25 Weeks, 3 Days

Dear Baby Batts #2,

Last night, daddy and I laid in bed and just LAUGHED so hard together. I felt you wiggling around as we did and I hope you could hear the love and joy and friendship in our marriage. I want our home to be a safe and secure place for you, Clara, and daddy and I will do anything to make it so!

Daddy and I have started having regular “Couch Time” when I get home from work. I give Ruth snuggles, put my stuff away, grab some tea, and we sit and chat. It is important to use that our children know we are investing in one another (and not just when you go to bed!). When you are grown up and move out, daddy and I will be left at home together. And we don’t want to have to start from scratch in our relationship at that point.

So we invest now, knowing that this investment will yield BIG results in the future.

Love,

Mama

25 Weeks, 2 Days

Dear Baby Batts #2,

Daddy had his EMT 2 class today; Ruthie went to bed at about 7:00pm; and you and I were on our own for the rest of the evening! We relaxed (and played Candy Crush) a little bit, then got to work. We cleaned the kitchen, did some laundry, organized some items to take to the thrift store, cleaned out some more of what will be your closet, prepped things for my work tomorrow, and I worked on Daddy’s polar fleece vest (that I started making him at Christmas!) while watching a British house-hunting show. We had a very productive evening, Clara!

My nesting instincts must be kicking in because I just want to do ALL THE THINGS.

But lying in bed, feeling you kick and wiggle inside of me, was the best part. You are a real little girl – our real little girl! And soon, you’ll be on the outside, developing your own personality, your own interests, your own favorites. You’ll be launched into the big world, but know that daddy and I will always be there to love, guide, and encourage you.

You are our daughter. Always.

Love,

Mam

25 Weeks

Dear Baby Batts #2,

Today you are 25 weeks old! At about 13 inches long and 1.5 pounds, you are large and in charge! You are growing more hair (and if we had a window in my tummy, we may be able to discern a hair color!) and gaining some body fat. Your organs are still maturing. If you were born this week, there’s a really good chance that your body would be strong enough and, after a long time in the NICU, we would take you home healthy!

Of course, we want you to keep hanging out in my tummy as long as you should.

My next appointment is April 18^th and after that, I think we’ll see Donna every two weeks for a couple months… and one once a week (at least!) until you come. Can’t believe we’re already at that point. You are growing so fast!

Keep it up, Clara Mae.

Today was crazy – I got to work and was about to go to a meeting when daddy texted me and said I had his truck keys… and I did! So I had to race home and deliver his keys so that he could go to his EMT ride along. I took Ruth out to Ms. Loraine’s house to play for the day. Then I stopped to see Gma Linda on my way back to work. Tonight, Memaw and Papa (who are finally home from Israel and Oregon!) are coming over for dinner and we’ll spend some much-needed time with them, too. I know they can’t wait to see how you have grown.

Okay, little girl. We love you to the mooooooon.

Love,

Mama

24 Weeks, 5 Days

Dear Baby Batts #2,

After a MyMission breakfast and craft project at our house, me, daddy, and Ruth went into Anchorage to drop off Memaw and Papa’s car at the airport. Then we went on a family adventure!

We drove down to Girdwood, AK and bought some Nutella Latte’s and a Snickerdoodle the size of my face! It was a beautiful day for a drive (clear, sunny, and a little cold) and the snacks we go were delicious.

Daddy and I have spent a lot of time debating lots of recent situations that have come up:

·       Needing to buy a new vehicle (Maybe a Hyundai Santa Fe?)

·       Daddy working as an EMT

·       Adoption

·       Finances

·       House projects

·       How we’ll handle two kids

·       Etc.

It’s a lot to think about and consider and a little overwhelming at times. We are trying to just trust that the Lord has it all in His control. We KNOW He does… and we are committed to following His leading in all things.

Already, little one, we are praying for a quick and smooth labor and delivery. I want to birth you naturally, just like I did with Ruth. I want the Lord to be glorified in my labor and delivery and I want you be born strong and healthy. Right now, feeling your kicks on the inside, makes me really excited to have you on the outside. We have several months to go (and lots of projects to do before then!) but we are looking forward to you joining our family on the outside. We pray for you daily and can’t wait to see how the Lord works in your life.

