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: Introduce Yourself Here! Welcome to June 2023!
Due date? June 24th. I tested fairly early because I just knew it in my bones lol.
How did you find out? I started getting symptoms a week and a half ago. I had a crazy chaotic weekend and decided to test Monday. But Sunday night at 1am I got a class from a client (I work part time as a birth doula) and so I decided to test before I went to assist with her birth! It was a faint positive.. I then proceeded to test the next three days, just to be sure haha.
Tell us about yourself (Other children/pets? Job? Things you like to do? Spouse/partner?): I have two daughters and my husband and I have been married for 7 years. I work full time as a boxing coach but also work part time as a birth doula and meditation coach. I love all the things I get to do for work!! We also just bought our first home in February so we have loved that. I also love reading, making food for other people, and making new friends.
How are you feeling (Any symptoms, emotionally)? Okay so far!! Super tired and off and on light nausea. Most just annoyed with how grumpy my kiddos are lately. Lol. We all seem to be a bit tired.
Good! A little surprised as we weren't trying, weren't preventing but I want all the babies so 😁😁 I'm tired but that's life with 2 kids. No major pregnancy symptoms yet.
Hi I'm 28 years old, baker turned full time mom. We got pregnant super quick with our first, and now same again with our second once we started trying!
Due date?
June.23/2023
How did you find out?
We tried lazily for one month, then pretty aggressively the second month. Took a test!
Tell us about yourself (Other children/pets? Job? Things you like to do? Spouse/partner?): My husband and I have been happily married for 2 years. We have a one year old daughter, and 2 amazing dogs, a Shiba Inu and corgi.
How are you feeling (Any symptoms, emotionally)?
Feeling great! Very sleepy the last couple days though!
Due date? June 22
How did you find out? We went through IVF so it takes a little bit of the romance and surprise out of it :)
Tell us about yourself (Other children/pets? Job? Things you like to do? Spouse/partner?): we have a 3.5 yo goldendoodle and 6 mo huskydoodle that we treat like our children right now. My hubby and I live in Houston and have been married for just about 3 years.
How are you feeling (Any symptoms, emotionally)? Emotionally- cautiously excited. Symptoms, not too much yet. Cramping and tired.
My estimated due date is June 13th
I actually found out last night after taking a pregnancy test. I have been feeling SUPER tired, some random pelvic pain/discomfort and my boobs are sore and kindof itchy lol. I have also been feeling nauseous at random times as well. I feel like I am much easier to startle and more jumpy when I hear loud noises. lol
My husband and I just got married June 26th, 2022. We are both older (he is 34 and I am 32) so we knew we wanted to get pregnant right away. We are both teachers and love kids, so we are so excited to have a baby of our own. I also have PCOS and I am on metformin so we thought it was going to take awhile to get pregnant. We are SO pleasantly surprised and soooo excited! Praying for a healthy pregnancy and healthy baby! <3
I have had a miscarriage before when I was at estimated 8-9 weeks when I was married to my ex-husband. So, I am praying and a little anxious that it doesn't happen again. My symptoms are much stronger much earlier on this time, so I'm taking that as a good sign :)
I’m Anna. I’m 38 (39 on 11/2!) and this is my first pregnancy. 5weeks today. Looking forward to getting to know everyone!
Due date?
June 21
How did you find out?
Didn’t get my period on the day I should have and had been feeling off (stomach) and unusually fatigued with sore BBs, so I took a test and it was positive! We were actively trying so not a total surprise.
Tell us about yourself (Other children/pets? Job? Things you like to do? Spouse/partner?):
I work in Architecture restoring old buildings and finished my doctorate two years ago (major life goal). This will be my first child! Im getting married in 4 weeks, so the pregnancy is a nice bonus. I wasn’t quite prepared to be pregnant before our wedding, but no complaints! Although missing out on wine and prosciutto in Italy for our honeymoon is a bit of a bummer. Outside of work, I like gardening, reading, and traveling.
How are you feeling (Any symptoms, emotionally)?
Rollercoaster of emotions. I’ve been wanting to be a mom for so long, so it’s hard for me to believe this is real. Anxious about being in my first trimester during the wedding and honeymoon. Physically, my main symptoms so far are really sore breasts, mild cramping, and fatigue. Last night was some crazy insomnia (but I get that sometimes normally). So far just random slight nausea but fixed by eating a small snack.
