Dear 11 Month Old Mason

Dearest Mason,
Tonight I rocked you a little bit longer than usual before I put you in your crib. As I gave you your bedtime bottle (something you just started calling "bubble" today) I took mental snapshots of my little boy. I watched you stretch your arms and fingers out into the darkness, reaching for my lips and nose. I noticed how you lay across my entire lap so relaxed. It seems like just yesterday that you fit into the crook of my arm. I know our days are numbered where you will fall asleep in my arms. It's more common nowadays that you have your milk, and then smile and chatter at me while I wrestle a burp out of you. We had a long day today, so I wasn't surprised that you fell asleep mid bottle. I was on my way to laying you down to sleep when I stopped myself. I wondered if this would be the last time you would fall asleep in the darkness with me. The last "routine" bedtime bottle. I decided to sit back down with your tiny arms wrapped around my neck and rock with you a bit longer. A couple tears rolled down my cheek as I hugged you close. How did we get here so quickly? How is it possible that you are going to be 11 months old in just a couple of days?

One of the many "sleeping baby pictures" that I have taken of you!

 I feel like I am just figuring out motherhood and now you almost done being a baby! I'm already seeing glimpses of a toddler in you as you maneuver through your day. It makes me sad but mostly excited for what our future brings! You are such a cool little boy! You love to give your Mommy and Daddy hugs and kisses (even though the kisses tend to look like you are trying to eat our face!) You are very studious; I love how you always flip your toys over "to see how they work". Maybe someday you'll be an Engineer. You love to be tickled and thrown up in the air. You scream with joy when I pretend to almost drop you. I can picture us riding roller coasters together some day! You are full of energy and happiness! You have start shaking your head "no" at things and when I tell you "yes", you get a big goofy smile on  your face. It's so hard to be serious with you when you give me that grin! I see your father in you so much when you smile. My heart melts when you say "Muma" or "Dada". And just this week, you started saying "hi" and "bye bye". I love that we taught you that! When you learn new things daily, it reminds me that I'm doing something right. Thank you. Thank you for teaching me that I'm a good Mom.

"No more pictures Mum!"

Paint!

I wish I knew what you were thinking here!

Before you were born, I promised myself that I would revel in each moment of your life. I am so proud that I have kept my word. I've taken in each milestone you've hit, filling your baby book with dates and pictures. As sad as I am that your "baby life" is slipping away from me, I know that I have indulged in every waking moment; never taking your precious life for granted! I  hope that when you read this, you will see how much I truly love you. You will overlook all my crazy Mom moments and just know that everything I did was for your health and happiness.

You are my world, you are my everything. I love you my baby boy.