Lessons Learned from NaNoWriMo

This year I participated in NaNoWriMo. For those who don't know, National Novel Writing Month is a challenge where participants have from November 1 to November 30 to write a 50,000 word novel. This year I wasnt sure if I had time to do that many words during Dash's variable nap time. So I made my goal 25,000, which is the length a middle grade novel should be (which I happen to be writing). I also may have cheated by starting a few days early because I knew that it would be hard for me to get writing in over the holidays.

I completed my goal (yay!) and learned a few lessons along the way:

1. I probably could have done 50,000 words! It usually only took me 30 minutes to reach my daily writing goal. 
2. I should have done 50,000 words because I didn't have time to finish my story. But they say that a lot gets added through editing, so maybe that's a good thing.
3. I should have outlined more. This time around, I would pursue a new character or mini story every day, sometimes writing several versions of a scene (which wasn't editing- I was trying out new theories). But if I had planned things better beforehand, I would have been able to have a more coherent story.
4. I should have talked to more people about my story during the month to get plot ideas. There were several days that I was stuck in the plot and could have benefitted from a brainstorming session. 

That said, I already have my story picked out for next year, and I think it will be a lot more organized. I'm glad I at least started somewhere with my writing half-marathon this year, and I was able to gain a lot of confidence in my multitasking abilities. I kind of wish I could do another month sooner than next November, but it looks like the next 8 months will be dedicated to bar review.

Rhetorically,
Rebekah

Dear Dash: Twenty Two Months

Dear Dash,

You've had another busy month! Here's some of the things you did:

you visited daddy at his office

and helped out in one of his classes,
where they taught you to fist bump

we went to the beach

and you tried to fly a kite

you were buried in the sand

we visited cousin Cadence and family

and you bit your lip pretty bad
and bled all over mommy's shirt

we went out for frozen yogurt

and you refused to sleep in your new bed during naptime the first week

so you had a bunch of naps during errands

but you like your bed better now

went to at least 8 storytimes

lost the privilege to feed yourself yogurt

cooked with daddy 

worked out with daddy

had a playdate at the park

and dressed up for halloween

we went to the edventure museum to trick or treat

candy!!

we also tried some potty training

Dashinary words of the month
peas! - please
taco - thank you
bafbaf - giraffe
beeg - big
peeg - pig
all gong - all gone
babee - little
gurgle - girl
doy - joy or toy

Rhetorically,
Rebekah

Dear Dash: Twenty-one Months

Dear Dash,

This happened a lot sooner than we expected, but you discovered how to climb out of your pack n' play. And believe me, it is quite impressive. You swing your leg all the way up to the rail like a gymnast and use your arms and leg to pull yourself up and slowly rotate over the edge, dropping to the ground with toes pointed. You have also had some falls as you lost your balance, so we've purchased a toddler bed.  It will be here in a few days.

Favorite Books: the Book of Mormon (no joke. you love the photos. we sing a different hymn or primary song for each one) and Hop on Pop.
Favorite Songs: Book of Mormon Stories and Barbara Ann.
Favorite Activities: Cooking eggs. Every. day. And watching "A SHOW" aka a slideshow of my childhood pictures.
Words of the Month: "writy" = library, "shishors" = scissors, jesus, or listen

And now, the pics of the month:

Trying to drink the milk from your cereal.

Alan the Alligator needs to snack, too.

Spiked hair after a bath

Drill time! We had a lot of repairs done on our apartment this month.
I let you use our drill so you wouldn't steal the handyman's.

You were thrilled with the large fan we borrowed to dry our carpets out after we discovered 4 water leaks.

Dash the kitty cat

Still obsessed with shoes.

Trying on Dada's cap and gown (Matt has to wear these several times a year for various events).

Taking out the trash- you love to help any way you can. I also let you bring in groceries from the car.

Munching on a burger as we shop for cars.

"Arrow!!" Part of our daily walk is to find all the spray painted arrows on the sidewalk.

We finally made it to the park!!

Conference selfie.

Making bread in a bag.

Chilling by the stands while Matt plays ultimate frisbee.

FHE object lesson backfire- you took "hold to the rod" WAY too literally.
We couldn't get you to let go. 

Rhetorically,
Rebekah

Dear Dash: Twenty Months

Dear Dash,

What a month it has been! We moved across the country, and it was rough. You were the crankiest we've ever seen you this month, and we attribute it mostly to lack of sleep. Now that you are back on your regular schedule, though, things are better.

This month was filled with happy memories, like:

cousin hand holding at our last lunch together in UT

matching with daddy

meeting one of mommy's missionary companions

being served by gma

looking at family photos and church videos

exploring our new sandy backyard

reading all of the books we get from the library
(we go several times a week since it's right down the street)

baking

begging mom to come outside

playing in the torrential rain

reading family histories

chilling at the pool

We got to see a lot of our North Carolina relatives, too! Grandpa, Uncle Scott, and Aunt Emily came down for Labor Day weekend, and Grandma Hiatt babysat when we first were moving in. You've settled in well to our new home and you love being outside. You don't let the heat or your multiple mosquito bites get you down.

Rhetorically,
Rebekah