34 Weeks

Dear Baby Batts,

I'm sitting here, eating some salad (spinach with cheese, apples, and yogurt "dressing") and marveling at the fact that I'm 34 weeks pregnant (what the what?!). I don't even know.

Taller. Plumper. Longer fingernails. That's what your week looks like. There's less amniotic fluid in my uterus now, which is why I can feel the ridge of your little feet so much better when you press it against my abdomen. (Last night, your daddy was rubbing my back while you were stretching your legs and it felt wonderful and magical having the two people I love most pressing on me in different ways!)

Here's what I look like, baby girl:

Tired mama in a polka-dot dress!

You are my biggest polka-dot.

I wonder if you'll look more like me or your daddy. Whose eyes will you have? Whose smile? Whose nose? Hopefully a bit of both us, the best of both of us!

Your little face at 20 Weeks

I've not been sleeping well and my back has been hurting a lot. I think this weekend I'll try a warm bath to help relax and ease my muscles. I've been working out some on an exercise ball, too. That feels good.

Today is Memaw's birthday! I ate lunch with her at Vagabond Blues and told her all about last night's labor and delivery class - watching a birth video, "groaning out the push" like a moose, the stages of labor, and more. Next week is our last class, then in November, we're taking one about breastfeeding. Gotta know how to feed our little girl. We are celebrating her birthday on Saturday.

On Saturday, we also have a baby shower! Memaw and Ms. Linda are planning it and I am so so excited to celebrate you with everyone! Yay.

Soon and very soon, little one, you will officially be in our arms. I'm praying big things for your life... but to be honest, I'm also praying for a smooth (and quick!) delivery. Please be easy on your mama!

Love,
Mama

33 Weeks, 5 Days

Dear Baby Batts,

I was so excited that your daddy didn't have class tonight! What a blessing. We spent the evening putting together your cradle!

All the pieces strewn about.

Building the base.

Screwing together the bed.

Sliding in the bottom board.

Hung and done!

Finished product, minus the mattress, with a blanket I made you!

This cradle was a labor of love. From sanding off the cherry-red paint to priming and painting, to finally assembling, I'm so glad to have it done and be able to put you to sleep in it. Next up: Fit the mattress, buy a mattress pad and sheets, and make your little bed.

But darling - don't be in a rush to come! This is the only time in your whole life when I will have you all to myself. Others can feel you kick from time to time, but I feel you all the time. I feel your little tiny feet pressing against my abdomen, just above my belly button, bracing yourself for the world outside. I feel the roundness of your little baby butt, nestled above my right hip bone. I feel you rolling over, squirming, and making yourself known in my world. And you are known.

As soon as you are born though, people will be clamoring to hold you, to talk to you, to be with you. And Ruthie, to be honest, I'm not sure that I'll want to share you all the time! I think I'm going to want to keep you close to me - close to your daddy and me - more than I'll want you to be passed around our congregation on a Sunday morning.

We won't be able to keep you little forever. Eventually, the time will come for you to be born and start learning and exploring the world around you. But I'm not anxious for that day to come, nor am I impatient for it. I like this time. This special time of just me and you. Sleepless nights, constant bathroom breaks, overwhelming thirst and all. I wouldn't trade it for anything.

Love love love,
Mama

33 Weeks, 4 Days

Dear Baby Batts,

We got to FaceTime with your new cousin again today! We chatted with Uncle Brad, Aunt Page, and Blaire for a little while yesterday, but we talked for even longer today. Here are some recent pictures of her:

Uncle Brad and his growing family!

Your sweet cousin, Blaire!

Oh, Ruthie, I hope you and Blaire grow up to be sweet friends. I hope you love spending time with one another at Memaw and Papa's ranch. I hope you play together and laugh together and share stories. 

Seeing sweet Blaire made your daddy and me so excited to meet you in the next couple of months. Can't believe the time is almost here! Christmas with two new babies will be the best ever. 

All my love,

Mama

33 Weeks, 3 Days

Dear Baby Batts,

Your daddy is such a hard worker. He spent all day today working on homework so I spent all day knitting! I made you a hat for Christmas:

For your stocking! (Act surprised.)

After your daddy was done, we decided to go on a date night: dinner at Taco Bell (yay, Crunchwrap Supremes!), buy-one, get-one-free drinks at Starbucks, and shopping at Target. We found a couple of Christmas presents (for Aunt Dana and your cousin Lincoln) and bought some treasures for our Christmas shoe boxes that we put together every year. It was so much fun just hanging out together all evening, after having a long, quiet day at home. 

I love going on outings with your papa. Whether we are having a fancy dinner or just Taco Bell, he is such a gentleman. He is always willing to push the shopping cart in the store and carries the bags inside the apartment for me. You are going to have a great example of a godly man in your life, Ruthie, and I'm so happy for you for that.

Love,
Mama

33 Weeks, 2 Days

Dear Baby Batts,

Your sweet cousin Blaire was born last night! Aunt Paige and Uncle Brad welcomed her at about 3:23 this morning, weighing about 7 pounds and 19 inches long. I can't wait for you to meet her at Christmas. I hope the two of you grow up to be sweet cousin-friends!

We had an appointment with Donna today. She said she has absolutely no concerns about you! Your heartbeat is about 121 BPM (which is about what it will be until you are born!) and you measured at 33 weeks, as you should. I asked Donna how much you weigh now, and she said you're probably at about 3.5 pounds. As she felt my stomach, she told us where your butt was, where your feet where, and where your head is. You are in a great position! Your legs were splayed out - one by my rib cage and one down by my right hip. She had us feel - it was so special feeling your little feet pushed up against me!

We asked Donna about the likelihood of her being on call when we deliver: she said she is scheduled to be on-call the week you are due! Not only that, but after 36 weeks, we can put her name on our chart and when the times come, she'll come deliver if she is able. Hooray! We are still praying that she can be the one and it looks promising.

Oh, little one - seeing your cousin's pictures this morning made me so excited for when we can meet YOU! Just a few more weeks.

Love love love,
Mama