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: More GTKY Fun...
Where did you go to school (If you did)? Washburn University
If you could do anything else for a career, what would it be? professional cake designer
#1 DS Tanner Ray 10/13/1998
#2 Natural M/C 03/2014
#3 DS Beckett Jameson 05/14/2015
#4 EDD 05/12/2017
I did one year of school before getting pregnant with my surprise DD haha and I went to university in Saskatchewan.
I dunno! There are so many things I'd love to do. I'd love to work and live at orphanages and just love on the babies.
Formerly ChoicesMom
"Squishy" 2007
"Lyric" EDD Nov/4/11 - c/p Feb/11
"Fishy" 2012
"Bean" 2014
"Lux" EDD Apr/21/17 - c/p Aug/16
"Kokonah" EDD May/24/17 - m/c Oct/16
1 surprise - 1 Noonie - 1 preemie - 3 gone but not forgotten - One more on the way!!
Grab bag of mental health disorders
Pancolitis
DD: 6
DS: 2
I am a RN and received my BSN from a small private nursing college in Wisconsin.
I love my job, and can't imagine doing anything very different. I am a bit nervous for this being baby #2 and continuing to travel. I may try to find a role where I can be remote most of the time once this little comes around.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Graphic Designer
Where did you go to school (If you did)?
Northeastern University in Boston, MA
If you could do anything else for a career, what would it be?
Musician
DS2 5/17
#3 Due 9/20
I went to my undergrad at the University of Connecticut and my graduate at University of Albany.
I always thought it would be cool to be an actress, although I was horrible at it.
I got my BSN at Northeastern and MSN at Salem State (no loans for my graduate degree... will be paying off undergrad for probably the next 50 years...).
Hi @julieannburkhart -- I graduated NU in 2007, where we there the same time?
I would love to go back to school maybe for nutrition or public health/policy or epidemiology... or be a certified yoga instructor... or an author... or a daycare teacher... or open a (healthy) bakery... I have lots of dreams, haha! My current one though is to be a SAHM and run an Etsy shop and blog. Don't think DH is too keen on that idea though!
BFP #2 12/17/16, EDD 8/26/17
L born at 35+6 on 7/28/17
I have no degree, I wanted to wait until I knew what I wanted to do before I started my college path, then found out I was pregnant with DS,then DD, now this little one. I'm 22 I have time... maybe.
I always loved science in school and did really well with it. I especially loved the DNA stuff, I find it so fascinating. I don't think I have the drive to actually pursue anything to do with it though. I also love nutrition, so I could see myself following that path.
I have a bachelors in music education and psychology and am almost done with my masters in special education moderate to severe. I went to CBU.
If I could do anything else for a living I would probably be a neurologist. Interesting choice I know
Where did you go to school (If you did)? undergrad at St. Mary's of MD & Duke for my masters
If you could do anything else for a career, what would it be? I love my job, but I'd love to be a travel guide writer. Just think of the perks...!
My first degree is from Eastern university in Biblical Studies w/ Languages.
I decided I'd rather be a doctor, so now I'm post-bac pre-med.
I went to Berry College in Rome, GA for undergrad and got my masters at Kennesaw State. I taught elementary school for 15 years before switching careers.
If if I could go back and redo it all, I've always loved the idea of being a labor and delivery nurse. But I'm too old to start all over. I'll just run ard and chase my kids for now.
I am a client service manager (manage front desk) at a large 24 hour animal hospital.
I went to the local community college and got a general associates degree. The plan was to transfer to the local University to get my Bachelor's, but that never happened.
If I could do anything, I would own my own business. Either a florist shop or a small bookstore/coffee shop. More realistically, I'd love to go back to school for nursing.
BFP #1 10/8/13, EDD 6/4/14, DS #1 6/9/14
BFP #2 5/1/16, EDD 12/16/16, MMC 5/27/16
BFP #3 8/29/16, EDD 5/5/17, DS #2 5/11/17
BFP #4 2/28/21, EDD 11/9/21
I attend Portland State University (Oregon). I am a political science undergraduate student.
