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.
Kath525
member
Re: TTCAL week of 3/26
2. Status?WTO Trigger shot tonight then IUI Wednesday. US this morning showed 4 follicles
3. R/R: hate Monday’s and I’m duty today so have to work until 5 which I normally work til 330
4.GTKY: What is your favorite game (card, board, video, etc)? Pinochle such an old ladies game I know and I used to play with my mom, aunt, sisters and grandma. All the guys in family said we would have cult night when we got together to play. We had such a good time all us ladies. I miss it. We basically stopped playing when my grandma passed away
2. Status? TWW, currently 9dpo
3. R/R: Rave: Got to see my mom and a few of my friends this weekend, had an amazing roasted cauliflower sandwich yesterday- trying to see the positives in life. Rant: Still not pg and I’m so scared that it won’t happen.
4.GTKY: What is your favorite game (card, board, video, etc)? Ok so this is a very dangerous question to ask a nerd like myself. I really like tabletop RPGs like dungeons and dragons, since they are so social and fun to play with friends. I won’t get into specific systems for everyone’s sake
3. R/R: Sun is shinning. It makes my soul happy.
4.GTKY: What is your favorite game (card, board, video, etc)? Most card games are a go. Like @Mack2342 its something all the women in the family did. Some great memories
@Mack2342 Good luck! Fx for you
I think we're on the same cycle day, and I figured we'd start "trying" on Wednesday.
2. Status? CD10, WTO. Will start using OPKs today. Worried I won't O again this month.
3. R/R: Rave: I'm so happy that spring finally seems to be here! Also happy that our consult with RE is now only two weeks away. It has been a long 2.5 months of waiting. Rant: I'm trying to eat well and work out, but I can't handle the evening munchies and working out has been really hard with plantar fasciiatis and a bone spur.
4.GTKY: What is your favorite game (card, board, video, etc)? I love games! Scrabble and crib are two of my favourites, but I also enjoy board games like Clue and Masterpiece (which I haven't seen around in decades)!
3. R/R: Had a great weekend away with DH! But ugh, it's Monday and I'm tired and so not interested in work right now.
4.GTKY: What is your favorite game (card, board, video, etc)? Lately we've LOVED playing the Harry Potter 'Battle of Hogwarts' game. It's a deck building game and is truly fantastic! But I also love Dominion, Ticket to Ride, and tons of others. I love to play games! I even made a copy of one of the first truly popular 'board games' in the US "The Checkered Game of Life" for Civil War reenacting. (the basis for the modern "Game of Life" although you wouldn't know it from looking at it) It's super fun to play too!
Mack2342 Ugh. What an extra-crappy Monday for you!
bakerstreetboys Yay for approaching RE appt! And sorry about the munchies... it sucks trying to diet and be healthier when the bad stuff is calling your name!
MC #1: D&C Oct 23, 2015 (7.5 weeks)
MC #2: July 1, 2016 (5.5 weeks)
MC #3: October 17, 2016 (CP)
RE #1: RPL testing November 2016-January 2017
MC #4: Feb. 28, 2017 (CP)
RE #2: Additional RPL testing March-November 2017
MC #5: January 2019 (6.5 weeks)
RE #3: More testing 2023.
Egg Retrieval Sept/Oct 2023, 2 good embryos after PGT-A testing.
Surgery for endometriosis January 2024
Lupron Depo March 2024. Benched 3 months.
FET #1: June 3, 2024 (failed)
Lupron Depo June 2024. Benched 3 months again before next FET.
FET #2: September 2024 (failed)
FET #3: December 2024 (failed)
#BitterHagPartyOf1
3. Fun weekend with friends. Back to work today after vacation. Thank goodness its a short work week.
4. Love games. I really like board games like Catan, Ticket to Ride, Rails to Trails etc. And card games like crib, golf and rummy.
@dpjennifer I haven't heard if the Hogwarts game but we have similar tastes in games so I'll have to check it out.
@bakerstreetboys we are cycle buddies I’m CD 10 too. Good luck with RE appt!
@dpjennifer I enjoy weekends away but it sucks to go back to work!
