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: Opinion on growth ultrasounds.
I will probably go ahead with them, to use as evidence that the baby is doing just fine.
My goal is to make sure that even if I have a growth ultrasound, that I don't let them use it to pressure me. The first time around - even without the growth ultrasound - I was getting pressure from the doctors about a "big baby." So, they'll find a way to harass you, even without the ultrasound. I just need to stay strong.
I would be skeptical of getting mine done too. This LO is measuring big but my OB hasn't said anything as of yet about doing a growth ultrasound in the future. Like PP said, you could do it just to prove to them baby is fine and healthy but don't let them scare you into thinking you're going to have this huge baby, if baby measures big, because it's more of a reason for the doctors to push RCS. I don't know what to tell you other than I know what you mean about not really wanting it done!
You could also mention, if you have it done and baby measures big, how they said your DD was going to be 9lbs+ and then she came out a whole pound less than what they said. I'd kinda throw that back in their face if they try to do any talk of a RCS....
I wouldn't let threats of a big baby dissuade me from trying to VBAC. All I ever hear are stories of women who are told they are going to have huge babies (if you are the type to consider 9lbs huge, I don't) only to have an average size LO.
Additionally, women vaginally birth "big" babies all the time with absolutely no problems.
To answer your question, I won't have a growth u/s because I know my child will be 9lbs at least and I don't consider that a game changer. I am tall with birthin' hips, I can handle it.
Keegan Patrick - Bilateral Clubfeet found at Anatomy Scan.
www.facebook.com/portraitave
Did the OB order an u/s based on one week's measurement? I wouldn't agree to a growth u/s unless there were multiple weeks of measuring ahead, and it was by a significant amount.
FWIW, I decline an u/s as part of a non-stress test - I did the monitoring, and my DS was fine, so I declined the u/s. I went into labor that night, and he was born the next day at 10lb 10 oz - I'm really glad I turned it down, in retrospect.
DS2 - Oct 2010 (my VBAC baby!)
Thank you for all of your wonderful advice. I think I will decline the ultrasound in two weeks and wait to see how I am measuring as we get closer. I don't need unnecessary stress or panic!
2 weeks before I delivered my first daughter they did a "growth check"... Said she was estimated over 6 pounds and would only get bigger. (OB thought she would be over 7lbs at birth)
At birth, she was 5lbs 5oz.
Same thing has happened with just about everyone I know. The size is over estimated.
I think growth ultrasounds are kinda hit or miss personally. But it is super nice to hear that heart beat and see the little hands. Gives you courage to make it through those last few tough weeks.