Lit.

It is already the middle of January and each day, March 2nd gets a little bit closer. I am now 33 weeks pregnant and although he cannot tell me so, Sprout has become quite accustomed to his cozy amniotic home. His frequent flips, flops, and kicks continue to highlight my day and constantly remind me that in just a matter of weeks we will finally be able to meet him. (Speaking of which, the mystery of his due date is quite exciting. Sure, he's due on March 2nd but he could earlier. Or later. I love surprises.)

As his mother, I cannot help but marvel over Sprout's growth. We first saw him at an ultrasound when I was just eight weeks along - when he truly was nothing more than a "little sprout." Since then we have had three more ultrasounds and have been amazed to see him form into a baby. I am only starting to comprehend the joy each parent must feel when their child is born; when they are able to meet each other face to face.

You can imagine that as new parents Rob and I have been experiencing a mixture of emotions. Right now we have both been happily caught up in the all-things-baby. On January 1 we made big steps to feather our nest and put Sprout's crib together. This simple piece of furniture has made his imminent arrival all the more real and now we are beginning to accept the realities that will come with parenthood. I anticipate sleepless nights, early mornings, and many, many, diaper changes. Above all though, I admit I nervous about the guesswork that accompanies a newborn.

Thankfully, I do not have to combat my fear on my own. Rob and I both have been catching up on our baby literature. I never thought I would be the kind of person to devour books that present hypothetical situations and scenarios but I find myself drawn to them. Admittedly, there is no way that I will remember everything I have read especially when I am becoming acquainted with own my baby, who will have his own personality and his own little set quirks. But, I hope that I will have gleaned some useful kernel of information somewhere along the line - even if it is merely through osmosis.

So, fellow mommies, what are your favorite baby books? Which ones did you find to be the most useful and which ones would you recommend to a first timer?

Consumed.

My blogging attentions have been diverted for the past several days by an old friend...

Yes, I know that I am revealing my inner-geek by confessing my Potter-adoration but I cannot deny that these books are seriously addicting.  On a whim I picked up The Deathly Hollows on Sunday and I literally have not been able to put it down.  When I have not been at work or asleep I have been glued to my couch, curled up in a down comforter, and reliving Harry's final adventure.  I have even gone so far as to read late into the night by flashlight so Rob can sleep and I can keep reading (does that sound familiar, Beaner?). Add this in with the blustery October weather and you have a recipe for what I like to call "good book weather" where all I want to do is stay inside, devote myself to a book, and enjoy the coziness of the season.

For me, reading these books is like flipping through my adolescence. I grew up with Harry.  My impressionable teenage years were spent eagerly awaiting the books each summer and watching the movies in the fall.  And as you can see, my enthusiasm has not lessened over the years...In fact it has probably only been enhanced as I have reread them.  Specific memories are attached to each book and it spans from my 8th grade year to my early twenties.  These books were read in my room, others were poured over while I was in Rexburg, Alaska, or D.C.  The last four were accompanied by tears others were accompanied by outbursts of laughter and delight.  While reading Harry I learned how to drive, made lifelong friends, met Rob, and got married.  I had adventures of my own but these books were always a constant source of anticipation, excitement, and curiosity. 

Although I read it last summer with the rest of world, I obviously read this book too fast to absorb the details.   Now that I am experiencing it the second time I realize that along with providing an entertaining read, these books have given me a mental vacation of escape.  The world is completely fictional but the events, the deaths, the lives are all real to me because I equate them to specific periods of my life.  And now each twist and turn in The Deathly Hollows is new, each death (of the many) is equally traumatic, and the story is even more gripping than I remembered.  I am so sad that I no longer have these books to look forward too each summer.  Pathetic, yes, but true nonetheless. I will miss reading about Harry.

So now I am left with a book void.  I know that many of you will recommend Twilight, but does anyone have a good book that they can recommend?