@40momma lucky you! I wish I had a short work week.
3. Rave: I went a little nuts online shopping, I have new shoes, clothes and makeup coming my way. Been a while since I treated myself to new stuff, so I’m excited for it to arrive! Rant: whoever made the coffee at work today made it really weak. I usually make it, but I was in a meeting all morning today and someone beat me to it. Who wants weak coffee?? I’m hate drinking it right now.
4. I’m not super into games these days, but I miss my D&D buddies from years ago. I also used to be RELLY into The Sims, but I grew out of it. Board games are fun too, I don’t think I even own one anymore though! Maybe it’s time to invest in Scrabble and Settlers of Catan, those were always staples.
DD born 4/1/2023
Baby #3 EDD 11/21/2024
... I’m needlessly upset over coffee. Can you tell it’s Monday?
DD born 4/1/2023
Baby #3 EDD 11/21/2024
@mack2342 Pinochle is fun! I feel like hardly anyone I know plays so I only get the chance every couple of years at a family reunion. You should re-start your ladies night.
@lin0442 Fellow nerd over here. DH is running 2 D&D games right now
We used to have a regular group that met weekly for a couple years and was tons of fun... it fell apart when the DM and our tank got divorced 
I have been trying to find another regular group since then but haven't had any luck outside of shorter campaigns DH will occasionally run with some close friends. Anyway, I'm happy to hear about what specific systems you like.
@prpl11butterfly Yay for no more (FX) snow and winter -- hoping the tundra warms up some for you.
@bakerstreetboys I am having the same damn plantar fasciiatis and bone spur issue the past 10 days!! No idea what I did, but all of a sudden I am limping everywhere and getting any real exercise in feels excruciating. Do you have a podiatrist? Called and made an appointment this week with mine. Hope you get some relief soon. Also - if you like Harry Potter at all, I highly recommend Harry Potter clue. It's not like themed-monopoly, the board has different rules and mechanics that make it a lot more fun and higher stakes than just regular clue.
@dpjennifer & @40momma YASS glad someone else on here loves the Eurogames. Catan, Dominion, Ticket to Ride, etc are all amazing. I even saw someone yesterday with a Catan bumper sticker and wanted to be their immediate BFF
@dpjennifer I need to check out the Battle of Hogwarts game! Glad you had a nice weekend away with DH, hope you get some good rest tonight.
@40momma The first day back at work after vacay makes me so depressed - like, why do I not just live on the beach/in the mountains all day e'ery day.
@grebretso Sounds like you had fun online shopping
You should get back into gaming!! I am a strong advocate for gaming days with friends and weekly D&D sessions. Do it.
1. Introduce yourself (if new) Not new.
2. Status? TWW I think?
3. R/R: Rant: Work. Rave: Going to a sip-and-paint this evening with a friend. I am horrible at painting, even when getting step-by-step directions, but the company should be fun!
4.GTKY: What is your favorite game (card, board, video, etc)? Hard question because I love all games so I will instead try and choose my favorite in each category Eurogames (ticket to ride); ameritrash (firefly); table-top RPGs (d&d); cooperative (mysterium); party (cards against humanity); card and domino games (spades); video games (chronotrigger); and physical games (capture the flag). Whew. Basically, if you want to play a game I will say yes. Have I mentioned I'm a nerd?
3. Had a great time at Mom Prom this weekend! Now bring on some warm spring weather!
4. Monopoly is a big one for my family!
@Mack2342 good luck with the IUI on Wednesday!
@bakerstreetboys yay for only two more weeks of waiting for your appointment!
Happy Monday, ladies!
1. Introduce yourself - not new, MMC Sept ‘17, several diagnoses including PCOS since then and just starting treatment this cycle
2. Status? CD 5 WTO... day 3 of Letrozole. Next Monday monitoring to start estrogen and another monitoring probably the following Saturday. Progesterone coming two days after positive OPK... hopefully I O and the estrogen doesn’t stall or stop it. So nervous!
3. R/R: Rant - forgot about a meeting this morning at work because it was scheduled on a totally off day... bleh... Rave - still LOVING being back home in our house and I’m stopping at Hobby Lobby this afternoon after work to look at some decor stuff! Love decorating!
