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: Randoms and Questions 3.6 - 3.10
We have a referral in to go see ENT for possible tonsil issues (croup 4 times this season!) and of course the only pediatric ENT is deployed, so now Tricare is wanting to refer me to an outside general ENT. I don't want a general ENT, I want a pediatric ENT! So now I have to argue with them about changing the referral.
Sweet Baby H 12.21.11
Sassy Baby P 03.26.14
Little Brother Due 05.22.17
@Squirtgun Ok now I really think I need to get in with the allergist! We've never seen one, just the allergy test ordered by the pediatrician and then they told us the results.
Sweet Baby H 12.21.11
Sassy Baby P 03.26.14
Little Brother Due 05.22.17
When you say croup, does it last more than a day? Every time DD has a cold, she wakes up one of the first nights with the seal-like barking cough. It settles to a more productive cough by the next night. She's had it twice in the last month. Is that croup? I've been worried that she's got an underlying issue (asthma or tonsils) but I could be overthinking.
May17 Siggy Challenge
Labor
She actually picked up on some things we hadn't thought about like if you are allergic to X you may want to test for Y and laid out a long term plan for us. Plus you know, while you are still in a magical place where nearly every specialty under the sun is at the hospital take advantage.
May '17 labor memes
11.2011 - DS1
02.2013 - loss at 6 wks
06.2014 - DS2
10.2015 - loss at 12 wks
03.2017 - DD
Our pediatrician doesn't reccomend the skin test this early. He's 2.5, but doc offered to do a challenge test in the office after he turns 3. My kid is a picky eater and it terrifies me to let him try new things. He usually throws up immediately after consumption if he's allergic, but sometimes he also gets a rash, hives and swelling. I always sleep with him following an allergic reaction.
I hope this baby doesn't share his/her sibling's allergies.
Edit for typo
My DD had RSV before 1 and has had to use a nebulizer for "asthma like wheezing" on multiple occasions, and we have croup multiple times a year so I think it's just been the final straw of "ok let's go see ENT and check out the tonsils"!
Sweet Baby H 12.21.11
Sassy Baby P 03.26.14
Little Brother Due 05.22.17
May17 Siggy Challenge
Labor
What do you find works best?
@clebl24 So far her only allergy is dairy and dogs. I was surprised shellfish didn't pop up for her since I have it and multiple members of my family have it but pediatrician said that one usually pops up later in life. Her only reactions so far have been a rash and her eczema gets really bad. Last nights "my tongue hurts" made me nervous!
Hope your next LO is allergy free! DD2 has had an allergy test and had zero reactions!
Sweet Baby H 12.21.11
Sassy Baby P 03.26.14
Little Brother Due 05.22.17
May '17 labor memes
Sweet Baby H 12.21.11
Sassy Baby P 03.26.14
Little Brother Due 05.22.17
Married 8/27/2011
BFP #1 9/28/2011 DS born 5/22/2012
BFP #2 4/24/2013 m/c 4/25/2013 at 4w
BFP #3 1/31/2014 DD born 10/14/2014
BFP #4 1/20/2016 m/c 2/12/2014 at 7w2d
BFP #5 8/19/2016 DS2 born 4/29/2017
BFP #6 3/7/2018 EDD 11/18/2018
Married 8/27/2011
BFP #1 9/28/2011 DS born 5/22/2012
BFP #2 4/24/2013 m/c 4/25/2013 at 4w
BFP #3 1/31/2014 DD born 10/14/2014
BFP #4 1/20/2016 m/c 2/12/2014 at 7w2d
BFP #5 8/19/2016 DS2 born 4/29/2017
BFP #6 3/7/2018 EDD 11/18/2018
Sometimes he just wants mommy and at 33.5 lbs I just can't hack it like I used to. I want my next one to be a petite little thing, I think this one is fed rocks and lead pellets at daycare!
May '17 labor memes
1st Baby 5/12/17, Henry
1st Baby 5/12/17, Henry
DS2 5/17
#3 Due 9/20
@nda_roxybabe Thinking of you and your DH! Keep us posted!
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I had an ob appt yest & the doc was concerned & sent me for some labs that came back today. I too was informed like an hour ago that I need to be on immediate modified bed rest. Same as you, no housework, no cooking, no activity, no driving, no doing anything except basically resting & getting up to pee. The nurse said it's the difference between standing at the stove for 3 hours making dinner & fixing myself a quick sandwich, which I'm allowed to do. My freaking out right now stems from not being able to do anything with my toddler: no walks, no being in the yard, no playing on the floor, nada. It's overwhelming. It's not fair to him. Of course, I'll follow the doc's instructions & want to provide the very best for the baby, but I'm just still processing & trying to figure out the logistics. I'm also assuming it's just temporary but the reality is that it could be a permanent state of being for the many weeks ahead.
For anyone else who still hasn't figured out their child care arrangements for during delivery time, let me be that real-life example for you. I've put off, for way too long, setting up meetings with potential babysitters & getting plans in place & trustworthy helpers on speed dial. I figured I had time but have been putting it off. And now I'm stuck. I hate being in this position---not the bedrest, but the not having people in place. So stupid of me! Idiot!
I basically pick up DD to get in a basket at the store that's it. It's too much to pick her up at this point. If she wants me to hold her I sit down and she climbs on my lap.
Married 8/27/2011
BFP #1 9/28/2011 DS born 5/22/2012
BFP #2 4/24/2013 m/c 4/25/2013 at 4w
BFP #3 1/31/2014 DD born 10/14/2014
BFP #4 1/20/2016 m/c 2/12/2014 at 7w2d
BFP #5 8/19/2016 DS2 born 4/29/2017
BFP #6 3/7/2018 EDD 11/18/2018
Sweet Baby H 12.21.11
Sassy Baby P 03.26.14
Little Brother Due 05.22.17
@nda_roxybabe lots of good vibes sent your way!!!
@vrj0522 DH picked up our registry bag about a month ago and I love all the goodies in it I'm very tempted to get another
#1 DD Aug 2014 @39weeks via CS
#2 Due May 2,2017 hopeful VBAC
Me:31 DH:32 Married 11/06/10
DD: Born 8/23/13 (clomid+ovidrel+IUI)
BFP 9/9/16 EDD 5/19/17
#1 DD Aug 2014 @39weeks via CS
#2 Due May 2,2017 hopeful VBAC
Married 8/27/2011
BFP #1 9/28/2011 DS born 5/22/2012
BFP #2 4/24/2013 m/c 4/25/2013 at 4w
BFP #3 1/31/2014 DD born 10/14/2014
BFP #4 1/20/2016 m/c 2/12/2014 at 7w2d
BFP #5 8/19/2016 DS2 born 4/29/2017
BFP #6 3/7/2018 EDD 11/18/2018
Hopefully you will have your support system in place quickly! I've pretty much just told husband I'm sorry, he's going to have to pick up all the housework. My SIL (his sister) just had a baby this week, so I know from experience (from when she had her older son) that his entire family (in town) will be totally focused on supporting her for the next month or two. So, we haven't even told them yet about my restrictions and probably won't unless we absolutely have to. But my sister (out of town) is on standby to come help if I get harder restrictions. I just got that set up this afternoon, though. No forethought from me either!