The City That Never Sleeps

Caught this story on the news tonight... turns out we live in one of the noisiest areas of Manhattan- was it that fire truck screaming by again that gave it away?! Or the Dominican fiesta that lasted until 3 o'clock this morning?! I don't actually know where our street would fit on the spectrum since we basically live on the border of Hamilton Heights (#1) and Washington Heights (#3). I DO know that I always kind of freak out whenever we visit family in the quiet suburbs because I'm afraid none of us will be able to sleep when we get back to the city again. Lexi is a pretty heavy sleeper, thank goodness. I hope #2 will be as well.

Memory Lane (aka 79th Ave)

My grandmother & mother were both born and raised in Queens (in the same house on 79th Ave). I was born in Queens, as well, and so today we took a little trip down memory lane and visited the old stomping grounds with my mother as tour guide. We saw the apartment building that was my first home and walked the streets that my mother and I walked when I was a little girl Lexi's age. We drove around my grandparents old neighborhood and loved hearing all my mother's little anecdotes. The neighborhoods have changed drastically- people of all types now. We stopped in the playground near our old apartment building (that my mother admits we hardly ever went to- too scary in those days!) to let Lexi run play in the sprinklers.

Family

After spending some time with friends (see previous post) we were lucky enough to get to see some family, too! Matt's brother has triplets that just graduated from high school last week (congrats!) and so the whole family came out east to *celebrate*. We were so happy to see them and spend some time with them! Paige is headed to Utah State, Sierra to Utah Valley State College and Cliff is off to the mission field in Tennessee speaking espanol. They're touring around Boston, upstate NY and Canada, and hopefully can meet our newest addition on their way back through NYC before heading home.

Lexi adores her older cousins!

Friends

One of the great things about New York is that it's a destination city. I mean that lots of people come here for lots of different events, and we get the chance to see friends that we haven't seen in a while when they come for other things. Today we were able to spend a few hours with some of our friends from our Utah days- and get to meet their 2 cute kids... (Jaina seemed to avoid the photos somehow). Lexi and Jensen had a nice time together at the Central Park Zoo, and then dancing on the big piano at FAO Schwarz while the moms and dads caught up on each others lives... thanks for making some time to see us, friends!

Fleet Week (Semper Fi!)

This week in New York is Fleet Week- a celebration of our nation's sea services. To start it all off, this morning was the Parade of Ships and Aircraft Flyovers. The ships were supposed to travel from the Verrazano Bridge up the Hudson to the George Washington Bridge. Lexi and I walked down to the river's edge to watch the mighty ships sail by. However, in a disappointing turn of events, the ships did not actually make it all the way to the GWB. Instead, they ended up turning around in front of Riverbank State Park- located at about 145th Street. Lexi and I were on the banks of the Hudson at 158th Street, so unfortunately did not get to see any boats actually pass in front of us. We did get a pretty good look, though, and could see the servicemen and women in their crisp white uniforms all standing along the decks.

We did see 2 flyovers- one set of 4 jets, and one set of 2 jets. Very cool.

Lexi ended up climbing on the rocks and throwing things in the water:

Another visit to the Bronx Zoo

Zoo 5/22/07

Did I say this in a previous post? Because we bank with Bank of America, we get free admission to several museums/parks throughout the month of May. So Lexi & I took another trip to the Bronx Zoo with Aunt Allie and friends Jessica & Noah. There are a few attractions that you have to pay extra to see, so Lexi chooses one of those to do- last time we rode on the Bug Carousel, and this time we rode the Sky Ride high above the zoo. We saw some animals that we haven't seen in awhile (the red panda & the snow leopards) and almost all of the animals were very cooperative today- moving around and doing something other than just napping. We also visited our old friends the tigers & giraffes.

More Lexi-isms

Lexi found this photo of Matt's nephew when he was 3...
"What happened to Superman? Did he turn into a baby?"

"I'm starving. I need to watch something."

"I was a baby Lexi. I wasn't a baby Ella. But now we're gonna have a baby Ella."

