BBBC: The Rosie Project

Don Tillman, professor of genetics, has never been on a second date. He is a man who can count all his friends on the fingers of one hand, whose lifelong difficulty with social rituals has convinced him that he is simply not wired for romance. So when an acquaintance informs him that he would make a “wonderful” husband, his first reaction is shock. Yet he must concede to the statistical probability that there is someone for everyone, and he embarks upon The Wife Project. In the orderly, evidence-based manner with which he approaches all things, Don sets out to find the perfect partner. She will be punctual and logical—most definitely not a barmaid, a smoker, a drinker, or a late-arriver.

Yet Rosie Jarman is all these things. She is also beguiling, fiery, intelligent—and on a quest of her own. She is looking for her biological father, a search that a certain DNA expert might be able to help her with. Don's Wife Project takes a back burner to the Father Project and an unlikely relationship blooms, forcing the scientifically minded geneticist to confront the spontaneous whirlwind that is Rosie—and the realization that love is not always what looks good on paper.

 

If you are on the search for a book filled with humor, then this is the book for you. The book ends on an odd note, but if you enjoy dry sarcasm and want to root for an under-dog, then you will enjoy this book.

For the month of December, Heather over at Love To Be Busy, chose the book Maybe in Another Life by Taylor Jenkins Reid.

 Now, head on over the the other Members' blogs to see what they thought about the book! 

Ashley - If You Give A Girl A Ring

Heather - Love To Be Busy

Lisa - Uncommon Wife Life

Lisa P - Blush and Back Roads

Stephanie - The Wonky Brow 

The Beauty Blogger Book Club began in January of 2015! We currently have 6 Members with various blog content. Each month, one of the Beauty Blogger Book Club (BBBC) members chooses a book for the Club to read. At the beginning of the following month, we each write a book report/summary for our readers to enjoy and share the book for the following month! The "Club" provides all of us bloggers an opportunity to network and read books outside of our comfort zones!

Michelyn Cynthia

 

Violet Catharina: 5 Months

Weight: 15lbs 9oz

Diaper Size:We just transitioned to 3s on Sunday, one day after turning 5 months old! We were having daily blow-outs which is always mommy's signal that it is time to size up!

Clothing Size:Violet is quickly growing out of her 3-6/6 month jammies and pants. She fits in this size for dresses and onesies. I am truly getting a little sad that we are moving so quickly through her wardrobe. I have started cleaning 9 month jammies, and storing 3-6/6month attire. 

Eye Color: Dark Brown 

 
Adventures this Month: We are settled in with our nanny and mommy's return back to work. Mimi and Papi came for a visit. And we finally enjoy tummy time - hooray! 

Favorite Toy: Wooden teethers are Miss V's favorite. She wears her Mary & Kate teether as a bracelet and can be observed getting frustrated/irritated with the Olives & Pickles one too! She also really enjoys the Sassy Developmental Bumpy Ball, Fisher Price Kick & Play Piano, and watching anyone throw the ball with Prince. Oh, and she still is enamored with herself in the mirror. I am not sure if that will ever get old!

Violet & Prince Relationship: Prince is slowly coming around. He is certain that he and Violet should share the nanny, though we have been using him as a guinea pig during tummy time, but he is not complaining. Violet enjoys watching him play, though this enamoration is not reciprocal. Prince is still re-enacting Violet's behaviors and positions in hopes that it will bide him some attention. It's a ruff life for Prince.

Hair:Starting to curl up tighter and we have an area that is balding on the left side. Violet is a side sleeper!

Teeth: No teeth have poked out just yet, but teething is in full force!

 Eats: Violet is still exclusively breastfed. With the advent of teeth, came an increase in feeds so this momma is back to feeling like a cow! We plan to begin food introduction at 5.5 months! 

Sleeping Habits: Violet still arises a few times in the middle of the night for feeds, but then typically falls back to slumber. I would say that she is a better night sleeper than daytime napper overall. She much prefers to be held or cuddled while sleeping than sleeping solo in the crib.

Milestones: Using two hands to manipulate objects; flipping from tummy to side; getting better everyday with taking out pacifier and is working on replacing it properly; and getting more and more personality by the minute!

Looking forward to:Trip tp St. Thomas

Michelyn Cynthia

 

Beauty Blogger Book Club: I'm Back!

Eek!

So I missed a few Beauty Blogger Book Club books and reviews! I really had the best of intentions, BUT.... My 'but list' is pretty exhaustive so we will just keep trekking along!

