Tattoo Convention

So today was both the 9th Avenue Food Festival and the New York Tattoo Convention. I wandered/waddled through both. Todd and I ate our way up 9th Avenue this morning and then I went over to the tattoo convention this afternoon. My brother Michael has a booth there. Then down to the Village this evening for crepes with Camron. It was a big walking day and I'm starting to feel every block I walked. So here is a picture of my brothers Michael, Peter and I at the convention today.

Still no

I'm due a week from Monday. Nothing is leading me to believe it will be before that - except for my willing him out. Went to the doctor today. I'm a 1/2 centimeter dilated so I guess he'll come out eventually.

Congratulations Scott and Shannon!!!

Shannon had Eliza Kate on May 8th. She came in at 7 pounds.

No, not yet.

13 days to go. He's going to be just like his father and procrastinate until the very last second. Then when he does finally make his debut and I'm pissed, he'll say . . ."What? I did it. I'm here, right?" And I'll say, "Yes, but ten days late". "Am I here mom? Did I get it done? Calm down. Now, let's talk about this breastfeeding business " Just like Todd (and a little like comedy)

36 1/2 weeks

I'll be full-term on Sunday. So anytime really. But I'm officially due in three weeks. I'm actually feeling pretty good. My hips and back are a little sore but that seems to be the only issue. After spending the past few weeks telling everyone that would listen that I'm totally over being pregnant - I'm now at a point where I want to try to enjoy every last minute of these last few weeks while he's still in there. As portable . . . and quiet . . . as he'll ever be. So here I am as of today, nine months pregnant.

Birthing Classes

I have to say I was so not looking forward to taking the birthing classes. I had actually signed up for classes at NYU which was once a week, for six weeks and each class was two hours or so. I canceled those classes and signed up for an all day Saturday/Sunday course at a place called Real Birth instead. Part of the reason was so we could just get it out of the way and part of the reason was because the class was called Birthing With Epidural. Perfect. It sounded like it wasn't going to be a too Hippy Dippy, I Am Woman Hear Me Birth" kinda class. I went fully expecting to have comedic material for both the blog and for telling stories.

But . . . here's the deal.

We loved it!

For a 12 hour class (6 hours Saturday and 6 hours Sunday) it completely held our attention and was incredibly well taught.

It was in fact, a little it hippy dippy . . . but in a really fantastic, empowering, informative way. The class was incredibly supportive of the partners role in laboring and birth. I think Todd came away from it feeling so much more comfortable with how this will all go down. I had prepared him continuously that he was not going to like the class and it would probably freak him out. But the opposite happened. The woman who taught it was amazing and used to be a lawyer and was very no nonsense.

We came away from it with a (tentative) plan, feeling very comfortable with the decisions (I think) we've made and with Todd and I being on the same page and feeling like we'll be in this together. Now I'm sure that will all go to hell from my first twinge of a contraction but one can hope we learned something this weekend.

So there -

Real Birth in NYC. They are fabulous.

Then we got home and Joey had a seizure and we rushed her up to the animal hospital - getting there just in time for her to be fine!! They checked her out. She's fine. I think she knew we were at baby class. It put a little burst in our happy place - but what can you do?

Next Saturday is newborn classes. Maybe that will give me fodder for material.

Last parentless trip - Massachusetts

Our last trip as just the two of us (well . . . .four of us, we brought the dogs)

Todd Robinson's wedding (that's right Todd RobinSON)

Our friends Todd Robinson and Allison got married yesterday and my Todd, Todd Robbins, performed the ceromony. It was great. Anyone getting married. . . ? Todd's available.

Finn's winter hat . . . with special guest apperance by Joey

But come on . . . . how cute is this mohawk hat? (The hat is on the left, the dog is on the right)

Cinderella . . .OK, what was I thinking?

So I went off to do a weeks worth of performances of Cinderella with the Baltimore Symphony. This, was with my parents puppet company. I've known for the past year that these shows were coming up. Back in November being two months pregnant, we were down in DC for Thanksgiving. My mother brought up the fact that mid April there were these symphony performances and was there anyone who could step in for me?

