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.
l_elizabeth
member
Re: Anyone worried about going into labor before scheduled c-section?
Nah, I'm not really worried at all. My first c/s was unplanned (induced at 12 days past due date, labored 12hrs, pushed 3 wound up with a c/s). I guess I just don't worry about things I can't control because what will that get me? This time I know I'm definitely having a c/s, and while I do have a date set, if I do go into labor, I'm really okay with that too!
"Worry is like a rocking chair, it gives you something to do but doesn't get you anywhere"
Christian Alexander - 11/13/06
Amelia Rose & Owen Thomas - 3/29/11
I went into labor with DS2 before my scheduled c-section. I planned him for 7.8.09 and was so determined to deliver him that day I promised my ob I'd bring her homemade cookies if she'd do it (she doesn't schedule work on Wednesdays and that happened to be a Wednesday). Well, DS2 had different plans and I ended up having him on 7.6 (my dad's bday).
I didn't worry about it because my ob comes in regardless, they don't have just whoever is on call. I probably would have stressed about it. But this time around I've realized that I really wouldn't care. I barely even notice the ob doing the c/s - it's really the anesthesiologist I care about because that's who I interact with most during the surgery....
Try not to stress... you're not going to have any control over it anyway
Mama Jan's Kitchen... a food blog
This! I didn't really interact that much with the OB who delivered DD, at least not during the c/s itself, but I loved my anesthesiologist. She asked DH and me during the surgery how we met, which helped take my mind off the stress I'd just been through (my first c/s was unplanned).
I don't really worry about going into labor before my RCS because I went so late with no progress with DD. If I do, whoever is on call will do it, but I'm comfortable with all the OBs I've met.
I wouldn't worry about it. I had 3 scheduled c-sections and none of them came out when we scheduled them. The first came 4 weeks early, the second 5 weeks early and the third 2 weeks early. I guess they didn't want me to determine the day they were gonna be born. My water broke for all three of them so that's how I knew it was time. I'm not due till June 18, but expect for her/him to be born end of May to beginning of June.
This happened to me this week. I was scheduled for a RCS on the 13th and my water broke/contractions started the morning of the 10th. I actually took it as a sign to attempt a VBAC. My dr. was supportive and things were happening on their own.
In the end, I spiked a fever and the baby's heartrate was too high for too long and a c/s was called.
Should I have gone straight to the c/s? I don't know, but I'm glad I got a chance at labor.
So funny, I've had two "scheduled" c's that didn't go according to schedule. I don't at all expect this LO to arrive as planned either.
Mama Jan's Kitchen... a food blog
My OB told me at my 38 week appt she was going on vacation! I was worried about the same thing, but it didn't happen. I understand your fear though!
I wanted to go into labor on my own though!! I labored for a long time with my first (induced), but really hoped to go into labor on my own with this one. Even though I would not be attempting VBAC. I just wanted to know that she was coming on her own terms in some aspects and that she was truly ready. Plus, I felt it'd be better for my body. Oddly enough, I did go into labor...early in the morning of my scheduled section! It was scheduled 4 days before my due date. It was a complete fluke, but my being in labor for the surgery contributed to some of the complications that happened during delivery. Again...complete fluke. It happens all the time where women go into labor naturally before and OBs are prepared for it.
Good luck! I'm sure everything will go perfectly fine