I've been reading like a fiend this summer. As I may have mentioned (hahahaha), I breezed through the Harry Potter series in roughly two (point five) weeks. If you take into account that I work full time and also sleep at night, your calculations will reveal that in order to do all of those things AND read the combined 4,100 pages of Harry Potter...basically 80% of my non-working waking hours were spent with my nose in a book. And that's totally fine by me.
Since finishing the series, I've pretty much maintained my same reading fervor, only the quality of the books has plummeted. Ugh. Oh well. Reading has always been and I suppose will always be my favorite form of escapism. And right about now, I need all of the mental escaping I can get, lest I start freaking out about the fact that I might be a mom in three weeks...or I might not, and that will really suck. So bring on the spy thriller romances, the historical Western romances, and the recently-widowed-gorgeous-single-mom-moves-to-New-England-and-buys-a-dilapidated-bed-and-breakfast-and-then-meets-some-quirky-handsome-local-business-owner-and-they-fall-in-love romances. No, but seriously. I think I've read three books with that exact same plot. Also, isn't that basically the plot of Gilmore Girls, too? Guess it's a surefire money maker. I'm going to jot it down in my notebook of get rich quick schemes in case I ever get around to writing a book...may as well go with a plot that works!
So far in life I've only read one parenting book more or less all the way through. I've dabbled in others, reading chapters here and there...but either I'm weirdly overconfident in my parenting instincts or I'm delusional, but I just kinda feel like 'yeah yeah yeah, I know, whatever.' Maybe it's due to the years of babysitting and nannying. Or reading mommy blogs. But I do like the Happiest Baby on the Block, which Matt and I both read last fall. I haven't had tons of opportunities to implement all of my learning from it, but I've dabbled in using the techniques from the book with the newborns I've come across the past few months, and I must admit to being pleased with the results. So I'm rereading that one.
Yesterday we went to the library to pick up a book I'd put on hold, and I decided to browse the baby book section. Earlier in the day, my sister (who will have a baby in late September) had been freaking out about how she doesn't know what 'schedule' babies are supposed to be on. How do I know when to feed her and when she's supposed to go to bed!??!?! I don't want to read a book, I just want someone to say "today, feed her at 3:00, nap at 5:00, blah blah blah. Tomorrow, feed at 3, nap at 5:15, whatever" and then I will do it. I told her I'm sure she'd figure it out without much trouble, or else she could maybe read a book...and to that she said, "right, so...how about if YOU read a book and figure that out, then write down every single thing you do with YOUR baby for the first two months and then I will just copy it when my baby is born." So it looks like the big sister is going to be the guinea pig yet again while little sister just gleans from all of my hard work, eh?? Ha.
At any rate, that drove me to the baby book section of the library.
There were a lot of books to choose from, for the record. Apparently when people get tired of writing New England B&B romances, they must write baby parenting books...because all of THOSE appear to have the same plot, too. So I just picked a few that looked interesting (or that I've heard good things about) and hopefully I will feel inspired to actually read them in between all of my 'pleasure' reading. Or maybe I'll just read the inside flap and call it a day. It could go either way, honestly.
It looks like I'll have plenty of time to read this weekend- the 'polar vortex' or whatever seems to be sticking around and it's going to be rainy and cool(er) all weekend! I'm definitely good with that.
Oh yeah, before I go: how about a quick baby edition of They Invented THAT??
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Have a great weekend!!
When I was pregnant with my daughter, my husband and I bought a few parenting books and I read exactly zero of them. If it doesn't have a plot, there's no way I'm getting through it. I don't know who I was kidding. One book I did like was The Vaccine Book. The pediatrician scoffed at it, but I thought it provided good non-biased info (how common each disease is, how serious it is, the ingredients of the vaccine...etc). It's not pro or anti vaccine.
ReplyDeleteI highly recommend The Sleep Lady Shuffle for baby scheduling and sleep help, just if you feel like you want to add another book to your collection- it really helped us with our willful sleep fighter!!!
ReplyDeleteI feel like this post was written just for me. Harry Potter! Gilmore Girls! Parenting books! I love it all.
ReplyDeleteOkay, except the parenting books. The only parenting book I've read all the way through is Bringing Up Bebe and that was after Sam and Rachel were well established and basically the author just affirmed that everything I was doing was French. Which explained a lot actually :)
I also felt like after years (and years and years -- I started when I was ten and basically have babysat ever since then) of babysitting and then hanging out with my friends' kids for years, that if I didn't already know about parenting I wasn't going to learn it from a book.
