11 Months!

I've been thinking that Daniel's 11 month birthday would be the least important (not that it's really possible to have a less important month) out of all during his first year since it's so close to the big ONE.  But, now that I'm sitting down with this post, I realize that it's actually one of the most special.  I suppose this is my baby's last birthday as a "baby".  Doesn't he turn into a "toddler" next month?

Last night (his actual 11 month birthday), I came home late from a work dinner (after leaving at 7am, thereby barely seeing Daniel) and I snuck into his room (which I do every night).  Rather than just caressing him, I lifted him out of his crib and held him for 10 or so minutes.  I was amazed by how big he felt - how substantial he felt in my arms and I allowed myself to simply be in the moment - enjoying the weight of my sleeping baby boy in my arms.

Daniel is growing so fast that it's hard to sometimes see him for who is is on any given day, rather than remembering him as a little baby or thinking about what it will be like when he's running around.  Last night, however, I enjoyed every second of my beautiful, babbling, crawling, cruising, smiley, serious, loving and sleeping baby boy.
 

 Happy 11 month birthday, Daniel Bing!