FROSTY FRIENDS

 

So far this winter we have already had 5 snow storms and its only January.  It is shaping up to be one of the coldest winters yet for the Ellis clan. This morning WNYC FM informed us of a cold weather advisory to stay indoors.  Temps tonight are expected to drop to just 7 degrees and winds are expected to gust at 30 mph.  Burr-skis! 

Yesterday we bundled up and headed uptown to the American Museum of Natural History.  Annabelle really seemed to enjoy it, especially the Hall of Bio Diversity that features all sorts of sea animals and life size replicas of underwater life.  She also was intrigued by the polar bears, owls, reindeer and snow cats that we have been reading about nightly in her favorite book, Frosty Friends.  It was awesome to see her start kicking her legs and babbling when we approached something that peaked her interest.  It was if she was saying, "Hey, I know you guys!"  We can't wait to take her up to Bronx Zoo to see the animals in action once it gets warm enough.

VEGAS PART 2

From where I am blogging from my room in the Mandalay Bay I have a clear view of the Las Vegas airport.  I can see planes arriving and departing on the vast stretch of dessert sand.  I am happy to say that in a few hours I will be on one of those planes heading back to New York on the redeye.  It is a beautiful sunny day here in Vegas. Unfortunately I will not be able to enjoy it.  Funny thing about these work events, they keep you so busy that you never have the chance to step outside for a breath of fresh air.  I have been making the walk through the casino to the convention center and back to my room so many times, I think I could do it my sleep if it were not for the constant clinging and ringing of the slot machines.  Last night they had the annual "Bash" party where 9,000 hairdressers and corporate staff come together to celebrate. For this party, the company goes all out, hiring entertainment followed by a DJ to show their appreciation for our customers.  Last night Train played and we all got our groove on to Drops of Jupiter.  Good times, though two years ago we really had a dance party (see photo below).  One of the guys in Creative captured this rockstar moment of mine and ended up in the year end slide show...oops.  I guess what happens in Vegas doesn't always stay in Vegas.

Anyway.  I am thrilled to get back home to see my baby girl, and Nathan too!  He has been holding down the fort and doing a great job.  Now back to work for a few more focus groups and classes before we head out!

VEGAS PART I

Every year since 2001 I have made the trip to Vegas for a work event. This year is no exception. I don’t particularly care for Vegas, most likely because I associate it with work, giving presentations, smoke-y casinos, and tacky people. This year even more so, because it is my first time away from Annabelle. For the first time in 7.5 months I will fall asleep without the sound of gentle giraffe’s jungle noises softly playing in the background. I will not get up in the night and go to the crib to check on our little one just to see her dreaming peacefully. I will not wake up tomorrow morning to her big smiles and kicking feet so excited to see me. I already miss her, though I know she is in good hands and having quality time with her dad.

Taking this first business trip has had its perks. On the flight out here I took a nap, read a whole magazine, watched the Barefoot Contessa, and even finished my Christmas thank you notes. Aside from pumping in the airplane bathroom, I was almost my former self. Upon arriving at the hotel, I checked in, changed into my running clothes and headed down to the gym to get my legs moving. Not surprising, one of my fellow mommy co-workers was also hitting the treadmill - both of us enjoying exercising sans jogging stroller. Following my run, I took a steamy shower and then plucked my eyebrows in one of those magnified mirrors that show every imperfection. I found my eyebrows had been neglected since Annie E’s birth – who has time to pluck? I call it mommy denial. If you don’t look close enough, you can pretend overgrown eyebrows do not exist. Nevertheless – once primped I headed downstairs for our marketing team dinner - all expensed to the corporate card. All of these things were well and good for day #1, however I am sure these next few nights will not be so easy-breezy.

Now that it is time to finally go to sleep, I realize how strange it is not to have Annabelle sleeping here in the room with me. Perhaps I will put some Baby Chopin on the iPod to try and trick my senses into believing she is here. Sending my love and sweet dreams from Vegas to the NYC.



MORNING SNOW

HOLIDAZE

 Last Monday wrapped up the Holidays and I can't believe how fast it flew by.  Because I had a slightly extended maternity leaving me with minimal vacation days, our trip to California for Christmas was planned to be short yet sweet.  That all changed, however, when the Blizzard of 2010 hit the East Coast, happily stranding us in California for an additional week.  Supposedly thousands of flights were canceled and the airports around NY shut down leaving travelers, such as yours truly, at our travel destinations much longer than anticipated.  Nathan, Annabelle, and I took full advantage of our spare days to continue with visiting. Nathan took off to Mammoth for a couple days of snowboarding with Bryan and Josh while Annabelle and I spent some quality time in Laguna with the Lyman's, in Long Beach with the Czerwinski's and even snuck in another visit with Nani and Papa John in Westlake.  We ended our visit with a final sleepover at Ade and Josh's.  Unfortunately Annie E picked up a cold along the way, making that last night a sleepless night for all of us.  It was so great to spend Annabelle's first Christmas with friends and family. Here are some of the highlights:

• Brunch with Jill, Mom, Katherine and the Booser Girls at the 4 Seasons
• Annabelle sharing "kisses" with the family   
• Sand in our toes at Victoria Beach
• Jumping on the trampoline with Fiona, Maddie and Gracie
• Shrimp tacos with Argyle's
• Toffee surprises hidden in a secret place
• BBQ at Qazi West
• A long walk and great conversation on the Santa Monica Boardwalk with Katherine + babies
• The hilarious white elephant gift exchange at the Fiore's
• Quality time with the Grand and Great-Grand Parents
• Annabelle loving the wrapping paper more than the actual gifts inside
• Playtime with Milo, Ruby, Julian, Jagger, Hamilton, and Hunter
• Soup night with mom and dad

BABBLE

All of a sudden Annabelle has so much to say.  On Christmas Eve, our little lady learned how to blow rasberries.  She spent the next few days perfecting this trick.  I had heard this is good for language development, and I guess I had heard right.  On Tuesday morning, Annabelle babbled out a whole range of sounds including baa baa's, gaa gaa's, deee deee's - and much to Nathan's satisfation, dada's and dad-ee's.  Aparently she has her monther's gift of gab, because she hasn't stopped talking since.  Here is a clip of this morning's baby babble.

SNOOPS

Nathan's company recently purchased the license for Peanuts.  One of the perks being, Snoopy stopped by the office to spread some Holiday cheer.  We didn't make it to see Santa, does this count?

2011