One thing I would really like to try to do is write comics/graphic novels while also doing politics (working in an elected official's office or government agency). For example, I might want to run for office one day. Our state legislature only meets every other year for 6 months (plus one extra month inbetween years). State legislators aren't paid that much either (about $23,500 a year). The idea is that anyone can run for office, because its part time. The reality is that only people who: are retired, own their own business, are independanltly wealthy, are financially supported by another person, or can otherwise take 6 months off of their regular job every other year can run for office. I don't know too many "regular" people who have that sort of flexibility. Hope that wasn't too boring! I know- politics-
DD: 6
DS: 2
I was getting ready Togo back to school to become a certified Doula since, well I didn't think I was gonna have any of my own. I kinda feel like since i had that ony mind my body decided to give it one more try.
I F I could do anything I would be a party planner. I love making goody baskets and turning EVERYTHING into a theme
I'm a Customer Service Manager for WalMart at a Neighborhood Market.
School?
Unfortunately not. I wish I had.
What do I want to be when I grow up?
I would LOVE to be a Crime Scene Photographer. I think it would be fascinating.
SAHM currently, but a HR professional prior to that.
Where did you go to school (If you did)?
A small private college.
If you could do anything else for a career, what would it be?
Sometimes I think about the medical field, because I like the idea of helping people. Although I am sure there are plenty of career paths out there that could fill that void.
I graduated from Arizona State University, go SunDevils!
I loved being a teacher, and one day when my husbands career doesn't move us around so often and my kids are in school, I'll go back to it!
Sweet Baby H 12.21.11
Sassy Baby P 03.26.14
Little Brother Due 05.22.17
I had had a bit of a circuitous route here. I have a BS in biology from Purdue (my first love and my main alliance). Then I got an accelerated nursing degree. And now I'm working on my MSN to be a Nurse Practioner through Indiana University. Purdue and IU are obviously big rivals and MH is an IU grad so now he says I'm "finally getting a real degree"
I honestly love my job - most of the time. If I hadn't gone back to school I would have loved to try NICU or labor and delivery. But that may just be my baby fever.
What do you do for a living? I am an Education Clinician for the Operating Room at one of the local hospitals. Basically I organize orientation, function as a charge nurse in the afternoons, and circulate when needed.
Where did you go to school (If you did)? I got my RN at a local community college and finished my BSN through Upper Iowa University
If you could do anything else for a career, what would it be? Not sure, I love nursing and the OR but I also enjoyed working with the elderly. If I could work part time in a dementia unit I'd love it!
Where did you go to school (If you did)? Western Kentucky University
If you could do anything else for a career, what would it be? My undergrad degree is in anthropology and I absolutely loved it. If I could realistically have had a career (museum curation, site digs, etc.) in that field without moving away, I would have continued with it. My dream career would be a novelist. That being said, I really do love my job.
edit: again because I misread the thread
I went to Liberty University. I have my undergrad in Speech Coms minor in pre-law and my MA in Public Policy.
I would love to be a college professor. However, I have no desire to go into further debt to get my PhD.
I have earned my bachelors at Roosevelt University and I have my masters.
My dream job would be to just come into work and teach... not do paperwork and have meeting constantly where I miss teaching my own classes....
The other job I would possibly want is working for a non profit helping kids or with DCFS since I was adopted.
I also own a small preschool for children with exceptionalities (exceptionalities is the
new buzz word to replace disabilities here, not sure if it's the same everywhere)
I went to university here in Canada and I'm currently working on my masters.
I love teaching but my dream is to have my preschool expand to a centre with a variety of services available (something really lacking in my area) and to be able to work there full time.
edited to include dream job
Where did you go to school (If you did)? San Diego State University
If you could do anything else for a career, what would it be? I'm pretty happy with where I'm at right now, but I've always kind of wanted to do something creative
@Mariposas925 my backup plan, if I didn't get into grad school, was to attend school for sign language interpretation.
I'm currently a student. At the end of the day, I wouldn't change my career path because I'm very passionate about speech pathology. But I would LOVE to be a SAMH some day.
I went to the University of North Texas for undergrad and New York University for grad school.
Honestly I love what I do and can't imagine doing anything else!
-I work in a hotel.
Where did you go to school (If you did)?
-I went to Washington State University- GO COUGS!
If you could do anything else for a career, what would it be?
-I graduated with a degree in history and a degree in technical writing. I would really like to be working in either of those fields. I never thought I'd be working in hospitality!