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!
I'm a 24 year old stay at home momma to an 18 month old little girl.
Bfp March 23
Edd Dec 1
Diagnosed : unexplained infertility
6 rounds of IUI and a MC 2/2014, rainbow twins 4/2015
TTC #3 5/2016
Restarted Fertility tx
IUI 2 rounds, baby girl 12/17
Im Madie, and this will be my second child! My husband and I are thrilled to finally be expecting together. My son is also a December baby and will be 5 this year.
At me to the 2 club, DS turns 2 tomorrow and due the 18th
My my name is Kara. I'm a second time mom (daughter just turned one this April) living in Austin, TX. I just got my BFP a couple of day so ago, and according to ovulation, due date is December 28!
I got my BFP : March 30th and my EDD : December 10th!
I am 7w4d
My husband and I had been trying for about two years. We found out he has a very low sperm count due to low testosterone. He was put on clomid for about 7 months when we finally decided to do our first round of IUI. It worked! We were pregnant on our first try, and we are so excited for our journey!
We had our first ultrasound on 4/25 and we found out we are having TRIPLETS! Our world has completely changed and the things we've had planned are now out the window (especially my birthing plan). I'm very nervous and I am still in shock... We both are. But we are so in love with our little ones already, and we can't wait to meet them!
DD - 12/28/17
TTC #2 3/2019
BFP 5/2019 || MC - D&C 5/2019
BFP 2/2020 || EDD 10/10/2020
I'm thrilled to be here.
I am 40, and married to my beautiful wife of 1 1/2 years. We were super lucky to get me pregnant with donor sperm at home, and I'm still in awe that it happened.
Never been pregnant before.
We got to see a nice strong heartbeat in our early ultrasound at 7 weeks just last week.
Due date 12/9
I can't figure out the pregnancy countdown tickers, but I do know how to make a signature!
#40andpregnant
As of 12/15/2017, my new hashtag is #41 and pregnant!
Due date 12/9
I can't figure out the pregnancy countdown tickers, but I do know how to make a signature!
#40andpregnant
As of 12/15/2017, my new hashtag is #41 and pregnant!
@Knottie1444409292 Congratulations and welcome! You may want to stop by the Knot and update your user name so we can recognize you as we get to know you better!
I have a 5 year old DD through IVF ICSI & PGD. She was a twin but had a missed miscarriage at 7.5 weeks. Went on to continue the pregnancy with no complications.
Since thenI had numerous failed IVF transfers, 2 miscarriages and 1 chemical. IVF was due to my husband at the time but we have been separated 2 years now.
Im now with my DP who is 36 and has no children. I stopped taking birth control in September but thought i would have great difficulty in falling pregnant just due to my history and PCOS and endo...
Last month we had a chemical and wasnt expecting a BFP this month. Have had positive HPT and confirmed with bloods. Have just had more bloods done to ease my mind And hopefully to stop stressing about the possibility of MC......
I've been soooooo tired, sore boobs, my nipples feel sunburnt and the nausea lasts ALL DAY! PRAYING this is my sticky baby x
Diagnosed : unexplained infertility
6 rounds of IUI and a MC 2/2014, rainbow twins 4/2015
TTC #3 5/2016
Restarted Fertility tx
IUI 2 rounds, baby girl 12/17
TTC#1: October 2015
dx: PCOS & MFI
IUI #1 w/Femara + Ovidrel June 2016 ~ BFP
July 2016: Blighted Ovum
IUI #2 w/Femara + Ovidrel September 2016 ~BFN
IUI #3 w/Femara + Ovidrel October 2016 ~BFN
IUI #4 w/Femara + Ovidrel November 2016 ~BFN
IVF with ICSI January 2017 ~BFN
FET February 2017 ~BFN
IVF with ICSI March 2017 ~BFP--Twins Due 12/8/17
Team Blue X 2!
Due date 12/9
I can't figure out the pregnancy countdown tickers, but I do know how to make a signature!
#40andpregnant
As of 12/15/2017, my new hashtag is #41 and pregnant!
Joining this group a bit late, but just got my BFP this week, so I figured I would jump on and introduce myself.
This will be baby #2 for DH and me. We have a 15 month old daughter, who is pretty freaking awesome. I was relatively active on the Jan16 board (still am from time to time), and am excited to join this BMB.
I am a high school teacher, and DH is in law enforcement. I love books, photography and traveling.
