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: Show off your fur-babies!
---Trigger warning---
TTC since April 2013
Two cancelled IUIs in Aug and Sept '15 due to low motility/count
IVF round 1: January 2016
ER: February 17, 2016; 9 retrieved, 7 mature, 7 fertilized
Day 5 Blastocysts: 5 BB, 1 AB, all normal from PGS
FET date: May 11, '16; transferred 1 AB embryo
First beta: May 23, '16: 998!! Second: May 25, '16: 1648
EDD: January 27, 2017
---Trigger warning---
TTC since April 2013
Two cancelled IUIs in Aug and Sept '15 due to low motility/count
IVF round 1: January 2016
ER: February 17, 2016; 9 retrieved, 7 mature, 7 fertilized
Day 5 Blastocysts: 5 BB, 1 AB, all normal from PGS
FET date: May 11, '16; transferred 1 AB embryo
First beta: May 23, '16: 998!! Second: May 25, '16: 1648
EDD: January 27, 2017
Married 10/14/2011
TTC since 11/2011
DX: unexplained infertility
1st IUI 12/23/15 Clomid + Ovidrel - Beta 1/8/16 BFN
2nd IUI 1/22/16 Clomid + Ovidrel - Beta 2/8/16 BFN
3rd IUI 2/27/16 Clomid + Ovidrel - Beta 3/15/16 BFN
4th IUI 3/27/16 Clomid + Ovidrel - Beta 4/11/16 BFN
5th IUI 4/26/16 Clomid + Ovidrel - Beta 5/11/16 BFN
*****TRIGGER*****
6th and final IUI 5/27/16 Clomid + Ovidrel - BFP!!!
1st Beta on 6/8/16 @ 12piui: 22; 2nd Beta 6/10/16 84.4; 3rd Beta 6/13/16 300; 4th Beta 6/16/16 1168; 5th and final beta 6/20/16 4188
1st U/S 6/23/16 - Two babies! One measuring 6w1d with a visible heartbeat!!! The other is measuring small and isn't likely to make it
2nd U/S 7/5/16 - Baby #2 didn't make it
3rd US 7/15/16 - Baby #1 right on schedule! FHR 168!!! Discharged from RE!!!!
Started with RE 12/14; 3 failed rounds of clomid, started letrozole
IUI #1 & #2- BFN
IVF #1 - 9/15 Cancelled Day 9
IVF #2- started stims 10/24 ER- 11/15 6 eggs- 5 fertilized/ 1 frozen
FET #1 -1 embryo-12/9/15- BFN
IVF #3- started stims 1/22/16 ER- 2/8 33 eggs(!)- 21 mature, all 21 fertilized - 6 snowflakes!
FET #2- 2 embryos- April 4th-BFN
ERA-June 8- results show need 12 addt'l hours of PIO
FET #3- 2 embryos transferred August 14,2016 BFP! on 8/24! Beta #1-22 Beta #2-83 Beta #3-368
Confirmed singleton-Heartbeat on 9/19-160bpm! EDD: May 1, 2017, It's a girl!!
Pre-term labor/loss-stillborn at 18w.
FET #4- 1 embryo-Aug 12th-BFP on 8/23 Beta #1-112 Beta #2-298 Beta #3-1010
Confirmed Identicals!- Heartbeats seen on 9/8 Miscarriage on 9/18
FET #5- 1 embryo- 1/12/18-BFN
Lots of testing and finally determined I have elevated natural killer cells. Will begin prednisone and IVL treatment before next round.
IVF#4- April 2018 8 eggs, 7 fertilized/3 frozen
FET #6- 1 embryo- 6/11/18- BFP on 6/21 Beta #1-446, Beta #2-1841
Confirmed singleton- 6/29/18 HB-157 EDD: February 22, 2019. It's a Boy!
