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: ***INTRO & EDD THREAD***
DH: 30 year old pneumatic electrical engineer
BFP: June 25, 2016 and MC: July 3, 2016
DD2: April 16, 2017
BFP: November 30, 2018 EDD: August 14, 2019
Really excited to be here, but nervous as this is my first pregnancy after a miscarriage almost exactly a year ago. Got my BFP on the 28th and estimated due date according to The Bump is March 4. Trying to wait patiently for my Dr. appointment on the 20th but having a hard time waiting!
Baby Boy: coming March 2017
Just got a BFP (big fat positive). My EDD (estimated due date) is March 7, 2017. I'm planning on calling the doctor Tuesday since tomorrow is a holiday. My husband is coming home late tonight from a convention so I'm waiting until then to tell him. I'm super nervous. This will be our second child Our first is a little over 2 years-old, but she has ESRD (End-Stage Renal Disease). My husband stays home with her while I work. To keep him sane and in the game, he is an online intern for a gaming company.
As you can probably tell, I'm not a big poster, but these boards have helped me so much in the past and I can't wait to join everyone on this journey!
I got my BFP yesterday and was shocked! I took it more to calm my mind thinking there is no way, but it was positive before the control came up! I have a 3.5 yo boy and a 7.5 yo step daughter. We have had 3 losses since the 3.5 yo, the lady being just 5.5 weeks ago thus no cycle in between. So I ca sum myself up as shocked and scared!!!!
Together since 2008, married Sept 2013
ttc #1 since July 2014
DX: unexplained infertility
Sept, Oct, Nov Clomid 50 mg: BFN
Feb 2016 IUI w/ 50mg Clomid, Ovidrel, Prometrium: BFN
March 2016 IUI w/ 50mg Clomid, Ovidrel, Prometrium: BFN
June 2016 IVF: BFP 6/28!!! beta #1: 358, beta #2: 1428, beta #3: 3742
I'm a horror movie fanatic. I love Harry Potter. I'm obsessed with the Dark Tower series, but I'm not looking forward to the movies. I think they're really going to skim down on some really important characters. (Like Lady Oriza) I won't get on that soapbox right now.
I was very active on the Aug 13 board. I met some really amazing women that I'm still close with. I can't wait to get to know all of you!
We've been married for 9 years and this will be our first child. I had a really cute idea to announce it to him, but I'm terrible at keep secrets and so I ran downstairs and woke him up from his nap!
I love fantasy novels (huge ASoIaF fan), gaming, nail polish and my kitties
I'm socially awkward and tend to lurk, but I'm trying to change that and be active in this group.
I'm 30, diagnosed with low AMH a few months ago after 18 months of trying for our second. Our daughter is 5 years old and we live in Toronto, Canada.
Got my BFP today (faint line on an HPK this afternoon!) after my second cycle of Femara + IUI. I go in on Wednesday for beta testing and am keeping my fingers crossed.
My EDD is March 18.
Congrats to all on this board!
This was our second round of Clomid 50 mcg. I had unexplained anovulatory cycles since getting off the pill last June, and only ovulated three times in the past year (two of which were on clomid).
My only clues that this month was special were that I have had a stuffy, bloody nose in the mornings for about a week and swollen and slightly tender breasts.
My husband and I are both in our twenties and in different medical fields. We are thrilled to be here after a year of TTC our first child.
I'm normally a lurker but I'll try to share more in the upcoming months Looking forward to hearing all of your stories and us all having a happy and healthy 9 months together!
DH and I are extremely excited. We've been TTC for almost a year now, but I was still BFing until a couple months ago. This was our first attempt after quitting BF and it worked! I got a very faint BFP 5 days ago and a solid BFP this morning, so I guess this is real! My EDD is March 8. We also have a 2.5 yr old son.
I'm also a Wisconsin native, but currently living in MA. I'm going home in August and can't wait to share our news and eat tons of cheese curds!!!
A little more about me, I am Type 1 Diabetic, so that does automatically put me in the high risk category
I look forward to getting to know everyone as we go on this journey together!!!
