Sunday, October 30, 2011

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This Week in Mommyhood

The biggest thing going on around here is the fact that Cati's sick yet again. Poor baby. While I love the extra snuggles and cuddles I get, I hate that I'm getting them because she's sick and needs my comforting. I took Cati to the doctor but he only confirmed what I knew: she's going to be getting sick a lot this year because of school. One good thing out of her doctor's visit is that I got an update on her growth. She's grown in both height and weight but what really impressed me was the fact that she grew an inch since her 18-month visit and she's now a solid 2 ft 9 in. Just thinking about Cati in feet instead of inches is so cute to me.
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I haven't been able to keep up with her word acquisition because the girl is literally repeating everything she hears. I am stunned with how much she knows and how well she has gotten at expressing herself. Even with all the new words, there are still some things I don't understand and I feel so bad when she gets frustrated because I don't understand her. Either way, I love this stage in her development because we get to have little conversations and she's not shy in demanding me to do certain things (my favorite is "mama sit" or "sientate").

As for Baby D, I have finally reached that point in the pregnancy where I look pregnant to strangers or people who I haven't told I'm pregnant. My favorite was when one of the girls in my class asked me if I was pregnant the week before. I've said it once and I've said it before, but it amazes how un-pregnant I feel. I know I am pregnant and I am doing things to stay healthy but it's like an afterthought. I'm so focused on (or distracted by) school, Cati, and my home life that I don't have much time to reflect on the pregnancy. One day this week Alex asked me if I talk to this baby like I talked to Cati and I felt guilty saying no and explaining that I didn't talk to this baby because I spend most of my talking-time talking to Cati. I simply find it impossible to do the same things now that I did when I was pregnant with Cati. I pray Baby D can forgive me for this slight mommy indiscretion.

At least the amazing thing now is that Cati is aware of my pregnancy. If you ask her where the baby is she will point to my belly and if you ask her what's in my belly she will say "nene." Hopefully this means she'll like having another baby around. 

Life is full of adjustments and I'm hoping we can all adjust to a new family member with as much smoothness and ease as possible.
Stephanie

Friday, October 21, 2011

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52 {Books} in 52: The Lover's Dictionary

I don't even remember how I came across this book. Did I read about it somewhere? Did it pop up in an Amazon search? A library search? Who knows. All I do know is that I read the synopsis of the book and thought it would be an interesting read. The book literally follows the style of a dictionary with different words from A to Z at the top of a each page and an entry about love that describes the meaning of the word. It's like reading the intimate journal of a person who has fallen desperately in love with someone whom he didn't think could love him back but does and the pain that is caused by her revelation of a love affair.

In a book that takes you an hour to read, you are drawn into this love story gone wrong and into the vulnerability of someone who loves too much and too hard to end things. It's poignant and meaningful reminds you how complicated love is and how impossible it is to package all your feelings into that four-letter word.

Here's what I've read for my 52 {Books} in 52 challenge:

1. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
2. Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
3. Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins
4. Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen
5. Bad Mother: A Chronicle of Maternal Crimes, Minor Calamities, and Occasional Moments of Grace by Ayelet Waldman
6. Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Jane Austen and Seth Grahame-Smith
7. The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger
8.  Misery Loves Cabernet by Kim Gruenenfelder
9.  The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson
10. Are You There Vodka? It's Me, Chelsea by Chelsea Handler
11. Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater
12. Best Day of Someone Else's Life by Kerry Reichs
13. The Girl Who Played With Fire by Stieg Larsson
14. The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest by Steig Larsson
15. Linger by Maggie Stiefvater
16. The Weight of Silence by Heather Gudenkauf
17. Sundays at Tiffany's by James Patterson
18. Chelsea Chelsea Bang Bang by Chelsea Handler
19.  The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein
20.  Bossypants by Tina Fey
21. Dead Reckoning by Charlaine Harris
22. Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt
23. Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy by John Le Carré
24. The Adoration of Jenna Fox by Mary E. Pearson
25. Maze Runner by James Dashner
26. Now You See Me by S.J. Bolton
27. The Magicians by Lev Grossman
28. The Help by Kathryn Stockett
29. Ship Breaker by Paolo Bacigalupi
30. Bras and Broomsticks by Sarah Mlynowski
31. Frogs and French Kisses by Sarah Mlynowski
32. If You Were Here by Jen Lancaster
33. The Lover's Dictionary by David Levithan
Stephanie
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52 {Books} in 52: If You Were Here

If you have never heard of Jen Lancaster you need to look her up now and pick up one of her books. Most of her books are memoirs but I promise you all of her books will make you laugh until it hurts. If You Were Here is Lancaster's first attempt at fiction writing and what impressed me the most was how she managed to make something like renovating a dilapidated house into an interesting topic for a book. Maybe it's that the protagonist, Mia, was a writing for a Twilight-like zombie teenage romance series, or maybe it's the obsession with all things John Hughes, or maybe it really was all the crazy things that happened to Mia while renovating her house (getting stuck in a panic room? check! finding your husband soldered himself in under your bathroom? check!) but the book was so entertaining that I found myself laughing out loud so often. Lancaster managed to turn something that is normally reserved for an HGTV show into something you could actually read and enjoy.

