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: *** The Official Random Thread of All Random Threads for March 2016 ***
Make sure to have popcorn ready when reading this thread.....
I don't see the big deal about weight gain......other than the annoying phase of "too big for regular clothes, and too small for maternity clothes" stage, I don't see much to complain about.
Agree with pp. I don't mind gaining weight in the least because I know it's healthy and normal when growing a baby. But I really hate the in between stage which I am currently at. I'm trying to make it till the end of this month before spending any money on maternity clothes. My current wardrobe is having to do some major stretching to hold me all in.And amazing news @2goofykids!!!
I've avoided the weight gain and baby name thread for weeks. I'm afraid to open them.
But I will add that even if I don't get to post often, I LOVE reading everyone else's posts. I don't personally know anyone my age who's pregnant or been pregnant (I'm the first in my circle of friends), so this group of ladies on this thread really are my lifeline! You guys are amazing and you lift my spirits every day - letting me know that I'm not alone.
Morning. Today should be my Monday. My mother is on my case about that crib still- I asked her for the model number and guess what? They already threw the piece away that had the number on it so I'm screwed. She is complaining that ONLY 2 BABIES DIED. I said I'll remember that if you die in a car crash due to a recalled part on your car. Its the same thing. She snaps and tells me if you watch your baby and know what they are doing they won't get hurt. Some stupid logic that is.
My dog kept me up all night because he was wheezing, I still got up and got myself and my kid ready for school/work. I told DH I'm leaving. He said "Ok". I get to work, tell him about the crib. He says "I got bigger problems right now." His "bigger problem?" He never got up even after I woke him, and they slept through the school bus- and that means because I have the car that they had to walk the 1.25 miles to school. Awww...poor them *sarcasm*.
( I am so not in the mood right now.
DD1 - BFP 7/23/15 (EDD 3/31/16). "We believe in you rainbow" DOB 4/2/16
DD2 - BFP 2/9/18 (EDD 10/19/18). "Grow baby grow!" DOB 10/24/18
BFP 11/16/20 (EDD 7/31/21). "Round 3 FIGHT!"
I would not let your mother stress you out about a crib. It's not her money going to purchase a new one therefore it's not her decision and her input isn't needed. The crib she bought before served its purpose when it was used for the child it was bought for.
On a completely different note, I've been lurking on some of the other boards and am flabbergasted that someone actually has the gall to call another person a liar over what store they bought a certain product from. Just... Really? How the heck are you going to tell someone else "no you did not buy it from there"?
January siggy challenge - Pregnant lady problems
@charley15 big hug to you to get through the day. I say just buy a new crib and tell your mom you're done discussing the subject. I hope you can find some "me time" today even if it's just a few minutes.
Thanks @kynbar5 . I'm thinking we will do a lay-a-way at Kmart or Sears or something like that after Christmas, and get it paid for before baby comes. Idk who else does lay-a-way... but we will probably do that after the holidays.
How I feel today:
Unfortunately it's against dress code (and maybe the law) to show up at work sans pants
Me: 29 DH: 31
Married 10/13/12
TTC Since 8/2016
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Our family of 5 is complete!! Love our boys!
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Our family of 5 is complete!! Love our boys!
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Our family of 5 is complete!! Love our boys!
March 2016 siggy: babies - expectation vs reality
Brian's Whovian wife (5/'09)
Autism mama!
FX our second tri energy is coming soon
I feel mentally invested in this situation LOL
March 2016 siggy: babies - expectation vs reality
Brian's Whovian wife (5/'09)
Autism mama!
This is where the model number should be (in the red circle). However that whole bottom piece is the piece that got thrown out (stole the pic from the recall website). We had plans to just cut one out to replace it, until we found out it had been recalled. By time I asked my mom to send me a pic of my bottom panel, she had already sent it to the dump.
Eta: Wait a minute! I think it may be on the headboard too! I'm having my mom check for me.
Maybe you could still contact delta and send them pictures of the crib if they need you to - tell them the sticker is gone (truth). Do they need a serial number? Or just the model?
March 2016 siggy: babies - expectation vs reality
Brian's Whovian wife (5/'09)
Autism mama!
March 2016 siggy: babies - expectation vs reality
Brian's Whovian wife (5/'09)
Autism mama!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Our family of 5 is complete!! Love our boys!
March 2016 siggy: babies - expectation vs reality
Brian's Whovian wife (5/'09)
Autism mama!
March 2016 siggy: babies - expectation vs reality
Brian's Whovian wife (5/'09)
Autism mama!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Our family of 5 is complete!! Love our boys!