enJOY it

an archived personal and craft blog from Elise Blaha Cripe.

Cripes

We are so thrilled to be expecting our second child!

Yep! Ellerie will become a big sister in early November. We've had a long time to adjust to this news and it still feels a completely unreal. I found out the day before my 30th birthday, just five days after I turned to Paul one late afternoon at the park and said "you know what? This parenthood gig feels easy right now." If that's not hilarious, I am not sure what is.

I felt sick and exhausted for about two weeks (same exact experience as with Ellerie) but seem back to normal-ish now and am so looking forward to the next 28 weeks. I can already tell this time around will race by compared to waiting for number one. That's exciting and terrifying.

It's strange for me to think about doing the newborn thing again. On the one hand, I'm like, "ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh that was so hard for me." On the other, I'm like, "sweet, another shot at that. PLUS! My husband will not be deployed." (I cannot even imagine having my partner home to go through those first crucial weeks with me. Just typing it makes me cry.)

And on the third hand (yes, the rumors are true, you DO indeed grow a third hand when you get pregnant with your second child) I'm like, "I GET IT. I get that it's all temporary now." In newborn land (at least the one I occupied), hours last days and days last years. I fully thought I would be living in The Woods for the rest of my life. But, thankfully, we don't live in the woods. We live here and HERE is so great. Plus! Those sweet newborn moments. Cannot wait to soak them up and give us all a bit more grace the second time around.

So yes. Many emotions. But the most overwhelming one right now is LOVE. I love my little family and I love that we are growing this year. This is good. Hang in there, sweet baby Cripe. We are so excited to meet you.

ps: both Paul and I agreed it was super tacky to add this here but we also agreed that if I didn't say something it would probably come up so…of course there will still be a Get To Work Book 2016. Of course it will still ship on time. There are plans upon plans in place to make sure my family can get a baby here and my business can get a planner out into the world in the same season. 🙂

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245 responses to “next up!”

  1. Johanna Avatar

    Here’s to definitely more grace the second time round (that’s what I keep telling myself for our second in July, too)! Awesome news. 🙂

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  2. Laura Hager Avatar

    Congratulations! That’s so exciting! I’m excited to see all your projects and writings to come with the new baby. Your family is beautiful and I’m glad we all get to watch it grow!
    Laura
    http://laurahager.blogspot.com

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  3. Hilary Avatar
    Hilary

    Whoa! Hooray hooray!

    Like

  4. Amanda - Small Home Big Start Avatar

    Wow! Such wonderful news. Congratulations. So much for you and your family to celebrate this year 🙂

    Like

  5. Kristen Avatar

    Congratulations to you and your family! I love the look on Ellerie’s face in this photo, just so sweet! She’ll make a great big sis, I’m sure.

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  6. Jamie Avatar

    So many congratulations!!

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  7. Little Miss Joey Avatar

    Congratulations, Elise!! Thrilled for you and your adorable family 🙂

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  8. Leah Avatar
    Leah

    Congratulations! I am totally happy for you all.

    Like

  9. Kristen Avatar
    Kristen

    I appreciated the second time around so much more (even with twins!) because I knew those hard times would be over so quickly and that those precious newborn moments were so important and fleeting. It’s hard to imagine anything being better than becoming a mom for the first time, but doing it a second time just might win. Enjoy it and congrats! 🙂

    Like

  10. Inkfanatic Avatar
    Inkfanatic

    Congrats to you all! Best wishes for a super happy & healthy time of it for the next several months!!

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  11. Tsoniki Crazy Bull Avatar

    Big, huge, congratulations!!!!

    Like

  12. Sandra Avatar

    Yaaay, I am so happy for you and your sweet little family!

    Like

  13. Melanie Avatar

    Oh my goodness, congrats! Is it weird I feel like you announcing this on my birthday is like a birthday present to me? Yeah, it probably is. Regardless, congrats, congrats, congrats!

    Like

  14. Cathy Doerr Avatar
    Cathy Doerr

    Congrats to the Cripes family!

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  15. Allison Avatar

    Congrats Cripes! That’s so exciting!

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  16. Jessica Lauton Avatar

    Congratulation you guys! So happy for you!

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  17. SC Avatar
    SC

    YEY!! So exciting! Congrats! I just found out I am pregnant with my first and we are over the moon about it. My birthday was yesterday so it’s truly the best present I’ve ever gotten. ❤ I can’t wait to get to the stage where we can announce, it’s eating me alive (or is that the baby?)!

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  18. Kerrie Avatar

    Holy smokes! I can’t believe you are announcing this on a random Wednesday in April! I literally looked at the calendar to make sure I wasn’t crazy and that it wasn’t actually April Fools!
    Congratulations Elise, Paul, and Ellerie! I can’t wait to watch your family grow. 🙂

    Like

  19. Robin G Avatar
    Robin G

    Congratulations! So happy for you all! Fantastic news!

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  20. Kim Avatar

    CONGRATS!!!!!!

    Like

  21. Kristina Avatar

    Oh my goodness! Congrats Elise & Paul & Ellerie!!!!!! This trip to Hawaii will be a HUGE celebration. SO happy for you three.

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  22. amanda fair Avatar

    Congratulations!!