Note: Judging by some of the reviews on Amazon.com, this book might not be the best introduction to Lancaster so if you do choose to look into her I recommend reading her first memoir, Bitter is the New Black.


Here's what I've read for my 52 {Books} in 52 challenge:

1. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
2. Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
3. Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins
4. Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen
5. Bad Mother: A Chronicle of Maternal Crimes, Minor Calamities, and Occasional Moments of Grace by Ayelet Waldman
6. Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Jane Austen and Seth Grahame-Smith
7. The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger
8.  Misery Loves Cabernet by Kim Gruenenfelder
9.  The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson
10. Are You There Vodka? It's Me, Chelsea by Chelsea Handler
11. Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater
12. Best Day of Someone Else's Life by Kerry Reichs
13. The Girl Who Played With Fire by Stieg Larsson
14. The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest by Steig Larsson
15. Linger by Maggie Stiefvater
16. The Weight of Silence by Heather Gudenkauf
17. Sundays at Tiffany's by James Patterson
18. Chelsea Chelsea Bang Bang by Chelsea Handler
19.  The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein
20.  Bossypants by Tina Fey
21. Dead Reckoning by Charlaine Harris
22. Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt
23. Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy by John Le Carré
24. The Adoration of Jenna Fox by Mary E. Pearson
25. Maze Runner by James Dashner
26. Now You See Me by S.J. Bolton
27. The Magicians by Lev Grossman
28. The Help by Kathryn Stockett
29. Ship Breaker by Paolo Bacigalupi
30. Bras and Broomsticks by Sarah Mlynowski
31. Frogs and French Kisses by Sarah Mlynowski
32. If You Were Here by Jen Lancaster
Stephanie
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52 {Books} in 52: Frogs and French Kisses

Frogs and French Kisses by Sarah Mlynowski is the follow up to Bras and Broomsticks. This book picks up right where Bras and Broomsticks ended but in this book the antics are even greater. Mom, who was once a non-practicing witch has turned into a witch with a huge problem, Miri is still dabbling in magic that's above her skill level, and Rachel is still egging Miri on while trying to fit into high school now that she's back on the Z-list.

In this book, another easy read, the theme about spells having consequences are carried over and you finally get a good idea of the full scope of those consequences. The personal disasters of the first book are magnified to the point where you see how magical misfires affect strangers and society as a whole. Again though, even though you know the spells will end badly, you still wait to see the hilarious outcome of the spells. Two things I really liked about this book were how Rachel actually matured making her less of an annoying heroine and how perfectly the author captured the cruelty of people, especially high school kids. Overall though, this is another fun and light read that makes you want to grow it up a little by drinking a pina colada while you read.

Here's what I've read for my 52 {Books} in 52 challenge:

1. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
2. Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
3. Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins
4. Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen
5. Bad Mother: A Chronicle of Maternal Crimes, Minor Calamities, and Occasional Moments of Grace by Ayelet Waldman
6. Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Jane Austen and Seth Grahame-Smith
7. The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger
8.  Misery Loves Cabernet by Kim Gruenenfelder
9.  The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson
10. Are You There Vodka? It's Me, Chelsea by Chelsea Handler
11. Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater
12. Best Day of Someone Else's Life by Kerry Reichs
13. The Girl Who Played With Fire by Stieg Larsson
14. The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest by Steig Larsson
15. Linger by Maggie Stiefvater
16. The Weight of Silence by Heather Gudenkauf
17. Sundays at Tiffany's by James Patterson
18. Chelsea Chelsea Bang Bang by Chelsea Handler
19.  The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein
20.  Bossypants by Tina Fey
21. Dead Reckoning by Charlaine Harris
22. Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt
23. Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy by John Le Carré
24. The Adoration of Jenna Fox by Mary E. Pearson
25. Maze Runner by James Dashner
26. Now You See Me by S.J. Bolton
27. The Magicians by Lev Grossman
28. The Help by Kathryn Stockett
29. Ship Breaker by Paolo Bacigalupi
30. Bras and Broomsticks by Sarah Mlynowski
31. Frogs and French Kisses by Sarah Mlynowski
Stephanie
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52 {Books} in 52: Bras and Broomsticks

After a string of serious books, I wanted something fun to read. I came across Bras and Broomsticks by Sarah Mlynowski during an Amazon search and I am so happy I did because this book was the epitome of easy, light, and fun to read. The book follows 14-year old Rachel as she discovers her sister is a witch and as she tries to navigate the world of high school. Every time Rachel's sister, Miri, does magic it's a disaster but the consequences are so entertaining so want them to continue their magical attempts.

