By Amy Argetsinger and Roxanne Roberts
Thursday, September 13, 2007

What's better than one fabulous baby shower? Four! The fourth son of Kuwaiti Ambassador Salem al-Sabah and his wife, Rima, isn't due until next month, but he's already the best dressed, most fully outfitted, most begifted kid in Washington. Laura Bush, recovering from surgery on a pinched nerve in her neck, dropped by a party yesterday just long enough to leave a copy of Dr. Seuss's "Hop on Pop" -- autographed to "Baby al-Sabah" by both the president and first lady.

When the popular hostess announced her pregnancy in April, she was inundated with offers from friends who wanted to host showers -- after all, it's been almost 13 years since the al-Sabahs' youngest child was born. After a bit of diplomatic juggling, invitations went out for four showers, causing a mini-boom at local baby boutiques.

Festivities kicked off Saturday at the home of Washington doyenne Esther Coopersmith, who -- along with six co-hosts --welcomed 120 women bearing all matter of luxe baby paraphernalia. Yesterday, Channel 4 anchor Barbara Harrison welcomed Mrs. Bush and other well-wishers to her home for a rattles-or-rolls bash (gifts included a child-size plastic Mercedes -- get it?). On Friday, Ali Wentworth ( George Stephanopoulos's missus) and Washington Life magazine editor Nancy Bagley will co-host a luncheon, then in October comes the last shower, given by Diane Bodman (wife of the energy secretary) and Mary Kennedy (wife of the Supreme Court justice).

By our calculations, that's a couple hundred thank-you notes. "I feel overwhelmed by all this kindness," Rima al-Sabah, 45, told us yesterday. "It's really heartwarming to have so many friends share in our joy."

And since you asked: At eight months pregnant, she's only gained 17 pounds, and looks like she simply tucked a basketball under her shirt. Not an ounce of baby fat.

Mandy Moore surprising patrons Tuesday night at City Tavern Club in Georgetown with a late semi-impromptu mini-concert (i.e., they sorta knew she might drop by but weren't positive) after her Birchmere show. The actress-singer looked sleek in all black and smiled charmingly as she belted three songs. Seems her keyboardist moonlights in City Tavern's unofficial house band, the Winn Brothers.

Alan Alda strolling M Street in Georgetown on Tuesday night, wearing a tan blazer. Was in town to yak about his new memoir on the Diane Rehm show yesterday.

Ruth Bader Ginsburg taking in Monday night's special donors-only showing of "Merrily We Roll Along" at Signature Theatre. Also spotted: Rep. Jim Moran (D-Va.).

Jon Stewart will return to host the Oscars in February, officials announced yesterday, despite getting mixed reviews for his '06 stint and lower ratings than '07 host Ellen DeGeneres. Asked if the fake newscaster got tapped to milk the comic potential of the '08 elections, Academy prez Sid Ganis told the Associated Press, "The choice was not impacted by political issues [but] by funny issues, and he's funny funny."

Foxy Brown will not need maternity accommodations when she goes to jail for a year for violating probation, because the rapper is not pregnant, according to her manager -- despite the fact her lawyer told the judge last month that she is. However, she will drop an album while in the slammer.

The White Stripes have canceled several western U.S. concerts due to drummer Meg White's "acute anxiety," the band announced this week.

Day 2: The tips have been rolling in since we asked you to help us find the anonymous D.C. woman who shelled out 52K for the super-exclusive, insane-looking new Louis Vuitton Tribute Patchwork tote, cobbled together from pieces of 14 other insanely expensive purses.

Many zeroed in on a likely suspect: Washington's own lady billionaire Sheila Johnson, who has not only the means but the motive -- an LV habit so notorious that the New York store rolls out the red carpet when she's in town.

But the BET co-founder pleads innocent. Though she owns an impressive collection of Vuitton purses and luggage, she "wasn't even tempted" to buy the Patchwork, said her rep. "You'll have to keep searching." Help us out at reliablesource@washpost.com.