Merry Christmas, Punkin

Dear Peapod,

Well, it's Christmas day, and for a baby who isn't actually here yet, you sure are loved! Your Aunt Maryam and Uncle Kirk sent you a little purple outfit with polkadots. Your cousins Phil and Noona gave you an outfit too, in pink. Tia made a scrapbook for you. Your Great-Aunt Joy gave you an angel candle-holder. Your Grandma Jan sent you a quilt. One of your dad's co-workers and her husband (Debbie and Spencer) gave you two bibs, one with a rocket and another with a German flag. My old friend Erinn and her husband sent you the cutest little legwarmers, some onesies, and some receiving blankets. And we haven't even BEEN to Grandma and Boompah's house yet!

You and I and your dad are very lucky to have so many people who love us.

Thursday is the first day of my third trimester, and we are also leaving for our last trip that doesn't really include you, at least for a while. We're going to Monterey and Santa Cruz.

You are a very busy baby. Just so you know, I've accused you of practicing capoeira, Taiko drumming, karate, ballet, gymnastics, acrobatics, using my uterus as a trampoline, and driving your own Fred Flintstone car. You kicked your dad's hand really hard the other night, and yesterday when I was holding your cousin Grant (who is 4 weeks old now), you kicked HIM several times. He didn't seem to mind though, as he was fast asleep. You're still hard to catch in action, though. I'll feel you kicking up a storm, and by the time I've got somebody's hand on my belly, you've stopped! It's like you're being sneaky.

Well, it's Christmas morning and your dad and I have opened our presents to each other (as usual, he spoiled me!), and now I'm going to tidy up a bit, take a shower, and then we'll go over to Grandma and Boompah's. They're making pancakes for breakfast. Next year, you'll be with us! Although at 9 months, I don't think you'll be ready for pancakes. We'll see. Maybe a bite.

Love you already,
Mom