Whew. I know this is a long one…

But I promise it’s not just rambling. It’s real stories, a little chaos, and some store updates tucked in too.

If you’re in the mood to read it all—bless you. Truly. I promise to deliver in full Megan-storytelling fashion.

If you’re just here to skim (or skip straight to the baby products), no judgment. Use this as your little cheat sheet:

What You’ll Find in This Ridiculously Long but Hopefully Worth It Email:

• Eight Heavy Things in Eight Weeks (not counting the usual chaos)
• A Desert Tire Blowout (that one time I created a highway rest stop in the median)
• What’s New at Colorado Baby (I finally talk about store stuff, promise)

Eight Heavy Things in Eight Weeks

I know I’m not the only one who’s gone through hard stuff. But these past 8 weeks? They’ve felt…different. Like a relentless string of one thing after another.

I actually wrote a lot more about how it felt (and how I’ve been processing it), but I cut it from this email. It was definitely too personal for a general store newsletter.

So I’m trying something new.

I’ve started a second list called Just Me—a raw, behind-the-scenes newsletter for the real-life stuff I usually only share with close friends or spill into my journal every Sunday at the coffee shop. More on that below.

For now, here’s the fast version—a peek at 8 things that made the last 8 weeks heavier than usual:

1. A diagnosis that changes everything

One of my sons received a life-long diagnosis for an incurable (but manageable) disease—three days into our month-long family trip to Mexico.

A trip we had waited years for. One we originally planned for March 2020. Yeah. That kind of timing.

2. A year-long court case coming to an end

There’s relief in the closure, but also trauma that lingers for everyone involved. It’s heavy. Really weighty.

3. That time I trauma dumped…in a staff meeting

Not a buzzword. I literally asked ChatGPT what “trauma dumping” is and yep, that’s exactly what I did. Then I cried myself to sleep (not kidding 🙄). 10/10 would not recommend.

4. Fire. Literal fire.

It wasn’t a dumpster fire. It was a canyon fire. And my parents’ cabin was right in its path.

(Still burning, by the way.)

Thanks to some incredible fire crews, the cabin has been spared—for now.

If you saw the last newsletter, those gorgeous views? Yeah…not so much anymore.

5. Showing up for a friend in a brutal custody battle

This one is wretched. I’ve felt completely unequipped to help, but I’m doing what I can—just showing up, listening, and being a steady person in the middle of the chaos.

Well…as steady as I can be, considering I feel completely off my rocker.

6. Tire explosion, brought to you by I-70

After a particularly draining day two weeks ago, I blew a tire 5 minutes from home. Not just a "hey, you hit a nail" but a tire that was stripped and slashed looking.

Shoutout to I-70’s potholes for throwing my tires completely out of alignment.

Honestly, I’m just grateful it didn’t happen the day before, while I was driving that same car on the interstate. Been there, done that. Got the 2017 “stranded with 6 kids outside Mesquite, NV in the middle of summer” shirt to prove it.

(Actually…that story’s hysterical. I'm gonna tell it below, because this newsletter needs something lighthearted.)

7. Sitting with others in their pain

Lately, a few people in my circle have opened up to me in really vulnerable ways—maybe because I’ve been more open too. And honestly, I’m honored. Even just having a seat at someone’s table for a moment like that feels sacred to me.

It’s never a burden I resent. It’s a burden I’m honored to help carry.

8. A sudden work shake-up

Totally unexpected. It’ll be fine, I’m sure...because it always ends up fine.

It just felt like another sucker punch. Not even sure I feel them anymore…maybe that’s what happens when you’re already out of breath?

Want the complete story behind all this?

Some of these stories deserve a slower telling—the kind that doesn’t fit in a store newsletter.

If you want the real-life, behind-the-scenes version, join me over at Just Me.

I’ll be sharing more there soon.

A Desert Tire Blowout

And Now…It’s Time for Silly Stories with Megan

The part of the newsletter where Megan comes out and tells…a silly story. 🥒

(Thank the emoji gods there’s a cucumber emoji.

IYKYK.

And for my dear Boomer readers: that means “if you know, you know.” Not sure if we’ve covered that one yet.)

