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: TTCA 35 WEEKLY CHECKIN : 1/22/18
@ndz2018 he told me that he wants to stay with you forever!!!! It's so hard not to foster fail especially when they are with you a while!!! My foster fail Mimi!! She was 20lbs when she was picked up and just bones if they found her a day later she would have been dead. She's now happy healthy and spoiled!!!
June 2016 - CP
2017 - Medicated Cycles & IUI's
IVF w/ PGS - January 2018
FET #1 - April 2018 - BFN
ERA Cycle May / June 2018
ERA Biopsy June 2018 ~ Results: receptive (no change)
FET #2 - July 2018 - BFP
U/S #1 7wk1d - HB 144 U/S #2 9w1d HB 166
Anatomy Scan 1st 11/2/18 2nd AS 11/19
EDD March 28, 2019
Baby Girl born 3/26/19
CD1 hasn't started yet. Still in the pre AF spotting stage. They told me not to call until the real flow starts. Lets pray I don't have crazy side effects. I'll just hopefully keep myself centered.
I told DH last night I decided for once in my life I'm just going to go ahead and trust the doctor and follow the instructions instead of always second guessing them.
CD, CD/DPO (if applicable): CD8
What are you doing this cycle? (Testing? Treatment? Vitamins/supplements?): microdose Lupron protocol, vitamin D, CoQ10, aspirin, dexamethasone, prenatals
Rants/Raves: I have no time! Planning to transition to being a remote employee, DD’s new preschool in a new state, planning for movers in two weeks, packing, and doing 4 injections a day. Just a little stressed!!! That’s why I’m late checking in this week.
Questions for the group:
GTKY: When was your first kiss??? It was the summer after 8th grade, I was on a date at Marine World Africa USA with who would become my first boyfriend, and it was when I popped up my head in one of those groundhog tunnels where it’s like a plexiglass done and there he was waiting for me, lol! This story makes me laugh so hard, great question this week!
What are you thankful for this week? Thankful for my network of locals to help me get through all that’s going on all at once! Taking it day by day here but I do feel a sense of calm overall. I know everything will work out.
AFM: Day 6 stims, they saw 25 follicles in there having a party. Most are between 11 - 13, 2 are around 16, so started Galirelix tonight. Possibly bumping ER up to Tuesday.
June 2016 - CP
2017 - Medicated Cycles & IUI's
IVF w/ PGS - January 2018
FET #1 - April 2018 - BFN
ERA Cycle May / June 2018
ERA Biopsy June 2018 ~ Results: receptive (no change)
FET #2 - July 2018 - BFP
U/S #1 7wk1d - HB 144 U/S #2 9w1d HB 166
Anatomy Scan 1st 11/2/18 2nd AS 11/19
EDD March 28, 2019
Baby Girl born 3/26/19
@Momifbysea Im really hoping this protocol is exactly what you need!
@vlagrl29 So CD 1 probably tomorrow? Here we go! So when do you begin meds?
@kristimh80 wow good luck with ER
@vlagrl29 I’m excited for you, FX this is the push you guys need!
@vlagrl29 Yay...finally!!!
June 2016 - CP
2017 - Medicated Cycles & IUI's
IVF w/ PGS - January 2018
FET #1 - April 2018 - BFN
ERA Cycle May / June 2018
ERA Biopsy June 2018 ~ Results: receptive (no change)
FET #2 - July 2018 - BFP
U/S #1 7wk1d - HB 144 U/S #2 9w1d HB 166
Anatomy Scan 1st 11/2/18 2nd AS 11/19
EDD March 28, 2019
Baby Girl born 3/26/19
June 2016 - CP
2017 - Medicated Cycles & IUI's
IVF w/ PGS - January 2018
FET #1 - April 2018 - BFN
ERA Cycle May / June 2018
ERA Biopsy June 2018 ~ Results: receptive (no change)
FET #2 - July 2018 - BFP
U/S #1 7wk1d - HB 144 U/S #2 9w1d HB 166
Anatomy Scan 1st 11/2/18 2nd AS 11/19
EDD March 28, 2019
Baby Girl born 3/26/19
just a big baby lol. MAKE sure afterwards you have a lot of electrolytes (Gatorade , pedialyte, coconut water) and salty snacks... maybe tortilla chips, pretzels, peanuts, etc. I made H go get me chipotle after my ER. I also Happen to have Percocets at home for something else and wound up take a few of those afterwards Bc my ovaries were aching!!!
