Chai Time Chitchat # 20

Pull your chair and please have this cup of Coffee of your choice. Mine is very very less sugar and STRONG with half milk- half water. I am about to vent out happy moments and really frustrating ones. Lets start with happy ones!..

My Kaka and Kaki from US of A, had sent me the most precious Baby shower gift which finally landed in my hands (literally from Mr.ISB's bag) after, oh so many months! I could not stop myself from trying them out at once and more than how smart this pair of earrings look, it reminds me of how much warmth I feel when I talk about them, talk to them and dream of spending time with them outside virtual world. Not to forget the personalized message on the card they sent with the gift - Needless to say, such thoughtful gifts keep me sane. Not many do it. I am a big time lover of such thoughtful gifts! Yeah, call me materialistic!

Daily, I search for products which can make my life easy but my frugal jobless self stops me most of the time- and the not so frugal but frustrated soul wants to try things out. A folding stroller (Front facing, travel friendly strollers with some non-ornamental cost is a rare breed!), Formula-mixing bottles (because, believe me- when you are in a car with a baby in your arms - one needs three people to finally feed your baby some milk!), a white noise machine (more than me, it is me who get to sleep!) , a dual breast pump (which is not going to be bought anyways because I have realized my body is not supporting further ), A traditional comfortable Kurta for Abby as festivals are approaching, a device which we can carry with us and can rock Abby to sleep so that I can live my life for two hours every evening in Mumbai. Ah, I am telling you- hardly anything is going to get converted into an order online from the cart! Hahaha.

Pinterest and Nursery as well as living hall ideas- both are my new obsession to divert my mind from feeling the fatigue of managing a new born. I actually day dream a lot now a days even when I am more than nervous this time- Settling down with a baby, finding a good job, starting up something on my own (?) ah, and more than that saying 'BYE' to parents and travelling to Mumbai without Abby creating ruckus. God Bless Us.

I have been neglecting my fitness so far, however I now try to walk for minimum fifteen minutes a day. Let me tell you, even when I trust my mother completely (more than me) for managing Abby, it is so so difficult to leave home for the walk. So difficult. I sometimes feel, I am going to die like this. Not exaggerating but I hardly see a hope, even when I am all excited to enjoy coming months socializing in Mumbai.

I'm also very concerned about the habit of a desi 'Ghodiyu' or a rocker, Abby has cultivated. No, this instrument gives me a lot of peace of mind! (Yeah, it is actually a 'Little' bit peace of mind but that is a 'Lot' too!) However, I shudder to think what if this constraint will put me in a cage? Days together at home is nothing but SAD to even think about.

What are you guys upto? Do you think I sound like a person from another world???

Abby Notes #3

It seems like a long time I have been posting updates about Abby. Ah, ironically now only around 25 days left for me to enjoy this phase in Ahmebad. Yes, we are going (another) home in Mumbai- Back to Pavilion? Ah no, it feels like I am getting married again with all the 'settle-down-at-new-place' anxieties with an added responsibility - which is HUGE- of tiny Abby!

Let me update you guys before I rant about how nervous I am about everything in life and I have many times reached to a point where I had to cry A LOT in the washroom- and had thought of of leaving every one and live in a forest in Himalayas- yeah that specific but I again digressed, let me go back to Abby.

My dad had gone to Turkey around the same time Mr.ISB was at home. I was under the impression that Abby is again going to be a stranger in behavior but God Bless my Dad's whistling and singing skills, they had started their singing sessions again on the day he was back. Ah, yes I used 'had' because Abby is going through a serious growth spurt I assume.  Dad gets to see him either cranky or already asleep by the time he is back home from office. And... I am hardly getting fifteen minutes to myself by the time it is 10 pm. I rush to have my coffee, to take bath, to take my meals and I literally browse Internet for 'Baby Stuff' to keep myself - ah, 'Myself when he naps exactly for twenty minutes or chat with friends. (Read: Rant) Then he pees many times/poops, there is a change of diaper, he plays for fifteen minutes, realizes he could have slept off so throws tantrums which brings him to the cradle and these two Panda Eyes females- yours truly and my mom- either of us rocks him to sleep. Cycles repeats, Entropy in my mind increases. (Ah, Abby's forced Geeky Mom!)

