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Ananya Birth Story-2

So,the girls are in bed and I have some time..so,let me tell you the rest of the story or at least part of it:)
You might want to read Ananya Birth Story-1 first
Contd:
So,Gene said we’ll know how things are progressing only after he does the internal exam.He asked me,if I was OK with him doing my internal or did I want to wait for a female mid-wife to be available.At that point,I was like..No way..I can’t wait..just finish the damn examination and tell me,I am having the baby like NOW!LOL! So,he went out and came back with a female colleague,to be present during the examination.
She asked me how was I doing?I said “I am good”.. and just then a pain hit me..and I took a deep breath in..and Gene said,No you are not fine,you are in pain! And I think I was having an out of body experience.. like I was watching all this from outside. Anyway,he did the internal examination and said,that the cervix hadn’t opened yet,so basically,that meant we had to wait.But,because I was leaking fluid,having regular contractions,and had GD,it meant things could happen very quickly..and I would not be allowed to go home. They would have to keep monitoring my sugars and the baby.
By this time,I was shifted to Bed#1 and someone else came on bed No#2.It was someone who had had 6 C-sections(!!!) I swear I am not making this up..and she was still 34 weeks pregnant but because she had had so many C-secs,and was getting contractions for more than 2 hours or so,she became priority.
By 9:30PM or may be 10:00PM,Sanj arrived with Aadi and my aunt..and he was all excited,thinking that we are going to have the baby now..But Gene came and gave me painkillers and said,we will wait for 2 more hours and then do another internal exam,and then depending on that,decide..what needs to be done.
In the meantime,they started prepping the 6 C-sec lady for surgery..she was going to have her baby then!!! Sanj was so mad.. his logic being,I was further along in the pregnancy and in lots of pain and all I got was painkillers.. He even asked me to stop being so polite and show the pain!!LOL!! Anyway,he left my aunt in the room,for us to catch up and he went outside in the waiting room,with Aadya.They kept coming back every now and then,depending on Aadya’s mood.
At 12:30 am,the contractions weren’t getting any closer but the pain was getting worse.Then the doctor came and said,they wanted to wait another hour before deciding what to do. Sanj was getting frustrated with all the waiting.His main worry was they were going to send me home,after all this while. Aadya was getting sleepy and being naughty..yes,she is a silly one..my naughty monkey gets naughtier as she gets more and more tired. And me? well,I was getting hungry.That and as Sanj got angrier,I got more anxious..plus,I was feeling guilty that my poor aunt,was sitting there next to me,after having come on a long plane ride..though she insisted she was fine.
Gene had gone home,by then,after introducing me to the next mid-wife,who was really nice..and now,I am feeling really really bad,that I have forgotten her name. I think it was Michelle or Sarah..Anyway,I asked her,if she thought I would deliver in the night..and she said,no,unless,my water broke they would make me wait till morning,when there was more staff available and they were going to move me into a private room for the night. Phew,finally,some decision.So,I asked Sanj to take Aadi and Auntie home and then,I asked the (Michelle/Sarah),if she could please give me something to eat and a tall glass of water..because,you guessed it,until then,I wasn’t allowed to eat or drink anything.She brought me two sandwiches and orange juice and moved me to the other room.Sanj took Aadi home and my aunt stayed with me..another hour till my cousin came to pick her up.
The pain was getting worse..(Michelle/Sarah) handed me over to someone called Julie(I think) I remember she said,she had 2 girls.She put name bracelets on me,made two for the baby as well and said,we would be ready in case,we need to go in the OT,as an emergency.
At around 3:30AM,she gave me Petadene,for pain and to stop labour from progressing because,the doctor had by then decided that I will have my C-sec in the morning.
Petadene,made me feel very hot and I woke up sweating.I could still feel mild pain..which was annoying and I threw up.To cut a long story short,I spent the rest of the night,on a chair.
At 8:00AM,the doctor came in and the first thing he asked me was,who was I saving the bed for and informed me that they were scheduling me for 11:30AM and so,I could inform my husband,so he could arrive in time.I called up Sanj and tried to sleep..
I shouldn’t have bothered because thats when the circus began.The pains got stronger,the anesthesiologist arrived to talk to me,I held up my hand and promptly threw up again.He said sorry and said he’ll come back later.Ten minutes later,the mid-wife came and told me that there was another emergency and so my surgery would be pushed to 1:30PM provided no other emergency came in.
Another anesthesiologist came in and some more drama happened..As it is I have bad veins,add to it,I was dehydrated,lets just say,it took quite a few pokes to find the right vein and get the pump in..And then,they started the drip. By now,I couldn’t lie down any longer..so I started walking.
Sanj arrived with Aadi and my aunt & cousin and the midwife was sweet enough to make a special bracelet for Aadi.We passed time chit-chatting and make calls,cuddling Aadya..until Irene,the mid-wife walked in.I had her for my last CTG and really loved her..and was hoping,I get her for my delivery..So,it was like my prayers were answered..and Irene was there for me. That immediately made me feel better and I was filled with a new energy.She asked me if she could try to express some BM for the baby,incase,I needed to stay longer in OT.I said yes and she did..
Continued..
Ananya Birth Story-3

