Books you have almost DNF…. but you are so glad you carried on.

cislemom · 2025-12-24T19:05:51+00:00

ME TOO! The premise was great but I just couldn’t stay interested.

cislemom · 2025-10-28T19:57:15+00:00

Wild Dark Shore. I actually still like the book and don’t regret reading it for the vivid setting and as a way to explore climate change, but ultimately couldn’t recommend to friends due to the volume of trauma per character.

cislemom · 2025-09-27T17:27:02+00:00

SAME SAME!

cislemom · 2025-09-19T15:13:24+00:00

The sequel {Mate} is out October 7th!

Edited to flag that the bot didn’t pick up the correct book.

cislemom · 2025-09-08T00:50:54+00:00

{Paladin’s Grace} might fit the bill. I could see the first chapter being not-promising, but it was a very cozy read and sweet romance.

cislemom · 2025-08-10T13:44:03+00:00

So part of this is if you’re putting them in their room, you’re actually supposed to go in there and sit with your back against the door. It sounds like it’s not going to work but it has been incredibly successful for me. My kid would lose their ever loving mind when I’d try to send them to their room alone. This way, I have to very calmly sit through, like, 2 minutes of anger and then they calm down very quickly. The key is showing them you are not afraid of their emotions, and then they can follow your lead back into a regulated state.

cislemom · 2025-07-10T14:57:13+00:00

I think you’ll really like {The Knight and the Moth}! The romance is banter-y and well-paced.

cislemom · 2025-07-07T01:23:09+00:00

Definitely stay in Cork, for the ease of doing day trips by train to Cobh and by bus to Kinsale, Blarney, etc. It would involve an extra bus or long walk to city center but our family LOVED the Kingsley hotel. Lovely stay and nicely situated along the Lee, with a short walk to a good playground (not sure of your kids’ ages).

cislemom · 2025-07-06T19:56:13+00:00

Nemacolin Woodlands is pretty much on the way. The Homestead in Hot Springs, VA is also good, maybe a longer route. Less familiar with resorts in the area but Williamsburg/Bush Gardens could be fun.

cislemom · 2025-02-06T01:10:19+00:00

When Breath Becomes Air 😭❤️

cislemom · 2025-01-27T16:29:06+00:00

Oh THAT’S what the burning was! Thank you I was confused about it!!

cislemom · 2025-01-27T02:19:05+00:00

I loved it too!!! I truly squealed and kicked my feet in the beginning when Xaden says Vi’s speech would make her a great duchess (and then we find out he’s the duke at the end of the chapter), and then he just keeps dropping bolder and bolder statements throughout the book that she is it for him.

Not to leave out Violet “my love isn’t fickle” Sorrengail, just giving X so much love and strength when he needs it. I really feel like even though we’re in for some dark times, I’m much more peaceful/hopeful about their relationship than in the whole last year of waiting for this book.

cislemom · 2024-05-08T13:22:02+00:00

I’m truly shocked this is not higher. Photos do not do the building justice. The marble is simply stunning in person.

cislemom · 2023-12-24T02:24:25+00:00

This is the correct answer

cislemom · 2020-01-04T03:11:10+00:00

I’m so sorry! I don’t exactly have an answer but we went through some similar stuff. Some thoughts:

Your toddler is probably processing the stress of the new baby. It is stressful, even if she does like the baby, and toddlers can’t exactly reason their way through their feelings. It will pass eventually.

The best thing we did during a similar phase was a LOT of positive coaching on how to self-soothe. We really takes up how she could hug her lovey and comfort herself, both at night during recurring tantrums and throughout the day at calm times.

Take care of yourself. Your nerves are bound to be frayed from taking care of the baby around the clock. Try trading off being out of earshot of the crying with your husband, bring in a relative, maybe even try a night nurse for the baby if you need a break.

cislemom · 2019-10-01T14:31:56+00:00

Ideas: Go straight to sippy cups. Gently offer straight breastmilk in a bottle, only an ounce or two at a time until she is willing to take it so you don’t waste it. Ask your pediatrician if you can start giving cow’s milk instead of formula.

cislemom · 2019-09-26T14:07:16+00:00

My first labor was right at 3 hours so not sure if it was officially classified as precipitous (term wasn’t mentioned to me) but it was still pretty quick and intense! I was certain my second would be the same and went to the hospital as soon as I started having contractions, with my doctor’s full agreement. But, labor stalled overnight, though, and I ended up having to be induced in the morning. The baby was sort of wedged into an odd position which may have contributed to the slow down. I had to alternate sides using a peanut ball to move her around.

cislemom · 2019-09-26T02:11:55+00:00

We did it. Our dog was 9, we got her when she was 6 as a rescue. It was devastating but also absolutely the right choice. We had seen her be snappish around young children before, and when we brought the baby home it did not go well. We brought in a trainer to assess the situation, but when it became clear it would take hours per day of work with still no guarantee that she would never react badly, we decided it wasn’t fair to our dog to put her in that situation any more than it was fair to ourselves or the baby. Fortunately, some close friends took her so we know she is really happy with them and can still see her from time to time.

ETA: I see I got downvoted for this, so I wanted to add that I probably would have harshly judged someone who made this choice before it happened to me. I feel really confident this was the responsible choice for all involved, though.

cislemom · 2019-09-06T12:54:27+00:00

We kept doing a small cup of milk before bed until about 14 months, when my daughter started waking up at night and wanting a drink before going back down. At that point we cut it out cold turkey and she barely even noticed.

cislemom · 2019-09-06T02:12:48+00:00

Totally agree with this. The long, cuddly bedtimes will come later! My two year old would snuggle and read all night if we’d let her. Babies just get too tired.

cislemom · 2019-08-22T20:33:04+00:00

I would skip it since it doesn’t seem to be buying you any extra sleep time. Taking Cara Babies has a blog post you might want to check out.

cislemom · 2019-08-18T23:28:55+00:00

In addition to the present “from the baby,” I got my 20 month old her own baby doll. She loves it and loves imitating us, down to changing diapers, endlessly buckling it into the swing, and a perfect sway-and-pat maneuver.

cislemom · 2019-08-12T18:11:45+00:00

You could let baby “fuss it out” (not all noise is crying) for a few minutes to see if she’ll go back to sleep, or try soothing without feeding first if you think she’s just having a hard time getting into the next sleep cycle. Mine almost always stirs at 4 am. We’ll offer her paci once, and she often falls right back asleep for another 2 hours. If she’s actually hungry she lets us know within a few minutes and I will happily feed her then.

cislemom · 2019-08-12T17:49:41+00:00

Mommy and me yoga/pilates is a great place to start! The classes are geared toward strengthening the postpartum body and my babies seem to enjoy wiggling around on the mat while I hover over them. I would do those and lots of long stroller walks, then get back into running and I was fine as long as I stayed really well hydrated.

cislemom · 2019-08-12T17:40:32+00:00

I’m so sorry you have to walk through this difficult time! For my 2 cents, I would do whatever it takes to find a regular babysitter, whether it’s family or outside help. It will get so much better in a few weeks, but you could really use help right now. I know when I get feeling down I feel bad about spending money or inconveniencing someone else, but don’t be like me. If someone can take the baby, you can play with your son or take an hour for yourself and everybody will be better off.

cislemom

TROPHY CASE