It’s celebration time!!
Today, Ado of The Momalog and I kick off Blog Bash, in celebration of our first blogiversary, where we ask you to link up your favorite post ever. It could be something you wrote last week, or two years ago. All it has to be is that it’s a post YOU love. We do ask that you include our Blog Bash button and maybe add a line or two to explain why that is your favorite post – you can write a new post with a link to the old one, or just link directly to the original post. Whichever way you do it, we’ll love it! Ado and I promise to read each and every linked up post (and if you close comments after a certain period, consider opening comments on the post you link up, to get some comment love).
As it’s our blogs’ birthday, there are gifts. For YOU.
We have FIVE generous sponsors who will be giving *five lucky linkers the following prizes:
Lauren Nicole Gifts, who specializes in beautiful hand stamped silver jewelry, is sponsoring one gorgeous footprint necklace, which you can customize with your baby’s footprint.
Storkie, who has been creating stylish invitation and announcement cards for 21 years, is sponsoring a $50 gift card.
Julia Anthony Designs, run by etsy store owner, Julia Anthony, is sponsoring one pair of beautiful Isadora earrings.
yeah write, a fantastic blogger’s community (where I found and met many wonderful writers early on in blogging), is sponsoring a WordPress theme.
Swank, a full service web design studio, is sponsoring a mini blog makeover.
*Winners will be chosen via random.org.
My favorite post is actually a guest post I wrote in December last year, and it’s a subject I’ve not written about here – Monkey’s birth story.
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The Scent of a Newborn
The metallic smell of blood, when he was born.
My blood. Severe postpartum blood loss. Plummeting blood pressure. Midwives, calm but urgent. Drips, needles, drugs, quiet conversation, to save my life.
The familiar smell of tea and toast, my first meal in 30 hours.
Ravenous, I ate while my newborn slept peacefully, his father snapping pictures.
The assuring scent of lavender soap, my first shower after he was born.
Blood still streaming down my leg. My husband gently soaping me off. Washing my hair. Hot water pounding down on my tired body. A midwife keeping an eye on our 2-hour old son.
The distinct smell of a hospital, as I was finally wheeled from the delivery room to the maternity ward, 4 hours after our firstborn came wailing into the world.
A comfortable double bed. My things in my still unpacked diaper bag. My eyes are drooping, fatigue is taking over, but I’m desperate to hold my child, I need to nurse him.
The unfamiliar but gorgeous smell of his newborn skin, as he latched on and nursed.
I looked down at my son, my beautiful child. His eyes closed, his mouth making quiet sucking sounds, his cheeks full, his head full of black hair, his little fingers clutching mine, his tiny feet, oh-so-small.
This – this is the scent, the sight, the sounds I’ve been waiting for as a new mother. Finally.
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Your turn to share with us your most beloved post. Link up now! Please take time to visit another linker, at least the one before and after you. Don’t link and leave, okay? Thank you!
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The Blog Bash linkup is from March 26 to 30, so grab a button and link up your favorite post of all time!!
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This is an amazing post Alison. It’s so visceral which really is the only way I can describe giving birth. The memories are so distinctive. Happy Blogoversary!
Christine @ Love, Life, Surf ‘s last awesome post..Bye Bye ACL. It’s been nice knowing you.
Thank you Christine! The birthing memories, though some parts are cloudy, for the most part, were distinctive.
Twitter: kerstinauer
says:
I’ve been looking forward to this! I’m the first one – yay! (Living on the West coast has its perks…)
Alison, I always enjoy reading your blog – including this one. Giving birth is an exhausting yet elating experience.
Kerstin ‘s last awesome post..Blog Bash Post – I do
Thank you Kerstin, so lovely of you to link up and for your sweet words!
That post took me back to my deliveries. It really is an amazing experience.
Kimberly ‘s last awesome post..Looking Up
It is! (and thank you for reading this again)
That was a powerful blast to the past for me Alison. I had an almost fatal postpartum hemorrhage. Your post took me right back to those few hours after my daughter’s birth. Powerful! I loved it.
Delilah ‘s last awesome post..Dinners for Dollars
Thank you Delilah! And I’m sorry for your near-fatal experience – so scary!
Ok Allison you have to stop posting these tear jerking posts….or I need to stop being overemotional from pregnancy.
Heh. I’m all hormonal these days too, so er, tear jerking it will be for a few more weeks!
Happy blogoversary to you too my friend. So happy and honored to be celebrating with you. (-:
Ado ‘s last awesome post..Blog Bash Link Up!
Couldn’t think of anyone better to celebrate with
Happy 1st Alison! I am glad you chose that post. It was beautifully written and so powerful.
Stasha ‘s last awesome post..Monday Listicles
Thank you Stasha!
What a powerful story! Thank you so much for sharing!
