For the love of pizza

The other day we attended a huge pizza party in SoHo called "Take a Slice Out of Hunger." Basically, all of the city's most famous pizza joints provided their pies for $1 a slice, with all the proceeds going to the NYC food bank. I loved the idea of trying lots of yummy pizza while also doing good in the community--so we decided to go...along with a million other young/poor New Yorkers!

 

The line wrapped around the Catholic church where it was held (heck, it wrapped around the block) but luckily we weren't too far back. It did take us over an hour to get inside though, so we did the only natural thing to do: make bff's with the people in front of us. They were all single (in fact, I think we were the only ones crazy enough to bring our young to this event) and adopted our kids as their nephews. When we were about 30 minutes from the pizza party one of our adopted "aunties" went and bought Everett his own pizza from a local food truck. He was SO happy, and the two boys ate a WHOLE pizza (8 slices) before we even entered the event.  

When we made our way inside, we got slices from almost every borough, and some of them were just amazingly unbelievable. But would you believe that we think our California favorite, Round Table, would blow any of them out of the water? Cali pride, baby!

We sat on the steps outside the church and shared every single slice of pizza, you know, to get the full experience. The boys also got specialty popsicles (um, root beer float pops, hello!) and kept thanking us for bringing them to the "funnest pizza party ever!" Yep, good times.

Until, of course, Everett fell down a whole flight of stairs at the subway station. Other than a bruised face he's ok, thank goodness, I know it could have been so much worse. Oh Ev, let me help you down the stairs next time, ok? 

Our Angel Nicqelle

One year ago today, the world was blessed with a true angel, Nicqelle Lily Astrid Johnstone Gustaffson. Oh, how I love that baby Nicqelle. I was immediately awed by her beauty and felt calmed by her peaceful nature. It was clear from Nicqelle's very first breath that my life would never be the same. In fact, I thought then what I know now: the world will never be the same again.

Nicqelle was born the same week I learned I was pregnant with our third child. As I rejoiced with Andre and Lotta about the safe arrival of their daughter, I secretly celebrated my own child, a son, I would later learn, that we wanted desperately and already loved. But that baby I was carrying would never enter my arms. He had the same heart defect as Nicqelle (a heart defect that affects 5 in every 1 million babies mind you). Then, in some act of fate I believe must have been heaven-sent, my pregnancy ended through miscarriage the same week that Nicqelle went back to heaven.

Most of those two months Lotta and I were swimming in an ocean of the unknown together. Those will remain some of the most intense months of my life and were filled with fear, faith and incredible friendship. When it was all over, I felt so deeply empty and couldn't believe I had lost both of these special heart babies in the same week. In many ways, I feel like that little Nicqelle is what I have to show for my pregnancy. Maybe I wasn't to have my own ectopia cordis miracle baby, but Lotta and Andre allowed me to share theirs, of which I will forever be grateful.

So it really is no surprise that Talmage and Everett were telling everyone from cabbies to homeless people to our dearest New York friends that "it's our baby Nicqelle's birthday today," for in a way she will always be a little bit ours (we sure love her like our own!) And it's also not a surprise that when I was trying to decide where in the city to release her birthday balloons to heaven (Central Park? Times Square? The Brooklyn Bridge?) I was filled with the warmest of promptings, "Release her balloons in front of the temple." So the boys and I went to Lincoln Center, and we talked about how families can be together forever. We talked about where we go when we leave this earth, and we talked about where Nicqelle is right now. And when we all felt good and ready, we let our balloons full of love float to our dear angel in heaven. Happy birthday baby girl, we love you so much!

All thanks to a nice person

Aren't nice people just so, well, nice.  

 

I'm not really shocked by the niceness of others because this world is just so good and so full of niceness, but every time I experience it first hand I sure am grateful.

 

Last week when we were at a restaurant with Noni and Grampa two ladies approached us and offered us their New York City Passes (they were visiting from Canada and wanted the bus tour, but not the rest of the package). Inside the City Passes were tickets for a boat cruise around Manhattan, as well as tickets to the Empire State Building. James has always wanted to go on the boat cruise, and T has been begging for us to go to the top of the "Pempire State Building." Our weekend was filled to the brim with fun all because someone was nice.

{I wish I knew who they were and could send them these pictures and a thank you note!}  

 

Our family of four heading out for the harbor lights cruise! 

We set sail at dusk and the views were breathtaking. Seeing the sunset and then watching the lights of the city start twinkling before our eyes was really special. The tour was nearly 2 hours long, and it was mostly a success (let's just remember it that way, ok?) Everett is my little home-body and sometimes forgets that adventures in the city are fun...but he was pretty good! 

