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.
bowlwoman
member
Re: GD check-in 11/10
1. How far along are you?
35 weeks 5 days
2. Anything new on the medical front (doctor appointments, nonstress tests, ultrasounds) this week?
Nothing new. Nst tomorrow but he will fly though like last times.
3. How are you feeling in general?
Extremely tired. Yesterday consisted of 3 hours of sleep and everytime i tried to nap baby would start flipping around and keep me awake. Had dh drive me to work so i didnt crash on the way home. I ended up leaving early and fell asleep on the way home slept for 10 hours....
4. Any issues with your numbers, meds, or food intake?
Last week was wonky yesterday back to normal. Hopefully the wierdness is over and back to normal.
GTKY: Do you feel ready to bring baby home within the next 2-6 weeks?
Trick question. I am ready for our boy to be here. My house not so much. It is crazy that we are basically on a anyday this could happen part of it. I am just looking forward to meeting our son.
2. Anything new on the medical front (doctor appointments, nonstress tests, ultrasounds) this week? BPP with growth scan today. Baby's looking great. Measuring in the 89th percentile. Time will tell how big it actually is. I didn't have an ultrasound this late my last pregnancy. It sure is squished in there! The tech had a difficult time getting a good round shot of the abdomen. Baby is back head down...it better stay there! It has flipped every week since 32 weeks.
3. How are you feeling in general? Still can't complain for being 35 weeks and still feeling relatively good. Definitely get winded easily but that's to be expected. The chiropractor has helped with the lower back pain. BH contractions are picking up.
4. Any issues with your numbers, meds, or food intake? High numbers last week but they seem to be back down and easier to control again. Fasting numbers were in the high 80s when 70-73 is typical for me.
GTKY: Do you feel ready to bring baby home within the next 2-6 weeks? I think I'm still in denial that we will be bringing home a newborn soon. The sleepless nights, being on the baby's schedule and not my own. I guess we're ready though. We'll figure it out.
The one thing I haven't given much thought to is labor. I should really do a little preparation for that. Perhaps a littler refresher on laboring and relaxation techniques. After seeing a breech baby last week on ultrasound, I couldn't allow myself to get excited for a vaginal delivery. After the scan today, I can once again prepare for a vaginal delivery.
DS 06/2013
DD 12/2014
33 weeks and 2 days
2. Anything new on the medical front (doctor appointments, nonstress tests, ultrasounds) this week? Another NST tomorrow with the midwife I had last week but I am hoping to be able to go back to appts with my doctor soon. Work schedule has messed up being able to have him.
3. How are you feeling in general? Tired, exhausted, and nausea lately . Just off in general.
4. Any issues with your numbers, meds, or food intake? My numbers have been decent however I have been bad lately with missing my testing hours and also sleeping in and messing up my time schedule for my meal plans. My ketones were fine but lately I have been having traces and small amounts. I guess it has been since I been off track lately.
GTKY: Do you feel ready to bring baby home within the next 2-6 weeks? Yes and no. I still need to finish the nursery and just overwhelmed with trying to figure out things with work and work time for DH. I mean I am so excited to be a FTM and will have a LO soon but just so much to do still.
32w, 6d
2. Anything new on the medical front (doctor appointments, nonstress tests, ultrasounds) this week?
Nope. Last week's appointment was routine and my MD said my numbers are good. No NSTs or other additional monitoring has been mentioned thus far.
3. How are you feeling in general?
A little blah. I have 0 energy but so much left to do. My job ended so I am off until after the baby. Hopefully that nesting instinct will kick in soon!
4. Any issues with your numbers, meds, or food intake?
I have had 0 appetite. I basically force myself to eat and my numbers are often pretty low - 60s and 70s sometimes. Probably explains my answer above as to why I have no energy. We went to the farmers market this past weekend and got some fresh local fruit and vegetables so I'm hoping the lure of yummy food that I'm allowed to have will help bring back my desire to eat. Because right now the only things that sound good are McDonalds french fries and cookie cake with tons of icing...
GTKY: Do you feel ready to bring baby home within the next 2-6 weeks?
