Nora was eight weeks old today, and Elliot and Liv were taking her to the park for the afternoon to celebrate. Her older brother and sisters and grandma, none of whom could get enough of Nora, were all coming to visit tomorrow, but none of them were free today. Olivia was wearing Nora in a carrier, while Elliot carried a backpack with a blanket and a simple picnic in it. Nora nestled into her mommy's chest, cooing happily and smiling at Liv as they walked to the park. Nora was getting more alert and interactive by the day, to the delight of her parents.
Elliot and Liv found a quiet, shady spot and laid out an old blanket. Liv lifted Nora out of the carrier and put her on the blanket. Nora looked surprised, then kicked her arms and legs happily, until her shirt had risen up, leaving her little tummy bare. "Do you like that?" Elliot asked, blowing gently on her tummy. Nora giggled, and he did it again.
"You're eight weeks old today, Nora!" Liv exclaimed. "I can't believe how big you're getting. "How big is Nora?" she cooed. "So big," she laughed, stretching her arms out. "I'm so glad today is a Saturday," she told Elliot, "so we could both spend her eight-week birthday with her."
Elliot and Liv tore pieces off the fresh baguette they'd picked up on the way, eating them with cheese and grapes. "Sorry Nora," Liv said apologetically. "No real food for you yet." When she was finished eating, she undid her bra and nursed Nora, then gently burped her.
"Can you believe it's been eight weeks?" Liv asked Elliot.
"No, it feels like she was born a few days ago, and we were just holding her in the hospital," he answered. Liv smiled at him. "But before she was born feels like longer than eight weeks ago," he said.
"I know what you mean," Liv said. "Being pregnant feels like so long ago, and it feels like she's been here forever. Before Nora feels like a different lifetime almost."
By the time they got home from the park, Nora was rubbing her eyes sleepily. Elliot rocked her, singing a soft lullaby to her, and Liv tucked the blanket Bernie had made around them cozily.
"Good-night Nora," Elliot murmured, gently putting her into her crib. "I love you."
"I love you too, Nora," Liv added. "Happy birthday, sweet girl."