We never left a light on for him at night and he was fine wandering around with all the lights off.  A few weeks ago, I took my boys camping at Bear Lake and Yellowstone, and once it got dark, he told me it was too scary because of the monsters. Tonight he wouldn’t walk up the stairs up to his bedroom because it too was scary.

So what changed?  Why would he all of a sudden be scared?

I’m blaming it all on the camping books that we checked out from the library to prep my boys for the trip.

I must admit that I thought this was a simply brilliant idea of mine.  And my boys thought so too.  They LOVED the camping books.  They had never been camping so were completely clueless on the whole thing.  We read the books each night and then set the tent up in the backyard.  As soon as it was up, they asked for the fire and marshmallows.  They only knew about this activity from the books, so they were playing close attention!

When we went on the actual trip they were beside themselves with excitement and had a fabulous time.  We spent a lot of time at the beach, went boating, cooked over the fire, roasted marshmallows, slept in the tent (highlight for the boys) and saw all the wildlife of Yellowstone.  Might I add here that I did this WITHOUT my husband who instead was at Comi-Con, either I’m really crazy or superwoman.  I survived unscathed, so I’m shamelessly calling myself superwoman.

I can’t help myself.  Must quickly share some photos:

Okay, back to the subject at hand.

I couldn’t help but notice in almost all of the picture books that I read about camping there was a commonality between them:  the woods are so scary and full of monsters that they always run back home to sleep in their backyard instead.

Case in point:

Camping Day by Patricia Lakin with illustrations by Scott Nash.  In this picture book, four crocodiles decide to go on a camp out, grab their things, pack the car and speed off.  They had a great time putting up the tent, roasting smores, singing songs and telling stories.  But as soon as it gets dark they all yell, “Scary!” and huddle in their sleeping bags. They see monster shadows on the tent wall and then . . .

“Let’s scram!” cried Sam, Pam, Will and Jill.  They grabbed their things.  They ran and ran.  They sped away in their small van.
“Stop!” said Sam.  “Safe!” said Pam.  “Home!” said Will.  “Let’s camp!” said Jill.

“ZZZZZZ!” snored Sam, Pam, Will and Jill.

The closing illustration shows them sleeping in the fenced in backyard under the lights of their living room.

Duck Tents by Lynne Berry and illustrated by Hiroe Nakata.  Okay, this picture book is ADORABLE.  My boys loved it so much.  It’s got really cute illustrations and fun text.  This one is slightly different in that the camping is already taking place in the backyard and even so, it’s STILL scary.  There are five ducks and each one is sleeping alone in their own tent (right next to the house in a stone fenced-in enclosure) and the text reads:

Five ducks sigh, full of marshmallow goo.
Five little ducks hear a whoo-whoo-whoooooo.
Ducks all dive for their tents in a row,
Zip up tight, and lie down low.

Two little ducks poke out two beaks.
“I’m not scared,” one little duck squeaks.
“I’m not scared,” quack two, three, four.
The fifth little duck pretends to snore.

Yet five little ducks can’t help but hear
Sounds of the nighttime, loud and clear.
Whoo! Whoo!  Whoooooo!

One by one, four little ducks creep . . .
“Not scared now,” ducks sigh and peep,
And snuggle up tight and drift to sleep.

This last stanza is shown with an illustration of all five ducks snuggled in together in one tent.

Jerome Camps Out written and illustrated by Eileen Christelow. This book was actually a bit above my boys interest level so we only read it once.  But the premise is the same.  Jerome and his friends go on a weekend camping trip with their school and decide to play a trick on somebody by convincing him that there is a monster in the lake.  The illustrations show the boy quivering underneath his sleeping back unable to sleep the entire night because he’s so scared of the lake monster.  The next morning, Jerome finds out that the supposed monster wasn’t as imaginary as he thought.  The ending illustration is that of a monster (a very friendly looking monster actually) waving goodbye from the lake.

Mr. Bear’s Vacation by Debi Gliori.  This is a fun, little book about a family of bears who want to take small bear on her first camping trip.  They pack a picnic, a tent and head out.  Everything is great until it got dark:

“What’s that?” said Mr. Bear.
“What?” said Mrs. Bear.
“That snorting sound,” whispered Mr. Bear.  “Outside, listen . . . ”
The bears fell silent.
Flora’s ears twitched.

