Idea pops into head.
Start blog! Why not?
Write.
Post a photo.
Figure out how to credit said photo.
Hit publish.
Write again.
Post another photo.
Hit publish again.
Wait.
Hmmmm….
Who’s going to read this?
Oh hey, toddler is 15 months old!
Status update on Facebook – “Hey, I started a blog!”
*Gulp*
A couple of kind friends read posts and comment.
Mess around with design and header.
Husband volunteers to design header.
Figure out how to install header.
Research more shopping sites for new posts as this is meant to be a super duper go-to shopping site for moms!
Right.
Google “Mom Blogs”.
Find communities like Bloggy Moms, SITS, The Mom Bloggers.
Sign up.
Click around other blogs.
Read. Comment.
Find blogs with writing prompts.
Hmmmm. Interesting.
Do prompts. Link up.
Oooh, more comments.
Find more communities and link up.
Oooh, friendships.
Make the big move from Blogger to self-hosted WordPress (instant love).
Twitter. Oh hello, Twitter.
Tweet. A lot.
Continue to write.
Get accepted as a contributing writer to World Moms Blog.
Excitement. First writing gig!
Write, write, write.
Motherhood. Stories about my baby boy. Share recipes. Post photographs.
Make real online friends.
Join StumbleUpon, Pinterest, even do vlogs!
Get syndicated on BlogHer, yay!
Somewhere in between, we moved house. Got pregnant.
Get asked by beloved friend and superb writer, “Do you want to co-host a link up?”
Yes, yes, yes!
Link up is successful.
Happy, happy, happy.
Brands want to work with us (OMG!).
(Do people love us? Maybe! No, they do!)
Continue to write.
Write, write, write.
Put heart and soul out there.
In the meantime, this happens regularly.
Wait, what?
And this blog turns one today.
There are too many people to thank. Just know that it’s YOU I am grateful to.
Taking a cue and totally copying trendsetter KLZ of Taming Insanity (and then Galit), may I ask you to share with me one word you’ll use to describe my blog?
Link up your most favorite post ever HERE with The Momalog and I for Blog Bash, celebrating our one year blogversary, and you could win one of 5 prizes from Lauren Nicole Gifts, Storkie, Julia Anthony Designs, yeah write and Swank!
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Happy day! Love the summary. So that’s all it takes, huh?
One word? Friendly.
Robin @ Farewell, Stranger ‘s last awesome post..On Life, Loss and the Universe’s Math
Hee! In a nutshell, yes
Thank you!
Simple and yet there is so much here. I could feel the build up – sounds like a wonderful bloggy year! Good for you and congrats!
One word… um… yeah I’m really not good at that. Sorry. I want to say “awesome” or “fun” or something like that but I really lack creativity and brevity
Michelle Longo ‘s last awesome post..Remembering Again.
It was a wonderful year!
I know- one word is really quite hard. Even I can’t quite sum up my own blog in one word.
I don’t have a word for your blog, more for you and that would be consistent.
Happy 1 year!
Thank you Jess!
Amazing! All of that in one year. Incredible.
I guess those could be my words.
Sweet <—there's another one.
-dweej ‘s last awesome post..Wordless Wednesday- Radish and a Link
You’re pretty incredible and sweet yourself, my friend!
Happy 1!!!
One word – happy.
tracy@sellabitmum ‘s last awesome post..The New Egg Hunt Rules for 2012
It makes me happy to know you because of blogging. xo
only one year?
and all that?
holy girl…I stand in awe!!
okay fine, I am sitting and I’ve got wine..but inside I am totally giving you standing ovation and doing the wave.
Congratulations on all the great, and well deserved success. And here’s to many more years of the same!
(and don’t feel bad, mine sit on my head when I do my stretches too.)
Rorybore ‘s last awesome post..Wordless Wednesday – Mama Don’t Bluff
Thank you for your sweet words!
(I’m glad I’m not the only one whose head gets used as a chair)
Delightful! Clever! Kind! Talented! You didn’t tjink i could only come up with one word did you!
sandra ‘s last awesome post..A day in the life of a fitness model
Aw, thank you Sandra!
HaPpY BlOgAvErSaRy!!!
I’m so glad you did your first post and that your morphed your blog into what it is.
My one word to describe your blog is comfort.
Leighann ‘s last awesome post..A Resume for Your Child
Thank you Leighann! I’m glad my blog went the way it did too and I’m glad for your one word for it
Amazing! How did you do all that in just one year? I still haven’t made the change to WP and I’m nearly at the two year mark. Nor have I ever even hosted a linky. So you = Amazing. Me = Slacker.
