Las Vegas, Nevada

What an exciting week we’ve had.

It’s been at least 17 years since I’ve been to Las Vegas, and though I’m over 21 this time — pregnancy limited my activities in the same way they did back in the late 90s. No drinking, and well — no gambling, but mainly because shopping was more fun. The Vegas nightlife wasn’t entirely lost on us, though. Isaac and I made our way out to the Mirage to see the Cirque Du Soleil show Love. I’ve been a die-hard Beatles fan since the last time I was in Vegas and this performance showcased tracks from every period of the Beatles discography. It was positively sensational! I would go again and again if price and location were no obstacle.

I’m surprised I didn’t have the cops called on me while waddling my maternity body down the Fremont Street Experience with a virgin Margarita in hand. Fortunately, my teenage step-sister was in stride, with the same drink in hand. It must have appeared less incriminating to see a pregnant woman and a juvenile boozing in Las Vegas. I swear, contrary to appearance, they were alcohol-free!

Margot was fascinated by the lights on Fremont. She probably thought she had arrived in some cartoon land, which may have been confirmed for her when a homeless-looking Elmo showed up for a photo-op. These street performers and impersonators were everywhere; their tip jars overflowed while happy tourists cheered them on.

While in Las Vegas, we had a gender scan to find out whether or not our newest addition would be a boy or a girl. We were happy to discover that our baby will be bundled in blue this September. It’s a boy! We shopped extensively at the outlet malls, and strip malls for our baby boy, coming home with an additional suitcase full of baby boy clothes and toys. The excitement of a second child is finally setting in, and after returning home, the nesting process has officially begun. Margot has no idea what’s going on, except that there are toys in the closet that I won’t let her have.

Outside of the Las Vegas city limits, Red Rock Canyon National Park beckoned — we toured the park briefly, letting Margot see the landscape, and check out a few desert tortoises at the welcome center. Military families get a free membership to all of the National Parks. Those military discounts always put a spring in our step.

Margot wasn’t used to all the sunshine yet. She was slathered in sunscreen, tucked under a sun hat, and hiding behind toddler sunglasses almost the entire time we were outdoors. I suppose some of that may have been the first-time-parent syndrome kicking in.

She’s walking a lot more these days, although she prefers to hang onto our hands above her head while she walks — she lacks the confidence to venture out on her own most of the time. She’s getting better at it every day.

On this trip, all of Margot’s grandparents agreed that she is one adventurous eater. Here at home, she eats anything we eat, from feta and salad, to lentils and curry. She really only rejects broccoli and meat — even then, it’s only on occasion. She ate her weight in berries, cheese sticks, and yogurt on this vacation; she even indulged in Southwest Salad, Chinese food and Cajun while we were sojourning. I hope her openness to different foods doesn’t end anytime soon.

Margot also swam for the first time on this trip. It was nerve-wracking for me, probably because I’m a chronic worrier. She fared well, but preferred dry land overall.

She’ll miss all the attention and additional playmates she had while visiting family in Las Vegas and Oklahoma City. Peek-a-boo with her aunt Kelli, and chase with grandma Mimi solicited baby giggles that could end a war. We’ll try to keep her occupied half as much as her family in the lower-48 did, but they are a tough act to follow.

I’ll post photos from Margot’s Zoo visit in Oklahoma City soon — there are even a few I took while we fed goats on a farm near her Great Uncle Sam’s house.

Babies on vacation — that’s some pretty adorable exploration.