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.
mommy172B
member
Re: starting labor
Hope you feel relief sooner then later though!
First BFP: 12/16/13
EDD: 08/23/14
Baby BOY born: 08/29/14
There aren't really any proven, non-medical induction methods, but there are a bunch of wives tales that different people swear work. I have a friend who swears that getting a pedicure put her into labor with all four of her kids. I've heard eating fresh pineapple or spicy food. My mom's best friend swears by going for walks with one foot in the gutter and one foot on the sidewalk. There are slightly more medical options like sex, nipple stimulation, or taking castor oil (watch out for side effects on that one). Personally, I went into labor after walking up and down a flight of stairs several times. I don't know if it was related, but I do know that's one of the theories. Google "natural labor induction methods" and you'll get a ton of answers. Most of them (walks, spicy food) fall into the category of "it won't hurt to try", some of them (nipple stimulation) you should definitely talk to your doctor about first, and some of them are just plain bat crap crazy (stand on my head on the roof? No friggin way.). Good luck!
It sucks being uncomfortable and in pain, but only a little bit longer and baby will be here and your pinched nerve will hopefully get better!
Me: 30 dx w/PCOS 7/13
DH: 31
TTC 11/12
started Metformin 9/13
HSG, tubes open but narrow uterus... f/u with RE 3d u/s everything 'normal'
2/14: hopefully 1st IUI... timing off before trip, waiting until 4/14
3/27: POAS= BFP!!!
3/28: beta#1: 108
4/2: beta#2: 799
4/11: u/s 6w1d EDD 12/4, 1 little penguin!
7/7: We're having a girl!
12/11: after lots of labor/delivery/nicu excitment baby Piper Mae born 1859 @ 8lbs, 21.5"
Natural methods are:
Wait
Have sex
Walk
That's it.
LFAF Summer 2016 Awards:
@TheOrneryMama this is supposed to be a community where you can ask questions and get support, no matter if you agree with a question or not hate is in no way support.
@erinh425 thank you. And all i did was ask a question to what was supposed to be a supportive community, seriously just thinking about leaving if a majority of the people on here are rude. But thank you
@candlequeen yes i am THINKING of trying them i never denied that. I just want to look into it now. And as i said this was supposed to be a supportive community so i was asking other moms to be. This was my start before google. Also it really doesnt matter what you believe about me or not. I know the truth and ive learned thats all that really matters.
I understand pain. I live with it every day. Even while not pregnant I have empathy, but I do not agree or support with trying to get information that you could use to force labor before baby is ready.
This is not "negative". It's real, and even though it's not cuddly-- it's really meant in OP & OP's baby's best interest. You don't have to sugar coat & be a yes-person to be positive.
LFAF Summer 2016 Awards:
Heaven forbid we try to talk someone out of potentially harming themselves or their unborn child by trying to force labor on themselves.
I tell you, we are incorrigible. :-??
LFAF Summer 2016 Awards:
LFAF Summer 2016 Awards:
Also not pregnant and not dumb enough to advocate jump starting labor before baby is ready. You need to cos.....anyone?