Book Review: Wild Things

Wild Things:  Acts of Mischief in Children's Literature
By Betsy Bird, Julie Danielson, and Peter Sieruta
Candlewick, 2014
Review from eBook
Audience: For the Pros
ISBN:  9780763651503
Publication Date:  August 5, 2014


I've been name dropping this book for a while now, so it's time to get down to talking about it.  If you are a librarian, or teacher, or crazy person that thinks children's authors are the real celebrities, then Wild Things is the book for you.  To the outsider, children's books might be all fluffy bunnies and smiling authors living in quaint Vermont towns sipping cider and typing on old-timey typewriters.  But those of us in the biz know that Roald Dahl was a grumpy-face, Go Ask Alice was written by some doctor, and the best children's morality stories are scary German tales about barbers.  

The whole book is one big unveiling of some of children's literatures greatest secrets and funniest stories.  There's plagiarism, sex, unusual starting careers, and treating children like capable human beings that can make their own decisions.  The whole book flies in the face of conservative American ideals for children and books, and should quite frankly be banned in all 50 states right now!

Please ban this book!  Then everyone will read it!

Honestly, I read this book in fits and starts in the early days after having Alice.  I would read aloud from it while trying to ease her to sleep, which is no easy thing since I was reading her the section about the previously mentioned crazy German barber.  This book is most likely for a scholar of children's literature.  It's the kind of book that a librarian wants to talk about at a cocktail party, but none of her friends know these authors and can't really get into it.

So if you're a librarian and you've read it, call me!  Then we can also get all gushy about the YMAs.  Six Caldecott honors?  What the what?  

I need more librarian friends people.

If you want a book that will make you laugh out loud while discussing children's books, then this is perfect.

Happy Reading!

5 Things: Ten Things

5 Things to Brighten Your Day

Despite the BS that May Get in Your Way

1. Here's a first for me since having Alice:  I made it to work on time!

2.  This morning Ali was playing with her wubbanub when I went to wake her up and she was just so sweet.  I must have snuck up on her because I got the startle arms, which is always funny.

3.  A warm house.  Our furnace when on strike over the weekend, and a furnace isn't something you think about until your house is cold.  Thankfully we had it replaced all in one day.  

4.  Had a great night just hanging out with a friend, watching Parks and Rec and talking about how old we feel being out on a school night.

5.  Ali wore her Cabela's dress, which is now a tunic because she's so big, to school today and was just darling.  Until she spit up on it.  But that happens.  

Bonus:  Lucy Puppy, Leggings+Dress+Boots combo, Dougie, my Dad, Bubble Baths, so much to be thankful for!  Definitely enough to get me through the first day of classes. 

I Hate that I Love "Love You Forever"

Any librarian worth her cat-eye glasses and stylish cardigans must hate dozens of the sickeningly sweet, fuzzy bunny books out there.  Mostly it's because as a librarian, you see books from all time periods, not just those that were published when your own darling baby was a child or grandchild.  So instead of half a dozen super-sweet I-love-you-so-much tomes being in existence, there are dozens of these books being published a year and librarians have to buy them because some sappy grandmother must read this pink all over, lovey-dovey bunny book to her little marshmallow face.  It makes you love an irreverent book like Whatever by William Bee.  But among these most hated of books are three champions.

The Rainbow Fish by Marcus Pfister.  Why the hate?  Here is a beautifully sparkly fish, and one of his fish friends asks for one of his beautiful scales.  Then another fish asks, and another.  Is this is book about selflessness and friendship, or a how-to-be-a-doormat guide?  Not in my house.

The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein.  Why the hate?  The tree's a pushover, the kid's a big time brat, and the author has given us such better work.  No thank you.

But the most controversial of them all is hands down Love You Forever by Robert Munsch.  Why?  So many reasons.  First of all, it's sappy.  But it goes beyond sappy to creepy.  The mother keeps telling her darling boy "I'll love you forever, I'll like you for always.  As long as I'm living, my baby you'll be".  She even creeps in his room when he is a middle-aged man to tell him this!  But it's more than that.  Like Shel Silverstein, Robert Munsch has given us so much.  Stephanie's Ponytail, Thomas' Snowsuit, and the classic feminism-for-the-kindergarten-set The Paperbag Princess!  So why would an author known for writing funny, goofy books write something so saccharine?