This is where the I Am Woman, I Am Strong thing kicked it. Of course not. I can do the shows. I'll be 8 1/2 months pregnant . . . not dead. Of course I'll do the shows. My mom was cool with it, my father, not so much. I got permission from three different doctors that this would be fine.

Two - thirty minutes shows a day was not the problem. It was the eight hours of rehearsal a few days before we went into the run that killed me. In my head, I had wonderful images of doing the show, pregnant-shmegment. Nothing would keep me down. Totally blocking out the whole rehearsal, load in / load out part of it. So, day one. After a few hours of rehearsal every part of my body was screaming. I'm thinking . . . I've made a horrible, horrible mistake by taking this on, I was SO done with it. My back hurt, my hips hurt, my ankles hurt. I had heartburn, I was over-tired and I had to pee every 7 and a half minutes.

Now, like I say, once we got to the actual performances with the orchestra, I was fine. So here for your viewing pleasure are a few pictures from Baltimore Symphony's 2008 Cinderella, featuring the Bob Brown Puppets.

(Then I'll throw in a picture of me doing it a few years ago to show that I didn't always look like a huge, gigantic, preggo -doing puppets - pure vanity - I know).

.

Rehearsal and over it

Below is how I looked in my head

OK, this last one is a few years old . . . I may have been sleepy, but I was skinny and sleepy.

Buy this book!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Todd wrote a book. There was a book release party last night and everything. So I think it's legit . . . . at least that what he tells me. Baby needs a new pair of shoes, and maybe his own Fiji Mermaid . . . so . . . buy this book!

My husband is cute

8 Months (and four days but who's counting . . . besides the creepy baby counter on here?)

That's a big belly! And another 6 weeks to go. Holy yikes!

Baby Nook

We have a nook now (nook now? say that ten times fast). AKA, The Baby Corner. So everyone that was thinking . . . "oh my . . . .how are they going to do it in that apartment"?





This is how.

Baby Shower and best friends EVER!

So the shower was fabulous. Thank you to everyone that was there. We had a blast. I wish I could have spent more time with everyone but there were a lot of people. There were a ton of people that came from out of town and a handful that came across country to be with us. Kendra and Casey - it meant so much to me that you came in from the West Coast. My Aunt Sue in from Chicago. My family that all shoved themselves in one van and drove up just for the day. Rich, Pie, Susan and Marc were like our own stage crew behind us, throwing away wrapping paper and packing things in bags as we opened them. I loved that! Camron and Denise brought cakes which everyone enjoyed. A LOT. We have very funny and clever friends. From Don Becker's "The Mighty Phineas and Joey" gift (I will post a picture of it ASAP, it was hilarious) to Larry Engler's "Finn's Career Starter Kit" which consisted of a mini lightbulb, mini sword, mini balloons and a mini hand puppet. Plus Camron's "It's Just Like Comedy" and pinup onesie's. It was the perfect mix of things we desperately needed and things only our friends would do. I brought my camera and I was very excited about taking pictures. I took two. One of the cake and one of Kendra's baby sleeping in our crib. I am waiting for pictures from people but in the mean time, here are a few we've been sent. All of our friends ROCK so much and I am so glad all of you will get to be a part of Finn's life. Aaaand pregnancy hormonal tear falling right now.

Finn (and afro?) at 31 weeks

OK - If he's born with this afro, we are so changing his name to Elvis Robbins

So it looks like the baby afro was just a shadow. Damn, that would have been fuuuunnny!

Look at that sweet thing. It actually looks like a baby.

That nose. Those lips. Kills me. Crazyness.

Todd puts the crib together.

Uh oh. He looks confused.

*He's making progess

aaand we're done (and by we, I mean Todd)

Shannon's Baby Shower

Shannon (AKA as Twistina from Carnival Knowlege) and I at her baby shower, Saturday March 1. Shannon is due May 16th and I'm due May 26th. We love that! From puppets, to sideshow, to box office to babies. It's a fun ride Shan!

