Thankful Thursday - THANKSGIVING!!

Absolutely so many things to be thankful for today and each day and each year.

I'm so happy to be able to share this holiday with my family, with everyone in excellent health this year.  I'm so relieved that my family that traveled to Illinois to be with us made it safely.  I'm thankful for my wonderful job that allows us to live in our house and fill our fridge and support our lifestyle.  I'm so happy to have a husband that loves me and supports me.  I'm thankful for this holiday season and our Christmas tree that is already lighting up our living room.  I'm thankful for the amazing meal we just ate around the table with family.

This year, I'm mostly thankful for my little baby boy.  We anticipated his arrival for nine months and hoped and prayed for his safe delivery.  He is now here and almost two weeks old and I can't believe how in love I am with him.  I love his sounds and his smell and his facial expressions and mommy cuddle time.  In less than two weeks, I already can't imagine my life without him. 

So thankful and happy for all the blessings around us.....

Thankful Thursday - 11.4.10

There are only three weeks until Thanksgiving and I have been slacking on keeping up with my 'Thankful Thursday' posts.  Still so much to be thankful for!

• Crockpot - Adam throws dinner in in the morning.....I come home from work to a wonderful smelling house and dinner is ready!!  I love it!
• My doctors - I have been very pleased with my OB practice I am a patient with.  All of the nurses, doctors and midwives have been so helpful answering my questions and comforting me throughout the last nine months.  They have all been so patient and informative and treating me and my baby like we matter and not like we are just another pregnancy that they see everyday.
• My work group - They surprised me this week with a cake ("Welcome, William") and snacks and a wonderful card and some money to buy cloth diapers!  They know me too well!!  [Only 3 days left of work for the rest of the year!]
• Cinnamon raisin bread - OK, so it's not homemade (I'm a slacker), but Adam picked some up at the grocery this week and I can't get enough!  Toasted with a little butter.....yummy!

This month, I am also participating in a 'Give Thanks' Blog Hop hosted by Mommy Made Green!  Stop over to link up and reflect on what you are thankful for this month!  I don't know about you, but sometimes I feel like I'm moving too fast to sit back and take in what's around me and reflect of all of the things that I have to be thankful for.  As we are moving towards Thanksgiving and the holiday season....don't you think we owe at least that much to ourselves?  What are you thankful for?

Thankful Thursday - 10.7.10

I want to send my thanks to two people in particular this week.  As you may have read, I was feeling pretty lousy over the weekend while visiting my family [lousy isn't even the word that begins to describe it].  With pretty much no sleep, barely anything to eat and tons of pain, I just wanted to curl up in a ball and make it go away. 

The fact that I'm 27 years old and live five hours away from 'home' holds nothing to the fact that it was so wonderful have my "moms" taking care of me.  My mom was the one who drove me to the ER at 2:00am, even though she was going to have a house full of company in less than 12 hours and helped to comfort me.  My mother-in-law had made the trip to Cincy with me and also helped try to relieve the pain and get me my medicine. 

I understand that I'm about to be a mother in about short 6 weeks, but it was so wonderful having both of them there to help me.  I love them both for everything they did (and do on a regular basis) and I would have been a mess without them!!

Love you, Mom and Mary!  Thanks so much for everything!

Thankful Thursday - 9.30.10

• My blackberry - I know, I know....I'm thankful for my 'crackberry'.  Some of you might judge me for it but it's such a handy gadget!  It's great from a social aspect - Facebook, texting, email, good ol' fashioned phone calls, etc.  But I can also be productive with it, I promise - I balance my checkbook, pay bills, read the news, look up weather, find directions, keep my calendar up-to-date, keep up my "To Do" list and grocery list, check sports score updates (ahem...that's important too!), and so much more!!  It's one of those things that you don't "need" it until you have it and then can't imagine living without it!  hehe
• William's movements - Everyone says how wonderful and amazing it is to feel your baby moving inside you.  It's hard to imagine until it happens.  I absolutely adore it!  It amazes me and it's sometimes hard to believe that is our baby in there, kicking away (or karate chopping or doing aerobics or jumping jacks as it sometimes may seem).  If I'm running around busy at work or running around like crazy after work, a little jerk or roll helps to remind me what's going on inside me and I'm able to take a minute to enjoy it while it lasts.  Before experiencing it myself, I heard how wonderful it is....I've also heard how it's definitely missed afterwards.
• Long Weekends - Heading to Cincinnati today for my last trip home (or anywhere) until William arrives!  Cousin's wedding, baby shower thrown by my family, time just hanging out to visit with everyone!  Absolutely so excited!!

Thankful Thursday - 9.23.10

Is it Thursday already?  How has a week gone by already in what felt like 45 minutes?  Work has been getting much busier, I've had filled evenings and my sis and Jaclyn came to visit this past weekend to throw me a baby shower!  I can hardly believe it's about that time for another weekend already - trust me, I'm not complaining!!

Plenty to be thankful for!!

