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.
gingermama29
member
Re: Weekly Check In 4/17
Team Finding Out/Pink/Blue/Green: blue
Baby is the size of a(n): ? I forgot to look
Upcoming appointments: I had my midwife appointment today! I have a very active baby apparently
How are you feeling? Tired, and a little sore but good!
Raves/Rants: found out today I have a low lying placenta so if it doesn’t move I may require a c-section but they are hopeful it will move and I can have a vaginal delivery.
Questions: has anyone else have a low laying placenta and have it move?
Team Finding Out/Pink/Blue/Green: blue
Baby is the size of a(n): cantaloupe?
Upcoming appointments: next month
How are you feeling? I think I’ve been hit by the norovirus. A combo of teachers/children have symptoms in 4/5 of our classrooms. I only vomited once, so far, but feel gross. The baby moving doesn’t help.
Raves/Rants: just a little rant about my MIL, she’s developed this habit of announcing when she’s in town and intends to come over without asking if we are busy. She texted my SO that she plans to attend my DS soccer class (tbf, I did invite her to join them anytime) but she’s going to want to visit for a while after and we have other plans 🤷🏻♀️
Questions: not that I can think of now
Team Finding Out/Pink/Blue/Green: blue
Baby is the size of a(n): eggplant
Upcoming appointments: I just finished my anatomy scan. Everything looks great.
How are you feeling? I’m so tired. I can barely function when it hits me hard and I have no choice but to lay down for a little while.
Raves/Rants: I have definitely gotten over my gender disappointment and I’m so excited for another little boy. From the US today he looks a lot like my last baby.
Questions:
@tumbleweed-1 my BIL is the same way, drives me nuts! He only lives an hour away and is by far our closest family on either side (in terms of distance at any rate). He’ll just randomly announce he’s come to visit then stay the whole weekend. He openly hates the farm too which makes it both confusing and frustrating. All he wants to do is play video games (that he brings, my husband doesn’t general play unless his brother is over and doesn’t have his own). I find it just throws my whole schedule out of whack!
EDD/Weeks + days: 24 weeks
Team Finding Out/Pink/Blue/Green: blue
Baby is the size of a(n): cantaloupe? But like a long cantaloupe, measuring a week ahead in length to the shock of no one (my husband and I are both tall)
Upcoming appointments: repeat anatomy scan may 2, little turkey wasn’t cooperating at all and couldn’t see his heart or profile
How are you feeling? My energy got zapped randomly this past weekend. It was like first trimester all over again napping twice a day. Headaches have generally gotten better as my blood pressure has stabilized a bit, had one today but nothing extra salty popcorn didn’t fix.
Raves/Rants: SNOW AGAIN WHAT THE HECK!? Spring was here, it was beautiful! Now they are forecasting 3cm tomorrow! It our fault though, every year when we get our chicks - regardless of WHEN we get them - it snows. In good news: we have decided on a name! Cody, with two backups just in case he comes and it doesn’t fit. We might change our minds again of course, but this is the only one we have come up with that just feels right
Questions:
Team Finding Out/Pink/Blue/Green: green
Baby is the size of a(n): corn lol
Upcoming appointments: next week I have my glucose exam although I had a Haagen daz ice cream bar for dessert
How are you feeling? Physically lazier, I was good for a while trying to be active and now I’m like well if I can do the dishes and laundry that’s enough exercise for today. Also I’ve been very emotional. I cried over a snickers ice cream bar because I saw it in the store and I didn’t get it and then I cried when I got home because I wanted it. My SO told me he would go back out and get it and I’m hysterical saying I don’t ask for much. I don’t ask for much!! And he went to get it.
Raves/Rants: Raves: baby has been really active, I’ve never experienced this and I was able to record my belly move and send it my SO. It was really cool. Like harder and more active than ever. My anxiety from before about not feeling the baby and not knowing if they baby is ok has lessened drastically. Rants:my allergies have been bothering me so bad here. It’s been pretty hot and beautiful cherry blossoms are blooming which means sneezing 20x a day. I have been using Flonase but I try to skip a day if I can. And the older I get (37) the louder of an old man sneeze I have. I can’t even change it if I want to. It’s so embarrassing it’s like AHHHHHChoooo.
Questions: I just asked it on the questions mega thread. Thanks mamas.
Team Finding Out/Pink/Blue/Green: blue
Baby is the size of a(n): coconut
Upcoming appointments: nothing until may but I need to get into the chiropractor
How are you feeling? Decent. I’ve been feeling so tired lately but part of that has been because this month has been so busy. Allergies are killing me lately and if I don’t keep up on using the bathroom I’ll pee my pants when I sneeze, especially since baby is really enjoying pushing on my bladder lately. By pubic bone still hurts but it’s mostly only when I stand up, try to put on pants/shoes, or if I try to walk too fast. I also need to eat like every hour or so or I feel lightheaded and weird.
Raves/Rants: went to target yesterday for the first time in over a year and spent too much money. Got a Stanley cup though and I understand the hype now! I drank so much water yesterday so fast.
Questions:
@justyouraveragemama I love Bridgerton. I’ll definitely be watching that.
Having a baby during covid wasn't the best time, but no visitors in the hospital was a pro that I did not expect lol. I can't even imagine someone being there during labor at all, or even soon after delivery, so I'm curious how I'll feel. The only thing I think I really want will be for my mom to bring my daughter.
