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***
You should be able to change your username from Theknot website btw.
This will be baby#4 for us, ironically I was temping and everything this past July to "prepare" for TCC in August. out whole family was sick around when I ovulated and we only DTD one time 3 days before O. I was **so** sure we were out that DH and had a talk and decided we should wait to TTC a bit longer and so we bought a puppy!! imagine my surprise when 2 days after we brought him home I had a BFP.
Still haven't told DH as I want to wait a bit to make sure this is a "Sticky" baby as I had a chemical this past December.
Pretty sure this will be our last little miracle.
Super excited EDD is 4.8.17
#3 DD June 2014
CP December 2015
M/C 8/2016
Rainbow & Babe #4 EDD 7.28.18
IVF FET - BFP, due April 2017
Im Tina and I'm 35 I'm a SAHM living in good ole Ohio. This is baby number 2 for my husband Boone and I. Audrey is 3.5 and a little threenager. I was super active on my J13 BMB and then jumped into our fb group and still going strong! Hoping to get to know you ladies!
My edd for this little bean is 4-5-17.
I've lurked for few days, but after a few bfps, I'm just going to go for it. I am cautiously optimistic and will probably feel that way all through 1st tri. This is my second - I have a 2 year old and was active on my March 2014 bmb until shortly after he was born because everything just slowed down. So I missed the bump drama that divided so many boards. I'm guessing it was sort of recently since so many are still talking about it. Anyway, I just recently became an active member of ttgp and was not expecting a bfp this month. This was our 5th cycle trying and I was just beginning to grasp that it was going to take a while. Then boom. There were two lines. I'm looking forward to getting to know everyone!
-- DS 3.8.14
-- MC 9.22.16 at 8 wks
I have had two pg's that were due in Spring and I think its the best time of year to have a babe for many reasons (not too big for holidays, aren't ku through the hot months, new LO is born at the end of flu season, etc.) A little shocked but excited for another LO and anticipating the excitement to see what we are having. (A boy would be great even though we would love a girl too, and of course really just pray the LO is healthy).
DS (9) DD (6) DD (4) DD (19 months)
I was also a gestational carrier for a dear friend in between DD #3 and DD #4.
I love being pregnant but am shocked that we easily and surprisingly got pg (had IUD removed to do health issues and were using condoms) as the first 3 took nine plus months and for DD #2 clomid for us to conceive.
Can't wait to get to know you all!
Hello! Just got my BFP this morning! Needless to say I am freaking out. Haven't told DH yet since he was still sleeping and his birthday is in a week, I might try to hold out for a couple days and tell him as a birthday surprise. DH is almost 31, I am 26. DH is an operator and I work at a prison. The google says my EDD is 4/11/17. Our 5 year old doggie is going to be a fabulous older brother I'm sure lol.
This is crazy. I cannot believe it actually worked.
EDD is April 15
Hello! I am joining from the infertility boards, having just successfully completed our 3rd round of IVF. We had our first blood test done 7/26 and the beta was 144, the second one was done 7/28 and was 271. Right now our EDD is 4/5.
You would think that once we got a BFP we wouldn't worry anymore and just enjoy this time, however we are MUCH more nervous now then we have ever been.
Congrats to everyone else on your BFP, let's enjoy this journey together!
TTC for the second time
7 IUIs, 1 cancelled due to too many follicles, 6 BFNs.
IVF #1 & 2 Failed
2 blasts transferred 7/17
Beta #2 7/28 271
9/29 - MMC
12/21 - Baby Boy born
12/10 - FET transfered 1 3BB blast
Beta #1 12/19 - 88
Beta #2 12/21 - 230
Beta #3 12/18 - 3066
You might want to change your username. It's currently your e-mail address which may or may not be a privacy concern for you!
I'm a stay at home Mum to a one year old girl. A week after her first birthday we found out I was pregnant (yay!) so in nine months time, and if all goes well, I'll be looking after two under two (gasp!).
I'm old. So a big shout out to all my AMA Mamas. Let's all support each other and share tips on knitting and how to achieve the right shade of blue hair. (Is it bad that I actually like knitting and have always wanted to dye my hair blue? Just not in a Golden Girls way).
Enough rambling. Have a grand pregnancy ladies!
Hey everyone! This is baby #2 for us, EDD 4/04.
I deactivated from TB when everyone else did, but I'm back and ready for the listeria hysteria again!!
Congrats to all of you ladies, hopes for a great 9 months!
Hello everyone. I am moving over from the TTGP board, which I have been a member of since the end of January. We started trying for #2 in April and got a BFP in June. The ended in an early miscarriage at about 5 weeks, a month ago today actually. We decided to NTNP this month with the plan of trying again full force next cycle. We had sex once during my fertile week and apparently that was enough. I just got my BFP yesterday, after feeling a little weird and wondering. I kept it a secret and took another one last night, with another BFP and then took a FRER this morning with a pretty dark line. Today is DH's birthday so I wrapped that up like a present and gave it to him to open this morning. He was very surprised. It was adorable. According to my chart I am 11dpo today and due April 15th. PGAL brain is hard though and so I am trying my hardest to keep expectations low, at least for a couple of weeks.