Amy ~ Eat. Live. Laugh. Shop. ‘s last awesome post..Lesley Evers Giveaway!
No way you’re a slacker Amy. Your blog is amazing!
My word: limitless
Alison, you have learned and done more in your first year than I have in two. Obviously I’m letting things go over my head that you are soaking up – also, you are the most consistent commenting blogger I have ever seen. You are everywhere and half way across the world, all that and you bake? You are the triple threat of blogging, that is no joke…
Coffee Lovin’ Mom ‘s last awesome post..Don’t Miss this Mama’s Monologue!
Haha, thanks Amy! I think the secret is – don’t sleep.
Joking! I try to put in as much as I get back, that’s the way the world goes, doesn’t it?
Thank you for your kind words!
I imagine this done in one of those high-speed montage thingies on tv.
‘Cause boy, does it ever go fast. And each moment is so important, and so much of a brick in the foundation of where you’ll be and who you are that it’s important to give them all a nod when you’re looking back.
Julie ‘s last awesome post..Anecdotes from the Swamp, Part I
This past one year has whizzed by. Yet, it had those moments where it seemed like things were in slow motion. In a good way. Thanks for being here with me Julie!
What an idea.
When it comes to good ideas, to hell with SOPA.
If you credit it, you is good.
One word….
Adorable.
xo
Alexandra ‘s last awesome post..The Grunting You Hear Is A Dead Giveaway
Hee, thank you my dearest Alexandra! xo
Yay! Such a fun summary. Happy birthday, Alison’s blog!
One word: supportive.
Greta ‘s last awesome post..Great Expectations: Aimee Jones
Thank you Greta!!
Wow! You are an inspiration for an aspiring blogger. I can only hope to one day be syndicated on BlogHer or be asked to contribute to another site or guest blog. You should be so proud of yourself.
One word to describe your blog? Lively.
Christie ‘s last awesome post..The Strong Supportive Stem
Thanks Christie! Just keep writing, those things will happen for you
Happy 1 year my sweet friend!
My word? Genuine. But only because I can’t put b*tch on here.
xoxo
Kimberly ‘s last awesome post..My Wish For You
Haha! You can call me bitch
Love this Alison! Happy, happy Blogoversary!
One word: genuine.
Stasha ‘s last awesome post..Free to be you and me again
Thank you Stasha! For sticking with me for so long and for being a friend.
Twitter: krrobi
says:
H A P P Y
)))
B L O G O V E R S A R Y
You. Rock. Mama. Xxxxxxx
My Inner Chick ‘s last awesome post..Dirty Girl Comes Clean
Thank you Kim! You rock too. xo
It’s like our sites just morph into their own things isn’t it? I think that’s why I like this place so much. Happy blogiversary.
Kat ‘s last awesome post..Writer’s Workshop: Why Does This Happen?
Yes exactly! And thank you!
Happy blogoversary!!!
I always have trouble choosing..
My word..example.., no, amazing, irreplacable..
I’m just glad I found your blog!
I love this post by the way, makes me chuckle.
Mirjam ‘s last awesome post..I am me
Aw, thanks Mirjam! Thanks for hanging out with me xo
One word? Happiness
Love you. Happy anniversary. So glad I met you on this wonderful land of blogging
Xoxo
Kimberly ‘s last awesome post..Feelings And Flowers
I’m so happy I met you. Love you too. xo
Happy blogiversary my sweetest friend!
I’ve told you before how much I adoreloveadmireandthenadoresomemore you, but I do!
(I also love that we started our blogs at such a close time! #SoulsSisters, indeed!)
And my one word for your blog? I think is welcoming.
So much love to you and your fabulous place, friend!
xo
Galit Breen ‘s last awesome post..I Didn’t Know
Thank you Galit! And I adoreloveadmireandthenadoresomemore you too!!
You’ve been such a wonderful linky partner and friend.
Much love to you too! xo
One word is impossible. I might have to come back for that. Happy Blog Birthday!
Ali ‘s last awesome post..WTF Wednesday – The "Good Self Esteem or Totally Delusional" Edition
Thanks Ali!
Happy Blog Birthday. …my one word contribution: “Amazing.”
Susi ‘s last awesome post..Shadow People
Thank you Susi, for your generous word.
Happy 1st Blog Birthday!
One word that hasn’t’ already been used?
Quirky? Fun?
See, I can’t do it. And I mean quirky in a good way, ok.
I love the word quirky!
