Catching Up

So…it’s been nearly nine months since my last post. What’s new with YOU?

Believe me, I wouldn’t leave you hanging for so long unless I had a good reason. First and foremost, I was pregnant for most of that time, and while I remained in pretty good spirits throughout, I felt sapped of all creative energy. And then THIS little guy came along (pictured above), and I found myself without two brain cells to rub together, at least for the first couple of months, when his reflux, colic, and plain old being-a-baby deprived me of sleep and sanity. Can’t believe he’s almost four months old already — although he is already wearing size 6-12 month clothes, and we estimate he’s getting close to weighing 20 pounds. Little man can EAT (and as you’ll see, he’s inherited his mama’s outsized melon). He is a dreamy creampuff of a baby; not only a healthy eater, but a good sleeper, with a calm, sweet, happy, giggly personality. I am so, so lucky in so many ways. He’s been great for the past month or so, but I decided to give myself the rest of the summer off from creative work — a self-imposed maternity leave, you might say.

But now it’s September, and there’s an unmistakable back-to-school vibe in the air, which makes me want to buy school supplies (like these beauties) and get back to work. Hooray! I’ve got a lot of catching up to do — I can’t wait to tell you what I’ve been reading, what I’ve been writing, what projects I have in the pipeline, and everything else that’s been occupying my time and newly-revived brain (warning: more cute baby photos may be involved). In particular, you’re welcome to check out a new blogging collaborative I’ve joined, along with co-founders Jamie Michalak and Anika Denise, and my friend and next-door-neighbor and fellow new mama, Kristen Tracy. It’s called The Little Crooked Cottage, it’s chock full of fun features about the world of children’s books, and there’s a pig involved. Need I say more?

Also, if you’re in the Providence area from noon – 3pm on Sunday, September 22, and you or a loved one is living with cancer, feel free to join in the Cancer Survivors Day celebration, sponsored by the Lifespan health network (which includes the hospitals that treated me). I’ll be speaking about my own experiences as part of a survivorship panel. Details here.

Are you feeling that autumnal, back-to-school vibe, too? If so, what are you doing to commemorate it?