Update: If you saw a pop-up with Mister Rogers singing a happy birthday song, it’s because my darling husband hacked my blog to surprise me. I was really upset at first, but then I began wondering why a hacker would try to destroy me in that manner. I went from furious to confused to laughing to crying-while-laughing in the span of ten minutes.
Happy birthday to my dumb blog! Here’s my once-a-year post where I mention the word I hate* multiple times!
It’s amazing how many things are the same as they were on September 30th, 2004. I spent my days and nights with small children. I still spend my days and nights with small children. And all my former small children are now big children with chemistry homework. I’m shorter than two of them.
Nine Years Ago
Aidan was in second grade. Beatrix is our current second grader.
Ryley was in kindergarten. Now, he’s a freshman in high school.
Sam was four. Archie is four.
Tommy was coming up on three. Teddy just turned three.
Joel was eleven months. Ollie is eleven months.
I got pregnant eight more times, but only 50% of those pregnancies resulted in happy, healthy mewling babies. For a long time, this was a place where I wrote about loss, grief, pregnancy after loss, bed rest, babies. Moving on, it feels a little like I lost my voice or purpose or (I LOATHE THIS) niche. Yuck.
I’m a little stunned I’ve kept this up for so long. Since publishing my first entry, I’ve posted 1,541 more times. I must like it or something? There have been several times I’ve thought about shutting the whole thing down, especially since Twitter and Facebook have taken over a lot of the elements blogging used to dominate. Sharing breezy little bits of our day is much easier at Facebook or Twitter. But here I am, and if you’re reading this, here are you, too.
Hello. I’m glad you are here. If compelled to say hi, please do. Or don’t. Just know that after nine years, I would have given up long ago if it weren’t for the friends I’ve made because I’m a nut about life.
*blog
First of all, it’s not a dumb blog. Second, HAPPY BLOGAVERSARY! Third, I have a sister who disparagingly pronounces it “blahhh-g” to irk me. Doing so makes me giggle, so her plan doesn’t really work. That’s enough line items for one comment. 😉
Hello. 🙂 I’m glad you’ve stuck to it for 9 years. What a gift you have given yourself and your family.
Gretchen…. you are great! I just love you 🙂
Happy Blogiversary!
I’m glad you’re still writing! xo
Your inspiring thoughts make it anything BUT a dumb blog – happy Blogaversary! Isn’t it awesome to look back over that many years! 🙂
Happy Birthday Lifenut! Love your writing, love you.
Hi Darling.
Dumb blog. Not. Good writer. Yes. Great friend. Definitely.
Someday you will tire of the fawning and praising and adoration I can’t help but to heap at your feet. But truly, Gretchen. You write like few others and I cannot even tell you how dear to me you are. I feel like you are a mentor from afar, always speaking a gentle and timely word.
Nine years. NINE YEARS. This is amazing. I mean. Seriously.
You are a gifted blogger. And you gift your readers by showing us the way you live and parents.
Happy blogoversary! So glad the word you despise has brought us together 🙂
Happy 9 years! You’ve always been my favorite!
Steph
I’m glad you’re still writing!
Glad you’ve stuck with it. I kind of have too, on mine, although it’s gotten sparse…mostly because of time and because I started it to share about life overseas and now I’m not overseas. Happy blogoversary. Sorry I missed Mr Rogers 😉
Happy birthday to your blog!!
Oh you sweet endearing star!!! I love your blog and I am so glad that you began in a time before I even knew what a blog was… there was so much stock to read when I met you… so many years ago!!! You and your beautiful children have crept into my heart and thank you for writing you are such a blessing!!!
Happy anniversary Gretchen! I feel so lucky to know you and your family!
I am so glad you’re still here. It’s good. Very goodl