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Friday Five: Books to Read While Nursing

March 4, 2022March 15, 2022
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I loved nursing, for the most part. I was lucky to be able to nurse my son for nine months. The thing I didn’t love about nursing was the quiet, lonely, middle of the night nursing sessions. I had bad postpartum depression and anxiety, so I had to find a way to distract myself. I know you’re “not supposed” to be staring at your phone at night, and I know someone people are judge-y about being on your phone while nursing (give me a break), but in that postpartum phase, you’ve just got to do what you’ve got to do. I downloaded some eBooks from my local library (overdrive and hoopla are amazing) and put my phone on all of the darkness/nighttime settings available. The books below are the perfect mix of funny and poignant, the best combo for those lonely times.

Why Not Me? by Mindy Kaling

Gosh. Mindy Kaling saved my life. When my son was born, my mom came out to visit for a few weeks, and then I went to stay at my parent’s house for six weeks while my husband was in pilot training. When I got back home after those six weeks, I had a very difficult time adjusting. The house felt too quiet, my husband’s training kept him at work for 12 hours a day, and my son had trouble gaining weight. “Why Not Me?” is so funny, and encouraging, and while I did cry when Kaling talked about her mom’s death, her writing only ever made me feel less alone.

Rage Against the Minivan by Kristen Howerton

This book made me laugh out loud, cry a little (she struggled with infertility and tackles some other hard topics), and feel like I made a new friend in the process. Kristen Howerton has four children, two adopted and two biological, very close in age. When she wrote the book, her kids were in middle and high school. If you’re struggling with the little ages and need some hope for the future, the way she describes her relationship with her kids now that they’re older will definitely give you something to look forward.

Let’s Pretend this Never Happened by Jenny Lawson

This is maybe the funniest book I’ve ever read. If you’re not familiar with Jenny Lawson, the Bloggess, you are missing out. Here writing is so honest, so funny, and so relatable. She articulates so many feelings I feel as a human and parent. Her writing is especially helpful if you struggle with mental health; Lawson is very upfront about her own mental health struggles and how she copes. But seriously, you will laugh out lead reading this book. To give you a peek into her world: her father was a taxidermist and she has the strangest childhood stories of animals, dead and alive, that her father brought home for her to play with.

Dear Girls by Ali Wong

Everyone knows Ali Wong is a fantastic comedian. Her book delivers the same biting comedy as her stand-up, but with a sweet maternal twinge. Also like her stand-up, it is straight up foul at times (in the best way; just don’t say I didn’t warn you). It’s a great read for new moms, especially if you’ve got a daughter, because there is real, practical advice about parenting and living your best life (it even says so on the cover).

You Can’t Touch My Hair by Phoebe Robinson

You can’t go wrong with a Phoebe Robinson book- she is hilarious, and you will learn stuff. And if you’re a white parent, then you need some anti-racism training yesterday. There are several books to check out about anti-racism (that’s a whole other post), but “You Can’t Touch My Hair” has some nuggets of wisdom and it has hilarious stories. She is a comedian in a class of her own, and I couldn’t wait to finish this book so I could I start her next one, and then pass them both on to my mom and sisters ASAP.

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Hi! Grace here. I'm a writer, actor, filmmaker, milspouse, bio and foster mom.

I began writing as a way of coping with depression and anxiety. I find my monsters behave better when I create outward chaos (which is how I would describe most of my work and life).

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gracedayacts

This little gift from @rambleandcompany was exactl This little gift from @rambleandcompany was exactly what I needed today. As we said goodbye yesterday, and say hello today, I’m mustering all the courage I’ve got to support these kiddos and our family through hard transitions.
Some of mothering is intuitive, and some is not. A Some of mothering is intuitive, and some is not. A lot of what I thought was just my natural maternal instinct is, I believe, what I picked up from my own mom. I had the best master class in parenting anyone could ask for, watching my mom, and as I grow up and being on the receiving end of her love and care. I’ve always felt fortunate for having the mom that I have, but never more so than since we started our fostering journey. 

Kids come into foster care for all sorts of reasons. By accident (yes, that is a horrifying reality), due to poverty and difficult situations, and due to serious neglect and abuse. We have yet to come across the last one. 

The mothers of the babies in our car LOVE their babies. They love them and they want what’s best for them. Just like most mothers. They’re doing the best they can. Just like most mothers. 

The difference is, they don’t have the same support and haven’t been given all the right tools for success. Things I took for granted.

Happy Mother’s Day to my wonderful mom. I am so, so, so lucky to have you. 

Happy Mother’s Day to these moms I get to mother alongside. 

If anyone is interested in supporting struggling moms and helping prevent families from being separated, check out “Safe Families”. They’re a great organization helping get the right tools to parents.
As an actress-foster parent-bio mom-military spous As an actress-foster parent-bio mom-military spouse, you might think I’d be used to waiting by now. I have after all chosen so many paths that include a lot of waiting. But, like most everybody, I hate waiting. Good news or bad news, I like to have all the information ASAP. I am *trying* really hard to find joy in the waiting, to live in the moment, and bloom where I’m planted. It’s tough, folks. Life is tough. But as we remind Milo and Milo reminds us, “we can do tough things.”
Strawberry picking with my strawberry (and also th Strawberry picking with my strawberry (and also the rest of the crew + @annabeloftheball who is visiting this week). I’ve been feeling so sad and frustrated lately, it’s good to have family and sunshine to help me remember how fortunate I am. 

Shirt from @rambleandcompany 
Berry picking at @thekingsgoodvineyard
It’s hard to believe this funny, creative, kind- It’s hard to believe this funny, creative, kind-hearted child has been with me for 5 years. Milo, I love you more everyday. You are magic and goodness and spirit bottled up in one tiny human. I am so delighted and lucky to be your mama.
Daily reminder to play hard and be nice❤️ Daily reminder to play hard and be nice❤️
When we first moved to Wichita Falls a few years a When we first moved to Wichita Falls a few years ago, I popped into this cute store downtown and fell in love. Women-run, brimming with creativity and joy, it’s a place that feels like home. I am so so excited to be an ambassador for their store, to share their goodies and encourage more people to shop at this awesome small business! Give @rambleandcompany a follow and peep my laptop’s new sticker, from one of their adorable sticker bundles. DM for a code to get 15% off your purchase!
Just remembering this magical night from a couple Just remembering this magical night from a couple of weeks ago. 

These people are top of the list. Some of the most important people in my life, and look at where these friendships led. To a movie I love and am proud of. To an incredible night (thank you @tessafayem, @shawn_o_rama, and @sayfaystyles!!!) of celebrating and watching @retreatexclamationpoint 

I feel very, very fortunate for the love and support and enduring creative spirit.

HMU: @annabeloftheball 
Vintage dress from @fashiongaragewf
How to do a makeover, as told by Sabrina, who is c How to do a makeover, as told by Sabrina, who is convinced the kid she babysits for is in love with her.

#funnylady #solosketch #smirksinprogress #womenincomedy #jokes #comedy #teentrends
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We read him books. We got him water. We got him a We read him books. We got him water. We got him a snack. And he still got out of bed to interrupt us watching Barry and talk about things he doesn’t was us to forget for a full 20 minutes.
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Some residents of the island of misfit toys: a sug Some residents of the island of misfit toys: a sugar plum fairy with missing parts and a doll with a penchant for broken hearts.
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