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.
Bump Kathleen
member
Re: Welcome to Week 18!
Hi! I've found that a small (18") pillow between my knees helps with sleeping pains, and is small enough so it doesn't get in the way of rolling over, snuggling with your partner, etc. I've also found that, if I sit for too long (2 hrs or more at work!) I get sore lower back and hips. I just get up, walk around, get some water, and it helps alot. Good luck!!!
My hubby bought me a Snoogle-
https://leachco.stores.yahoo.net/snoogle.html
and it is wonderful!! Keeps the hips in line and cozy all night and only around $40!
I have been having alot of shoulder pain and my doctor said no to the icy hot creams and to stay away from heating pads. She said to stick with Tylenol and ice.
??? This is my first pregnancy and I'm 18 weeks and 2 days. This may be tmi but my doc office is closed for the holiday... I just got out of the shower and sat down on the bed to finish drying off and I felt this sudden rush of water from my vaginal area. I know that it is common to have vaginal discharge but this was not typical. It was clear and did not have a smell and was not accompanied by any pain but it still has me a little worried. Am I the only one that has experienced this?
Hi there,
Nothing to worry about it is very common at this stage of pregnancy. I had the same and asked the Dr. about it and she said your body makes more secrections of this kind at this stage. As long as there is no blood and no funny color or odor you should be ok. I would check with your Dr to make sure, but I bet you are fine
Hope that makes you feel better.
I am still sick also... I have meds that are great for getting me through work and as soon as they wear off I'm right back to throwing up. How do you cope?
At 18 weeks, I just got this itchy red rash on my arms and then upper chest the last day or so. Could it be PUPPS? I don't have it anywhere else on my body. My doctor told me to switch body soaps and try benedryl.
It is bumpy and slightly red, and itches constantly if I don't put Benedryl cream on at least two times daily. I also tried the Aveno oatmeal bath (but I didn't think it did much for relief).
Any thoughts? I am praying it doesn't spread and isn't PUPPS, which I heard can be miserable.
I had signed up a year ago before I was even considering having a baby and it was my first ever half marathon (had only done 10k up to this). I planned on training but got sidetracked with the pregnancy but felt great and decided to give it a go anyways. I had the most INCREDIBLE time! Finished in 3:01:42 with 4 bathroom stops
Lots of Gatorade and water at aid stations and I paced myself to go slowly the first 8 miles or so and then picked it up a bit til I hit Mile 12 and sprinted like mad all the way home! Very exhilarating! My legs were sore but otherwise I felt fantastic. It was all okayed by doc...I am very active normally so it was just a matter of listening to my body.
Hi moms!
Im starting to look at car seats and am torn between the Graco Snugride 35 and the Peg Perego Viaggio. Any suggestions??
First day at 18 weeks!!
Hi there, just lurking around. I've had horrible shortness of breath since the very beginning. I am almost 19 wks now and still can't stand or walk for too long. It was so bad I couldn't even do housework or go to work. Now that the nausea is better so is the shortness of breath, I don't really have suggestions to relieve it but rest seemed the most reasonable and helpful. Good luck, almost half way there :-D hang in there.
I'm lucky - feeling well but experiencing a bit of shortness of breath
I've been liking the belly band - on ebay for less than $8 w/ shipping
Swimming and walking 4x a week - what about others? How's your exercise plan going?
I was having the same problem. My nurse told me to lay half on the body pillow with another pillow between my knees. This way I can sort of be on my back without actually lying flat. It really helped.