33 Weeks

Dear Baby Batts,

Less than two months until we meet you! You are now 33 weeks and growing like a weed. I feel your movements so much these days (especially as I try to get comfy at night... you are wiggling like crazy trying to get comfy, too! Your daddy has taken to calling you "Second Wind Ruthie" at night when you get active and he claims you get that from me. I agree.). It's probably because you likely weigh about 4 and a half pounds. You are between 17 and 19 inches long, they say, and could grow another full inch this week. You have your own immune system now that will be amped up when we start breastfeeding in about a month and a half.

People are funny: some tell me that I still look tiny, others tell me how big I am getting. (As if women are not concerned with their bodies enough, in the midst of a pregnancy is not the best time to comment on our bodies. Just, no.) Ruth, I pray that you grow up with the confidence that the Lord has made you  and your body exactly perfect, according to His good purposes. I promise to teach you how to have a positive self image.

This dress is one of my favorites to wear right now!

Excited / shocked / cheesy face.

You are beautiful. Jesus loves you, Ruthie. We love you.

Love,
Mama

32 Weeks, 6 Days

Dear Baby Batts,

We started our "Reality Birth" classes tonight at Mat-Su Regional. We discussed the stages of labor and delivery, the birth process, the anatomy of a pregnant mama and how the Lord designed our bodies to work, and practiced some relaxation techniques.

The relaxation techniques worked - I almost fell asleep!

I feel more confident in what to expect when bringing you into this world: I now know that it's normal to feel at the end of my rope (during transition) and that I just have to take it one contraction at a time, breathing and focusing through each one.

Your daddy and I are more convinced than ever that we want to meet you as naturally as possible, so I'm looking forward to more classes that will help us in that trek.

Love you,
Mama

32 Weeks, 4 Days

Dear Baby Batts,

Look at my sweet baby shower invitation!!!

I love it!

Ronda at FLBC made it, with Memaw and Ms. Linda's guidance on the theme. It matches one of the pictures we have hanging in your room, which I love:

Oh the places you'll go!

The baby shower is scheduled for Saturday, October 17th and I can't wait to celebrate you with everyone. I think other women at church are excited, too - they all saw me grow up (well, from 10th grade at least), saw your daddy and I get married, and now they get to see our family growing as you join us!

There's only about 8 weeks until you come, little bug. The time is flying by!

All my love,
Mama

32 Weeks, 3 Days

Dear Baby Batts,

I had a State WMU Leadership meeting in Anchorage all day today. And the other ladies on the leadership team threw me a mini baby shower, complete with sweet presents for you! I'm not kidding when I tell you that everyone is so excited to meet you, especially this friend:

Tiffany!

Tiffany has a baby boy named Oliver who is going to be about 10 months older than you. He usually accompanies her to WMU meetings, the Celebration, etc. and I think Tiffany is excited that you will be there with me next spring!

The Celebration is so much fun, little one! Ms. Linda and I always share a hotel room (sometimes with Memaw, if she comes). We go out to eat, we go shopping, we learn about missions, and we often spend time relaxing in the hot tub! This year, I hope you can come, too. Ms. Linda would love it, and I know I would love having my little girl with me, too!

WMU is such a marvelous organization, Ruth. You'll learn all about missions and missionaries in Mission Friends, then GAs, then Acteens, then MyMission, which I'm teaching at FLBC right now. Ms. Janelle, my Acteens leader when I was in high school, is such a dear friend and mentor to me and I hope the ladies who teach you become just as valuable in your life.

Here's to a lifetime of missions (starting young!).

Love,
Mama

32 Weeks, 1 Day

Dear Baby Batts,

Last night, your daddy and I decorated sugar cookies!

Before...

After!

Me and your cute Daddy after a long day

It was so fun making these pretty together. We added some sprinkles and put coconut on others. Needless to say, they were a hit! Everyone at the church potluck last night devoured them (but it helped that there were no other desserts there...).

We can't wait to decorate cookies with YOU some day! I'm sure you'll be like me, sticking your finger in the frosting and licking it off in between cookies, but I'm also sure you'll have your own decorating style, just like your daddy.

Love,
Mama