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.
mrstmoose
member
Re: Week 4 Check In W/O 2/25
Any appointments? Questions?
Rants/Raves? 8 more weeks tomorrow! Next appt isn't until next Thursday. I thought I would be on the every 2 week schedule starting at 30 weeks but at 28 weeks they booked me 4 weeks out.
How are you feeling? Pretty good just wish I would sleep more. I also had the WORST calf cramps yesterday.
Did you do anything to prep for baby this week? YES! I washed, steralized and put away ALL of the bottles and pump parts I have.
GTKY: What did you want to be when you grew up? Hmm a vet, a forensic pathologist, a biochemist...ended up as a marketing analyst.
BFP: 8/11/18 Due: 4/26/18
Any appointments? Questions? My next routine check-up is March 6th. Hopefully my amniotic fluids will be up by then.
Rants/Raves? Our $35 Pottery Barn FB Marketplace changing table/dresser that was initially considered a steal has become such a giant headache that H and I have considered doing a curb alert and dumping it for free. First he stained it without sanding (because he was lazy) and we had a slightly sticky table that we couldn't use, then we used a chemical stripper that didn't work well and left the table at varying degrees of un-finish, then he tried a regular stain that made the table several different shades (and I cried), so now we are considering buying a hand sander, sanding it and then painting it Navy blue with the hopes that it will be just visually appealing enough to use. At several points during the weekend there was talk of lighting the whole thing ablaze. I can't even like the thing anymore. lol.
How are you feeling? Last night I started having some cramping that was pretty sharp. I was seriously considering calling my OB when it went away. I have NO idea what it could have been, maybe BH? It felt like it was down very low and similar to the worst period cramps I've ever had.
Did you do anything to prep for baby this week? Nothing productive.
GTKY: What did you want to be when you grew up? When I was in middle school, I wanted to be an actress. When I was in High School, I wanted to be a Pediatric Oncologist. I became neither.
BFP: 1/26/20 | EDD: 9/20/20
Any appointments? Questions? 3/5
Rants/Raves? Even if I sleep okay, I feel like I desperately need a nap by like 2 every day. Everyone keeps saying I look great, but I really just want to be a slug and sleep at my desk in between snacks.
How are you feeling? Okay aside from the fatigue and fuzzy brain. I also had the worst leg cramp a few nights back. No other ones (phew), but this one had me hobbling around the next day.
Did you do anything to prep for baby this week? A little bit of Ikea assembly, with more to go. Bought some FB marketplace cloth diapers for a steal- I’ll have the majority of the first year’s diapers for under $100, hopefully!
GTKY: What did you want to be when you grew up? When I was very little I wanted to be a cat. I didn’t really *get* jobs back then.
Any appointments? Today, fundal height is now 1.5 weeks behind instead of 1 week. But I had a growth ultrasound last week and he is measuring at 44% which is fine, so we aren’t worried, if it’s changed smaller again by 2 weeks from now we will probably end up with another growth check.
Questions? Anyone else fundalnheight not on track? I’ve also only gained about 13lbs so far, but I’m technically obese (BMI says so... I personally would say overweight) so that’s fine and fundal height is more irregular.
Rants/Raves? My sciatica and pelvic ligaments and nerve paint is terrible and I hate it. Rolling over in bed is so bad that sometimes I just get out and get back in facing the other way rather than deal with it.
My baby shower was yesterday and it was so nice and encouraging and I felt very supported. My family is very far away, and we’re close for my last pregnancy, so it’s nice to feel not alone here.
How are you feeling? Sleep is bad at the first few hrs and better later in the night. Hubs is leaving for work a half hour later to let me sleep in a little more and it’s better.
Did you do anything to prep for baby this week? Baby shower
now I have to count what I have in what sizes and sort out if I need any onsies or footies in different sizes. We were also blessed with lots of handmedowns so I have nb-3 set for sure.
GTKY: What did you want to be when you grew up?
Artist, children’s author, architect, nurse... I went into special education, and elementary education instead but don’t like the political hindrances in the classroom so ended up teaching outdoor education at a camp-conference center and now am a SAHM
Appts: Wednesday follow up for GD meds, and weekly appointments that I need to schedule. Also thanks to GD. I did call and schedule my pre admission review today so I can preregister at my birthing center.
Rant: I cannot sleep. I am so tired. Between peeing, reflux, and blood sugar, as well as general pregsomnia, I haven’t slept well in weeks. DD didn’t nap today.
Rave: the sun is actually shining today.
Feeling: exhausted. Cranky. Everything hurts in my back and pelvis. And little man keeps pressing so hard on me it feels like it’s bruising.