You will literally breeze through this book. It does get annoying at times because of how much Rachel cares about the A-list and how selfish her motives are for everything but not only is the world made right by the end of the book but you also forgive her when you remember what it was like to be 14 and want to fit in. Rachel is funny and shallow but her experience as a freshman in high school and her desire to fit in makes her endearing. She's not the herione you'd root for but Mlynowski captures the essence of those teenage years and you really can't help but root for her. This book made me thankful to have those dreadful teenage years behind me!

Here's what I've read for my 52 {Books} in 52 challenge:

1. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
2. Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
3. Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins
4. Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen
5. Bad Mother: A Chronicle of Maternal Crimes, Minor Calamities, and Occasional Moments of Grace by Ayelet Waldman
6. Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Jane Austen and Seth Grahame-Smith
7. The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger
8.  Misery Loves Cabernet by Kim Gruenenfelder
9.  The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson
10. Are You There Vodka? It's Me, Chelsea by Chelsea Handler
11. Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater
12. Best Day of Someone Else's Life by Kerry Reichs
13. The Girl Who Played With Fire by Stieg Larsson
14. The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest by Steig Larsson
15. Linger by Maggie Stiefvater
16. The Weight of Silence by Heather Gudenkauf
17. Sundays at Tiffany's by James Patterson
18. Chelsea Chelsea Bang Bang by Chelsea Handler
19.  The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein
20.  Bossypants by Tina Fey
21. Dead Reckoning by Charlaine Harris
22. Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt
23. Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy by John Le Carré
24. The Adoration of Jenna Fox by Mary E. Pearson
25. Maze Runner by James Dashner
26. Now You See Me by S.J. Bolton
27. The Magicians by Lev Grossman
28. The Help by Kathryn Stockett
29. Ship Breaker by Paolo Bacigalupi
30. Bras and Broomsticks by Sarah Mlynowski
Stephanie
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52 {Books} in 52: Ship Breaker

Ship Breaker by Paolo Bacigalupi is the story of Nailer, a teenage boy of the future who scavenges ships for copper, and his journey to helping a rich, shipwrecked girl get back to her family before the wrong people get their hands on her. But before this happens, Nailer makes the decision to spare the girl's life instead of letting his friend, Pima, kill her off so that they could claim her wreck of a clipper ship as their own. In a time when there isn't much to live for, Nailer shows the ultimate form of humanity and this one choice spirals into the adventure of his life.

Ship Breaker was a book I had a little trouble getting into, but once the shipwrecked girl appeared I couldn't put the book down. Like most of the other young adult books I have read, this book buzzed with tension and a darkness that seemed to reach into your heart. My only problem with the book was wanting to know more about how the world came to be the way it was and if the author thought something more could have been done to prevent it from it's downward dive. Regardless, the book ends with what I felt was a fair ending, which I guess you can say was a happy ending.

Here's what I've read for my 52 {Books} in 52 challenge:

1. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
2. Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
3. Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins
4. Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen
5. Bad Mother: A Chronicle of Maternal Crimes, Minor Calamities, and Occasional Moments of Grace by Ayelet Waldman
6. Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Jane Austen and Seth Grahame-Smith
7. The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger
8.  Misery Loves Cabernet by Kim Gruenenfelder
9.  The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson
10. Are You There Vodka? It's Me, Chelsea by Chelsea Handler
11. Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater
12. Best Day of Someone Else's Life by Kerry Reichs
13. The Girl Who Played With Fire by Stieg Larsson
14. The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest by Steig Larsson
15. Linger by Maggie Stiefvater
16. The Weight of Silence by Heather Gudenkauf
17. Sundays at Tiffany's by James Patterson
18. Chelsea Chelsea Bang Bang by Chelsea Handler
19.  The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein
20.  Bossypants by Tina Fey
21. Dead Reckoning by Charlaine Harris
22. Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt
23. Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy by John Le Carré
24. The Adoration of Jenna Fox by Mary E. Pearson
25. Maze Runner by James Dashner
26. Now You See Me by S.J. Bolton
27. The Magicians by Lev Grossman
28. The Help by Kathryn Stockett
29. Ship Breaker by Paolo Bacigalupi
Stephanie
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52 {Books} in 52: The Help

I read The Help by Kathryn Stockett over the summer before the movie came out. This just goes to show you how behind I am in updating my book list on here. I won't go into the plot details because I'm sure most people have either read the book or seen the movie by now. And if not, I'm sure everyone knows what the book is about. Instead, I will just share my thoughts.

