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.
Sugargirl1019
member
Re: High-Risk Check-In 7/25
1. Why are you high-risk? History of missed miscarriages, 39, inverted chromosome, and uterine septum.
2. How far along are you? 4w4d
3. What are you doing for treatment? There's really nothing that can be done.
4. How are you doing? R/R? I'm doing just fine. I've learned all of this is completely out of my control. Early scans, early tests none of that will help so I'm trying my best to relax and know that for today I'm pregnant.
5. Any questions? Is there an app for this forum? Lol
6. GTKY: What made you fall in love with your husband/SO? He is just most unique, genuine and patient person I've ever met. There's just too much to list! Plus he is tall dark and handsome
2. How far along are you? 5 weeks 5 days
3. What are you doing for treatment? Nothing really can be done. I have continued my acupuncture though.
4. How are you doing? R/R? My nerves are bad this week. I'm not sure if it has to deal with getting close to 6 weeks, but I'm getting more nervous. I have been painting our finished basement. Painting eases my stress. Also hoping to work out a bit more this week with low impact activities.
5. Any questions? How does everyone else manage their nerves and/or anxiety?
6. GTKY: What made you fall in love with your husband/SO? He is the most caring and compassionate man that I've ever met. That is even more true than the day I met him!
Me: 33 Hubs: 34
TTC since 5/2014
BFP: 7/27/14 MC: 9/20/14
BFP: 6/29/15 MC: 7/6/15
BFP: 7/17/16 EDD: 3/22/17
2. How far along are you? 6w3d
3. What are you doing for treatment? 24/7 heart monitoring and all the blood tests in the world
4. How are you doing? R/R? Still no ultrasound until 8.5 weeks and that is driving me insane.
5. Any questions?
6. GTKY: What made you fall in love with your husband/SO? I don't think it was any one thing that made me fall in love with him... it was all the little things. But one thing that made me realize he was THE one was watching him play with my godchildren. He's going to be such a great dad...
2. How far along are you? - 8 weeks 3 Days
3. What are you doing for treament? - More blood test than I can count, multiple ultrasounds, increased number of glucose checks daily.
4. How are you doing? R/R? - I am doing pretty good. The idea that there are two babies growing inside of me and so if I am really tired I just need to lay down is finally sinking in. I can definitely tell a difference in how I feel when I overdue it.
5. Any questions?
6. GTKY: What made you fall in love with your husband/SO? - I don't know that there is one specific thing that made me fall in love with him. We started as friends and it just sort of happened. He is an amazing man and I feel very lucky to have him in my life and that we found each other at such a young age (married at 20).
Married in April 2007
One Furbaby - Adorable Pitt Mix
15 Months TTC....2nd Cycle of Letrozole - Success!
Expecting our first two little miracles - Boy/Girl Twins! - EDD March 3, 2017
High Risk Pregnancy - Type 1 Diabetic; Hypothyroidism; Di/Di Twin Pregnancy
1. Recurrent unexplained losses
2. 4+5
3. My treatment is baby aspirin, lovenox (40mg) injections, prednisone (20mg), & high dose folic acid. Frequent labs and ultrasounds.
4. I'm doing OK. I have my first US tomorrow and that will make me very nervous. Things typically go OK for me in the beginning and stop in Week 6, so the next few weeks are going to be hard.
5. No questions right now.
6. I was friends with my husband for many years before we actually got together. He will do anything for those who matter most to him. He's also so smart.
Me: 39 DH: 40
Married: 12/6/2014
BFP#2: 10/28/15 MC: 11/24/15
BFP#3: 3/20/16 MC: 4/26/16
BFP#4: 7/15/16 DD: 3/18/17
BFP#5: 5/1/18 EDD: 1/12/19
1. Why are you high-risk? 38 with epilelpsy
2. How far along are you? 4 weeks 5 days
3. What are you doing for treatment? Medication and not one of the ones that causes birth defects. Luckily, I have never been on those
4. How are you doing? R/R? I am nervous. I have not had a seizure in almost 3 years but they are really dangerous and I have no real warning. I am doing everything I can to prevent them and I should be fine...
5. Any questions? Waiting on the first U/S
6. GTKY: What made you fall in love with your husband/SO? There is just something about him. I was 15 the first time I saw him and I remember thinking "I have to get to know that guy."
2. How far along are you? 6 weeks
3. What are you doing for treament? Pump, CGM, checking frequently
4. How are you doing? R/R? Not good this past week. What the heck blood sugars? They are being really weird and doing their own things. I can't decide if my basals should go up.
5. Any questions? No..
@MrsBinPA I'm glad you're playing with us
6. GTKY: What made you fall in love with your husband/SO? His tenderness and willingness to help everyone so freely. Plus he gives me butterflies.
