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.
kboydbowman
member
Re: Product Spotlight: Baby seats/swings/containers
I think I'd like to get this one for space saving if I didn't already have a swing and this is the last baby.
You can find them used on Marketplace all the time. Try to get one with a tray because it gives them an extra little table for snacks and toys (the tray can also snap off if you don't want to use it).
I also snagged a bouncer for free from Marketplace because it had a stain. I deep cleaned it and spot cleaned the stain twice and it looks brand new! The bouncer was actually brand new and only used twice before it got stained. It's this one: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08KFRNS19/
It was a good choice, and I would recommend it to anyone. Other than that, I didn't really use any other containers. I hated the Bumbo for a number of reasons (too rigid being a big one), and I don't know many people who actually really like those anymore.
this was a last minute registry addition but was probably the most used item we got. I would set my son down in there so he would play while I had coffee in the morning or hung out in it when I needed to pump. Super easy to clean after multiple blowouts and puking incidents too.
https://www.babylist.com/gp/munchkin-bluetooth-enabled-baby-swing/21242/672157 to start
https://www.babylist.com/gp/tiny-love-4-in-1-here-i-grow-mobile-activity-center/15219/230571 for when the baby is older
https://www.babylist.com/gp/chicco-alfa-lite-lightweight-travel-playard/20933/637310 as a playpen
Some complicated chromosomal stuff going on - our fingers are crossed, but this may not go according to plan!
His little legs were too chubby for the bumble seat by the time he had the core strength for it, so we never got to use it.
We used a baby einstein bouncer comparable to this bright starts bouncer. https://www.target.com/p/bright-starts-cradling-bouncer-seat-with-vibration-and-melodies/-/A-84199054?preselect=76908046#lnk=sametab DS loved the vibration. We never used the melodies. This was great for setting him down in the room with me without setting him on the floor - especially for showers!!!! It was nice to be able to peek out the curtain when I heard the phantom cries.
We had an outdoor/camping pack'n'play and an indoor pack'n'play - Going the same route with this baby too.
My friend fostered an infant until he was a toddler, and she had a round or ocatagon play yard similar to this evenflo: https://www.target.com/p/evenflo-play-away-portable-playard-deluxe-adventurer/-/A-79366502#lnk=sametab. I'd be excited to try it out if it was gifted!
We picked up a johnny jump up for $5 at a garage sale and DS jumped to his little heart's content! We'll pick up another doorway jumper.
Graco Soothe 'n Sway LX Baby Swing with Portable Bouncer, Derby https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08K2WNKJQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_CHCBQPTPV9TKVWJ87Z2B
Some complicated chromosomal stuff going on - our fingers are crossed, but this may not go according to plan!
First BFP on 1/4/22. Due date 9/13/22.
My husband loved sitting on the floor with our daughter in one while he played video games. He had eyes on her and checked her chest constantly if she fell asleep (yes, there are men who can still safely watch children while playing games). We wouldn't have made it through those early days without it. If we were watching TV, I would just rest my hand on her chest. I even sought one out for my sister, who is pregnant with her first.
All of these look like they take up a chunk of space.
/le sigh
Some complicated chromosomal stuff going on - our fingers are crossed, but this may not go according to plan!
Skip the Tiny Love one you shared. Sit in walkers aren't safe and are actually banned in many countries, but the US hasn't banned them yet. You'll find very few big (i.e. reputable) company names selling items similar to that.
Some complicated chromosomal stuff going on - our fingers are crossed, but this may not go according to plan!
Summer® Pop ‘N Jump® Portable Baby Activity Center– Lightweight Baby Jumper with Toys and Canopy for Indoor and Outdoor Use https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01FHSTUIW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apan_i_WVS7236YGZPHS2MY19RZ
@trapperkeeper87 I will definitely keep the Skip Hop on the list. I like what you said
@jhysmath The kitchen was a HUGE selling point for us. Our last RV was a Jayco Eagle and the kitchen was basically a counter. There was NO space at all, especially with two people. I am not comfortable joining FB groups, in part because they oftentimes get really busy and I just find it overwhelming. I have confidence that between this group, my husband + his family and friends, and my own reading, we will be very well off
@babywiik I know of those. I have so much learning to do! Thank you!
Some complicated chromosomal stuff going on - our fingers are crossed, but this may not go according to plan!
We haven’t actually considered anything specific yet, but that is definitely worth keeping in mind!