Day 34 (February 13, 2014)

Today I'm thankful for feeling well.  I'm really starting to feel a lot better, and am super thankful for that.  My head still feels full of gunk, but I'm not as uncomfortable as I was, and the best part is I can sleep all night long!!!!  Yeah for feeling well and sleeping well!

Day 33 (February 12, 2014)

Today I'm thankful for Bob the Builder.  I know this might sound crazy, but I'm trying to get Anna to be slightly interested in TV.  I'm still feeling sluggish, and I need a non-active activity to do with Anna. Luckily Bob the Builder caught her attention long enough for me to catch my breath.

Day 32 (February 11, 2014)

Today I'm thankful for Megan Kean.  With her help I spent the entire morning at the YMCA where Anna was very content, and I could relax a bit.  I'm still feeling pretty rough, but Anna had gym class this morning, then Megan took Anna with her to swim in the indoor pool while I sat on the sidelines and watched.  After swimming it was back in the gym for some more play time before heading home for an afternoon nap for both Anna and myself.  I don't know if Anna and I would have had a good morning at home.  It would have been quite a challenge for me to entertain her while feeling the way I did.

Day 31 (February 10, 2014)

Today I'm thankful for Anna's health and her pediatrician.  I bumped Anna's 18month appt. up to today because I was a bit concerned she wasn't feeling very good.  I think it was the fact that I felt sick that made me concerned.  Anyway, Anna was perfectly healthy.  She even weighed 21lbs!!!  I didn't think she was ever going to make it to the 20's.  Dr. Whitson was soooo nice while we were there and checked out my ears too.  Come to find out I was the one leaving that appointment with a double ear infection and thankfully a prescription for an antibiotic.  THANK YOU SOOOO MUCH DR. WHITSON!!!!!  Taking care of a toddler while you are sick is no joke, neither are double ear infections.  OUCH!!!

Day 30 (February 9, 2014)

Today I'm thankful for Valentine's Day dinner at Grandma and Grandpa Muller's house.  This is a special family meal each year to me because Valentine's Day dinner was the first Muller family dinner I attended when John and I started dating.  I was a bit nervous because John's family is a little more formal that what I was used to, but his family was soooo nice to me.  I'll always remember that first Muller family dinner.  Fun memories!!!

Day 29 (February 8, 2014)

Today I'm thankful that John is home again.  I'm not feeling well at all, and he is being a rockstar dad and husband.  He has gotten quite a few things done around the house and kept Anna entertained so I could get a little R and R on the chair.  Being sick is a bummer, but he is helping a ton!

Day 28 (February 7, 2014)

Today I'm thankful for John being home with us.  He decided to take a day off to hang out with Anna and I.  We had so much fun!  In the morning we went to South County YMCA open gym.  They have an entire gym full of gymnastics equipment for the kiddos to play on.  Anna had a blast, and we had fun watching her.  Later in the day we went to solidify our kitchen plans with Rob at Capitol Group.  Anna was a bit crabby and hard to keep up with, but I think we got everything in place.  I'm very excited about how our kitchen is going to look.

Day 27 (February 6, 2014)

Today I'm thankful for some super cute hand me downs.  One of the things I really love in the mornings is getting my cute little girly all dressed for the day.  It's just so fun to dress her up.  Anna (being almost 18 months) is starting to outgrown her 12 month clothing, especially pants with her big cloth diapers. Today Megan dropped off a big bag full of Ellie's old 18month clothing.  It's so much fun to get new clothes for Anna, and even better when they are free.  Anna was super excited too.  She wanted me to keep putting different items on her in the evening.  I think she went through 5 or 6 outfits just trying things out.  She must be ready for summer too, though because she kept trying on the cute summer outfits.

Day 26 (February 5, 2014)

This is hard to admit, but today I'm thankful for a little snow and temperatures that are manageable.  Our winter has been COLD, and I haven't really taken Anna out to play in the snow much because the temperatures have been so extreme.  Today we had some fresh snow, so we managed to sled down the front hill in the laundry basket a few times.  She got a small taste of "winter fun".  Though it isn't my favorite activity I'm glad to be a part of those experiences with Anna.

