No Balloons for a Two Year Old: My Blogiversary
Yesterday marked the two-year anniversary of my first blog post for Mommy Evolution. It wasn’t an easy post to write but an important one to kick off this whole journey.
My first post, “Ripping Off the Band-Aid,” was a way to introduce myself but also publicly talk about the fact that my kids have Sensory Processing Disorder.
They are bright, amazing kids who have faced their challenges head on with gust and verve and are coming out on top.
Personally, I think my kids rock.
When I started Mommy Evolution, I really just needed an outlet to share my thoughts and emotions of being a mom of two sensory kiddos.
Somewhere along the way of muddling through these challenges I had lost myself. It was time I reconnected with who I am.
Two years later, I would say I’m definitely on my way.
What a Difference Two Years Can Make
Reading my first post, I realize I had recently started The Sensory Spectrum to reach out to other parents who had sensory kids.
It really was just a lark. I was going to be thrilled if I reached just 100 people.
Today I have more than 14,000 followers on Facebook alone for The Sensory Spectrum and run a private Facebook discussion group of almost 4,000 members.
This following has less to do with me and more with the needs of the sensory community. I wish there had been a resource for me to turn to to learn about SPD and feel like I wasn’t alone.
So I created one and feel honored to be embraced by so many other parents.
I also returned to my book-loving roots… just not in the way I thought I would.
I’ve always been an avid reader but after having kids, I’ve been lucky to get through a couple of books a year.
However, I go through children’s books like gangbusters with my boys, who read nightly with me.
From this love of reading and cuddle time with my boys, I’ve been putting together books lists of reads that we love.
Let’s Ignore the Blogiversary
When I saw my two-year anniversary was coming up, my first inclination was to completely ignore it.
I didn’t even mention the first year marker, so why would I make a fuss about completing a second year?
I guess that the first year, I was testing out the waters and jotting down my thoughts whenever.
Weeks would pass before I wrote another post.
Then last summer I began to get serious.
And boy did you all respond!
I feel extremely blessed and lucky to have such an amazing community of people following Mommy Evolution and joining in on the journey.
But I’m not one to make a big fuss over myself.
It’s just not my style.
So instead of some huge giveaway or releasing a Mommy Evolution worth it.
Thank you for your feedback.
Thank you for your insight.
And thank you for becoming not just a part of Mommy Evolution but a part of my life.
To read more of my posts touching on Sensory Processing Disorder, please click here. To learn more about sensory challenges or to join our inclusive community, visit The Sensory Spectrum.
Jenny
My daughter, who is about 20 years old now, has had this problem since she was a little girl. She was supposed to be born on June 28th. Unfortunately she decided to come 9 days later. During the 4th of July, the family decided to go see fireworks on the Inlet down in West Palm Beach, Florida back home. We did. We had a lot of fun. But then the sonic boom exploded which made my daughter actually jump within my stomach. I knew something was wrong.
Fast forward to the age of 3 when she and I were stuck in traffic. Listening to background sounds, I noticed that she was in the back seat on the floor board, covering her ears and crying, “Mommy, make that boom-boom car stop”. I immediately made her a hearing appt and they found that she is super sensitive to high and low frequency wavelengths. They also said that she probably has some type of ADD disorder and I should watch out for that.
Today we are able to go to Firework shows and watch the fireworks. But only if I make sure she has her iPod with headphones. Oh….and she has a fear of balloons…not the balloon itself, but the pop.
The Hip Grandmother
We’ve had to manage loud noises for years. The public bathrooms are always the worse with the high-powered hand dryers.
That is a lot of accomplishment in two years, not to mention the help and inspiration you bring to your community. Congratulations!
Happy blogoversary!
Thanks so much, Freda 🙂
Congrats Jennifer! Two years is a big accomplishment, when most blogs never make a fraction of that. I’m glad to have found your blog and look forward to reading your posts long into the future!
Thanks, Emma. It hasn’t been easy but I’m glad I’ve turned it into the long-haul. I’m a fan of yours as well 😀
Happy blogiversary!
Much appreciated, Ana Lynn 😀
Happy Blogiversary. It is amazing how much you can grow in two years. I have had Uplifting Families since Oct 2012, when I first started writing, I was horrible. I have evolved and found an amazing people have supported me. Thank you for sharing and welcoming me into your community and life.
Ahh. Thanks for the kind words, Christy. I’m so glad we’ve connected through the blogging community 🙂
Happy Blogiversary. Keep up the great work you do in informing us about stuff.
Happy Blogiversary….I’ve been following you for a while….I really like your blog and will continue to enjoy reading your posts. Thank you