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.
NamelessAria
member
Re: PGAL Check In Week of 10/24
How far along are you? 8w2d
How are you doing? Freaking out currently.
When is your next appointment? Wednesday. I am just so nervous something is going to be wrong.
Rant/Rave/Positive Vibes: I am trying to hard to remain positive and hopeful but it is so hard. I just want to fast forward to the 12 week NT scan (my loss date last time) -'d get through it with everything good.
GTKY: What hilarious thing did you believe when you were a child? I will have to think about this one.
K born 8/31/12
C born 1/11/14
BFP #3 Nov 2014: D&C January 2015
BFP #4 Sept 2016: Due May 31 2017
I missed last weeks check in, thought I should jump in while my PGAL brain is dominating.
Im halfthetree, mom to two babies (6&2) on earth, lost twins at 7w5d between those pregnancies.
I had a very healing home birth with my daughter, but had so many stressors along the way (low placenta, a bleed, transverse baby who refused to move). So I'm hoping this (our last baby) will be smooth sailing and a home birth as well.
How far along are you?
5w4d I found out at 3w0d, I feel like I've been pregnant forever.
How are you doing?
Im ok. I'm having nightmares of loss, like literally experiencing it and waking up reminding myself I'm still pregnant and this baby is still ok.
Im trying SO hard to connect. It's our last baby, so I really don't want to rush through it.
When is your next appointment?
Not sure, haven't had one yet. Our midwives make their official client selections in November, so mid to end of November Im thinking.
Rant/Rave/Positive Vibes:
i keep telling myself that I need to surround this baby with love, not letting my worry keep me from connecting.
GTKY: What hilarious thing did you believe when you were a child?
I thought hay bales were called buffalos... for a long time.
I have but here is my loss history, as a reminder. One MMC: In August I found out at 10w that baby's heart stopped at 7w4d.
How far along are you?
5w5d
How are you doing?
Feeling pretty good. If I didn't have periods of extreme exhaustion, I would hardly know I was pregnant. I am starting to let myself get excited. But my PGAL brain is working overtime to tell me to stop getting excited, so there's that.
When is your next appointment?
11/11 (8w2d)
Rant/Rave/Positive Vibes:
Rave: I was feeling happy this morning so I created a ticker. I like having a ticker simply for my own excitement - each time I see a day move forward, it makes me happy!
Question: With my MC, at my first appointment, the MW did my whole appointment and then was ready to send me on my way to come back in 4 weeks. No u/s. I was like "Whoa, no u/s?" and she said they didn't routinely do them at the first appointment. Then she said that if I was stressed about the spotting I experienced two weeks prior and wanted to see if they could do it before we left *wink wink* they might be able to do that. Well, I surely do not want it to go down that way this time. Is it unreasonable to call and request an u/s AND ask that it be the very first thing we do at the appt?
GTKY: What hilarious thing did you believe when you were a child?
I saw my mom naked once and asked her why she had all that dead grass down there. So I guess I believed that a human could have a patch of grass on their body?
Me: 36; DH: 38
DD: 7; DS1: 4; DS2 due 6-21-17!
**TW**
MMC & D&C Aug 2016
Me: 36; DH: 38
DD: 7; DS1: 4; DS2 due 6-21-17!
**TW**
MMC & D&C Aug 2016
8 weeks. Midwife changed my due date at our dating ultrasound last week.
How are you doing?
Okay. Had a lot of bleeding on Thursday to where I ran out and bought pads for the office. Thankfully I had an ultrasound that afternoon and everything was just fine. H and I went into it already having prepped ourselves to find out there was no heartbeat or I was in the process of losing it.
Nope. Just a nice big ole blood clot right on the inside of my cervix to scare the crap out of me.
When is your next appointment?
Next Tuesday
Rant/Rave/Positive Vibes:
So happy we got to see baby's heart pumping away last week. We are both still in disbelief that everything is okay.
GTKY: What hilarious thing did you believe when you were a child?
My older brother used to tell me I had a sister that lived in the attic and that I needed to behave or my parents would put me up there with her. We lived in a very old farm house that used to be one of the stagecoach stops. So there were still numbers on the doors, no heat or electricity in half of the house, and a huge creepy walk up attic. There were a lot of noises heard in that house at night and he always told me it was my sister upstairs.
Jerk!