This is an entirely unexpected pregnancy for DH and I. I'll be honest that I have always totally side-eyed married couples who get pregnant on accident. I mean...how hard is it to prevent a pregnancy? Pay attention to your cycle, and throw a condom on. Easy peasy. I now take back all of the judgmental thoughts I had. One time. Seriously...one flippin' time without a condom (literally the DAY after my period ended), and here we are. So, while this pregnancy is unexpected (and has had me crying non-stop for the last couple of days) it is not unwelcome. EDD is December 30th, so I'm hoping this LO comes on time. I mean, let's be honest, having an extra tax write off this year would be particularly awesome...
edited to add EDD
My EDD is December 13th with a GIRL!!
We did IVF with PGS, and this little girl has 5 siblings in the freezer for later. We tried to conceive for two years, including 7 medicated cycles, 3 IUIs, one round of IVF with a frozen embryo transfer.
We are thrilled and terrified.
Ive had some scary bleeding at 6w1d which turned out to be a subchorionic hemorrhage. It's pretty large, and very scary, but I'm praying it goes away on its own. We have seen baby and heartbeat twice now and she seems to be growing right on schedule, with the latest heartbeat at 127 on 6w6d.
She has one big fur brother, a golden retriever, that we are obsessed with.
Cant wait to get to know you ladies!!
IUI August 2016 : Cancelled due to polyp
September 2016: Polyp removal/hysteroscopy
October 2016: IUI #1- BFN
November 2016: IUI #2- BFN
December 2016: IUI #3 - BFN
January/February 2017 - IVF + ICSI + PGD
March 2017 - FET
Just got my positive as well. EDD 12/31. I am a mom to an awesome 15 month old boy who keeps us plenty busy- not sure how adding a pregnancy and then another child to the mix is going to go.
I am a patent attorney and my husband is also an attorney. We love sports and travel and live in the Detroit metro area.
Excited to be a part of this board
Diagnosed : unexplained infertility
6 rounds of IUI and a MC 2/2014, rainbow twins 4/2015
TTC #3 5/2016
Restarted Fertility tx
IUI 2 rounds, baby girl 12/17
TTC#1: October 2015
dx: PCOS & MFI
IUI #1 w/Femara + Ovidrel June 2016 ~ BFP
July 2016: Blighted Ovum
IUI #2 w/Femara + Ovidrel September 2016 ~BFN
IUI #3 w/Femara + Ovidrel October 2016 ~BFN
IUI #4 w/Femara + Ovidrel November 2016 ~BFN
IVF with ICSI January 2017 ~BFN
FET February 2017 ~BFN
IVF with ICSI March 2017 ~BFP--Twins Due 12/8/17
Team Blue X 2!
DX Diminished Ovarian Reserve, Factor V Leiden Mutation, Secondary Infertility
MFI (SA #1Count 11mill, Motility: 18%, Morphology: 1%)
AMH .328 | FSH 13.2
I'm Kelsey, 28 and currently 6w6d due December 16th.
My husband and I plus our 2 fur babies live in Chicago.
This is our first!
Happy and excited to meet you all :-)
Hi all, I'm Aisha, age 29 and I live in the DC area. I am due on December 30 I am happy to join this group after a long struggle with infertility. I am hoping this pregnancy "sticks" to term or at least healthy preterm as I had a missed miscarriage at 12 weeks. I have survived a lot of unfortunate things in life but I think that was by far the hardest thing. I made a cute little altar to remember that little one even as I am moving forward with a new pregnancy. I definitely still carry that little one in my heart.
Anyway I look forward to being a part of this group. I have three cats that I love to pieces and a hubby.
My biggest struggle is trying to fix all those sour patches in my self that I dont want to pass on to a little one (or at least trying to). One of those things is finding the time to craft, I love that there are so many crafters here. I do not know how you all do it. I work in healthcare about 80+ hours a week but I cant still imagine how hard it is to be a working mom or full time mom at home.
Anyway im excited to contribute to this group
I'm a SAHM with a 3 1/2 year old and a 2 year old.
I'm very excited to be pregnant again, but I'm a little nervous about the logistics of life with 3 kids at home by myself all day. How will we ever get out? Then again, I was nervous about going from one to two and it turned out fine...
I lurked a little with my last pregnancy, but I'm pretty new to the boards. I'm looking forward to getting to know you all!
I'm Bekkah, about to turn 30 in June, and I live in Atlanta.
BFP date: April 24th
EDD: December 23
This is my first pregnancy and I'm basically in shock since my DH and I TTC for years before being told that conceiving a child would be impossible without medical intervention. We actually moved on from TTC and adopted two children from foster care! We have a 12 y/o daughter and a 9 y/o son through adoption. This baby is a complete and utter shock to say the least. We are so incredibly excited though!
BFP April 24, 2018 | EDD December 29, 2018
My name is Ellen, I'm 28 and my EDD is December 2nd (my birthday!). I live in Iowa with my SO who is also 28 and a bit more stoic in his excitement.
My name is Michele and this is our first