Coffee Break #3
Happy Tuesday-Before-Christmas, Friends! I hope you are all enjoying the final few days/weeks of this fun holiday season and are ready for all the gift-giving and merriment that is just a few days away! I had intentions for a different blog schedule this week; but in all honesty, I think I am ready to cry “Mercy!” I usually hit some good blog burnout this time of year and take some time off by now. Although I could feel the fatigue creeping in a few weeks ago, I tried to keep going strong knowing I would be taking some time off once baby came. This past weekend, I found myself stuck between wanting to knock out a ton of things before baby came (yep, still not here!) and just wanting to sit and relax, soak in and savor every moment of this exciting, scary, overwhelming, and special time for our family. The later sentiment rightly won out so I didn’t snap any photos of our holiday home or prepare my end-of-year survey. Instead, we went to see Santa, watched a Year Without a Santa Claus (my fav!), made some cookies, and finished up some shopping. So I didn’t leave you hanging here at the end of the year, I thought I’d pop in with one more coffee break post before checking out on Christmas/maternity break! Read on to find out the latest on Baby, the blog and other life happenings!
Catch up on past Coffee Break posts HERE!
Bump Update
I am 39 weeks today and the little babe is still cooking. Between Henry being 3 weeks early and all the Braxton Hicks contractions I’ve been having for a month, I’m admittedly shocked to still be pregnant. I thought for sure he would be here before Christmas; but with just days to go, I’m starting to think I might be opening presents with a still very round belly! I’m not horribly uncomfortable (although the numb hands I’ve had for the past month due to pregnancy-induced carpel tunnel are NOT fun!); I just really wanted him to be here for Christmas. We are now heading into a situation where we could be in the hospital on Christmas Eve or Day. We have all sorts of contingencies in place for Henry and for Santa/presents, but I am still hoping we won’t need to use any of them. As many of you long-time readers know, my birthday is on Christmas, so my family knows a thing or two about Christmas babies. And while I think it would be super special to share a Christmas birthday with this little one, I just can’t shake the visions I have of our family of 4 around the tree on Christmas morning. I know, I know…babies come on their own time…but any prayers and good vibes to get this baby out before Christmas would sure be appreciated 😉
Last week, on a whim, I hired a photographer to do a maternity photo shoot. Anyone who knows me knows that this is SO outside my personality. But in recent weeks I’ve been reflecting a lot on what a difference a year makes. I can distinctly remember my mental state last Christmas. I was pretty much completely out of hope, feeling betrayed and frustrated by my body’s inability to get pregnant. The readings at church this time of year were painful to listen to, and I couldn’t look at a pregnant belly without holding back tears. Now a year later, I have wiggles and kicks (and heartburn!) alive inside of me, and we are practically consumed with the anticipation, hope, and excitement of how our family is about to change. This year, I feel so grateful for this body of mine and for the chance to get to carry another baby. If our journey has taught us anything, it’s that we don’t know what the future holds. So while I don’t love the way I look or feel, capturing this crazy wonderful time on “film” suddenly felt right. We haven’t gotten the photos back from the photographer yet, but I will likely share on Instagram once we do 🙂
Christmas Blog Content – Where Do You Stand?
I am beginning to think I should start taking December off of blogging each year. Every single year I struggle SO much with blog content in December. I am usually burnt out from various projects, commitments (and moving!), and putting together holiday content just overwhelms me for some reason. I don’t know how other bloggers churn out SO much holiday content at the end of a full year AND amidst all the hustle and bustle this time brings. Scrolling my Instagram feed sure is inspiring but it makes me tired just looking at all those pretty pictures, lol! I find myself wanting to post organizing posts and other house updates, but worry they would get lost or overlooked among all the holiday content. This is the second year in a row that I really couldn’t bring myself to deck our halls like crazy. Last year our whole life felt so temporary and this year, well…#baby. Admittedly, seasonal decorating really isn’t my “thing,” and the clutter and fuss (and cost!) of it all weighs on me. But as a blogger, it feels like some strange responsibility that I am neglecting. I also can’t get on the bandwagon to decorate my house super early, which puts me behind the curve when that content needs to be posted. I’m starting to wonder if my energies would be better spent in December taking some time off, preparing content and posts for the New Year and making site/backend updates rather than forcing myself to keep up in a race I don’t really feel like running. I’d really love to hear your perspectives as readers! Do you love all the holiday content that is overflowing blogs and social media right now, or is it all just too much to take in? I bet you can guess which camp I’m in 😉
The Next Few Weeks
Next week, I plan to have my annual end-of-the-year reader survey up for you all to take. I do hope you will take a few minutes to give me some feedback, as I take it all to heart in order to make this platform as fun and helpful to all of us! Some of the most successful things I’ve done here on the blog came directly from ideas and suggestions from you all so I can’t wait to read what you all have to say this year! Look for that next Tuesday.
