20 Weeks

Dear Baby Batts,

20 weeks! We are halfway through this pregnancy adventure and I can hardly believe it. Your little movements bring me such delight. Hearing your heartbeat at our appointments is a dream. And even seeing my little belly protrude a little more each week is exciting.

Growing bump and skinny jeans!

Little baby bump!

Your eyes pop open this week (brown? blue? hazel? what color are they?!) and next Monday we'll (hopefully) get to find out your gender. You're about the size of a cantaloupe now and I think you're pushing on my tailbone because it hurts often these days!

I haven't had any heartburn or indigestion lately, but I sure am hungrier than I used to be! You're starting to pack on the brown fat that will keep you warm and regulate your body temperature and all the rhubarb I've been eating is sure to help with that!

Keep growing strong, baby, and I'll keep doing what I need to for you!

Love,
Mama

19 Weeks, 6 Days

Dear Baby Batts,

I don't know what you're doing in there, but I have been so sick today. After a nice breakfast with your daddy (pancakes with homemade fresh rhubarb syrup), I got sick. And then again later at work. Ugh. I thought we were past this, little one?!

I've felt you moving today! It's such a sweet feeling, to know you're in there growing and moving.

Your daddy and I talk often about how excited we are to see you next Monday at our ultrasound and to - finally! - know if you're a boy or girl. It's so odd that the last time we saw you, you were the size of my pinky fingernail. And now, just 13 weeks later, you're as big as my whole hand - as big as the Nalgene sitting on my desk at work! Amazing. Earlier this year, you didn't even exist. Now I feel you pushing around in my tummy like nobody's business.

I looked up birthing classes at Mat-Su Regional. Your daddy and I will take some to prepare to meet you. I read the other day that labor and delivery are like endurance sports... I better keep working out!

Love you!
Mama

19 Weeks, 4 Days

Dear Baby Batts,

Well, we bought a new truck today! It's a red Ford F150 with enough space in the back for three car seats. When your daddy test drove it yesterday, I just knew he loved it and it was the one we had to have. We're already excited to have you strapped into the back while we all go adventuring together!

A friend from church gave us some tires for free, so we pulled studs out of them tonight. Once we knew the best way to do it (use a flat-head screwdriver, not pliers!), it was a quick project.

Holding the bag of studs - and sporting a little baby bump!

We are so blessed. The Lord has provided enough for our family that we didn't even have to take money out of our savings accounts; we had enough with what was just in our checking accounts! He will continue to provide as we prepare for you. I know it.

Love,

Mama

19 Weeks, 2 Days

Dear Baby Batts,

Your daddy and I had such a fun date-day today! Since we were both off for the 4th of July, we slept in, ate breakfast together, and adventured around Palmer. After picking up some icees, we parked the Jeep and just walked around. We looked in stores, explored the Friday Fling, bought you some presents at the thrift store, and grocery shopped.

It probably doesn't sound like much... but with both of us working, Allen going to school full-time this summer, and all the stress with his car, it's been a crazy season of life. Just enjoying today, in the beautiful sunshine and warm weather, was all we could ask for.

Love,
Mama

19 Weeks

Dear Baby Batts,

At 19 weeks, you are 6 inches long and weigh the same as a grapefruit! Oh, little one - no wonder I felt you wiggling so much yesterday! Your hair may be growing in now and your cartilage is turning to bone. Yay.

I've only felt you moving a little bit today. You must be tired after yesterday's acrobats! But last night, your daddy and I laid down in bed, and I read you a story. While I read, your daddy put his hand on my tummy and after just a minute or so said, "Did baby just move??" I said, "Yes! Did you feel it??" And he did! You settled down after that and (I like to imagine) just listened to the book, but it was such a sweet moment. Donna said he probably wouldn't feel it for a couple of weeks after I did, so it was a nice surprise that he could!

My belly is popping out more and more these days. I'm sure it's you causing it (and not the pizza and popsicles I've been munching!). It's been so fun taking weekly photos now that there's a difference in my look!

Side view!

Front!

Love you, baby. Keep up your growing and wiggling and we'll see you in about 21 weeks!

Love,
Mama