June 2016 - CP
2017 - Medicated Cycles & IUI's
IVF w/ PGS - January 2018
FET #1 - April 2018 - BFN
ERA Cycle May / June 2018
ERA Biopsy June 2018 ~ Results: receptive (no change)
FET #2 - July 2018 - BFP
U/S #1 7wk1d - HB 144 U/S #2 9w1d HB 166
Anatomy Scan 1st 11/2/18 2nd AS 11/19
EDD March 28, 2019
Baby Girl born 3/26/19
yeah for the fertile CM @labluver2 - is that due to the supplements you started? Hopefully that will help you since the swimmers need that to get to their destination.
GL on the retrieval @kristimh80 - OHSS would scare me too!
Today a friend of ours announced they are expecting and I'm like are you Fing kidding me. Seams like everyone around me is pregnant makes this so much more difficult.
I emailed my naturopath today to let her know I decided to take some time off before we start clomid. I never did go into quest to get labs redrawn. In December I was just 1-2 points below normal level in T3 and wbc - everything else in my body is perfect. I just can't imagine those 2 things preventing us from getting pg. And to keep myself sane I'm kinda over seeing a whole bunch of docs and trying to find something wrong with me when not a damn thing is. Anyways she suggested at some point seeing her for health restoration instead of focusing on conception. I'll probably need that once I'm done with medicated cycles. I'd probably have her run everything on me again. For now though I just can't spend the extra money when we are going to be going with the RE route. Labs are covered with my naturopath but to see her in her office is $70 each time.
@vlagrl29 I feel your pain! No one ever could figure out what was wrong with me either. Only thing my RE could figure out was I didn't always ovulate on my own and maybe have PCOS ovaries since I have a lot of follicle...just no real signs of PCOS. So frustrating!
June 2016 - CP
2017 - Medicated Cycles & IUI's
IVF w/ PGS - January 2018
FET #1 - April 2018 - BFN
ERA Cycle May / June 2018
ERA Biopsy June 2018 ~ Results: receptive (no change)
FET #2 - July 2018 - BFP
U/S #1 7wk1d - HB 144 U/S #2 9w1d HB 166
Anatomy Scan 1st 11/2/18 2nd AS 11/19
EDD March 28, 2019
Baby Girl born 3/26/19
I think I'm going to buy some more OPKs - haven't done that since Sept. The digitals are expensive so I'll get some strips.
June 2016 - CP
2017 - Medicated Cycles & IUI's
IVF w/ PGS - January 2018
FET #1 - April 2018 - BFN
ERA Cycle May / June 2018
ERA Biopsy June 2018 ~ Results: receptive (no change)
FET #2 - July 2018 - BFP
U/S #1 7wk1d - HB 144 U/S #2 9w1d HB 166
Anatomy Scan 1st 11/2/18 2nd AS 11/19
EDD March 28, 2019
Baby Girl born 3/26/19
@vlagrl29 have you started meds yet or is that tomorrow? Clomid not femara, right? I did two iui’s a year ago with Femara, wow seems like eternity ago!
@kristimh80 do you know when you trigger yet? I’m thinking we will be a day or two apart on ERs. I always get so excited for it!
As for me, estrogen level is rising nicely as they put it. I’m lovingly calling the follicles my “gang of 7.” I figured I wouldn’t get a super high number, after all I AM 43, but hopefully one of these is the one! I had a dream that at my next appointment there were more follicles but realistically this is probably it. All I can hope is that the Lupron added gives them more time to mature more closely together this time. 2/3 done with injections, woohoo!
GL with your gang of 7
June 2016 - CP
2017 - Medicated Cycles & IUI's
IVF w/ PGS - January 2018
FET #1 - April 2018 - BFN
ERA Cycle May / June 2018
ERA Biopsy June 2018 ~ Results: receptive (no change)
FET #2 - July 2018 - BFP
U/S #1 7wk1d - HB 144 U/S #2 9w1d HB 166
Anatomy Scan 1st 11/2/18 2nd AS 11/19
EDD March 28, 2019
Baby Girl born 3/26/19
@vlagrl29 it’s not the most Ive had. 3 months ago they retrieved 11 eggs and 7 fertilized but none made it to day 3. So I’m focused more on quality over quantity.
June 2016 - CP
2017 - Medicated Cycles & IUI's
IVF w/ PGS - January 2018
FET #1 - April 2018 - BFN
ERA Cycle May / June 2018
ERA Biopsy June 2018 ~ Results: receptive (no change)
FET #2 - July 2018 - BFP
U/S #1 7wk1d - HB 144 U/S #2 9w1d HB 166
Anatomy Scan 1st 11/2/18 2nd AS 11/19
EDD March 28, 2019
Baby Girl born 3/26/19