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 October 6th
How are you feeling? ugh. I feel like I am going downhill fast. My ribs are now killing me and MFM said it was normal for where the babies are now positioned and it will only get worse. I feel like a wuss.
Any Dr. Appointments or updates? MFM was today and the boys are growing perfectly on schedule and weigh almost a pound and a half each. My cervix looked awesome as well which was relief. I have to do the glucose test next week at my OBGYNs office.
Anything exciting going on? I have my first baby shower in two weeks- eek!
Qotw: What is your favorite children's book? Charlottes Web and the Giving Tree
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!
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!
Bringing them both home...UPDATE...The girls are home!!! 1/7/15 after 20 days in the NICU!
How are you feeling? MUCH better! Now if the headaches and fatigue would go away I would be WONDERFUL!
Any Dr. Appointments or updates? I had an appt last week with my OB....everything went great, both babies looked wonderful. Next appointments aren't until the 29th (OB) and 11/18 (MFM).
Anything exciting going on? Nothing really.
Qotw: What is your favorite children's book? I didn't really read children's books...but I loved "Little Women" and anything by Judy Blume.
How are you feeling? not bad have been taking b6 and unisom for my nausea
Any Dr. Appointments or updates? none for 2 weeks then i have one w my obgyn then mfm the same week
Anything exciting going on? not at all pretty boring over here lol (which i don't mind)
Qotw: What is your favorite children's book? I always loved bernstein bears and Dr. Seuss of course
33+6
How are you feeling?
Tired, huge, tired, nervous, tired, excited. Oh, and tired.
Any Dr. Appointments or updates?
Had an appointment on friday. Got the call today that my C section had been scheduled for 11/4, at 38w. 4 weeks to go!
Anything exciting going on?
We are just checking things off the list one by one. And I think we finally settled on names!
Qotw: What is your favorite children's book?
'The monster at the end of this book'
How are you feeling? Uncomfortable, but not horrible. I do kinda feel like a turtle on my back when I'm trying to roll over in bed. It's a whole process.
Any Dr. Appointments or updates? I had an ultrasound last Thursday. Both babies are heads up. Baby boy is about 5 pounds, baby girl is about 5 pounds 11 ounces. Tentatively scheduled c-section for November 5 (39 weeks)...yikes! Hoping I can make it that long!
Qotw: What is your favorite children's book? The Giving Tree.
How are you feeling? Tired, big and it is getting uncomfortable. It is hard getting out of a sitting position or in and out of bed.
Any Dr. Appointment or updates? Had my weekly NST last Wed and all looked good. Baby A was kicking so much that he moved the monitor. My Ob appt was good. They are just letting me progress. . .no talk of scheduling a c-section or knowing when the end will be. Although one doc told me Nov. 12 will be their absolute last day. I wanted to cry when he told me that, I don't think I can make it another 5 weeks! My next appt is Wed.
QOTW: The Giving Tree
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 ~~
Married to Lee since 9/2/2000
Momma to Hais November 2002 and Carter April 2010 (with use of fertility treatments)
Cancer Survivor
Feeling ok. Both boys are breech. Still early though so plenty of time to move.
Qotw: fav book was called "Milk and Cookies". And any Amelia B.
Good morning ladies!
22w today! I'm still feeling good.. I know I'm super lucky. Although to complain, my pants are REALLY tight today and my belly is feeling the pressure. DH and I set our cribs up last weekend & the room looks awesome. I have a CL check Thursday and meeting w/ my OB in a week. My first shower is in 3 weeks, so trying to get my registries all ready to go. I can't wait! Oh & I think we have names too
QOTW: My favorite book was Are you my mother? I used to read it to my little brother (he's 13y younger than me) and we woould crack up laughing while reading it for some reason. Good memories.
****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!
Team Purple!!!!
How are you feeling? Really really slow and tired.
Any Dr. Appointments or updates? Need to get a cbc done this week to see how my hemoglobin is doing.
Anything exciting going on? Having some family over for Canadian thanksgiving this weekend. I will throw a ham in the oven but that's about it, we've asked our guests to bring sides. I normally love cooking but there's no way I can cook all day in this state.