My brother has some special connection with Abby. Both actually watched Formula One Racing together - and what I liked about these two incidents, is - ah, I could have my cup of coffee which did not go cold! Hhahahaha. I suspect the Formula One Lover Mama and the Top Formula Feb baby are ganging up against me in future to not to let me watch Forensic Discovery Channel! (Ah, we are weirdos!)

We have started traditional 'Malish' after Doctor's green signal, obviously with a strict No-No to weird practices like putting oil in nose, squeezing nipples (Oh yesss!) , hanging them upside down etc. Ah, and Abby? On the first day he did not enjoy one bit. He yelled and cried and cried and cried. On the second day, he was sort of okayish with massage part but as usual hated taking bath. We are contemplating -not continuing. We are giving Abby five more sessions to get habitual or else Abby's Momma going to make use of this massage time as the Bonding time! :)

I make Abby wear mostly new dresses we have got as gifts every day. Most of them are comfortable, however my eldest cousin P has sent some cutest Onesies which I feel like making him wear everyay- and ah...Photography blocks. I can not get over them and shoot so so so many photos of Abby and send them to all grand parents!

We now go out with Abby every other evening and while mostly he behaves (Read: Sleeps), he hates an old stroller we have. We are trying to figure out what would work for him!

Week 8th was a week of plenty of social smiles for Abby. I hope I am not jinxing it but he smiles at me so many times that I just cancel the plan of going to the forest, every single time. hahhahaha. Cheesy Mommy, I am!

Yesterday, amidst Abby's tiring daily schedule I dressed him up in a traditional Kurta Chudidar sent to him by my MIL and a tricolor pin of my Dad on it. I had to make his first Rakshabandhan and Independence day special! By the way, Abby got three Rakhis...
.... and obviously he showed his tongue out while my mom tied them on his wrist while asking for a gift.No Kidding!

:-)

Chai Time Chitchat #19

From 18th post to 19th post of this series, in these three months, your truly has become a hyper I-want-to-do-everything-female to a confused-anxious-Momma. However, unlike Abby series, I am going to continue Chai Time Chitchat with everything non-baby-stuff of my life. Atleast hope so! Because, I want to avoid the discussion of Postpartum Blues thanks to Breast feeding issues - a very wise soul had told me that Happy Mother=Happy Baby and Baby is a part of you, not YOU. So, on that note - I want to continue sipping hot coffee (yeah, for a change), pull a chair for you too and chit chat.

-I need good clothes. I am not kidding. I am yet to shed those 6 kgs left from 9 kgs I had gained during my pregnancy. Hence old clothes are tight for my comfort and maternity clothes look like tents! However, after a lot of efforts - I went on online spree and after a week could process some orders. Only to get three pair of decent Kurtas for myself. Just to realize, I still look pathetic and under confident. I have finally cut my hair short and waiting to really get time and guts to go and shop some smart clothes.

-Lipsticks. I am finally using them. Pregnancy is over and so is the self imposed ban. Going out and dressing up gives more joy to me than eating chocolates now a days! Lipsticks anyway is the first prob which makes me look groomed enough.

-I have started going out for a walk in our colony which I am already loving. However, I need a push from someone to really do that every day. My Mumma and Mr.ISB (He is on Paternity Leave here, in Ahmedabad) can really inspire me to not to miss it.

- I am training myself to manage Abby single-handedly. Which is nearly impossible- but if I aim for 100% independence, I would manage difficult situations like absence of maids, care takers etc in a much better fashion.

-I am very very and very excited as well as full of ideas (not enough though) to set our bedroom once again. We are trying to figure out weather to buy a portable jhula (if we do not wean Abby off the habit) or should really invest in a baby cot. We also have a Palana/Hinchko/Sofa/Almost a cot designed by my dad, however it is meant to be in the hall. Coming to which I am doubly excited to design the decor of our side of hall which is right now empty.  I really want to set it up slowly before I resume office. Do you think I can do it?

-My free minutes before falling asleep in day time is to find functional yet good looking (and cheap) trolley to set up as a diaper and feeding station, as well as some storage boxes to store toys and other tiny baby stuff.

-Did I tell you I am already hatching plans of going out for a small domestic vacation as a family of three in December? or January? Before making any plans of a trip outside India next year. I REALLY REALLY REALLY need that VACATION.