For the month of November, Ashley has chosen The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion.

Ashley chooses this BEST books so I am truly looking forward to delving into this book while on vacation in the Virgin Islands in two weeks! Yes, the Ohio Unviersity men's basketball program is playing in the U.S. Virgin Islands Paradise Jam over Thanksgiving break!

Are you interested in learning more about the other books read? Well, head on over the other Member's blogs since I inevitably missed a few good books!

Ashley - If You Give A Girl A Ring

Heather - Love To Be Busy

Lisa - Uncommon Wife Life

Lisa P - Blush and Back Roads

Stephanie - The Wonky Brow 

The Beauty Blogger Book Club began in January of 2015! We currently have 6 Members with various blog content. Each month, one of the Beauty Blogger Book Club (BBBC) members chooses a book for the Club to read. At the beginning of the following month, we each write a book report/summary for our readers to enjoy and share the book for the following month! The "Club" provides all of us bloggers an opportunity to network and read books outside of our comfort zones!

Michelyn Cynthia

Getting Myself Together

Hi guys! It has been awhile, and I wholeheartedly apologize for my absence. It has truly taken me some time to adjust to my new role as stay-at-home working mommy! I really, really love the fact that I am able to stay-at-home with Violet, but also provide some financial cushioning for our family! In my books, its a win-win situation. Sure, I miss her while the nanny is here, but I am comforted with the fact that she is merely steps away!

So cheers to my return to life as a blogger! I most certainly will be starting out slow, and seeing how things progress!

Thanks for sticking around!

Michelyn Cynthia

Violet Catharina: 4 Months

Weight: 13lbs 9oz

Diaper Size:2s

Clothing Size:3-6 Month & 6 Month

Eye Color: Dark Brown 

Adventures this Month: This month we returned to Athens whilst a growth spurt. It was not the most pleasurable return home, but we returned alive. This month has also brought some calm in our daily lives. We have been trying to work on a daily schedule since mommy returns to work later this month.

Favorite Toy: Violet enjoys her bounce around/exersaucer. She too favors Sophie the Giraffe though Prince may like her even more. And, of course, she still loves the mirror and walks/movement breaks.

Violet & Prince Relationship: Prince cherishes the times when Miss V is napping and when she goes to bed. He is getting more and more familiar with her presence, but overall desires to be the center of attention. 

Hair:Getting longer each and every day!

Teeth: We started teething, and I hear that we will be discussing this topic for some time. Violet seems to be doing well with it, she just constantly has her fingers in her mouth or mouthing toys. However, mouthing of toys and her hands means she is reaching ever more milestones! 

Eats: Violet eats every 3 hours around the clock!!!

Sleeping Habits: Well, our great sleeping came to an end once we returned to Athens. We transitioned from her bassinet to crib, and saw a decrease in continual sleep. Now, we have made some strides because there was a time in which she was absolutely terrified of being IN the crib. She now sleeps in the crib, but is struggling with putting herself to sleep during naps, specifically, and frequent mid-night feedings. I know this too shall pass, and she will be sleeping soundly in her crib like she was in the bassinet some time in the near future - how near is up to Miss Violet!

Milestones: Violet is a talking machine! It is so fun to have baby conversations with her. Like previous months, she continues to giggle but especially at her daddy! She is really good at rolling from her back to side, she even enjoys sleeping on her side and I know in the coming weeks she is going to roll all the way over. I swear she not flipping all the way over because of her distaste for tummy time. We are hoping that once she can transition from back to tummy, that maybe she will enjoy tummy-time a little better. I recently purchased a new tummy-time mat, she currently has two different mats, so this is #3. But, this last one also has a keyboard so I am hoping that will peak her interest.

Looking forward to: Ohio MBB season getting under way. 

Michelyn Cynthia

Violet Catharina: 3 Months

Hi guys! It's been quiet on the blog front. Miss V, Prince and I are thoroughly enjoying Tampa, leaving little time for blogging! It's been a week since Violet turned three months, but we still want to capture her milestones!

Weight: 12lbs 7.5 oz

Diaper Size: 2s

Clothing Size: Growing out of all her 3 Month attire! We've done plenty of shopping, but haven't actually worn any 3-6 Month attire just yet. 

Eye Color: Dark Brown 

Adventures this Month: Trip to Tampa. We have had a great time visiting with mommy' friends, Papi's work, shopping til Miss V passes out, and much more.

Earlier in the month, Violet had visitors - her cousins!!!

