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.
lizzie_30
member
Re: Weekly Check-In 12/20
How far along are you//EDD: Due Date 1/26/22 Induction to be Scheduled in the 39th week
Size of the baby: Butternut Squash
Upcoming appointments: Wednesday, December 22 with MFM for non-stress/amniotic fluid test
How are you feeling?: Starting to feel like I'm doing too much. Cleaning like a maniac, taking my son to basketball practice 3 nights a week and still working. It's a desk job but I think the sitting all day is making me feel like crap.
Rants/Raves: Rant: I went for a non-stress test last Friday and the Dr. at MFM sent me to the emergency room. I had pain in my left leg and it was swollen. Only my left leg. Dr. says this isn't normal could be a blood clot, so 4 hours later they say they don't see a clot but that doesn't mean there's not a clot there. What? Now I'm really freaked out they say if it gets worse or chest pain come back. Rave: After Fridays fiasco I was able to really get a lot accomplished at least. Vacuumed, did laundry, put together baby swing, and wrapped all Christmas gifts finally.
Questions: Any body else completely forgetting things? I'm forgetting why I opened the fridge or even why I came into the kitchen in the first place. lol
How far along are you//EDD: 38+2 wks
Size of the baby: small watermelon
Upcoming appointments: Thursday for OB checku
How are you feeling?: lots of Braxton hicks, tired from uncomfortable sleep, unwieldy
Rants/Raves: found a stretch that relieves some lower back and hip pain. Nothing groundbreaking, just the butterfly sit! But it feels so good right now.
Questions: had bloodwork done that shows anemia but doc hasn’t called me about it. Should I call her? I’m already sort of her problem child. She usually treats me like I’m overreacting when I ask just basic questions. Im hesitant. I could always just take an iron supp or eat more iron rich foods instead of asking.
Mind if I add a GTKY? What’s your favorite holiday or end of year tradition? Christmas movies! Specifically white Christmas and those claymation ones.
How far along are you//EDD: 36w 1d//Jan 16
Size of the baby: Papaya
Upcoming appointments: Just had one so next Monday.
How are you feeling?: Okay. A lot of lower back pain, especially when the baby moves. Other than that just tired and achy.
Rants/Raves: I was so happy I unexpectedly got to see the baby today! This is the second time my OB just wanted to quickly check something and turned on the US to take a quick peak. She wanted to make sure he was face down today. We saw that he is practicing breathing and my heart just melted.
Questions: None really! Is anyone dilated at least?? I am not
I was not dilated at all a few days before my water breaking the first time, but I’d love to have some progress before labor this time around.
What’s your favorite holiday or end of year tradition? Waking up Christmas morning, putting on music, making coffee, and relaxing before we open presents - just enjoying the moment. Not sure how much we will be able to do that this year with a toddler who has already tried to open gifts lol
How far along are you//EDD: 1/5/2022 or 1/1/022?!?!?
Size of the baby: winter melon (38wks)
Upcoming appointments: 12/31/21
How are you feeling?: extremely tired and checked out at work but still have projects to finish. Feeling guilty.
Rants/Raves: I am worried about taking care of a third child. I know there is no going back. With every pregnancy, I always get anxious.
Questions: not sure I have one but my Dr said they might schedule and induction if I go past 40Wks. I am not big On aggressive approach, I stood my ground which I think my Dr appreciated.
@lizzie_30 definitely rest! So sorry you had a clot scare. My pregnancy brain has been pretty bad the entire time..I think it's worse now that I'm getting closer. Just a lot going on. If it makes you feel better, I was doing a color on a client...and forgot I was doing a color on a client 🙃
@katepattsea I've tried the butterfly stretch but my hip/groin pain is out of this world.
@angiemac9 good to hear yours is face down already!! Mine is being stubborn..but we still got time for her to move down.
How far along are you//EDD: 34+2 weeks
Size of the baby: Squash i think
Upcoming appointments: was supposed to have one tomorrow. Had to reschedule to next week.
How are you feeling?: Sick.. pretty sure I have strep but getting it confirmed tomorrow. Im just glad I tested negative for covid.
Rants/Raves: Rave--> today is my birthday🤗
Rant--> it's my bday...every single year since I've been 19, something ridiculous or just horrible happens lol. I always cry. Never fails. Plus the dresser ordered for baby room was supposed to be delivered Tuesday but there was complications..this week just ain't it.
Questions: Anyone else scared about inductions/ c-sections? Personal friends of mine having babies right now, are having to get inductions before 40 weeks and these are their first kids & the moms aren't high risk or anything. I also keep seeing post about being in labor for like 2 days or more!! That's just crazy to me.
Traditions for Christmas: love marathoning all the Christmas movies ! And going to see lights ✨
@nomar610, good on you for for standing up for what you prefer! It’s easier said than done, but try to release that guilt you feel over the work projects. What gets done gets done. These last few weeks are exhausting enough.
@alexxajams i’m sorry you’re so sick! Glad you’re not COVID positive, but man, strep can be painful. I hope it passes quickly for you. I would be scared of an induction, but not a C-section. Why such a push from docs for all these measures?!?! I’m going to start bringing my hospital bags in my car when I go to my OB appts starting today, juuuust in case I’m sent directly from there.
Cervidil was implanted Wednesday evening around 8pm, and he was born vaginally at 9am on Friday.
I tool me a while to dilate...was finally 3cm qt 3pm on Thursday, then admitted (given a room) at the hospital. They started the pitocin drip, and I'd been told by several moms to get the epidural right away, so I ddid.it was great for a few hours, then was patchy, so it was a long night.
Don't worry- they don't all end in c sections.
And I don't think my sons heart rate ever dropped.