Registering

Why the picture of the fork and spoon? Ah. Good question. It comes into play soon.

So Todd and I registered at BabiesRUs last weekend. It was kinda fun for about fifteen minutes and then all of a sudden it became incredibly daunting and over-whelming. Within the first five minutes, as we sat down at the "Register Here" table, Todd looked like a deer in headlights. I thought, "OK, he just needs to follow me around and scan things". But after looking at the 465th Diaper Genie, Bathtub, bouncy thing in the first twenty minutes, I too became a walking zombie. We scanned a handful of clothes and I said to Todd, "OK, that's fine, that will get us through the first week."

He said, "Then what"?

I collapsed on the floor in hysterical laughing. You know what? I have no idea, I thought.

We moved from section to section. We got to the strollers. Things fold and snap and buckle and collapse and come on and off and zip, crackle and pop. Oh my God, PLEASE, just pick one. By the time we got to the top floor of BabiesRUs, two and a half hours later, we were both over it. I told Todd to pick out the crib and changing table and I was going to go scan sheets. When I met back up with him he said, "Nothing will fit".

"What do you mean"?

"I mean, none of these cribs or changing tables are going to fit in the apartment".

So before we both had a complete and total breakdown - we left. We went to brunch with a friend of ours. Todd had many, many mimosa's as I jealously looked on. Then later in the day we calmly found a small crib on line. Everything is FINE. Breath Krista. It's all good.

Oh right, the fork and spoon. When Todd and I got engaged I had to register by myself because he was doing Ripley's Believe it Or Not (Live!) in Branson, MO. The above are forks and spoons I registered for and got. I thought (at the time). Aren't these neat, they have a nifty little curve in the middle of them. That "nifty little curve" makes them fall out and off of every bowl, plate, cup and table you put them on. We have never hated any inanimate object as much as we hate this cutlery. And I inexplicably registered for four different cheese shredders. We've never shredded cheese . . .ever. Sooooooo, Todd did not want me going to register for anything by myself. Ever again.

Breath Todd. It's all good.

:-)

Seven Months

Almost 28 weeks. So seven months. I know what your thinking. . . . She only has two months to go. But you would be wrong. Nine months schmine months. Ninth months is a big ole' myth. It's ten months. Liars. They need to teach that in elementary school health. It's all about the weeks when your pregnant. I don't know. I'm 28 weeks. Third trimester. Due in May. I still feel pretty good. The baby's kicks are a little harder and at times it feels like he's walking across my stomach which is a little disconcerting I must say. I haven't had any MAJOR cravings - like pickles on fruit salad - but I do enjoy me a taco salad and that - I feel is new to my life. No crazy hormones either . . . I think. I did get so angry at Todd for eating my left over pizza that I thought I may have to leave him. . . . .that was probably a little over the top in retrospect. I started getting a little weepy while I was getting ready for work the other day and Todd proceeded to tell me where every little knick knack in the apartment came from (two headed duck, cyclops kitten, fiji mermaid, shrunken heads, the jackolope you know, your basic knick knack). When he was done, I realized he had distracted me out of my weepiness and I was fine.
I'm still pretty active and am sticking with my trainer at the gym until I can't anymore. So - there you have it. So far so good.

6 Months.

My new best friend?

This is off of one my "pregnancy boards". I think I want her to be my new best friend.

melisa4(Vip) - 23.4 hours ago I may be VERY crabby today, but I just went to that Name My Baby site to check out the names...are these women serious? Usually, I'd keep this to myself (Not my kid...not my problem)...but I really think they believe they're naming puppies or something! And just because you can add an 'h' or a 'y' or a 'z' DOESN'T mean you should...I'm starting to think I'm in the minority of people who take into consideration how this kid's gonna carry the name throughout his/her entire life...Seriously, I don't ever believe that there will every be a Supreme Court Justice named 'Delicious Diamond Dawson'...how does that not qualify as child abuse? and neglect? Sorry--I feel slightly better--If I could yell at some of these women, face-to-face, I'd feel 100% better...thanks, Mommies!