Did he?  Some people say that this book, like all his others, is meant to be a little tongue in cheek and that it has been misappropriated by all the saps out there.  That could very well be, but children's librarians the world around struggle not to roll their eyes when a patron requests this book.

And now I get it.

At the end of the book, while the mother is dying, the boy rocks his mother and says "I'll love you forever, I'll like you for always, as long as I'm living, your baby I'll be".  I said those exact words to my mom the last time I saw her.  I said those words after I told her how much I disliked the book, but that I get it now.  It wasn't becoming a mom that made me understand, it was losing my mom.  No matter how old I get, if my mom is gone or not, I will always be her daughter. I will always be her baby.

I might have lost a little bit of my hip librarian street-cred, but I gained a little part of my soul.

But The Giving Tree?  That book is still messed up.

Happy Reading!

Derailed

I have written this post a dozen times at least.  While driving, while daydreaming, while laying awake at 2 in the morning.  I've hashed it out over and over, but it's time to just start, because I can't go any further until I do.

My mom died on October 13, 2014.

In June, I told you about my mom's cancer and that we were very optimistic.  Her cancer numbers were low, she was feeling good, her energy was good, but there were some side effects.  Nothing she couldn't handle, but some odd side effects.  When Alice was born, she could not have been more excited.  My parents visited just days after she was born and that moment when mom held Alice for the first time made everything worth it.  The long pregnancy, the 20 hours of labor, the sleepless nights.  It was all worth it for mom to meet Alice.

My mom and I talked on the phone and text each other often.  Her world was Ali Rose.  She wanted to know everything, and wanted to help me out since I was an overwhelmed first-time mom.  We went home for Labor Day to have Ali baptized at my parent's church.  That's where I was baptized, and my parents, and grandparents.  It's where all big life events take place.

Mom was doing great.  I woke up one morning at my parent's house and Alice wasn't in her crib.  My mom had taken her and was holding her in the rocking chair, happy as could be.  I was so sad to leave that my parents promised to visit in a couple weeks, the middle of September, just to see her again.

That trip was a little different.  Mom had more pain, she had migraines, and her energy was low.  She still loved on Ali, cuddled, feed, and spoiled her, but she wasn't as happy this time.  We found out the next week that the treatments had stopped working altogether.  The tumors were growing quickly and taking over.  There was one last type of chemo to try, but it didn't work.  On October 2, my mom started hospice.

We rushed home that weekend.  We packed up Alice, took the dog to a friend's, and went.  By the time we got there on Saturday morning, mom was heavily sedated and barely awake.  I didn't get to talk to my mom much that day, but it was good for my dad to see Alice and play with her.

That night, Ali spiked her first fever.  That can tear apart any new mom, but when I was so close to losing my mom, it really hurt.  That next morning, Doug and I decided to leave early and get home so we could take care of Ali.  My mom was awake, and she agreed.  She told me to take care of my little girl, her light.  She said that she had been living for Alice, and that mom's have to make hard decisions. I don't remember every word she said to me, but it was comforting and encouraging.

In the coming days, mom became unresponsive.  I had left so quickly that I didn't feel like I got to say goodbye, but I also didn't know if I could bear to see her like that, but my aunt told me that I wouldn't regret it, so on October 10, I went home to see mom.  I didn't know what to say to her.  What do you say when you're not sure if someone can even understand you, and you can't come up with the words? Instead I sang.  I sang "Go My Children with My Blessing", "It is Well with My Soul", "How Great the Father's Love for Us", and several others.  I sang for almost an hour, one song after another.  Finally I sang her the Nunc Diminus, or Lutheran speak for "The Song of Simeon".  It's what we sing after communion.  The song says, now let us thou thy servant depart in peace according to they word.  It seemed right.

I didn't know that would be the last time I saw my mom alive.  It could have gone on that way for days or weeks more, but I'm glad it didn't.  She needed to go home.

The past couple of months have been up and down.  I do have a darling 15-pound distraction, but sometimes the thought of Alice growing up and not knowing my mom is crushing.  And more than anything I worry about my dad.  They were married for 42 years.  That's a long time to be with someone and have them taken away.