“Look,” said Mrs. Bear in a trembly whisper.  “There on the wall.”
“AAARGH!” screamed Mr. Bear.
“It’s a monster!” wailed Small Bear.
“MoooOOOO,” said the monster.

The illustration shows what is really a cow falling into their tent.

“Quick! Let’s go!” yelled Mr. Bear, quickly putting out the fire, stuffing the little bears into the backback, and pulling Mrs. Bear and Flora after him.

They run home and declare that they need another vacation from their vacation.  Again, home is much safer than the outdoors.

Now to be fair.  Of the six books that I got from the library (which I found simply by searching for camping under juvenile picture books) two of them were fine and were not about how camping is scary.  In Let’s Go Camping with Mr. Sillypants by M.K. Brown, Mr. Sillypants sleeps in and misses the start of his camping trip.  The other, Stella and Roy Go Camping by Ashley Wolff, a book mainly about bear safety, was actually my oldest’s favorite of the six because he LOVED learning about all of the animal tracks.  And it paid off too.  During our camping trip, he was on the look out for prints the whole time and was excited when he found them.

SO.  Like I mentioned earlier, while we were camping and after the sun went down, my oldest told me that the dark was too scary and he wanted to go to the tent and sleep.  Fortunately, unlike most of the characters in these books, he was never scared inside the tent.  But being scared of the dark was something that never really occurred to him before we read these books.  The four that I mentioned above all explore the idea that when it gets dark, the monsters come out and they all hightail it back home where it’s safe.

Why would a child think that the dark is scary or that there are monsters under the bed or in the closest?  In my case, they learned it from the picture books.  My boys are still to young to understand the concept that monsters are imaginary.  If a book says that there are monsters in the dark when we camp then it must be so.

Do you think that we teach our kids to be scared when it’s all supposed to be fun and games?  We use books to correct our children’s behavior so to me it makes total sense that they also can teach incorrect behavior as well.  And why in the world do I want to create more work for myself in the future by trying to unteach these behaviors?  Thoughts?

(And on another note, I’m thinking of putting my oldest in preschool and was checking out this list of books for preschoolers compiled by Reading Rumpus.  Many are about being scared and missing mommy.  Perhaps I should avoid those ones.)

This Halloween has been one of the busiest I’ve ever experienced.  I’m barely keeping my head above water.  The kids and I have gone to no less than six Halloween themed storytimes in addition to hosting two parties at my house (one for two to four year old boys, the other for about twenty eight to eleven year old’s), the pumpkin patch, Scarecrow festival, West Jordan trunk or treat, Monter Block Party (where husband won second place in the costume contest – three years straight we’ve yet to lose!), our neighborhood trunk or treat, and an adults only Halloween party.  I think the kids have dressed up everyday for the last two weeks.  I planned on going out today to another event but woke up this morning just plain tired!  My three year old is looking forward to trick or treating for the first time this year.  He finally “got” it.

While hopping from one event to the next has kept me busy,  my husband planned everybody’s costumes.  He started shopping to put together two different versions of his Joker costume since April and also did a fantastic job with the littlest ones costumes, even arranging to have a onsie embroidered.  That’s dedication!

Click on photos to make them bigger.  My husband is scaring everybody and even walks and talks like Joker.  And I have the two cutest superheroes around!

I thought I would share with you a sampling of the books that the libraries chose for their storytimes this past week.  Sadly, I can’t think of the titles of about four of them because I thought there was no way I would forget what they were.  And of course, I’m sitting here and can’t come up with them:

Halloween Bugs:  A Trick or Treat Pop Up by David A. Carter
From the publisher:  Trick-or-treat with David Carter and his Bugs! This is the book David Carter’s Bugs fans have been waiting for–a spine-tingling Halloween celebration. Knock on six different doors–if you dare–to meet the One-eyed Spotted People Eater Bug, The Luscious Lollipop Bug, The Very Hairy Scary Bug, and many more. The graveyard pop-up on the final spread is guaranteed to deliver shivers, gasps, and giggles! Perfect for Halloween parties and trick-or-treaters of all ages.
My thoughts:  Super cute pop up book.  My three year old went up to the librarian and took over the job of opening the panels during story time

Go Away Big Green Monster from Edward R. Emberley
From the publisher:  Caldecott medalist Ed Emberley has designed an ingenious book to help children overcome their fear of monsters. With each turn of the page, a new part is revealed, until all of a big, green monster has taken shape. Then, with the words, “You don’t scare me!, ” page by page, the monster slowly disappears. Full color.
My thoughts: Wow, three year old LOVED this book.  Later during nap time I could hear him up in bed chanting, “Go away, go away!  You don’t scare me!  Too cute.

