37 Weeks, 3 Days

Dear Baby Batts,

Happy weekend! Today was delightful - just what the doctor ordered!

The morning started out with a phone call from Janelle - she had a dream about me last night, and just wanted to call and see how we were doing. I sent her these updated baby bump pictures:

Saturday Bump Style 

Bump Bump.

Next, your daddy and I got your carseat bases installed! The Jeep took a couple tries, but was pretty simple - you are in the back seat in the middle. The truck was a little more difficult and took more trial and error... you have to ride shotgun in the truck! I'm glad we got it all sorted out though. The base and seat are in Jeep right now, anticipating your arrival!

After that, we ate a quick lunch at Taco Bell. Yummmm.

Then, we went home. Your daddy worked on homework and I made a Christmas present for you while watching "The Holiday." It was really relaxing.

Memaw is out of town visiting Blaire...

Mom and Blaire...

... so Papa came over tonight! After dinner (chicken wrapped in bacon and veggies), we played Rummy, ate ice cream, and just chatted:

Reraxing in the living room.

Ruth, the Lord has given your papa such insight into the need to be prepared for emergencies. His favorite saying is, "It's better to have and not need that need and not have." And there were times growing up when I thought it was a little extreme... but I have so much respect now for how he plans ahead and encourages others to do to the same. He wants to get some things in place at FLBC so that we are prepared for emergencies and can assist church members when needed. I really encouraged him to do so, knowing that not everyone shares his same passion.

We'll get to encourage you in your God-given passions and talents soon, too. I'm excited to see what they are and how the Lord uses them. I pray you grow into the woman He desires for you to be, little one.

Thanks for relaxing with me today - your tummy tickles and strong legs make me laugh.

Love,
Mama

37 Weeks, 2 Days

Dear Baby Batts,

I think the Fall Festival and Winter Clothing Giveaway were a success!

I feel like I need to write a whole post about the box maze that your daddy built with the help of his guys, but alas - I'll just post lots of pictures to commemorate it's development:

Pile of 1000 flat rate boxes.

Starting to build walls.

Complete! Now being taped together.

The entrance.

This maze - the centerpiece of the Festival - was pretty epic. There were tunnels to crawl through, half walls to trick people, dead-ends, and more. Your daddy is so creative and I love how, when he puts his mind to something, he gets it done! 

Other activities at the Festival included:

• Bonfire and tractor rides outside
• Hotdogs, chips, and lemonade
• Face painting
• Pumpkin Patch

Break open the squash or pumpkin for candy!

• "Guess the Candies" in a jar
• Cupcake walk
• Making Indian headbands
• Bubbles!
• Beanbag Toss

Try to get the beanbag in the hole!

Here's a picture of the whole fellowship hall:

Hooray, Fall Festival!

The Winter Clothing Giveaway didn't garner as much participation as we'd hoped. I take that back - we had a ton of items donated! But not a ton of items taken. We're going to leave it set up for Sunday so that church members can receive items then, if needed. Memaw, Juliet, and I had a lot of fun sitting and chatting at the clothing giveaway. And Memaw may or may not have done some interpretive dancing... You'll love Memaw, Ruthie - she is the best.

But even though not a lot of people came through, the ones who did were really blessed. And that's what the Lord reminded me, little one - that we were planning these events (as stressful and crazy as they were) so that the Lord would be glorified, not me or the church. So I hope (and pray) that He was.

So there we go. The last "big event" is done. Praise the Lord.

Love,

A very tired Mama

37 Weeks

Dear Baby Batts,

At 37 weeks, you are now the size of a large cantaloupe... though when I feel your baby butt on one side of my tummy and a little foot pushing on the other, I imagine this "large cantaloupe" has to have pretty lengthy arms and legs! This week, you're getting some antibodies from me to prepare to fight germs outside my tummy, your fingers have more dexterity (are you grabbing onto that cyst now?!), and you may even be sucking your thumb!

I feel you wiggling down low these days - I think I sometimes feel your head moving side-to-side down between my hips. And according to the doctor yesterday, you are indeed pretty low in there! (In fact, she was able to feel your head with her fingers during my exam - that's crazy!). 

I've had heartburn, difficulty sleeping, and a very forgetful brain lately. But you are growing more and more, so by consequence, I am too:

It was difficult, trying to zip this hoodie!

Already in my pajamas :) 

It's so funny - this week, within about 30 minutes, some people told me, "You look tiny!" and others told me, "You look huge!" I'm not sure which was to take it... all I know is that it's mroe and more difficult to pick things up off the floor, zip my clothes and coats, and get out of bed in the morning. Sometimes your daddy has to help with all those things (and I know he wishes I would ask him to help more; he doesn't like seeing me try to do it all myself.).