I first heard about this book through my friend Lauren. She said it was a good and thought-provoking read. She was right. The story transports you to 1960s Jackson, Mississippi, a time when blacks and whites were separated and any talk of equality was ignored or shut down. Through the story you get to walk in the shoes of a privileged white woman and of the black women who work as maids. You learn about love, entitlements, classism, racism, loyalty, and fear. You see the world as gray, boundaries as rigid, and connections that today you wouldn't bat at eye at. The story is compelling and eye opening. The characters are richly developed and the transformation they go through is both small and monumental. In the end, the book leaves you in awe of the women who fought for something they felt was right despite all the signs that said it was wrong and despite all they could lose. The biggest lesson of the book is that sometimes you need to speak up to bring awareness, even if that voice remains anonymous. Change won't happen unless someone takes a leap of faith.


Here's what I've read for my 52 {Books} in 52 challenge:

1. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
2. Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
3. Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins
4. Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen
5. Bad Mother: A Chronicle of Maternal Crimes, Minor Calamities, and Occasional Moments of Grace by Ayelet Waldman
6. Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Jane Austen and Seth Grahame-Smith
7. The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger
8.  Misery Loves Cabernet by Kim Gruenenfelder
9.  The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson
10. Are You There Vodka? It's Me, Chelsea by Chelsea Handler
11. Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater
12. Best Day of Someone Else's Life by Kerry Reichs
13. The Girl Who Played With Fire by Stieg Larsson
14. The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest by Steig Larsson
15. Linger by Maggie Stiefvater
16. The Weight of Silence by Heather Gudenkauf
17. Sundays at Tiffany's by James Patterson
18. Chelsea Chelsea Bang Bang by Chelsea Handler
19.  The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein
20.  Bossypants by Tina Fey
21. Dead Reckoning by Charlaine Harris
22. Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt
23. Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy by John Le Carré
24. The Adoration of Jenna Fox by Mary E. Pearson
25. Maze Runner by James Dashner
26. Now You See Me by S.J. Bolton
27. The Magicians by Lev Grossman
28. The Help by Kathryn Stockett
Stephanie
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52 {Books} in 52: The Magicians

The Magicians by Lev Grossman is another book I came across because of a review I had read on it. I was intrigued by what Amazon.com described as "Mixing the magic of beloved children's fantasy classics with the sex, excess, angst, and anticlimax of life in college and beyond." Was the book about real magicians living amongst normal people? Magicians who aren't awed by their powers?

The story follows Quentin as he becomes a trained magician, deals with the reality of being a magician, and as he confronts the notion of fairytale and the world of the fantastical Fillory books. The book does not necessarily explore the ugly side of magic, but it's more like the book explores the realistic side of magic. Magic is not this amazing gift that enhances your life; magic is this thing that makes you realize how boring and uninteresting life can be. This is definitely not a book for children as sex and drugs are rampant. The book gets you thinking about multiple dimensions, time, and the lives you are willing to risk in the name of the perceived good. Overall, The Magicians was a good read but I was left feeling like Quentin does at the end: kind of empty and like I had lost a sense of awe in wonder in the thought of magic.


Here's what I've read for my 52 {Books} in 52 challenge:

1. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
2. Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
3. Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins
4. Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen
5. Bad Mother: A Chronicle of Maternal Crimes, Minor Calamities, and Occasional Moments of Grace by Ayelet Waldman
6. Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Jane Austen and Seth Grahame-Smith
7. The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger
8.  Misery Loves Cabernet by Kim Gruenenfelder
9.  The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson
10. Are You There Vodka? It's Me, Chelsea by Chelsea Handler
11. Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater
12. Best Day of Someone Else's Life by Kerry Reichs
13. The Girl Who Played With Fire by Stieg Larsson
14. The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest by Steig Larsson
15. Linger by Maggie Stiefvater
16. The Weight of Silence by Heather Gudenkauf
17. Sundays at Tiffany's by James Patterson
18. Chelsea Chelsea Bang Bang by Chelsea Handler
19.  The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein
20.  Bossypants by Tina Fey
21. Dead Reckoning by Charlaine Harris
22. Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt
23. Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy by John Le Carré
24. The Adoration of Jenna Fox by Mary E. Pearson
25. Maze Runner by James Dashner
26. Now You See Me by S.J. Bolton
27. The Magicians by Lev Grossman
Stephanie
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52 {Books} in 52: Now You See Me

Now You See Me by S.J. Bolton was a book I became interested in reading after reading reviews of it in the newspaper. The story centers around a London-based cop, Lacey Flint, and her connection to a string of murders that mimic the famous Jack the Ripper murders. With her knowledge about the murders and her secret past, Lacey must struggle to not only find the murderer but also to protect herself from having her secrets known.

