No More Swinging

Today was a bittersweet day.  Today we gave Kathryn's swing away.  We've given a lot of things away, but for some reason, the swing was a hard one to let go of.  There are so many memories with that swing.  She loved it and although she hasn't used it for some time now, whenever I'd see it, I think about all the time she spent in it and how much she loved it.  It's a realization that my baby is not a tiny baby anymore.  She's almost a toddler.  I've been looking at pictures and videos of her in the swing and I got a lump in my throat when I saw how much she's changed.  It's hard to notice the change because I see her everyday.  I almost don't remember her being that small and helpless, but I know she was. 

We gave the swing to a pregnant 17-year-old girl due in October who basically has nothing for her baby.  I got an email at work form the Family Resource Center asking for help.  The swing has just been taking up space and we don't plan to have another baby, so I knew we should give it to this girl.  We loved the swing so much and we're hoping this girl and her daughter will love it too.  It's hard to think of another little baby swinging it, but I'm happy this new little one will have a safe, comfortable place to relax and it feels good to help someone during a tough time. I just hope this young women and her daughter will be okay.

So...bye bye swing.  We'll miss you.

 

 

Cell Phone Find

I was looking through my cell phone pictures today and I came across one I didn't remember ever seeing.  I'm not sure when it was taken, but I recognize Kathryn's onesie and it was a 0-3 month, so obviously this picture was taken a while ago.  I miss when she'd rest her head on my shoulder and sleep. She's just a ball of energy now.  I miss my tiny baby.

Tent!

About a week ago, Kathryn got a butterfly tent in the mail from a family friend, Cynth.  She's the same lady who sent Kate her "friends" (Pig, Miss Cow, the smarmy frog).  We set it up and Kathryn seemed to enjoy it although I think she'll appreciate it more when she's older and can hang out in there and do whatever she likes.  Thanks Cynth!

Sippy

We're trying to teach Kathryn to use a sippy cup.  She doesn't seem to understand she has to suck to get it out. She'll catch on soon!

Chuggin' Along

We think Kathryn will be walking soon.  Jared got her a little walker a few weeks and in the past couple of days she's actually started trying to walk with it.  This is when she first started and she's just getting better.  We think she looks adorable, but also like a little old lady using a walker.

10 Months Old!

Kathryn is 10 months old today.  Wow!  I can't believe she's almost a year old.  Time goes by so quickly! 

10 Months Old!

Caught On Tape

Kathryn and I were playing together the other day and unbeknownst to us, Jared was taping us. I'm glad he did so I can look back years from now and remember. 

Honeybaby Loves the Honeycrisps

Tonight I was enjoying my night honeycrisp apple.  They are the most divine apple, and dare I say fruit, ever created.  I love them so much I have no trouble paying $3.49 a pound for them.  They are just the best.  Anyway...I was eating one and Kate was in her playpen, standing up and looking at me.  I decided to give her a taste.  She LOVED it.  When I took it away, she would cry and throw a fit.  It was the cutest thing.  Honeycrisp for the Honeybaby!

Big trucks!

When we pulled up to daycare today, there was construction going on at the end of the street.  There were lots of big trucks and equipment.  A couple of hours later, Becky sent me this picture via text. 

I'm not sure Kathryn was all that interested in the equipment, but it was a cute picture!

Kate seems to be doing a little better.  She's still happy as can be and Becky can't believe she has a double ear infection.  She really is an amazing baby. Jared actually checked if she had wings tonight.  Even if we wanted another child, I don't think we should have another.  Kate is just too darn perfect (I'll probably jinx it now).  Jared compared her to going to the casino, laying down a $5 bill at the blackjack table and winning $200 million dollars and and letting it ride.  You don't push your luck!  No matter what happens in the future, I am so blessed for the time I have with my baby girl.  A 4th grader in our district (I didn't know her because she didn't go to Shepard Hill) passed away late last night of a brain aneurism.  I can only imagine the pain her family is in right now and you never know how much time you have with your loved ones.  I need to remember that and hug and love my family as if each day is our last.  I love you Baby Kathryn!

Double Ear Infection

Kathryn had her "9 Month Check-Up" today, even though she'll be 10 months old on Saturday.  She was congested today and she'd been pulling at her ears the last couple of days, so I mentioned it to the doctor and sure enough she has a double ear infection.  She wasn't really acting sick except when she cried on the way there, cried at the doctor's office and screamed the whole way home.  She's now on Amoxicillan and Tylenol for the pain.  She was all smiled when we got home, so hopefully she's on the mend. 

