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: August Randoms!!!
@geminigirl16 I'm with you. I keep thinking... I should really pack a hospital bag... I should really clean my house... I should really *set up* a diaper changing station, books, etc in the nursery... eh. Hoping it "kicks in" soon.
July: Patriotic Fails
DS1 -- 9/30/2016
I am forcing myself to complete a few things today, even if it's only online shopping for stuff I am missing and new shoes to fit my now 1/2-1 size bigger feet (rendering all my shoes tight and uncomfortable).
Question on etiquette: During the time of planning my shower, there was a possible Canada Post strike so my SIL did Paperless Post email invitations to the guests.
Can I do nice email/e-card thank you's to people or do they have to be handwritten? As I've mentioned in other threads, I have carpel tunnel and holding a pen is pretty painful these days. Do I suck it up and write them or use online methods for thank you's?
@camichael84 congratulations on your induction date, and I'm so happy your OB is so supportive!!!!
@KimmySchmidt I agree with everyone else, definitely sounds like discrimination and it sucks that you can't do much about it. I may have an interview before I leave to return in a higher paying position and although I want to believe my company won't discriminate, I doubt they want to wait 5 months for me to return before filling the position.
I just have a random rave today - DS has slept in his OWN bed for the ENTIRE night 2 days in a row (first time in his life) and I am starting to think it's doable to have him in his room consistently when LO comes. He woke up at 7:30, we made waffles and played outside and I managed to give him a haircut that turned out better than what they do at the salon, if I dare say so myself. He got a bath, ate lunch and then fell asleep while cuddling with me on the couch. He never goes down that easy, ever. I should be cleaning now, but instead I'm bumping and enjoying some trash TV (teen mom, anyone?). Today is a good day!
@frogdog06 Hanna A are our favorite clothes for DD. I try to stock up bigger sizes during their clearance events. She can sometimes wear the dresses for a couple of seasons because they're so flowy.
I love tit agreed with a lot of the other advice and congrats! @UnwritteN12 Wednesday is SO SOON!
Back to hand me down clothes sorting and washing -- first real step to prepping for this little guy... Also just started a list of things that would be helpful for mom/mil to do while in town for birth / while I'm in hospital for CS. MIL just said she be happy to paint the kids' room if we get the supplies. She's a gem!
@KimmySchmidt I am a teacher as well and that sounds like discrimination at its finest. Sorry you're going through this, it's such a defeated, helpless feeling.
@diagonalley Thanks for weighing in, I appreciate it!
@AnnaS930 that's a fav of mine as well... it's ALWAYS the left one though. Curious.
We have to buy new car seats for insurance from our accident and on one hand, I'm stoked about new seats, but man 4 car seats ain't cheap!
Is it weird that I am on baby #4 and I've never actually experienced this mucus plug everyone speaks about??
Speaking of. My BH can suck a fat one too. Allllll day today
DD #1 3/26/13
Mo/Mo twins MMC 3/31/14
DD #2 3/31/15
DD #3 8/25/16
haha @RedMar that is quite the visual!
ETA: it was shit. Mine and LOs.
DD #1 3/26/13
Mo/Mo twins MMC 3/31/14
DD #2 3/31/15
DD #3 8/25/16
we had a mirror with dd1 and then they put it up so I could see what was happening and then shouted omg take it away, take it away!
DD #1 3/26/13
Mo/Mo twins MMC 3/31/14
DD #2 3/31/15
DD #3 8/25/16
so I hit him with a pillow