Love you much,

Mama

24 Weeks, 4 Days

Dear Baby Batts #2,

I signed up for a Maternity Stitch Fix today! Lately I’ve been feeling like, “Ugh, I don’t like any of my clothes!” I asked your daddy and he said I could get a Stitch Fix! In Stitch Fix, you fill out a profile and they pick 5 items to mail you. You try them on and return what you don’t want! I hope they send some good clothes for spring (and Hawaii) – jean shorts, an Easter dress, a cardigan… anything fun and summery!

There’s snow in the forecast for next week (blech) but I am SO ready for spring!

In good news: I passed the Glucose test! When I went in for them to draw my blood, the lab technician said she recognized me and asked how we were all doing. It was sweet. It’s kind of fun, being recognized by the staff at Generations Medical, knowing they’re excited for us and you, too. J

Love you, Clara. Always and always.

Love,

Mama

24 Weeks, 2 Days

Dear Baby Batts,

What a fun appointment! Donna, the mid-wife, had a student with her, so they both came in to hear you. And you let us pick up your heart rate (at 146 BPM) quickly and measured right at 24 weeks. Yay!

I asked Donna about the results from your ultrasound last month and she said you are in the 91^st percentile for your age… much bigger than Ruth was at this point. They predict you’ll be about 8 ½ lbs at birth. We’ll see J

After the appointment, we walked around Target some and ate dinner at QDoba, then home, hang out time, and bed. Lately, I’ve been waking up at night on my back with you kicking away in my tummy. It makes me laugh – I love how active you are!

We love you, Clara Mae. Keep growing, little one!

Love,

Mama

24 Weeks, 1 Day

Dear Baby Batts #2,

I had a quiet evening at home tonight – Daddy was at his EMT II class and Ruth was in bed by 6:30pm. So I spent a large chunk of the evening working on getting your room organized! We have lots of “treasures” in there that we need to sort through, so I tackled just the office supplies that were in your closet. I moved all of them to the desk in daddy’s and my bedroom. I also threw away some trash, sorted piles of bills, and tried to organize a little. I’m not sure I made much progress, but hopefully later this week daddy and I can work in it together!

Left to do in your room:

·       Finish cleaning it out

·       Paint three of the walls (we’re leaving one gray “accent wall”)

·       Hang curtains

·       Add shelving to the closet

·       Get (or make) a rug

·       Add furniture (cradle, toys, chair, etc.)

·       Decorate!!!

Memaw and Papa might have to move in with us this spring after their house is done, before they move to Oregon, so we’re hoping to have it all cleared out sooooooon. Wish us luck!

Tomorrow is another checkup for you and I have my glucose test. Yuck! Of course, I lost my glucose drink, so Ruth and I had to go pick up another one on Monday (Fruit Punch flavored). I just finished drinking it and I can’t eat anything until after my glucose test now. I think we’re getting some Mexican for dinner, which will be yummy.

I haven’t really craved much with you, Clara. When I was pregnant for Ruth, I wanted lots and lots of Mexican food! And now, Ruth likes Mexican food! With you, I’m eating fewer carbs, more fruit, and more veggies. Maybe you’ll like those a lot!

Okay baby. Keep wiggling in there, but make sure you let us hear your strong heart tomorrow!

Love,

Mama

24 Weeks

Dear Baby Batts #2,

As I write this, I feel you moving and wiggling in my tummy! You are pushing out the front every now and then.  The gray skirt I wore today is too tight now; this will be my last day squeezing into it! I looked up some tips for sewing with knits and I may try my hand at it tonight so that I can have a couple more clothing options! Unfortunately, it’s still cold outside, which means tights and boots most days.

Anyway.

At 24 weeks, you are putting on more weight and getting muscle and fat. Yay, girly! You can recognize sounds that you hear often (like my voice?!) and even songs (we sing “Jesus Loves Me” to Ruth every night before bed; I’m sure you’ll recognize it when you’re born!). Your hair (including eyelashes and eyebrows) are white – no pigment in them yet! We don’t know if you’ll be blonde, brunette, or a fiery redhead… but we’ll see in a few months! Your little face is almost fully formed and we can’t wait to kiss all over it.

Daddy is doing a ride along with an EMT crew today. I can’t wait to hear all about it tonight! Ruthie is playing with Ms. Loraine. I’m working and feeling your big movements. And you, little girl, you keep growing and changing!

We love you to the moon.