I thought adjusting to motherhood would be hard.  That part has actually been easy.  It gets easier everyday.  Living without my mom has not been easy.  Sure, everyday it sinks in a little more, everyday brings more healing, but then it hits you all at once again, all new, that you will never hug her again, talk to her, tell her you love her, and it's horrible.  At least I know that I will have all of these things in heaven.  I know that she sees Alice and how grown up she is getting from heaven.

Becoming a mom meant a change in priorities.  Not as much time to read, or exercise, or be with friends.  That's an adjustment that everyone has to make.  Losing my mom feels like a derailment.  One of my constants in life is gone and I feel a little abandoned, lost, adrift.  I'm trying to get it back.  I'm trying to get a little more passion for life, energy, happiness.  I didn't crawl into a hole when mom died, but I didn't try hard to stay excited either.

And that's why I haven't been around here lately.  I haven't known what to say.  Now that I have all of this rambling off of my chest, maybe I'll come around more.  I have reviews to share, books to tell you about, Ali stories to tell.  Now that you know my history, I can move forward.

It's good to get that out.  On to 2015, and a better year.  We can all use it.

Thanks for reading

5 Things: Friday

5 Things to Brighten Your Day

Despite the BS that May Get in Your Way

1. It's Friday.  That can count as 3 things, right?

2.  Hot chocolate.

3.  I'm having Ramen soup for lunch.  It reminds me of a simpler time.

4.  Wild Things:  Acts of Mischief in Children's Literature.  Excellent book and a must read for every children's librarian.  I'll be reviewing it next week, but until then, check out the Wild Things blog.

5.  Tights+leggings=warm legs on a cold day.  Thanks to my friend Sara for the tip!

Happy Friday!

5 Things: Sleep

5 Things to Brighten Your Day

Despite the BS that May Get in Your Way

1. Little baby Alice slept 9 hours last night.  9 HOURS!  She's such a big girl, and I got to sleep too.

2.  The weather has turned very chilly, very quickly, so I'm excited to get out my trusty hat, gloves, and scarf.  So thankful that I can be warm on a cold day.

3.  But cold weather didn't stop me from wearing a skirt to work!  Paired with fleece lined tights, it's just as warm as pants and twice as stylish.  Looking good makes you feel good.

4.  I have my first cup of hot chocolate of the season and it was wonderful.

5.  Lunch with two of my favorites today-my hubby and my puppy.  It's good to carve out some time for my other family members during the day.

5 Things: Family

5 Things to Brighten Your Day

Despite the BS that May Get in Your Way

1. You know what's big time BS in any language-BOIL ORDER!  Especially with a baby around you have to be very careful with washing everything.  So I'm super thankful for my Aunt Roxie and dad being around to help out this week.  I didn't plan it this way, but it's wonderful!  I think that having a full-time, live-in nanny would be the way to go after all the good care that Aunt Roxie has given us!

2.  Running errands is never fun, but when you are running work errands, it means coming into work a little late, and picking up a nice coffee treat on the way in (paid for by me, not your tax dollars!)

3.  Burt's Bees has a new Vanilla Bean lip balm out and it is delightful.

4.  Kate Spade has done a line of kids clothing for GapKids!  True, Ali is too small to wear it right now, but with the way this girl is growing, she'll be in it in no time.  And when she is big enough, she'll wear this shirt.  

5.  Family, Family, Family.  My dad, my hubby, my aunt, my baby.  All of them, all the time!

5 Things: Headphones

5 Things to Brighten Your Day

Despite the BS that May Get in Your Way

1. Early morning smiles from my little baby.  She's such a happy girl in the mornings, unlike her mama.

2.  Looking chic in my cheap scarf.

3.  Seeing Ali Rose with her grandpa.  Thank goodness for visits!

4.  Green tea with honey.

5.  Matt Nathanson's new song Headphones, and the moving video.  Check it out here.  

5 Things: Can you believe this weather?

5 Things to Brighten Your Day

Despite the BS that May Get in Your Way

1. Highs in the upper 70s today!  I'll take that for late October, and enjoy an after work walk with my two favorite girls.

