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

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