Boo Who?  A Spooky Lift the Flap Book by Joan Holub

From Amazon:  Invites young children to guess the answers to each rhyming riddle about a jack-o’-lantern, bat, ghost, and other Halloween tricksters that hide behind sturdy interactive flaps.

Snappy Little Halloween from Derek Mathews
From Amazon:  Perfect for kids who are just getting excited about Halloween, this title features a colorful collection of creepy pop-up characters, including a skeleton, mummy, ghosts, vampires, cats, and bats. The silly surprises and tremendous treats will appeal to young hobgoblins and show the fun side of this sometimes scary holiday. As with all the books in the series, this one combines bright kid-friendly graphics with an engaging rhyming text.

Eek-a-Boo! A Spooky Lift the Flap Book by Joan Holub
From the publisher:  Readers can explore spooky creatures in this lift-a-flap Halloween adventure. The oversized flaps are just right for little hands

Five Little Pumpkins by Dan Yaccarino
From Amazon:  Five little pumpkins sitting on a gate.The first one said, “Oh my, it’s getting late.”Get ready for some wicked fun as these five pumpkins run and roll! Toddlers will want to chant along with this popular rhyme again and again. Dan Yaccarino’s vibrant and bold illustrations bring these pumpkins to life with personality and style. Toddlers are sure to laugh out loud as these pumpkins roll out of sight!

We checked out a few halloween themed books from the library this past month.  They are:

Halloween Mice by Bethany Roberts
From Booklist:  A group of costumed mice are frolicking in the pumpkin patch when they heart the swish, swish of a creeping cat. Off they run, but they don’t just turn tail. Using a light and a mask, they throw a shadow that frightens away the cat for good. Simple sentences and lots of onomatopoeia make the text as appealing as the energetic watercolor-and-pen artwork

Happy Halloween Curious George by H.A Rey
From Amazon:  Halloween is here, and Curious George is getting ready for the big night. There are so many costumes to try on, treats to share, and games to play! George has so much Halloween fun picking out the perfect pumpkin, decorating his house, and celebrating with his friends that he’s not sure he’s ready for the day to end. Follow the little monkey through his fun-filled day with this book of poems. Happy Halloween, Curious George is a sweet treat to help Curious George fans of all ages get in the Halloween spirit.
My thoughts: Kids love, love, love this book.  It’s been in the car for two weeks and they look at it every time I put them in.  Three year old loves Curious George and keeps pointing out the pumpkins to me.

There’s No Such Thing as Ghosts by Emmanuelle Eeckhout
Read my full review here.

My First Halloween by Tomie dePaola
From Amazon:  In My First Halloween, Tomie dePaola’s warm illustrations capture the sweet moments of Halloween that become wonderful memories for the family. A 3-D effect on the cover, along with eye-catching foil, make this an irresistible addition to every child’s bag of treats.

My thoughts:  My library account says I have this checked out.  I haven’t seen it since.  Does that happen to you?

I hope everybody has a fun Halloween!  I leave you with a Halloween greeting from my husband:

If you haven’t seen The Dark Knight movie, you probably wouldn’t get it.

One of our favorite pop-up books about dinosaurs is Dinosaur Stomp! A Monstor Pop Up also by Paul Strickland. When we go to the library, my little guy makes a beeline for the hamsters and then for the pop-up books where we always read Dinosaur Stomp!  Another great pop-up book is Flapdoodle Dinosaur by David A. Carter.  Our library also has this one and my little guy loves it.

And of course, let’s not forget Jane Yolen’s wonderful series about dinosaurs which includes How Do Dinosaurs Clean Their Rooms?, How Do Dinosaurs Count to Ten?, How Do Dinosaurs Eat Their Food?, How Do Dinosaurs Get Well Soon?, How Do Dinosaurs Go to School?, How Do Dinosaurs Learn to Read?, How Do Dinosaurs Learn Their Colors?, How Do Dinosaurs Play With Their Friends? and How Do Dinosaurs Say Goodnight?  I’d love to own all of these!  The illustrations by Mark Teague are great.

Another one of my kids favorite series of books is anything by Paul Priddy.  These are the books that my 16 month old ALWAYS pulls out first.  He’s got a great picture book about dinosaurs called My Big Dinosaur Book that feature large bold pictures that will help your child learn their dinosaur names.

