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: Product Spotlight Series: Hospital Bag!
I think I walked out in the clothes I came in with, lol.
For S+TMs:
I don't bring any bedding. Between the nurses and the baby, I don't sleep much anyway so I don't feel the need to carry in all of the extra stuff. I might invest in some slippers, just for when I walk around, but maybe not.
We don't bring in the carseat until we're waiting on discharge paperwork, it's just in the way. DH will carry down bags and bring back up the seat, so not a big deal to us.
I do need to ask if this hospital supplies formula. My last did and sent me home with some. If not, I'll bring formula and bottles.
MissKittyDanger - my hospital doesn't want you to bring the seat to the room. The nurse has to push you in a wheelchair to the car at the curb and you have to be holding the baby. They just have to make sure the baby is put in a car seat- but as they're not certified car seat techs and for liability reasons they don't check the seat or to check how you're putting the baby in.
On the topic of PJs- just remember with the shirts that it is nursing friendly (assuming you're attempting). Nursing tops, deep v neck/stretchy, button down, etc. I'm usually a t shirt sleeper and that is a big no go.
Agreed on wanting my own pillow. Other than that this time I'm going to pack pretty light. I brought all of my own pads and such last time and won't be doing that. I don't plan on bringing the diaper bag in, just putting new baby's outfits in my bag. There is so much to worry about and do and fussing over bags and stuff just got to be cumbersome- especially to not need most of it.
I will say- I'm a HUGE advocate of taking a shower asap- to feel human again, so all of the toiletries and such. As I'm using my products now if I'm getting low I plan to set them aside before they run out so I can just pack those and have them ready to go and just throw out at the hospital to make more room for the "freebies"
@Xtabbikatx My mum had ovarian surgery {not hysterectomy, but just as invasive} and she swore a pillow was her new BFF lol
I will +1 not bringing in anything until settled and need it. We brought my bag for my scheduled CS and it was so annoying to keep track of it. No one told us we should’ve left it in the car lol
Married March 2016
DD: born 7.22.16
DS EDD: 6.23.18
Married March 2016
DD: born 7.22.16
DS EDD: 6.23.18
MissKittyDanger - For sure check with your hospital so you're prepared
I think this speaks to not only being a country by country but likely even state by state. It seems like everyone has had a slightly different experience so just check with your hospital.
BFP#4- 9/26 edd 6/5/18
DS: 6/1/18 (Pre-E; IUGR; seizures; NICU)
TTC #2: 12/2019
Sept 2020: HSG possible blocked right tube
Nov 2020: Letrozole + TI - BFN
Dec 2020: Letrozole + TI - BFP!!! EDD 9/18
Married March 2016
DD: born 7.22.16
DS EDD: 6.23.18
Might as well splurge anyways
DS: 6/1/18 (Pre-E; IUGR; seizures; NICU)
TTC #2: 12/2019
Sept 2020: HSG possible blocked right tube
Nov 2020: Letrozole + TI - BFN
Dec 2020: Letrozole + TI - BFP!!! EDD 9/18
DS: 6/1/18 (Pre-E; IUGR; seizures; NICU)
TTC #2: 12/2019
Sept 2020: HSG possible blocked right tube
Nov 2020: Letrozole + TI - BFN
Dec 2020: Letrozole + TI - BFP!!! EDD 9/18
Me: 30 | DH: 31
Met: August 2006
Married: July 2012
TTC #1 since June 2016
***TW***
BFP: 7/12/16 | MC: 9/12/16
BFP: 1/18/17 | MMC: 2/13/17
BFP: 10/7/17 | EDD: 6/21/17
MTHFR: homozygous A1298C
DS: born oct 2012
TFAS: BFP #1 aug16. miscarriage sept16
BFP #2 nov16 MMC dec16. d&c jan17
BFP #3 sept17 EDD 5/31/18
fingers crossed for our rainbow baby
Married August 2015
DS born 5/23/2018
TTC #2 July 2020
@May14th2011, yeah, I have a feeling I'm not leaving the house much until September unless the place I'm going to has covered parking or a garage. And I think we decided on a convertible and an infant seat. The cost of an extra base just didn't make sense, especially since we want to have a second kid within a few years and will need a convertible eventually for this LO anyways. But I don't think we'll get a ton of use out of that one until we have to coordinate daycare pickups.
Me: 30 | DH: 31
Met: August 2006
Married: July 2012
TTC #1 since June 2016
***TW***
BFP: 7/12/16 | MC: 9/12/16
BFP: 1/18/17 | MMC: 2/13/17
BFP: 10/7/17 | EDD: 6/21/17
MTHFR: homozygous A1298C
We were able to pack super light because they generally kick you out of the hospital (lovingly lol) as soon as you can pee by yourself after birth, which is just a few hours. Most of what we packed we didn't need, but it was nice to have the things there just in case.
During labor itself I wore a giant sports bra, panties and a big t-shirt but by the end only the sports bra remained. I had 2 spare outfits: one for recovery for right after birth, and one I changed into for going home. None of this stuff took up much space at all, because it was mostly baggy sportswear that folds up small.
Hospital bags:
1.) A big tote with my stuff + my partner's
Phones
Chargers
Camera
Toothbrushes
Toothpaste
Shampoo
Body lotion
Flip flops
Couple extra panties, large
Sports bra for wearing during labor
Nursing bra
2 large t-shirts (mine were stretchy and easy to yank down for nursing)
2 pairs of baggy sweats
Extra boxers for my partner just in case
Fresh shirt for my partner
Fresh pair of pants for my partner
Bag of fun-sized snickers for snacking (which we really enjoyed)
Plastic bag for dirty items
2.) Diaper bag with baby stuff - ours is a PacaPod backpack.
Several diapers (didn't need but would definitely pack again)
Wipes
2 onesies in size 60
1 onesie in size 56
2 shirts
2 pants
1 coat
2 hats
2 pairs of socks
Nipple cream
Blanket
I definitely recommend bringing 2 sizes of baby clothes. Our size 56 outfit was too small so luckily the rest fit fine.