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: high chair - till what age?
Hi Jen,
Omg, I can't believe Emma is turning 1! I have a lot of friends that use high chairs 2+ years. I think we used them until the twins were about 2 yrs old. I have had a couple people surprised that the twins were in boosters at 2, but they were pretty good about staying seated through meals.
I would say you would get at least a year's use out of it. It would probably be a good idea, especially since you are concerned about Emma's safety. I'm sure the girls here can give some suggestions, but I know there are seats that attatch to a dining room chair that would not take up so much space. Ikea has some too that are not super huge.
Good luck. Hope all else is well!
"If we couldn't laugh we would all go insane" -- Jimmy Buffett
We have the Stokke high chair that sits right up to the table so it doesn't take up any extra space. It comes with the 5 point harness. At her age you wouldn't need any of the accessories.
It's pricey, but we'll be using it for practically forever since it converts to a regular chair, whether at the dinner room table or in his own room. Thankfully we bought a display that was on sale!
One Step Ahead has a cheaper version that we are thinking about buying when the new baby is ready for a high chair.
I love having Andrew physically at the table with us.
This exactly for Lynda only she's just a little younger.
First- I can't believe Emma is going to be 1 on Saturday!!! YAYAYAY!!!! Second that new siggy of Emma is gorgeous!!!
Alex is going to be 2 in February and he still uses his highchair. He's been self feeding and depending on what we eat for dinner we have the option to eat with the tray or take if off and scoot the chair under the table.
I say go for it. Not only for the safety of Emma but you can also use it for future siblings.
BFP #3: 01/28/12, EDD: 09/23/12, MMC (BO), D&C 2/16/12 at 6.5 wks
BFP #4: 05/23/12, EDD: 01/31/12, Early MC at 5 wks
RPL Workup: + LPD (7DPO Prog = 7.8, Endometrial Bx = out of phase)
Elevated Alpha 2-glycoprotein IgA and antiphosphatidylserine IgM -->
Hematologist said not to worry and no need for treatment!
Dx: LPD
Cycle #1(08/2012): Clomid 50 mg CD3-7, Ovidrel CD13 + Progesterone = It worked!
BFP #5 on 09/10/12 (11 DPO). HCG #1 @ 14DPO = 131.6 HCG #2 @ 16DPO = 509
EDD: 05/23/2013
Abraham still uses his and will continue to use it until he moves out lol. Seriously, it's the only place that he'll sit still for more than 5min. I was putting him in there with no straps but now I have to strap him in because he can get out and I don't want him to fall and hurt himself. So that's the only thing, if you do invest in one (which I think you probably should unless you find another alternative, be ready to strap her in there). Besides, you can just save it for your next one whenever she does grow out of it;)
btw, she looks so beautiful in your siggy! I cannot believe she's already turning ONE!!!
Apparently I am not the norm
We got rid of Max's high chair when he was 1 and bought a seat that he could use directly at the table, like this:
https://www.amazon.com/First-Years-Go-Booster-Seat/dp/B00005N9X5
This works out perfectly for us. I dont have a bulky high chair around and he eats right at the table with us. I bought plates and bowls that suction to our table and I dont have to worry about him throwing anything onto the floor. I would say dont invest in a high chair; It was the first piece of baby crap that I could not wait to get rid of!
Around 18 months, I got rid of the tray for the high chair and just had her eat at the table, but still sitting in it, I had the Chicco one that you could lower and pull up to the regular table.
THen around 2, I got her a booster that straps to a regular chair at the table. At 2.5 when she started school, I got rid of the booster entirely and now she just sits in a normal chair like the rest of us. I figured that if she ate lunch at school without being strapped in then she could do it at home too. It took about a week for her to get used to it and stop trying to climb up and down constantly, but she got it and does just fine.
I don't think it's worth getting a high chair at this point for her, get a booster that converts like some of the girls suggested.
Those chairs are a great option, especially if you are strapped for space. However, be careful what type of chair you place them on. My SIL had one w/ niece, and the chair was a light color... needless to say, the chair has tons of stains from food that would fall. If your chair is a light color, make sure to add a cover to protect it.
"If we couldn't laugh we would all go insane" -- Jimmy Buffett
We had the same problem until we bought leather chairs. Still, we always put a towel between the booster seat and dining room chair