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!
My name is Shail and in a FTM. I got my bfp on May 13th... Well I actually got a bfp and 2 invalids and since I was still a bit in disbelief about actually being pregnant, I took 2 more on May the 14th (Mother's Day... how ironic) and they were both positive so here I am! I haven't been to the DR yet (they won't see me until I'm at least 8 weeks) so I'm guessing my due date is around January 15th if I've done my math correctly.
I'm excited, and quite frankly still a bit stunned to be part of one of these boards. My husband and I just started trying when we got our bfp. I was a bit flabbergasted because I think I really didn't expect to get pregnant that quickly. But we are stoked to begin the journey.
Here's a little info about me. I live in Southern, CA with my husband, one giant cat (about 23lbs) and one tiny cat. By day I'm a librarian and by night I am also a librarian. I like to read (go figure), sew, and crochet. My favorite color is yellow. My favorite movie is Jurassic Park. And I have a thing for flamingo's. There's just something about a giant pink bird that I find irresistible...
I look forward to getting to know all you ladies!
EDD: 1/28/2018
Eli: 10/14/2014
*Apparently I forgot how to use the bump and properly respond to stuff, oops!*
EDD: 1/28/2018
Eli: 10/14/2014
This is my sixth pregnancy, no living children yet. Due date is 1/16 and I just turned 39 this past weekend. We have had a few scans and everything is progressing as it should - saw a HB of 144 today and measured one day ahead at 7w1d. I am more confident than I have ever been about finally having a take home baby.
Wishing each of you the best over the next seven or eight months! Looking forward to getting to know y'all.
Me: 40, DH: 35 / Married: 2009; TTC #1: 2013
2013 - 2015: 5 pregnancies —> 5 miscarriages
TTCAL with RE (RPL specialist): February 2016
2016: 3 medicated TI cycles —> 3 medicated IUI cycles: All BFN
Donor Egg IVF Transfer: May 1, 2017
May 11, 2017: BFP!! Beta #1: 449.1, Beta #2: 844, Beta #3: 1714
EDD: 1/17/18, it's a GIRL!
E. L. A. born 12/7/2017
SD: 21 & SS: 17
BFP #2 6/3/2020
*Trigger Warning*
EDD 1/24
This hopefully will be my third baby. Feeling all the feels...nervous, ecstatic, crazy, and hormonal
Looking forward to meeting everyone!
SD: 21 & SS: 17
BFP #2 6/3/2020
*Trigger Warning*
First timer here! I got the BFP on May 6th (took 2 that day) with an EDD of January 14th! I've had major exhaustion and morning food aversions (really miss my coffee), very sensitive nose.
First physical is next Wednesday, a dating US will happen on the 20th. Can't wait for that!
BFP: May 6, 2017 EDD: Jan. 13, 2018
I'm 7 weeks tomorrow (Monday) and my first prenatal exam is next Monday. It still feels unreal. I think I will believe it when I see it on the ultrasound. I'm due Jan 22 and I have a DD who is 6.5 yrs old. My husband is really excited and we can't wait to break the news to our DD who has been praying nightly for a sister for at least 4 months. We just want to wait a little longer... Any of you decide on when to tell older siblings?
DD2: 9/12/13
Baby #3: Due January 2018
DS2: Jan. 2016
DS3: Dec. 2017
Baby #4 on the way!
We live in the Phoenix area. Had my first appt today, including a scan and all looks good!
@FutureWAHM, I have a June15 baby too
@slipaustin, I'm also AMA, will be 40 at delivery
My name is Carly, I'm 29 and live in Dallas. I'm 5 weeks 5 days and will be a FTM! My DH and I are super excited and just praying that everything goes smooth the next few weeks before our first ultrasound. As of now, our EDD is 1/31/18. Can't wait to spend the next 9 months with all of you!
DD born April 2015 after many rounds of IVF and losses.
After much more of the same...
I'm Susan, a 29 y/o FTM due January 20th living in North Carolina. My H and I have been married for almost 5 years and have been TTC for 17 months. We have been dealing with both male and female factor infertility and this is our first pregnancy. We were set to start IUI in July but were pleasantly shocked to get our BFP the day before Mother's Day (5/13)! H was so sweet he ran out and got me a Mother's Day card.
We just had our second ultrasound today and "Baby Egg" is measuring 7 weeks 3 days and had a heart beat of 158. My husband cried during the ultrasound which was adorable. I'm nervous/exited/happy/freaked out that this is finally happening. I would say it doesn't even feel real except I'm nauseous all the time, haha!