enJOY it

an archived personal and craft blog from Elise Blaha Cripe.

Here4
Here
Here2
Here5
Here6
Here4
Here3
Here2
Here

Such a good week. Progress all around. The little one grew. The to-do list shrunk. The robot vacuum cleaned. The sun shone brightly. The tomatoes turned red. Cannot complain.

This week, the stamp set I designed for Studio Calico became available. This was my first time making an unmounted stamp set and the only direction I was given was that it was for a June add-on. How fun! I love summer, I love June… it was a joy to put together. You can see a few of the stamps in action above and purchase here.

Tomorrow, June 1st, is the start of my approximately eight week maternity leave. During this time there will not be six posts a week appearing at 5 AM PST. There will still be posts this I know. After seven years of blogging, it would be impossible for me to undergo such a major life change without writing, but they will be less editorial calendar-ed and more on the fly. Some of you will love this and some will hate it. I'll lose some readers and I'll gain some readers. So basically, it will be a very average couple of months around here.

I will be taking down paid sidebar advertisers. (Some affliate ads will remain.) I will not be having guest posts, sponsored posts/giveaways or recycling old content. I know that all three can be done successfully, but not by me. Heads up that things might look wonky here today and tomorrow, as I make a few layout changes and freshen things up for summer.

I am embarking on a new & warm season. I don't know exactly where the shop, the blog or my job will be at the end of this break. I welcome that. Paul and I have talked a lot about what's to come and one thing we're thankful for is flexibility. The job that has kept him away for most of this pregnancy is the same reason why I have this time to figure things out. Such an incredible blessing.

As always, thank you for reading. And happy, happy end of May. I look forward to adding my take on motherhood to the wide array of subjects I have covered here since 2005.

Posted in , ,

97 responses to “around here & maternity leave.”

  1. Marie A. Avatar
    Marie A.

    Hi Elise,
    I will definitely miss reading your blog first thing in the morning, on a daily basis, for the next few weeks, but I totally understand your choice. I wish you the best for this maternity leave. Take good care.
    Best regards from Québec city, Canada
    Marie A.

    Like

  2. elizafitz Avatar
    elizafitz

    Enjoy your time off, and as always, thank you so much for sharing. Wishing you the absolute best in all the new & exciting changes to come! And, I don’t think you’ll lose many readers at all 🙂

    Like

  3. J3SS1C4 Avatar

    Enjoy your time on maternity leave! You and bub sure deserve it! I know I for one will still be here when you get back… How can I not after reading your blog daily for around a year or so now?!? I’m excited for your blog refresh, too… Summer is the perfect time for it! Sending my warm wishes for the coming months 🙂

    Like

  4. Gabbina Avatar
    Gabbina

    You’re my post-lunch-coffee-reading as your posts pop up at 2pm here in Italy, and I read them before getting back to work. Will I miss them? Sure! But you won’t miss me as reader 🙂 Good luck and enjoy your leave.

    Like

  5. Isobel_A Avatar
    Isobel_A

    I hope you have a wonderful next eight weeks or so! Enjoy the time to do whatever you feel like doing, when you feel like doing it 🙂
    Looking forward to ‘meeting’ the baby when she makes her appearance (and you feel like introducing her).

    Like

  6. cj Avatar
    cj

    Enjoy the precious time with your sweet baby girl and husband. She will grow up way too fast.
    I look forward to pics of her and reading about your experiences. I’ll miss reading your posts every morning when I wake up, but I’ll be here when you get back. 🙂 No worries. Wishing you all the best!

    Like

  7. Leigh Avatar
    Leigh

    Enjoy this special time! I wish you a safe and happy delivery and healthy baby girl.

    Like

  8. Angela s Avatar

    Let me start by saying….I will miss you posts a lot, but….Please enjoy the last bit of pregnancy and the birth and life with a newborn, it’s so special! I am a mom of 2 girls and a boy on the way in 15 weeks so i know a Little bit about it lol! Have a great leave….i most certainly won’t leave…..your blog as a reader that is!
    Xoxo from the netherlands

    Like

  9. Natanya Avatar

    Indeed what a wonderful blessing to have the space and flexibility to move with the tide. It’s been a joy to read your blog every morning before work and I look forward to the surprise posts when they appear. Cheers to a brand new season and all the good that comes with change. xo

    Like

  10. lisa fine Avatar

    Enjoy enjoy enjoy! You inspired me to reconfigure my blog, so I’m enjoying redesigning and learning PSE. I’ll miss your posts each morning, but can’t wait to hear stories and see photos of the little one.