• Flip Flops - OK, so this might not be the thing I'm MOST thankful for - but with my swelling and my compromised and limited bending ability - socks and shoes just aren't an option and I love all my sandals that I can just throw on with no worries.  Only problem.....what happens when the temperatures start to drop....hmm....tricky tricky.....
• My Friends - Jaclyn and my sister drove over 5 hours each to Peoria to throw me a baby shower.  My friends all got together at my house for the shower on Sunday.  Me?  I had an amazing time spending time with my girlies and getting baby stuff to prepare for William!  I understand that things will be changing in about 8 weeks or so, but I just want them to know that I'm so thankful for them all and all their love and support!  It made me giggle, all my engineering girlfriends trying to work together to set up the bassinet while my sister started organizing other things in William's room!  Those ladies could rule the world!  hehe
• A Healthy Pregnancy - I have been very blessed up to this point to have a very healthy pregnancy.  Besides some of my complaining for some normal pregnancy side effects, I can't really complain as things have been very smooth and I have a growing, kicking baby boy inside me!
• A good laugh - I'm a fan of anything that will make me laugh - whether that means I'm laughing with friends or family or at a good TV show or at myself (and I do that one a lot!), I enjoy it!  Adam and I watched the new episode of Modern Family last night - seriously just 30 minutes of some good laughs!  They had us cracking up!  If you watched - I can't wait to look forward to the "cool chair that goes up the stairs."  HA!

Thankful Thursday - 9.16.10

• Stocked Fridge - This is something I've never been without and it's easy for me to take advantage of one of the most basic human needs - a fully stomach.  I have the ability to run to the grocery and pick up anything I might need (or want) and not have to worry about when my next meal will be.
• Toilets - OK, this one might seem awfully weird, but it came up in a conversation at work and let's say - whoa boy, am I thankful for our modern toilets and the plumbing systems we have!!
• My Scrapbooking Room- I love scrapbooking and when living in apartments for the last 10 years, have always had to cram all of my (expensive and large) collection of scrapbooking 'stuff' in a corner, in bags and boxes.  This made it so hard to get anything done and I fell so far behind (and still am!).  I love having a place to organize everything and easily be able to go downstairs and knock out a page in my scrapbook or make a few cards!!  Adam got his man-cave in our house and I got my scrapbooking room!
• Adam's "Handyman" Skills - In the last week, Adam has set up William's crib, dresser, car seat and stroller, (and probably by the time I post this) a changing table.  It's been so nice to be able to come home after work and seeing these already set up and done!!  His 'Mr. Fix-it' skills have come in handy plenty around the house!!!

Thankful Thursday - 09.09.10

• Dimmer switch in bathroom - After waking up two to three times a night, it's nice to be able to see where I'm going without having to turn on a crazy bright light to completely wake me up out of my nice sleep....
• Football season - I'm pretty sure this is a repeat from a few weeks ago, but I love it!  Ohio State crushed Marshall last week and Peoria HS (my hubby's team) crushed East Peoria HS in second half surprise on Friday!  The windows are open at the house to enjoy the nice, cool weather.  It just feels like fall and football!
• The puppy - I'm absolutely in love with a boy - his name is Tressel.  He's a black lab and he just turned 1!  I love being able to come home to my hubby everynight, but I will say that he does not stand at the door with his tail wagging with excitement to see me.  Tressel is such a cuddler and I love being able to wake up in the morning, call him and have him cuddle with me for a few minutes before I start my day.  He's our "baby"!  (yes....I'm aware I'm one of those people)
• Kroger brand (Private Selection) Extreme Moosetracks Ice Cream - I'm not one that will turn down ice cream....at all.  I'll eat just about anything.  However, Adam and I have recently become addicted to this ice cream.  Chocolate ice cream, chocolate cups and chocolate fudge....need I say more?  Please....I urge you....go buy some.....

Thankful Thursday - 9.2.10

• Going "Home" - OK, so I haven't lived in my parent's house for about 10 years now, but when I make the trip, I still call it "home."  Adam and I have made a wonderful home in Illinois but I guess my parent's house will always have that place in my heart.  I'm visiting "home" this weekend and can't wait to see my family!
• Adam's t-shirts - After several times of me walking around in my t-shirts and Adam asking me if my belly was cold, he got the hint.  My belly was hanging out of the bottom of all of my normal t-shirts and he kindly gave me a selection and put them in my dresser drawer.  I'm drowning in the chest and sleeves, but my belly fits just right.  Hehe.
• Our garage - We have lived in our house for about a year now and I'm still in love with the garage.  I think a garage is one of those things you don't really 'need' until you have one!  I love being able to pull right in while it's pouring down rain and unload my groceries, completely dry.  Winter isn't as bad knowing I will not have to wake up and scrape frost and snow and ice off my car in the morning.  It's just nice to have.
• Web Cams - I love where I live in Peoria.  I love the city, I enjoy my job, I love our house, I love Adam's family being close.  There are plenty of times I miss being near my immediate and extended family though.  There have been plenty of birthday parties or graduation parties or other family get-togethers that I have missed over the past few years and I've missed seeing the fam for each, especially all the kiddies that are growing up so fast!  This past weekend, when everyone was together at my parent's house, we were able to sign on to the trusty web cam so I could see the kiddies and family!  There might not have been hugs and kisses, but just seeing them and hearing them all together gave me a taste of family again that might normally be reserved when we make it to town for holidays!

