Dearest Son,

You are getting so big!  You haven’t gained any weight since coming home, but you are changing so much.  Your face looks different and I find myself amazed when I see a glimpse of the baby that I remember from the photos I received while I waited for you.  Every day I tell you, “Please!  Don’t grow any bigger.  I just want to enjoy you like this a little longer.”  You don’t listen.  How could you when you are in such a hurry to show off what you can do?  I know you need to grow bigger in order to do those things. 

Some days I feel cheated that we didn’t become a family earlier.  I so enjoy watching you grow and explore—even when it makes me think smarter.  Every day you amaze me.

Last week you crawled into the kitchen and practiced falling down.  I thought you were goofy—why would you choose the only uncarpeted room in the house to practice falling down?  It didn’t take long for you to show me.  The kitchen has always been the scarier room—for me, not so much for you.  The floors are slick and it is  difficult to navigate with your little socks and feet.  I don’t know how many times you cracked your head on the floor before you decided to take matters into your own hands.  So you practiced.  For nearly half an hour—up and down on your butt you went until you were sure your head was safe.  Only a day or two later I learned why.  It was time to stand holding on with only one hand.  Yep, one hand, baby.  You didn’t expect applause like you did when you first began standing up.  This required more thought.  You mastered it quickly and now I catch you letting go with both hands and I watch you drop after a second or two.  Always on your butt. 

When we were returning from Vietnam you were doted on by the Korean Airline staff.  Among your many gifts was this airplane on a key chain.  For the longest time you didn’t know that the string on the bottom of the plane could be pulled.  You would watch me pull the string and place the vibrating toy in your hands.  Last week I watched as you were able to pull the string a few inches with your teeth.  I couldn’t help but cringe—ouch!  This week you have mastered the toy.

You amaze me every day.  Today after the church service an elderly woman beat a path to us and told me she had seen us on TV.  She thought you were pretty amazing—even more so after meeting you in person.  You have that effect on people.  You can’t help it.  I was prepared for all the “he’s so lucky” comments, but amazingly most people recognize what I already know “I am the lucky one”.

You are a wonderful baby and a joy to be around.    Every day I sit and marvel at you.  Whether you are playing or sleeping or smiling up at me.  I just find you to be amazing.