While visiting my mother in her single-family home, Lexi was in another room and we suddenly heard a strange noise:
Me: "Hey, Lex! What's that noise?"
Lexi: "It's just the neighbors upstairs."

"That onion just stung me!"- after eating some guacamole.

During a Mets/Yankees game a commercial for Mitchum Man deodorant came on- it featured 3 rather buxom women running down the beach in some skimpy bikinis.
"Ewwwwww. That's YUCK!"
(That's my girl! Hope you still think that when you're 14!)

While riding a carousel with Aunt Allie:
Allie: "This goes fast! The wind feels so good!"
Lexi: "Is it from the horse or from the world?"

Modeling in NYC

Pregnant Kendra

So, I can now say that both Lexi & I have done modeling work in New York City. My friend Angie has a roommate who is studying photography at the School of Visual Arts. One of her assignments was to photograph memories from her childhood, so Angie suggested she take pictures of Lexi... Christina and her assistant, Jia (who, incidentally, worked for one of the leading fashion photographers in Korea) spent a Saturday morning spinning, singing and playing with Lexi.

In a later assignment, Christina had to photograph "eggs". Yes, folks, "eggs". She was really hesitant to take pictures of a plain old egg, even broken & splattered. Then she had what I consider to be a creative stroke of genius. She decided to photograph a pregnant woman... get the egg connection? And guess who the lucky lady was? Me! It was actually quite fun to go downtown to a little studio at the school and be the object of attention for a couple of hours. Although I was 5 months along at the time, my belly was still not exactly huge, so we had to be a bit creative. But I was recently given several prints and I am so impressed by her talent. And I was so flattered to be her subject. (You can click on the above photo to see all the prints I received).

How Your Birth Order Affects Your Romantic Compatibility

Yesterday on the MSN homepage, I noticed the title to an article about how your birth order can affect your romantic relationships... I didn't get a chance to read it, but today did a google search for similar articles and found this article. (Oh, by the way, I am a first born, and Matt is a last born)

First Born Married To The Last Born: Excellent combination: First-born can teach last-born how to be better organized, and that there are times when life must be taken seriously. The last-born teaches the first-born that it's okay to have fun once in a while.

It's almost as if they know what they're talking about!

NY Aquarium & Coney Island

NY Aquarium & Coney Island

Today we took a little trip out to Coney Island to visit the NY Aquarium with Nan & Allie. It was Pepsi Corporate Day, so we got in free since my mother works for Pepsi. It's a great place for kids because it's a small aquarium with just a few attractions. Allie got some great shots of the jellyfish. We also walked down the boardwalk to visit "historic" Coney Island where we lunched on Famous Nathan's hot dogs & cheese fries, and rode the Wonder Wheel (in a swinging gondola, of course!) I am conveniently left out of most pictures as I feel about 5 times my normal size.

Click on the above photo for more of our day out in Brooklyn.

down to the wire...

9 days to go... give or take.

Climbing at the Playground

A lot of the time when we are at the playground, other adults get really nervous when they see Lexi climbing... they look around for her "caregiver" and then proceed to tell me where she is climbing (as if I can't see her myself) and that she will fall. I almost always have to assure them that she is really quite athletic, agile & capable. Here is a little video of her adept climbing (and running) abilities:

Mother's Day

We had a nice day hanging out with my mother & sister at their home... it was a beautiful day, so we took a little walk around their neighborhood and got a few pictures:





And a little video of Lexi driving in her car:

Bronx Zoo

Thanks to Bank of America, we can get in free to several museums this month- including the Bronx Zoo... so we took a trip over there with Lexi's friend Thomas (and his mom & baby brother, too). Here they are riding on the Bug Carousel and looking at the Polar Bear.

My Apologies

Sorry for the lack of updates, folks. And I'm sorry to say that there may not be very many over the next few weeks... baby is due in about 3 weeks!

Lexi-isms II

After arriving home from pre-school one morning, Lexi shouted as we entered the apartment, "Tigger! Pooh! Everybody! I'm back!" (Presumably to all her stuffed animals she had been playing with that morning).