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Ananya Birth Story-1

What is a baby blog,without a birth story?So,here’s the story of Ananya’s arrival into this world.
Friday 22nd July:
Early morning,at around 3-4 am I woke up with a tremendous pain/pressure.I got up and tried to walk to the toilet and even the short walk was extremely painful.I got back in bed and kept turning this way or that.But there was no comfortable position.Between 7 and 7:30 am,I started to lose my mucous plug..and the cramps were getting worse.Sanj was getting ready for work,I told him to be prepared,as that might be the day. He wasn’t too worried..because,just two days before,we had gone in to L&D with elevated blood pressure and they sent me back.
Anyway,my aunt was arriving that day and so,I was excited.Aadya woke up and asked if we could go get a cake for her.So,we went to get the cake,with my cousin..Walking around was extremely painful..on hind-sight I realise that the baby’s head must have engaged..that is what was causing so much pain and pressure.
So,we got the cake,then I rested.
Through out the afternoon,the pains kept getting stronger..but they were still not consistent.
Late afternoon,I finished cooking,played with Aadya,we watched a movie.
At around 5,I noticed a lot of discharge and decided to call the mid-wife,just to be sure..and as soon as the mid-wife heard my symptoms,he asked me to come in..I told him that my husband was still at work in the city,so,it would take me around 2 hours to come in..He said,as long as there was no change,it should be OK. I hung up,fed Aadya,had my tea and waited for Sanj to come home. When I told Sanj,we need to go to the hospital,he was like,don’t worry, you’ll be fine till Monday,when you go in for your scheduled C-sec.His logic was since we had been going to the hospital every alternate night,for BP/pain..and nothing happenned,he figured it was a conspiracy-the hospital staff was not going to let me deliver before the scheduled date!!So, his big plan was,we go to the airport,pick up my aunt,then if I was still in pain,we go to the hospital..!!
I fumed,ranted and raved.. and asked him to drop me at the hospital then,he head-off to the airport…That way,if his conspiracy theory worked,I would be ready for pick up by the time,he got done with the airport pick-up! So,we set off..the hospital bag was already in the car..it still needed a few bits and bobs,but I decided,I could get them the next day.By the time we reached the hospital,Aadya had dozed off..all the way to the hospital,she kept saying,she would stay with me and Papa could go to the airport alone..When I tried to wake her up,she said,she was tired and wanted to rest-IN the car! Now,that was a first.
Sanj was getting worked up as it was nearly time for the flight to arrive. I asked him to just go,I could go up to L&D alone..and he agreed..Another First.That should have clued me in.
Anyway,I went to L&D and I met the mid-wife,Gene..the first thing he asked me was where was my husband..he remembered that I was coming in late,because he was at work.So,anyway,he took me to the labour ward.Now,everytime,I went there,I ALWAYS got Bed#1..and that day,I got Bed#2..Another first! Gene left me there and said,he would send someone to get my stats and everything..I got comfortable on the bed and started reading my book. Everytime,the pain hit me,I breathed through it..and continued reading. There was a couple sitting on the bed in front of me,Bed#3,I think and they asked me,if I had any other kids..I told them about Aadya.The guy actually told me,I was pretty cool to come alone and actually read a book,while in pain.
I just smiled.. but now I that I think,I must have looked pretty cool!!! LOL! Filmy even!
Gene came back and hooked me up to the monitor and asked me how far along were the contractions…I told him,I stopped timing..because I was in pain for a long time..almost all evening.He said,he’ll come back to check the monitor reading.When he did,I was getting 4 contractions every 10 minutes!!OMG!That’s when it hit me..that something was actually HAPPENING! Immediately I called up,Sanj and told him the exciting news. Then Gene burst my bubble..he said,we’ll know exactly how things were progressing only after he did the internal.
To be continued
Ananya Birth Story-2
Ananya Birth Story-3

