Sometimes You Need People

I could not have gotten through being a new mom by myself. 

First, I had an amazingly supportive husband. He was there with me through the good and the bad! 

My parents were always ready to help - my dad took care of all the non-baby stuff during that first week :) My mom was in the delivery room with me. My sister and Chris made sure that I got FOOD after 27 hours without sustenance! All of my family was ready to help in any way possible.

My neighbors brought me soup, my co-workers gave me thoughtful gifts and checked in on me. 

In addition to the "in real life" friends, we also live in a day and age where you can connect with communities of other new moms instantly. I was never alone. If I had a question, other new moms had already asked it. If I was up feeding the little guy at 3 am, other moms were up to chat with too. 

I was never alone. I had support and help from an amazing group of people - some whom I have yet to meet. I can't imagine having to face being a new mom alone. It's quite a crazy ride.

I know many women have not had the support I have, and that there are many out there that could use some help. I can't imagine living in a time or place where I had to raise a baby alone - and hope everyone gets the help and support they need!

This post was inspired by the book The Funeral Dress by Susan Gregg Gilmore.

No one has ever entrusted impoverished Emmalee with anything important but she takes it upon herself to sew her mentor’s resting garment in The Funeral Dress by Susan Gregg Gilmore. Join From Left to Write on Octiber 14 as we discuss The Funeral Dress.  As a member, I received a copy of the book for review purposes.

Reasons Mommy Drinks

Since I am going to enjoy the local Beerfest this evening - I thought it might be appropriate to tell you about a book I just read called "Reasons Mommy Drinks" :)

The best part about this book? 100 cocktail (and mocktail) recipes. Yep, as a new mom, sometimes you need a good drink! One of my favorites?

Career Suicide

Ingredients 

1 oz Malibu rum

1 oz tequila

3 oz lemon-lime soda

splash of orange juice

splash of grenadine

Instructions

Combine all ingredients in an ice-field glass and stir. Enjoy while surfing Monster.com.

The authors of Reasons Mommy Drinks, Lyranda Martin Evans and Fiona Stevenson, not only give us recipes for all the crazy situations that we end up in, they also add incredibly humorous discussions of all those moments - "the in-laws,""the end of maternity leave,""your first birthday,""sex..." and many many more. All complete with humor and a recipe! 

I definitely relate to some of the stranger chapters...ones we don't normally talk about, but that all new moms need to read ;)

If you are a new mom, I highly recommend this book for a reminder of the humorous side on sleep deprivation...and other maladies. You need a copy of Reasons Mommy Drinks - even if just for all the great recipes! 

As a member of From Left to Write, I received a review copy of the book for free. 

Oh my God, Cheese!

I love cheese. I am not sure I can fully put into words how much I love cheese. Truly.

Growing up, my only recollection of cheese is cheddar. Sharp, medium, mild. Cheddar. I have vague recollections of orange cheese in plastic, but I won't really let those surface, better to keep that a secret.

My world exploded, in a good way, when I studied overseas in college. I spent six months in Germany, and cheese was an entirely new world. My favorite part of the week was on Fridays, when the interns got to go out and buy food for the office. We bought amazing breads, fruit and Cheese. There was this incredible farmer's market in the town square. I literally had no idea that there were so many cheese options possible. 

Not only did we get to choose cheese for our two daily coffee breaks (did I mention work weeks were 35 hours and there were two food breaks on addition to lunch every day? Heaven?), but every two weeks there was an extra special purchase...from the cheese man

The Cheese Man showed up randomly with a package under his arm. A smelly, cloth covered package.  Out of the depths of darkness, he would pull out gross looking, horribly smelly cheese. It was homemade cheese from rural Germany - a different kind every time. I was stunned that the cheese was so good, and full of depth and flavor Just thinking about it makes me incredibly nostalgic.

I clearly need to go back to Europe. Or I need to find my own Cheese Man....hmmmm...

p.s. I was amazed to learn that cows get mastitis from over-milking, poor cows, crazy!

This post was inspired by the book The Whole Fromage by Kathe Lison, who traveled to France in search of its artisanal cheeses. Join From Left to Write on August 22 as we discuss The Whole Fromage.  As a member, I received a copy of the book for review purposes.

