It’s MAY! I think May is one of my favorite months because the weather starts getting nicer and feels more summer-y which is my fave. Time for my April recap!
Picked up my library holds! Read (and really enjoyed) My Not So Perfect Life and am currently reading All the Missing Girls.
Follow me on Instagram to see more images from my month.
Also you should follow my personal account — @jamielee841 — if you want to see even more!
1. I am officially in the third trimester: I can’t believe it to be honest. As I write this today I’m one day away from being 30 weeks. Third trimester has really turned up the uncomfortableness. I have a hard time sleeping (my hips aaaache even with a million pillows) and I have to get up to pee a lot. I am uncomfortable sitting on the couch and the pressure from my belly makes me feel like I can’t breathe. LOTS of heartburn. BUT the good stuff: she moves around like crazy, we’ve narrowed it down to 3 names, we’ve done a couple loads of baby laundry and put it away. Lots of things making it feel really real.
Pic from our walk yesterday! Also featuring: shorter hair and new color!
2. I bought a new (to me) car — My poor 20 year old car just had too much to do to it to pass inspection so we needed to get a new car. I’ve always had old cars so when Will was like “what do you want?” and I’m like I LITERALLY JUST WANT AUTOMATIC LOCKS AND WINDOWS BECAUSE I’VE NEVER HAD THAT. We had been talking about getting a newer and safer car for me to drive for the baby but my inspection proved that had to happen. So I got a silver 2014 Ford Focus hatchback and I’m super happy with it.
3. We traveled up to my dad’s for my grandma’s surprise 80th birthday party: 4 hour drives while pregnant are not so fun to be honest BUT it was nice to make the quick trip up to celebrate my grandma’s birthday and see family I haven’t seen in a while — my uncles from Florida, my cousins, ALL my sisters.
4. Had our last ladies night before the babies start coming: I think I told you all that 4 out of my 5 girl friends are currently pregnant (and we are all having girls) so we made sure to plan one last dinner together before everything gets chaotic. My friend Abby’s due date was end of April but unfortunately the baby didn’t come so she’s being induced today. I love these girls so much and I’m so lucky to have them all in my life.
5. I really got into audiobooks again: I go through phases on my commute — sometimes I want to listen to audiobooks, sometimes I’m just all about listening to music and other times I’m on a podcast kick. Currently on an audiobook kick! THANK GOODNESS FOR MY LIBRARY AND OVERDRIVE! Now that I’m in my third trimester my OB appointments are every two weeks and my drive is 30 minutes sooooo audiobooks help make it better.
I put all my Monthly Rewinds in a Spotify playlist so you can listen to them here !
1. Atlas:Heart — Sleeping At Last
2. Bored — Billie Eilish
3. Help Me Mama — ZZ Ward
4. The Fire — Bishop Briggs
5. Hate That You Know Me — Bleachers
6. Now Or Never — Halsey
Check out the rest of my April playlist for more of what I was listening to this month!
I read 6 books this month so I’m only going to pick 2 TOP faves.
1. The Upside of Unrequited by Becky Albertalli — Oh man you know my love for Becky’s debut and this one proved to be just as delightful and wonderful!
2. My (Not So) Perfect Life by Sophie Kinsella: So funny and I absolutely flew through it!
Ehhh still working on those roundups of what I’ve been reading
“Life is a drama full of tragedy and comedy. You should learn to enjoy the comic episodes a little more.”
― Jeannette Walls, The Glass Castle
I didn’t end up blogging too much this month so I’m just going to list my top 2 posts!
- 14 New YA Series to Start In 2017: So many good-sounding series on our reading horizons this year!
- 8 Recently Released (Or Soon To Be) Historical Fiction Books I’ve Added To My TBR Recently: I’m so excited to read all of these! Have you read any of them??
I wish my blog got more love from ME again…I’m getting there. Life is changing so quickly and I’m slowly getting into a groove again.
1. 6 Ways To Work Less + Accomplish More With Your Blog: Some good ideas and things to think about for bloggers!
2. Notes on Following Your Dreams: Loved this post from one of my favorite travel bloggers! Her posts are always so honest and refreshing.
3. 25 Best Castles in the World: New ones to add to the bucket list!!
4. Normal Won’t Happen. You Have to Make It Happen: Lots of food for thought!
5. Not A Perfect Mom But An Enough Mom: I think this is so relevant even if you aren’t a mom BUT definitely saving this for when I will likely need to read it again and again once this baby comes.
1. My new deep conditioner I’m using: I’ve been really trying to do better and not be lazy when it comes to my hair. It’s curly and dry and I never give it enough TLC so I purchased a deep conditioner from Acure and I love it! SO MUCH. It smells great and my hair feels great. I use their shampoo and conditioner, day cream, leave-in spray, this AND I just bought a facial scrub from them to be used soon! Hopefully that’s a win too.
2. Chicken and White Bean Enchiladas with Creamy Green Chili Sauce:– AMAZING. It was decently spicy and made the pregnancy heartburn even worse but alas it was worth it.
3. My new favorite fashion blog: It’s always so hard to find fashion blogs that aren’t 1) way out of my budget always 2) things I would actually wear on a daily basis (I like fun fashion and things I wouldn’t wear in my daily life but sometimes I want things that I can actually draw inspiration from in my own closet). I LOVE Un-Fancy. I’ve been going through her archives like mad and pinning outfits and loooove her minimalist approach.
What summer plans do you have or are starting to come together? Mine will obviously be having a baby in July. It’s been hard for me to reconcile no big trip, vacation or anything this year BUT 1) the baby will be here 2) we might try to get one beach weekend in since we are so close to the shore.
