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You are here: Home / Mom Life / 2017 in Review and Plans for 2018

January 1, 2018 · 12 Comments

2017 in Review and Plans for 2018

Mom Life

best nine 2017 yearIt’s been quite a year for Little Prince Leopold!

With the help of some fellow blogger mamas and the encouragement of my husband and family, I was able to start this blog up at the beginning of 2017.

Some months were slower than others. Life happened, and sometimes I felt discouraged and slowed my pace. I took off some weekends and even weeks at a time. No matter what, I’ve kept going. No matter how slow I went, I didn’t stop.

I started the year off with a brand new blog, about 200 followers on Instagram, and hardly anything else to speak of. I had my personal accounts and that’s it.

Now, I have a blog that I’m proud of and can say I understand a little better than I used to. I am really not great at all of this tech stuff, so it’s taken a lot of google searches and desperate pleas to get where I am!

In 2018, I want to get to know the guts of my blog a little better. I want to learn how to change things around and keep it looking fresh without having to ask for help all the time.

In 2018, I want to get more sponsored work on my blog, which means getting more page views too.

It’s my goal to keep my content fresh and relevant to what my readers want to see.

My Instagram has grown an incredible amount this year. I like working with Instagram the best, because I love the sense of community I feel there. I have definitely pushed the hardest on that platform and I’m excited to see what 2018 brings for my Instagram.

Like I said, I started out with around 200 followers and it looks like I’ll end the year at 8,000 followers. That’s incredible to me! I don’t buy likes or followers, but I do work really hard to get them! I strive to engage with my followers and those that I’m following. My goal is for my Instagram to be authentic and relateable and not some cookie cutter picture perfect fantasy world.

My goal is to see my Instagram grow beyond 10k followers next year! I’m certain I can make it happen, too. I’d like to keep my engagement up and continue to get sponsored work for my Instagram as well.

Ideally, I would love to start bringing in slightly more regular income with my blog and Instagram in 2018.

Thank you so much to those of you who follow along! I love you guys and wouldn’t be where I am if it weren’t for you!

Every like, comment and share from you gets me closer to my goals and I couldn’t be more grateful to those of you who interact with my posts!

Here are a few of my favorite posts from this year:

An Open Letter to My Mama in Heaven (if you want to cry, you should read this one)

How I Got Married for Under $1000 (My gorgeous garden wedding!)

The Munchie Mug: The Last Snack Cup You Will Ever Need (The first brand I worked with! I’ll forever be grateful to them)

Road Trip Survival Tips for Traveling with a Toddler (a pretty awesome list if you ask me)

Adventures in Potty Training my 21 Month Old (we regressed. Terribly. But this is still good advice!)

What Did My Toddler Eat this Week? First Edition (I love working with this brand, and it was so fun making these dishes!)

Leopold’s Bedroom Update: After (I worked pretty hard on this room! I love a good ‘after’)

I love all of my posts, to be honest. Mostly because there was  a lot of work and love put into each one. I hope to post a good bit more this next year!

Here’s to 2018, that it is a successful and happy year for all of us!

What’s your biggest goal for the new year?!

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Comments

  1. Ruby says

    January 6, 2018 at 10:32 pm

    Love this! It’s nice to hear of blogs that are able to organically grow. I wish you the best of luck for the following years, and I totally hear you on the “200 followers” page. I started with zero this summer and ended with 250. It can be frustrating sometimes when you put so much energy into something but don’t get exposure. Maybe 2018 will be my year too. 😉

    Reply
    • Ayana Nell says

      January 7, 2018 at 12:11 am

      Keep on keeping on girl! I think 2018 will be your year too 🙂 Try not to let it get you down when engagement is low!

      Reply
  2. Jenn says

    January 6, 2018 at 11:05 pm

    These are really great goals! I know you’re active every week so I believe you’re well on your way! Good luck!

    Reply
    • Ayana Nell says

      January 7, 2018 at 12:12 am

      Thanks so much!!! I hope so!

      Reply
  3. Alexandra Michelle says

    January 8, 2018 at 3:31 am

    Thanks for sharing your journey. Very inspiring. Best of luck in this new year 2018. xoxo

    Reply
    • Ayana Nell says

      January 9, 2018 at 2:49 pm

      Thank you! Hope it’s the best year for you too!

      Reply
  4. Holly Lasha says

    January 8, 2018 at 4:20 pm

    Looks like it was an awesome year. Good luck to you in 2018!!!

