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: Weekly Randoms 9/19
@TurtleMomma catching up on the randoms thread after missing even one day is daunting.
Got my hair cut on Saturday and DH does NOT like it. Well boo freaking hoo on you, sir!
Also, was at Ulta and bent over to get some powder off the bottom shelf (after trying to be good and squat down first...only to have to immediately stand straight up because of all the painful fluid in my knees/legs/ankles/feet) and totally did something heinous to my back. Pulled a muscle, or threw it out, or slipped a disc or something. Spent Saturday laid out on the couch in agony.
Spent Sunday looking up labor signs because my back hurt, oh and also had weird tightening of my belly. Had myself convinced I might be having early labor signs. But I don't think I am. Probably BH, but it was the first one I had and it was super weird. Just felt weird all weekend.
Now I'm at work with swollen feet and an ache-y back (hurts when I move some, but not as bad as over the weekend) contemplating lunch and life. As you do.
Oh yeah, don't get me wrong at all. I'm happy that he's happy and confident, etc. I was just expecting a struggle but NOPE. He's apparently got this, lol.
Random question - I finally bit the bullet and hired a housecleaning service. They are coming tomorrow to do a deep cleaning. What should I do to prepare? I'm trying to clear flat surfaces and the floor, and I cleaned out the fridge. Anything else?
People are nuts. This is ALABAMA. We don't play. Someone is going to end up shooting one of these freaks and it's going to be a huge ordeal. I can feel it coming. This is already being passed around Facebook, and I'll be honest, if one comes on my property, I won't hesitate to use my "for close clowns!"
down here in Texas, I will be carrying my husband's glock with me in the car. I hate scary clowns.
@CopperBoom86 YES!!!! I saw that bottom picture with the guns posted on Facebook today! And apparently they also locked down a school up here in northern Alabama too.
al.com says they already arrested one lady and two juveniles for making clown threats.
I can't believe I just typed "clown threats" in a serious way,
....what a time to be alive.
I went and got a pedicure today and it was nice.. my almost 2 year old is trying to give up her naps. No toddler, no. You're too small for that nonsense. So she's in her crib right now throwing out all of her blankies and babies and I don't even care- she's quiet. I'm going to take a short nap and then get up and clean/make dinner and go to dinner with my friends from my old work a little later. I'm excited! Had an appt this am and all is well.. I declined a check for this week and said maybe next week.. so he checked me at 35 and nothing since then. I can't believe my due date is next weekend.. that's insanity. Thats all I've got for now.
what exactly are the charges for the clown threat people? Conspiracy to commit trespass? Are they threatening to do something illegal?
@ignoscemihi we just straighten up for our cleaning ladies. I do my own dishes b/c I don't know how well they'll clean them, so I make sure nothing is in the sink so they just don't even touch them. ALSO, check to see if they change sheets. Ours do so I lay fresh sheets on the bed for them to change for me.... And, although they're doing a deep clean, I'd be sure to specify anything you want them to make sure to get. Everyone's opinion of a deep clean is different. For example, my house cleaning isn't considered a deep clean, but I'll look out into the living room and they have the recliner flipped upside down so they can vacuum under it and they clean the baseboards here and there.
Finally... don't feel guilty. You're going to be so glad you spent the money on this. I promise!
Then again, I've also been in a meeting with him at our home office when he pulled out a freakin' guitar and started playing it while someone was speaking. WTF? This guy is an idiot.
I'm not sure whether that's rude or hilarious...
And now I'm wondering why I HAVEN'T heard about scary clowns?! Reporting on stupid Americans is the European media's favorite pastime - being both downright ridiculous AND scary I would have thought this would be the #1 story!
Stay safe, guys!
DS#2 due 25 April 2019