Thursday, May 2, 2013

38 Weeks & Latest Reads!

Happy Thursday and happy 38 WEEKS (+ 2 days), baby!! Normally I would do a 38 week bump update, but I really don't have too much new to share....just a quick update.....
 
-I am 38 weeks and 2 days today and huge and uncomfortable
-Recovering from one of the worst colds I have ever had
-Had my weekly appt. Monday and I am still not dilated at all and his head is still high.  Looks like Baby C is perfectly content in my belly and is not planning on coming out anytime soon.  I keep telling myself that no matter what, he will be here in 3 weeks or less though.  So, by Tuesday, May 21st, he will be here.  When I think about it like that, I can deal with it :) 
 
 
Now....on with what I have been reading lately.....
I have been spending a lot more time laying around these days so the reading has picked back up.
Thanks to my go-to "what should I read next?" BFF, Lia Joy, and Goodreads, I always have great recommendations!  So, here ya go!
 
1.  The Honest Life: Living Naturally and True To You
By Jessica Alba
 
 
Description:  ( via Goodreads)
As a new mom, Jessica Alba wanted to create the safest, healthiest environment for her family. But she was frustrated by the lack of trustworthy information on how to live healthier and cleaner—delivered in a way that a busy mom could act on without going to extremes. In 2012, with serial entrepreneur Brian Lee and environmental advocate Christopher Gavigan, she launched The Honest Company, a brand where parents can find reliable information and products that are safe, stylish, and affordable. The Honest Life shares the insights and strategies she gathered along the way.

The Honest Life recounts Alba’s personal journey of discovery and reveals her tips for making healthy living fun, real, and stylish, while offering a candid look inside her home and daily life. She shares strategies for maintaining a clean diet (with favorite family-friendly recipes) and embraces nontoxic choices at home and provides eco-friendly decor tips to fit any budget. Alba also discusses cultivating a daily eco beauty routine, finding one’s personal style without resorting to yoga pants, and engaging in fun, hands-on activities with kids. Her solutions are easy, chic, and down-to-earth: they’re honest. And discovering everyday ways to live naturally and authentically—true to you—could be honestly life-changing
 
My Thoughts:
LOVE Jessica Alba, LOVED her book.  She discusses everything from eating organically, using non-toxic cleaning supplies at home to the best, non-harmful products to use on your babies.   I already do a pretty decent job of buying only organic meats, fruits and veggies but I learned so much about about house hold products and caring for your family.  Since reading her book I have found quite a few friends who have bought products from her company, The Honest Company,  and they are raving about the products.  So, I may just have to make a purchase soon!
 
 
 
2.  The Unidentified Redhead
By Alice Clayton 

 
 
Description: (Via Goodreads)
When Grace Sheridan returns to Los Angeles to become a working actress, it’s a second shot at a life-long dream. With some help from her best-friend agent, will that dream become a reality—or at thirty-three, has Grace missed her chance at the big time? And when an unexpected sizzling romance with Jack Hamilton, the entertainment industry's newest “it” boy, threatens to shine an uncomfortable spotlight on her life, how will that affect her career…and his?

Funny, borderline neurotic Grace is perfect in her imperfections, and the sexual chemistry between her and charming yet blissfully unaware Jack is off the charts. With laugh-out-loud dialogue and a super-steamy romance that will get your heart racing, sneaking around in L.A. and dodging the paparazzi has never been so fun.
 
My Thoughts:
Hilarious. Witty. Fun-loving. Awesome book.  This is a fun, sweet, easy read that leaves you wanting more of Grace & Jack....and luckily there is a 2nd book so you can get more!  
 
 
 
3.  The Redhead Revealed
By Alice Clayton  
 
 
Description: (Via Goodreads)
 As their careers catch fire, Grace and Jack -- everyone’s favorite foul-mouthed, funny, and feisty couple -- find themselves on opposite coasts. Grace has landed in New York City, where she loves being onstage again, particularly because she’s playing a fabulous character in a musical written by her old college flame, Michael. Their rekindled friendship makes exploring the city that much more fun.

Wait, it’s just friendship, right?

Meanwhile, in L.A., Jack can scarcely keep up with the swirling throngs of women who track him everywhere he goes, the endless press appearances, and the ridiculous rules his manager, Holly, keeps concocting for him -- all part of the buildup to the release of Time, his steamy new film.

But even when their schedules allow them to connect, Grace and Jack must keep their relationship off the radar and away from paparazzi cameras. Sure, the sex is sensational, but can this duo survive swirling rumors, the demands of their chosen professions, Grace’s raging internal battles, and a whopping nine-year age difference?

Tick-tock, the clock is ticking. Isn’t it?

Alice Clayton brings the second installment of a tale told with her magical mix of humor and heat, so cuddle up under the sheets and flip on the Golden Girls. Grace and Jack are at it again
 
My Thoughts:
Once again, LOVED this book! Great sequel to The Unidentified Redhead and leaves you loving Grace & Jack and their wild relationship even more!
 
 
4.  The Happiest Baby on the Block
By Harvey Karp, M.D.
 
 
Description: (Via Goodreads)
In perhaps the most important parenting book of the decade, Dr. Harvey Karp reveals an extraordinary treasure sought by parents for centuries --an automatic “off-switch” for their baby’s crying.

No wonder pediatricians across the country are praising him and thousands of Los Angeles parents, from working moms to superstars like Madonna and Pierce Brosnan, have turned to him to learn the secrets for making babies happy.

Never again will parents have to stand by helpless and frazzled while their poor baby cries and cries. Dr. Karp has found there IS a remedy for colic. “I share with parents techniques known only to the most gifted baby soothers throughout history …and I explain exactly how they work.”

In a innovative and thought-provoking reevaluation of early infancy, Dr. Karp blends modern science and ancient wisdom to prove that newborns are not fully ready for the world when they are born. Through his research and experience, he has developed four basic principles that are crucial for understanding babies as well as improving their sleep and soothing their senses. 
 
My Thoughts: 
Definitely my favorite "baby" book that I have ready.  A lot of friends recommended this book to me and we learned a lot of the techniques from the book in our baby classes a couple months ago.  I have actually seen the techniques put to use and they work!!  Amazing!  I learned a lot from this book and our classes and will definitely be using his methods for calming and quieting Connor when he gets here :)  Highly recommend for all you mommies to be out there!
 Have you read anything great lately? Let me know!! Always looking for new books to read :) 
 
 

6 comments:

Natalie | Mrs. Janney | said...

My husband bought me the Happiest Baby on the Block book, but I haven't gotten around to reading it yet. I should probably use these last couple of weeks to do that.

The main "baby" book I've been trying to read lately is the Womanly Art of Breastfeeding. Honestly, I can only read a little at a time because, HELLO, it's only about breastfeeding. But it is really interesting.

Unknown said...

you are SOOO close!

Laynah said...

Girl you are getting there! That last baby book looks so interesting...

alex said...

Happiest Baby on the block is FANTASTIC!

At my 39 week appointment I was only 1 cm dialiated and then on my due date went into labor....it can happen anytime...so exciting!!

Tiffany @ Austin Family Diary said...

Yea for Happiest Baby on the Block :D We actually watched the DVD too--just because I knew Cody wouldn't read the book and I figured it would be a good source to see in action. Definitely would recommend it if you haven't seen it yet--we rented it from the library! Ha first time I'd been to a public library in years. Hang in there momma! We're almost there :)

Rorie said...

Happy 38 weeks!! I am right behind you at 37!! Love the book reviews I am gonna look into the red heads!!

New follower :)