Josh’s birthmom’s 6 month letter – unmailed version

Dear Josh,

You got your first diaper rash yesterday, on the Eve of your 6th month birthday. It’s really bad, and it makes me want to cry with you.

You’re crawling. I prayed for it not to happen until you were at least ten years months old. Oh well. It’s slow and ugly, but hey – you get exactly where you want to go.

On Jacob’s 6 month “birthday” we had a “Half Birthday Party”. You’re not getting one. I see those pictures and all at once think: cute and wow, how much spare time did I have anyway? Good grief. I guess this will start the long list of things that the 2nd child is denied since he’s not an only child. You’ll live.

You love Tioga dog. A lot. Sometimes he tries to sit in your lap and you pet and grab him while laughing. He must think it’s like a massage because he sits there and takes it. You chew on his ears and pull his whiskers. He kisses your face all the time and sometimes you even stick your tongue out. Sick.

It’s 8:48 am and you’re still sleeping. I’d kiss you all over, but that will have to wait until you wake up. Apparently, you got the memo that Jacob missed: When your naps stink the day before, make it up by sleeping in. Thank you ever so much for paying attention when that one came through in baby school.

I’ve been thinking a ton lately about the circumstances surrounding your adoption. There’s things that I most likely will want to do differently for when we get you another sibling one day. That said – there is nothing that I would change if it would mean that you wouldn’t be my son. You are amazing and incredible and you fill me with a physical joy I didn’t quite get before.

Mom