4.GTKY: What is your favorite game (card, board, video, etc)? Oh boy... I feel like I’m in the minority here but I am not into games at all. At parties I will just flit back and forth and avoid playing because I hate having to focus for that long... LOL. I play TONS of games at work with the kids so maybe that’s why? (I do enjoy a good round of Hi Ho Cherry-O
Thanks @char245
@ccvslp enjoy decorating! Hobby lobby is such a good store. Glad you are back in the game.
@ccvslp Yay for being off the bench! Enjoy decorating
@kabazaba It hurts, right?! This weekend I rolled my foot around on a tennis ball, which maybe helped a bit. I ordered a spiky roller today on Amazon. Doesn't look pleasant, but I hear it works. The bone spur is on the other foot, so I'm trying to use a splint at night to see if it will move the bone back. Sounds like I should look into Eurogames and HP Clue! Have fun at sip and paint!
@char245 Good luck with your appointment. I hope they find something easily fixable! I fear being told that there's nothing wrong. I'd rather have something they can pinpoint and hopefully fix.
Ttc since 1/17 CP 3/17 NMC 9/17
2. Status? WTO CD 21
3. R/R: rant: Still. Havent. Ovulated. Thinking I just might not this cycle. That's never happened since I've been tracking at least... Dear body, you can't get knocked up without ovulating... Kick it into gear!
Rave: it's spring break and DH teaches so he's home this week!
4.GTKY: What is your favorite game (card, board, video, etc)? I like settlers of catan, pandemic, and ticket to ride lately. Aaaand always canasta! We play a lot of games..
@Mack2342 FX for your IUI!
@bakerstreetboys Here's to hoping we both ovulate!
@dpjennifer dominion is an awesome game!
@grebretso shopping online is so addictive!
@Kabazaba sip and paint nights are so fun!!! Enjoy!
@ccvslp FX for you this cycle!
I am as new as can be but this is absolutely where I belong for now. I hate that we're all going through this but so glad to not have to go through this without ladies like you. I'm 34 (birthday in a few weeks) and lost my first pregnancy in the past month. It was an MMC discovered at 8 weeks and I had a D&C at 10 weeks.
2. Status?
I am exactly 14 days out from my D&C. My doc didn't really say anything about when we could start trying, just no sex for 2 weeks. I have seen that some docs say wait til you have 1 cycle and others say 2-3 while others say no need to wait. My best friend's mother is a midwife and her office doesn't make people wait after a D&C as long as there are no other complications. The test results of the tissue came back and I saw on my chart that my doctor said they were reassuring in that they were what he would expect to see and no signs of molar pregnancy or other complications. I see my doc for a follow up on Thursday so I guess we'll see what he says but for now I am in a very weird limbo. So... I guess I'm kind of WFAF/WTO.
3. R/R:
Rave: DH is happy we are cleared for bedroom activities and frankly so I am I. I have missed the intimacy.
Rant: I've got spring fever so bad. It's gross here in MN today - cold and rainy but the rain keeps turning to sleet.
4.GTKY: What is your favorite game (card, board, video, etc)?
I am with @ccvslp and honestly don't always enjoy playing games. It makes me so anxious for some reason. DH and his crew loooooove games. So I suck it up a few times a year haha. A card game I really enjoy is Presidents and A**holes cause it is about as simple as it gets. I mean, it is meant to be played with much imbibing of beverages so it better be simple but it can be fun without the drinks too. I also enjoy a good game of Phase 10.
MC January 11. First cycle with a definite ovulation!! Fingers crossed, having all the good feelings.
2. Status?
4 dpo and super anxious. Can not wait to poas. How do you pass the time between peeing on OPK's and PT's?? I just want to pee on something!
3. R/R:
Nothing really. I'm riding the 'meh' line. I do have a 4-day weekend coming up which I'm looking forward to.
4.GTKY: What is your favorite game (card, board, video, etc)?
I've been playing squash lately and it's super fun! Such a good workout too. DH and I get really competitive too!
