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!*
Hey All! Congrats on all of your BFP's!! I am due Feb 6, 2018 and I got my BFP on June 2nd. I am a STM and have a beautiful 13 month old daughter.
This pregnancy came to my family as a huge surprise as I was diagnosed with Stage 3 Follicular Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma in May 2017. I was told by the cancer specialists that I would not be able to conceive and I would likely have to do IVF in the future after my chemo treatments. I'll go ahead and call it divine intervention as I have a little miracle brewing inside me and am over the moon excited! Very nervous....but excited. Can't wait to get to know all of you ladies and wish you all the best!
Edit: I was trying to reply to @cgb_2017 but have no clue what I'm doing apparently! Lol
I'm another IF mom--I was part of the N14 group before the giant implosion here, and decided to come back and try it out again.
I have a 2.5 year old son who I conceived through Femara/timed intercourse after one miscarriage, and just got my + this time around on my fourth Femara cycle with an IUI that we only decided to do because my husband was out of town! This was my last cycle before moving to IVF--I started the process and had a mock transfer scheduled and everything. Then I found out I was pregnant! EDD is 2/8. I will have my first u/s on 6/23 so I'm looking forward to just seeing this dang baby. It's agonizing!
I work full time at a university as a librarian & live in the Ann Arbor, MI area. Excited to get to know you all!
Mr. & Mrs. Clark
Hey! You were in A16, right?!
***TW*** I had a MMC in early March at about 11 weeks. It was devastating and I'm trying to enjoy this pregnancy even though I have some milestones to pass. ***END TW***
Other than that, I'm about to turn 34 and DH is 32. We've been married for almost 4 years. We have one cute little kitty. Well not so little... she's fat, but she's still cute.
Married Aug. 2013
TTC #1 Sep. 2016
***TW***
BFP Jun. 5, 2017; MMC Aug. 2, 2017 at 11w6d
BFP Nov. 20, 2017; ended in CP
All the tests. Everything normal except treated for ureaplasma and DH potentially has high DNAF.
BFP Dec. 25, 2017; EDD Sep. 5, 2018; DD arrived Aug. 26th
My chart: https://www.fertilityfriend.com/home/63f71d
I'm a STM (DD is 17 months old), teacher, baseball fan, dog lover, baker, and a definite family person. I was an active participant in my last BMB and I'm still in touch with a group of about 25 of them on a daily basis. I honestly can't imagine having gone through my last pregnancy without them the laughs and support, so I'm excited to get to know you all! Congrats to everyone!!!
I'm Betina, 29 years old and from Denmark...
I haven't had my BFP yet, but i can test in a few days, if i get my BFP my EDD will be on february 18th...
It's my 3rd child - also my husbands 3rd child, but our first child together...
I have 2 girls on almost 8 years and 2,5 years... My husband has a girl on almost 8 years and a boy on almost 7 years...
BFP#3 5/22/17 | MC 6/17/17 at 7w3d
Me: 40 DH: 46
Married: Oct 2013
TTC #1 since Oct 2013.
dx: unexplained (age)
Aug 2014 - IUI#1 + injectables - BFP (m/c 11/6/2014 - 14 weeks placental abruption)
Feb 2015 - IUI#2 + injectables - BFP (m/c 3/31/2015 - 9 weeks unknown cause)
Jun 2015 - IUI#3 + injectables - BFP delivered healthy baby girl 03/23/2016
TTC #2 since Sept 2016
Dec 2016 - spontaneous BFP (first ever!) - beta#1-57, beta #2-17 CP
May 2017 - clomid challenge
Married Aug. 2013
TTC #1 Sep. 2016
***TW***
BFP Jun. 5, 2017; MMC Aug. 2, 2017 at 11w6d
BFP Nov. 20, 2017; ended in CP
All the tests. Everything normal except treated for ureaplasma and DH potentially has high DNAF.
