20 February 2014 - The First Milestone

               2 days left for you to complete 4 months and we all were waiting to see you turn over. Since last one month, whoever saw you on the floor said that you will turn over within two days. I was waiting for that lucky day since then and this day turned to be that lucky day. You were trying so hard to turn over on the hard floor and it was difficult for you. We could see you getting frustrated with the failed attempts and I have even given you a little push to turn over to calm you down. Even a very little support was enough for you to turn over and you were even folding your legs and bringing them under your tummy since last 2 weeks, but were not able to turn over. Whoever saw you do that couldn't resist but give you a little support. 

                After we came to India, you were able to lift your head and hold for some time when you were put on your tummy. Later on you stared staying that way for longer and enjoyed your tummy time. Even when you were crying, if we put you on tummy, you would calm down for some time. You liked watching bright colored objects lying down on your stomach. And these days it as though you are going to turn over right away, but you could not. 

               I had to go through my health check up to go back to USA, so your Jogibettu ajji, your sister, you and I came to Bangalore 2 days ago. I left you both at your Puttajji's house and went for my work. Bangalore ajja was explaining me everyday how much you struggled wanting to turn over. When we were at Bekur, we thought we get to eat Payasa there, when we were at Jogibettu we thought, it is going to be this ajji's turn to prepare Payasa. When we went to Venur, we thought may be you were waiting to turn over at Sodara atthe's house. And since last 2 days your Bangalore ajja was waiting for Payasa.

               This evening you were on a thick carpet on the floor and we all were sitting around you chit-chatting. You were trying to turn over as usual, brought your legs under your stomach and tried to tilt as we all were watching. Bangalore ajja said, "see how much he tries, just a little jerk would be enough" and you heard it! You gave a little jerk and tilted to your right and there you were on your tummy!! We all clapped around you and everyone had a smile on their faces for your first achievement. We had yummy Payasa for dinner!

               As soon as you learnt the trick of turning over, by night, you had turned over more than 20 times! The second time was little hard for you, I took a video of it and the 3rd was not as hard as the first two. And later on that was the only thing you wanted to do - turn over, get tired, cry, we help you turn to sleep on your back and you turn over again. At night, we had to keep so many pillows around the bed, so that you don't fall down on the floor. We need to be very careful here after and cannot leave you alone for more than a minute, because you turn over and cry to get back.  

               Your jet lag was gone within a week and you did not take a long time to set your clock to Indian time. Your paternal grand parents so happy to see you and you are such a cute thing to carry and walk around. Whoever is lucky gets sweet smiles from you and that is worth waiting the entire day. 

               We went to your Sodara mava's house on January 11th and for the first time, your sister rocked you in the cradle. Even you kept looking at her and smiling as she rocked you and I am sure you liked your loving sister. Your dad has been really missing you and your Sodara mava says that you have got a big tummy and fat legs and need to join him to take a gym membership!

               We went to our house at Bekur on 13th and you loved your ajji's sedi bath and oil massage everyday. The two things you don't like about India are : the weather and mosquito bites. You want all the fans to be on - 24/7. You are your daddy's son who can't bear the hot weather. 

               It is called the golden time of babyhood because you smile a lot and talk a lot as well. You respond to us and gurgle a lot. I love to hear you squeal in delight and to see that awesome smile with your sharp tongue out! You can now bear your weight on legs, grasp toys and bring them to your mouth. Your put your fingers in mouth and hold your feet and bring them to your mouth as well and also, you keep holding your hands together. What makes me even happier is that you recognize my voice! 

2 Jan 2014 - The Most Awaited Trip to INDIA!!!

               It was in 2011 October, your dad and I left our country and came to the USA. So many things happened since then - the most important one being the mother of two awesome babies. Our family missed to see me pregnant, that too twice! They missed the awesome feeling of seeing a newborn - that too twice! They missed to see Aadya turn over, crawl, sit, stand up, her false steps and unsteady walk, and her become a big sister! They missed the newborn cry of Aniket! Your grand parents at Bekur were eagerly waiting to see their grand kids, and your Jogibettu ajja couldn't wait any longer to see the people who gave him the promotion of grand father for the first time. There were also 3 great grand parents who got this title from you both! There were 2 uncles and 2 aunts, 2 baavas and many many many more near and dear ones waiting to welcome you.

               Aadya and Aniket both got their 15th month and 2nd month vaccinations respectively on 23rd December and were all set to travel to India on December 31st. So we had planned to celebrate the new year on the sky. Your entry visas had come and we had got one bassinet seat. Aadya had crossed the height limit for a bassinet. Having at least one bassinet seat would help us a lot. We had started packing our bags from so many days, thinking over and over again whether we left anything to pack so that you would have a good trip.

             On 31st December, we 4 (your granny, you both and your mom) were all set to travel with 5 check-in bags, 4 cabin bags and two hand bags. We could not reduce the number of bags because I had to take enough supply of diapers, wipes, formula, clothes and gifts and chocolates for the relatives. Also, I wanted to keep all your newborn clothes, did not want to throw any, so took them also to keep at home in India. Your dad's colleague Murugan, with who your dad will be staying until we come back, helped us take a few bags to the airport in his car. The remaining bags and we travelled to the airport in the evening with your dad. There was no problem with checking in the luggage and security check, but the toughest job was to say bye to your dad. You both were not aware that you were not going to see him for a long time, so you easily waved bye to him. But it was difficult for us say bye and even for your dad to miss watching his kids grow. He waited until we disappeared and went back home. He has to empty our house and shift by the end of January. 