17 months TTC and 1miscarriage, 1 chemical pregnancy, rainbow baby born 2/16/15
TTC 2.0
16 months TTC, 2 chemical pregnancies, EDD 6/3/17
K born 8/31/12
C born 1/11/14
BFP #3 Nov 2014: D&C January 2015
BFP #4 Sept 2016: Due May 31 2017
Did a full into before. But I've had 3 losses. 2 before 6 weeks and 1 mmc at 11 weeks. Baby measured around 8 weeks. I have 2 live girls.
How far along are you?
5 weeks 5 days
How are you doing?
Eh.. not good. But not bad. My PGAL brain won't turn off. It's getting depressing, it's like I'm just waiting for the cramps and blood. Boo.
When is your next appointment?
Tomorrow I have an assessment with the dr to determine if they will give me an ultrasound. If not I have to wait until Dec 13..
Rant/Rave/Positive Vibes: I had a nurse pity me today over my history plus the fact that both my living girls have something "wrong" (autism and heart murmur) with them. She just kept saying "oh dear I'm sorry". I just wanted to scream. Then she started telling me how I needed to eat more fish. Like that would prevent any defects. I'm probably over reacting but I was annoyed.
GTKY: What hilarious thing did you believe when you were a child?
No idea haha
Mom to Madison- 5 and Lillian 2....and now surprise baby #3!
How are you doing? Aside from the nausea, doing very good.
When is your next appointment? No clue. I have to call and find out.
Rant/Rave/Positive Vibes: Worked up the courage to buy DD a "big sis" shirt. I never did with my other pregnancies due to fear so hopefully DD can wear it soon.
GTKY: What hilarious thing did you believe when you were a child?
As a child I believed that if I swallowed a orange seed it would start growing in my stomach and eventually I'd turn into an orange tree. I used to be so afraid of eating oranges. Haha thanks Grandpa!
eta: words
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!
How far along are you? 7w1d
How are you doing? Feeling pretty good. I spotted for two days last week but have been good ever since.
When is your next appointment? Wednesday morning!! Can't wait to see the heartbeat again
Rant/Rave: Ugh it's Monday...
What hilarious thing did you believe when you were a child? I used to always hide in the same spot while playing hide and seek because everyone would always humor me and take a really long time to find me! I guess I figured why change it up if they keep forgetting. The funny part is my son now does it (he'll even hide in plain sight and cover his face thinking I can't see him).
@JAGinMI I don’t think it’s unreasonable at all request an u/s when you are 8 weeks!
@brij2006 Glad everything was okay on Thursday!
@awoodruff27 I would be more than annoyed! I would be pissed. I’m fairly certain that eating fish will not prevent autism or a heart murmur.
Me: 25 | DH: 29
MC: March 2016
BFP #2: October 2016
Our fur-baby is a black Labrador Retriever.
https://www.fertilityfriend.com/home/5a8aa2/
Appointment went well and I graduated from my RE! I'm 7w3d and baby is measuring 7w4d with a 160 heartbeat. Everything looks good so hopefully that will ease will mind till my next appointment around 10 weeks. The RE had trouble finding baby and the heartbeat at first and I swear it was one of the longest couple of minutes of my life. I was bracing myself for him to say the heart stopped beating or something. But it all worked out OK! I'm so relieved.
TTC#1: January 2015- September 2016
Infertility, Recurrent Pregnancy Loss
Rainbow baby born June 6, 2017 ❤️
Baby #2 due June 12, 2018
TTC #1 since 9/2015
BFP #1 1/14/16, MC 3/23/16
BFP #2 9/21/2016, EDD 5/30/2017
Me: 25 | DH: 29
MC: March 2016
BFP #2: October 2016
Our fur-baby is a black Labrador Retriever.
https://www.fertilityfriend.com/home/5a8aa2/
6w3d
How are you doing?
Pretty good.
When is your next appointment?
Nov 23 and an u/s sometime before then.
Rant/Rave/Positive Vibes: Of course the u/s place called and left me a message 10 min before they closed to schedule my appt. Called at 4:12 and got the message that they are open til 4:15 and to call back during business hours. I had 3 minutes left!
GTKY: What hilarious thing did you believe when you were a child?
I'm trying to think of something hilarious. This is not really funny, I hated swimming in the deep end of the pool after dark because I somehow thought a shark would squeeze through the water return and come after me.
