Attracting the wrong kind of attention

One of the things I’ve observed with people is how they love to regale you, especially if you’re pregnant, with stories of how they suffered through their pregnancy. With a few exceptions, most of them like to sound like martyrs. And of course, there’s a lot of negative advice – a lot more don’ts rather than dos.

Any day, I’d like to restrict myself to the happy crowd, the ones who pat you on your back and say ‘Enjoy your pregnancy!’ Well, every day I’m amazed at the miracle that I’m living through and how can I discount all the beauty and majesty of what I’m part of?

I say, let the nays be. Focus on the yeas!

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Dad ... what can I say?

Dad celebrates his birthday today. I think of all those moments when I’ve thought of dad and realized the hundreds of ways he’s been a shining example of parenting.

Quickly I can think of three ways he’s made me ready for life …

- It didn’t matter how well you compared against people but how well you compared against the best goal you could set for yourself.
- Speak up for the voiceless.
- Always, always let integrity and truth guide you.

Wonder how we’ll fare as parents. Well, I know we have great grandparents to support us! :-)

Happy birthday, dad!

And here's our baby update:



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Sixteen hours and going strong!

My last check up was uneventful which is good news. But there was a word of advise too from my doc. She would like me to put my feet up every once in a while and go horizontal when I get the chance. Doing an honest audit yesterday, I realized that on an average it takes approximately 16 hours before I can lay down my weary back. It’s just tired not aching or bothersome. Thank God for that!

However, I don’t know how good that is especially since I can see the arch in my back growing more pronounced. Is there a limit on the curve? I hope there is!

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It’s so amazing!

We’ve been amazed at God’s handiwork in designing this institution of parenthood including pregnancy. Most evenings as we walk we find ourselves amazed at the way a baby remains cocooned in his/her mother’s womb, sleeping, waiting, biding his/her time before entering into a bustling world.

And then about the bond … We’ve been realizing that even if there’s nothing in the world you can call your very own, your children always remain your very own. Of course, we haven’t forgotten Kahlil Gibran’s often-quoted verses on children.

And then about the gift … As each day of our pregnancy goes by, we realize that children are a gift from God. Yes, we’ll hear complaints from others, we might crib too but the bottom line remains – children are a gift from God.

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Sometimes when I sleep ...

I often find myself overwhelmed by my husband’s patience and his complete devotion to his family i.e. yours sincerely and our little baby. He’s been everything I could wish for in a husband and father-to-be. I’m touched every time I wake up to find him fixing his breakfast or lunch so that I can enjoy an extra fifteen minutes of much-needed sleep.

Well, what can I say? He’s already being ‘dad’! Thanks honey.

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Miss you, mom

My mom’s visit was short. Lasted all of four heavenly days but they were precious. For some strange reason, I wanted to capture each day and encapsulate it in an indestructible, time-tested pod.

Each day I would wake up with a smile at her melodious humming. She made some of my favorite childhood goodies. Our home was spotless. But are those the reasons I miss her?

I think I miss her voice. Her presence. Her unconditional love. Her tender hugs.

I miss her.

I walked into an empty home the day she left and burst into tears. The vacuum was evident. I called my husband despite knowing he’d worry needlessly. After ages, I felt loneliness surround me. I’ll blame it on my pregnancy, I suppose.

Love you, mom.

And here's our baby update:



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When moms know best

I’ve always been daddy’s girl. Dad was the strongest, tallest, most talented, wisest, most intelligent man in the whole wide world. In fact, there’s a silly rumor about how I claimed my father was 10 feet tall. Well, what do you expect from a kid who knows that 10 is bigger than 5 or 6? Especially when no one warned her that people taller that 7 feet get celebrity status?

He was also into martial arts and Kalripayuttu. My brother and I grew up on a regular diet of martial art movies. Bruce Lee, I knew quite well.

Now my mom doesn’t want me to watch movies that show blood, gore and violence. I concur. I want to watch movies that leave me smiling and aglow inside. I think somewhere in the hidden corners of my brain, is a part that defies scientific knowledge and wants to believe that when I smile, our baby smiles too!

And here's our baby's update:

Of sneezes and babies

I sneeze a lot. It’s called perennial allergic rhinitis. It’s not painful, not infectious, just annoying and exhausting. It strikes without warning and when it does, the day is lost. At the end of the day, I feel as though I’ve been in a dryer – tossed about and washed out. Naturally, it was a matter of concern where our Baby Reuel was concerned.

I gently asked my doc about the effect of these sneezes on my baby. She said, “That’s okay. The baby’s well protected.”

Then it must have been apparent on my face that the answer was not comprehensive enough. And then she caught on. With a broad smile, she said: Don’t worry, you’ll never sneeze your baby out.

I still laugh when I think of this reassurance!

Bless you, doc!

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Mom’s here!

Mom decided to surprise me with a visit. Of course, she was thrilled to see me – I looked radiant with health! I was energetic, full of the usual life and no signs of pregnancy were evident except for that wee bump that was evident only at certain angles under my loose top.

I was thrilled with her reaction. I knew then that I was doing great notwithstanding the tiny aches, pains and the overriding thrills of pregnancy.

I feel all the more excited now because I can see that mom’s really, really happy to see me all happy and healthy. Makes a world of difference!

Thanks ma! You’re the best!

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Celebrations!

Today, we celebrate! It’s been exactly two years since we made a commitment to each other and two years hence, we’re happily married and eagerly expectant.

It’s also my husband’s birthday. It was on this day, two years ago that we had ‘the talk’. Today we look back and can’t believe we spoke all that we did and as a result are a family today.

And I’m so awed when I think of how we were led through those times and questions. Times that were fragile and questions no one could answer for us.

