Hi everyone,
I'm Tinwen and I've been in a polyamorous "V" shaped relationship for a good twelve years now. I had a long blog with all the insecurities of the early years in there, and I decided it's time to re-introduce myself as I enter a new chapter of life.

The title of this thread is a Tolkien reference. So is my nickname. "Tinwe-" means spark, while "wen" indicates a maiden name (like in Arwen).

I'm from central/eastern Europe.

In our polycule, my partner is the hinge. I have identified as monogamish (one stable partner, and just an occasional venture beyond the traditional borders with kink or tantric workshops for most of our relationship) until last year, when I was able to live through a full-blown NRE (although not reciprocated with the same intensity) with a stable kink partner and experience that my feelings for Idealist didn't change because of that. Now I can finally cautiously identify as polyamorous

Idealist has a school-aged kid with Meta, who is also mostly monogamous by choice. We're more garden-party/parallel, not super close, though we do share social circles and used to do some music with Meta. We're making it all work by owning/renting two apartments in the same building.

The big news is, I have a baby with Idealist coming very soon! So it's not impossible there will be some changes to the relationship dynamic too

Relationships and babies asside, I studied physics and attempted a science career, which I failed at (or it failed me). Although not quite done grieving that dream, this huuuuge chapter of my life is now closed too. I expect the new chapter to - possibly - be wildly different. Wish me luck.

You know I wish you all the best.

Just as an aside, I worked as a lactation specialist for 25 years, so if you need any help, hit me up in the DMs!

Congratulations, Tinwen. Enjoy your babymoon!

It sounds like labor was rough. You're a hero and so is your little guy.

Congratulations Tinwen! I hope the newborn stage is kind to you and you enjoy motherhood.

Uh, you're probably a hero too? He's not going to remember it, but you will!

I guess It's not called labor for nothing, the last part was long and strenuous. (Before, it was long and painful, but the brain is successfully covering that memory already.) But, if his heart rate dropped in the slightest, they would not let us finish naturally, so well done baby. Also, his head was like double the normal height... just imagine being squeezed like that for more than an hour. Babies are not as fragile as we make them!

Just as an aside, I worked as a lactation specialist for 25 years, so if you need any help, hit me up in the DMs!

I know, thanks, it seems we've figured out breastfeeding well enough!

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Post-partum time is crazy. Bonding, processing labor, identity change, worrying about my own healing, hormones. I'm not feeling bad, though, just unstable and sleep deprived!