Her stats are:

18 pounds (50th percentile)
75th percentile for her head
95th percentile for height

Finally!

We've been talking about putting blinds up in Kate's room for some time now, but were intimidated to do it because we have strange windowsills.  We thought it would be too difficult and that we'd have to special order, etc.  Well...I'd finally had with having no shades in there and asked Jared to go to Lowe's and see if there was anything that would work.  He found some great blinds and I love them!  They make the room look so much better.  It looks finished.  I like them so well Jared got us some for our room. Can't wait till those go up!  Jared did a fantastic job!

It's Apple Pickin' Time!

Kate and I went to the apple orchard with my friend Renee and her daughter, Gianna today.  I had hoped to pick a bunch of honeycrisp apples, but they were picked clean!  I did manage to get four from the farm stand, so that'll appease me till the apples arrive at Stop & Shop.  Anyway...we had fun and picked all kinds of apples.

She wouldn't smile!

We tried getting a good shot of Kathryn & Gianna, but they wouldn't cooperate.

I can't wait to take her to the pumpkin patch closer to Halloween time.

Renee didn't bring her stroller and Gianna got tired of walking (she's 18 months old), so we tried squeezing them into Kathryn's stroller.  Gianna didn't like that idea.

Kathryn loved playing with her little apple.

Renee and Gianna

Me and Kate

My pretty baby.  I wanted to get some nice shots in the flowers, but all she wanted to do was eat the wood chips!

When we got home it was nap time.  She didn't agree though and was having none of it.  She completely skipped her p.m. nap!

Time to par-tay!

Today's spoils.

Serenade

I had to share my experience today when I picked Kathryn  up at daycare today.  I walked up to the door and saw Kathryn sitting in the doorway surrounded by her buddies Cogan, Maddox, and Levi.  They were singing the ABC song to her.  It was so sweet.  Becky told me Kathryn was making grumpy sounds (which she never hears because Kathryn is always so happy), so the boys decided to walk over and sing to her, which seemed to make her happy.  They love her.  Becky also told me while they were outside, the boys were pretending Kathryn was their baby, taking turns bringing her food and checking on her. I'm so glad the boys are so sweet to her. 

On a funny note, when we got to daycare this morning, Cogan and his mom pulled up behind us.  When we met inside, Christine, his mom told me Cogan saw our car and the Red Sox magnet on the trunk and said, "Uh oh.  Kathryn likes the Red Sox."  It was so cute.  They're obviously Yankee fans.  Hopefully it won't affect their friendship.

Pasketti

Kathryn tried spaghetti for the first time tonight (the baby food version).  She seemed okay for the first couple of bites, but then didn't seem interested.  I think it might be because she likes to eat puffs before dinner.  Perhaps I should stop this practice so she eats her dinner!

The Right Words Right When I Need Them

Someone who read my book just posted this on Facebook as her status update:

Just finished reading the most amazing book...After The Sky Fell Down self-published on Amazon by Megan Nugan Isbell. Best book I've read this year!

She also sent this to my wall:

Megan, I just finished reading After The Sky Fell Down. What a fabulous book! I enjoyed every minute of it, found it difficult to put down, wept out loud, and loved the ending. Thanks for sharing such a wonderful piece of work.

I can't tell you how much I needed that since I just got my second rejection letter from an agent.  Perhaps I'll keep plugging away.  All I want to do is write, but I guess I've got to work on my query and my synopsis...ugh...I hate trying to write them.  It sucks!  I'll keep trying for a little while longer...we'll see what happens.  One can dream, right? 

A Gift From Neena

Neena sent Kathryn a cute little hat she found at an estate sale.  I really tried to get with it on her head, but all Kathryn wanted to do was eat it!

B.A.B.

You might be wondering what B.A.B. stands for.  Well...it means "boogers after bath".  I'm just including this because I know Kathryn will want to do know about this when she's older.  Lately, she always gets big, wet boogers hanging out of her nose after her bath.  Today when we were wiping it off, she smeared it onto her eyelash and it was quite difficult to get off.  It was pretty gross actually.

Just Hangin' Out

I don't really like when people take pictures of themselves and post them, but I took some of Kathryn and me today and I'll post them here for posterity sake.  Someday she'll see that we used to hang out and be good together.