We accidentally had a non-family visitor, but it was the day after my daughter was born -- we had asked for no visitors except my parents (DH's parents don't live here), but a nurse SUPER NERVOUSLY told us we had one anyway. I was miffed at first, but it was my really good friend's husband, who is the CEO of the hospital system where I delivered and who just wanted to come say hi and snap a selfie with my daughter to annoy his wife that he got to meet her first. So I totally got why the nurse let him in and it turned out to be a fun story anyway. But otherwise? Who the hell even WANTS to be in there during all that? Yeesh. I'd skip my own delivery if that was an option.
Team Finding Out/Pink/Blue/Green: Green
Baby is the size of a(n): coconut
Upcoming appointments: early May
How are you feeling? More energy finally which is nice. Also more headaches and back pain. I started having R) mid back ?spasms? the past two days which really sucks. I don’t know how to stretch and help that spot.
Raves/Rants: Rave 1: husband felt the baby kick for the first time this week which was fun! Baby is always most active when DH is falling asleep. I’m pretty sure he could have felt it several days ago if he actually woke up :P. But I’m glad he got to feel it now.
Questions: None
Team Finding Out/Pink/Blue/Green: Blue 💙
Baby is the size of a(n): endive
Upcoming appointments: check in on Monday
How are you feeling? Feeling good. Definitely struggling with sleep a bit though. The hip pain is rough as is finding a comfortable position. I was a side/stomach sleeper before pregnancy so trying to find the angle that takes pressure off the hips but isn’t putting weight on the bump is quite the house of cards.
Raves/Rants: DH and I are dropping DD off at my brother’s house for the night on Saturday and getting a nice night out for the two of us to attend a friend’s wedding!
Questions: none at the moment
@emeraldcity603 so glad you’re excited about another boy! Also I would’ve lost my sh*t if anyone was taking pictures during the actual birth and then sharing them!
@justyouraveragemama +1 for the pubic bone hurting. I don’t remember this being a thing until much later in my first pregnancy!
@cherrystorming awww glad YH got to feel the baby kick. Haha every time we try, mine becomes a little stinker and won’t kick for him 😂.
Team Finding Out/Pink/Blue/Green: Team green
Baby is the size of a(n): Eggplant
Upcoming appointments: 5/5 for another anatomy scan
How are you feeling? Good! Pretty much the same. I think I'm going to have to bust out my pregnancy pillow at night. I notice my hips are starting to hurt a little more.
Raves/Rants: Rave: this weather has been so good for my soul. It's nice just to get the puppy and toddler outside to get some energy out and just for my mood in general. We don't have a lot of funky winter months, but my mood is definitely affected when it's dark and cold. Also, found out another friend is TTC. We have a close friend group of 6 and 3 of us are having babies between May-July. One has been TTC and is starting IVF in the fall and we just found out a 5th is also starting the process. I'm so excited to have so many kids close together in that group. Right now it's just me and another friend with a kid and it's nice at gtgs because they play together so well (they're 6 months apart).
Questions: N/A
Team Finding Out/Pink/Blue/Green: blue
Baby is the size of a(n): Grapefruit
Upcoming appointments: I had a fetal echo yesterday and will have another on May 1, along with MFM. We’re in an every 2 week cycle with cardiology and every 4ish for MFM.
How are you feeling? Physically ok! I’ve been having sleep troubles and I’m very sore from like long walks and basic things. But otherwise fine. Emotionally yesterday I felt really good after our echo — there has been no change which is amazing news. And he’s growing on track (well, one day ahead).
Raves/Rants: I’ll rave about our cardiology care coordinator. She’s helping me with all my zillions of questions — insurance, NICU prep, support groups, scheduling my appointments even with MFM so they’re all on the same day. Im grateful.
Questions: Where are we finding summer dresses to get through the heat? I feel like many of you live in cold places but I’m facing the 80s already.
meet him first.
Team Finding Out/Pink/Blue/Green: Blue
Baby is the size of a(n): coconut?
Upcoming appointments: May something. I cannot remember right now
How are you feeling? Not too bad. Just sore hips if I sit too long at work. Or this last weekend was a lot of running around and up and down stairs of an auditorium for my oldest’s dance competition. I was very tired and sore afterwards.
Raves/Rants: nothing too crazy this week.
Questions: none
is just dramatic. Doesn’t matter what I say. But yes it’s a process just leave us alone!
@emeraldcity603 I couldn’t survive without that nurse last time. She stayed the whole time and didn’t have to but labor was short. She helped my husband position me when I needed to move and everything. DH is good but needs his own support lol. I’ve also always had to be monitored because I’ve had complications leading to induction, so I don’t know any different 🤷🏻♀️
Team Finding Out/Pink/Blue/Green: blue baby 💙
Baby is the size of a(n): grapefruit
Upcoming appointments: next one in 2 weeks
How are you feeling? I've been very excited to organize the house and baby's room, just waiting for a couple weeks when we'll have more time! Baby is a wiggly one, which has been super fun (except when it feels like he's pushing on my bladder!)
Raves/Rants: Our families are very generous and have been gifting us a lot of clothes, books, and other baby necessities.
Questions: I was told at my anatomy scan there probably wouldn't be another US unless there was concern. Would they do one towards the end to see how baby is positioned or do they figure it out without one? Just seems like an important thing to know before birth time.
I really only watch K-dramas since they tend to be a bit more lighthearted and family friendly! The one I've been watching lately is Crash Course in Romance 😊