enJOY it

an archived personal and craft blog from Elise Blaha Cripe.

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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.

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97 responses to “around here & maternity leave.”

  1. elise blaha Avatar

    YEP! next week.

    Like

  2. elise blaha Avatar

    Excellent idea!

    Like

  3. Amanda Avatar
    Amanda

    Elise–I am so thankful to you for sharing your voice, your perspective, and your continual positive approach to life’s little and big things. Thank you for giving me insight into my own life. I wish you the best on your maternity leave, and most especially, for your first weeks as a family of three.

    Like

  4. young c Avatar
    young c

    Praying this last leg of your journey is smooth. 🙂

    Like

  5. Ruth Allmart Avatar
    Ruth Allmart

    Best of luck Elise. Can’t wait to see pictures of your new little girl. It goes by so fast so enjoy every second of it 🙂

    Like

  6. Shelbie Avatar
    Shelbie

    Enjoy your special time with your baby girl. 🙂 You will be missed here though. Looking forward to hearing about your new adventures through life as you choose to share. Lots of blessings to you!!

    Like

  7. goshery Avatar

    I’m going to miss seeing my ad on your blog every day!! It’s all about me 🙂 Seriously though, enjoy some quiet time and best wishes for your delivery. I’m so excited for you! xoxo

    Like

  8. jenny_shires@hotmail.com Avatar
    jenny_shires@hotmail.com

    Hi Elise,
    I will really miss your posts, I love checking in with you every day but this will be such an amazing time for you, I wish you all the best in this time and look forward to following your progress when you feel ready to come back and share.
    Lots of love to you and baby girl. xxx

    Like

  9. Thinkie Avatar

    I hope all goes well!

    Like

  10. anneberit Avatar

    Best of luck and blessings for your next big adventure, I’ll be stopping by to see if there is anything new from you – but I sure understand there can’t be something everyday 😀 Hugs.

    Like

  11. Neisa Avatar
    Neisa

    How exciting! Thank you for sharing the progress thus far, I look forward “meeting” your baby girl. I wish you a quick and uneventful delivery and pray that Paul is at your side. Enjoy and congratulations!

    Like

  12. Melanie Routhier Avatar

    Elise, I always enjoy reading your blog! You are such a well grounded woman. I am so excited for you, for Paul and for this special little girl about to join your journey on this earth.
    PS. love the tweaks to the blog!

    Like

  13. Heidi Avatar
    Heidi

    Elise, I read your blog first thing when I get to work while I check emails and read the news. I hope you have a lovely break with your new little one. Thinking good thoughts for you and Paul’s timing in arriving on time to be there with you! I found out today I’m having a girl, too so I’m looking forward to see how your little girl acclimates to life with the two of you. Blessings to you and your family, enjoy your time off!

    Like

  14. Bridget Larsen Australia Avatar

    I look forward to all the mother/dad and baby photos that I know you will share. I have loved following your journey and the wonderful lifestyle thoughts and photos you have shared so far. Your blog and Stephanie Howell’s are ones I look for every day when I wake up even though I know neither of you post every day lol I’m just totally addicted.
    All the best, you will totally enjoy the next journey

    Like

  15. Stephanie Mathena Avatar

    You just have the cutest little baby bump.
    http://thewearwithal.typepad.com/

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  16. elise blaha Avatar

    thank you! many more exciting ones to come. 🙂

    Like

  17. Em Avatar
    Em

    Although I do love opening up a new tab and entering your blog’s address everyday (even on Saturdays, just in case) at 2 pm (French time) to read your newest post, you’re pretty much the only blogger I follow who does that.
    Everyone else just posts whenever they feel like it, no set dates or hours. 🙂 You’ll do just fine, we definitely won’t forget about you and it will be so fun to open Bloglovin’ and not know if you’ve posted something new.
    Take care of yourself and your baby. I’m crossing my fingers for you and Paul that things turn out as perfectly as possible. Yay! 😉

    Like

  18. Alissa Avatar
    Alissa

    Sending lots of positive thoughts your way over the next few weeks. I’m sending positive thoughts that Paul will make it home in time for your labor and delivery, that your delivery goes smoothly, and that your little girl is healthy. Virtual hugs to you. You’re such an inspiration, and I appreciate all that you share through your blog.

