Momma Society 1 Year Anniversary - A look back & What's to come
It has been just about a year since I launched the Momma Society Blog. Boy, how time flies. From journaling about my adventures in motherhood, to working with amazing brands, to having an outlet to record some of my favorite moments, starting this blog and community have come to mean so much.
I thought it would be fun to take a look back at some of the highlights (and lessons learned) from my first year blogging on Momma Society and share a few goals I have for 2016.
February 1st, The first Momma Society blog post went live. I shared a recipe for peanut butter and chocolate pregnancy protein balls. They were delicious. As I prepped for my own birth, I shared 30 baby gear essentials for new parents, which is still the most popular post on Momma Society. I followed it up with a post on what to pack in your hospital bag (then proceeded to use hardly anything I packed. Lysol wipes? seriously?). My friend Lauryn gave tips on creating the perfect Lullaby playlist and we launched a Spring Book Club (which was so much fun!). I shared a DIY post for making pom pom garlands and posted a glimpse into Brody's reading nook (his bookshelves are the most asked about item on the Momma Society Instagram). My first collaboration went live. I created a free printable thank-you for the labor and delivery nurses and AP Sugar Co. provided the amazing cookies. We also talked about nursing in style and choosing the right breast pump.
March arrived and I fully expected to have a newborn at home. I tried passing the time with a few DIY projects like these fun geometric baby blocks. Then I shared the struggle I was going through being overdue. I took a brief hiatus from the blog and shared Brody's arrival and first week on Instagram here, here, and here. Next came a post about the postpartum essential for momma. Who knew I would be so thankful for adult diapers and stool softener. The month wrapped up sharing tips on packing the perfect diaper bag.
In April, I talked about the baby gear that helped us survive the first month. We hosted our first giveaway with a gorgeous Koko's Nest blanket. There was the DIY floral bouquet that I made for the other babies in our prenatal classes. The mini reunion was cancelled so I ended up with vases full of beautiful flowers in our home for a week. Then the month ended by sharing the truth about what I was going through postpartum and how tough those early weeks had been. This was probably the scariest post to hit publish on, but also one I've looked back at dozens of times. I can't help but smile for pushing through because the other side of that dark, sleep-deprived tunnel is full of so much joy.
In May, I shared my favorite baby books (one of the most re-pinned posts). I talked about crib sheets and pool gear. I tested half a dozen diaper brands and shared the results. I made a no-sew play tent DIY. The first (and most successful) Monthly Momma Challenge launched. Oh, and I went through a mini mid-life crisis applying for and eventually declining a great job offer and coming to the realization that I was right where I needed to be.
With June came adventure. Megan Garcia helped demystify those postpartum hormones. I started reflecting on how motherhood had changed me. The day in the life series was launched and Ashley LaRue shared a day in her shoes in Vienna. The month ended with an epic road trip to Antelope Canyon. I hope it's on your bucket list.
In July, I shared my favorite free nursery art from across the web. We boarded our first of nine flights with Brody and headed to the beach. I shared what I learned flying with an infant for the first time. We came home for a few weeks then loaded up the car and headed to Tucson to explore the colorful old neighborhoods.
With the August heat, came clearing the clutter. Megan Garcia shared a recipe for a milk-boosting beer. We played in the pool with an Otteroo. I threw the first Momma Society instagram sale (there's another one planned for Sunday). The month wrapped up sharing some of my postpartum body image struggles.
In September, we hopped on a plane (or three or four) and headed off to explore Ireland and London. I shared what we learned traveling abroad with a 6 month old. Shared an easy cucumber teething ring recipe and fun ideas for celebrating half birthdays. I tried hosting a Momma Society Virtual Happy Hour and I was definitely the only person who showed up (fail!).
October came and so did our first trip to the ABC Children's Expo in Las Vegas. I rounded up the baby gear trends for 2016. I talked about some of my favorite high chairs. Brody started eating solid foods more regularly. Megan Garcia and I collaborated on a printable check-list for first foods. And we finally starting getting some sleep!
November kicked off the holiday season. I hosted my first play date. Megan Garcia wrote an awesome article on feeding your baby meat which resulted in a lively conversation on Instagram. The infamous ombre ikea-hacked abacus came into fruition. We took our own holiday photos and we built a ball pit in our under the stairs closet.
In December, I shared my favorite holiday tradition with Brody for the first time and rounded up 21 other fun Christmas tradition ideas. We made santa ornaments and wrapped gifts. Before we knew it, 2016 had arrived.
January kicked off with organizing all of the new toys that had joined our household. We baby-proofed the home office . We gawked at two fun nursery collaborations --- Oh Joy for Target and Emily & Merritt for Pottery Barn Kids.
What a year it has been! Great new friends, fun collaborations, an excuse to actually do those DIY projects I'm always thinking of and a space to let those inner feelings out and record the special moments of motherhood--blogging is all kinds of wonderful.
So what's to come in year #2? Here are some of my goals:
- Bring back the monthly newsletter.
- Throw another book club. (Who's in?)
- Get to know YOU. (More periscoping, local events, etc)
- Add a couple of contributors to create even more great content!
- Take & post more pictures (and take a photography class or two).
- Some site tweaks so you can find past content easier.
- Make an epic reader survey & share the results (you know I'm a numbers nerd).
- Launch something really cool :) (more to come!).
I'm so grateful for each of you that stop by. Here's to an awesome year #2!
Would love to hear your thoughts in the comments on your favorite posts from the last year. What would you like more of in 2016. What topics are on your mind?
