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.
AandStilltrying
member
Re: Pregnancy Check-in 9/15/14
How are you feeling? I am doing ok, but lot's of round ligament and sciatica pain. I seriosuly just can't walk or stand more than 10 minutes without being in pain. I also realized this morning I can't see my feet anymore when I stand up. People who see me are like "whoa! you are getting big" I think I am going to be a freak show in the coming weeks!
Any Dr. appointments and/or updates? I see my MFM today and anxious to see my babies and get my cervix measured. Everything has been good but I love the reassurance. Next goal is 24 weeks!
UPDATE****
MFM appointment went great! Babies are measuring perfectly and look great. My cervix is long and closed.
Qotw: share a pic of your Furbabies. My puppies picture is my avatar
Me:36 DH:38 TTC#1 since 4/2012
Me DX: Hashimotos,Hypothyroid, DOR, MTHFR, DH: normal
IUI #1-#4 BFNs and a few cancelled cycles in the mix.
- poor responder
***Suprise BFP on 6/13/13. Natural MC @6wks 3days
IVF#1 and 2- Cancelled due to no response on max stimms
FET 5/20- BFP
1st Beta- 641
2nd beta- 2166
Sono- TWINS!!!!
Two Boys! Born January 2015 @36 weeks. Healthy and no NICU! So blessed!
****siggy warning****
Me 29/ DH 28
DH- MFI (low count, 2-3% morph)
IUI #1 January - Clomid, Ovidrel: BFN
IUI #2 February - Letrozole, Follistim, Ovidrel: BFP 1st beta-25, 2nd beta-56, 3rd beta-45, miscarriage
IUI #3 April - CD3 U/S 4-10. Letrozole, Follistim, Ovidrel CD11 - Cancelled.. TI w/5 follicles-BFN
IUI #3.1 May - CD3 U/S 5-6, Follistim start 5-11 thru 5-17, u/s 5-18 3 mature w/ a close 4th, IUI 5-20 - BFP!
Beta #1 12dpo - 164 & progesterone - 89!, Beta #2 16 dpo - 1189, 5w3d - u/s shows TWINS!
6/19- u/s showed heartbeats! Baby A 111 & Baby B 118, both measuring 6w1d
7/3- Baby A hb 170, Baby B hb 166 - both measuring perfect.
7/18 - Baby A 165, Baby B 171 - both measuring right on track & moving all around!
How are you feeling? Exhausted and sick...but oddly excited
Any Dr. appointments and/or updates? Had a u/s last week were we discovered TWINS! Have another u/s this Wednesday and another the following week.
Qotw: share a pic of your Furbabies.
QOTW- sorry he's probably sideways but this is Leland, our American Bulldog. He's pretty laid back so not sure he's going to care much about the twins until they're old enough to drop him some snacks.
How are you feeling? Pretty lousy and ready for this to be over with. contractions officially started on Friday, so that's made me pretty miserable the past few days.
Any Dr. appointments and/or updates? Dr appointment/bpp/growth scan tomorrow. I've been warned that with the contractions I may not make it to my scheduled c-section next Wednesday. It's a little scary to think my boys may be here this week!
How are you feeling? I'm tired and uncomfortable with lots of heartburn. Other than that, I'm still feeling pretty decent, thankfully.
Any Dr. appointments and/or updates? I had a growth ultrasound on Thursday. Baby girl is estimated to be 4 lb 8 oz and baby boy is 3 lb 12 oz. I was worried about the difference between the two, but my doctor is not concerned. He said that baby boy is average and baby girl is a little bigger than average so there's no need to be worried unless baby boy drops below average. I start weekly NSTs on Wednesday.
QOTW: I don't have any updated pictures, but we have a mixed lab.
Also, she said I'll most likely be able to work comfortably up until 28 weeks and then work from there maybe limiting my work days to my comfort level because of the length and frequency of walking plus dragging a utility cart and stuff.
Overall good appt. Very pleased with my MFM I'll see her again in 2 weeks!
My recommended weight gain has been increased by 10 lbs. I'm going to be a cow by the time they arrive!
Also going to get screened for GD at my next appt since there was a worry that they missed it during my pregnancy with DD and her birth size.
Bringing them both home...UPDATE...The girls are home!!! 1/7/15 after 20 days in the NICU!
2 small red flags were low lying placenta, but not by much and she is optomistic that it will continue to move up. The 2nd was a little scary. When looking at baby B's cord and belly, they discovered he has swallowed some of the blood from the SCH. This should resolve itself. We were told not to worry. Other things it could be were infection (which she doesn't think so because both babies would have it) or the scary one... Cystic fibrosis. We will check him at the growth scan in 2 weeks and see if it's resolving. She really feels it's just swallowed blood from the SCH though.
We had a gender reveal party Sat that was so much fun! Sunday we went and picked out cribs and dresser. I basically have first 3 weeks in oct. To get room ready.
On a fun note...I am taking a girls vaca for an overnight this sat at the beach!!! Basically an excuse for margaritas on the beach all day!
Qotw: here are my Furbabies
How are you feeling?
Any Dr. appointments and/or updates?
Qotw: share a pic of your Furbabies.
How are you feeling? Ok. My feet and ankles have swollen big time. . .they look like elephant feet. Caught a cold this weekend so feeling very tired and having lots of sinus problems & congestion.
Any Dr. appointments and/or updates? Saw the doc yesterday. Everything is good. Their heart rates are in the 150's and Baby A gave him a little kick. I'm measuring at 34 weeks. Next week, I start the weekly non-stress tests.
QOTW: share a pic of your Furbabies. One of our furbabies (Yankee) resting on my bump a few weeks back. I'm glad that she can get comfy:)
Dx: Endometriosis
TTC May 2012
Jan 2014 IUI#1: BFN
Feb 2014 IUI #2: BFP
Beta #1: 403
First u/s: 3/14 It is TWINS!!
EDD: 11/12/2014 ~ Boys x2
~~ All welcomed ~~
Team Purple!!!!
31+1 today!
How are you feeling?
still plugging away. Starting to shorten my hours at work, and it feels great.
Any Dr. appointments and/or updates?
Next appointments on friday (both OB and MFM.)
Qotw: share a pic of your Furbabies. (Mobile bump hates me