To say we were surprised is an understatement. We have a special needs toddler, so having another child wasn't really on the books for us. However, we're pretty excited now that the dust is settled. I found out I was pregnant after a random panic testing (I do this often because of my inconsistent cycles), and next thing I knew, the two lines showed up!
My husband and I have known each other nearly our entire lives, and we have a precious toddler who is autistic. He's our joy and our life, and we're excited to add another to our crew!
I am feeling pretty nauseous on and off throughout the day. The exhaustion is pretty killer too while working full-time and trying to be a mom and wife. Phew! Bring on these June babies!
Hey everyone! I'm Selina. I'm from Texas. This is my husband and my first child!
Due date? I'm guessing around June 15th, but I will have a better idea next week after my sonogram and more in depth doctors appt.
How did you find out?I was feeling super nauseous but I thought it was food related. I then started having very tender breasts and noticed I was probably a week late on my period at least. I had an old test lying around from a late period last month and I took it and the 2nd line was faint, but it was 2 lines! I took a follow up test 3 days later and it said pregnant also! (I wanted to keep it a secret and surprise my husband but I didn't have that energy that week and I felt it would be easier to tell him the same day I found out. Was still a small surprise. I hate keeping things from him so it felt good to let him in on out own secret). We are waiting to tell family until Thanksgiving! 35 days!
Tell us about yourself (Other children/pets? Job? Things you like to do? Spouse/partner?):
I am a Licensed Professional Counselor Associate building my caseload still, I do not have any other children or pets.
When we have the extra time we like to go walking or hiking or visit new states each summer. I can only imagine how different things will be next summer! My husband is so excited to be a dad, he's been making comments about it since he turned 30 almost 2 years ago. 2022 has been a great year for me with so many big changes that this change is not that surprising to have happened haha.
How are you feeling (Any symptoms, emotionally)?
I am having trouble sleeping for the past 2 weeks, more stressed about money, but trying to remind myself that we have 9 months to get everything in order and that our family will help with the things we need when we fill them in on the big news.
We also live in a tiny apartment which lately has not been a safe environment due to a neighbor threatening us and causing unnecessary drama. I'm hoping that stressor gets dealt with on its own so I can better relax in my own home soon.
Other than that, I still and having trouble wrapping my head around being a mom! I don't socialize much outside of people I work with and only 1 person knows about my pregnancy outside of my husband and I so far. I can't wait to tell my family and his around Thanksgiving!
June 4th
I started taking test at 9dpo and saw a faint line show on 11dpo.
I'm 38 years old and first time mom. I have two crazy cats. I like beng watching The Office with my husband on the weekends.
I feel like...I'm dying. This morning sickness is for the birds.
Due date?
June 28 by the online calculations
How did you find out?
I tested yesterday and today as I am late for my period and both came back positive. Will call doctors Monday to confirm.
Tell us about yourself (Other children/pets? Job? Things you like to do? Spouse/partner?):
I got pregnant for the first time at 16 and had my son at 17. He is now 14. This is my second pregnancy. I am super excited and nervous to be pregnant again a half a lifetime later. My boyfriend, my son, and I just moved into a bigger home. We like to take walks and travel. I am in college full time. I work two jobs doing caregiving and house management.
How are you feeling (Any symptoms, emotionally)? As I am very early in pregnancy I have no symptoms yet. I am excited and nervous. I am also fighting Covid right now which makes me even more nervous. I planned this baby but did not plan to catch Covid. This is my first time having it. I also have had two leeps prior to this pregnancy which also makes me a bit nervous.
Due date? June 22 (my birthday 😂)
How did you find out? Literally just had a feeling one day, ran to Walgreens and boom! Faint line.
Tell us about yourself (Other children/pets? Job? Things you like to do? Spouse/partner?): I have one baby girl who just turned 1yr on Oct 6. One dachshund named Sasha. And hubby and I have been together 8 years now! Married for 5.
How are you feeling (Any symptoms, emotionally)? I’m very anxious. I wasn’t anticipating getting pregnant this soon after my daughter. I had a very traumatic birth with her. But I’m excited they’ll be close in age!
