9 Weeks, 5 Days

Dear Baby Batts #2,

Your dada and I went to our Sunday School Christmas party tonight and I know I was showing a lot! I kept expecting someone to ask, but no one mentioned the size of my growing tummy. We’re planning on mentioning you during praises and prayer requests at church tomorrow, but for one more night, you are (mostly) our little secret.

Love,

Mama

9 Weeks, 4 Days

Dear Baby Batts #2,

Tonight, we told our College & Career group that you are coming! Well, actually, we hung up an itty bitty crocheted stocking, next to our stockings, and tucked your ultrasound picture inside… and waited for them to notice.

Finally, right after we started Bible study, Auntie Juliet interrupted and said, “Wait, can I ask a question off-topic?” I said yes, and she just pointed to your stocking and asked, “Is that…? Are you…?” I grinned, laughed, and said yes!

Cailtin and Caleb were both there and it took them a couple minutes to catch on. Then Caleb exclaimed, “You’re having another KID?!” and Caitlin jumped up to hug me and look at your picture.

So much joy already, baby. You bring so much joy to us.

It makes me so happy to see your little stocking hanging up by ours. You are already such an important part of our family and I know you will bring an extra something special to our lives.

We love you.

Love,

Mama

9 Weeks

Dear Baby Batts #2,

I spent all day yesterday so sick with a stomach bug… and it was especially sad since it was Ruth’s first birthday! I kept praying that you were okay, deep in my tummy, and that this wasn’t affecting you at all.

You are now 9 weeks old… nearly an inch long, your eyes are fully formed. Your facial features are developing, and soon my placenta will be developed! Your little “tail” disappears this week (yay!) meaning that you look more like a little baby and less like a little froggie. Your joints are functioning and you can move all around. You could even make a fist and suck your thumb if you wanted to! You are a true miracle, little one, and learning about how you are growing and changing is so exciting.

We love you to the moon, our little nine-week-baby!

Love,

Mama

8 Weeks, 4 Days

Dear Baby Batts #2,

You have made your mama so nauseous and so sleepy the last couple weeks! I took a 45-minute nap yesterday at 5:00pm… and still slept like a rock all night long! I’ve been eating anti-nausea drops like they’re going out of style (and made your dada order me some more on Amazon at 11:00pm last night!).

Right now, I have an absolute aversion to potatoes – which is so weird; I used to want them for breakfast every day! But the thought of them makes my stomach churn. I could eat Mexican food just about any time (mmm, nachos and quesadillas), love toast and pancakes lately, and have been eating grapes and mandarin oranges like they’re going out of style.

So far, only three people at work know about you, little one: Charity, Luke, and Marianne. Although, my tummy is starting to pooch out more and I wouldn’t be surprised if more people have guessed!

We got our Christmas cards in the mail yesterday. We signed them, “With Love, Allen, Melissa, Ruth, and Baby # 2 (due July 2017!)”. I am SO excited to mail them to our friends and family. When we decorate for Christmas after Ruth’s birthday, we are going to hang up a mini stocking for you and just wait for our college and career small group students to notice! Then I’ll probably take a picture and put it on Facebook as my cover photo.

Oh baby… we can’t wait to hear your heartbeat and see your little face!

Love you to the moon,

Mama

8 Weeks

Dear Baby Batts #2,

You are now 8 weeks old! Your organs are developing, your arms and legs are growing longer, and you are getting bigger day by day. We are so thankful for you and so proud of your growth so far.

Thank you for being a great baby. We love you so much already!

Dada and I have been talking about names:

Girl Names We Like:

·       Clara

·       Jane

·       Avis

Boy Names We Like:

·       James

·       Wrangler

·       Declan

It’s hard to believe we won’t see you again until you’re about 20 weeks old… hopefully Memaw and Papa will be able to come up and see you then, too!

Our next appointment with Donna is December 21^st. You are the best Christmas present we’ve received this year.

We love you, little one. Grow strong and healthy!

Love,

Mama