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: *** FFFC ***
I'm 99 percent sure my coworker is racist. I can't decide what to do with that information.
Neither of those are flameful statements, but nothing in this post previously has been really, either. So there's that.
I agree with this. I hear so many people say, "My doctor won't let me go past my due date, so I'm getting induced." Okay, but do you know WHY you are getting induced? Is it medically necessary, or is it just more convenient? Are you aware of the potential risks? I think it's important to be informed and I have noticed that a lot of people really aren't.
Don't be concerned. Losing weight would be a plus because I have extra weight to loose...One of my stresses with getting pregnant so soon after having my last baby is that I never lost all the baby weight. I had around 20 more pounds to go. I am down 12 from the stomach bug, I don't necessarily want to loose 8 more, but it's likely that I will if my ms kicks in...and that to me is a plus. I have it to lose. Also, I didn't throw up once during my last pregnancy...so that's why I am hoping to get the same kind of ms. And don't worry, no toes were stepped on. (:
Because it's unhealthy or because of the social/political implications?
I am sure I get judged for eating chick-fil-a, why because I am bisexual. Flameworthy? Meh I guess.
You probably don't have a background in biology or nutrition, chemistry, etc., do you? If so, you'd realize that eating a lot of processed and preservative heavy food is NOT healthy at all. Your body can't process it or absorb necessary nutrients like it does from unprocessed, fresh foods. Of course moderation won't kill you, but please don't pretend you're being healthy. If you read what some of those preservatives actually do, you'd be sick. Even "natural flavoring" isn't always a good thing.
Google "natural flavoring" and "beaver anal secretions"... and then enjoy those yummy animal crackers!
Who said anything about eating a lot?
I didn't pay super close attention to the frequency. If it's daily, add that to my judgement. But initially it was bc of the social slash political slash general douche implications.
This is so f-ed up. Your body and your baby need those calories right now. I would die not to have morning sickness and you're complaining you don't have it because you want to lose weight while pg?
Ummmm, you did.
"We eat processed food daily. We're all very healthy."
I feel like I am missing something in this convo... can you give background for a curious Canadian?
Daily says nothing about quantity.
Not complaining. I said that I was hoping to get it the same as I had it last time around. AGAIN, I am not actively trying to lose weight. I said that it would be a plus. I am not sure why this is so hard to grasp. If I was cutting calories, or not eating to purposely lose weight, that would be a different story, but as I have said I am not doing any of those things.
That is lame, sorry. Chick fil a is good, and actually one of the healthier fast foods, though it is still not healthy. I don't boycott places because they have different beliefs then I do especially if they are good. I have 5 gay friends and all but 1 of them eat at chick fil a again. What purpose does it serve? Nothing more than causing a bigger divide which is exactly the last thing this country needs. We are more seperated today then we probably have ever been as a country. It is so disheartening.
The CEO opposes gay marriage and is against LGBTQ rights.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chick-fil-A_same-sex_marriage_controversy
It was a big thing in the media last year.
I refused to eat there before this most recent firestorm, but there's this: https://news.yahoo.com/chickfilfowlplaygaymarriage215041065.html
Sorry no clicky, mobile.
So to be clear, no-one else here eats potato chips, pastas, canned anything, frozen anything, pre-made anything (sauces, seasonings, dressings), cookies, crackers, breads, most peanut butters, preserves, ice cream, sausages, deli meats, granola bars etc etc? You also never eat out or order in, right? Just to be clear, all of the above are processed foods
I feel sorry for everyone who bought into that franchise and is suffering the repercussions of what that a$$hat said. It's not like Dan Cathy owns all Chick-fil-a's, and I doubt all the owners agree with him. I dislike fast food, but if I'm in a pinch, I will eat there b/c they have gluten free nuggets- it's either that or get french fries from McD's, and I'd rather eat more than just potatoes.
Yes it does. On the norm, my family eats processed foods maybe once or twice a month.
I agree, some of my friends were like oh I am not eating there blah blah blah. Yea well everyone is entitled to their own beliefs I have my own they have theirs. I get asked how can I eat there? The food is good and they are not inhospitable to me.
This is FFFC, if yours was that you eat it every day and are healthy, then it appears you eat more beyond the typical box of mac and cheese or granola bar. Otherwise - who F-ing cares?
You are more than welcome to your opinion. I disagree.
And lol at ME being the cause of a bigger divide in our country!! Not, you know, the one funding hate and bigotry, which you happily continue to support.
Part of the problem with ChikFil-A beyond the statements of the owner, is where they donate their money. It's become common knowledge that they support several groups that are seen as anti-gay and borderline hate groups.
(Just further explaining why some choose to boycott)
Someone has already said it it the words lose and loose are two different words. Please look them up.
It was more of a comment for the first person who said she was failing as a mother because her kid had mac and cheese for lunch today
I don't know who cares, but I think its an interesting conversation?
If you banned every place that opposed something meaningful to you then you would probably never eat anywhere ever again. The fact remains that people everywhere in every franchise have these types of beliefs. Is it going to change? No. So what he doesn't believe in them, he has a right ot his beliefs just like I have a right to be bisexual. At the end of the day Chick-fil-a is not hurting for any business and if anyone missed it they are closed on Sundays so families can go to church, is it really a big surprise there?
Heck no! I eat processed foods daily! I make a ton of pasta, I'm italian so that is a staple in my house. All though I do want to make my own pasta and lasagna noodles. Not for health reasons, just because that is what my grand parents did.
For real. We should just give in to the Westboro Baptist Church as well, right? Why argue, let's be at peace with them. As a matter of principal, I don't support them either. There are other good chicken places that don't take a public stand against something I feel strongly about.
Thanks for the info!
I think you're missing the point. You said you eat these items everyday. No, we do not eat processed food everyday. Once a week? Yes, but not once a day. That's what people are yelling about.
I think that was confirmed after she went to the ER for diarrhea.
2 years, 2 surgeries, 2 clomid fails, 2 IUIs, 1 loss, IVF #1 - 10/25/10 = BFP!, DS is now 3.5yrs!
TTC #2 - 6/12 surgery #3, FET #1 & 1.2 = BFN, 12/2012 FET #2 = BFP! DD is 1.5 yrs!
Surprise! 12/16/14 BFP, loss #2 12/31/14
I can't wait for the "im getting a divorce" post in 5 years or so because your husbands were fed up with your disgusting chair asses from playing on the knot all day and getting fired 4-5 times for not doing any work. you guys are all winners!! ~ Laur929
I don't feel I'm missing the point, I think people are lying. What do you eat everyday? You can only eat so many fruits and veggies.
Would you feel differently about chick fil a if they were giving money to support the KKK or the Westboro baptist church? This is how it feels for some people.
Bwahahahaha!!!! I missed that one.
I just flipped my sons Carseat from rear facing to forward facing. He's only 17 months. My seat can rear face to 40 lbs and I always said I keep him rf until 2...but that didn't happen. He's 33lbs, so he could have stayed rf for 7 more lbs.
I admit I actually LIKE going places with him now. He screamed so much he puked a few times, HINT!!! make sure whatever convertible seat you ladies buy has a removable, washable cover, LIFESAVER!
And it was super distracting with him wailing while I was driving. It made me a nervous wreck.
So there. I'm like the worst mom ever and all the peeps still rf from 17 months and beyond are awesome. Let the flaming begin!
I probably would however they are not so it doesn't bother me. Has everyone researched every franchise and what they donate to? Probably not. They got the spotlight because of what he said, before then no one even knew nor gave a crap.