Clark Gable Fairchild

I have never written a sappy post about my Clark Gable. I don't know if that was because he truly hasn't stopped moving since I brought him home, if it is because my circumstances are a little different from when I got Vivien, or if it is because he is the stereotypical second child that doesn't get as many pictures taken of them, has to learn to entertain themselves, etc. I am just going to say it is a mixture of all of the above and move on with this overdue post. 

Moral of this story: never "just look to see what's out there" unless you are ready for a puppy.

Clark is a red Boston. He was born on May 5th, 2017 (which may attribute to his love for salsa, but let's get real, his just has a love for food in general). He has eyebrows, bullseye eyes like his Uncle Ryan and his Great Grandpa. Some people have even told me that he kind of weirds them out because he looks like a Fairchild. It makes me laugh every time. He obviously looks and acts a lot like his Uncle Ryan even though he doesn't even know who that is. He has freckles on his nose. He is the sweetest pup even though he is SO HYPER and SO NAUGHTY sometimes.

It took a little bit for me to be won over by Clark. I was excited to have him, but he wore me down. Sometimes he still wears me down. I was so used to Vivien and how easy she was to train. I am used to her having regular nap times and snuggle sessions. Not Clark! He is his own kind of beast, and he quickly adopted the nickname of Monster. With all of that being said, he has won me over. His loving eyes, the way he hops when he goes to get toys, his long legs, his wagging tail, and his love for football.

I can't believe I have another fur baby in my life, but he has won the hearts of everyone in the family. He has especially won over his Pops. And you know what?! He LOVES his Pops. I am still a little wary of how he is going to be in an apartment, but we will make it work. Things always seem to work out. And, although Ryan isn't home to meet him and give me a hard time I feel like a part of him is here with me. 

Megan Fairchild, MS, CCLS

I am very pleased to announce that my long road to become a child life specialist was worth it. All of it was worth it. The days as a child life assistant, the tears over not getting an internship, actually getting an internship that turned out to be bleh, the friends, the coworkers, the laughs, the kids, all of the reading, the late nights and early mornings, the Master's degree, the education credits, and maybe (not sure about this one) but maybe even having to ride the train during my internship was worth it. On November 4th, I went in to take my certification exam. I was so nervous. It has been almost a year since I finished my degree and internship, and I have not practiced child life since then. I had been studying for a month, but they don't give you a list of things to study. You are on your own. But, thankfully I wasn't actually on my own. I had the nicest CCLS from my internship answering my questions, and she mailed me a packet of study materials. I have a worthy priesthood holder in my home who was nice enough to give me a blessing the night before my test and watch my pups during it. I had friends and family and coworkers and volunteers rooting and praying for me. I got in there and finished my four hour test in an hour. I only didn't know five questions out of 150, and I only missed three questions overall! I am thankful that my prayers were heard and my hard work paid off! One of my coworkers had to take the test today. She passed it, but she said it was SO HARD. I could not believe it. She practiced child life for 10 years before becoming a volunteer coordinator. I left that test and was excited and relieved that it was over but almost disappointed because it seemed too easy. Once again, I am thankful that prayers are answered! I am now Megan Fairchild, MS, CCLS. I ordered business cards at work (I may have waited for my test to be over), and gave my first one out today!! My road to child life is not over, but this is a great step!