Introducing: The Belly

I am 16 weeks now, and have finally decided that it's time to get crankin' on the belly shots.  As you can see, not only is the belly starting to really do its thing, but my bellybutton has popped with a vengeance.  As in, you can see it from across the room and through a layer of clothing.  Ah, motherhood!

Zonked

Just thought I'd share the best Kiddo photo-op of the last week.  This nap happened today at Whole Foods, where the Kiddo likes to eat lunch on Saturdays.  He was actually really hungry, and from his perch in the front of the shopping cart he had pointed out a plethora of things that he wanted to add to our salad bowl (his favorite thing right now is the bowtie pasta with tuna, which he can eat in ungodly amounts).  As we were standing in the snaking checkout line, he started to nod off, and I was trying my darnedest to talk to him and entertain him into alertness.  Needless to say, my efforts were in vain, because as soon as my attention was directed towards the cashier and I was paying for our food he bit the dust.  When I turned around he was arrayed thusly (notice the limp hand still clutching the side of the cart):

It was hilarious looking, but clearly he was comfortable and completely relaxed, because he didn't budge for the better part of an hour, snoozing away even when I propped his face up with the makeshift pillow that was my scarf (which you see in the top photo).  

People were smiling and giggling and commenting the whole time I ate my lunch -- the sleeping Kiddo was quite the attraction!  Finally, after a rather lonely meal all to myself I decided to extract him from the cart and carry him out of the store in the Ergo.  Even then, he didn't flinch, and continued his peaceful snooze until we were well on our way and on to other errands.

Just Like That

What a difference five days make.

On Monday we're witnessing quite the blizzard,

and on Saturday I'm running around the apartment flinging all the windows open

and breathing in Spring.

In between was a brutal round of teething

(fevers, sleepless nights, cranky days, lots of Netflix, and seemingly round-the-clock breastfeeding...hence no blogging!)

Today, the Kiddo has already taken off with his dad for his new favorite activity of the week, attending the Saturday Our Time workshop.  Later his grandmother (T's mom) will be picking him up for lunch and a frolic in Central Park.

As soon as I take advantage of this blissful alone time to take a relaxing shower (you know, one that lasts for maybe longer than five minutes and involves actually shaving my legs and washing my hair!) I plan to take nature's cue and get outside, sit on a park bench in the sun for a while, and perhaps stop by the corner store on the way home to get some flowers for the apartment.

I hope that you have a beautiful, fun, and restorative weekend.  What are your plans?  I'd love to know :)

Photo via Absolutely Beautiful Things.

Happy Feet

He was tapping in the ice and snow.

Snow Day

My Photo on sfgirlbybay Today!

A huge "thank you" to one of my favorite bloggers, Victoria (of sfgirlbybay), for including a photo of mine in the first installment of a new feature on her site, Sunday in Your City.  Click here to see the lovely post, in its entirety.  Go here to see the Marvelous Kiddo post showing the above photo (of the bridle path in Central Park) in its original context -- a little photo diary of a winter stroll.  Cheers!

April 13. Be There or Be Square.

I have been dying to share the news about a very exciting upcoming event, so here goes! 

As many of you are aware, my marvelous hubby, T, is the Founder and Artistic Director of an amazing non-profit organization, Our Time Theatre Company, an artistic home for young people who stutter.  Well, every Spring we hold a big fancy gala to celebrate the company's wonderful work, raise funds for the upcoming year, and pay tribute to an inspirational individual.  It is always a fun and moving night with enough glitz and glam to sparkle us right through to the next one.  (Click here to see my post about last year's gala with lots of entertaining photos).   

I am thrilled to announce that this year's event will be our most fun, exciting and sparkly one yet.  Our Honoree is world renowned photographer (and person who stutters) Howard L. Bingham.  Mr. Bingham's distinguished career highlights include documenting the career of his best friend Muhammad Ali through more than a million photographs.  He also has worked closely with Bill Cosby over the years, developing a close friendship with the Cosby family and becoming the family's photographer.

So, here are some of the people we have assembled to fete this outstandingly accomplished man on April 13, 2009...

Honorary Chairs:

Muhammad and Lonnie Ali

Bill Cosby and Camille Cosby

Carly Simon

Co-Chairs:

Scott M. Delman

Fred Nelson

Kathleen A. and Dr. Joseph F. Popovich

Liz Tuccillo

Participating Artists:

Lauren Ambrose, Talia Balsam, David Alan Basche, Tevin Campbell, Michael Cerveris, Maddie Corman, Nadia Dajani, Ned Eisenberg, Dominic Fumusa, Lauren Graham, Kate Jennings Grant, Kathryn Grody, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Peter Hermann, Gregory Allen Howard, Adriane Lenox, Ilana Levine, Tiffany McElroy, Mathew Modine, Kelli O'Hara, John Oliver, Rosie Perez, Alysia Reiner, Ron Rifkin, Alice Ripley, Ken Roberson, Ramon Rodriguez, Daphne Rubin-Vega, Amy Ryan, Peter Sarsgaard, Ed Sherin, John Slattery, Fisher Stevens, Mary Testa, Callie Thorne, Bill Withers, Jeffrey Wright, cast members from Spring Awakening, and the youth of Our Time.

What a fun bunch, right?  I mean, one of my breatfeeding-celebrity heroines, Maggie Gyllenhaal will be there, people!  I'm already obsessing over what I should wear (will it be possible to find a nursing-friendly, belly-accentuating maternity cocktail dress?  Four months pregnant, will I be capable of slinging the Kiddo while rocking high heels?  I'm hopeful...)

If you're planning on being in NYC on April 13, this event is not to be missed!  We hope you can join us.  Click here for more information or here to purchase tickets.