- I can not wait enough to meet our Kaka and Kaki from US, in some months. If you are reading this, please please lets plan something? I so want to spend quality time with them and want them to really meet Abby. Abby needs to know how much his parents (Specially the mother) love and respect them.

-It is a matter of a month now, after which I will be in Mumbai. It is heart breaking to even think about leaving my parents'. After ten long years I have spent six months together with my family (and now I am floating in my comfort zone.) I am doubly attached to my mom dad and brother while they are 100 times attached to Abby.

-Talking about comfort zones, I am now unplugged from my life of Mumbai. I will be home with a baby all the time and this means everything is about to change. Apart from the same old challenges with the place I used to face. However taking stress is not going to work and so is adjusting for the sake of it. I hope I would find the right balance.

-I am in the process of really collecting shattered pieces of my lost identity and create one new. I have many doubts about myself. I have to rediscover that confidence and fun in my personality. For the sake of my happy baby and our little new family.

Abby Notes #2

-My In-laws (FIL, MIL and SIL) came to see Abby for two days and Abby had a gala time with every one pampering him. Abby received different gifts from all three of them and we suspect he has covered all his wardrobe essentials now with two pairs of shoes he has received.  MIL also bought a Kurta Pajama for him from Bhavnagar, her home town, hence even his festive wardrobe has started getting built!

-He has received his first pack of rattle toys from my Best Friends (SC, SK and R)! He has also received a pile of wooden toys from my Frock Buddy N, along with oh so many Onesies! His only eldest Masi and my Cousin P from US has sent oh so many clothes (again) new and hands me down of her cousin, Abby's only sister. Abby is already a rich guy.

-There was a patch of 4-5 days when he was very very very hungry. He would be fussy due to over consumption of feed (what to do when he wants 'more'!) and wont sleep much. I suspect that was the growth spurt.

-Some where around sixth week, after those difficult 4-5 days, Abby seemed to have discovered Tubelights (No pun intended), he kept on staring at them. We also realized he suddenly started smiling a lot. Specially in front of my Dad, when he is whistling, when he is in the lap of my Mumma, when his stomach is full. Funny thing is, once he starts smiling during feeding, he wont consume a drop of milk further. The weird thing  which worries me the most is his erratic feeding- less and more. However, demand feeding is what we are following- ignoring his gags, gas and not accepting feed after smiles!

-Abby does not sleep much after evenings which makes me very nervous as I am trying to get myself trained to manage him independently ( without any one), while I know after going to Mumbai every one would help. However, it is better to over prepare than to under prepare.  I am yet to be hands on because apart from nervous evenings, I still rush to my Mumma at odd hours of nights to get help.

-Abby's Daddy, Mr ISB is currently on second half of his paternity leave but it seems more like a vacation for me! He can pretty much do everything possible, obviously apart from Breast Feeding but even his presence is my comfort zone out of which I never want to go out. Thanks to Mr.ISB and my Mom- I am relaxed. I want to do all Non-Baby stuff so that I can rejuvenate myself and once Mr.ISB goes back- I can get into the training mode again.

-Abby is also addicted to massages done by my Mumma, it seems and this dear Dida of Abby leaves no stone unturned when it comes to managing his stuff. In addition to this, thanks to her perfect hygiene habits and organization (Read: OCD) I am sure I am getting atleast 50% of these habits and what worries me is, it takes a micro second for me to get cranky to see Abby's stuff in a mess. God Bless Mumbaikars!

-Abby has started visiting the balcony garden to get some sunlight and God forbid, get his day and night cycles correct. Or else, I am surely getting into a jetleg mode without traveling to US.

-Abby has started straightening his neck with a bit of control. For Week 7, it is a good milestone apart from his attempts to roll almost twice in four days. However, a complete roll is expected only once he gets the control of his neck muscles. As of now all grand parents are bragging about the somerset roll. *Rolling my eyes*

-It is fun to see Abby growing. Many of his new clothes which looked like tents on him in the first month, have started to fit really well. Ah, so well that I have started making him wear mostly new clothes every day so that he does proper justice to all the clothes received!