Type 1 Diabetes since 2001, MTHFR hetero A1298T
Dogs: Raider 4 yrs, Dex 4 yrs
BFP #2 7/6/16 SCH, D&C 8/4/16
BFP #3 12/26/16 EDD: 9/6/17
My Chart / My Diabetes/Pregnancy Blog
My Type 1/TTC/Pregnancy Podcast:
Juicebox Podcast Episode 118
A1Cs:
1/12/16 6.7%
5/25/16 6.0%
11/2/16 6.1%
3/22/16 5.8%
4/27/17 5.4%
6/13/17 5.3%
"Sugar Fancy Tutu"
Me: 39 DH: 40
Married: 12/6/2014
BFP#2: 10/28/15 MC: 11/24/15
BFP#3: 3/20/16 MC: 4/26/16
BFP#4: 7/15/16 DD: 3/18/17
BFP#5: 5/1/18 EDD: 1/12/19
2. How far along are you? 6w5d
3. What are you doing for treament? Monitoring my blood sugars really close. Lots of doctor appointments
4. How are you doing? R/R? Doing well! Fending off the symptoms. Blood sugars could still do a little work, but my doctor seems pleased. Got to see baby on the ultrasound for the first time today! It seems so real now!
5. Any questions?
6. GTKY: What made you fall in love with your husband/SO? Well we were high school sweethearts. I just thought he was cool.
Type 1 Diabetic
DS: Born 2/18/17
TTC #2: Jan. 2018 BFP: 3/27/18 EDD: 12/6/18
after my ultrasound yesterday I briefly saw the doctor. He mentioned that even though I am due March 15, they will probably take me around March 1, due to the increased risk of still birth. Have either of your docs mentioned this?
Type 1 Diabetic
DS: Born 2/18/17
TTC #2: Jan. 2018 BFP: 3/27/18 EDD: 12/6/18
Married in April 2007
One Furbaby - Adorable Pitt Mix
15 Months TTC....2nd Cycle of Letrozole - Success!
Expecting our first two little miracles - Boy/Girl Twins! - EDD March 3, 2017
High Risk Pregnancy - Type 1 Diabetic; Hypothyroidism; Di/Di Twin Pregnancy
@MrsBinPA I've been so busy at work I can't tell if I'm nauseous or not! I think maybe a tiny bit this morning but I quickly got too busy to thunk about it.
Type 1 Diabetes since 2001, MTHFR hetero A1298T
Dogs: Raider 4 yrs, Dex 4 yrs
BFP #2 7/6/16 SCH, D&C 8/4/16
BFP #3 12/26/16 EDD: 9/6/17
My Chart / My Diabetes/Pregnancy Blog
My Type 1/TTC/Pregnancy Podcast:
Juicebox Podcast Episode 118
A1Cs:
1/12/16 6.7%
5/25/16 6.0%
11/2/16 6.1%
3/22/16 5.8%
4/27/17 5.4%
6/13/17 5.3%
"Sugar Fancy Tutu"
Type 1 Diabetes since 2001, MTHFR hetero A1298T
Dogs: Raider 4 yrs, Dex 4 yrs
BFP #2 7/6/16 SCH, D&C 8/4/16
BFP #3 12/26/16 EDD: 9/6/17
My Chart / My Diabetes/Pregnancy Blog
My Type 1/TTC/Pregnancy Podcast:
Juicebox Podcast Episode 118
A1Cs:
1/12/16 6.7%
5/25/16 6.0%
11/2/16 6.1%
3/22/16 5.8%
4/27/17 5.4%
6/13/17 5.3%
"Sugar Fancy Tutu"
Me: 33 Hubs: 34
TTC since 5/2014
BFP: 7/27/14 MC: 9/20/14
BFP: 6/29/15 MC: 7/6/15
BFP: 7/17/16 EDD: 3/22/17
Pre-eclampsia at 24wks with my DD, DVT and pulmonary embolism 3 years ago, at risk for GD due to weight, pelvic adhesions
2. How far along are you?
5wks and 3 days
3. What are you doing for treament?
Baby Asprin, daily lovenox injections, fish oil, monitoring BP at home, lots of blood work and under the care of a perinatologist ( sad my regular OB couldn't care for me) , regular ultrasounds
4. How are you doing? R/R?
I'm still in shock that it is all happening but am a little scared for my health and the health of my baby. I literally developed pre-eclampsia over night with my daughter and had an emergency C Section. She spent 61 days in the NICU and I was pretty sick as well. Trying to stay positive. I didn't see the HB in the first ultrasound which I hear is normal so I'm still feeling like I need not get too excited.
5. Any questions?
None at the moment but I happy I have a group of woman that can relate
1. Why are you high-risk? Age I'm 41
2. How far along are you? 7w5d
3. What are you doing for treament? Not a thing...not getting any younger lol
4. How are you doing? R/R? More tired this go round but struggling to sleep. MS with this one...did it have with my first. I work out to relax. I'm a jazzercise instructor and it would kill me not to teach class. I was able to teach throughout my entire first pregnancy so hopefully I can continue that.
