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.
doodleoodle
member
Re: Should I Have 2 under 2?
My LO is 8 months old, and she goes through phases of clinginess. I think it's pretty normal for young children/babies. We are just now getting to sleeping in the crib all night and for every nap.
I'm also considering bunching my children close in age also, so I'm jumping in to see what answers follow!
Me: 25 | DH: 25
DD: Aug. 15
I wouldn't choose this life. I'm a foster adopt parent and my kids are sibs so it was important that they have a birth connection.
You really need to really build up those nutrients.
You will probably want to bf first longer.
i don't think age is sole factor in closeness of sibs.
3.5 is the idea age to get a sib per our therapist. It allows a good amount of time for learning comprehension.
Also, if you had a c/s, babies close together is a contraindication for VBAC, so you'd have to consider if you're okay having to have a RCS for (likely all) future babies.
I can't give either the full attention they need. NEED. Babywearing is good & we make do but it's not ideal.
Even the baby is jealous. Each is jealous when the other is being held. They're not old enough to process those feelings. They can't be reasoned with. They just feel left out.
You our have to make a split second decision about which is most important-a poopy diaper or a crying hungry baby. Yes, they wait just a couple of minutes but in baby time that's "forever".
Cost-you NEED a double stroller for safety. We needed a bigger house. You may need a bigger car. And we need 2 of everything where we could have passed down some more things if they weren't so close. 2 carriers, 2 high chairs, 2 ezpz plates, etc.
There will be times when one has to wait for help, but the same is true of kids in day care, and it could be argued that some of that is good for them to learn patience and that others have needs too.
Also, if you use a baby carrier, I'm not clear on why you NEED a double stroller. I plan on carrying baby and strolling my toddler. Similarly, if you have a double stroller, why do you need two carriers? How often do you have someone with you wearing your other child when a stroller won't do? Many children share a room when young too. Were you in a one bedroom before? It sounds like you are putting a lot of the stress on yourself.
Having 2 under 2 is undoubtedly a struggle, but a lot of women come to this board once they are already in that boat. We should be building each other up and sharing advice in a positive/hopeful way, or at least not making it sound like it is horrible.
I personally am excited to have another baby in the mix and know I'm going to have some difficult times, but it's all worth it. DH and I are both only children and both would have loved to have siblings, especially ones who were close in age. I can't wait to see them grow up together and be in very similar stages.
I ABSOLUTELY LOVE the closeness of age of my kids. My first 2 are 15 months apart and our next one will be 2 years from the youngest. When baby comes I will have 3 kids 3 and under. Sounds like chaos to most people (and sometimes it is) but it is so much fun, and what my kids need is love and there is plenty of that to go around. I may not have enough arms to hold everyone at the same time, but my kids learn to snuggle on the couch together and hold each other as well - what could be better than that. My oldest is so great at comforting her younger brother because its necessity.
Do they fight? yes! Do they both poop at the same time? absolutely! Do they both cry and want to be held, or both find a way to wake up at alternating times on the same night? of course. But you know what else they do?They play together ALL the time, they look out for each other when they are in new situations, they ask about the other one when they are not together, they talk about how much they wish their sibling was with us if its just me with one of them. They hug and love and take care of each other. It is without a doubt the most beautiful thing I have ever seen in my life. I honestly think there is no greater joy than seeing your kids be a sibling. It is amazing.
Married to DH 10.29.11
DD born 1.26.13
DS born 6.12.14
#3 due 12.6.16