Last month, the much-anticipated Haven Conference once again drew DIY and home decor bloggers from across the United States to Atlanta, Georgia. This marked our third year attending this vibrant, two-day event, a cornerstone for those passionate about home renovation, crafting, and creative content creation. Reflecting on my journey, this year felt particularly special. Just a year prior, at Haven 2013, I was quietly navigating the conference in the early stages of pregnancy, discreetly managing morning sickness while striving to connect and learn. This time, however, the experience was profoundly different and wonderfully open. Instead of concealing my secret, I proudly showcased the “little bundle of joy” – our son, Ryder – whose arrival had transformed our lives since the last conference. It was a delightful full circle, embracing motherhood while immersing ourselves in the dynamic world of blogging.
Attending a professional conference always demands energy and focus, but doing so with an infant adds an entirely new layer of complexity. Conferences are inherently exhausting, requiring intense networking, continuous learning, and maintaining a professional demeanor. Simultaneously, round-the-clock infant care is a marathon in itself. Merging these two demanding roles often leads to a state of profound exhaustion. As we prepared for Haven, my primary mantra was to “take it easy.” I resolved not to stress over minor details, to accomplish what I could, and to avoid pushing myself beyond my already stretched limits. This resolve became even more critical when, on the eve of the conference, I was struck by a debilitating migraine, further exacerbated by Ryder’s decision to wake up hourly throughout the night. Consequently, I arrived at Haven having had virtually no sleep – perhaps not even 30 minutes in total.
The journey to Atlanta, a familiar 7.5-hour drive we undertake annually, presented its own set of challenges with a baby in tow. Prior to this trip, Ryder had expressed a strong dislike for car rides, even short 10-minute excursions. The prospect of a prolonged journey filled me with apprehension. To prepare, I invested in a light-up, singing mirror designed to entertain infants, and we adorned his car seat with an array of brightly colored, dangling toys. While these helped, the most effective strategy proved to be my constant presence in the back seat, engaging Ryder for the entirety of the 7.5-hour drive. We meticulously planned our departure time around his sleep schedule, leaving the house by 5:30 a.m. with the aim of arriving in Atlanta by 2:30 p.m. Knowing Ryder typically sleeps soundly in the morning, this seemed like a promising approach. We even dressed him in his pajamas, anticipating he would drift back to sleep. He did begin to stir as we initially secured him in his car seat, so a quick feeding and a fresh diaper ensured he was “topped off” and content before we hit the road. He remained awake for the first hour of our drive, and the photograph above, taken around 6:30 a.m., captures that early, dark, and slightly grainy moment.
Following that initial hour of wakefulness, Ryder settled into a deep, peaceful sleep that lasted for over two hours. This afforded Jon and me the opportunity for a quick pit stop, where we took turns making a mad dash to the restroom without disturbing our slumbering infant. He remained oblivious to our brief absence, eventually waking up as we crossed the Georgia border. This natural awakening signaled a perfect moment for our first substantial break, and we stopped for breakfast around 9:00 a.m.
A word of advice to fellow travelers: exercise caution when choosing roadside dining establishments. Our breakfast stop at a Denny’s situated just outside the Florida/Georgia line, at a truck stop attached to a gas station, was a regrettable decision. While the Denny’s brand typically offers a degree of reliability, this particular location was far from satisfactory. A Waffle House would undoubtedly have provided a superior culinary experience compared to the disappointing meal we endured. Ryder’s expression in the accompanying photograph perfectly encapsulates our collective dissatisfaction.
Despite the less-than-ideal breakfast, we pressed on, arriving at our hotel by 2:30 p.m. We managed to check in just ahead of the main rush of conference attendees, allowing us to enjoy a late, leisurely lunch. Upon returning to our room, the collective exhaustion from the journey and the lack of sleep caught up with us, prompting an immediate family nap. Although we managed a couple of hours of rest, it was far from sufficient. I estimated that I had accumulated perhaps only four hours of sleep within a 28-hour period. While the migraine had somewhat subsided, a deeper, more restorative sleep remained an urgent necessity.
