Picture Day

When you have a four month baby who cannot even sit unassisted and they tell you it is Picture Day at school, you can't help but giggle. Then on top of that, the packages your purchase come with a class photo. How does that work? I am picturing the days of the kids on risers, organized tallest to shortest. How do you pull that off with a bunch of infants - lump them all in a pile? Prop them up with a dozen Boppy pillows? Neither.

Apparently they give you a composite shot. Now Shelby's photos are old news - I got them a month or two ago, but I just got the class photo this week. I was told they were waiting on images of kids who needed re-takes. In any event, behold "Miss Ethel" and "Miss G's" Little Angel class. There have been a couple new faces since this photo and one baby graduated to the next room.

Of course we give Shelby the Cutest Baby award, but the little one in red, in the upper left corner is a super sweetie as well. She has chubby cheeks and an infectious smile too. She also started school about the same time as Shelby and gets picked up nightly at around the same time, so I run into her mom routinely.

School Days for Miss Shelby Pie:

Giving Thanks

Jack and I often say, we are so fortunate. We have a each other, wonderful families & friends, jobs, food and a healthy, happy baby girl. With that,  Thanksgiving is a much-anticipated event in our house. Without fail, I get teary as we toast the glasses before dinner and we 'cheers' to all that we are thankful for.

For the third consecutive year, we celebrated right here in the Pod, aka our house. We were joined by our neighbors, their family and a few friends. The food was ridiculously good. Jack and I each made a turkey - mine baked, his smoked. I think we both produced our best yet! Then we also had our annual tradition of a Honey Baked Ham (compliments of Jack's parents) along with every side you can think of! Our friends prepare most the sides - thank goodness.  In years past I had a brother or two as the left-over clean up crew, but since they all stayed in Placerville, the fridge is stocked!

Admittedly, it was a little more chaotic/stressful for me this year having Shelby. (In)conveniently she decided she had to eat at the same time all the food needed to get to the table and, in true Shelby fashion, she didn't want to skip a  beat and went napless, then stayed up two additional hours. She is on nap # 2 today.....

All in all, it was a perfect day. We both missed our families, but we always enjoy being able to be home and having our own little family tradition.

Jack working his magic on the turkey:

The happy helpers:

Ta-da........

And of course, my favorite - my little turkey at the end of the table with me!

Turkey Time

My Little Miss made her Thanksgiving contribution recently in school - a sweet little turkey. There is nothing better than to find photos of Shelby at school in my email  inbox. Brightens my day each time.

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Da-da-da-da-daaaaa

It's hard to say if Shelby is actually trying to say Daddy, but regardless, she is chatty! I swear she has said "Dad" and "hi" on multiple occasions, but who knows if it is just chance or her really trying to talk.

Here is a rather entertaining conversation between Jack and Shelby from today.

 

I'm Baaaaaack!

No, I didn't throw  my hands in the air and say "to heck with my blog." Despite my blogging sabbatical, I have thought about it nearly every day, thinking to myself "man, it has been forever since I have posted something." Well, I am back.

I have been SUPER busy at work. I will stay SUPER busy for the next couple of weeks, but I like to believe that the worst is behind me. Work itself is great - as always, I am grateful to have a job that keeps me busy, but for the last couple weeks I have returned to the computer at night and kept working after Shelby was down and dinner was cleaned up.

Anyhow - let's get to what you all came here to hear about.....Shelby!

She is my sweet girl and now she has TEETH! She has two little teeth that emerged about 10 days ago or so. She has been drooling forever, but apparently the time had some for those pearly whites to shine! Overall, she has taken them like a champ - not overly fussy or anything. She does want to gnaw on everything (yup, including me) and drools so much so that on certain days she almost has a little rash on her chin. She also enjoys raspberries A LOT, adding to the faucet-of-drool effect.

Behold these two little chompers:

In recent weeks she has become MUCH better at sitting up solo. For the most part, I would say she has mastered the sitting part, but she still tumbles over. If there is anything remotely interesting looking within reach, she lurches for it and then, plops over. Regardless, it's pretty cute.  I really have to keep a close eye on here these days though because EVERYTHING goes in the mouth.

My sweet Shelby Pie sitting pretty:

Hoot Hoot!

Happy Halloween!!!

There are just no words! If this doesn't make you smile inside, there is something wrong. I love this picture, I love my owl, I love my Shelby Pie!! I bought a "Groupon" online, specifically for Halloween photos and I couldn't be happier. I got a ton, so chances are, you'll have your very own copy!

Happy Halloween from the Schenk Family!

6 Months!

Goodness. Baby girl is a half a year old! As cliche as it might be - time really does go quickly, especially since returning to work. She is 6 months full of love, giggles, slobber and snuggles.

I would say the biggest update from 5 to 6 months is her food. She is really enjoying (and getting the hang of) eating solids. It has just been in the last 10 or so days that I introduced food other than cereal, and it has been a hit. Thus far she has sampled peas and sweet potatoes. I grabbed some squash and some oatmeal to give a try this week. As for the order....people will tell you call kinds of things. My pedi told me to start with peas and then my mom thought it was a bad idea. I don't know....I am just following Shelby's lead. So far, so good. Consistent with her history, she is a chow hound. At the moment, she's eating jar food. I have intentions of making her food from scratch, but I just haven't been able to get a grove. Plus, I have some questions for her (new) doctor. I'll be taking her in Friday for her 6 month well check. I digress....

• She sucks on her toes whenever possible
• Actually - she sucks on everything whenever possible
• She can *almost* sit up on her own. I recently had some photos taken of her and she managed for a moment or two
• She will likely greet you by grabbing your nose
• She loves watching the Dallas Cowboys on Daddy's lap...normally while mom is at the grocery store
• She loves motoring around in her car/bouncer. She is better at reverse than drive
• She is entertained by anything: colorful, noisey or moving.

These were snapped on 6 months to the day. I love my little pumpkin and yes, I have already started to plan her 1st birthday party :)