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.
ktupiak
member
Re: HELP...possible BFP
TTC since 08/2012
DX: DOR
Me: 26 (IC/PCOS-2000mg of Metformin daily)
June 2014- HSG=clear
DH: 27 (SA results were great minus the slightly low morphology)
Started dating DH in 2002 at 14 years old
Married on 03.01.2014
Officially TTC since April 2014
January 2013- Surprise BFP, m/c at 6 weeks, D&C 2 Weeks later
April 2014- First RE appointment
July 2014- IUI#1-Canx due to scar tissue and polyps. TI with the help of Ovidrel. BFN
August 2014- Hysteroscopy to remove scar tissue and polyp
September 2014- IUI #1.1-100mg Clomid, Ovideral, 11.5 million swimmers=BFP
EDD-6/3/15- Our sweet baby Ryan was born on 1/6/15 and is in the arms of an Angel
Dx with IC on 1/6/15
Me 33, DH 37 -- TTC since Jan'12 -- Low AMH (0.78) & endo, SA w/ low motility
IUI's 1-3 = BFN, IVF converted to IUI 4/13 = BFN
IVF 1.2: 8R 6M 4F -- 2 blastocysts frozen, FET 8/15 = BFP!!
Beta #s = 445;1,098; 9,545 -- EDD 5/2 -- Team Pink!
Married 12/4/12
Began TTC 11/2012
Diagnosed as anovulatory 7/2013
Round #1 Clomid 50 mg 8/2013= BFN
Round#2 Clomid 50 mg 9/2013=BFN
First appointment with RE 9/27/2013
HSG showed left tube completely blocked, diagnosed with hypothyroid and began 50 mcg Synthroid, Vitamin D level low and began 2000 iu Vitamin D, Hubby's SA showed "super sperm" according to RE
Round#3 Clomid 50 mg + Ovidrel trigger 10/2013= BFN
Round #4 Clomid 50 mg + Ovidrel trigger 11/2013=BFN
Round #5 Clomid 50 mg (no trigger, on vacation) 12/2012= BFN
Round #1 Femara 2.5 mg, no trigger, IUI cancelled due to early ovulation 1/2014= BFN
1/25/2014= BENCHED for the first time (two leftover follies on the right)
2/7/14 Diagnosed with MTHFR/Benched
4/2014 Round #2 Femara 5mg, IUI #1=BFN
4/28/14 positive opk with no treatment while on break, confirmed with ultrasound= BFN
5/16/14 5mg Femara + trigger + TI= BFN
6/2014 5mg Femara + trigger + TI= BFN
Awaiting IVF consultation appointment on 7/29/2014
8/8/14 Began BCP's to prep for IVF
9/16/14 Began Lupron injections
9/25/14 Began stimming for IVF #1 with Menopur and Bravelle
10/8/14 10 eggs retrieved
10/13/14 2 embryos transferred
10/21/14 BFP!!!
11/24/14 confirmed that baby stopped growing at 6 weeks, d&c scheduled
TTC since 2012
Me 35, DH 32 -DH SA all clear
8/97 severe perotinitis infection as a result of ruptured appendix. poss abdomen/tube scarring
1/12 HSG all clear!
2/12 Multiple fibroids diagnosed, 2 submucosal
3/14 Hashimoto diagnosed, began treatment
3/14 first RE appointment
5/14 successful lapriscopic myomectomy via power morcellation
as of 7/14.....not so patiently waiting
poss IUI/IVF fall 2014 BIG Surprise BFP Aug 2014!
TTC since 12/2012 Me: hypothyroid & egg issues
DH: MFI
IUI #1 BFN
2nd treatment cycle: Clomid & TI BFN
IUI #2 (injects) IUI BFN
2/14 through 3/14 benched with a cyst
IVF#1 CD1 came before beta. BFN. No frosties.
Benched with cysts...
IVF#2 beta moved up due to heavy bleeding 6dp5dt...beta was 11. beta#2 20.4! Beta#3 28 Chemical pregnancy
Currently on BCPs with cysts, planning IVF#3 Everyone welcome!
PCOS | Anovulatory | Metformin + Letrozole
Me: 24 DH: 26
Sept 2012 - Married Love of My Life
AO, possible PCOS
TTC for 15 months - Success!!!
