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.
emeraldduchess
member
Re: TWW Weekend 4/27-4/28
Month/Cycle: 9/8 (third cycle AL)
CD/DPO: 30/11 😬
Timing: 🌟
Typical LP length: 12-14 days
Testing: Not today. Maybe tomorrow so I can process my feelings without having to go to work right after. Otherwise, I will wait until AF is late (expected on Tuesday).
R/R: Lots of grading to do this weekend, but knowing that summer is coming makes it easier.
CS/Q: I am trying really hard to not get my hopes up this cycle.
Edit: grammar
Month/Cycle: 11/19
CD/DPO: 10
Timing: High
Typical LP length: 12 days
Testing: Maybe Sunday. Betas May 1st.
R/R: I ordered tomato seeds and they came yesterday, so I plan to get them started today. I'm hoping it's not too late in the season. If anyone has opinions on that, please weigh in!
CS/Q: Nope
Eta: spelling
@ruby696 Enjoy working in the yard and planting your tomato seeds!
I’m crossing everything for both of you!!!
Afm - CD8, and at the point of the tww where I doubt this cycle will work, etc etc. standby for testing around Monday or Tuesday lol
married 11.1.14
ttc #1 since 5.18
bfp 12.22.18 letrozole + progesterone
d&e due to trisomy 13/hydrops at 15wks
bfp 7.21.19 letrozole + IUI
little girl A born 3.26.20
Month/Cycle: 9/9 (3rd after loss)
CD/DPO: 30/14..
Timing: spot on according to the app
Typical LP length: 12-14
Testing: I should test today but I’m having major anxiety and know that I won’t handle today very well if I have a negative result. So testing tomorrow.
R/R: rave- today is a BEAUTIFUL day. I’ve been up a total of 30 minutes and been outside to let my dogs out and it’s a full blue sky and warm sun. ALSO I got a call yesterday that the fertility clinic in the next town over will FINALLY be able to see us in June and that they already have a plan. So I’m hoping that with this cycle probably being a flop, we have hope for June. If this cycle is negative, might just bench myself for mental health for next month.
Rant in spoiler. TW for pregnant and LC.
CS/Q: I’ve asked this a couple times but haven’t seen anyone answer (I’m usually super late to the party for the days TWW posts haha. But has anyone with PCOS found temping at all helpful ? I’ve read conflicting reports that because of pcos making our temperature run higher then normal so it can make the information inaccurate.
@kels0091 Not sure if you’re on Metformin but temping and OPKs seem to be fine for me in regards to PCOS. My O date used to be a little later but it has shifted sooner due to a lot of life changes I made to help regulate hormones and deal with my autoimmune diseases as well. I know Kiki also has PCOS and didn’t have luck with OPKs but was fine with temping I think.
Diagnosed with PCOS & Hashimoto's
@chichiphin I find around 8dpo I get in a funk, too. Hugs to you.
@kels0091 so many hugs to you today, hun.
@emeraldduchess ❤️❤️ Thank you! I’m more concerned about my bf. It’s his sister and they already but heads over a lot. I don’t think he’s going to bite his tongue.
@ruby696 Have fun planting your tomatoes! Yum!
@kels0091 Hope you get through the dinner okay.. I’m sure it won’t be easy. Hopefully she keeps the chatter to a minimum.
Month: 8/8
CD/DPO: 23/9
Timing: Great
Typical LP length: 12-14 days
Testing: Thought I should today because there will be drinking tonight.. BFN (as I was expecting). Trying to decide if I should bother testing again tomorrow since there will be drinking again..
R/R: Going to a party tonight for a coworker. I’m just feeling so down about a lot of things right now that I really don’t feel like going. But I know I should try to get out and live my life (and I also want to support my coworker) so I’ll go for a couple hours. Then tomorrow we have a family party.
CS/Q: nada
TTC since 9/2018
10/19- First RE visit
2/20- DH had surgery for bilateral varicoceles
7/20- IUI with 5 mg letrozole- BFN
9/20- IVF. 9 eggs retrieved, 9 mature, 8 fertilized with ICSI, 7 blasts, 4 PGT-A normal
11/20- Mock transfer/ERA
12/20- FET #1- transferred one 4AB- BFN
3/21- FET #2- transferred one 3AB- BFP! Due Dec 2021
12/21- Baby girl born!
@kels0091 I take it right after a big, healthy dinner with a full glass of water. I was getting nausea at first with it but if you stick with it - it does get better! I have the extended release one though. I would work yourself up to the dose, too. Like maybe start with a quarter dose for a week, bump up to half dose, etc.
@misshelen86 Sending internet hugs your way, girl! Hope you can enjoy the parties!
edit: words!
Diagnosed with PCOS & Hashimoto's
CD/DPO: 27 / 5 supposedly
Timing: Great if the OPK is right! My temps are not confirming but I have had a lot of anxiety and sleeplessness effecting my temps.
Typical LP length: 12 days
Testing: not even on the horizon
R/R: It’s going to frost tonight so we have to cover our plants - wth come on Spring! I am making homemade broth right now and will make some chicken noodle soup for dinner - perfect for a cold, rainy day.
CS/Q: I picked OPK because my temps are not cooperating. It could be that I haven’t O’d yet - I have been having very long cycles since my CP in January.
[url=https://www.fertilityfriend.com/home/6351f9/][img]https://www.fertilityfriend.com/home/6351f9//thumb.png[/img]
My Ovulation Chart[/url]
@emeraldduchess - at least the rain keeps the allergies away! You have a lovely chart. @ruby696 I’m sure the tomato seeds thing depends on where you live. The seed place here has tiny little seedlings here in CT but I would give them a try! At least they won’t get frozen. @kels0091 I hope the dinner went ok - it is hard to see other people pregnant when we are going through this. @misshelen86 unless you are going to drink so much you are going to get sick I wouldn’t worry about it! You don’t share your bloodstream at 9 DPO regardless.
Married Jan 2008
DD Baby Bells born Dec 2016 5 lbs, 12 oz, 18"
Due with #2 Baby Arya EDD February 2020