Now You See Me is an incredibly intense book with graphic scenes and is hard to put down. Bolton weaves twists with ease and fluidity. You never know what to think about the Lacey and even when everything is explained, you still don't know. Is she a hero? A pawn? Is she to blame? Solving the mystery of the book is an intriguing as trying to solve the mystery of who Jack the Ripper was. Just when you think you have a handle on things and a good theory to go on with, something else is revealed and you are left trying to reconfigure the puzzle pieces. Truly a captivating and suspenseful read.

Here's what I've read for my 52 {Books} in 52 challenge:

1. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
2. Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
3. Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins
4. Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen
5. Bad Mother: A Chronicle of Maternal Crimes, Minor Calamities, and Occasional Moments of Grace by Ayelet Waldman
6. Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Jane Austen and Seth Grahame-Smith
7. The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger
8.  Misery Loves Cabernet by Kim Gruenenfelder
9.  The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson
10. Are You There Vodka? It's Me, Chelsea by Chelsea Handler
11. Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater
12. Best Day of Someone Else's Life by Kerry Reichs
13. The Girl Who Played With Fire by Stieg Larsson
14. The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest by Steig Larsson
15. Linger by Maggie Stiefvater
16. The Weight of Silence by Heather Gudenkauf
17. Sundays at Tiffany's by James Patterson
18. Chelsea Chelsea Bang Bang by Chelsea Handler
19.  The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein
20.  Bossypants by Tina Fey
21. Dead Reckoning by Charlaine Harris
22. Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt
23. Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy by John Le Carré
24. The Adoration of Jenna Fox by Mary E. Pearson
25. Maze Runner by James Dashner
26. Now You See Me by S.J. Bolton
Stephanie
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52 {Books} in 52: Maze Runner

After reading The Hunger Games books I got really into the young adult genre. I like to read all kinds of books, but the young adult ones seem to be the most enjoyable. I picked up Maze Runner by James Dashner because I got an email saying it was similar to The Hunger Games. The book is all about the a maze full of teenage boys and the main character is a teenage named Thomas. All the boys in the maze have no recollection of their life before the maze and, despite the mystery of their surroundings, they have managed to survive and make a living in the maze. Things begin to change after a girl unexpectedly arrives in the maze a day after Thomas arrives. Everything is turned upside down and what was once a semi-safe and predictable surrounding, turns into something that desperately needs to be solved so that lives can be spared.

The book was good but it I felt it had the potential to be so much better. It took me a while to get into the book so I felt like I had trouble even connecting with the characters and the story. This book is a part of a trilogy and the book ends with an opening for the next book but I don't think I'll be reading the next books. I just wasn't captured by the story or intrigued enough to want to follow along in the journey.

 Here's what I've read for my 52 {Books} in 52 challenge:

1. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
2. Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
3. Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins
4. Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen
5. Bad Mother: A Chronicle of Maternal Crimes, Minor Calamities, and Occasional Moments of Grace by Ayelet Waldman
6. Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Jane Austen and Seth Grahame-Smith
7. The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger
8.  Misery Loves Cabernet by Kim Gruenenfelder
9.  The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson
10. Are You There Vodka? It's Me, Chelsea by Chelsea Handler
11. Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater
12. Best Day of Someone Else's Life by Kerry Reichs
13. The Girl Who Played With Fire by Stieg Larsson
14. The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest by Steig Larsson
15. Linger by Maggie Stiefvater
16. The Weight of Silence by Heather Gudenkauf
17. Sundays at Tiffany's by James Patterson
18. Chelsea Chelsea Bang Bang by Chelsea Handler
19.  The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein
20.  Bossypants by Tina Fey
21. Dead Reckoning by Charlaine Harris
22. Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt
23. Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy by John Le Carré
24. The Adoration of Jenna Fox by Mary E. Pearson
25. Maze Runner by James Dashner
Stephanie
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52 {Books} in 52: The Adoration of Jenna Fox

The Adoration of Jenna Fox by Mary E. Pearson is a book about Jenna Fox, a teenage girl who wakes up from a year-long coma and has trouble remembering her past. She has no trouble quoting things she would have learned in school, but she draws a complete blank when it comes to her personal life. Jenna begins the search of uncovering the truth and revealing the secret to what happened to her and what she finds out along the way is a remarkably troubling question: how far are you willing to go for the one you love?

