thanks

The other day, I said to Greg, "Why don't we stop complaining all the time and start acting like this has been the best year of our lives - which it has been?" He agreed. It's easy to get caught up in the everyday nonsense of our lives - and, frankly, no one loves complaining more than me - but we would be remiss if we didn't step back and understand how lucky we are. So here are some things I'm thankful for this Thanksgiving:

1) Well, duh. I mean, I'm not even going to get into it. OK, I will, a little - Jane has profoundly changed my life in every good way. When I am up at 4 a.m. feeding her or being covered in her poop (why does she kick at her diaper when I'm changing it? WHY?), I remind myself that she truly is the best baby in the world. I think we are biologically programmed to think that about our children - why else would we subject ourselves to all of the indignities of parenthood, of which there are many more than I ever could have imagined? - but, seriously, Jane is the best baby in the world.

2) More "duh" - my family and friends. Let's start it off with Greg, because I'll tell ya, having a baby upends a marriage like nobody's business. It's hard stuff, going from two to three. All of the sudden, you have no social life to speak of, and an endless amount of chores (dropping off the baby, picking up the baby, going to the doctor's office, buying diapers, formula, clothes, medicine, blah blah blah to infinity), not to mention the fact that someone is going to have to incessently entertain the baby during the witching hour(s) in the evening. I have gone hoarse singing my trademark songs "Monkeys Don't Wear Sweaters" and "There's a Man on the Moon and He Likes to Eat the Junebugs." Greg and I, through many very stupid inside jokes, have managed to keep a sense of humor in our house during a very stressful time.

And, hello, the rest of my family and all of my friends have been so incredibly nice and generous this year, not only materialistically with many nice treats for Jane, but more importantly, with well wishes and prayers and good vibes for her and my health during the numerous pregnancy debacles. I have said this before and I'll say it again - millions of people have babies every day, and it doesn't feel like a big deal until it's happening to you. And the people in my life absolutely encouraged the idea that bringing Jane into the world was very special indeed.

3) Let's lighten it up around here - I am thankful for the (and this one's for you, Lisa) internets. No, seriously! I think I would have gone completely mad this summer if I didn't have my computer to keep me updated on the news (entertainment and otherwise) and my email to keep in contact with those out there in the real world. It helped alleviate a lot of the isolation of 13 weeks home with a newborn whose only communication skills are through wailing.

4) The roof over my head, the food on my plate, the things I take for granted every day but shouldn't. Maybe it sounds trite, but I'm going to try to remember to be grateful for that stuff more. And thanks to all of you out in blogland who read this (yeah, all five of you). Happy Thanksgiving!