2.  I had a great time shopping with some girlfriends yesterday.  Beautiful weather and great company.

3.  And since I went shopping, I now have pants that fit!  It's amazing what a decent pair of work pants can do for you attitude.

4.  Little Miss Alice was fast asleep when I dropped her off at school today (and by school I mean daycare--I call it school to lessen my guilt).  She was so precious all asleep in her carseat, and hopefully stayed asleep for them for a while.

5.  A picked up a new journal for my daily 5 Things.  It's a funky little think that brightens my day before I even get started on my list.

Back in the Saddle

I know that my posting has been sporadic at best these last three months, and you've likely guessed that it's because of my baby.  Darn adorable little time suck!  I just don't get to do that reading that I used to do (or the sleeping, showering, eating, cleaning, etc, etc for that matter).  But now that my little girl is the big 12 weeks, life around the house is getting a little easier.  Not that I'll get to do more reading, but hopefully I'll be able to cobble together some posts about the book life, or the mom life, or just life to keep this thing going.  Because the truth is, I like Miss Tiff Reads.  It connects to me a part of my life that I've been desperately missing, and anything to connect you to your former life once you have a little person is very important!

So, I'm back in the saddle of this whole blog thing.  And to everyone that missed me, I'm sorry I was gone so long, but you know-life got in the way.

Happy Reading!

Librarians Make Good Secretaries

I never knew that my reader's advisory skills would serve me so well as a secretary.  If there is one common theme between being a librarian and being a secretary, it's the expectation that you should know everything.  What book won the Newbery in 1972?  Can an undergrad take a course for grad credit?  I saw a book once with a blue cover about a witch-do you have it?  My voicemail's not working-why and fix it.

That type of thing.

Also, when you're the secretary primarily reporting to one person, the department chair, you can sometimes develop a particularly vague type of code language and this is when the reader's advisory skills come in.

Take yesterday.  My chair asks me if I have any copies of the pink chart.  I give him a completely blank stare.  He adds, you printed it on pink paper, or maybe purple paper, with the ACT scores.  Bingo!  You mean the scholarship qualification chart, which I have never, in fact, printed on pink paper, nor does it have anything pink on it, but yes, it does have ACT scores.

See, if I'd never been a librarian, I would have searched for the elusive "pink chart" for days to no avail, but because I understand how readers, or supervisors, can get hung up on random details that can actually make your job harder, I was able to read between the lines and come up with the right answer.  Plus, since you can pull out your Nancy Drew skills and pull answers out of thin air, you look like a genius.  And aren't we all--librarians and secretaries I mean.  The rest of you would be lost without us!

Now for the answers to the questions in the intro of this post:  The 1972 Newbery Winner was Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH by Robert O'Brien, a great book with some action, talking rats, and humor.  Yes, undergrads can take a course for grad credit as long as they are seniors who have applied for graduation and have applied to graduate school and there's another form to fill out and yes, I will email you the form, and sure, I can run it to the grad office for you, and okay, I'll pick up some coffee for you too (this really does feel like my day sometimes).  A book with a blue cover about a witch-try Well Witched by Frances Hardinge or Weather Witch by Shannon Delaney, although I would recommend the former as it has more action and less romance, and is a stand alone book.  Finally, you're voicemail isn't working because a server went down over two months ago resetting all of our voicemails, and I've told you twice to set-up your voicemail again, but you don't follow directions, but sure, I'll email you the instructions again.

It's a never-ending job!

Itty Bitty Cubbie Bear

I've told the story before about my conversion to the Cubs.  Love will make you do crazy things!  Even crazier, we are going to raise our little Alice Rose a Cubs fan.  There are many good reasons for this.

1.  It's family tradition.  Doug's 100 year old grandmother (yep, Wrigley and Grandma Erickson hit the century mark in the same year) is a big Cubs fan, so you have to uphold the tradition.  In fact, his whole family are such big Cubs fans that they nearly hit the roof to see me in my Cubs maternity tee this summer.  It's very easy to fit in with the Ericksons-just be a Cubs fan.

2.  Being a Cubs fan is the ultimate show of humility.  Rarely is the team in the off-season, and even when they are, it's short-lived.  There's nothing wrong with being the underdog, but when you're the constant underdog, you have to be humble.

