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.
RocksInTheWater
member
Re: **Pregnant after a loss (pgal) check-in**
DS born 4/06/14
MC #2 August 2015
CP November 2015
MC#3 January 2016
BFP 5/11/16 EDD 1/19/17
Team: Green!
BFP #1 11/19/12 EDD: 7/25/13 Natural MC on 12/31/12 at 10w4d
BFP#2 3/1/13 EDD: 11/5/13 Missed MC 4/9/13 at 10w D&C 4/11/13
Baby #2 diagnosed with Trisomy 16. Diagnosed Hetero MTHFR.
BFP#3 8/5/13 EDD: 4/13/14 Team Green Turned Team Blue! Our rainbow baby, Griffin R arrived via c-section (breech since 20w) on 4/11/14.
.
~~Everyone Always Welcome~~
Gestation: 29w2d, acorn squash
team green
Feeling: pretty good. Some pressure down south and it feels like my pelvis is bruised on the right, but baby is hanging out super low, so that's probably why. I miss sleep and feel like I'm just finding an acceptable position when the alarm goes off. Emotionally I'm in a good spot though. Getting anxious to be done.
Upcoming: I should get GTT results this week. I go back in on the 31st and then schedule my BPP to see if this little one is a reasonable size after DD's shoulder displaysia. Still hoping to avoid a c-sec because I'm scared of recovery with a newborn & toddler, but I trust my OB immensely and know she's rooting for a non-surgical exit as well.
Human trick: never thought about it. I've remained freakishly flexible from my gymnastics days and can still do a full split on either side. I used to be able to bend my back leg & touch the back of my head, but haven't attempted that one while pregnant.
@LoriMC12, I'm so sorry about the constipation! I live a life of constipation even when I'm not pregnant. Have you tried apricot nectar? I find that it helps with extra fiber added to everything and I take 3 Colace pills a day, every day. The apricot nectar is SO much better than prune juice.
Huge (((((((hugs)))))) for next week! Sending you so much love. Take time for yourself this weekend and next week, we'll be thinking about you.
BFP #1 11/19/12 EDD: 7/25/13 Natural MC on 12/31/12 at 10w4d
BFP#2 3/1/13 EDD: 11/5/13 Missed MC 4/9/13 at 10w D&C 4/11/13
Baby #2 diagnosed with Trisomy 16. Diagnosed Hetero MTHFR.
BFP#3 8/5/13 EDD: 4/13/14 Team Green Turned Team Blue! Our rainbow baby, Griffin R arrived via c-section (breech since 20w) on 4/11/14.
.
~~Everyone Always Welcome~~
BFP #1 11/19/12 EDD: 7/25/13 Natural MC on 12/31/12 at 10w4d
BFP#2 3/1/13 EDD: 11/5/13 Missed MC 4/9/13 at 10w D&C 4/11/13
Baby #2 diagnosed with Trisomy 16. Diagnosed Hetero MTHFR.
BFP#3 8/5/13 EDD: 4/13/14 Team Green Turned Team Blue! Our rainbow baby, Griffin R arrived via c-section (breech since 20w) on 4/11/14.
.
~~Everyone Always Welcome~~
Gestation in weeks/fruit: 29, acorn squash
Team:green
How are you feeling physically? Sleepy!!
Emotionally? Pretty good!
Upcoming Appointments or Milestones: nope
GTKY: What is your stupid human trick? I can flip my eyelids...
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.."
DS born 4/06/14
MC #2 August 2015
CP November 2015
MC#3 January 2016
BFP 5/11/16 EDD 1/19/17
Gestation in weeks/fruit: 26w2d
Team: pink
How are you feeling physically? Emotionally?
I had to go to L&D on Friday after some bright red blood that ended up not being explained. No amniotic fluid, my cervix was closed and the US was good so I'm not sure what happened. It wasn't scary, per say, until the monitor kept showing the heart rate drop to 60. I was on it for almost 2 hours before I was able to ask my doctor what that meant and apparently it only had to do with the fact that she is so small still and had to do with the equipment, not her. It was good to see the US though because it made up for my crappy AS. She kept opening and closing her fingers right by her face. It was really cool!! I was feeling very secure in my pregnancy until this. Now I'm a bit more paranoid, but I'm hoping it will subside.
