General Update

For journal purposes, thought it was time to provide a general update.

Zach
After many years of hard work, effective March 22, 2010, Zach is licensed in the State of Nevada as a Professional Engineer (see new official stamp below). A few of the requirements to become licensed include the following:

- Graduate from an ABET accredited university with a bachelor’s degree in Engineering
- Pass the Engineer-in-Training (EIT) 8-hr state-issued exam
- Work four (4) years after bachelor’s degree with at least four (4) Professional Engineers demonstrating sufficient knowledge and experience
- Pass the Professional Engineer (PE) 8-hour state-issued exam



Despite the great news above, Zach has had a bit of a rough month, in terms of health. He has missed a number of days from work because of excruciating lower back pain and sciatica. Not sure exactly where the injury came from...the only thing we can think that may have led to problems was a good amount of heavy lifting as a young teenager. We have consulted about six (6) different chiropractors, two (2) general practice physicians, a very bright orthopedic surgeon and a number of friends and family members. The x-rays and MRI shows the disc between L5 and S1 (where the back bone connects to the sacrum) is herniated about 5 mm and putting pressure directly on the spine and sciatic nerve. Zach has never experienced such pain in his life. Mom Shamo placed Zach's name in the temple and since then, he has been able to return to work and appears to be getting better.

Nikki
Effective Saturday, Nikki has officially begun her third decade on this earth (she had a birthday and turned 29). For those that know Nikki, even at a superficial level, know that she is an extremely patient person. Believe it or not, she learned even more patience this past month; she took on the role the mother of three (3) with Zach's illness.
Last Sunday, Nikki performed her first cantata for Easter at Sacrament meeting with the Ward Choir. She continues to polish her accompanying skills at the piano.


Lincoln
Our little boy cannot stop talking about how he wants to find his very own special girl to take to the temple, when he gets a little bigger. This probably is a result of our temple visit a few weeks back. He loves to say his own prayers. He is becoming a great help in the back yard. One of his favorite pastimes is watering the plants and lawn. He still has an extreme fascination with screwdrivers and flashlights; he has specifically requested a big yellow flashlight for his birthday. In the coming weeks, Lincoln will be doing away with his beloved diapers. Hopefully there will not be too much separation anxiety. Nikki is concerned this post will jinx our aspirations. He will be three (3) years old, about two (2) months from now…you would think he is ready by now!

Just missing the "special girl"

Gwen
Last week, at her 15-month doctor appointment, we found out Gwen is in the 5-10 percentile for weight (19.5 lbs), 25-50 percentile for height (30.25-in). It is hard to believe, because she out-eats Lincoln virtually every meal, by at least double his food intake quantity. Neither the doctor nor her parents are concerned. Her silky hair is just starting to get long enough for Nikki to place not just one (1), but two (2) adorable pig tails in her hair. Our little “baby” has begun talking. Not only does she have a vocabulary of about 25-30 words, but she is also programmed. When you ask her, “How do you ask?” She responds with “please”. When you ask “What do you say?” she replies “thank you”. She is programmed, to the extent of this example…Zach may be reprimanding Lincoln in his bedroom and request Lincoln to say sorry with this expression: “Lincoln, what do you say?” From the other room, before Lincoln says anything, a high pitched “thank you” can be heard from Gwen. It is baby gibberish; however definitely clear enough to understand, by not only her parents but also “outsiders”.
Gwen loves to read books with her daddy. She likes to be chased, particularly at bath-time in her birthday suit. She has learned to absolutely melt her daddy’s heart.