The story occurs in the future and you get a glimpse of the medical possibilities and of all the ethical issues we may face. For me, the book was a bit unsettling and it palpitated with underlying tension. I felt a discomfort that increased the more I read and didn't go away once I was done with the book. This book didn't leave me with a happy ending; instead, it left me with an ending that had me thinking about life, what is living, and what you are willing to do to keep life going.

Here's what I've read for my 52 {Books} in 52 challenge:

1. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
2. Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
3. Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins
4. Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen
5. Bad Mother: A Chronicle of Maternal Crimes, Minor Calamities, and Occasional Moments of Grace by Ayelet Waldman
6. Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Jane Austen and Seth Grahame-Smith
7. The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger
8.  Misery Loves Cabernet by Kim Gruenenfelder
9.  The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson
10. Are You There Vodka? It's Me, Chelsea by Chelsea Handler
11. Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater
12. Best Day of Someone Else's Life by Kerry Reichs
13. The Girl Who Played With Fire by Stieg Larsson
14. The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest by Steig Larsson
15. Linger by Maggie Stiefvater
16. The Weight of Silence by Heather Gudenkauf
17. Sundays at Tiffany's by James Patterson
18. Chelsea Chelsea Bang Bang by Chelsea Handler
19.  The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein
20.  Bossypants by Tina Fey
21. Dead Reckoning by Charlaine Harris
22. Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt
23. Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy by John Le Carré 
24. The Adoration of Jenna Fox by Mary E. Pearson
Stephanie

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

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Chicken Pesto Pizza

Chicken Pesto Pizza
I've said it before, but one of the things I have been craving a lot throughout this pregnancy is pizza. I think I could eat it every day and not get tired of it. I love and want pizza in all its incarnations. This particular recipe was simply divine. Like, lick-your-plate divine. I had pre-made tomato sauce in the fridge from the last time we made pizza so this pizza came together very quickly. All I really had to do was boil a chicken breast in water, wine, salt, and pepper, and assemble.

Chicken Pesto Pizza
Source: Adapted Your Home Baked Mom

1 cup precooked shredded chicken
4-5 Tablespoons Pesto
Pizza Dough (store-bought or homemade)
Tomato Sauce
Shredded mozzarella cheese
Grated fontina cheese

Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil. If using store-bought pizza dough, prepare dough according to instructions. Either way, place the pizza dough on the baking sheet.

Mix pesto with shredded chicken. Add a layer of sauce to the pizza dough then top with pesto chicken and cheeses. Feel free to make it as cheesy or as saucy as you like it. 

Place in oven and bake for about 15 minutes or until cheese is bubbly and lightly browned and the edges of crust are golden brown.

Remove from oven and let it cool for a few minutes before slicing. Serve and enjoy!
Stephanie