The Weight of Water

by Sarah Crossan, 240 pages, published 2011

Carnegie Medal in Literature Nominee (2013)

There are books that stay with you.

I opened this book, and didn't think it would be one of them.

By the end, I wanted to make sure I shared this book with as many people as I could, I was so moved.

It is written in poem form. It is simple, yet stunning.

It tells the story of a young girl, a Polish immigrant, who faces issues we all face, and issues beyond what most young girls experience. This young girl deals with being new, bullying, first love, her family falling apart. The most poignant for me was the utter strength that she showed while dealing with meanness that young girls can show each other.

The breath of this book filled me. The author wrote it exquisitely and so creatively. I can't recommend it enough - and wanted to make sure I shared it with everyone. It's a fast, beautiful read, take the time to savor it.

A Day When Perspective Shifts

I spent a day alone in Mexico City a decade ago.

It was one of those days that changes your perspective on life. Something shifts. I was walking down the street, with so much humanity, breathing in a new culture. I remember the song playing on the radio  was "Californication." I can see the vibrant colors, dirty streets, and smell the food. An attractive guy - with long dark hair and a copy of "Love in the Time of Cholera" in his hands - asked me to lunch, though I declined, I still remember smiling.

Feeling free and breathing deeply, I decided on a whim to visit a a museum exhibit showcasing torture devices (not sure why?). I don't remember too much about the beginning of the exhibit - though there was some disturbing apparati. What I remember was the very last room.

Sitting in the middle of a room all to itself was an electric chair.

I had never thought about the death penalty as torture before. I had thought about the death penalty, and I had thought about what it means to kill someone, both the criminal and the state. I had never thought of the actual act of strapping someone to an electric chair as being viewed as a form of torturing another human being. I had never thought other countries thinking of something legal in the US as torture.

It was a mind shifting perspective for a young idealistic Peace Corps Volunteer. It stuck with me, informs my views to this day. It opened my eyes to other views, expanded circles of influence. I still remember that day. Once day can shift your whole perspective.

This post was inspired by the novel The Execution of Noa P. Singleton by Elizabeth L. Silver. Mere months before Noa’s execution, her victim’s mother changed her mind Noa’s sentence and vows to help stay the execution. Join From Left to Write on July 30 as we discuss The Execution of Noa P. Singleton.. As a member, I received a copy of the book for review purposes.

Am I All Grown Up Yet?

Disclaimer: As a Member of From Left to Write, I received a copy of the book for review purposes.

I've yet to think of myself as an "all grown up." I know, I know, I'm 36, I'm married, I have a son, I own a home, I'm a manager at work, I am saving for retirement and making car payments. I know that I am an adult, but I don't feel all grown up. I feel like I still have so much of life ahead of me. Goals to reach, things to do, places to visit and so much to learn. But I think a part of it is that I am lucky to have healthy, active parents that don't need my assistance. My grandma is still learning new tricks - she's newly on facebook!

I know that I am lucky in this. That my sisters and I can still depend on my parents and not the other way around. That my aunts and uncles are around to watch out for my grandma, to make sure that she is ok and safe and getting visits from great-grandkids. I live in that perfect time, when I am an adult and have a healthy child and healthy parents and a wonderful grandma. I hope this time continues forever.

My wish for everyone is health and happiness and long lives where all your wishes come true.

I wish you friends, family and lots of love.

I hope you have someone to take care of you and be there when you need support.

I hope I never really have to grow up :)

This post was inspired by the novel Those We Love the Most by Lee Woodruff. Every family has its secrets and deceptions, but they come to surface a tragic accident changes the family dynamic forever.. Join From Left to Write as we discuss Those We Love the Most. You can also enter to win a live video chat with Lee Woodruff!

Into a Burning Building

I know that I would run into a burning building to save my child.

I know this with utter certainty. 

Before I became a mom - saving someone's life was always something I thought I would do if I were in a life or death situation. Logically I could say "yes" I would put my life on the line for someone else's. I would hope that I would have. 

Now, as a mother, I know it. I don't even know how I can explain the change in certainty. 