3.  Cubs fans are in it for the experience.  There's really something to be said for being a Wrigley fan.  Going to a Cubs game is not all about winning or losing, it's about going to the ballpark, having a good time, watching some baseball.  It's about more than the game.

The little bear above is modeling the Cubs apparel that we have so far-just a sun hat and bib.  I didn't want to spend a ton of money of Cubbie bear clothes since Ali will be a late-July baby, and likely won't get in on much of the season.  My hubby can't wait to take her to her first game though-likely next year already if he gets his way.

While I'm trying to reign myself in and not buy too many clothes and toys for Ali, it's a little difficult when you start seeing all of the darling stuff out there!  Here's my round-up of too cute baby stuff from Fanatics, a great website for all things sport.

I love this Cubs dress!  It's very team oriented without being too much.  The same can be said for the Cubs creeper featuring the little necklaces--it's girly without being pink!  And speaking of necklaces, they make Cubs chew beads!  Perfect for this little mama who plans to wear her baby.  (Wonder if they make Cubs sling wraps?  That may just be an untapped market!).  Finally, who doesn't love a Cubs lovie?  I am in favor of lovies in all varieties, but this one is extra special.

Who knows what type of Cubbie Bear Ali will be?  Maybe a little girl that only has a passing interest, or maybe baseball won't be her thing at all.  Although, I bet she comes to love watching the games with her daddy.  Let's just hope my hubby can tone down the commentary when she's around.

How do you pass the fandom along?  Let me know!

Five Things: Soccer and Date Night

5 Things to Brighten Your Day

Despite the BS that May Get in Your Way

1. Only two weeks until my due date!  Or, three weeks until my doctor takes pity on me and induces me.  One way or another, I'm getting a July baby!

2.  I'm loving the World Cup.  It's such a great way to spend the afternoon, with ESPN Gamecast open next to my spreadsheets.  But yesterday I had to stream the game live--I just couldn't believe the beat down Germany gave to Brazil.  Don't mess with the motherland!

3.  I scored a great galley on NetGalley this week and I can't wait to start it.  Covert reading time is seriously in my future.  I'll have to do some serious multi-tasking to read it and stay on top of todays Argentina-Netherlands match up.

4.  When you live in a small town, the morning news mostly consists of farm reports and municipal meetings, so I've started watching Boy Meets World everyday at 6:00 am.  Doug just rolls his eyes at me, but then I remind him that it's better than my watching Buffy the Vampire Slayer at 6:00 am and having nightmares.

5.  Doug has a happy hour meeting today, so I'm meeting him for a dinner date afterwork.  These days are numbered so I plan to enjoy it.

Five Things: Friday!

5 Things to Brighten Your Day

Despite the BS that May Get in Your Way

1. Vacation Bible School wrapped up last night, and while I wasn't in charge, I still volunteered, so I'm very happy that it's over!

2.  As a reward for surviving four days of work, then VBS, I had hot chocolate this morning and it was bliss.  Can't wait for coffee though.

3.  There was a random deer grazing on the grass surrounding the parking lot today.  I tried to get a picture, but I was too far away and didn't want to spook it.  Nice little calm sighting to start the day.

4.  I posted six (6!) book reviews in a row!  I think I might deserve a medal, or at least another hot chocolate.

5.  It's Friday and that's enough.

5 Things: Lunch Date

5 Things to Brighten Your Day

Despite the BS that May Get in Your Way

1. I can tell that today will be best spent doing busy work and rocking out to Pandora radio.  This might even be the kind of day to curate a new station.

2.  The fact that I get to leave work early today to go to the dentist entirely makes up for the fact that I have to go to the dentist.  Unless he tells me I have a cavity, in which case, I should have stayed at work.

3.  I have a lunch date today with my hubby and the dog.  Exciting stuff!

4.  The Kindle reading app on my computer.  Helping me covertly pass the time since 2012.

5.  After seven weeks, we're finally done with the doctor recommended birthing classes.  I was not a fan, so if you are given the option to take them, do yourself a favor and just watch 20+ hours of birthing videos online and you will essentially have the same experience.  Or, just go with the flow because when your pregnant, the birth is going to happen whether or not you take the class.

