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.
Re: Today we found out that...
Saying something like "I apologize. I didn't realize I was going against community norms and didn't intend to come across as AWish" will be much better received than defensiveness and name calling.
I'm at my apt waiting right now for the news on how much I've gained as well, oy. And on that note I want stuffed crust for breakfast. Dammit.
I got reminded at my appointment today to "watch my weight". ruh roh. I guess no chili cheese fries, jelly beans, or ice cream sandwiches for me this week.
I'm just glad my doctor doesn't know how much I gained before my first appointment! But whatever carbs keep me from puking!
This. When the thread subject is clearly a sex announcement, I blow over it. posting a vague thread title gets you whatever opinions you get, because vague titles are obnoxious.
Sometimes this is collectively done and sometimes it's not done at all? Eh...I don't like these posts either and I don't reply to them generally.
I've noticed some posters get zero negative responses while others get quite a few. I was wondering if there was a specific reason but I guess not. I'm wondering if it has to do with who is posting.
Is the rule rather that it's frowned upon to do it but the more telling the title the less posts about it one will receive?
In my mind, the "rule" is Don't be an AW if you don't regularly contribute to the community. It's pretty simple.
In my mind, the "rule" is Don't be an AW if you don't regularly contribute to the community. It's pretty simple.
Well that's pretty much my point. I have no issue with no posts like these. I would prefer that no one post this stuff. However, like I said we had 2-3 posts like this last week with nothing but positive feedback. I'm just confused as to why no one commented about posting to the main threads there but so many are here.
Okay....look I don't like the threads either. I am not questioning why comments ARE made on posts. I'm confused as to why some people post about sex of The baby and have no comments about using the main threads and some have pages of them.
This isn't my way of attacking anyone. I am wondering if I'm missing something.
No idea. I didn't see the other threads. maybe others didn't either.
This x a million.
Lol, who cares. This lady didn't know and you have decided to tell her (in a not so nice way) im sure she understands now, but there was no need for the way it was said.mshe was so happy to tell you all about her news and you shut her down. Was just sad. P.s, school is years away so the rules etc will be changed, will cross that when the time comes so please don't try talking about our "mentality"
I mean even if it has happened many times, it isn't with the same person...
I am someone that may not post and comment as much as some of you others but I would hope there is still a common support as we are all going through the same thing here. At worst a mutual respect-
At least this is something I have to offer...
I see pregnant women all the time I don't know and am happy for their news if it is a boy or girl- most strangers I come across with my pregnancy are happy as well. They ask "how far along, do you know the sex, congrats ... Etc" I mean come on- it's life changing.. There should be admiration in that...
Lol, who cares. This lady didn't know and you have decided to tell her (in a not so nice way) im sure she understands now, but there was no need for the way it was said.mshe was so happy to tell you all about her news and you shut her down. Was just sad.
P.s, school is years away so the rules etc will be changed, will cross that when the time comes so please don't try talking about our "mentality"
---------Edit for quote fail----------
As a teacher, I can tell you there is more than enough narcissism seen in schools. If the rules change to allow more, I'm out.
Except there are over 200 women on this forum. If each and every one of them wants to do their own special thread on here about every step in their pregnancy journey it becomes a bunch of pregnancy blogs/facebook. As I said before, walking into a maternity store and shoving your announcement photo in everyone's face is rude. This is no different. It is especially rude when it's someone who has made no previous attempt to join or be a part of the community. It's just "Hey! I don't know you people, but congratulate me for doing the exact same thing the rest of you are doing right now." It comes off as attention starved and narcissistic.
I asked a question a while back and was told to lurk first as it had been repeated
There are a lot of people on here that are happy to read your post
Congratulations on your sweet baby boy! We are expecting one as well!
"PLEASE DON’T:
Personally attack other members, The Bump or Group of Individuals. Admins reserve the right to act on any post or actions that they interpret to fall into the following categories:
Hazing new members
Swearing at another member to deliberately hurt or offend her/him
Using gifs or memes in a harassing manner in public posts or Private Messages (PMs)
Behaving in an excessively rude, aggressive, intimidating, profane or vulgar manner
Escalating a situation and/or causing a negative experience for the community"
I think this is where we differ I guess- I have always been genuinely excited for other pregnant women and to be honest I have had other doctors than my own, pharmacists all ask me what I'm expecting / how far along and genuinely be excited about it too. People generally are all warm eyed over pregnant women-
Maybe she felt the bump was a place she could do this. Especially as we can all relate to the excitement. Of course we are different people but as I said, we are all going through the same thing and I do think we should have a mutual respect for it. Following guidelines on one end and kindly guiding them when mistakes are made-
I just don't think it is fair to say that someone announcing the sex of their baby is narcissistic. Just my opinion- the two of you have exchanged so little time together-
Just as someone shouldn't shove their announcement into another's face I also believe the other person wouldn't look at it and say you are a narcissist and attention seeker.
Just let her be excited about it. It's a far greater worth than taking it away from her to me. Even if it is annoying I mean come on, there are far worse things to be mad and annoyed about than a baby announcement no?
Nonetheless just my thoughts for the day!
I don't even know what I'm having and doubt I would ever share it on here- just out of a personal preference. Do you know what you're having? ( I dare not to ask don't worry
I have noticed the posts on the site seem to be dwindling down- I guess it is a good sign for healthy pregnancies.