April Reading List

 

ashley reading

I don’t know about you guys, but the cool, rainy weather in New York City has me wanting to curl up in bed with a warm cup of tea, cozy blanket and a good book.  While I can’t do that during the day, regardless how strong the temptation, I have found myself spending more time reading at night. As I mentioned a while back, I have found that I sleep better when I read for 30 minutes before bed instead of watching television, reading blogs or scrolling Instagram. In addition, the third trimester aches have me craving a warm, soothing bath almost nightly which provides another perfect time to read. 

Based on the feedback I received on Instagram and Facebook when I shared this list last night, I thought it would be fun to share it on the blog today and hopefully share it more regularly since I’m reading more frequently. I love getting book suggestions from friends and other bloggers, such as Grace, so why not share with you guys too?

If you’re looking for more inspiration or more frequent updates, you can follow me on Goodreads. My “to read” list is more than 100 books long as I find myself adding new books on a weekly basis; a far faster pace than I read a book these days.

  • Bringing Up Bebe – Bo and I are both reading this book that discusses the many ways French parenting differs from the common American parenting methods. Having lived in Geneva, Switzerland for two years we saw a great deal of this come to life as it is located in the French speaking region of Switzerland and therefore highly influenced by French culture.  I love that this isn’t a book that preaches to readers, instead it is a memoir of the author’s experience becoming pregnant and then subsequently raising children in Paris. 
  • Paris for One and Other Stories – Jojo Moyes is one of my favorite authors, especially when I’m in the mood for a lighter read. After numerous friends, and my mom, recommended this colection of novellas, I knew I needed to add my name to the library waiting list. I started this last night and can already tell that I’ll finish it before Friday as it is entertaining, engaging and I find myself curious of what the next story will hold.
  • A Man Called Ove –   I started this book earlier this year but never made it past the second chapter. I can’t remember why I put it down but after seeing this reappear on my Goodreads list multiple times as well as hearing about it from a few of my close friends, I finally decided to check it out this week. In fact, when I look on Goodreads, more than 50 of my friends gave this book five stars! WOW! I have a feeling this pregnant momma will be shedding a few tears as I read this book.
  • Happiest Baby on the Block –  Let me begin by saying that yes, after last night’s post, I know realize that we should watch the movie as it brings the methods and actions to life. But, before last night, this book was on my reading list as more than 20 different moms from all walks of life recommended this book and said that it was the most important book they read while they were pregnant or raising a newborn.  A lot of people say that the book is longer than it needs to be and that for this reason the DVD can meet the needs better, but I hope to garner at least a few tidbits of applicable advice from the book.

These are the books that I am currently reading or keeping on my nightstand. Once these are done, here are a few towards the top of my list.

Tell me: What book are you reading or did you recently read that you loved and would recommend?

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The Best Maternity Workout Gear

It is no secret that I believe staying active has helped me maintain my sanity during the past 32 weeks of pregnancy. From the very beginning, it was my goal to stay healthy and active throughout pregnancy while still listening to my body. While I realized that I pushed my body too hard by running through week 28, now that I’ve taken a break from running, I feel terrific.   In fact, this morning during our Orangetheory workout, Bo told me that I look like I’ve actually built muscle over the past few months.  Since taking a break from running, I’ve maintained a great workout routine that has ensured I get my heart rate up and break a sweat six days a week through long power walks, swimming, prenatal pilates, Orangetheory, Xtend Barre and prenatal yoga.

Best Maternity Workout Gear

I’ve enjoyed the many benefits of working out during pregnancy including:

  • Lowered my risk of gestational diabetes
  • Reducing aches and pains
  • No constipation
  • Minimal swelling which didn’t begin until Week 31
  • Minimal weight gain
  • Increase my stamina and strength for labor
  • Endorphins
  • Better sleep

However, the one thing that I didn’t enjoy about working out during pregnancy was finding clothes that fit well and flattered my growing figure. While I was able to wear most of the workout clothes through the first trimester, as soon as I started to pop in the second trimester, I started feeling like a stuffed sausage.  In addition, as my belly grew each week, I started to feel some aches and pains after workouts from the extra weight.  I knew it was time to invest in some maternity workout clothes but I didn’t know where to shop. I actually reached out to a few friends as many posts I found included links to brands that no longer sell maternity clothing, such as Athleta. The reviews on sites like Gap and Target had VERY mixed reviews which made me fearful of the quality or fit.

Luckily, at this same time, the team at Mumberry Fit reached out to me offering to send me one piece of their gear as well as provide a discount code for other items I may want to purchase as part of their Fit Mom Squad.

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Similar to the sigh of relief I expressed the first time I slipped on a pair of maternity jeans, this workout gear made me feel comfortable and confident while working out. It is hands down the best maternity workout gear that I have tried! Since the clothing is made for pregnant women and takes into account their needs during this time of their life.  Since it was designed by pregnant women, each of the pieces is flattering and sweat-wicking since pregnant women tend to get hot faster. But, the biggest thing that separates Mumberry from any other maternity workout clothing is the Mumband. The Mumband is a support band that is built into each Mumberry item. It features elastic and compression that supports and secures your stomach while providing much-needed support for your lower back.  Since their clothing is meant to grow with you throughout pregnancy, the band can be worn either expanded, across the belly during later pregnancy months, or rolled down during the first trimester or after delivery when the added support isn’t needed.

