34 Weeks, 2 Days

Dear Baby Batts,

Here are some highlights from the week:

1. Ms. Linda got home! She, Pastor Tom, Thomas, and Lesley were driving up the Alcan. It was so nice to sit with her in her office (for almost an hour!) just chatting about their trip and updates here. Plus, we matched! She was able to feel your little foot, pressed against my abdomen, and was delighted. I know she can't wait to meet you, sweet one!

Laughing with Ms. Linda!

2. Free-Coffee Tuesdays at Holiday... plus your daddy always bringing me a cup at work! Every Tuesday for the last couple of weeks, your daddy has brought me a cup of (decaf) coffee. It is so nice seeing him mid-morning before he goes to his chemistry study group and class at the college. He's the best.

Happiness is... free coffee!

3. This surprise at work! More about that later. <3

Aunt Kendra, Sami, Clinton, and Grandma!

4. Putting the finishing touches on your cradle. Now we just have to cut the mattress to size!

All done! And way better than cherry red...

5. Sweet Bible study time with Caitlin and Juliet on Wednesday, talking about our responsibility as believers, the kind of leader the Lord uses, and the importance of the state of our hearts. I felt convicted to really examine myself, baby girl, so that I can be a woman God uses!

What a week it has been! Praise the Lord, He is so good.

Love,
Mama

34 Weeks, 1 Day

Dear Baby Batts,

I got dressed and looked in the mirror this morning and you were just cracking me up!

Big bump today!

My bump looks so big today, just protruding out in front, large and in charge! There's no doubt now that you're on your way. 

Love,

Mama 

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