Love,

Mama

23 Weeks, 5 Days

Dear Baby Batts #2,

Today we went into Anchorage for Family Date Day! After snagging some coffees, we heading to Kohl’s where we bout over $300 worth of clothes (for daddy, Ruthie, and YOU!) for less than $2.50. What?! Yes, it’s true! You got a cute little shirt and some ruffle-butt pants. Can’t wait to see you in them! We looked at Target and Old Navy, too, then ventured into Lowes to buy a gift card.

We came home and got ready for our first mission trip meeting: Daddy and I are leading a small group (10-12 people) to Ghana this December! You’ll be coming along (mostly in a front carrier) and I can’t wait to see you crawling under the African sun with the Gelatt kids. As soon as you’re born, we’ll get you a Passport so that you’re all ready to go!

We are so excited to be involved in international missions as a family. The Lord is so good to open doors like this for us. Whether we are doing VBS at an orphanage, working on bikes/tractors/trucks, or just visiting with locals, I hope the Lord uses all of us (including you, my little will-be-six-month-old) to further His kingdom. Let’s just be faithful to do what He puts before us!

Love,

Mama

23 Weeks, 4 Days

Dear Baby Batts #2,

Today is St. Patrick’s Day! You are part Irish (just a small part, on my side). But you can bet we all wore green today and had baked potatoes for dinner.

To be honest, I don’t know much about our Irish family history. But your great grandpa was John Connors. I’m going to ask Memaw what his parent’s names were and maybe we can trace it back a little bit.

Either way, you will be entering a family full of love, laughter, late nights watching TV and eating ice cream in bed, putting peanut butter on everything, singing off key (unless you inherit Daddy’s voice), and liking Jeeps.

We’re happy to have you.

Love love love,

Mama

23 Weeks, 2 Days

Dear Baby Batts #2,

Recently, daddy and I have been talking and praying about lots of things: his career path (EMT? Paramedic? Something else?), a mentor for him, possibly adopting internationally one day, our mission trip to Ghana in December, etc.

Today, I read a quote that seems really fitting for our current life: Prayer is not to change God’s plan but to get aligned with His will. Instead of trying to make God accept all of your plans, submit your will to His. You won’t end up stressed, confused, or in sin when you follow God’s plan instead of what looks good.”

As we pray about all the things, I’m trying to remember to pray for His will to be done, not ours. I know what we want (and I’ve told God that!) but true prayer is submission to His will as I pour out my heart to Him. It isn’t trying to convince God to do my will.

Oh baby girl, we pray for you daily. We love you and can’t wait to see you fulfill God’s plans for your life!

Love,

Mama

23 Weeks, 1 Day

Dear Baby Batts #2,

Today we finished our taxes (hello, $4,000+ refund!), started organizing your room more, and ordered a map for an Annie Armstrong missions display at church.

We have big plans for your room, little one: painting all but one wall, a simple closet makeover, curtains, hang pictures, swap out some furniture, fix the light… and we only have 17 weeks to finish! Aack! Luckily, you’ll sleep in a bassinet in our room for a couple months, so we have a little more time J And as soon as you are sleeping through the night, you and Ruth will share a room!

In the meantime, stay cozy in mommy’s tummy. It’s your home (and I’m so happy to be sharing it with you!).

Love,

Mama

23 Weeks

Dear Baby Batts #2,

23 Weeks! Veins and arteries are developing right under your skin and your blood is pumping away, giving your skin a reddish hue, though it is still translucent and a little bit saggy. Soon you’ll start plumping up! You are moving more and more – I can feel you daily (and often regularly). You’re almost a foot long and over a pound… but your weight is going to double in the next month or so! Grow, baby!

Soon, daddy and I will try listening for your heartbeat through his stethoscope!

In other news, today is the first day of spring break for daddy! He’s been really sick for the last couple weeks, so we’re hoping that he can keep resting.

I came home from work today and we were all feeling blah. Daddy and I were short with eachother, your sister was all wound up, and we just needed a BREAK. So we piled into the Jeep and had a family date to Dairy Queen. Somehow, we knew that getting out of the house and doing something fun was just what we needed. And it was! We had the best time sitting together, laughing, and talking.

Living simply allows more room for spontaneity. And that’s something we want imbued in our family.

We love you, Clara. In just a few more months, you’ll be on those family dates (on the outside) with us! Can’t wait.

XOXO.

