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.
Re: Probably a long shot...
Hello!
Not a mama, but I was TTC then. There are only a few of us that old that still post here, most have moved solely to TTTC or IF.
Your DD has gotten so big! Such a cutie!
2 years, 2 surgeries, 2 clomid fails, 2 IUIs, 1 loss, IVF #1 - 10/25/10 = BFP!, DS is now 3.5yrs!
TTC #2 - 6/12 surgery #3, FET #1 & 1.2 = BFN, 12/2012 FET #2 = BFP! DD is 1.5 yrs!
Surprise! 12/16/14 BFP, loss #2 12/31/14
I can't wait for the "im getting a divorce" post in 5 years or so because your husbands were fed up with your disgusting chair asses from playing on the knot all day and getting fired 4-5 times for not doing any work. you guys are all winners!! ~ Laur929
Hey girl! How you been? I miss my old GP ladies... this is the first time I've been on in like 8 months though haha
L&R I remember you
Thank you! Your kiddies are so cute too!
Thank you!
Not me, but just wanted to say hi! I'm a huge fan of your blog (been following since you were pregnant), your DD is so adorable!
I didn't get my BFP until November 2008 so you probably took a break from the GP board by that time huh?
Aww thanks!
LOL I had a newborn then, I was posting panicked breastfeeding questions at 2 am on the 0-12 board back when that existed :-D
Two angel babies 11/09 and 4/10
I'm good! I thought you feel off the face of the earth! Are you guys TTC #2 now?
I remember you! We got our BFPs within a very short time of each other. I had a different SN then so you wouldn't recognize this one. I got my BFP in early December, 2008. I'll PM you with my old SN.
I know I fell off the face of the bumpie earth haha! The only time I get on the computer now is to update my blog or check email. It's not easy finding time to "bump" without being at work all day. Now I have a toddler who keeps me pretty busy all day... no more sleepy newborns!
No we're definitely not TTC #2 yet! I just came on here to see if I knew anyone. We aren't going to start TTC again until a year from this November. We have to wait for DH to graduate from law school in 2 more years... uggh. Seems ages away.
*Edit: I meant we have to wait for the baby to be born once DH graduates, but we are starting TTC in only a year & 2 months... ish.
So you going to start IVF soon it looks like?
I remember you too! I tried to respond to your PM, but it said there was an error so I don't know if you got it or not. Our LOs are so close in age!
Well its good to see you!! I know you stay busy, I still follow your blog.
Yes, we are starting soonish. Once AF gets here we can get going with BCP and stuff. DH had surgery but it failed so this is where we're at now. Never thought oh so long ago when I joined we'd be here but hey, life throws you curves!
Oh no I'm so sorry it failed! I'll be thinking about you when the time comes for IVF. It was good talking to you! I'm going to get off now, but I'm going to try & say hi every once in a while
No PM but as long as you could read mine it's good!
I sometimes check ttgp to see if I recognize any of the old GP faces like melaina, mooeta, amyfromMI, monkey, lemon and so many other gals who I can't remember right now!
I remember there were like 3 of us who got bfps around the same time.
Your SN looks familiar! Ya I'm thinking about charting TTA. I hate being on BCP & so right now we're doing the pull & pray method... which I know is just asking for it! Wow you're done after 1? I'm sure your LO will be a happy camper getting all your attention
We want 4 total so we have a ways to go haha!
Ya lemon, monkey, etc are all on that GP mamas private board now. I used to be on it too, but I just never had time! I still talk to a few of them via blogging, but that's it.
Pull/pray is good for those who want more
I pPROM'ed at 34w3d for no reason so yep, we'd like to not go through that again. Your LO is gorgeous, I say have 3 more for sure!
Oh wow scary! And confession time... I totally just had to google what pPROM meant. I'm a loser
Dirty schmirty- lurking is cool by me. I totally know you PattyP- you were super helpful when I was on those tri boards a few times but I can't, for the life of me, remember why.
It makes me so happy to hear that people *don't* know what that means- so you are no loser at all.
Love & luck to my 3TC girls. Congrats to Omega-The boys are here!
If there's one thing I've learned while waiting my turn,
it's that in each life some rain falls but you also get some sun.
After 2 years & 2 losses, our little man arrived 8-2011.