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: Introduce Yourself Here!
- I was told in the doctors office the pregnancy test was positive right before my ultrasound looking for fibroid tumors. Instead of tumors I saw the gestational sac as I was only 3.5 weeks along.
- I’m a SAHM to a 3 year old sassy girl with 4 others in school ages 9, 8, 8, and 7. Four of the five are my bonus kiddos and one biological. My husband is a restoration and construction contractor. We have a 3 month old English Mastiff puppy who is the sweetest.
- An official induction date hasn’t been set but I will be induced at 38 weeks due to medication maintained high blood pressure with a previous 6 week early induced delivery due to pre-eclampsia.
Happy to be here and having the chance to experience pregnancy and childbirth again after the 9 year hiatus 💕
How I found out: My BIL-to-be actually guessed it before I even considered it a possibility. It was Labor Day weekend, we were camping (I was the only girl with 4-5 guys) and I was “sick as a dog”. We were sitting around the campfire and I told him the PG version. He responded “You’re pregnant” to which I think I told him that he was crazy. He supposedly told my fiancé that I’d be “pregnant over the winter” after the second time I met him, but here in MT, that’s not hard as winter is like 6-9 months of the year.
Hobbies, Job, Etc: I work from home for the government, which made hiding morning sickness really easy. I love skiing, but none of that for me this year. In summer, I love kayaking, rafting, fishing, horseback riding, and camping. All things that will also probably have to go on hiatus for summer 2020.
Spouse, Partner, Kids, Furbabies: We are getting married in January. This will be a first child for both of us. I have 2 small dogs... an older Corgi mix and a 2 y/o Corgi. I’m afraid and pretty sure that the young Corgi is gonna have problems sharing the attention with the baby. 🤞🏻🙏🏻
- I'm a STM due May 14, 2020 with a baby boy! My daughter is 4.5 years old, and I have met some wonderful friends through my June 2015 mommy group that started on The Bump and then moved to FB. One of the gals who is now my best friend lives on 5 minutes away from us!
- We had been trying, so I was calculating things and was having a moody morning, made a whole pot of coffee, and then the smell made my tummy turn and I didn't even want a sip of coffee. I took a pregnancy test, and it was confirmed! We wanted to start trying sooner, but I was in a bad car accident, so we waited a bit.
- I'm a professional actor on stage and on film, but mostly work from home as a voice over artist and audiobook narrator. We have a home studio, so it has been lovely working in jammies and resting when I need to. I also love to so float tanks, be in water swimming or stand-up paddleboarding at a nearby lake, we love hiking, and playing board games.
- My husband of 10 years is a QA Engineer, my daughter is now 4.5 years old, and we have an awesome puppy and kitty!
I'd love to connect with other mommies, and always love meeting mommies who live near me!
Hi ladies! I introduced myself when this group first started and then life got insane and I dropped off. I am back and I hope its not too late to catch up and get involved and be a part of the group. I'm a STM and my DS will turn 3 right around the time this one is born. I'm due 4 days before his birthday.
- EDD (Estimated Due Date): 5/13/2020
- How you found out: Started testing 5 days after embryo transfer; line was faint, but DH thought it was for sure a BFP. I tried again the next day and it was quite clear.
- Hobbies, Job, Etc.: I'm an ER doctor still in residency, about to start fellowship and DH is a research scientist (PhD in neuroscience).
- One furbaby, a very sprightly little shih tzu
I have no idea what I'm getting into but I'm thrilled to be on this adventure with you all!
AMH 1.1, unexplained infertility
TI w ovulation kits- April 2018 to August 2018 = BFNs
IUI +Clomid - September 2018 to December 2018 = BFNs
IVF #1 Feb 2019 (Menopur, GonalF, cetrotide, w Lupron + hCG triggers) = ER: 5 eggs fert w ICSI -> 3AA, 3AB, 4BB-, 2 arrested.
IVF #2 Mar 2019 (Menopur, GonalF, cetrotide, mini Lupron flare; cancelled, not enough follicles remained. Started w 17, 2 at the end.)
PGS June - all 3 embryos normal! (#Miracles) - XX: 3AA, 4BB-, XY: 3AB
FET #1 8/26/2019 - 3AA XX embryo (frozen, 5 day embryo)
hCG 9/4....BFP! Due 5/13/2020
A very long time ago I used to use the Knot boards (March 2009!!)