Love,
Mama

22 Weeks, 4 Days

Dear Baby Batts #2,

Tonight we start a new unit in our college and career Bible study about the book of Malachi. Malachi is a rebuke to God’s people for their lack of true devotion. Like Jesus said in Matthew 15:8-9, “These people honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules.”

Clara, we pray that your faith in God is True and Deep. We pray that He leads and guides you – not out of your feelings of compulsion but because you love Him and desire to serve Him deeply.

In Malachi, people do not offer God their best. Rather, they give Him what they think they can get by with, keeping their best for themselves. There is no worship in that. God desires your heart, Clara bear-a. He desires you.

And we pray that you give yourself to Him.

We love you.

Mama

22 Weeks, 2 Days

Dear Baby Batts #2,

Late tonight, I took Memaw and Papa into the airport. They are flying to Oregon for a couple days, then to Jerusalem for about two weeks! We can’t wait to hear all about their adventures in the Holy Land when they get back. One day, daddy and I would like to take you and Ruth there (and everywhere!). Travel – and the new perspectives it gives us – is so important.

Baby girl, we don’t want you to just see a third world country one day. We want you to smell it. Touch it. Look it in the eye and live in it for a little while. Experience it and allow it to change you. Don’t just travel – live there. Shop in the local stores; talk to the old men and women standing on the corners; smile and nod and ask for food recommendations.

Live intentionally and simply.

Love,

Mama

22 Weeks

Dear Baby Batts #2,

Well, this has been a crazy year! I ended up staying home with daddy and Ruth today. I took daddy to the doctor this morning (he still isn’t feeling well) and played with Ruth all afternoon.

But in other news… you are now 22 weeks! You are starting to be able to hear, so I’m sure you are listening in our conversations, our stories, our songs… and I hope you love hearing our voices as much as we anticipate hearing yours! You can perceive light, but your eyelids are still closed all the time. Your fingers are learning to grab onto things (and, in fact, we have a picture from your ultrasound where it looks like you’re trying to push the umbilical cord out of the way!). And you weigh about one pound! Our little pound of sugar… J You’re almost a foot long, too. Grow, baby, grow!

We bought a present for your bedroom the other day – a cute picture with a bike and flowers. I can’t wait to hang it up and get your room all ready for you, Clara.

Today Ruth and I did a craft – I’m making signs for both of your doors! Ruth’s has her handprints on it and yours has two hearts. Eventually, you girls will share a room, but until you are sleeping through the night, you’ll be on your own. Really, you’ll be in our room for a few months, and THEN on your own, across the hall from us and next to Ruth’s room.

You are doing great, Clara Mae. Keep kicking and growing and eating and getting strong! We’ll see you in about 18 weeks.

Love,

Mama

21 Weeks, 6 Days

Dear Baby Batts #2,

DADDY AND I HAD A DATE NIGHT TONIGHT!!

It had been a LONG time since we got out, just the two of us. And while our date was low-key, it was still fun:

·       Mexican food for dinner

·       Shopping at Value Village

·       Shopping at Target

·       Ice cream at Cold Stone (no fire alarms this time!)

Daddy and I had some great talks about life lately – it’s been a challenging year so far, full of ups and downs. But I am so thankful that I have him to do life with.

Your daddy is my best friend. I love him to pieces and I would not trade him for anything. I pray you see a godly, loving relationship between us that encourages you to mirror your own future relationship after it as well.

We both love you to the moon, Clara.

Love,

Mama

21 Weeks, 5 Days

Dear Baby Batts #2,

Tonight some of my girlfriends and I are having a girls night at a hotel in Anchorage! We have Bible studies planned, some activities, and lunch all together tomorrow.

Friendships are hard sometimes, Clara. Different personalities, different schedules, different places in life make it difficult to “mesh” sometimes. But when the Lord is at the center of them, friendships take on a whole new meaning.

The girls I was with this weekend are like sweet sister-friends. We prayed together, laughed together, studied the Bible together, and cried together… and loved each other through it all.

I pray that one day you have sister-friends like that too, Clara. I pray that Ruthie is a friend to you, that your relationship with her is deep and pure. But I pray you have other girlfriends, too, with whom you can share secrets and do life. It is so so important, little girl.

I’m committed to maintaining good friendships so that you can see that example in my life.

I want the best for you.

Love,

Mama