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.
Momifbysea
member
Re: TWW: Oct 24 - 30
I am currently 3 DPO - it feels good to know I'm ovulating for real and that nothing is wrong in that department. I got cross hairs this morning with the Ovulation right where I thought it was the day of temp drop. So basically I get my positive OPK the day before I ovulate. Now I'm in the LP. Because I ovulated late I'm not sure if my period will be late now. It's due to come on Halloween or possibly November 2nd based on a 30 day cycle.
Last week was really stressful for me on the BD department. DH was very busy with his project and the 2 times we did BD I felt it was forced and not romantic at all. TMI but he felt the pressure too and basically had to use his hand to get to that point and then put it inside me. Our timing was ok - it was on -2, O, and +2. Last night DH was really in the mood to BD but I knew on 2 days past O was worthless so almost most of the time I was thinking about how come that couldn't have been on -1 or +1.
Now on a final note I feel I'm going crazy and this TTC is affecting my outlook and mood. I think this is mainly because I was hoping last week we wouldn't have to force BD and now I'm already looking onto cycle 6 and hope its not as busy. When we were trying for DD life was a lot different and now I feel life is forcing us to schedule BD. I had horrible TTC dreams last night that I had to go thru fertility treatment which I know is not horrible but the stress is carrying over to my dreams and I feel like I'm negative a lot about all this stuff lately. Anyone have advice that feels the same way? I almost feel I want to take a break but I know that I'm 36 so time is not on our side. Sorry to be a debbie downer today. Thinking of doing a bit of yoga today to snap out of it.
@Momifbysea - how are your RE appts?
Husband: 40
TTC#1 since 9/2014
Unexplained Infertility - Trying naturally
sounds like you both ended up with decent timining and well done to your DH on the sperm count @jennh75b!
today is 12dpo. Other than slightly sore bbs I have zero symptoms this cycle.AF is due tomorrow, but im wondering if the 50mg of progesterone will delay AF....I asked and my OB said it wouldn't, but he also put me on a really low dose (the recommended dose for endometrial support for implantation is 200mg), so I don't know if he knows what he's talking about haha.
I did POAS last night because I'm leaving town tomorrow and wanted to be able to tell my SO before I left if I was KU, BFN of course, so now I wait for AF.....unless she doesn't come because of the suppositories....yay! (boo!)
TTC#1 since November 2015
9/16/2016 IUI#1 - BFN
10/12/2016 IUI#2 - BFN
1/21/2017 Clomid/IUI#3 - BFN
March 2017 IVF: BFP! (beta#1 191, beta#2 378!) - it's a boy! DS born 12/6/2017
TTC #2 since July 2018
May 2019 IVF #2: BFP! (beta#1 346, beta#2 646) - vanishing twin at 8 weeks. Baby B still going strong - due 2/8/20!
And thanks for asking about my RE
appts... today was my third time driving there in two weeks. Had the HSG and Dr. gave me two thumbs up on that. I'll go back Nov. 7 to discuss results from my blood work and ultrasound but he said jist of it all was good.
@poemasque hey you never know, I've heard lots of cases where tests may show positive at a later date.
@jennh75b great news on sperm count and for having your first IUI! Thinking positive thoughts for you.
Great news so far @Momifbysea! It's good to know some news throughout the process and that so far everything is looking good.
@PoeMasque - So sorry for the BFN, but until AF arrives, I'm still sending you good vibes!!!!!!!!!!!! Ok, even if AF comes, I'd still be sending you good vibes...but you know what I mean.
Thanks ladies for all of the good vibes my way. Much appreciated!
Husband: 40
TTC#1 since 9/2014
Unexplained Infertility - Trying naturally
Funny I just realized I will have the blood test to see if the IUI worked next Friday on my birthday. So I guess at least I'll know whether I can have a drink for my birthday or not! I'm hoping NOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Husband: 40
TTC#1 since 9/2014
Unexplained Infertility - Trying naturally
I hope you don't need to drink either @jennh75b - as for me I thought about drinking tonight lol.
For the first time in a year of ttc I lost it. I shut myself in our guest room and just cried. My SO found me and was so supportive, he took me out to lunch today and tried to cheer me up. I HATE crying in front of him and have only done it 3 times (including today). I'm just ready to be done with all this and move on.
We are working on our RE packet (required before we schedule an appt), but we are both dragging our feet a bit due to the $600 consult fee just to talk about IVF (wtf?) apparently that's just how it works.
So not my best day, but so glad I have his community to whine to!!
TTC#1 since November 2015
9/16/2016 IUI#1 - BFN
10/12/2016 IUI#2 - BFN
1/21/2017 Clomid/IUI#3 - BFN
March 2017 IVF: BFP! (beta#1 191, beta#2 378!) - it's a boy! DS born 12/6/2017
TTC #2 since July 2018
May 2019 IVF #2: BFP! (beta#1 346, beta#2 646) - vanishing twin at 8 weeks. Baby B still going strong - due 2/8/20!
I'm sorry to hear it's so expensive just for the damn consult!!!
@vlagrl29 - I would say that most insurances, if they do cover any fertility treatment, probably don't even fully cover IVF because it's so expensive.
Husband: 40
TTC#1 since 9/2014
Unexplained Infertility - Trying naturally
Husband: 40
TTC#1 since 9/2014
Unexplained Infertility - Trying naturally
Husband: 40
TTC#1 since 9/2014
Unexplained Infertility - Trying naturally