Right now we are waiting and watching, how our one week Family Vacation with Mr.ISB is going to be. Lets see what updates we get about it next week! :)

Gang Up Or Not

*Abby is Whatsapping (Oh babies of this age and ear, I tell you!) to Dad Mr.ISB, using his Momma's (Ohooo Ohoo) laptop*

Abby: Hi Papa, I am sleeping so that mummy can open her laptop and update her resume but whenever she opens it I realize I need attention, so I scream for her. But, how much ever I try Dida calms me down.

Mr.ISB: Mummy is meaning well. She has her career too, you know!

Abby: Yes but if you are not around what option do I have- I am sure we can gang up against her in future. Did you go through posts she is writing on me? Crazy lady is recording everything about me!

Mr. ISB: I am sufficient alone...you should always side with your mom. That is how we would be evenly matched.

Abby: Mummy has my anger. If I will take her side,we both will create havoc in the family!

Mr.ISB: Fire vs water! You can't have fire vs fire+water! Spoils the fun. Not an even contest.You have a lot to learn..

Abby: I get angry just like my cousin Mishti Didi- we share similar hobby of showing anger through eyes!! It is fun to scare people you see..

Mr.ISB: I do see...

Abby: Let me now scream for milk or else mummy will keep on texting you...

Mr.ISB: What .. I have not received any text from your mom..only from you!!

Abby: I think she was texting you but you were talking to me. We are already a team!

Mr.ISB: LOL

***

The conversation is not entirely imaginary. While updating current Abby Updates to Mr.ISB, I tried using some creativity, just to realize this can happen in future for sure. 

Well, Not complaining!!

Abby Notes # 1

Inspired by many mothers and my own mother who recorded mile stones and memorable moments of their babies I here by present Abby Notes!! I hope when he grows up and finds this some where in the cyber space, he knows about himself and people around him a bit more.

-Abby did really well on the day one of his life, by getting Apgar score of 9 out of 10 with decent weight of 2.6 Kg. I won't go by the numbers but after seeing his energy levels that day itself we knew that he is one hyper soul.

-Abby, from the first moment of his life hated getting swaddled, he took out hands when the nurse swaddled him for the first time and from that moment he has broken all the records of not keeping hands in, in one month. I suppose he is going to continue hating swaddling.

- Abby was fed by Mr.ISB ,with a spoon from the very first meal he had, for three days in a row. Seeing Mr.ISB taking care of the baby and the mother (Oh Yes!) with equal love and care became talk of the town in the hospital and the family. Oh yes, the head doctor a.k.a. Doctor uncle praised him like nobody's business! Let me go to the subject of feeding, the late lactation due to surgery, would otherwise have led to heavy weight loss for the baby. Many Pediatricians wait for lactation to start and let the baby adjust but our little hungry champion took external feed (Amul Taza) in, with such passion for food, keeping every one amused how hungry a baby can get on first three days of his life! In hindsight, external feed was really needed as even then his weight had slightly decreased after a week. Ah wait, the quantity of the external feed was increased as well in a week because Abby has got his appetite from his Mama?!

-When Abby was given to me for the first time, Mr.ISB had captured that moment. The photo itself made me realize how fragile the baby Abby was. I knew I would have to learn to manage him. Beside that, it made me realize how exhausted I looked!

-On getting discharged from the hospital Abby was carried home by my Papa and MIL  while my Mumma - his dear Dida (Maternal Grandmother, the proud Nani) performed a small Grih Pravesh Puja for him. Abby, from that moment onward , is in love with Dida. Getting him to sleep, cheering him up while gulping milk, potty cleaning, changing clothes, bathing, carefully selecting softest linen for him etc tasks were and are performed by only her. After coming from hospital, I took complete rest for a week till the day it hit me hard that I am zilch when it comes to taking care of my baby. Of course I knew my Mumma is far from spoon feeding me, but she had her own timelines on when to let me rest and when to start training me to do multi tasking. Oh yes, I am transitioning to the latter part and believe me, it is empowering- All thanks to Abby's Dida!

-Abby pouts when he is hungry. Kareena Kapoor's pout is not as good as his pout. Believe me! In fact, it lifts my mood when I see him pout in the sleep till I realized, ahhhh it is feeding time AGAIN!

-Abby has long fingers and tiny nails attached, are growing at God Speed. We have to make him wear Mittens from the first week to avoid his face getting scratched by his own hyper-self.

