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: Introduce Yourself Here!!!
27year old mom of a beautiful girl, she will be 23months when baby#2 arrives. I'm a self employed hairdresser living in South Africa.
This pregnancy was not planned and I'm extremely nervous and excited about what's to come!
Looking forward to getting to know you all!*
I am 27, and this will be my third baby. I have a 2.5 year old son(M14) and a 15 month old daughter(J15). My estimated due date is June 11th, but we will see after my dating scan at the end of the month. Can't wait to do this one more time, and for the last time!
So excited to post and introduce myself after lurking all week. I got my first faint bfp on Saturday after having a weird dream of swimming in positive FRERs! Just got the confirmation from my dr today. It was our first cycle TTC, first child and I feel like I am feeling a whole different type of real happiness. I'm 36, hubby is 34 and we've been married about a year. Feeling so cautious and also so grateful for each day I get to carry this little bean. Hoping for the best.
Based on LMP, Edd is June 15.
Doctor appointment isn't until November 7 but I'm trying to become a patient at a birth center so that could change.
@AngelaPlus3 did you spend any time on the June 15 board? Or TTGP maybe? Your name looks familiar to me. welcome!
@foxface I went on honeymoon in South Africa and looooved it there, I can't wait to go back. I'm sure it's different when you're a tourist versus a permanent resident, but it was just such a beautiful country! DD will also be somewhere between 23-24 months when #2 is born. Welcome!
I was a regular on The Bump TTGP with my son and on SIF, TTTC and my birth month board, but left during the mass exodus when everything changed. It's quite different now so I hope I don't make any gaffs....I read the "rule" post and, man, there are a lot.....
Nice to meet everyone!
*TW loss and children mentioned*
Apr 17: IUI #1 = BFN
May 17: IUI #2 = BFN
Jun 17: IUI #3 = Late BFP (18 DPO) | NMC 17Jul17 @ ~6w
Aug 17: IUI #4 = Cancelled due to premature ovulation | TI = BFN
Sep 17: IUI #5 = Cancelled due to overstimulation (10+ follies)
Nov 17: IVF #1 = Cancelled due to non-IF related health issue | TI = BFN
Dec 17: IVF #1 = Puregon 200, Menopur 75, Orgalutran, Suprefact trigger due to OHSS risk | 22R, 18M, 16F, 10B frozen
Feb 18: FET #1 (medicated) = BFN
Mar 18: FET #2 (natural cycle) = CP (beta 1: 54; beta 2: 0)
EDD: 07Jan2019 Team Green
My Rainbow Baby Boy born 03Jan2019
I have 2 children, DS (M14 - although I mostly lurked there) and a DD (N15) and a manchild (DH). DS was born via my first IVF cycle. DD was my first FET after that cycle and this baby was also an embryo from that IVF round.
I'm excited to see some familiar faces from the IF and TTGP boards! [[waves hello]] H&H 9 months to all!
My name is Shasta. I Just got my BFP on Wednesday! This will be my second baby, I have a 13month old DS. According to my LMP, my due date is June 3rd. But I honestly think it's closer to the 7th based on ovulation. Looking forward to being a part of this board. Wishing you all happy healthy babies!
I got my BFP on 9/30 @ 9DPO and my EDD is 6/14.
I'll put together a siggy with more info soon.
Right now I'm guessing I'm due around June 16 but the midwives are sending me for an ultrasound to figure out the dates since I never had a period in between pregnancies.
We have one daughter who is 2 years old, who was born in july.we are very excited and hoping this baby sticks so we can have our rainbow baby!.
Fun fact June is a very popular mo the for my husbands family lots of birthdays!
*TW loss and children mentioned*
Apr 17: IUI #1 = BFN
May 17: IUI #2 = BFN
Jun 17: IUI #3 = Late BFP (18 DPO) | NMC 17Jul17 @ ~6w
Aug 17: IUI #4 = Cancelled due to premature ovulation | TI = BFN
Sep 17: IUI #5 = Cancelled due to overstimulation (10+ follies)
Nov 17: IVF #1 = Cancelled due to non-IF related health issue | TI = BFN
Dec 17: IVF #1 = Puregon 200, Menopur 75, Orgalutran, Suprefact trigger due to OHSS risk | 22R, 18M, 16F, 10B frozen
Feb 18: FET #1 (medicated) = BFN
Mar 18: FET #2 (natural cycle) = CP (beta 1: 54; beta 2: 0)
EDD: 07Jan2019 Team Green
My Rainbow Baby Boy born 03Jan2019
DS #1 born 05/25/2012
BFP#2: 06/12/2013 ---- loss
DS #2 born 4/08/2014
BPF#4: 2/1/2016 --- 2/23/2016 suspected molar pregnancy--- 3/15/2016 D&E - diagnosis MM
BFP#5 - 9/22/2016
* formally bornmommy
TTC#1: January 2015- September 2016
Infertility, Recurrent Pregnancy Loss
Rainbow baby born June 6, 2017 ❤️
Baby #2 due June 12, 2018
My EDD is looking like 6/15
Me: 34, DH: 38 ~ TTC since 2014
IUI #1-3 (Nov 2015, Feb 2016, May 2016) = BFNs
IVF ER (July 2016) = 7 PGS normal embryos
FET #1 (Sept 2016) = BFP! DD born 5/30/17
FET #2 (April 2019) = BFN
FET #3 (July 2019) = BFP! DS born 3/27/20
I found out a couple of weeks ago that we are expecting baby #2!! We am so excited! We plan to announce to close friends and extended family at Thanksgiving which will be right after the 12 week mark!
