Momma's Got a Brand New Bag

I was frustrated with carrying a diaper bag and my purse. It was clumsy and inefficient. So I searched for a bag that met the following requirements:

• Was glamorous
• Matched my overnight bag
• Could hold all of my purse-type stuff AND Luke's stuff
• Went on my back

Here's what I found. I love it. It makes shopping with Luke a million times easier. And I've already gotten compliments on it. Plus, I used the long-languishing Fortunoff's gift cards on it, so it was FREE!

There's a Baby in My Pocket

Well, I guess it's not really a pocket, but it's still a neat title. He's actually enjoying being tucked in there, which is great. I still love the Moby Wrap - especially when I'm really walking around the mall or making dinner, but this is great for when he refuses to nap when I'm not at home. Plus he likes to sit up in it as seen here like he's king of a Mardi Gras float. I call him Mayor McCheese when he does that - it looks like he's going to start waving and politicking. I look like a dweeb in the picture, but Luke looks too cute not to share it.

What Dressing in the Dark on No Sleep Does

Brown tights and black boots. *sigh* At least my skirt is brown as well.

It's a Beautiful Day on the Internet, A Beautiful Day on the Internet

You never know what gems you'll find. This morning I've read the following stories courtesy of msn.com:

Astronaut To Wear Boxers Shorts For Science
Homeless Chef Lived In Airport For Years
How Not To Screw Up Your Oscars Speech
Tax Moves That Cry 'Audit Me'
What Killed In-Flight Meals
Top 10 Web Sites You Don't Know About

Snow Day

I'm toasty indoors. Got an angellically sleeping baby on the bed in his little nursing pillow, a husband snoring on the couch and a batch of chocolate oatmeal "milk supply" cookies in the oven.

And I don't have to go to work today.

*sigh*

Coming Around Full Circle

Last night I had my last appointment with the oncologist who treated my Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma and got us through that hellish part of my past. Not because I'm done seeing doctors, but because Dr. B. is retiring from the practice. It was not easy to hold back tears. It felt something like a Lifetime movie - here I was, fulled cured with my new baby to show my oncologist as he's retiring. Cue the sappy music. But I really was sad at the prospect of not seeing him again. He was glad to see Lucas and I think he was glad that he was the one who got to tell me that recurrance of the kind of cancer I had is virtually none. It must have made for some closure for both of us. Mom and I gave him some cards and a little token of appreciation for all that he did for us. Below is what I wrote in his card.

Dear Dr. Berger,

How do I say thank you for a miracle? We came to you not knowing what was in store for us, fearing everything. After our first visit (and an impromptu bone marrow biopsy!) our fears were lessened and we had a clearer picture of the road to recovery. You told us what we were facing and how we would treat it. You always gave us all of our options and treated me as a whole person, not just the part of me that was sick.

And now I'm able not only to come to you healthy and still in remissino, but share my son with you - a child I was unsure I was even going to be able to have. So I say thank you. Thank you for my health, for treating me, for giving me all the hope in the world. I wish you nothing but happiness (and a little relaxation!) in your retirement, but will miss you and miss seeing you very much.

All our best,

Tiffany, Tom and Lucas

Bring Your Adorably Cute Baby To Work Week

Back in the Saddle Again

Played my first post-Lucas show last night. It felt great to get out, it felt great to go to the theatre and just play. I lost myself for a few hours and got my chops back in working order again. And it's funny, the show was "Annie." Annie was the first show I saw on Broadway. I must have been maybe 7 or 8 at the very most. My Uncle Frankie took me and I really remember almost everything about it:

When Uncle Frankie called to tell my mother he wanted to take me to see a show, he said, "Go tell your mother I'm taking you to see "Oh Calcutta!" - which he and my mother thought was funny and left me clueless. I remember being so awestruck at being in the city and feeling so grown-up. Uncle Frankie bought me a Shirley Temple at intermission at the glamorous, sparkling bar in the theatre. He bought me a souvenir program that I still have to this day.

And so began my life-long love affair with musicals.

So I was glad that my foray back into the "professional" world of cello-playing was an old favorite.

Mmmm...Food

Now, the story in my family goes, that when I was little, about 2 or so, I'd get the shakes when I'd see Peppermint Patties - they were my favorite. So, when you've got a young'un and you're on your way home after sitting in weather-related traffic for 2 hours and are hungry, and you pass a Burger King, you figure, "I'll get a salad." Which wasn't bad. But then you see your favorite word: "NEW!" and get suckered in to purchasing a York Peppermint Pie. And I have to say, I forsee myself making a detour to the BK in between the sitter's house and my house just to get a few more slices of this stuff. It was incredibly tasty - for a fast food dessert that is. Hey, for .99, you can't go wrong.

And then when you're on your way to work and realize that you haven't eaten anything much in the last 12-14 hours, McDonald's looks good. And again, the siren song of "NEW!" calls you. And you order a McSkillet Burrito. I like breakfast burritos. I like that my egg, cheese and other variables are snug in a little pocket for me to consume. The combo of egg, sausage, cheese, potato, pepper and hot sauce is a definite waker-upper. Delish.

A Turn for the Better????

Last night I got Luke to not only tolerate our new wrap/carrier but he fell asleep in it. I was shocked. Absolutely shocked! Of course he screamed bloody murder when I tried to take him out, but hey, it's a step in the right direction. I got a Moby wrap - this long piece of fabric that I wrap around myself and pop him in. He actually seems to enjoy it. The next step is to try to go shopping with him in it.

I have to admit, I kind of like the fact that he wants to be close to me to sleep. I'm relishing it now because once he's a hulking behemoth of a teenager he won't want to be in the same room with me.

Ahhhhhhh....

Relaxing. How am I relaxing with an 8-week old?? Easy. I'm watching one of my favorite movies:

And I ate my first Valentine treat of the season:

And when I bought said treat, I noticed EASTER CANDY!! My love of Russel Stover's and Reese's Easter candy has been mentioned, but it's worth mentioning again. How can one not love chocolate marshmallow, covered in chocolate, shaped like an egg????

**Not to mention said baby is fast asleep in his carseat.

Not So Bad

Well, today was my first day back at work. And I'm a little ashamed to say.....it wasn't bad. I was glad to wear a dress. I was glad to wear heels. I was glad to stop at Starbucks on my way in and grab a mocha. It felt good to go back to work. It felt good to be needed and have purpose. It felt good to complete tasks.

But I covered Luke in kisses when I got home and ate him up!

AND....after Tommy left for school, Luke behaved well enough in his swing so I could make a real dinner.

Woo hoo!!!