At our weekly church playgroup, one little girl showed up in fancy silver-sequined shoes. I said to her, "Those are cute shoes, Mabel!" She just smiled, but didn't actually say anything in return. Lexi then instructed me, "She didn't answer you. You have to say it louder!" (That explains why when I don't answer Lexi right away she repeats herself over and over and louder and louder until I do!)

While riding home on the train the other evening, Matt caught Lexi picking at her chapped lips. The following conversation ensued:
Dad: Stop touching that, Lexi (referring to her chapped lips).
Lexi: Don't talk, Dad (frustrated with the parental instruction, no doubt).
Mom (laughing): Well, she told you (to Dad, who then laughs as well).
Lexi: You better write that down, Mom!

While waiting in line at the Giada De Laurentiis book signing, Lexi overheard 2 women talking about a "Heather".
Lexi: They're talking about Heather, Mom.
Mom: Who's Heather?
Lexi: The lady that goes with Desmond Jones. (aka. Lexi's friend's mother)

On Quaker Instant Oatmeal: "If you don't cook it in the microwave it won't be good. It will be nasty."

After dinner, one of Lexi's jobs is to put the leftovers in the fridge. Here is a conversation we had about this:
Mom: Can you put this in the fridge for me?
Lexi: Yes, sir!
Mom: You can say 'Yes, ma'am to me."
Lexi: Why? Are you a man?
(I guess my pronunciation wasn't clear enough)

After spotting a Poland Spring Truck: "There's water in that truck!"

"I have to brush my hair for everyone to say 'She's so pretty!' That's why I have to finish" [brushing her hair].

"I love the elevator. And my favorite color is red. That's all the words I know."


We always take our shoes off when we come home, so I was a little surprised to see her still wearing shoes a while later:
--"Why are you wearing shoes in the house, Lexi?"
--"Because the flies will kill my toes and eat them!"

Many times after we say a blessing on the food at dinner, Daddy will give Mommy a kiss before eating...
Lexi: You kissed your lips together!
Mom: Yep. That's what mommies and daddies do sometimes.
Lexi: I do that, too.
Dad: (jokingly) But you can't do that till you're a mommy.
Lexi: (emphatically) Don't tell me that, Dad!!

Birthday Cake

I am not much of a baker. In fact, my baking is pretty much limited to brownies from a box and chocolate chip cookies. Oh! And cinnamon rolls. But I basically NEVER make cakes. I don't even have any cake pans besides the springform one I use for cheesecakes (which are a once a year concoction). But, I saw an episode of America's Test Kitchen where they made this Strawberry Cream Cake and I have been craving it ever since. I just needed a good reason to make it. What better reason than my dear mama's birthday?!

Here is the recipe in case you'd like to attempt this sumptuous dessert as well.

Strawberry Cream Cake

If using a cake pan, you will need one with straight sides that are at least 2 inches high; otherwise, use a springform pan. The cake portion can be made ahead of time, wrapped in a double layer of plastic wrap, and frozen; thaw the frozen cake, unwrapped, at room temperature for about two hours before proceeding with the recipe.

Serves 8 to 10

Cake
1 1/4 cups cake flour(5 ounces)
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon table salt
1 cup sugar (7 ounces)
5 large eggs (2 whole and 3 separated), room temperature
6 tablespoons unsalted butter , melted and cooled slightly
2 tablespoons water
2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Strawberry Filling
2 pounds fresh strawberries (medium or large, about 2 quarts), washed, dried, and stemmed
4 - 6 tablespoons sugar
Pinch table salt

Whipped Cream
8 ounces cream cheese , room temperature
1/2 cup sugar (3 1/2 ounces)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/8 teaspoon table salt
2 cups heavy cream

Building Strawberry Cream Cake

1. FOR THE CAKE: Adjust oven rack to lower-middle position and heat oven to 325 degrees. Grease and flour round 9 by 2-inch cake pan or 9-inch springform pan and line with parchment paper. Whisk flour, baking powder, salt, and all but 3 tablespoons sugar in mixing bowl. Whisk in 2 whole eggs and 3 yolks (reserving whites), butter, water, and vanilla; whisk until smooth.