Favorite Toy: Violet STILL enjoys gazing at her reflection in the mirror! She also enjoys the car seat mobile which plays music, and is slowly enjoying tummy time - for short periods. 

Violet & Prince Relationship: Prince has been glowing since Mimi's arrival in Athens. While in Tampa, he has been sleeping in my parents room and has forgotten all about amiss V and I. It will be interesting to see how he handles our return trip and Athens without the individual attention. Interestingly, he did lick Violet's foot while I was breastfeeding a few days ago. I'm taking that as another sign of progress!

Hair: Here is a picture of myself and Violet at 3 months. As you can see, we both have/had a head full of black curls. Mimi is obsessed with combing Miss Vs hair in efforts of "training the curls!"

Teeth: All gums!

Eats:  We finally transitioned to eating every 3 hours! This momma finally feels like she's not a milk machine! 

Sleeping Habits: This month we also experienced some major strides with sleeping! Violet will sleep, most nights, from 7:30/8:00pm until her fussy period which begins around 5:00am. Violet awakens several times in the early morning hours, but is usually soothed when I place her paci back in her mouth!

Milestones: Violet enjoys hearing herself coo and babble; she's a talking machine! She loves to smile and giggle, same as last month. Though we are still not crazy about tummy-time, we do enjoy rolling from our back to side to chill! Miss V now has nearly complete head control and great attention to her surroundings. 

Looking forward to: The final week of our Tampa trip. 

BBBC: Orphan Train

Where is the mommy crying emoji? I desperately need to invent that because I can not believe that we are already in the month of September!

You know, I previously looked forward to months coming and going, especially the months that led up to basketball season. Well, now as a mommy, I must admit that time passing is not as joyous. Time passing means my little girl is getting older and I am content with keeping her little forever!

Unfortunatly, I am unable to stop the passage of time; instead, I am trying to live in the moment! So, with that, I must also apologize for the lack of posts the last few weeks. Yes, I have many excuses to give but the biggest is that I am just simply enjoying motherhood.

Nearly eighteen, Molly Ayer knows she has one last chance. Just months from "aging out" of the child welfare system, and close to being kicked out of her foster home, a community service position helping an elderly woman clean out her home is the only thing keeping her out of juvie and worse.

Vivian Daly has lived a quiet life on the coast of Maine. But in her attic, hidden in trunks, are vestiges of a turbulent past. As she helps Vivian sort through her possessions and memories, Molly discovers that she and Vivian aren't as different as they seem to be. A young Irish immigrant orphaned in New York City, Vivian was put on a train to the Midwest with hundreds of other children whose destinies would be determined by luck and chance.

The closer Molly grows to Vivian, the more she discovers parallels to her own life. A Penobscot Indian, she, too, is an outsider being raised by strangers, and she, too, has unanswered questions about the past. As her emotional barriers begin to crumble, Molly discovers that she has the power to help Vivian find answers to mysteries that have haunted her for her entire life - answers that will ultimately free them both.

This book was a page turner, even while on the treadmill where I did the majority of my reading. I am realizing that I truly have a liking to historical fictions. In this book, I was introduced to little pieces of history I never known about. The Orphan Train is a real movement in which many orphaned children from crowded Eastern cities were boarded onto trains and taken to rural areas of the Midwest. Families looking for servants, farm labourers, or occasionally more children would come check out the orphans and see if they wanted to take them home. The 1920s/30s part of this book tells the story of Vivian's life, being moved from one family to the next in Minnesota. In the present, she is a 91 year-old woman with an attic full of painful memories. Molly, the present day orphan, is presently dealing with many turmoils of her own. As both characters lives cross, we see how they are both transformed. Overall, I would highly recommend this book to others. 


For the month of September, Stephanie from The Wonky Brow has chosen I Was Here by Gayle Forman.

 Now, head on over the the other Members' blogs to see what they thought about the book! 

Ashley - If You Give A Girl A Ring

Heather - Love To Be Busy

Lisa - Uncommon Wife Life

Lisa P - Blush and Back Roads

Stephanie - The Wonky Brow 

The Beauty Blogger Book Club began in January of 2015! We currently have 6 Members with various blog content. Each month, one of the Beauty Blogger Book Club (BBBC) members chooses a book for the Club to read. At the beginning of the following month, we each write a book report/summary for our readers to enjoy and share the book for the following month! The "Club" provides all of us bloggers an opportunity to network and read books outside of our comfort zones!

Michelyn Cynthia

Question of the Day:  I am slated to chose the October book for the club! Do you have any recommendations for the club?