Due Date: May 6, 2015
DS induced April 27, 2015 - Hypertension
Official diagnosis: Unexplained IF. I am 32. I have low ovarian reserve (low AMH), and poor egg quality. I've also been diagnosed with mild glandular developmental arrest (lining problems, detected with EFT).
We are using open ID donor sperm. IUIs #1-7=BFN. IVF September 2014 antagonist protocol, 8R,5M,3F, 5 day transfer of 1 morula = BFN. IVF#2 planned for January 2015 (antagonist protocol + HGH).
ALL WELCOME!
TTC since 04/12
Me- 26 PCOS
DH- 28 MFI
10/13 IUI #1 (1 follie)- BFP!
11/13 M/C @9 wk due to tetraploidy, one little boy in heaven
01/14 IUI#2 (1 follie) BFN
02/14 IUI #3 (3 follies) BFN
03/14 IUI #4 (2 follies) BFN
05/14 IVF/ICSI #1 CXL
07/14 IVF/ICSI #1.2 6R, 6M, 5F, 2T, 2 frosties!
Transferred 2-5dt CP
09/14 FET #1 BFP! Beta #1 52 Beta #2 152!
10/20/14- It's TWINS!
1/15- TEAM PURPLE!
2008: HSG (normal), couple rounds of clomid through gyno
2008 - 2010: dragging my feet out of fear and procrastination
October 2010: first consultation with RE, dx PCOS and fibroids (DH slightly low count/motility)
Oct. 2010 - Dec. 2012: In DENIAL! avoided the issue because I was scared of surgery
January 2013: returned to RE, fibroids grew significantly
February 2013: second HSG, fibroids pushed on tubes which blocked them somewhat
March 2013: MRI to determine what type of surgery may be necessary
July 29, 2013: fibroids (5) removed via robotic laparascopy
August 2013 - Nov 2013 : benched due to recent surgery
IUI #3, Feb. 25, 2014 BFN
IUI #4 canceled due to lack of response to letrozole
IUI #4.1 April 28, 2014, BFN
May 16, 2014: wtf consult, start prepping for IVF in June and add injects for one last IUI in the meantime
IUI #5 started letrozole and bravelle but canceled after HSG led to new diagnosis
May 21, 2014: third HSG, tubes blocked, one at the beginning, one hydrosalpinx??
IVF #1 August 8, 2014 - 3dt of 2 embryos, BFN
September 17, 2014 - 4th HSG, the right tube is very patent (open!!) dye went straight through this time. Weird!
October 2, 2014 - started metformin treatment
November 14, 2014 - blood work, brought A1C down from 5.8 to 5.5
November 26, 2014 - RE finally back from vaca and reviewed my chart, no more IVFs for rest of calendar year
December 1, 2014 - Right after Thanksgiving, I called a new clinic and got in right away! Plan for IVF
December 17, 2014 - ER! 29 retrieved (!!), 16 mature, all 16 fertilized (ICSI)
IVF #2 December 20, 2014 - 3dt of 3 embryos, BFN
We are done with treatment unsuccessfully.
Me: 29 DH: 31
Married: 3 years
TTC: 2 years
05/2012 through 09/2013 – TTC
05/2013 – first appt with OB about IF
10/2013 – 50 mg Clomid #1 + TI
11/2013 – 50 mg Clomid #2 + TI
12/2013 – 50 mg Clomid #3 + Ovidrel + TI
Consider IUI with OB or move to RE
03/2014 – first appt with RE, hysterosalpingogram good
04/2014 – Letrozole; Novarel + IUI CANCELLED, follies resorbing
05/2014 – Menopur + Novarel + IUI#1
06/2014 – Menopur + Novarel + IUI#2
07/2014 - Break for traveling
08/2014 - Break for moving
I dont want to leave this board tho it has been my sanctuary for the past 10months...I will lurk and give advice when I can and always show my support to everyone!!!! Thanks for all the advice and answers to my stupid questions and listening to all my vents (lord knows I had a lot...lol).
