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!!!