Tonight, we spent Bible study preparing for the Fall Festival and Winter Clothing Drive. We sorted clothes, made signs, decorated boxes for the bean bag toss, put yarn on bubble containers, and prayed that things would go smoothly. Just a couple more days and this, too, will be behind us. It's the last big thing before you come and I'm excited to put myself on "bed rest" this weekend to recuperate!

Auntie Jade's birthday is in one week and Uncle Jeff's birthday is in 5 days... then you're birthday will be here soon, too! Keep growing, Ruth - can't wait to meet you soon!

Love,
Mama

36 Weeks, 6 Days

Dear Baby Batts,

It's doctor appointment day! We're down to weekly appointments and today, your daddy and I met the last doctor at the office. She did an exam and told us that my body is starting to prepare to meet you! Things are changing and thinning and growing, so that's pretty exciting. Your heartbeat sounded good - we got to listen for about a minute or so, which was neat. We always love hearing your little heart, beating so strong.

Then tonight, for date night, we ordered a pizza (which was delicious!) and just relaxed at home.. until we saw the Northern Lights dancing outside! Then we drove up to Hatcher's Pass to watch them. That was fun. They were green and pink, just streaking across the night sky, right by the Big Dipper. I hadn't seen them like that in years, if ever, and was just amazed. Your daddy and I thin kit would be awesome if they came out on the night you are born, too, but we'll see. That also sparked a conversation about whether or not there were Northern Lights the night Christ was born. Perhaps not in Bethlehem, but maybe elsewhere in the world...

Out our apartment window.

These nights - of just me and your daddy - are fleeting, so we're trying to soak them all in while we can.

I'm glad tonight was relaxed - the rest of the week will be crazy as we finish preparing for the Fall Festival and Winter Clothing Giveaway!

Love,
Mama

36 Weeks, 4 Days

Dear Baby Batts,

What a delightful weekend your daddy and I had together! I feel spoiled from our time together and just want to remember all of it. Here are some highlights:

• Sleeping in Saturday morning. We didn't have plans to get up early or do anything prior to going to town... except packing our bag! So we just relaxed and hung out. So nice.
• Shopping! We finished our Christmas shopping this weekend, for everyone except each other and you, Ruthie. We did get a few more treasures for you (including a Christmas ornament). But everyone else is done!! Now, we get to wrap presents, ship some boxes, and just enjoy the season and being new parents (after you arrive). Here are some fun things we saw while shopping, neither of which we purchased, but both of which I may try to DIY:

A beautiful embroidered "Joy" pillow at Pier 1 Imports

A bearded manly ornament from Kohls

• Dinner at Olive Garden. First, we split some stuffed mushrooms. Then your daddy got a "Tour of Italy" with pasta and chicken. I ordered some grilled chicken and delicious veggies. We had salad, soup, and breadsticks. I had a lemonade and your daddy had tea. We had the best time, just talking about being parents, and being together!
• Going to the movies. We watched "PAN", thanks to a Fandango giftcard from Fred and Betty last Christmas - it was pretty good! It was a different perspective of one of my favorite stories - i.e., how Peter ended up in Neverland. Your daddy and I agree that we'd like to see the "in-between" story now: how Hook turned bad and how he and Peter became enemies. How Tink came to live with Peter and the Lost Boys. Maybe they'll make another one.
• Hotel. We spent the night at a hotel in Anchorage and though the heat didn't work in our room (and neither did the TV), we had fun playing Rummy, eating breakfast-in-bed, and just generally relaxing together. 

Morning picture after a good night's rest on a king-size bed!

• Coffee and Books. We went to Barnes & Noble for coffee Sunday morning. I felt guilty, not being in church, but we really loved getting to drink coffee, look at magazines, pick out a Christmas book, and walk around. We decided on a new Christmas tradition: we'll get a new Christmas book every year to read together as a family! We're excited to start that tradition with you in a few weeks. 
• Cabelas! Your daddy got a Cabelas gift card for his birthday from Memaw and Papa. After walking around, looking at all the tresures, your daddy picked out some things: a new hat, an extendable snow brush for his truck, a keychain, and some fake bullets for the 9mm. Then, we stayed and ate lunch in their cafe (yummy, yummy!). But Ruthie, even just pulling into the parking lot and seeing this sign made the long drive to the South side of town so much more fun:

Reserved for expecting moms and families of young children!

We headed home after Cabelas and just relaxed before going to Memaw and Papa's for dinner and to do laundry. I wish the weekend didn't have to end, but it ended on such a relaxing and fun note. Your daddy and I felt refreshed, renewed in our marriage, and looking forward even more to you joining our family.

We love you,

Mama