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.
a2003tiger
member
Re: Expecting Momma Check-in Week of May 7
1) How far along this week?
13 weeks. It feels like time is flying by.
2) Any doctor's appointments?
May 17th is my next appointment.
3) How are you feeling?
Finally feeling great. Can't wait to start working out again. I'm feeling a little soft in all the wrong areas!! ;P
4) What (if any) alternative type things are you trying to help in your VBAC attempt? Spinning babies, chiropractor care, hiring a doula, etc?
Nothing yet. Meeting with my local ICAN chapter as soon as DH is done with school, so it looks like I can start attending in June. I really hope it's a good fit, because I'd really like some women in my corner.
1) How far along this week? 21 weeks today
2) Any doctor's appointments? None this week
3) How are you feeling? Morning sickness seemed to make a return last week. I'm feeling okay today, so here's hoping it's gone by the time we leave for vacation on Saturday!
4) What (if any) alternative type things are you trying to help in your VBAC attempt? Spinning babies, chiropractor care, hiring a doula, etc? I've already hired my doula. I try to do spinning babies, but some days I forget. I just made an appointment for a consultation with a chiropractor so we'll see if that works out. My city doesn't have a local ICAN chapter, so that's a no go.
M/C #2 - October 2016
MMC #1 - April 2016
1) How far along this week?
18 weeks!
2) Any doctor's appointments?
Yes! We have our A/S on Thursday.
3) How are you feeling?
I finally have some energy so I'm feeling really good.
4) What (if any) alternative type things are you trying to help in your VBAC attempt? Spinning babies, chiropractor care, hiring a doula, etc?
I go to a prenatal yoga class and see a chiropractor weekly. Fingers crossed!
1) How far along this week?
15 weeks.
2) Any doctor's appointments?
Not really, but I have an elective ultrasound to get a guess at the babies gender, even though I know it isn't 100% it is just for funn and an extra chance to see the baby.
3) How are you feeling?
Not so good I have been having a lot of pain in the area below my external scar hoping it is just nothing, or caused from strain from the cold I had.
4) What (if any) alternative type things are you trying to help in your VBAC attempt? Spinning babies, chiropractor care, hiring a doula, etc?
Nothing yet, although if the baby is breach which wasn't my problem last time I am planning to go to a chiropractor.
1) How far along this week? 34 weeks
2) Any doctor's appointments? I had one today - it went really well, and I almost cried when my OB assured me that all of the OBs are very pro-VBAC and they have a very high rate of success. (I was concerned because it's a military hospital, and I have no idea who will deliver my baby. I was concerned that I would end up with a doc NOT as pro-VBAC as the two I've been seeing, so it was a big relief.)
3) How are you feeling? Pretty good. Random pressure, harder kicks, but pretty good.
4) What (if any) alternative type things are you trying to help in your VBAC attempt? Spinning babies, chiropractor care, hiring a doula, etc? I've done a few spinning babies exercises and have been trying to sit on my exercise ball consistently - I think that my bad posture contributed to DS not being in an optimal position.
33.5w
2 Any doctor's appointments?
Ultrasound with MFM last week showed another big baby on the way; 5lbs13oz at 33w, on track to be a 9lber. This one was medically necessary due to hypothyroidism, but I'm talking to my OB this week about declining further growth checks, since she's obviously not small.
3 How are you feeling?
Pretty good most of the time. It's amazing how during my first pregnancy, I was in such shock from all the changes and discomforts that all I could say was that I hated pregnancy and I couldn't wait for it to be over. This time, although I have all the same crappy symptoms like major heartburn and sciatica, I'm like, it's cool. It's expected and I'm trying to enjoy every bit of it, since it may be our last.
Also, I have a wicked head cold and it sucks. I am being a baby about it but seriously...I hate colds. Plus, there's the two year old to deal with and H just got his wisdom teeth out and also needs caring for, so I'm exhausted and totally unable to rest as much as I'd like to beat this bug.
