That bigger tent

A year ago, I said we'd need a bigger tent.

Last year...

Well, here it is.

... and now

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I suspect that the few-posts-and-far-apart tendency isn't going to get any better anytime soon, so I'll take the opportunity to chuck in an update of the past six months.

Motherhood, of course, has been the dominant (and practically all-absorbing) feature. On the good days and in the good moments, it has been pretty amazing. On the bad days (and nights) and in the bad moments, pretty tough. Fortunately, summing up the roller-coaster, the good moments definitely prevail. 

Jan, with his six months and two teeth, is a happy and sociable little man who tends to smile at everyone around (to the point that I suspect people don't quite believe me when I'm exasperated about his howling hyena moments). Objectively stated, he's incredibly cute, funny and simply awesome (in addition to being the only person in the world who appreciates my singing).

Watching him grow, change and discover new things every week (or day) is just fascinating. I'm not sure how it happened, but he really isn't that small baby any more. He has mastered rolling around and pivoting on his belly, and is now working on perfectioning the guerilla fighter crawl. Combining these techniques he can cover surprising distances in a surprisingly short time, and his exploration radius increases daily (something I'm simultaneously excited and worried about).

Find me if you can

Taking the (sort of) regular photo of him growing is getting tricky...

... eventually, I won. For the moment.

Accordingly, the pace of our everyday life has slowed down and simple low-key domesticity has prevailed, and we've (almost) learned to accept that some things (all things, really) take ten times the amount of time as before.

Determined or delusional, we haven't quite (yet) given up attempts at mobility though, even if in adapted form.

In February, we went - in search of some sun - to Gran Canaria. There wasn't nearly as much sun as I had hoped for, but otherwise we found breathtaking inland (and quite terrible coast, but maybe we just didn't give it enough try), and caught up with my cousin Krista, who does these absolutely amazing murals and now lives in Gran Canaria. Plus, it was a great opportunity to take the nappy-changing-everywhere and breastfeeding-everywhere techniques to almost perfection. 

Trail around the Caldera de Bandama

Dunas de Maspalomas

 

Terror

 

Agüimes

Baby pit stop at presa La Sorrueda

Panorama from Roque Nublo... with Teide on the horizon

Sunset with Roque Bentayga and Roque Nublo

 

Family reunion in the most spectacular of places

When weather (and our energies) allowed, we've also been trying to leave Torino and venture out during weekends. With summer approaching and Jan growing, the success vs failure rate of these attempts has been improving (in favour of successes), so that's encouraging.

Heading to Chamois, a village in Valle d'Aosta which can't be reached by car

Posing with Cervino (Matterhorn)

The two... errr, three of us!

Monfol, Val di Susa, with the idea to reach rifugio Arlaud...

... but no, the little man was of a different opinion

Emergency appeasement

And that new tent? We've only tried it a couple of times so far, but I'm already in love with it.

Val di Susa...

... and the first night out. I confirm it can withstand a storm

Rifugio Levi Molinari

The great thing about it is that it gives us the flexibility to explore places further away from Torino, like the Val di Maira, which has long been on my list but makes no sense to go to for a day. 

Good night...

... and good morning!

Finally even I (and Jan) made it to Val di Maira

For once, being woken up early isn't that painful

A true Italian never travels without the moka, and I'm very happy to adapt to that

If the summer continues like this, I won't complain.