Thankful Thursday - 8.26.10

Time for another thankful Thursday - with so many things to be thankful for:

• My Education - It might not have been something I appreciated at the time, but I'm thankful I had parents that supported me and drilled the importance into my head.  Even when it wasn't my formal education, I have learned that educating myself on just about anything can help me in so many ways - Thanks, Daddy.
• Walks at night - Although it's been a little harder since Adam has had late football practices, I love the time we can spend taking the puppy across the street to the field to let him run around.  Because of the warm weather, going after sunset makes it absolutely perfect.
• Chocolate-covered strawberries - One of my favorite treats!  I had a craving and decided to make these yummies last night to share for when Adam got home!  And they are SO easy!
• Ultrasounds - Yes, mankind managed (and continues to manage) without using this form of technology.  Yes, babies were born everyday without the parents knowing whether to buy blue or pink for the baby's room.  Yes, it's not necessary to see what baby will look like with the amazing 3D sonos these days.  But they are wonderful and amazing and I'm so thankful to have this kind of care within reach!!!! 

What are you thankful for this week??

Thankful Thursday - 8.19.10

• My Mom - God love her, I call her about everyday (most days multiple times) and she almost never hangs up on me. HA! She's always there to offer advice - baby-related, "medical" expertise ('cuz she's a doctor ya know, HA!), wedding planning talk or just to chit chat. She goes out of her way to shop for me and help me out in any way she possibly can. As I've gotten older, I've developed a much greater appreciation for both of my parents and I have a feeling it will continue to grow as I become a parent myself. She'll be there for the first few weeks once William is born to hopefully prevent me from pulling out my hair. Love you, Mom!
• Football Season - It might sound strange, but knowing football season is just around the corner makes me happy! I love this time of the year - when I know fall is coming and soon to be followed by sweatshirt weather and changing leaves and waking up on Saturday mornings to prepare to watch college football while dressing in all Scarlet and Gray attire to represent my Buckeyes! Being the wife of a high school football coach, football season also means being a "football widow." Waiting to see my hubby until the late evenings and losing him on weekends to games and watching film. Even so, when it comes to fall/football season versus Christmas time....it's a tie since both times of the year give me the warm fuzzies inside.
• Pumpkin Harvest Candle - Speaking of fall...nothing gets me more excited for this up and coming time of the year like a good smelling candle. I don't know if I'm yearning for cooler days or looking forward to football starting or knowing once the weather changes that means William is closer to joining our family. Whatever the reason, the new Febreze limited edition Pumpkin Harvest & Fall candle I recently bought just makes me happy!!

Thankful Thursday 8.12.10

Since I mostly have been writing about random thoughts that I have on any given day or using random pictures, I figured I'd take the time on the same day each week to add a more 'regular' blog post.  Not sure exactly what that could be though.  I could make an entry a week about some of the eco-friendly choices we are making at home, but I'm slightly worried that I'd run out of those by about the fourth week.  I could write about one of my favorite things - food...but then I'd probably just make myself hungry and let's face it, my cooking abilities aren't exactly wonderful.  I could just make a habit of posting a single picture on that day, but I'm pretty sure everyone reading would definitely get tired of seeing MORE pictures of Tressel - this might be more fun once William gets here!!

So I finally came to the decision that Thursday would now be 'Thankful Thursday' and I could make a list of a few things I'm thankful for.  This will give me a chance to reflect on what's important in my life....or just the luxuries and conveniences that I LOVE!  So let Thankful Thursday being....

I'm Thankful For:

• My Husband - I know, go ahead and deactivate your gag reflex, but I am thankful for him!  He's so wonderful to me and he makes me happy and I always laugh with him! He's going to be a fabulous daddy!
• Maternity pants - Seriously....what would a gal do without them?  I'm starting to find out that the reason for that extra material up top isn't necessarily just for extra comfort, is the ease in which you can actually get your pants on.  With my ability to bend over being compromised, having these extra inches of fabric makes it much easier to swing the pants to get my feet in when I put them on.  Hours of entertainment for Adam to watch me get dressed each day....
• Air conditioning - When we've had about 20 days of 90+ degree weather this summer, I'm so thankful to be able to be comfortable at home.
• William's kicks - I've heard people describe how a baby kicking is just a wonderful feeling, but I never could have imagined.  I smile knowing that's my son in there moving around and kicking away.  It gives me a sigh of relief each day knowing that he's doing well and growing and moving the way a baby should.  I love when Adam is around and we can share that time together.