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: The Great Big Glucose Tolerance Test Thread
11/18/16 missed m/c 9w1
08/03/17 no hb 8w
August 18 Siggy Challenge: April Showers
If I had a conversation with my midwife and there was something I still wasn’t 100% comfortable with I’d certainly have no problems revisiting the subject. As I said, if nothing else, maybe s/he will be able to explain the reasons they prefer not to allow juice. There’s no reason why pregnant women can’t be advocates for our care and bring up questions like this with our providers.
11/18/16 missed m/c 9w1
08/03/17 no hb 8w
IVF baby girl born 7/2018
TTC 2013. FET 11/17 - BFP after attempt #6!
August 18 Siggy Challenge: April Showers
August 18 Siggy Challenge: April Showers
Andplusalso
I trust my doctor's years of experience, extensive education, and the plethora of literature supporting the recommended testing. Especially since GD increases one's risk of so many potential complications it's worth a one-time beverage to check.
For the record mine definitely did not have brominated vegetable oil or BHA listed in the ingredients. The only food coloring was FD&C Yellow #6 to give it the delightful presidential color.
If your office has already said no to other glucola alternatives and you are uncomfortable with your medical team then maybe seek a second professional opinion.
Otherwise, if you still don't want the drink, by all means manually track your blood sugar with finger pricks if that makes you feel more comfortable!
Also, try this:
https://bfy.tw/HnWC
I’m at my 24w appt right now and they just gave me the instructions for my test. It’s a 2 hour test! I have to fast for 8 hours beforehand, they take your fasting blood, then blood again an hour after your drink, then blood again after the second hour. Wtaf?! I’ve only ever had a one hour in my last two pregnancies. This sounds terrible.
August 18 Siggy Challenge: April Showers
August 18 Siggy Challenge: April Showers
August 18 Siggy Challenge: April Showers
IVF baby girl born 7/2018
TTC 2013. FET 11/17 - BFP after attempt #6!
here’s a pic of the front of the bottle. I honestly can’t discern a brand from it. Not labeled well. The side pic lists incredients and a manufacturer. Hope this helps
Married 1/28/17
TW:
BFP #2 10/10/17, MC 11/4/17
BFP #3 12/17/17 Birth 8/13/18
BFP #4 4/21/19 Birth 12/5/2019
I'm sorry, that's never the result you want to hear. Has your doctor discussed a plan of action with you moving forward? If you'd like, we have the high-risk check in every week and there are several of us there that have either been diagnosed with preexisting diabetes or gestational diabetes. Lots of info gets swapped about managing blood sugars and fun stuff like that. Or we can start a weekly check in for those that have gestational diabetes specifically? Whatever makes you feel comfortable. Whatever we do for the board, just know that you're not alone
Also if you could please intro in the Introductions thread so we can get to know you a bit!
Me: 37 Him: 38
Married 11.07.2015
We got a bit defensive as you haven't really participated in this community. We know and recognize people when we are this far along. We have formed friendships and strong bonds over similar situations. You haven't been around here much, and could have googled your original questions.
Formerly known as Kate08young
August '18 Siggy April Showers:
Married: 7/22/14
Baby L: 8/4/2015 August 2015 Moms
Baby E: 11/18/2016 December 2016 Moms
TTC #3 08/2017 BFP 11/27/2017.
Twin B lost 11/22/2017, Twin A doing well.
August 18 Siggy Challenge: April Showers
Me: 37, MH: 38; Married August 2017
TTC #1 October 2017: BFP on 12/1/2017, DD born 7/24/2018 @ 37+1 after induction due to preeclampsia
TTC #2 January 2020: AMA, dx with DOR in May 2020
IVF July 2020: 16 eggs retrieved, 14 mature, 12 fertilized, 3 blasts, 2 PGT-A normal
FET 10/7/20: BFP on 10/12/20!!! (EDD 6/25/21); First beta 10/16/20 (9dpt): 148; Second beta 10/19/20 (12dpt): 621; Third beta 10/26/20 (19dpt): 4732; Fourth (and final!) beta 11/2/20 (26 dpt): 22,000+
August 18 Siggy Challenge: April Showers
love the memes
You ladies did not disappoint.
I had GD with my first pregnancy. so for this one I had to go in at 16 week to do the one hour. I passed that with a really good score! (never passed the one hour before) now I will have to go back in May 19th to repeat the 1 hour, fingers crossed!
Having GD wasn't all that horrible. other than having to poke myself with a needle! I hate needles!! but just eating healthy and taking walks. My Little man came out healthy and beautiful.