What's on My Nightstand, Part 1 (Or, Did You Read?)

Inspired once again by my favorite bloggy pal, Justine over at the Lone Home Ranger, I've decided to tell you about the stack of books currently sitting on my nightstand. I've been meaning to for a while but haven't gotten around to it. I really like the stack I have on my nightstand right now. I considered writing posts for each of these books individually over the last few months but I decided it would be better to put them all in one post. That said, you'll probably hear about at least a few of them again in future posts.

But in all seriousness, because they're all in a ridiculously huge stack on my nightstand, it would be mean to separate them just now.

First, Playful Parenting by Lawrence J. Cohen, Ph.D. I read this book for the first time last fall and loved it. When I follow his tips I feel like a fantastic mother. I'm rereading it now for inspiration...L and I have had some tough days lately. She's growing up so fast. She seems so much older than just two, it's hard not to expect too much from her at times. She's also trying to wrap her head around what having a new baby in the family will mean...how things will change (how they're already changing). I'm wrapping my head around all that as well.

Second, Simplicity Parenting: Using the Extraordinary Power of Less to Raise Calmer, Happier, and More Secure Kids by Kim John Paine and Lisa Ross. Another excellent book. It gives me extra motivation to purge all the extra stuff and simplify our lives...not that my out of control nesting instinct isn't enough to keep me going but the book makes me feel like less of a crazy person.

Third, Ina May's Guide to Childbirth by Ina May Gaskin. This is my all-time-favorite-every-pregnant-woman-on-the-planet-must-read-this-book book. I love the birth stories. I love her insight into the birthing process...the tips she mentions in the second half of the book helped me more than anything else I read or did preparing for L's birth. I love it all. I reread it for a third time about a month ago. Now it sits on my nightstand and I pick it up whenever I need some positive pregnancy and birthing energy.

Fourth, Mothering Your Nursing Toddler by Norma Jane Bumgarner. I'm just starting this one. It's been on my list for a while and I'm finally reading it. I'm really looking for some insight and support in nursing a toddler. Nursing has been really hard work lately. Some days she nurses once...today she's nursed 6 or 7 times and we're not done yet. The whole pregnant and nursing deal will be a separate post for sure. In the meantime I'm looking forward to getting into this book.

Fifth, Adventures in Tandem Nursing: Breastfeeding During Pregnancy and Beyond by Hilary Flower. Again, nursing my daughter has been a challenge lately and the thought of nursing two is simultaneously wonderful and daunting. I love breastfeeding L and I'm not ready to quit by any means (and neither is she) but I'm definitely in search for some support/motivation/inspiration. I've heard people say they found this book depressing but so far I've found it full of really helpful insights...

Finally, Montessori Today: A Comprehensive Approach to Education from Birth to Adulthood by Paula Polk Lillard. I'm coming to terms with the fact that we're not going to be able to put L in a Montessori preschool anytime soon so I'm starting to really research what it would look like to do Montessori style education at home or in a co-op setting with friends. This book is first on my list...

Just for the record I don't normally read six books at once. But I haven't had much of an attention span lately and it's been nice to jump around to whatever I'm in the mood for. Can you tell I have a toddler and am expecting another baby? It's funny looking at this list...it's such a mom list.

Perhaps I need to take a break and read some fiction. Any suggestions?