---Trigger warning---
TTC since April 2013
Two cancelled IUIs in Aug and Sept '15 due to low motility/count
IVF round 1: January 2016
ER: February 17, 2016; 9 retrieved, 7 mature, 7 fertilized
Day 5 Blastocysts: 5 BB, 1 AB, all normal from PGS
FET date: May 11, '16; transferred 1 AB embryo
First beta: May 23, '16: 998!! Second: May 25, '16: 1648
EDD: January 27, 2017
@dragonfaerie Haha, Lily loves shoes too!
Married June 2012
TTC #1 since Oct 2014
March 2016: IUI#1 w/ Clomid, Ovidrel, Progesterone, Estradiol - BFN
April-May 2016: treatment on hold due to bad thyroid levels, adjusted meds
June 2016: IUI#2 w/ Clomid, Ovidrel, Progesterone, Estradiol - BFN
July 13th: IVF consult
August 2016: IUI#3 w/ Femara, Ovidrel, Progresterone - BFN
Sept/Oct 2016: IVF + ICSI
This is my cat Jerri. She was wondering why I needed to take her photo during her nap time.
Married Jan. 2014
Me:36 DH: 39
TTC since August 2014, Mild PCOS + uterine fibroids
Myomectomy June 2015- 18 fibroids removed
IVF #1, May 2016 = 32 eggs retrieved, 12 fertilized, 7 frozen, 3 PGS normal
FET#2, July 2016 = one embryo transferred
TRIGGER
BFP! Beta = 617
Due date = 4/9/17
Delivery date = 3/20/17
---Trigger warning---
TTC since April 2013
Two cancelled IUIs in Aug and Sept '15 due to low motility/count
IVF round 1: January 2016
ER: February 17, 2016; 9 retrieved, 7 mature, 7 fertilized
Day 5 Blastocysts: 5 BB, 1 AB, all normal from PGS
FET date: May 11, '16; transferred 1 AB embryo
First beta: May 23, '16: 998!! Second: May 25, '16: 1648
EDD: January 27, 2017
Beta 5/9/2016 BFP!!
Embryo transfer scheduled for April 28, 2016 and beta test May 9, 2016 (day after Mother's Day!)
Transfer Meds include: Lupron Depot (4/1), Minivelle Patch (every 3rd day), Estradiol (3x daily), Amoxicillin, Progesterone in Oil, Methylprednisonlone. Lovenox and baby asprin added after transfer.
3/22/16 - Sono Saline ultrasound cyst to be aspirated on 4/1/16 if not cleared up by 3/29 US - It cleared on its own
Retrieval 3/4/16 - 26 eggs retrieved, 23 mature, 20 fertilized, 14 embryos currently frozen
Starting IVF Stims on +/- Feb 22, 2016
HSG scheduled for 1-26-16 - All clear "beautiful uterus" (though inverted)
Switched clinics and now prepping for IVF in February / March
Trying to conceive since November 2012
Beta 5/9/2016 BFP!!
Embryo transfer scheduled for April 28, 2016 and beta test May 9, 2016 (day after Mother's Day!)
Transfer Meds include: Lupron Depot (4/1), Minivelle Patch (every 3rd day), Estradiol (3x daily), Amoxicillin, Progesterone in Oil, Methylprednisonlone. Lovenox and baby asprin added after transfer.
3/22/16 - Sono Saline ultrasound cyst to be aspirated on 4/1/16 if not cleared up by 3/29 US - It cleared on its own
Retrieval 3/4/16 - 26 eggs retrieved, 23 mature, 20 fertilized, 14 embryos currently frozen
Starting IVF Stims on +/- Feb 22, 2016
HSG scheduled for 1-26-16 - All clear "beautiful uterus" (though inverted)
Switched clinics and now prepping for IVF in February / March
Trying to conceive since November 2012
Beta 5/9/2016 BFP!!
Embryo transfer scheduled for April 28, 2016 and beta test May 9, 2016 (day after Mother's Day!)
Transfer Meds include: Lupron Depot (4/1), Minivelle Patch (every 3rd day), Estradiol (3x daily), Amoxicillin, Progesterone in Oil, Methylprednisonlone. Lovenox and baby asprin added after transfer.
