14 Weeks, 2 Days

Dear Baby Batts,

What a day we had!

Right after work, your daddy picked me up and we drove out to the Butte. Seventy-five minutes later, we were up and back down! What a fun adventure, trucking up the stairs, breathing for four minutes at the top, and running back down. We were dirty and sweaty riding in the Jeep with the top off to get icies at the gas station before heading home.

On top of the Butte!

We changed super quick then drove to the Hoffman's for Friday night Bible study with our college kids. We met two of the summer missionaries (Deanna and Shelby - love them already!). While everyone ate s'mores, I munched on Sweet Tarts (eww chocolate and yumm sour candy!).

Pastor Tom gave me a present - an antique blue trunk he scavenged at Raven's Hardware! We are going to fix it up a little bit then use it as your little toy chest. It's so so fun making things for you, little one. I hope you grow to love these things as much as your daddy and I do.

I think I'm starting to get a little bump, right above and between my hip bones. It's hard to tell, since I have a food tummy, too, but sometimes that little area feels hard, like you're in there being all cozy and comfy. We have another appointment on Monday and I can't wait to hear your heartbeat again!

Love,
Mama

14 Weeks

Dear Baby Batts,

Today we are 14 weeks! Your little body is growing and moving more and more. You're about the size of my fist now and your face is more expressive. You can even suck your thumb! I sucked on two of my finger when I was a little girl. I don't know what your daddy did, but it will be fun to see your coping mechanisms develop.

We went to church last night and I showed Juliet a video of your development this week. She is already working on some little projects for you. I know you'll love having her as an auntie. Betty said last night, too, that she thinks you're a little girl - she said, "Every time I picture the baby, I can only picture a girl!" Your daddy thinks you're a girl, too... but we'll (maybe) find out for sure in July!

I keep vacillating between whether or not we want to find out! Your daddy said last night that I'll probably keep waffling until we actually find out - I think he's right. He knows me so well.

Tomorrow night, we are having a date night to celebrate my birthday. I think we're just staying home and watching a movie. I'll work on your little rug for your bedroom. Juliet and I picked out rug fabric colors that match the Dr. Seuss world map canvas print we bought for you. Ms. Carley taught me how to make the rugs (her husband Mr. Dwight made them before he passed into eternity) and I'm so excited to pass that art onto you one day!

Your daddy's car also broke down yesterday (twice!) and we had to have it towed home. We aren't sure what's wrong with it, but hopefully it won't be a hard or expensive fix! In the meantime, we are sharing the Jeep. Your daddy bought me a "Young Jeepers on Board" sticker that we put on the back window. I can't wait until we install your car seat... and get to put you back there!

Keep growing, little babe. We got big things to look forward to!

Love,
Mama

13 Weeks, 6 Days

Dear Baby Batts,

It's my 27th birthday today and we spent the day travelling home!

Yesterday, we drove for two and a half hours from Michigan to Ohio before deciding that we would stop and rest in a hotel for the night. Your daddy was sick all day yesterday and we were both tired. Our king size bed was a dream come true after sleeping on a pull-out-bed for 4 nights and a kid's bunk bed for 2 nights! We slept so well and had a delicious hot breakfast before hitting the road again. We drove for six and a half hours from Ohio, through Pennsylvania, and into Maryland. After dropping off the rental car, we went to the airport and flew for five hours to Seattle, then another four to Anchorage.

Praise the Lord, I didn't get sick, but I did start feeling a little weak and nauseous toward the end of our travels. Part of it was probably fatigue and part of it was not having really substantial food. After we ate some sandwiches, I felt better.

Already, you're quite the little traveler, baby.

Love,
Mama

13 Weeks 4 Days

Dear Baby Batts,

We are in Michigan with dear friends. It is So. Good. to be with them. Every time your daddy and I see them, we feel encouraged and edified and we pray they feel the same during our time there.

The wife gave me lots of advice about you:

• Three days or so after delivery, I'll probably get depressed as my hormones balance back out.
• I have to take time to care for myself and my marriage.
• Don't let my kids become idols.

These parents have a great approach to raising their seven children. They let the kids be kids, but they hold them to high standards. They don't drop everything when a child calls or comes in to talk to them; if they are carrying on a conversation, they don't allow the child to interrupt whenever they want. But they are generous with hugs, kisses, and "I love you"s.

The kids play independently and collectively. They watch movies. They play the piano, guitar, and drums. They fight. They work it out.

Oh little one, as you come and our family grows (Lord willing) in the future, I hope that we are a family that shines the Lord's light to others.

