Yes, Katiedoodle (and I) have been keeping a little secret … but one that’s now … impossible … to hide. Yes: Kate and her husband Jim are preparing to welcome their first child into their family. Kate’s due date is now just weeks away.
And in the wake of this WONDERFUL news, there’s blog-news too: Kate’s last day working for Retro Renovation is this Friday. After that, she’ll be at home with the new weebit full-time — although she tells me that, time permitting, she hopes to be able to continue working with me on a freelance basis now and then. No pressure, though, Kate! I am SO HAPPY for you — my last ‘assignment’ for you is to: Enjoy every millisecond of this life-changing new chapter in your life! That said, I will miss working with you daily so madly and deeply — it’s been four years of a working partnership — and friendship — that for me, has been good as it could possibly get!
(Note, dear readers, you’ll continue to see Kate’s byline, because there are a stash of stories she’s completed still in the pipeline for publication. And how will I proceed? For now, I will go back to being a solo blogger and see how that goes.)
Kate’s friend Nicole Johnson, a photographer from the Pittsburgh area, visited Kate and Jim recently, and took these precious photos.
Is the baby a girl or a boy, you ask? It’s a girl! Come back tomorrow to see how Kate has prepared the nursery. You can be sure it’s retro and colorful and delightful as can be!
And, all this week: We’ll be spotlighting Kate’s four years of contributions to the blog. What a talented and hard-working and creative Managing Editor she has been! She’s an amazing artist and decorator and graphic designer! And, while I’m the one who’s constantly tossing ideas all over the place, she’s super-organized and keeps me focused. I am sooooooo crying in my Mai Tai to see her go… but soooooooo happy for the reason so!
la673 says
Congrats from someone who came thisclose to hearing the pitter-patter of tiny footsteps in my living room myself a year ago but things didn’t work out; maybe next year but for now can I live vicariously through you?
Thanks for all the great advice over the last 4 years, and hopefully in the future too.
Joel says
A baby! How retro. Mazel tov.
Diane in CO says
Congratulations, Kate and Jim!!!
My advice: raise her to be a Packer fan of course!
So happy you will have a little girl to inherit the dollhouse. Certainly, you will add mini-Kate’s and mini-Jim’s mini-baby to the Betsy McCall! 🙂
Laurie Louise says
Oh my goodness. I miss a few blog days in the rush of the new school year, and suddenly Kate’s leaving and about to give birth! Kate, I am so happy for you and Jim and the little one who will soon be blessed by your love, good sense, creativity and joy. Baby advice I don’t have–my baby came to me at age eight, and rather unexpectedly. When she became mine, I was amazed at the depth of love I began to feel–a way to love I never dreamed existed. I kept wondering why no one ever talked about how utterly amazing parenting is. It brings a sweetness unlike anything else in life. I will miss your presence on the blog–you and Pam make an amazing team. And you’re going to be a one-in-a-million mom. I’m looking forward to updates–baby or retro! xoxo
Kathy says
Congratulations to you and Daddy-to-be! Advice, hmmm…well, let me see now, I’m a parent of 2, (girl & boy) and have worked in Early Childhood Education for 13 years now. I would say, Every child is different, so don’t compare your darling to your friend’s baby that’s already walking, talking, potty training or blogging. They develop at their own pace. You can’t love your baby too much, especially when they are newborns and people keep telling you to let them cry to sleep. Newborns are just reacting on a basic need level and have not learned the skill to self-soothe to calm down and sleep. You don’t have to raise a baby Genius, but talk/sing/read the newspaper to baby, & hold/hug/touch/comfort baby. Play is the highest form of learning. Later when potty training etc, just keep telling yourself “they won’t go off to college not potty trained, it will happen.”. High School is only 4yrs, not like Elementary, so attend everything you can cause it goes fast!!! If there is an Early Childhood Family Ed class with a parenting education component near you take one. They include dads. They often have evening classes so working parents can attend. Ours is thru local community ed in school dist. Ours is birth to 5yrs. Go when you are ready. Stay at home mom’s can become isolated feeling and having that once a week class to learn about baby and parenting and connecting with other mommies etc can be just what first timers need to reassure themselves everything is going well. If no class find a Mommy & me type group or similar to do the same. Finally, thanks for the blog posts and enjoy the wonderful blessings of parenthood!