We learned a lot together. We laughed. We cried. We had fun. We shared. And we became the best of friends. That’s what we are today too.

Married and waiting for our baby, it’s our camaraderie and sense of humor that keeps us bubbly and happy.

Three cheers to the Lord who brought us together. :-)

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Friday's here!

I’m sure any mom-to-be will empathize with this: the need to sleep. I can’t seem to get enough of it! Or even if I do get enough, I don’t mind getting some more! :-)

So I look forward to the weekends! On Saturdays, there’s nothing I’d like more than to sleep through the day. On some days, I do sleep until noon and my husband tiptoes around the place. He’s such a dear!

However, it seems like some remnant of my childhood seems to have been left behind. I’ve always been an owl and waking up has been a tiresome task for my parents and me. Oh but all that changes when a holiday loomed on the horizon. So many exciting things to do. So many friends to meet up with. So many books to read. To cram all of this into one short holiday, I’d wake up bright and early!

Seems like that’s what’s happening to me now! Every day I long for just a little more sleep and come Saturday and it’s like a whole new person arrives on the weekends! My poor husband’s finding it hard to keep track of me!

Well, tomorrow might just turn out to be like the rest! I wake up bright and early wondering what I was complaining about all through the week!

And by the way, here’s the latest update on Baby Reuel: 24 weeks old and letting us know he’s there with a few kicks, nudges and of course, some butterfly kisses! :-)



Have a nice weekend all of you!

What will we do?

Last night, my husband and I realized how much our lives had changed now that we have baby Reuel in our hearts.

B, that’s my husband, was sharing about a rude co-passenger on the train. He was rude for no apparent reason. I shuddered to think of what we’d do if our child ever had to encounter such rude people. Would he/she know how to cope? Would our hearts break?

Then we went on to discuss what we’d do if a teacher decided to slap our child? How would we feel when our child left the nest for the same time?

B consoling me: Don’t worry, by then, we’ll have the grace to handle the situations.

Of course, haven’t we crossed swollen rivers, been through overwhelming floods, endured the harsh realities of life? Our parents might also have found it difficult to watch us being taken through the tough times but I guess it is not easy to interrupt the circle of life.

We fall. We scrape our knees. We carry battle scars. But we grow. We learn. We get better. We become whole.

So, dearest Reuel, no matter what happens in your life, we’ll always, always be there for you and our love will always, always surround you. That’s a promise.

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The couch beckons ...

Last week, I was going through a strange disorientation phenomenon – I would be wide awake and fresh, like the proverbial daisy in the mornings. However, as the day progressed, I would find myself drooping in energy. By four in the evening, I’d be ready to crash out.

So I began to plan my day accordingly – getting all the important, urgent work done in the mornings and the rest for the low energy evenings.

This week, however my body’s tending towards certain owlish tendencies. I wake up with sleep written all over my brain and maneuver myself like a zombie at work. What makes it worse is the absolutely tempting, comfy couch right behind my chair. I think there were a few moments when I heard the couch whisper to me, invitingly, of course.

Come 4 pm and guess what, I’m ready to take on the world! My eyes turn all sparkly and my voice takes on an exciting tone.

Guess I’m encountering another mystery of pregnancy. Or is it just me?

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A lot of new things happen!

In some corner of my mind, I thought my pregnancy would result in a break from the regularity of life. That myth was shattered!

And, of course, all those adventures that have come my way and my feet just walked into them – I knew I could breathe easy now. I’m a mother-to-be, after all! Well, a month into my pregnancy and I knew I was destined to do new things – no matter what.

I found myself doing a LOT of new things.

We were expecting Baby Reuel for six weeks, when my husband and I had to go through the traditional wedding ceremony organized by my in-laws.

I have had to drive to all kinds of tricky corners, narrow streets and places I never hazarded visiting when I was single.

I have cooked dozens of new dishes especially biriyani, a dish I thought only experts cooked.

I’ve changed my look – new attire (thanks to our growing baby), new hairstyle (thanks to the new attire) and more – in preparation of our baby’s arrival.

I had to compere in Hindi (!) at a program of Indian classical music, a language I have used only with my parents on the phone and a few friends for the last ten years or so.

You know what I think? Life goes on, although with a few new twists and turns. Also I think it’s God’s way of preparing us for all the new things that are to come our way as we eagerly await the newest arrival in our family.

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Butterfly kisses to karate chops

Did I just tell you last week about those dainty, little butterfly kisses? For all those experienced moms who said, ‘Just you wait’, I have something to admit: I humbly bow my head.

How was I to know that those delicate butterfly kisses would turn to little karate chops? What is the baby up to? I thought he/she’s supposed to sleep the whole time!!!

Well, baby Reuel seems to be on a major adventure, at least one that requires pronounced movement of the limbs especially when momma decides to get some rest.

Will we need to grow an extra pair of arms and legs to cope with this active, little baby?

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Six granules of sugar make my day!

In my zeal to ensure that our pregnancy goes through without a hitch, one of the things I’ve given up is sugar.

By the way, let me clarify one thing here: I love sugar. I love anything sugary. I love anything sugary sweet. I believe sugar is one of God’s greatest gifts to mankind. I believe I can survive without a meal but not without dessert. Sugar rules!

Now that you know what I think of sugar …

I realized that one of my regular sources of sugar was the teaspoonful that I added to my cup of milk. I can’t give up drinking milk as it's one of the only three conditions that the doc laid for me: 2 cups (of 250 ml each) every day is a must.

So I gave up sugar. Not entirely, I add six granules. Why six? I don’t know. But it helps to know that somewhere in the liquid realms of 250 ml of milk are some molecules of sugar that help make my day.

Thank God for small mercies!

And here's how our sweet 'little inspiration' fares:



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