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
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
This is baby # 2, Bump veteran and proud mama of a 14 month old girl. Due mid-July, and we're so excited!
Great to be here.
William Alexander born 18 September, 2015
Harper Grace born 9 June, 2017
Colton Miles born 9 June, 2017
Bowen James due 19 June, 2019
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'm from NM and 34 yrs old. I got my BFP on 11/23. My first visit was on 12/1. EDD based off LMP is 07/30.
I got seen seen quickly because I am considered high risk because of past health complications.
Nice to make your acquaintance. Don't mind me, I'm a tad shy and awkward.
I'm a first time mom, but have a step son whom I've raised since he was 6 weeks old. I shockingly got my BFP on November 11 after a miscarriage at 5.5 weeks on October 1. My husband and I were VERY surprised. Confirmed the pregnancy with dating ultrasound on November 17 and scheduled for another ultrasound and appointment on December 12. My EDD is July 16. I am still nervous since I just had a loss, but being as hopeful and excited as i possibly can be! My step son's birthday is in July, so both of my babies will share their birth month!
A little late to this, but I just found the group! My name is Megan and I'm 9 weeks 4 days. EDD is July 9th, 2017 and I found out at 5 weeks, confirmed it at the doctor 2 days later. I had my first ultrasound on Monday and my baby was moving so much, it finally felt real! This is me and the hubby's first baby! We've been married since November 21st, 2015. We're only 19 (almost 20) but we are military so we do things a bit differently
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: 05/26/2012
DS Born Happy and Healthy via C-section: 10/04/2013
Natural M/C: 07/08/2014
DD Born Happy and Healthy via Emergency C-section: 06/30/2015
BFP #4: 11/15/2016
EDD: 7/27/2017
First time mom. Got our BFP on 11/11, looking at 7/15 EDD and our first appointment was Friday, 12/2. Hubby and I got married in 2012 and have been TTC since June. I've been dealing with recurrent kidney problems and chronic migraines for years and this year they've really been flaring up. I really didn't think I was pregnant when I took the test, just thought it was PMS from hell combined with stress making me late. I've never been so happy to be proven wrong!
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 33 and going to be a 3rd time mom. I have 2 daughters 8 and 20 months. I'm nervous with them being so close in age. I'm self employed, painter by trade. I hope we can get to know each other along this journey to motherhood whether you are a seasoned mom or a first timer.
based on my LMP, I'm due July 14th. According to my ultrasound at 8 weeks, I'm due July 10th!
I had a miscarriage in November of 2015- so I'm super glad to still be feeling nauseous and sleepy and that my doctor said the baby looked great a couple of weeks ago!
@mrsdrmatney - Welcome! Hope your # yo's surgery goes well. My DH had 4 by the time he was 18. Hopefully your LO won't need any more after this one!
@bhobson64 - Welcome! Sorry about your loss but I am glad you're here with us!
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: 7/2/17 BFP: 11/14/16
this is is my 6th pregnancy with no children currently. So hopefully this is my rainbow baby. I'm 11weeks 1 day and this has been my longest pregnancy and absolutely different from the rest! It took me so long to test because I wasn't trying and kept blaming my "morning sickness" (More like all day) on the traveling I was doing at the time.
Husband and I found out on Nov. 19. I just had my first ultrasound today and saw baby's heartbeat! We were anxious, as was our doctor, because we had been pregnant before, but miscarried early on. I'm currently 7 weeks and 3 days; matched up perfectly with my LMP on Oct. 21.
EDD: July 28, 2017!
EDD: July 11, 2017
BFP: October 27, 2016
I was somewhat active on the January 2015 board, but haven't been on TB since after she was born.
DD was born with no complications at 39 weeks, 1 day.
This is our second pregnancy and will likely not have the gender revealed again.
On another note, please God hurry up second trimester
Due date is 7/10!
My name is Aimee, I've been on the bump for a little over a year now. I was in the May 16 BMB (and still am, though we've all migrated to FB), I have an (almost) 8 month old son. My husband and I have male factor infertility so we started TTC again naturally as soon as my period returned at 5 wks PP. We were gearing up to use our frozen embryo this month when magically I got my BFP! We couldn't believe it!
my EDD is august 3
we got our first US yesterday, the baby measured right where it should be and the HB was 140BPM
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
Me: 33 DH: 33
Married: 6.9.12
DS born: 4.9.14
DD born 7.27.17
Dating: 9/9/01
Married: 12/13/08
BFP 11/14/16 ~ EDD 7/21/17
Good morning,
My name is Danielle and my husband and I are expecting out third child in July (due date is two days before my second child's birthday, lol). My husband and I have been TTC since November of 2015 and we experienced a miscarriage in July.
We already have two girls - DD#1 who is 6 and DD#2 who is 4. We plan to not find out of the sex of this little one as he/she will be our last.
My Chart
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 work in higher education in Boston. Husband and I have been together for 9 years, married for 4.