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: Since this board is so slow...
Intro?
My name is Monica. I grew up in Michigan, but have lived in various parts of the country in my adult life. Currently, my husband and I live in Tucson, but are moving to the Phoenix area this summer. We are just waiting on the closing on our home to move!
How far along are you?
5w2d
What's going on this week? (with baby, with you, ect)
Nothing too major, just the regular work and school routine..
Biggest pregnancy challenge so far?
Maintaining my full time school and work schedule while being completely exhausted!
Intro: I am from NY, moved to FL for 2.5 years, then to Chicago for a year and now to AZ... Hoping it will be longer than a year! I have a BFA and an MSW, I go back and forth from art to social work.. right now I have an etsy shop painting glasses for mostly wedding and military. Had to keep a job when you move so much and hard to have motivation to try and find one not knowing how long you will be in an area.
How far along: 12.5 weeks.
What's going on this week: Having movers come and pack, driving down to AZ! But I am getting a facial at the end of tomorrow to relax.
Biggest pregnancy challenge so far: I've been pretty good. I am just trying to make sure I eat enough of the right things. Not having enough energy to do anything..
Intro? I am originally from MA, and have lived in NM as well. I moved to AZ (currently in Chandler) 8 years ago. Met my DH 7 years ago and got married 2 years ago. I hate my job (which is why I distract myself with bumping at work) and am going to school to be a paralegal.
How far along are you? Almost 16 weeks
What's going on this week? (with baby, with you, ect) Buying new furniture since we let my mother borrow our oversized furniture until we buy a house in two years.
Biggest pregnancy challenge so far? Morning sickness and constipation (from taking Zofran for the morning sickness).
Welcome to AZ Laumb! Looks like we have a lot of newbies to the area. I hope you get to stay longer then a year too. Moving is hard work especially while pregnant! Enjoy the drive down.
Hello Bosoxy. Sorry to hear about the morning sickness & zofran. I've had problem with hyper emesis/morning sickness on all four of my pregnancies and it's not fun. Hopefully it'll clear up soon.
Intro?
I'm an AZ native from rural areas of small towns that are growing rapidly. I left for the big city and since then have worn a variety of hats, most notably baker and makeup artist. I met my DH in middle school, lost touch with him, had a baby, and some years later reconnected with DH on FB. We've been head over heels for eachother since. My baby is now 10 years old and he is going to be a fantastic big bro.
How far along are you?
I'm 15 weeks.
What's going on this week? (with baby, with you, ect)
Right now I'm trying to get nausea behind me for good while I spend some quality time with DS during summer break. I wish DH could spend more time at home, but that comes with the job.
Biggest pregnancy challenge so far?
Morning sickness has been awful!!
Intro...
I'm originally from Colorado, my DH and I moved to AZ in 2008. We love it here, there is no snow to shovel.....EVER! I am a graduate of culinary school, and I work in Medical Billing. We are excited to have our 1st baby as we were ttc for 2? years.
How far along are you.....
12 weeks and 5 days, due 12.10.13
What's going on this week.....
About mid week this week the annuoncement of our pregnancy is going to happen. Our parents and close family know, but my Mom has been itching to announce it on fb.....she's a bit obsessed with that
Biggest pregnancy challenge so far...
I've been pretty lucky. Not a lot of sickness and no real issues other than being SUPER tired all the time, but I hear that is par for the course in the 1st trimester. I'm also very type A and it makes me crazy that I don't know the gender yet!!!
Intro? Hi! I am Amber, I am 32 and this is my first baby. H and I just got married about 7 weeks ago and we live in the West Valley.
How far along are you? 13 weeks
Due date 12-10-2013
What's going on this week? (with baby, with you, ect) Not a lot this week. I am looking forward to week 20 to find out if baby is a girl or boy!
Biggest pregnancy challenge so far? Fatigue. I am tired enough to just fall asleep anywhere at anytime. I would say morning sickness, but for the past 5 days that has gotten better. I hope it stays better.
I'm an Arizona native, grew up near Prescott. I've been married almost 3 years. I have a LO who will be 1 in July. He is so much fun. He is trying to walk now. I live in the west valley. Not pregnant, but thought I would join in on the phoenix board
Intro?
I am not quite a native to AZ but pretty close ... Lived here almost all my life. Currently living in an apartment with my DH, and looking to rent a house in September ish. This will be our first child, and we are very excited.
How far along are you?
14 weeks.
What's going on this week? (with baby, with you, ect)
DH and I are at te end of some time off work, so just working on getting back into the swing of things. He goes back to work tomorrow and I go back Sunday.
Biggest pregnancy challenge so far?
Morning sickness has been my downfall, thus far.