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: Catheter during c-section
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Mommy to DS#1 7/1/04 and DS#2 6/15/07
M/C 2/16/10 at 9wks 5 days~ D&C 2/18/10
BFP#4 5/17/11 C/P.
BFP#5 11/30/12 Surprise! DS#3 born 7/29/13
I had an emergency c/s and had to go under general - so no epi, no spinal, nothing. If I'd had time to think about it before hand, I'd probably have freaked out, but it went so quickly the pain only lasted a couple seconds - kind of a sharp "ouch!" but nothing to cry over. I also had a million distractions around me from the surgery prep to the anesthesiologist explaining things to me... So, even if for some reason you don't get it after your spinal block, it's not as bad as it sounds.
I've had 4 c-sections. The first 3 - the catheter was put in BEFORE the spinal. Yes, BEFORE. And it was no big deal. Uncomfortable? Yes, but not super painful.
The 4th c-section, they changed the rules in my hospital and put it in after the spinal.
They gave me an option with #3. I was like "Seriously you think I'm going to want it BEFORE?" Mine have all be after.
Except with #1 and #3 the epidural and spinal (Respectively: had different anesthesia for them) I wasn't "numb" enough and could feel them putting it in but it didn't hurt but I did know it was going in.
#2 I had not a clue as to what was going on when.
ETA: I should add that the reason I wasn't numb enough with #3 was because it had JUST been placed.
BFP #2 11/30/09 EDD 08/12/10- Sophia Grace born 8/1/10
BFP #3 11/16/10 EDD 08/04/11- Samuel Richard born 7/28/11
BFP #4 01/04/12 EDD 09/19/12- Simon Nathaniel born 9/6/12
BFP #5 03/27/13 EDD 11/25/13- Savannah Lee born 11/18/13
LOL everyone in the OR is going to see your naked hoo-hah anyway! I agree with you, its weird that they even offered...
DD1: November 2011
DD2: December 2013
This. My catheter went in after my spinal (I felt some pushing but no pain. I think my Dr had it in super fast) and I couldn't feel any pain. It was really nice for about 10 hours pp being able to drink all I wanted and not worry about getting up at all. When the nurse removed it, it didnt hurt at all (definitely had the tampon feeling), but some slight swelling-and nerves-made me unable to 'void' much of anything at my first attempt. About an hour later I realized that sitting far forward on the toilet and running the water really helped!
They put mine in after both times. One emergency and one scheduled.
It only hurt when they took the 2nd one out because there was an extra air bubble in there that they didn't know about.
You can absolutely say you want it done AFTER your pain meds are distributed. I did. When they put my IV in they made a comment about putting the catheter in and I was like no no no no.. not until I have my spinal. hahahahaha.
Don't be scared. I know it is easier said than done and I was terrified too. BUT it is so nice not to have to worry about getting up and peeing. Your scar will be tender and you will want to sit in bed and hold your beautiful LO and not worry about taking 10-15 mins to get up. Pee. Lay back down. It's a process, at first, but you will be just fine!
When they took mine out- the nurse said pretend like you are blowing out your birthday candles and I did and didn't even feel it!! I was so scared about it coming out- but it is way overworked in your head, especially if this is the first baby for you.
Good luck!!