Suddenly, autumn has made its appearance in 2024.

Even until mid-September, the days were as hot as summer, but after a rainy spell, the air turned cooler and soon developed into full autumn weather. Casting a glance at the clear, blue sky and the greenery during my commute, the thought struck me to take a family stroll by the Han River with my wife and our little one.

Our baby is nearing 100 days old, and the soft newborn physique is now replaced with noticeable muscles. She holds her head up well and gazes at my wife and me, babbling occasionally with diverse expressions. It made me wonder, 'Wouldn't it be beneficial for her emotional growth to show her the outside world since she can perceive colors?'

Thus, I thought it would be a good chance for my wife, who usually stays indoors with the baby, to join us for a casual walk during such lovely weather.

Preparing for an early evening walk by the Han River after work was more involved than anticipated. We timed it to coincide with her waking from a nap, fed her right before leaving to avoid hunger-induced crying outdoors, and changed her diaper. We heated the water in the formula flask to 65°C, packed it with a bottle, included a spare bottle, and put a baby towel and wipes in the bag. Dressed her with mittens, socks, and a hat before finally securing her in a baby carrier—ready for our walk.

All set and stepping out, the sky was painted with a sunset glow, hinting at the picturesque scenery waiting by the Han River. Fortunately, our baby seemed captivated by the new surroundings, intently observing everything without fussing, letting my wife and me breathe a sigh of relief. Strolling by a cafe, we picked up sandwiches and coffee for dinner, heading towards the river.

Upon reaching the Han River, likely due to the pleasant weather, many others were out walking or exercising. Our baby, absorbing so much new stimulation on the way, was already asleep in our arms, letting my wife and me enjoy a stroll down the riverside, reminiscent of old date days.

As we chatted walking along the riverside, dusk settled in. We found steps nearby to sit and began arranging our dinner picnic.

Settling on a spot and taking a bite of the sandwich, the baby woke up. We instinctively anticipated her hunger, so we put aside our sandwiches, pulled out the warm flask and bottle to prepare her formula. She sipped her formula while my wife and I alternated bites of our sandwiches, marking our first family meal outdoors since our child's birth.

Back home and unstrapped from the carrier, tiredness settled in. Wary of possible colds, we hurriedly prepped a bath and bottle-fed our baby before tucking her into bed so we could finally relax. Although it was an exhausting day, the beauty of the scenery and the success of our first Han River walk left our hearts fulfilled.

How did this day fare in our baby's mind? She might not remember it, but I hope she held onto the heartwarming feel of the world outside from that day.