Phoenix The Blogging Mama ‘s last awesome post..Saturday PhotoHunt: Spicy
Thank you for reading!
I can see why that could be your favorite post ever.
Happy Blogiversary!
m.
Mark ‘s last awesome post.."Knotted, Polka Dotted"
Thank you sweet friend!
Happy Anniversary, Alison! Here’s to many many more amazing blog posts
Kimberly at Rubber Chicken Madness ‘s last awesome post..Mama Wants This & The Momalog: Blog Bash!
Thank you Kimberly, I sure hope so!
Happy Anniversary, Alison! I am so excited for you! Long live your wonderful blog!
Jessica ‘s last awesome post..My favorite MNR post|Pregnant Homeless Woman
Hee, thank you Jessica!
I remember reading this post Alison, as stunning now as it was then. And thank you for this link up, the post I added is one I wrote at a turning point in my grief and I love the chance to share it again.
Jessica ‘s last awesome post..Earning Your Stripes
Thank you Jessica. Loved that you linked up that awesome post of yours.
Happy blogoversary my friend! I thought this was such a strong, powerful post the first time and loved reading it again now.
angela ‘s last awesome post..Remembering His Flag
Thank you Angela!
Beautiful post. I love that you brought it home.
Happy blogiversary, my sweet friend.
xo
Galit Breen ‘s last awesome post..About Friendships
I’d been dying to bring it home! Thank you, my dear friend.
Look at your generous giveaway.
Came by to wish you a very happy blogoversary. I am so happy you found something that helps you feel connected and brings happiness and fulfillment to you in this season of your life.
For me, I know how I would have benefitted from being online as a new mother. All the isolation you can feel if you don’t have the chance to connect with others. It’s devastating.
Blogging has changed my life, and even though I am a mother of teens and one wanna be teen who is only 9, I thank God that I made that decision to start a blog two years ago.
It saved my life and gave my family a happy mother and wife.
I can’t ever say enough about the wonder of blogging.
So glad you’re here to share in the community, A. You make a difference in it, and have brought a smile to my face at the end of a long day, or at the beginning of what looks like it’ll be a long day.
Thank you, more than I can tell you, for your presence.
xo Happy Blogoversary, so glad you’re here.
Alexandra ‘s last awesome post..True Confessions
Thank you for your gorgeous words as always, Alexandra.
Blogging has saved my sanity. It’s given me a purpose, fulfillment and most of all, friends. Friends like you. For that I am so grateful and blessed.
Thank YOU for always being such a pillar of support and love. xo
I remember how good that first shower felt…and the breakfast…I hadn’t eaten in 24 hours and was starving. I got a biscuit and bacon. Happy Blog-a-versary!
Amanda Austin ‘s last awesome post..Be careful what you wish for
Thanks Amanda! I was starving and dirty after labor
First off, Happy 1 year!
I could almost smell each of these along with you so clear is my memory of these exact same moments.
Lovely.
Susan ‘s last awesome post..Photo Challenge :: Green
Thank you Susan!
Birth stories are my favorite! So glad I finally got to read yours!
Congrats on your blogoversary! Hope there are many more years of writing for you to come!
Life As Wife ‘s last awesome post..Doesn’t Have To Be Fancy
Thank you Sam! It’s one of the shortest posts I’ve ever written – I figure I didn’t need to go into the er, bloody details
Great birth story! It definitely pulled me back to my first. Those little tiny fingers holding onto mine was my favorite part.
Jessica@Team Rasler ‘s last awesome post..Of boys and haircuts and lollipops
Thank you Jessica!
Twitter: euregirlsandboy
says:
Beautiful post, Alison – I don’t think I’d read that one before.
Happy blogoversary!
Katie E ‘s last awesome post..Polite Dinner Conversation (1st Blogoversary Blog Bash Re-Blog)
It was a guest post in December when people were off celebrating the holidays
Thank you!
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY to one of the most dedicated bloggers I know!
Ali ‘s last awesome post..WTF Wednesday – The "Blades of Glory" Edition
THANK YOU Ali!
That post is so incredibly beautiful Alison.
So real, it took me back to when my son was born.
Mirjam ‘s last awesome post..Something old, something new
Thank you Mirjam
Just dropping in again to say Woot-Woot!
This is so much fun! (-:
Ado ‘s last awesome post..Blog Bash Link Up!
Happy Happy!! What a great way to celebrate a year of awesome blog posts, connections and memories!! Glad to link up and share one of my favorites
Kristi ‘s last awesome post..How I compare: From Mommy of 1 bot to Mommy of 2 bots
Thank you Kristi, it’s been so much fun!
Wow an amazing post Alison! Yes there is nothing like the miracle of birth!
Natalie ‘s last awesome post..A Challenging and Fun Age-Is That Even Possible?
And here we are, going for round 2!
