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.
Whitfry
member
Re: Gestational Diabetes check in 12.21-27
I'm going OK actually. I felt much better once I met with my OB and the diabetes educator. I am nervous and scared of the future health of baby and me but at the current time, I'm doing better than I figured.
How are your sugars?
Sugars are good. All 100 or below with the exception of 3 times so far. But 2 of those 3 times I was able to pin point what it was to prevent it for the future. Luckily I am able to throw in a glass of milk on top of my alotted breakfast carbs and I'm still 85 or below.
Any great recipes/meal ideas you'd like to share?
We had tacos the other night and so far that's been my favorite. I was so happy I could have something I wanted and still keep my sugar low enough.
Any stories/rants/triumphs/anything else you feel like sharing?
I feel like I shared some in the above haha. My poor arm looks awful from testing there. Glad it's winter and I'm in long sleeves a lot. I'm afraid Christmas will be a low time for me with all of the food. So far I've had better self control than I thought but I'm nervous for Christmas.
Hope you all are doing well!!
My sugars are bouncing a little still but Its also to be expected- I haven't had a low (70-75) in a few weeks. But I did have a 150 this week unexpectedly.
I'm loving breakfast foods like omelettes & crustless quiches- bacon & sausage. I try to do a lot of chicken but I'm not to keen of beef lately. Chicken fajitas with lots of veggies over brown rice & a couple whole wheat tortilla chips has rocked my socks this week. Holiday food is going to be hard to resist. But within moteration
Rants/triumphs- just that going over to someone's house is hard. I try to bring a salad or eat light but I've had a few friends & family members complain about me not eatting enough or that I'm taking it too seriously. I try to explain how I feel when I don't keep in check- & a few have scoffed it off & said it was a myth. Lol. I've had nightmares of a 13lb baby- & it isn't gonna happen with this body! Lol.
I'm good. Still taking my meds regularly and they're working great. Haven't had an appointment since the 2nd since my Dr wasn't in diabetes clinic last week but I have one Tuesday and hoping all will be well
How are your sugars?
Pretty well controlled thanks to the meds. Fasting are between 70-105. Highest fasting has been 110 so way better than the 130 I had last time. 1 hour after meals range from 70-140s so they're exactly where my Dr wants them. Hoping my medication won't have to be upped or go on insulin
Any great recipes/meal ideas you'd like to share? I found that oatmeal is a pretty good breakfast it it's the reduced sugar. I ate a lot of it during my first pregnancy
Any stories/rants/triumphs/anything else you feel like sharing? Nothing new to share
How are you doing? Much better this week after meeting the educator. I can't tell if my headaches or lightheadedness is from sugar issues or pregnancy and it's frustrating.
How are your sugars? Dr told me this week I'm teetering on a thin line with my numbers. My morning numbers are perfectly where we want them but my lunch and dinner readings are off some of the time.
Any great recipes/meal ideas you'd like to share? I'm still figuring it what works for me. My educator told me all bread is not created equal and boy was she right. I was eating Pepperidge farms whole grain oatmeal bread and just switched to Arnold's double protein whole grain bread...huge difference in my numbers. I've learned I can still eat my pasta
Any stories/rants/triumphs/anything else you feel like sharing? I have to go back in on Tuesday for another diet follow up and a growth scan. When the doctor measured me at 29+1 she got a reading of 32 and is concerned the baby is growing too fast. I'm nervous. Terrified really. Also, I now have to make a decision between the midwives (whom I've been seeing this whole time) and doctors ( I am currently seeing since this last appointment) at my practice which adds more frustration with this while situation.
July Siggy Challenge. Summer Fail. March 2015 Group
July Siggy Challenge. Summer Fail. March 2015 Group
July Siggy Challenge. Summer Fail. March 2015 Group
July Siggy Challenge. Summer Fail. March 2015 Group
This website is a really good read with lots of neat recipes: https://gestationaldiabetesrecipes.com/
https://www.m.webmd.com/diabetes/features/7-healthy-desserts-for-your-diabetes-diet
July Siggy Challenge. Summer Fail. March 2015 Group
3c cottage cheese
3c cheddar cheese
1/4c butter
3tbsp flour
3 eggs
Salt to taste
10 oz package chopped spinach
Mix all ingredients but the spinach together, add spinach last. Put in baking dish and bake at 350 for 10 minutes. Voila!
How are your sugars? All over the place.
Any great recipes/meal ideas you'd like to share? I've been living off pbj.
Any stories/rants/triumphs/anything else you feel like sharing? I was started on insulin on Christmas eve. Not really thrilled about it. It took everything I had not to lose it at the diabetes center. I've upped my dose every day and can't seem to get my fasting levels down. Since taking insulin all my other levels seem to be over more, before insulin the only number I had issues with was my fasting blood sugar. Won't be able to get any real answers until I call Monday. Any suggestions would be great. I'm hoping maybe a lot of the issues will go away now that the holidays are over. I had to do a lot of guess work on my carb intake while at family dinners.
I'm a little bummed right now with my husband. He mentioned eating right with me, but I've never seen him eat so much junk. I never told him too stop eating normally, it as his idea. I think he is actually making things harder by telling me he would support me and then doing the opposite.
Did anyone else here learn how to set up your lunch and dinner plate? If so, are you struggling with it because I can't get seen to get it right?
July Siggy Challenge. Summer Fail. March 2015 Group
July Siggy Challenge. Summer Fail. March 2015 Group
July Siggy Challenge. Summer Fail. March 2015 Group
July Siggy Challenge. Summer Fail. March 2015 Group
#1 BFP 11/6/12 EDD 07/19/13 Delivered 07/23/13 - Baby boy Everett John
#2 BFP 07/06/14 EDD 03/12/15
Thank you so much ladies for posting & sharing- I haven't been as faithful checking here as I was before the holidays & seeing your posts have renewed my faith that we can get thru this (one chip & soda splurge at a time!)
I haven't been checking my sugars as much because I'm letting myself feel defeated & a "who cares" attitude . Needing a big adjustment before my appointment Friday! I hope my dr. Won't be too hard on me. I have been feeling good & I don't feel like I've been too out of control (besides my splurge tonight!) but it just goes to show we need a break sometimes too & to not blame ourselves or let it get us down! This is just a short period left in our lives! Most of us 8-12 weeks left! I've done crash dieting longer- so I've renewed my resolve & I'm going to savor licking the chip bag & throwing it away.