Day 25 (February 4, 2014)

Today I'm thankful for the internet.  I was able to find a new clip that Anna was in today.  It really wasn't a big deal, but still something I wanted to see.  There was a news crew after her YMCA gym class today, and Anna was "dancing" in the background.  She was actually being held by a lady dancing or standing and staring at all the other people dancing, but none the less she was adorable.  I was also able to show my Mom the clip which was fun for both of us.

Day 24 (February 3, 2014)

Today I'm thankful for finger painting fun.  I've been wanting to do this for a couple weeks now, but today was the day.  Ellie and Megan came over, and we let the girls go crazy with finger paint in the bath tub.  It was a slow start.  The girls weren't quite sure of it, but with a little coaching and instruction they got right to work.  It didn't take long before the tub and the girls themselves were quite colorful.  It's getting more difficult to keep the indoor activities new and exciting, but this was a good one.

Day 23 (February 2, 2014)

Today I'm thankful for some down time.  We've had a jam packed weekend, and after a fun surprise 60th birthday party for Mrs. Piper this afternoon, we hunkered down to watch the Super Bowl by ourselves in our home.  I like to be busy, but I LOVE to be home and relaxing.

Day 22 (February 1, 2014)

February!!!  Hopefully after this month the weather will shape up some.

Today Anna spent some time with her Grandma and Grandpa Muller.  Like my parents, John's parents are very anxious and excited to be a big part of Anna's life.  She was able to spend some time with them today while John and I celebrated our friend, Meghan's birthday.  I was so thankful that she went down for a nap at their house without being uncomfortable in a new environment, and she took an awesome nap!  It makes me so glad that she is so comfortable being with her grandparents.  She is a lucky little girl to have such fun and loving Grandparents.

Day 21 (January 31, 2014)

Today I'm thankful for simplicity.  Sometimes people can get caught up in all the things, and making more money for more things.  We had a dinner tonight with some people, and John's response to the question "where do you want to be in 10 years" was simply that he wanted to be successful in his business and that he wanted to spend as much time as her could being with and growing his family.  That was so nice to hear, because in his business I think there is sometimes pressure to be bigger, and bigger.  He just wants to keep things going, do the best job he can, and have plenty of family time on the side.  I love him for that!

Day 20 (January 30, 2014)

Today I am thankful that I met some pretty neat moms at the nursing moms group I used to go to at Kangaroo Kids.  That group was a complete lifesaver for me for a good 6-9 months when Anna was younger.  Through that group I have stayed in contact with a lot of other moms with babies close to Anna's age.  Today we had a play group at our house, and we are working on organizing a similar educational play date for the kiddos at a different persons home each week.  This will really be something to look forward to, and a great opportunity for Anna to interact with kiddos her age.

Day 19 (January 29th, 2014)

Today I was thankful to be able to take my little neighbor Alex and my Dad with us to watch our Superior Walls being put in at the new house.  It's so fun to be able to share an exciting part of my day with others that are also excited.  It was fun to see Alex get excited about the big trucks and heavy machinery, and it was of course a lot of fun to have my Dad come up to hang out with Anna and I for a little while.  This was also my first time seeing how the foundation walls go in.  John has done these for many of the homes he has built, and talks about them a lot, but it was the first time I was able to see it happening.

Day 18 (January 28th, 2014)

Today I'm thankful for my PAT visit.  Linda is the lady who has been visiting with Anna and I for awhile now, and it is nice to get the monthly reassurance that I'm doing a pretty good job at my job.  Anna is doing great, and it is nice to hear that sometimes.  I was also thankful that Anna was a little bit more herself today during Linda's visit.  She is sometimes very clingy and shy around Linda, but today she showed more of her true colors.

