Do you know,where is the time going?Because,really,I have no idea!!!One minute,I am moping over the weekend that got over too soon and the next thing I know,its almost time for the next weekend.
Everyday,I think about updating the blog..Every day,I think of all the things,that I want to share with you all and every day,I promise myself,I will write after the girls are in bed..but,nope!doesn’t happen!!
OK,first things first,Babykins needs to be rechristened:) SD wants her to be known as Babychino on the blog..Since I picked Babushka’s name,I guess,its only fair to let him pick the baby’s name.So,Babykins will hence be known as BabyChino here:)
So much has happened since I last updated-
We completed 3 months as a family of 4! Yes,BabyChino turned 3 months and wow!! is she the cutest 3 month old or what!!! She has found her voice and keeps trying it out,every waking minute..She loves having long conversations and to my ears,its the best music ever..:)
We celebrated BabyChino’s first Diwali and she decided that she wasn’t really interested in a Happy Diwali afterall!!She cried and cried from 3:30pm till 6:00pm..Going off to sleep in between.She calmed down long enough for us to get dressed..and then started crying again..when it time to do the Lakshmi Puja.I wore a saree after more than a year..and in a record time of under 10 minutes!!
Babushka had her new school orientation and today we went in for the information night! She will start Prep in February and Gosh!I can’t wrap my head around it..that my first baby will go to a BIG school everyday,wearing a uniform!!She has another transition day,next week and can’t wait for it to be next year.
Babushka also started Kumon and after the initial excitement fizzled off,she isn’t too happy with the Maths worksheets.. but she loves English and is trying to read,looking at pictures.
My weight-loss has stopped..I haven’t seen the scale shift in the last ten days..All the Diwali sweets and no walking,don’t seem to help either.I keep thinking,I will go for a walk,but the constant running around in the house and driving to and from the kinder/kumon/library etc,4 days a week..means a long backlog of housework,and effectively no me-time!
I still haven’t booked the CT scan..SD fell sick last week..along with the girls..hopefully tomorrow,I will book the scan.
Ohh.. we celebrated Halloween this year:) Babushka dressed up like a Witch Princess and BabyChino was a Turtle.Lets just say,we brought home a big haul of treats…which is a big thing,considering,Halloween isn’t big in Australia.
I leave you with some pictures:)
See I can Roll:)

And this is how I wake up my big sister:)

Happy Halloween:)

See you soon,till then,Be good and Take care of yourself 🙂

Oh my Ananya,
I cannot believe,you have been with us for only 3 months,so far 🙂 Gosh!it feels like forever,baby!
You are the cutest,funniest 3 month old..I mean it,really! You,have discovered your voice a couple days back and since then,our life has just become so musical. You spend every waking moment trying out your voice..and the sweetest part is when we go away from you and come back to you,you greet us with the most excited babble.
You are rolling over,every now and again and its really exciting for us to watch you like that. You used to hate tummy-time,but slowly,you are reaching the point when you lift your head for longer times and when we clap excitedly,it makes you very happy.
Anzie,you are happy in crowds.You love the sounds,the new faces,the activity and you don’t mind if new people hold you.But,you know what,Bubba, you now know your people from the other people.We recently took you to a party,where some of our friends,took turns holding you.You were fine for quite sometime,cooing and gurgling to them…and then suddenly for no apparent reason,you started fussing..Nothing they did seemed to calm you..Your Papa was summoned,because,I was eating..and as soon as he picked you up,you were happy.
When you see Mumma,you get so excited..you have the widest grin on your face,followed by a deep throated laugh and the whole-body-shaking excitement!!Aah,Bless!
While earlier,you were happy and content,to lie around in your crib,while I rushed through to finish the morning chores or get your big sister ready for school,those days are over.Now,you want to be in the middle of action.You hate being in a position,from where you can’t see whats happening.Even when we go out,you are no longer content,lying down in your stroller, you like to sit up and look around. And you stay away for as long as possible- you keep your eyes open till the very last minute!!
Even when we are nursing,if you hear anyone talking,you have to stop and listen.If I am the one that’s talking,then you want to join in and have your own little conversation:)
All this is a lot of fun..but you are turning into a little clingy baby..You just want mumma to carry you all the time..and I do..I feel bad for dragging you out all day long.. picking up and dropping your sister to her kinder and library and kumon.I totally get you,that we don’t get to spend enough face to face time.. but really,Bubba,Mumma can’t carry you all day long.
YOu know whats my favorite bit of you? You need some one-on-one time with mumma,everyday..really.. I figured it out,a few weeks back.And since I figured it out,I actually look forward to it.At the end of the day,you need Mumma to take you to another room,just you and mumma..and we have to spend some quiet time,that makes you so happy.
Your didi wants that kind of time too..and I feel like,I am constantly stretching myself…but God!I love it.. I love her..and I love you..and I love watching you both with each other…such fun..so much love and I can’t get over the fact,that I created you both.. that you came out of me..you precious little one!
I have to stop now..coz you are screaming…
Love you,always
Mumma