3/22/16 - Sono Saline ultrasound cyst to be aspirated on 4/1/16 if not cleared up by 3/29 US - It cleared on its own
Retrieval 3/4/16 - 26 eggs retrieved, 23 mature, 20 fertilized, 14 embryos currently frozen
Starting IVF Stims on +/- Feb 22, 2016
HSG scheduled for 1-26-16 - All clear "beautiful uterus" (though inverted)
Switched clinics and now prepping for IVF in February / March
Trying to conceive since November 2012
Me: 34, DH: 38 ~ TTC since 2014
IUI #1-3 (Nov 2015, Feb 2016, May 2016) = BFNs
IVF ER (July 2016) = 7 PGS normal embryos
FET #1 (Sept 2016) = BFP! DD born 5/30/17
FET #2 (April 2019) = BFN
FET #3 (July 2019) = BFP! DS born 3/27/20
Here are our two boys: Phoenix is the Australian Shepherd, and Harley is the dapper cat:
Married: September 2013
TTC since April 2014, Dx: MFI
DH started Clomid Oct 2015
April-June 2016- 3 IUIs: All BFN
July 2016- IVF #1: 16 eggs ->1 PGS-normal embryo
Sept 2016- single FET #1: BFN
Nov 2016- IVF #2 16 eggs -> 3 PGS-normal embryos
Jan 2017- single FET #2: BFN
Feb 2017- endometrial scratch
March 2017- FET #3 (double transfer): BFP!
Beta #1: 386 (9dp5dt), Beta #2: 1,960 (12dp5dt)
Pregnant with: Triplets Twins Singleton
It's a GIRL!
EDD: November 16, 2017
Dx w/ preeclampsia: Updated delivery date: 10/4/17
Find me on the IG
Me: 26 DH: 29
Married Dec 2012
TTC since Jan 2013, interruptions by DH deployments
April 2015, Clomid + gonal f, natural, BFN
Oct 8 2015, Clomid + brevelle, too many follis (10!)- cancelled
Nov 18 2015, Follistem + Ovidrel + Progesterone, 1 folli, IUI #1 on 12/11, BFN
Dec 24 2015, Follistem + Ovidrel + Progesterone, 1 folli, IUI #2 on 1/15, BFN
Jan 29 2016, Follistem + Ovidrel + Progesterone, 2 follis, IUI #3 on 2/11, BFN
March 2016, Follistem + Ovidrel + Progesterone, 2 follis, BD at home this time,BFN
IVF: Stim's start 4/23, ER May 4th, 8 embabies frozen
FET #1 5/31/16, transferred 1 embryo- BFP: Beta 6/8/16 111, Beta 6/14/16 1800....m/c, d&c 7/15/16
FET #2 9/21/16, transferred 1 embryo......BFP!!: Beta 10/1/16 493, Beta 10/3/16 1155
SINGLETON- EDD June 9th, 2016
TTC - since 2014
7 rounds of Clomid - BFN
IUI #1 - October 2015 - BFN
IUI #2 - November 2015 - BFN
IUI #3 - December 2015 - BFN
IVF #1 - March 2016
Retrieval #1 - April 2016
FET #1 - May 2016 - BFP!!! DS - Born January 2017
Trying for baby #2...
FET #2 - January 2018 - BFN
No more embryos left; switched to a new RE
IVF/Retrieval #2 - January 2019
IVF/Retrieval #3 - March 2019
FET #3 - April 2019 - BFP!!! - DD: Born December 2019
Trying for baby #3...
FET #4 - October 2021 - BFP!!! - Due June 2022
Me: 26 DH: 29
Married Dec 2012
TTC since Jan 2013, interruptions by DH deployments
April 2015, Clomid + gonal f, natural, BFN
Oct 8 2015, Clomid + brevelle, too many follis (10!)- cancelled
Nov 18 2015, Follistem + Ovidrel + Progesterone, 1 folli, IUI #1 on 12/11, BFN
Dec 24 2015, Follistem + Ovidrel + Progesterone, 1 folli, IUI #2 on 1/15, BFN
Jan 29 2016, Follistem + Ovidrel + Progesterone, 2 follis, IUI #3 on 2/11, BFN
March 2016, Follistem + Ovidrel + Progesterone, 2 follis, BD at home this time,BFN
IVF: Stim's start 4/23, ER May 4th, 8 embabies frozen
FET #1 5/31/16, transferred 1 embryo- BFP: Beta 6/8/16 111, Beta 6/14/16 1800....m/c, d&c 7/15/16
FET #2 9/21/16, transferred 1 embryo......BFP!!: Beta 10/1/16 493, Beta 10/3/16 1155
SINGLETON- EDD June 9th, 2016
These are our three fur babies! I love this thread everyone has the cutest fur babies!!!
