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.
schulme2
member
Re: PgAL Check-In 4/3/2015
Do you have any upcoming appointments or milestones? appointment Tuesday
Any pregnancy symptoms or pregnancy cravings or aversions? tired
QOTW: What is your best advice for a new loss mama just entering this pgal journey? try to just take it one moment at a time
Open Topic. What is on your mind this week? Had an accident last week that let to premature labor. It was so scary. I was admitted and fortunately it was able to be stopped. Home on bed rest now and just hoping our little girl stays put for a few more weeks.
Do you have any upcoming appointments or milestones? Lots of appointments. NST and OB visit Monday and Friday, ultrasound Monday, Biophysical profile on Wednesday unless baby girl decides to come which would be fine with me.
Any pregnancy symptoms or pregnancy cravings or aversions? So tired. I feel like I need to take multiple naps every day just to function. I also have gotten to the really hard to breathe stage. I get out of breath doing nothing.
QOTW: What is your best advice for a new loss mama just entering this pgal journey? Find someone to talk to who understands. You will feel crazy and scared. It's ok. It's normal, but do what you need to do for yourself to not feel so crazy.
Open Topic. What is on your mind this week? I just want baby girl to decide to come. Any time now would be fine with me. The days of contractions that last for a few hours and then stop are getting annoying. I just want her here safely. Soon.
Do you have any upcoming appointments or milestones? Scheduled c-section Wednesday!
QOTW: What is your best advice for a new loss mama just entering this pgal journey? Do whatever it takes to calm your nerves and don't feel bad about it. If you need extra ultrasounds to help you sleep at night then do it. This is a difficult journey and there is no reason to try to be "tough" through it.
Open Topic. What is on your mind this week? Counting down days. The further along I get at this point the more I am focused on Harrison just getting here already and the less I'm focused on all of my nerves and fears. So I guess that's a positive thing.
Do you have any upcoming appointments or milestones? NST today (Monday), appointment and NST on Thursday, induction on Monday (13th)!
Any pregnancy symptoms or pregnancy cravings or aversions? I ended up in L&D yesterday because of a stomach bug. I thought it was just my hyperemesis acting up but my husband convinced me to go in and I'm so glad. Got some fluids and feel so much better now.
QOTW: What is your best advice for a new loss mama just entering this pgal journey?
Find people you can talk to when you're feeling anxious- build your support system and reach out to them often. This is a difficult but amazing experience and it's okay to need help/support/ reassurance!
Open Topic. What is on your mind this week?
I'm one week away. It's a bit surreal. I'm confident but cautious; anxious but excited. It's weird to feel such a range of emotions but I'm just trying to stay positive.
@msunshine123- thinking of you and baby girl.
@dadalou I'm sorry it's so uncomfortable and the daily contractions have to be crazy! I hope she'll make her grand appearance soon!
@mel&john2013 holy cow! So close! Can you believe it? Praying for a wonderful delivery! Can't wait for a birth announcement!
@Bgirma yikes! I'm glad you went in for that stomach bug and glad you're feeling better! Can't believe just one more week!!!
How far along are you? 26 weeks, 1 day
Do you have any upcoming appointments or milestones? Just weekly shots and then trying to hold off on another ultrasound until 28&3 which is when I'll have a growth scan too. 3 weeks would be the longest I've gone between ultrasounds. Not sure if I can do it but I will try to relax!
Any pregnancy symptoms or pregnancy cravings or aversions? Lots of pelvic pressure still and I did too much yesterday so my back hurts!
QOTW: What is your best advice for a new loss mama just entering this pgal journey? You're feelings are not irrational and you have every right to feel afraid or crazy at times. Take it one day at a time and find a doctor who gets it and is willing to calm your fears with whatever will help!
Open Topic. What is on your mind this week? Still so fearful of going into labor at any point. Every day I'm past 25 weeks I feel a teeny tiny bit better but not enough. It's crazy because watching my son grow from the outside from 25 weeks on makes me fully understand how important every single day inside is!
@dadalou - looking forward to hearing of your little girl's arrival soon. Hoping you don't have to wait much longer:)
@Mel&John2013 - can't wait to hear about Harrison's arrival - any moment now:)
@Bgirma - so sorry to hear about your stomach bug, glad you and baby are doing good. Only a few more days:)
@schulme2 - glad your little guy is doing well. If you do feel you need to go in for another ultrasound before your next one for peace of mind - go ahead. It's important to do whatever you need to do to get through each day - ((hugs)).
Do you have any upcoming appointments or milestones? Have my weekly appointment and BPP sono on Thursday. Last week he didn't pass his BPP so I had to sit there for a NST. He passed that with flying colors though.
Any pregnancy symptoms or pregnancy cravings or aversions? Just in pain all over really and not sleeping well.
QOTW: What is your best advice for a new loss mama just entering this pgal journey? Just take it one day at a time.
Open Topic. What is on your mind this week? Finally got my maternity photos back. They were taken when I was 32 weeks along.
Brooke Elizabeth born Feb 17, 2013 grew wings May 9, 2013 @ 11 weeks & 4 days old from SIDS
Ladies...sorry I have been so MIA! congrats @dadalou- she is beautiful!
How far along are you? 18 weeks 4 days
Do you have any upcoming appointments or milestones? i had my AS today and we are having a healthy baby BOY....I can't believe we are through the AS with a good report. feeling very thankful!
Any pregnancy symptoms or pregnancy cravings or aversions? constipation =(
QOTW: What is your best advice for a new loss mama just entering this pgal journey? I think someone already said this but you are going to feel irrational and terrible things but just let yourself grieve. be so patient with yourself....it gradually gets better
Open Topic. What is on your mind this week?just so happy right now to have gotten a good report. so thankful for this miracle!
8/12-Suprise BFP- Sweet Bunny Born Sleeping 11/21/12 (19 weeks)
-5/7/13- MMC (8 Weeks)
11/6/13- BO discovered at 7 weeks- natural MC 11/25/13
8/14- Surpise IF dx...low AMH (.24)- moving on to IVF
IVF #1- 11/14- 6R5M4F=2 perfect frosties
12/19/14- FET of 2 embabies = BFP!!! One Little Bean EDD: 9/3/15
Everyone Welcome.
@dadalou yay!!! Congratulations! She's beautiful!! So happy for you guys!
@bunnybun4 congrats on a great A/S and healthy baby boy!
@bunnybun4- congrats on your baby boy
@BrittianyM- your maternity photos are awesome. So cute!
@dadalou - congratulations she is so precious! I love her name too:)
@bunnybun4 - congratulations on your baby boy and I'm glad you received such a great report!
He is such a cutie and we love him so much already! His glucose dropped yesterday so he had to spend a few hours in the NICU, which was pretty devastating at first, but ended up being a really short stay and we're doing just fine now. Should get to go home Saturday. Thank you so much to everyone for all of your support through this journey!