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.
2chatter
member
Re: What Have You Done? (eight days into Jan)
I wanted to get in shape and loose weight, I haven't really started eating better but I did join a gym (I chickened out of joining a boot camp) and I have been every day this week. So far I am really enjoying it - the 3 days I went. I both have done cardio and attended a yoga class. I'm still waiting on getting set up with a personal trainer though.
Still on the list is book tours of DC so I can decide what we are doing with DD in the summer. I hate doing these things...
I promised I would track my food intake on myfitnesspal starting monday. Woo-hoo! I have tracked all 2.5 days so far. (I have small achievements)
Thanks for the reminder on wills - I signed up for a legal benefit also and need to get the information to get started.
I also want to improve our finances. Managing, retirement accounts, college fund for LO. So far I've made a Bill Binder and put $20 in an envelope for a retirement account haha. It's a start.
On a personal level, I need to find patience and look at the bigger picture. I'm a very impatient stubborn person and there were too many times in the last few years that I've felt bad for how I've reacted to some things.
I've been working to keep us on track after work and standing firm on making DH do pickups. Not spending 30 minutes getting my naked children dressed at Grandma's (really, she doesn't make my 2 yo wear clothes) has freed me up to get dinner on the table much faster. Now Daddy gets to deal with his nutty parents. So far, it's going great!
http://balletandbabies.blogspot.com
http://balletandbabies.blogspot.com
- started a new online graphic design course
- created some more product for my side business
- I started DD's savings acount
- I've cooked everynight this week instead of throwing in the towel and just having DH pick something up (I'm still on maternity leave)
-working on becoming more aware of our budget and sticking to it.
Started walking to work again instead of having H drive me to the train station.
More physical activity = yay.
I need to get back on the workout wagon. I was going at 5am for 2 weeks straight, but then the plague hit everyone in my house, and I just went back yesterday morning. I am not interested in going out in 13 degree weather tomorrow morning, so I'll have to wait until Friday morning.
I also need to get back to tracking on MFP. I've been really slack about that.
You've heard what I've done, not what I've been through.
If you were in my shoes, you'd fall the first step."
I finally have a programmable crock pot. I think doing this Is a great idea.
Also finally got my contacts refilled and will go get another pair of glasses today (because when DS2 nearly broke my 1 pair over the holidays I freaked out).
I've promised to appreciate life and my family more. I have a huge 18 month project wrapping up over MLK weekend, and I've already scheduled 4 days off in the weeks after that. I promised DD1 a special day out because I've been working a lot trying to get this wrapped up.
DH and I have been a lot nicer to each other - something we both needed to focus on. Life was getting in the way and we were taking each other for granted. That will be a long term effort, but so far, so good.
http://balletandbabies.blogspot.com