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6 weeks and counting & Baby Blues

Babykins turned 6 weeks over the weekend and today I had my 6 weeks post-partum check up…Now,I am officially fully recovered..:) I remember last time round,when I went for this 6 week check up,everything had gone crazy from the moment I got out of bed..but the check up was fine,then and now..:) But,I remember feeling very distinctly like it was my last day of school and I was stepping into the world..all alone.. this time,there were no such feelings..but there is always this feeling of being over-whelmed that keeps wanting to drown me..I try and push it away,but it just doesn’t go away.
Babykins is a good baby-knock on the wood..as long as she is well-fed and her diapers are clean and dry,she doesn’t care for anything else.If she is sleepy,she doesn’t care if you are playing drums next to her..But her favorite time of the day is..umm nights:) Thats when I get smiles out of her..thats when she likes to coo.. 🙂 And on most nights,I am too tired but those smiles are like instant energizers.
As time is going by,Babushka is oscillating between being madly in love with her sister and being MAD at her!I guess,for her the biggest challenge is sharing me with Babykins..Overnight her mom went from being all hers to being with the baby all the time..I try and try to spend time with her,but when Babykins is sleeping,she just wants to watch her or kiss her or not do things with me.She wants me,when I have to attend to Babykins.I feel bad for Babushka,I feel bad for Babykins and I end up questioning my own abilities!Not the best case scenario..I know:(
SD went back to work,two weeks after Babykins’ birth and he is away 12 hours a day.He does try to help,when he is around.. but mostly its the minute by minute struggles that are getting to me.Some days are perfect..really everything goes like clockwork..and some days are so crazy,I don’t have time to drink my morning tea till noon. My bad cleaner-karma continues..I am hoping that ends soon.
The Dr.today asked me to talk to friends,to get rid of baby blues,then,I remembered last time around,blogging was my life and sanity-saver..so I am here writing this incoherent post.. just getting the thoughts out of my head,so there is some space..seriously,right now my brain is the most cluttered space in the whole world…Its like I just don’t stop thinking or having mental conversations and lists..gosh..I always have a mental list that I am ticking off..
Laundry-check
Feed Babykins- check
Pack Babushka’s bag-check
Cooking-check
Babushka’s meals-check
SD’s lunch box-Check.
blah blah blah..
I forget to eat..but I am not complaining about that one..coz you know what?I am already back in my pre-pregnancy jeans..and I am liking my pictures better!!:P
Somebody,help me get rid of those lists..
Umm..Sorry to offload like this.. but I promise..I’ll be there for you,when you need me..so,thanks for reading..:)

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She is here!


Yes Yes YESSSSSSS! Babushka’s Baby sister is here!!!
I was scheduled to deliver her on the 25th but,did she have the patience?Nope!!
I went in on friday for another check up and ended up staying the night there..yes yes baby story will follow shortly.. this is just an announcement post:) All those pink vibes worked!
So Babykins is a girl and we are calling her Ananya 🙂
She arrived at 4:09PM Local time and weighed 3.9 kgs.
She was named the Indian Princess in the OT and the maternity ward and everyone who saw her was last seen gushing over her hair..But No-one absolutely no-one is allowed to hold her for more than a minute..because she is Babushka’s Baby sister and she is heard informing the ‘others’ – Ok thats enough,my sister wants mumma now..!!!
I leave you with a picture of my precious babies

driving · Uncategorized

yayyy

I drove today!! All by myself.. well even if for a short distance!
I had to take Babushka to the kinder..today being her last day of the term and all..I was unsure about parking in the busy town center,where her kinder is,so I texted Dee saying that I need help with Parking..and she very sweetly,offered to go with me and teach me the tricks.
I went from home and picked up Dee from the next street.. Babs was sooo excited.. that mommy is driving..and that we could go out on our own in our car,Aape se!
After some parking practice,I dropped off Dee and came home.Alone in the big car for the first time!!:D
Yayyy I feel good:D
Oh and I got my licence in the mail today,and luckily the photo has come out nice too!!

