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.
And846
member
Re: Introductions!
Due date? May 1
GTKY: Tell us a fun or interesting fact about yourself! I love going Disney and love to sample new and flavorful hoppy beers and good full bodied wines. Also, huge huge book reader.
Due date? May 1
I have my first appointment the end of Sept. I do I have private ultrasound scheduled for mid sept.
my Little family enjoys riding our horses
Name: Anna
EDD: May 8
How did I know: nipples, a tiny little blood in discharge (and I NEVER get spotting), a little mild nausea, headaches and hormonal back pain. That sounds like a lot but I think I was just hyper-aware.
About myself: 2 daughters ages 1.5 and 3.5. Just moved and work from home. Same with hubby.
How am I feeling: EXCITED! This little bean will complete our family and I’m thrilled.
Interesting fact: I love doing home renos so I’m going to be on a mad tear to get a few things done in the new house before MS and a growing bump say no.
Name - Kate
Estimated Due Date - May 6th
Found out because we've been TTC for 7 cycles and I'd been tracking and testing every month. I was feeling pretty tired and my boobs hurt worst than more for PMS but as soon as my ovulation tracker said "you can test" I tested and it was finally a positive!
About me - I was in Human Resources while my husband works in Data Analytics. We have 3 days (a terrier, a shiba inu mix, and a pit mix). We're both nerds who enjoy anime and video games.
I feel mixed emotions. This is our first and I'm so happy and excited but it also feels so surreal since I'm so early. My first appointment isn't until 9/29 (8 weeks) so it still doesn't feel real... I'm struggling between celebrating but trying to be realistic that things can happen in the next few weeks...
Due date? 5/5 (which is my mom's bday, she's going to be elated!)
GTKY: Tell us a fun or interesting fact about yourself! hmmm... I have been to at least one country on every continent. I'm really, really missing travel in the last two years.
Due date? 5/4 according to the internet; my RE will give me an official date.
*TW* loss mentioned
GTKY: Tell us a fun or interesting fact about yourself! In college, I sailed a tall ship as part of a maritime semester away. It was one of the most amazing experiences of my life.
Due date? May 10th
GTKY: I am oldest of 7 kids! I love to read books. I’m a pretty good cook.
Due date? 5/3/21
How did you find out? Had some symptoms and first tested about a week ago. My line was faint at that time but I kept testing and the line grew darker each day!
Tell us about yourself (Other children/pets? Job? Things you like to do? I am a nurse practitioner. My husband works in tech (typical Bay Area profession!). we have a black lab named Buster. This will be our first baby! I love to travel (been harder this past year!)
How are you feeling? (First appointment? Any symptoms? Emotionally?) my first appt is 9/20. I think it will feel more real then. I have been having some bloating, mild cramping, breast tenderness. Nothing too bad so far!
GTKY: Tell us a fun or interesting fact about yourself! I love watersports- waterskiing being my favorite!
Due date? 5/7
GTKY: Tell us a fun or interesting fact about yourself! - I have read 166 books this year.
I got a positive pregnancy test 5 days ago. As far as I know right now (by my assumed conception date) I’m 5 weeks, 1 day pregnant and due on May 1st! My husband and I are thrilled but also sort of shocked since we technically weren’t trying this month (we’d tried for 3 months beforehand but I wasn’t tracking or anything in August) but clearly weren’t being careful enough, lol! Right now I have some very mild cramping and sore breasts.
I have an appointment with my PCP on 9/8 and then will have to find a new office for an OB. I’m a little nervous about the OB visits as I have some pelvic pain issues that tend to flare up with gyno exams, but trying to stay calm and continue my PT work.
We’ve decided not to tell anyone except our medical providers until I’m at least 8 weeks along, so I’m excited to meet everyone and have people to talk about this all with! :)
A fun fact about me is that I love reading fanfiction! Favorites are Harry Potter, Buffy, and The Magicians.
Introduce yourself:
Hi everyone!! My name is Sydney and I’m 22 years old, living in Michigan. I will be 23 by the time I have my baby and I mostly planned for it!
Due date?
Currently my due date is predicted to be May 1st
How did you find out?
My period typically comes like clockwork so when it was supposed to be it’s final day with no sign of it coming I took a pregnancy test! Since then I’ve taken 3 overall because I almost can’t believe it!
Tell us about yourself (Other children/pets? Job? Things you like to do? Spouse/partner?)
