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

Nine Months Old

Today, Dexter turns 9 months old and it seems as if so much has happened over the last month. In addition to getting my first mama a few days ago, my little guy is becoming quite the explorer....that's right, we now have a crawler on our hands. And with this new found freedom and desire to 'investigate' absolutely everything, saying you need eyes in the back of your head is an understatement.

Dexter is also getting so much better at manoeuvring and in the last few weeks has not only figured out how to get from a crawling position to a sitting position but now he can also pull himself upright on to his knees. Next step, on to his feet & then he'll be off!!

Lastly, on our previous monthly update we informed you all that Dexter had teeth numbers 5 & 6 making their way through... it became apparent a week or so later that teeth numbers 7 & 8 were also pushing through the surface!! No wonder my little man has been a bit grumpy for a few weeks, he must be in so much pain :( But oh my god, how cute is that smile going to look with a full set of front teeth :D 

Dexter @ 9 months

Dexter is such an independent little character now with a clear mind of his own - although this is not always a good thing, he can be so defiant sometimes lol but I am so proud to say he is mine! xx

My First Word

So today, I got what I had been waiting for. What all mummies wait for. Baby's first word.

And it just melted my heart to hear that first word was mama xx

Dinner time: self-service

The sense of pride you feel when you witness your child feed himself an entire meal, plus dessert and a drink for the first time is something only a parent would understand :)

First let's tackle this ravioli... it's a bit slippery...

Drink? Yes, please daddy!

Oooohhh, strawberries!! Don't mind if I do.

And the fact that after dusting down Dexter & the high chair this was the only mess on the floor, he obviously did a sterling job of getting the majority of it in his mouth. Clever boy! :D