23 Weeks, 2 Days

Dear Baby Batts,

What a crazy week it has been! Between Lola's passing, bad news at the midwife, being away from home for five days, your daddy's truck's brakes not being fixed, going live with new software at work, and the regular rain, a little weekend break is very welcome. I'm so thankful that it's Friday, that tomorrow, we get to sleep in and just relax most of the day, that the weather is sunny again.

Some things for which I am grateful this week:

1. Charlie, a student in our college small group, brought me the LARGEST coffee I have ever seen when he came to my office building this week to pick up an application! It was blended caramel goodness and so huge that I couldn't even finish it! I'm so thankful for the opportunity the Lord has given us to love on these kids, Ruth, and I can't wait for you to meet them. I have a feeling you'll love having them over on Fridays as much as your daddy and I do.

Yummmmmmmmmmmm

2. You are going to be one well-dressed babe, Ruthie! A student at your daddy's work gifted us a bag of clothes recently and a sweet sister-friend of mine sent you the cutest onesies and ruffley pants this week. Your daddy and I are constantly in awe of how blessed we are. 

Your clothes are taking over our apartment!

 3. Today, I'm thankful for the sunshine and warmth as Memaw and I walked around the Friday Fling. But I do love the rain, especially when it brings mysterious clouds that cover our mountains like veils.

Covered mountains this week.

4. A coworker texted me after she left work one day - she had stopped at a thrift store and saw this darling cradle. We'd been looking for something smaller than a full-size crib for your first few months, and for $30, I knew this would be perfect! It can rock or be stationary and will fit in your daddy's and mine bedroom perfectly until we move you into your nursery. We've picked out a new color to paint it - kind of a blue / gray / purple color that will match the rug I made you much better than this cherry red.

Your new cradle!

5. I found out that Memaw's employee, Bob, is expecting a baby with his wife, Yasinta! Yasinta recently moved here from Africa and is so sweet. I'm really excited for them and - who knows?! - maybe we can have African play dates in the future with them. Bob and  Yasinta have a farm and grow some of the largest zucchinis ever. When I saw Yasinta at the Friday Fling today, we talked babies and pregnancy and how to get over morning sickness. Then, she gave us a huge bag of veggies and said I needed to eat them for you :) You will love them, little one. I'm going to brainstorm a present for them this weekend - she's due in March, so maybe a lightweight blanket or a little toy.

6. Both Caitlin and Juliet are back from vacation and were at Bible study Wednesday night! I missed those ladies, Ruthie, and am so glad they are home.

7. We are doing a school supplies drive at church and our collection box is already overflowing! I can't wait to see how much we get. Your daddy and I will be out of town (if I'm cleared to fly) the day of the give away - August 15th - but Memaw is going to be there to help. She loves stuff like this as much as (or more so than!) I do. I think I got it from her. I hope, little one, that we are able to instill in you that same level of love and caring for other people.

Deep breath. In spite of life, the Lord is good. He is faithful and His name is to be praised. I'm thankful for big things (like cradles and coffees and bags of baby clothes) and small things (like friends returning and sunny days and fresh veggies) that He blesses us with. May our growing family always be careful to honor Him above all else.

Love,
Mama

23 Weeks

Dear Baby Batts,

Well, little girl, we had an appointment on Monday to review the results of our ultrasound with Donna, our midwife. And the results were less than stellar.

You are doing great, Ruth. You are developing as you should; you weigh one pound; your measurements are on target.

But I may not be doing great. Due to some concerns on the ultrasound, my pregnancy is now deemed "High Risk" and I have an appointment to see a specialist next week in Anchorage.

Right away, we put the news on our church's prayer chain and I know people are praying for you and me. Mom and Dad and other family members. Ms. Linda. Betty. KD. The Zuyus family. As I was praying about it the other day, the Lord impressed on me to pray for His name to be glorified in this. So little one, that's what I'm praying. I'm praying for healing, yes, but more than that, I'm praying that the Lord's name is lifted high in this (somewhat scary) situation. He is good all the time.

In other news, you are now 23 weeks along! You are going to double in weight in the next month as your body starts to store fat. Your daddy has heard your heartbeat through my tummy once, and starting this week, he should be able to hear you more easily! You've been moving a lot lately; Memaw got to feel the other day and Papa felt a little nudge last night.

I'm still sick from last week; Donna said it could last anywhere from 10-14 days, so I'm at about the halfway mark now. Lots of fluids for me! And last night - after putting off my craving for three days - I finally had some ice cream with peanut butter, banana, and Heath magic shell. Delicious, even with all my congestion!

More people are asking if I'm pregnant and how I'm feeling. Guess you aren't my little secret anymore!

My polarfleece is almost too short now!

Basketball bump, with an innie belly button still.

Love you, Ruthie. We're praying and trusting that everything will work out according to God's perfect will.

Love,
Mama

22 Weeks, 4 Days

Dear Baby Batts,

We've been playing a game with you - you'll kick, and your daddy or I will poke you. Then you kick again, and we poke again. I'm not sure what you think about it, but we LOVE feeling like we can interact with you. It's fun, before your even born, to be able to play with you.

We pray that, as you grow up, you never forget how to play and have fun. We pray that you enjoy using your imagination, that you see the good in things, even on really hard and sad weekends that never seem to end.

Love,
Mama

22 Weeks, 3 Days

Dear Baby Batts,

Today was a terrible day. We said goodbye to a very dear friend, one you would have loved to pieces:

Lola

Your daddy and I were watching Lola while Memaw and Papa are out of town. She started acting really lethargic and not eating, so we took her to the vet. After some blood work and testing, they determined that she had an auto-immune disease wherein her body recognized her blood as a foreign object and was trying to destroy it. She needed an immediate blood transfusion and months of steroid therapy... with no guarantees she would ever fully recover.

We made the terrible, difficult, gut-wrenching decision to end her suffering and illness by putting her to sleep.

Your daddy and I hugged her, loved on her, kissed her, petted her, rubbed her ears, and told her what a good girl she was before, during, and after the procedure. She smiled her goofy smile for a few final seconds before she fell asleep.

Walking into Memaw and Papa's house afterward. So. Hard. 

Oh, Ruthie. You would have loved Lola. She pranced. I'm not even kidding. When she got excited about something, she would prance around, kicking her little paws out in front of her. And she would sing. She hated other dogs, but loved her people fiercely. She played with that football incessantly, tearing it to shreds from time to time, and loved to get treats in her ball. 

She was such a sweet friend, especially to Papa, and saying goodbye is one of the hardest things yet. 

But, little Ruth, we have to find joy in things, even in hard things. Lola isn't sick anymore. And the Lord is still good. He is so good. 

We are praying for peace; we are praying for comfort. And the Lord is answering.

Love,

Mama

22 Weeks, 2 Days

Dear Baby Batts,

Sick. Sore throat. Cough. Runny Nose. So congested.

I stayed home sick yesterday and today. We spent our time sleeping, drinking lots of tea and water, and crafting! Look what I made:

Little baby sweater!

Sweet baby moccasins 

I hate being sick, little one, and I'm so worried that it is hurting you, too. So I'm praying that you are still growing strong and healthy, even while I am not.

Love,

Mama