For a while now I have been following some blogs that post about life in Japan. You might have seen some of those links in my Blogroll section. I am absolutely fascinated and one day I will have to go to Japan as well and see for myself. I've always loved Japanese food so it would be worth just going for that, but of course there's a lot more to discover. Reading those blogs I've also seen a few TV spots that from my Westerner perspective seem very odd - and cruel. I guess you have to grow up in the culture to understand the humour in that. But occasionally I find something that I find very funny too, like Gaki no Tsukai via Undercover in Japan.

More information on Japanese TV can be found on TV in Japan.

My little darling has already mastered the art of pulling up one eyebrow only - just like his dad. They are both able to move their right eyebrow (ok, left one if you look at them) independently from the other one. Something I can't do at all.

See for yourself in this little movie (15 seconds, 6.2 MB - please download and watch from your own PC).

Not much - eating, sleeping, having a regular poo and a wee, screaming unhappily when waiting for food or being changed. Just as well babies are soooo cute. Sometimes Yannick is smiling when asleep - undoubtedly dreaming about eating. He makes the sweetest sounds when eating, he seems to really happy with that sometimes. I can't wait for his first smile when he's awake.

Outside

First moments of Yannick's life outside the womb. He doesn't look impressed.

After a quiet week in - to get some strength again - , today we decided to go for a first walk with Yannick. I was dying to get out, one more full day in the confinement of the house would have been too much. I was very happy when I found that I already fit back into my normal trousers and look like a normal person again (something women desperately want especially during the last month of pregnancy), but I was even happier when I realised Yannick loves to be in the pram. He just slept through the whole trip.

I have to say time after giving birth is confusing.

First of all the body has to heal from this violent event and to be honest the realisation how done for it I was, was more shocking than the birth itself. I knew giving birth would hurt and my time in the hospital was so short that I couldn't even have any pain killers apart from gas and air, so I experienced the full monty, but nobody really prepares you for the way the body feels afterwards.

In addition to that you have to swing into full mum mode instantly. As the little one initially needs constant attention you are bound to lack a lot of sleep. However, the night sleeping seems to have worked itself out after two or three nights. We are sharing a bed and the little one gets all the attention he needs when he wakes up hungry, and then we just go back sleeping. I just hope this stays that way as I feel so much better after some good night's sleep!!!

The hardest thing was actually the days so far. Yannick is one of those babies who want to be carried all the time, and of course nursing is the best thing ever. Sleeping on mummy's lap is the second best thing, so you can imagine I really can't do much without Frank's help. Frank's been brilliant, took on all the housework, shopping and whatever else that was needed to let me heal and look after Yannick. However, at some point Frank will go back to work and I won't be able to hand Yannick over anymore when I need a break. I'll have to test a sling to carry him to become somewhat more mobile in the house.

Finally, there is the baby blues that you have to deal with. About three to five days after giving birth the wonderful pregnancy hormones go away and new mums tend to be weepy for no reason at all. I had my momemts where I simply felt completely overwhelmed by everything and just sat here and wished I was in a different life. But if things continue on the route they do now, we'll be fine.

Take a look at our absolutely adorable little son:

Sunday afternoon my work was done, Yannick Willem Krämer arrived in this world at 16:25h GMT in Winchester in the UK. He was 10 days late, but is a perfect little man, and just about managed to stay an April baby. He weighed 3480 grammes and was 52 cm long.

He is doing fine but taking all of our time and energy at this point, so I won't be posting much nor be on Yahoo or mail. Many, many thanks for all of the congratulatory mails and presents that we received already!!! Please follow the link below to see a few first photos of our little face pulling wonder.