general · non-baby · Uncategorized

My day today

Can be summed up as-
*Running from one Dr. appointment to another.
*Waiting endless at each appointment..Thankfully every single of those Doctors was running late!
And lusting after these-





LOL!! this is what sitting endlessly in the doctor’s office,reading gossip magazines does to you..:)

[All Images:Courtesy Google Images]

Babushka · Dance · Uncategorized

The concert

Well,can I really write about anything else,tonight???
So, the concert ..hmm where do I begin?Let me start with the good part- Babushka’s part.
She was soo good. She remembered all her steps,she wasn’t shy..remembered to smile and by the time,she finished the first number,I had tears flowing down my cheeks..After the initial 2 secs,I didn’t bother wiping them.:D
When I went backstage to see her,she was soo soo excited!She asked me jumping up and down.. how was it Mumma..did u see me?I said yes..I asked her,were you scared,tonight?And she said,yes..I was..then I saw you and I got happy…
*pat on the back,to self for showing her where I was sitting.*
The not-so-good part-
It was sooooo disorganised..I have no words for it…really.Kids were called in at 11.00 for make up and such for the show,that was to begin at 4:00. By the time,the first number was performed,all the kids were tired.But,they still rocked on the stage..:)
Nobody knew,which order the performances were..so,basically,everyone was just hanging around there,waiting for someone to tell them.
Babs was supposed to welcome the Mayor,but no-one told me anything and then,at the last minute,her teacher had someone else give him the welcome gift..Like I said,no-one knew what was going to happen when,till it hit u in the face.
Performers went missing after their names were announced and there was the last minute panic to fill in the spot.In the meantime,little girls were dressed and waiting for their turn.Babs had to perform just the first and the last number and so we were good.. but how DO you keep a 4 year old rested between performances..She was dancing with each and EVERY song/dance that was being performed on the stage.
She was supposed to go in for one more number and we were told,they would announce and could I please make sure,she gets there on time..I said,sure and we waited and waited and Babs got excited and she was never called on the stage for that one!!! The show stretched one extra hour and all the kids were hungry…those of us,who were around,got some food and water and some of the kids ate and shared.. while others,just waited for their parents.We did offer them,but didn’t force-simply because of allergy and or diet restrictions.
Now,the best part..
Despite all the chaos,in the end,Babs teacher remembered to introduce her to the Mayor,as her youngest performer.The Mayor shook hands with her and congratulated her on dancing so well:)She said a “Thank you” as an afterthought! The Mayor went down the stage and came back looking for her,with a small trinket-a beads and silver angel and gave it to her..and said,”well done,for not being scared!” That one moment,was the highlight of her day and to be honest,mine too.
There was a no photography notice because the professional photographer was going to take pictures.. but he didn’t get any pictures of her 😦 He did get pictures of her hands and hair!!Not even a picture with the Mayor! Thankfully,we took pictures of her backstage..and so,I am happy.
So,that was the saga of the concert..:)

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Nothing..

to write today..
no pictures to share:(
no energy to think of some random gibberish..or write a long post..Had a long long day..So,today,I will leave you with some recipes,I recently discovered..I haven’t tried them on,yet.. but I will soon.
This blueberry cake would be perfect for my after testing snack..yes,let me tell u a secret..I crave sweets now..I didnt till now..but enter GD and I started craving sweets..so I cheat..I eat whatever sweet I want to right after my after-lunch testing..:D

And this one I think would be perfect for my picky eater- Sneaky Sweet Potato chocolate muffin