Now Listen! I am very aware that this is coming from a woman (myself) who is most likely naming her child Phineus Taylor Robbins (hence forth to be called Finn). However, if our child ends up being a Supreme Court Justice, something has gone horribly, horribly wrong.

23 Weeks - Kick Part 2

. . . . .and laughing about it. It Just Like Comedy!

23 Weeks - Kick Part 1

Caught on camera. In the middle of kicking me.

Mean doctors. What up with that?

Above is the sonogram from yesterday. I'm 23 weeks. Six months next week and it's going by very quickly. He's definitely a boy, which is good, having only purchased boy things. He's kicking like crazy. It's exciting but it feels like, you know, your being kicked from the inside out, little bit freaky, so after a while, I'm like. . . OK, baby that's not so much fun for mommy anymore.

We finally switched doctors. I've told this a million times so you may have heard it - but my doctor was the nastiest woman ever. I kept thinking I was being overly sensitive - but no - she was definitely hateful. Well, she was hateful until Todd showed her he could put the side of his glasses up his nose and then she was ALL about us. Too late, I was already over her. Our new doctor is fabulous, FABULOUS. We love him!!! And Todd didn't even have to do any sideshow stunts to get him to like us. (However . . . . . we did have to have Dara Gottfried, Gilbert's wife . . . put in a call for us to even get seen by him, since they recommended him . . . .but that's another story)

Also;

You know, you watch movies and see women getting their sonograms. The ultrasound tech says, "Look, there's the baby's leg, oh look there that's the spine, and if you look over there, that's the ear and there's the mouth." Todd and I have yet to have this experience. The techs don't so much care about any of this and rarely speak out loud. And even when we ask, "what's that" we get very mumbled "femur 4 side, b m j." . . . . .

OK, I don't know what that means. . . . .

We try kidding around but apparently they all think we're idiots. Maybe it's us. Their all just so serious.

My mom came up to see the sonogram and so far she has been the only person to feel the baby kick.

So we're good. Baby is coming along perfectly and we love that. I have great friends who are new moms and are recommending dotors, gadgets, tricks. All kinds of stuff. So thank you very much. It is all welcomed!

Baby belly

I seemed to have popped this week. I think I went from "hmm, maybe she's pregnant . . . maybe she just had a good ole' food filled holiday", to looking very much preggo. Here's the belly at 21 weeks.

Identity crisis much?

When Mommy dresses the baby

When Daddy dresses the baby

New Years Eve

Todd and I went to The Big Apple Circus for New Years. During the middle of the first half they do a bit where "Grandma" (Big Apple Circus resident clown, also known as our friend Barry Lubin) comes into the ring. The conductor, who is conducting from the band stand above the ring, "drops his baton" into the ring. He goes down in to the ring, with his trumpet in hand, to get the baton back from Grandma. Of course hilarity ensues. At one point Grandma uses the baton to change the lighting in the ring to mood lighting. The conductor starts playing When I Fall In Love (It Will Be Forever). Grandma comes in to the audience and does what I fear most in life. Grabs my hand. Damn IT!!!! He knows I hate this. We've been through this. I turn around to plead for help from my husband, who I realize is also being pulled into the ring. Barry/Grandma said to me . . ."It's the baby's first circus. You have to do this." Todd and I proceeded to dance in a spot light, in the middle of the ring, in the middle of the Big Apple Circus. Seven years to the day that we got engaged, in a spot light, in the ring, in the middle of the circus. And just like when we got engaged, I forgot 1000 people were watching us. Todd and I. And the baby. It was a good New Years

Christmas

My brother Peter got Todd a robe for christmas. He told Todd that every father needs to forever scar his child by the robe that he wears. My brother Michael got Todd a bottle of bourbon. My Aunt Sue got us a sling for the baby (all of them got us other things but stay with me here for the point). So below is a picture of my Baby Daddy! Back off ladies. He's mine.

Yes, that is Joey in the sling.