Me: 30 DH: 31
Married May 2011
Baby #1: Baby girl born Aug 2015
Baby #2: BFP 09/21 EDD: 06/04/2017!!
Name is Nikki, Edd 6/18, got my bfp this morning. This will be baby number 3! I have a 3.5 year old boy, and an almost 2 year old girl. I think we plan on being team green this time around!
Im a sahm/wahm and look forward to getting to know you all!
I can finally post. Yay!!! It's my first time here at the bump and my first pregnancy. I am 36 and DH is 32. We've been married for 6 days... yes, that's right, we got married last Saturday. We received a BFP on 9/28 (talk about timing!!!!) with an EDD of 6/10. Trying to fake drink at my own wedding was interesting!! We have been trying for about 5 months and are over the moon excited.
We have a wonderful little 3 yo, Wesley. I cannot wait to tell him he will be a big brother!!
Looking forward to sharing the next 9 months with everyone!
Me: 34 DH: 35
Married: July 2009
BFP: November 2012 after 2 years of TTC DS born August 2013
Diagnosed with PCOS April 2016
3 months of trigger shot with timed intercourse BFN x3
First IUI: 9/17/16 BFP: 9/30/16 EDD: 6/11/17
TTC #1 since September 2015
*TW*
BFP #1: CP, April 2016
BFP #2: 10/5/16, MMC 11/3/16 at 7w5d (embryo stopped @ ~6 weeks), misoprostol 11/11/16 (EDD 6/16/17)
Dx: Luteal phase defect, uterine polyps, stage 2 endometriosis, low morphology
Uterine polyp removal (laparoscopy) 3/28/17
BFP #3: 6/19/17, MMC 7/11/17 at 6w3d, misoprostol 7/17/17 (EDD 3/1/18)
BFP #4: 8/25/17 EDD 5/4/18
I'm 35 from Australia and I have a son born in February 2015 and now due in mid Jun.
I was an active member in the Feb15 bump month club and was super anxious to the point that people thought I was a troll because of my stupid questions! I assure you I'm not a troll, I was just highly anxious after a high risk pregnancy and my anxiety has now dissipated!
My first scan is on 2nd November and am trying not to think about it
Looking forward to sharing the journey with you xo
ETA: EDD is June 15th
DH: 35 | Me: 29
BFP #1- 07.25.12, EDD: 03.24.13, DD born 03.26.13
Surprised BFP #2- 02.25.15, EDD: 10/29/15 |*m/c 7w4d, D&C 04.02.2015
BFP #3- 01.21.16, EDD: 09.29.26 |*m/c-blighted ovum 2.19.16 8w1d, D&C 03.04.16
BFP #4- 05.24.16, EDD: 02.04.17 |*natural m/c- 07.08.16, 9w1d
BFP #5- 09/25/16, EDD: 06.07.17 GROW, BABY, GROW!
I have been active on TK for about five years. I haven't posted much on here. I lurked and posted a few times in BOTB and TTGP. I really wish TB would adopt TK's method of advertising! The ads on here are so annoying and intrusive! So much so, I've debated whether to even use TB forums and my amount of usage definitely won't be as high as it would be if the ads were friendlier.
I am so excited! We went off BC about five months ago and I had some really disappointing moments when I thought I was pregnant and wasn't. I had a week-late period, tested on the sixth day, and then got my period that night. Then, I got a week and a half late period (never tested with that one because I was waiting for it to be really late). Before that, I'd had week-late periods maybe two or three times in my life. Then I had spotting start four days before my period was due (which again never happens to me. I spot for maybe a day or two before my period) and spotted for five days before it started. So of course, when it started so early, I was thinking it could possibly be implantation bleeding.
So yea, we're very excited! My husband is still a little shocked (even though we were trying). I've called him "Daddy" a couple times, and he's like "don't do that yet, give me a bit to get used to it." It still seems a little unreal to me too.
I look forward to meeting you all!
BFP #1 9/1999. DD Born 6/7/2000
BFP #2 10/2011. EDD 7/11/12. MMC discovered 11/2/11. D&C 11/4/11.
DX PCOS 10/2012.
BFP#3 1/11/13. DS Born 9/17/2013
BFP#4 9/30/17. Grow baby grow!
~Everyone Welcome~