Jury Duty

Today Lexi and I had to report for Jury Duty. Well, okay, really I was the one who had to report, but I had to take Lexi along since I don't have other options for childcare. One of the court officers at the front door told me to report upstairs and talk to someone there about the fact that I couldn't serve since I am a full-time caregiver. When I arrived in the rather large jury room (with, literally, a hundred other people there), I got quite the welcome. I'm being sarcastic. No sooner had I sat down than the man in charge looked right at me and said, "Why is there a child in the jury room?" I said, "Because they told me to talk to someone up here about it." He said, "No they didn't." I was a bit taken aback by that response since I was, indeed, told that I had to talk to someone up there about Lexi. I said, "What?" and he said again, "No one told you that." I was quite embarrassed as he was treating me like a child and that I didn't know what I was talking about or what I had been told. I said, "Well where am I supposed to go then?" He told me to go to a completely different building down the road and looked away as if he owned the world. I refused to leave without getting the last word in since I am NOT an idiot. Although I don't really remember exactly what I said, I tried to make it clear that I was told to bring Lexi up here and that I didn't appreciate him thinking he knew what I was told since he wasn't there with me.

We went over to the other building (the courthouse used in Law & Order) and filled out some paperwork excusing me for the next couple of years. I guess they'll send another summons in a few years.

We had to take a picture to remember the day. Here is Lexi with the Courthouse behind her. 

Shistas!

We have had the sister missionaries over to our apartment several times in the past few weeks. Lexi totally adores them and loves the fun accessories they bring with them... scarves and nametags! Here she is with Sister Beames and Sister Drannan(or, in Lexi language, the shistas). 

Owie!

We live on a hill and Lexi loves to dart out of the door of our building and run down the hill- the hill helps make for some really fast running! The other day as we approached the door from the top of the hill, she decided to dart off once again, ignoring my shouts to Stop! Unfortunately, she had a little spill which put some nice *road rash* just under her little nose. Now that it is scabbing over, she is tempted to pick at it. To minimize the temptation, we put some neosporin and a band-aid on while she sleeps creating an oh-so-lovely Sesame Street mustache. 

Friends!

Today Stewart & Carolyn Forbes (friends from Albany) called to see if we could meet for lunch. They just happened to be in town on Carolyn's business trip (she works for some hot shot prosecutors). Since we were already downtown it was easy to meet up at Whole Foods and have some laughs together (Matt couldn't make it since he was working... to provide for that lunch- thanks, Matt!) Lexi warmed up to Stew quite quickly! Ahhh, she just keeps wrapping those men around her little finger.

FAO Schwartz

While Liz was here visiting this week we took a little trip down to FAO Schwartz to play with the toys. This was also Lexi's first time playing on the big piano that was showcased in the movie Big starring Tom Hanks.

Here are Liz & Lexi playing with the trains.

Big Girl Bed

Every night before we go to bed we like to go in and gaze at our sweet daughter. And even though she has been sleeping in a big bed since last August, she has never fallen out... even though she has come close as evidenced by this photo! 

Bronx Zoo (again!)

My cousin Liz came down to visit this week, so today we took a trip to the Bronx Zoo. Here are Liz and Lexi with one of the tigers, who we think is named Alexis, also. Most of the animals were *inside* for the winter (wherever that is), but we did get to see the tigers, monkeys, camels, gorillas, baboons and some nocturnal animals in the World of Darkness exhibit (like skunks & bats & porcupines). Afterwards, we went over to Arthur Avenue, "the Little Italy of the Bronx" for some pizza & to buy some fresh pasta for dinner. 

Here's Lexi in our elevator with her 2 favorite treats! In her left hand is a cookie from the new bakery that just opened around the corner from us. In her right hand is an empanada from the Bodega on the corner. She couldn't be happier!

New York City Fire Museum

Today we visited the NYC Fire Museum with friends Julia Sorenson(on the left) and Celeste & Owen Ransom (on the right). Lexi seemed to enjoy all the old firetrucks and running around this old firehouse-turned-museum. 

This picture turned out blurry, but I had to post it anyway... Lexi totally loved wearing the fire coat and helmet. 

Lexi and Mom trying out the firemen's gear. Who knew those helmets were so heavy?! 

Lexi was holding the big, heavy firehose but decided to drop it as soon as I took this picture. She refused to pick it up again... so there you have it. Lexi looking at the firehose she doesn't want to hold. 

Lexi & Jett

Last week we started babysitting Jett Macdonald... his family is in our ward and his mom is going back to work 2 days a week. Jett is 4.5 months old and is already 18 pounds to Lexi's 26!

So far, Lexi has been pretty good with him. She is a bit hesitant to share her toys, but overall she is extremely helpful- almost TOO helpful sometimes: pulling out all the wipes when we change his diaper, yanking off hat & shoes when we come home from the park, stuffing pacifier or bottle in his mouth repeatedly...

I think this will be great "practice" at being a big sister for Lexi. (And, NO, that is NOT an announcement!)

Statues at the Time Warner Building

 

At the Time Warner Building in Columbus Circle, there are two random statues in the main lobby, one is a man and the other a woman. During our visit there the other day, Lexi became fascinated with the toes on these statues. She would get down on her knees and count all the toes on one statue and then run over to the other one to count all the toes on that one. 

Driving with Elmo

The other night we went to Toys R' Us where they had an Elmo car to drive. As soon as Lexi saw Elmo, she wanted to drive with him. When the ride ended she said, "More? More money?" and pointed to the coin slot. 

Happy Birthday!

Lexi wanted to open her present from Grandma Susan first.

Grandma Susan gave Lexi a beautiful duvet cover for her bed. She loved it so much that even after Matt had put it away in her room, she dragged it back out to the living room to lie down in it again!

Nanny & Pop-pop Elliott gave Lexi a tricycle for her birthday this year. She just totally loves it. She is trying to understand the concept of pedaling, and steering is hard to do while concentrating on keeping her feet on the pedals, but she just adores the bike and is constantly saying "Bike! Park!" and pushing it around the apartment. The trike also came with a long handle that we can attach to the back so we can push her without bending over and breaking our backs. We took it off at the park, though, because she wants to just get off and push it rather than learn how to pedal it on her own. Once the handle is not an option, she is more willing to try and ride- and is somewhat successful, too! Thanks Nanny and Pop!

Grandma & Grandpa Cope sent Lexi a huge Gund bear. They had already given her a little bear/blanket that looks just like this one, so Lexi fell right in love with this animal because it was so familiar. She likes to cuddle up with it, since it's just her size.

Jessica & Jon Horey came to Lexi's little party and gave her a My Little Pony complete with necklace, hair clip and brush. She loves brushing the pony's hair.

There is a neighbor in our building who we have been friendly with since we moved in. He has a big black dog that Lexi has always liked. The other day we brought him some fudge (for Christmas) and he gave us a gift for Lexi and said it was for her birthday. Needless to say I was astounded that he remembered her birthday, since I don't even recall ever having that conversation with him. It was so nice of him to get something for her! So here she is playing the piano from Michael. I think it is one of her favorite toys now.

We didn't really get a good picture of Lexi blowing out the candles. She blew them out so quickly we hardly realized she had done it. Then she said, "More?!" and so we obliged, letting her ultimately blow the candles out 5 more times! Does that make her 10 years old?

Click here for more pictures from Lexi's birthday.

Ranks of Snowmen

Since Lexi's birthday fell on a Sunday this year, I made some cupcakes for her to take to nursery. Here they are, all lined up and ready to march! I can't take all the credit for these. I got the idea from Martha Stewart.