How good books are like ex-boyfriends

This thought has been going through my head and I'm not sure I can explain it in a way that makes sense to anyone but me. But, I need help and some recommendations of good books so here we go.

I keep going back to the same old books. I have read and reread and reread some more so much that I have books memorized. I have this horrible habit now of going to a certain point, reading a few pages, remembering that I liked a different point IN THE BEGINNING OF THE BOOK and then skipping to the end.

Case in point: the Twilight Saga. These aren't even very good books. I love the story, not the psychological-book expert-ripped to shreds-ABSTINENCE-STALKING-story, but the story that two people are meant to be together and work through seemingly impossible scenarios to do so. I like love stories like that. I'm also a Danielle Steel fan. Sorry. I love romance. Perhaps it's because I've only ever been "serenaded" once (apologizing in advance if that particular person reads this and curses the word) and it wasn't by my husband (hint, hint, Todd) and I'm severely lacking the spontaneity of ridiculous romance. I love my husband and accept the fact that I will never have to fly to exotic places to keep him from say, sparkling himself to death :( (thank you, Amy, for that wonderful selection of words!)

This is where the ex-boyfriend reference comes to play. Now, I'm speaking generally, not specifically as I was and am monogamous and have never done the break up-get back together 800 times. In the early days of young love, when things are perfect and there are no problems is the first read through. Then, you reach the end of the book, break up and maybe date around. Switch genres, maybe play around with other books by the same author (dating friends of the ex...) but eventually you return to the original boy, I mean book. You're comfortable, and accept each other's flaws, and it's okay if the 100th time in you drop him in the bathtub. Does this make sense?

Now, I need a new boyfriend. I want new books. In the last year, I've been very busy lazy with reading new stuff. I'm somewhat specific with this so hear me out. I do not read books with eleventy-billion characters. No LoTR or from what I understand, Game of Thrones. I rage quit two chapters in and get frustrated that I can't keep similarly named characters straight. (seriously, though, I have read the intro chapter to LoTR SEVERAL times and I still don't know what the hell is going on-I'm a big supporter of reading the books before seeing the movies but I'm gonna pass on that one.) I am not a fan of classics. I think the oldest book I've read was Little Women or perhaps Anne of Green Gables. I will do any genre but when it comes to non-fiction I am a bit picky. I like to escape into the book world, not relive history. However, I will read non-fiction if it has to do with Russian history or is a personal account of historical events. I like fantasy and romance and YA books. I will read just about anything as long as it's interesting.

Please recommend your favorite authors and/or books and I will give them a try. Especially now that I have figured out how to borrow from the library on my Kindle. (I haven't actually done it yet, but I think I understand how.)

Thanks all!

One of those moments

I had one of those moments today. The moment when you're so overwhelmingly glad to be a parent to such an amazing kid.

It was after lunch and I took Jack upstairs for his nap. We have a pretty set routine for nap and bedtime and Jack loves it. We always read a story and there is a pile of books next to the rocker. He chooses a book (usually Toy Story, but that was out in the hall) and today it was "Love You Forever." He began to climb up in my lap and I said, "don't you need Kitty? And Moo-Cow? What about your blanket?" He looked around and found his blanket gave it to me and then grabbed Kitty from his crib and meowed and ran across the room.

Then I said, "if you're not going to sit with me, I will just have to read to Moo-Cow" and began to read the book.

He ran over to me, said "mooo!" and climbed in my lap. He grabbed his cow and the book from me, opened it and began babbling. I almost cried because it was such an awesome moment. I'm raising a reader!

I am so lucky to be his mommy!

Dear Tooth

I feel you there, on the top right gum of my innocent baby's mouth. I can feel how stretched and tight you are making the tiny space as you attempt to force yourself through. I ask that you do it a bit quicker and possibly less painful.

I appreciate that my son will eventually need you but would you mind not being such a dick when pushing through his horribly sensitive gums? Today has been one of the worst teething days we have ever experienced. I can only hope that every one of his tantrums in the last two days is because of you and when you finally do push through things will get better. I am not ready for the terrible twos yet.

I wish you would encourage your buddies to join you so that this is a quick process. Every other tooth has emerged with a friend and so far, with you, this does not seem to be the case.

Thanks,
Mommy and Daddy

P.S. It does not make sense that you are more painful than the four massive molars he pushed through a couple of months ago. Practically all at one time. It doesn't make sense.

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Jack is now 19 months old. This month has been exciting for us. He now knows ears, eyes, honk (nose) and mouth. He enjoys cottage cheese and climbing over any obstacle he can find. Literally. He's climbing out of his crib, over his rocking giraffe, the sit and spin and the couch arms, he has begun throwing tantrums and seems to have developed a severe case of selective hearing. The last couple of weeks have been the most trying on Todd and I as parents.

Time outs. I don't know if I am doing them properly. I give chances. Jack gets a NO, which he responds to at first. Second time is a NO followed by removing the child from the situation and the third results in a mild smack on the hand (unless it's a dangerous situation i.e. GRABBING THE STOVE-in which case there are no first or second warnings.) When that doesn't work, he gets held restraint style in my arms for about 90 seconds. It doesn't hurt him, but certainly pisses him off.

We've never really had to discipline him much. Our house is EXTREMELY baby-proofed. I have had my Christmas tree up for nearly 6 weeks and he has just discovered that there are shiny things on it? It doesn't make any sense. I know that toddlers will be toddlers BUT he has been so good up until now. Honestly, it would be one thing if he tore different ornaments off the tree, because then he would be testing boundaries. But it's the SAME ornament. No, I'm not just going to take it off the tree because it's not a big deal that he's taking them off as much as the tree has nearly tipped over a couple of times from the force of his yanking. I don't want to remove the problem, I want him to respect boundaries. The cats have been better with the tree this year than the baby. Very strange.

Oh cats. Penguin seems to have finally noticed that there is a baby in the house. Over the last couple of days, he chewed through Doggy's wire (the dog that barks and walks,) tried to eat the cord on a tub toy, munched on other various Jack toys. I don't know what's gotten into him. I think it's because it's winter and usually winter means kitties get to snuggle with humans all day long and the baby interrupts that with his petting. He's not aggressive, he's not grabby or pokey. He just LOVES to touch the kitties and gets a kick out of it when Zelda or Strider respond. However, it seems as though Jack understands that Penguin is not his biggest fan and beyond knowing that Penguin is a cat and therefore meows, he has begun to leave him alone. It makes me somewhat sad. I don't know why Penguin is afraid/dislikes Jack because Jack has never done anything harmful towards him. Maybe it's just because the baby is getting bolder and doesn't give up as easily?

It doesn't help matters that I've been sick the last couple of days. I am super achy, fatigued, had a fever yesterday and have a cough and mild sore throat. I thought it might be the flu but it just seems to be the same thing I keep getting over and over again. My sinuses are blocked. I keep pushing my flu shot off because I've been constantly sick for the last few weeks. I hate this. I'm pretty sure it's the weather that has been causing it. Or stress. Either way, there's not much I can do to change the weather and the stress is holiday related and should begin to taper off soon. I have of my shopping and wrapping and cards done.