5 Things: Rainy Days

5 Things to Brighten Your Day

Despite the BS that May Get in Your Way

1. Pre-8 am Ke$ha.  It's just ridiculous to hear a party song on the way to work.  

2.  I'm a farmer's daughter, so I know that a well-timed rain is a beautiful thing, and while those mowing hay are a little irked by it, we're dry and need the rain for the crops.

3.  Today I will make my fourth donation to Locks of Love.  I'm so ready to get my hair cut after two years of growing it out.  If I were smarter, I would cut my hair in March and have nice, short, cool hair all summer long, but I'm not that smart, so getting it cut in early summer will have to do.

4.  There's another Kate Spade flash sale, but I'm only window shopping!  My Visa is still in recovery from all of the little things that we are picking up here and there for our new arrival.  

5.  Yesterday was my first day volunteering at Colchester Library!  It was a drive-by story time of sorts, but so much fun.  There were about 30 kids gathered on the lawn outside the library, which happens to sit on a busy highway, and did I mention there was an alpaca?  There were plenty of things competing for the kids' attention, but most of them were engaged with the stories.  Yesterday was Wacky Pets so I read One Cool Friend by Toni Buzzeo and The Day Jimmy's Boa Ate the Wash by Trinka Hakes Noble.  Better yet, I've been asked to do a little more next week, so I'll add a book and another activity. That's all fine with me!

Here's What I Haven't Been Telling You

For the past nine weeks, my life has been in turmoil and I haven't known how to verbalize it to anyone. When I wrote my Recalculating post, I alluded to some detours ahead, but that's all I've been able to say on the subject.  I feel like now is the time to come out and inadequately say what has been happening in the past weeks.

On April 11, my mom was diagnosed with recurrent uterine cancer that was inoperable and incurable.  At the time, I was 6 months pregnant and faced with losing my mom before my baby was born.  Nothing is more heartbreaking or unfair or terrifying than that type of news.  I've thought over dozens of different ways to tell this story, but I can finally tell it now because I have a silver lining.

Mom's abdomen was a mass of cancerous tumors.  I can't get into the medical-ness of it all right now because I don't totally understand it, but what she has is very rare.  It's a type of cancer that is more commonly found in the ovaries, not the uterus.  That she had it at all was rare, that is came back is even more so.

Right after her diagnosis, she starting taking a treatment that was meant to slow the progression of the tumors.  We weren't given a lot of information at the time because this was a new drug and the doctor did not know if it would be effective.  We just found out that it has been effective.  Incredibly so.  Mom's tumors have shrunk 80-85%.  This drug only has a 30% success rate.  If it hadn't worked, mom would likely not be here today.  But since it has worked, she'll likely meet my daughter, see her baptism and sneak in thousands of kisses.

This is still not a cure.  The end result of this disease will still be the same.  Mom will never be cured.  But, we've been given so much more time.  Time that we can use to be together, have more laughs, make more memories, share more stories.  It's still hard, but when she told me yesterday that she likely has six months or more, I cried knowing what that will mean for my family.

I still feel like a tangled mass of emotions, pregnancy plus family hardships will do that to you.  It's difficult working through this type of anticipatory grief, but I'm not grieving today.  I'm rejoicing!  This news is so incredible that I can't believe how we've been blessed.  I still need to focus on everyday and be happy for every opportunity, but it's great to know that I'll have more opportunities with my mom than I first thought.  It's so wonderful to have her with us.

Deep breath.  Today is a beautiful day, today we are thankful.  Today I know that my mom is doing well, that my daughter is kicking, and that near future is bright.  That's good enough for me.

5 Things: Peace and Quiet

5 Things to Brighten Your Day

Despite the BS that May Get in Your Way

1. With this week's storm outbreak, I'm really thankful for our finished basement.  We just slept down there rather than try to listen for sirens and storm warnings.  

2.  Where would I be without online shopping?  I'd probably have more money and less random stuff, but buying baby shower presents would be a lot less fun!

3.  It's so quiet around here!  I need to soak it all up because it won't last for long.

4.  Today's Thursday and that means Resistance Band Workout Day!  I like doing resistance band training at work, mostly because it gets me out of my chair, even if it kinda makes me feel like a little old lady to do it.

