I didn’t know what to expect when I started blogging. I didn’t know the blogging world existed. I had an idea and a double dog dare. I assumed it would be easy. Turns out it’s taught me more than I expected.  Today is the 163rd day of the year. I’ve posted 156 piperisms. So far, so good. But to reach my goal of 365 piperisms, I’ll need to catch up a bit. Stay tuned. While you’re waiting, here are a few lessons I’ve learned from my brief foray into the blogging world.

1. Pay attention. I watch Piper with a keener eye for her funnies. They come rapid fire. Blogging has helped me be more in the moment as the moment occurs. Piper easily does about 10 things a day worthy of blogging. I try to capture what I can. Sometimes I’m too doubled over laughing to write it down. My apologies. I’ll try to take her more seriously.

2. Be patient. When I first started piperism I would often panic about the next day’s content. What if I can’t come up with anything to blog? What if I’m grumpy and can’t write funny? What if Piper is too busy throwing up, throwing a tantrum, or throwing things at  Sissy to do anything blog credible? It hasn’t happened. Family and friends who have visited during the days of piperism know how this stuff just writes itself. I’ve learned to trust that the post will happen. It does again and again. It will tomorrow, too.

3. Appreciate your fans. My family and friends have been enormously supportive of piperism. They give me ideas. They tell me their own funny piperisms. They’re faithful readers. I couldn’t ask for more.

4. Be grateful to readers. I’ve made friends in the blogging world I’ve never met in real life. Frugalistablog, The Waiting, I’ll Sleep When They’re Grown, Elephants and Rutabagas, Mommysaidaswearword, and Excitement on the Side have been here from the start. These women crack me up. They cheer Piper on. They’re slogging through posts with me. I look forward to reading their blogs, and I’m grateful to have them on my side.

5. Do what you say you’re going to do. The commitment to piperism has helped my writing more than anything else. Every day I’m going to blog. Bird by bird. Step by step. I will write something, even if it’s just a few paragraphs. This summer I’m writing 1000 words a day in addition to piperism. The commitment toward a larger project has been easier more manageable since I’ve started piperism. I said I was going to write. I said it out loud. My bluff was called. Darn it.

Blogging, much like parenting a Piper, has been a welcome education. I didn’t know what I didn’t know. I’ve been humbled by the process. At the end of this year, I’m going to have a cool blog book to give to Piper. Thanks for being a part of it, too. Piper and I are honored that you’re reading.