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.
chicagobride_07
member
Re: What to bring to hospital
I didn't use an abdominal binder so I can't help with that one.
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The hospital gave me an abdominal binder after surgery and the nurses and OB showed me how to wear it.
Take comfortable clothes to wear home from the hospital-like loose fitting lounge pants.
Honestly my hospital provided everything I needed. I did bring my own clothes, makeup, bath stuff. I wore fold down yoga pants and kept the panel up over my belly. I brought nursing bras, nipple cream, tank tops, and a robe. I also brought a boppy which I used behind me in my bed and also to feed DS. They gave me mesh panties to wear (and pads too) and I wore those home. I didn't change into my underwear until I got home. I didn't wear or use a binder.
Good luck!
Good luck!!
My hospital provides everything surgery-related: abdominal binder, large pads, extra gauze for the incision, and the most amazing mesh disposable underwear ever! (I hoard them and ask them to bring me more!)
I just packed my bag for my 3rd c-section and I am bringing:
toiletries
flip flops for shower
slippers
yoga pants
nursing bras
comfy tops
an outfit to wear home
light reading
phone/charger
insurance cards/photo id/copy of hosp reg paperwork
gifts from big brothers to baby/gifts from baby to big brothers
thank you cards for nurses
non-perishable snacks: granola bars, trail mix, gum, crackers
some people bring their pillow from home
Good Luck!
Great list, I had forgotten flip flop for the shower!
I was in the hospital for 6 days after my cs and was shocked at how much stuff I had packed that I didn't even touch!
1. I wore the hospital gowns the whole time. Honestly, I couldn't care less what I was wearing and it was easy and comfy.
2. Those mesh panties they give you are fabulous. That's all I wore. Every time I went to the bathroom I put some in my bag, by the time I left I had enough to wear them at home for a couple weeks! Also, they give you all the big pads you need, no need to pack those.
3. Here's what I did actually use that I packed:
- a robe, you'll need it for walking around
- a pair of big comfy shoes (I had a pair of crocs)
- toiletries
- phone charger, camera (note: I packed my laptop and never used it)
- flip flops for shower
- 1 going home outfit for me and 2 for LO (backup in case the first gets ruined)
- An extra empty bag (duffle / carry on size) This came in so handy. They give you so much goodies when you leave, our empty bag was stuffed to the gills with everything for me and LO. Hats, mittens, tshirts, socks, formula (we had to supplement till my milk came in), diapers, wipes, pads, panties, those squirt bottles, breast pump parts (I got at least $75 worth various parts and accessories given by the lactation consultant), small plastic basin (that came in handy for washing pump parts).
as for other stuff, i stayed in the hospital gown and used my robe to walk around in, as well as flip flops. the hospital gave me mesh panties and big pads, as well as the abdominal binder. the only other things i used were my toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo and conditioner, and soap. all of which were travel sized. i just didn't have the energy to do more, even with the girls in nicu.
TTC since May 2006. After 3 failed Clomid cycles, 2 failed Injectibles/IUIs, 2 failed IVFs and 1 failed FET, we moved on to adoption!
Last ditch FET resulted in BFP, and identical twin girls!