Monday, October 17, 2011

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Boston Trip

Our trip to Boston was almost a month ago and I have been meaning to write about since we got back. I honestly didn't think I would miss Boston after we left, but going back made me realize how much I DO miss it and how great of a city Boston really is. If it weren't for the eternal winters and the price of living up there, I don't think I'd mind living there again. I also don't think I could do without in-house laundry facilities and readily available parking spaces, but that's just me being particular.
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Anyway, going back for two days was such an odd experience. It felt so weird to be walking around and going to all the places we used to go to as tourists instead of residents. We walked by our old apartment building and were both tempted to try to get into the building to knock on the door of our old apartment. It's so hard to believe we lived in 250 sq ft for four years! Now that we have a house, I can barely remember how we managed it.
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The city has changed so much. My brain could not wrap itself around the changes that have occurred over the last two years. I know things changed while we were there but it all seemed so gradual. When we went back, our favorite restaurants had moved around and, even more shockingly, the street that we walked nearly every day of our Boston lives was redone, remodeled, and full of lively and approachable new businesses. We used to always say that particular area needed some updating so it was a shock to see how much was updated in two years when not much was done in the four years we had lived there.
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Also, amazingly different to me was how child-friendly the city has become. The city has definitely shifted gears toward catering to families with small children. I kept telling Alex that I didn't know if it was me going back to Boston as a mother, but I noticed more families and more children. So this is part of the reason I could imagine us living there again because I could picture us living there with our kids.
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Not only were we worried about leaving Cati for a weekend, but we were worried about making the right dining choices. We flew in Saturday morning for a wedding Saturday night and then we flew out Sunday afternoon so we only had two meals to figure out. I know it seems silly to worry about two meals, but with so many favorite places to revisit it was hard for us to narrow it down to places that would truly capture why we loved Boston's dining scene so much. In the end we kept it simple and went with two of our go to places.
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For lunch Saturday we went to the first place we fell in love with. The place that made us believe in the greatness of burgers: Abe & Louie's. Alex and I only went there for burgers on special occasions because they were  pricey, but those burgers are, in my opinion, the best burgers in the city. Because this was a special trip, there was no doubt we should go back to our dining roots and back to the place that held a special place in our hearts. I can still remember the first time we went to Abe & Louie's and how we walked through the aftermath of the season's first winter storm to eat there. Memories.
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On Sunday we headed into the North End, bought cannolis from Modern Bakery (I prefer them over Mike's), and then ate prosciutto and mozzarella paninis at Express. The North End is a part of the city that has barely seen any change. Hanover looks almost exactly the same as two years ago and it made me wish we had more time to eat!
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One thing that put me to shame was how much my legs hurt on Sunday. We spent a good chunk of Saturday walking across the entire city. This is a walk that we did every weekend. I dressed comfortably and wore sneakers (the same I wore two years ago!) and while I didn't feel tired during our walk, my legs hurt like a mother the next day. I'd like to think it's because of the added pregnancy weight, but I know better.
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And now the reason we were in Boston in the first place: Edgar and Sarah's wedding. Edgar was my boss for three years while I worked in property management. He was my closest friend in Boston and is still a close friend today. He started dating Sarah our last year in Boston and we got to meet here before moving down and I was beyond thrilled when he told me he was engaged. Edgar is such a good guy and I'm so glad he found The One.
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So that's our trip in long, drawn out nutshell. It's fun to think that Cati was conceived while we lived in Boston and we returned to Boston pregnant with Baby D.
Stephanie

Sunday, October 16, 2011

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This Week in Mommyhood

I survived this week! I feel good about my paper and my test and, more so, I feel good about being able to accomplish everything while caring for Cati. Alex was on vacation but he had a presentation to do for work so he might as well have worked for how un-vacation-like this week was for him. I hate that this vacation was so busy and stressful because we didn't really get to do anything fun as family. Cati still went to school because of all the work we had to do, so I feel bad that we didn't do anything new and exciting. She did, however, get a daddy-daughter day on Friday so that was new and exciting for her (and Alex!).
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Here are some fun Cati developments from the last few weeks:

Language Explosion. Cati is in the repeat everything stage of her language development. It's so amazing to see how much her vocabulary has grown in the last few weeks. It's not just the new words, but also her putting little phrases together. I love that she is learning more and more words, but at the same time I get sad because she is learning how to properly say certain words, cat for her used to me "meow meow" and now it's actually "gato."

Pumpkin Patch Field Trip. Last year we went to The Little Farm pumpkin patch but Alex couldn't go because he was on call. This year, I order Cati's costume early and it got here on time for us to make a trip out to the pumpkin patch. It was so cute to see Cati actually know what animal was what. We tried to get her to ride on a pony but she was having none of it. We also tried to get her to take pictures in the pumpkin patch but the straw freaked her out and, again, she was having none of it.
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Speaking of Costume. I felt pretty uninspired with the costume choice this year. Last year Cati had two costumes, poodle and cupcake. This year, nothing stood out or really excited me. I ended up buying her a Pebbles costume because it was cute and she does look pretty adorable in it. The only problem is that she would rather see the bone hair clip in my hair than hers.
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Here are some fun Baby D developments:

Karate Kid. If it weren't for the back pain and the rounding of the belly I wouldn't think I was pregnant. That is, up until the past week or so. I didn't feel the flutters or bubble gum popping this time around and at this point with Cati I was feeling her move a lot. This baby seems to be calmer and is definitely not afraid of taking jabs at me.

A Proper Child. I have had two anatomy ultrasounds and this kid is refusing to let us know the sex. The technicians have told us what they think it is, but until I get a clear shot and a 100% confirmation of the sex we're staying mum on the sex. Our immediate family knows what the sex may be and that's it. Surprisingly enough, I haven't been as stressed out or as anxious as I thought I would be. I figure we'll have or get everything we need in time. With that said, I still hope the baby is more showy when I go back for another ultrasound in a few weeks.