K born 8/31/12
C born 1/11/14
BFP #3 Nov 2014: D&C January 2015
BFP #4 Sept 2016: Due May 31 2017
I have, should I give a brief reminder every week?
How far along are you?
6 weeks 6 days
How are you doing?
So nauseous and tired.
When is your next appointment?
US Tuesday
Rant/Rave/Positive Vibes:
I have not been on social media all day because I didn't watch the walking dead last night, and I thought this was safe, but now someone mentioned it in the symptoms thread and I'm too afraid to scroll down! My freshman walked in today and started talking about it and I threatened that they would fail algebra if they ruined anything for me. I was (mostly) kidding
Mom to Madison- 5 and Lillian 2....and now surprise baby #3!
Hey! Did my intro just now but I'll jump on in!
How far along are you?
5 weeks 5 days
How are you doing?
Good! Craving meat, and definitely grumpy! For me grumpy = tired!
When is your next appointment?
Wednesday. Had my first blood draw today and I'll have another that day. First appt. with doctor is Nov.7! I get an ultra sound that day!! So excited for that! I think it might feel real after that! Sinking in a little more everyday and hoping to feel a little less apprehensive as time passes.
Rant/Rave/Positive Vibes:
Not many! I teach kindergarten and I felt like I had a little glimpse of what I will be like as a pregnant teacher! Not putting up with any crap! LOLz.
I still can't get my ticker to work....
GTKY: What hilarious thing did you believe when you were a child?
I can't think of anything funny I thought! I have a TERRIBLE memory!
Married October 2014
TTC #1 Since June 2016
BFP 10/21 EDD: 6/21
Me: 36; DH: 38
DD: 7; DS1: 4; DS2 due 6-21-17!
**TW**
MMC & D&C Aug 2016
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!
Recap - 2 miscarriages within this past year, on progesterone, and this is the longest I have been pregnant since my son 5 years ago.
How far along are you? LMP almost 8 weeks, but my guess is that I will be closer to 6 weeks once dated.
How are you doing? I ended up getting sick for the first time today at work. Feeling fine for the most part.
When is your next appointment? November 8th-two weeks from tomorrow.
Rant/Rave/Positive Vibes: My intern quit today..y'all I am ecstatic. This was not the right time to have someone work under me this year.
GTKY: What hilarious thing did you believe when you were a child?
I have an older half brother(16 years older) - My earliest memory of him was when he stayed at our house one weekend, and he walked around with shorts on and no shirt. My three year old self thought it was time to go swimming. I specifically remember going to my room and putting my Minnie Mouse swimsuit on...because I was ready to go swimming, just like my brother.
^^My actual paid assistant^^
Gavin - 8/27/10
*TW*
Gabriel - 2nd tri loss 5/17/16 Trisomy 18 & 21
Hope - 2nd tri loss 12/7/16 complications from pneumonia
How far along are you? 5w 1d
How are you doing? Okay. I bounce from being excited to trying to come to terms with what might happen.
When is your next appointment? 11/7 just a nurse intake.
GTKY: What hilarious thing did you believe when you were a child? When I was about 8 I went to the grocery store with my grandma and when I saw all the blood on the meat I started saying (very loudly of course) "That is disgusting! I'm going to be a virgin for the rest of my life!!" She tried to correct me but I was certain a virgin didn't eat meat. Lol
Edited : words...boo.
@NamelessAria - Wohhooo! Graduation from the RE is a big deal! Congrats
@thatlauragirl - Now I'm afraid of Ronald McDonald... Clowns are freeing creepy.
Introduce yourself if you haven't yet. Recap - CP in-between my two boys and MM thought to be molar at 10 weeks prior to this pregnancy.
How far along are you? 8weeks and 2 days --- WOW! Its going by fast!
How are you doing? I'm still feeling really great. I've been taking a computer break for a bit so I forgot to check in about my follow up sono last Friday. Baby looked great and is measuring perfect with my ovulation. (Sac is still a few days bigger.) HB was 156 though and no bleed was found. I also haven't bled since two Saturdays ago so everything is looking great
When is your next appointment? I don't think I go in again until my sequential screening - so 3 weeks from now.
