Hello, let me introduce myself first..
For the first 30 years of my life, everything was smooth and worry-free. I was my parents’ most beloved child, found my true love in college, and happily married him after graduation.
At work, I was my boss’s most valued employee. Whenever I was in charge of a project, colleagues would inevitably say, “Oh, then I’m totally at ease.” I was constantly named “Employee of the Year,” with generous bonuses every year.
Later, I started my own business. Within just three months, I had broken into the market and started making money. By the fifth month, I was earning twice my previous salary. Growth was steady month after month. Right when the business needed more hands, I serendipitously met an amazing partner, and the company reached a whole new level.
Really, it seemed like at every step, whatever I needed, a pair of hands would always place it right in front of me, just in time.
My Two Girls: Ellie & Mia
Meet Ellie, My Firstborn
In 2020, my husband and I decided to have a child. After trying for over a year, we finally got the news in 2021 that a little one was on the way. In 2022, we welcomed our first child, Ellie. She made me a mother.
She is utterly adorable—big eyes, rosy skin, chubby little hands. Every time I look at her, I can’t help but give her a kiss. She is pure joy, and I love her more each day.
But as a first-time mom, I faced unprecedented difficulties. The postpartum tearing wouldn’t heal, and the pain was excruciating. Clogged milk ducts made my breasts hard as rocks. The severe sleep deprivation… And what was even more crushing was that, with zero parenting experience, I was clueless when faced with her unexplained wailing, night terrors, refusal to nurse, constipation, diarrhea, fevers… I desperately searched online, longing for one accurate, truly useful answer!
It was during this time that I thought, once I make it through this “dark” path, I must leave a light on for other new moms.
And Then Came Mia
Ellie had just turned one when I got pregnant again. In 2024, we welcomed our second daughter, Mia.
Completely different from Ellie, Mia is a great eater and sleeper. Although she had her fussy moments in the first two months, starting almost from month three, she became super easygoing. She feeds on schedule, gradually sleeps through the night, loves her solid foods, and adapted quickly when I had to stop breastfeeding due to mastitis.
This made me realize just how vastly different babies can be! It made me even more determined to write about my experiences.
Why I Had to Start This Blog
The Catalyst: A Life Pivoted
After Mia was born, my business also began to decline sharply. I had no choice but to close it and become a full-time mom. My work no longer involves Excel and Word, but instead revolves around changing diapers, washing bottles, making baby food, and managing household chores…
This has been a monumental challenge for me. All my past achievements seem irrelevant now. Managing two young children has brought me a sense of frustration I’ve never known before.
The Daily Reality
They are always fighting over things. When one is in my arms, the other immediately demands to be held too. When I try to cook, Ellie wants me to read her a book. When I attempt to load the washing machine, Mia has a diaper blowout, and I must drop everything to change her…
By the time I finish all that, I see the cup of hot coffee on the table has gone cold again. And it’s not until evening that I remember, “Oh my goodness, the clothes are still in the hamper, unwashed!”
Of course, being a mom is filled with happiness, but that doesn’t negate how hard it is.
My Promise to You
Because I’ve walked this path myself, I won’t just tell you how joyful motherhood is, like many websites do. I want to share my real, unfiltered experiences so every new mom can find a “companion” here.
I want to tell you: you are not alone. What you’re going through, I’ve been there too. Your breakdowns, your helplessness, your moments of losing control—I’ve had them all. You don’t need to feel guilty. This is just a small, necessary stretch of the journey for every mom.
My Hope for This Space
I really want to share my parenting experiences—not just the warm, glowing moments, but to honestly document the pitfalls I’ve stumbled into, the tears I’ve shed, and the “survival wisdom” I’ve scraped together in utter exhaustion.
The Goal: A Mom’s Toolkit
I hope this blog becomes a “mom’s toolkit,” filled not with vague theories, but with:
- Practical Tips: Like how to quickly figure out why a baby is crying, tried-and-true methods for dealing with clogged ducts, or how to efficiently manage the daily grind with twins (or two under two) solo.
- Pitfall Avoidance Guides: Sharing the baby products I regret buying the most, and those “game-changer” parenting hacks. Letting you know which parenting anxieties you can let go of, and which principles are worth holding onto.
- A Community for Moms: I hope my stories connect me with more moms like you. We can cheer each other on in the comments, share our own tricks, turning the storms we face alone into a journey we walk together.
The Bigger Vision
My previous career taught me to analyze data, solve problems, and optimize processes. Now, I’m applying all those skills to this new “position” of Mom. I want to prove that a mom’s value is absolutely not confined to the home. The mindset, resilience, and creativity we built in our careers can shine just as brightly—perhaps even brighter—in this more complex, long-term “project” of raising humans, and can even be transformed into a force that helps others.
My hope is simple: that every mom who opens this blog can let out a sigh of relief and say, “So it’s not just me.” Then, she can find a bit of practical info, a dose of comforting solidarity, and return to her sweet, chaotic mom-life with a little more confidence and a little less weight on her shoulders.
This road? Let’s walk it together.
Nest Anni
member
Re: Win one of three $25 AmEx Gift Cheques from The Bump!
Don't listen to what other people have to say, your experience will more than likely be different.
Also never say never b/c once you have the baby all those things you never thought you'd do, surprisingly you are doing (I'm a huge offender of this one).
Oh wow, I was so excited about the gift card, that i didn't see that i was supposed to post some advice, ok here it is:
I was told by my step-mother, to always set aside time for me, just me, not as mom, but as an adult who needs some socializing and fun. It keeps you sane and is a good time out.. but of course i'm always thinking about DD during my "me time" lol
take advantage of people offering to help, especially in the early days -- it's one of the few times you can play a princess (covered in spit-up and poop, mind you, but still a princess)
Just remember that no matter what decisions you make re: cloth diapering vs disposable, formula vs breast feeding, organic or non-organic foods, jarred vs homemade baby food -- it doesn't matter in the long run, as long as you are giving love and attention and taking care of your little baby. Give them that, and they will grow up just fine.
Sometimes holding your baby is the most important thing you could be doing at that moment. The laundry, dishes and dusting can all wait. It goes by so quickly that you need to take time to savor those quiet moments with your loved on.
And no one will care if you poop on the delivery table, I promise.
While pregnant: Enjoy every flutter and kick and ENJOY the birth.
With newborns: Take the time to learn about your baby's personality...and show her off!
Jacob 3.23.08 * Grace 7.22.09 * Eli 7.26.11 * Annabelle 1.18.14
Your baby may not understand your words, but she is keenly tuned in to you! Try to be calm, confident, and happy-go-lucky, even when your baby is wailing, won't eat, or refusing to sleep. (These things pass and are not your fault.) Baby will pick up on your calmness, confidence, and happiness, thrive, and, in tunr, make you even more calm, confident, and happy.
Best piece of advice is be prepared for lots of unsolicited advice. Man is it true.
And don't worry, my contact info is up to date. Seeing as I am asked to update it every other day.
I have got so much great advice from this board. other moms are the best resource there is! I was on bed rest for almost 5wks while pregnant with my son and if not for my laptop and the Bump boards i would have been way worse off! the Preemie/ high risk pregnancy boards were especially supportive.
I know it's a popular one but "sleep when the baby sleeps" was something I finally drilled into my head. we co-slept early on b/c my son had colic and it was one of the only things that calmed him down. I just cuddled up with him and let it happen, not worrying about the dishes in the sink or the laundry that needed to be folded. those naps are some of my favorite memories of his first year.