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.
stephann85
member
Re: Introductions
I'm so excited to be here and get to know everyone. I'm a FTM... (TW) I was a member of the June 2017 board but unfortunately lost that baby at about 8 weeks. So, lots of nerves over here but super excited!
My first appointment is January 17, but based on ovulation date I've estimated my due date as September 7.
Me 31, DH 30
BFP #2: 5/25/16, MC 6/23/16 (8 weeks), D&C 6/24/16, 2nd D&C for retained tissue and fibroid removal 9/1/16
BFP #3: 12/24/16 EDD 09/04/2017
Adopted Furbaby: 2014
TTC#1 : 1/2016 | IUI #2 - BFP 12/24/16 -- born 9/8/17
TTC#2: 11/2019 | Dx DOR (AMH 0.3), AMA
IUI #2 - BFP 7/1/20 -- EDD 3/14/21
Me 31, DH 30
BFP #2: 5/25/16, MC 6/23/16 (8 weeks), D&C 6/24/16, 2nd D&C for retained tissue and fibroid removal 9/1/16
BFP #3: 12/24/16 EDD 09/04/2017
I'm a STM, DS was born N15. I got my BFP on Christmas Eve also, and EDD is currently 09.08.17, at least until I see the midwives. DH and I are very excited to be adding to our little family!
DS2: EDD- 09.08.17
FTM here with EDD 9/7/17 based of of LMP. Im 28 and DH and I have been married a little over a year, but together for almost 8. Just bought our first home in November (after 6 months living with the inlaws...yikes). We were extremely lucky and got KU our 1st month TTC, and we're so excited to be parents!
Happy to meet you all!!!
ETA: First appointment scheduled w/ midwife for 1/30 (between 7-8 weeks).
Me 31, DH 30
BFP #2: 5/25/16, MC 6/23/16 (8 weeks), D&C 6/24/16, 2nd D&C for retained tissue and fibroid removal 9/1/16
BFP #3: 12/24/16 EDD 09/04/2017
My u/s went great! I actually took a tumble yesterday and sprained my ankle. I was worried I might've jostled little bean, but there he/she was this morning!
Adopted Furbaby: 2014
TTC#1 : 1/2016 | IUI #2 - BFP 12/24/16 -- born 9/8/17
TTC#2: 11/2019 | Dx DOR (AMH 0.3), AMA
IUI #2 - BFP 7/1/20 -- EDD 3/14/21
I am a FTM with an EDD of 9/5/17 based on my LMP. My husband and I started TTC in October and we got our BFP on 12/28. I lurked on the TTGP boards for a few months but was never an active poster. I am excited to be involved in the September birth month boards! First prenatal appointment is around 9 weeks on 2/1. This month can't go by fast enough.
Other than some mild cramping and intermittent sore boobs, I haven't had any symptoms. I never thought I'd be hoping for morning sickness, but I just want some reassurance that everything is working!
STM here with edd of 9/5 based on last period. I have a 16 month old DS and can't wait to grow our little family! Got our BFP on 12/23... the perfect Christmas gift! Haven't made my first OB appointment yet but will probably call this week to schedule. Looking forward to getting to know you ladies.
@thinkpositive2017 with my first I didnt have noticeable symptoms (morning sickness) until 6 or 7 weeks. Your current symptoms sound like what I'd expect for very early pregnancy symptoms
I'm a FTM with EDD of 9/3. My first appointment is 1/24! Congrats to everyone on their BFP's!
Im a FTM and my current EDD is September 8th. I have a doctors appointment today because I was spotting over the weekend, it's stopped so far. Other than that I hardly have any symptoms yet just super tired and some mild cramping! Nervous is an understatement but hopefully the doctor will help today.
MeOhMi74 Thank you! I'm sure I'll be kicking myself when the real symptoms start!
Looking forward to getting to know you all, TB helped me get through my first pregnancy where I had horrible nausea and vomiting for 7 out of the 9 months. So far, i'm feeling GREAT! .
When this baby gets here, we will have an 11 year old boy as well as a 22 month old girl.
Got our BFP on Christmas Eve. So, that was an exciting little present.
This will be my second, DD was born Feb '16. My 1st appt won't be until 1/27 but based on everything my estimated due date is 9/11. I will see at my appt if that in fact is my EDD.
I am a TTM. DS1 is turning 5 this month and DS2 was born Sept 2016, so I'm about to really have my hands full! This was totally unexpected. EDD is 9/7!
DS1: 5 ; DS2: 4m
Baby #3 Due 9/7/17
Hello and congratulations to ALL!
So happy to be here with you! STM here, my son was born in April 2013. EDD 9/1.
I look forward to getting to know you all!
My edd is 9/9 based on LMP. I was active in TTGP from Nov 2015 to about March but I lost my steam. It ended up taking 14 months to get pregnant.
I have 3 kids, DS will be 11, DD will be 9 and DSS will be 8. So this is my 3rd baby but will be the 4th in the house ! It's been so long since I've been pregnant that I feel like I'm starting over. I'm 30 though which is still youngish so hopefully I will do as well as I did when I was 19.
This will be my 1st with DH, we have been together almost 7 years, married for 3.
I don't have an ob appt yet but I am still seeing the RE getting betas every couple days. I started to see an RE but got pregnant before I started the Femara. Took progesterone to start my period but it never came !
Me: 31 DH: 36
Married since 11/25/2013
#1 (bio) born 01/18/2006
#2 (bio) born 09/08/2008
#3 (step) born 02/17/2009
#4 (our 1st together) EDD 09/09/2017
I'm expecting #3, 9/6 based on LMP. First OB appointment is next week. I have a 4YO DD, and DS will be 2 at the end of Jan. I'm 40, and full-time working mom, as an editor in the pharma industry.
I'll be a FTM and I've been lurking TTGP since we started TTC back in April 2016 but I am so happy to jump into this board as an active participant.
Based on my ovulation date my EDD should be about 9/7. Our first appointment isn't until 1/27 around 8 weeks. It can't come soon enough!
Married:August 2015
TTC #1 since April 2016
I'm due 9/9- got my BFP xmas Eve..My first appt is Jan 31st @ 8 weeks. This month can't go by fast enough. I have had a loss and so the beginning of my daughter's pregnancy and this one I find it so hard to relax..
I'm a STM, daughter is almost two!
DS2: EDD- 09.08.17
Edit to add my first appointment is on 1/27 at 8 weeks exactly.