    Reply
    • Ayana Nell says

      January 9, 2018 at 2:49 pm

      Thanks!! It’s already shaping up to be a great year 🙂 Hope yours is great too!

      Reply
  5. Jennifer | Blushing Hydrangea says

    January 8, 2018 at 5:12 pm

    I love hearing about how you have grown your blog! It gives hope to me as a new blogger that all I need to do it take the time and have patience and the potential is there! Keep up the great work!

    Reply
    • Ayana Nell says

      January 9, 2018 at 2:50 pm

      You can do it! I hope this year is a year of incredible growth for us both!

      Reply
  6. ohmummymia says

    January 8, 2018 at 8:42 pm

    Sounds like you had really good year hope the 2018 will be even better:)

    Reply
    • Ayana Nell says

      January 9, 2018 at 2:50 pm

      I think it will be! 🙂 Thank you!

      Reply

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I'm just a twenty something stay at home mama trying to do my very best to be awesome at my job. I love Harry Potter, crafting, coffee, red wine and stretchy pants. I used to be a world traveler but I've settled down (for now) to have babies. I'm married to my best friend James and I'm a dog mom to Niko (Goldendoodle) and Rahksi (Chinese Crested). Read More…

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Little Prince Leopold
Finley had her own adventure today at @peacefulgat Finley had her own adventure today at @peacefulgatherings in the pouring rain! She walked in the puddles, explored in the woods, and did a little coloring after she got tired of being wet and cold 😅. Because it WAS cold! I'm glad we still have our @oakiwear rainsuit from when Leopold was this age! Swipe to see when we first got it! I was especially grateful that I could easily see her as she explored in the trees with her new friends. Nature school is child led learning and I love that, but I definitely struggle with not hovering just a little but 🙈.
April 13th 2022 ➡️ April 7th 2021 The differe April 13th 2022 ➡️ April 7th 2021

The difference a year makes is astounding 🤯. We just leveled each kid up officially on their bikes! Finley got Leopold's old bike and Leopold finally started regularly riding his pedal bike 👏🏻.
Celebrated my mama's birthday today with bubble te Celebrated my mama's birthday today with bubble tea and cookies from @mingoscookiesco , presents from @learningexpresslexington, a picnic lunch from @grouchos_irmo in the park, with some playground time afterward. 
I miss you every day mom ❤❤❤
We had an action packed start to spring break with We had an action packed start to spring break with our 2nd camping trip followed by a beach trip! We did all of this in two days and while yes, I'm exhausted 😴 I'm so glad we got out there again! 

I found a small camp site on a plantation/working farm near @visitfb (Folly Beach) using @hipcamp and it was so unique and definitely primitive 😆. No water, no electricity, and one outhouse for all 6 sites to share. And when I say outhouse I mean OUTHOUSE 🏕 

We heard cows and coyotes all night, along with the occasional donkeys and rooster. I figured I would struggle to find a place to stay during spring break, and so last minute, but I snagged this beautiful spot right on the marsh with no issues and for $25! 

This go around a friend from Leopold's school and her mom came along after we had our site set up. It was nice having another grown up around!
My new lock screen 😍 it needed a place on my fe My new lock screen 😍 it needed a place on my feed because look at these sweet big kids!
We saw the Easter bunny today and had our first egg hunt- it was a blast!
I pulled one of Finley's favorite baby toys out of I pulled one of Finley's favorite baby toys out of her baby box to share a fun giveaway with y'all! I'm partnering up with @babyjackco to give two people a $50 #wizardlovey prize pack with the items of their choosing! 
💜Just follow me- @littleprinceleopold and @babyjackco
💜Tag your friends (each comment is an entry)
💜 Tell me in the comments who the lovey is for! 

I snapped these shots of Finley in the yard today and these are the silly faces she gave me 🤪 I didn't even realize that one of our first pictures with this lovey is a 😜 picture too! 

This giveaway is not sponsored by Instagram and will run until Monday in honor of the new fantastic beasts movie that's coming out soon!
Just my cute and wild 3.5 year old 🤩. These 2nd Just my cute and wild 3.5 year old 🤩. These 2nd born kids, phew 😝

She cut her toe all up today by sliding my closet door over it 🤢 she was so brave and is okay but mom was feeling a bit queasy through it! 

