Book Tour Review: The Pregnancy Journal

I am very excited to participate in the current Mother Talk Book Tour for The Pregnancy Journal: A Day-to-Day Guide to a Healthy and Happy Pregnancy by A. Chrstine Harris, Ph.D. I realize that my reviews and contests have moved over to Berrie Sweet Picks, but I signed up for this tour before that blog went live, so Deadlines and Diapers readers get a special treat.

The Pregnancy Journal has sold over a million copies, and I can see why. For one, it actually looks like a journal, and the sweet spiral-bound packaging, along with the soothing image of a mother and child on the cover make this a comforting place to get answers and record thoughts.

But this book is more than just a blank canvas. It's filled with helpful information on every possible stage of pregnancy (along with your baby's daily development) and divided by months, weeks, days, making it easy to pinpoint where you and your body are on the pregnancy journey.

Facts are stated in a straight-forward and easy-to-read manner, covering everything from nutrition to to medical data to childbirth customs in other cultures. One especially nice feature is the "Childbirth Then and Now" snippets, which put the miracle of pregnancy in perspective for today's moms-to-be.

I also like the weekly section for notes and "How are you feeling today?" If you are very wordy, you may want to invest in a traditional journal to accompany The Pregnancy Journal, but if one liners are enough for you, this is perfect for capturing the essence of your experience.

What would mine have looked like?

* Mood: Excited but miss seeing my feet!
* Energy: Tired. All.The.Time.
* Appetite: Wendy's is my new addiction.
* Baby Movement: Only when I sleep. Figures.
* Morning Sickness: Hyperemesis, anyone?

I'll admit that I spent countless hours at the bookstore and online while pregnant in search of the perfect pregnancy book to immortalize my anxieties and joys, but I missed the mark on that one because I didn't come home with The Pregnancy Journal.

So, in an effort to save another mother from regret by getting her the right one on the first try, I'm giving way one copy of The Pregnancy Journal right here. Just leave me a comment telling me if the book is a gift or for yourself and when the baby is due!
Contest ends at midnight (EST) on July 2.

I'm 'Wiped'!

Call me crazy, but wanna make time to read a book? While I know that the phrases “time to read” and “I have a child” don’t necessarily go together, you might want to keep this one in the bathroom or in your gym bag for those little snatches of me-time you can snag here and there.

I certainly never thought I’d have the time to read this one myself (an entire magazine article in one sitting is my record since Buttercup has been born) but Wiped: Life with a Pint-Sized Dictator by Rebecca Eckler was worth the late nights after she fell asleep (and a few "bathroom breaks" while Mr,. L. took care of baby!)

I'll be the first to admit that the book might not be everyone’s cup of tea (just read some of the scathing reviews from readers on Amazon) but I was laughing my head off from page one.

In Wiped, Eckler takes us through her first few years of parenthood in her "We're not rich" life filled with nannies, Bugaboo strollers, porsches, postpartum depression inspired two-month long trips to Hawaii, and the old apartment she still rents "just because" even though she lives in a two-room condo with her fiance.

And while I found myself rolling my eyes when I read "We're not rich", (perhaps the author meant when compared to Paris Hilton???) I was able to look past that little lie (compared to Target, blue-light specials, and making my own baby food because its cheaper) and just enjoy the book for what it was: a blog-style novel written in such a way that anyone can relate (and laugh) with a new Mom learning the frustrations and joys that come with motherhood. She’s honest, witty, and hilariously sarcastic.

If you like my blog, you'll like her book. (Not that I dare to put myself in the same class as a published author!) But be warned, you'll have to be able to stomach plenty of "F" bombs along with the sarcasm.

Me? I drop them at home about as often as I read them in the book, so I was totally at home.

*****

So have you read any good Mom-lit lately?

A cool perk; awesome gift for new dads

One of the perks of being a writer is getting to meet and talk to some incredible people that I otherwise would never ever have the chance of knowing.
A recent plus in my little book of awesome contacts is Alli Grosberg, an artsy stay-at-work Canadian mommy who makes some incredible hand-cast, hand-stamped, and hand-cut sterling silver jewelry. One of her neatest creations is her hand cut bar necklace, which would make a great Christmas gift for a new dad. (Or keep it for yourself! I did. Hee hee.)
Alli's stuff is original, sophisticated, and fun to wear and especially fun to mix and match with her selection of a la carte charms. Log on to Alli's Originals and get a head start on that Christmas shopping!
Also, please check out Alli's blog and learn about her search for her birth mother.
Have a good one, all. I need to get an assignment done for a deadline tomorrow. I'll check in later.