28 things for my 28th year

Today, I am 28-years-old. This last year flew by so very quickly, I feel like I blinked and it was gone. You can read how I celebrated my 27th birthday here.


The most wonderful thing happened last year, the birth of my Lainey Bug and while this year could never compare, I am determined to make it a good one! So, I've decided to come up with a list of everything I want to do in my 28th year.

1. I want to continue to be the best momma I can be to sweet baby girl. She has made everything in this world so much better for me and I owe it to her to give her the best life I can.
2. Read more. I love to read but rarely do it. When we lived in Louisiana, which is actually when and why I started this blog (so family could keep track of us) I was reading a book a week it seemed! Last year, I think I ready 3 books. I have a new Kindle so I'm determined to read a book a month. Hopefully, reading with an infant is quite a challenge.
3. Write more. Article one submitted for the year this morning so, so far so good.
4. Spend time with my husband like I did before we had a baby. I know that I give all of my attention to Lainey, which she deserves. But B does deserve attention as well. I've noticed that once Lainey is asleep, I choose to still hold her rather than put her in her bed and snuggle with B.
5. Spend less money. Yep, I just said that.
6. Be a better friend. If you read this post, you will know that I have decided to let go of some friendships and put more energy into those that are really valuable and I am determined to be the best friend that I can be.
7. Be healthy. I am generally a healthy person. I work out and eat a pretty decent diet. But I want to be healthier. I want to get back into my workout routine that I abandoned with pregnancy and eat more veggies.
8. Get a website up and running where I can show off my print design and freelance work, which will hopefully lead to more work, accomplishing #3. :)
9. Learn to take it easy. I put a lot of pressure on myself to get things done. I often over-commit. I want to learn to take things as they come and handle things with grace when I can't get it all done. Like yesterday, I nearly crumbled when my lack of sleep had me doing silly things like trying to heat Lainey's bottle in cold water.
10. Try to be more sensitive. I am a bit sarcastic and very matter-of-fact. Which sometimes comes off as a little cold. I am not surrounded by others who share that same sentiment. 
11. Volunteer more. I am a member of Junior League and I absolutely love it. I want to offer myself more to the League and the community. I am currently the editor of the newsletter and have yet to put in one hour of community service in this League year (August-May is the League year)...See what I mean about over-committing?
12. Finish my gallery wall. I have a tendency to put things like that off. I am very excited about it and have most of the pieces to put the wall together. I just gotta do it!
13. Spend more time with my grandparents. I adore my grandparents and I want Lainey to know them and love them like I do. I will be devastated when they are no longer here and I don't want to regret not having enough time for them.
14. Dig more into the Word. As in the Bible. I am desperately missing church. We haven't been in almost 16 weeks! We will go back this Sunday for Lainey's first Sunday visit. I want to grow in my walk and to strengthen my relationship with God. After all, He is the only reason I have all of the blessings that I do.
15. Write a sassy, smart-ass book that will never get published and piss everyone off, but at least I will have gotten the snark out of my system. I may even send it to Random House and frame the letter they send me in return telling me how crazy I am.
16. Sing and dance with my baby girl at least once a day. My grams used to sing and dance with me and I loved it. Some of my fondest memories are of us having tea parties and singing her made-up songs.
17. Participate in a run/walk for a cause. I have a dear friend who's mom has MS and two years ago I did the MS 5K run/walk in her honor. It was such a wonderful experience and her mom was so overjoyed. I selfishly want that feeling of doing that for someone I love again. 
18. Get a concealed hand-gun license. I own two guns. In Texas, it's very legal. We use them for home protection but I want my license. Plus, I think the education will be great for me.
19. Go to the beach more. I live so close to the beach and B goes to the beach all the time. I never go. Why not enjoy it, right?
20. Reconnect with at least one old friend. Sure, I'm editing friendships, but there is no reason to check in on an old friend and just say hello.
21. Clip coupons. See #5.
22. Learn how to use my Cricut. It has barely been taken out of the box. 
23. Sell something. Maybe something I make with my Cricut, maybe my sassy book, maybe I'll start selling Stella and Dot. Who knows, I'll figure it out as I go.
24. Read more blogs and blog more. In other words, give blogger more of all that free time I've got...
25. Do something drastic with my appearance. Not necessarily shaving my head, but maybe highlights, piercing my nose again, a hair cut...something.
26. Take my pups on more walks. I get so consumed in my day that I've let the simple joy of walking my pups go out the door. They enjoy it, I enjoy it, Alaina enjoys it. Yet, it has fallen to the back burner and B ends up doing it the majority of the time when he gets home from work.
27. Edit my friends on Facebook. I have way too many friends. Honestly, I don't delete most of them for the sheer fact that I might be the nosiest person I know. It's time to cut that list.
28. Enjoy every day of this year. Learn to see the happy in even the rough days and realize that no matter what happens, I am extremely blessed, loved and happy.

Random Ramblings with a video

Not much to post about today. Just a few thoughts I've had that I'd like to get out, I guess.

• Tomorrow I will be 28 years old. And I'm actually excited about this.
• I have officially submitted my first article of the year to my editor. About cupcakes. Sweet.
• Last night I couldn't sleep because all I wanted to do was stare at Lainey. She is growing way too quickly and sometimes I feel like there just isn't enough time in the day to spend with her.
• If I was extremely wealthy, like a billionaire, I would probably have 5 kids. No joke.
• I told Bobby I have two ideas for books. But I'm pretty sure most of America couldn't handle the level of sarcasm they would be written with. Except for maybe the Chelsea Handler crowd.
• The thought of taking Lainey to Costa Rica is starting to freak me out. But I'm still uber excited.
• I big pink puffy heart Rob Lowe. He's so dreamy.
• Today Lainey is having a playdate with two cute little boys. Already.
• I miss my sister. Lainey was sick, then my nephew was sick. Makes it hard for us to get together.
• I'm still convinced Lainey looks like me. 

