Hi Penelopes,
I’m so sorry for yet another round of radio silence here at Penelope Loves Lists. The truth is, I’ve just been so conflicted as to how to handle this period of my blogging life.
As you know, I’m getting ready to have our baby in early August (I’m at 37 weeks -almost there!). The preparation for the little guy (and, even more so, for being away from work to be with him) has simply taken all energy out of me. And so, I’ve wanted to just post that I’m taking a long term break.
And yet, I didn’t want to take away my option to post if all of a sudden I had a bolt of energy and inspiration simultaneously. And I felt guilty for not posting. And I felt guilty for pushing myself to do more than I should.
And back and forth I’ve gone, all the while simply not posting anything.
Man, I am so tired of myself.
So, I’m finally making a decision and putting the blog on official hiatus for a while. I’m not sure how long that will be. I may post in a week, or it may be a whole lot longer. I just don’t know. I hope very much to be back for real in the next few months, but I’m giving myself the option to just see how it goes. Which is very, VERY difficult for me. I’m so not good with “go with the flow.”
I’m thinking this may be my season to learn to do just that. And that’s a humbling lesson to learn, isn’t it?
I deeply love this website and all of you and I miss our interaction, so I look forward to the time when life enables me to be back in full Penelope action.
Until then, and because so many of you have been sweet enough to ask to see some photos of my pregnant self, I’ll leave you with a few pictures from our recent family and maternity photo session with the fantastic photographer Lisa Farrer. Seriously, if you’re in the SF Bay Area, Lisa’s the person to see for family photos, belly shots, baby portraits or wedding photography. Super, super talented photographer and really sweet person. She made my entire, photo-phobic family feel extremely comfortable.
Our spectacularly blended family
Me and my very patient husband
The cliched heart-on-belly shot. Just had to do it.
29 weeks pregnant
Our Boston Terrier, Cooper.
Have a wonderful summer and fall, Penelopes. I’ll see you soon.
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{ 16 comments… read them below or add one }
You look beautiful! I miss your blog, but I’m glad that you can be an example for the rest of us and prioritize your life. I think Penelopes sometimes have a really hard time saying “no” and creating boundaries. We just add the new task to our list! Good for you
Congratulations on all of the excitement in your life! I am so sad we never met up in SF (and I’m sorry I never followed through) – I feel like we are running in parallel right now! I wrapped up my residency in SF and officially made the move to Nevada. After much delay we finally closed and after several contractor disasters, we moved into our new home on Tuesday (33 weeks pregnant). I too miss blogging, feel guilty about it, don’t know how to start back up or stop all together … but I try to just remember how much fun I had when doing it and I want to go into this next phase of my life guilt free (okay, that’s impossible – just with less guilt…) and so I too should let myself off the hook for not blogging and just get excited about finally nesting and parenthood! I wish you all the best! xoxo
Good for you! I discovered you late in the game–soon before your pregnancy –and read everything at once. You’ve been my favorite blog. Once I found you, postings were already infrequent due to all of your exciting changes. When you write, it’s a treat. So, if you feel like throwing something out there, I’ll be happy to read (as will many others, I bet!). Good luck in these last few weeks of pregnancy (and then the weeks ahead…). If/when you’re ready to come back, your followers will be here:-)
Congratulations to our lead Penelope! I will definitely continue to follow you, as I really enjoy your blog. So take a break, enjoy your new baby with your beautiful family and we’ll be here when you get back!
Lovely pics. Congrats, enjoy, and relax! You deserve it, and we’ll be here whenever your decide to return
God bless you and your beautiful family! I will continue to look for your posts and look forward to the news of your latest addition!!
Best of luck with the baby! The photos are beautiful!
GOOD FOR YOU Meredith!! wishing you nothing but love and clean laundry and at least 5 hours of sleep in a row! Your life is to be there for your family, and I will miss your blog, I look forward to your posts from ….THE NEXT STAGE, whatever that may be….xxxooo
Meredith, I understand and think it’s great that you’ve decided to take time for yourself, your baby and your family. Congratulations again, I’ll still be here checking in, as I really love your blog and can’t help but feel a connection with you. Enjoy this special time! xoxo
Good luck with everything! I totally understand. I took a break too. Stop by when you are up to blogging again!
Good luck with everything! I totally understand. I took a break too. Stop by when you are up to blogging again!
Good luck with everything! I totally understand. I took a break too. Stop by when you are up to blogging again!
I’ve missed the blog and your writing, but am very glad you are taking the time and energy for yourself and your family. I hope you have a wonderful birth, and enjoy your new baby!
Never commented and only skulked at the perimeter of the blog from my wildly, chronically disorganized mess world.
wanted to comment though to say
glad the break was only for happy reasons
now i’m compelled to sign up for the rss feed in case you post
and last but not least
that might be the best EVER family pet photo. loved it.
congratulations and much happiness to you and yours.
Hey, so glad all is well!
Just got back from holiday and was glad to see you’re back, even if it’s just to say a (temporary) goodbye.
Enjoy your pregnancy, your little one and the rest of your family and we’ll hear back from you when you’re up and running again, however eratically…
That’s the beauty of that RSS thingy.
Karen (Scotland)
I’ve missed you lots and will still miss you lots, but I totally understand! Hope your birth goes swimmingly and have a wonderful time with your growing family!!