Uff! I love middle eastern food..and this one had me drooling..all over the key board!Mujadarra

general · Uncategorized

Friends or Corporate Relations-Post 19

I thought a lot before writing this..but I guess the fact that I am actually thinking about it,qualifies for it to be written.This is sort of a rant,so,feel free to skip it,if you are not in a mood for that.
So,lately,certain events around me have led me to wonder,if people we consider our friends are really friends or mere acquaintances or not even that..sometimes I feel they are just random people thrown together in similar situations and who end up hanging out together.
No,no,please don’t get me wrong-I have met some really great people over the years and many of them are very good friends.When I meet a person,I like,I don’t think about where they live/work/come from. For me,its the person that matters and I don’t stop at doing anything for them…anything thats physically possible for me to do.
Now if you are house-wife or SAHM mom like me,you will know,that your chances of meeting people are very remote..even more so,when you don’t have kids or have younger kids.Most people that you meet are through your husband’s work place or if you have school going kids,through their schools.
Initially,when I moved out of India,I would start talking to people in the laundry,library,grocery store,everywhere..inviting them over to my place,but the weird looks I got or the crazy specimens I met, were enough to discourage me..And so,I ended up meeting or being friends with SD’s colleagues’ wives.Sometimes I was happy on other times I was bored to death.But,after frequent moving,I realised that the friendships ended with each move. Catching up for a cup of coffee,while you were in the same building or same city was fine.. but no-one had the time to keep up a long distance relationship.I would still try to keep in touch and then finally pick up the pieces of my broken heart and move on..hoping to find new friends in the new place.
Then,we moved to Australia.And a couple of months after moving here,met this really nice group of friends..again through SD’s work place but everyone was warm and welcoming..and I thought wow.. I really got lucky this time..We would meet every weekend or every other weekend and it was fun.Even after we moved off to a farther suburb,the meetings continued and all was well. And then,SD got a very good break and changed his job.We were still in the same city and so still had the same friends.
Slowly things started changing..while previously a visit to our suburb was incomplete without stopping by at our home,just to say hi or have a cup of tea,now,the meet-ups were casually moved to another friend’s home..and mentioned to us,much much later. While earlier,if a picnic or dinner was being planned,I was asked/consulted on dates too.. now,I was just informed a day prior or so.. saying that it was a last minute plan..while,I was well-aware of when and where discussion had started.
Then,I got pregnant and was horribly sick and that became a convenient excuse to not visit.. quoting my supposed friend, ” I don’t visit because I don’t want to bother you”…Seriously,its no-one’s job to take care of me,when I am sick.. really,I don’t expect it..but having a friend over,can really cheer up even the sickest person.And I wasn’t on the death-bed..I was just experiencing pregnancy related sickness. I didn’t think much of that as well,until a friend,a mom I met at Babushka’s activity group came over.She had called up for a casual chit-chat and I told her I was pregnant and horribly sick and could we talk later.She hung up and turned up,2 hours later a box of sabji and said,”I know you are sick.. but I figured,seeing someone might cheer you up.”She stayed over,made me tea. Her own kids were at school and Kumon,she entertained Babushka and talked to me..That short half an hour visit made me feel so much better.
But,it made me think.. someone I knew for hardly 6 months..someone,who I met once a week for a short while,was thoughtful and considerate,then,why couldn’t somebody I considered a friend.A friend for whom I had gone out of my way and done things.A friend for whom I had inconvenienced my family…begged SD to drive for half an hour after work-just so we could go wish her son for his birthday;dragged a half- asleep Babs,just so I could deliver cupcakes for her daughter to take to school the next day.I feel like a fool now..really do.
Now,they are having a birthday party,for one of the kids..When I called up to wish,I was told,that we are still thinking about it..while all our other friends have already got the invitations.I think,I will just get a call at the last minute,with the same excuse that it was decided at the last minute. I am seriously considering,if I should call her bluff or politely decline.What would you do?
But the invitation is the least of my worries…really,what saddens me is that,I am not valued as a person.I was just considered a friend or person worthy of hanging out,because,my husband was a co-worker.Sometimes,I wonder if their attitude would have still changed,if SD had not got this new job..but it again brings me to the same point..A real friend,a genuine friend will not envy you your success..right? They would be happy for you..then,I wonder..if these people are really our friends?May be we were just a part of the corporate circle,who you had to interact in order to remain popular..you know like the necessary side-kicks!
May be this sounds trivial,but I had to write it to get it out of my head. What do you think?Waiting to hear your take on it.