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.
mrsvp614
member
Re: Weekly Symptoms Thread 3/20
I really thought the nausea was better.... it is SO bad today. I threw up on my way to work. When does this end?
Other than that... a lot of crampiness- especially at night, terrible gag reflex, and lots of discharge. (Eww)
@HollyGolightly09 I'm also cramping a lot in the last week or two!!! Also saw an increase in discharge recently. I wasn't prepared to feel wet this whole pregnancy. It wasn't this bad with DS!
Still having the rash. Fatigue has hit hard. I feel exhausted during the day, but wake up at night and can't sleep. The heartburn and indigestion at night is miserable.
I'm 12+3. So excited to almost be out of the 1st trimester.
Nausea hs slowed down, but my appetite is still missing. I'm basically forcing myself to eat. Poor DH is picking up the slack in the cooking department otherwise DD would be eating cereal for every meal.
It seems the nausea has slacked up some as I am not taking B6 as much anymore. Either that or I just suck it up better. I was doing good with keeping food down until Friday night, DH and I walked outside of the restaurant and things started to immediately come up.
Energy is slowly coming back. Last night I folded 3 loads of laundry AND unloaded and loaded the dishwasher. That't more than I've done in weeks.
Had a burst of energy on Saturday and got my whole house cleaned and helped DH start our garden. Nausea is back today, but I'm hoping for more good days than bad days this week.
also, the discharge! Ewww. 1st time I didn't really have that bad until the end, it this time it kicked in around 11 weeks. Cool.
Holy headache all day yesterday and lingering this morning. It is like someone punched me in the face. It is horrible sinus pressure but no congestion.
Also very very wet. I have had an insane amount of discharge this past weekend.
Hungry all the time.
Headaches have been really bad the last few days. And I've been getting really rage-y. I was fuming on Saturday b/c we didn't make a plan beforehand and I felt like DH and I ended up wasting the day. Digestion is changing again. First ~10 weeks I was going all the time, then normal for 2ish weeks, now things are SLOW. Having a terrible time sleeping- can't fall asleep, then wake up at ~2am every night. Woke up with back pain today (had been sleeping on my back). Haven't had an "growing pains" for 2 weeks, which makes me nervous, but we just saw baby last week, so everything seems to be fine.
Me: 35 | DH: 38
Met: 2007
Married: 2013
BFP #1: 06/21/16 MMC: 08/04/16
BFP #2: 01/08/17 DD: 09/23/17
BFP #3: 06/10/20 EDD: 02/11/2021
I'm 13+1 and I'm having different timing with my MS but it's definitely not gone. I usually wake up feeling pretty decent but then make a steep decline by mid afternoon. Plus this constant nagging headache all the time. It's not actually painful, it's just noticeable. But I'm definitely happy to be finished with the first trimester!!
-terrible heartburn
-lots of pelvic, abdominal, and back pain. Everything is stretching out at once, and it hurts!
-headaches most evenings
- +1 on the insane amount of discharge train. It actually made me nervous while trying in maternity clothes- I didn't want to gush on something and have to buy it, haha!
-hungry all the time, but still lots of food aversions. I can't stand the smell or taste of anything thats been cooked with oil, or the sight of any raw meat.
At my appointment on Friday my blood pressure was high. I was a nervous wreck going in because I was terrified that something happened to the baby. But also, I have "white coat syndrome" and get nervous and any and every Dr. appointment. So now I have to monitor my blood pressure. Over the past couple days it's still been higher than I'd prefer.
Anyone have any experience with high blood pressure during pregnancy or suggestions?
@wyomama0427 Oh I wish that was a thing because I would gladly give you some of mine.
My constant nausea is back. I seriously want to throw up all.the.time. but don't ever do it - just upset tummy I guess.
And heartburn is the worst!
I'm having trouble sleeping! I have a pregnancy pillow and all, but I just can't get comfortable at night.
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April Siggy Challenge
I'm so over being nauseous.
14+4: slowly getting my energy back. Went to my parents for a BBQ yesterday and I was able to take my nephew to the park and run around with him. MS seems to only be hitting at nights now. Hope it goes away completely soon.
@dogdisnylovr My blood pressure is whack. Unfortunately I am on medication for it as well, but when I go to a doctor's office it is still crazy high due to my anxiety. I take my BP at home everyday and it is normal. Try taking deep breaths in and out while they are taking your blood pressure or you can also tell them to wait til the end of your appt to take it. I have done both. Good luck!
Emotionally I feel like a mess! I feel so flat and miserable and just shitty. I never feel like this normally. I'm not an emotional person at all. I'm hoping it's just the hormones. Is anyone else feeling like this at all?
+1 on the discharge train. So much. It's pretty overwhelming.
These headaches are miserable. I have a migraine disorder so whenever I get a headache i get so cautious and am petrified i will have a migraine and I cannot take my prescription. Tylenol is a joke.
Exhaustion is still hanging out. I usually have a good burst of energy then I just go flat.
My stomach is getting firmer and i feel like im getting thicker.
I occasionally get little twinges in my pelvic region that take me off guard.
I feel like a baby today. I do not want to go to work. I think I'm going to blame it on the internet people. But honestly I have a little headache and I didnt sleep well last night and I just want to stay home.
Holy nipples this morning!!! They are getting huge! I love that my boobs are bigger and firmer but dang nipples slow down
OMG yes. My nipples and areolas are getting darker and bigger too!! Also my boobs are getting so veiny!
-cramping/back aches are constant
-headaches
-insomnia
-Sore boobs (after WEEKS of no soreness)
And now heavy spotting. I freaked out on Friday and went into the dr. Baby was totally fine. Technician said it's too soon to tell, but if my placenta is right on top of my cervix I will probably bleed/spot from now on. It was ok all weekend and yesterday, and now the heavy spotting is back. Trying not to freak out. But I really just want to go home and lay down.
Me: 35 | DH: 38
Met: 2007
Married: 2013
BFP #1: 06/21/16 MMC: 08/04/16
BFP #2: 01/08/17 DD: 09/23/17
BFP #3: 06/10/20 EDD: 02/11/2021
Omg yes the bumps are so prominent. DH told me my boobs used to be fun bags but now they are changing into food bags....he got a very healthy side eye.
And my moodiness has hit an all time high. I never cry. Ever. And I have been tearing up constantly because of the smallest things. I feel like I'm losing my mind.
And the baby brain is so real. I'm such an airhead lately.
I am the opposite of this. I usually cry frequently. DH says I have an empathy problem, because any emotional commercial or Facebook post, and I'm tearing up. And I was an emotional mess in early to mid first tri. But I'm like a stone wall lately. I haven't cried in weeks, and people have asked me if I'm actually excited about this baby. I really, really am, I just don't feel super emotional right now.