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: Product Spotlight - Maternity Clothes
pinkblush maternity also has really cute stuff but it’s a higher price point!
@babywiik That’s actually a really good thought. If there’s a brand in Sweden, my parents could send me some. That’s where I’m from, but I live permanently in Oregon.
Hunting pants is probably a good idea. I’ll keep looking. I’ll post what I find.
the area where I live is considered "pre-desert." We average less than 10 inches of rain per year, and nearly all of that occurs between January and April. So no, "rain pants" are totally not a thing here. Lol.
First BFP on 1/4/22. Due date 9/13/22.
I have rain suits for my kids for every size, but use more for mud season and puddle jumping than playing in the rain. Maybe I need a rain suit so I will play in the rain too.
Go buy a new “real” bra at a different size? Jump in the “maternity/nursing” bra train right away? Just wear sports bras forever ?!?
First BFP on 1/4/22. Due date 9/13/22.
First BFP on 1/4/22. Due date 9/13/22.
I know Helly Hansen so that’s what I figured I would go with. After today’s rain, I’m excited for them to arrive tomorrow. I suffered through in my Duluth firehose pants but where they sit, even extended with a belt so I don’t have to button, causes me pain going up into the woods.
I look forward to my bibs!!!!!!!!!
I love luring people to the Stitch Fix dark side. It's slightly pricy but so worth it.
First BFP on 1/4/22. Due date 9/13/22.
First BFP on 1/4/22. Due date 9/13/22.
I hit the jackpot today! I went to La Vie En Rose (it’s a Canadian company so idk if you can get it??) and their “bralettes” are actually great. Normally I hate bralettes because they don’t seem to keep ANYTHING wrangled in (and they can be nippley)…
But these are great- These have no underwire, but still lined and very supportive and everything feels covered lol. I got the “classic lace bralette” and “push-up lounge bralette”.
I ended up paying for express shipping for some clothes from the Gap. They should arrive this week so I will have some proper pants for next week. I also bought some other stuff online and crossing my fingers that they will fit because I don't intend to pay for shipping for any returns. You're absolutely right, they are expensive (both customs and return shipping).
I plan to check out your suggestions for La Vie En Rose and Sportchek. I was able to order some casual stuff online at Adidas. They don't have too many options, but the few that they do have look comfortable!
First BFP on 1/4/22. Due date 9/13/22.
I’m trying to not go too crazy, but I am also buying things I can wear when nursing, and honestly some of it I’ll probably wear when I’m not pregnant. Sustainable brands are important to me as well (I used to work in fashion and the waste is mind-boggling) I feel like hey—-if it’s cute, quality, and fits…no reason not to wear it.
The maternity bras from negative underwear are super worth it. They work for nursing as well.
I will say this much: Hatch is insanely priced, but one or two things is ok as a splurge :wink: