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 dec. 15th
Trying since Jan 2011. Unexplained IF.
2 IUIs = BFN.
1 IVF (Dec 2013) = BFN.
FET, 2 frosties (June 13, 2014)
14dp5dt-June 27 -BFP, beta 2061. 2nd beta >5000, 3rd beta >5000, 2 sacs 06/30.
Twin Girls - 02/11/15 - at 37 weeks (no NICU, home with me at 3 days).
2. How are you feeling? Miserable. Same story different day.
3. Any dr. Appointments or updates? Went to L&D AGAIN yesterday for a fee hrs to have babies monitored, ctx's watched, b/w, BP & urinalysis. Babies always do great! B/w normal - though Uric acid leave is creeping up at each chech. BP : 137/88. 3 cm & 89% effaced . Weekly appt with my OB Wednesday
4. Anything else exciting going on? Not much! Made it to 1st goal; be at our. 4.5 LO 's Christmas church perfromance & her class party tomorrow! Minor next goal would be deliver girls, and be home form time with family
2. How are you feeling? So very sore, tired, and uncomfortable.
3. Any dr. Appointments or updates? We had a simple appointment last week for my weight check, BP check and a listen at the babies via Doppler. Next appointment is in 13 days for an ultrasound.
4. Anything else exciting going on? A baby with hiccups is funny, but two with hiccups is hilarious!
Qotw: What's on your Christmas list? DH and I are getting each other a DSLR camera! Oh, and I wish to hold these babies in until after Christmas
2. How are you feeling? Pretty uncomfortable- I do okay once I get up and going but I am in pain at night
3. Any dr. Appointments or updates? Had a regular check up last week- next week start NST's and have a dr. appt and ultrasound
4. Anything else exciting going on?
Qotw: What's on your Christmas list? Just trying to get the house organized and finished before the babies come- I made a huge push to get us about 90% there and am struggling to finish.
Team Purple!!!!
2. How are you feeling? Better, and uncomfy at night
3 any dr. Appointments or updates? Had a/s on friday babies are looking goid. Ob apt this fri
4. Anything else exciting going on? I'm starting to feel them
Qotw: What's on your Christmas list? As in what I asked for? A coach purse lol and robe
2. How are you feeling? Still feeling good. I am trying to enjoy it while it lasts....
3. Any dr. Appointments or updates? Found out at last appt. that we are having girls! Next appt. is the 31st with MFM and I am soooo anxious for it.
4. Anything else exciting going on? Getting enrolled in school for next semester on Thursday! I can't believe I am finally doing it..
Qotw: What's on your Christmas list? Healthy babies, of course. And I would really like a vacuum but we aren't doing Christmas this year because we can't afford it with me not working. Maybe Grandma will get me one
Xmas list hmmm... I never really make one. DH & I just bought furniture so that's prob good enough!
****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!
2. How are you feeling? Having horrible rib pain due to Costochondritis but otherwise I feel pretty good
3. Any dr. Appointments or updates? I have an u/s measuring the babies tomorrow so I;m really excited about that
4. Anything else exciting going on? Waiting patiently to see if a bid we put on a house comes through ***fingers crossed**
Qotw: What's on your Christmas list? Don't really have anything. Maybe making sure we get this house
2. How are you feeling? ugh. Miserable.. I can't get comfortable at all!
3. Any dr. Appointments or updates? Had to go to L&D over the weekend for monitoring as my bp got too high. After a few hours of monitoring me and the babies and m labs coming back decent they let me go home. had OB appointment today and Dr. and MFM are now on the same page that I will deliver around 36 weeks unless babies have other ideas. We have a growth scan later this week. Drs said at this point it is a week by week decision and to be ready.
4. Anything else exciting going on? I am ready! nursery is done for he most part and we ordered a few last minutes things we need and my bag is packed!
Qotw: What's on your Christmas list? My wish is that these babies could hold on till the week after Christmas which would put us at 35 weeks, but of course i have to trust the doctors at this point!
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!
For Christmas I want big, healthy babies that don't come too soon (stay in there till mid-late April please!), a happy healthy holiday for my daughter and continued love and happiness with my partner. Not too much to ask, huh Santa?
Saw the OB yesterday and had a cervix check. All is well and the tech snuck in an u/s of the babies. Saw them in 4d- talk about crazy! I cried the whole time.
Next appointment is gender scan on the 30th and anatomy scan on the 14th.
I really only want these babies to be healthy and stay on as long as possible.
1. How many weeks are you? 30 and 2!
2. How are you feeling? Definitely a part of the uncomfy crowd- heartburn is awful. I have a hard time sitting up for too long- Dr says the weight of my uterus is sitting on my vena cava- which makes me lightheaded and nauseous:( I laid down for 9 hours total yesterday and did not eat anything but lunch:(
3. Any dr. Appointments or updates? Dr appt on this past Thursday was good- babies look good. Baby A still head down and Baby B head up! Still planning a vaginal delivery as long as A stays down! Next growth US is Christmas Eve...
4. Anything else exciting going on? Husband is finally home. Other than that- scored both my car seats for a total of $53!! Should have been $200! Woohoo! And got two swings for $35- normally $140 each...
Qotw: What's on your Christmas list? Nothing really. A relaxing day... lol
Married to Lee since 9/2/2000
Momma to Hais November 2002 and Carter April 2010 (with use of fertility treatments)
Cancer Survivor
2. How are you feeling? I'm feeling good in the day, but sleep is a terrible struggle.
3. Any dr. Appointments or updates? Doc appt and u/s this past week - we are having two boys! Everything else looks good. A/s in about two wks.
4. Anything else exciting going on?
just looking forward to seeing family and friends for Christmas!
Trying since Jan 2011. Unexplained IF.
2 IUIs = BFN.
1 IVF (Dec 2013) = BFN.
FET, 2 frosties (June 13, 2014)
14dp5dt-June 27 -BFP, beta 2061. 2nd beta >5000, 3rd beta >5000, 2 sacs 06/30.
Twin Girls - 02/11/15 - at 37 weeks (no NICU, home with me at 3 days).