Shoes from @pedipedfootwear 
Silicone cup from @gosiliproducts
Celebrating an epic report card from this clever b Celebrating an epic report card from this clever boy 🎉 I'm constantly in awe of his little brain! He got all C's except in music where he got the next mark down (C is the highest mark for him right now) and he's testing at reading level "L". The goal is for them to be at reading level D by the end of kindergarten 🤯. That's my boy!
The tradition continues!! Leopold had a half day t The tradition continues!! Leopold had a half day today and we went strawberry picking 🍓🍓🍓. We go to @cottlefarms because as far as I know it's the closest one to us, even though it's 30 minutes out 😬. Like everything else, prices went up this year- $15/gallon for U pick and $18 for "we pick".
After taking the kids on a camping trip SOLO, I fe After taking the kids on a camping trip SOLO, I feel like I can do ANYTHING 💪🏻🙌🏻. Our first time tent camping together and while it had it's ups and downs and quirks, it was ✨️magical✨️ and we can't wait to do it again! We have had the tent for about a year now- I just never bit the bullet to book a site. A lady in my hiking Facebook group posted that she was looking to give away her site because she couldn't make it or cancel so I decided to be spontaneous!! I'm so glad I did because the memories from the last couple of days are just so sweet 🤗.
I finally got to do one of my dream photo shoots t I finally got to do one of my dream photo shoots thanks to @allenacresfarm today! I've always wanted the chance to take photos of cute baby cows, especially with my kids in the shot! This farm just had 4 babies! We couldn't get too close to the tiny ones because their moms were a bit unsure of us, but I did get these cute ones with Luna! 
I'm always game for a fresh 48 shoot, especially with baby cows 🐮🐮🐮 
We even got to meet one that was born today 🤩. See some super cute photos in my stories!!
It happened on Saturday. My darling animal loving It happened on Saturday. My darling animal loving girl got too close to a little dog in the 3 seconds I looked away, after telling her to back up and give the dog space. It happened so fast- he got her from forehead to chin before I pulled her away. It was scary and a bit traumatic, and I think I cried more than she did. But she's brave and tough and hopefully learned a very valuable lesson about dogs (we have been working with her tirelessly about dog safety since she's such an animal lover...but now she really knows why). So far it doesn't appear that she's afraid of dogs now which was my fear initially. 
And yes the dog is up to date on shots- we went right to my mother in laws house to assess and doctor her up and she was quickly all smiles- and then got chips  queso, a shirley temple and ice cream for dinner! 
Pics from the rest of the weekend to show how quickly it's healing!
Back on the field for another season! I'm team mom Back on the field for another season! I'm team mom for the 2nd time...really living up to my minivan 😆. Happily wearing the soccer mom title while I can- Leopold loves it for now and I played soccer as a kid so I love that I understand what's going on 😂. 
Just when I thought Finley was getting mature enough to not run off...she made me chase her across 3 fields and up a staircase 🤦🏼‍♀️ I think she might be staying home with her dad for a few weeks! 

Are your kids doing any sports right now?
Instagram post 17938170295796542 Instagram post 17938170295796542
My valentines goodies for the kids 💕. I'm the My valentines goodies for the kids 💕. 

I'm the queen of going overboard with STUFF. I'm trying to get better 🥴. I think this is a perfectly reasonable collection that the kids will actually really appreciate! I'm also trying to do less as far as candy goes- as tempting as all the treats are. They will only get 3 chocolates each 🙈. 

We've got matching pop it keychains,
@slumberkins love bugs,
@palssocks which the kids are obsessed with- but the one pair we have is getting too small.
And one big one to share- the FAO Schwarz version of scribble scrubbies that I found on clearance for $12 🎉. 

Do you do valentines for your kids? My parents did it for me every so often and I think that's what made me love valentines day so much ❤.
GIVEAWAY CLOSED We ❤ @pedipedfootwear ! These sh GIVEAWAY CLOSED
We ❤ @pedipedfootwear !
These shoes:
👟 come with inserts to remove as your kids grow for longer wear.
👟 are easy to clean- most are machine washable!
👟 are sturdy and stand up to rough play.
👟 are SO CUTE! 
In honor of their new spring and summer 2022 line, we are giving away a pair! This season they have some SERIOUSLY cute styles coming out! One of my favorites is Finleys pair called "jake cotton candy". 

To enter: 
✔Be following me @littleprinceleopold and @pedipedfootwear.
✔Like and SAVE this post.
✔Tag friends in separate comments and tell me what style of shoes you want to win! 
Bonus entries for sharing to your story! (make sure to tag me)

Giveaway ends this Saturday and winner will be announced on Sunday! *Not affiliated with Instagram*

Winner: @morningstrr
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