My first painting for mummy & daddy

My Christmas Tree

Created in Dexter's first settle session at nursery 05.12.13

The Birthday Party

Only being a year old, of course Dexter had no idea what Sunday 10th November 2013 was going to hold in store.... so much so that he decided to have a lie in! But when he did finally stir I went downstairs ahead to capture his reaction.

 Present opening took up so much of our morning. You cannot rush a one year old haha

He seemed to like what we got him...

Then after a much needed nap (present opening is tiring, you know!) we got the birthday boy dressed up in his party clothes and ready to face his public.

The day went really well and this lucky little boy received lots of fab gifts and cards!! The three of us want to say a massive thank you everyone who came and made our little man's first birthday a special day to remember xx

One Year Old!!

Well, what can I say? It doesn't seem two minutes since the day that my little man entered this world and yet so much has happened that it almost seems like a lifetime ago at the same time. But here we are, 1 year on... and what an amazing year it has been. Dexter has brought so much joy to our lives over the past 12 months and we struggle to remember what life was like before he came along!

Dexter over the the past 12 months

It's unbelievable how much he has changed, in every aspect. He has grown so big and strong, developed new skills and a fantastic personality but most of all his appearance has altered so much so that he is almost unrecognisable to the baby I brought home :) although he was totally gorgeous the day he was born and this is one thing that has never changed.

(Is it sad that it makes me cry watching this...?)

Mummy & daddy love you loads baby bear!! Happy 1st birthday xxxxxxxxxxxx

Lights! Camera! Action!

Having a portrait done has been an idea we've had for a while now, but we wanted to wait until Dexter was a little bit older and more active as we felt that we would get a better result in the end. So a couple of weeks ago we took Dexter for a photo shoot at Capture Portraits in Sowerby Bridge.

And what a lovely experience it was... it took Dexter only a few minutes to get past being shy in a strange place and in the company of a strange person and once he was off, boy was he off! Half an hour of 3 adults (the photographer, Shane and myself) crawling around a studio floor trying to keep up with 1 small boy must have been quite a sight and I think me & Shane found it more tiring than Dexter did haha

But it was lots of fun and the end result was definitely worth it....

 These are just a few of the selection, but there were so many brilliant shots to choose from on the day. We struggled to just pick one or two and ended up coming away 13!

Eleven Months Old

Just where has 11 months gone? Every day Dexter seems to somehow look different, like he's changed, or gotten older... which of course he has, but he literally does just grow overnight! and is now comfortably wearing clothes of 1-1 1/2 years.

The most change this past month has been with regards to personality. Over the last few weeks Dexter has become so affectionate giving the cutest cuddles every morning when we get him out of bed, snuggling up to us to watch TV... he is just so lovely to be around at the moment.

Dexter can cruise the furniture like lightening these days, however we still seem a way off those first steps without holding on. Maybe not as far off as we think though. Although there have been no attempts at walking unaided, Dexter is getting braver and quite often let's go when he is up on his feet and can stand well balanced with no help at all! Big boy!

Despite our best efforts to encourage another word into Dexter's vocabulary, we have still had no luck getting that all important dada yet. Or hiya. But he waves lots now (when he feels like it, anyway).

I'm already getting so excited for next month now, planning and preparing! Blimey, it will his birthday before we know it... we've even made a start on buying some presents. Although I'm sure Dexter would be thrilled with just the boxes and wrapping paper :)

Dexter @ 11 months

Ten Months Old

My beautiful son turns 10 months old today and is so grown up!

Following a routine visit from our Health Visitor a few weeks ago we were extremely happy to be told that Dexter is not only on track, but actually ahead of where they would expect him to be at this age. And as he continues to steadily gain weight we had him measured for the first time too... I can no longer call my little munchkin a little munchkin anymore. Not now that I know he is 2ft 6in tall !!!!!!

Dexter has come on leaps and bounds with his mobility this past month. After mustering the strength to pull himself up on to his knees last month, shortly after came standing... and since he cracked it he's only happiest when he can be on his feet!

First time pulling himself to his feet.... oooh he is a bit wobbly

And seeing as he was getting plenty of practice, it wasn't long after mastering standing up that Dexter began cruising the furniture.

He is such a fast little mover now, I just know that once he dares to let go he will be able to outrun me, yikes! haha I can't believe how fast things are changing and I love celebrating each new milestone my little man reaches.

Dexter @ 10 months old

My first shoes

Today, we took a little trip to Clark's to buy Dexter his first pair of proper shoes (well, cruisers)! He was so well behaved whilst the lady measured his feet and poked around to make sure his toes were in the right place. And from the smile on his face we think he liked them :)

 Dexter Fleming's first shoes, size 3½F