Rant/Rave/Positive Vibes: I'm still thankful for it but the nausea is really starting to effect my life. Also, exhaustion set in last week and, while I've been lucky enough to snap a nap here and there, I have a full calendar work wise Nov and Dec and its pretty daunting to look at if the nausea and exhaustion keep up.
GTKY: What hilarious thing did you believe when you were a child? Oh jeeze. So many things I'm sure. The first thing that comes to mind is that I truly believed the dog was the one farting in my house when my dad would blame him.
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
@BornMommy I'm glad your doctor's appointment went well!
Me: 25 | DH: 29
MC: March 2016
BFP #2: October 2016
Our fur-baby is a black Labrador Retriever.
https://www.fertilityfriend.com/home/5a8aa2/
How are you doing? I'm doing pretty well. I just keep getting these killer headaches in the evenings and am constantly hungry!!
When is your next appointment? Thursday for the first u/s!!
Rant/Rave/Positive Vibes: I'm really glad that it seems like most everyone is having a great week so far!
GTKY: What hilarious thing did you believe when you were a child? I've been trying to think of something, because I'm sure there were plenty, but I've had the hardest time. The only thing that really comes to mind is that when I was really little I thought that street lights and city lights in the distance were Christmas lights. So, I was always really confused why there were Christmas lights in the summer time!
Me: 25 | DH: 29
MC: March 2016
BFP #2: October 2016
Our fur-baby is a black Labrador Retriever.
https://www.fertilityfriend.com/home/5a8aa2/
@NamelessAria I'm watching you girl! Congrats on a great appt!
Married: 5/30/2013
DSS #1: 5/25/2007
DSS #2: 1/22/2011
DS #3: 7/8/2012
BFP: 3/14/2016 ~ MC: 3/19/2016
DS #4: 4/21/17
How far along are you? Somewhere around 5.5 weeks - LMP would say 6.5, but I know I ovulated late
How are you doing? Practically no symptoms which is making me nervous
When is your next appointment? Tomorrow afternoon (10/26)
Rant/Rave/Positive Vibes: I wish I could be enjoying feeling fine instead of worrying that something is wrong. Looking forward to my appointment tomorrow.
GTKY: What hilarious thing did you believe when you were a child? I wish I could think of something - I must have blocked it all out!
BFP #1 6/13 DD 3/14
Mirena 10/14-5/16
BFP #2 9/2/16, CP confirmed 9/8/16
BFP #3 10/10/16 EDD 6/22/17
MMC in March...was suppose to be about 13 weeks and measured at 9.
How far along are you?
8 weeks 5 days
How are you doing?
Still struggling with nausea and exhaustion. The nausea last night was the worst so far...I felt like I was actually going to throw up with that wave (but didn't).
When is your next appointment?
Just had one last Thursday. All went well and measured on track. Next apt scheduled for Nov 14.
Rant/Rave/Positive Vibes:
So glad to see so many good apts for ladies. I thought I would feel "safe" after my 8 week apt, but I don't think I will until I get past the first trimester...
GTKY: What hilarious thing did you believe when you were a child?
My dad told me that the car could read his mind and know when to turn on the left/right turn signal....thanks dad.
TTC #1 since 9/2015
BFP #1 1/14/16, MC 3/23/16
BFP #2 9/21/2016, EDD 5/30/2017
How far along are you? 6 weeks
How are you doing? Trying to enjoy this pregnancy and tell myself baby is doing great. I don't have a lot of symptoms, so it's hard to believe I'm pregnant.
When is your next appointment? My first US is tomorrow and I have mixed feelings about it. Could we get a heartbeat at 6w1d?
Rant/Rave/Positive Vibes: I had my US at 7 weeks last time and found out baby's heartbeat was too low and measuring small at 5w4d. I'm afraid the same thing will happen this time.
GTKY: What hilarious thing did you believe when you were a child? I'd always swallow my bubble gum on accident. My parents told me the gum will stay in my tummy forever. They're probably still there!
TTC #1 July 2013
Clomid w/ IUI
Clomid w/ timed intercourse - BFP #1, MC Oct 2015
Clomid w/ IUI
Clomid w/ timed intercourse
IVF Sept 2016 - BFP #2 EDD June 20, 2017
TTC #1 since 9/2015
BFP #1 1/14/16, MC 3/23/16
BFP #2 9/21/2016, EDD 5/30/2017