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.
leens1979
member
Re: Too soon to tell family on Christmas????
I'm in the same boat as you, but actually a little more concerned as I'm only just starting my 7th week. I feel like it's too soon as this is our first pregnancy. But the advice about "If something were to go wrong wouldn't you want your parents support" has helped make the decision for me. I want my mom's guidance as much as possible right now and keeping this a secret has been SO HARD!!
Good luck
I understand your hesitation, but I would say go for it. I am 12 weeks right now and DH and I wanted to wait till Christmas to tell everyone but it ended up coming out at 8 weeks at Thanksgiving. It is a very tough secret to keep, especially if you were a drinker and suddenly are not!
Like you I had a miscarriage and will be 9 weeks on Friday. We will be telling our families on Christmas. We've had our first u/s and everything checked out good. If you're not comfortable telling just wait until you are.
I think it's a great time to tell your family. We will be 11 weeks on Christmas day but we told our family on Thanksgiving. It's nice having their support! I can ask questions about little things that worry me instead of keeping it to myself.
Good luck with whatever you choose!
We told our parents at 4.5 weeks. We were originally going to wait but I got my BFP a couple days before we were all going to all get together at a cabin in Lake Tahoe. The timing of everyone together up in the snow was too great of an opportunity not to say anything.
We brought my MIL and my parents down to a dock in Zephyr Cove to take some pictures on a boat dock with the lake behind us. I said something like, "Well we wanted to get you down here for some pictures but also wanted to let you know...."
...and my mom screamed out "You're pregnant?!"
Everyone was really happy and our moms were crying. We also mentioned that it was really early and things may or may not stick but we just couldn't hold it in. It was a really great moment and it was so beautiful out.
One year later almost to the day we took Katie and our parents back to that same dock and took pictures, we're due to go back in Feb.
About 30 seconds before we announced. Big smiles yet we were freaking out inside.
Make a pregnancy ticker
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We told our families as soon as we knew both times. I think the only reason people hesitate to share the news is because of the fear that you could lose the baby.
But really? These are the people that I would want knowing exactly what was going on if I needed a support system.
This. I'll only be 5 weeks and we are telling our families on Christmas..
This exactly. We told my parents and MIL immediately because we wanted their support with both of my DS's. This time we've already told my mom and dad, and we're telling MIL and my grandparents on Christmas. We'll tell everyone else as we see fit.
DS - 7.2006 - C-Section b/c Breech
DS2 - 4.2008 - Successful Vbac
DD - 5.2012 - Successful Vbac
This exactly. We told my parents and MIL immediately because we wanted their support with both of my DS's. This time we've already told my mom and dad, and we're telling MIL and my grandparents on Christmas. We'll tell everyone else as we see fit.
DS - 7.2006 - C-Section b/c Breech
DS2 - 4.2008 - Successful Vbac
DD - 5.2012 - Successful Vbac
This exactly. We told my parents and MIL immediately because we wanted their support with both of my DS's. This time we've already told my mom and dad, and we're telling MIL and my grandparents on Christmas. We'll tell everyone else as we see fit.
DS - 7.2006 - C-Section b/c Breech
DS2 - 4.2008 - Successful Vbac
DD - 5.2012 - Successful Vbac
This exactly. We told my parents and MIL immediately because we wanted their support with both of my DS's. This time we've already told my mom and dad, and we're telling MIL and my grandparents on Christmas. We'll tell everyone else as we see fit.
DS - 7.2006 - C-Section b/c Breech
DS2 - 4.2008 - Successful Vbac
DD - 5.2012 - Successful Vbac
We are too! My first appointment is 1/3.
My husband and I are planning on telling our family on Christmas. I will be 9 weeks on Sunday. We had a miscarriage in August, so I know exactly how your feeling. We've been to the doctor and seen the heartbeat and I feel like things are going well. It's just so scary to put yourself out there after you've had a miscarriage. I think you should definately let your family know. It will be the best present you can give your family this Christmas!!! Good Luck!