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.
ExcitedAunt2b
member
Re: Scheduled c-section birth plan
I don't know that you would need one. At least for me, there wasn't a whole lot that i really had a say in. The only things they asked me were if I was breastfeeding and if I wanted the baby to have a Hep B shot.
What were you thinking that you would put on the birth plan?
I've never had a c-section birth plan and all 4 of mine have been scheduled.
If you scroll a few pages, I remember someone posting one, things like:
- catheter after spinal
- arms not pinned down
etc.......
GL!
I am not sure what I want on there but from the sounds of it I don't really need one. My doctor and I have talked about some things (not tying hands down, catheter after spinal, etc...) I just didn't know if I SHOULD have one. I don't want to have to make one it just seems that everyone else has one but they aren't doing a scheduled c-section.
Thanks for the tips and stuff!
We Made A Wish....
And You Came True!
The big ones I can think of are:
Not having your hands tied
Lowering the screen and/or using a mirror so you can actually see LO being born if you so desire
Skin to skin immediately
BF immediately
Delay all newborn procedures until you are out of recovery and have had a chance for skin to skin and BFing.
If LO needs to go to the nursery for any reason your DH should accompany him.
Those are just some ideas. Really all of those things should be standard, but they aren't and it can be helpful to have them written down.
Yes, they do. They did this for my first 3 c-sections, but not for my 4th. I'm actually glad they did since I panicked MAJORLY during my first c-section.......
I would say you do not need a birth plan. I did not have one with DD 1 and don't have one this time either. I basically just followed the doctor?s/nurses orders as it they came.
Yep, they do. Mine was emer c/s, but as they were tying them down they said theey were doing it because they didn't want me trying to "help" get DD out. Makes sense, I can imagine some people panic and would be trying to reach around.
BFP #2 March 2011, Baby Girl born November 2011!!!
I had no idea that they routinely tied arms down for CS. Interesting. My last CS was an emergency and I was under general anesthesia so I wasn't aware of anything happening. Thanks for the info
We are planning a VBAC, but I do have a CS section of my birth plan "just in case" I copied it below along with other parts of my Birth Plan. I have done some reading about "natural CS" and this would be my goal if things go that way.
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Cesarean Section Delivery
? If a cesarean is necessary, I expect to be fully informed of all procedures and actively participate in decision-making and possibly get a second opinion if time allows.
? I would like my husband to be present during the surgery
? Please explain the surgery to me and allow me to view as it happens (no sheet between us) As much of a ?Natural? or ?Gentle? Cesarean as possible.
? I would like baby to be placed on me skin to skin as it would be in a vaginal birth
Newborn Care
? I would like baby to be held by myself or husband at all times including during APGAR and other assessments.
? No erythromycin eye treatment
? No Hepatitis B Vaccine
Breastfeeding
? I plan to breastfeed and want to nurse immediately following the birth.
? Please do not give supplements or pacifier (including formula, glucose, or plain water) without my consent.
? I would like to meet with the staff lactation consultant.
Visitors
? I do not mind if medical students, residents, or interns are present for the birth, however I reserve the right to change my mind.
? I would like to hold off family and visitors until after I have had a chance to breastfeed the baby.
? My husband will be responsible for giving the okay for when and if visitors are allowed in the room during labor/delivery and after delivery
This is excellent! I had C/S with my first, and they took my DD away. I only got to "hold" her for like 2 minutes, after she had been washed and bundled. Then I was wheeled into recovery for an hour without my baby. My hubby was with her during that time, but it was the longest hour of my life. YES, you need a birth plan. Find out what the hospital policies are about recovery after surgery, etc. It is your baby and you should be able to hold him/her right away.