Type 1 Diabetic
DS: Born 2/18/17
TTC #2: Jan. 2018 BFP: 3/27/18 EDD: 12/6/18
-Krista-
Me: 26
DH :25
NTNP Feb 2015-Feb 2016
TTC :March 2016
BFP June 30th CP/MC July 6th
**TW**
I had a MMC between weeks 6 and 7 back in February. DH and I were very lucky to be able to get pregnant again pretty quickly. The dr thinks it was just "bad luck" and that my last mc does not mean that I'm at any increase for a mc this time around.
** December BMB Siggy Challenge - Animals in Pools **
Me: 31+ H: 32
TTC Since 11/2015
#1 - MMC 6.5 weeks (2/16); #2 - MC due to cystic hygroma at 20 weeks (10/16); #3 CP (2/17); #4 - Due 12.16.17
I'm 25 and a teacher in NJ. I got my BFP on June 24th and am now 26 DPO. EDD is March 3rd based on my last period. First doctors appt is scheduled for the 15th.
This will be my first baby/pregnancy so I'm extremely excited and nervous to experience this journey!
Me: 37 DH: 32 TTGP Since 2014 INFERTILITY INFO (Medicated, IUI's, IVF/FET) IN SPOILERMedicated April-December 2015: Clomid (didn't work) and so we tried Femera/Letrozole. Progesterone Met 1000 Not diagnosed PCOS but treating the same. Anovulatory. TI No US No O BFN
- TW -
IUI"S
January 2016-October 2016: Letrozole 2.5mg-7.5 mg, Pregyl or Ovideral Trigger Shot.
9 cycles of IUI (7 Cancelled due to no mature follicles) (2 attempted IUI's with mature follicles)
IUI # 2 June 2016 and July 2016: Met 1000, Estrogen (21 days), Progesterone (5 days) Femera 5m 6/28/16 Ultrasound CD14 = 25 follie. Pregnyl Trigger CD14 IUI 7/13 1stBeta (DPO 15): 7.6 (Surprise BFP...but Low #'s) 2ndBeta (DPO 17): 18 3rdBeta (DPO 19) 52.8 Progesterone Prescribed (spotting) 4thBeta (DPO 26) 6.9 Chemical Pregnancy BFN
IVF and FET (diagnosed with PCOS) 204 pounds at start of IVF
IVF # 1 October and November 2016: CCRM - Minneapolis 10/14 Consult and CD 3 testing, 10/14 started (OCP Antagonist - BCP) BCP, 10/21 1 day work up, Doxycycline 100mg 10 days, 10/24 stop bcp, Bloodwork US 10/29, 10/30-11/8 Stims 2 vials of Menopur, Dexamethasone, 225 of Gonal-F daily (dropped to 120). CCRM Vitamin Cocktail (like 20 of them), Monitoring (11/2, 11/4, 11/5, 11/6, 11/7, 11/8), Retrieval 11/10 (38 eggs, 30 mature, 16 fertilized ICSI), 11/16 8 Blasts 11/30 CCS testing results 3 Normal 5aa's (2 boys and 1 girl) 1 Unknown 4 Abnormal (All girls)
Fet #1 January 2017: CCRM - Minneapolis bcp/lupron/suppository/p4 in oil QOD AF 12/7, 12/8 start meds. 1/3 lining and blood work check 14/15 mm, BW check 1/6. 1/9 transfer with acupuncture 1 CCS/PGS Normal 5aa hatching Progesterone around 26ish? Lower estrogen level 207 (wanted above 300 but over 200 was acceptable), started 1 estrace, progesterone in oil every other day, vivelle dot patches 4 every other day, 3x estrodiol daily, vitamin cocktail. POAS: - 4dp5dt and 5dp5dt, 6dp5dt frer very very very faint line. 7dp5dt and 8dp5dt + on Accuclear. 8dp5dt pregnant on a clear blue easy digital. 214 pounds at FET
1/18 #1 Beta 91.1
1/20 #2 Beta 215.9
2/3 6 week US 2 sacs? Twins? but only 1 heartbeat/pole good heartbeat Stopped taking baby asprin Added in DHEA Veg Vitamin (also got the report that they transferred a girl 5aa eggo)
2/10 7 week US 2 sacs (likely vanishing twin) only 1 heartbeat/pole etc good heartbeat 137
2/24 9 week US 1 eggo sac good heart beat 182 1 very small fluid sac (shrinking)
2/24 9 week 2 days start weening. Graduated from RE (CCRM is now starting weening as soon as 8.5 weeks)
3/7 10 Weeks 5 days weened completely of FET meds A1C 5.3% (Normal)
3/9 11 Weeks 1 day my progesterone level was 15 and my estrogen level was 881 (I freaked out!)