2. In clean bowl of standing mixer fitted with whisk attachment, beat remaining 3 egg whites at medium-low speed until frothy, 1 to 2 minutes. With machine running, gradually add remaining 3 tablespoons sugar, increase speed to medium-high, and beat until soft peaks form, 60 to 90 seconds. Stir one-third of whites into batter to lighten; add remaining whites and gently fold into batter until no white streaks remain. Pour batter into prepared pan and bake until toothpick or wooden skewer inserted into center of cake comes out clean, 30 to 40 minutes. Cool in pan 10 minutes, then invert cake onto greased wire rack; peel off and discard parchment. Invert cake again; cool completely, about 2 hours.

3. FOR THE STRAWBERRY FILLING: Halve 24 of best-looking berries and reserve. Quarter remaining berries; toss with 4 to 6 tablespoons sugar (depending on sweetness of berries) in medium bowl and let sit 1 hour, stirring occasionally. Strain juices from berries and reserve (you should have about 1/2 cup). In workbowl of food processor fitted with metal blade, give macerated berries five 1-second pulses (you should have about 1 1/2 cups). In small saucepan over medium-high heat, simmer reserved juices and Kirsch until syrupy and reduced to about 3 tablespoons, 3 to 5 minutes. Pour reduced syrup over macerated berries, add pinch of salt, and toss to combine. Set aside until cake is cooled.

4. FOR THE WHIPPED CREAM: When cake has cooled, place cream cheese, sugar, vanilla, and salt in bowl of standing mixer fitted with whisk attachment. Whisk at medium-high speed until light and fluffy, 1 to 2 minutes, scraping down bowl with rubber spatula as needed. Reduce speed to low and add heavy cream in slow, steady stream; when almost fully combined, increase speed to medium-high and beat until mixture holds stiff peaks, 2 to 2 1/2 minutes more, scraping bowl as needed (you should have about 4 1/2 cups).

5. TO ASSEMBLE THE CAKE: Using large serrated knife, slice cake into three even layers. Place bottom layer on cardboard round or cake plate and arrange ring of 20 strawberry halves, cut sides down and stem ends facing out, around perimeter of cake layer. Pour one half of pureed berry mixture (about 3/4 cup) in center, then spread to cover any exposed cake. Gently spread about one-third of whipped cream (about 1 1/2 cups) over berry layer, leaving 1/2-inch border from edge. Place middle cake layer on top and press down gently (whipped cream layer should become flush with cake edge). Repeat with 20 additional strawberry halves, remaining berry mixture, and half of remaining whipped cream; gently press last cake layer on top. Spread remaining whipped cream over top; decorate with remaining cut strawberries. Serve, or chill for up to 4 hours.

Step-by-Step: Building a Strawberry Cream Cake
1. With serrated knife, use sawing motion to cut cake into 3 layers, rotating cake as you go.
2. Place sliced berries evenly around edges (they will be visible once layers are assembled).
3. Cover center of cake completely with half of pureed strawberries.
4. Spread one-third of whipped cream over berries, leaving 1/2-inch border. Repeat layering.
5. Press last layer into place, spread with remaining cream, and decorate with berries.

Dying Eggs

This afternoon, Nanny led us in a egg-dying session- Lexi's first time attempting such a project.

Happy Birthday, Nan!

After the Easter Egg Hunt, we went out to lunch with Nan (aka Grandma S) & Allie to celebrate Grandma's birthday! Happy, happy birthday Nanny dear! We love you!

First Easter Egg Hunt

Easter Egg Hunt in Ft. Tryon Park

Today we went to Fort Tryon Park to participate in Lexi's first Easter Egg Hunt. There was quite a turnout and it was FREEZING cold, but we still had a good time. All the eggs were laid out on the big lawn, and the kids (in appropriate age groups) were told to "GO" and all ran down the hill to pick up as many eggs as they could! Lexi had the help of the wonderful Aunt Allie and was able to pick up 4 eggs & a hacky-sack ball before the fun was over. It all happened pretty quickly- guess that's how it goes when there are 30+ 2&3-year-olds vying for the same loot. Good times!

Click on the photo above for all the shots we took of the event.