5. Any questions?
6. GTKY: What made you fall in love with your husband/SO? There is not one thing. My husband is the most amazing person I have ever met. He is so kind, caring and generous not to mention handsome! We have so much fun together. I think all the little things he does to make me feel special and the fun we have together made me fall madly in love with him! We were older when we met. Funny thing we went to college together and graduated a year apart but didn't meet until 15 years later at a random bar when I was visiting friends. We are late bloomers all around lol but I think that's what makes us work. We knew exactly what we wanted when we found each other!
Type 1 Diabetes since 2001, MTHFR hetero A1298T
Dogs: Raider 4 yrs, Dex 4 yrs
BFP #2 7/6/16 SCH, D&C 8/4/16
BFP #3 12/26/16 EDD: 9/6/17
My Chart / My Diabetes/Pregnancy Blog
My Type 1/TTC/Pregnancy Podcast:
Juicebox Podcast Episode 118
A1Cs:
1/12/16 6.7%
5/25/16 6.0%
11/2/16 6.1%
3/22/16 5.8%
4/27/17 5.4%
6/13/17 5.3%
"Sugar Fancy Tutu"
Type 1 Diabetes since 2001, MTHFR hetero A1298T
Dogs: Raider 4 yrs, Dex 4 yrs
BFP #2 7/6/16 SCH, D&C 8/4/16
BFP #3 12/26/16 EDD: 9/6/17
My Chart / My Diabetes/Pregnancy Blog
My Type 1/TTC/Pregnancy Podcast:
Juicebox Podcast Episode 118
A1Cs:
1/12/16 6.7%
5/25/16 6.0%
11/2/16 6.1%
3/22/16 5.8%
4/27/17 5.4%
6/13/17 5.3%
"Sugar Fancy Tutu"
Type 1 Diabetes since 2001, MTHFR hetero A1298T
Dogs: Raider 4 yrs, Dex 4 yrs
BFP #2 7/6/16 SCH, D&C 8/4/16
BFP #3 12/26/16 EDD: 9/6/17
My Chart / My Diabetes/Pregnancy Blog
My Type 1/TTC/Pregnancy Podcast:
Juicebox Podcast Episode 118
A1Cs:
1/12/16 6.7%
5/25/16 6.0%
11/2/16 6.1%
3/22/16 5.8%
4/27/17 5.4%
6/13/17 5.3%
"Sugar Fancy Tutu"
1. Why are you high-risk? Twins (monochorionic), so I'm supposed to be at high risk for a lot of things including pre-eclampsia, anemia, and lots of other things...
2. How far along are you? 7w4d
3. What are you doing for treatment? OB is having me start aspirin, iron and extra folic acid supplementation. Going to the MFM specialist and OB more often than I expected, but so be it.
4. How are you doing? R/R? Much better (mentally) now that we know the twins are not monoamniotic. Still overwhelmed at the thought of two at the same time.
5. Any questions? Not at the moment.
TTC#1 - 6.3.16
BFP#1 - 7.1.16, (mo-di twins + singleton) due 3.15.17
MC singleton - 7.13.16 - 5w
MMC identical twins - 8.5.16 - 8w+2d
Misoprostol 4x
D&C - 9.12.16
Hysteroscopy - 11.21.16 - Retained tissue filling half of uterus removed, blocked left tube, benched for 2 cycles, on estrogen/progesterone for 30 days
HSG - 2.7.17 - Asherman's Syndrome. Both tubes open.
Hysteroscopy 2.13.17 - Incomplete adhesiolysis for Asherman's, benched & on estrogen/progesterone for 30 days. At least two more surgeries needed...
Hysteroscopy 3.21.17 - Adhesiolysis for Asherman's, benched & on estrogen/progesterone for 30 days.
TTCAL #1: 4.24.17
Hysteroscopy 5.23.17 - Scars reformed. Adhesiolysis. Unsure what to do next...
Fertility acupuncture - started 6.13.17
@AprilSB08 I have a friend with epilepsy who is currently 7 months along (and all is well!) she did, however have a grand mal seizure around 14 or so weeks. The theory was that the baby (and everything that goes with her) had grown enough to change the rate/way she was metabolizing her medication. So, maybe the 12-week or so visit would be a good time to ask your doctors about that. I don't mean to be a buttinski but I figured it was worth opening my big mouth if it might save you from a big scare and not being able to drive for six months on top of all of the other 'can'ts'.
Married: June 2011
TTC since Feb 2016
BFP#1: 7/7/16 MMC: 8/16/16
BFP#2: 5/8/17 - CP
BFP#3: 6/27/17 EDD: 3/10/18