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: INTRODUCTIONS/EDD
Married: 06-2024
TTC #1: Since November 2015
Restarted TTC "count" Oct. 2016
due to previous issues.
***TW***
BFP: 11/4/2016
BFP: 07/17/2024
I'm excited to join, (although insanely nervous at the same time).
My name is Amy & I live in Southern Ca. After 10 months of trying, I'm happy to be pregnant with #2! DS took 2 years to conceive, so 10 months was nothing in comparison. It still doesn't feel real.
I got my BFP on Nov 14th, at 9dpo (per my CBFM). My EDD is July 30th.
I'm beyond stoked to be joining you ladies!
EDD 07/29/2017
Married: 06-2024
TTC #1: Since November 2015
Restarted TTC "count" Oct. 2016
due to previous issues.
***TW***
BFP: 11/4/2016
BFP: 07/17/2024
EDD: 7/16/17
This is our second pregnancy, our first baby (girl) was born in October 2015. I'm very excited to be back on the bump! Any other Oct 2015 mommas out there?!
We got our bfp nov 22 and my EDD is July 29th. This will be baby #2 so I knew literally a couple days after I ovulated that I was feeling "weird". I've got an almost 4 yr old son who keeps me busy so I am exhausted!!! Can't wait to share the good news over the holidays but for now it's a secret to our family and friends. Located in SoCal
I'm a stay at home mom to an amazing 2yo girl, and 2 very dysfunctional dogs. Wife to a traveling husband. Looking forward to getting to know you ladies through this journey!
My EDD based in my LMP is July 26, 2017. I got my BFP 10/12, at 13DPO in the bathroom of walmart on a clear blue digi. I was one day late, and had a night of drinking with my hubs. We were on our way to visit family and I tested on a whim, as I stopped symptom spotting. (It was driving me MAD!) This is my first pregnancy and I am having a lot of mixed emotions, but mostly excitement. The reason for the mixed emotions is due to the reality of miscarriage. Keeping it real, I'm terrified of it, so I pray when I feel it overwhelming me. But I do know that I'm healthy and hoping to be a great mommy! I had an abdominal myomectomy April 2016 to remove 3 fibroid, with the largest digging into my uterus. I still have pain when I move suddenly, sneeze or cough. I have to have a mandatory c-section which isn't too scary, as the myomectomy recovery was awful! But here I am, pregnant and not really feeling pregnant outside of peeing a heck of a lot, and hunger like I've never felt before.
I am 5w1d pregnant with my first baby after a round of IVF. My EDD is July 29, 2017. My first US with my RE is coming up at 6W3d (December 6th) and I am so excited! We have had so much trouble TTC that I'm still afraid to get my hopes up that this is real. I want to enjoy this pregnancy but I'm just so scared. Hopefully the US will ease my mind.
After browsing the boards on TB, I chose this site because people actually seem kind and respectful of each other, there's no dumb question, and there's tons of encouragement. AND I don't have to see a million people asking us to evaluate their symptoms to see if they are pregnant or not. For the love of god, just take a test people lol!!
2014: Monitored cycle's with clomid, unsuccessful
October 2016: IVF #1 resulting in 1 follicle with 1 egg retrieved & BFP. 12dp3dt HCG 150, 14dp3dt HCG 440
2014: Monitored cycle's with clomid, unsuccessful
October 2016: IVF #1 resulting in 1 follicle with 1 egg retrieved & BFP. 12dp3dt HCG 150, 14dp3dt HCG 440
I got my BFP last Tuesday. It was a huge surprise for me since I'm still nursing my 6 month old baby. I have two boys so hoping for a girl. Based on my calculations I should be due around Jul 11.
Anyways, I'm looking forward to get to know all of you!
I haven't read through all the intro posts but hopes I'm not the only here from outside the states.
I found out Nov 6 (2 days after a negative test on my bday). EDD July 20th
Look forward to being involved in the community
I've been battling with worry today over miscarriage, but I know that I must have faith and trust. I'm so ready for the first ultrasound! Come on, Dec 6!