I’m currently unemployed and this will be my first baby. My boyfriend and I have been together a year now and known each other for 2. He’s older than me, 35, and he has a daughter who is 17! He’s the breadwinner of our family and is very content with that and knows how much I’ve always wanted to have a baby. He also has an amazing relationship with his daughter and so do I!
How are you feeling? (First appointment? Any symptoms? Emotionally?)
Emotionally I’m honestly thrilled and scared! I know I’m super early and I’m really scared that something will happen and I will miscarry. I’m taking my prenatal vitamins as of when I found out at week 5 and eating healthy. So far I find myself tired more and earlier so I’ve been sleeping more. I also find myself getting slight stomach aches after eating and I’m drinking and peeing more. Otherwise I don’t have any other symptoms. My first appointment is scheduled for September 23. Otherwise I’m thrilled to be pregnant and actually see more symptoms come and a bump and to feel just more secure in the pregnancy? I hope to get some reassurance and am trying to reassure myself through youtube meditations and just affirming thoughts.
GTKY: Tell us a fun or interesting fact about yourself!
I recently went to Greece with my boyfriend and his family for a month and a half and we conceived while there!! His family is fully Greek and his parents moved to the US then had him so he’s first generation American! Our vacation was amazing and it’s kinda crazy to believe what we came back with 💖
Would a PCP do transvaginal ultrasound at 6 weeks? I’d love to see what’s going on but it seems like I may have to wait another few weeks.
@sydney0like0australia I'm originally from Michigan, too! I was just home visiting family the other week.
Awe so exciting to be due date buddies with you! Can you belive we're TTMs?! I'm having a hard time wrapping my head around it lol.
Hello! My name is Nikki. This is my first pregnancy.
Due date?
May 8th according to the app. OB appt is Oct 4th.
I have been so exhausted and MOODY. My boyfriend and I went and got a pregnancy test on Aug 29 (Sunday) and it was possitive with the worlds faintest line. We reconfirmed with digital tests on Monday and Tuesday. 3 positive tests now so I think I can safely believe I'm pegnant 😂
I'm 26 and I do pediatric physical therapy. My boyfriend run a Hotworx Infared Studio. We were best friends for 8 years and have been dating for a year. We are VERY excited for this journey.
We have 4 dogs (we each had 2 when we started dating) and a cat. It is wild lol but they are all well behaved and trained. We are so excited for our new addition to the family.
Mostly emotional; I randomly start balling while brushing my teeth yesterday morning. No reason 😂 A little nausea, but this is fairly nornal for me so I'm not sure I can call it "morning sickness". Also, cramps! Which make me nervous but I've heard it's normal...? I'm a little anxious that my OB appt is a whole month away. It sounds silly, but I worry about spending the next month being excited and then going to the OB and their not being a baby. I keep telling myself "you've taken 3 tests... YOU'RE PREGNANT", but I'm just so nervous about getting too excited.
GTKY: Tell us a fun or interesting fact about yourself!
I work as a pediatric physical therapist assistant, but I just finished my PT school application and submitted yesterday. If I get accepted, baby will only be 3 months old when I start. So many new adventures are starting!
Due date? tentatively 5/6, dating ultrasound in a couple weeks
How did you find out? Home test and confirmed by beta hcgs this week
Tell us about yourself: I have 2 girls, the oldest in 1st grade and the other I stay home with during the week. I work part time as a RN on weekends
How are you feeling? (First appointment? Any symptoms? Emotionally?)
TW: losses
<div class="Spoiler">
I had a MC last cycle, and have had 2 other MCs between my older kids. So I suspect I will have some lingering early pregnancy anxiety until 1st trimester has passed. My betas were high compared to my previous losses as well as my last successful pregnancy with my 3yo so that helps me feel a little better. I am taking progesterone as my first result was on the very bottom end of normal and I did need progesterone through the first tri to support my last pregnancy as well. I’ll have the dating ultrasound becuase I didn’t have a cycle after the last MC and so calculating may be a little off. </div>
GTKY: I love reading, houseplants and hanging out with my girls.
Edit: trying to fix my spoiler box
I'm Annie, hopefully soon to be second time mom.
I'm due around late April - haven't had my first appointment yet.
I found out basically as soon as possible with a pregnancy test. I've been going through fertility treatment related to a PCOS diagnosis so I knew right away.
I work full time and have an incredibly active and fun 3 year old daughter. My husband is in mental health.
Fun fact - I've lived in Africa and South America and love to hike and cook.