4 What if any alternative type things are you trying to help in your VBAC attempt? Spinning babies, chiropractor care, hiring a doula, etc?
Everything! lol. No joke. We've hired a doula, I took hypnobirthing classes, I've been doing spinning babies exercises, doing squats and other pelvis opening type exercises, yoga, been on the birthing ball daily since 32w, drinking RRL tea, starting EPO next week. I'm even going to do nipple stim, pressure point stim, and making the magical eggplant parm that's supposed to put you into labor at 39w.
1) How far along this week? 25-26 weeks, depends who you ask!
2) Any doctor's appointments? Not until next Wed- I have my GD test and a check-up
3) How are you feeling? Great overall. I am having a lot of pressure and aching in my hips and pelvis, so I've been seeing a chiropractor and doing a lot of stretches at home with my big ball. It's helping a lot!
4) What (if any) alternative type things are you trying to help in your VBAC attempt? Spinning babies, chiropractor care, hiring a doula, etc?
All of the above!
1) How far along this week? 28 weeks
2) Any doctor's appointments? Next Tues and I am going to ask about the practice's guidelines again. I had a VBAC with them 2 years ago but I forget if they suggest/require you to get an epi in case of c-section
3) How are you feeling? I feel great. Just a lot of BH contractions and I am drinking SOOOOO Much water but it doesn't seem to be doing anything. Just hope this little lady doesn't come early bc my first did at 32 weeks! No reason for her to arrive early it is just on my mind.
4) What (if any) alternative type things are you trying to help in your VBAC attempt? Spinning babies, chiropractor care, hiring a doula, etc? I am trying to find doula in training bc in our area they run about $1000 and we can't afford that right now. And after reading this post I want to go research spinning babies.....I have never heard of that before!
1) How far along this week? 35w6d
2) Any doctor's appointments? OB appt today. I had to wait quite a while b/c she had a delivery, but I was glad to do it. DD3 was head down and low today. Given her size and position, OB doesn't think she'll turn back breech. She's hoping I don't go longer than 39wks.
3) How are you feeling? Tired and sore. I'm not sleeping at night due to pubic bone/nerve pain. It's hot here and I'm grumpy.
4) What (if any) alternative type things are you trying to help in your VBAC attempt? Spinning babies, chiropractor care, hiring a doula, etc?
I tried some spinning babies moves last week and ended up crazy sore! I'm wondering now if it wasn't DD turning though. My friend said she was in a lot of pain/soreness when her LO turned.
TTC #3: BFP 4/27/12, Ectopic 5/16/12 Expectant Management, 8/15/12 Cleared to TTC
BFP 9/25/12 EDD 6/6/13, Shooting 3-for-3 from the line: It's a Girl
PgAL/PAL Welcome
2 Any doctor's appointments?
Had a appt today...moved my dd from oct 22 to the 27th based on my early US...I musta missed the memo last appt! Im happy though more time fir natural labor to start!
3 How are you feeling? Great! M/S is gone and enjoying second tri!
4 What if any alternative type things are you trying to help in your VBAC attempt? Spinning babies, chiropractor care, hiring a doula, etc?
I need to start looking into a doula and chiropractor!
1) How far along this week? 18w5d
2) Any doctor's appointments? monday we'll have a regular doctor's visit followed by our A/S
3) How are you feeling? Really good. I am starting to realize that I'm coming up on the half way mark and summer which means very little time left before baby girl gets here!!!
4) What (if any) alternative type things are you trying to help in your VBAC attempt? Spinning babies, chiropractor care, hiring a doula, etc? I need to start doing some research just to make sure I understand everything regarding a VBAC. Since it's still early on and we're not sure of baby's measurements or position, I'm not too worried about it.
2. No appointments till the 22 and then we have an ultrasound and midwife!
3. Feeling okay. Lots of uncomfortableness. And pain. Apparently its normal but I didn't have as much with my DS.
4. Im going to use my friend who practices Bowenwork. She can help to spin the baby if she's breech and/or jump start labor if needed.