enJOY it

an archived personal and craft blog from Elise Blaha Cripe.

august bold intentions.

AUGUSTbold

Nothing says "getting back into blogging" like writing down and sharing some goals for the month. Today marks six weeks since Ellerie was born. I have heard many times that six weeks post-baby is when things start to feel normal again and am so glad that seems to be true. I have found my groove. It's a new groove, for sure, but it's working for all of us.

These are my bold intentions for August :

  1. run.
  2. make big art.
  3. complete the self-portrait challenge.

I have the all clear to exercise again and to say I have been looking forward to it is an understatement. I have been having dreams about running for months. Now I just need to figure out where in my days I can carve out the time to slowly get back into it. (I cannot wait until Ellerie is big enough for our jogging stroller.)

The "big art" plan is something I have been thinking about all summer. I am excited to play with paint again. And I have already been working on the self-portrait challenge. Just for fun photo adventures like this one feel like a good way to ease back into a creative life.

ps. thank you so much for your comments, encouragement & suggestions yesterday!

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36 responses to “august bold intentions.”

  1. Shayne Avatar
    Shayne

    Txs for the link to the Self Portrait Challenge. I shall definately take part, perhaps not this month as I have already committed to a 30 Days of Gratitude Challenge, but i’m looking forward to seeing all the new angles!

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  2. Welcome Home Taylor Avatar
    Welcome Home Taylor

    I love setting new goals! On my list of goals this month is starting to run again too. This summer has left me out of rhythm and I need to get back into my new/old groove.
    Taylor
    http://www.welcomehometaylor.com

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  3. Carrie Avatar
    Carrie

    So good to see Elise the Supermom at it again 🙂

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  4. orange gearle Avatar
    orange gearle

    So awesome that you have an orange stroller! I wanted one of those, badly, but they didn’t have orange at the time! Love it! 😉
    So happy to read your posts, as always.

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  5. Kendra Avatar
    Kendra

    Since you have done yoga in the past….try that first to help build (or rebuild :)) your core strength. It will also help wake up other muscles you may not have used in a while. Good luck!!

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  6. Mallory Avatar
    Mallory

    I’ve been doing the self-portrait challenge too! 🙂 Good luck with your first week “back on the job” 😉

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  7. Kaytie Avatar
    Kaytie

    Yay for running – have you looked into getting the carseat adapter for the Bob stroller? We LOVED ours. It really helped us get outside and back to running when the baby was little.

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  8. tara Avatar
    tara

    Totally agree with Kaytie. We also loved our BOB infant carseat adapter for our Chicco. It got me outside walking when my daughter was a newborn and then back to running when I was cleared to exercise. She loved being outside as much as I did! As she got older we continued to use it off and on until we moved her to a convertible seat when she was 10 months old.

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  9. tara Avatar
    tara

    Yaay for back to running! I agree with Kaytie. We also loved our BOB infant carseat adapter for our Chicco. It got me back to running with my daughter when I was cleared to exercise. She loved being outside as much as I did! As she got older we continued to use it off and on until we moved her to a convertible seat when she was 10 months old.

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  10. Stacy Avatar
    Stacy

    What a great picture! Ellerie is so cute and really looking bigger 🙂

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  11. Shana Norris Avatar
    Shana Norris

    I remember being SO excited to get back to running after childbirth. I set PRs after the birth of my 3rd child so it IS possible to get back to it and be better than ever!

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  12. Christina C Avatar
    Christina C

    Love how you put these goal out there, I think I need to do this and post them on my fridge or bathroom mirror. We have a BOB stroller also and I started walking/running with my daughter when she was only a month old. We had the car seat adaptor loved that thing 🙂

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  13. Debra Avatar
    Debra

    I need to do myself some ‘big art’. Can’t wait to see what you come up with 🙂

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  14. sherried Avatar
    sherried

    So glad you are back to daily blogging. Love reading your posts and seeing your pictures.

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  15. Vivid Avatar
    Vivid

    Another vote for the BOB carseat adapter! I’m actually in Stroller Warriors it’s a running club for military spouses with chapter at bases around the U.S. You should check it out! Any who, most of the moms start when they get the clear from their OB with the adapter and just double check with their little ones ped to make sure they’re ok with it too. Good luck, running is my “me” time now that I’m a busy mom of two.

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  16. Skye Avatar
    Skye

    So happy you are feeling more like yourself! 🙂 Excited to see your new big art, too.

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  17. JillT Avatar
    JillT

    Please tell me this picture will be big and split into pockets in the near future 🙂 Or better yet, big and framed on Ellerie’s wall. #both

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  18. Jenny Avatar
    Jenny

    Totally love the bob with infant seat attachment too!We just took our five week old out for her first off road adventure in it and it is awesome!!! Baby slept the whole time and it can handle some serious terrain!!

