New Beginnings     

         

On Monday I start a new job with ITG (International Gaming Technologies). Located just one exit up the road from my current office, they are the world’s largest manufacturer of gaming technology. They are a public company, headquartered here in Las Vegas with 65 offices around the globe. It’s a big job.

I am both excited and anxious. - excited because it’s a golden opportunity and well, new is exciting. I’m anxious because I am not the only one to consider anymore. This is my first job change since Shelby, so the unknown is always a little un-nerving. 

This is a true story….when I was a kid my Dad used to tell us a lot of stories. One of the stories I vividly remember was of the “Fraidy Frogs,” who were so afraid of everything, they just did nothing and hung out on their lillipads and missed all the fun. Throughout my life I have had an internal mantra “Don’t be a fraidy frog.” Well, the night before I had to make my decision on my job I was up all night, all which was running through my mind was “Michelle, you can’t be a fraidy frog.” So thanks Dad – I start Monday!

The position is still in public relations, the same field I have been in for nearly a decade. I will have some domestic and International travel, but assuming it is limited to the 20% I was promised, I think the travel will be a nice change of pace. IGT has a sterling reputation for treating employees well and for a lot of “fringe benefits.”

With beginnings, comes an end. Tomorrow is my last day at SK+G Public Relations. I was here for almost exactly 2.5 years during which I worked with a diverse line up of clients. We have had a lot of fun here and I am forever grateful for my boss and her compassion for me transitioning into my roll as a working mom. She was more than fabulous since day 1.  This has been a nice departure from the casino world. And although my new job is gaming-focused, they afford much better life-balance than the casino world.

Here are some fun times/memories from SK+G.

On with the adventure!

Splash Pad Fun

When it gets sizzling hot here in Vegas, families do just about anything and everything to keep cool. A new water park, Wet & Wild, recently opened up across town, but A) I have heard it's crazy overcrowded  B) Shelby is far too tiny to have fun and would likely get run over C) $$$. So, a nice Las Vegas/Henderson alternative is the Splash Pad.

These free outdoor parks are open seasonally and offer the equivalent of an over-the-top "running through the sprinkler" experience. Since Shelby loves the water, I thought it was time to check one out. She was not enamored with the situation immediately. Despite it being 103 out, the water was pretty cold and with the right breeze, it actually got chilly. Once she warmed up to the whole situation, we had a good time though. Some of the water features were too intense for her, but there was plenty going on to have a great time!

The park we went to was close to our house, but WAY up on a hill in a residential area.  I had only driven by it before this weekend, but thought it was off the beaten path enough that it would not be packed and that was exactly the case. We had the place to ourselves. After we ran around the splash pad, we played in the covered play ground. Shelby is quite the monkey.

Little Miss Personality

Shelby's personality is really starting to shine. She is so much fun and always the life of the party. She is becoming very expressive, strong willed and entertaining. Her smile is very infectious because it's often coupled with a snort or her head thrown back in joy.

Here are a few fun things about Shelby's age and stage....

Her go-to words include: Mom, Dad, Duck, Bottle, Dog, No, Shoe, Nigh-Nigh, Hi, Bye, Milk, Foot, Ball, Book and Sit. She has said a bunch of other words though here and there.....tree, up, uh-oh, yellow, and many more words I am sure I am forgetting.

She loves to mimic sounds and facial expressions, especially when she plays with Jack

She has her special stuffed animal that she has grown rather attached to. It's the pink/white zebra that she has had since day one. She has to sleep with that each night; normally tucking it beneath her when she falls asleep on her tummy.

She understands far more than she can say. I can tell her to "go get old McDonald" or "go get mama the pig" and she can do it. I love it when she masters a new one. Her current favorite toy is a ball (ya!).

Loves the pool, spaghetti, bath time, sucking on a wet wash cloth, sharing her food, pulling her wipes out of the warmer (one by one!), drinking from cups that are not hers and the smell of Boogie Wipes.

Hates getting her nose wipes, nails trimmed, attention anywhere but on her, being left alone too long, anything that is too hot/cold, mushy things like bananas and avocados.

Here is a look at a typical Saturday afternoon in the Schenk house. Enjoy.

Finally
Finally we can all ride in peace. Little Miss has never been a fan of her car seat. Ever. She became more of a fan as time went on and on, but it has always been a battle - until now (typed while knocking on wood).

We finally transitioned her out of the bucket-esque baby seat to a forward-facing chair car seat. It has made a world of difference and we have not since a single tear this week. A miracle.The first time I put her in it she started clapping before we left the neighborhood and her eyes were darting all over. We bought two, one for my car, one for Jack's. At her weight, so could still go rear facing, but I am not kidding, all her hollering is every bit as dangerous/distracting as any forward-facing adventure.

And Recaro? Not a normal car seat brand, right? Of course not. Apparently this company also makes race car seats and thus has very good safety ratings....according to my researching hubby anyway. The photos are close up because I had the wrong lens on, but you can get the picture. Perhaps now I will attempt to drive more than 25 miles away at a time (not exaggerating!).

Mother's Day 2013

I had a very special 2nd Mother's Day. My heart was full with gratitude for both my family and of course my own selfless mom and my mother-in-law who raised a remarkable son.  We're saving for our big family vacation this summer, so I said no gifts - and I really meant it. I just asked for a nice (relaxed) day all together, and I got just that!

Shelby and Jack cooked me a yummy breakfast and then later that afternoon we all went to the pool for a while. It was a very nice memory.

And the sweet ladies at school helped Shelby with this Mother's Day art. We're going to have to add on to our house to accommodate all her art....I just don't have the heart to throw any of it away. Too cute!!!

Ba-Bye

I think we can officially say that we're done with purchasing formula.....thank goodness. I've been doing a milk/formula combo for the last 6 weeks or so, but I think we're ok to go to just milk. The doctor thinks so anyway. Shelby still drinks quit a bit of milk, so I can give her 2% rather than the recommended Whole Milk. The whole milk was plugging her up a bit. I was grateful I had the option to turn to formula when nursing was no longer for me, but I will NOT miss spending roughly $50 on this pricey powder! Another chapter - closed.

Hellooooooo Pool Season