38 Weeks

In order to stave off the winter doldrums for one more day I bundled up and headed out to MoMA to see the Marlene Dumas show. To my happy surprise the museum was full of kids and mommies. I even clued into the fact that every floor has a well designed baby changing station. Looks like me and the Kid will be able to day trip here on a regular basis!

By the way, is anyone checking that countdown ticker to the right? It's down to the minute- as if this baby is arriving on a flight or something. With our close family members we've made predictions. Personally I'm up for anytime between now and the 13th (her actual due date). After that I can't promise anymore happy hostessing and just may have to investigate these alternative methods of induction. Hula hooping while drinking black cohosh tea anyone?

37.5 Weeks

It's not surprising that I'm getting bigger everyday. What is surprising is that the little human that lives in my belly is growing a pound a week! She's taken to jabbing and kicking those tiny arms and legs out of my left side with increasing force. Sometimes I literally have to push them back into a folded position so that I don't have a pointy bulge just popping out from under my shirt. It's a very weird sensation and continually reminds me of that scene in Poltergeist in which Carol Ann's dad, Craig T. Nelson, drinks a possessed tequila worm that rapidly incubates, crawls around inside of him and then births itself out of his belly. Of course Kid Stedman is a sweet baby and would never intentionally hurt her mommy but it gets me wondering...

Regardless, the Kid is on her way (soon!) and as you can see all her things are ready for her.

Diapers

"Greeny" and Nana's mint green blanket

Soft Friends

Monkey pull thing

Assorted stripey clothing

37 Weeks, Baby Shower at the Taj

Since we were already thoroughly showered by Aron and Jackie in Brooklyn I decided to do a very very very low key version in Boston with just my immediate family.  It was a beautiful and intimate brunch with my dearest clanswomen.  Of course my camera ran out of batteries as soon as we walked in, so here are the only 2 photos marking our grand entrance into the Ritz lobby. Using your imagination, you can fill in the rest with visions of waffles and baby sundries cluttering the elegant sunlit tables of the Taj Cafe.

36 Weeks

O.k. the fantasies have begun: I'm wearing jeans that actually zip and I can button the toggles on my pea coat (it's no fun when your belly catches a draft). I'm holding my beautiful daughter and Scott is making us a delicious meal. We're also probably sitting on some gloriously warm island in the Mediterranean so forget the pea coat.

Till then here I am, getting larger and rounder than I ever imagined possible. And here's a pic of Poppa Sted, yes, in a union suit, putting together Kid Stedman's motorized swing contraption.

Excercise Bike!

We inherited a fold up exercise bike from cousin Aron who ordered one but received two. We put it together and hopped on. So far just looking at it inspires us to saddle up and go for a ride. That's what living in a small Brooklyn apt. will do to you- if you're not using something at least once a month out to the curb it goes. Luckily that keeps us from becoming pack-rats with basements and attics full up with once useful things... of course that also means that our parents' basements and attics get a healthy amount of Scott and Crystalle overflow.

Have you ever seen a 36 week pregnant woman riding a miniature exercise bike? Here we are riding in our pajamas! Notice Scott is wearing both pajama pants and white Stan Smith sneakers. Help Fashion Police!

News from Poppa Sted

It's official. Poppa Sted along with Beloved Wife is now fully certified and educated. It took a paltry 8 hours and now I know every detail about how to successfully make-a-baby. Kudos to Beloved Wife who kept her bathroom breaks to a minimum (just 32 trips to 'la toilet' over the 8 hour course).

You would think that would be enough... but no... the baby parade continued straight to Aron and Jackie's who gave us the most amazing baby shower ever! All of our nearest and dearest were their to celebrate the imminence of Kid Stedman.

What a weekend. With just 5 weeks left, the baby's room all painted, we've got fresh diapers, a "piddler," baby toys, and assorted nursing accoutrements at the ready-- all that's left for Beloved Wife and I is to put on our war paints and wait.

Baby Shower!!

Aron and Jackie, those wonderful Brooklyn dwelling cousins of ours threw us a lovely baby shower on Sunday complete with Kid Stedman Hot Chocolate favors! It was a lovely afternoon with all our dearest friends and delicious bagels! I made Scott open all the gifts so there were pastel papers a-flying and lots of hilarious commentary from the Kid's pop.

Thanks to everyone who came and thanks for the lovely gifts. Seen here on my tummy are the BEAUTIFUL sweater knit by Dev Subhash and the ELEGANT yet STYLISH cap knit by Jackie. I think they're just the perfect size!

What a City!

Scott and I attended an all day childbirth class on Saturday. It was very informative and a little exciting. We even got to tour the maternity wings of NYU hospital. My favorite part was when we saw a new mommy hobbling about the halls with her husband and her IV bag. Upon seeing our pregnant couple tour she promptly exclaimed with adamancy "GET AN EPIDURAL!" then trailed into a "Natural Smatural" tirade.

Ah New York, what a place- hugely pregnant woman and husband attend childbirth class during an icy snow storm only to run into one of those pants-less subway-riding happenings put on by idealistic anti-establishment ethnomethodologist/comedian college kids. Here you can see the pics.

35 Weeks

Kid Stedman is on her way. Reaching the 35 week point and also having experienced some version of contractions last week it's safe to say that the whole parenting experience will begin in earnest within a matter of weeks. Might as well do lots of fun things like visiting the New Museum with Alison and baby Caroline (seen here in her bear suit) and photographing Kid Stedman's brand spanking new red car seat while I can.

Also, we're looking forward to an all-things-baby weekend with our all day childbirth class on Saturday and our shower (hosted by the true-blue sweethearts Aron and Jackie) on Sunday.

HAPPY NEW YEAR! 34 weeks

Yep, it's safe to say that 2009 is going to be a banner year for the Stedman/Lacouture family and what better way to ring in the New Year than with our old friends Bill and Claire, with whom we've celebrated four years running, and their new addition, the luminous Maggie Rose. Here we're walking through the primeval Berkshire woods during a beautiful snow. Sure beats the sloppy winter smoosh on our Brooklyn streets.

Also, I've reached 34 weeks! Kid Stedman is as active as ever but as Scott can attest, her movements have become noticeable through my clothes and have on occasion knocked cups and books out of my arms as they rested on the big belly. Strangely enough we've begun imagining that I'm a submarine and Kid Stedman's the little underwater captain of the ship.

Lila's Baptism

I am a very proud auntie and also now, a very proud godmother! Here are some photos from Lila's big day. I must add that this baby is already supremely holy or just prepared to sit quietly through a lifetime of masses because not a squeak, peep, or coo was muttered from her mouth whilst she was marked with oil, water, and forced to wear confining satin christening garb.

Blog Hum-bug!

Yes, we've been very naughty about keeping up with the blog. What with the holidays and lots of travel and often finding oneself without the proper hookups for camera and computer.... excuses excuses. Here's a limited wrap up of the last couple weeks:

Anemic pregnant lady
Vegetarian who cooked iron-packed steak for anemic wife
32 weeks
Yitzak, our Christmas tree!
BLIZZARD in Wellesley!

Christmas
Christmas
Scott and his niece Lila