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: Weekly randoms, 5.29-6.2
I also think a fitness thread would be good. Surprisingly my stomach went down pretty fast this time since I didn't gain as much, but tightening back up might be a challenge. The other day I got asked by a stranger "so when are you due" I wanted to give the lady the middle finger and say 8 days ago biatch, there's my baby right there...I still wonder why people think it's ok to ask
Yay for all the babies being born and induction dates in sight, it's so much easier to move around not being pregnant.
woo hoo for induction dates being set!!
DS2 5/17
#3 Due 9/20
11.2011 - DS1
02.2013 - loss at 6 wks
06.2014 - DS2
10.2015 - loss at 12 wks
03.2017 - DD
11.2011 - DS1
02.2013 - loss at 6 wks
06.2014 - DS2
10.2015 - loss at 12 wks
03.2017 - DD
I am not really one to worry about numbers on a scale. I care more about how I feel and my energy levels! So far I am feeling great and that is keeping me motivated!
I had some time to myself today going to the doctor and running errands. It was so nice to be out of the house alone, and I felt refreshed coming back to my fussy baby. I'm hoping the gas drops and bliss water that I bought today will help. It also could just be that he's finally acting like a real newborn after 5 weeks of being a sleepy preemie baby! We hit his due date yesterday.
@chailife34, how's your week going?
Married: October 2014
Began TTC: April 2015
BFP #1: 9/18/15. EDD 5/18/16. MC 10/26/15. (9w)
BFP #2: 2/27/16. EDD 11/7/16. MC/D&E 4/20/16 (11w)
BFP #3: 9/22/16. EDD 5/29/17. DS born 4/24/17
BFP #4: 5/20/18. EDD 1/23/19.
That way we can try to start the week out on a good note? If not- I'm down for whatever
Married: October 2014
Began TTC: April 2015
BFP #1: 9/18/15. EDD 5/18/16. MC 10/26/15. (9w)
BFP #2: 2/27/16. EDD 11/7/16. MC/D&E 4/20/16 (11w)
BFP #3: 9/22/16. EDD 5/29/17. DS born 4/24/17
BFP #4: 5/20/18. EDD 1/23/19.
@mrsrep123 How nice of your mothers to help out! Our parents had food and support ready when we got home from the hospital, and it was so nice! I didn't think I'd want visitors, but I ended up really appreciating their support.
In regards to pp body, I'm just ignoring it for now. I gained 40 lbs and haven't weighed myself pp. I have this big, loose belly and weirdly saggy butt (no more shame), but awesome boobs. I figure I'll start returning to normal at some point, but I'm not really ready to make any weight loss efforts yet. Also only 4 days pp. I do wonder if I'll ever be able to fit back into my pants. I feel like my hips are just wider now.
@Jens_Hoes Leaving the dog was hard for me, too. We had to leave in the middle of the night. I had a friend on call to stop by, but she didn't get there until 9:30 that morning, by which time my dog had peed inside. Then my parents stayed at our house once they got into town, but my dog still had to be kenneled more than usual. When we got home, she was perfectly fine. Just remind yourself that dogs are very adjustable, and it'll only be a couple days.
@Jens_Hoes and @ShadeofGreen816 Rooting for you two!
@starphish18 I am hopeful for your appointment tomorrow!
@lrwardrop I have similar ages and tomorrow will my first morning with out H home. I anticipate it being a cluster.
DS2 5/17
#3 Due 9/20
@lrwardrop and @Louise_Belcher solidarity ladies! I have the same ages and you're right, my toddler has been crying more than my newborn. In the past 3 weeks, I think I've been alone with them just 3 times and only for a few hours but it is anxiety-inducing for sure. Good luck ladies.
DS1 7/24/15
DS2 5/7/17
DS1 7/24/15
DS2 5/7/17
DS2 5/17
#3 Due 9/20
Also on the toddler front, I lost my mind and decided to move DS1 (21mo) to his twin bed a week ago since he was currently occupying the only crib. I guess I figure we are up constantly right now anyway might as well lose all the sleep. The first two days we had to throw in the towel and put him in the crib, but since then he has slept in his big boy bed like a champ. (Watch now I have jinxed myself for tonight!)
DS2 5/17
#3 Due 9/20
Married: October 2014
Began TTC: April 2015
BFP #1: 9/18/15. EDD 5/18/16. MC 10/26/15. (9w)
BFP #2: 2/27/16. EDD 11/7/16. MC/D&E 4/20/16 (11w)
BFP #3: 9/22/16. EDD 5/29/17. DS born 4/24/17
BFP #4: 5/20/18. EDD 1/23/19.
DS1 7/24/15
DS2 5/7/17
DS2 5/17
#3 Due 9/20
DS1 7/24/15
DS2 5/7/17
Married: October 2014
Began TTC: April 2015
BFP #1: 9/18/15. EDD 5/18/16. MC 10/26/15. (9w)
BFP #2: 2/27/16. EDD 11/7/16. MC/D&E 4/20/16 (11w)
BFP #3: 9/22/16. EDD 5/29/17. DS born 4/24/17
BFP #4: 5/20/18. EDD 1/23/19.
@kns1988 My BIL asked this exact question when DS1 was first born. He 100% meant does he get baby food. Clueless.
DS2 5/17
#3 Due 9/20
@kns1988 - man people are weird. I stopped by the office to give HR a copy of Elliott's ss card, and a coworker asked me if she was sleeping through the night yet. Fortunately someone else was standing near by and scoffed for me!!! Lol
Married:09/14/13
Baby 2 - Due: 5/4/17
too!!! Of course the baby is good. Everyone knows they don't become assholes until they are toddlers
Married:09/14/13
Baby 2 - Due: 5/4/17
11.2011 - DS1
02.2013 - loss at 6 wks
06.2014 - DS2
10.2015 - loss at 12 wks
03.2017 - DD
May17 Siggy Challenge
Labor
Sweet Baby H 12.21.11
Sassy Baby P 03.26.14
Little Brother Due 05.22.17