meredithw20's review against another edition
5.0
Quietly lovely, sweet, peppered with tiny moments of eviscerating emotion. A read-while-walking book -- I wanted to be in her weird pukey poopy happy horrible world so much.
bethebookworm's review against another edition
4.0
When I was reading this book my husband kept giving me startled looks... understandably because I kept busting out laughing. Something about the way Catherine Newman writes is unbelievably hilarious without being hurtful to anyone. She is somehow very tender towards her family, a strong voice herself, and consistently able to express the funny side of things.
As a hoping-to-become parent who spends a lot of time with kids, I really enjoyed all the little idiosyncrasies of two and three year olds she portrays so well, as well as all the craziness of being a mother. This book may have a bit too much breastfeeding, vomiting and temper tantrums for your average guy to enjoy, but on the other hand it could be great encouragement for guys whose pregnant or nursing wives seem just a tad crazy.
The only really odd thing about this book is that it was from a blog, which makes for a type of this-just-happened past tense that is a little startling at first. The time frame of the book is not consistent, because it was written in the moment and then edited presumably months or years later. I've read several bloggers-turned-authors lately, and I don't think it is a bad thing, but it can make things flow a little oddly. Its more like reading a series of letters from a very newsy friend than like reading a memoir. The good thing about reading a blogger-turned-author is that now I can read the blog and find out how Ben and Birdy are doing these days!
As a hoping-to-become parent who spends a lot of time with kids, I really enjoyed all the little idiosyncrasies of two and three year olds she portrays so well, as well as all the craziness of being a mother. This book may have a bit too much breastfeeding, vomiting and temper tantrums for your average guy to enjoy, but on the other hand it could be great encouragement for guys whose pregnant or nursing wives seem just a tad crazy.
The only really odd thing about this book is that it was from a blog, which makes for a type of this-just-happened past tense that is a little startling at first. The time frame of the book is not consistent, because it was written in the moment and then edited presumably months or years later. I've read several bloggers-turned-authors lately, and I don't think it is a bad thing, but it can make things flow a little oddly. Its more like reading a series of letters from a very newsy friend than like reading a memoir. The good thing about reading a blogger-turned-author is that now I can read the blog and find out how Ben and Birdy are doing these days!
herlifewithbooks's review against another edition
4.0
I read Newmans's second book first, but now I am kind of obsessed with these two sweet little kids, Ben and Birdy. Save for too many saggy boob jokes, this is a great memoir about parenting young kids.
teepee7's review against another edition
4.0
Hilarious writing. Great descriptions of preschoolers, pregnancy, OBs and newborns.
kkamin3's review against another edition
4.0
This book expressed many of the neurotic feelings I have had about another new addition coming into my life. Well, Cosetter isn't three, and won't experience the jealousy portion, but sometimes, I want to scream, "AHHHH! What was I thinkiing?" But there are moments with Cosette that are surreal, and I admitting-ly would want more children.
amysbrittain's review against another edition
5.0
Just reread this book about waiting for a second child to be born. Newman is so funny and sweet and odd, I just love her voice. Wish it were longer.
katiez624's review against another edition
5.0
Charming, refreshing, and utterly delightful. The author gives an account of her second pregnancy, how it differed from her first and having her toddler going through it with her.
Her writing is engaging and humorous and represents the motherhood experience authentically. The adventures she has with Ben, her toddler, are amusing and totally relatable as I have a funny, silly toddler of my own. I really enjoyed getting to know her little family, and I'm looking forward to her next book, [b:Catastrophic Happiness: Finding Joy in Childhood's Messy Years|26030709|Catastrophic Happiness Finding Joy in Childhood's Messy Years|Catherine Newman|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1451861395l/26030709._SY75_.jpg|45956882].
Her writing is engaging and humorous and represents the motherhood experience authentically. The adventures she has with Ben, her toddler, are amusing and totally relatable as I have a funny, silly toddler of my own. I really enjoyed getting to know her little family, and I'm looking forward to her next book, [b:Catastrophic Happiness: Finding Joy in Childhood's Messy Years|26030709|Catastrophic Happiness Finding Joy in Childhood's Messy Years|Catherine Newman|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1451861395l/26030709._SY75_.jpg|45956882].
kimwin35's review against another edition
5.0
For books about being a parent, this is my favorite author. Catherine Newman captures the essence of parenting in an inspiring way. I laughed out loud a lot. I loved the book so much that I stopped about 50 pages in so I could start over. Her writing style is one I really enjoy. She has a weekly blog that I'm archiving. This book originated from a weekly blog she wrote for a parenting website, and the online format is mostly the same as the book, with a lot less swearing--the only drawback.
jenunderhill's review against another edition
4.0
I have always loved reading articles by Catherine Newman in magazines, so I thought I'd try her book. It was a tender, thoughtful, laugh-out-loud story of one year of her life as she is pregnant (and gives birth to) her second child. Really fun. She never fails to make me laugh and also take time to appreciate all the little (and big) things that go along with a life with kids.