Another great series that my kids love is the Usborne Touchy-feely books where babies can feel different textures.  Their favorite is That’s Not My Train and That’s Not My Puppy.  The dinosaur book in this series is That’s Not My Dinosaur by Fiona Watt.  My little guy loves to find the little mouse on each page.

Last but not least, let’s don’t forget Oh My Oh My Oh Dinosaurs! by Sandra Boynton.  You can count on some great illustrations and quirky humor.

These books are all listed in the Maw Books Amazon store.

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So why the dinosaur books?  Because we went to the dinosaur museum this past month!  $2 Tuesdays in August makes it a price hard to pass up.  We went twice.  Once with grandma and grandpa and again with friends.  There they got to see dinosaurs up close, dig for bones and play with sand and water on the erosion table.  Let’s just hope they do the $2 Tuesday promotion again soon because they had a BLAST!

And tell me.  That little one on the right?  Boy or girl?  Because apparently HE is being called a girl everywhere we go even though I always dress him like a boy.  Even with the camo shorts, he’s confused for a girl.  Sigh . . .

Needless to say, within minutes we had the paramedics in the house and we were rushing my little guy to the ER. Apparently, the paint cleaner that he drank got into his lungs, so the greatest risk was his trouble breathing. We got to take another ambulance ride to the children’s hospital where they kept him overnight for observation. It was a long rough night of a lot of hand holding, rocking, and every once in a while getting some shut eye. We’re home now, and the little guy is downstairs with Daddy and little brother watching Thomas the Train. He’s still running a fever and is very agitated at the smallest things.

Speaking of his little brother, wow, I hope everybody has neighbors as nice as mine! The paramedics could hear another baby in the house and said, “We’re loading up right now, you need to find somebody NOW to take your baby.” At that moment, I happened to glance out the front window and our next door neighbor and his teenage son was watching all the activity. I scooped the baby out of the crib, ran across the street, and practically shoved him into his arms. I didn’t even ask if he could actually watch him, said I’d try to call a friend to pick him up. Thank goodness he said absolutely, not a problem. So just like that, in two seconds flat, he was handed off. Anyways, by the time the night was over he’d been to three different neighbors houses, spent the night with one of them, and my sister watched him today. And the neighbors sent over our dinner tonight, plus one promised for tomorrow. They are AWESOME! So thank you.

Remember this post where I said he could get into trouble in no time flat? Seems that I shouldn’t say stuff like that or it will happen! What a week! Since I’ve been away from a computer, I much behind on my blog visiting and responding to inquiries about my Stephenie Meyer giveaway. And even my reading. Reading wise, it’s been my slowest month all year. I hope to catch up this last week. Honestly, I just want to sleep (EDITED TO ADD: I did fall asleep while typing this out. Now it’s being a posted a day later than I wanted. I suppose I should follow my own blogging tips and have a post saved for a rainy day, or in this case, a sick day).

But in honor of our little adventure (and I always bring things back around to books) following is a book recommendation list about visiting the hospital or doctor. If children know what to expect when visiting the doctor, it takes out a lot of the fear and apprehension they may have.

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Curious George Goes to the Hospital by H. A. Rey and Margret Rey

Publisher synopsis: Readers learn all about the hospital as George goes in for an operation to remove a puzzle piece he has eaten. Ages 4-8

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The Berenstain Bears Go to the Doctor by Stan & Jan Berenstain

Dr. Grizzly gives the Berenstain cubs a regular checkup. Ages 4-8.

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Clifford Visits the Hospital by Norman Bridwell

The sign says “No Dogs Allowed!” Despite the rules, Clifford the small red puppy visits the hospital, cheers up the patients, and gets into all kinds of mischief. Ages 4-8.

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Do I Have to Go to the Hospital?: A First Look at Going To the Hospital by Pat Thomas

From Amazon: Books in the popular and growing A First Look At series speak directly to preschool and early-grades kids, encouraging them to explore their feelings and talk to trusted elders about things that bother them. These titles also give them a start in developing basic social skills, as well as explain things that might otherwise make kids anxious. The books are filled with child-friendly color illustrations and easy-to-understand text. This reassuring book helps kids understand that sometimes, when they are sick, it is best that they go to a hospital. They can make new friends, have visitors, get special care from doctors and nurses—and best of all, get well again. Ages 4-8.

