11 months!

Dearest Dani girl-

Well, we are almost closer to your one year birthday now, but I am finally writing your 11 month letter. Your grandma and grandpa call you "bushka" as a nickname (even though I already came up with Dani). I love closing my eyes in the middle of the day and imagining your big toothy grin and the way you cruise around on all the furniture now. You've taken a couple steps on your own before tumbling into our arms or catching yourself on the sofa. We are making bets about whether you'll be walking by your first birthday or not.

I have to say I could not imagine how it would ever get better after holding you in my arms when you were born and somehow, you always manage to bring more and more joy to our lives. I love crawling around with you, suprising you behind corners and making you giggle till you can hardly breathe.

I love giving you baths and watching you splash around and try to drink the running water (and the water you're sitting in) and looking up at me and laughing. I love watching you when you've fallen asleep in my arms, exhausted from all the playing of the day and when you wake up in the morning with your sleepy eyes, just wanting to be cuddled for a bit.

I LOVE the way you give us hugs when we ask for them, how you point at all the little kids' faces at gym jam, how you are adventurous and go off on your own so easily to try new things. I love how you learn so fast- how to put things away, what a dog says, where our noses are. I love how you want so badly to be bigger and run around with all your boy cousins.

You are a tough, fiesty little girl with a heart of gold and I just thank God for all the moments He's given us with you already. My heart is full of wonderful memories to cherish with you. Can't wait to see what you'll do next!

Love,
Mami and Papi