28 Weeks, 5 Days

Dear Baby Batts,

This weekend, your Auntie Jade and Auntie Hannah and I...

Painted pottery...

Group photo... and awkward smile.

Auntie Hannah

Auntie Jade

Geocached... 

Success!

Watched "Enchanted" and ate cookies in mugs...

Shopped at Value Village's half-off Labor Day Sale...

New shirt!

Took many group photos...

MJH 4 Lyfe

And said goodbye to Auntie Jade at the airport.

Until we meet again!

Such a fun weekend of seeing old girlfriends, hanging out, and chatting. I hope you have wonderful friends too, my sweet daughter, who can laugh with you and encourage you and feel your tummy when your baby starts wiggling during movie night. 

They're the best kinds. 

Love,

Mama

PS - Your daddy had never been to the Alaska Wildberry Store! So after dropping Auntie Jade off at the airport, we took a quick trip over there. Here's his obligatory photo in front of the World's Largest Indoor Chocolate Waterfall (oooooh). 

Chocolate!

PPS - Tonight, we are working on your cradle at Memaw and Papa's house. I'm hoping we get a lot done... or at least started! Time is running out until your arrival!

28 Weeks, 3 Days

Dear Baby Batts,

Yesterday, Auntie Jade and I met Auntie Hannah in Anchorage for some gallivanting. We ate lunch together, then Auntie Jade and I went shopping. It was so sweet to be all together again, the three of us!

Your daddy and I hosted the college group at our apartment last night. It was a fun time of study (being faithful to God's word) and hanging out. Can't wait for you to join us!

Then today, I had a meeting at church, we got new phones, we watched a movie (well, your daddy watched a movie and I napped), and we hung out. It was so nice and relaxing.

Tomorrow, Auntie Jade and Auntie Hannah are spending the night at our apartment. I'm not sure what we'll do yet... but I hope we have fun!

Now, let's get some rest.

Love,
Mama

28 Weeks, 1 Day

Dear Baby Batts,

We picked Auntie Jade up at the airport last night and look at the sweet presents she brought you!

Mountain Grown Club. 

Not pictured: a sweet floral sleeper, a onesie, and a flower headband. 

You. Are. Loved.

- Mama

28 Weeks

Dear Baby Batts,

We are in the home stretch! As of today, I'm officially in the third trimester and there are just (approximately) 12 more weeks until we hold you in our arms - and not just in my ever-growing tummy. At 28 weeks, you can open and close your eyes and bat those little eyelashes. You can even sense light through my tummy! When you nap, you can enter into REM sleep and possibly dream. You are growing well - about 2 and a half pounds and 16 inches long from head to toe - and we'll get to see you again on September 15th when we visit with the specialist in Anchorage again. I hate that we have to walk through this specialist stuff with you, Ruth, but I must confess - I love getting to see more pictures of you as you develop!

Here's how my bump is developing:

Little bump with the fur.

So compact!

Last night, Memaw, your daddy, and I went to the Alaska State Fair. We ate yummy food (I had kabobs, an icecream bar, and lemonade!) and just walked around. None of us bought anything, we didn't go on any rides, and we didn't play any carnival games... but it was a beautiful evening and we had a great time!

Me and your daddy standing by the pretty flowers.

Memaw and me sitting in the sunshine.

Little cow!

Your handsome daddy talking to a big cow.

We have lots to get done today - grocery shopping, baking muffins, church tonight, pick up Auntie Jade at the airport, and getting lots of beauty rest for work picture day tomorrow! And most of all, we have to celebrate making it to our third trimester, feeling you move everyday, and knowing that the Lord has great things in store for your little life.

We love you!
Mama

27 Weeks, 6 Days

Dear Baby Batts,

You and I had a busy night last night, didn't we?! We picked up our laundry basket, cooked dinner and ate with your daddy, said goodbye to him as he went to class, and got to work! We put up some fall decorations, did the dishes and cleaned the kitchen, prepped the nursery / study / guest room for Auntie Jade to come (on Wednesday!!!!!), crocheted some on your Christmas stocking, made a (very long) grocery list, planned some meals for this week, and scrubbed the shower.

I was tired but feeling so motivated by the time we climbed into bed after your daddy got home!

You took advantage of that quiet time in bed by performing your own acrobats and darling, you sure had me laughing! I could watch my tummy move as you moved and tumbled around in there, squirming to get comfy, then stretching out and turning over again. Your daddy asked me, "What does it feel like when she moves inside?" and I wasn't sure how to explain it. Finally, I said, "Imagine you're trapped in a balloon and you're moving around to stretch it out and make room. That's what it feels like."

This morning, you were wiggly all over again. I told your daddy, "I think Ruth will be a morning person like you!" and he got excited. I'm picturing the two of you bonding and cuddling over his cup of coffee and your bottle of breast milk while I sleep in for another hour!

Looking forward to having you in my arms in about three months!

Love,
Mama