Someone Loves Yarn!

Kathryn loves to play in my yarn baskets.  I had to move them out of the room the other day because she wouldn't leave them alone.  She makes such a mess!

I Claim This Mouth in the Name of Incisor!

We were beginning to think we would have to invest in baby dentures because Kathryn didn't have any teeth yet and she's 9 1/2 months old.  She's been drooling like crazy since she was about 2 months old, but the teeth just didn't come.  Well, today as I was getting her formula ready for the night and Jared and Kate were playing on the floor and Jared calls out, "Megan!  Come here!  I feel a tooth!"  I rush in and sure enough you can feel the ridges of her lower left incisor coming through.  She won't let us look at it, but it's definitely there!  Way to go Honeybaby!  We'll get a picture once she lets us!

Time for a Change

About 5 years ago, I attempted to go brunette for the first time in my life.  It did not go well.  I decided to try it again though, and I'm pretty happy with the results.  I was afraid Kathryn might not recognize me, but when she saw me she smiled so big, but then her eyes drifted momentarily to my hair and she looked confused, but then reached for me and gave me the biggest hug.  Now everyone's going to wonder where she gets her blonde hair from.

699!

If one more person downloads my book, I'll be at 700!  That makes me so happy.  I've been getting lots of positive feedback and three people have reviewed my book on Amazon, giving it 5 stars and writing great reviews.  I'm only going to post these here for posterity's sake, so when I feel like crap, I look at these and feel a little better:

I kind of hate you right now! I am half way through the book and, not only can I not put it down, but I look like I got hit with tear gas?! I have never read something so intensely real and vivid. I kept having to take breaks:) I am serious when I say that if someone doesn't snatch this up and publish it then they are missing out. I cant wait to finish it and review it on amazon.

I loved this book. Once I started I just had to finish. I felt as though the characters were very believable and easy to connect with. It made me laugh and cry. Loved the ending too...

After the Sky Fell Down is excellently written such that you are there with the characters, feeling what they feel. It's been a long time since I have been so emotionally drawn into a book. I couldn't put this book down.

I haven't gotten this emotional over a book in a long time. Really touched my heart. It is amazing what a heart can endure and still come out on the other side. 

I just finished reading your book! Its one of the best "stories" I've ever read! Thank you for sharing this with us, I'm sure everyone will love it as much as I do! Congrats Meg I hope this isn't your last! You are an amazing writer!

Well, I slept for 12 hrs last night. Why? Because I stayed up all freakin' night before that reading your book! :) It was fabulous! 

Thanks for stealing me from my family for a day and crying like a baby! No, seriously, good book, and I hope you write more. 

I started reading your book last night and I was bawling like crazy... I was only planning on reading for a few minutes before bed and I read for 2 hours with tissues in hand! Loving the book so far! :)

 I just sobbed my way through chapter 3...you are amazing!

Anyways...there you have it.  Now that my bucket is full, I'll end this post.

Ticklish Palms

The other morning Jared was feeding Kathryn her oatmeal and when he was cleaning off her hands, we discovered she's got ticklish palms.  I love hearing her sweet laugh and little coos.

Kate & Kathryn

One of Kathryn's favorite friends at daycare is Kate (her other favorite is Levi).  We sometimes call Kathryn Kate, but since there's already a Kate (whose name is actually Kate) at daycare, our Kathryn is always Kathryn so the kids aren't confused.  Anyway...I don't know why that explanation was necessary.  On with the post.  I got a text from Becky, her daycare provider, of Kate kissing Kathryn.  I wish it was better quality, but I just had to share.  It's too cute.

*Book Update: I'm at 466 downloads.  It's definitely slowed down a bit, but at least people are still downloading it.  I promoted it for free one more day to try and get noticed more.  That promotion ends tonight so then we'll see it does when people actually have to pay for it.  (Cue nail biting.)

415!!!

My book's now been downloaded 415 times.  This makes me so happy.  This little endeavor may not seem like much, but I've felt very fulfilled the past couple of days, especially when I see that number on Amazon get higher.  After nearly three years of work, it's nice that other people are appreciating it.  I had two ladies at work today tell me they were bawling reading it and one lady said she couldn't put it down.  She was even reading in the parking lot this morning.  That made me feel so good.  I'm a happy girl.  Nothing will probably come of it, but I'm still glad I took the chance and put it out there.  I'm excited that other people are getting to know the characters I care so much about. 