Baby prep: DH made some more progress on DD’s room which will mean eventual progress on nursery after that. It’s driving me crazy that it’s not done yet but he still won’t let me help. I put myself on an email list to be notified when the crib sheet and changing pad cover I want are back in stock. I went consignment shopping with my mom Saturday at a huge local consignment sale and got some good baby clothes which are sitting in a pile in my room waiting for the nursery to be done.
GTKY: I always wanted to be a writer. Then a graphic designer. Then a web designer.
Any appointments? Questions? No appointments this week
Rants/Raves? Heartburn is a M effer....
How are you feeling? Hot. Fiery. Work is getting tougher.
Did you do anything to prep for baby this week? DH put together some cube storage things. I got my amazon completion discount cart started. Trying to decide want/need.
GTKY: What did you want to be when you grew up? I knew I wanted to be in healthcare. I still don’t know that I’m done furthering my education. I’ve been thinking about going back for nurse practitioner with a focus on women’s health... but not sure I want to go back to school!! Hahahaha.
PCOS
BFP June 3,2012
Partial Molar Pregnancy
D&C July 12, 2012
Forced 6 month break.
BFP January 13, 2013
Any appointments? Questions? NST and fetal assessment next week. Also just regular ob apt next week.
Rants/Raves? Feeling glad to be done the nursery!
How are you feeling? Really tired and still super itchy, but also really excited.
Did you do anything to prep for baby this week? Finished organizing the nursery and put the last of the wall decor up. Also packed a hospital bag.
GTKY: What did you want to be when you grew up? A veterinarian.
@kbirchtree I have thought the same thing about rolling over. It hurts SO BAD to roll over! I don’t remember that at all with my first 2 pregnancies. Uncomfortable yes, hurt no.
Due date: 4/27
Any appointments? Questions? None until next week. I signed the paperwork last week for a tubal ligation after birth. And now I’m questioning it. ONLY because if I got an IUD again I loved not having a period. With the tubal ligation I’ll still have periods.
Rants/Raves? My 3 year old was a complete jerk today. He told my MIL he doesn’t love her. Told a family friend to go away. Hit his brother over the head with a matchbox car. Dumped his stuffed animals all over the living room floor and took a solid hour to pick them all up. I’ll take “terrible” 2’s over 3 any day!
How are you feeling? Like a weeble except I’d fall down.
But seriously my boss asked me how I felt and my reply was “I waddle now”. He said I noticed but wasn’t going to say anything. Lol. He’s awesome though so I wasn’t offended.
Did you do anything to prep for baby this week? We finished the nursery! I posted pictures in the nursery thread.
GTKY: What did you want to be when you grew up? In elementary and middle school I wanted to be an environmental lawyer. In high school I wanted to be in charge of a daycare. By junior year I wanted to work in the medical profession but hated blood so it limited my choices. I ended up in the medical profession but work with IT so no blood and no patients. Win win for me!
@HGRich I feel like I am in a constant battle with this baby over how hard and where they are allowed to stretch! I am definitely getting tender in some of their favorite spots to push, but also getting more aggressive about pushing back... not sure that it helps anything but makes me feel less like a foot might pop through my side...
Due date: 4/24
Any appointments? Questions? Nope, nothing this week
Rants/Raves? Rants - mostly not a fan of this recent baby movement phase. :[ Rave - my partner is trying his best to help me put on weight, keeps making me cheese cakes and it is so SO sweet. Figuratively and literally.
How are you feeling? Tired, always tired. But heartburn and nausea have been ok as of late, and some of the other aches and pains also not too bad. And suddenly not ready relative to how soon this child might be here... More on that below.
Did you do anything to prep for baby this week? Confirmed pediatrician last week; also trying to understand what the insurance breast pump situation will be so that we can plan accordingly. Also, making progress on settling into new apartment, which is sorta like baby prep?
Sent out our registry to people, so there's been a steady stream of baby items showing up the past few days, which is incredibly touching and also making this baby very real and imminent. But really, now I'm not sure that we are asking for the right things and I'm a bit nervous about actually being prepared. Ordered a portable washing machine, which seems like it's going to be a huge component of baby care, especially with our plans for cloth diapers.
GTKY: What did you want to be when you grew up? I always said "happy". So, basically, @lin0442, I was right there with ya.
Due date: 25 April
Any appointments? Questions? I had an appointment on Friday. Baby is measuring right on track but is still breach. My OB is supposed to talk to some fetal specialists about my case this week and call me to discuss next steps.
Rants/Raves?
How are you feeling? See above for cramps. Also heartburn and waddle. I am officially super pregnant. Not sure how I'm going to survive 6 more weeks!
Did you do anything to prep for baby this week? I read about 100 pages of legal jargon trying to get all of our paperwork for citizenships, passports and visas organized.
