Happy Thanksgiving

Last year I blogged about the top 10 things I am thankful for, so I will make this an annual blog post and let you know the top 10 things I am thankful for this year.

1. A healthy baby boy
Of course I couldn't be more thankful for having a healthy baby boy, especially at 10 weeks early. To have a premie that early and only have a feed and grow baby is amazing. I am very thankful that he didn't have more problems. He is the most amazing little boy that has brought so much joy to my life and I am very thankful for that.

2. My amazing husband
Andy has been so amazing this year (not like it's different from any other year). He was my rock when Maxim was born prematurely and he stepped up to the plate and took six weeks of paternity leave all so Maxim didn't have to go to the sitter's at a young age. I am very thankful for him. Not only was he my rock and Maxim's daycare provider, but he also cooks and cleans too. He is one heck of a guy and I am very thankful for that.

3. My little family
I just love the little family that Andy and I created together. We have created a life here in Arizona for our little family of 3, plus 3 fur babies.

4. NICU nurses
The ladies at the hospital who take care of premature babies are beyond amazing. They are the ones who are there for your baby when you can't be. They get to know your baby and they show them tons of love. Not only are they educated to be your baby's nurse, but somehow they also are a psychologist. They don't just take care of the babies, but they also take care of the hormonal mommy's. It takes a very special person to be a NICU nurse and I am very thankful for NICU nurses as they are very special people who have a heart of gold.

5. NICU
Since Maxim spent seven weeks in the NICU I am VERY THANKFUL that a NICU even exists. Think about way back when there probably was not a NICU and specialists for premature babies. What did they do back then? I don't even want to think about that. I am just very grateful that there is something called the NICU so my baby boy had somewhere to go and he was taken care of very well by my #4.

6. Friends
I know this item was on my list last year, but I am still thankful for them in 2013 and it will probably be on my list again next year. Without good friends to get you through the tough times and be there for the celebrations in life you will live a lonely life. I am very thankful for my amazing friends here in Arizona, the Midwest and Oregon.

7. Captain
I have to be thankful for Captain as he is the cat who will spot a bug in our house from a mile away. Not literally as our house is super teeny tiny, but you get where I was going with that. Once he spots the creature he always lets you know about it. He is the perfect bug killer/announcer. Perfect example is the snake incident a few days ago.

8. My sweet dogs
I am very thankful that I have two very sweet dogs who have been very chill about Maxim joining our household. You hear stories of dogs not liking the new baby in the house and will rebel. Not our dogs and I am very thankful for that because I would have hated if we had to get rid of them.

9. Pomegranate tea
I have to insert this in here because it's my latest obsession. I just love green tea with pomegranate and I am drinking it as I am typing. It is so yummy and it gets me through these cold winter mornings. Ok, it's cold here for me in the mornings and the tea helps warm me up. The caffeine is also a nice benefit too since I do not drink soda or coffee.

10. Sirius XM
I have to give a big shout out of thanks to Sirius XM. It gets me through my long commute and my workdays. Right now I am loving the Holly channel as I can listen to Xmas music on my way to work, during work and my way home. It gets me in the Xmas spirit and I enjoy it this time of year. I also love the Morning Mashup as those guys help wake me up, or keep me calm when I am fighting traffic in the mornings.

I am wishing all of you a happy Thanksgiving. We are heading to the Seifert's with my parents, Tim and Shelley (they are all in town) for their Thanksgiving.