I think its pregnancy and baby season..So many of my friends and their friends and their friends’ friends are either pregnant or have newborns or babies:)Even in my immediate friend circle,4 of us had babies 20 days to a month apart and 3 others around the same date.
So,when Anne from Women’s Web,left me a comment asking me to participate in the Passport to a healthy pregnancy contest,I had to write this post.I have had two pregnancies so far and they were both poles apart.
During my first pregnancy,I did everything by the book.As soon as we found that I was pregnant,the husband went and bought “What to expect when you are expecting“gift pack and that book became our Bible for those 9 months.We religiously read the weekly fetal development chapters.Along with that I also signed up for Babycentre.com and received weekly updates in my inbox.I quite looked forward to it.The second time around,along with the weekly updates from Babycentre,being experienced,helped too.I didn’t panic at the drop of a hat and generally was more relaxed.
Finding a good Doctor..I found a great OB-GYN in my 4th month and she really guided me well through out the pregnancy.I realized its so important to find a Dr that you can talk to.I laughed with her,cried in front of her,asked her stupid questions,without any qualms. She laughed with me,scolded me,when I was careless and hugged me when I cried.The advice and care that she gave me four years back came in handy the second time around too.
Being active– is so important for your physical and emotional health. I started both my pregnancies at a higher weight.I did try to lose weight before getting pregnant,but couldn’t lose as much as I wanted to,because of various hormonal imbalances.So,I was adviced to gain not more than 5-6 kgs.I continued walking and every day activities until the very last day both the times.
Eating Healthy-I cannot stress anymore on this.Eating for two is a myth.As long as you eat a good well balanced diet you are good, you will be healthy and your baby will get enough nutrition.Ofcourse,if you are craving for that bar of chocolate,sitting in your refrigerator,then,you HAVE to eat it. What I found helpful was bulk cooking and freezing the food.I used to cook more or freeze the left-overs,so there was always ready to eat,preservative free food,in the house. In the last months of pregnancy,I started to cook food to freeze..that way,after the baby was born,we had ready food,for atleast the first month.
Rest,relax and Pamper yourself-Thats exactly what I did during my first pregancy..I rested,took naps,when I felt like.I listened to my favorite music all the time,read humor-filled books,talked to my favorite people,avoided those who stressed me out..and generally stayed happy.Oh and how can I forget,the spas..those trips were really a great blessing for a tired pregnant body.
During my second pregnancy,I didn’t get to rest/relax much,since I was sick most of the time and was caring for a very active 4 year old,but I was so happy because of her 🙂 Her excitement was contagious.
Pregnancy is my favorite topic and I could go on and on about it..but,I will stop with these two last points.
Plan and Prepare– If you have PLANS-yes multiple plans and prepare for them,you will be much for relaxed.Keeping your hospital bag ready as the time approaches,really comes in handy.
And lastly,Selective hearing..LOL!yes, you read it right.Pregnancy and motherhood attract unsolicited advice in huge amounts.Everyone,be it family or friend,neighbour or a random stranger you run into the super-market..or even your maid,won’t stop at dispensing advice…It can be really daunting..Listen to everyone,nod and smile..and then finally,do only what you feel is right!
Just remember, you know your body and your baby better than anybody else..just trust your gut feeling and do what you feel is right.
I am so thankful to Women’s Web for hosting this contest..I am glad,I could write this post.

