor. Although most people might think I'm nuts for doing it, but I have enrolled in an MBA degree program. I'll be attending classes after work on Friday evenings and on Saturday mornings beginning in August. It's going to be tough, but I should finish my degree in 14 to 17 months.

I've been wanting to get a master's degree for quite some time, so I'm looking forward to doing this, despite the rigorous schedule I'll have to maintain. I'm confident I'll be able to accomplish it while providing enough attention to HotMomma, Z-Dub and The Deuce. HotMomma has been quite supportive and encouraging in my decision to do this, which I totally appreciate. I'm also confident that I'll still be able to devote time to this blog as well as Uptake, although I've sucked at it lately. I only wrote one article this month. I plan on sitting down and writing a few articles in the coming days. Hopefully I can produce a month's worth.

But right now I need to get ready for the Superbowl. My money is on Pittsburgh, but Arizona has been full of surprises this year.Who are you rooting for?