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 Appointments 7/24
For 2 months now basically the only thing my doctor has told me about this baby is that he's going to be big. That's it.
Today my appointment was yea he's big come back next week so we can talk about inducing or a c-section.
Um no. Ultrasound are notoriously wrong at guessing baby weight and I'm not being induced because baby *might* be large..
We went to monitoring before the appointment for 30 minutes doc didn't like how it looked and so we had to go back after. So between doc running behind and the monitoring and going to the lab my appointment was FOUR freaking hours today. Really not looking forward to my next appointment.
Married: 7/21/12
BFP: 12/4/16 Due 8/8/17 -- Its a boy! Born 8/14/17
BFP: 5/19/19 and MC on 5/27/19
BFP: 6/24/19, MC on 7/24/19
BFP: 10/24, no heartbeat on 11/27, D&C 12/2
Officially diagnosed with Secondary infertility and recurrent miscarriage
IVF started Feb 2020
retrieval and PGT testing: 18 retrieved, 17 mature, 16 fertilized, 9 to blast, 8 PGT normal.
Transfer #1: June 14, 2020
Was so glad he is head down that I forgot to ask her how big she thought he was! Kicking myself now for not asking and there are no other planned ultrasounds. I wondering if they can tell by feeling next week?
I told her I lost my mucus plug and she didn't say anything so I am not going to worry about it (no contractions or anything). Planning to go swimming this weekend and meant to ask if that was OK but she seemed very unconcerned so I'll stop worrying about it!
***TW in Siggy***
Me: 34 / DH: 33
Married: Nov 2011
TTC #1: Jan 2013, BFP Sept 2013, DD: June 2014
TTC #2: Aug 2016, BFP Nov 2016, DS: August 2017
I also had a friend that wound up in an emergency c section when her baby got stuck after 3 hours of pushing. My friend has the epitome of child birthing hips and baby was 7 pounds even.
I think I'd be super annoyed that they just now think it's a problem. Also, you had your first successfully via vaginal birth so I think they should at least let you try.
It really makes me sad when some doctors push unnecessary interventions and it makes them all look unnecessary.
@bumpybump yay for good blood pressure
She actually was the one who said she thought the US was big for what she really is. But, I have a heart condition that shouldn't impact much but she said that is why in combination with babies size she won't let me go too far past and would push a c-section sooner than normal. We will be 39weeks on Friday and I have an apt tomorrow so we will see if that changes anything.
1 infant loss
8/17: Our daughter was born
8/18: Our daughter kicked open heart surgery ass
2/19: We lost our son to Prader-Willi/Paradoxical Vocal Cord/ Noonans at 6wks old
4/26/2020: EDD for baby #3!!!
Also had a epidural during labor and developed a spinal headache from that. Was terrible for 11 days where I was practically in bed nonstop and had to have a blood patch yesterday to fix it, but am feeling so much better.
My doctor says she typically starts doing cervix checks at 36 weeks. Has anyone refused or delayed these? I know it's an option, but I have a hard time advocating for myself. I have a big event the day after my 36 week appt. I don't want to feel any discomfort from a cervical check and I don't really want to know my alleged 'progress' yet. I just need to get past this event, and I'll feel much more comfortable with getting checked or potentially going into labor.
Married: 10.15.16
DS BD: 8.20.17
TTC #2 1.1.19
BFP #2 7.3.19
EDD #2 3.13.20
DD#1: 5/29/12
DD#2: 1/14/15
Baby #3 on the way due 8/19/17
***TW in Siggy***
Me: 34 / DH: 33
Married: Nov 2011
TTC #1: Jan 2013, BFP Sept 2013, DD: June 2014
TTC #2: Aug 2016, BFP Nov 2016, DS: August 2017
5.5.16 | 8.14.17 | 1.30.19
Another checkup in 2 weeks, then I start seeing her weekly. I have a growth u/s scheduled for 37 weeks. I don't normally have one this late in the game, but I think it's because next week I'll officially be of AMA, so it's probably standard for higher risk patients.
@aehogan90 The vajayjay pain is real! Good luck at Costco.
5.5.16 | 8.14.17 | 1.30.19
I have an appointment at 1:15 today. 37+5. Only one more after today. Trying to decide whether or not to get checked.
@aehogan90 I woke up this morning with you on my mind and a feeling it's going to be soon for you!
The doctor did say that if I come in next week for my due date they'll check then, because it'll effect how they plan an induction. He said they'll reserve a spot at the hospital for induction for my 41 week date in case the baby doesn't come on her own, and checking the cervix at 40 weeks would help determine if they should schedule it any sooner.
So... just waiting.
Ed. Today at my appointment the midwife estimated baby to be 5 1/2 lbs. She did it by squeezing the baby in my belly so I'm not sure how accurate that is.
5.5.16 | 8.14.17 | 1.30.19
1 infant loss
8/17: Our daughter was born
8/18: Our daughter kicked open heart surgery ass
2/19: We lost our son to Prader-Willi/Paradoxical Vocal Cord/ Noonans at 6wks old
4/26/2020: EDD for baby #3!!!
@SouthernMama15 my doc basically said it's not possible to have a 10lb baby naturally. Totally side-eying the glowing recommendations from everyone about this doc now..
#1 - DD: 7/5/12
#2 - DS: 5/21/14
#3 - EDD: 8/25/17
***TW in Siggy***
Me: 34 / DH: 33
Married: Nov 2011
TTC #1: Jan 2013, BFP Sept 2013, DD: June 2014
TTC #2: Aug 2016, BFP Nov 2016, DS: August 2017
I'm just impatiently wait for my boy!!