Desert Drama, July 2017 Edition

I was driving my massive 12-passenger E-350 white van to Southern California for my cousin’s wedding. It was July. I had six kids at the time (ages 10 months to 11 years). And I was flying solo—my husband was at a youth camp with our church.

We were somewhere on I-15, between Mesquite and Las Vegas. Literal desert. 100+ degrees, dry as dust.

The speed limit was 80 mph (at least back then…probably 110 now).

And I was in the left lane, passing people.

Because for some reason, I have a deep inability to just hang out in the right lane minding my own business.

Nope. Apparently my brain thinks I need to CONQUER EVERYTHING. BEAT ALL THE BAD GUYS.

So there I was, hauling down the interstate in the left lane, going (a bit 😬) over 80. Because that’s the passing lane.

(Duh. Some people don’t know that, so maybe this is a public service announcement.)

Anyway—picture it.

Me, six kids, my big van, and everyone in the left lane going full Mario Kart.

Suddenly…LOUD NOISES

WHAT IS HAPPENING.

Deafening sounds. Coming from my vehicle.

The van started rattling—shaking—I don’t even know what. But thankfully, I had both hands gripped tight on the wheel (Mario Kart style).

Traffic was flying by, nowhere to go but the left shoulder (which, for the record, is absolutely not where you pull over on an 80mph interstate). But I had no choice.

So there I was.

Pulled over on the very edge of the road. Basically hugging the white line.

I told the kids to stay buckled while I jumped out to investigate.

Instantly spotted the problem: rear left tire, completely shredded.

How I didn’t go flying off the road and roll across the median is beyond me.

One of those very obvious God things in my life.

So…What Now?

Thankfully, I had roadside assistance.

But also—it was at least 105°, 5:30pm, in the middle of the Nevada desert.

And if you’ve ever used roadside service, you know…they ain’t fast.

Especially when you’re in no-man’s land.

I didn’t feel safe keeping the kids in the van for two reasons:

1. It was really hot, and I didn’t want to leave the AC running in my 2009 van indefinitely.
2. We were pulled over in a dangerous spot with zero shoulder. Cars were screaming by at 80+ mph, and I was genuinely afraid the van might get clipped.

Moving to the right side of the road? Not an option. Traffic was relentless.

Operation: Mama Duck

So I did what any good mama duck would do:

I got all the kids out through the driver’s side door and herded them into the center median.

Not near the van.

Nope. We weren’t doing that.

If the van got hit, I didn’t want my kids anywhere close to it.

So there we were—huddled in the blazing sun, standing in the dead center of the interstate.

The median gave us maybe 30 feet of space on each side before lanes picked back up. It wasn’t comfortable, but it felt safer than the alternative.

I called roadside assistance and tried my best to explain our location.

“Look for the giant white van stranded on the left side of I-15 south. You literally can’t miss us.” 😅

Meanwhile…in the 1.5 Hours Wait

Somewhere in that roadside purgatory, one car finally pulled over.

They drove past us, realized what they were seeing—a woman with six children standing in the median of an 80mph interstate—and then made the completely sane decision (not sane) to drive the wrong way (on the shoulder!) back up the interstate to check on us.

Bless their heart. I assured them I was ok (and mentally-stable) and sent them back along their way.

Honestly, the whole scene looked so wrong. I wouldn’t blame anyone who drove by and thought I was about to do something sinister in the desert.

No worries, though. My kids were LIVING.

They decided we were surviving like Nacho Libre when he goes out into the wilderness.

They made a pretend fire.

Enter: Concerned Husband & Confused Cop

From afar, my husband was panicking (rightfully so). I reassured him (and I'm sure I texted him this image):

“We’re totally fine. Just playing pioneer family in the median. You know, as one does.”

Then a cop pulled up about 40 minutes in.

And I kid you not…he slowly approached me.

Like, slowly.

“Ma’am…”

“Yeah?”

“…what’s going on here?” (he was creeping slowly, with one hand near his hip)

I explained:

“I blew a tire. Called roadside. Didn’t want the kids in the hot van, and didn’t feel safe near the traffic. So we’re in the center-most place I could think of.”

He had the look of a man who’d been bracing for a Lifetime movie plot and was relieved to find a resourceful mom with roadside assistance on speed dial.

Then he goes:

“Yeah…ok. So...we’ve had a TONNNN of 911 calls about you.” 😂😂😂

I’m LAUGHING OUT LOUD as I type this.

