FAQs

Who are you?
I am, first and foremost, a mother. Even as I write this, I’m playing peek-a-boo with my one-year-old daughter or picking up the book she’s dropped. Again. For the twelfth time.

Before becoming a mommy, I was a rather career-oriented young woman who focused on excelling at her academics. After all, I am the youngest of two children born to Chinese immigrant parents, in addition to being the only girl. I received my bachelor’s degrees in creative writing English and sociocultural anthropology at University of California: Davis in 2009 with hopes of pursuing investigative and/or narrative journalism. I wrote one academic paper and two articles citing the merits of MMO gaming– chiefly, World of Warcraft– in one’s life, whether it’s helping their social interaction with people outside of the game or they’re applying things they’ve learned in the game to the home or workplace.

During my last year or so of college, I met a wonderful man who turned my perspectives on life upside-down– in a good way, I assure you. Appropriately enough, we met on World of Warcraft where we shared the responsibilities and burdens of leading and orchestrating raids. Collaboration turned into friendship that blossomed into love. I spent the majority of that last year of college planning a wedding, finishing my coursework, working two jobs and hunting a job in my home-to-be of Cincinnati. When I received no interviews or even the hope of a prospect (which I should have seen coming a mile away, anyway, given the field I was looking at) by the time I had graduated, I found out there was a job lined up for me anyway.

I found out I was pregnant and whatever worldly things I first thought were in store for me in Cincinnati were immediately swept aside. Estee the Journalist was going to have to put her pen down for a while. Estee of the Inquisitive Mind needed to start investigating cribs, strollers, and high chairs, filing away “That Next Groundbreaking Story” for another time. Estee the Unconventional was going to take on the very conventional (though far from ordinary) role of being a stay-at-home-mom.

And while this certainly wasn’t the life I’d imagined for myself during the all-nighters, exams and term papers, I wouldn’t trade it for the world. Being “Estee the Mom” has allowed me time to develop some of my other passions like baking, cooking and sketchwork. Now, I’m carving out some time to write, too.

Who is Toriah?
Toriah is the name of my main on World of Warcraft. She’s a blood elf hunter who always has one of her trusty pets by her side: Nymeria the direwolf, Orion the lynx, Regulus the lion and Alioth the bear. I sense that my attachment to those pets stems from the fact that I never got the puppy or kitten I always yearned for in my childhood, mostly thanks to allergies. Also, +10 Internets for those who understood all or any of the pet name references.

What’s behind the name “Mommy Jenkins”?
Have you met Leeroy Jenkins? If you haven’t, watch this video and yes, make sure you have the sound on.

There are some mornings when I’ve miraculously gotten a good night’s sleep and I feel like I can take on the world. Then, there are some mornings when I feel like I have to suck it up and go about mommyhood Leeroy Jenkins-style: just run in headlong with a shout and believe that everything will turn out for the best. Because, if there’s anything I’ve learned about motherhood, it’s that nothing will ever go as you’ve planned. Sometimes, you just have to go with the flow.

About the Blog
This is a parenting blog. In a way, it’s a parenting blog for gamers and, ostensibly, a gaming blog for parents. The blog updates every Tuesday (being maintenance day for Warcraft servers after all), unless otherwise specified.

There will be gaming references from time to time but, overall, this is about parenting, being a parent and living life as a parent. During the first few months as a mom, I found a lot of solace and comfort in just listening to the stories and experiences of my friends who have been there and done that. Hopefully, this blog will convey the same sort of thing for people who are looking for answers, an idea of an answer or just a glimmer of hope during the many, trying moments of being a parent.

Please keep in mind that, while I have my experiences, I am not an expert nor have I had the professional training to dispense advice that can be taken as canon. Anything that has scientific, medical or professional backing are usually from sources like WebMD and BabyCenter. What worked for my family and I may not work for you and your baby because, after all, every child is different. My method of weaning the baby from the bottle might completely backfire on someone else. Babies are delightfully frustrating like that.

Let this be a springboard, a sounding board or even some reassurance to you. Know that you’re definitely not alone and, perhaps, not going insane either.

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