Artemis (Calico kitty queen of the house) is 4
Bacchus (Orange and white Tabby momma's boy) is 2
Apollo (the baby of the family) is a 1 & 1/2 year old Great Pyrenees. Don't let the photo of his handsome face fool you, he is a growing 80 lbs and stands 5'5" on his hind legs.
Married February 2014
Me:34 DH: 34
TTC since May 2014
Jan. 2016: 1st round of Clomid - stopped due to OHSS
Feb 2016: 1st RE apt - diagnosed with PCOS still possible uterine septum. Put on BC for cysts, HSG will be in March
March 2016: HSG showed both tubes blocked (right tube holding fluid), no uterine septum, need surgery
April 2016: Surgery to remove right (hydrosalpinx) fallopian tube and adhesions from the left - all went well!
May 2016: Waiting to start 3 months of un-monitored cycles in July with metformin and letrozole. If no success, going straight to IVF!
Diagnosed with unexplained infertility
IUI #1- April '16 - BFN
IUI #2 - May '16 - BFN
IVF Fresh Xfer #1 (1 blastocyst) - Sept '16 - BFN
FET #2 - 11/8/16 (2 blastocysts) - Beta on 11/18
4 more blastocysts on ice
Married February 2014
Me:34 DH: 34
TTC since May 2014
Jan. 2016: 1st round of Clomid - stopped due to OHSS
Feb 2016: 1st RE apt - diagnosed with PCOS still possible uterine septum. Put on BC for cysts, HSG will be in March
March 2016: HSG showed both tubes blocked (right tube holding fluid), no uterine septum, need surgery
April 2016: Surgery to remove right (hydrosalpinx) fallopian tube and adhesions from the left - all went well!
May 2016: Waiting to start 3 months of un-monitored cycles in July with metformin and letrozole. If no success, going straight to IVF!
Guess I'll add another of my little cuddly girl Schatzi. She's super OCD. For example, every night when DH and I watch TV, she has to sit in the same spot next to me. Well tonight, for whatever reason, Bella (the one in my profile pic) took that spot. She situated herself there permanently and wouldn't budge. Schatzi could not find another comfortable spot if her life depended on it. She would try to sit somewhere else and would literally grumble after a couple seconds and then try to find somewhere else. This went on for awhile. Eventually DH and I decided we had to move Bella. Bella is adaptable and can sit anywhere. Poor Schatzi couldn't relax until she had HER spot. (DH has a similar personality by the way so they *get* each other).
Me: 34, DH: 38 ~ TTC since 2014
IUI #1-3 (Nov 2015, Feb 2016, May 2016) = BFNs
IVF ER (July 2016) = 7 PGS normal embryos
FET #1 (Sept 2016) = BFP! DD born 5/30/17
FET #2 (April 2019) = BFN
FET #3 (July 2019) = BFP! DS born 3/27/20
---Trigger warning---
TTC since April 2013
Two cancelled IUIs in Aug and Sept '15 due to low motility/count
IVF round 1: January 2016
ER: February 17, 2016; 9 retrieved, 7 mature, 7 fertilized
Day 5 Blastocysts: 5 BB, 1 AB, all normal from PGS
FET date: May 11, '16; transferred 1 AB embryo
First beta: May 23, '16: 998!! Second: May 25, '16: 1648
EDD: January 27, 2017
me:41 dh:42
me:PCOS, blocked left fallopian tube, hyperprolactinemia (dh's swimmers are perfect/normal)
Tried 3 rounds of clomid with Ovidrel trigger (BFNs)
May/June 2016 IVF 6/1 ER 7 eggs retrieved, 7 fertilized via ICSI 6 embryos made it to blasts.