I was really active before the exodus. I have a 2-year-old daughter, and we are in wv.
Me: 35 DH: 38 | Married: 6/2013 | Pregnancy #1, APurp born 10/2014
Pregnancy #2, BFP 6/4/2016, MMC at 9W, D&E: 7/21/16 | Pregnancy #3, BFP 11/22/16
I'm 30, DH is 34. We got our BFP on 11/12, so based on lmp I should be due 07/24 but based on my ovulation 7/22. I have a DS who is almost 3.
I am 5+6. Got my BFP 11/13 then retested the next day because I was sure it's a fluke. Dr confirmed it last week, but I'm not having the first ultrasound for another week and a half. I'm excited and nervous. Especially about giving birth. Not sleeping well because of constantly going to pee at night!
I'm also a FTM. I'm wondering when to start shopping. There are lots of great deals right now because of Black Friday and cyber Monday. And the thought of buying all at once is overwhelming. I'm thinking we can buy a couple of the large ticket items (crib, car seat, stroller) each month. Also I really want to get something for my little one. Not sure if I'm being crazy or not? Anyone else start shopping?
This is my sixth pregnancy, with no take home babies just yet. My amazing husband and I started trying in 2012 and got pregnant around the holidays with a miscarriage at about 8 weeks. The same fate for the following pregnancies. With the last two I have been taking progesterone supplements and blood thinning injections to help with an auto-immune disorder called anti-phospholipid disorder (basically a blood clotting issue).
We had a trend of getting pregnant in either November or July, but this time it was in October, so here's hoping that our streak is over and there is a healthy little babe growing inside. I've definitely had different feelings this time around, including all-day nausea which has never happened in previous pregnancies.
Here's to our July Sparkler babies...and my extra special rainbow baby!
*8.31.16* mc @ 8 weeks DnC {genetic testing, new medications upon next pregnancy}
*7.17.16* praying everyday for my rainbow baby {progesterone supplements, blood thinning injections}
Welcome!
Married: 06-2024
TTC #1: Since November 2015
Restarted TTC "count" Oct. 2016
due to previous issues.
***TW***
BFP: 11/4/2016
BFP: 07/17/2024
Married: 06-2024
TTC #1: Since November 2015
Restarted TTC "count" Oct. 2016
due to previous issues.
***TW***
BFP: 11/4/2016
BFP: 07/17/2024
I am Mom to an amazing and sometimes frustrating 1 yr 7 mth old boy. This is my second pregnancy and I have a feeling it is a boy. I would love a girl. I got my BFP I think Nov 3rd.
EDD July 12th, 2017
I am not quite at the excited point. I haven't gotten my first check up due to insurance issues. Once i hear the heart beat I think it will really hit me. The nausea is super bad so far, my face is breaking out, exhaustion is killer, and smells are out of control. So much fun already hahaha I am not a glowing pregnant lady.
My EDD is July 3rd! I had my first ultra sound a few weeks ago!
BFP = big fat positive
There is a link in the *Read This First* thread where most of the acronyms are listed.
I wish everyone a safe and healthy journey!
Married: 10-20-2013
NTNP: Feb 2016
TTGP: Aug 2016
BFP: 11-20-2016
EDD: 7-27-2016
Married: 06-2024
TTC #1: Since November 2015
Restarted TTC "count" Oct. 2016
due to previous issues.
***TW***
BFP: 11/4/2016
BFP: 07/17/2024
It was amazing checking in with other mamas on the bump during my first pregnancy and I'm excited to get to know everyone here! Hopefully I can help out anyone with questions about cloth diapers, breastfeeding, and baby-wearing!
Married: 06-2024
TTC #1: Since November 2015
Restarted TTC "count" Oct. 2016
due to previous issues.
***TW***
BFP: 11/4/2016
BFP: 07/17/2024
@OperaSingerMommy I did cloth diapers and baby wearing with my other two as well.
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