Leftovers: May 2015 Edition

Can we all just take a collective big breath in and say a little prayer of thanks that warm weather has finally and officially arrived? I know I’m about to be seriously pregnant and that by August I’ll be waddling around in a pool of my own belly sweat, but I am just so happy it’s finally warm. Summer is my season. I was a summer baby, and I can’t wait to bring another summer baby into the world. Until then, I’ll be relishing in all the awkward tan lines, sun dresses, bonfires, and berry cobblers I can.

May was a crazy busy, really wonderful month for us. If you follow me on Instagram, you probably caught a few shots from our babymoon to Charleston. I plan to do a separate post highlighting some of our favorite stops, but suffice it to say we did our fair share of sun-soaking, beach reading, and hush-puppy eating. I’m so thankful for this time the Mr. and I were able to share before baby Rowland makes his appearance. I can’t wait to go back next time with a squirmy little guy in tow! I sure hope he loves the ocean as much as we do!

charleston couple shot

I passed the 30 week mark of pregnancy at the end of this month, which feels completely surreal. The second trimester fuh-lew by. For the most part, I’m still feeling really good. Sleeping is becoming a bit of a challenge, so I finally gave in and started using one of those mega giant pregnancy pillows. It helps, but it’s like having a third person in bed who I have to roll over in order to get up and use the bathroom for the fourth time that night. Still, my hips are thankful.

The last few weeks I feel like my belly has really started to make itself known, which is exciting but also intimidating. This bump is becoming a real force to be reckoned with! I’ve been purposely avoiding weighing myself, and instead have tried to celebrate each change as it comes. Some days I feel cute and radiant. Some days I feel like a walrus. But the Mr. has been great at reassuring me, and making me feel beautiful even on my more walrus-y days. He took this picture of me while we were on our baby moon at 28 weeks, and it’s my favorite pregnancy bump picture so far.

baby bump 28 weeks

Vacation gave me some much needed binge-reading time, and I flew through two books that had been on my to-read list for awhile. These were both so fun and absolutely perfect for beach reading. If I’d read them sooner, they both would have made it onto my 2015 Summer Reading Guide.

51Y0eAmT1xLThe Rosie Project– Don has decided it’s time to find a wife, and this smart, albeit socially awkward professor knows just how he’ll do it: by creating a 16 page survey designed to find his scientific match by weeding out the smokers, the perpetually late, and anyone with peculiar tastes in ice cream. This book was so charming and full of heart, I couldn’t put it down. I laughed out loud at several points and found myself unable to resist reading a passage or two out loud to the Mr.  Definitely a winner.

the storied lifeThe Storied Life of A.J. Fikry– This tale of a widowed bookstore owner in a small coastal town has everything I love in a book–a little romance, a little mystery, humor, and beautiful writing. It’s a book for book lovers, and although I adore my Kindle, I have to suggest you actually go out and buy the paperback version of this one. It’ll make you smile every time you see it on your bookshelf.

Here are some reads from around the web I enjoyed this month:

Why Your Baby Name Choice is Making You Miserable and Part 2– Oh my goodness, THIS.

“One baby name book ‘promises a soul-crushing 140,000 choices. That’s already a guaranteed recipe for misery, but there’s more. Today’s parents also want to choose names that are distinctive and not too popular. Popular, of course, means “well-liked.” So you’re choosing from a limitless menu…with the most appealing options crossed out….Endless choices, challenging criteria, and high stakes. It’s a decision-maker’s nightmare. And brace yourself for the final kicker: both parents have to agree.'”

46 of the Most Beautiful Literary Passages According to Reddit– If you love reading or have a soul, I’m pretty certain you won’t be able to resist a heart clutch or two while you’re perusing these classic passages. This also made me realize how many more books I need to add to my reading list.

This video of a poor pup with terrible mouth/eye coordination made me cry from laughing so hard.

Into Iraq: What the News isnโ€™t telling You & Why We Canโ€™t Afford to Pretend Itโ€™s Not Happening from Ann Voskamp- Don’t read this at work or anywhere else you have to keep it together. These stories will wreck you. The horrors Iraqis, and especially Iraqi women, are facing at the hands of ISIS are unimaginable. Read this at home, and don’t look away. Gosh, how I want to look away. But there is hope at the end of this story, and we CAN do something. Please, read, give, and pray for these women.

The Best Dinner Rolls from Roxana’s Home Baking- I’ve been looking for an awesome homemade dinner roll recipe for awhile, and these look like perfection.

Ultimate Double Blackberry Cheesecake from Mariah’s Pleasing Plates- Blackberry season is my FAVORITE!

Chicken Bacon Ranch Potato Salad from One Sweet Mess- Chicken Bacon Ranch?? It’s like she knows me!

My most popular post this month was 30 Minute Ground Beef Gyros (y’all have great taste!) and these Grilled Lemon Tilapia Foil Packets are making a come back too. I’ve got more summery eats coming at you this month. Be sure to follow along on Instagram for more baby bump pics and photos from behind the scenes!

30 Minute Ground Beef Gyros from Neighborfoodblog.com

6 Comments

  1. “Both parents have to agree.” OMG, that was the hardest part!! My fiance would veto names for the most ridiculous reasons. Good luck to you! Pregnancy looks good on you ๐Ÿ™‚

  2. Courtney, you look absolutely amazing, my friend. You look exactly the same except for the adorable baby bump and an extra radiance in your beautiful face. I’m so glad to hear pregnancy agrees with you. I laughed extra hard at the “belly sweat” line. It’s totally going to happen, especially since meteorologists say this summer is gonna be hellishly hot (at least over here on the West Coast). I’ve been wanting to read the Rosie Project – I think there’s a sequel out now too. I’ve been thinking about you a lot lately and wondering how you’re doing. I’ll send you an email this week. xoxo

    1. Thanks so much Nancy! I feel really good for the most part, but sometimes it’s still weird to catch a glimpse of my reflection and see that big ol belly bump. Figures this summer is supposed to be hot as heck. I plan to wear a giant black mumu every day that will conceal the belly sweat as much as possible. It’s going to be super attractive, I’m sure. Definitely check out The Rosie Project! Such a fun read! Miss you too friend, let’s catch up soon!

  3. You look amazing and radiant. So glad you got a chance to have this time before the bump arrives. Speaking of which, that does not like like a 3rd trimester bump at all. Are you 100% sure you just haven’t had a few too many desserts? ๐Ÿ™‚

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