6/6 2 AA embryos transfered, 4 BBs frozen
Beta 6/18 -- BFN
FET #1 August 22 BFN
Dec 2016/Jan 2017 Round 2 was a bust. 6 eggs, Only 1 embryo made it, no transfer
FET #2 cancelled 10/17 due to uterine polyps. Postponed until 9/2018 due to hip replacement.
FET #3 9/11/18 Uterine scratch and antihistamine protocol/lovenox done this time. 2 AA hatching blasts put in. BFP 9/20/18!!
My 3 calicoes: (L to R) Thea (5), Cleo (5), & Callie (1.5)
TTC since March 2012
2013-2014 - 6 rounds of Clomid - BFNs
3 failed IUIs in 2015
October 2015 - wait listed for IVF #1
IVF #1 March 2016 - bfn, zero frosties!
Femara cycle 1 May 2016 - POAS starting May 21st / beta testing May 25th....
Max @ 4 years old - now close to 9 years old
TTC since March 2012
2013-2014 - 6 rounds of Clomid - BFNs
3 failed IUIs in 2015
October 2015 - wait listed for IVF #1
IVF #1 March 2016 - bfn, zero frosties!
Femara cycle 1 May 2016 - POAS starting May 21st / beta testing May 25th....
And my 2nd dog and the baby "Odin" the Berner!- 4 years old!
And he's my baby... Sticks to me like glue!
TTC since March 2012
2013-2014 - 6 rounds of Clomid - BFNs
3 failed IUIs in 2015
October 2015 - wait listed for IVF #1
IVF #1 March 2016 - bfn, zero frosties!
Femara cycle 1 May 2016 - POAS starting May 21st / beta testing May 25th....
5-month old Stella, ready to be a big sister.
*****LOSS WARNING************
Me: 39 DH: 31
Finally IVF 03/2016
ER 03/17/16: 13 retrieved; 12 fertilized; 7 blast to PGS testing; 2 normal; 1 no result
FET 05/09/16: 2 embabies; Angel DD born at 20+6 due to incompetent cervix.
FET 2/16/17: Treading on egg shells
---Trigger warning---
TTC since April 2013
Two cancelled IUIs in Aug and Sept '15 due to low motility/count
IVF round 1: January 2016
ER: February 17, 2016; 9 retrieved, 7 mature, 7 fertilized
Day 5 Blastocysts: 5 BB, 1 AB, all normal from PGS
FET date: May 11, '16; transferred 1 AB embryo
First beta: May 23, '16: 998!! Second: May 25, '16: 1648
EDD: January 27, 2017
*****LOSS WARNING************
Me: 39 DH: 31
Finally IVF 03/2016
ER 03/17/16: 13 retrieved; 12 fertilized; 7 blast to PGS testing; 2 normal; 1 no result
FET 05/09/16: 2 embabies; Angel DD born at 20+6 due to incompetent cervix.
FET 2/16/17: Treading on egg shells
---Trigger warning---
TTC since April 2013
Two cancelled IUIs in Aug and Sept '15 due to low motility/count
IVF round 1: January 2016
ER: February 17, 2016; 9 retrieved, 7 mature, 7 fertilized
Day 5 Blastocysts: 5 BB, 1 AB, all normal from PGS
FET date: May 11, '16; transferred 1 AB embryo
First beta: May 23, '16: 998!! Second: May 25, '16: 1648
EDD: January 27, 2017
Married: 12/4/15
Me: 43 DH:43
Me: FSH levels all over the place, pre-menopausal
Him: Low count & motility
Meds start - Lupron until 6/23, Cetrotide started 6/24, Gonal-F starts 7/1
First ultrasound 6/24 shows 8 follicles with some possibly hiding
Egg Retrieval - Between 7/9-7/22
IVF #1 canceled due to poor response - 7/12
Figuring out next steps