    Like

  11. Ffion Avatar

    Wishing you a safe delivery! Looking forward to seeing how Baby Cripe and motherhood influences your blog 🙂

    Like

  12. Claire Avatar

    Here is to a peaceful next few weeks, Paul arriving home safely and your little one arriving when she is ready. I will also miss reading your blog daily but I am not going anywhere!! All the best and look after yourself Elise 🙂 xxxxx

    Like

  13. Kelsey McEvoy Avatar

    Ahhh! So super excited for you! And man, such a perfect season to welcome a little one (my first was born at the start of summer, too)! Here’s to a safe last couple of weeks of being pregnant; to Paul making it home in time; and for a safe and uncomplicated delivery! So happy that your lives allow for the flexibility that is such a blessing during this time, and can’t wait to read your post-baby updates. Motherhood will look amazing on you, I’m convinced!

    Like

  14. ee k. Avatar

    A well deserved break indeed. Looking forward to see what the future holds for you, your family and your blog!

    Like

  15. Brooke Avatar

    So, so excited for you. Enjoy your leave. What an awesome month you have ahead of you!! I love your attitude on everything. Inspiration!!

    Like

  16. Sandi Keene Avatar

    You will be thought of constantly. Prayers said for the little one. Can’t wait to “meet” her. Hugs to you and Paul!

    Like

  17. Jessica Avatar
    Jessica

    Ooh! So excited for you! And, even though I have decided not to have kids, I believe a maternity leave is essential! What else could you have to prepare for that’s this important!!! Love your blog, love your attitude about life, will love it with posts or without! That’s what archives are for, right? Enjoy this time. Hugs!

    Like

  18. Alida Avatar

    Hi Elise, I’m fairly new to your blog, but now enjoy visiting here a few times a week. Wishing you a wonderful time of cocooning with baby and Paul! Greetings from South Africa!

    Like

  19. Lisa Avatar
    Lisa

    Yours is one of the few blogs that I look forward to reading every day. You are such an inspiration! I wish you the best of everything these next couple of months… and I look forward to reading your posts whenever you are able to write. Thank you for sharing your life with all of us.

    Like

  20. Robin G Avatar
    Robin G

    Wishing you all the best in these last few weeks of your pregnancy, Paul arriving home safely, and enjoying your new little one after she arrives. The time goes by so quickly! My oldest just graduated from High School this past weekend and will be heading off to college in two months. Thankfully, I still have a 9 year old at home! Just ordered your stamp set from SC. Can’t wait to use it in my PL. Thank you for all you share with us!

    Like

  21. Анастасия Нурк Avatar

    Eliza, I wish you health! Be aware that in Russia, too, watch your baby and waiting for her. Then tell us about your happiness. Love and more joy to you and Paul. Let’s wait for the baby in June. (And I, too, birthday June 14)

    Like

  22. jodi Avatar

    wishing you all the best, elise!! xo

    Like

  23. gina mcclure Avatar

    you are the first blog i read in the morning. i am so excited for you!! your family is beautiful & it is growing & that is beautiful. our youngest (& final) child just turned 2 & she is the only baby that i have been fortunate enough to be a “stay at home” mom with… my heart is happy for you.

    Like

  24. Kris N Avatar

    Those of us who love your blog will stick around no matter when you post. 😉 Enjoy your break and best wishes when baby arrives!

    Like

  25. Heather Avatar
    Heather

    Have a wonderful and peaceful maternity leave!

    Like

  26. jennifer Avatar
    jennifer

    Wishing you, Paul and baby Cripe a magical journey. Look forward to “meeting” baby. Very best to you all…enjoy every minute (even those incredibly over-tired and cranky ones!)

    Like

  27. Martina Avatar

    I’ll miss your daily posts too but there’s no way I’m going anywhere – I can’t wait to see baby cripe! I like that you’re allowing yourself to be a mom first and blogger second, in a way thats perfect and authentic for you. Actually one of the reasons I love your blog so much is that you don’t do giveaways or sponsor intro etcs, it feels so much more real. I’m so happy for you and Paul, enjoy the next few weeks
    Martina
    http://snapshotsandwhatnots.typepad.com

    Like

  28. Christen Avatar
    Christen

    I will miss your daily posts! But I am so happy for you and can’t wait to “meet” the new baby. Enjoy it all…it goes way too fast (even when it seems like it you’ll never sleep). You seem like you have a great attitude. I admire you.

    Like

  29. Michelle Avatar

    Happy end of May!
    So basically if I see a post from you it will be more a rare treat than a daily meal. That’s ok. Good luck to you!

    Like

  30. Eri Avatar
    Eri

    I will miss you because it’s been one of my routine to visit here and read your post everyday. But you won’t lose me or anyone! Have wonderful weeks!

