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.
Obsession
member
Re: how to handle uncomfortable situations with other parents.
Man, auntie, you are so much nicer than I am. All I was thinking was I didn't want to know this woman's life story not that I could possibly help her. Good perspective
I think she was probably just trying to reach out. I know I find myself desperate to make connections with people who understand what I'm dealing with, and Aidan's specialist's office seems like a decent place for it.
I totally get not wanting to go into your private business though. I think you handled it appropriately - a vague answer, and don't offer details. When I'm not comfortable talking, I make myself look as unapproachable as possible - reading a book, headphones on, etc. When I'm with Aidan, I just stick close to him and talk to him constantly.
I do recommend that you consider opening up to the other families a bit. People who "get it" are a rare treat.
~EDD Nov 18, 2017 with my IUI success story~
[spoiler]
I want to piggyback on this. I have been helped SO much by other people simply by sharing a little info about LA. There is a group of three of us who have kids in hippotherapy and our times overlap. By being open with each other, we have been able to learn about new and unique therapy opportunties, ways to save $$ (KB workshops, other grant opportunities, dealing with insurance), even little things like toddler gear swapping.
You don't have to share every little detail, but you might find some comradery in meeting other parents who are walking similar paths.
OH and just to make me look like a little more compassionate - I am totally open to speaking to people who I feel comfortable with. This woman didn't give me a chance at all to get comfortable with her - she just jumped right in which made me uncomfortable and not want to connect with her.
You have to warm me up with a bit of small talk first like how old is he, does he go to school, wow he has bright red hair! Something other than "why are you here."
We were at the Brook Road location today. I always *wonder* and sometimes make small talk but I've never been bold enough to straight up ask. I do think you have to look at it as them probably trying to feel accepted and know they are not alone. I think auntie hit the nail on the head.
The first time we went to the spina bifida clinic at brook road in January I did not notice they shared a waiting room with the dental clinic. P really was playing with this little girl and I noticed she had on little girl underwear, not a diaper. So I was of course instantly hopeful for Peyton and potty training. Lets just say when she told me she was there for the dentist I felt sick. It is weirdly comforting to be around moms of special needs kids, they just get it.
Also some of us (raises hand) deal with our kids diagnoses by talking about it.So it was probably therapeutic for her to just talk to you in general.
Nate and I got cornered in the vending alcove at KKI once. It was a parent whose child goes to the Fairmount School. She was sharing a lot and had some questions about Nate and his hearing aids.
I think she was a bit disappointed we weren't an ASD family. She was nice though and her son was 11 or 12. I think she would have been a great resource.
We were at Brook Road today too
dang it! lol