These are a Few of My Favorite Things (The Cheaper Version of Oprah's list!!!)

I have been thinking about blogging about my "Favorite Things" for quite some time, I had a few old standby favorites, but of course, with a little one in the house along with my shopping habits I think I have tried just about every brand and baby item on the market. For years I wrote a cookbook, but this year I just didn't get it finished (okay, I didn't get it started or finished)...but my opening page each year was all about my favorite things and a few things I was thankful for, so I only thought it appropriate to share the 2010 opener of my cookbook (I promise to finish it sometime in 2011).

Welcome to the first page of What Should be my Annual Cookbook!

What a year, one full of fear, happiness, new life, health challenges, friendships, loss, new beginnings and lessons learned. A standard line in all my cookbook openers must show it's face again - It was once said to me, “If you didn’t have bad luck, you would have no luck at all.” Well, that is true, this is my 5th year of dealing with Dr's, Nurses, Specialists and Needles and realizing that when they call it a medical practice - it's really because the health professionals are practicing, BUT, I squeezed in a few positives in 2010 and of course, I still can find much to be thankful for:

“I’m thankful for the healthy arrival of our little miracle baby Greta Claire who took a chance at choosing Darren and I as parents and has so kindly been a wonderful, easy and pleasant baby making our transition to parenthood so much easier. I'm thankful that I didn't end up in Unit 9 during my pregnancy, although I begged to go there on numerous occasions. I'm thankful for my darling Scarlet, my blue eyed handsome boy Casanova and the joy and love they show me each time I walk through the door. I'm thankful that my beloved big boned cat Paris was the most amazing companion for 15 years and provided me with affection, a furry head to cry on and a devoted friendship that humans only wish they could experience, of course, it makes his death this past September that much tougher, but I'm grateful we did all we could. I'm thankful to the Vets who saved Scarlet after an incompetent Vet almost killed her, of course, I must point out how thankful I am that the Vet College took MasterCard when I heard the $5000 estimate to save her and to my Mother and Darren for helping with the cost of saving my furry baby. I'm thankful for online shopping and the Fed Ex guy who delivers my purchases on a regular basis. As always, I’m thankful for MasterCard, Visa and American Express....just because they make my life so much more complete! I'm thankful for the Confederation Bridge that allows me to escape the fair isle to shop at Costco and for the SUV I drive to bring home all my goodies. I’m thankful that I don’t know everything that people say behind my back, and for the cliche that Karma will catch up eventually. I’m thankful I have the right to vote, even if I don't like any of the candidates. I'm thankful for the renewed friendships, the new friendships and the realization of who is a true friend during a year when we really needed a good support system. I am thankful my hard work and years of studying have afforded me an amazing career that I look forward to returning to, but for this year, am thankful for the full pay while I'm on maternity leave. I’m thankful for The Bachelor (yes I said it, everyone needs a ridiculous show to yell at, talk about, get annoyed about and swear you'll never watch it again) - but the new Season starts tomorrow!!! I'm thankful for an all too patient husband, who despite taking vows that included sickness and health, surely didn't expect our years together to be all about my sickness. I'm thankful he is also the most amazing and loving Daddy to Greta, and when my patience and energy runs out he takes over with his calm demeanour and makes me realize just how lucky our little girl is. I'm thankful for hot chocolate, Twix Bars, Motts Freezies, Pizza Dough from Buns and Things Bakery, New Hampshire Outlets, Facebook, my camera that I capture our little gals firsts with, my comfy home, the birds that visit our feeders, primitive decor, and dare I say prednisone (for despite my complaints, puffy face, water filled body, mental breakdowns, mood swings, aches and pains - this damn drug has kept me alive and functioning with an okay liver). For all those who invited us to share in your lives this year or who made efforts to be a part of ours, I thank you.

And I’m thankful always for white bread, comfortable shoes, color in my hair that covers the grey, musicals and theatre, Buttercream Yankee candles, all the seasons, holidays, sick days, and that lucky penny I pick up in hopes of future dreams. I'm thankful that I catch 11:11 on the clock at least once a week and I always make a wish. I’m thankful for my scars (although it's getting a tad insane), as it means I have survived something small or large and that pain can be taken away with tiny little pills. And this year I'm thankful that Mommy is my new title, I have survived nasty diapers and power puking and had wonderful followers sharing the experience and my adventures through my blog. I'm thankful for Carters Baby Clothes, Huggies Snugglers, Gripe Water, Baby Oragel, Organic Baby Food, Evenflo Bottles, baby socks and tights that look like there are shoes built in, Little Bee's Owl Hats, Itty Bitty Head Bands made by Krista, Rachel Peters lovely photos who have captured Greta's first few months, Bouncey Seats, Baby Einstein Video's, Guess with Jess Cartoon (I actually really like it!) Cradle Swings and Aveeno Baby wash...Phew, how is that for a favorites list! I’m just thankful I have so many to share things with...my cup runneth over."

May 2011 be a year of new favorites and many more exciting things to be thankful for.
Toodles!