    Like

  31. Nicole Avatar
    Nicole

    Best wishes to you, Paul and baby girl. Enjoy this special chapter of your life. I read your blog every day and look forward to reading about this sweet little girl. Thanks for sharing 🙂
    Grandma of a baby girl 🙂

    Like

  32. Sarah-Jane Avatar
    Sarah-Jane

    Your blog has been such an inspiration to me since I found it last year. I love your gentle way of writing on such a variety of topics and so look forward to each blog post. I have 10 week old twin boys and look forward to your take on motherhood and the inspiration you will gain from the experience. Good luck and many blessings from a huge South African fan.

    Like

  33. Mary Sara P. Avatar

    I will miss you as you have become part of my daily routine as I read your blog everyday. Rest assured that you won’t lose me. Congratulations and enjoy this time welcoming your new little one to your family. I can’t wait to meet her and hear about her arrival, when you choose to share that with us. All best wishes for this new time and adventure you are about to embark on.
    PS – I hope this doesn’t show up twice as it appears the first comment I made didn’t post?

    Like

  34. Mari K. Avatar

    Enjoy your time off. Enjoy your time with your new born and cherish every minute of it – I know you will- but they grow so fast!

    Like

  35. Angie Avatar
    Angie

    It will be sad not to read your posts every day, but I wish you the best maternity leave. Enjoy it, Eise.

    Like

  36. T Avatar

    Awww Miss your posts already, you’re such an inspiration for me, but i’m so happy for you.
    Enjoy this new adventure.
    Besos from Dakar, Senegal

    Like

  37. Linda Avatar
    Linda

    I will miss my daily fix but will continue to check in!

    Like

  38. amy t schubert Avatar

    I hope you enjoy your break so much!! You deserve it for sure 🙂
    Can’t wait to “meet” your little one 🙂
    xo

    Like

  39. Susanne Avatar
    Susanne

    Do we ever get to see the finished baby room? I just love the way you have decorated your new house and hope to see everything you did for baby girl’s room!

    Like

  40. Jennifer G Avatar

    I’ve been thinking about you as you get ready to have your baby. Last year at this time, I was in almost the same place about to deliver. I believe you said you were delivering at the military hospital. I did too. My favorite thing about this is that it is so close to Balboa park. I was only dilated to a 2 when I got there and they told me to go walk stairs, but instead we drove over to the park and I labored there. It was a beautiful day and it was such a special walk. It was also funny when people would walk past during a contraction and realize that I was in labor. So… if you get there way too early, I highly recommend a walk in the park.

    Like

  41. Brianna Avatar
    Brianna

    Enjoy this next stage of your life. Your blog will become like Molly Wizenberg’s Orangette – a sweet treat on a hot day. Also, if you don’t read her blog yet, check it out. She’s a great writer.

    Like

  42. JillT Avatar
    JillT

    Crazy pregnant lady!!! You’re not getting rid of us this easy. We’ll be stalking like we always do so we can be the first to find out when Baby Girl Cripe arrives. So glad to hear you are taking this leave to savor the soon to be family of THREE, even though we will not get our daily Elise fix. Very excited for mom and dad and very happy that Baby Girl that will be born into such a special family.

    Like

  43. Amanda Avatar

    So so excited for you! Enjoy your time with your baby and husband when they arrive! Can’t wait to hear the stories whenever you pop in to share them!

    Like

  44. Birgit Avatar
    Birgit

    Enjoy your time off from scheduled blogging. Personally I LOVE that you do not have guest posts or other stuff filling in – I read your blog because I like the way you write, talk, record life. So take your time and when you have a few minutes keep us posted how things are going.
    Wishing you the best.

    Like

  45. Mel Avatar

    Congratulations on this major milestone as it approaches. I look forward to reading more from you as your life changes in this major way. 🙂

    Like

  46. Jenny Avatar
    Jenny

    God’s blessings to you! It will be fun to finally see your whole family together!

    Like

  47. melissa Avatar

    oh elise, best of luck.
    savor everything, but i know you will!
    xo

    Like

  48. janet Avatar
    janet

    Often a good shake up is needed from time to time. I will miss ure funky real outlook of life.
    I wish u the best of luck, love and life for ure family’s upcoming adventure.
    I for one won’t b so easy to get rid of 🙂

    Like

  49. Leigh Anne Avatar

    Well you won’t be losing me 🙂 I know you won’t be leaving forever (I don’t think you could if you tried LOL) and so the posts you do get up will be wonderful jewels to hold us over until the next time!

    Like

  50. Robyn Avatar

    Looking forward to reading all about your journey into motherhood, pics of baba and all that goes with it!

    Like

Leave a reply to Jennifer G Cancel reply