Upcoming Appointments or Milestones: last 4 week appt is 2/4. Then its every 2 weeks which is freaking me out since we have nothing done for the baby.
GTKY: What is your stupid human trick? I have no idea! I think I'm pretty boring!
Gestation in weeks/fruit: 26w2d lettuce
Team: pink
How are you feeling physically? Emotionally?
Physically it's getting harder to sleep comfortably, and sometimes I feel like I have claustrophobia under my snoogle and blankets. Kind of strange I guess. Heartburn as always is here and constipation seems to be coming back. I feel like the amount of junk food I have eaten lately is taking up some of my weight gain so I'm trying to plan ahead and make better food choices.
Emotionally things are good. I tore off the bandaid and am in full purchasing mode, and someone needs to take away my Zulily password. I'm going nuts.
Upcoming Appointments or Milestones: last 4 week appt is 2/7. I feel kind of weird that I don't have any other u/s scheduled. How will they know how the baby is positioned or if something is wrong? Makes me kind of concerned.
GTKY: What is your stupid human trick? I can make the lip sound a horse does when it's frustrated....
Married 9/18/10
TTC 1/1/12
BFP #1 12/13/12 MMC Confirmed 1/30/13
BFP #2 6/17/13, (Clomid+Ovidrel) CP Confirmed 6/26/13
BFP #3 8/14/2013 (Letrozole+IUI) Charlie Grace born 5/2/2014
Laparoscopic surgery 8/15 to remove misplaced IUD
BFP #4, #5, #6 (Letrozole+IUI)all MMC, BFP #7 EDD 1/3/2017
Natural miscarriage @ 8 weeks - 3/8/2005
Big Brother "Skippy" born - 2/28/2007
Missed miscarriage - (EDD 3/5/2013) - D&E @ 11 weeks - 8/8/2012
"Hen" (EDD 6/7/2013) - born sleeping @ 19 weeks - 1/15/2013
"G-Unit" born - 4/14/2014 and he's 100% perfection!!
Natural miscarriage @ 8 weeks - 3/8/2005
Big Brother "Skippy" born - 2/28/2007
Missed miscarriage - (EDD 3/5/2013) - D&E @ 11 weeks - 8/8/2012
"Hen" (EDD 6/7/2013) - born sleeping @ 19 weeks - 1/15/2013
"G-Unit" born - 4/14/2014 and he's 100% perfection!!
DS born 4/06/14
MC #2 August 2015
CP November 2015
MC#3 January 2016
BFP 5/11/16 EDD 1/19/17
Natural miscarriage @ 8 weeks - 3/8/2005
Big Brother "Skippy" born - 2/28/2007
Missed miscarriage - (EDD 3/5/2013) - D&E @ 11 weeks - 8/8/2012
"Hen" (EDD 6/7/2013) - born sleeping @ 19 weeks - 1/15/2013
"G-Unit" born - 4/14/2014 and he's 100% perfection!!
Gestation in weeks/fruit: rutabaga and week 27 as of tomorrow.
Team: pink
How are you feeling physically? Emotionally? Physically still having pelvic pain but otherwise pretty good.
Emotionally great no complaints yet.
Upcoming appts or milestones?: i had a sonogram today and baby weighs 2 lbs 8 oz. she is also in the 75th percentile for growth. I also learned she is very camera shy she never wants us to see her face and she likes sleeping upside down. In 4 weeks my doctor said im getting a 3d sonogram; so thats exciting.
GTKY: what is your stupid human trick? I really dont know...i have extremely good hearing and im great at baking and making desserts.
October 30, 2011
DS born 4/06/14
MC #2 August 2015
CP November 2015
MC#3 January 2016
BFP 5/11/16 EDD 1/19/17
That is so cool-- but must be very annoying for you! People always tend to smell worse than good.
DS born 4/06/14
MC #2 August 2015
CP November 2015
MC#3 January 2016
BFP 5/11/16 EDD 1/19/17