My son is a part of me. He is my breath, my life, my hope for the future. 

My heart would break into a million little pieces if anything ever happened to him. I would have to be held back forcefully for me not to risk my life to save his. 

I love him fiercely.

I hope I never have to be in this situation, but I know what I would do if it came to it, there would be no doubt in my mind.



This post was inspired by the novel Afterwards by Rosamund Lupton. After witnessing her children's school set ablaze, Grace attempts to find the arson as her teenage daughter lies in a coma in Lupton's suspense thriller. Join From Left to Write on April 11 as we discuss Afterwards. As a member, I received a copy of the book for review purposes.

Brought to you by the letter "I"

Part of the A-Z blog challenge.

Do Read These - for kids!

My little guy LOVES books. Just like me!

Today, instead of napping, he sat in bed and read books. Lots and lots of books! Takes after me - I have piles and piles of books by my bed too :) This makes me so happy.

So I thought I'd share some of the books my guy is loving right now!

As a two year old, he is a big fan of books with animals, trains or trucks. He loves emotions, humor and sneezes :) The current favorite - the Elephant & Piggie books. His favorite book in Spanish - Lola. My current favorite book? Dog Loves Books, of course. Click on any of the books above and it'll take you to amazon (affiliate links)!

Brought to you by the letter "D"

part of the A-Z blog challenge

Working Mom ~ Book Review

Working Mom: Survival Guide
by Suzanne Riss & Teresa Palagano
144 pp.

To a certain extent, this book is perfect for a working mom. It has great "sound bites." Lists, statistics, short and sweet bits of information to make you think. It starts with advice on being a pregnant working woman, how to tell your boss you are pregnant, how to deal with going back to work, successfully pumping at work and even handles what to do with teenagers. It gives many, many lists on how to deal with being a parent in relation to our lives in the "office."

As a working mom, it definitely made me feel like I wasn't alone! In 2011 women outnumbered men in the workplace for the first time ever. There are a lot of us out there navigating working and being a mom. The best advice I took from the book? Be in the moment, Be happy, make lots of mom connections, navigate the best balance of work and home that you can - and then enjoy life as it happens, find time for yourself, multi-task less when you are with your kids, good enough is ok, make peace with change.

On a side note, I also discovered that only 13% of working moms surveyed for this book still nursed between 1-2 years of age. I was feeling a bit guilty for only making it to 15 months - but this made me feel a bit better :) Pumping is hard work!

It's a fast read, great tips, nothing earth shattering, but it is nice to know there are other moms out there just like you! You will make it - it may not be easy, but you aren't alone!

Two Kisses for Maddy

Two Kisses for Maddy
by Matthew Logelin
Grand Central Publishing, 2012


Though not a parenting book - I added it to my list this year as I think that there is always something to learn from memoirs. I am amazed at the strength of the author.  It's taken me awhile to write about this book, it's not an easy one to review! Only read if you are prepared to cry, a lot. I also laughed and smiled and was moved. It is an amazing story - one I hope no one has to go through.

It's the story of a man, who loses his wife and become a father within the span of just over a day. It is the story of a normal person - though a moving write - which makes it all the more heartbreaking, it could happen to anyone. His voice is real, he doesn't cover up his faults, his emotions, his pain. It is all the better for being so real.

I actually started this book a few chapters in because I didn't want to read the beginning. It made me too sad. I know, weird, but true. I went back and read them later, but for some reason I couldn't start at the happy beginning, knowing what was to come. Too emotional, I didn't want to know that happy part that was just going to lead to pain.

It was amazing to me that he took a step each day, he reached out, he started a blog, he supported others, he took his daughter to Paris, India, Nepal. He showed his daughter the world and tried to capture his wife's spirit. This book captured my heart, I hope you'll take the time to read it.

What I've Been Reading

I tend to read a lot - and I love to share good books! I decided I didn't have the time to write a post about each book, nor was I sure you would be interested :) So I decided I'd periodically write a post here about what I've been reading with links to my longer reviews on GoodReads. Click on the title for the full review, click on the cover if you want to purchase (or pre-order).

