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.
mrsrep123
member
Re: Tuesday Ticker Change 5.23
How many weeks old is baby? 2 weeks and 2 days
Any medical appointments/updates for baby or mom this week? Had his 2 week check up yesterday. Rowan had passed up his birth weight (Yaye!) and grew 2.5 inches! He's in the upper 90th percentile for height and head circumference, just like his big brother was/is.
Questions, concerns, updates, etc. concerning feeding/weight gain? Just pumping away. Got a small stash going on.
Questions, concerns, updates, etc. concerning sleeping or other symptoms for both baby & mom? He's starting to have more "awake" time which is fun/exciting/exhausting. But now, starting tummy time other than just on my chest.
Rants/raves/questions? Wish we didn't have to rely on Daniel Tiger and Sesame Street so much for our toddler. We rotate with outside time, playroom, drawing/coloring, story time... he's 21 months old... But the TV is on waaaaay more than we are used to. I feel bad but don't know how else to get through the day.
GTKY: Are you remembering to make YOU time? If so, what do you do for you? I remember but don't have the luxury to really do what I want, which is a mani and pedi, facial, and eyebrow threading. But, for now, I make sure to get in a piece of dark chocolate to satisfy my sweet tooth and watch some of my shows when both DS's are napping or MH has DS1.
DS1 7/24/15
DS2 5/7/17
How big is baby? Very Large
Any appointments this week? One today. Being induced Thursday morning so she has a day and a half to come on her own.
Symptoms? Just tired, sore peeing the usual
Rants/Raves/Questions? The end is near! Kind of excited for her to have a birthday so close to Memorial Day. Means she will always have a long weekend to celebrate
Progress made or plans for baby preparation? Two days
GTKY: Are you remembering to make YOU time? If so, what do you do for you? I don't do too much so I guess so
@mrsrep123 congrats on Rowan gaining weight!
DS1 7/24/15
DS2 5/7/17
Any medical appointments/updates for baby or mom this week? Not unless I make one to have her congestion checked out
Questions, concerns, updates, etc. concerning feeding/weight gain? We've been having some pretty EPIC spit-ups, and it makes me worry that I am feeding her too often/too long. This happened with DS too, and I got 'gun-shy' and would only feed him on one side each time. That was the beginning of my supply issues, so I hope we aren't about to start on that downward spiral this time around!
Questions, concerns, updates, etc. concerning sleeping or other symptoms for both baby & mom? We're doing OK with sleep. She usually eats 3x/night and goes right back to sleep 2 of those times. The other time, she is bright eyed and bushy tailed and awake for about an hour and a half.
Rants/raves/questions? RAVE: Our Church set up a meal calendar for us, and I cannot BELIEVE how much food we have received. I didn't think there would be much since we live about 40 minutes from Church (and most of the people who attend), but they have SHOWED UP in a big way. It's been a huge help, and it's so sweet to have their support.
GTKY: Are you remembering to make YOU time? If so, what do you do for you? Does it count if I took the baby to Target while Dad pushed the big one around the neighborhood?
@mrsrep123 - HOORAY for weight gain! That can be so stressful, and it's nice to not have to worry about it. Eyebrow threading - YEEE-OUCH! I've had it done once, and I'll take waxing ANY day!
@SWE2 - It's so exciting to be that close to the end! Fx everything goes quickly Thursday (or before!).
@SWE2 So close!! She will be here soon
@emilyalso Louis is congested sounding too. The pedi thinks he has reflux and that it has to do with that. DS1 never had that so I have basically zero knowledge about it.
How many weeks old is baby? 2 weeks 3 days
Any medical appointments/updates for baby or mom this week? Had his 2 week check up yesterday and he was over birth weight!! Because of the weight gain issues I had with DS1 I am still very nervous though.
Questions, concerns, updates, etc. concerning feeding/weight gain? I cannot confirm but I feel like I am suddenly not making as much milk. I think I need to drink more water and probably worry less.
Questions, concerns, updates, etc. concerning sleeping or other symptoms for both baby & mom? Sleep is hard, but not as bad as I remember it with DS1. Also we are currently trying to get DS1 moved to a big boy bed because we are crazy.
Rants/raves/questions?
GTKY: Are you remembering to make YOU time? If so, what do you do for you? I think so. I shower every morning and do my hair and make up at some point during the day and have went out without kids with my mom for a couple hours.
DS2 5/17
#3 Due 9/20
@Louise_Belcher Yes, you two are crazy!
DS1 7/24/15
DS2 5/7/17
DS2 5/17
#3 Due 9/20
DS1 7/24/15
DS2 5/7/17
@SWE2 you're so close!
@emilyalso that's so awesome of the people in your church. Sounds like you'll be eating well for a while!
@Louise_Belcher I'm so glad you're seeing the weight gain! I hope the supply issue isn't a problem - I worry about this constantly.
How many weeks old is baby? 5 days old today
Any medical appointments/updates for baby or mom this week? We've been having daily visits from the midwives to monitor his bilirubin and we had an appointment with a breastfeeding Clinic yesterday to address some issues we were having.
Questions, concerns, updates, etc. concerning feeding/weight gain? We were doing great with feedings up until two nights ago and then all hell broke loose - he wouldn't maintain his latch and it was taking him hours to feed. We got into a breastfeeding Clinic yesterday and they snipped his tongue tie and I'm starting out each feed with a nipple shield now. Turns out my boobs have gotten so big my already flat-ish nipples were stretched out even more, hence the problem latching.
Questions, concerns, updates, etc. concerning sleeping or other symptoms for both baby & mom? No, he still won't sleep if he's put down but we are OK with that for now.
Rants/raves/questions? I'm just so happy my midwives come to my house. All I want to do is hang out at home in my pj's with my two favourite guys.
GTKY: Are you remembering to make YOU time? If so, what do you do for you? I'm trying, mostly by staying on top of personal hygiene. I just don't care right now to do anything else.
DS1 7/24/15
DS2 5/7/17
DS2 5/17
#3 Due 9/20