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.
Mrs Nice
member
Re: PgAL Check In
Do you have any upcoming appointments or milestones? 2nd to last p17 shot on Sunday and regular OB appt Thursday (and then it's every week!)
Any pregnancy symptoms or pregnancy cravings or aversions? Life is just uncomfortable! But it's OK, I know that the end is in sight!
QOTW: Are you going to allow anyone besides your SO in the delivery room? Nope! DH and I have mixed feelings because I want my parents AT the hospital (waiting room) and he'd rather not have anyone at the hospital. DH understands though, that I want them there in case something goes wrong. Still haven't decided...
Open Topic. What is on your mind this week?I'm officially on Spring Break! I left school today with my room very clean and ready (in case I don't come back) and I'm looking forward to relaxing and getting ready for baby this week. Also...we're going to visit Leah, Rachel and Gabe's tree tomorrow (my parents planted a sugar maple at their house in honor/memory of them...it's their "place" instead of a grave site...) and I've been thinking all week about taking some sort of Easter decorations, but just have no idea what to do, so I haven't done anything... I know it doesn't matter, but just as this new baby get closer to being here, trying to keep Leah, Rachel and Gabriel present in our lives (I guess what people do when they're expecting their second and their first is living...)
Do you have any upcoming appointments or milestones?
MFM appt and NST on Monday.
Any pregnancy symptoms or pregnancy cravings or aversions?
I'm in so much pain it's awful. My everything hurst and I'm having a really hard time getting comfortable then just when I do I have to get up and pee. It's a vicious circle.
QOTW: Are you going to allow anyone besides your SO in the delivery room?
I would have my mom and MIL in the room, but since we're having twins we have to deliver in the OR and it's against hospital policy to have anyone but DH there. They were both there for Elliott and Ryland's birth and I'd really like to have them there with us for Caroline and Oliver's. I'm still hoping for some miracle that will allow it, but it'll most likely just be DH.
Open Topic. What is on your mind this week?
I've been having some trouble controlling my BP the last week. We ended up in L&D on Saturday night and we happened to have the same nurse that was with us for Elliott and Ryland's delivery. She was super sweet and remembered us and seemed excited for us to have made it this far, but it really messed with our heads. We spent all of Sunday in bed at home and crying because it brought everything back. I've been struggling with it all week as well. I find myself feeling guilty for being happy with this pregnancy and I wish I still had my boys which makes me feel like I'm not happy enough to be pregnant again. It's a hard thing to wrap my head around.
Hi ladies, I didn't want to upset anyone, especially any new loss moms by posting my own thread, so I thought I'd just pop in here and announce the arrival of my rainbow. Emily Kathryn arrived Wednesday March 19th at 2:20 pm, weighing 8 lbs 14 oz and 20.5 inches long. She's absolutely perfect and I couldn't be more in love. Her birth didn't go as I had envisioned, it turned out while head down, she was sunny side up which may have contributed to my long labor (32 hours) and failure to progress past 3 cm. So with a failed induction, we went ahead with a C section. I had always been terrified of needing one, but it went much better than expected and now at day 4 I am actually feeling pretty good, but above all so thankful and happy she is here safely.
She's so sweet, and often gets fussy at night and just clings to me. I haven't slept much since she's in my arms most of the night, but being needed by her and seeing how much I comfort her is the best feeling in the world, she's so amazing. I'm rooting for you all and your rainbows, can't wait to see birth announcements in the next few weeks. Here are a few pics
My Pregnancy/Parenting BLOG TTC since 5/2011, BFP #1 12/3/11, M/C 12/7/11 @ 4wks 2d. Began seeing RE Sep 2012. October 2012 Metformin 1500 mg= ovulation on CD34 BFP#2 11/14/12 9DPO, EDD 7/26/13, DX Gestational Diabetes @14 wks, our angel born sleeping 3/24/13 @ 22wks 2d. BFP #3 7/4/13 8DPO EDD 3/22/14, DX Gestational Diabetes @14 wks. started insulin @16 wks. Our rainbow, born 3/19/14 @ 39wks 6d., we're so in love!
Ava's Story
BFP#2 10/18/13 Blighted ovum 11/25/13
BFP #3 1/31/14 EDD 10/18/14 -- It's a GIRL!
Hope your recovery continues to go well!
DS1 - 7/2011, DD 12/2012, DS2 - 4/2014, MMC - 12/2015
14 weeks
Do you have any upcoming appointments or milestones? April 2nd monthly appointment.
Any pregnancy symptoms or pregnancy cravings or aversions?
QOTW: Are you going to allow anyone besides your SO in the delivery room? I know I will be delivering via C section so just the hubby
Open Topic. What is on your mind this week?
mrsgerman It's OK to let your guard down a little and prepare for this baby. I have to constantly remind myself that 1. this baby deserves to be celebrated and 2. preparing or not preparing isn't going to change the outcome (if that makes sense...)
8/12-Suprise BFP- Sweet Bunny Born Sleeping 11/21/12 (19 weeks)
-5/7/13- MMC (8 Weeks)
11/6/13- BO discovered at 7 weeks- natural MC 11/25/13
8/14- Surpise IF dx...low AMH (.24)- moving on to IVF
IVF #1- 11/14- 6R5M4F=2 perfect frosties
12/19/14- FET of 2 embabies = BFP!!! One Little Bean EDD: 9/3/15
Everyone Welcome.
Me 32 (Stage IV Endometriosis, short luteal phase) DH 38
Married 5/2010
January 2014- DS born healthy at 35.4 weeks
February 2014- DS passed away due to complications from adenovirus
February 2015- Rainbow baby DD born at 36.3 weeks
My chart: http://www.fertilityfriend.com/home/42fd32