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Say Ahhh!”: Dora Goes to the Doctor by Phoebe Beinstein & A&J Studios

From Amazon: Dora and her Mami are going to the doctor for a check-up. The doctor listens to her heartbeat, weighs and measures her and looks in her eyes, ears and throat. At the end, Dora gets a special treat from the doctor. This first experience 8 x 8 story is sure to be a hit with Dora fans who may feel a little nervous about going to the doctor. Ages 9-12

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Franklin Goes To The Hospital by Paulette Bourgeois and Brenda Clark

Franklin’s shell has cracked, and he needs to be a brave turtle when it’s time to go to the hospital. Ages 4-8.

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Gaspard in the Hospital by Anne Gutman and Georg Hallensleben
From the publisher: Gaspard the Dog Walker buys a shiny new race-car key chain with the money he earns walking dogs. When his classmates admire his treasure, Gaspard panics thinking that someone will try to steal it and–oh, no!–swallows his new key chain. Suddenly he doesn’t feel so well. Gaspard goes to the hospital, where he meets the friendly doctors and nurses who make him feel better. Ages 4-8.

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Harry Goes to the Hospital: A Story for Children About What It’s Like to Be in the Hospital by Howard J., M.D. Bennett and M.S. Weber

Addresses what children experience during a hospital stay and how they feel about it. Topics include confusion with so many new people, having to stay in bed for hours, funny smells, stinging needles, and homesickness

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I Don’t Want to Go to Hospital (A Little Princess Story) by Tony Ross

A little princess doesn’t want to go the the hospital. Ages 4-8

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Kevin Goes to the Hospital by Liesbet Slegers

Explain, comfort and make less scary four important moments in a toddler’s life. Bold graphics, friendly faces and a toddler’s-eye view make Kevin a must for little ones just beginning to explore and understand their world. Baby-preschool age.

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My Trip to the Hospital (Little Critter) by Mercer Mayer

When Little Critter breaks his leg in a soccer game, he has to make his first trip to the hospital. Follow brave Little Critter as he rides in an ambulance, meets the doctor, and gets his first X-ray and his first cast. Ages 4-8.

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Maisy Goes to the Hospital by Lucy Cousins

From Amazon: One day as Maisy is bouncing on her trampoline, she bounces a LITTLE too high. Oh, no! What will happen after she falls and hurts her leg? Maisy’s friend Charley goes with her to the hospital, where X-rays, a cast, and an overnight stay ensue. Maisy feels strange to be away from home, but a friendly patient soon helps her feel better. Little readers will be relieved and intrigued to share a memorable — and perhaps familiar — experience with Maisy. Ages 4-8.

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Miffy in the Hospital by Dick Bruna

When a sore throat brings Miffy to the hospital, she quickly discovers it’s not as scary as she had feared. This gentle tale will be a comfort to any small child who dislikes being ill or visiting the doctor. Ages 4-8.

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Paddington Bear Goes to the Hospital by Michael Bond, Karen Jankel, R. W. Alley

From Amazon: Oh, no! Paddington Bear has hurt his arm, and he’s having trouble remembering just how it happened. The Browns are worried enough to take Paddington on his first trip to the hospital. From the moment he arrives on a stretcher with wheels, which he thinks is “very good value:’ to the end of his overnight stay, Paddington takes it all in with curiosity and wonderment … along with a little apprehension! But the kind nurses and doctors, and even the patients themselves, help Paddington see that the hospital isn’t as scary a place as it first seems. At the end of this gentle, reassuring story, Paddington’s arm is set straight and so is Paddington when he discovers that even the hospital food isn’t as bad as he thought it would be! Baby- preschool

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A Visit to the Sesame Street Hospital by Sesame Street

“Grover, his mother, Ernie and Bert visit the Sesame Street Hospital in preparation for Grover’s upcoming tonsillectomy. The familiar characters change an unfamiliar hospital into a place to be trusted, and many typical questions are discussed. Valuable.”–School Library Journal. Ages 4-8

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SpongeBob Goes to the Doctor by Steven Banks

SpongeBob has come down with a bad case of the suds and he’s afraid to go to the doctor. But when being sick means having to miss a day of work at the Krusty Krab, SpongeBob must face his fear. Ages 4-8

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This Is a Hospital, Not a Zoo! by Roberta Karim

From Booklist: Filbert MacFee loves the magical animal crackers he receives as a gift in the hospital. They seem to come in particularly handy when it’s time for Nurse Beluga and her staff to poke and prod: it’s tough to treat a boy who has turned into a rhino, a penguin, or a giraffe. Karim’s goofy, fantastical story has sweet charm despite its somewhat tangled plotting, and it is a great vehicle for Truesdell’s funny, irresistible artwork, which pictures animals and humans alike leaping and cavorting across the pages.