    Like

  19. sherried Avatar
    sherried

    I’ll miss your daily blogs but love the boundaries and priorities. Can’t wait to meet baby cripe. Can’t wait to see what you will write.

    Like

  20. Kathy Avatar

    We’ll all miss our daily fix but I’m sure there maybea few baby photos posted from time to time. Enjoy and savour becoming a first time mum. I’m sure you have been warned on about day 3 you may get the blues and be in tears. All your hormones are going crazy and are trying to get back to some sort of normal. All the best for I your family of two welcoming your third member. Also remember breast feeding that your little hub has to (well you do) have to put her little mouth at the bottom of your areola (the pink circle) and then the top of her mouth to the top of the areola) that’s the only way I can describe it as opposed her to get straight onto the nipple like a straw. Hoping this might help. Look forward to baby room reveal and Tara’s maternity photos. Regards KathyA, Brisbane, Australia

    Like

  21. Melonie Avatar

    and I look forward to watching you blossom into motherhood:) Best wishes Elise and Paul!!

    Like

  22. Casey Avatar

    Enjoy your time with your precious new one 🙂 xx

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  23. Michelle Avatar

    I will be here wishing you and your family well and enjoying the visit whenever it suits you to pop in. I wish you great joy in the coming adventure xx Michelle

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  24. Jenn V. Avatar

    I will totally miss your daily posts, but I’m so glad that you will be taking some time off to take care of yourself and baby girl! I’m looking forward to some quick and genuine posts and instagram so that I can find out how your’re doing. Good luck!! (not that you need it. :))

    Like

  25. Deena Avatar
    Deena

    Have a wonderful maternity leave full of snuggles with baby girl. I look forward to the sporadic, surprise posts!

    Like

  26. Maria Avatar
    Maria

    I wish you all the best. I am going to miss reading your blog every day. Enjoy this new chapter!

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  27. Kathi Avatar

    Enjoy your maternity leave and as much as you are missed… when I read your column every day instead I will send up a prayer for you and your family 🙂 Please let us know when she comes 🙂 Kathi

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  28. Katie Avatar

    I don’t comment often but I’ve been reading your blog since… you were engaged? So excited for your new adventure! Prayers and best wishes for your growing family!

    Like

  29. Claire Avatar
    Claire

    Elise, I have so many things to say so I’m just going to rattle them off in no particular order. I love reading the above comments from your faithful readership. So many of us learn from you on a DAILY basis. Thanks to you, I am six weeks into my first go at Project Life and my life is changed forever (and I’m loving the Seafoam kit!). Thank you for your weekly PL run-through and for letting us see so much of your life. Your organization and dedication are incredible to me; I have learned so much from your goal setting and goal achieving. I only found your blog about three months ago, but I have read far back into your archives, being continually inspired and motivated every step of the way. You are an incredible woman.
    And the biggest thing is this: you and I are only a week apart in due date and it’s been extremely comforting to follow your pregnancy updates. Of course our pregnancies have been different, but it’s been cool to have someone who’s right there with me, going through the same types of things at the same time. My husband is also gone for the better part of the summer and will likely not make it home in time for our baby’s birth. As hard as that has been to come to terms with, I have been greatly comforted by what you’ve shared about your time away from Paul. Thank you for trusting us with your feelings and experiences! You have touched my life in an especially tender time and I will always remember that.
    Very best of luck with your sweet, growing family! The three of you are in my prayers. God bless!

    Like

  30. Lindsey Avatar

    I have been a faithful reader for years and love this blog! I get so much inspiration from you and your crafty adventures. You are the one that inspired me to take the plunge into project life (and I LOVE it!). Wishing you heaps of happiness in your new adventure. I will greatly miss reading your blog every day, but so happy for you and this time in your life! P.S. I am LOVING the black and white layout and new pictures! 🙂

    Like

  31. Deborah Avatar
    Deborah

    I wish you strength and perseverance as you close this chapter of your life and begin to write another. For me, motherhood was a bolt of lightening that shot down from the heavens and completely shattered my borderline OCD, Type A, greatly ordered, perfectly planned world. I evened “planned” to be flexible when my oldest was born. I think that makes me laugh the most now. Becoming a mother will change you in ways that you least expect–but, in doing so, you will love and learn and live life far beyond measure. And the real secret to surviving it all? To always remember that no matter what anyone else says, these three words, “I DON’T KNOW,” are most definitely an acceptable answer.