Anxious for her to come but definitely not ready! Ready to not have GD anymore, too!
Ladies, I have been having a major sweet tooth lately. How are you all dealing with those cravings now that you are so far along (other than giving in and going crazy)?
Thanks @bowlwoman. My numbers are diet controlled and I've been doing well on my own. I just feel like the cravings are driving me crazy some days, like today. I am trying not to cheat unless there's a really good reason - like a holiday or my shower.
Bottom line ... I know I am whining, but this is hard! I've never been on a "diet" in my life; never needed to and never wanted to. So I lack a certain level of discipline.
34wks2d
2. Anything new on the medical front (doctor appointments, nonstress tests, ultrasounds) this week?
This kiddo is a stubborn little turd. Another long NST (1hr40mins) because his heart rate wasn't spiking with movement. They finally did a BPP and he looked perfect as usual.
3. How are you feeling in general?
Like crap. Woke up super crampy, headache, and just blah. Still dealing with RLP, sciatica, and BH. During my NST today the Dr saw a good bit of contractions and my Dr pretty told me I have an irritable uterus and I'm still on modified bedrest.
4. Any issues with your numbers, meds, or food intake?
Everything is going good except snacks. I'm just not hungry.
GTKY: Do you feel ready to bring baby home within the next 2-6 weeks?
Yes and no. I am so ready for this pregnancy to be over. I am pretty miserable. I think we pretty much have everything for this kiddo, but I feel like we are missing something.
, 💙💙💙💙💙💙
@bluebird00 - I didn't think about dark chocolate. There are a lot of brands that would be low carb in small amounts as compared to other sweets. I know where to find them! Back in the day I used to love Green & Blacks and I think that would be OK to eat occasionally.
I'll have to look into the teas some more. I am trying to avoid the caffeine in coffee/tea but I'm sure there are some decent herbal teas or decaf teas out there.
Just got back from my appt. The baby is big. Already looks like 5 lbs on the ultrasound. Everything else looks good. Just measuring ahead. Next time, the doctor will do an internal exam and we will discuss delivery more. It looks like regardless of induction or c-section, the doctor will get him out early.
I am feeling good. A little more heartburn. Can't get the temperature right in the house. It's cold outside, but too hot inside. So I keep turning the a/c on. MH is just bundling up inside so he won't freeze.
numbers are good. I am just ready to open up my food options!
Am I ready? No! I'm super ready to meet my little man. However, the house is definitely not ready!
My due date is Dec. 30. Just found out that my in-laws and brother in law and sister in law are coming for Christmas. My mom is coming, but that has been known bc she is helping me post baby. Fil/mil live 9 hrs away. Sil/bil live 10. And my mom is 7 away. My husband is very excited to see his family, but I am not into all those people in the house needing attention. And now that it seems that the baby will definitely be here as well. I can be bossy and let my hair down with my mom, but I have to be on my best behavior with his family. They are "fancy". I think I am going to go crazy!!
ETA itchy trigger finger
https://food52.com/recipes/15584-northern-spy-s-kale-salad
@amedbery We are hosting a tailgate lunch tomorrow and I was looking for GD friendly salad recipe. That one's a contender! If not tomorrow, I will make it some point. I've never had "raw" kale. I always cook it so I'm interested to see how it is in a salad.
@bowlwoman You're making me nervous! I have been nauseated (all I want for breakfast is a plain English muffin. no peanut butter. no eggs. just butter) and having crazy numbers this week as well. I keep telling myself it's nothing. It's just normal third tri stuff. But if you go into labor in the next few days, I'm going to freak out! It's like a switch was flipped this week and I can tell my body is preparing for labor - increase in contractions and pelvic pressure. Now I just have to trust that I'll know when I am actually am in labor. Until then, life as usual. Still PLENTY of time to wrap up work assignments...
@bluebird00 I was just telling a coworker today I'm still counting down the weeks, not days....you and bowlwoman are definitely counting down the days! So exciting for you both!
DS 06/2013
DD 12/2014
, 💙💙💙💙💙💙