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.
Robynew28
member
Re: Weight
My MIL gained 75lbs with DH.. My Mom only gained 8lbs with me and I have gained 26lbs so far. Every women is different. If your Dr hasn't said anything about your weight gain then don't stress over it.
BFP #1 10/02/06, EDD 5/1/07 Natural Miscarriage 1 week after BFP
BFP #2 3/28/07, EDD 11/19/07 Natural Miscarriage 2 weeks after BFP
BFP #3 1/16/11, 1st U/S - 1/28/11 HR 132bpm, Missed Miscarriage- 2/28/11, D&C 3/8/11
March 2011, diagnosed with MTHFR gene mutation
"Dear Lord, I would have loved to have held my babies on my lap and tell them about You, but since I didn't get the chance, would You please hold them on Your lap and tell them about me?
BFP #4 6/26/13, EDD 3/8/14, Delivered @ 40w6d
Bethany Elizabeth born on 3/14/14 @ 6:48am weighing almost 8lbs 1oz and measuring 20 1/2 inches.
I am going to grab my popcorn! Haha
I'm looking forward to being a mom, and I will do my best to keep my body healthy, but other than that I don't care.
Me: 28 DH: 27
If you are worried about "letting yourself go" start looking for a gym with child care.
Hell, start going to the gym now. You are supposed to be getting exercise while pregnant anyways. And if you are working on losing the extra, it won't be so hard to get started after. Not to mention l&d and recovery will be much smoother.
Over and out!
It'll be ok! Hang in there!
If it is "your fault" because you are eating for two adults and indulging every craving, that is not healthy and you need to not do that. If it is "your fault" because you have made pregnancy an excuse to not move as much as possible, stop that.
Balance will be difficult. But you have to focus on health. And not the numbers.
And FYI - throwing out numbers and judgmental language like "let themselves go" is not smart or kind when posting in a community of 7+ month pregnant women.
We need better GIF parties
Me: 28 DH: 27
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~Kari~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
BFP #1 10/02/06, EDD 5/1/07 Natural Miscarriage 1 week after BFP
BFP #2 3/28/07, EDD 11/19/07 Natural Miscarriage 2 weeks after BFP
BFP #3 1/16/11, 1st U/S - 1/28/11 HR 132bpm, Missed Miscarriage- 2/28/11, D&C 3/8/11
March 2011, diagnosed with MTHFR gene mutation
"Dear Lord, I would have loved to have held my babies on my lap and tell them about You, but since I didn't get the chance, would You please hold them on Your lap and tell them about me?
BFP #4 6/26/13, EDD 3/8/14, Delivered @ 40w6d
Bethany Elizabeth born on 3/14/14 @ 6:48am weighing almost 8lbs 1oz and measuring 20 1/2 inches.
Every bit of this was priceless. I had no intention of reading the updates on this thread but am so glad I did! Bravo!
You're totes a fatty.
Also, everyone has to have a first time posting, we don't all start as bump forum experts. I personally wasn't going to go near the forums because I, historically, have found them mean and time-sucking (elsewhere). Until I found this one; since you guys seemed nice and helpful and generally light-hearted, I came on in and have stayed, but still don't get on a ton. I see how "drive-by"s can be concerning because they may stir up trouble and then never even check back on their post, but everyone's a "drive-by" at least once.
Okay, I could elaborate more, but I'm stepping down. If that was too high and mighty of me, sorry, but I felt like it had to be said.
Also, @lvlichelle I'm glad someone else thought the baby was super creepy!
(In case something gets lost over the interwebs, ^ that is completely sincere, not sarcastic. The second half of my original post probably should have stayed in my head
Like PPs have said, if you think you are gaining more than you are supposed to, talk to your doc. Doc will be able to reassure you that you are on track for YOU, or be frank and honest with you and tell you to put down the third helping of cookies for the health of you and your baby.
Cookies are delicious. Cravings aren't bad. But if you feel you are over craving, don't make excuses. Try drinking more water, or eating fruit to satisfy that persistent sweet tooth. Keep your belly full of healthy foods and you will crave less junk. If my blood sugar gets low, I find myself reaching for high calorie junk food as my body is screaming "Get this baby some calories and make it snappy!" vs if I eat regular snacks and meals, I'm much better behaved.
I have 0 self control with cravings... So to counteract my sweet tooth, I just make sure I'm exercising 30-60 min a day as often as my work schedule allows it. Nothing too fancy, just some easy cardio and light weights. (I've found this also has helped keep my cankles stay in line as it gets all the blood and fluids moving.) even with "mostly" good eating habits and regular exercise, I'm looking at a big lb gain for myself, not that that should matter to anybody as that's what's best for MY body.
Don't diet, but Start good habits now and it'll hopefully be easier for you post baby.