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  19. Shelbie Avatar
    Shelbie

    Another vote on the BOB seat adapter! I just love my stroller! Thanks also for the self portrait challenge. I’m going to have to try it! So great to have you back. 🙂

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  20. Libby Gordon Avatar
    Libby Gordon

    Didn’t get a chance to comment yesterday but I so enjoy your blog…and I’m an”old” mom; my baby us eleven. You are an excellent writer and I love reading your posts. Yes, your blog is going to be the Ellerie Show for awhile and that’s okay- really. Babies take up every inch of time, space and thoughts as possible:) And it’s delightful. Enjoy your baby-ness while you can.

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  21. Amanda Avatar
    Amanda

    I’m sorry but your baby is not cute

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  22. Tracy Avatar
    Tracy

    Try a Chariot…… Made right here in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. You can get a baby sling for it and you can strap your newborn onto it for the first 10 months. I had one and loved it. You can also get a lot of attachments for it. Expensive but well worth it. You can get them second hand too.

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  23. Lisa Martin Avatar
    Lisa Martin

    I don’t think anyone asked if her baby was cute. Rude much?

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  24. Lisa Martin Avatar
    Lisa Martin

    Are you going to do anymore letterpress things? I know that was time consuming/space consuming but just wondered!

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  25. Brianna Avatar
    Brianna

    I’m doing to self-portrait challenge, too. It’ll be an interesting exercise for sure.

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  26. Heather Avatar
    Heather

    There have been alot of comments already but I definitely agree with the carseat adapter for the BOB! I’ve been running with my little since she was two weeks old and she loves the stroller, as long as we avoid big bumps. It’s a double win, she gets a great nap and mama gets to run outside! My little one is just three days older than E and and I love reading how you two are doing, I so wish I cold write as beautifully as you. Great job mama!!

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  27. Theresa W Avatar
    Theresa W

    My children are in elementary school now, but I absolutely LOVE reading your letters to Ellerie! It helps me remember that time so well. Your writing is just beautiful, and you seem to exude grace in all that you do. Ellerie is so blessed 🙂
    Thanks for sharing bits of your life with us! I first read your blog through Ali Edwards when you were planning your wedding, and I really enjoy following along your journey!

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  28. Lori Avatar
    Lori

    Oh my goodness, what a revolting thing to say. I truly hope you find some happiness in your life because you clearly can’t handle seeing it in someone else’s. Gross.

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  29. Lori Avatar
    Lori

    Love seeing your bold intentions. I had a blog for years, but mostly gave it up due to lack of time, instagram, etc. (blah, blah, blah, right?!), but every time I read your blog I’m immediately inspired to go back and make mine the best it can be. Again, yours is always well done, never complicated and so you. Thanks for sharing. 🙂

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  30. Tamara Avatar
    Tamara

    I’ve been a frequent reader for some time now. But, this week I’ve devoured the last six weeks of your posts. I was in labor for my son, Wells, for 68 hours plus 3 hours of pushing until finally he was born via c section. He is now five days old and I’m so in love with him and my family of three. It’s been hard to process having to transfer from my Birthcenter to the hospital ending in a c section. I can’t see the light at the end of the tunnel right now.but your post today has given me a glimmer! I will continue to fight throughout my recovery and enjoy these early days of snuggles. Thanks for writing so openly. It has helped this momma.

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  31. Donna G. Avatar
    Donna G.

    THANK YOU, Elise, for sharing from your heart! XO!

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  32. Angie Avatar
    Angie

    Elise, as a mom to three super kids that are 10, almost 8 and 4, I’m so inspired by your energy at six weeks out! I love your bold intentions! Congrats on your little lady!

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  33. Karen Avatar
    Karen

    Next stop 3 months…. Life is life again , you will be a complete professional. First babies are such fun little experiments.

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  34. Nora Avatar
    Nora

    Don’t listen to people when they say negative things. Not worth your time. I love love your blog and everything about it. Your stories of a mom bring so much memories back for me and I love it…. I have 7 kids and they are 29 to 21 now I sure miss them being little. Thank you for reminding me of them. Keep it up and enjoy I goes by so fast. I closed my eyes one day and they weren’t babies any more. Thank you for being you!

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  35. Stephanie Avatar
    Stephanie

    I have been reading for years but never thought to comment. I love your weekly posts to Ellerie.
    I’m not sure how to say this without sounding creepy but I have loved your writings especially during your pregnancy because with the GSD and emergency Csection, it feels so similar to what I had to go through. We named our baby girl Eleanor because I too wanted a name that started with E (my husband is Evan) and wanted something old fashioned. I didn’t know it was coming back in use but knew I didn’t want Ella or Eva.
    Your letters are perfect. I wish I could write as eloquently. They are great to read every week.
    Hang in there! As a new Mama, you’re doing great.

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  36. Kaileen Elise Avatar
    Kaileen Elise

    I adore your blog… the honesty, strength, and venerability that you share with us is incredible. Keep at it!!

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