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: ohmygod Re: Kaydensmommy
If you have enough money to pay for all of that then why were you asking if you didn't have to pay for them? Were you hoping to not have to pay for them even thought you say you can afford it? Because that makes you seem even more Klassy to me.
And for the record you do realize that the meal, snacks, whatever you serve after the wedding is your thank you to your guests for attending the wedding, right? Are you at least clear of that? If you think of it that way maybe you can understand why you should pay. It is your way of thanking them for coming.
FFS
I'm off all day...I'll be chiming in as long as I can to keep this gem alive!
This. Thanks, chickenlittle!
*sneaks in*
Thank you for posting this. This is awesome.
Kaydensmommy, don't tell me you didn't say you didn't want to pay for them. You asked if you had to pay for them, and when people said yes, you argued why you didn't (saying that it isn't REALLY a reception). You didn't want to pay for them. Plain and simple.
DD born 07/2011 DD due 11/18/2013
No, actually I said ok I know what to do on the first or second page. So thank you. You can STFU now.
Just because I asked a question about who should pay, didn't mean I wanted them to pay. We are fine with paying for them. Just wanted to know which way was proper. Again, STFU.
Get the fvck off my thread you annoying twat.
I'm soooooooo immature.
"Ha, thanks. I will be wearing nice black pants probably and a just married or bride hoodie that I make, since it will be cold and a nice top."
This is my favorite part.
BFP 3/17/10 Missed M/C Confirmed 4/12/10
MIF+Unexplained DX Feb 2012: Femara+Trigger+IUI=BFP
Hahaha!! Love the PIP.
Really I wouldn't worry about having to pay for 14+ people to eat at Golden Corral after your wedding. I am willing to bet half of them dont go. I know I wouldnt. Who eats Golden Corral? I know I dont eat buffets like that.
What page is this gem on? I only made it to page 3 before I went to bed.
No worries... If she gets married in November, she will have all of her wedding checks to use to pay for the meal in March!
Or, her tax refund will come in time to pay for the meal in March.
I am not sure what the big deal is guys....
Together since 5/08 ~ Married 6/19/10 ~ TTC #1 since 8/10
BFP#1 3/26/11 ~ EDD 12/2/11 ~ Ectopic Twins left tube 7w3d
BFP#2 11/2/11 ~ EDD 7/14/12 ~ Robert Edgar born 7/18/12
BFP#3 9/28/13 ~ EDD 5/20/14 ~ Benjamin Clarence born 5/15/14
In case you were wondering about "butthurt".
https://community.thenest.com/cs/ks/forums/thread/47731702.aspx
Me - 37 DH - 38
Married - Nov 2002
DS - born April 2007
DS - born Feb 2013
DD - due June 13, 2016
OP...i live in Columbus, and just called GC--$10 for buffet. NOT $25.
also....you're so set on 11/11/11...what if you get KU soon?
LOL ALLL of of this!!! Best.Morning.Ever
Thank you kaydensmommy for free entertainment. Maybe this will help the ol pocket book
blah blah blah.. i just want to keep this going and/or be told to STFU .. ahhh so glad i have a freezing cold Saturday to enjoy all of this..
kaydensmommy please never leave. i love you.
Maybe if you ask, the will put Congrats Mr. & Mrs. (Insert Last Name Here) on the sign. Right under to part about the kaboobs
KIDS EAT FREE! KIDS EAT FREE!!
BFP 3/17/10 Missed M/C Confirmed 4/12/10
MIF+Unexplained DX Feb 2012: Femara+Trigger+IUI=BFP
Don't hate, we had one for our rehearsal dinner!
OHHHHH I'm tellin.....Ma thems aint playin nice on the interwebs again.
BFP 3/17/10 Missed M/C Confirmed 4/12/10
MIF+Unexplained DX Feb 2012: Femara+Trigger+IUI=BFP
No dear plans do not change for a wedding. I had plans for my wedding and for the entire time I planned it, the entire thing remained the same. The only thing I changed was things like center pieces. I never dreamed of thinking I would have a huge wedding, and then decide to go to a small chapel ceremony with a reception at the Golden Corral.
Wow you are a piece of work, and you are proving how much of an adult you are not. You went from wanting this huge wedding and waiting on the wedding all so you can have another child, to having a very small wedding and doing what with TTC? Are you planning on being pregnant during your wedding? I know alot of people who got married while pregnant, but I assure you 9 out of 10 of them did not PLAN to be pregnant while getting married. You're plans do flip flop around don't they and it is funny how they changed within like a weeks time.
From pg 3:
Omg, Red Lobster? Um, they better be paying for themselves at that place! I can honestly not tell if you are poking fun at me or are being totally serious. I do not like that Sweet 16 shows because I think the kids are spoiled brats.
cannot.stop.laughing.
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
But I bet that resturant didn't serve kaboobs.
BFP 3/17/10 Missed M/C Confirmed 4/12/10
MIF+Unexplained DX Feb 2012: Femara+Trigger+IUI=BFP
So basically all she ever responds is "That's not what I said" and "STFU!!"
Yeah, I don't miss being around 19 year olds.
He's the single greatest thing I've done in my life and reminds me daily of how fun (and funny) life can be. He's turned out pretty swell for having such a heartless and evil mother.
True story, we had filet and crab cakes. I don't remember what the other 3 options were because we're from MD so everyone just got that. It might have been kaboobs, that would have been pretty sweet! Although we had a sit down dinner not a buffet, we should have gone to the Golden Corral since regular restaurants are SO limiting.
Besides the fact that Golden Corral is just a buffet, it is actually kind of good food. I wouldn't knock GC for the food...we eat there about once a month just because we have 4 kids, some quite picky and it just serves all 6 of us for inexpensive (we can afford better) but it also serves everyones tastes. LOL. But what I think is funny is having a wedding reception as GC! That sounds like something that would be so....well .....classy hahahaha
You only had like 3 choices? No salad bar? No soft serve ice cream with array of topping such as gummy bears, m&m's, and crushed walnuts. What kind of low rent shitt were you doing? You should be ashamed?
On a side note, DH would have been happy with some Kaboobs on our wedding night.
BFP 3/17/10 Missed M/C Confirmed 4/12/10
MIF+Unexplained DX Feb 2012: Femara+Trigger+IUI=BFP
Hahahahaha I was actually just thinking of Cici's pizza for her reception. So much good pizza and salad!!!! You can't get any better than this right?
You are so right! That would be even classier! Sporting a baby bump, along with her nice black pants and I'm the bride sweatshirt! Hot!