Ok, girls - SOOOO excited because I have just returned from Blogalicious 2009 in Atlanta, held this weekend and organized by the fabulous Mamas over at Mama Law. These girls deserve MAJOR props for putting together such a first-class event in its inaugural year.
I had the privilege of meeting some old Baby Bunching friends in the blogosphere - Kim Modolfsky, Devra Renner from Parentopia, Justice Fergie (conference organizer extraordinaire and fellow Baby Buncher), and Tech Saavy Mama - as well as hearing from some new ones that we will be stalking following (My Brown Baby, She Geeks, Always a Bridesmaid, Mommy Niri, Cutie Booty Cakes, and so many more!). What an amazing weekend of learning and networking. Thanks, Mamas!
However, the definite highlight of the weekend was meeting one of our own Baby Bunchers, A Shorter Mama, who enthusiastically dashed up to me after I asked a question in one of the sessions to let me know that she reads all our posts and is a huge fan! My friend IRL who attended the conference with me, Jen, told me that the moment left her feeling a little like Gayle to my Oprah - LOL. I LOVE hearing from Baby Bunchers that they love our site and find the information useful, but somehow meeting this new friend live and in person really made me realize what an amazing community we have here. We are so lucky to have such great followers!
I could go on and on about the conference and what I learned (and you'll probably hear more from me in coming weeks, or check out the conference twitter feed at #blogalicious09) but my single biggest takeaway from the conference was that I need to do a better job of loving you like you love us. Don't get me wrong - any Baby Buncher, by virtue of the parenting challenges she has endured, is my soul sister as far as I'm concerned. But between my job, my kids, my blogging, and whatever else is going on in my life at the moment, I can never find time to respond to all your amazing comments or read all of your fabulous blogs. Let me just say right now that it is NOT because I don't love you. It's just because I need about 24 more hours in the day, which I know you could use as well. But Blogalicious really taught me about the significance of Web 2.0 being an INTERACTIVE community. Which means that in order for it to work and grow and thrive, we have to have constant two-way conversation. So my new personal goal is to do a better job of reading and recognizing and encouraging YOU to join in on our Baby Bunching conversation. You can do it by leaving comments, by joining our Facebook fan page, or by following Linda (@babybuncher) and me (@babybuncher2) on Twitter. In return, we will comment, friend, and follow you. Also, if you are interested in guest blogging for us or having you guest blog for you, or if you have an idea for a post topic or a question you'd like us to pose to the community, please let us know - you can email us at babybunching@gmail.com
When we started this blog, it was honestly because we had a great idea for a book and publishers were telling us that we had no "platform," meaning a following. We wanted to get the information in the book out there so that Baby Bunchers could learn from it and know that they weren't alone. We started the blog to build the platform and somehow along the line, the blog became enough and the book fell by the wayside. We ARE getting the information out there and we ARE making moms feel supported, and we have all of you to thank for making that possible. Thank you for inviting us into your homes and your hearts and for spending what precious little free time you have with us. We heart you, Baby Bunchers!
I found a reference to your blog on a message board that I frequent and your posts have been SO helpful to me. I am a Baby Buncher in training. My second is due in January, when my first will be only 18.5 months old. Most people look at me like I'm nuts when I tell them it was planned that way (and maybe I am) but this is the way my husband and I have always envisioned our family! Even though we planned it this way, I can't help but get nervous as my first, a very active and strong willed little boy, starts to assert his independence and show some aggressiveness from time to time. I have read several posts on here that I think will be of help once our daughter comes along! Thanks for getting the information out there!
Posted by: Kristy | Oct 12, 2009 at 09:26 AM
I love this site! It makes me feel normal and not crazy! :)
Posted by: Shanna | Oct 12, 2009 at 12:59 PM
Lots of love back to you! I've really appreciated this site, and the support it brings. Keep the great posts coming!!!
Posted by: Rachel O. | Oct 12, 2009 at 03:24 PM
I heart you too! I hope you do write a book someday...not everyone blog hops:)
Posted by: Desirée Spenst | Oct 12, 2009 at 08:06 PM
Sweet!
Posted by: beth | Oct 12, 2009 at 09:39 PM
Hey Cara!
It was a pleasure connecting with you during Blogalicious. I hope you enjoyed the panel and were able to leave with advice that you could apply.
Looking forward to seeing you take your blog to the next level.
Posted by: Corvida Raven | Oct 13, 2009 at 02:11 AM
I heart this blog!!! I found you guys when I was prego w/ #2 and it gave me hope/advice that I would survive. :) I hope you can write a book someday too!
Posted by: kelly | Oct 13, 2009 at 02:00 PM
I HEART you too!!!! It was so great meeting you too! I was hoping I wasn't all crazy stalker chick but I just love this site so much. you guys get it as only other baby bunchers can! Stay encouraged, you will always have me as a reader:)
P.S. Can you make me official? I am Rashida and wanted to go on the side wall when you can;)
Posted by: A Shorter Mama | Oct 14, 2009 at 10:49 AM
So glad to meet you too, Rashida - far from stalking, you totally made my WEEK! And you are now official. :)
Posted by: Cara Fox | Oct 14, 2009 at 11:48 AM
It was so nice to meet you and I don't think the weekend was long enough because I wanted to talk to you more!
Posted by: Leticia- Tech Savvy Mama | Oct 14, 2009 at 10:55 PM
Hi Cara!
It was SO awesome meeting you IRL and having your support at Blogalicious. I'm so glad you had a great time and I'll be right there with you, trying to do a better job of loving Mamalaw readers like they love us. Hope to see you soon!!
Posted by: Justice Fergie | Oct 15, 2009 at 12:12 AM
To that dear BUNCHER-IN-TRAINING:
It will be beautiful, and people will always look at you funny since they will always think they know more about kids than you do. BUT the glorious thing I'm experiencing right now is that my 2.5 year old twin boys (think super-hyper agro happy) LOVE their little sister (5 months old) and since they want to be independent (right when I need them to be) and we let them try ALL her clothes and toys before handing them over (so everything is from them) they are thrilled to have her as their new toy... and yeah, they have little moments of 'how close can I jump next to the baby' or 'lets take her toys and blankets during car rides so she cries' but I just ignore it, and she is still unhurt (cross fingers) and extremely happy, easy and knows she is loved!
They are her TV (loud, exciting, fast-moving, interactive, like TV can't be) and she is their new audience. People tell me I'm crazy all the time, but I'm looking forward to the next pregnancy anyway. It is very good this way - you chose right!
Posted by: hollyjean | Oct 15, 2009 at 02:02 PM
Leticia and Stacey - let's make a date to snag more "quality time" at BlogHer, if we don't have the opportunity to do so before then - after my first blogging conference, I am hooked. : )
Posted by: Cara Fox | Oct 16, 2009 at 04:20 PM