Day 17 (January 27th, 2014)

Today I'm thankful for a yummy lunch from my neighbor, Megan.   Ellie came over in the morning to hang out with Anna, they missed each other, while Megan dropped Alex off at school and made a quick grocery trip.  When Megan came to get Ellie she brought some chicken and wild rice soup she had made the other night for me.  Yum Yum it was delicious, and just right for a cold winter day like today.  That's right it's cold again.

Day 16 (January 26th, 2014)

Today I was sooooo thankful for a beautiful day.  This winter has been ROUGH weather wise.  Today it was nearly 60 degrees so we made sure to spend some time outside with the kiddos.  We took Anna and Stanley to our lot (our house) (our hole in the ground) not sure what to call it yet to run around.  The Hawkins', and Pandl's met us there too which was lots of fun.  Pete and Stanley got to run around and Anna and Kate were having a blast playing in the rocks at the bottom of our foundation.  The foundation hole also made a sweet oversized "playpen" for the toddlers.  Ahhh...it was so awesome to get some fresh air and not freeze our tushes off.

Day 15 (January 25, 2014)

Today I'm thankful for my Mom and Dad.  I'm thankful for them every day of my life, but today they let Anna hang out with them for awhile while John and I went to Perryville to visit with Jared, Michele, and baby Asher.  It was so nice to get to visit with them, and for John to get to meet Asher, without the chaos that comes with a toddler.  My parents are always so happy to take Anna for awhile, and she is so comfortable spending time at their house.  I love that they get along so well!

Day 14 (January 24, 2014)

Today I'm thankful for a promising conversation with our neighbor, Jason about our house.  I'm pretty sure our neighbors are going to be moving into our current home when we move this summer.   It is a little bitter sweet because I can't imagine this not being our house, but I'm so excited that it is going to be their house.  They are awesome people, and I know they will enjoy the house.  I'm also thankful that we wont have to list and show our house, and that we will be able to come back to it when we visit the Kean's.  I told Jason last night that they can move into and buy our house only if I can come hang out here for Halloween.  This is the BEST neighborhood for Halloween.  No picture of this one, but maybe I can add one in when the Kean's move in.

Day 13 (January 23, 2014)

BRRRRR...I'm thankful that today Anna and I could hibernate inside by our fireplace.  Today was another VERY cold day here in St. Louis, so I decided that a day inside with the fire "roaring" was the game plan.

Here's the fire "roaring"

Day 12 (January 22, 2014)

Today I'm thankful for big tractors!  They sure got the ball rolling on our house.  Today we officially broke ground on our new house.  The weather was actually decent (30's compared to teens and single digit temps) so Anna and I bundled up and were able to go to the lot before and after her nap to see things take shape.  The excavators John uses are awesome.  They really work hard and fast, and they are really good at what they do.  It was neat to watch them work for a little while today.  Our house is being built into our hill slightly, and that was neat to see them just clear out that section of trees, and overgrowth to dig out for our foundation there.

Here is the big tractor in action.  I can't imagine how long this would have taken back in the day when they didn't have these things.  I guess people didn't build homes quite as big then either.  Hmmm...just something to think about.

Day 11 (January 21, 2014)

Today I'm thankful for having the opportunity to stay home with my sweet baby girl.  It is so fun to know her so well, and to be able to be a part of all the new things she learns.  Today I gave her some freeze dried mangos for a snack, and she started saying mango.  Something about the way she said mango with her sweet little voice just made me smile.  This evening she also entertained herself for probably 15 straight minutes putting "bracelets" on and off her arms while sitting down.  It was wild, she doesn't do one activity that long very often, and definitely does not sit still that long hardly ever.  It was just so cute to watch her get so into an activity.   She is such a fun, sweet, smart, and cute little girl. I'm so blessed to be with her every day!

