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 Bitch Fest 10/17-21
I made the genius decision to use my Proactiv face cleanser last night since my face has been breaking out lately. Woke up this morning to an itching, burning, red rash ALL over my face and neck. Apparently my pregnancy skin can't handle Proactiv. It doesn't seem to be going away either. DH and I are supposed to have a date night tonight as an early birthday celebration for me. Hope he picks somewhere with low lighting. FML
Started my morning off by locking myself and my DD out of the house. Loaded up the car, grabbed the kid, locked the door and didn't grab my keys. Had to call my DH to leave work and drive back home to let me in. Needless to say, I'll be ordering a hide-a-key today
Pumpkin Spice Gone to Far| Jan '17 September Siggy Challenge
@mrshuse525 That's a huge fear of mine! I always triple check for my keys and some times leave the door cracked until I'm actually ready to drive off. I keep thinking I need a back up somewhere in case it happens.
I've been on the brink of getting a cold all weekend - scratchy/irritated throat and extra tired. I just want it to go away and wish I was at home on the couch right now instead of at work.
Well, I went in for my first 1-hour GTT on 9/30 and told the receptionist "my insurance is changing tomorrow, here's the card."
Sometime over the weekend, I log into the online health portal which shows bill pay. Every single one of my OB visits from the start of the pregnancy is suddenly going through "insurance pending" again and has been updated to the new insurance. WTF? I can't figure out why they're trying to back-bill my new insurance for things that the previous insurance (and me!) have already paid. Ughhhhhhhhhhhhh.
My BF is our mail man. He's so bratty! He keeps throwing packages at my door instead of setting them down nicely on our porch and when I told him that I would appreciate he not throw things that may be fragile he rolled his eyes. I called the post office and they were all "meh" about it. If baby stuff shows up busted because he can't handle his job I'm gonna be so pissed. Also we got some mail that wasn't for us or even actually addressed to our address so I put it back in the mailbox with "return to sender" on it and he wouldn't take it. I had to drive it to the post office and drop it off. Seriously? Sorry not sorry you hate your job but dude.
Also, my baby shower has changed again due to my sister and MIL. First it was going to be at a country club, but that was too expensive. Then my MIL asked if I wanted it at her house, but she lives almost 2 hours away so no thank you, so I said we can just have it at my house that I will be moving into at the beginning of November, I don't care but I need to send out invites ASAP...and now my sister called and said no way are we going to have it at my new house, it'll be too stressful and has now booked us at a restaurant. At least, she is calling my MIL and telling her so she can stop asking about caterers and bakeries that will be near my new house. I don't know, can't she just look it up online?
I am in a bad mood after failing my glucose test apparently lol. Oh well.
@Jos726 I was in a piss poor mood after failing my one hour test. I think it's fair. Gestational diabetes isn't really discussed and I felt like such a terrible person for failing - sorry - not falling in the preferred range. The women on this board are more than supportive and so ridiculously helpful though. I'm still waiting on the results of my 3 hour GTT but I'll be okay with the outcome.
My BF is my upcoming doctor's appointment this afternoon. I don't want to wait 40 minutes to be seen by the doctor. I don't want to try to pee in the cup. I don't want to be lectured about my weight gain (which I believe is around 23-24lbs now). I'm just over these visits. I never should have scheduled one for so late on a Monday. Ugh.
@mudderbear YES. It's worse too having to pee and waking up and having an internal debate whether it's worth getting up because it means struggling to crawl over a pregnancy pillow... and then every time it ends with "No, of course I have to get up because I'm going to have to get up in 2 hours to pee again anyway, so why would it just get better" And by then, you're wide awake.
@LastMango
If you do the coconut oil, only try it on a SMALL part of your face. My skin has been soooo sensitive. I had to stop all products, lotions, etc. I have a forever dry patch on my chin and around my mouth. I've tried coconut oil, all does is IRRITATE the crap out of it. It starts to burn and turns bright red. I even tried another pure oil I read was really good for your face, SAME THING.
Best thing I have found? Water and time.... don't put anything on it.... I even went without makeup for a good week.
@hayhay87 I am so sorry that you were stuck in an elevator today! I am glad that you ate beforehand also! That would've been a million times worse! Screw that elevator too!
Making a person is hard, exhausting work.
@mrshuse525 also always worried about what happened to you! I need to get a hide a key for the house and maybe also for my car. On my old car so had a magnetic one I put on the underside of my car in case I got locked out.
I read an article about cannabis helping a woman with HG and I felt incredibly jealous that she found something that helped. I realize her case was extreme, but I am over throwing up.
Diagnosed with Hashimoto's 06/17
TTC #2: 01/2019
BFP #2 09/24/19--Ended in chemical pregnancy
BFP #3 07/02/2020 Due: 03/10/2021
Diagnosed with Hashimoto's 06/17
TTC #2: 01/2019
BFP #2 09/24/19--Ended in chemical pregnancy
BFP #3 07/02/2020 Due: 03/10/2021
Ever since my pregnancy announcement, she has started to take a lot of time off. More than normal. She takes a week or two long vacations and is off every other friday. She was gone for a week this month, then taking the week of halloween off, and 2 weeks next month. That's fine I get it, I will be gone for a while next year. Truth be told, I took maybe 4 or 5 vacation days last year. Only time off this year has been for dr appointments.
NOW she tells me that she is taking her Christmas holiday early. Starting the 15th. WTF? I am not supposed to be working 4 weeks before my due date, thats the 13th. So now I am what, gunna have to cover her again from the 15th to the 23rd? That is bonkers. Oh, and on January 2nd cuz she wont be back til the 3rd. I'll be 38 weeks 3 days.
Now to top it off, her friend came by and let it slip that they are planning on moving to texas soon after I get back. I am almost considering not coming back at all.