Twenty New York Moments
from our trip back east from November 22-27, 2009:
20. Nicholas fell down the steps in JFK airport and got a nice-sized goose egg.
19. Claire put her hand on the Hostess's table at
dinner and it broke and then somehow fell on top of her,
which then broke the computer, then broke
the delicate amaryllis & vase.
It broke our hearts and we didn't eat dinner that night in the restaurant.
Instead, we nursed a sad Toad back to health and had room service.
(But the hotel sent to our room cookies and milk for Claire
with a note that said: "Get well soon, Claire!"). 
(In the Green Room for The Today Show)
(In the Green Room for The Today Show) 18. Meeting Matt Laurer and Meredith Vieira on The Today Show!
We chatted about kids and how he wakes up at 4:30
to arrive at the set every morning.
I asked Matt since he has to get up so early each day what time he goes to bed.
(Why do I care about these things? I don't know).
He says he goes to bed at 8:30, the same time as his children.
He also told me he hated eating rubber chicken.
I told him I don't even eat chicken at all.
I don't even know why we were talking about chicken
since our interview was like at 6:30 in the morning.
17. Meredith Vieira hooked us up with Macy’s Day parade tickets
because she said to me,
"If I can’t get them, then who can?!”
She was SO very nice and soooo super cute with Ollie.
16. I got my make-up done right next to Al Roker.
15. Going to the White Christmas musical on Broadway with
the girls; Claire, Jane, Mom, Lucy, and Courtney.
We also got to visit backstage, meet the players,
and go behind the scenes to see all the cool
tricks, wigs, costumes, and props. Thanks, Mari!
The Today Show interview.
Then he made tooting noises and climbed under the couch
during my chat with Matt.
It was hilarious and very frustrating at the same time.
(OK, I admit it, I didn’t want him to wear the
helicopter shirt on national television! Can you blame me?)
13. Getting the sweetest kiss from Ann Curry.
She had a gorgeous green dress on that day and is absolutely soft and gracious.
12. Dressing up at night to visit the city.
11. Going to Tavern on the Green in Central Park.
The food was over-priced and kind of gross. But it's iconic.
10. Ollie talking me into buying a three-pack ironman set
in the FAO Schwartz toy store.
It's been the best purchase I've ever made.
They haven't left his hands once. Not even to sleep.
9. The kids go to sleep at midnight every night,
(are we're on the East Coast!).
Come to think of it, this isn't a highlight, really.
8. Alicia Keys meeting my girls…and the girls don’t care.
They will someday though.
7. After getting a high fever and feeling very sick on Thanksgiving Eve,
Christian and I took a taxi to the New York Presbyterian hospital ER.
I have a very large and very sore open wound on my leg that is very infected.
The burn unit admitted me and we stayed the night and all day on Thanksgiving.
This, as you know, wasn't my first stay in the burn unit on Thanksgiving.
What a gigantic BUMMER!
6. Mr. Nielson and I cuddled on my hospital bed that overlooked the East river
half laughing, but mostly crying over our misfortune.
That turn of events had us counting our blessings which then brought
us to prayers of Thanksgiving which is why we celebrate this holiday anyway.
So I guess it wasn't all that bad.
After some heavy heavy IV antibiotics, they dressed my wound and called
Dr. Caruso in the burn center in Phoenix.
Sounds like I'll be back to surgery in January of next year.
That's just the news I want to hear!
I missed the Macy’s day parade that Meridith Vieira got us prime tickets for.
But my kids and family all got to go, and that's what matters anyway!
Also, the hospital misplaced the new green flats
that I got especially for the trip. That was tragic.
I was discharged from the hospital in blue footies.
5. I lay in bed recovering with a throw-up bowl
next to dad who agreed to stay with me while everyone else
apartment in Harlem for Thanksgiving dinner.
Later, they told me that they took three wrong subway routes
and made it to dinner an hour late.
But Mr. Nielson said dinner was exquisite in every way!
Dad ordered up pumpkin soup and crackers for our Thanksgiving dinner.
4. I'm pretty sure Nicholas successfully spilled twenty
out of the twenty-two drinks he had on the trip.
In restaurants, in the airport, on the airplane, and in his stroller.
Not to mention breaking four glasses. FOUR!
3. A very old man in one of the café’s we ate at
got really mad at me for letting my boys eat so loudly.
What?
He told me that my kids were not normal and he
had never heard kids eat so loudly before.
(We're not in Utah anymore, Toto).
But it doesn't stop there, oh no,
he also told the manager who did nothing because...seriously?
2. Central Park...what more can I say?
(Betsy and Andrew in the park)
1. My Mom asked the flight attendant when we landed in NYC
if she was “spreading the news".
The flight attendant didn’t laugh or think it was funny.
(Like I did).
I think Frank would have laughed. 
ALSO: My mom stood next to Hoda outside
singing along with Alicia Keys and after I said,
"Mom, what was it like budding up with Hoda?"
"With who?"
She had no idea.
Thanks Lexi and The Today Show!! This was such an amazing trip from start to finish!