A Healthy Child. Other than not showing the goods, the baby is healthy and looking good. There is something going on with me which I'm trying not to get too bummed about or stressed out over until it's confirmed. Having a baby is a blessing and having a healthy baby is a double blessing so I'm trying to focus on that right now.

Baby Weight. I don't know how because I certainly don't look it but I gained 10lbs between appointments. No wonder my back has been hurting so much! I'd like to think that it's because I'm making up for all the weight I lost in the beginning and that most of the weight is in the ever growing boobs, but I know better. It's all that pizza! The doctor reassured me that it was ok so now I'm trying to be more mindful of what and how much I eat. I don't remember how much I had gained with Cati at this point but here are some belly pictures of me at a similar time in both pregnancies:
Baby D
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Cati
19 weeks pregnant
Definitely more of a belly this time around. Or at least more of a rounder belly.

Here's to surviving the past few weeks and to surviving the upcoming weeks. It's still shocking to think that I will be a mom of two next year!
Stephanie

Saturday, October 15, 2011

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Strawberry Popsicles

Cati has an interesting approach to fruits. Some fruits she likes fresh and some fruits she likes only in the frozen-then-thawed variety. If I try to give her a fresh blueberry or cherry she won't eat it, but if she gets her hands on the frozen-then-thawed blueberries or cherries she can eat the whole bag in two sittings. I tried to see if she would eat the frozen-then-thawed strawberries but she refused. That left me stuck with three bags of frozen strawberries.
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Luckily, there are enough strawberry recipes out there (like these cookies!). I wanted to make something a little different and thought this recipe for Strawberry Popsicles was the perfect thing to fit that desire. I'm not a fan of strawberries but I will tell you that I was a fan of these popsicles. Alex even said they were better than the store-bought popsicles, which is a huge compliment since these are so easy and fun to make.

Strawberry Popsicles
Source: Baked Bree
Makes 6 large popsicles

3 cups fresh (or frozen, thawed) strawberries, hulled and halved
1/2 cup honey or agave syrup
3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

In a food processor, or blender combine the strawberries, honey and lemon juice. Process until smooth. Pour puree into molds and put in freezer. Freeze until solid, at least 4 hours.
Stephanie

Friday, October 7, 2011

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Strawberry Shortcake Cookies

 Strawberry Shortcake Cookies
I might just be losing my mind. Next week is a big week for me. I have a paper due and a midterm exam. This week has been spent confronting my fears about being in school after so long. Ok, the reality is that I only took a two year break from school, but one and a half years of those two years were dedicated completely to Cati. After spending this time immersed in mommyhood and the city of Baby Talk, I am completely terrified that I don't have enough brain cells left to function at an educational level. I'm terrified that my brain simply cannot be book smart anymore. I would give you a list of things that prove I'm not completely mentally with it, but it's just plain embarrassing and I've had enough people laugh at me already over my airheadedness so we won't even go there.

To combat this anxiety, I baked some cookies. As a sign of how anxious I really I am, I baked cookies I knew wouldn't appeal to me. Right now I need to be praised and comforted to make up for all the insecurities I'm feeling. What's a better way to do that than to bake up some Strawberry Shortcake Cookies that are guaranteed to get you compliments? I took a batch of these cookies to class and they were a big hit. Alex ate most of the ones I left behind and my mother-in-law and our babysitter took some home. I'm not a strawberry fan so I had to rely on others to tell me if the cookies were good. People kept saying the cookies made them want strawberry ice cream. I don't think I have ever seen cookies get eaten up as quickly as these did.
 Strawberry Shortcake Cookies

Strawberry Shortcake Cookies
Source: Martha Stewart
Yields 2 dozen cookies

12 ounces strawberries, hulled and diced into 1/4-inch pieces (about 2 cups)
1-2 teaspoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
1/2 cup plus 2 Tablespoons granulated sugar
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
3 ounces (6 Tablespoons) cold, unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
2/3 cup heavy cream

Preheat the oven to 375. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.

Combine strawberries, lemon juice, and 2 Tablespoons of granulated sugar in a medium bowl. Set aside.

Whisk together the flour, remaining sugar, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl. Using a pastry cutter, cut in the butter to the flour mixture until coarse crumbs are formed. You can also use your fingers. Stir in the heavy cream until the dough starts to come together, then gently fold in strawberries.

Using a 1-1/2 inch cookie scoop, drop dough onto cookie sheets, evenly spaced apart. Sprinkle with coarse sugar. Bake for 22-27 minutes, or until cookies are golden brown. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. The cookies are best eaten the same day.

Glaze
1/2 to 3/4 cup powdered sugar
1 Tbsp lemon juice

Combine ingredients in a bowl and mix until smooth.
Stephanie