Here she is getting ready to eat dinner with her "bracelets"

Day 10 (January 20th, 2014)

Today I'm thankful for crappy TV, specifically The Bachelor.  I know that sounds a bit crazy, but I really get into The Bachelor/Bachelorette shows.  I think I mostly enjoy the ridiculous drama, and it is always interesting to see what happens in the end.  I also enjoy that it is "me" time while the show is on.  John is so awesome and lets me just chill out and lose brain cells while watching the ridiculousness.  He completely takes over bed and bath time with Anna, and it is awesome!  No pictures really necessary for this one.

Day 9 (January 19th, 2014)

Today I'm so thankful for my wonderful neighbors!  I LOVE our block.  Before our first night in this house, this block has reminded me of the neighborhood I grew up in.  Also know as "The Hood".  This is something I'm thankful for most days, but tonight we decided to do a fun experiment and had a house full of excited kiddos and moms.  We microwaved a bar of Ivory soap, an experiment I found on Pinterest.  It's just so fun to have a bunch of excited kiddos in the house, and to hang out with my neighbor friends.  Anna has such a good time with the rest of the kiddos as well, and it's fun to see them all interact.  I'm going to miss this neighborhood so much!

Here are the kiddos watching the soap in the microwave

Here they are playing with the finished product

Day 8 (January 18th, 2014)

Today I'm thankful for my nephews Kaleb and Grant.  We celebrated their 13th birthday today.  Their actual birthday is tomorrow.  I absolutely can not believe those two cuties are 13 years old already.  They are the reason I not so secretly anymore think having twins would be so neat.  They have been SO much fun to watch grow up.  They are my little buddies and I love being their Aunt.  We used to hang out quite a bit more than we have in the past couple years, but Anna has put a dent in my free time, and they are getting older and I'm getting less cool.  Even if we don't have as many weekends away I'm always going to have a VERY special place in my heart for those two little boys.  Love you little buddies!

Day 7 (January 17th, 2014)

Today I'm thankful for Anna's new babysitter, Tyler.  Tyler was referred to us by my cousin, Julie.  She is the best babysitter I could have imagined for Anna.  She LOVES kids which is very obvious, and Anna had a big smile and hug for her when she came in.  She's super easy going, and a very fun girl!  I'm so excited that Anna is going to get to spend a lot of her time away from Mommy and Daddy with Tyler.  I think she will learn a lot from Tyler, and I know they are going to have a ton of fun together!

Here is a screen shot of the sweet text Tyler sent us while we were out to dinner.  She obviously didn't have to do this, and we weren't a bit worried about her and Anna, but it was so nice to hear that all was well.
We are lucky to have her as our babysitter!

Day 6 (January 16, 2014)

Today I'm thankful for my vacuum cleaner.  Weird right?  When I was younger my Mom always tried to convince me that cleaning my room was a good idea because it would make me feel so much better when I was finished.  I can still hear her saying "Renee you will feel so good when you're finished".  Maybe not the best way to convince a kid to clean, because really it didn't make me feel good, it was just an inconvenience.  Fast forward to my current status, and I TOTALLY understand what my Mom was talking about.  I hate playing with Anna on the floor or walking through the house when it's not clean.  I'm thankful today for my vacuum because we finally got it back after what seemed like an eternity at the repair shop.  I think it was probably less than 2 weeks but it was the pits.  I supplemented with crawling through the house with the crevice tool on the shop vac, and borrowing my neighbors vacuum a couple times.

Here she is in all her glory sucking the dirt right up from my floors.  I feel SO GOOD now :)
Stanley on the other hand is confused why the evil beast is back.

Day 5 (January 15, 2014)

This post is a day late, but it is for obvious and good reasons not because I was lazy or forgot.  I haven't fallen off the path just yet.  Yesterday I was thankful for a family that I love dearly.  Michele, Jared, and baby Asher Tanz.  Asher was BORN yesterday, and I was able to be there helping his amazing parents through the labor and delivery process.  All I have to say is baby Asher is one lucky little boy, and Michele and Jared are so incredibly blessed to have baby Asher.  What an amazing experience it was to be able to help such a good friend of mine welcome her son into this world.

