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.
mflowers929
member
Re: Weekly check in week of 7/18
FTM/STM/TTM+: FTM
Upcoming Appointments or Results: routine OB appointment next Monday, fetal echo August 2
How are you feeling?: not bad. Actually the feeling a lot better physically is starting to mess with my anxiety again. Not as bad as before the anatomy scan, but it's still there, especially since with my weight and anterior placenta, I'm still in "was that the baby or gas?" phase of movement.
Rants/Raves: On vacation and holy crap we were hoping to get something cute for the baby here and it's all so freaking expensive.
Questions: nope
GTKY - if you could live anywhere else besides where you currently live, where would you be living?: I honestly wouldn't want to move outside my region of the US. I'm huge into weather, and we get all 4 seasons pretty solidly, with good storms in the summer, foliage in the fall, and snowstorms in the winter so it's always changing.
Upcoming Appointments or Results: Second AS next week and glucose test
How are you feeling?: Good. The exhaustion hits around 8pm and doesn’t slack until around 9 am. But overall good.
Rants/Raves: I am back home from a work conference in Nashville. So many stairs. So many uphill walks. This Texas girl is use to flat land. But I did do a mommy to be massage. I now want one of those pillows for sleeping every single night. It was so nice to lay on my stomach and not feel like my boobs were trying to break my back or suffocate me.
Questions: none at the moment
GTKY - if you could live anywhere else besides where you currently live, where would you be living?: I would like at the lake. Where my husband grew up spending his weekend with his dad and granny. I miss that place. No cell phone service just you and the lake at your front door.
FTM/STM/TTM+: TTM
Upcoming Appointments or Results: Regular prenatal 7/29.
How are you feeling?: huge with pelvic pain, feeling super pregnant lately.
Rants/Raves:
Questions:
GTKY - if you could live anywhere else besides where you currently live, where would you be living?: probably somewhere out west. We’ve considering relocating, we just can’t move our kids away from our families. They are so close to their grandparents and cousins.
FTM/STM/TTM+: TTM
Upcoming Appointments or Results: Follow up anatomy scan on Thursday
How are you feeling?: Good unless I overdo it, then I’ll started getting the Braxton Hicks tightening and have to sit down for a while.
Rants/Raves: Why can’t I find comfortable maternity jeans? Below the belly cuts in and the band flips and is annoying and over the belly just falls down constantly, ugh!
Questions: None
GTKY - if you could live anywhere else besides where you currently live, where would you be living?: I like where I live. We get all the seasons and have mountains and lakes nearby.
FTM/STM/TTM+: TTM
Upcoming Appointments or Results: I just had one today and all was well. I will have a scan next week to follow up on the SCH.
How are you feeling?: Ok...very pregnant and having low body image.
Rants/Raves: I am just glad baby is doing well.
Questions:
GTKY - if you could live anywhere else besides where you currently live, where would you be living?: I would be living in a cabin in the woods in our mountains near our city.
FTM/STM/TTM+: TTM
Upcoming Appointments or Results: 24 week appointment next Tuesday. I really need to get on Thursday appointments so I can get with the doctor I like the most!
How are you feeling?: been struggling more with my breath and bending over - it was closer to due date the last time this happened so hopefully she moves down a bit more. She also likes to get into positions that have her pushing on SOMETHING that is just super uncomfortable
Rants/Raves: kind of a twofer - I'm hating this heat, but my garden is exploding because of it. I'm going to have to start picking peas and beans this week, and I don't doubt if I'm going to get tomatoes ready by next week!
Questions:
GTKY - if you could live anywhere else besides where you currently live, where would you be living?: We'd likely go either out west (BC) or to the Netherlands - we have family there, and when we visited a few years back we both really loved it.
W born September 2020
#3 due November 2022
FTM/STM/TTM+: STM
Upcoming Appointments or Results: Routine OB visit next Tuesday. Waiting for a call from OB tomorrow to get their opinion on changing from my ureteral stent to a nephrostomy tube to relieve my symptoms.
How are you feeling?: Physically in pain and frustrated with my kidney stone and stent combo. But otherwise I'm good. Not gaining weight but baby boy is growing and his movements feel stronger, which I love.
Rants/Raves: Rant - it is SO humid and hot here this week. I caved and turned the AC on.
Rave - The contractor quotes for our nursery remodel were higher than I was willing to pay for something I'd normally do myself (mostly because lath and plaster is a pain to deal with so they charge a lot). So DH and I decided we're doing it ourselves and he got right to work. It's coming along easier and quicker than anticipated too.
Questions:
GTKY - if you could live anywhere else besides where you currently live, where would you be living?: Somewhere near a coast. I love the ocean! And fresh seafood! DH was born in Puerto Rico and I'd love to live there. Wisconsin is beautiful though and somehow I doubt we'll ever leave.
FTM/STM/TTM+:STM
Upcoming Appointments or Results:
had our fetal echo and her heart looks perfect - huge relief. Need to go in and do a final AS at MFM- baby’s growth is a little behind - nothing until August.
How are you feeling?: Good, out of breath, dealing with Braxton hicks, still having weird dreams and terrible sleep.
