DJ Audie K in da House!

At long last, Chickpea, or Audrey Katherine are her parents have taken to calling her, has arrived! The important stats are: October 1st, 9:12 pm at Mt. Auburn Hospital in Cambridge, MA, weighing 7.5 lbs and measuring 19 inches. All together, labor and delivery took about 7 or 8 hours, and we only spent three of those at the hospital. Scott drove from Arlington to Cambridge with the hazards on all the way, trying to avoid potholes and help Kris breath through contractions. Audrey was delivered by Robin, the midwife, Wanda, the doula (labor assistant) and Scott, who stayed on his feet and by Kris's side throughout-- even when there was some fairly loud yelling coming from Kris. He never let go of her hand, and he was there to cut the cord as soon as Audrey got herself freed from Kris.

Almost 37 weeks...

If you're tired of looking at profiles of me, don't worry... in three or four weeks there will be a new celebrity on this blog, and it won't be Kris OR Scott. Here's what I look like now, though-- swollen, slow, but basically doing okay. Our downstairs neighbors have had their baby (Liam), confirming our suspicions that I am actually going to give birth as rumored too.











My tops that fit like tunics a few months ago are more like crop-tops now...




















And sometimes I just can't be bothered getting off the couch. Period.

Week 33

I've grown noticably bigger than this already, but my blogging cannot keep pace anymore with my expanding body. Tomorrow begins our 6 week count-down (assuming Chickpea decides to arrive somewhere around her due date).













One of my more slimming work-wear ensembles...





















This one is from a couple of months back now. Janna shows us her extremely flat runner's stomach against my somewhat softer paunch.





















We made dinner for our friend Kathy and tried out some of the fussier receipes that we will soon have no time for. This was a tomato soup with basil oil and a cucumber panna cotta. Not bad!




















The baby footwear collection, by Kris. Next up, a pair of red strappy shoes for Chickpea to wear home from Mt. Auburn. I've started the second "draft" of these already-- hard to get the shoes small enough.

Scott and Neko and Harry Potter

We may want to consider investing in a larger couch.

A couple of recent Kris-and-Chickpea profiles...and one of Neko

More outfits from the "My Friend Kate's Closet" summer maternity collection... If it weren't for her, I'd be wearing the same stretched out blue pajamas pants every day.

Scott and Neko are showing their solidarity with me by spending extra time loafing around on the couch. At left, Neko demonstrates...

Chickpea's baby gifts. What is it and how does it work?

Package instructions: lay baby on center of swaddling blanket, wrap tightly as for burrito or enchilada. Enjoy quiet, motionless baby!


Below, Ruth helpfully explains how some colorful new toys are best employed.

Opening gifts at Chickpea's Baby Shower

We were ably assisted by Hanuman (age 5, orange t-shirt) and Ruth (age 2, pink tank top) with opening baby gifts from our terrific friends. That's Rebecca, our hostess, sitting on the blanket next to Scott.