3/16 12 Weeks 1 day baby heard on doppler 164 HB
4/14 16 week 2 days Ultrasound baby is looking good with all good numbers sized 17 weeks. Also got to hear her on the doppler for a few mins too.
5/5 19 Weeks 2 days going in for "20" week anatomy ultrasound got measurements but need to come back as wasn't able to get all the measurements
MEASUREMENTS BPD 4.6 cm 19 weeks 6 days* (78%) HC 17.0 cm 19 weeks 4 days* (70%) AC 14.5 cm 19 weeks 4 days* (69%) Femur 3.1 cm 19 weeks 6 days* (63%) Humerus 3.1 cm 20 weeks 2 days (84%) Cerebellum 2.0 cm 19 weeks 5 days
CisternaMagna 6.2 mm Nuchal Fold 4.5 mm
HC/AC 1.17 FL/AC 0.22 FL/BPD 0.68 EFW (Ac/Fl/Hc) 309 grams - 0 lbs 11 oz
THE AVERAGE GESTATIONAL AGE is 19 weeks 5 days +/- 10 days.
6/9 24 Weeks 2 days Glucose Test 1 hour (Failed) 190
6/16 25 Weeks 2 days Ultrasound and 1st Baby Shower
6/20 25 Weeks 6 days Glucose Test 3 Hours (Failed) 95 (95), 183 (180), 213 (155), 198 (140) etc
6/21 26 Weeks Recommended to a perintologist
6/22 26 Weeks 1 day start monitoring blood sugar levels
6/30 27 Weeks 2 day A1 (blood sugar test ordered)
7/5 28 Weeks Echo and 3d Ultrasound
AMNIOTIC FLUID Q1: 2.6 Q2: 3.2 Q3: 4.8 Q4: 5.6 AFI Total = 16.3 cm Amniotic Fluid: Normal
MEASUREMENTS BPD 7.2 cm 28 weeks 5 days* (60%) HC 26.4 cm 28 weeks 4 days* (48%) AC 23.3 cm 27 weeks 4 days* (36%) Femur 5.2 cm 28 weeks 0 days* (36%) Humerus 4.8 cm 28 weeks 0 days (49%)
HC/AC 1.13 FL/AC 0.23 FL/BPD 0.73 Ceph Index 0.77 EFW (Ac/Fl/Hc) 1142 grams - 2 lbs 8 oz (37%)
THE AVERAGE GESTATIONAL AGE is 28 weeks 1 day +/- 14 days.
7/10 28 Weeks 5 days Dietitian Appt and Lactatcian Consultant and A1 blood draw 5.4% (normal) 218.5 pounds
7/20 30 Weeks GD consult. 6 Lantus at 7pm daily. Novolog 1 unit for every 15 gm carbohydrate if consumed more than 30 gm at brkfst or 60 gm at lunch or supper 215.6 pounds
7/20 30 Weeks Transferred care to OB due to high risk. 216 pounds
8/2 32 Weeks Ultrasound (not cooperative and still breech) and then weekly NST's
MEASUREMENTS BPD 8.0 cm 32 weeks 2 days* (44%) HC 29.2 cm 31 weeks 6 days* (22%) AC 26.9 cm 31 weeks 0 days* (24%) Femur 6.3 cm 32 weeks 2 days* (57%) Humerus 5.7 cm 32 weeks 6 days (71%)
HC/AC 1.08 FL/AC 0.23 FL/BPD 0.78 Ceph Index 0.78 EFW (Ac/Fl/Hc) 1808 grams - 3 lbs 15 oz (29%)
THE AVERAGE GESTATIONAL AGE is 31 weeks 6 days +/- 18 days.