I have to give the Honeybaby some credit here.  She's a wonderful baby who goes to bed at a reasonable hour, which allows here mommy to write. Thank you Lala. :-)

If You're Happy and You Know It

Kathryn has recently started clapping.  I think she picked it up at daycare.  She loves to clap, which is a much better habit than the spitting (which seems to have stopped!).

210!!!

I published my book on Amazon yesterday and as of now, it's already had 210 downloads!  Wow...I'm excited.  I promoted it as FREE for two days, just to get it out there.  After tomorrow, it will cost 99 cents to download.  I'm not in it for the money though, which is why it's priced so low.  I just want people inclined to purchase it.

It's ranked #64 in the Free section of the Contemporary Fiction section and #969 out of all the Free Kindle books.  I'm excited because it was #3200 this morning.  I'm curious what people think and I wonder if anyone will write a review.  It makes me very nervous!

Also, Tarin made me a nice cover.  I think it looks good.  I used a picture I took at Misquamicut Beach in Westerly, RI, since the story takes place in Rhode Island and some key moments take place on the beach.  She put some nice font and I think it actually looks like a real book.

Dinner With Mom and Dad

We went out to dinner to The 99 tonight.  We're so glad we have a kid that allows us to go out and have a good time. She doesn't fuss and is just so happy sitting in her high chair eating and playing.

Daddy and Kate

No make-up Mommy.  Yikes!

She loves her Mum Mums!

 

More Bath Time Fun

We had more fun with the tub letters.  We sent some of these pictures to "Uncle" Rafael.  I doubt he liked them.

Neena Outfit

After seeing Kathryn's outfit I picked out this morning, Jared said it looked like a Neena outfit, as in, it looked like an outfit her grandmother (Neena) would wear.  I think it's cute.

Kathryn's Neena outfit.  The sun was shining right on her.

After the Sky Fell Down

I've always loved writing.  Ask my parents. I could stay locked in my room for hours writing and be perfectly content in my own little world. I never shared anything with anyone though until recently.  About two and half years ago, I started a story and it has been in my life ever since.  A few people had read it and gave me a lot of good suggestions and positive feedback and I continued working on it.  It's morphed a lot over time.  The ending has changed multiple times and I've read and re-read more times than I can count.  A few very supportive people have also read it more than once and I can't thank them enough.  Anyway...after much thought and encouragement (especially from Melodie), I decided to self-publish it on Amazon.  I'm not in it for the money (I get a whopping 35 cents per download).  I just wanted to share the characters I have grown to love so much with other people.  It may not be everyone's cup of tea, but it's special to me and I hope it could be special to someone else.  If not, oh well. I put myself out there and that's all I can do.  Kathryn, Luke, Ben, and Jace are now out for the world to meet.  Here's the description:

Kathryn Lane thinks she has life figured out: finish college, get a great job, marry her high school sweetheart, Ben, and have a family. But when tragedy strikes, she is left to pick up the pieces of her now shattered life. As she tries to make sense of her new reality, life takes another startling turn, leading her down a path she never imagined. Through it all she finds comfort in a surprising companion who becomes her best friend and rock as she tries to rebuild her life. But when she unexpectedly meets someone, whose kindness and understanding offers her a chance at a fresh start, she struggles to move forward, afraid to leave her past behind. Will she be able to move on and find peace with her past in order to discover her future or will she let her past condemn her to a life of loneliness, unable to let go of a life that can never be?

And here's the link to it on Amazon:

 http://www.amazon.com/After-Sky-Fell-Down-ebook/dp/B00957HIVS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1346635031&sr=8-1&keywords=after+the+sky+fell+down

Bedtime Fun

The blog's been quiet because life's been pretty quiet...which isn't always a bad thing.  Kate is doing great.  I started school last week and so far, I am very happy. I have a great class and I love my new building.

We took Kathryn to the Woodstock Fair this weekend.  Jared and I both agree we liked the Brooklyn Fair better, but will probably take her to both next year.  We're anxious to see how she reacts to the animals when she's a little older.

She was having a great time in the bath tonight and then while I was trying to get her PJ's on. 

We were having fun writing with my bath letters.

We had to improvise to get another G.

Fabulous hair and a delicious big toe.  Life is good.

Playing with Mommy's undies.

I don't know why I even bother folding clothes.  Buster sits on them and Kathryn pulls them out. I guess that should teach me to put them away!