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: Clothes: Maternity and Otherwise
Eh I was looking at the dress. Plus dancers are bendy I am not
The Maternity photo dress...too short!!! I really want/ need it to pool on the ground a little bit and it was more like ankle length on my 5'7" self.
I have 1 week and I'm now feeling overwhelmed and frustrated. @SWE2 : Where's that maternity photo dress from?!
1st Baby 5/12/17, Henry
@nda_roxybabe have you looked on etsy? they have a lot of those maternity photo dress styles
although you would probably have to pay for rush shipping
https://www.etsy.com/search?q=maternity+dress&order=most_relevant&view_type=gallery&ship_to=US
1st Baby 5/12/17, Henry
Does anyone have experience with belly binders post partum? I don't think they will actually magically permanently change my body but with ever increasing odds of another c section it sounds like it may help a lot from a support and comfort standpoint. Also even at a large 27 weeks my belly still hasn't filled out all the saggy baby belly skin from last time and I think hiding that deflated balloon for a bit would be good for me mentally.
(FTMs heads up: port partum abdomens can be mortifying for weeks if not months, its OK.)
May '17 labor memes
May17 Siggy Challenge
Labor
etsy shop -
https://www.etsy.com/shop/SewTrendyAccessories
Website with ready to ship dresses -
https://www.sewtrendyaccessories.com/collections/ready-to-ship
1st Baby 5/12/17, Henry
https://us.asos.com/asos-maternity-nursing/asos-maternity-nursing-skater-wrap-over-dress/prd/6435258?iid=6435258&mporgp=L0FTT1MtTWF0ZXJuaXR5LS0tTnVyc2luZy9BU09TLU1hdGVybml0eS1OVVJTSU5HLVNrYXRlci1XcmFwLU92ZXItRHJlc3MvUHJvZC8.
https://us.asos.com/new-look-maternity/new-look-maternity-double-layered-nursing-dress/prd/7490931?iid=7490931&mporgp=L05ldy1Mb29rLU1hdGVybml0eS9OZXctTG9vay1NYXRlcm5pdHktRG91YmxlLUxheWVyZWQtTnVyc2luZy1EcmVzcy9Qcm9kLw..
I'm cheap so I ordered styles that I can hopefully wear after pregnancy too. If these don't work out, I found some cute options on Figure 8. You should check that website out if you haven't already.
That was the "yellow" mom's dress in my rainbow baby shoot. It must be popular in maternity shoots. We have a very casual dress code at work and I just don't think I could make it work. :P
May17 Siggy Challenge
Labor
1st Baby 5/12/17, Henry
https://www.seraphine.com/us/maternity-clothes/maternity-pants-shorts/chambray-maternity-pants.html
https://www.kohls.com/product/prd-2811261/juniors-rewind-linen-blend-pants.jsp?color=Renaissance Rose&prdPV=16
https://www.target.com/p/women-s-favorite-v-neck-tee-merona/-/A-51699659
(just an FYI in case you look around or find other ones but the necessary materials for that much stretch are 95% rayon and 5% spandex)
https://www.gap.com/browse/category.do?cid=1014425
edit to say, The Gap also had an inset panel that you may like.
"A day without laughter is a day wasted." ~Charlie Chaplin
May17 Siggy Challenge
Labor
Sweet Baby H 12.21.11
Sassy Baby P 03.26.14
Little Brother Due 05.22.17
"A day without laughter is a day wasted." ~Charlie Chaplin
ETA: @sarah0985 still good after a full day! Better than any other bra I've tried on so far!
"A day without laughter is a day wasted." ~Charlie Chaplin
https://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=48687&vid=1&pid=599448002 - LOVE this dress! 1/2 or 3/4 sleeves would make it perfect, but at least they can be rolled up.
https://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=48687&vid=1&pid=599383002 - This dress was ALMOST a homerun... It is VERY low cut in the front, and my bra was showing. I may try a thin cami under it, because it is a great fit otherwise. (And of course a sweater, because arm anxiety...)
https://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=5475&vid=1&pid=338335002 - Y'all. These pants cost me $9. I'm pretty short (5'2"), so sadly they were dragging the ground a bit - but you taller ladies could probably rock them!
https://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=5475&vid=1&pid=508275012 - Another $9. STEAL. These pants are where it's at! I got them in 2 colors and may go ahead and order a size down for post-pregnancy.
1st Baby 5/12/17, Henry
https://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=1039278&vid=1&pid=818368002
https://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=1039278&vid=1&pid=373241002
Sweet Baby H 12.21.11
Sassy Baby P 03.26.14
Little Brother Due 05.22.17
May '17 labor memes
1st Baby 5/12/17, Henry
DS2 5/17
#3 Due 9/20
1st Baby 5/12/17, Henry
DS2 5/17
#3 Due 9/20