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.