The Mumband<sup>®</sup> belly support by Mumberry

Since discovering Mumberry, I’ve tested the following three items, each of which I’ve loved and wear on a regular basis.

Mumberry Maternity Active Wear

  • Ease Maternity Yoga Pant with Mumband Support –  After wearing the capris for six weeks, I was looking for a longer pant version to wear for errands, yoga, and even while working from home. The “buttery” soft fabric makes me forget I’m wearing them while the Mumband support makes sure that my back and stomach are supported even when I’m sitting at my home office desk working. They also feature a back zipper pocket, perfect for storing keys or even my iPhone during errands and workouts. My only request is that they feature a longer length for tall women like myself as these aren’t quite as long as I’d like.
  • Flourish Maternity Tank with Mumband Support –  I fell head over heels for this tank as soon as I put it on back in February. The built in sports bra meant that I had one less thing to worry about when I was getting ready in the morning and the high impact support allowed me to run in it without issues. I love that the bra cups can serve as nursing pads after Baby Girl Diamond is born and for now, they provide some added shape. The empire waist is very flattering and has provided plenty of room for growth. Of course, just like every other piece of Mumberry activewear, the back and belly support provides my back and stomach with the compression and lift needed to keep workouts comfortable.  I love this tank SO much that I actually just ordered the black one today to enjoy throughout the rest of pregnancy and beyond.
  • Move Maternity Active Capris with Mumband Support –  These capris fit wonderfully and the soft, thick fabric ensures that there are no surprises when I flow through prenatal yoga class as the material is definitely NOT see through. The built in Mumband fits perfectly over my stomach now that I’m 32 weeks and before this, I was able to adjust it to fit accordingly. I love that the capris also feature a side pocket, perfect for storing my keys, phone or credit card during a long, power walk.

Want to try Mumberry for yourself? Right now you can use the code MEGASALE30 to receive 30% off everything sitewide!

Thank you to Mumberry for sending me a piece of your clothing to try as well as providing a discount code for me to use on additional products. As always, all opinions are my own.

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A Celebratory Savannah Weekend

We are back in New York after a wonderful, long weekend down in Savannah. It felt wonderful to disconnect and spend time with our families during this last trip before we meet Baby Girl Diamond in June. In fact, this was my last flight and most likely last time leaving the city until after she arrives. This trip was perfectly planned as I truly feel it helped us transition into nesting mode.

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We took the last flight down to Savannah on Wednesday night, which meant we didn’t crawl into bed until 1 AM. Thursday morning we woke up to gorgeous weather, which I enjoyed during a power walk with my mother-in-law. The rest of the day was spent relaxing and enjoying lunch and dinner at two of my favorite, casual Savannah spots. My favorite lunch spot in Savannah is Starland Cafe. While their sandwiches and soups look delicious, the salads are what I always find myself ordering as they include a unique menu of ingredients and are always piled high with fresh, local, seasonal ingredients.  We finally tried their famous, homemade pimiento cheese and it was a delicious way to start the meal! IMG_2440IMG_2444

That evening we headed out to Tybee Island to enjoy one of my favororite, Southern indulgences – fried seafood.  My family loves enjoying lunch or dinner dockside at AJ’s Dockside restaurant as they have some of the best seafood in Savannah. Over the years a number of local places have come and gone but AJ’s has been a staple since 2003 and seems to get better with every visit.  Their menu includes all types of options but on Thursday night the only thing I had on my mind was their fried shrimp and oyster plate.

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Friday we balanced things out with a long walk on the beach and beachside salads at North Beach Grill. The weather was 80 degrees and sunny, warm enough for us to enjoy a few dips in the ocean during our walk!

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That night we headed to the first of two reunion events for our high school, Savannah Country Day School. I somehow forgot to take pictures, but it was wonderful to catch up with the staff and fellow alumni while also seeing campus for the first time in at least ten years.

Saturday, I had the joy of celebrating Baby Girl Diamond at a shower hosted by some of my mother-in-law’s dear friends. It was a lovely lunchtime shower that included a delicious shrimp casserole, strawberry and spinach salad as well as cookies from Two Smart Cookies. Their iced, cutout cookies are soft and chewy just the way I love my cookies!  It was so wonderful to spend the afternoon catching up with these wonderful women, many of whom have known Bo since he was a young boy. We laughed and reminisced as I opened gifts and listened closely to their tips and tricks for raising Baby Girl Diamond. I was so thankful that not only my mom and mother-in-law were able to attend but also my brother’s girlfriend and my aunt, who came down from Chapel Hill, NC for the occasion.

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Saturday evening we had our second reunion event, a party for our class at one of our classmates beautiful homes. It was a joy catching up with some people we hadn’t seen in 15 years. I was especially thankful for the words of advice I received from the numerous moms. I walked away with a few good books and blogs to read based on their recommendations.

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Sunday we spent the day relaxing and soaking in the last of our trip with both families. We went to church with Bo’s parents in the morning before relaxing on my parent’s back porch with our books for the afternoon. We pushed our stomachs to their limit with a delicious barbecue birthday celebration for my aunt which included Boston Butt that had been smoked for 15 hours, baby back ribs, squash casserole, pasta salad and birthday cake. 

It’s safe to say that Bo and I are both craving lots of healthy food and workouts this week after a relaxing and indulgent weekend at home in Savannah.  This week I have a number of posts planned including maternity workout gear, an exciting and fun giveaway and more!

Your turn – What’s your favorite meal or food when you’re home?

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