This little tugboat was pulling a huge barge on the Hudson. Isn't it adorable?

Oh wow, that city is beautiful. And the lighting. And the boats. And the realization that we live here.

This tour was marketed as a romantic lights tour, and I can totally see why. I'm so glad we were able to make this work when James was not at work. 

The Brooklyn Bridge and downtown.

We spent the majority of the second hour outside, where we could see the city (and Everett's screams could be muted by the wind!) The weather was mild and ideal for a boat ride in October.

That little lady, up close and personal under the stars.

The next morning we made our way to 34th to visit the Empire State Building. There was also a Korean Festival going on down there, so the boys each got a balloon before we even entered the building. I am going to blame Ever's bad behavior on the fact that his balloon flew into the sky early in our day. It's either that, or I'm raising a monster ;)

For a second, Ev thought life might be ok on top of the Empire State Building. Seriously, how cool is that anyway?

It was a fuzzy morning, but still a remarkable view.

Talmage was a stud! The NY City Pass also included a free audio tour, and you better believe Talmage listened to every last second of it, and loved it. He'd say things like, "Wow Mom, there sure are a lot of museums in this city" and "Look, it's my favorite building--the Chrysler Building!" He's so big. All of this happened while James and I took turns taking a screaming Everett inside so as not to ruin anyone else's visit.

Talmage could have stayed at the top all day. But alas, Everett is his brother! 

This was the family picture the security guard took on our way down. His comment to Everett, "Kid, you just ruined your family's Christmas card!" Oh Ev!

Noni and Grampa

Noni and Grampa were our inaugural UWS visitors, and I've been lonely for them ever since they left. It was so nice to have them all to ourselves ('cause I'm selfish like that sometimes!), and whether we were hanging around my apartment or we were out exploring the city it just felt special.

 

I realized a few things while they were here:

1. This house was MADE to be filled to the brim with people. Sure, it is small, but even with 6 people in 480 square feet it never felt cramped. Actually, it was quite the opposite. My apartment was full of love, joy and so much energy. It felt cozy and perfect (so much so that my grandparents cancelled their hotel reservations because they felt so at home here). Yes, if I could I would fill these walls with so many babies, you just wouldn't believe it. But I can't, so I expect you to come visit and help me out, ok?
2. My boys are so blessed with such wonderful grandparents, and so many of them. Because our family is so young, the boys have great, and even great-great grandparents in their lives. For most of my growing up years, Grampa was my only Grandfather. He is the best Grampa any girl could ever dream of having--kind, strong, fun and caring. He told us great stories from his youth and from the war and made us laugh with his jokes. My point is that on this trip more than ever I realized how blessed my boys are to have him in their lives, plus Noni and all of their other grandparents. They have A LOT of them (last count I think they have 7 Granpas and Grandmas, plus some adopted along the way!) Family provides such perspective and love.
3. Our sleeper sofa is darn comfortable. I tried it out and I must admit, that is one comfy couch. Come visit and see for yourself!

 

The first night Noni and Grampa were here we made caramel apples. My mom's caramel recipe was really delicious (and not quite as hard as we expected) and everyone got an awesome sugar high from those bad boys! I showed this picture to Grampa and we agreed that I got my blue eyes from him ;)

We dipped the caramel apples in s'more ingredients (because caramel apples aren't sweet enough?) and they were so, so good. Oh, and the boys dipped theirs in orange sprinkles too. Our table was kind of chaotic that evening, but in the yummiest way possible.

Some of my favorite moments of Noni and Grampa's trip was watching them read stories to the boys. Little Everett would pick out a book and drag it to both N and G whenever they sat on the couch. I'll admit, it made me tear up a time or two (and not just because they were reading some awfully sad children's books, the Giving Tree anyone?)

We went to Carnegie Deli and had a lunch that made for 4 meals. It was huge!

And Ever was just as spicey as normal during that lunch trip. Noni and Grampa seemed to love that he points his fingers at me (and others) but that's because they are just grandparents and see no wrong with these little monsters.

 

Noni and I escaped one evening to a movie premiere a few blocks from our house. We saw George Clooney, Sandra Bullock, Regis Philbin, Emma Watson and other famous friends...no big deal, right?

That little Noni is so cute ordering shish kabobs from the street vendor. It was on her NYC bucket list, and I'm glad it happened. That street vendor was so nice and took good care of us.

Grampa and the little boys were cute eating their goodies on the street as well!

One afternoon I may have made Noni and Grampa dress up with random clothes from our costume drawer. You know, because isn't that what you do on a Wednesday afternoon?

Another night Noni and I escaped again, this time to see the Broadway show Newsies. Talmage and I stood in line and got tickets through the lottery. It was such a fun night and Noni really loved the show!

