The daily routine

One of the things everyone tells you about raising a baby is the importance of routine. It makes life easier for them - they eat and sleep effieciently and at the right time - and as a result it's easier for you - they eat and sleep efficiently and at the right time, ideally the former during the day and the latter mostly through the night.

We (well, mostly Johanna) have managed to establish a few markers to the day: mealtimes for solids, once in the morning, once in the afternoon and once in the evening; massage and bath from 6pm; and bed at about 7pm.

Another of the few certainties to our day is that Kirin and I get to spend a little time on our own in the mornings. I take him from about 6:30am-7am until about 8. It may sound a bit early but no matter how tired I am, there are two things that make it all ok. First, invariably Johanna is infinitely more tired than I am and it would seem a bit insensitive of me to complain of fatigue. Second, and even more important, when you go into Kirin's room at the start of the day he is always excited, smiley, and generally happy to see you. He especially likes it when I say, "Hello, good morning!" like my mum does (i.e. in a slightly Indian accent).

We manage to do a lot in that time, from playing in the gym, reading a story and doing some exercise to putting everything into our mouths, making breakfast and ironing my shirt (he watches, I press). And, occasionally, taking the odd photo.