My husband is 31 (31 next month) and this is his first bio child. I had my first born when I was 19. He is now 7! He's hoping for a brother but very excited for a sibling either way!
I manage group homes for adults with disabilities and do jiu jitsu and like to weight lift. Obviously my jiu jitsu training is extremely limited now, but I'm still staying very active and trying to be healthy. However pizza is getting the best of me this past week! My symptoms are fairly minimal, but I've been getting some nausea here and there and a bit more emotional.
My husband and I have been together for 16 years, married 2. We have 3 dogs, 2 horses. We enjoy taking our dogs for walks, hanging out at home and watching movies or playing games, and going out.
Excited, but a little in disbelief. I know I'm pregnant, I have a few symptoms, but nothing like I've read. I can't wait for my first appointment so we can see our little Raspberry 😍.
So far, I have all of the GI issues - bloating, gas, 💩 issues, mild cramping, as well as insomnia, light spotting the first few days, etc. Emotional whirlwind.
Vbac I meant
Due date? June 27, 2023 TBC with dating US.
How did you find out? I started feeling a bit off and sure enough missed my period! Tested and had a BFP and sobbed through toothpaste while I finished brushing my teeth 😂
Tell us about yourself (Other children/pets? Job? Things you like to do? Spouse/partner?): This is my partner and I’s first baby! I love to bake and cook and we live on the West Coast of Canada so love to get out in the mountains and walk beside the ocean.
How are you feeling (Any symptoms, emotionally)? Extremely tender breasts, waves of nausea starting, slight cramps here and there, bloating, and increased appetite! The first few days after finding out I’d break out in tears randomly when it’d hit me I’m having a baby!! Now I’m just a bit anxious to have my first prenatal appt and then to book my dating US.
Due date?
June 20th
How did you find out? We were going to be leaving for vacation that day and my period was due in 4 days. I wanted to see if I should pack tampons or pregnancy tests, so I took one that morning and hopped in the shower. It had the faintest line and I didn't believe it was true because it was more than the allotted 5 minutes. I took another one that night and it definitely had a line. I took many more while on vacation until I believed it. I packed both tampons and tests just in case.
Tell us about yourself (Other children/pets? Job? Things you like to do? Spouse/partner?):
We just celebrated our 6th wedding anniversary while on vacation and have been together almost 10 years. We have one 2.5 year old son and a cat. I work as a physical therapist and enjoy working out, yoga, running, hiking and traveling (which we haven't done much of since Covid and having our son)
How are you feeling (Any symptoms, emotionally)? I'm so anxious about viability. I've never miscarried myself, but know so many people who have, so it stresses me out. I don't have my first appointment until 9 weeks. I'm also worried about adjusting to having two kids, the lack of childcare available and giving birth again after a traumatic first birth. Symptoms wise, I am so tired. I have lightheaded at the beginning, which was my first symptom last time. I've had intermittent mild cramping. This week started getting a little queasy before eating in the morning. I didn't have a ton of morning sickness last time and this feels about the same and started around the same time.
Wishing you an easy, uneventful first tri!
I’m in physical therapy to treat chronic ankle tendinitis 2x week, and I know that pregnancy will ultimately impact exercises can I do and also the flexibility/strength of my tendons. I’m at 5.5 weeks now - when should I tell my physical therapist I’m pregnant?
it seems very awkward at this stage because a) they have an open office space with many other patients and no privacy, and b) my first OB appt isn’t until week 8. I haven’t told anybody else (other than my partner) and feel weird with my PT (and her grad students that treat me) being my second person. It’s also so early and I know loss is very common (especially given my age, etc).
Due date? June 30!
How did you find out? I tested too early, but noticed cramping a week later. Tested again (at 3 am! Anxiety!) but didn’t wait the full 15 minutes. Walked by it at 8 am and saw those two lines. Took two more to confirm and here we are!
Tell us about yourself (Other children/pets? Job? Things you like to do? Spouse/partner?): My husband and I tried for a while and here we are. This is our first baby, if you don’t count our two fur babies (dogs) that we love so much.
How are you feeling (Any symptoms, emotionally)? This is my first and I’m feeling terrified. No confirmation from the doctor yet. So emotional. Really anxious. I just don’t know if I’m doing anything right. I feel really lost.