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.
CaitNMatt
member
Re: throwing up...not happy about this
NEW PEANUT DUE 7.2017
I totally got a script for Zofran after spending four hours in the bathroom yesterday. None of my tricks worked so I said screw it.
But seriously, B6. That was going to be my go to if the doc didn't want to give me zofran.
I lost my angels 07/2010, 04/2017, 10/2017
Meimsx no more
Morning sickness is one of those enigmas that isn't easy to figure out. You'll probably have to try several types of things before you find something that works. If you don't like ginger candies you could always try ginger ale, ginger tea or ginger gum. There's other types of candies - Preggie Pop Drops, Queasy Pops. Acupressure bands like Sea-Bands, Biobands, Psi Bands. The point is - try different things until you (hopefully) find something that works!
You aren't alone! While I haven't thrown up, I'm nauseous pretty much all day, constantly.
With first pregnancy I didn't have any nausea, but this one is kicking my butt. Just this morning I was standing with my head in the kitchen sink, trying to decide weather or not to puke.
So far nothing is helping, if I eat i feel queasy, same if I don't eat. I tried the ginger but can't stand the taste of it
Sour things really helped me. I just couldn't do the ginger either. Preggie Pops worked. Pink Lemonade and Ginger Ale was always stocked in the fridge! I kept saltines on my night stand for the early morning queasies. I never really threw up in my 1st pg either..except for this one time in the truck...but who could blame me...my dog had eaten her own ...ahemmm.. Poo and vomited it in the back seat. I think anyone would have thrown up then! LOL!
Good Luck! I haven't been feeling nauseous yet...just dizzy. And tummy emptiness more often.
Yes, I am doing the 'lemon tricks" and also eating small meals. I'm so thrilled to be pregnant again so I am happy to take any amount of morning sickness as long as it means a healthy baby!!
Thanks everyone for the help!!
A little bit about me...
Married my awesome guy on 12/27/08
DD Lucy Rae born on 11/16/2010
Loss #1: November 29, 2012 at 8w1d
Loss #2: June 9, 2013 at 13w (Amelia Grace)
BFP #4: We are having a BOY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Peter Matthew was born on July 16, 2014!!! Welcome to our family!
"If anyone asks me how many children I have, the answer is 4. Just two of them live in Heaven."
*All are welcome in my posts*Not fun! I had hyperemesis last time so whenever someone says they wish they had morning sickness I want to cyber slap them (Sorry ladies).
B6/Zinc combo, Morning wellness tea (ginger root, peppermint, orange peel), sea bands, ice cubes (stay hydrated), baby carrots and saltines on hand, sour candy, preggo pops, SLEEP, Ginger root supplements, ginger snaps, ginger ginger ginger - I did it all and it took the edge off.
Also, your digestive enzymes are slower now which doesn't help with queesiness (sp?), so try eating small easily digestible foods. i.e. fruits, veggies- no starch.
I had to get a zofran drip last time. My insurance only covered generic zofran which didn't work. BUt when I got the drip it worked (It wasn't generic) and when I was in the ER getting fluids they would give me real zofran and it worked.