Things to be thankful for:

Husband naps, laughter, generous spirit and witty ditties.

Samantha naps, smiles, rampaging through the house investigating things, her health, grabbing her parents and smooching them, grabbing Ella and grabbing some more,

A patient puppy who puts up with all the baby grabbing and yelling with a certain equanimity I envy. Her joy and bouncies when she is in the snow or just dashing in the woods. The way she can drag me out to get exercise when I least want to, and get me to have fun anyway.

Kitties that are also patient with our little implet, and who know how to keep a nosy puppy in place when Ella deserves it. Hamlet that doesn't scratch Sam even when he is cornered and being mangled. Their soft fur and wonderful purrs. Their company while I was on bedrest. I could always count on them to keep a spot warm on the bed for me. Sometimes their purrs were the only thing that kept the antsies at bay during those long two months.

A loving household, good friends, and a great family.