Babies: the joy, heartbreak and cuteness of a baby's first year

LAST year we introduced you to Generation Alpha, 100 beautiful babies born in 100 days. Now our cheeky little boys and girls are celebrating their first birthdays.

Claire Harvey and Jane Hansen

4 min read

June 16, 2014 - 4:03PM

DailyTelegraph

LAST year we introduced you to Generation Alpha, 100 beautiful babies born in 100 days. Now our cheeky little boys and girls are celebrating their first birthdays, and we’re thrilled to bring you this collection of photographs and interviews with their exhausted parents about everything from teething to tantrums.

William Dening

Mother Jodi Dening: He’s a cheeky little boy. He always has his tongue out all the time. He’s got a very soft nature and he’s so proud of all his achievements: learning to crawl, then taking steps. We’re having another baby; due in September. We always wanted two together. I have three older children so with William I had the support — so I’ve had no post-natal depression. I did have it with my first. I’d say all mothers need to spend a lot of time with their friends, especially with a first child, for that support. Getting into a mothers’ group really helped, even now with my fourth child.

7 May 2013

Bryn Morgan

Mother Lauren Myers: Bryn’s a really great baby. I just thought babies screamed at you for two years and when he was born we thought: ‘Oh, he’s really chilled out.’ He’s really funny. He’s not crawling or walking yet; he’s wriggling around and pulling himself up. He does a downward dog on his head. It’s so nice to see my male friends love the baby as much as I do. There’s something so nice about seeing men interact with children so lovingly.

10 May 2013

Peter Terzic

Mother Peta Terzic: Little Pete is just so energetic. He’s always on the move, a really bubbly little man. Things have been wonderful since I really relaxed. Once I learnt to relax and accept he is who he is and go with it, everything fell into place. I was always given advice initially not to use a dummy but I found Pete really liked it. Getting him to sleep with a dummy was something I was reluctant about — but now I wish I didn’t wait that long. Just remember every child’s unique in the same way adults are.

8 May 2013

Ash Wild

Mother Sonali Pandey: Ash has been great. He’s extremely determined and very independent and I think that’s partly because he has an elder brother who’s having his Terrible Threes. (Older brother) Arjan’s afraid of him a bit, which is good. Less damage to the baby, I think. He’s developing a personality and he’s fighting for himself. I had post-natal depression with both my children, and I sought help from my GP. I’m very glad I did. Knowing there are other people out there who have similar problems can be amazing. Just be kind to yourself. You’re going to make mistakes. You’re not the best parent in the world. That person doesn’t exist.

12 May 2013

Xavier Lindsey

Mother Tiffany Lindsay: Xavier is very sensitive. If we walk out of the room he gets upset. The biggest highlight was when he started walking. He took the first few steps and we were clapping him and he was so excited and laughing. It was wonderful. My advice to parents: financially plan so you can have more time off.

20 February 2013

Xavier Delanie

Father Steven Delanie: He’s quite a determined little boy but very mellow, quiet and easygoing. Teething has been the hardest, just watching his first experience of pain wasn’t too much fun. We try to have date night and still make time to see each other as adults.: just enjoy each moment because it goes so quickly.

5 March 2013

Ethan Fussell

Mother May Fussell: Ethan constantly surprises me and makes me smile every day. He is a confident, happy, independent yet sensitive little boy. He wakes 2-3 plus times a night … but with patience and communication, we cope well. There is already another baby cooking. The less baby books you read the better. After all, your baby hasn’t read those books.

4 March 2013

Eli Gerhardt

Mother Andrea Gerhardt: Eli was walking at 10 and half months. His is very inquisitive, loud and very, very social. He was born with an enlarged kidney, but we hope to get the all clear soon, otherwise his health is great and he eats like a monster. Advice: don’t introduce the TV as soon as we did. We noticed he was quiet in front of the TV so when we want him to be quiet we turn the TV on.

17 March 2013

Aria Groenewald

Mother Danni Carr: She is very, very noisy and she has a good voice and she gets that from her dad. Aria is also very bossy. I love watching her and her five-year-old sister interact, they just love each other. The worst part is that Dad is a musician and away a lot on tour. Best advice is get a sleep nanny — if ever in doubt, employ a professional.

8 March 2013

Ella Hardi

Mother Michelle Gettings: Ella is a happy girl and very cheeky and just seeing her smile and giving us big kisses and hugs is the very best bit. The sleep deprivation has been tough but you get used to being a walking zombie. I tried to breastfeed but it just didn’t work out. I’d like to go back to work; a mum needs an outlet. I’ll go back a few days a week, but there are simply not enough places for children under two.

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Babies: the joy, heartbreak and cuteness of a baby's first year