The whole thing was so ridiculous.

Tell Me—What Would You Have Done?!

Seriously.

What else could I have done differently?

Other than, you know…stay in the right lane, drive 79mph, blow the tire, and pull off safely.

But that would’ve been far less entertaining.

The Grand Finale: A Full Interstate Shutdown

Roadside assistance finally showed up. The guy and the cop tag-teamed the tire replacement—absolute heroes.

Then came the grand finale.

We had to get the kids back in the van. And the only door is on the right side—AKA the lane side. 🫣

So what does the cop do?

He pulls into the interstate and stops all traffic so my little ducklings can safely climb back in, one by one.

They got buckled. He gave me a thumbs-up.

Continued to hold back traffic so I could merge.

WHAT. A. MEMORY.

Don’t worry Dad, I got brand new tires the next day in Vegas.

What's New at Colorado Baby

Still Here? Wow. You’re My People.

So listen…I have a thing for writing long newsletters.

But you all keep saying you like them, so I’m just leaning into it now.

I figured I should actually talk about something from the store—since this newsletter is allegedly about Colorado Baby. July means summer market shopping for me as the buyer, which also means:

✅ Lots of restocks (sorry things have been running thin…much like my capacity, lolz)

✅ Exciting new brands and fresh finds for you to check out

Here are a few highlights I’m especially jazzed about:

🌲 Kyte Baby x National Park Foundation Collection

​This collection is stunning. Absolutely perfect for our Colorado-loving customers. We brought in a variety of prints across sleep bags, crib sheets, toddler blankets, zippered rompers, and toddler PJs.

I don’t expect these to hang around long. If you’re itching for some national park vibes in your babe’s wardrobe, don’t wait too long!

🦕 Dino Bars

​

These are FUN and different.

Shopping with a hangry child? Or maybe you’re the hangry one? We got you.

These little guys are healthy, individually wrapped, and sold for $2.49—or grab a box of 10. The ingredients are so good, and they’re already selling fast.

If they keep moving well, then we’ll keep offering them.

(That’s how retail works 🤓)

📚 Indestructibles Books

We’ve refilled our Indestructibles display and added a brand new title: Grandparents and Me.​

If you’re not familiar—these are my favorite books for babies and toddlers. They’re featherlight (great for travel), chew-proof, tear-proof, washable and drool-friendly. Basically indestructible, har har.

And they’re only $5.99.

(Is anything still $5.99? Besides Dino Bars, you smart alec.)

We fly through these constantly. So if you’ve been waiting—now’s the time.

🖍️ Honeysticks Bathtub Crayons

Ohhh man, I’m SO excited about this one.

These are clean-ingredient, made-in-New-Zealand bathtub crayons. And here’s what they say:

• Made from 100% pure New Zealand beeswax, soy wax, and plant-based emulsifier
• Triangle shape that’s easy for little hands
• Food-grade pigments (non-toxic and safe!)
• Wipes clean with warm water

Ummm, HOW COOL are these?!

I love finding new things for you from small brands around the world. It’s honestly one of my favorite parts of what I do.

Whew. That Was a Lot. But Also, Thank You.

If you made it all the way here…I’m honestly speechless.

Humbled. Honored. Grateful.

Tell me what you think—really. This newsletter will keep evolving, but now I know where some of it’s going: over to Just Me.​

So if this felt like your kind of read, or if you’re craving more of the personal, raw, behind-the-scenes stuff—I’d love to have you there too.

To my cheerleaders, my friends, my family.

To my readers, lurkers, customers, and probably a few staff members mixed in here too…

You mean more to me than you’ll ever know.

A Little Gift for Making It to the Bottom (hopefully not ROCK bottom)

Take 15% off whatever* you want in the store—on me.

You can use the coupon once, in-store or online.

Go wild. Fill that cart up.

But don’t wait—there are a limited number of coupons available and the offer expires 8/14/25.

If the code doesn’t work, it probably means one of three things:

1. *You added something by Veer, Doona, or Diono (they don’t let me discount their stuff—rules rules rules 🙄)
2. You already used the coupon (yo! chill, let's share the savings)
3. Or…you snoozed. And you losed.
   ​

Cheers,

​

Megan