AMNIOTIC FLUID Q1: 3.4 Q2: 2.9 Q3: 2.9 Q4: 4.4 AFI Total = 13.6 cm Amniotic Fluid: Normal
8/8 32w6d upped to 1:10 for dinner
8/11 Baby Shower
8/13 Baby Shower
8/16 34 weeks NST good reading Upped to 8 at bed for fasting and 1:7 for dinner
8/18 Dr Appt
8/24 35 weeks 1 day (was suppose to be scheduled for 36 weeks) Weeks Ultrasound/GD Dr Appt/OB Appt
Frank Breech
MEASUREMENTS BPD 8.9 cm 35 weeks 6 days* (67%) HC 31.7 cm 35 weeks 1 day * (35%) AC 30.2 cm 34 weeks 2 days* (33%) Femur 6.9 cm 34 weeks 6 days* (57%) Humerus 6.0 cm 34 weeks 6 days (64%)
HC/AC 1.05 FL/AC 0.23 FL/BPD 0.78 Ceph Index 0.80 EFW (Ac/Fl/Hc) 2494 grams - 5 lbs 8 oz (39%)
THE AVERAGE GESTATIONAL AGE is 35 weeks 1 day +/- 21 days.
AMNIOTIC FLUID Q1: 3.3 Q2: 3.8 Q3: 2.4 Q4: 3.8 AFI Total = 13.4 cm Amniotic Fluid: Normal
8/31 36 Weeks
9/7 37 Weeks
9/10 Water broke...I got it tested at the emergency room it it showed it was negative. More water breaking and didn't go to the dr.
9/11 37 weeks 4 days Called the Dr and got retested for water breaking...
10:30pmish Baby Girl Born via Emergency C Section (Frank Breech Baby) 6lbs 3oz -
9/13 Dropped to 5 pounds 10oz and had jaundice
9/13 38 weeks
9/22 39 Weeks 2 days C Section Scheduled for 10am (arrive at 8am) Equinox/Solstice
EDD 9/27
I still don't feel like this is real yet, but here goes. I'm 30, H is 32, and we've been TTGP for quite some time. We had our first appointment at the RE last week, and made a plan to start medicated cycles, so I've just been hanging out waiting for CD1 to start meds...and instead I got a BFP this morning! The RE's office just called with my positive beta and progesterone results, so I figured I'd go ahead and introduce myself!
Hopefully these betas will continue to look good, but in the mean time I'm super excited/nervous/happy!
ETA: Based on my LMP, my EDD is March 13! I think that might change some at my dating ultrasound.
I just got my first positive today! well, I got a faint line this morning, and took like 4 more tests this afternoon! all Positive and darker than this morning! I'm 10DPO and EDD is March 16th, which is my husbands 34th birthday! I'm 27 and DH and I have been married for 5 years in September, we have a 5 yr old daughter together and he has two older kids who are 11 and 9 who we get for summers. After wanting another for almost 4 years my DH finally decided he was ready and wanted another and this cycle was our first trying, I really thought it would take a few months but surprise! He actually doesn't even know yet, he's at work until next week and he had already told me he wanted to be told in person, how am I gonna keep it to myself for an entire week is beyond me! First doctors appt and ultrasound is the 28th when I will be exactly 7 weeks.
Just got my BFP this afternoon right after a long 4 hour ride home from Lake Shasta. I am beyond excited right now. EDD is March 10th. My first u/s is scheduled for Aug 5th which seems so far from now.
DH and I have been together 9 years and married 7 years this October. We have a 2 y/o daughter that was born April 2014. I was more of a lurker on the April 2014 board but plan on participating a lot on this board. Congrats to everyone! Lookin forward to getting to know all of you.
I've been married for 7 years, together for 11...this will be our first child and we have a dog. I enjoy running, Disney, traveling, and spending time with friends and family. Looking forward to getting to know everyone!
EP: 2.17.2016
DS: 3.4.2017
Me: 36; DH: 38
DD: 7; DS1: 4; DS2 due 6-21-17!
**TW**
MMC & D&C Aug 2016
*TW* - BFP & MC in March 2016.
BFP in June 2016; EDD March 2017.
Samuel born February 2017!
This is March baby #2 for our family. We apparently have a baby making season!
DS is 15mos born 3/30 and EDD with this little bean is 3/15.
Pleasantly surprised with this pregnancy. We were gearing up to start trying soon but bean had other plans!
FX for healthy pregnancies for all!
Me: 36; DH: 38
DD: 7; DS1: 4; DS2 due 6-21-17!
**TW**
MMC & D&C Aug 2016
Type 1 Diabetic
DS: Born 2/18/17
TTC #2: Jan. 2018 BFP: 3/27/18 EDD: 12/6/18