She’s having a baby – a book baby – and I’m so excited.

UPDATE 4/15/13: Guess who forgot to write in the option to win The Baby Companion book? Yup, me, that’s who. I suppose my head is still in the clouds a little. Just comment below for your chance to win. For extra entries, share this giveaway on facebook (or twitter, IG, or pinterest) and let me know that you did.

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After finding out at 19 weeks pregnant with Judah that he might have something seriously wrong such as Down syndrome or another chromosomal anomaly, I wrote and wrote and wrote. Dealing with and processing all of the unknowns seemed a little easier since I could write and share the journey.

I learned so much in those difficult but sweet days – about myself, my faith, my support system – and transitioning from writing about all of that to writing about other things was a huge challenge for me. I felt like nothing else I could write about could hold any significance in comparison.

It’s a bit the same now – I’m wondering how do I write about anything other than what happened last week? (Though I certainly know that you, dear friends, aren’t sitting on the edge of your seats waiting for more of the same.)

But here’s the thing…

Long before I knew my world was about to turn up-side-down with the death of our little one, God put this wonderful author – Jessica Wolstenholm – bearing a wonderful message in my life. This week she releases her second book:

And even though she released me from my prior commitment of sharing in her book launch this week, I didn’t want to pass up this important “birth”.

Because it’s like that you know – the laboring and growing and developing of a message as a writer carries it to term and then gives it to the world.

And this message of hers is so important: that motherhood needs to be bathed in grace.

The Baby Companion (follow-up to the Pregnancy Companion, which I also love) is a faith-filled guide for your journey through baby’s first year.

I am a bit of a pregnancy/baby/parenting book junkie, and honestly—honestly—I wish the Baby Companion had been published about four years ago.

A glimpse:

“With your heart now open wider than it’s ever been before, it is also vulnerable to feelings of lack and inadequacy. You desire so deeply to be everything your little one needs, yet you can’t possibly, in your own strength, measure up. Are you overcome by the reality of your weakness? Has motherhood illuminated your shortcomings? Our flesh and our heart may fail, but there is great news for us mamas. God is the strength of our heart and our portion (our provision for every need) forever!” –The Baby Companion, Month Three

As I read this section of the manuscript I was transported back to those early days and weeks with Levi and the whirlwind of emotions that come with being a brand new mom. I had fallen madly in love and I was desperate to be the best mother to this perfect little creature in my care. I read everything that I could get my hands on and I stressed about getting it all “right”.

How I wish I had given myself permission to relax a little more, to receive grace a little more, and to enjoy it all a little more!

And that’s why I’m so excited and encouraged and passionate about endorsing this book.

Co-authors Dr. Andrea Johnston and Jessica Wolstenholm (along with Dr. Heather Rupe) satisfy the information junkie like me by talking about everything from teething to eczema to diaper rash, to postpartum anxiety and depression, developmental milestones, baby care, what to expect at doctor visits, how to shop for baby, age-appropriate activities to stimulate your baby’s development, how to make your own baby food, family dynamics….

Um, you get the idea, right? It’s all in there. Pretty much everything.

But it’s far more than just your standard baby care manual with stats, information, and “how to’s”. At the close of each chapter Jessica brings much-needed spiritual insight from a mature Christian perspective with the voice of a caring big sister. She delivers a powerful word that’s particularly relevant for each month of baby’s development and mama’s journey, and also provides space for prayer and journaling as you grow as a mom.

Jessica wrote this book through her adorable son Joshua’s first year, and because of that there’s a not only a relevance to the order and the issues that she tackles month-by-month, but also an “I’m in the trenches with you” identification that is so endearing and encouraging and refreshing.

It’s gold, friends. You really should go and buy it. Like right now.

Buy it for yourself. And for that new mama that just announced her pregnancy. And for your church library. And for your friend that’s having her baby shower next month… Just buy one, and maybe a spare copy to have on hand as a loaner or a gift.

Or, leave a comment below for your chance to WIN a copy! Even better? I think, yes! For extra entries share about this giveaway on facebook (or other social media) and let me know that you did.

Dear friends, tell me. Do you wish you had received (and given yourself) a little more grace in your baby’s first year? What was/is your biggest challenge as a baby-mama?

I was provided a copy of The Baby Companion for review but was not compensated for this post in any way. All opinions stated are my own, and it’s a pleasure for me to help promote something I believe in.