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.