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: The Official Name Thread
Oct. '17 June S.C. "You Had 1 Job"
We still don't know what we're having, but my husband suggested Annabelle for a girl because of family significance. I'm not wild about it, but I do love the nickname Annie, so it's still in the running. Any chance your DH would come around on Colette for the nickname Coco or something (or Cece for Cecelia)?
@canonmom413 last name begins with P.
May Siggy Challenge: Parenting Fails
For a girl, we've got nothing.
I heart YNAB
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“Happiness can be found even in the darkest of times,
if one only remembers to turn on the light."
- Albus Dumbledore
Sooooooo my vote is Ryder.
BFP#3: 2/9/13 EDD 10/18/17. Team Green for Round 2!
Oct. '17 June S.C. "You Had 1 Job"
@natleilynn Ryder is also super sweet—bummer that you can't use it with your last name! I'm not usually one to recommend more "out there" names, but there was a kid on Dancing with the Stars a few seasons ago named Riker/Ryker and I actually liked that name. So maybe something to consider if you love Ryder but can't use it!
BFP#3: 2/9/13 EDD 10/18/17. Team Green for Round 2!
BFP#3: 2/9/13 EDD 10/18/17. Team Green for Round 2!
BFP: 10.3.16 | CP: 10.11.16
BFP: 12.14.16 | CP: 12.14.16
BFP: 1.23.17 | EDD 10.6.17 -- DS born 10.7.17
BFP: 9.9.18 | EDD 5.23.19 -- DD born 5.24.19
BFP: 9.1.21 | MC 10.1.21
My mom's longtime SO is named Noel, pronounced "No-ull" and yes, everyone initially calls him No-elle, like the carol.
May Siggy Challenge: Parenting Fails
@tsa208 Does your mom's SO hate correcting everyone or it's just par for the course?
BFP: 10.3.16 | CP: 10.11.16
BFP: 12.14.16 | CP: 12.14.16
BFP: 1.23.17 | EDD 10.6.17 -- DS born 10.7.17
BFP: 9.9.18 | EDD 5.23.19 -- DD born 5.24.19
BFP: 9.1.21 | MC 10.1.21
@laeberge3 I've never heard it pronounced that way. I really like it for a boy. But like all names that have multiple pronunciations with the same spelling, it will be something he corrects his entire life. I have a name that is commonly mispronounced, I'm always correcting people and spelling it out. I hated it as a kid but now I love the uniqueness of it. If you like it, go for it!
Preemie ID DDs; then DS; then natural M/C; now due 10/17
High risk for pre-term: weekly Makena injections
@laeberge3 I think it is just par for the course these days for him. He is so NOT a Noelle though - he's pretty country - so it's funny to hear him called that.
When @natleilynn said Ryder doesn't go with her ln my mind immediately went to the possibilities... Dye, Hard, Goode...
@beezeemarie Clara? Carris (rhymes with ferris)?
Im just joining back in, team green but I have new options... still nothing set in stone for either sex. But I just came across a name for a girl that I love (I've heard it before but never alongside DS's name). DS is Hayes and the girl name that just became the front runner is Hattie. Hayes & Hattie together is KILLING me. Especially since we might be done after this one. I need a baby girl now LOL. But what for a middle name? I want it to be familial and meaningful so here are some family names:
Alice, Ash, Ellenae, June
last name (surprise) Streeter
May Siggy Challenge: Parenting Fails
ETA because my brain didn't process your whole post and I suggested finding a meaningful name for the middle. Doh!
I like June best, too. But I would honor whoever is most important - the sound of the middle name isn't important unless you plan to use the names together (which you totally could with Hattie June!).
I love june for a middle name!
But yeah, that's the type of last name we have and would give a high school boy way too much ammo to be a total jerk face. Soooooo alas. I give up the name Ryder.
BFP#3: 2/9/13 EDD 10/18/17. Team Green for Round 2!
+1 one on the Noel PLL reference! That's what I kept thinking of with this post.
@kkerner87 I love Bash that is so cute!