New Family Site

We are going to start posting pictures and updates on a new family site as a one-stop resource for news on the girls and maybe the parents, too. We will keep the girls' sites in case they want to share anything with you. Just head on over to http://www.greenandpinkparty.blogspot.com/.

We've Moved

I will get Mommy to post pictures once she finds the camera cable, but I did want to give an update:

We arrived in Charleston on Saturday after a very long car trip. I was on my best behavior, but am grateful to be out of the car.

We stopped in Little Rock where I got to watch my big sister swim at the hotel, in Nashville where I met family friends Paul and Jennifer and then in Greenville (our first night as South Carolinians).

Our stuff arrived on Monday and Mommy and Daddy are slowly unpacking us. Several nice people from the church have visited us and even brought us dinner and welcome gifts. Sadly, I have not gotten any of the wonderful desserts that people have brought. I can't wait for my teeth to come in.

I really like the new house and spend lots of time looking around. I am getting better at holding my head up. There is lots of activity with my big sister running around (especially in her green room), unpacking and making countless trips to Target, Babies R Us and Bed Bath and Beyond.

I smiled at Mommy for the first time on Sunday (18th). She was thrilled as she didn't think I was ever going to smile after that car trip she and Daddy put me through. Mommy called Daddy over and I smiled for him too.

Tonight I laughed for the first time when Daddy tickled me on my side. Music to my tired parent's ears. Maybe I can get them to catch it on video.

Elegant Fingers

A friend gave us a hand print kit before I was born. A few days ago, Mommy and Daddy got my hand print and Mommy mentioned how long my fingers are.

Maybe I can be a hand model or an amazing pianist.

Weekend Activities

Papa came to meet me Saturday. We had a good visit and I get to see him again this week along with the rest of my family when Daddy becomes Reverend Daddy.
















































I started having tummy time this week. I really don't mind it at all, I just look around and enjoy the bright colors that are around me. I especially like to stare at the yellow wall in the living room. I am getting stronger everyday and will be able to roll over before you know it.

Eyes!

Mommy's Sunday School class (middle school) made me this welcome poster.











Mommy and Daddy weighed me on Wednesday--I am now at 8lbs 13 oz.

Daddy finally got a picture of me with my eyes open. You can tell I am a pretty laid back baby.

Three Weeks Old

I am almost three weeks old now. I am starting to sleep more regularly, but Mommy and Daddy still haven't gotten me to sleep in my own bed (they haven't really been trying too hard). I have been to church, Daddy's school, Mommy's office and my big sister's school. It has been fun meeting everyone. Of course we only have a little over a week before we venture out to our new home and more new friends.

Wednesday pictures

Hanging out at home

1st Doctor's Visit (Tuesday)

Going home (Sunday)

More Pictures

I'm a girl!

Mary Elizabeth "Emme" Schaefers
born 8:40 am
April 10, 2008
7 lbs 7 oz.
19.75 inches.
Mom and baby doing great.

One Last Weekend

Per the 38 week newsletter (we are having the baby when it first reaches 39 weeks in case you are missing a week): "Your baby has really plumped up. She weighs about 6.8 pounds and she's over 19 1/2 inches long (like a leek). She has a firm grasp, which you'll soon be able to test when you hold her hand for the first time! Her organs have matured and are ready for life outside the womb. Wondering what color your baby's eyes will be? If she's born with brown eyes, they'll likely stay brown. If she's born with steel gray or dark blue eyes, they may stay gray or blue or turn green, hazel, or brown by the time she's 9 months old."

This is our last weekend as a 3 person family. It is a beautiful day in Austin today, so this afternoon, David and Celia rode a bike to the park and I met them there. Celia spent a lot of time on the swings and the rest of the time playing with rocks. I just sat on the bench watching her and David thinking how blessed I am for both of them and the new little one to come.

Baby Beta is still very active. Beta really wants to stretch to full length. I keep trying to tell it that it has to come out of my bell first cuz' it kind of hurts. I still spend most of my time on the couch resting. Celia brings lots of books to me to read for her or just sits near me while she plays so I can still participate. Each night, Beta listens in on David reading to Celia and me and then Celia gives my belly a kiss and a hug and says she loves the baby "soooooo much".

We have been trying to make sure we make a smooth transition for Celia. I really want her and the baby to have a good relationship during their lives. Each time we get something out for the baby to use that Celia might recognize as hers, we ask if Celia wants to give it to the baby since she doesn't use it anymore. I want her to feel like she has a choice, although I am not sure what we would do if she said "no".

We also go over what is going to happen when the baby comes and that the baby isn't going to be able to play for a while and really won't do anything but cry, eat and sleep. We are about to spring so many changes on Celia, I am sure she will do great, probably better than me.

My "Nursery"

From last week's update email: "Congratulations! Your baby is full term! This means that if your baby arrives now, his lungs should be fully mature and ready to adjust to life outside the womb, even though your due date is still three weeks away. He weighs 6 1/3 pounds and measures a bit over 19 inches, head to heel (like a stalk of Swiss chard). Many babies have a full head of hair at birth, with locks from 1/2 inch to 1 1/2 inches long."

