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.
JM4
member
Re: Found a different name I like, opinions again please!!
Brecklyn is atrocious.
Grayson is a boy name. It means "son of Gray".
Also I don't like Gray as a nickname.
This 100%.
Maybe try nymbler.com and browse the SSA lists.
I must admit, I'm with them... =
Make a pregnancy ticker
I ran these on nymbler and got some frightening results, but also some reasonable ones:
Piper
Gardenia
Reese
Dawn
Pollyanna
(Note all of these are NMS but nice enough in my opinion)
I'm sorry if you feel ganged up on, but I agree with them too. I can't stand Brecklyn and Grayson is definitely a boy name.
This. Keep looking.
Yep. Sorry.
You'll find something you love!
Just throwing out a few suggestions.
Quinn
Marlo
Elin
Marin
Carys
Sloane
These are all names that don't feel really feminine to me but are still girl's names.
This...
I love the name Grayson but for a boy only. As PP said, it means son of Gray.
However, it is a good name and if you like it that's what matters.
TTTC for 6 years. Me:RPL,DH:MFI motility and numbers
March 2010 IVF#1- BFP born 11.29.10, became an angel 04.12.11
June 2011 FET#1- BFN
July 2011 FET#2- BFP, MC at 5 wks
January 2012 IVF#2- BFP, EDD moved to Oct 5th
It's a girl!
Gracen was our girls name, but I'm having a boy. I love love love it! I have a boys name and so does my DD. Nobody has ever mistaken me or my DD for a boy
Go with the naming style you like. I despise "old lady" names and have never liked girly girl names, totally nms. For me I don't see the appeal in those names, just as others don't see the appeal of boy names for girls.
With 50 shades of Gray being so popular, perhaps a nickname of Gray wouldn't be a great idea.
How about Grace? It's classic and beautiful.
I personally love Grayson. I've heard of other moms naming their daughters more boyish names than that. Charlie, Logan, things such as that.
I did want to let you know, I coached high school basketball a few years back and there was a girl on the team with the name Brayan. She went by Bray.
I'm not sure how you like it but it's a cute girl name that somewhat goes with the names you were listing. As long as you love the name you're choosing that's all that matters. It's awesome to want opinions but don't stray from something you like just because other people wouldn't name their child that! Good luck dear!
This! Grace would be really cute. If you are looking for something less girlie, I think Reese is also cute.
I like Gracen, sounds the same but spelled that way a little more feminine. If that was our name though we'd probably use the nicknames Grace or Gracie not Gray.
I'm just lurking at all the exciting A/S post's and wanted to suggest Braelyn, seemed like a good mix. Good luck:)
Freshie Girl 9.29.12
Brecklyn is NMS but please do not pick YOUR child's name based on the opinions of strangers on thebump. If you like the name use it.
I do think of Greyson as a boys name but a lot of people use boys names as girls names.
Thanks everyone! I love reading all the opinions!!! I really like Reese too! I will just keep looking, lol!!! Girl names are sooooo hard!!!!
I'm voting with the majority. Sorry.
But of the other names suggested, I love Grace, Reese, and Piper!
Like a donkey brays? Nuh uh!
I actually think Grayson is a fun name for a girl. I like it's tomboyish style.
Honestly though, the only opinion that matters is yours and your husbands. Don't go on what strangers on the internet have to say.
I like the unique spelling on that, and it certainly allows for a lot of nicknames, including Gray is you like. I don't think Grayson has to be a boy's name just because literally it means son of Gray. Addison can be used for a girl. My only hesitation is that Grayson is becoming very very popular these days. Personally, DH and I chose names that were not common but not completely out there either. Regardless, it's up to you. Get enough people in a room and fault can be found with any time. A previous board commented that my own name, Tiffany, was a stripper name. Can't win them all.
I agree, I like it for a girl! You could also choose the more feminine spelling.... Graysyn
I think Grayson is super cute and like the quote above: it's what you like that matters:)