Sorry,for updating late..I didn’t mean to keep you waiting.The girls are sick.First the baby came down with a horrible cough..its so painful to hear her cough..that hacking cough.
Then Babushka got allergic conjunctivitis..She is getting better.. but the baby woke up with sticky eyes today!! Phew!!
Anyway,as for my Dr. visit.. the Ultrasound was inconclusive and now I need to get a CT scan!So,the waiting game begins again..!!I am still freaking out.. but I guess,by the time I get the results,this time..I will be so over it!LOL!
On a positive note,I passed the GTT(post delivery Glucose tolerance test!) so YAYYYYYYYYY !
And have lost nearly 8 kgs,so far!!so yayyyyyyy yayyyyy yayyyy!!
Come join me for the happy dance..and we’ll worry about the results later!!
Thanks for sending me love and positive vibes!

We had to go for a birthday party today and so today’s craft was party related.
With some wrapping paper,sticky tape,yarn and an empty cereal box,we made this :

Ms.Aadya was so excited all through the crafting session and though the birthday boy didn’t care much for the hand-made wrapping,his mommy couldn’t stop gushing over it…:)
Speaking of excitement,I am so excited,my soul-sister sent me a picture of the viser,she crafted with her 4 year old.This mother-son duo are very special to me..so naturally I am excited 🙂 Have a look:

Thanks Pujey,love you guys 🙂

Yes yes..i am going to call it Day 4…and I am going to use the baby as an excuse for not crafting yesterday..:) actually not an excuse..Ms.Ananya was super-clingy yesterday..and so,there was no crafting..Anyway.. today we indulged in some yarn craft…And here’s what we made:

This is Sweety,the doll 🙂 and Ms. Aadya loves her new puppet.
And here’s another piece of room decor for Aadya’s room:

Materials used:
Ice-cream sticks
Yarn in assorted colors
googly eyes,black bead
glue.

Inspiration for the decor-Apparently its called God’s eye.
http://crafts.kaboose.com/gods-eyes.html

The Doll was inspired from Ms.Aadya’s random wrapping of the yarn. She didn’t have the patience to wrap the yarn for God’s eye in the specific order..so,here’s how we made Sweety,the doll:
Step 1- Fix two ice-cream sticks using glue,to make a plus (+) sign.
Step 2- Start wrapping yarn on the vertical stick-first for the hair,then change color for face. if you like,change colors for the body.Make the hands by wrapping yarn on the horizontal stick..then continue on the vertical stick to make the body.
Step 3- Stick the eyes and nose and draw the lips using a felt tip pen. And your doll is ready!

I hope you enjoy making these crafts as much as we did!
Update: Ms.Aadya is using the God’s eye as a necklace!

Did you think,I forgot?? Well no,I didn’t!! I just had a very long day and just got around to crafting after dinner..and now,posting .
Today’s craft was Cupcake-liner flowers. Shruti is hosting her monthly event,Artsy-Craftsy and the theme this month is Flowers..Last date for submission is 28th September.
Here’s what we came up with:

This is the first trial version

And this is what Aadya worked on,while I gobbled up my dinner:

Materials used:
Cupcake liners
Green paper for leaves,stem and grass
A4 sheets and glue

Inspired from: A friend’s child’s Kinder craft.

