books – Baby KERF

New Favorite Books!

We read a ton of books – before every nap and bedtime. Our collection is a combination of gifts, hand-me-downs and books my mom knows from her writing circles and sends to us. Here are some of our very favorites!

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How Do Dinosaurs Say Good Night?

Every book in this series is awesome! My mom actually knows the author! Mazen loves dinosaurs and so these are some of his favorite books. My mom just got us How Do Dinosaurs Eat Their Food? and it’s hilarious! We also have the small board book version of Clean Their Room? and Play with Their Friends? All fabulous!

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LMNO Peas

Mom also sent this one because of my dad’s name of Pea and because we didn’t have a good alphabet book. The peas inside are doing all kinds of activities and they are so cute! Mazen loves to point out the peas.

Orla Kiely Numbers

I bought this book when I was pregnant because it’s Orla and obviously beautiful. It has been great for introducing counting because the objects (elephants, pears, houses) are really clear and neatly organized on the page, so it’s obvious what I am pointing to when I count them. Mazen knows how to count by pointing to each thing on the page, but we’re not counting up to 10 yet : )

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Llama Llama Hoppity Hop

We love all of the Llama Llama books, but this one is Mazen’s favorite. He likes to go through the motions we invented with us, especially the biiiiig huuuug at the end!

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Potty

Mazen has started to show some signs of being ready for potty training, so I figured we should get a potty book. I bought two – the above and this one. Potty is hilarious and Mazen is fascinated with it!! As soon as I finish the last page he says “Mo! Mo!” {more} The Potty Book for Boys, however, he could care less about. Go figure!

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The Complete Adventures of Curious George

Mimi and Papa got Mazen this book and he LOVES it. He loves all things Curious George in general, and this book is story after story of George’s adventures. Mazen listens right along.

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Richard Scarry’s Cars and Trucks and Things That Go

This book is craaaaazy fun! There are a million and one kinds of truck inside and we stare at them for hours. I don’t even have to read the words (which are small) – we just stare at the pages and point out funny things on wheels.

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Goodnight Moon

And of course the classic! M loves the moon so this book is one of his favorites. He loves the details (the giraffe and elephant on the shelf) and I think he likes how soothing the words are.

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My Big Dinosaur Book

More dinosaurs! This one is packed with big photos of dinos in all their glory. Maze loves to read this one.

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Diary of a Wombat

My cousin Caroline lives in Tazmania and she sent us this book. It is hilarious!!!! It follows the life of a wombat as told by the wombat herself. “Morning: Slept. Afternoon: Slept. Evening: Found something to scratch again.” SO cute!

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Red Truck

Man oh man have I read this book 100 times this year! PULL Red Truck with all your might, PULLLL! M points out red trucks and school busses around town now.

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Little Gorilla

One of our all-time favs, Mazen still loves it. On the page where the grandmas and grandpas and aunts and uncles are mentioned someone (likely my mom) must have pointed out all of our family members because there are certain gorillas that Mazen knows by name –

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What are your favs?

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29 Weeks: New Additions For The New Addition

Just a few new things we’ve gotten!!

First off, a wonderful collection of books from my grandmother!! Some great classics – The Polar Express, Amelia Bedelia, The Lorax, The Little Prince, The Giving Tree, Mother Goose…and some great ones I haven’t read before too! It’s never too soon to start reading “big boy books.” : )

Also from my talented grandmother – this cute painted chair!

She had 4 of them – a butterfly, grasshopper, frog and snail – that she did for her church and passed them on to us this past weekend.

Matt’s Father’s Day gift!!! I asked him what he wanted and he said “something primate” for the baby. I was having a hard time finding a monkey that was “us.” When I saw this at the Seattle Fremont Market I HAD to buy it!!

Matt aka Kanz is named after KANZI the bonobo, but we joke that his stride mimics a Neanderthal like the creature here. I think the creature is technically a bigfoot, but we’re going to pretend it’s a Neanderthal. (Plus he was an Anthro major in college and loves Neanderthals in general : ) )

Lastly, my friend Lara gave me these little shoes that she used on her boys a few times. They are just like the Great Harvest logo!! Might be a year or more before our baby can wear them, but I will keep them tucked away!

PREVIOUS 29 WEEK POSTS

PREVIOUS WEEKS

28 Weeks: Book Worms

As much as I love the idea of reading, I wouldn’t call myself a reader. I find it kind of hard to sit still and focus for more than 20 minutes or so at a time. I’d much rather read a fiction book with a great plot, watch a documentary or listen to a pregnancy podcast than devote a few hours (days?) to reading a non-fiction book from cover to cover.

However, I also want to sponge it up with information before the baby comes, as I’ve heard that once he is here I won’t have time for reading! Many moms have told me to read the books now – even the ones about the months beyond newbornhood.

I don’t believe that parenting is entirely intuitive. Some parts definitely are, but others require having a strategy and being informed. I’ve heard over and over that breastfeeding isn’t as natural as one might think, for example. I asked a child development counselor if she thought parenting is more intuitive or learned and she said absolutely learned. That it takes practice and education. So I want to read up as much as possible. The problem is finding the will to do so before a situation arises so I feel prepared and not overwhelmed at the time. It was always hard in college to do the reading before attending the lectures…

The following are books that I have in my possession that were recommended to me to read. Honestly, I’ve only read half of Ina May – and I haven’t touched the rest! I only have one trimester left, so I better get going. I’d love to hear your thoughts on these books and others you found invaluable during your parenthood education (or lack there of!) There are SO many books to choose from out there, and so many different views on the subject. What should I read and what is better to brush up on but not pour into?

Ina May’s Guide To Childbirth

LOVE this book. Ina May totally boosted my confidence in my body. Every pregnant woman should read it. So much good mental stuff plus lots of great physical information too in the second half. I’m packing this in my hospital bag for some read-aloud motivation!

Womanly Art of Breastfeeding

I have heard this is the best of the best when it comes to understanding breastfeeding.

No Cry Sleep Solution

I listened to this podcast and this book was recommended. The information in the podcast was incredibly informative, and I imagine the book will be too.

Bradley Method

I wanted to read a book on natural childbirth, so this was the one I chose (in addition to Ina May). I haven’t even cracked it open, and I’m not sure how it will apply to our situation since we haven’t taken Bradley classes. I imagine I’ll focus on the techniques and skim the rest.

Happiest Baby On The Block

I’ve heard tons of women recommend this. I also have the DVD to watch!

What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Children’s Vaccinations

A friend recommended this to me. It’s written by a doctor and she said it was a great middle-of-the-road, informative read.

Child of Mine: Feeding with Love and Good Sense

This was recommended by the same child development counselor as the ultimate “food rules” book for parenting. What I know about its contents makes a lot of sense to me [see this post for more info]. I should read it now…but will probably save it for solid food introduction era.