Happy Blogoversary! You are pretty amazing to have accomplished so much in your first year of blogging. Can’t wait to see what Year 2 has in store! One word to describe your blog? Spunky.
Christine @ Love, Life, Surf ‘s last awesome post..Post-Op
I like that word! And thank you Christine.
Ok I really need to just pay the 17 dollars and become my own site on WordPress and I def need to join twitter as well….I JUST NEED TO DO IT!!! Happy Blog Anniversary!
You should absolutely do all that!! Thank you!
“Inspiring”!
Happy Blogiversary!
Your Friend, m.
Mark ‘s last awesome post.."What’s Love Got To Do With It"
You inspire me, my friend. Thank you!
I’m so glad you are HERE in this blog world and that you met me on Twitter and thought I was someone worth getting to know, you changed my life and my BLOG and I’ll never forget you for that.
Happy 1st Anniversary of this SPECIAL blog, thank you for sharing the little stuff and the big stuff with us. For letting us be part of your world.
EXTRAORDINARY. that’s my word…that’s YOU. xoxo
Kir ‘s last awesome post..100 Word Songs & Trifecta: Reasonable Rendezvous
Oh Kir. Thank you for your beautiful, kind words. For being my friend. For making me a better writer. Thank you for being part of my world too. xo
Happy Birthday to you blog. Best wishes for the upcoming new baby. I’m so glad I ran across you and your pithy, fun words a few weeks ago. Keep up the smart aleck good work.
Lance ‘s last awesome post..Ball of Confusion
Hee! Thank you Lance, so much.
You are my blog inspiration! I am so new to this but all of your accomplishments in just one year are so incredible. You should be so proud lady! I am so happy to have found you and this lovely blog. Congratulations on your one year anniversary!!
Julia ‘s last awesome post..Words
Thank you Julia! So glad to have met you too! Isn’t blogging just wonderful?
Congrats on one year! You’ve accomplished more in one year than I have in almost five! Go you!
Katie ‘s last awesome post..it’s not happening
Thank you Katie!! You’ve done SO MUCH, girl. So much.
So glad you didn’t stick with the shopping idea or I might not have found you!!
Cheers to you!
(My word? Support. Your blog is always a place of comfort and you are the most supportive person in the community.)
Life As Wife ‘s last awesome post..Little Boy, Little Man
Haha no more glad than I am!! I don’t think I could have kept it up as a shopping blog
Thank you for your kind words, Sam!
My word is “Heartfelt” because I feel it here, all the time!
Happy FIRST Blogiversary, my friend!! Here’s to MANY more!! xoxo
Elaine ‘s last awesome post..PT stands for Pretty Tired.
Aw, thank you Elaine!
Hmmm. My one word to describe your blog would be “personable.”I like that I get you, as a person, through this blog. That’s sweet and doesn’t always happen. Happy 1st blogoversary!:-)
Jessica ‘s last awesome post..PPD
Jessica, that’s such a wonderful, nice thing to say. Thank you so much.
Happy First Blogiversary! I’m so glad to have connected with you. LOVE to read here, what a terrific community you have built. Here’s to many more blogiversaries!
Sharon {Grumpy, Sleepy, and Bashful} ‘s last awesome post..Motherhood: The Plan
Thank you Sharon, and likewise!!
Happy blogoversary.
My word would be: warm
KLZ ‘s last awesome post..Naptime Instructions
Aw, shucks. Thank you!
Congratulations….and thank you, too!….for a year of you doing this.
Also, I LOVE that toddler nutritional label shirt.
Rhiannon Fieri ‘s last awesome post..Today in Out-Of-Context Quotables
Thank you so much!!
(that IS an awesome shirt!)
YAY happy 1 year to your blog! So glad I’ve been able to jump on this journey with you and monkey!
Natalie ‘s last awesome post..Wordless Wednesday-Water Spray Bottle Fun!
Thank you for hanging out with me for so long, Natalie!
One word…AWESOME!!
Runnermom-jen ‘s last awesome post..Learning to Ride
You are awesome, Jen. Thank you.
I feel like this timeline type post should be turned into one of those Google commercials, where you see in “flash/fast forward” the birth of an idea and all the possibilities that follow. I LOVE your blog and your writing over and over again Alison! Happy Bloggoversary!
Devon Riesenberg ‘s last awesome post..Love for Memory Books + The IT List {journaling tools}
If I had the technical skill to do that, I totally would. Alas, I don’t
And thank you Devon, for your kind words!
Honest! I mean you totally admitted to eating gummy bears that had been licked. Yep, definitely honest! =)
Happy Blogoversary!
