In and around this time back in 2010, I took the leap from private to personal blogging.
Two years of blogging is considered “long” by most accounts, but add to that the fact I actually began writing my blog in September 2008, and I’ve instantly become a full-fledged bloggy dinosaur.
There really aren’t any words that properly express my experience over the past 4.5 years, nor how my blog – and the social realm around me – have evolved during that time. My early posts were written in about 10 minutes tops and meant as a quick memory dump for family and friends back in Illinois to read.
Things changed in March of 2010.
And again around March of 2011.
And now I sit in March 2012, a reformed daily-posting-and-visiting-back-for-every-comment-left-aholic, with another new take on blogging, the mom blogosphere, the regular blogosphere and social media’s impact on business.
I feel like I’m in a good place right now, but know that my experiences will again be different next year.
I’m grateful for what mom blogging has taught me, but I’m also grateful for being exposed to so many others outside of the mom blogger realm.
I’m grateful for my friends.
I’m grateful for my business.
And I’m grateful every time Kate turns to me and says, “Be sure to tell your blog friends I said that, mama!”
I’ve been missing seeing you out there in the social media world! But I know that things change and life sometimes takes you in different directions.
Kate… what a cute thing to say! She knows that she’s blog fodder for sure!
I am going to echo this reply. Jackie said it best.
I know that this have to change but something I wish they didn’t. I kind of miss how blogging used to be…
I’ll always love ya, Jen. (Cue Whitney)
It’s hard and something I’ve struggled a lot with because I do genuinely miss my tweeps. But I needed to make a priority shift.
You are not a dinosaur; you are just “seasoned.”
And you were an invaluable resource to me when I decided to branch outside my blogging bubble last year – it’s hard to believe you’ve only been doing this for five months longer than me!
And here’s to growing… and not visiting back for every comment left (although I do try to respond to them).
You’re a good woman, Kristin, and not just because you give me praise.
Happy 4.5 years! May you have many more blogging years ahead. And more Kate and Maddie anecdotes to come
Thanks so much, Alison!
Wow! You have been blogging for a long time! I love that your daughter gives you blog ideas.
Happy 4 and a half years! If it makes you feel less ancient, I’ve been blogging since 1999. I feel like the grouchy old fart with a cane yelling at the lil whippersnappers most days. Although if you ask my kids, I guess I kind of am.
OK, your description? I adore it. You can be a grouchy, cane wielding granny any day!
Funny. Every time shawn says something he’ll say “Dear God. You’re going to blog about this aren’t you?”
And the answer is yes.
Congrats on how far you’ve come!! Love your face.
I’ll love your face OFF!
Congrats! There is just so much in the blogosphere that it is amazing just how much we change in 1 month, let alone more than 4 years.
My son is a mixture of horrified and proud when he sees his face on my blog, so I don’t often have him handing over the priceless quotes anymore.
Congratulations! Glad you made the leap to the public realm.
I didn’t know that private blogging counted. I guess that makes me a blogger for 4 years instead of just 1. Now I feel old
See? I instantly aged you!
This means I am two too. I have been around in the public forum as long as you have. It has been interesting to watch the evolution of our blogging journey, but I am proud to feel like I was part of an original tribe. You have always been so helpful to me and obviously others which is why you have been so successful. Bring on BBCD 3.0.
I am proud of that same thing! And to call you a friend.
And to have cake baking, girly husbands named Craig.
Love ya, Popstar!
In honor of your 2 (+ 2 1/2), I offer these 4.5 words:
I’m grateful for you.
(Really.)
XO
I, for one, have very much appreciated your “seasoned” experience. And your sense of humor!
I would echo that my kids on a regular basis will quip, “Are you gonna put that on your blog?” Some snapshots make it … and others, Uh, not so much.
Thank you, Morgan! Really, I appreciate that!
Cheers to my favorite “bloggy dinosaur.” hey, your words not mine!!
Ha! I won’t take offense – promise!
You have come so very far on this journey and you should feel so very proud for all that you have accomplished. And you are NO bloggy dinosaur! Fairy blogmother maybe (where did that come from? Saw it somewhere once and I always thought it was cute. And well sizes you up pretty well, methinks!).
XOXO and here’s to more Kate/Maddie pearls of wisdom!
You are such a faithful blog friend, Charlotte. And so sweet about all my mama nonsense.
Congrats, Liz! Blogging dinosaur, veteran, badass. Awesome is awesome, my friend.
Oh, oh! Can I claim “badass”?
Dude. Kate.
Happy Bloggy Birthday!!
Happy Blogaversary!
I hope you’re blogging about their proms one day. I can only imagine what blogging will actually entail at that point…!
It hurts my brain to think about that!
Happy 4.5 years! I hope you’re still enjoying it for years to come! And you’re right, it does evolve and look different as the years pass, that’s for sure
Happy blogiversary, girl!
(And love, love, love Kate’s words!)
Boy, things sure have changed since we started, right? (I started in late 2006…). I’m interested to see where you (and all of us) are headed…
and I’ve only just discovered you because I’m new and recently out from under a rock. Love your daughter’s comment about remembering to tell your blog friends.
I agree with you Liz, things have to change over time so that our lifestyle can mesh with all of this blogging stuff. It can be overwhelming to keep up with it all.
For the past six months or so, I’ve felt like I was in some sort of transition. I still don’t know where I am right now, or where I’m headed, but my blog is much different than it used to be.
I know those transition periods well. You’ll work through it!
I’ve evolved a lot too since I started at the end of 2009 (under a different name). Mainly my focus is narrowed and the blog friends I have don’t grow as quickly (meaning I’m not as quick to add new). You just run out of time!!!
Your blog rocks…I just love everything I read here. Keep up the amazing work for many, many years to come!
And everything your kids say and do makes me laugh so hard – they have so much personality!
You are too, too kind! Thank you SO much Lauren!
Your kids will be cracking you up in a couple years – you just wait!
I love that she said that – my girls do the same sometimes. Or the opposite, “Mommy, do NOT post that on your blog!” Happy 2 1/2 years!
Congratulations on your two year blogoversary! That’s such an awesome feat! I wish you all the best in your future success! Long live BBCD!
Thanks so much for the kind words!
HUGE changes, but still, the entrepreneural spirit remains.
From the beginning, you were more than a mommy blog. Remember Brew City Blog review?
That means a lot, Empress.
Smooches to you!
Congrats to you on your blogaversary! Wishing you (and all of us) many more “belle” years ahead!
Aaah, the belle years…
Look at the amazing things you’ve accomplished! You’re an inspiration!