I live in the SF Bay area, California and my EDD is May 21. We are having a girl but are not telling anyone the gender until she is born!
I found out early September as we were actively trying for the last 7 months. I honestly thought I wasn't going to get pregnant that month because I had ovulated right when I had to travel to Florida because my dad had a heart attack. It was a pretty stressful time
I'm a FTM and am a Veterinarian. My husband and I are pretty nerdy and attend comic cons a lot
Because I am a Veterinarian we do have 4 cats! It's a full house, lol.
Married Sept. 2013
DS1: Nov 11, 2016
MMC: 11/16/18 (9w6d)
CP: 2/3/19 (5w3d)
BFP! 8/24/19
DS2: May 10, 2020
- How you found out
Apparently was in super denial, and after a kidney stone and half marathon experience (unluckily together) and still nursing, I thought my period was just late. Up to a week late isn't weird for me when nursing. Suddenly realized it was almost two weeks late and I had to pee overnight. Due to sick kids, dumb stores, etc, took another 3 days to even get a test, that I was convinced I didn't need. I was already planning a gyno appointment to check on why I had no period....nope, BFP -showed up super dark before the control line appeared. Surprise!
- Hobbies, Job, Etc.
SAHM I love to read and run and ride horses. I'm also an ICAN leader, huge VBAC advocate, and in a very slow training to be a Certified Professional Midwife
- Spouse, Partner, Kids, or Furbabies
Husband of 4.5 years, a 3.5 year old son, an almost 15 month old daughter, a 10 year old 10 lbs miniature dachshund, and a 2 year old 80 lbs pitbull. It's busy around here.
- Anything you’d like us to know 🙂
I fall on the Autism Spectrum, sometimes struggle with mental health, cloth diaper, nurse babies for a long time, and home birth. My first was a case of traumatic birth abuse (I only share story upon request, way too much TW) so I had my second at home in a portable birth tub. My son likes to wear dresses and nail polish, and I have pretty substantial SPD to the point of barely being able to carry my toddler up our stairs anymore already. Oh, and I'm queer.
I'm outspoken and opinionated, but value other's opinions and differences. I'm hoping I can jump in here and join the party!
Also, please call me out if I'm being unintentionally rude!
DH: 32
Married 7/18/15
1st born at 35+4 on 6/6/16
Team green turned BLUE!
2nd born at 38+6 on 8/30/18
Team green turned PINK!
Due with #3 on 6/6/20 Team Green
Right now I'm doing a super informal midwifery training because free, but hopefully when this baby is about 2 I can start formal training. I want to attend home births.
DH: 32
Married 7/18/15
1st born at 35+4 on 6/6/16
Team green turned BLUE!
2nd born at 38+6 on 8/30/18
Team green turned PINK!
Due with #3 on 6/6/20 Team Green
EDD: May 3rd currently 21 weeks. I'll be a FTM.
I found out 2 weeks before my wedding lol I tested because I was late and I was worried about getting my period during my wedding.
My husband and I live in Pennsylvania with our dog kenobi, who up until this point has been our world. We cant wait for May to welcome our baby girl.
Hey there! Should have found this app when we were expecting our first but here we are!
EDD: May 28th. I am a full time mom
I found out after being late by a few days and taking a test.
My husband and I live in Charleston, SC. We have one little girl who turned two earlier this year. We love being on the beach or by a pool. I'm 29 years old and have always been a beach gal. My husband is a little bit of a video game nerd. I'm so looking forward to meeting other people here!
And now coming back to this first paragraph, I am quite surprised with how much I wrote, haha
- EDD (Estimated Due Date) - 5/28
- How you found out - Standard pregnancy test. We had been trying for 5 years so this was highly planned and bound to happen at one point, so we were not very surprised
- Hobbies, Job, Etc.
Job: I have a degree in Applied Modern Languages - English and German. As I am from Romania, these 2 are the foreign languages I studied, so practically I am a translator and interpreter, and quite good at it, although I find them boring. So about 7 years ago I decided to switch to a more technical job and I've been working in IT (self taught) and loving it a lot! Never really thought I'd get here, but life has its ways...