@prpl11butterfly looks like we are both in limbo-land. Hope you aren't there too much longer!
@grebretso I am totally a sims addict. I choose not to play because I get NOTHING done when I do.
@bethica83 Welcome to the group. Sorry for your loss, I hope you aren't here long
@kath525 Fingers crossed for ovulation this month! It's so frustrating to wait and wait...and then nothing.
Wow. We are an even more awesome group of ladies than I thought! I want to have game night with many of you!
Kath525 Fantastic question this week!!!
40momma Battle of Hogwarts game is awesome! When I was in Oregon at Powells Bookstore last October they had tons of books and games, and sometimes they’d have little notes about certain books/games. Underneath this game was a note that said “One of the few games based upon a movie that is actually fun to play.” It’s similar to Marvel Legendary, but we like it better!
Mack2342 Yesterday absolutely sucked to be back at work after a weekend away.
Kabazaba Hmmm… what means you by ameritrash (firefly)? LOL! My curiousity is piqued!
bethica83 We have tons of games in my family that DH, my sister, etc. all love to play. But if we want to do ‘family’ games that involve my mother, the ONLY game she’ll play (with rare exceptions) is Phase 10.
MC #1: D&C Oct 23, 2015 (7.5 weeks)
MC #2: July 1, 2016 (5.5 weeks)
MC #3: October 17, 2016 (CP)
RE #1: RPL testing November 2016-January 2017
MC #4: Feb. 28, 2017 (CP)
RE #2: Additional RPL testing March-November 2017
MC #5: January 2019 (6.5 weeks)
RE #3: More testing 2023.
Egg Retrieval Sept/Oct 2023, 2 good embryos after PGT-A testing.
Surgery for endometriosis January 2024
Lupron Depo March 2024. Benched 3 months.
FET #1: June 3, 2024 (failed)
Lupron Depo June 2024. Benched 3 months again before next FET.
FET #2: September 2024 (failed)
FET #3: December 2024 (failed)
#BitterHagPartyOf1
I have The Beatles "Ticket to Ride" in my head now!
@char245 is mom prom exactly what it sounds like? Again, sounds like something that would be super fun to do with friends!
@ccvslp glad being back home has been so good for you! Hope it brings you good baby juju!
@Kath525 this WTO game is crap. Let's get going ovaries, you've got a job to do now DO IT!
@bethica83 may we both be released from this terrible limbo soon. I was relieved to have the no sex restriction lifted as well. It was nice to be able to be....close... to DH again.
@kikimi83 fx for you. Pee on some more OPKs? Lol
@bakerstreetboys thanks.....stuck in my head now as well
@prpl11butterfly It was fun
Hi this thread was suggested to me this morning when I changed my status from “pregnant”. I have been experiencing a miscarriage or chemical pregnancy over the past few days. I went in yesterday and received the Rhogam shot and was given the all clear to keep trying.
2. Status?
I guess once the bleeding stops, I’ll be WTO.
3. R/R: I still have breast tenderness and keep getting reminded that a few days ago I was on top of the world. I got on Pinterest last night and had all of these suggestions relating to announcing a pregnancy.
4.GTKY: What is your favorite game (card, board, video, etc)?
I love Monopoly!
MC #1: D&C Oct 23, 2015 (7.5 weeks)
MC #2: July 1, 2016 (5.5 weeks)
MC #3: October 17, 2016 (CP)
RE #1: RPL testing November 2016-January 2017
MC #4: Feb. 28, 2017 (CP)
RE #2: Additional RPL testing March-November 2017
MC #5: January 2019 (6.5 weeks)
RE #3: More testing 2023.
Egg Retrieval Sept/Oct 2023, 2 good embryos after PGT-A testing.
Surgery for endometriosis January 2024
Lupron Depo March 2024. Benched 3 months.
FET #1: June 3, 2024 (failed)
Lupron Depo June 2024. Benched 3 months again before next FET.
FET #2: September 2024 (failed)
FET #3: December 2024 (failed)
#BitterHagPartyOf1
DD born 4/1/2023
Baby #3 EDD 11/21/2024