11 Months

Dear Eliza,

You are now 11 months old! You’re an old pro at walking now and you are all over the place trying to figure out running, jumping, and climbing. You are so active already and love being outside, especially on walks. You love bath time, especially when Nora is heading it up, and you also adore when Tinnin plays with you. You are so sweet and we love watching you blossom. 

Tomorrow you’ll go to the mikvah as a way to celebrate your upcoming first birthday. I deliberately chose the date because it will mark your great-grandma’s 27th yarhzeit. I told Rabbi Kim that it will be like gathering four generations of Ruiz women in one place, since you are also named for Grandma. I wrote a special blessing for you this afternoon and I just know I’m going to cry while reading it. I love you so much and I desperately wish Grandma was here to hold you. 

I love being your mama, sweet girl. You have expanded my heart in ways I never thought possible and you are the brightest ray of sunshine in my life. As your Auntie Shira said, you are so wildly and incredibly loved by so many people.

Love,

Mama