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.
lyzabeth
member
Re: Names from Hunger Games
I don't see Katniss spiking in popularity, even if the character is awesome (though I could be wrong).
I could see Rue, Gale and Primrose spiking. Maybe it's just because I personally like those names and Katniss just...doesn't sound great (isn't there a line in the beginning of the first book where she says that?). I think people have to like the name in addition to liking the character to actually use the name, and I just can't see the appeal of the name Katniss
Love Rue!
We call my sister, Rue. Short for Ruth, which can apparently be made shorter. I love it as a nickname.
I love some of the names in HG! But, to me, Katniss is the worst name I've ever seen. It sounds like "Cat Piss". No thanks.
We are planning on using Galen as a middle name, and the nn Gale is making me consider it as a first name. I love it!
I also adore Rue and Prim.
You forgot Peeta!
Love Cecelia/Cecilia. Rue is ok. I don't like Katniss (partly because, ultimately, I did not like the character...but that's a debate for a different topic.)
BFP #1 Chemical Pregnancy
BFP #2 DS Bennett
BFP #3 Missed Miscarriage 8wks
BFP #4 Miscarriage 6 wks
BFP #5 Due August 10, 2015
I've never read these books, although I've heard they are awesome, but these are some of the most messed up names I've ever heard in my life. Its hard to believe that most of them aren't made up.
The only one I like is Seneca, and I think its horrible that the author is using that as a boys' name.
I
The Hunger Games!
I also wanted to get a mention in for Octavia.
Katniss was actually the number one searched name on this one baby site I was on yesterday.
I'm working on this movie right now so the name Katniss is starting to sound like a normal name to me. My boss told me I should name our baby Katniss Seraphina. Ha!
I read the sample that nook provides and now I'm hooked. I haven't bought the series yet because I think I may be getting it for Xmas.
Seneca holds a special place in my heart. It is the name of the lake I grew up on and one of the local Native American populations. I could totally see this on a male.
If anyone ever catches the SNL skits about Laurence Welk and the girls from the Finger Lakes...Seneca Lake is one of the biggest ones.
You also forgot Effie.
Effie is my nieces name. Its a traditional name in our culture (Greek) and I had never heard it used outside of that before. Its her nn, her real name is really traditional Greek (Eleftheria).
DX: PCOS/Recurrent losses/MTHFR mutation (compound hetero)
5 hysteroscopies/2 surgical
3 Inject IUIs = 2 m/c's and 1 BFN
IVF #1= BFP. m/c at 7w6d. Needed 2 D&C's and scar tissue removal. Mild OHSS
IVF #2 = BFP. Severe OHSS. 4 Drainings. TWINS!
TTC #1- unexplained...lost left ovary 4/07 IUI #1 2/10/09-BFN IUI #2 3/5/09-BFN IVF # 1-BFP
TTC#2- FET 4/7/11 BFP, Natural mc 5/5/11 IVF#2 ER 9/13/11, ET 9/16/11, Beta #1 9/27/11 BFP 254 Beta #2 9/30/11 793 -Twins!
I didn't forget Peeta, I just put up the names I like. I don't like the name Peeta. Would you use it? As much as I like the book, the idea of people naming their kids Peeta makes me cringe.
Also, am I the only one on here who likes Katniss? *the cheese stands alone*
ZOMG you are working on the movie? It looks amazeballs! And I'll support you in the name Katniss Seraphina!
I didn't forget, I just put up the names I like. And in and of itself Effie is a great nn/name, but the character of Effie is too horrible for me.
Um, Seneca *IS* a boys name. It's Roman. A statesman. Also the name of a native American nation and language.
I agree with this, lol.
When I was telling my sister about it, she asked what the character was like. I was like, umm, she is a little difficult, lol.
DX: PCOS/Recurrent losses/MTHFR mutation (compound hetero)
5 hysteroscopies/2 surgical
3 Inject IUIs = 2 m/c's and 1 BFN
IVF #1= BFP. m/c at 7w6d. Needed 2 D&C's and scar tissue removal. Mild OHSS
IVF #2 = BFP. Severe OHSS. 4 Drainings. TWINS!