Unlike my other half, I didn't have living grandparents. I've seen photos but that's about it. I feel for my own parents that their parents didn't have a chance to see me, and I think this makes it all the more special for my parents especially to have seen and held their grandchild in their lifetime.
To be honest, I never expected to be in the situation I am now. I thought that marriage and families happened to other people, and I was convinced, or rather became to accept the idea that I wouldn't marry or settle down or start a family. But, it's happened. And if it's happened to me, it could happen to anyone.
I remember when our little lad was delivered in the hospital. Sadly I wasn't able to cut the cord - it was wrapped around his neck and the medical team had to ensure he was checked out in good time. He didn't cry either. This was rather worrying for us, but after a jab of vitamin K he did give out a healthy yelp and it wasn't until some days later at home that his lungs cleared properly and he found his voice - and what a voice it was!
Perhaps my proudest moment of that Sunday 12th April 2015 was calling my father to let him know the news. We didn't mention that we had been in hospital that Sunday and had only spoken the night before. When he answered the telephone, I said "Hello, granddad". I'm pretty sure he had a lump in his throat.
We were lucky to be home the next day, Monday 13th April. That Sunday night was the last night of decent sleep we've had since. The first few days at home were particularly difficult. You simply lose track of time - you don't brush your teeth, you forget to eat, you don't have time to wash, you don't know whether you have food in the fridge. All focus is on this incredible little being, another person in the house and the reality hits you that it's another member of the family, solely reliable on you as a parent.
I have learnt since then that some fathers are afraid to hold or assist with all things baby-related, so I'm so glad I got stuck in early on. Changing nappies and dressing the lad was difficult at first but the whole thing came naturally to us both. We were worried we wouldn't be able to cope or know what to do, but the truth is the whole thing clicked, even if there were still of lot of things we had to learn.
Now, he is over 6 months old. It's not got any easier. In fact, looking back now, it was indeed difficult back then because we didn't know what we were doing. Now we do but our lad is being quite a handful already. He's rolling over onto his back and wriggling a lot, so changing nappies and dressing him can be a challenge, and he has what is perhaps a little of the 'separation anxiety' that we've read about. He does demand a lot of attention and cries a lot when he's not being tended to.
We've also started weaning. First week it was carrots and he's now on to parsnips. We'll try potato and avocado next, and he loves drinking water already. All this points to him demanding less milk from my other half, which in turn will mean she gets a bit more rest.
Time flies.