The Spark: a mother's story of nurturing genius
by Kristine Barnett
April 2013, 272 pages, Random House


This is one of those books that stays with you. It is the story of a woman with a genius son who is also autistic. But what really struck me is how amazing Kristine Barnett is. My heart broke for her, I rooted her, I was amazed and stunned by her strength. I know it is the story she wrote about her son - but for me it is the story of a determined and formidable mother. Not only did she have an autistic son, she had another son with grave health issues, she had a stroke at a young age, she  I can only hope that I could face adversity with as much strength as her. I flew through this book - read it in just under a day. It was a book of dedication, triumph, hope and of the love of a mother. I highly recommend it!

The Invisible Girls: A Memoir by Sarah Thebarge

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

When I read the back of the book - I was intrigued. A young woman, lost in life due to her struggle with cancer, encounters a family of immigrants on a bus. She connects with them and finds common ground with the "invisible girls." It's an uplifting journey for the family and the author, though ultimately leaves a bit to be desired. At the end of the day, I understand that there is a huge issue of immigrants and people that are lost in the system. I wound up loving this struggling family and rooting for them. The ending was bittersweet and the story a little disjointed, but in the end, uplifting. I'm glad I read it and have a new appreciation for the struggling families among us.

The Adventurer's Guide to a Happy Life: 63 Simple Tips to Add Happiness To Your Life Each and Every Day by Matt Mosteller

January 2013, Premier Digital Publishing

Quick, yet inspiring, read. I highly recommend reading this book. It's got some great advice. I want to give it to my husband to read next - since he is the adventurer right now! It is also a great connection to make between physical and mental ways to add happiness. Some of my favorite advice?
"Add some Seuss to your life" - positive belief can make a difference. 
"Do the Unexpected" - You always need to challenge yourself! 
"Get in the Game Everyday" - Stick to it, be dedicated, you can't win it if you aren't in it!
It's a fun, positive read. Quick, memorable and with some great photos too :) Enjoy!

Heart Like Mine

Amy Hartvany

March 2013, Washington Square Press

The best thing about this book is that you root for every single character. The author sets up a lovely intertwined story that slowly brings you along as you learn to care about all the slightly flawed, yet connectable, characters. It is the story of a mother's love, a daughter's journey, a woman's transformation. It is real and sad and happy all at once. A daughter loses her mother, but finds the strength to perservere. I don't want to give away too much, but it was a fast, enjoyable and well worth the read. The author has a great way of making you care about the characters even when they get frustrating!


Amazon links are my affiliate links. Thank you to NetGalley for providing these books for review. All opinions are my own. 

You are Your Child's First Teacher

You are Your Child's First Teacher: What Parents Can Do with and for Their Children from Birth to Age Six, 3rd edition
by Rahima Bladwin Dancy
322 pp., Ten Speed Press, 2012

Somehow, when I starting my "Parenting Book" challenge - I didn't realize how much I would get out of each book. I know, that sounds absurd - why else would I read books except if I thought they were worth reading. But I didn't realize how intriguing and valuable the information would turn out to be.

The book I've been reading - for quite some time now - is "You Are Your Child's First Teacher" by Rahima Baldwin Dancy. I bought it thinking it would be another perspective to help me understand some of the educational philosophies I was interested in, such as Waldorf and Montessori, and it was, but it is also so much more. Every chapter has references to even more books to read - help me now!

Some of the ideas were perhaps a little out there for me, but in general, it really clicked!

My takeaways from the book:
1. Let your child be a child! Keep it unstructured until they are more mature.
2. Pay attention to your own emotions - the environment we create emotionally is of utmost importance.
3. Work toward a daily rhythm that works for the whole family.
4. Allow plenty of time for creative free play as well as musical and artistic play.
5. It's OK to have unstructured play time - good, in fact!
6. Limit over stimulation - read Simplicity Parenting (check) and Failure to Connect (on the list!)
7. Encourage the use of childlike toys that encourage imaginative play.
8. The keys to discipline are imitation and repetition - set limits and enforce them consistently.
9. Bring up your child in a warm, loving environment, this is the best thing we can do.
10. Love your child - they have a basic goodness that we should celebrate, enjoy it now!