Elizabeth ‘s last awesome post..Pause Button, Please!
Haha, yes I did indeed. Thank you Elizabeth!
Where did the time go? I love your blog, Alison – and the timeline was wonderful! I can’t believe it’s been only a year for you!
Ann ‘s last awesome post..Creme Caramel Pudding Squares
Thank you Ann, the feeling’s mutual!
Happy bloggy birthday!
And why is it that mommy’s head makes such a good chair? Who invented that game?
Tinne from Tantrums and Tomatoes ‘s last awesome post..A computers lament
Thanks Tinne! My son thinks I’m his chair, bed, foot rest, you get the idea!
Happy 1st birthday MamaWantsThis! My one word would be “inspiring”. Congrats on all that you’ve achieved thus far and I’m sure there will be many, many more fantastic blogging years to come
You are truly an awesome blogger!
Kiddothings ‘s last awesome post..Picnesday – Ship Sketches
Thank you G!
Love this!
One word… heart.
Shell ‘s last awesome post..Things They Can’t Say: Scary Mommy
Thank you so much Shell!
Congratulations! It’s a great journey, isn’t it?
Marinka ‘s last awesome post..Teeth
Thank you, it is indeed!
Congratulations on a year!
Here’s to many many more!
Carolyn ‘s last awesome post..Penne with Balsamic Sweet Potatoes, Arugula, & Parmesan
Thanks Carolyn!
I read through every comment because I was determined to come up with a word that no one else had used:
JOYFUL.
Yes, you are.
And you bring the joy out in others which is even better.
So here I am, full of joy, wishing you another spectacular year…
Yes, I am.
XO
julie gardner ‘s last awesome post..Today call me wondering
Can you be my sister wife? Because I love you.
Congratulations, Alison! I loved this post – and the pictures as well. You are a darling pregnant person, I must say.
Jessica ‘s last awesome post..Field Trip
Thank you Jessica!
Happy Blogiversary! What a journey it’s been!
Rach (DonutsMama) ‘s last awesome post..Life’s Lessons: I Need My Beauty Sleep
It has indeed! Thanks for sticking by me and this blog, Rach.
Happy Bloggy-versary!
Stopped by from World Moms Blog, where I’m also a new writer. I hope my blogging journey will be just as awesome.
Martine | Work at Home Mom Writer ‘s last awesome post..My Live More Story: The Leap from Working Girl to Work at Home Mom
Thanks Martine! I look forward to reading your posts on WMB and welcome!
congrats!!! Sad I missed the blog party link up! I’ll have to participate in your next Memories Captured link up.
Keep up the good work! (insert gold star) =)
grace ‘s last awesome post..The Hunger Games – Black Rue, District 11 & Trayvon Martin
Thanks Grace, and yes, do, the next Memories Captured link up is on April 16!
Happy anniversary! Sorry to be late on this!
Leslie ‘s last awesome post..Pastel Bunny Buffet
Thanks Leslie and no worries!
Great recap of a year in the life of a blog. It all sounded very familiar to my journey. Congratulations on one year!!
One word: friendly.
Tonya ‘s last awesome post..Golden Slumbers
Thank you Tonya!
Just one word? Does … professional … sound too dry? Because that’s what I think you are. (amidst all the other beloved friendly awesome adjectives). I just think you took the same standard you had for quality work in marketing and applied it to your blog and your blogging friendships. But no worries – you’re not dry.
Lady Jennie ‘s last awesome post..Le Spectacle
Thank you Jennie – I think you know me better than you realize. I do apply myself to blogging like I did at work
So no, I don’t take it that you mean I am dry. Hehe.
Love the pics! Look at you, all preggo
francerants ‘s last awesome post..Just Give Me My Damn Coffee Already
Thanks France! Hope you’re well.
Happy, happy 1 year, Alison! I’m so sorry that I missed the actual date. I loved reading the progression of your blog – so many similarities, such a journey.
Hmmm…one word…community. You’re just done such a great job at growing your own little community from this blog.
So happy we’ve met in the process!
Elena ‘s last awesome post..‘Tis better to have been thin and lost, than never to have been thin at all?
Thank you Elena! I’m glad we met too!
Greetings! I am a new follower from NY from your mention in http://afterbedtimeblog.com. Congratulations on your year anniversary ! This made me giggle and love the honesty. I will make a year in December with my blog. I am still finding my way. Your boy is too cute and I’m loving your blog.
Alma ‘s last awesome post..Princess days
Hi Alma, thanks for dropping by!! Hope you stick around for a little while