             

 Aadya wanted to run around in the plane and Aniket was fine. He was too small to throw temper tantrums but Aadya had a few. After half the journey, we got an empty seat between us and finally Aadya could sleep. Aniket was good in his bassinet. Only problem was eating our food keeping the kids on our laps. Your granny and I were prepared for it and we were already expecting a tough journey. Aadya got many friends in the flight, some were friendly and some of them were not so happy with kids around. A lady even suggested me - why not give a small dose of sleeping pill to kids at the time of journey. 

At Dubai we had to travel via train to change the flight and had almost 3 hours time. Aadya was all fresh after the sleep and she could play and freely run around. In the second flight to Bangalore, the bassinet was of no use because of the air turbulence, I was not allowed to put Aniket in it through out the journey. Eating food was too difficult. And by the time we reached the Bangalore airport, Aadya had lost all her patience. She was rolling on the floor when we were waiting to collect our baggage and we couldn't help. The only thing that relieved us was that the flight journey was over for now.

               We came out to see two welcoming smiling faces of your grand fathers. They were waiting for us and clicked our photos to send it to your dad to show him that we reached safe. It was your first car journey without the car seat and on our laps. But you were not in a state to enjoy it, you slept off. We had our breakfast at my aunt's house, all were eager to talk to you and play with you. But did not know any of them and we did not have time for you to get friendly with them. We took a quick shower, changed our clothes and left with your great granny to Jogibettu - your grand parents' place. 

               The car journey was of 7 hours and was tiresome. You both slept well because of the tiredness and also the jet lag. Aadya vomited at the ghat section and by the time we reached Jogibettu, it was late evening and there were your great grand parents waiting to welcome us with haana - kumkum water. It did not make any difference to Aniket as he was still too small to know anything. But Aadya started crying aloud seeing the new place, new weather, new people, new country and the new time zone! Great grand parents were little disappointed that you didn't smile at them nor played, but they understood the situation. 

               I can not explain the joy on your grand father's face, but he said he is in Heaven now. He had kept a new cradle ready for Aniket and a beautiful Rocking chair for Aadya. Though I had told him that blue is for boys and pink for girls, Aniket's cradle was pink and Aadya's chair was blue. For a change it is good anyway.

                For now the long journeys are over, we all got freshened up, ate and slept. But by the time we all got into a deep sleep, you both woke up because of the jet lag. Your new day had begun. We would have got a good sleep if you both had slept, we were so tired that we could even sleep standing like a horse, but looking at you both fresh, even we gave up the idea of sleeping for the next few days!! Ad-Yeah and Annie-Kate are now finally Aadya and Aniket!!!

23 December 2013 - Chubby Cheeks and Tiny Lips!

               Today you had your two months vaccination and we were sad to see you cry. It was hard to get an appointment for today. You completed 2 months yesterday, but it was a Sunday and your pediatrician's office was closed. For the next 10 days she is on a vacation. From tomorrow it is Christmas vacation. Since today was the only working day, we got an appointment for both you and your sister with a great difficulty. And that too with some other pediatrician. We can not wait till your pediatrician comes back from the vacation because we are travelling to India on the 31st of this month.

               You take many tiny naps lasting half an hour at the most! Two months old should sleep much more than this, your sister is one of the distractions! You have got that beautiful smile, we get to see it once in a while when we are lucky. Usually in the morning or after your stomach is full and after you had a good nap. You still smile in sleep, according to the old belief, that is when you converse with God.

                Your cheeks are so chubby and that is the first thing everyone notices seeing you. They make you look even cuter and I keep fighting with the urge to bite them! You follow the objects, especially when your sister walks around. You pay more attention to her voice and keep staring at her if she is around you. As soon as your dad comes from the office, he comes searching for you. If you are awake he smiles and talks to you, if you are sleeping he softly touches you and quietly walks out.

               I am one of those lucky moms because you have almost started sleeping through the night already. You are such a good understanding boy. If you were not sleeping well at night, I would have got hardly any sleep, because your sister does not let me sleep during the day. You don't cry much, if you are sleepy or hungry or irritated, you try to tolerate it as long as you can and only then you start crying. But once you start crying, it loud and intense! 

               You are good at talking, make all sorts of sweet sounds. You gurgle, hum, coo and your sister turns to your voice and comes close to you to see her little brother talk. The most common syllable you keep saying is "agoooo"! When we play video songs for your sister, you turn your head and watch it. The colors, the sound and the moving objects grab your attention. It is quite too cold these days and it looks like you enjoy the cold weather. When we go out at 2 degree Celsius, you still smile and like to stay out.

               You have got a very silky, smooth long hair and they stand straight most of the time. That makes it easier for your sister to pull them. In India, all are eagerly waiting to see the little boy!!!