There is so much more to this book - it goes in depth into so many ideas, down to the detail of toys and books that might be good for your child. I will definitely keep it as a reference - there are so many great ideas and suggestions. 4/5 stars!

My Cat, My Dog ~ Book Review

We love reading in this house. 

I'm not sure if A loves it as much as I do, or if the 20 books (give or take) before bed is really just a stalling technique! I'll assume it's a love for books :)

Therefore I was thrilled to be able to review "My Cat, My Dog" by Katrina Streza and illustrated by Brenda Ponnay. 

It is an incredibly cute book - I LOVE the illustrations...they are perfect for young readers. You could almost frame the illustrations for some wall art! The story is also great for learning, perfect toddler repetitiveness. A wanted to read it over, and over and over again....and then he told me over and over again all about what the "guau guau" (dog) and "mau mau" (cat) were doing! It's definitely a keeper!

The book is published by Xist publishing - which produces books for the touchscreen generation, geared for toddlers through beginning readers. Yes, my 2 year old can already use an ipad!

Hope you enjoy it as much as we did :) It's only $2.99 on Amazon!

*I was provided a copy of this book for review - all opinions are my own.

Happy Monday - What I Love to Do!

Happy Monday! I hope everyone found something to make them happy this week...I can't wait to hear about it :)

What makes me really happy? Having time to read! Now that my little guy is a little older, I can find time to read again. I've read three books in the last week. That is happiness :) Once it gets a little warmer I dream of sitting out in my yard, with the beautiful hanging strands of light, on my swinging chair with a hot chocolate just enjoying a good book. My home is pretty much overrun with books - so now that I have some time, I have no shortage of books to read!

I have always - well, as long as I can remember - been an avid reader. I love books. I love good sentences, beautiful words, great characters. I love escaping into another world - I even love not so great books that let me escape for a little bit :) I love learning. I have my dad to thank for my love of books - I only hope I pass it on to my son.

I go through phases...Chick Lit, Russian Classics, Parenting Books, Sci-Fi, Documentaries...but I'm pretty much a fan of any genre. My all time favorite? Probably a tie between Anne of Green Gables and The Secret Garden. Right now I'm sort of in a Teen Dystopian and Parenting Book Phase - but I think I need some new inspiration.

What about you? What books make you happy? I'd love some suggestions!

What made you happy this week? Link up any post that makes you happy - the sky's the limit (or just comment if you don't blog)! Grab the button, link up and check out some other posts. Thanks for stopping by for week 5 of Happy Monday!

<a href="http://www.crazycasak.com/search/label/Happy%20Monday" target="_blank"><img alt="Crazy Casa K" src="http://i1327.photobucket.com/albums/u668/crazycasak/HappyMondaysmall_zps43a25dd6.jpg"/></a>

Make sure to join us next week for Happy Monday! I'll be writing about a how I try and make my house a happy place!

The Hour that Matters Most

The Hour that Matters Most
By Les & Leslie Parrot, Stephanie Allen & Tina Kuna
208 pp. Tyndale House Books

I have to admit, I did not have high hopes for this book - but I really, really liked it! I was at Dream Dinners making some meals to go and saw a stack of them in the corner ~ I figured it would be sort of an interesting book/advertisement for Dream Dinners (founders are contributers). However, it is so much more than that! 

The core message of the book is why eating meals together as a family, especially dinner, is so important to a family. As the mother of a 2 year old, much of the content isn't quite relevant to me yet! I know, however, that I will be facing some of these issues in the future.

I come from a family where we ate meals together every night. I can't tell you how important that was to me growing up. I think it's so important to be together as a family every day. Now that my little guy is starting to eat at the table (cue tears, he's getting so big!!), I want to make sure that we set good habits now, ones that will last his whole life. He is SO very excited this week when we took the tray off of his booster chair and let him eat at the table with us.

This book not only shared some easy family recipes, but it also had great advice on improving your conversations with your kids and spouse as well as improving your family relationships (even seems relevant to work relationships!).

This was one of those books that had me constantly marking pages and vowing to try out ideas when I can! I recommend it to anyone trying to make time for family dinner - or just for families looking for tips on how to make dinner the best hour of the day. I particularly love the conversation prompts! Definitely a 4/5 stars! I can't wait to implement some of the really great ideas!

