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September 19, 2019

Shifting Blues

After shifting and getting relocated more than 15 times in life, I had another relocation with Abby last week. Yeah, we shifted with three months old baby to our Mumbai Home. For Good.

Believe me, I was supremely nervous when we left for various reasons but none of them was a clingy baby. I was nervous about how will I adjust in a completely new environment as with a baby everything changes - Schedules, Relationships and even vibes.

True to my fear, when I entered home I felt as if I was in Lilliputian World. Mumbai houses are and were smaller, always but I was never bothered so much by their tininess. This time I took two days and one night to calibrate my eyes (And the brain)-No kidding.

- I missed and missing the empty window garden.
- I was uncomfortable with the dust particles every where. I have to give 'credit' to my genes and my mother who maintained our Ahmedabad Home in such a way that a dust particle is a rare sight.
- I felt the kitchen had no space for two people.
- I found moisture very irritating.
- My MIL is aging and for her, keeping so many things and cupboards neat and organized without any help is not possible. With no maids around, she could do little. Hence I spent a few hours in helping her to clear up some clutter. We are not even half way through.
- I am finding objects which were brought home in 90s in various cupboards - like a cordless phone and an answering machine. They had to be thrown to create extra space for things we shifted from our side of the flat -so that we can replace them with Abby's stuff.
- My goal is to clean up one compartment of any cupboard every day, provided Abby decides to support me. Ah, since three days I am not able to do anything than keeping my room clean.
- I am craving to re-decor my room and our side of the hall. Not sure if I can do it by the time I am forty.

The real problem is Abby's adjustment to the entire collection of new vibes. This three months old baby can now get excited in a second and cranky in another second. Too much of stimulation makes him so active that he confuses hunger and sleep. He does not accept bottle feed at all, unless my luck wins the game and I can sneak out a bottle of formula or expressed milk. I did not even ONCE thought that a baby can CAN NOT adjust in a new atmosphere. Or, it takes time.

I am sure- calibrating my own self and waiting for Abby to get calibrated is going to take a lot of time. Till then,

Cheers to this difficult part of life called Motherhood and Domestic yet not so active House wife.

September 15, 2019

Abby Notes #4

These notes are in two parts- One was drafted before we left for Mumbai and another is done today, when we are struggling to manage a little fussy, hungry but not accepting feed still sleepy Abby.

Part 1:

I guess, Abby notes need some good catch up to do on the blog and I can not delay it more because we are leaving one home (my parents') and going to 'our' home in Mumbai. I would rather note things down before I forget them in a new atmosphere.

Abby has really grown up from being a tiny baby to a very noisy and hyper, as well as a little less tiny baby. In fact, he appeared to be the 'Biggest' baby in our last appointment to the neonatal hospital we went to. I can not believe he can not go to that superb hospital catering to only premature and new born babies, up to three months. Wow!

Apart from the fact that he is growing up, responding to our conversations, smiling all the time- little less we know what is in store for us in Mumbai. My parents sheds silent tears everyday as they can not think of the day when Abby wont be in Ahmedabad.

We celebrated his formal naming ceremony with a small get together followed by the brunch. He wore Mul Mul Kurta and Pajama gifted by my parents and was cheerful for the entire day. My parents were very happy to see him so cheerful and they were relieved to see me handling him independently.

Part 2: 

Abby's first flight was easy peasy . Oh, don't tell me how both grandmothers were nervous about it. I think, both of them were not sure about our confidence and capabilities as new parents. Both of them had taken hundreds of tips from five hundred people on how to manage a crying baby in the flight and how to keep him away from ear pain. Ah, we were not one bit worried and kept on thinking how would have behaved when as babies we took our first flight- both of us flew at 3 months of age!

After a few emotional moments, we were dropped at the airport by my parents. Abby was very jumpy and wide awake as he had just 'demand' fed. It was funny to see every one coming to me and telling me how cute the baby was- until he decided to demand a feed again!! Mr.ISB gave him some formula and burped him. It was very easy afterwards, in a cotton baby ring sling, Abby slept off. And how? He got up only when we reached home! I am not kidding.

In the flight I was ready with two pacifiers, two formula bottles and breast feeding as well. However, we decided not to bother him to use any of them if he is asleep during landing and take off. I suspect, he has taken after someone like his Nana and Dad. He slept off throughout!

Once we reached Mumbai, rains were ready to welcome us but I have to thank them for a friendly welcome. While reaching home from Airport Abby demanded another feed and finally, once we reached home - he was awake and cheerful. His 'Ghodiyu' was prepared while I had started unpacking already after lunch.

It was just the next day, when we were invited to a friend's place for Ganpati Darshan which we braved to do with Abby. He wore his 'My first Outing' pair of clothes gifted by Nana and Nanima. We were excited to meet other friends and Abby's Rakhi Sister who was a bit upset about her mom carrying Abby for full ten minutes! Hahahaha. Kids, I tell you. She was distracted quickly by a Kulfi- being a big Bong Foodie! I hope Abhimanyu can be bribed so easily ! (Or Not!)

Abby slept off in my arms as soon as we reached the venue and nicely got transferred to his Uncle's arms too while we fed our ever hungry selves. Of course, he made a ruckus when he was hungry but we managed it well- we did not know that it was just a starting of a struggle?

Currently, Abby is either going through a growth spurt or has started understanding the newness of the place. He is not accepting expressed milk or formula. He clings to me when hungry and sleepy- unless put to sleep in Ghodiyu by Dad. Of course, when in good mood he plays with Dada and Dadi who are showering love all the time but since last two days- Abby is fussy.

I hope this phase gets over soon and it is just a phase.