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.
flummadiddle85
member
Re: Swap 9/15
Have:
-NB sweetpea AIO. Paisley. Aplix.
-5 small workhorses. Three white, two unbleached. Snapless.
-2 NB simplex AIOs. Butterflies and Jungle Jam. Snaps.
Want: large BB hemp inserts, BB covers plum pie or hedgehogs preferred), Sbish snapless multi or happy little cloud, or blueberry coveralls. I also like PayPal. :-)
I'd really like lil joeys. RaR nb covers.
I'm open to whatever you've got.
I'm expecting another boy, so boyish fluff.
Oh sure...as soon as I post in last week's thread...
OK - I'll repost over here so hopefully people will see.
I have:
2 Kushies Ultra-Light AIO. Says it fits 10-22lbs (I didn't try until DD was 17lbs, they fit just fine). OTB once - aplix doesn't work for us. These are not top-quality diapers (they work fine for normal use - I wouldn't use them ON or on a really heavy wetter) - but I'm trying to sell/trade them for really cheap!
ISO:
(preferably girly or GN)
- paypal
- Any solid black or black & white (such as Albert) snap cover
- Sweatpea solid color covers
- feel free to try me with any other covers
- long shot, but my Most Wanted list: Carroll flip, BestBottoms Watermelon
If I cna't get my phone to work here in a few I will post them when I get home this afternoon.
From Amazon the description of Size 1:
These rectangular cloth diapers are 12x16" before washing they will shrink approximately 5-10% like most cotton products.
Size 2:
14x22 " before washing they will shrink approximately 5-10% like most cotton products
I will have to get you pics of the Thirsties a little later. My phone is not cooperating. I've also got about 3 OS Assunta pockets that I could part with if you are interested. I will get you pics of those as well.
FS: I have 3 OBGE's for sale - Grasshopper, moonbeam and white. - $45PPD for all or as detailed below. All in great condition ad notes below
Grasshopper - small fabric snag near soaker seam at back - see image - $17PPD
...Moonbeam - one small first layer whole that has been fixed - see image - $17PPD
White - soaker detached (dries so much faster) - $15PPD
No stink or stains. Elastics still springy. White had elastics replaced a few months ago.
ISO: EUC Capri Snap Covers (Boy or GN), 6 prefolds to fit 25lb+
Multiple ectopics, 2 failed IVF's
IVF #1: Did not get to ET, embies all failed PGD (major chromosomal defects)
IVF #2: We have 2 chromosomally perfect embies as a result of PGD (Boy/Girl) 1 failed the thaw (Girl) Transferred 1, yet ended as a c/p
Thought it was the end of our TTC Journey 6/20/2012
SHOCK BFP 9/28/2012: IT'S A BOY! and everything is normal !!!!!!
Little A born 38w 2d on 05/23/13 and is a true miracle for this IF Vet!
@brownmouse I pm'd you!
$20ppd in EUC except for one owl I think that has hard water staining on the tabs for $18ppd. Oh, and Stars and Messy hands are $22ppd.
I also have a Grovia AIO Woodland in EUC for $20ppd
Also two minky blueberry pockets in cow and whales. Excellent used condition, as well. $16ppd.
I'll update this with more specifics when I get home.
I'll take reasonable offers via PM, as well.
@jennypolkadots , $37ppd?
Do you have pictures of the insides of the thirsties and the pockets?
Looking for PayPal, possibly newborn/small stuff.
Our English Bulldog, Ulga born 4/9/2013
Baby Boy Xander born 3/13/2014
@rugbymama YGPM
ISO: BG freetimes or elementals, snaps only. RaR's, or BB large inserts and covers. All boy or GN colors
* WAHM OS pocket with snap closure, minky outside (light blue background and white polkadots) - by PoopyDoo's