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: FFFC
No it's the same name as her ex, her first boyfriend apparently.
Ever since though, I've been wondering if a little filler might help with the crinklies around my eyes.
I bought a 2 liter of root beer to make the root beer pulled pork. I don't usually drink soda but I am going to have a huge glass of root beer with my pulled pork sandwich tonight.
I think I'll be dead by Sunday or monday, but it'll be a special time.
We totally shocked them this morning... We're the parents that have homework sent home if they've been sick, but are still in the 'need to stay home' window of time.
"Happiness is like a butterfly; the more you chase it the more it will elude you but if u turn your attention to other things it will come & sit softly on your shoulder."
BFP! 04/26/11 - DS born 12/28/11 - BFP #2! 04/02/13 - DD born 12/11/13 -
My Ovulation Chart
ETA: ((((hugs))))
CP: 01/2011 | MMC: 01/2012 | MMC: 10/2012 | DS: 11/2013 | MMC: 11/2014 | DD: 01/2016
BFP: 06/2018 - EDD: 02/09/2019
Yea that is a little heartless. Addiction in itself is a very complicated thing. The sad part is he was sober and relapsed. When he used again his body couldn't handle the drugs and he died. This sadly happens a lot. I do think he wanted to be sober and he could have led a great, productive life. Unfortunately, relapse is part of some people's road to recovery.
eta: I had to add this because it's bothering me. It is possible for people with addiction to live great life's. My grandmother was an alcoholic. She relapsed a few times but when she died she had 20 years sober. Alcoholism killed my uncle. I don't think he deserved to die though. My son is named after him. He was an incredible person even if he couldn't fight the addiction.
Mommy of four munchkins!
Mascara
Tide Free & Clear
Shampoo & conditioner
Quaker chewy granola bars
Swiffer refills
Greenies dog treats
Popchips (DH loves them and they're pricey at the store)
TP (we also have a Sam's membership, so it depends on which is cheaper when we need some)
Diapers when they were running a promotion for new Amazon Mom members
I use coupons when I shop normally, but these are all things that I can get cheaper than if I had a coupon at the store. Also, Amazon occasionally has e-coupons you can "clip" on their site.
BFP #2 EDD 10/2015
BFP #2 EDD 10/2015
BFP #1 - 07-15-12; Natural MC 07-18-12
BFP #2 - 09-29-12; U/S showed baby stopped growing @ 5wks 4days - 10-30-12; D&C - 10-31-12
BFP #3 - 04-10-13; Third time is a charm... Stick, baby, stick!!!
LOL. I guess I should pay closer attention to my S&S prices. I was wondering why the amount they charge went down even more on my last order. Off to check the discount on my food items.
My first reaction was "When you're dead," which shows more about the kind of day I'm having than it does of how I feel about your question. I told DH 2014 is "The Year of Northport" since 2013 has been unequivocally "The Year of Northport's DH's Selfishness" which is a hormonally driven statement but WHATEVER I'M CARRYING YOUR KID TO TERM THEN GETTING A FACIAL AND MAYBE ALSO SOME TEETH WHITENING DEAL WITH IT.
So, my darling, I think what I'm saying is that be gracious about him going, but then you sure as shit make sure you get a fun weekend of your own somewhere in there. Like, plan it, put it on the calendar, and follow through on it.
However, I also started out with a Prime account before adding Amazon Mom--not sure if that makes a difference? But I think the benefits are the same.
BFP #2 EDD 10/2015
I'm kind of in the opposite boat. I am also hosting Thanksgiving this year, but I couldn't be more thrilled. I'm in charge of the turkey and stuffing, and everyone's who's coming is going to fill in the side dishes.
Same for us! I emailed everyone and told them it's a potluck! I'm making the turkey and one side. Should be fun!
BFP #1 - 07-15-12; Natural MC 07-18-12
BFP #2 - 09-29-12; U/S showed baby stopped growing @ 5wks 4days - 10-30-12; D&C - 10-31-12
BFP #3 - 04-10-13; Third time is a charm... Stick, baby, stick!!!
I have my own. A part of me is excited that I won't have to cook or clean when I am in the hospital and for at least a few days after getting home. This is my second so I know it's not a vacation but it will be nice to have a break from it.
FFFC: I did almost no work yesterday but I will still charge the company I work for the entire day. Hey, I do a lot of work on the side for them almost every week so I'm calling even Stevens!
Edit: spelling
I can't count the number of people I've known who have lost their lives to this horrible disease. Not one of them deserved it. Not one of them wanted it. When I was 18 my best friend was a heroin addict. He had been to rehab 9 times trying to get clean. He couldn't. Instead of going again, he blew his head off in front of his mother, his little brother, and me. He cried and said how sorry he was, but that him dying was the only way he could bring peace to the people he loved.
I hope you can continue to "not care" about these people...because if you're ever faced with someone you love having to fight that fight, you will most definitely be heartbroken and you'll care. You'll care more than you could ever imagine.
Baby GIRL due 12/26