Mommy and Daddy have set up my "nursery". Since we are moving a month after I am born, this consists of a pack-n-play and a changing table in their room. When we get to Charleston, I will have a real nursery with the awesome bedding my Grammie made when my big sister was born. They also got down the bouncy seat and swing that use to be my sister's. They both match the pack-n-play--maybe that is why she loves green so much.

Basketball and Baby Dolls

Week 36: "Your baby is gaining about an ounce a day. She now weighs almost 6 pounds (like a crenshaw melon) and is more than 18 1/2 inches long. She's shedding most of the downy hair that covered her body, as well as the vernix caseosa, the waxy substance that protected her skin during her nine-month amniotic bath. Next week, your baby will be considered full-term. Most likely she's in a head-down position."

My new perch is the couch in the den. After going to the doctor Thursday and talking to him about the aches and pains of moving/sleeping/sitting in chairs, he wrote a note for work and I now will spend the final 3 weeks before Beta arrives mostly on the couch. Thankfully, it is March Madness. While I am not a huge basketball fan (other than UT and Big 12), it is a lot better than normal daytime TV.

Many people have been asking if Celia understands what is going on. She does know there is a baby in my belly and talks, sings and cuddles with it often. Today, Celia didn't have school (Good Friday), so she was home for her nap. When she woke up, she sat in my lap on the couch. Only after a few minutes did I realize that she had something under her shirt. It was a tiny babydoll!! She apparently had played with her dolls before falling asleep and wanted a baby in her belly, too. I laughed a lot and she seemed a little embarrassed at first. Now she is walking around with the baby in her shirt. I am sure she still doesn't understand the full impact that a new baby will have in her life, but she is very excited. She is just sure that the baby is a girl.

Sprinkle and Honeydew

Per Mommy's weekly email, "Your baby doesn't have much room to maneuver now that he's over 18 inches long and tips the scales at 5 1/4 pounds (pick up a honeydew). Because it's so snug in your womb, he isn't likely to be doing somersaults anymore, but the number of times he kicks should remain about the same. His kidneys are fully developed now, and his liver can process some waste products. Most of his basic physical development is now complete — he'll spend the next few weeks putting on weight." Mommy says that apparently I didn't get the memo as I continue practicing my gymnastics like I am going for the 2024 Olympics.

Some of Mommy's work friends had a lunch "sprinkle". I got some cute green clothes (my sister loved those), some cool "day of the week" socks, Children's books on Charleston (my future home), bath stuff and gift certificates (so Mommy and Daddy can buy me pink or blue clothes after I arrive). It wasn't until friends arrived that we realized that most of the guests were pregnant. It was really neat to visit with friends and share stories.

Week 33

Now I weigh a little over 4 lbs. (like a pineapple) and have passed the 17-inch mark. I don't look so wrinkled and alien.

This weekend, Mommy, Daddy and Big Sister all made another try at finding a baby book for me. I didn't realize how hard finding a simple book to write about my big events would be. Of course, most of the books are pink or blue, so not knowing if I am a boy or girl makes it difficult. Second, most of the books these days have pages that go through elementary school. Mommy says that isn't realistic and would just be setting herself up to give me a half completed book. They finally bought one with a giraffe on the front (very gender neutral) and only has a few pages that will go beyond the first year.

Does anyone really complete the "first day of school" page in their second child's baby book?

Only 5 1/2 weeks left!!

A Portrait of Beta

I had my last photo shoot on Friday. My Tutu was in town for a meeting and got to come to the sonogram with Mommy and Daddy. I had my legs tucked up under me and the nurse doing the sonogram said that she wouldn't have been able to tell if I was a boy or girl even if she wanted to.

After the sonogram, Mommy and Daddy got to wait an hour and half for my doctor to just measure Mommy's tummy and tell her that everything looked good. At least we got to schedule my birthday-- I will be born on April 10th sometime around 8am.

Little Ears to Hear With

Now I can hear all those things going on in the world around me. I hear the alarm clock in the morning (not my favorite sound) and the day begins. It is full of Mommy, Daddy and Big Sister talking, singing, laughing and sometimes fussing (Big Sister mostly). I get to hear lots of talk about numbers and accounting guidance all day, but I mostly sleep through that. My Big Sister loves to read and so I get the benefit of hearing lots of books all evening and then listening in on bed time stories and prayers.

Just recently, my Daddy and Big Sister have started saying goodnight to me. My Big Sister thinks that Mommy's belly button is a direct line to me and so she makes sure to talk right into the belly button and sometimes even corrects Daddy when he doesn't get close enough. Mommy's belly gets lots of kisses, too. I am looking forward to when I can get my kisses directly, but I still have some growing to do.

Next Friday is my next photo shoot, so I'll try to take some good pictures this time that Mommy and Daddy can share.

Week 27

I now weigh almost 2 pounds (like a head of cauliflower) and am about 14.4 inches long with my legs extended. I sleep and wake at regular intervals. Sometimes I suck my fingers, and although my lungs are still immature, they would be capable of functioning — with assistance — if born prematurely. I commonly get hiccups now, too.