Thanksgiving...

It is officially Thanksgiving on our home. B is done (and boy was tonight a bit of a fight), so I am definitely thankful for that. This year has been a roller coaster of ups and downs around us. Every year I always hope the next year will be full of more joy than sadness, but I think I have come to the conclusion that finding joy in even the saddest moment is the way to survive in this big world. So below I list what I am thankful for this year.

I am Thankful for...
First and foremost, our son B. He is definitely my world and a complete joy. We have some rough days, but it is still a learning challenge I am happy to experience. He is our miracle and all that we had to do to have him in our arms, makes me cherish him even more and to be so grateful.

I am thankful for all the medicine and medical procedures that allowed me to become a mother. It is definitely not without the advances in technology and medicine that I was able to welcome our son into this world. I hope now that the future pregnancies will be as wonderful as B's was, but I know I was very lucky to have such a smooth 9.5 months. I do not care what anyone says or thinks, I am thankful for all the medical staff at my OB/GYN and the hospital staff because without them I am not sure I would be where I am today, raising our 2 month old son and watching him develop and grow.

I am grateful for my husband. He is by far my best friend and a fabulous husband and father. He also is a great listener and wonderful partner in crime when it comes to the household. We have battled some difficult times, overcome numerous obstacles and remained a strong front. Communication is crucial throughout our relationship and there are times we drop the ball, but we always work out our differences and find common ground. I cannot thank him enough for being my rock and confidante through the years. Our relationship started during one of the toughest points in my life, and he amazingly weathered the storm alongside me and it definitely built a very strong bond between us and laid a strong foundation for our relationship and eventual marriage.

I am thankful for my Mom; for raising me to be the strong woman I am today and for continuing to support me and guide me as I become a Mom myself. We had our tough years, but I definitely feel we have become better friends in the recent years and I am glad to have her for a shoulder to lean on and an ear to chat with.

I am also thankful for my Mother-in-Law for all the support and guidance she gives us. In addition, I am thankful for making Husby who he is today. I know it is not typically this way, but my MIL and I get along quite well and I enjoy her chats as well.

I also am grateful for all of our family and their support and caring dedication throughout the years. The same can be said for our friends here in Florida and all over the US. Even though we may not be blood relatives, some of our friends are close like family.

I am thankful we both have decent jobs that allow us to spend time with B and each other and still support our comfortable lifestyle. We scrimp and budget and sometimes make due on a strict budget, but it is mainly our own doing for a splurge on something or to build up savings or something. I know a lot of people are struggling in this economy and although we have not seen raises or make fabulous salaries, we are happy with what we do and appreicate the salary we do get.

The clique: I am thankful for a roof over my head, food on the table, good fortune and health.

My Prayers:

For those who are struggling and need a second chance in life. I hope they find the strength to pick themselves up and brush off the bad and smile as they move onto new opportunities. We ALL need a second chance, and sometimes a little boost, so I hope those in greatest need find that boost or chance.

For those who are facing an obstacle or challenge they do not feel they can overcome. I pray they find the willpower and knowledge to overcome the challenge and battle their fears. As the adage goes, "When life gives you lemons, make lemonade".

I pray for the families who have lost a loved one this past year. We have seen the passing of friends and know the brevity of life and it is with these passings, we learn importance of savoring every moment and cherishing life. I hope these families are full of love and comfort through this holiday season when the thoughts of their loved ones bring them to tears. I hope their hearts are not heavy with sadness but rather full of wonderful memories and thoughts of their loved ones. 

For those who are battling an non-winning battle with a terminal disease, I pray they find the inner peace to realize their fate and God's ultimate path for them. I hope in the future medicine and technology will find ways to win these battles, but right now that is not the case for all diseases. I hope these people can find the good in their lives and hold on those memories as they face this new battle and the treatments and medications and side effects they will undergo.

Along with the above, I pray for the families of these ill patients. I pray they can find kindness and love in this world to give them hope and support as they standby their family members. Having gone through this with my Dad and Grandpa, I know firsthand the stress and ultimate sadness they face. It is hard to say goodbye to someone and I hope it never has to happen too early, but I have witnessed and know there is little that can be done. I have learned God has a plan for everyone. We may not agree with the plan, but we have to let him be our guide and understand he knows what is best for us.

