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.
leapgirl8
member
Re: }i{ Healthy Living Check-In }i{
We are eating out a lot with friends since our time here is winding down, and that's my major downfall, nutritionally. I have also had more sweet treats than I should. But overall I'm doing pretty well on total calorie control, and still writing down my food every day. Can't believe I've made it almost a month. My exercise is just totally off right now, I haven't really been doing anything. Last night I devoted the whole evening to packing up the hand-me-down baby clothes and reorganizing our moving stuff and boxes in the living room so I would have room for P90X again, and this morning I woke up with a cold. Boo. Oh well, at least the living room is not driving me nuts anymore.
I'm really looking forward to exploring the outdoor possibilities in Oregon/Washington, and going on regular walks with my mom. I love the trail she walks on and I'm excited about encouraging each other's fitness. I'm also so, so, so looking forward to being able to have my morning coffee or dinner outside in our backyard once it gets warmer - finally a yard!
I'm happy to report that I'm staying strong and committed to WW. It looks like I should be down about 5lbs for the month. which is a little disappointing at first blush, but after reminding myself what that number could be if i just keep doing what i'm doing for a few more months, it feels better
I cant wait for spring! the longer days will mean more family walks after dinner and i hope to find a good amount of time to dedicate to gardening this year (our yard needs h-e-l-p). Sprout has also been really into hiking and spending time in the woods so I'll certainly be doing plenty of that (and probably with a toddler strapped to my back!).
Blogs: Our Growing Family - CT Working Moms
I'm not actively doing anything right now but I spoke to J this week about doing a 30 day whole foods challenge starting Feb 1st, she didn't seem as gung ho about it as I am but will go along with it.
QOTD: The temps were in the 70's yesterday, it was a nice change from the cold, rainy weather we've been having. I'm looking forward to digging up a garden plot and sowing seeds with the kids, it's always fun to hear their questions about what we will be growing. I'm also looking forward to J grilling more often (when she is home), grilled asparagus, red peppers, zucchini, pineapple, yum!
Two Mommies Healing Hearts
Foodwise I kind of suck. I had been trying to cut down on caffiene in preparation for IUI, but since Tuesday...
I did follow through on going to the gym on Tuesday, and have my stuff with me to go again tonight.
I need some motivation. And better alternative habits for dealing with stress.
IVF Oct/Nov 2012
Beta #1 = 77, Beta #2 = 190, Beta #3 = 1044
Cautiously optimistic.
I have to get back in a roll on my working out. I had been working out for about 1yr to try and get back to my healthy self and cause we were going to get married this summer. I lost 40Lbs and feel great but since the weather has been so ugly, i been so lazy.
We are looking forward to lots of walks and taking a lot of pics. I got a new camera for x-mas and cant wait to really get some nice pics.
IVF Oct/Nov 2012
Beta #1 = 77, Beta #2 = 190, Beta #3 = 1044
Cautiously optimistic.
I started using myfitnesspal on the 16th and am (so far) being very religious about it. I am down a little over 10 pounds (which is a drop in the bucket, unfortunately). I am finding that I can eat very well and still be at or under my calories. I just have to eliminate mindless eating.
Spring--I am excited for longer evenings and taking the kids to the park and/or for walks after work. We have had a pretty mild winter, so I shouldn't complain, but I do like to see the days get longer
My week went surprisingly well. I over-ate on the weekend but I tracked everything and kept to my gym schedule and somehow ended up being down a pound and a half, which brings me down 6-7 lbs total -- about half of what I gained in November and December. Considering I'm on WW maintenance because I don't want to cut calories while I could be cooking a baby, that's pretty good.
What works for me in terms of results is running. But I don't enjoy it and I know I should change things up (although hey! maybe I'm pregnant and then it's not really the time to plan major exercise changes). Also, my knees are feeling it lately -- even though I only run on a treadmill and I don't run more than 10 miles a week. But I truly hate (more than running) every other type of exercise I've tried (except for stuff like kayaking that I can't do regularly). I want someone to invent some type of exercise that isn't expensive (sorry, pilates), doesn't involve mimicking others movements (no dice, zumba) and doesn't require coordination (tennis? no). Someone recommended spinning. I'm thinking about it.
I would like to kayak more when the weather gets warm. Our friends have kayaks they never use and offered to let us use them as much as we want in exchange for storing them in our basement. Can I kayak with a pregnant belly? Will it get in the way?
9 IUIs = 9 BFNs
IVF October 2012: 22 eggs retrieved, 17 fertilized, 5 frozen
ET #1: 1 blast = BFP; Blighted ovum discovered at 7w5d; D&E
FET #1: 1 blast = BFP; Missed m/c discovered at 9w5d; D&E
Karyotyping: normal ~ RPL Testing: normal ~ Hysteroscopy: normal
FET #2: 1 blast transferred 10/25; BFP 10/31!
EDD 7/13/14 ~ Induced at 37w4d due to pre-eclampsia ~ Born on 6/28/14
*Everyone welcome*
I have been doing a great job working out every morning and taking a nice lunch time stroll. I have 5 pounds to lose before my IUI in Feb and I'm nervous that I won't be able to make weight
My wife is very supportive and keeps reminding me that I am going to make weight and not to stress myself out. So I'm excited about that.
This Spring one of my closest friend's is getting married and I am so excited to go.