Later that evening, while Jon stayed with Ryder to get him ready for dinner, I ventured downstairs to the much-anticipated cocktail hour. This was a cherished opportunity to reconnect with many of my dearest blogging friends, including Ann Marie from White House Black Shutters and Kelly from The Lily Pad Cottage. Surprisingly, this lone photograph was the only one I managed to capture during the entire cocktail reception. My limited sleep undoubtedly played a role, but more importantly, I simply wanted to immerse myself in the moment, engaging in genuine conversation and savoring the fellowship without the distraction of documentation.
Embracing the Conference: Days of Learning and Community
The following morning, we rose bright and early, energized for the first full day of Haven Conference. We proudly sported our custom Sew Woodsy branded shirts, and I had even crafted a miniature “Baby Woodsy” shirt for Ryder, completing our family’s cohesive look. Ryder remained with us throughout Friday, becoming an unofficial conference attendee. Jon and I seamlessly shared childcare duties, taking turns attending sessions, networking, and ensuring Ryder was comfortable and entertained. It was a testament to our teamwork and the supportive atmosphere of the Haven community.
A memorable moment early in the day was Ryder’s introduction to the world of DIY celebrity. He had the pleasure of meeting Chip Wade, a well-known figure in home renovation, and acclaimed interior designer Cristi Holcombe. It was amusing to imagine our little one’s first encounter with such influential personalities in the home decor space. Their warmth and friendliness made for a delightful interaction, even if Ryder was too young to fully grasp the significance.
After this exciting encounter, we settled in for a highly anticipated session with Mike Holmes, the renowned television star of “Holmes on Homes.” His insights into quality craftsmanship, home safety, and tackling DIY projects with integrity were incredibly valuable for our own work and for our audience. The session was packed with actionable advice and inspiring stories, reinforcing the importance of doing things “right the first time.”
During a brief break for lunch, we had a wonderful serendipitous encounter with fellow bloggers who also had “March babies.” We met Jamie and Max from C.R.A.F.T., and Rachel and Oliver from Lines Across. It was a joyous moment of shared experience and camaraderie, celebrating the unique bond of new parenthood within the blogging community. Remarkably, the three boys – Ryder, Max, and Oliver – were born just days apart: March 20th, 24th, and 29th, respectively!
Presenting and Connecting: Sharing Our Expertise
With lunch concluded and spirits high, it was back to our room for a final review of our presentation. We were scheduled to co-present on “Creating Video Content for Brands, Television, and YouTube” alongside Jennifer Stagg from With Heart. This was a topic we were passionate about, offering practical strategies for leveraging video in the ever-evolving digital landscape. Our presentation was scheduled for both days of the conference, requiring careful coordination. We were incredibly fortunate to have the support of our dear friend, Stacy from Not Just A Housewife, who graciously watched Ryder for us during our Friday session. Her help was invaluable, allowing us to fully focus on delivering our best. On Saturday, my cousin, who resides in Atlanta, took over childcare duties for the entire day. We shared numerous insights and practical “tidbits” during our sessions, and for those interested in diving deeper, the full recap of our video content tips is available here.
Following our presentation, we dedicated some time to explore the vibrant vendor area. This section of the conference hall is always bustling with innovative products, inspiring demonstrations, and opportunities to connect with brands. We had some fun snapping photos, including one memorable stop at the Waterpik booth, engaging with the sponsors who make events like Haven possible and exploring potential collaborations.
I captured this sweet moment of Jon kneeling down, engrossed in voting for his favorite Buddy Rhodes concrete art piece, with Ryder comfortably secured in a baby carrier. Ryder’s expression in the photo almost makes it look like he’s just been caught doing something mischievous! It fills my heart with joy to see Jon so comfortably and lovingly engaging in babywearing, making it possible for us to participate in activities together as a family.
That evening, with my cousin still watching Ryder, Jon and I managed to slip away for a few precious minutes to attend the cocktail mixer. There were no photos taken during this brief interlude; we simply savored the rare opportunity for adult conversation and a moment of quiet, enjoying a few minutes away from our beloved little one.