Love,
Mama

13 Weeks, 2 Days

Dear Baby Batts,

It was a beautiful day for a graduation! The sun was shining, the wind was blowing, and it was warm outside. (Yesterday it rained all day, so we were very glad the weather shifted!) I even got to sit next to my friend Andrea during the ceremony, which was nice - she is the one I got to know best during my schooling.

Walking across the stage to accept my "diploma" and shake hands with Johns Hopkins staff was really neat. I just grinned the whole time, I'm sure. You daddy, Memaw, and Papa were there, and so were Aunt Dana and Ryan, to cheer me on.

After the ceremony, we went to a reception and the campus book store. I bought you a little JHU hat. Not that I want you to feel pressured to attend JHU (because I really don't), but because we thought it was adorable. I also got a hat, and so did Papa. We'll take one all together after your arrival this fall.

Tomorrow your daddy and I are driving to Michigan. Can't wait for our little roadtrip!

Love,
Mama

13 Weeks

Dear Baby Batts,

13 Weeks! We are entering the second trimester. You are growing and growing - the size of my fist now! Your brain is developing and you can move your little body around. Your face is more expressive and you can even suck your thumb this week!

When I was a little girl, I would suck on two of my fingers. I'm not sure what your daddy did, but it will be fun to see your little coping mechanisms!

I still haven't felt you moving inside me yet, but I'm excited for when that time comes. Could be any day now, if I pay good enough attention!

At church tonight, I showed Juliet a video of your development. She is working on some special projects for you already - she's going to be an awesome auntie for you. Betty said she thinks you're a little girl (and that's what your daddy thinks, too!) but we'll (maybe) find out in July for sure. I keep vacillating between whether or not I want us to find out. It might be fun to have a surprise... and it might be fun to find out and plan for you better.

Tomorrow your daddy and I are having a date night to celebrate my birthday. I think we're going to watch a movie and I'll work on the rug for your bedroom. We picked out colors to match a canvas print we bought of a Dr. Seuss world map. I hope you grow to love them.

We've already grown to love you!
Mama

12 Weeks, 6 Days

Dear Baby Batts,

Tonight, your daddy and I are flying to Baltimore, Maryland. I'm graduating with my Master's Degree on Friday from Johns Hopkins University then we are taking a road trip to Michigan to see friends. I'm so glad you get to go with us! Our littlest travel companion.

I took some of the anti-nausea medicine that our midwife gave me and I'm hoping it helps. Tomorrow I'll be 13 weeks and should start feeling better.

Let's adventure!

Love,
Mama

12 Weeks, 4 Days

Dear Baby Batts,

Today your daddy and I went on an adventure! We got slushies in Palmer then went to the Matanuska River bridge. We took some "expecting baby" photos and just had a fun time being together. The weather was beautiful - sunny, warm - and being with your daddy during this time was the best.

After we got home, we posted this on Facebook:

 



And so far, little one, it has 153 likes and 47 comments. People are excited for you, for us, for our little family. It feels so special and real now, sharing our news on a "global" scale.

Love,
Mama

12 Weeks, 3 Days

Dear Baby Batts,

Today was a Women's Tea at church. It was so fun, telling a few more people that we were expecting you! The shock and excitement on their faces was magical, as is knowing that you are growing inside of me.

Keep it up, little one. You got this!

Love,
Mama

12 Weeks, 1 Day

Dear Baby Batts,

You are TWELVE WEEKS! How delightful, little one, to know that you are growing strong and healthy. Your little fingernails are all formed and soon you'll be able to open and close those 10 little fingers. Your brains is forming synapsis, making connections to things, preparing for you to become a baby genius. You are about the size of a kiwi or a large plum - over 2 inches from crown to rump and about half an ounce in weight. You're even making white blood cells right now to fight off germs in the many years to come.

I'm so proud of you, for how you are growing away, wriggling away.

Last night, at Bible study, I gushed to my ladies about how the Lord sees you... right where you are. He sees you now - tiny and delicate. But He also sees where you will be in 1 year, 10 years, 100 years. Praise Him!

I can't see you at all - I walk by faith that you are still growing. But the Lord sees you. He sees your eyes, your little nose, your hands and knees. He sees your brain growing and your heart pumping. He sees all of you.

That just delights my heart. I don't have to worry about you, baby. Not now and not ever... though my mommy mind knows I will! The Lord sees you. He upholds you with His righteous right hand. He takes great delight in you.

Love,
Mama

11 Weeks, 6 Days

Dear Baby Batts,

I'll I've wanted today is a stinking taco. Nothing too fancy. Just a hard taco from Taco Bell. I'm trying so hard to eat healthy though, to make sure you get what you need. But maybe you need a taco today, too.