I'm still in awe that you have a reason to read parenting books! It's kind of hilarious/ridiculous... if I'd spent even half of the time I've spent trying to BE a mom on learning to be a GOOD mom, I think I'd have Mother of the Year in the bag, that is IF I ever nail the first part down. : )
ReplyDeleteAlso, I'm very impressed with your diligence to reading in general... I've finished approximately 1.2 books this YEAR. You're rocking it!
I am happy to report that I READ A BOOK this year. It's sad, but it's been a while since I could say that. ("Unbroken", by the way, which was an incredible book. I know it's like 4 years old…)
ReplyDeleteI read so many baby books, and yet feel like I retained or used nothing. So, there you go. I also was super gung-ho about a schedule, and birthed a baby who wanted nothing to do with one. :)
Lastly, I found Baby 411 to be the best reference book for us. It's one to buy, though, not check out, because you'll need it on hand at any given moment!
You got the correct book, The Baby Whisperer. All you and your sister have to do is write down the EASY schedule. I'm surprised I don't remember what page it was on.....my book permanently opened to that page. The pages around it tell you how to adjust the times for different ages and circumstances so they have some importance too.
ReplyDeleteAs much as I love books, love collecting them, love reading them, I am actually anti-parenting books. There are SO many guidebooks out there, and each one suggests something different. And then they further imply that if you don't follow their rules, you're going to fail as a parent forever. It's overwhelming, it's frustrating, and quite frankly, it's just not practical. I'm not saying all parenting books are bad, but my only advise is that if you do read any, please read them lightly. Skim through some chapters that might not apply to you, don't waste time memorizing the dos and donts, and above all, do NOT spend more time reading about parenting than applying your own natural parenting skills (your instincts are worth way more than some silly "expert's" research!). You've got this in the bag. Your sister does, too. I have complete confidence in both of you girls, with or without the books! (And I assure you that EVERYONE is going to offer their own advice and opinions, so much so that you could probably write your own parenting book when all is said and done. You know, with all of that spare time you'll have...) But for the record, I did actually watch "The Happiest Baby on the Block" video from Netflix and found some of those infant techniques quite handy in the first few weeks. I also briefly browsed On Becoming Baby Wise (lots of controversy with that one, so I didn't want to get too deeply involved with it), and if anything, it helped me recognize Andrew's natural eat/sleep schedule a lot more quickly than if I'd waited to figure it out on my own. But that's about all I can offer by way of baby books. I found real-life advice from friends and family way more practical and applicable than the books!
ReplyDeleteAmen and amen :)
DeleteSo, about the Brezza... I'm totally getting that! Anything to cut down on the time it takes to make bottles for twins! Ha ha :)
ReplyDeleteAlso I haven't read one parenting book!!! I'm so bad, Erika!! When you tell your sister what to do, can you just add me in on those emails/texts? ;)
I've been getting back into reading lately but not on your pace yet! Typically because I read before bed and make it about 10 minutes before falling asleep...I'm still glad you can no longer say you haven't read harry potter! :)
ReplyDeleteI've been struggling to get back into reading recently. I feel like getting through pages of Gone Girl has been almost painful. It's just not my jam.
ReplyDeleteAnd for what it's worth, I've really loved BabyWise (for scheduling) and Grace Based Parenting (for discipliney/basic parenting).
I HIGHLY recommend moms on call (look them up online) for scheduling.
ReplyDeleteI LOVE your sisters attitude! Sounds like something I would say. haha All we are getting is the rain and 08740687406720% humidity, hate it!
ReplyDeleteThis girl never read a parenting book and my boys are just fine...yup I swear they are just fine. Go ahead ask them!
ReplyDeleteEek...3 weeks! I'm nervously excited for you. I want the be the "glass is half full" kind of excitement, but my heart is so torn. Cheers! I'm just drinking what's in the glass getting excited!
Just saw Amazon is introducing Kindle Unlimited. I have Prime but still spend more than $10 a month on ebooks.
ReplyDeleteAs far as the bebe books... Screw the books. Wing it. You and Matt will find what works perfectly for you and the kiddo. Sarah does have the right idea though ;o)
Nice little pile-o-books you got there, girl! I am just so SO excited that you are reading those for the new little one on it's way! You'll have to let us know which one you find most interesting scheduling wise for infants. That topic has always had me worried for when it's time.
ReplyDeleteIt's gotten a bit chilly up in the Pacific Northwest (64 degrees), and the fires are not doing us any favors on the air quality and lighting, everything is a sepia color with a glow! Not humid, at all. I brought out my hoodie today and could snuggle inside ALL day if I could!
OK, here's my pitch. There are lots of 'scheduling baby' books out there, but we were big fans of Dr. William Sears approach of attachment parenting, and you can borrow it for free from the Athens Vineyard library! (If you can get Jess to bring it back).