We went to the stage door at the end of the show to get autographs from all the stars. I made Noni take a picture with the main character, Corey Cott, because isn't he the most adorable thing you've ever seen? He is so extremely talented.

You all know that goodbyes do not look good on me, so after T and Noni hailed a cab together I sobbed my way over to Central Park. We loved having Noni and Grampa come visit us...and hope they will come back soon!

Barton Orchards

Our dear friend Eisley had her 5th birthday party at an apple orchard an hour north of the city, and we were so honored to attend. Eisley and T were best buddies when we lived in the Bronx, and we have stayed in close contact with their family even on opposite sides of the country. Now we're in the same state again, but still don't see nearly enough of each other. I just love them and it was such a fun day! 

 

Barton Orchards--it was like a farm and orchard and country theme park and garden all in one. For as long as we are in New York (ha, as if we make plans like that!) going to this orchard will be our new tradition. Because it really was that awesome!

So, mostly I took this picture because that goat was on the other side of the fence and couldn't bite me or my skirt (as petting zoo animals always seem to do). Later, when I saw that that goat had jumped over the fence I felt a little less cozy with my camera.

The birthday girl herself. I still think of her as the little binkie girl running around in a diaper on my back patio. Ahh...I love that 5 year old!

Melissa planned this party perfectly. All of the kids had so much fun and were kept busy for hours on end (the party was from 10 until 12:30, but we ended up staying until 5 pm). This is when they went gem mining in a little water mill.

Everett thought it was fun, until a big kid threatened his spot at the mill--then his game face came on in full force!

There were multiple jump houses and a huge bouncy slide. For the first time in Everett history he went in the jump house, and he even had himself some fun!

I look at this picture and feel like I'm looking at T and Eisley instead of Everett and Sophia. Such sweet babies!

T and Daddy on the train.

At the top of the orchard was a barn with little go carts and games. Oh, you thought those were for the kids? That's funny.

I told Ev that he could pick and eat an apple if he smiled for the camera. These are the two pictures he let me take, the little ham. I guess he earned his apple!

T and Eisley after they did a slide race. Yes, I think I am totally and completely ok with them being friends for life!

Do you see how beautiful it was? I don't think we could have planned for better weather if we tried. Talmage rode his own bike-cart around this huge track multiple times. It was not easy...he's a stud!

And Daddy definitely wins an award for being an awesome Dad! He pushed Everett around that whole track, while carrying all of our belongings in his backpack.

After the fun zone, our little family headed to the orchard to pick a bushel of apples. We picked four different kinds and filled our bag to the tippy top. The boys had more fun than I even thought they would. They were very careful to not pick any with bruises or bites and that were totally ripe. We have a big bag of gorgeous apples in our kitchen right now. Yum!

Oh, the apple orchards were so beautiful. For a few minutes I even thought I wanted to live in the country, which was obviously the apple cider talking because me + country = seriously never. But a visit to the country, and this orchard in particular, now that is just a little slice of heaven for my soul. And fresh fruit from a tree, it almost makes me tear up with gratitude. I really love our world.

Once again, James won the award for being a seriously awesome Daddy. He let the boys climb all over him to get the apples they wanted. And if I wanted to tell you the whole truth and the full truth than I should mention that he might have boosted me for an apple or two as well. Or ten-ish.

 

And then after apples, came the pumpkin patch!

Everett picked out this little beauty and carried it around for a few minutes. He kept calling it his baby and said, "Oh, is so tute!" Then in an act of 2-year-old rage he threw it to the ground and declared, "I don't want anyfing!" He decided he couldn't stand that pumpkin, or any pumpkin...until 4 hours later when he realized that we didn't buy him one. Oh the drama of a 2-year-old on a city bus in Harlem.

Talmage, on the other hand, found the perfect pumpkin all by himself (after checking out just about every pumpkin in the whole field) and carried that thing around like a trophy of his awesomeness. And his independence is pretty awesome sometimes. I really loved watching him think as he looked at all his options, and picked the pumpkin he loved!

Again, it was just a beautiful day.

The day was made only more beautiful by apple cider donuts. They were out of powdered sugar which made me a little sad, but the cinnamon sugar ones were unreal.

As if our car was not full of enough yumminess, we then picked bags of peppers and tomatoes (which were way cheaper than anything we can buy here in the city). Plus, we got to pick them and reminisce about how cool it was when we got to pick fresh veggies from my dad's garden last summer.

Everett was a total goner when we got back in the car, poor kid has been sick since the calendar said it's fall. Getting the car back to the airport (and then us back to our house) was kind of a doozy, but all in all the trip was a total success and completely worth it. Happy birthday Eisley, thanks for letting us come to your party!