Some other stuff about me... I just turned 26. I am a SAHM and started my own birth doula business in the spring. So, it is going to be hard to reign that in as we get farther into our pregnancies. DD will be 3 in September. She is literally the best kid ever. Her personality is awesome and I hope we have another one just like her. DH graduated with his masters in architecture in May and the job hunt is still going on. Although now with baby #2 coming I think that has lit a fire under him to get a job locked down. We are living with SIL and my 8 month old nephew until DH gets a job, which better be freaking soon. I love crocheting and am also a huge babywearer! I am competing in my 1st triathlon on Sunday. And then I am probably hanging up the running shoes for the rest of the pregnancy.
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
Previously nweg...7878
First time posting. I'm 31 and DH is 34. I unfortunately had a miscarriage at 10 weeks at the end of March and now am lucky enough to be pregnant again. I'm excited, but worried. I really don't want to have another loss. So I'm cautiously optimistic.
EDD is April 7, 2017.
Nice to meet you all.
MMC @ 10w March 2016Cautiously expecting April 5, 2017
<a href="http://lilypie.com/"><img src="http://lmtf.lilypie.com/ZBoVm5.png" width="400" height="80" border="0" alt="Lilypie Maternity tickers" /></a>
Literally me right now with how this BMB is shaping up:
Seconding @neikoda on hoping we get a few more grads soon
Me: 28 & Partner: 32 | Married 2014
BFP 7/29 EDD 4/11
WE ARE HERE!!! WE ARE HERE!!!
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
DH and I are both 29, DS was born July15, so if all goes well we'll have 2 under 2 for a little while, eep! It took us nearly 3 years to get pregnant the first time, so we figured we would start trying for the second after DS turned 1...and it looks like it only took one try! I completely thought we missed it...I had a positive OPK while DH was out of town for work, and we DTD 4 days before and 4 days after, so I assume me OPK wasn't totally accurate. I'm still in shock and haven't told DS. I called my OB today so I can get bloods done, and if that looks good I think I'll relax a little.
EDD is April 12, 2017, but my cycles are super irregular so that might change after the dating ultrasound.
Happy and healthy 9 months, ladies!
Miscarriage D&C 05/04/2012
Eleanor born 05/02/2013
Beatrix born 09/12/2014
Ectopic surgery 04/30/2016
BFP 07/26/16, EDD 04/04/2017
Baby 1 - November 2009
*loss* - March 2010
Baby 2 - January 2011
Baby 3 - June 2015
Baby 4 - April 2017
Baby 5 - May 2019
congrats to all the mamas!
Hello!!! So...I'm a STM from Manitoba, Canada. I'm about to turn 28, and DH is 26. Our DS is 14 months. I was active on the May 2015 board (under a different username), and still am on the facebook group that we made. I was a Social Worker previously, but now I'm a SAHM who works casually at a hospital.
Got my BFP on Monday (August 1) and my EDD is April 7th! So excited to join you ladies!!
Punk's birthday: 3-28-17
I got my BFP July 29, faint positive, 10dpo if I'm correct. This will be baby number 3 for us! DD #1 is 4 (may 12 bmc) I'm part of a smaller group that branched off after a lot of drama and a handful of scams that formed in the group and on FB. DD#2 just turned 2, I never had time to join a bmc with her pregnancy! We are crossing our fingers for a boy, but healthy is our main goal! DH and I are both 30, he's a career fireman and I work for the post office part time. Here's to having a great group of women already!
I'm a stay at home mom in her early 30s currently living in south Jersey. I found out last week I was pregnant with #5 and due on April 5. My other kiddos are 8, 7, 2.5, and 18 months. I tend to have really rough first trimesters and we are waiting a bit to start telling even family so I'll probably just be over here hanging on for dear life for the next few weeks.
Pleased to meet you!
Hi ladies, I'm predempsey and am due with #2 April 9th. I got pregnant with my first almost too easily and after a year of trying a second time was diagnosed with PCOS and started with an RE. I had a miscarriage in April at 7 weeks and after my second medicated cycle (letrozole + ovidrel) am pregnant again. I need a place to vent since I'm understandably keeping this pregnancy more quiet than my previous two. I am 28, DH is 32 and we are in western NY. Beta #1 & #2 were great numbers so we'll see..
PCOS diagnosed secondary infertility
BFP #1 (letrozole 2.5mg + ovidrel) February 2016, MMC April 2016 @ 7 weeks
BFP #2 (letrozole 5mg + ovidrel) July 2016, Beta #1 359, Beta #2 745, Beta #3 11484
EDD April 9th, 2017
DS: 10-9-14
MC: 9-4-16