Beyond that, I am planning on taking some time off over the next month or so to snuggle our sweet new baby boy. However, I don’t have intentions of disappearing all together…I hope to pop in here in there with a few announcements and posts. It will take me a little bit of time to find a new rhythm to life and the blog; but once we do, I’ll be sure to update you on when exactly I’ll be posting since I know many of you check the blog directly on post days. I so appreciate your understanding, encouragement and support as we navigate this new and exciting time!
(Pssssttt – Although I am sure I’ll be popping in before then, be sure to check back here on January 10th for the reveal of my big kitchen printable project that I am so excited about! You won’t want to miss it!)
Megan
18 Comments on “Coffee Break #3”
Merry Christmas to you Megan! Remember, even though baby may not be in your arms on Christmas Day, he will still be hearing everything from his comfy spot in your belly. 🙂
A few years ago I did a fantastic e-course called Get Organised for the Holidays, run by Simplify101. It made it so much easier to cut away the ‘busyness’ of the holiday season and get right to the heart of things. These days, I pull out my binder, check over what worked/didn’t work last year, plan a few essential activities, and am able to relax and go with the flow much more.
We are hosting lunch on Christmas Day, with 40C/104F expected temp! Hope you have a fun-filled/relaxed day…
Take December off! You will have 2 excited kids next year. Take that time for Santa, movies, crafts, and (gulp) making cookies. Play outside, visit friends and neighbors, and make the holidays what they are supposed to be, a celebration, not something that you dread. Merry Christmas to your family and thanks for your family’s service to our country.
I would rather see fun things you do with your family in december than more decor. I always get stressed that I haven’t gotten the “perfect looking” christmas for my family. As my kids have gotten older the thing I have learned is that it is more about making the memories than how the house looks. This year I have tried to simplify our house and what it has in it so we can enjoy more time together. I personally have been dreading Christmas because of all the gifts. My kids have 3 grandmas, several aunts, and 4 great grandmas. It gets to be too much sometimes. So my vote is take december off. I would rather see family outing updates on instagram than some more pressure to “do” christmas a certain way. (If that makes any sense)
Good luck with the pregnancy induced carpel tunnel. That stuff is the worst. It is a happy feeling to get the feeling back in your hands. (I remember trying to wash my daughters hair and I couldn’t feel if I had gotten the shampoo out of her hair. I felt like the worst mom ever! Dang pregnancy carpel tunnel!). I’m praying he gets here soon, can’t wait to see him.
Merrry Christmas and happy birthday to you, Megan!! Sending you good vibes on the baby front! I’m so excited for your new printables and not sure how you’ve found time to get them ready while preparing for baby at the same time. I think it’s perfectly ok to take December off and skip over most of the holiday posts. If you don’t naturally enjoy seasonal decorating than there’s no reason to stress about it. Although I totally feel you on feeling responsible for a home tour as a blogger. I actually just posted a little home tour today, the week of Christmas! Not what bloggers “should” do, but I think that’s ok. I’d rather share in real time than stress about it. Take care!
Let me confess to you that we just put up our Christmas tree this past Sunday night. The tree is 4 ft artificial with no lights (because I couldn’t find a complete strand that worked). The tree and stockings hung on the mantel are the only signs of Christmas at our house. I’m right there with you about not decorating for the holidays. If I could get away with it I wouldn’t do it at all! Although our children are 16 and 14 my husband says we at least need a Christmas tree for them.
The holiday decorating content on social media is a bit much for me. Especially when it starts in October! My social media scrolling slows down in November and December. I would rather see the organizing stuff and tips for home functionality. Usually I’m off twelve days straight around the holidays. That time is used to redo closets, bathroom cabinets, kitchen cabinets and deep clean the house. Nothing like starting the new year with a fresh clean and organized house.
My last child was born the day after Christmas. She tried to make her arrive the day before Christmas eve but held out until after Christmas. I was so miserable! I feel your pain!
Wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas. Take time off and enjoy that wonderful blessing bundle of joy. Us dedicated readers will be right here waiting.
Ditto to her suggestions! “I would rather see the organizing stuff and tips for home functionality”
You keep working to your strengths! If holiday décor is not what gets you excited, then write about what does. I read your blog to meet up with you, not for you to be someone else. 22 years ago I was due a baby boy on Dec 23rd. I was so nervous about when he would come and what Christmas would be like that year. He also took his time coming (His sister was 19 days late) and he came on Dec 29 so we had a lovely Christmas and I had time to clean up before baby came. They are my treasures, even after all this time. So take your time with your family and enjoy whatever God has in store.
I’m with you – there’s soooo much Christmas all over the place! While I do decorate my home, I don’t go “overboard” – it is all about the family and the memories, not the decorations and the stuff.
Take the time to spend with your family, rest and recharge – then come back and share the things that we love about you and your blog *after* all the crazy.
Happy Birthday, Merry Christmas – and Happy BABY!