Giving Back and Cherished Friendships
The next day, with my cousin once again providing wonderful care for Ryder, Jon and I dedicated ourselves to further learning and engagement. Our final session of the day involved a deeply meaningful activity: partnering with The Home Depot to create signs for veterans. This hands-on DIY project was not only creatively fulfilling but also offered a profound sense of purpose, allowing us to contribute to a noble cause. It was during this session that we had the pleasure of spending quality time with our dear friend, Gail from My Repurposed Life, sharing laughter and stories as we crafted.
We also cherished the moments spent with our local and real-life blog friend, Sarah from While They Snooze, whose presence always brings a sense of comfort and familiarity to these large events. The shared experience of creating for a cause further strengthened these treasured friendships.
Jon’s finished sign, a testament to his craftsmanship and dedication, turned out wonderfully, reflecting the effort and care put into each piece for the veterans.
After the closing session, we regrouped for a quick bite to eat at the hotel, seizing the opportunity to extend our time with fellow blog friends. The photo above captures a lovely moment with Sarah from While They Snooze, Ann Marie from White House Black Shutters, myself, and Pamela, sharing conversation and laughter as the conference wound down.
The Grand Finale: A Party with Our Little Co-Star
As evening approached, it was clear that someone was thoroughly exhausted. Ryder had fallen asleep by the time we were ready to head to the much-anticipated RYOBI/Home Depot closing party. Rather than miss out on the final networking and celebratory event, we gently scooped him up, still fast asleep, and placed him in his stroller, bringing him downstairs with us. There was a brief moment of feeling like “the worst parents ever” for bringing a sleeping baby to a noisy party, but ultimately, it’s life, and we wanted to embrace the full conference experience. And as fate would have it, once Ryder eventually woke up, he became the undeniable life of the party, charming everyone with his infectious energy and adorable antics!
We enjoyed connecting with various brand representatives, including Leslie from RYOBI, who was a fantastic host for the evening’s festivities.
Our networking continued with Kim from 3M, another valuable partner in the DIY and home decor space.
This admittedly blurry photo captures a sweet interaction between Ryder and Sandra from Sawdust Girl, a testament to the informal and friendly atmosphere of the party.
I cherished the chance to pose for a photo with my good friend Stacy from Not Just a Housewife, who had been such an incredible help earlier in the conference, and Randi from Dukes and Dutchess. These connections are truly the heart of Haven.
And of course, no party is truly complete without a visit to the photo booth! As we stepped up to take our picture, it felt as though the entire room fell silent for a moment, followed by a chorus of “awws” – undoubtedly directed at our adorable little co-star, Ryder, who added an extra layer of charm to our photo booth fun.
Here’s one more utterly cute photo of Ryder, taken right after we returned to our room from the party. In this shot, he truly looks like a little baby doll! Despite his wide-awake eyes and seeming readiness to continue partying, there was an underlying crankiness, signaling his true readiness for bed. The following morning, we were back on the road by 7:00 a.m. and arrived home by 4:00 p.m. The return journey was surprisingly smooth and manageable. We all survived the whirlwind experience, immensely grateful to be back in the comfort of our own beds.
Key Takeaways: Conferencing with a Baby & Future Plans
Our experience at Haven Conference unequivocally demonstrated that attending a professional event with a baby is indeed possible. However, it requires a practical mindset and a realistic understanding that your energy and time will be significantly more constrained than usual. You simply won’t be able to accomplish half of what you might typically aim for. Prioritizing sessions, embracing flexible schedules, and leaning on support systems are crucial. Despite the challenges, the rewards of learning, networking, and deepening friendships within the DIY and home decor blogging community far outweighed the difficulties.
Looking ahead, Jon and I are already brainstorming our pitch for a session at next year’s Haven Conference. Fingers crossed that our proposal gets accepted! We can offer a hint: it involves a hands-on DIY class, reflecting our passion for practical creative projects. Furthermore, we’ve tentatively decided that next year’s Haven will likely mark a significant milestone for us: our first trip without baby Ryder! While we cherish every moment with our little one, the prospect of attending a conference fully focused and well-rested is an exciting thought. The Haven Conference continues to be a highlight on our calendar, an invaluable source of inspiration, education, and community for our journey as DIY and home decor bloggers.