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: Baby Shower?
I think a small shower with only your nearest and dearest friends and family is acceptable because these are the people who would have probably given you a gift anyways. I also wouldn't register as that would put your guests in an awkward position.
However, yes, in my opinion a big shower for second child that is the same size as the first shower does come across as impolite and like you are taking advantage of others generosity and kindness. Yes, I understand that they can decline the invitation, but I feel it still puts them in an awkward position and I don't think that is the OPs intention.
Aww do you shop at pottery barn as well?
ETA - I really didn't even need anything for DD so I think everyone enjoyed being able to buy girly items at their leisure.
Well obviously no one agreed with me.
Oh wait. They did.
Welcome to the party- two days late.
Most of us have moved on.
BFP #1 May 20, 2013 MC June 27, 2013 BFP #2 August 2, 2013 Baby Boy born 4/25/14 (3 weeks overdue!)
April 14 August Siggy Challenge- "This time last year.."
BFP #1 May 20, 2013 MC June 27, 2013 BFP #2 August 2, 2013 Baby Boy born 4/25/14 (3 weeks overdue!)
April 14 August Siggy Challenge- "This time last year.."
Remember being cranky causes a saggy vagina!
Ahh yes it's been established I am the bitch on the board. And looking back I have to agree with @pineconey that my original post came across as rude and I apologized to op for that (although I would like to think I'm not generally an asshole but some of you may disagree). I do feel that showers are for FTMs but if I was invited to a shower for a STM I would decline unless we were super close but I would feel like an ass not sending a gift. Its not that I don't care about subsequent kids but I only have so much time and $ and it takes a lot out of me to get my ass off the couch and out of my yoga pants. I'm at the stage in my life where I have a shower every damn month and if I had one for every STM+ I would be tearing my hair out.
I am also laughing that I am now the poster woman for pottery barn since I made one comment about my love of their linens. But ok I will take it - I think you'd be sorely disappointed to come to my house and see all my place holder and hand me down furniture.
^^ And this is why I still respect @AprilMay9
BFP #1 May 20, 2013 MC June 27, 2013 BFP #2 August 2, 2013 Baby Boy born 4/25/14 (3 weeks overdue!)
April 14 August Siggy Challenge- "This time last year.."
BFP #1 May 20, 2013 MC June 27, 2013 BFP #2 August 2, 2013 Baby Boy born 4/25/14 (3 weeks overdue!)
April 14 August Siggy Challenge- "This time last year.."
Damn I thought we were playing with you! Are we getting new cards?
One in my hometown with my friends and family one here where I currently live with my friends and my coworkers and throwing me one at work..
Jesus and Santa are both invited!
Discuss..
Either way it's a party and they better bring presents to shower me with
Ahh yes it's been established I am the bitch on the board. And looking back I have to agree with @pineconey that my original post came across as rude and I apologized to op for that (although I would like to think I'm not generally an asshole but some of you may disagree). I do feel that showers are for FTMs but if I was invited to a shower for a STM I would decline unless we were super close but I would feel like an ass not sending a gift. Its not that I don't care about subsequent kids but I only have so much time and $ and it takes a lot out of me to get my ass off the couch and out of my yoga pants. I'm at the stage in my life where I have a shower every damn month and if I had one for every STM+ I would be tearing my hair out.
I am also laughing that I am now the poster woman for pottery barn since I made one comment about my love of their linens. But ok I will take it - I think you'd be sorely disappointed to come to my house and see all my place holder and hand me down furniture.
I don't think you're always an asshole. I think you're a pretty straight forward person and the interwebz make you come across as raging bitch sometimes. I try to overlook it because I generally agree with you or at least see where you're coming from on most things, and I think it would've be as harsh in person.
That's all.,
Ha! I love it! I swear I just had this same argument with Bitch+Berry on the baby shower boards. Her ass must search the knot for "second showers" so she can go crazy! #getalife
Love the mother and child, and welcome the child, however you are able.
Leave it to our lovable Christmas elf...
DS born 4/06/14
MC #2 August 2015
CP November 2015
MC#3 January 2016
BFP 5/11/16 EDD 1/19/17
I mean, uh, MY CHILD.
(But really...the pie. The pie made me out of the loop.)