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.