Dear Toot,

I'm sorry I haven't written in a few days. Your Dad and I went on a little vacation - sort of our last hurrah before you show up and everything changes (for the better!) If you're wondering, you are evidently the size (or length) of an ear of corn. Watch out that your Aunt Lexie doesn't eat you.

We went down to Charleston, and we had a lovely time. We stayed at a great B&B, we went on a really cheesy/crappy ghost tour, we toured a tea plantation and a vodka distillery, and we ate a lot of really good food. That last part is the one that concerns you.

I have noticed that you're pretty active AFTER I eat, but our Charleston trip was the first time I felt you moving WHILE I was eating. I hope your wiggliness was an indication that you enjoyed what I was feeding you. The first time I felt it was at a Japanese place called O-Ku, where we had some of the best sushi ever. They had real wasabi there! We had been wanting to try it for years, so of course, we got some. Anyway, you started kicking me while I ate mine. You also kicked me during our early anniversary dinner at a place called Circa 1886. I had a great sea bass dish, but I hope your kicks were a reaction to your Dad's food (which I tried). He got a pork chop that had been brined in Firefly sweet tea vodka. Oh, my, it was good. You seem to be developing a great taste in food. (You also like Trader Joe's pumpkin ice cream. That quart is only designed to last 4 days, right?)

They say it's important to eat a variety of foods while you're pregnant and when you're breastfeeding. Evidently, this will help the baby (that's you) develop his palate. I can safely say that, if this is accurate, you should be primed to eat a nice wide variety of different foods. Your Dad and I are total omnivores. We don't just eat ANYTHING. We eat EVERYTHING.

Things seem to be going well. The doctor says you're just the size you should be, and everything looks good. I wish you could see how excited your Dad is when he gets to feel you move. It kills me that you'll never get to see that part. He has all kinds of plans for the things he wants to teach you how to do when you are older. We can't wait to meet you!

Love,
Mom

24 weeks, 3 days in the oven