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When You’re Sick or in the Hospital: Healing Help for Kids by Tom McGrath and R. W. Alley

An elf finds himself in the hospital.

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Support this blog (and my newfound bills) and start your Amazon shopping experience (from books, movies, shoes, and furniture) at Maw Books. Purchase any title by clicking on links, using the amazon widget in the right sidebar, or shop my Amazon store. Yep, this is my moment of shameless promotion.

And now I’m off to a visit with the pediatrician.

I thought I would share with you some background into our little family, although I should warn you this is a very long and drawn out pregnancy story!

My first pregnancy (that would be the cutie on the left) a couple years back was going perfectly normal. We got pregnant the very first month we tried and after being married for four years, we were excited for this next stage in life. Taylor was commuting an hour north everyday for work, but with the prospect of me quitting my job we decided to move closer to his job. So here we are moving out of our apartment and into our first house and I’m nearing the end of my pregnancy (probably about 35 weeks along). At one of my recent doctor appointments, my little guy was pronounced breech which was NO surprise to me. I had a feeling that he’d been like that the whole time. My doctor schedules me for an external version where they’ll try to flip the baby. Ouch. Doesn’t sound like fun. So I’m scheduled for the procedure at 8am on Friday.

On Thursday night we had just finished painting something (we had only been in the house two weeks), showered for the night, and Taylor put in Pirates of the Caribbean and I went upstairs to do some paperwork (yeah, I remember all these details, weird huh). All of a sudden GUSH. I have no idea how people don’t know that their water broke. Trust me, YOU KNOW. It is the weirdest sensation to have no control over what your body is doing. I yell down to Taylor and run to the toilet where it just keeps coming and coming. We have nothing ready. No bags packed, nothing. Heck, we didn’t even have a car seat yet because we didn’t want to buy one until after the move and which incidentally was planned to be purchased over the weekend. So while I was sitting on the toilet, I directed Taylor to get this and get that. I guess you had to be there, because looking back it was kind of funny.

I was 37 weeks. We called the hospital which was an hour south, told them the baby was breech and we were on our way. Thank goodness we walked in past midnight because I was soaked! I guess if it was crowded I would have been forgiven for looking as if I’d peed my pants because I was obviously in labor.

Anyways, you still with me? Anybody actually like reading about other people’s pregnancy stories?

We end up having a C-section (which we were not prepared for). Halfway through the operation I feel intense pain and then black out. When I come to, Taylor and the baby have already gone to the nursery. I don’t remember anything although I supposedly said hello to the little baby. To make a long story short, oh wait, never mind, this will just be a long story, the doctor comes in after I’ve been put into recovery and says, “lucky you didn’t go to that doctor’s appointment in the morning because it ends up you only have half a uterus and trying to turn him would have been determental to both you and the baby.” WHAT?! I’m still really drugged up and it’s about four in the morning. We’ll talk in the morning he says, and leaves me to ponder, what does that mean, half a uterus?

Yeah, so I only have one half of a uterus. Which would also explain why the baby always favored my right side and never flipped or rolled the entire pregnancy. We count our blessings that there is a higher power who was watching out for us, who knew that trying to turn that baby would have sent me into an emergency c-section, knew the cord was wrapped around his neck, and knew that we had to have the baby before nine the next morning. I truly believe that God works miracles in our lives. When that baby needed to come, he came.

After I fully recovered from the c-section and pregnancy, I saw a reproductive endicrinoligist who was able to fully explain my condition. After a lot of tests (some very painful), it was determined that I had what is called a unicornuate uterus meaning that I indeed only have one half a uterus (and a much smaller one on top of that). Supposedly the condition is quite rare, most get pregnant with help, and there is a high rate of miscarriage. We were unable to determine from the tests whether or not I had a left ovary and fallopian tube. If I did, there is a high rate of a ectopic pregnancy, so I would have to go in really early with my next pregnancy to make sure everything is where it should be. I’m told that if they’re there, I’ll have them removed during my next c-section to cut that risk all together. Oh, and my left kidney is there, which sometimes women with unicornuate uterus don’t have.

