Bass Pro Shop

Although it probably seems like I have given up my blog, that's hardly the case. I have been and still am, swamped at my job. Working a full day and additional work after Shelby goes down and before she wakes up. It has been bananas, but in this odd way, it doesn't bother me a bit. By Thursday, all the chaos will be behind me and I will have a new, professional experience under my belt. I will share more when I have more time.

In any event...last weekend we took Shelby to The Bass Pro Shop. It is a GIANT retail destination with lots of fun exhibits, water features, fish tanks and more. Cute, free, close to home - old fashioned fun.

These Boots Were Made For Walkin'

And running, dancing, climbing and sitting. After Shelby's last well-check appointment the pediatrician suggested we get Shelby some boots. Some good old-fashioned boots. Of course when Jack texts me from the doctor that she needs boots, my mind goes to Forest Gump boots, but nope - cute little boots.

Apparently Shelby is slightly knocked knee. And I mean slightly. I read up on it and it's pretty common:

• Knock-knees are most commonly a normal stage of growth in young children. They typically become apparent when a child is 2 to 3 years old, and they often get worse around age 4. Chances are your child's legs will significantly straighten, without any treatment, by the time she's 5 or 6.

Personally, I think her little knees are perfectly cute, but we decided we should listen to the doctor....behinds, there are far worse treatment than to have to buy your kiddo adorable boots! So with that, she rocks boots now 3 to 4 days a week. The thought is that boots keep her ankles and feet straight, allowing less wiggle room for her knees to go inward. Like I said, I think she's perfectly cute :)

Baby Gate 2.0

The lastest work to come from Jack's Yankee Workshop - our upstrairs baby gate. It's very "substantial." I joke with Jack that it can hold back a rhino :)

Jammies

We have officially moved Shelby into all 24 month/2T pajamas. You can't really push it when footie PJ's are too small, you just have to go up a size.  When your have to hike her knee to her chest to get her leg in, it's just time. I like to have 7-9 options in a given size so I do not have to worry about laundry during the week and have a back-up if there is some kind of messy episode.

Of all her clothes though, I get most attached to her jammies and the memories in them. She has every nighttime bottle at night in them, wakes up with her wild hair in them and often plays each weekend a.m. in them. I get most my cuddles while Shelby is in her jammies.

I try to snap a photo of her PJ collection each time before it goes up in the rafters (I think I missed 9 months). I think of all the sizes, I am least attached to the most recent, 18 month, batch, but that is only because the fuzzy PJ's were out of season, so I had to buy whatever I could find online - regardless if I liked the pattern.

I trip down PJ memory lane:

(Newborn) 3 month & 6 months:

12 months:

18 months:

Mandalay Bay's - Shark Reef

Shelby's school arranged an opt-in weekend "field trip" to The Shark Reef. In the 10 years I have lived in Las Vegas, I have always been interested in visiting, however never had a reason to do so. We thought this might be fun, so we gave it a try. We later learned that they use the event as a small fundraising tool too - they get the tickets at employee price and sell to us a nudge higher, although still less than the normal locals' price.

Shelby liked it, but was also a little uncertain/afraid of it. At one point, she was standing flush with the huge glass of a tank when a fish swim down right in front of her - it completely startled her. All in all, a good memory and a good day. Oh, and we got her to say "occapuss," so that was pretty darn cute.

Back to School

Like thousands of kids in Clark County, today was a "Back to School" morning in the house. True - she never left. And true - she is only 16 months,  but today was still a sweet day in my heart - Shelby officially advanced from the baby room at school, to the toddler room, or Tot Garden as they call it.

Of course I had to take some photos of her today. I wanted to make sure she looked extra darling on her first day in her new class. It was time she moved on. First, she is SUPER into babies right now so it almost made me nervous to have her in proximity with tiny little kiddos. Second, she was just ready. She is very verbal, social and already alerts us when she has to #2, so it's a good thing. Here's our Little Miss on Day 1:

I am so disappointed in myself, I just started shooting without checking my settings, so the photos could be better,  but subject remains cute :)

 Like most classrooms in Nevada, we had a school supply list for the first day. I made a special trip to Target over the weekend to make sure I had everything packaged up and ready to go!

Happy 4 Year Anniversary to Us

I am late in getting this one up, but it's important that I do! Happy 4 year (and a few days) anniversary to us! Four years of marriage and slightly over 8 years together. My how time flies when you're having fun! As cliche as it is, time has really gone quickly - especially all post-Shelby time!

I can confidently say that Jack and I are more grateful than ever for one another and everything that we have....a house, job, health, food our comforts, a beautiful baby girl. After having Shelby it really pulls at you to even think of not having all those things for your family.

Because our special day fell mid-week  and on a day when Jack had to work until 7, we laid low. I got Jack some shoes, a cute card down memory lane and some treats. Jack got me some gorgeous flowers, stocked the wine fridge and also grabbed me some treats. We did find a few moments to watch our wedding video and enjoy dinner & a glass of wine together. 

 

Here's to the next 8 years and beyond!