Qotw: What is your favorite children's book? I like DDs book The Very Cranky Bear
bfp#4 3/19/2014 edd 12/1/2014 please let this be the one!
beta @ 5w0d = 12,026! u/s 4/22/14 @ 8w1d it's twins!
TTC #1 since 8/1/10; Me:41 and BRCA1+, DH:46
DOR (FSH 24.3)/ terrible egg quality ; homozygous MTHFR c677t
5 IUI's: 2/11 to 6/11 and 1/12= BFN
OE IVF#1-4 8/11-6/12= all BFN
DE IVF#1 11/12 bad embryos= BFN
DE IVF #2 2/13 BFP/Beta hell: m/c 5w6d
CFNBC 7 months, not doing well; decided on guarantee program at RBA w/frozen DE
DE IVF #3 1/14 ET 4BB; BFP;M/C 5w1d, incomplete m/c; MVA extraction in ER 7w1d
DE FET#1 ET 3/1714; BFP, beta 1 3/27= 197, beta 2 3/31= 1586, beta 3 4/7= 13879!!
First u/s= Twins with HBs at 6w2d! We are Team Pink x 2!!
K & K born 11/21/14 at 38wks 4 days
SAIF/PAIF Welcome
http://waitingforraintostop.wordpress.com
bfp#4 3/19/2014 edd 12/1/2014 please let this be the one!
beta @ 5w0d = 12,026! u/s 4/22/14 @ 8w1d it's twins!
Feeling good besides lots of belly heaviness. Thinking about getting Prenatal Cradle for extra support.
Follow up A/S tomorrow, plus CL check & ECG for babes. I also found a lump in my armpit, so having that checked out & trying not to think of worst case scenario.
Right now the family fave is Yertle the Turtle
32 weeks and 4 days (? I'd have to check ticker. LOL)
How are you feeling?
Big -- it feels like I'm carrying weights around with me (which, in fairness, I kind of am). My hip has started hurting so it's hard to walk/roll over/get out of bed or pretty much do anything that requires movement. My boy (baby
Any Dr. Appointments or updates?
Yes - had OB appointment last week and was freaking shocked to hear my babies have gone from breech to vertex. Yeah. I am not entirely sure when it happened or how they pulled off such a coordinated move, but it did! Estimated weight on baby A is 3 lb 10 oz and 4 lb 7 oz for Baby B.
Anything exciting going on?
Not really. Just trying to get by and not punch the next person who makes a comment about my belly or my face looking pregnant.
Qotw: What is your favorite children's book?
Hmm...I know my mom read to me a ton but I can't recall a favorite. I really liked the Bernstein Bear books, though.
N14 Nov. Siggy: CELEBRATION!
How are you feeling? Really good, I actually have some energy to do things now
Any Dr. Appointments or updates? Had my first OB appointment on Friday, she is wanting me to see a highrisk since I have a hx of mc but I couldn't get in until the endo of the month.
Anything exciting going on?
Started the process today to get our son into early preschool and the IEP process is underway, so exciting for him to be able to go to school
Qotw: What is your favorite children's book?
I have so so many. For this season, Gus the Ghost is a fun one. It's about a lonely ghost who wants to be friends with the family in his house. So cute!
Any Dr. Appointments or updates? Nope, we found out the sexes at 18 weeks at our big u/s and haven't had one since. I do love the doppler checks to hear the heartbeats, but now that I'm getting tons of movement I don't feel quite so nervous that something's gone wrong. Will that worry ever go away? Maybe when they get married...
Anything exciting going on? I'm a bridesmaid in a wedding at 38 weeks so since it's highly unlikely I'll be able to attend I'm having fun planning the bridal shower and bachelorette party.
Qotw: What is your favorite children's book? Anything Berenstain Bears. I also loved the Velveteen Rabbit but it made me cry.
How are you feeling? Mostly well, reflux is breaking through meds again, and it's getting more uncomfortable to sit on couch at night and hard to sleep!
Any Dr. Appointments or updates? Had an appt w/ OB yesterday all is looking great, up 25lbs so far, table side u/s shows A is breech & this prompted the C-section talk. Good times.
Anything exciting going on? Had my baby shower last Saturday! It was fantastic!!
QOTW: love all books by Sandra Boynton!