Night before Alexander's 1st birthday

Sitting here feeding my baby the night before he turns one. Where has that time gone? To think that a year ago I was preparing to head into hospital - nervous, excited, wondering what the future would hold. A year on and it has been an amazing journey. I can't imagine life without Alexander, he just fits our family so well. Daniel and Eliza adore him, James and I love him. His cheeky personality, his gorgeous smile, even while being sick his cheerfulness. Alexander is so clever with all that he is learning. To take his first steps today was very exciting, although sad for me with it being another last first. He is growing up before my eyes and time just seems to be going by too quickly. 

I have been in denial about Alexander turning 1 tomorrow. I have been in denial about him growing up. Why? Because he is my baby, my last baby. Time just seems to be going too quickly. It feels like I blink and the moments are gone.

So what am I doing about it? I'm trying to savour each of these 'last times'. I'm trying to enjoy the night feeds, even though they exhaust me because I know that soon they will be gone. I'm trying to savour the 1sts because I know there will be no more. I'm trying to enjoy seeing Alexander's little personality come out because that gives me insight to the gorgeous boy that he will be. I'm trying to capture the moments of love between the kids - Daniel and Eliza helping, playing with Alexander because I'm sure as he gets bigger he is going to annoy them more and there will be more arguments. I am trying to make the most of all these things and more. I am stopping and listening to him chat and babble different things. I am stopping and watching him play and fiddle with his toys. I am holding him a bit longer when cuddling him at night before bed with his head on my shoulder. I am trying to not stress about his thumb sucking, knowing that he will eventually grow out of it. 

My dear Alexander, this year has gone too quickly but you are so clever, such a delight, such a joy and so lovely. We love having you in our family. We love watching you grow and learn, even though it all seems to be happening too quickly. I can't wait (but I also can) to see how you grow up. To see the man you become. To see you grow and learn about our God. You are so precious to us all and you are such a delight. Happy birthday for tomorrow sweetheart.

Riding

Daniel has started to get back into riding his bike. He is doing a great job and has started to work out how to start riding on his own. He is picking up good speed and is having more control riding around the pavers too. 

Since getting back from Tasmania, Eliza has started to enjoy riding her trike on her own too. I'm so pleased about this because she was so hesitant to ride it before but now she has picked it up so well. 

 

'Now for my next trick'

Alexander has been a busy boy since we got back home from Tasmania. While over there he started to stand on his own. While at the Farmstay James helped him to start standing by himself by holding him up and then letting go. Then when we were in Devonport I was lying on the ground and Alexander was learning on me. He started to push off me and stand by himself for a few seconds. He was very please with himself.

On 24th April Alexander tried to stand up. He'd put his hands on the ground, straighten his legs and then bop or fall down again. It was a good start.

Daniel and Eliza then decided to try and encourage him and help him to stand.

 Then on the 29th April while I was out for a walk with Anne, Alexander apparently decided to crawl over to his walker, stood up at it and then started to use it to walk. He seemed very happy to start walking again.

He was clever enough to walk one handed when I got home.

He is great with walking straight but needs to work out how to steer. He really enjoys being up and moving though.

Mum and Dad also found a walker which we can use outside. He was pretty excited to try it out too.

 On 2nd May Alexander was in the back room and started to try standing again. He pushed up a few times and then fell straight down onto his bottom but then he did it again and he stood on his own! So clever. After a few seconds he then dropped down again. But he then tried again and stood up again. I love that he gives himself a round of applause for doing it.

Since then he has started to stand heaps on his own. When James got home he asked him to stand and he did it straight away, clapping included. Clever boy!

Then in the hallway Alexander was playing with Eliza and Daniel and he was having a great time standing up with them. It is very sweet watching them clap and cheer for him when he learns new skills.

Daniel was desperate to have a photo with Alexander

And then Eliza wanted to be in a photo too

They even help hold Alexander's hand to encourage him to try and walk with them.

Alexander play

Alexander enjoys playing ball and he's pretty good at throwing it to other people.

I love watching his face light up when throwing it. Bless.

This little cheeky boy enjoys climbing and is so proud of himself when he does. When putting some things up high in the cupboard, Alexander took the chance to climb up the ladder.

He is becoming quite a snugly boy when tired. Most times before naps and bedtime he will place his head on my shoulder, nuzzle in and then suck his thumb (not too keen on the last part but can't really do much about it most of the time). It is really precious moment. I just love it.

Bedtime often becomes a family affair

Alexander has started to do actions that I remember Eliza doing while eating meals. One in particular is what we called 'Eliza tilt'. Now it will need to be 'Alexander tilt'. It's just as cute as when she did it.

Alexander has also found that he can get onto the ride on horse now. Daniel loves pushing and pulling him around on it. That's what big brothers are for right?

 Alexander just loves music and dancing. Like the other 2, when music turns on he just starts to bop, bounce, dance. I hope this love for music continues. I also love the leg tapping too.