Kate says
Thanks for the advice Kathy! I’ve already found another stay at home mom who lives 4 houses down from me on our street and she’s told me that when I feel ready for it, she’d love to set up a regular coffee and play date kind of thing. 🙂
Colleen says
I’m a non-parent and have no advice to give, but just wanted to say “Happy Trails” on your new adventure. I will miss your Midwestern enthusiasm and am sure you will pass on your creative nature to your new little blossom.
Kate says
Haha, my “Midwestern enthusiasm” 🙂 Yep, I’ve got lots of that!
Barbara says
Congratulations! Can’t really give advice because each baby and family is different. Just one thing, never let the baby watch Caillou. It is nails on a chalkboard for parents. If you want to see a cool kid in a retro inspired house, try Sid the Science Kid. Yes, I m jealous of a cartoon character’s home. Anyway, best of luck and enjoy your time with the baby.
Kate says
Ohhh I’ve heard Caillou is so annoying! We are going to try and keep her away from that as long as possible. 🙂
Chris says
Also check out George Shrinks! Very fun cartoon interiors — kind of MCM meets deco.
Sweet and super fun stories too!
Kate says
Will do Chris, thanks for the tip!
Andi says
Adding to the congratulations to Kate and Jim! I hadn’t seen the announcement but tuned in yesterday and saw the wonderful pink flamingo nursery.
No question you will be much-missed on the blog, Kate, but so wonderful to have the time to immerse yourself in mommyhood!
No child-rearing advice here, I only have dogs. Speaking of which, congratulations to Leo, too, on his new baby sister. Bet he can’t wait until she can walk so he can “herd” her every time she veers off what he thinks is the right course!
All best wishes to your new family!
Kate says
We are hoping that Leo is a wonderful big brother. I’m sure he’ll be excited when she starts eating solid food. He’s very good at making sure there are never any crumbs on the floor. 😉
Nina462 says
get yourself a ton of old 7 sisters magazines on parenting. The 7 sisters were Good Housekeeping; Better Homes & Garden; Womens Day; The American Home; Redbook; McCalls & Family Circle. I collect them & enjoy reading all the old articles and fashion/décor from the 30’s – 60’s.
You’ll be great parents – just enjoy the time & God Bless your little growing family.
Chris says
What wonderful news! Here is a little advice — keep all your wonderful putz houses and your dollhouse well out of reach for a very, very long time! 🙂
Other tidbits — be easy on yourself and see how things go. Don’t beat yourself up if you decide to give up the cloth diapers. I bought a ton of them and said Oh Heck No after a very short time. We now have the best ever dust cloths, car polishers, and eyeglasses cleaning cloths! My first child absolutely hated being worn in a sling. Hated it! Second child too — but he loved the Baby Bjorn, mostly because he had a front row seat for whatever crazy 3 year old big brother was doing. So much of parenting is having an idea of how you’d like to do things, then giving it a try. Not everything works the way you plan. What really matters, through all of it, is a happy, healthy baby and a family with lots of love!!!! Housekeeping, perfect schedules, and all that stuff really doesn’t matter. And when school time rolls around — do not fall into the trap of trying to keep up with the Perfect Moms. It is exhausting and discouraging. You are your own baby’s Perfect Mom no matter what!
Someone once told me the old saying “the days are long but the years are short.” Oh my gosh. So very, very true. I am going to a college fair for my oldest child tonight. The time has flown too, too fast.
Enjoy every second! Congratulations!
Mom of 5 grown kids says
What she said.