Three

In some way, it feels completely surreal. But at the same time, it also feels profoundly right.

Our tiny Jan was born in November. Beautiful, perfect and all ours.

The first weeks with him took me a bit by surprise.

I didn't expect how little time he needed to convert two adults into a couple of drooling idiots completely and blindly in love with just over three kilos of humanity. In fact, when in one of the antenatal classes we had to draw up a list of our expectations of motherhood and fatherhood, and one of the girls in the group came up with "unconditional love", Miky and I rolled our eyes at what seemed to us like a grossly diabetic exaggeration. It took us only a few days after Jan (or Honzík, for the Czechs) was born to acknowledge that, in reality, she was right.

I also didn't expect that the first weeks would be not only survivable, but, well - just magical really. Probably it's because Jan has so far been a very peaceful baby, and (especially) because Miky is able to be at home, for which I'm incredibly thankful. Being in two makes a huge difference, and I was lucky to be able to dedicate practically all the time to breastfeeding, while Miky took care of all the rest, from feeding the two of us to changing nappies. Plus, my expectations of early motherhood had been so close to apocalyptic that practically any reality was bound to turn out better. Yes, sleep deprivation, stitches, kickstarting the breastfeeding, doubts and all that have been difficult, but overall we have spent these weeks in a happy intimate bubble.

Men who change nappies change the world

It's clear who is winning

Version asleep

Version awake

And so we are slowly finding our new rhythm. I realised, and am learning to accept, that - apart from keeping our little man alive and fed - there is only one thing I can do in a day, like going for a walk, taking a nap, cutting my fingernails, seeing a friend, or similar.

Slowly we are also adding on our list of achievements. A walk outside with Jan in the wrap. A walk with the pram. Getting out of the house while there is still light outside. Not crying with pain while breastfeeding. Becoming proficient in poo colours. The first trip outside of town.

Leaving the town for the first time. A mini-tour in the Langhe region

Grinzane Cavour

La Morra

Baby pit stop

And of course, the most important achievement - Jan growing in front of our eyes.

One week

Week and half

Two weeks

So I guess we are doing pretty well :-)