I also pray for our military personnel and their families, especially for those deployed. They do not get to celebrate holidays like we do with all the fixings and sides....they will be lucky to get a good night's rest even. Military families bear a large burden and their daily prayer involves the safe return of their loved ones. I pray they find the strength to get through the countdowns and the gratitude others around the nation feel for them and their loved ones protecting our livesand our freedoms. Freedom in this world is not free; someone has shed blood or fought for the freedom we have. We must never take it for granted and therefore we should always thank a veteran or active military for doing their job and protecting us each and everyday.

So while we spend time with our friends and one another tomorrow, we will be saying thanks and prayers for so much. I also send my thoughts and prayers for my extended family in NY as they face some difficult times in the near future. I hope they know I am thinking of them and praying everything works out, but know I will be there when the time comes. Please let the diagnosis be benign for my godfather and please watch over and comfort my godmother and cousins these next few days/weeks/months.

Hug your loved ones tight this holiday season and make many memories that you can hold on to cherish forever. I wish everyone a Happy and Healthy Thanksgiving (and holiday season).

Baby Names...

So Husby and I have already discussed names for our next child even though we are not planning to start trying for another one until B is 2 years or so.


Courtney for a first name after my grandfather if we have a girl

Not sure on the middle name for a girl, but likely it will be a family name

Douglas for a middle name after my dad if we have another boy

Not sure again on first name, but we have a ton of time to work it out....

I know a lot of people were surprised we did not use a family name or name our B after someone, but we chose a unique first name and the family middle name from Husby's side since B is our first born son and that is the tradition...I hope we have a girl next time around...

*Update 12/30/10*

So we have done some more name playing and have come up with:

Courtney Ann for a girl (Courtney after my grandfather, Ann is a family middle name on Husby's side)

Van Douglas for a boy (Van is both part of my maiden name and my grandfather's nickname and Douglas after my dad)

All I want for Christmas...

Mommy and Daddy are super busy nowadays between taking care of me, our home, my puppies, and other odds and ends around here. I figured I would take this opportunity to write Santa my Christmas wish list (that way Momm and Daddy cannot edit it down to all boring stuff). Thanksgiving is next week and I hear it is going to be a feast (but I'm sure I won't be getting anything).

My Christmas List:

• Burpcloths- I love to snuggle my burpcloths! Mommy and Daddy say I "go through them like water"...whatever that means.
• Sophie Teether- I am all for simplicity just like Mommy & Daddy...but Mommy's friends told her I need this when I start teething because it soothes my gums. I am already having issues with my gums and since I do not hold on to anything at any greath lengths, Mommy bought me a Razberry teether pacifier. I like it, except it is too big for my little mouth...however, I am a drooling machine and using all the bibs in my drawer (Santa, you really need to send burpcloths if this drooling is going to continue)
• Plush Turtle Ballpit-This looks like a fun playtime toy...plus I can probably throw these balls for my Lucky dog soon....I know he loves to fetch, maybe he'll play fetch with me...
• Bumbo Play Tray- Mommy & Daddy got me my Bumbo this past weekend and I love it! I love to sit in it and look around while Mommy & Daddy get stuff done, I am asking Santa for the tray so I can play in it and be a bit more secure as I get more wiggly
• Wubbanub-it's a plush animal & pacifier/soothie at the other end
• Baby Einstein videos
• More board books and other children's storybooks for storytime
• For Mommy: The Jenny McCarthy Book Series...don't laugh, but sometimes during the day, Mommy reads while I nap or lay with her...she likes this author's books because she is brutally honest about life as a Mom and everything that comes with Motherhood...Mommy read Belly Laughs when I was in her tummy, so now she wants: Baby Laughs & Life Laughs.
• Laundry basket for me to lay & sit in..just kidding...no baskets needed
• Light bulbs for my 2 special lights...I'm a star afterall...I need the light on me (maybe you could sneak in some colored lights even)-I cannot wait until Mommy & Daddy decorate for Christmas so I can look at all the pretty lights
• Toys, toys and more toys...
• Drum set-Daddy wants me to learn drums so we can have "jam sessions", Mommy rolls her eyes...