Babushka has been dropping pearls of wisdoms everyday…I am sure I have forgotten many..but here are some of the latest ones..
SD and I were discussing if we should bring some sweets or fruits to a friend’s place for Ganpati festival..and Babushka jumped in the conversation-
“I think,we should bring flowers..because Ganpati Bappa Absolutely loves flowers!”
After we stopped gaping at her,we did end up bringing flowers to the friend’s place.

SD managed to sprain his neck,while changing Babykins diaper in the car!! Don’t ask me how.So,he took the day off..when he dropped Babushka to Kinder,she told him- “Papa, now listen, you are not well,right?So go home,drink Haldi ka milk and go to sleep.When you wake up,you will feel better..:) SD came home,looking all senti and proud all at once!

SD had applied for a job in some company lets call it XYZ..so every day,he would ask Babushka,”Baby,do you think Papa will get a job in XYZ company?” and she would say ‘yes’.. And SD would promise her,that if he got a job in XYZ company,he would give her a special prize..So,today,Babushka asked him..”Papa,which office are you going to?ABC or XYZ?” SD replied,”ABC”..So, Babushka goes,hmmpf..what is this Papa,everyday you keep going to ABC..when will you go to XYZ..SD told her,when I get a job in XYZ..So,Babushka the best idea-person(her own title) came up with this idea- “Papa you should write them a letter and tell them that I really want to come to your office,I love your office.When they read your letter,they will be happy,they will call you over,immediately!” And before SD could comment on it..she went on to say,”Aren’t I the best thinker?I ALWAYS come up with the best ideas!!”

Last week,I was looking at some pics that Sue had shared of her son’s school craft exhibition.Those pictures immediately took me back to the arts and crafts exhibitions,when I was a kid.We were allowed to submit items,other than the ones we made in school and my mom would plan some and we would work on them together through out the year.
And then,today, Ms.Aadya told me that she wasn’t very happy with me.She reminded me that we haven’t done anything fun in a long time.When Aadya says fun,she means business…and business being,Arts and Crafts. And so her guilt-ridden mommy decided to launch an Arts and Crafts Marathon. For the next 2 weeks,I have decided to do at least one arty-crafty activity with her..every single day. Of course,I haven’t told it to her,because saying something to her,is like carving it in a stone..and I cannot risk that. Also,I hope the baby co-operates and we can get through these two weeks and have tonnes of fun arts and crafts to show,at the end 🙂
And since all good things become better when done with friends,I figured,I will ask you to join me..Here’s a big shout-out to all you Mommies and Daddies, who would like to join in the fun..Come join the fun… The craft-a-thon starts on Monday,26th September and ends on 10th October.
Before we begin,just a few pointers:
If you have your own blog,blog about your craft of the day 🙂
If you don’t have a blog,you can send me pictures and I can share them here.
You don’t have to be a mom/dad to join this craft-a-thon,you just have to be craft lover.
If you find the idea for your craft,from another website,do link back to them.If your inspiration comes from a book,then,please share the name,so others can enjoy it too.
And lastly HAVE FUN!