-Abby gives flying kisses when he is asleep but hungry and wants to get up. He does the same when he wants to gulp milk and enjoy it. It is amusing to see him smooching everything around (when done with flying kisses!) when he is hungry. Abby showcased this habit on the very first day of his arrival, leaving every one trying to figure out how can a couple of hours old baby can smooch with such passion! Hahahahaha! Did I mention he loves smooching my Mumma's gown and my Papa's nose! Hahaha.

-Abby loves burping. Well, may be he loves being carried on the shoulder of the person who is making him burp and thoroughly enjoys patting on his back. No other way of burping seems more effective than this style. After Mr.ISB and my Dad, every one finally has got a hang of this style of burping. Hopefully back in Mumbai, my MIL and FIL will soon be pro at this.

- Switching to the next logical step after feeding. In one month, Abby has soiled Nana's clothes 2-3 times, Mumma's clothes 4-5 times, Papa's clothes twice, Dida's clothes many many many times! When after a month my FIL, his Dada came to visit Abby, he did leave some love on his T-shirt too!!

-Abby, in the initial days was given top feed with a spoon and a bowl. Gradually his timid nature about which I was very happy turned into a hyper active nature to my dismay. We used to form a team of three where one will take Abby in the lap, one will hold his hands and one will feed. Slowly we realized, we would need fourth person to hold his legs in place when finally doctor approved of bottle feeding as spoon-feeding (figuratively and literally) wasted a lot of energy and formula. Ah, the joy I and Abby both had when he gulped down the bottle happily with a smile. (Later on I came to know, babies smile when they pass gas! Okay!)

- My brother and Abby's Mama keeps on coming home from his very hectic start-up schedule to play with him. Once, he approached little Abby four times and he was asleep. My brother was really upset about it. ROFL. It is amusing to see then the youngest person of the family- My brother now handles Abby with so much passion, plays with him and ah, rocks him to sleep too! He is yet to over come the fear of Abby doing potty on his hand. Oops!

-About gifts, as per the tradition Abby has got some really cool outfits gifted by my MIL, FIL and SIL. A couple of smart outfits from Masis as well, we have received. I am looking forward to dress him up once he is a bit older. Talking about daily wears, Desi Langots are so sad that we kept on ordering cute organic cotton swaddle clothes with fun prints to cover him! Can not wait for the day when he would be totally replacing Langots with Diapers!

-Abby had his first in-campus outing on the first month birthday with both of us. Before we left, we made this little creature wear three different non-langot outfits (One with 'Feed Me' caption gifted by a friend- what an apt choice!) and believed, he enjoyed the photo-shoot by my Dad (who has a middle name of 'Photographically challenged person' otherwise) after I had set the frame and focus. They have come out well, however it is depressing to see my messy hair crowning my bloated face! Hahahaha. Talking about the outing- the temple we visited across the colony has multiple Gods is very homely and warm, however Abby's agnostic parents (Ouch!) were more excited to carry him around the colony!

-Abby, after initial weight loss geared up pretty well. Formula and Breast feeding, as the way of Pet Puja suited him more. Our Pediatrician team was amused to see the way he really performed after the menu was set for him! So much for Pet Pooja!

-Abby is also preparing for the upcoming Rakshabandhan. He is going to get two Rakhis for sure and I am more excited than him, because I get to select gifts for two tiny girls. Hahahahaha. Don't even get me started about stuff we get for baby girls!

-Abby has this very warm connection with Mr.ISB. Ah, I know Mr.ISB is his Papa but the chemistry is so good that I am sure the connection is very different from any Father-Son relationship I have seen. While I sing Lullaby type songs to Abby, Mr.ISB actually marches taking Abby on his shoulder, the only multitasking he is good at is this. Burping and Putting him to sleep while marching! :)

-Abby has started liking different rhythms. Certain songs he loves or we feel he does. A couple of classical songs when are sung by my Dad, he carefully listens. My brother has got a patient listener as well to his various singing sessions. I believe he loves a few songs when I sing as lullabies- however I am not sure if his hearing abilities have developed to that extent. He loves all the songs I learnt in my school and a few from Bollywood as well, specially 'Sooha Saha' from 'Highway'.

I intent to write on regular basis on this series, Abby Notes. Till I write the next part, Stay Tuned!




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(B)Abby on Board!

