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.
drmrs2015
member
Re: I feel so small!
BFP1 04/24/2015 EDD Dec 2015 MMC 10W5d;
BFP 2 09/25/2015 EDD June 2016 MMC 9wks;
BFP 3 03/22/2016 EDD Dec 6th 2016
Baby #1
Baby #2
~04/19/16 EDD 12/26/16~
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Trying to enjoy being comfortable while it lasts and to stop wishing it away.
Comparing Week 15 and Week 18, I have popped out some... there is a noticeable difference in pics. But, like you, I feel small but have gained about 13lbs. already. With this rate, I will a little over the average in weight gain for my height/starting weight. But, only time will tell.
Obviously everyone is different, and I figure this is just how my body reacts to being pregnant. And it's OK. I have to wear maternity pants, but a lot of my looser blouses still fit perfectly fine and actually hide my bump well enough. That is kind of nice; saves money shopping.
I know I'll pop more going forward, but enjoying this time now.
TTC Since: November 2015
BFP: March 31, 2016
DS: November 21, 2016
don't feel bad. I am in the same boat. I am 5'10", a FTM, and very athletic. At 18 weeks, I can still easily hide the bump with my regular clothes. I see it at home, but I get a lot of comments from people saying they can't believe I am expecting. I try to look at it from the positive side; I haven't had to spend any money on any maternity items, with the exception of a belly band, as some of my pants are a little uncomfortable when zipped because of how they rise. It will show up eventually!
TTC #1 January 2016
BFP April 18 2016 | EDD December 29, 2016
Welcome baby A! January 9, 2017
TTC#2 March 2018
BFP March 30, 2018 | EDD December 12, 2018
I'm 20 weeks right now with my 3rd and I look like 30 weeks. The first pregnancy takes longer to pop, then after that it pops sooner with each one.
Enjoy it! I feel like I'm 7 months pregnant already! Just look at my crappy morning bathroom pic!
I feel exactly like you do! I have gained 15 pounds, but don't look it at all. This is the first week I've gone to maternity pants and I could've definitely squeezed a little more time out of my regular loose jeans.
I love your attitude - enjoy it now!
DS: 12/20/16
EDD: 11/29/18
I I like to believe it's because I have abs of steel. At least that's what I tell myself
I am fairly active, and have been doing as much as I can when I feel like it. But, did attend a regular core class at least 2X a week for the last 2-3 years so I think that helped build up my abs underneath, even with the layer of fat above - or at least that is what I am telling myself. *lol*
I own maybe 1 maternity shirt that I have bought, as the smalls are a tish tight but the mediums are too big in the stretch area. I plan on waiting until I'm a little bigger to go major shopping for that, at least tops for work (business casual). It's nice having a capsule wardrobe for maternity clothes right now, ha.
TTC Since: November 2015
BFP: March 31, 2016
DS: November 21, 2016
TTC #1 January 2016
BFP April 18 2016 | EDD December 29, 2016
Welcome baby A! January 9, 2017
TTC#2 March 2018
BFP March 30, 2018 | EDD December 12, 2018
TTC Since: November 2015
BFP: March 31, 2016
DS: November 21, 2016
Cmon, post a pic at least so we can judge your tiny bump! Clearly she's seen HDBD and thinks we are all so big- if she's bothered to read any of our posts.
My Wedding Bio!
We seem to have an epidemic of drive-bys.
Me: 33 H: 36
Married: 12/14/13 DS: 1/29/09
BFP2: 10/9/15 MMC: 11/12/15
BFP3: 4/6/16 DD: 12/12/16
Though while we're on the subject, my amazing abs have been in top form this pregnancy too.
Baby #1
Baby #2
~04/19/16 EDD 12/26/16~
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Baby #1
Baby #2
~04/19/16 EDD 12/26/16~
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Me: 33 H: 36
Married: 12/14/13 DS: 1/29/09
BFP2: 10/9/15 MMC: 11/12/15
BFP3: 4/6/16 DD: 12/12/16
My Wedding Bio!
That said, you should definitely hang around and participate more. You'll meet some awesome women who are incredibly supportive when the relationship is mutual. During my last pregnancy, I fell and had a partial placental abruption and was in the hospital for three days while they tried to stop contractions, and I can't tell you how amazingly supportive this forum was for me during this time. This is a great resource if you stick around, read the rules, and participate somewhat actively. Our board is seriously ridiculously friendly, and any snark I've seen is good-humored and accompanied by entertaining gifs - so win win win
I hope you and LO are doing okay.
Baby #1
Baby #2
~04/19/16 EDD 12/26/16~
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