Congratulations on your first blogoversary! Here’s to many more! And I love the linky idea to celebrate. I posted a link on my FB instead of my blog.
Bonnie Way ‘s last awesome post..For the Love of a Jeep
Thanks so much Bonnie!
Happy blog bash and I’ve joined you for the fun.
Thanks for partying with us!
I could read birth stories all day. I love how real they are, this one certainly being no exception.
Happy Blogoversary to you!
Julie ‘s last awesome post..Anecdotes from the Swamp, Part I
Thank you Julie!
Happy Anniversary!! Love the Blog Bash! Kristen
Kristen ‘s last awesome post..B.R.O.K.E.
Thank you Kristen!
Your post made me tear up. I can totally relate (particularly to the postpartum bleeding part). Thanks for hosting this linkup. It’s fun to read everyone’s favorite posts.
Phase Three of Life ‘s last awesome post..A moment.
Thank you for participating and making the rounds with the other linkers!
Twitter: BrittanyVandy
says:
Happy blogiversary to one of my favorite gals! Your favorite post is really amazing. Those details are what we, as mothers, hold close to our hearts when we remember that day. It is not easy but when mother and baby end up healthy it is gorgeous. Much love my friend!
Brittany ‘s last awesome post..5 Tips for Getting Kids to Eat Right
Thank you Brittany! xo
I found your blog on Twitter through a retweet of another blogger. I’m so glad I did! Your birth story is touching and relate able.
Happy Anniversary! I linked up my post about my daughter’s night terrors because I thought other moms could relate. Thanks for sharing with us!
Mel ‘s last awesome post..PICTURE THIS
Thanks for linking up Mel!
What a lovely post, Alison. You made me want a third. And it’s not like my baby is old!
Natalie @MamaTrack ‘s last awesome post..Chickens in My Basement
Hee! Thanks Natalie!
Happy blogaversary! I love that post of yours.
Robin @ Farewell, Stranger ‘s last awesome post..A Blog Bash and a Favourite Post
Thank you Robin! Part of the reason why I love it is because it’s short.
Congratulations on your one year!!! Looking forward to many more!
New here and now stalking!
Magical Mystical Mimi ‘s last awesome post..ATTENTION WHORE WON A CONTEST!!! – WOO HOO!!
Thanks Mimi!! I like blog stalkers
Such vivid experience!!! I love the openess of this post it is so beautiful. I can’t wait until your next little bundle arrives!
Thank you, I can’t wait either!
Awesome idea Allison! I loved your newborn post and always love reading your writings on your blog so much
I’ll link up now! so fun!!
Devon Riesenberg ‘s last awesome post..The IT List {Pajama Party Parade}
Thank you Devon, for partying with us!
What a painful (to relive) and beautiful post. I can relate a lot – that was my first birth. Now I need to figure out an oldy but goody.
Lady Jennie ‘s last awesome post..Profiterole
Thank you Jennie!
The smell of blood is so overlooked when it comes to newborn – but it’s as sharp as a mother’s instinct.
KLZ ‘s last awesome post..Daylight Saving Time and the Poopacalypse
You’ve hit the nail on the head.
Isn’t it amazing how powerful smells are? They can elicit such strong emotions. Beautiful post. And Happy Blogiversary! What a fun celebration to link up our posts. I’m going to try to read as many as I can. You and Ado are amazing to read them all.
Sarcasm Goddess ‘s last awesome post..Meeting Jodi Picoult
Thank you my dear! I’m going blind from reading posts but all so worth it!
I just celebrated my 1 year also…of course I’m going to link up! Thanks for the opportunity. PLUS we get the gifts! Well, maybe.
Leah aka FFPMaMMa ‘s last awesome post..My Growing Heart after 24 short months
Thanks Leah, happy 1 year to you too!
This is my favorite post because it was the first time that I fully introduced my family to the blogosphere! Now everyone knows who I am talking about when I complain!
http://whyismommygiggling.com/2012/03/22/allow-me-to-fully-introduce-the-clan/
First of all, Happy Blogaversary! And thank you for throwing such a lovely bash!
Your story of scents took me back to my childbirth days and I could almost smell all those things. It’s been many many years for me, but you never really forget. Lovely, powerful post. Thanks for sharing!
Terri Sonoda ‘s last awesome post..Blog Bash – It Took Me 57 Years
Thank you Terri for your kind words. And for linking up such a fab post!
I’m always amazed that what one whiff of something can spark a memory for us. Lovely post!
Wombat Central ‘s last awesome post..Wordless Wednesday – Writing Place
Thank you so much!
Happy Blogoversary! I love your beautiful description of your child’s birth!
Thank you Iza!
I loved this post of yours too, Alison. So beautiful.
xo
Runnermom-jen ‘s last awesome post..Learning to Ride
Thank you Jen!