Me in 1984 at 9 months

Lainey this morning. I had to use this picture because it was so cute! She is giggling like crazy!

This is Lainey getting up and ready for the day. Cutie Pie!!

Home Decor

If I could afford it, every single square inch of my house would be decorated by Pottery Barn. I love it! However, since I cannot afford that, I pick up things here and there as I shop.

Today I thought I would share with you some of the fun things I've picked up lately and since I posted the progress on Alaina's nursery, I thought I'd share the final product as well.

I've had this vase for years but I picked up these branches from Target for .68 cents each! I got them yesterday. Just a deal I couldn't pass up! 

This was actually a gift from my mom. She bought this frame like 30 years ago. Once I had Alaina's newborn photos taken, she framed one of me and her and put it in this old frame. I love this.

I don't have a lot of things to pass down to my kids, my house burn down when I was 12 and we lost everything. So things like this, I treasure!

I picked this little bowl vase up from Hobby Lobby for $2! Crazy, right? I love it. It's a really deep plum color.

I also picked up this vase from Hobby Lobby. I think it was like $7 and I got the flowers when they were half off. I love a good deal!

Last weekend I was digging through a box of my baby stuff, to prove that Lainey looks more like me than B, and I found this photo. This is my mom and her older sister staring out the window of the house they grew up in in Galveston, Texas.

I bought these stems from Hobby Lobby as well...half off, of course. I just stuck them in an old pitcher I had around the house.

 And now for Alaina's room

I bought this decal to put above her crib and I just love it! The quality is so good ! It is really thick and looks painted on but so, so easy to apply.

I got this piece from Babies r Us. I love it! I'm not typically a mobile fan so this was a great alternative. Plus, I put it in the corner as opposed to directly above her crib.

We also bought a few more panels for her windows from Target.

Finished product from the doorway.

Also, don't forget to enter my giveaway! It'll make a great gift for a friend or yourself!

Chicken Spaghetti Ripoff

My aunt has always been a really good cook. Like the kind of woman who could go into the kitchen, pull stuff a pantry and throw together a fabulous meal. 

I am not that woman.

My aunt always made the best chicken spaghetti. It was one of my favorite meals! When I was in college I attempted to make it based off of what it looked like...And it actually came out pretty good.

Nothing like spaghetti, but really good! It's one of B's favorites, it's so easy to cook and best of all...it only requires one pot!

This is what we had for dinner last night so I thought I'd share the recipe with you all. 

1. Boil chicken (I use chicken strips because they boil really quickly and are easy to shred)

2. Remove the chicken from the pot and use the same water to boil your spaghetti noodles

3. Shred your chicken while you are waiting for the noodles to boil

4. Once the noodles are done, strain them.

5. In the same pot, combine noodles, shredded chicken, cream of mushroom and Rotel.

*I do this part differently every time! I usually use a can and a half of COM and one full can of Hot Rotel. We like ours spicy so I will typically take a second can of Rotel and drain the juice and just use the chunks.

6. Add in a handfull of shredded cheese...I use the Mexican mix. Because, let's face it, I am a little bit Mexican.

7. I usually serve it with garlic bread...B likes it with tortillas as well.

Enjoy!

 Don't forget about this!!

Are you expecting a little one? Or do you know someone who is?

Well, Emily at Purple Possum has offered one of my lucky readers a set of these cute onesie stickers of their own!

To enter for the giveaway you must do the following:

1. Become a follower of my blog.

2. Visit the PurplePossom Etsy boutique and tell me in a comment which design you like the most and would like to receive.

3. Like PurplePossum on Facebook.

For extra entries:
1. Blog about this giveaway 

2. Follow me on twitter at stevycurbow

3 Months...

Dear Lainey,

  

Today you are 3 months old. Wow, where has the time gone?! Each and every day I feel more blessed to have you in my life. I promise that I will hold you and love on you as long as you will let me. And even then, I may fight you for a big squeeze.

You are incredible and an obvious reminder that we serve an increible and loving God.

You have recently discovered your hands and they are always in your mouth! You have also started reaching for toys and you are so much fun to watch.

 You are very, very ticklish and I love hearing your big belly laughs! Everyday before bathtime mommy tickles the heck out of you because your laugh is the sweetest sound I have every heard.

You look just like me, to me. And you look just like daddy, to daddy.

Sometimes I am amazed at how much love you have brought out in me. I didn't know I could love this much.

You are growing quickly, stretching out your 0-3 mths clothes and fitting snugly in 3 mths. Soon we will have to 3-6! Right now you are getting over a tummy bug (and heaven help them if I find out who gave it to you!) and at your doctor's appointment, we found out you now weigh 11 pounds 10 ounces. You are currently in the 40th percentile for height and weight. In other words, you are perfect.

You are sleeping great through the night, usually from 9:30 p.m. to 9:30 a.m. You are only a somewhat decent napper but hey, I'll take whatever sleep you want to give me!

You are currently eating 5 ounces every 3 hours. Mommy tried her hardest to breastfeed but it just didn't work out.

 

You, my child, are absolutely incredible and so, so loved. You are my entire world.

Love,

Mommy