Waking Up Married - Book Review

Waking Up Married
By Mira Lynn Kelly
224 pp. Harlequin KISS
Source: NetGalley, currently free on amazon.com


Description:
Her first thought: "Who are you?"

It's the morning after her cousin's bachelorette party in Vegas and Megan Scott wakes up with the mother of all hangovers. Even worse, she's in a stranger's penthouse having woken up with something else as well—a funny, arrogant, sexy...husband!

Up until now, finding even a boyfriend had seemed impossible—been there, got the broken heart, sworn off men for good. Then a few martinis with Carter...no, Connor Reed and she's gone from first meet to marriage in one night!

Megan wants a lawyer. But Connor's shocking bombshell? "I don't want a divorce."

My Thoughts:
One of the secrets I have yet to divulge yet, is that I really like "chick-lit." I know that I should be reading more substantive novels, but sometimes I just need a story that I know will have a happy ending, not too many surprises and not to many demands on your intellect!

I had the chance to read "Waking Up Married" recently and it fit the bill. Though, it is firmly in the Romance category, not really chick-lit. I had to admit the premise seems a little overdone - Girl goes to Vegas, gets drunk, wakes up hung over...and married (to a hot, rich, nice guy - no less). Sound familiar? But - then it actually adds some depth to the characters and finds a real plot! 

It actually addressed many of the complications of modern relationships - finding that perfect someone without getting hurt and before the biological clock runs out (for both men and women!). The relationship dynamics were much more interesting that I anticipated, showed actual depth and made me root for them to end up happy. Megan (great name, right?) and Connor sift through different expectations, struggling with their real feelings and wanting the relationship to be a certain way (just like all of us). 

Though it didn't keep me up into the wee hours of the night (a sign that I am truly addicted to the book), it did keep me interested and intrigued. Overall, I'd give it 3/5 stars. A great diversion!

Teach Me to Do it Myself ~ Book Review

Teach Me to Do It Myself: Montessori Activities for You and Your Child
By Maja Pitamic
176 pp. Barron’s

After reading some rather dense Montessori books, I was excited to delve into "Teach Me to Do It Myself." It's nicely illustrated, clear, concise and goes step-by-step into a multitude of Montessori Method activities that you can use for toddlers and pre-schoolers. If you want to actually try some activities that are pretty inexpensive, this is a great place to start.

The book starts with a brief introduction to Montessori and discussed how to use the book. Then it delves right into activities into the following five different areas:

• Life Skills 
• Developing the Senses
• Language Development
• Numeracy Skills 
• Science Skills

I have not been able to try too many of the activities quite yet, as my son is still on the young side. One thing that would help the book is suggested ages for activities.

We've tried a few, but it's hard to really tell which ones would be most appropriate. I do like the way that the book has simple activities that are clearly explained. We've been working on "Washing Hands," "Cleaning Teeth," and "Introducing Textural Opposites." All of which are age appropriate for a just turned 2 year old!

If you are interested in trying Montessori activities at home for kids up to age 5, I highly recommend Teach Me to Do It Myself: Montessori Activities for You and Your Child! Worth the investment.

Montessori from the Start

I checked out the book "Montessori From the Start" from the library. Then I had to renew it, and renew it again. This book is so dense with great ideas that it takes time to process. If I could go back in time, I'd buy this one, not borrow it, so that I had it as a great reference. I still might go buy it!

It is full, almost too full, with ideas. It sometimes gets a little off-putting, the way they present the information - it presents information as if there is only one way to do things. But if you get past the tone and see it for the great ideas that it includes, it's a treasure of ideas.

Everything from how to set up the best home environment for learning, potty training, language acquisition to developing personal will. I've already instituted many ideas from the book and love the sense of calm and order that it encourages. He loves "helping" mom and dad with real work!

I do wish that I had started reading it when A was an infant. It is for children age 0-3 and A is now almost two. I feel like I'm already behind! But I still feel like there were tons and tons of great ideas. There just needs to be better organization of the ideas so I can go back and find them again! Definitely worth a read - and an add to the collection.