    Like

  32. Kelli Avatar
    Kelli

    I haven’t been on here for awhile and you’ve really grown! All the best for your maternity leave, it’s such a wonderful time in your lives.

    Like

  33. marcela Avatar
    marcela

    Good luck!
    Will be waiting to hear about the new addition to your family 🙂

    Like

  34. Sandy Avatar
    Sandy

    Have a great maternity leave.

    Like

  35. Megan Avatar

    Love the new look!

    Like

  36. Renske Avatar
    Renske

    Hi Elise,
    I will miss your posts, but I think you have a pretty good excuse there! 😉 And I guess you’ll still be on Instagram, so we can follow you there? 🙂 Good luck with all and I’ll be looking forward to the next chapter of your life! 🙂

    Like

  37. Kate Avatar
    Kate

    I love the new look of the blog. The top three photos are so BRIGHT – full of life and summer and love. I’ll miss your daily posts, no doubt but I’m looking forward to what you do share about this momentous time in your life.
    All the good things to you and Paul and Baby Cripe!

    Like

  38. Lori Avatar
    Lori

    I refreshed (on accident) and kaboom there were new pics on your sidebar- you look amazing as always! Love you in that black and white dress- it’s so you, I don’t think I can see black and white stripes and not think of you. 🙂
    You take all the time you need, I for one am not going anywhere! 🙂 I can’t wait to read (whenever, however and in whatever format that may be) your take on motherhood and family among the other rad things you write about.
    It’s June. And in June, you will become a mommy. LOVE.

    Like

  39. Lori Avatar
    Lori

    Ack! Not sure why but what I posted before isn’t showing up. Basically this is what I said….
    I love everything you do; will love it in whatever form it comes to us, your faithful readers whenever that may be.
    And also this…It’s June! And in June you will become a Mommy! LOVE that.
    (The single greatest moment of my entire life; the one etched in my memory forever is the moment my first child was placed in my arms. It changed me for the better forever. I “got” it. I got why all the world had been having babies since the beginning of time and why all those parents gushed over their children and all that stuff. It was a moment straight from the heavens above.)
    Blessings for all that is to come in the next few weeks!

    Like

  40. Mary Avatar
    Mary

    I’m a daily reader but have never commented … Just want to say good luck to you! Hope your delivery goes smoothly – I have two baby girls and while I can’t say that I enjoyed pregnancy very much, I loved the labor/delivery process. So magical in its own way!

    Like

  41. elise blaha Avatar

    Best of luck with the end of your pregnancy and birth! and thank you so much! I hope to stay up to date to PL sharing at least for a week or so. 🙂

    Like

  42. elise blaha Avatar

    Absolutely, I’ll be gramming it up.

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  43. Stephanie Avatar

    Oh, Elise! I am so happy you are finally to your maternity leave. Time to sit back and relax before your baby is here.
    I must admit, that selfishly I am sad too. I have read your blog daily (no joke!) for the last 5 years. I have a specific routine of reading it from my phone as I walk into work. Thank you for sharing so much of your life with your readers!
    Blessing to you and your family!

    Like

  44. Taunia Avatar
    Taunia

    Good luck with the remaining days of your pregnancy can’t wait to hear the news of your baby girls arrival! and to hear the name you have picked out! Enjoy motherhood it is great!

    Like

  45. pamgarrison.typepad.com Avatar

    “I am embarking on a new & warm season. I don’t know where… I welcome that.”
    So beautifully written, such an awesome attitude. I don’t know you (other than discovering your blog this year), but I’m super excited for you and your bright and warm future. All the best!
    p.s. isn’t THE Tara so so rad? Love her, and love how she captured you; beautiful in your fresh blog design!

    Like

  46. Katherine Avatar
    Katherine

    Wishing you all the very best welcoming Baby Cripe into the world. Have loved following your blog and especially the story of your pregnancy, I think we will all still be here when you get back! I look forward to more stories when you are ready. Take care, enjoy!

    Like

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