What I'm grateful for

Happy Thanksgiving!

I hope everyone has a wonderful day celebrating! In honor of Thanksgiving, lots of people have been posting what they are thankful for on Facebook. I'm usually not into trendy things like that, but I decided to create my own short list of what I'm thankful for this year. Oh, and I decided to skip the typical things and go for some of those random things that I truly do appreciate.

1. "Monsters University": Jude LOVES the original movie and this year they made a prequel. I am grateful for this movie not just because my kid loves it, but because it gives us something new to watch. I can only a kid's movie so many times... so hooray for more options! Can't wait for "Despicable Me 2" to come out so we have an alternative for that. Thanks Pixar for more Mike Wazowski! 

2. Gap legging jeans: After having Eleanor I really needed new pants that weren't sweatpants. However, most jeans these days are so low cut it's a little awkward. Especially after having two kids; you kinda need something to hold that extra tummy in. I looked around and found these amazing pants. They are cute, non-mom jeans, that hold everything together nicely. Thanks Gap for helping me feel not so old and gross!

3. Rock n Play: Eleanor is not such a great sleeper. She takes forever to get to sleep and wakes up super easily. Transferring her from my arms to her bassinet was next to impossible. One day I was complaining to a neighbor about this and she brought out her rock n play for us to borrow. At first I wasn't sure what I would do with it or if I would actually use it; it just seemed like yet another baby gadget to crowd up my apartment. Then we used it. Oh. my. gosh. I am a believer! It's amazing because it cradles around her, it's super portable, and I can rock her in it when she stirs. Plus, I can pull her into the back room after she falls asleep. Sometimes when I lay her in it she just falls asleep on her own. Seriously, amazing. Thanks Fisher Price for the extra hours of sleep!

4. Trains: My life is basically nothing but trains these days. Thomas the train steals my money and my sanity, but my gosh, does he occupy my toddler. Almost everyday we take a walk to the train station, giving me a chance to get outside and get some exercise. Thank you trains for the hours of independent play and the chance to nurse in peace.

5. Google search: Google is always a fantastic tool; how did people ever know anything without it? (Books?! Sheesh.) For some reason I totally forgot so much about having a newborn in just two years. Without google to ask my random questions I'd probably loose it. Thanks for always answering and not judging me for the amount of questions I ask about poop. 

6. Ikea: Ikea is a magical place. And not just because of it's cheap furniture and marketplace full of things I suddenly realize I need. Or the meatballs. It's the hours of free air conditioning and entertainment! Our apartment has terrible air circulation and no AC, so when I was pregnant this summer it often became too hot for me to stand. So where did I go to keep Jude occupied and enjoy some AC? IKEA. This place is like a giant jungle gym for little kids! We'd slowly walk through the store with Jude opening every oven, bouncing on the beds, and sitting in every chair. And then we'd get a cheap cinnamon roll. All while enjoying the sweet, sweet cool air. Win win! Thanks Ikea for your Swedish goodness. 

7. Sliding car doors: How did I ever survive without these?! After almost 3 years of talking about it, we finally pulled the trigger this summer and bought a Mazda 5. This car is ridiculously awesome! It's basically a mini-minivan. It has sliding doors, captain chairs, huge trunk, seats for 6, and it drives like a not minivan. Plus, it's a STICK! (I love driving manual, and we got a great deal on a new car because no else wanted it.) Without this car I don't know how I'd get two kids and all their junk anywhere. Thank you sliding doors for letting me park and not have a door smash the car next to me as I shimmy a carseat out.

8. CVS: I don't know if you know this, but the secret to buying cheap diapers is CVS (as in the pharmacy). At least once a month they have Pampers or Huggies on sale, which you can match with coupons. Thanks their their awesome coupon policy and rewards program I can stock up on diapers super cheap. And I always have extra around the house, so I never have to worry about the midnight oh-no-we-have-no-diapers panic. Thanks CVS for the extra money to spend on cute baby clothes we don't really need.

9. Dustbuster: The mini vacuum. I have wanted one for years, but never bothered to go get one. A few months ago Target had a great deal on one so I finally got it. My life has definitely improved since owning this! I can easily vacuum after my toddler drops a trail of muffin across the living without have to lug out the big (barely working) vacuum. Also, Jude is still a little scared of it, so it's kinda of funny to try and vacuum his feet (I'm a great mom, I know). Thanks dustbuster for the ability to keep up (at least somewhat) with the crumbs. 

10. Family: Okay, I do have to throw this in here. I am so incredibly grateful for my family! I'm so grateful for the support of extended family, the babysitting of grandparents, and, of course, the cuteness of my little ones. I'm grateful for Peter for giving me the most beautiful family and giving me the life of my dreams! I'm grateful for the joys and the lows my children bring me, and the pure happiness of being their mom. 

 

Happy Thanksgiving! I hope you have a wonderful holiday and enjoy those things you are truly grateful for!