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.
aks82
member
Re: Best Dr/Hospital in N. Phx
FYI I work at John C Lincoln and they do not have LD and they will transfer you out of emergency room if you come in after 14 weeks!
I live in North Phoenix also close to you actually but on the west side of i-17. With my first son I went to Dr. Folkestad at Arrowhead Hospital, however he wasnt encouraging about birth classes or natural things. He recommended an epidural and said birth classes were a waste of time and also encouraged me to be induced. With it being my first son and not educated about birth and labor I just did as he said.. He's the DR. Also his dr. office is always super busy and over booked. He was constantly late for every single appt or I was having to see one of the other OB's in the office because he was called into an emergency c-section or labor. Literally every appt was 2-3 hours which was mostly the wait and only about 15 minutes actually talking to him...
This time I went a different route and after watching The Business of Being Born on netflix, it made me want a a completely different labor and birth experience that I felt cheated out of with my first born. I did some research and found this place called Blossom Birth and Wellness Center. Its about a 30 minute drive south from where we are located but I love my Dr and midwives!
Each appt is 30-60 minutes long, they take time to really talk to you and get to know you and help educate you. They are also kid friendly, so I am able to take my first born to each appt and let him play with the toys... There is also NEVER a wait!!! They only take on 10 births a month, so that they can continue their excellent service for each client they have! I love them all! Nichelle is actually an MD who started this place, but she practices like a midwife and there are two other midwives there too, Mary and Diane. They are all so sweet and wonderful and a little bit hippyish. 
The phone number to their birth center is 602-256-7766. They accept all kinds of insurance, or if you dont have any, they can work with you on a cash payment plan. 
Their birthing suites are amazing too and so relaxing! You're able to eat, drink, get in the jacuzzi tub, shower, use birth balls, birth stools, go on a walk etc.. You're not stuck to a bed and only allowed to have ice chips... Afterall, you need energy to labor and birth your child! 
I took Bradley classes also, as Im going natural and my husband is my labor partner.
I am very excited and we learned so much in the class, how our bodies work and positions to use to relax and help you dilate etc etc... Im so happy with how ive done it so far this time. My birth class teacher is ROZ and her number is 623-451-3266. She was awesome!
I am due in 11 days and i couldnt be happier with how I have choosen to go about this labor and birth!
Hope this helps and CONGRATS on your positive test. Welcome to Phoenix!
Corrie