Reflecting on 2 years of blog (and a giveaway)

I wrote my very first post here 2 years ago today. It's my Blogoversary!!! 2 whole years!!! (Boy oh boy... was that an exciting post, heehee.)

What I would consider my first REAL post came 4 days later. The post where I told you who I was... or more to the point... how I became a stay-at-home mom (even though I planned to be back to work with Zoe after 6 weeks). Not a bad read if you've got time for a LONG post.

I've been enjoying spending a little time going back through my oldest posts. Seeing what I was writing about, what was going on in our lives, what crazy things tiny 20 month old Zoe was up to. It's amazing to see how much Zoe has grown... but how her personality has been there all along. It's also interesting to see how life was before and after Ana showed up. Life has really changed in the last 2 years.

It's been fun to look at comments and realize how many of my online friends have been there from the very beginning. I decided that for my blogoversary I would share my very first online friends with you. They are very special ladies... all with beautiful blogs... and even more beautiful daughters.

I got my very first comment (on that 2nd post) from Carrie. It's interesting that 2 years ago we related because her Addie is just a bit younger than Zoe and it was fun to see when and how the girls would do things at similar times. Now it's because I'm following in her footsteps being a mom of 2 girls. I LOVE reading and seeing how Emma and Addie relate... and hope my girls have a relationship like hers do.

Carrie was quickly followed by Natalie and Christina (both on my 3rd post). We started bonding over Best Shot Mondays... and have gotten closer while reading about each others daughters. Again... Natalie's M and Christina's Nadia are very close in age to Zoe. We can commisserate when they're making us pull our hair our... and laugh with all of their humor.

Not many posts after that Mary and I found each other. Mary has 2 girls. Jenna is a little older than Zoe, and Catie a little younger. Zoe and Catie share a history of hip dysplasia (which is finally HISTORY for both girls!!!) ... and it connected Mary and I. Beyond that we have noticed we share a lot of similar likes. (for one thing... our girls could be sharing a wardrobe with how many pieces of clothing we recognize on each others blogs!)

So many other friendships have developed through this blog. I've said it before... and I'll repeat myself. People who don't have blogs just don't understand the community that you feel. The real friendships you make. I've come to find true friendships. Really too many to list and link to. One day I'll have to take the time and link to everyone. But for today... I'll just share my first blog friends. These few that have been there since my very first weeks blogging... and have stuck around.

I have visions that someday maybe Zoe and Ana will get to play with Emma and Addie, and M, and Nadia, and Jenna and Catie (and quite a few more I could add to the list). We'll all be in the backyard on a warm sunny day. The girls all giggling and dancing around... splashing in the sprinklers and blowing bubbles. Oh, what fun it would be. But... unless they miraculously can all make trips to New Jersey from California, Georgia, Texas, and Washington... it will just remain a blog dream. Sigh.

The Giveaway!!!

Now... for the first time in the history of A Madison Mom... I'm having a giveaway. A little something to celebrate 2 years. I've tried to think of a creative prize... but between running around with Zoe and Ana to school and dance and swimming classes, and doing the normal chores (laundry, food shopping, keeping up with my google reader and facebook)... I just can't come up with anything special or meaningful. Something that says "thanks for reading my blog!!!" What I have come up with is something EVERYONE can use. How does a $25 Amex gift card sound? You could find something to put that to use on right? I thought so.

Since it is my very first giveaway I'm going to keep it simple. Just post a comment. It doesn't have to be a fancy comment. It would be nice if it was a little more than "Happy Blogoversary" (but I'll be happy to take those too!) If you've been out there lurking... say hello. Let me know you're here. Or... if you've made a really great friend through a blog... share the blog with me!!!

So... comment.

I'll take comments from today (3/13) until Thursday (3/19) at midnight. Either someone can help me out and point me in the direction of that random comment picking site... or Zoe and I will do something extremely scientific involving strips of paper and a hat (heehee). I'll announce on Friday who the winner is. Please please please make sure your e-mail is available so that I can contact you if you are the winner.

Thank you for reading my little blog.... especially those of you who have been around since it's beginning. And, thanks to those of you who are just starting to check in on us. I hope you'll stick around and keep reading! Who knows what will be going on next year?!?!