Dear Birth Mother - Growing

There are many times when Max does something amazing, funny, or something that touches my heart and I immediately want to tell one person- his birth mom. Although we send regular updates to his birth parents, we don't as of yet have a face-to-face relationship with them, so many of the things that I would love to tell her go unsaid, so I am beginning this series to share what I wish I could say to her myself.

Please note that I am using "birthmother" to protect Max's birth mom's privacy, not because I don't know her name or don't want to address her personally.
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Dear Birthmother,

Every morning when I go to get him out of his bed he sits up, points to his face and says "nose."

We move onto eyes, ears, head, hair, hands, fingers, and toes. Some days he remembers to say "knee!", others he forgets or points to shin instead. He also loves to talk about belly buttons and gets frustrated when he's in a onesie or a romper and can't find his.

He's such an extraordinarily smart kid that it blows my mind. I know a lot of it is because I'm home with him to work on things like shapes and colors, but I have a hunch that you are the one he really gets his smarts from.

He talks all the time. A month or so ago I decided to count all the words he uses on a regular basis; I lost count after 30 or so, and he's added many since then. He says "up!" dozens of times a day, but my favorite to hear, of course, is "mama!"

He is such a strong-willed little boy, which I also have a hunch comes from you. There's no getting him to do something he doesn't want to and you will likely have a huge meltdown on your hands if you try. With his strong will also comes tenacity, though. He never gives up when he wants to accomplish something, a trait I hope he carries into adulthood.

Every day when I am holding our son, mine and yours, I think of you. I want you to know I don't take the gift you gave me for granted; it is my honor and privilege to be his mother, even during the times when I am exhausted and drained.

I want you to know, too, how much we love you. You, dear birthmother, are forever in our hearts.

Love always,