Hobbies: I'm not very sure about my hobbies at the moment. I love singing (especially in the choir where the harmonies get overwhelming), but it's not as intense as it used to be. I also love crafts, but it takes me a long time to decide to start a project. Once I start it, I keep going and enjoy it a lot. And then there's badminton, which I used to practice before being pregnant. Right now I'm frustrated because being at a bit of a risk, I'm not even allowed to do the regular, light pregnancy workouts... Oh well... So it's all a bit on and off and not very constant
Etc...
- Spouse, Partner, Kids, or Furbabies
MH and I have been married for almost 7 years and we've enjoyed it a lot so far, despite the challenges (some health issues on both sides which are now mostly solved, some difficulties in our extended family). We love travelling, sports and being involved in ministry together, as described above. This will be our first child, that we've been expecting for such a long time that we took the news that we are actually pregnant with quite a cool head and a lot of reservation. We're slowly catching up with other people's joy.
- Anything you’d like us to know - Ask away, if there is anything you'd like me to share
DD #2: May 2020
Baby #3: EDD May 2023; MC October 2022
We are Team Green for the 4th time!
DH: 32
Married 7/18/15
1st born at 35+4 on 6/6/16
Team green turned BLUE!
2nd born at 38+6 on 8/30/18
Team green turned PINK!
Due with #3 on 6/6/20 Team Green
- EDD
May 12, 2020
- How you found out
I had just come off of my birth control after having our first child (DD) and didn't expect to conceive so quickly! It took us 5 months to get pregnant with DD after coming off of the pill, and this time around it happened on the first try. DD will be 17 months when this baby is born, so we are anxious and excited to have 2 under 2!
- Hobbies, Job, Etc.
I am an admin for the county planning department where I live, I love to watch TV and hang out with friends
- Spouse, Partner, Kids, or Furbabies
Married to husband for almost 3 years, DD turned 1 in December 2019, and we have a 65lb lab/husky mix as well as a 12 year old calico kitty cat!
- Anything you’d like us to know 🙂
I am really nervous about relying on my partner for labor and delivery this time around because the first time it felt like he made everything about him and what he wanted (he threw a fit when they asked him to sit while performing my epidural, he thought there were too many people in the delivery room during pushing so he just stood in the corner and I felt pretty abandoned).
I am a FTM EDD is May 4th. Baby girl was not planned at all as I was told that by docs that this would never happen. God has other plans for us and we are so so happy to be along for the ride.
I actually found out first with a home pregnancy test when hubby asked me one day if I thought I was pregnant because I had been getting dizzy doing yoga and my breasts had been a little sore. My response was yea right lol. My cycles are irregular and i hadnt been showing any other signs but his question got me thinking a bit. So I grabbed a test while out running errands one day and not thinking much of it, I went ahead and took it. When I saw the positive result, I was shocked and happy and surprised and just overall what-the-what. Lol We ended up getting our appointment the next week and found out that we were 10 weeks along.
Hubby and I have been together for 7 years. I am a massage therapist and he is a he is a personal trainer. We are both passionate about our careers and doing what doesnt feel like work at all. In our free time, we love a good movie and traveling down to the beach to watch the waves.
This has been an awesome journey so far and I just feel so grateful and blessed to be having this experience.
I am Ashley. My husband and I are expecting our first baby, a precious baby boy. Our EDD is 5/11. We have two cats. I am a full time employee at a hospital and I also attend college classes to further my education and have a career that I want in the future. We found out because I told my mom about symptoms I was feeling and she suggested to take a pregnancy test.
I’m excited to be here!
Hey everyone... I’m having my second baby, due on May 22nd. If you new mommies need any advice... Holla!!
I got my BFP yesterday at 10dpo and this is my first! I am so excited!!
We found out using the easy@home sticks and confirmed with FR! We have booked our appointment with OB!
I am married with two pups and work for a non-profit. I do eyelash extensions on the side and am continuing with this to have a baby fund!
Our EDD is May 2! 😊
Married Sept. 2013
DS1: Nov 11, 2016
MMC: 11/16/18 (9w6d)
CP: 2/3/19 (5w3d)
BFP! 8/24/19
DS2: May 10, 2020
Around 9dpo, I started having strong symptoms like morning sickness, breast soreness, and tiredness. We tested 11 dpo, and got our positive.
I am a private childbirth educator, and hubby works in hydraulics. We have been married 3 years. We have one son that is 3.