Oh yes, everyone including myself would have thought that this blog is finally dead but believe me, I did not wanted to post anything negative with severe Pregnancy blues (strikes just before postpartum depression) or Postpartum blues here. I also did not want to jinx anything but now when yours truly is a mother, she is going to follow what she believes in. Common sense. There is nothing like jinxing!

Ah, let me start the story of my delivery. I promise to write a boring and long pregnancy journey soon, if anybody is really bored. Here I go!

***

12th June, night it was. This nine months pregnant lady (Yours truly) was asleep out of fatigue. Either I dreamt or was it a hallucination where in I saw a baby in Blue light smiling? No, I do not believe in any religious omens or supernatural activities - most probably my baby in the womb had kicked the water bag and I was already in the puddle of fluid. I got up at the very moment and rushed towards the washroom- Bhapak! I am not kidding, I felt there was a 1 Lt water bottle inside my stomach which was now broken. I called my dad from the washroom while changing into my old Pyjama. Dad at once called the doctor to check, meanwhile I just came out and was fairly confident that this was IT. Our baby is going to be out in this world in a few hours. And... 

I knew that this baby has its own mind- My Dad had arrived just in the morning from his business trip, My brother had just left for Delhi by road and I was going to gift a one night two days Spa package at a luxurious hotel to Mr.ISB, to celebrate our fifth wedding anniversary knocking the door in two days. Little did I know that the baby would be arriving two weeks before the due date, hence all the plans were just going to evaporate.

Now, once the Doctor asked us to reach hospital as soon as possible, my Dad pulled out my hospital bag which was already carefully packed and procured by my Mumma. I was just trying to keep every one calm (Oh no, not my Dad. He is one of the five calmest guys of my life!) as I was worried about my mother, who because of a broken leg would just cry feeling helpless. I asked her to be her usual self to keep my spirits high, and that is what helped me the entire night. My Mumma called my M masi to accompany me in the hospital who by the way, did not waste any time in reaching. So, in flat ten minutes we were en route to the hospital.

I took out the mobile while trying to relax in the car with wet (Read: Drenched) Pyjamas. I quickly typed a message to Mr.ISB with whom I was chatting just before an hour, hence I was sure he was awake. I asked him to book first flight to Ahmedabad possible and get in touch with my dad once we reach hospital. 

On reaching hospital, I chose to quickly climb the tiny staircase of the hospital rather than taking the elevator while sprinkling amniotic fluid all over. A nurse was already waiting for me on the entrance. She checked baby's heart rate and confirmed the broken stage of water bag (oh, I knew it)- everything was okay. I was asked to change my clothes and admitted in the room we had chosen beforehand. Now, our doctors - the husband, the wife and the daughter (now called as Doctor Uncle, Doctor Aunty and Doctor F, because that is what they had become!) had everything prepared- Doctor uncle and Doctor F had reached by the time I had changed while waiting for the labour pain to start! Wasn't it in line after the fluid leak? Well, no our baby had decided to be little bit more calm!

My dilation was zero even after an hour. Pain was hardly there. Fluid loss was a lot more than normal. Hence, my Dad and Doctor Uncle decided to wait for the labor pain to start while getting in touch with my Fai M who herself is a doctor and was supposed to fly to US of A on the next day - Ah, Nothing can fortunately happen in my life without she getting into any medical matter, if not taking the matter into her hands (because the an ENT surgeon can only do so much! Hah!)

Now, all I could do was to get reminded by my Masi to sleep as once the labour pain peaks I wont be able to sleep. My dad kept on coordinating with Mumma, other members of the family and  of course, my brother who at once turned the car towards Ahmedabad- from a place six hours away to see the baby! Very strong support came digitally, as I was in touch with Mumma, Mr.ISB , Relatives from US and my Gynecologist friend who herself was about to go through delivery in two days. 

Doctor F and the nurse kept on coming to me every 20 minutes to check baby's heart rate, contractions and ah, fetus movements. Believe me, every time they asked if I feel the movement- I was not sure. It was getting stressful along with first level contractions. However, contractions were not progressing and Doctors were noting down the continuous leakage of amniotic fluid. My Dad, coming from a Doctor's family had an idea that I might have to go under C Section. However, Doctors decided to buy time till early morning 6.30 am. Exactly the time when Mr.ISB would be reaching hospital thanks to Vistara Airlines which started operating between Mumbai Ahmedabad, at such odd hours the very week and hence tickets were available. 

