It’s the last day of February. One more day than normal this year. So, that’s one more day to set myself up for failures by the end of the second month, right? Let’s see.

1. Project365. Going well. Haven’t missed a day. Sometimes it’s all of a sudden 11:00 in the evening and I’m all, “OH NOES! PICTURES!” I’m having more fun with editing as well. I think my family is tired of me shoving cameras in their faces. I do not care. Here is my monthly mosaic. It rocks. (For more, consider visiting our Project365 (+1) set on flickr.)

2. Bookwise. I didn’t tear up six books like last month. Only four. And that’s okay. That’s still ten for the year! I feel pretty good about that little number. Ten is a bit ahead of schedule. I’m happy with that! Here are some mini-reviews for books I finished this month (and one leftover one that didn’t get finished before I wrote last month’s recap).

1. The No-Cry Potty Training Solution: Gentle Ways to Help Your Child Say Good-Bye to Diapers by Elizabeth Pantley. This offers a bunch of ideas for parents who are hoping to take a gentle approach to potty training/learning. The quiz at the beginning of the book can help you determine if your child is ready to start the process. That said, the quiz doesn’t account for readiness combined with a stubborn streak a mile wide. He’ll learn eventually, right? I did give it five stars because I feel it’s a great approach. We’re just slow over here.
2. Dear John by Nicholas Sparks. This was my first Sparks book. (I know.) I liked it enough. It was hard reading for me, being the wife of a now ex-soldier. I think it speaks a lot about what is required to be in love with someone in the military. My heart broke at the end, though I won’t spoil it for you. But I nodded my head. Many a soldier I know is noble like John. Four stars here.
3. The No-Cry Sleep Solution for Toddlers and Preschoolers: Gentle Ways to Stop Bedtime Battles and Improve Your Childs Sleep by Elizabeth Pantley. MY TWO YEAR OLD IS GOING DOWN FOR THE NIGHT WITHOUT A FIGHT BECAUSE OF THIS BOOK. That’s right. You heard it here first. Making an evening routine works for this kid. We were previously child-lead when it came to bed times and routine-less because, honestly, it worked for us prior to the past few months. When it stopped working, everyone stopped sleeping. And something had to change. I’m the last person in the world who thought we would ever employ a routine. But it works. Including turning off the television (in general, even though he’s not the one watching it) an hour before bedtime (we watched news, etc), creating an hour long routine and moving his bedtime up by a half-hour to forty-five minutes. BUT HE GOES TO BED WITHOUT A FIGHT. WE WIN! Four stars because while it was very helpful, it was VERY long and didn’t address any of our napping issues. (Naptime is addressed but not like we needed. Nap time is still if-y at best.)
4. The Almost Moon: A Novel by Alice Sebold. I hated this book. I gave it one star because I had to give it something. I only finished it because I had hope for the ending. No. The ending was worse than the rest of the book. Waste of two very long weeks. And it’s a shame because her writing is decent. The story? Not worth my time.
5. Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult. I just finished this today. It was one of the most thought-provoking fiction books I’ve had the pleasure of reading in a long, long time. For those who don’t know, it’s about a (fictional) high school shooting set in 2007. Columbine is mentioned. For me, as I sat and watched the Columbine shootings as a senior in high school who had skipped school with her boyfriend, well, this book was just very memory inducing. It brings up questions about parenting, justice and responsibility in general. I gave it five stars.

As always, feel free to check out my 2008 Goodreads list (not yet updated with the last book this month) and add me!

3. And the weight loss? Well, I mentioned that I am back to my pre-pregnancy weight. But not the shape/size. I’m actually a pound under my pre-pregnancy weight now. Pants are still not fitting. I still have not made a decision as to which gym to join. I’m not frustrated, exactly, but I don’t much feel like thinking about the 13-14 pounds I have left to lose. I need the weather to warm up so I can get outside and move.

February was decent. I’m proud of myself. Here’s to a Happy March. Seems to be coming in like a Lion. Oh, and, Happy Leap Day (and Happy Birth Day to the new arrival of friends of ours)!