So the next pregnancy . . . We were told that we were extremly lucky to get pregnant so easily the first time. That it could be years before we got pregnant again naturally. Think of it this way, the average woman ovulates once a month, therefore twelve tries a year. Because I can only get pregnant when ovulating from the right side, my chances have already been cut in half to just six times a year. Add on top of that, the high percentage of miscarriage. So when our little one hadn’t even reached a year old, we thought, well, if it’s going to take us forever, let’s not prevent anything. Yeah, so fast forward to not even a month after we said that and I’m looking at a positive sign on my home pregnancy test! Hmm . . . apparently we are very fertile even against all the odds.

I’m very fortunate and my new doctor is head of the Maternal Fetal Medicine department, which only handles high risk pregnancies. The baby is implanted on the correct side and everything goes normally. As I near my eight month, they begin to watch me much more closely (pretty much the baby just grows to big for the space). The benefit of this, is that I get to have an ultrasound just about every week. All told, I must have add 10 -15 all together, I lost count, including those cool 3-D kind. At about 36 weeks I get put on bed rest to try to get my amniotic fluids up to a normal level and now I’m seeing the doctor and having stress tests three times a week. At one point, I’m admitted to labor and delivery but the doctor sends me home to see if my contractions (which I’m not feeling) will go away.

But bed rest doesn’t last long. After one of my stress tests, the nurse is considering admitting me again, but can’t find the doctor. My test finally smooths out and so I get sent home. I’m home not even ten minutes, when the phone rings. Before answering it, I know exactly who it is and what they’ll say. So I’m not surprised when I’m told to not eat anything and come back in four hours for a c-section.

So what do you do when you’re about to have a baby in four hours? Take a nap! And I actually slept.

I left my toddler at home with my MIL whom had already flown up (and stayed for about a month, I don’t know what I would have done without her) and drove myself to Taylor’s office, picked him up, and went to the hospital. We walked in with only a camera and the nurses all told us that they had never seen anybody pack so light. Seriously, isn’t that the only thing you need?

I’m really nervous about this C-section (which he’s breech again, very common) because my last one was so painful and I didn’t remember anything. I was so happy that this was a completly different experience. Not only did I not feel a thing, but I stayed awake and alert throughout the birth of my son. I was told that they couldn’t find a fallopian tube on that left side and that my ovary was so shriveled up. Oh, and there were seemingly a billion people in the room because they all wanted to see the half uterus and I even had to give permission to take photos (which they later didn’t).

We are so very blessed to have our two children (and we hope to have more). After researching this condition, we know it isn’t easy for others. Many have difficulty conceiving but some like me, didn’t know they even have the condition until they have a c-section. I’m so glad I live in this time period with the know how to deal with situations like mine. Any other time or place and I wonder if babies and I would make it.

Anyways, that’s my story. Either you didn’t read it on principle that you hate other people pregnancy stories or else you were actually curious. Thanks for allowing me to share my story and here’s wishing Baby G. a very happy birthday.

And because I’m determined to not talk about my personal life unless I bring some books into it, here are a couple of fun birthday books: Happy Birthday to You! by Dr. Seuss, Birthday Monsters by Sandra Boynton and The Birthday Box by Leslie Patricelli. All authors that I absolutely love and enjoy. Cute, cute, books perfect for the birthday boy or girl. And I love anything by Leslie Patricelli. She can do no wrong.

As my blog is just three months old, many of you are still getting to know the face behind Maw Books. Six and a half years ago, I married into a wonderful Chinese family (well, technically, my husband is half Chinese, and his other Caucasian half is wonderful too!).  I have sense learned much of the Chinese culture but still don’t know enough to pass on to my children their culturally rich heritage background. Here are some excellent books for the little ones to learn about Chinese New Year:

My First Chinese New Year by Karen Katz.
This fun and colorful way to introduce the Chinese New Year lets young readers follow one little girl as she learns how to welcome the coming year and experience all the festivities surrounding it (from the publisher).