Hi Megan
All I have to tell you is that the blog can wait as us No matter at all not to post or decorate
Baby boy will soon come and bring all the family a great hapiness
I wish you all the best from the bottom of my heart
Have a nice Christmas and a happy birthday I am a december girl too
Lots of wishes to you all
Michèle
Here’s to a healthy, safe baby whenever he comes! As for the blog, I LOVE the idea of posting organization stuff around this time of year! That’s way more helpful to me than the Christmas decorating stuff. I, too, like to take this time of year to get organized so I can start the new year off with a fresh start — would love to see more content related to purging and organizing for this time of year!
And, no, I don’t think you should feel obliged to decorate your house just for the sake of the blog. Decorate — or don’t! — based on what works best for YOUR family!
Merry Christmas, Happy Birthday, and Happy Baby New Year! Best wishes for an uneventful and fast delivery!
I second many of the above comments that if you’re not into the full on holiday explosion, be true to yourself. There’s enough of that stuff out there for anybody who wants it, and I personally come here for your unique perspective. I appreciate your rental and military posts in particular and admire (but don’t emulate) your organization. I don’t know of haven’t any blog similar to yours.
All that being said, I would be interested in how you do Christmas in terms of amount and storage. You mentioned the clutter and fuss (totally agree). Being a military family I already struggle with having and storing TWO bins of Christmas stuff for 11 months, while I’ve got spring and fall holidays each combined in one.
Phew! Sorry for the novel. Love your blog, rest up in the near time, we’ll all be here!
Merry Christmas and Happy Birthday
Being with your family is more important than
Blogging. I love what you give us whenever you can.
Love all your men and the time you have with them.
Merry Christmas and Happy Birthday Megan! you are so loved by your readers. you are thoughtful, kind and good spirits. THANK YOU for all your teachings, inside tips and all you do on this blog. I really have learn so much from you. I know that you already know but you don’t have to do it all. No one does. I like that you like to take sometime off, specially when baby comes and you will be having 2 kids! Take your time, sip some hot cocoa and just enjoy the present moments!
I just found you recently and while I haven’t read much of your archives I keep coming back even though we have little in common! I’m recently retired, never had kids, have lived in the same house for 30 years and am not terribly organized – but you make me feel like I can organize our upcoming move and not lose my mind. I hope you enjoy the precious time with your family and I’ll enjoy whatever bits you care to share. I think your readers visit for the things you do best – setting up a new home, dealing with new home idiosynchracies, moving, organizing and some decor. So don’t worry about Christmas content – share what you care to but don’t let content drive your life!
To be honest I’m a bit relieved that you don’t bombard us with endless Christmas crafts. There’s just SO MUCH of that all over the blogosphere already. I say take December off and come back with some organisation posts in January (when people are putting away their decorations and are in a more “organizing” state of mind). I look forward to your kitchen posts coming up! Xxx
Dear Megan – Please take whatever time you need to be with loved ones and enjoy the season. I think it’s great you will share birthday time with your new baby, even if not the same day. My work gives us a Holiday for our Birthdays, so you should take another day off for that, too! I hurt my back in November, and am still not 100%, so my Christmas decor consists of bags of unwrapped presents, and a tiny metallic tree a girlfriend dropped off. However, I did get all the supplies to make your tile ornaments, and my niece and nephews are looking forward to that on Christmas break.
Come back to us when you can, but your family comes first! Happy speedy labor! Aloha – Tenney
Maybe it is just me, but I’m over holiday house tours. There is just too much and it would be okay if everyone did a post or two of Christmas stuff, but it feels like EVERYONE has done NOTHING but holiday crafts and holiday tablescapes and holiday home tours and holiday gift guides and…well, you get the idea. I have skipped pretty much every single post that fell into one of those categories this year–I still hadn’t recovered from last years!
I understand you wanting to take off December, but I’d prefer you just keep it real and do what you do, not join in the holiday hype. You do great organizing posts…maybe share a few of those ideas in December so by the time January hits we’re ready to make our resolutions happen! A few Christmas crafts or sewing ideas aren’t bad either, but only if that is what you are doing. So, there’s my two cents.
Hi Megan.
Twenty years ago this Christmas, I had my second son. Because I had a C-section, we “did” Christmas on Dec. 29th that year! Having a birthday on Christmas Day is special, but it does mean that we keep an eye on the clock. We do stockings in the morning and then breakfast. Then the grandparents come around 11:30 and we open presents with them. Then, we have lunch and birthday cake and birthday presents. Then my brother and sister-in-law come at 4:00 and we open presents again. By then, it’s time to start the veggies and cut the bird, make gravy, etc. So you see what I mean about watching the clock. Always in a hurry, but not much time to visit! I can finally catch my breath after supper. Pandemonium, but fun! All this to say, it’s special to have a Christmas baby! All my best wishes to you for a safe and healthy delivery and a blessed Christmas!