ReplyDeleteThe following link pretty much sums up what wisdom you will gain by reading any and every sleep book. . . enjoy!!
ReplyDeletehttp://www.hlntv.com/article/2014/01/13/hilarious-baby-sleep-advice-books-new-mom-ava-neyer
And I meant any "raising baby" book in general, not just about sleep :) Her post is SO true!!
ReplyDeleteOk... GOOD. I was starting to feel like a slacker because it seemed like I was the only first time mom on earth who never cracked a parenting book or attended a parenting class. I felt the same as you - I've been around kids, I was there when my infant siblings were being raised, so like... whatever. Totally over-confident. And so far, I'm pleased to report that this attitude has worked out swimmingly! If I have a question about something totally obvious (wait.. how long are they supposed to sleep at a time? Should I like... wake her up to eat or something?), I tap into my arsenal of mommy friends and family members who are all too happy to share their experiences. Sometimes those books are helpful, but sometimes I think they cause more confusion than they're worth. Every baby is different. I'm sure there are good tips, but mostly, you just need to figure out what works best for YOUR family. That's been my experience, anyway.
ReplyDeleteI did read Bringing Up Bebe a few years ago because I'm a total Francophile. I remember liking it, but now I want to re-read it with my new perspective and see if it's as enjoyable. Everyone has recommended The Happiest Baby on the Block... my library doesn't have it, looks like I'll need to break down and pay real money for it on Amazon. Boo.
I've read all these books! Bringing Up Bebe is a great read, but be cautioned if applying it to real life. It's perspective on infant eating and sleeping is dangerous and not in line with AAP recommendations for the needs of infants. But it's hilarious! :)
ReplyDeleteI second Moms on Call for sleep and scheduling. It uses baby wise theory but the book is like the cliff notes version. And they are in Georgia! Read local.
ReplyDeleteShoot. My best parenting advice is always "don't read any books," so you have been warned: don't come to me asking for my best parenting advice! ;)
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed Bringing up Bebe. I found most of what I read in the Happiest Baby to be common sense, but worth reminding. I haven't read the Baby Whisperer, but I do follow her EASY routine, but instead of on a schedule, I feed her on demand but then do activity and sleep after. Let us know what you think of the books!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad I'm not the only person who 1. still goes to the library 2. reserves books online :)
ReplyDeleteI'm now coming up to 8 months pregnant and I have yet to read one parenting book!
ReplyDeleteYou should totally get that machine! Mixing and heating formula is a pain in the a. And we only do bottles once or twice a day! But you might not want to take my advise, because I have not read a single page of a single parenting book
ReplyDeleteHope the books serve you well, and if not, just remind yourself that you are doing a better job than the large majority of moms out there because you aren't smoking crack or making your baby sleep in the backyard… and relatedly, if either of those were a part of your parenting game plan, maybe rethink your game plan a little.
ReplyDeleteLooks like you got some good summer reading material. I really like the concept behind Bringing Up Bebe…I recently read an article about it. Great titles in your stack. You're going to be an amazing mom!
ReplyDeleteOy vey...there are SO many books and opinions on books. I didn't really read many books either. My baby philosophy goes something like this 1) hug, snuggle, and hold as much as possible. 2) if a baby is hungry, feed him 3) have a safe sleep environment and the rest kind of works itself out. :) I guess that makes me an attachment style parent? Regardless, I'm pretty sure y'all will be awesome at all of those things (snuggling, feeding the baby enough food, and making sure she's comfy and safe.) especially, the snuggling department. Pros. For later on my favorite books have been "Love and logic" and "loving your kids on purpose."
ReplyDeleteI have been reading your blog for quite some time but never comment. However when I saw the baby brezza machine I had to post! It is a life saver and has keep me from going crazy with making bottles. I have 10 month old twins and that machine is the best baby product that was ever made. It is amazing and totally worth every penny. Run don't walk to your local target and buy it now!!! It make a bottle in less then 10 seconds and is warm and ready to go. It's also so easy that dads can make a bottle too. Hope this help and it really is life changing. :)
ReplyDeleteBringing Up Bebe has been my fave! But we didn't really follow any eating or sleeping schedules.....we just did whatever Mace wanted to do. When he was somewhere between 6-8 months he got on a schedule on his own. I honestly don't think we really closely followed the advice in any book we read.....we just did what we felt was right while keeping us all alive :)) You guys will be great. Every kid is different. Like someone else said above, nothing beats instinct. But there's Google too :))
ReplyDeletewhenever I get obsessed about something (it changes month to month) I go to the library and stock up on books to read about it. I think my library checkout list is proof of how psychotic I am.
ReplyDelete