Baby, oh baby!

Speaking of naming babies...It seems like they are popping up (or out, rather) everywhere! Just yesterday two very important men came in to this world.

Yesterday afternoon Noah Thomas Mills (7 lb. 10 oz.) was born to my very dear friends Erin and Cullen Mills. He is absolutely perfect in every way! He has long fingers and big feet, so there's no doubt in his daddy's mind that he'll be a star receiver before we know it!

And, yesterday evening, Drake Aubrey Young Ballew (6 lbs. 10 oz.) was born to my cousins Jason & Kelly Ballew. He is their second, his big brother Julien will be two next week. I don't have pictures yet, but I'll try to post some soon!

Congrats to the new parents!

What's in a (baby's) name?

Please allow me to step on to my soapbox for a moment...


If you have spent even a small amount of time with me, chances are you have heard me ramble on about how irritated I get with people and the names they choose for their babies. I encourage everyone to pick up the book Freakonomics (Levitt & Dubner) and read Chapter 6: Perfect Parenting, Part II; or, Would a Roshanda by Any Other Name Smell as Sweet? It will really open your eyes to the fact that the name you choose for your baby will be with them for the rest of their life and it could have detrimental effects! This morning I came across the article Isabella top name for girls; Jacob No.1 for boys on Yahoo. It made me a little sick to think that the top names for children were copied from the popular Twilight series; however, at least Bella and Jacob are fairly common and no one will ever have to know that their parents were victims of the Twilight saga. The part of the article that really struck me, and that is usually my point is this: "don't make the name a burden on your child." Jennifer Moss, author of "The One-in-a-Million Baby Name Book" and founder of babynames.com also said, "Make sure the name can grow with your child and make sure they can live with it. Don't make it too cutesy because think, can it work in the board room? Can they be a CEO?"

I'm begging you, for my sanity (and your child's), please think twice before you name your child.

Pajamas at 5:30

On Sunday night I was playing volleyball, like I usually do. I dove for a ball, like I usually do. And when I got up, I said, "it's ok, I didn't need that hip anyway..." Again, like I usually do; however, this time was different. When I woke up on Monday morning I was suffering with severe back pain. Luckily there is a chiropractor that frequently offers his services to those of us that work for Children @ Heart. I called him up and said that I would like to come for a visit. I went Tuesday afternoon and he did an initial exam. He requested I come back yesterday morning at 8am for my initial adjustment. He also requested I come back tonight at 6:15pm to review my x-rays and discuss my plan for care. I'm too young for this!

But, I used this temporary injury to my advantage last night. I skipped yoga and I got home from work around 5:30pm and immediately put on my pj's and got in bed! I stayed there all evening and it was glorious! I watched the movie Up in the Air, which I highly recommend. I enjoyed ABC Comedy Wednesday with The Middle, Modern Family, Cougar Town, and the final episode of Ugly Betty. I also watched Chelsea Handler on Chelsea Lately. I am so excited that tomorrow night at 8pm I will be seeing her in person with my wonderful friend Erin.

All-in-all I woke up feeling quite rested. Now if I can just get rid of this pesky back problem!

I almost forgot...

I have BIG news to report...

I completed my 50th workout last night! You might be saying to yourself, "50? That's it?" But that is 50 workouts in about 100 days. That's BIG for me. I am half way to my fitness goal of 100 workouts.

I must admit, I did slip once. I bought a blouse and a new pair of pants for work about a month or so ago...but I am happy to report that I bought a smaller size! If you're confused, you need to read My Non-Resolution Challenge.

It's paying off. Yoga, Cycling, Soccer, Volleyball, and Gym visits... 50 more to go!

Pat Green and Green Eggs & Ham

Check me out, I'm blogging again so quickly! I am very proud of myself.

Well, I promised details of the Pat Green concert and Erin's Dr. Seuss Baby Shower, so here goes!

Pat Green was great! If I might recommend some great music, check out Curtis Grimes! He opened for Pat Green and boy did he put on a show.

Erin's Baby Shower was a huge success! I was so worried that it wouldn't go as planned, but it turns out that it went off perfectly! Everyone had a wonderful time and baby Noah got lots of great stuff!

Excuse me for NOT blogging...

Ok, I give up. I'm an awful blogger. I suppose if my life was exciting I would post more. Wait, my life IS exciting! Since it is now April 6th, I suppose I should do a quick overview of my life in the past two months.

Since my last post, I have:
1. Seen Lady antebellum in concert...twice! Once in San Antonio with my mom and sister and once at the Austin Rodeo with my family. Let me just say that the concert in Austin was WAY better than at the AT&T Center in SA. It was smaller, more intimate, and you could see and hear them so much better!

2. Taken two sewing classes at JoAnn's Fabrics. In my first class I learned how to turn on my machine. In my second I made an adorable pillow case which I gave to my sister.


3. Attended the annual Father/Daughter Valentine's Dinner at my church with my Dad and sister. Every year they say, "For girls ages 2-14" or something like that...I always go. I'm 24. Ha!


4. MOVED IN TO AN APARTMENT! Yes, after living with my parents for a little more than a year after I graduated, I finally have my own place! Well, I have a roommate, but it's OUR own place!

5. Registered for classes! That's right, I'm on my way back to school. I will be starting classes this summer at Texas State University in pursuit of my Masters in Public Administration!

6. Spent time with Jordan, Natalie and Stephanie! Jordan flew in from California, Natalie came in from Houston, and Stephanie lives in Buda! It was a reunion for sure!


So, see, I've just been too busy to blog. And that's just a quick overview. I don't feel so bad about not blogging...

Next up is Pat Green on Friday and Erin's Dr.Seuss Baby Shower on Sunday. Maybe I'll blog about it in a few months...

It's all about ME.

February 1st. Wow, how quickly January flew by! I suppose it is time for a "challenge" update. I am pleased to report that tonight marked my 20th trip to the gym. Just reading "20" makes me feel lame; however, I was very sick last week and lost several days of workouts AND that's 20 workouts in 32 days! I am so pleased with myself, especially since I have no plans of stopping any time soon!

Over the past month I have discovered an absolute LOVE of Yoga! I usually practice it twice a week, sometimes more if I have time or a class is available. I love that it isn't about doing anything perfectly, it is about listening to what your body is capable of, pushing your limits, and accepting what you aren't quite ready for. For many years I have wanted to take Yoga and now I am wishing I would have started long ago!

Doing things for myself seems to be a trend lately. I am spending more time on myself, rediscovering my passions and planning for my future. I have signed up for a sewing class in two weeks and I couldn't be more excited! I received a new sewing machine for Christmas and I am eager to begin using it! So, stay tuned for my adventures in sewing.

My mom, sister, and I are going to San Antonio next weekend to see Lady Antebellum and to spend some quality "girl time" together. I'll be sure to post how it goes!