After exchanges of many text messages, finally Mr.ISB reached where I was eagerly wanting to meet him before going for the surgery. Once it was decided that I would be taken in at 8 am, my dad left to pick my Mumma who could only walk on one leg with the help of the walker. But, how could she miss this event? I wanted her and Mr.ISB to hold my baby before anybody else and needless to say, timings were perfect as usual!

I was taken to Operation Theater at 8 am and I was nothing but relaxed knowing all three Gynecologists with a pediatrician from the best team of the town and a good Anesthetist were present. I was briefed before every step. Two injections to numb the body below the spine were given which eventually made me feel heavy but nothing else. Doctor Aunty was very kind enough to hold my hand through the entire surgery. Incision was made by Doctor F and the baby was later on taken out (I was told this later on, I could not see anything at that time), I could hear the cries of my baby and suddenly I realized, baby was taken out. Doctor uncle stitched me up and the Anesthetist informed me that I would be given a tranquilizer through an injection so I can rest. Some where in my mind, I was screaming to see the baby and ah, to know the gender at least. Which obviously happened in next five minutes! (they were checking vitals of the baby and also the baby was shown to the new Dad and the maternal grandmother who had arrived just in time) When Doctor Aunty asked me to open my eyes and see our baby and told me it is a Boy- I could not resist but smile and wished to sleep a lot. When they shifted me to my room and connected a few tubes with my numb body- I could feel only the movements. The only thing later on I remember seeing is, my Mumma sitting opposite to me, with a baby in her hand who eventually was moved to Mr.ISB, My Dad and My M Masi. The news were spreading fast and my entire maternal clan and the couple of people of my paternal clan were chipping in to help my parents to manage all the fronts. My In-laws back in Mumbai were, needless to say excited and MIL was already planning her trip to Ahmedabad to see us.

My Photography-challenged Dad had clicked a picture of the baby which can easily be used as a prob to scare shit out of kids or cause depression in the new mother in case the mother is not sedated, however when I was asked to hold the baby after an hour, he was much more re-presentable and looked cute to me thanks to my hormones! I hope our baby forgives his Nana for this ugly mistake when he grows up - Hhahahahaha.

Back to myself, I wanted water all the time which was not permitted to consume for four more hours. I kept on sleeping even when that was the last thing to I wanted to do- all I wanted to do was to talk to my Mumma, Mr.ISB and see the baby. I was amused how fragile he was and how he cried for food periodically with his high pitch voice. Slowly, reality started surfacing out with fading effect of anesthesia, stitches were very very and super very painful even if I would try to move an inch, once my lower portion was no more numb. Catheter was connected with my bladder and believe me, when they disconnected it the next day I was not so happy. Because it meant a trip to the loo which was crazy painful. I would cry too when the baby would cry, because it meant I will have to get up in next two minutes with oh so much pain to feed the baby which was again a dreadful experience with nurses pressing my breasts to check (and force?) my lactation. Needless to say, it took dreadful eight days to even start lactation but that is another story all together. 

On the third day, when I was supposed to get discharged I was mobile enough to walk. Walk without too much of pain and all I wanted to do was to meet my Mumma. My Mother-In-Law came to see the baby hence going to home from hospital was not scary with the baby. Next two days at home just flied because, my Mumma with her broken leg took over the responsibility of the very new born baby of ours along with my dad and Mr.ISB- with an eternal feeding supplement so that he does not lose too much of weight while my Mumma's baby can take needful rest hopefully which would propel start of lactation. I kept on sleeping to my heart's content for two nights and believe me, those two days got myself physically recovered from the surgery. While I felt better, a deep emotional trauma was waiting because my very hungry and growing baby started hauling and yours truly could hardly manage him-she was dependent on every one else around. I would save that part for another serious post.

However, this entire birthing experience was enriching, because in myself suddenly a mother was also born. Two big eyes on a tiny face was nothing sort of cheesy love at first sight but in just two days whenever postpartum blues used to strike- his face kept on anchoring my confidence. 

About Abby- Our new born baby? Ah, he was now on board to take his parents on a ride for life. 




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PS: Abby matches his real name and also, it is the name of one of the characters I loved the most in the series NCIS- Naval Criminal Investigative Service!