Ananya Birth Story-1
Ananya Birth Story-2
Contd:
We went to the OT at around 3 PM,because would you believe it,there was another emergency case. The walk to OT from the labor ward seems surreal to me..Aadi held my hand all the way and it took all my will-power to not cry when I said good bye to her..I kissed her and told her,’Mumma and Papa would be back with her baby sister soon’..She said,she would be waiting right outside..and said ALL the BEST!
We went inside,they asked Sanj to change into his scrubs while they took me in for preps..We started with the epidural..everyone was so good and encouraging.They had to try a few times to find the right spot and after every poke,everyone would cheer me and tell me,I was doing well.One of the nurses was standing in front of me and asked me hold his hand tight when they poked..and everytime I said sorry for crushing his hand,he would smile and say,I am not complaining and kept me distracted by talking to me about bollywood actors.
I knew something wasn’t working,when they called a senior guy..and he said,he was going to try again.So,first he gave me a spinal block,and then tried the epidural..Gosh!That was the most horrible sensation ever..I felt a wave of current go down my leg and I never EVER want to feel that again..I remember screaming and saying..I am never having another baby again Finally,the epidural was in place and then we were set.When they did the cold test,my legs were numb.. but my tummy wasn’t.Then,they did the forceps test and I could FEEL EVERYTHING.And then everything happenned very quickly. Sam the anesthesiologist,said,sorry,it didnt work and that they were going to put me to sleep.I told him,I wanted to say something to him and he asked me what.I said,he was the really sweet and way nicer than my anesthesiologist the first time..He said thanks and I felt like I was gagging on something and feeling funny.I wanted to remove the mask that Sam was holding on my face,but I couldn’t because someone/something was holding my hands. The last thing,I remember is Sam telling me to keep my eyes open till I could.
The next thing I remember is very hazy,someone was trying to push my bed and talking to me or someone else..I don’t know.I woke up in my room and Aadi ran in,wearing her beautiful pink coat and said,”Mumma Ananya is here..She is out of your tummy..she is so cute,Mumma..I love her..”I remember crying because I couldn’t see the baby anywhere..and I asked Sanj,are you sure its a girl…and they all laughed and said,yes it is..then I remember trying to hug Aadya awkwardly..holding the baby..but that is a very hazy memory..I guess I must have dozed off.
Later,I came to know that Ananya arrived in this world,at 4:09 PM on Saturday,July 23rd 2011.She had inhaled a bit of the general anesthetic and so her lungs had to be cleared with artificial respiration.Sanj was sitting outside hearing all this..He heard the OT staff,gush about her..about how beautiful she was and her lovely hair..how pink she was after her lungs cleared up.
I spent the rest of the night under observation.I remember the mid-wife Judy who took care of me..I don’t remember her face,but I know she was stocky and had really short hair and I can still hear her voice,telling me,’Alright,Trishna,can you turn for me ..don’t worry,we’ll get through this night’..I remember her giving me a nice sponge bath and changed my hospital gown,I remember her putting the baby to my breast,every few hours..
The next day,Irene,my mid-wife came to see me..she told me of the events that took place…that I had a difficult delivery and lost a lot of blood in the OT,that they had trouble waking me up and I spend more than 8 hours in recovery and the whole night under observation..all those images of Judy and her words made sense then.
I was really disappointed at not being awake for Ananya’s birth..I felt very guilty about not being there for her,in her first moments of life..and then Irene hugged me and told me,that,even if I was sleeping,I was the first one that Ananya touched,after she was cleaned..Irene said,she put her face to face with me..Gosh.. just writing about it,is making me all choked up..I can never thank Irene enough for that one moment..
The next day,I was still in a morphine-induced haze and Ananya was too.Both of us,were poked every few hours,to check our sugars..my BP shot up after the surgery and I was on constant BP monitoring..my oxygen level had dropped down considerably and I had to be on Oxygen for the next 48 hours.One time,I took off the oxygen mask to kiss Ananya and the monitor started beeping and I had to put it back on..Ananya was born on Saturday and on Sunday night,the mid-wife helped me to the bathroom..and I almost screamed,looking at my blue-grey face…that’s when I got really scared..But touchwood,God gave me tremendous strength and looking at my baby’s face and thinking of Aadya at home,made me get up,walk around a little..I am not saying this just for the heck of saying..they really were my motivation to feel better..
We came home on the 4th day..I had stayed away almost 6 days and the look on Aadya’s face was priceless.. She couldn’t stop kissing her sister and hugging me..and every few minutes,she would come,hug me tight and tell me..”Mumma,I really missed you..when you were not there!”
Me,I am just happy to be healthy and home with my beautiful family…:)
If you are still reading,thank you for your patience..I know its too long..but come on,more than 20 hours of labour, failed epidurals,and such an eventful delivery,needs to be documented,yes?!!