It Sucked and Then I Cried: How I Had a Baby, a Breakdown, and a Much Needed Margarita

this is a funny book by a talented writer. i am impressed that she was able to so perfectly put into words the experience of taking care of an infant. whenever i try to describe it, words fail me and all i can come up with is, "it is so hard". but she manages to explain why it's hard with great honesty, feeling, and wit. it was an added bonus that i laughed out loud at least once per chapter. highly recommended for parents, though i have a feeling that many non-parents would enjoy it too.

Have you ever read a book that you were sad to see it end? That is the only way I can describe Heather Armstrong's latest book titled It Sucked and Then I Cried.

Heather Armstrong, one of the world's most famous bloggers with her site Dooce.com, doesn't hesitate to tell it like it is...about parenting and being a person who suffers chronic depression.

And when postpartum depression becomes the icing to the chronic depression cake, things can get totally whacked out and very hilarious to outsiders looking in.

One of my most favorite parts was in the beginning as Heather openly admits to suffering from chronic depression and seeks out help in the form of medication and therapy. However, once she and her husband Jon decide to have a baby, she show more stops taking the medication. From there, Jon is destined for the roller coast ride of his life with the three faces of Eve.

Heather tells of how Jon had spent the day moving "7,800 pounds of boxes from a moving truck into [their] new house," yet she had learned she was ovulating and was determined to do "the procedure." Before he even has a chance to catch his breath, she aggressively seeks to accomplish her mission. Jon, however, just doesn't have the strength to indulge her; telling her "It would take an act of God." Yet, unmedicated Heather hears only, "You are ovulating, and I don't love you." Why? Because, i n her words, she is insane.

It is this kind of quick, crazy-fueled humor that keeps the reader laughing throughout the entire book.

I was a bit hesitant to read it after seeing the reviews at Amazon, but I'm so glad that I went with my instinct.

Many reviewers felt that Heather's tales of parenting were a bit too dramatic and exaggerated. I, on the other hand, disagree. One must have suffered from chronic depression and/or postpartum depression to fully understand that things are that exaggerated and dramatic when in such a mental state. You're not making it up. You're not embellishing it. In your destined-for-the-loony-bin mind, it really happened just like that.

I think Heather is a great spokesperson for depression - chronic or postpartum. Her writing style will give sufferers a feeling of understanding while at the same time letting them know that they need to seek help; not just for themselves but for their families.

Is it regurgitated blog material? Somewhat. As a fan of Dooce.com, I was already somewhat familiar with the stories, yet somehow I related much more when reading it compiled in a book.

Not a sufferer of depression in any form? If you've got a wicked sense of humor, you'll still enjoy it. But be forewarned, Heather is rude, crude and socially unacceptable in the things she says and does. If you're easily offended by foul language or crude remarks, then I do not recommend it for you. show less

To me, this was the baby memoir to end all baby memoirs. Nothing that I've read before, or since, compares to this. Especially Jenny McCarthy's baby book, which I read about 20 pages of before realizing she's not nearly as funny as she thinks she is, and then I couldn't put up with her anymore.
The title of this one is misleading, because it doesn't focus as much on her postpartum depression as it does on the journey as a whole, but the journey is a freaking riot. She's so snarky, and it's not often that a book makes me laugh out loud and then I'm dying to tell my husband what the heck I'm laughing at. I ate this book up and was totally bummed when it was over.

Screamingly funny, heartbreakingly honest... Heather Armstrong has a remarkable way with words and a willingness to let it all hang out in the interest of both entertaining and letting us know that we are not alone. Everyone who has ever been in love, been pregnant, become a parent, suffered from depression will recognizeherself in Heather. I have seldom laughed so hard or empathized with suffering so much. A thoroughly engrossing and entertaining book.

I've been a fan of Armstrong's DOOCE blog for years. While I remember her announcing that this book had been published (and a second one has, too), it was in one ear and out of mind . . . until I found the volume on the New Books shelf of my local library.
This book reminded me of why I find myself checking DOOCE daily (usually multiple times each day). Armstrong is consistently both entertaining and insightful. She gives me my needed fix of what it's like to be a person who copes with life even when she thinks she can't. And while I'm not a woman, a mother, married, or a recovering Mormon, I identify with her.

This is Heather B. Armstrong's memoir of getting pregnant, going through pregnancy, giving birth, living with a baby, and having post-partum depression. I was expecting more of a focus on post-partum depression, but the book was good for what it was about. Armstrong is a strong writer who doesn't hold back, and that candor is invaluable when writing about topics like pregnancy, birth, and motherhood. I think this is a valuable book to have in our culture. Not to mention, it's quite funny.

Readers of dooce.com should probably be aware that I'd already read some of these things on the website, but there was enough added and enough different to make it worth reading again.

For anyone who is a regular reader of Dooce.com the style of this book will come as no surprise. Heather is just as funny in her memoir as she is every day on her website. The thing that hooks you about Heather's story though is not her humour it is her honesty about her thoughts and feelings. This book is no exception, it had me crying, laughing out loud, joyous and hopeful. Heather tells the store of her pregnancy and the birth of her first child and the feelings and emotions that came with it. Some might find Heather's style crass or even annoying but she writes so candidly I think that every new or expectant mother should give this a read.