GTKY: What did you want to be when you grew up? I couldn't decide between a farmer and a queen. Then I had an epiphany and informed my parents I would be a queen because then all the farms would belong to me. However when I was 7 I went to Buckingham Palace to meet my prince and he totally shut me down. Didn't even come to the gate
DS#2 due 25 April 2019
DS#2 due 25 April 2019
BFP: 8/11/18 Due: 4/26/18
@booksandicecream My cramping sounds like it's in the same area as yours. I mentioned it to my OB a week ago and she said that BH usually don't hurt, which is what had me so concerned. I'm going to bring it up again next week since I am seeing a different doctor in the practice. The cramps come in waves, similar to contractions, but they don't increase in intensity and changing positions does seem to alleviate some of the pain. His movement has been totally normal during and since then, so I don't think he's bothered at all.
@lin0442 I've been addicted to FB Marketplace as of late, scouring the cloth diapering groups and my area in general for cloth diaper steals. I hesitate to buy a bunch of newborn dipes because my last son was 9.49 lbs. but I did end up purchasing 4 GMD Newborn Workhorses that someone listed new and never used for a great price. I'm all set with covers, but I still need to invest in some prefolds. We're going to be using mostly prefolds and covers, with limited AIO's and some Workhorses. What is your CD stash looking like?
BFP: 1/26/20 | EDD: 9/20/20
BFP: 1/26/20 | EDD: 9/20/20
@booksandicecream possibly lightening crotch?
Any appointments? Questions? had week 32 ultrasound and all looks good. he has a big head right now -- it's in the 97th percentile... it was funny to watch DH ponder the size of his son's head and wonder if kids were going to make fun of him.... I was like in two weeks his legs could be in the 97th percentile the way he is always stretching. I had one frustrating bit -- the nurse and dr. are trying to move the c-section to week 37 because of my previous abdominal myomectomies -- and I would like for us to stay the course of week 38 -- the date my previous doctor came up with. on our first meeting she mentioned c-section on week 37 because of my surgeries and I asked why and she said she had to review my file -- this annoyed me because you can't change the date without giving me a good reason.
I have an ultrasound next week and I hope we can see our LO face -- he likes to press his face into the placenta and we couldn't see it this time. But we did see his hair -- I think he may come out with an afro like his mama
Rants/Raves?
How are you feeling? I have a cold-- that I hope I can kick by Friday -- It's just a sore throat and light cough -- but I don't want it to turn into a full blown out cold -- I normally keep them for weeks and my shower is next Saturday. besides the cold - I'm feeling good. I'm sleeping well and walking super slow.
Did you do anything to prep for baby this week? My DH comic books are away... finally! We can move the filing cabinet this weekend, and the room will be cleared out! we have to retrain our cat to know that room is not her room but that will be easy with the help of lemon essential oil. Our baby shower gifts are coming in and I'm so pleasantly surprised by our friends generosity! I've been putting those items away and getting ready to wash my first load of clothes for him
GTKY: What did you want to be when you grew up? I wanted to be a teacher.... I'm a digital producer
Any appointments? Questions? Had one Tuesday, all normal.
Rants/Raves? Painful glute muscles at the end of the day, and it’s getting difficult to use my foam roller with this big belly!
How are you feeling? Tired from the anemia (I’m working hard to correct it but can only be done so fast) and achy. Otherwise not bad!
Did you do anything to prep for baby this week? Froze a bunch of turkey pot pie! Bought 4lbs of beef bones for broth and 4lbs of ox tails for stew and broth to go toward the freezer meal prep plan! Hoping to make a few batches of broth by the end of the week.
GTKY: What did you want to be when you grew up? An actress, but I know as an adult I wouldn’t have enjoyed this type of career- I’m a home body and love my privacy lol! I was an underwriter for life insurance and worked from home before I left it to be a SAHM...
Any appts: I have A regular OB appt scheduled for next week, the NSTs to start weekly the following week, and then an ultrasound thrown in there somewhere.. it’s getting real with how many appts are on my calendar!
Rants/Raves: my sciatica has been hit or miss lately- I love The days it isn’t bothering me! DH & I just Bought a crazy adjustable base mattress.. the zero gravity felt so good! I’m hoping it stays feeling great after this baby is born!
How is are you feeling: it’s so hard rolling over in bed.. and DD’s softball season has started up, it’s so hard getting up from the low chairs- I just got a new chair that rocks and is higher up! I’m hoping it’s amazing 😉
Did you do anything to prep for baby this week?: My mom & sister had a baby shower for us las Saturday & friends are having one this Sunday for us- so it has been crazy with all of the gifts arriving.
GTKY What did you want to be when you grew up? So many things.. teacher, world traveler, interior designer, chef.. hmm! I’m currently a SAHM.. so taxi driver would be fitting.. lol!!
DD #2: BFP: 8-19-18 EDD: 4-30-19