Rants/Raves: going on vacation to midwest from the PNW - excited for it to be the last hurrah for the three of us
rant- at the AS we had to meet with a genetic counselor due to DD heart stuff (healthy 5year old) - randomly got the same counselor that we had for our DD. counselor saw current baby was measuring a week behind and immediately launched into every possible horrible genetic disease it could be (NIPT and NT were clear - DS stuff was not genetic) then asks if we would consider termination… (which she also suggested for our first) I was fuming- PTSD, anxiety, and a general sense of just why would you approach it that way - Ob seems unconcerned.
GTKY - moved from Midwest to PNW - miss some of winter- dream - Scotland.
FTM/STM/TTM+: FTM
Upcoming Appointments or Results: OB with lab work including GTT at the end of the month
How are you feeling?: I feel great overall.
Rants/Raves: Rant- DW was positive for COVID last week but I seem to have avoided it this time. We both work in healthcare so this is her third time getting it despite being fully vaccinated. Rave- We're gearing up to go see my family in another state this weekend. I look forward to my parents being able to feel baby.
Questions: none atm
GTKY - if you could live anywhere else besides where you currently live, where would you be living?: DW and I would love to live halfway between our families in the Midwest. Close enough for a weekend drive but not in range of frequent random drop ins.
FTM/STM/TTM+: FTM
Upcoming Appointments or Results: gestational diabetes test in about 2 weeks
How are you feeling?: pretty good overall, a bit more emotional than usual
Rants/Raves: rants: feeling soooo lazy this week. Raves: the weather here has been so nice!
Questions:none this week
GTKY - if you could live anywhere else besides where you currently live, where would you be living?: I think it’d be fun to live out of the US for a bit. Have some friends that recently moved to Denmark, and I think that would be fun for a few years
FTM/STM/TTM+: FTM
Upcoming Appointments or Results: Regular prenatal appointment 7/28
How are you feeling?: I’m feeling alright! Baby is moving like crazy which has been so strange and wonderful all at the same time. I’ve been feeling pretty good physically minus lingering morning sickness and some general nastiness from the warmer weather. I’ve been extremely emotional lately about anything and everything, but when I’m not in that state things feel pretty normal.
Rants: I was exposed to Covid last week from a family member who was asymptomatic at the time. I know it wasn’t intentional, but the rising Covid numbers have been making me feel more anxious now that I’m expecting.
GTKY - if you could live anywhere else besides where you currently live, where would you be living?: I think I would have to say Germany! My grandmother was a first generation immigrant and much of my extended family is still in Germany. We have gone to visit a few times and my husband and I both love it. Plus some of my biggest cravings during pregnancy have been German foods that are not easily attainable here in the US so I would have access to things that have been making my mouth water for months!
W born September 2020
#3 due November 2022
FTM/STM/TTM+: F(ourth)TM
Upcoming Appointments or Results: Nothing for a few weeks.
How are you feeling?: Pretty normal. Crampy sometimes.
Rants/Raves: ugh, so hard to drink enough water. With my history of kidney stones, I should be drinking 3-4 quarts. And if I go by the half my body weight in ounces per day, I should be up toward 3 anyway. I never get four, and any day I’m not at home all day, I have a hard time even doing 3.
Questions: None.
GTKY - if you could live anywhere else besides where you currently live, where would you be living?: Nowhere I can think of. I fantasize about somewhere near a warm beach, but I don’t think that’s a real wish.
Nov 19, 22 wks + 5 days (I think!)
FTM/STM/TTM+:
FTM!
Upcoming Appointments or Results:
Midwife visit on Tues, then the glucose screening challenge... yech
How are you feeling?:
Feeling tired and achy. Unpopular opinion, but if my boobs get any bigger, my back is going to give out!
Rants/Raves:
Strangely, raw veggies are making me sick to my stomach - it feels all tight and in knots for hours after I eat them. I am usually a veggie head and don't know what to do! Haha!
Questions:
The amount I feel baby move varies so much from day today. From anyone's experience, when do movements become more consistent? I keep grabbing DH when baby kicks around to have him feel. Then baby settles down before he can. Typical!
GTKY - if you could live anywhere else besides where you currently live, where would you be living?
Ooh. I'd definitely live by the beach - I grew up next to one. Absolutely spoiled!
W born September 2020
#3 due November 2022
Est Due Date / Weeks + Days: 23 weeks 1 day
FTM/STM/TTM+: ftm
Upcoming Appointments or Results: I’m moving to Phoenix next weekend and have an appt with my new ob the following week. I’m doing my glucose test a little early, before I leave.
How are you feeling? Pretty good. I think second trimester is probably the best time to be packing. The only thing is I’m stuffed up all the time so sleep with my mouth open so my lips are chapped all the time! Moving has been kind of nice. Nice to throw things out and get organized. I love feeling the baby move.
Questions: any advice on how to prepare a crazy dog for a baby? I’m afraid my dog is going to jump on the baby.
@ashnicell so glad the end of this saga is near for you
W born September 2020
#3 due November 2022
I’d honestly kindof like to re-home the dogs but DS loves them and I think it’s good for kids to have pets. and also DH won’t let me give them away them