Pick a category (or 5… or all of them) and tell me what went on in YOUR life this month!! What sort of things were noteworthy for you this month? New obsessions? Any new song recs?? Best books you read this month? Great posts I missed on your blog? Answer to my question of the month?
Christine Amorose says
Aww thanks so much for including my post and the kind words! We’re planning a big move this summer, so our travel plans are more low-key but I’m hoping we find some fun new things to explore in our new home. And we’re going to Santa Fe for my husband’s sister’s wedding, which will be fun!
Jamie says
I always love reading your blog! One of my must reads even when I’m low on time! 🙂
Oooh a big move! How exciting/somewhat stressful! I need to do more of that — exploring things in my own area. I always feel so bored but there’s so much to explore here in the Philly suburbs and obviously in Philly. So much easier to fantasize about all the other places I’d rather be. Santa Fe…that sounds fun!! Hope you have lots of little adventures this summer!
Shanti says
I have a busy month because I’m graduating from high school which is weird. So far, I’ll definitely be volunteering and hiking (and obviously reading and hopefully writing) this summer, and my friend from New Zealand is coming to visit. I’m sure you’ll be really busy with baby-preparing. Have a great month!
Jamie says
Oooh how exciting! I remember that time to be very busy so good luck to you!! Sounds like your summer is going to be great…enjoy that summer in between high school and college (or whatever you plan to do next!). And how exciting….I love when friends come into town and I get to spend time with them!!
Hannah says
I wish you all the best with this exciting time! Almost there… I hope you get loads of reading done between now and then! Although audiobooks and podcasts could be quite handy when the baby is here (ie. hands-free). I’ve never really been a fan of audiobooks because I find my attention wavering, but I recently downloaded some short stories and that seems to work well!
Jamie says
Thank you! <3 And I've definitely been trying to appreciate all the uninterrupted reading time I can do in my free time haha. YES I'm hoping audiobooks and podcasts will be something I listen to a lot when I'm feeding or holding her. I've heard a lot of friends say their kindles have come super in handy bc one handed! Trying to read lots of physical books right now and save the kindle books for then!
Audio was hard for me to get into as well but now I'm obsessed. I typically do easy fun reads that don't require my attention quite as much as heavy fantasy or literary fiction. Also sometimes memoirs are fun esp if they are read by the celebrity or famous person. I recently listened to the first Veronica Mars book because I loved that show and Kristen Bell was the narrator and it was amazing!
Annemieke says
I hope the last few weeks of your pregnancy go well. Heartburn really sucks. I hope your friend has a good induction. My induction didn’t work either haha.
Have a great week!
Jamie says
Thank you so much! <3 My friend had her baby and it seemed to go well...she is Superwoman though....got induced with NO epidural. DRUGS PLEASE FOR ME.
Ebru says
Love your blog!! First of all, congrats on your pregnancy and good luck on the 3rd trimesters, I remember I was so big and uncomfortable and was using my belly as a table 🤣🤣
My favourite reads this month:
Walk of Shame by Lauren Layne
Twist by Kylie Scott
My favourite songs to listen to this month:
Shape of you by Ed Sheeran
Rockabye by Clean Bandit
Highlight of the Month:
I finally pushed launch on my blog and started it yesterday 🙂 I’m currently working on my very first book review for Walk of Shame because I loved that book just so much
IF you or anyone would like to take a look at it here’s the link: ebsandherreads.com
On another note: April is my birth month and I’ve turned 33 on the 3rd – getting old
Again, congrats on your pregnancy and have a great day!! 🤗
Jamie says
Aw thank you! And omg lol that is like the one perk to this huge belly…it’s a convenient table. It’s just so uncomfortable…hoping these weeks go by quickly since we seem to have lots of plans and stuff to do.
Congrats on launching your blog!! Love the color! Pretty and simple! And happy belated birthday…I will turn 32 this year! WHEN DID WE GET OLD?
Ebru says
Haha I know right – I still feel like I am 27 hahaha 🙂
Thanks for the birthday wishes and visit to my blog. I am trying to make it look prettier with pictures and all but I am very computer illiterate and wordpress isn’t very easy to navigate haha so it is what it is at the moment 🙂
Natalie @ Flowers in my Books says
I’m glad everything is going well with the pregnancy! Despite the aches and everything else that probably sucks. I also read The Upside of Unrequited and absolutely adored every moment of it!! As for summer plans, I’m really just hoping to get a lot of reading done, and maybe spend some time exploring my favourite London spots that I don’t get to see that often anymore since I moved to Uni. I’ve also got a LOT of gigs (and festivals) coming up at the end of May which is super exciting. And I’m turning 20! Hopefully it’ll be a good start to the summer.
Jamie says
Yeah I have those moments where I complain a lot about the uncomfortable and annoying things but then I remember that (besides my terrible first trimester) this pregnancy has been pretty easy compared to what it could have been.
Ahh wasn’t Upside so cuuuuute? SO DELIGHTFUL. Tell me you’ve read Simon!!!
Ahhh London…this time last year my husband and I were there. All my FB memories keep coming up and I’m like SOB SOB SOB I MISS THAT CITY. What are some of your fave spots?/
Sounds like you have an AMAZING summer coming up!!
Geybie's Book Blog says
Jamie, glad to hear that your pregnancy is going well and you had a great time with friends. I hope you enjoy the book you’re currently reading and am planning to read this month. Have a wonderful week. 😁
Becky says
My wedding is in a month! The whole planning process has definitely been a rollercoaster but thankfully it’s almost over. I’m just happy to get married and go on our honeymoon! We’re spending two weeks in Hawaii and I cannot wait. I’m more excited for that than the actual wedding haha.
Best of luck with the last few weeks of pregnancy!