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.
Re: First time Mom's group!
Hi! I'm a First Time Mom. My baby boy is 6 months old now. Let me know if you need any advice or baby clothes! ;-)
Mikela
Hi!!!
I didn't see your original post but I'm in the same boat you are. I wanted to create a group of ladies who can share in their pregnancies together! I'm all about maintaining my style while embracing the belly! I want to meet other ladies who share in my same interests. I created a meet up group which I have 2 events scheduled already. A prenatal yoga class and a Makeup Lesson by an industry pro later in July. Its just a matter of gaining some exposure at this point. There are 5 of us so far with several others interested.
Check out our new meet up site at: https://www.meetup.com/Hot-Moms-to-Be/
and our Facebook Page at: https://www.facebook.com/HotMomsToBe
Take care!
Nikki
Hi! I'm a first time mom due in mid December. I'm also in north OC and looking to meet other first time moms. I've been looking for a group or meet-up of moms.
I've been looking for a first time mom's group in so oc. Let me know the details and if any meet ups set up soon!
Just had my lil girl 2 weeks ago.
Hi!!!
I saw this post and wanted to let you know that I too am due in November with a Boy! I am a first time Mom and wanted to create an outlet to interact with other Orange County Mom's close by so I started a Hot Mom's of Orange County Meetup Group. We have our first official meet and greet Thursday evening at Opah restaurant in Tustin at 6:30pm.
Check out our Meetup Page at: https://www.meetup.com/Hot-Moms-of-Orange-County/
Also, check out the Hot Mom's of Orange County Facebook Page for Saavy Mommy Style, Baby and Kids Accessories and Local Deals!!!
Follow us at: https://www.facebook.com/HotMomsToBe
Hi!!!
I saw this post and wanted to let you know that I am due in November with a Boy! I am a first time Mom and wanted to create an outlet to interact with other Orange County Mom's close by so I started a Hot Mom's of Orange County Meetup Group. We have our first official meet and greet Thursday evening at Opah restaurant in Tustin at 6:30pm.
Check out our Meetup Page at: https://www.meetup.com/Hot-Moms-of-Orange-County/
Also, check out the Hot Mom's of Orange County Facebook Page for Saavy Mommy Style, Baby and Kids Accessories and Local Deals!!!
Follow us at: https://www.facebook.com/HotMomsToBeHi!!!
I saw this post and wanted to let you know that I too am due in November with a Boy! I am a first time Mom and wanted to create an outlet to interact with other Orange County Mom's close by so I started a Hot Mom's of Orange County Meetup Group. We have our first official meet and greet Thursday evening at Opah restaurant in Tustin at 6:30pm.
Check out our Meetup Page at: https://www.meetup.com/Hot-Moms-of-Orange-County/
Also, check out the Hot Mom's of Orange County Facebook Page for Saavy Mommy Style, Baby and Kids Accessories and Local Deals!!!
Follow us at: https://www.facebook.com/HotMomsToBeI just moved to Irvine and am interested. I am due in early December with my first. Keep me posted;-)
Tara
Congrats. I am due on the 20th
Hi, I am also interested. I am due in September. I checked out the link for ocmommyandme.com and its too pricey! I am not going to pay $250 a month for a Mom's group, that's just ridiculous!! Anyone else know of a Mom's group that doesn't cost that much? I live in Irvine and am willing to pay but not $250 a month!
Maybe we can organize one on the Bump ? I know my friend met a bunch of other moms in her area on the Bump and don?t think she paid a whole lot, if she paid at all. I would just like to get together maybe 2-3x a month and meet at someone?s house for girl/mom time? Then when the kids are older go to the park, etc?
Just started a private facebook groups for expectant and new moms in the area https://www.facebook.com/groups/OrangeCountyMomsGroup/ It is free to join and we will be putting together play dates, Moms nights, get togethers etc. It is a part of kickSprout https://kicksprout.com, kickSprout also hosts fun and educational events so those do sometimes have fees but the meet ups/palydates etc are free. Love to have everyone join!