Here is what I have decided is my favorite picture of the day.  You can just see how much love is in this family.  Mommy and Daddy staring down at Asher, and Asher staring up at his Mommy and Daddy.  AMAZING!!!!

 
For a runner up, I really like this picture of Jared and I helping Michele labor.  Michele was so incredible through the entire process.

Day 4 (January 14, 2014)

Today I'm super thankful for my hubby.  He works his rear off to provide for our family, and he does a darn good job at it.  Today his hard work really paid off for all of us in a special way.  We closed on our construction loan to build our new house.  This is something that we have been working on for nearly a year, and I know John was very happy and proud to be at the point we are, and he should be.  With John's expertise and hard work we are going to have one kick butt house to raise our family in.  I can't wait for all the memories we are going to form there.

Unfortunately I don't have a picture of John from today to share, but the reason is kind of fitting for this post.  He's still working, and I didn't snap any pictures while we were closing on our loan.

Day 3 (Jan 13th, 2014)

Today I got a bit frustrated with Anna's short afternoon nap.  I was really hoping, maybe even expecting, her to take that coveted long afternoon nap when she transitioned to one nap.  That hasn't really been the case for us, but this isn't about complaining it is about being thankful.  I'm so incredibly thankful that Anna has gotten so easy to put to bed for naps or for the night.  We simply read a book, I beg for some brief cuddles then when she is finished with cuddling, she points to her bed and I lay her down, with her binki and blankie of course.  It's just so awesome knowing that she is so comfortable with our routine, and with her room and bed that she can just soothe her self right to sleep.  I know this routine is bound to change, and we will most likely go through some rough patches with sleep, but for now I really appreciate the simplicity of putting her to bed for naps and at night time.  I LOVE LOVE LOVE the brief snuggles and the sweet kisses for my little princess girl!  Here she is sleeping soundly in her bed.  This is a screen shot from my iPhone while I was checking up on her.

Day 2 (Jan 12th 2014)

Today I'm thankful for family, and that Anna is blessed with so many people who love her dearly.  Tonight for dinner we had Grandma and Grandpa Muller, Great Grandma and Great Grandpa Muller, Uncle Jo Jo, and our neighbor Sammy over for dinner.  We are so lucky to still have both John's Grandma and Grandpa in our lives.  It is so wonderful that they are able to come to our house for dinner and spend some time playing with Anna.  Good company and good food.  Tonights menu consisted of two Pioneer Woman recipes:  Chicken Pot Pie, and Bread Pudding!  YUM YUM!!!!!!!

Fall down, and get back up ;)

Maybe committing to a blog isn't really my thing.  My last published post was announcing that I was 12 weeks  pregnant with my now adorable almost 17 month old baby girl, Anna.  I still really enjoy reading blogs, and even think I could get the hang of blogging even though my first attempt was a complete flop.  Soooo...I'm going to start a 365 days of thanks type of blog right here where it all started.  I was inspired through this link http://www.upworthy.com/you-take-zillions-of-photos-with-your-cellphone-why-not-try-something-new-with-them which a friend of mine posted on Facebook.  I really didn't want this to be a New Year's Resolution.  I wanted to start it randomly.  I didn't want it to have specific rules or a timetable, but I do REALLY want to try hard to make a short  post each day about something I am thankful for.  I especially think it is going to be amazing to look back after a year of posts, and remember all the little things, and why they were important to me at that time.  I think that most of these future posts will be things that if they weren't documented in "real" time they would probably be lost in my memory.  So here it goes.  Wish me luck!

Today I'm thankful for the SUNSHINE!!!!  Last Sunday we were hit with the "polar vortex" and ended up with 10 -12 inches of snow.  The snow itself wouldn't have been so bad, but with it came subzero temperatures.  For someone who would rather never see the thermometer dip below 60 degrees our recent weather was a little scary.  

Anyway here is a quick iPhone picture of the bright sun shining through my neighbors big gum ball tree.