TTC April 2013:Married 9-22-12:Dating 9-23-06
ME: 25 - DH: 26 - 2 Fur Babies - Jude(4) & Bentley (5)
6-18-14 - OB ordered blood work (Glucose/TSH/T4/Progesterone)
Was told not to do until AF came. Day 32
***SIGGY WARNING***
me: 28 - all test normal
DH: 33 - SA normal
*unexplained*
TTC since September 2011
2011-Oct.2013 - trying off and on, ob/gyn, no meds
November 2013-December-EOD, ob/gyn, no meds
January 2014- ob/gyn ordered Clomid (50 mg) unmonitored, EOD-BFN
February-Clomid 50 mg. unmontiored, EOD - BFN
March-Switched to RE
April- 100 mg Clomid/Ovidrel-BFN
May - 100 mg Clomid/Ovidrel-BFN
June-*BREAK/Switch RE*
July- 5 mg Femara/Ovidrel + IUI #1- BFN
August- 5 mg Femara/Ovidrel + IUI #2 - BFP!!!!
EDD: May 7th, 2015: Team PINK
PCOS | Anovulatory | Metformin + Letrozole
Missed M/C natural cycle 10/2013
DX PCOS 3/2014
2 cycles Clomid 50 mg + Ovidrel + TI
1 cycle Clomid 50 mg + TI - no response stair-stepped to Clomid 75 mg + Ovidrel + TI
1 cycle Clomid 50 mg + Ovidrel + IUI
1 cycle Letrozole 7.5 mg + 150 mg Follistim + Ovidrel + TI
1 cycle Letrozole 7.5 mg + 150 mg Folistim + Ovidrel + IUI
1 cycle Letrozole 7.5 mg + 150 mg Follistim - no response, repeated Letrozole 7.5 mg + 150 mg Follistim + Ovidrel + IUI = success! 12/2014
Beta 1 - 15 dpiui, 324, Beta 2 - 17 dpiui 750. Twins!!
My Blog: pcosandpizza.blogspot.com
Me 33, DH 37 -- TTC since Jan'12 -- Low AMH (0.78) & endo, SA w/ low motility
IUI's 1-3 = BFN, IVF converted to IUI 4/13 = BFN
IVF 1.2: 8R 6M 4F -- 2 blastocysts frozen, FET 8/15 = BFP!!
Beta #s = 445;1,098; 9,545 -- EDD 5/2 -- Team Pink!
Congratulations!!!!!
Me: 29, DH: 30
Married: April, 2011; TTC: July, 2012
Dx: MFI; June '14 IVF w/ ICSI: 11R, 8M, 5F... 1 5dt, beta #1: 213, beta #2: 621, beta #3: 8545!
Me: 30 DW (aka C): 29
Together since 2/15/11 ~ Legally married in NY on 9/29/12
***CP mentioned***
We've been working on baby #1 since July 2013 using Open ID donor sperm. 8 IUI attempts with 5 actual IUIs and one chemical pregnancy. We have one fresh IVF cycle under our belts as well as a FET. I have endometriosis and a uterine septum that was corrected via surgery in November 2013.
11/14/14 - Second HSG shows that tubes are still clear and ute is looking good.
12/6/14 - Started BCPs in prep for IVF #2
12/22/14 - Saline u/s and endometrial scratch (All was clear and OUCH!)
1/2/15 - Began stimming for IVF #2
****All Welcome!****
We are Mommas to four fur babies - 3 dogs and 1 cat.
DH (29): SA Perfect
TTC Since Jan '13, First RE Appt Jan '14
DX: Unspecified Ovarian Dysfunction, Long Cycles
May '13 BFP, C/P 4w3d
Apr '14: 50mg clomid + ovidrel + B2B IUI #1=BFP, Natural M/C 6.5wks
Oct '14: 100mg clomid + ovidrel + IUI#3 =BFN
Nov 14: 100mg clomid + ovidrel + B2B IUI#4=slow response, bad lining, cancelled
FU with RE, more bloodwork: Anticardiolipin +
Dec 14: 5mg Letrozole+baby aspirin +ovidrel + B2B IUI#4.1=BFFN
Jan '15: 5mg Letrozole +baby aspirin + ovidrel +B2B IUI #5= BFP!!
*****Siggy Warning*****
Trying to have baby #1 since April 2013
DH SA March,May 2014 - Low motility and shape issues. On vitamins per RE to help
Me testing April 3, 2014 - FSH and LH good, HSG showed blocked right tube
April 29, 2014 - First RE appt., right tube needs to be removed and possibly left also if
it's bad too. RE suggests going straight to IVF
June 4, 2014 - LAP/HSC and unexpected endo. removed but tubes got to stay!
June 13, 2014 - Post-Op appointment. We decide where to go next since main issue
is MFI influenced. Trying naturally until decision... Repeat SA in September. Aiming for IUI #1 November 2014.