Baby Laughs: The Naked Truth About the First Year of Mommyhood

We're expecting a baby in less than a month. The pregnancy has been normal and uneventful, but it's a difficult time for a couple and a little levity is in order. Another couple suggested we read the book "Belly Laughs: The Naked Truth About Pregnancy and Childbirth" by Jenny McCarthy. It was a quick and easy read and provided a lot of insightful laughs. I reviewed the book and gave it five stars. Almost immediately, a second book appeared on my suggestion list: "Baby Laughs: The Naked Truth About the First Year of Mommyhood" , also by Jenny McCarthy. I couldn't resist.A major difference was immediately apparent. In the case of the first book, I had been through almost all of the experiences and could relate to McCarthy"s stories and laugh along with them. However, with the second book it was a series of things that I still have to look forward to. Hmmmm. I'm not sure I should have gone through with this. LOL. I suspect the book might have been funnier if I had been through it all and was looking back. Now, I'm feeling somewhat apprehensive.A second factor also unexpectedly entered in. Jenny has a brash "tell-it-like-it-is" sense of humor. I was continuously taken back and lightly shocked, but laughing all the way. It was as if you were reading the script of a somewhat irreverent stand-up comic. However, in reading the second book the shock value was largely gone and the book was not nearly as humorous. It's somewhat like with people who make heavy use of f*** bombs and other gimmicks in their spoken word. At first it has a certain humor because it just isn't expected. But after a while, the humor wears thin and you take a more critical look at the content of what is said. I'd say the content here was rather thin, and in looking back on the first book I'd say the content was equally thin. Oh well, I wasn't looking for a treatise on child bearing and raising. As a first-time father, a little humorous insight was all I was looking forward to and Jenny provided it.In reviewing the first book, I thought that Jenny's experiences were somewhat exaggerated over those of my wife. Now, this could just be her sense of humor and irreverent way of explaining things. I remarked that it also might mean that she was not in as good physical condition as my wife. Now, in the second book, I find out that she was a smoker up to the time of her first pregnancy and stopped for the sake of the unborn baby. First, I congratulate her. It was a wise thing to do. I totally agree with her decision, but I also realize, as a former smoker, that stopping smoking can be an exceedingly difficult task in itself and may well have contributed to some of the exaggerated difficulties experienced in her pregnancy. In my experience, I could still feel the negative effects of quitting smoking a year after I quit. Personally, I think she should have disclosed the smoking and smoking cessation in her first book.So what about my recommendation? Well, the book provides a light and humorous read. Take it only as that. Personally, I think the first book was much better and the second is riding on those coattails. I gave it four stars, but that's a bit of a stretch. I doubt that I'll be reading any of the further books in the series, however.Gary Peterson

I loved Jenny's first book, Belly Laughs (about pregnancy), so of course I also loved this book, all about the first year with her son. The book is written in a conversational style and is a hilarious read that I read within a day. It's a great break from traditional books about a child's first year with textbook writing style that leaves you afraid of things that can go wrong. As a first time mom, I found comfort in knowing that other women had the same fears and make the same mistakes that I was doing and it made me laugh at myself too. Jenny addresses the aftermath of having a baby physically by talking about how she couldn't look in a mirror afterward, not sleeping, and the fear of cutting her son's nails and clipping off some of the skin, which I did, so it makes you feel not alone!If you are offended by potty mouthed humor and cursing, this is NOT the book for you. If you are like me and find humor in most things and aren't offended by cursing and self-deprecating humor, this is a fantastic read! I get it for all my pregnant friends as a gift because I love it so much!

Her hyper self-conscious comedy of exaggeration silly psycho-drama & self confidence of over sensitive to how she looks in mirror & feels compared to normal, being a first time mother, sort a numb, but very observant funny in exaggeration, in relationships too honest & silly to believe, like passing giant fart, "Oh was that my baby? or did I shit out totally?No, they gave me an enema for birthday present, so I wouldn't shit on them.A funny dirty mouth maniac, unbelievable hysterical chick, making every little thing a joke to pass like funny belch.She's a rant & raver for fun of it, even if its contradictory, wrong or stupid, she cutifies anything surprising, then's reverses & teasing her husband. I find her a charming suburban `queen bitch' of birth & baby. A divine dialog of insults & disclaimers, yurning & learning as she goes thru nurture shocks of mommyhood. A role model for overly serious new mothers too nervous to joke, tease, cry or complain, can be inspired to blurt out feelings, drop the fear of guilt, spit & tease hubby, heals better?

I love these books, started reading them on my Kindle preview and knew I wanted them if I ever got pregnant again. Well now I am and some days, I just get a little down(hormones). I know these books will cheer me up! (I also brought Belly Laughs). I love how honest Jenny McCarthy is! I only gave it four stars through because I was surprised when I received both books of how small they are for what I spent. Books should not be this expensive in 2015! Even with prime! No complaints otherwise, exactly what I was looking for!

I read this book at the end of my second trimester and laughed so hard I started crying. I read it in two nights and I swear my husband thought I was nuts. Jenny talks about things others do not. I thought I was the only one who had the "snail trail." I started asking my family and friends who have children about things and they were like yeah I remember that and I am like why didn't you ever say anything or warn me! So if you want a book you can relate to or prepare you this is a great book. She tells it like it is and its HILARIOUS!

lots of fun. love how truthfull and fun she is. talks about the inner conflicts all of us. recommend this book. great and easy read

Absolutely funny. I read this a few times and had me in stitches.... And the first one too! Really good

Great light hearted read- Jenny is honest and witty in her account of the first year of being a Mummy.

Reality check book. Real things are mentioned in the book. Everything written in the book is fact and true things.

Even though I really think this woman is crazy, I read this after my first baby, and it made me laugh out loud. A great gift for new parents.