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Happy, Happy Chinese New Year by Demi
“In a book that is itself a celebration, Demi explains the rituals and ideas behind the Chinese New Year festival. The last 15 days of the old year are spent cleaning and preparing (’Wash your hair and get a new haircut. Pay the debts that you owe and collect what is owed to you!’). On the eve of the new moon, a special feast is prepared. . . . The first 15 days of the new year are spent celebrating with lion dances, firecrackers, and other activities. Demi’s characteristic tiny, lively figures illustrate each page, with several spreads devoted to small, labeled pictures identifying things associated with the holiday. Infused with joy and filled with information.”–”Booklist

Dragon Dance: A Chinese New Year Lift-the-Flap Book by Joan Holub
It’s Chinese New Year and there are so many fun things to do! Shopping at the outdoor market for fresh flowers, eating New Year’s dinner with the whole family, receiving red envelopes from Grandma and Grandpa, and best of all-watching the spectacular Chinese New Year’s parade! Introduce the customs of Chinese New Year to even the youngest readers with this festive new lift-the-flap book.

Long-long’s New Year: A Story About the Chinese Spring Festival by Catherine Gower
In this beautifully illustrated picture book, a little Chinese boy named Long-Long accompanies his grandfather into the city to sell cabbages in order to buy food and decorations for the New Year. However, selling cabbages is harder than Long-Long is ready for, so he goes off on myriad adventures in the hopes of finding a way to help his grandfather-and getting treats for his mother and little cousin.

Lanterns and Firecrackers: A Chinese New Year Story by Jonny Zucker
Here is a simple and delightful introduction to the festival of Chinese New Year—Suitable for even the very youngest child.Follow a family as they set off firecrackers, watch lion and dragon dances, and hang up lanterns to celebrate the start of their New Year 9from the back cover).

The Dragon New Year: A Chinese Legend by David Bouchard
From Library Journal-Grade 1-4. An original story that explains why the Chinese make noise and explode fireworks to celebrate a new year. The book begins in modern times, with a grandmother telling her granddaughter the reason for the commotion that frightens her on New Year’s Eve. In “olden days,” she says, people fled their village at the turn of the year, dreading the annual visit of a man-eating dragon named New Year. After watching the creature devour her fisherman son stranded at sea, a grieving old woman refuses to flee the following year. Offering hospitality to a mysterious stranger who turns out to be the Buddha, she is told how to use fire and noise to fend off the dragon. The wordy text is accompanied by large, flamboyant paintings reminiscent of oil works by European old masters, well composed and dramatic, but overpowering. In fact, the narrative seems contrived as a vehicle to showcase the art. An author’s note offers brief information on the Buddha, dragons in Chinese folklore, and traditional Chinese New Year customs. Not a first purchase. – Margaret A. Chang, Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, North Adams

Hiss! Pop! Boom!: Celebrating Chinese New Year by Tricia Morrissey
Hiss! and Pop! snap the firecrackers. Boom! says the drum to the Lion Dancer. Chinese New Year is here! Beautiful Chinese brush painting and elegant calligraphy illustrate each moment of the New Year celebration. Share the traditions with your child, and learn a few new things too!

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Oh, and by the way it’s the Year of the Rat. There are 12 animals in the 12-year cycle of the Chinese zodiac, and the rat is the first in this series. Legend has it that all the animals concerned were in a race to cross a broad river. Displaying the canniness characteristic of its species, the rat rode on the back of an ox and jumped off to finish first. In China it is believed that those born in a Rat Year share the positive attributes of the animal. They are thus considered to be clever, ambitious, hard- working, quick and sociable.

All of this snow, reminded me that I have been talking about trying to squeeze in one more sledding adventure before winter is over (and believe me, I’m ready for winter to be over!). We took our two year old sledding for the first time over the Christmas holidays, we weren’t sure how we would do, but he loved it!! He kept saying “Weeeee” all the way down.

I think before we go sledding next, I’ll check out some books from the library about sledding and winter. I’m reminded at the moment of a book we just returned that I thought was so cute, I just might check it out again. It’s Longjohns by Kit Allen. This is a delightful little board book about all the things you need to wear to play outside on a cold day: longjohns, pants, mittens, coat, etc. A very cute baby book. Kit Allen also has baby books titled Galoshes, Sweater, andSwimsuit.

Some other great winter reads (for baby and toddler age) that I’ll be checking out are: Winter Babies Wear Layers by Michelle Sinclair, Just a Snowy Day by Mercer Mayer (reminds me of my own childhood, I loved Mercer Mayer books), and What Can You Do in the Snow by Anna Grossnickle Hines and Thea Kliros. I really want to check this last one out, the front cover has a Boston Bull Terrier dog, my favorite!

Do you have any winter favorite reads to recommend? I’m always on the lookout for great children’s books!