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  23. Stacie Avatar
    Stacie

    Congratulations!!! Xx

    Like

  24. Cele Schaffer Avatar
    Cele Schaffer

    So happy for you! Just wanted you to know I went through a terrible postpartum depression/anxiety “crazy” time the first pregnancy. Delt with the whole breast feeding struggle and stopped after 6 weeks and it was the best decision for us. Saw a therapist who helped a lot during that time. I think overall I just was totally overwhelmed with the responsibility of a human in my hands-HA! Any who-my real point here is the second baby was a breeze compared. I had so much more fun and wasn’t so anxious- I tended to let things happen without trying to second guess everything the baby did and I did. After the first few weeks She went into her own room and I realized if she really needed me I would hear her! (Her room was right next to ours and all doors were open!) It is so fun to watch the siblings interact and yes you will grow a third arm! My Son is 25 and my daughter is 20 now and they make all my dreams come true. I have a good ear if you ever need anyone to talk to.

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  25. Sam Avatar

    Many, many, congratulations!! So thrilled for you both.

    Like

  26. Maggie Avatar
    Maggie

    Awesome! The best kind of news! You hit the nail on the head with your “third hand” paragraph. Second children and second-time moms are the best!

    Like

  27. Bec Avatar

    Congratulations to you all! What fabulous news. I agree with the second pregnancy totally whipping by. I felt like mine happened in the background to life rather than being front and centre… Glad to hear you are doing well!

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  28. Marysia Avatar
    Marysia

    WOOHOO Congratulations to you and your family!!!

    Like

  29. Bec Avatar

    And… Although it is hard to imagine, you can love your second the same crazy amount as you love your first!

    Like

  30. Paula Avatar
    Paula

    CONGRATS!!! great news..can’t wait to be on the “virtual” sidelines cheering you on.

    Like

  31. Susan MacEachern Avatar
    Susan MacEachern

    I’m so excited for you all – congratulations!

    Like

  32. Kate Lathrop Avatar
    Kate Lathrop

    Oh my gosh!!!!!!!!! All the happy, dancing emojis!!!! So very excited for you all and for the new addition to the family!!!

    Like

  33. Alida Avatar

    Congratulations! The first blog post of you that I started following was the one where you sat in your empty house,and Ellerie was on the way. Looking forward to more of your journey. Ps, my boys are 2and a bit years apart and many people mistake them for twins. Tough but wonderful to have them reasonably close.

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  34. Rossie Avatar

    Wonderful news!

    Like

  35. Christa Avatar
    Christa

    Woo-hoo! What awesome news. I would say the second time around can be easier but also harder, it’s just different. I was a Mama who had a difficult time after my first and the second felt a bit easier because I at least knew what to expect and also how to help myself or ask for help through those first rough but beautiful months. I definitely think it will be easier for you with your husband by your side. I highly recommend the podcast The Longest Shortest Time. And now my boys are 41/2 and 1 1/2 and I feel like I’m just beginning to breathe and allow myself to possibly think about the idea of a third : )

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  36. Jennifer Avatar
    Jennifer

    So happy for you all! My girls are 20 months apart, and I wouldn’t change having them close in age for nothing! Congratulations!

    Like

  37. Tracy Avatar
    Tracy

    Congratulations!!!! That is amazing news – and thank you for sharing it with us!
    And as to GTWB, I fully expect you will be packing shipments during delivery? 😉

    Like

  38. Frances Avatar

    congrats on your happy news!

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  39. imperfectly natural mama Avatar

    Yeeeeeey! Congratulations! How exciting. Having two children is craaaaaay cray!! But fun too, you will love it. x

    Like

  40. Melissa Avatar
    Melissa

    Congrats!! How totally exciting!
    I was like you with my first – tough post-partum. And then I went and did it again, and it was doubly-hard for me. BUT. That doesnt mean it will be for you and I cannot wait for you to feel the JOY of having two babies who just love you to the ends of the universe.
    I couldnt imagine life without my boys. It was so worth the headache. Hearing them laugh, and wrestle like boys do oh, brings SO much joy to me.
    Congrats again!! =)

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  41. anneberit Avatar

    Such a sweet photo, many congratulations to you all.

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  42. An Avatar

    That’s so awesome! Congratulations!

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  43. Kat Post Avatar
    Kat Post

    Congratulations!!!! It will fly by and baby will be here before you know it- and the newborn phase will be easy. You will find yourself thinking “why did I ever think this was hard before????) but adjusting to two children? That’s another story 😉 So glad your hubby will be with you for that transitional time, and cannot wait to follow your story via the blog 🙂

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  44. ekaterine Avatar

    WOW this is so cool!! Huge congrats and lots of warmest wishes from Russia! When I saw your Instagram picture where you were reading while little e was coloring I just FELT you’re going to have another baby soon! So exciting, Elise, so awesome — I don’t know, I’m just really very happy for you and your wonderful family! HOORAY!!

    Like

  45. Tinkster Avatar
    Tinkster

    Wahoo!!!
    That’s awesome news, congratulations to you all.
    I totally had a feeling you’d announce this soon.
    And I’m beyond thrilled Paul will be here for all the “new”, but not nearly as much as you guys I’m sure.
    Xx

    Like

  46. Sarah Silvester Avatar

    Congrats Elise and Paul and Ellerie! I hardly ever comment but this is such exciting news. I really enjoy the mom/kid/baby side to your blog posts so I’m glad you’re doing it again 😉 and very happy your sweet husband will be home with you. Xx

    Like

  47. Debbie Avatar

    Happy happy news!:) Congratulations. Blessing upon blessing to you all!

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  48. liz Avatar

    Congratulations sweet girl. So delighted for all of you!!!!

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  49. Nikki Avatar
    Nikki

    Congratulations to you and your family!!! So exciting to be expecting your 2nd – your little girl gets to be a big sister!!!

    Like

  50. Lauren Pittenger Avatar

    LOL I’ve been thinking the same thing!
    Congrats, Elise!!

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