For the love.
Mama

11 Weeks, 4 Days

Dear Baby Batts,

Today we told our church family about you during the Mother's Day service. It was so fun. Every year, they hand out flowers to the mamas. And this year, I just stood up with the rest of the mamas. I heard some of our teen girls gasp - they were so excited - and several people just looked shocked.

I got lots of hugs afterwards. Ms. Carley was so excited - she kept hugging me and looked thrilled.

You are so loved, little one, and I can't wait to introduce you to our church in November.

Love,
Mama

11 Weeks, 3 Days

Dear Baby Batts,

We had an appointment with you yesterday. On my way there, I prayed that we would see or hear you... and then that you would move. I just want to know you're wiggling away in there.

During our appointment with Donna, we did not get another ultrasound, but we listened to your heartbeat (a stead 165 BPM!) then all of a sudden, we couldn't hear you anymore! Donna said that you had moved. My heart just thrilled at the thought! You're in there. You're doing perfectly. You're moving and grooving.

I told your friend-aunties (Hannah, Jade, and Laura) that you were coming. They were so exited. Hannah said she was tearing up, Jadey was thrilled, and Laura spit coffee all over her phone.

You're going to have the best aunties ever, baby Batts.

But for now, you're just mine. Just growing in my tummy. Keep at it, little one.

Love you,
Mama

11 Weeks, 2 Days

Dear Baby Batts,

Last night, I went to bed at 7:00pm. I slept until 9:30pm, when your daddy and I ate some Chinese food. Then I slept again almost straight through the night. I was tired.

I've felt really sick lately and had some cramping yesterday and today. No spotting, so hopefully things are just stretching down there for you. At 11 weeks, you are not the size of a lime. A cute little lime. Our cute little lime. You'll double in size in the next couple weeks and are now in the "fetus" stage. Your little life is unfolding inside of me and I'm so excited.

We have another appointment with you today at 11:10am. I'm excited to see what you look like now - surely a big change from the peanut you were last time! I looked at some images of 11-week ultrasounds... and got so darn excited to see you!

Later today and tomorrow, I'll text some friends to let them know. And tonight, we tell our college and career class. I can't wait to see how they react. I'm smiling, just thinking about it all.

Mother's Day is this weekend. Your Aunt Mandy sent me a sweet Mother's Day card in the mail. I was so touched and encouraged by it.

Last night, lying in bed nauseous, your daddy leaned down by my tummy, kissed it, and told you to stop making me sick! I don't think you paid any attention, but hopefully in the next couple of weeks, things will improve. Right now, besides nausea, I am tired, bloated, and breaking out all over my face. As long as you keep growing though, that's okay.

Oh little one, people love you so much. We love you so much.

Love,
Mama

11 Weeks

Dear Baby Batts,

Eleven weeks! Your daddy and I get to see you again on Friday and then, assuming everything goes well, we get to start telling everyone about you! I can't wait!

I had to fly home today from Atlanta and you, little one, had me so sick. After eating Chick-Fil-A at the airport for breakfast, I promptly got sick. Landing in Phoenix, we had terrible turbulence... and I almost got sick. Landing in Seattle was okay, but I still didn't feel well...

And then, on my flight from Seattle to Anchorage, I asked if I could have an aisle seat. So they gave me one... in first class! It was a sweet reminder from the Lord that He is able to do abundantly more than all we could ask or imagine. I had a comfy seat, a free digi-player to watch TV shows and play games, dinner, and all the Ginger Ale I could drink! The flight was the smoothest of the day, and I know the Lord was holding it steady in His hands.

We're home now. Home. Reunited with your daddy, sleeping in our own comfy bed. Still nauseous, but at least we're home.

Love,
Mama

10 Weeks, 5 Days

Dear Baby Batts,

Tonight, Memaw and I went to a Braves baseball game in Atlanta! It was so much fun - we met the Operations Manager who took us on a tour of the stadium, introduced us to everyone, and showed us to our seats. He was so friendly and went above and beyond to make our visit great. He gave us stickers, "first time visitor" cards, and more!

The Braves lost, but we bought T-shirts and I ate a delicious pretzel with cheese. Mmm... I think you liked it, too! We also had frozen strawberry lemonades, which were delightful and cooling in the hot sunshine.

Your first baseball game, little one... could you feel the excitement in the air? Could you hear everyone cheering? Could you taste the pretzel?

I hope we have many more adventures together, brave one.

Love,
Mama