BFP Dec. 25, 2017; EDD Sep. 5, 2018; DD arrived Aug. 26th
My chart: https://www.fertilityfriend.com/home/63f71d
I am so so happy for you ladies @Zoey1019 @LadyMillil @Megzb510!!!!
--planning to be the lurkiest lurker cheering you on!
April 2016 - AMH, FSH, Progesterone normal
June 2016 - HSG clear
*TW* BFP - Aug16, demise confirmed Sep16, incomplete m/c, D&C Nov16
BFP 3/27/17, edd 12/7/17
DS - 12/9/17
TTC #2 December 2018
BFP 2/22/19, edd 11/4/19
DD - 11/1/19
My Chart
I am a FTM from Tulsa, OK and of course, SUPER nervous about everything that could possibly be going wrong with my pregnancy. I got my BFP May 30th (day before my husbands birthday) after trying only 1 month. We were shocked to say the least, but SO excited!! Gosh, these next 8 months seem like they are going to be so slow with all the worrying I am doing. I had my first appointment Tuesday with the PA at my OBGYN's office and got bloodwork done, then had to go back yesterday for my second HCG quant. My first on Tuesday was 2,910, so I'm hoping to hear good results from yesterdays test too... maybe I'll feel a little more reassured about the pregnancy. So far I haven't had many symptoms at all except maybe more tired at night and a little sore boobs. Crossing my fingers for no nausea!!! Excited to be on this journey with all of you!!
Wow....6 kids! I'm beyond impressed. You must have some amazing patience!
congratulations everyone!
My hubby and I will be celebrating our 10 year wedding anniversary next month (we are high school sweethearts) and we are just over the moon excited to be expecting our first baby. I'm an RN in ICU and we live in southern California with our 2 adorable pugs.
We did our IVF FET on May 24th, took a test and got our BFP on June 1st, which the beta test confirmed the next day. Second beta test was June 6th and the numbers are going up just like they should. Our EDD is February 7th! Our first US is scheduled on the 21st and I can't wait! ♡
IF veterans; #1 conceived on second clomid+HCG+IUI, #2 conceived on 1st Letrozole+HCG+IUI
EDD: Feb 5, 2018
Married Aug. 2013
TTC #1 Sep. 2016
***TW***
BFP Jun. 5, 2017; MMC Aug. 2, 2017 at 11w6d
BFP Nov. 20, 2017; ended in CP
All the tests. Everything normal except treated for ureaplasma and DH potentially has high DNAF.
BFP Dec. 25, 2017; EDD Sep. 5, 2018; DD arrived Aug. 26th
My chart: https://www.fertilityfriend.com/home/63f71d
Any other runners out there planning to continue as long as medically (and bodily
Baby#2
DD#1
Anywho I hope to be more active on this board than my last. So hello and I look forward to getting to know everyone.
I'm 36 and got my BFP last week and going for my second blood test tomorrow - dr wants to make sure levels are going up. It's been a loooooooooong rough and sad road to get here, but I am so happy to be back! We have a DS who is 3. I'm proceeding cautiously because it's so early but definitely enjoying every moment worth celebrating! Great to meet all of you.
I'm a little nervous because we had a loss back in October about a week after we had our BFP, so I'm going in tomorrow to have my bloodwork done and make sure I don't need any extra supplements to stay pregnant.
My husband and I have a daughter who will be 3 in September.
Hope we all have a happy and healthy 9 months!
@katefb17 I am planning to continue to run!
Married Aug. 2013
TTC #1 Sep. 2016
***TW***
BFP Jun. 5, 2017; MMC Aug. 2, 2017 at 11w6d
BFP Nov. 20, 2017; ended in CP
All the tests. Everything normal except treated for ureaplasma and DH potentially has high DNAF.
BFP Dec. 25, 2017; EDD Sep. 5, 2018; DD arrived Aug. 26th
My chart: https://www.fertilityfriend.com/home/63f71d