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: Weekly Randoms 10/14
Married: 8/22/15
BFP #1: 8/22/17 | DS: 4/20/18
BFP #2: 7/14/19 | EDD: 3/18/20
@chichiphin I feel like this baby is so low at 20 weeks still. I have some prolapse issues from my first so when I was pregnant with DS it was a huge relief when my uterus popped up off of everything else. That glorious feeling has not happened with this one yet and I'm losing hope that it will. Lots of pressure in my vagass area already and her movements feel so low. I def agree with @stassischroeder the majority of my bump is something else!! Co-workers are randomly touching me way more often this time around and it's not down where I can feel the baby, so I guess I should be grateful for that!!
@kagesstarshroom Sorry, that sounds so miserable. I only have heartburn in pregnancy and only toward the end. Pre preg me always wondered what it felt like as I knew people who had it regularly, so I would think oh maybe this is it, or this is it. Until I actually felt it during pregnancy, oh damn, THIS is it, terrible.
@treetop19 So exciting about your DS!!! Hate that you have to leave your school that you are familiar with though. Daycare decisions have dominated my thoughts so much of my life already and we haven't even gotten into real school yet, I'm a little scared.
@miss.sally your pumpkin bread sounds amazing and I’m jealous of your baking skills. I never bake. Want to send me some? 😂
@mrsvp614 oh nooooo about the ripped leggings! Glad you had one female coworker to help you out but definitely think you deserve the refund.
@treetop19 big congrats on your son’s milestone! I know you’re proud of him but it’s okay to also feel sad about leaving a school you’ve been happy with.
@kagesstarshroom i hope the Prilosec gives you some relief. You deserve a break from heartburn!
afm I just went to ridiculous lengths to get a vending machine poptart. Didn’t eat at home (mistake #1) and was staaaaarving here at work and we’re doing an outdoor at-school field trip all morning so I knew hungry me would be a disaster. Thought I had a couple dollars in my wallet but I didn’t....cue me out in the parking lot in front of kiss&ride arriving parents scrounging up ALL the loose change in my car until I found the right amount!
I mean this in the kindest, most genuine way possible: how in the world could you lose 40 lbs and still be healthy? I don't for a second look at your pics and think you need to lose ANY weight.
Have you considered talking to a therapist about this stuff? Your OB is a good place to start, but I personally feel that we can all benefit from going to therapy! If for no other reason than staying mentally sound for our kids.
*Formerly LuND*
Me: 35 | DH: 37
TTC: 7/2016
Low AMH, mild MFI
BFP 7/29/17
EDD: 4/5/18
BFP #2 7/2/19
EDD 3/13/20
Also, have you been able to get to a PT or chiro for that tailbone pain? light exercise may make a world of difference - I know it does for me.
I've also had to be VERY real with MH, so is extremely fit & would eat grilled chicken and brown rice every day if he could. I hope YH can be more understanding, but also just tell him not to go to your OB appt next time if you think it'll cause an issue.
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
*Formerly LuND*
Me: 35 | DH: 37
TTC: 7/2016
Low AMH, mild MFI
BFP 7/29/17
EDD: 4/5/18
BFP #2 7/2/19
EDD 3/13/20
@chichiphin DH actually does eat brown rice and grilled chicken (plus a veggie) pretty much every. single. day. He works out every day and is infuriating
Married: 8/22/15
BFP #1: 8/22/17 | DS: 4/20/18
BFP #2: 7/14/19 | EDD: 3/18/20
DD1 EDD 9/29/2015, Born 9/24/2015
DS1 EDD 1/3/2018, Born 12/26/2017
BFP #3 3/21/2019, EDD 11/29/2019, MMC/D&C 5/7/2019
BFP #4 6/28/2019, EDD 3/12/2020
I was also going to suggest what @EmilyLove25 said, and not weigh yourself, and request the doctor's office to not tell you, or even let you turn around on the scale so you aren't tempted to look either. I've heard of several women doing this, especially during pregnancy, for their emotional health.
Married: 10.15.16
DS BD: 8.20.17
TTC #2 1.1.19
BFP #2 7.3.19
EDD #2 3.13.20
What concerns me is that I feel her teacher has given up on her and has labeled her as the “bad” kid. Today she made a passive aggressive comment to DD about her behavior. I know as a teacher and a parent that it’s not the way to go about things. Add that onto the fact that I dropped my lunch straight out the microwave all over the floor. Thus leading me to be the crazy lady who cried over spilled chicken.
Also, I’ve stated this before and will day is again: I always cry over food when pregnant. It’s what I get most emotional about ha. So you had every right to cry over that spilt chicken.
Married: 8/22/15
BFP #1: 8/22/17 | DS: 4/20/18
BFP #2: 7/14/19 | EDD: 3/18/20
Sometimes kids act up - especially strong-willed kids, and especially toddlers/preschoolers. The good news is, that strong will serves them well later in life, when they go through tough times and they don't give up. And, with maturity, they will often learn to behave. People that sideline-parent and try to bring you down are just small thinkers, in my opinion. They have no idea what it's like to raise 'your' particular child, they have no idea what developmental milestones 'your' child has reached, and they have no idea of the circumstances (whether the child is hungry, tired, emotional due to something else, ect.)
DD1 EDD 9/29/2015, Born 9/24/2015
DS1 EDD 1/3/2018, Born 12/26/2017
BFP #3 3/21/2019, EDD 11/29/2019, MMC/D&C 5/7/2019
BFP #4 6/28/2019, EDD 3/12/2020
Random Rave: I am excited for the weekend. We're taking DS to his first college football game tomorrow and the zoo's Halloween event on Sunday.
Random PSA: Spend $75 on baby stuff at Target, and get a $15 gift card. We needed diapers and pull-ups for DS, so we added a big box of diapers and wipes for new baby too.
Married: 10.15.16
DS BD: 8.20.17
TTC #2 1.1.19
BFP #2 7.3.19
EDD #2 3.13.20
DD1 EDD 9/29/2015, Born 9/24/2015
DS1 EDD 1/3/2018, Born 12/26/2017
BFP #3 3/21/2019, EDD 11/29/2019, MMC/D&C 5/7/2019
BFP #4 6/28/2019, EDD 3/12/2020
Married: 10.15.16
DS BD: 8.20.17
TTC #2 1.1.19
BFP #2 7.3.19
EDD #2 3.13.20
Married: October, 19, 2015
EDD 2/22/17
EDD 3/8/20
EDD 11/24/23
(Formerly Marriedhamstermom Feb ‘17)
I know others have chimed in and let you know that you're not alone, but I just to let you know that I get it, too. I understand how you're feeling and I'm sorry you are struggling.
i’m so sorry life keeps smacking you. The universe must be sending a lot of good stuff your way soon since you’ve endured so much lately.
Married: 8/22/15
BFP #1: 8/22/17 | DS: 4/20/18
BFP #2: 7/14/19 | EDD: 3/18/20