5.  When you're pregnant, you're not allowed any vices so you have to find a way to splurge when you can.  My latest obsession-lemonade!  I usually water it down so I'm not shocking by baby with sugar, but it's still great after a long day.

5 Things: Found It!

5 Things to Brighten Your Day

Despite the BS that May Get in Your Way

1. Great long weekend in Chicago.  Doug's grandma turned 100 years old on Thursday and we helped her celebrate.  Then we stayed in Chicago and enjoyed the weekend with plenty of good food and family time.

A sidenote about the above picture:  it's hard to get everyone to look great in one photo with five cameras running at the same time.  Also, I'm not that pregnant.  The camera adds like two babies.  

2.  After two short work weeks, I'm back to a five day week, but, I do have three various appointments this week (I'm trying to fit everything in before the biscuit comes) so I have three shortened days.  I'm easing back into this full time thing!

3.  Is there any better feeling than sleeping in your own bed after being away?

4.  Yes there is!  It's sleeping late in your own bed after being away, even if only for a little while.

5.  I completely thought I'd lost my summer story time booklist this morning, which would mean starting over on my story times that start next week, but I found it all tucked away in my wallet, by really important things like the business cards I never hand out and store loyalty cards for places I never go to.  You have to keep the important stuff safe!!

My First Baby Shower

More baby stuff.  Sorry for those of you that are still somehow under the impression that this is a book blog.  It will be again someday, but first, let's talk baby shower!

It's fitting that I spent my first unofficial Mother's Day weekend at a baby shower.  It was held at my parent's church, my home church, where I was baptized, confirmed, and married, and we had quite the turn out as you can tell from the table full of gifts in the above picture.  The women in attendance were mostly women that I've know all my life.  This is small country church where I'm related to practically everyone by blood if not by bond.  And they've been my parents lifelong friends and support, so it was very special.

It was a celebration of all things pink!  Little Ali Rose never had a chance at being a tomboy (although if my dad has anything to say about it, she will be!), and we received several darling outfits that will make her a very well-dressed baby.  Thankfully there was nothing too over the top, like some crazy ruffly dress or giant, flowery headband.  Mostly it was very practical and adorable stuff I can't wait to use.  

Here's a basic run down of what we received:  lots of diapers of varying sizes, safety equipment like latches and such, health products like wipes, lotions, detergent etc., several nice baby blankets, a Noah's Ark quilt, handmade afghan, play swing, two bathtubs (apparently she's going to be a dirty baby), changing pad, a manageable amount of toys, likely over 20 outfits (I'm going from memory here), diaper bag, and lots of love!

And this is what our car looked like for the drive home.  There's no doubt that we are having a girl!

I'd like to point out a couple of things here.  First, we didn't bring our Lucy beagle on this trip because we thought we might need the cargo space--we were right!  Second, I don't look pregnant in this picture at all!  And third, in the back of the shot, you'll see a pink bucket sticking out.  That was likely my husband's favorite gift.  It's actually from my dad.  There's a store called Rural King down home and the week before, you got 10% off everything you could put in that pink bucket.  Doug is already looking forward to a photo shoot with Ali Rose in the bucket.  And that's going to be her bucket, because apparently every baby needs a bucket.  

Now for a before and after of the nursery:

Before the shower:  Simple gray and purple walls, curtains that really need to be switched out, handmade rocking horse.

After the shower:  Holy Pinkness Batman!

By now I've cleared out the bags and boxes, washed and put away all the clothes, and made up the bed.  I still need curtains, art, and a chair, but it's getting there.  I'll likely put up a picture when it's all finished.  

Here's a picture of the growing, multi-generational family:  Doug and I, my parents Keith and Diane, and my mom's parent's Ray and Janet.  This will be my parent's second grandchild and first granddaughter, and my grandparents sixth great-grandchild and girl number 4.  We like the ladies over here!

Thank you to all of the loving families at Augsburg Lutheran Church!  Thank you for being so supportive of my family through the years, and thank you for always welcoming us back.  A church is more than a building, it's a community and family that you are always a part of, and I'm so blessed to have been raised at Augsburg.