Absentminded? Me?

I would have responded with a resounding NO any other time of my life. And now, I’m stuck!

It’s been called ‘mommy brain’, ‘last trimester fog’ and ‘pregnancy amnesia’. At least this great article does! Thanks Connie.

Am I glad I read about it before I could attach this label to myself!

Here’s what I managed to accomplish in just one day:

· I left my ATM Card in the machine and walked out of the place with a broad smile on my face. Oh horrors!
· I was blissfully unaware that I had not turned off the gas after cooking. Thank God for my knight in alert armor!
· Scalded a couple of fingers in a freak accident, in the kitchen, of course!
· I left a particular kitchen window open that ought to have been shut. My husband woke up to find a happy pigeon couple evaluating the place for their future home.

That should do it, I suppose. I ought to be locked up or at least be placed under strict supervision.

Did I mention it’s temporary? Thank God, for small mercies!

Picture credit: fws.gov

Tender coconuts and saffron

I drink tender coconut water as I was told repeatedly that’s good for me.

Tender coconut’s good for pregnancy. Well, it better be! My husband sweetly picks up a couple on his way back from work and every morning he ensures there’s a cool, refreshing drink at breakfast for me.

I feel like a princess. :-)

And then, a cousin called up and decided to courier some saffron to us. It’s supposed to be good for the baby. (Old wives tales say it’s supposed to bring some color to the baby. Try proving that to a passionate zoologist like me who understands the intricacies of genetics a little better than the average man on the streets.) By the way, it was the first time I laid eyes on saffron. I’d seen it only on magazines and television until now. So I was excited.

What’s amazing is that it’s traveled from Spain via Dubai to Kerala and about 4 gms. of it sits in our kitchen now.

Why am I excited? Because this cousin thought of us and the baby and took the effort to ensure that (through his various contacts) this rare spice arrives at home.

Now why would someone want to do that, I wonder? And then I realize, I don’t have answers for some miracles. Thank you, S! :-)

Picture credit: farhangsara.com

Of south-west monsoons and babies

The last time I thought about southwest monsoon was at Geography class in school. And would you believe my brain chose to retrieve that specific bit of information from deep inside my brain, now?

Well, let me explain ... We’re going to have a summer baby. Summer in this city is hot, sticky and bothersome. That’s when this southwest monsoon came like a beacon of hope. You see, southwest monsoon arrives on June 1st and our baby’s due on June 28th.

You bet, I’m praying and hoping with all my heart that monsoon will arrive dot on schedule! Also it'll prove that what I learnt at school still holds good! :-)

I can hope, can’t I?

And here's our baby update:



Picture credit: rustyvalentine.com

Fish curry and friendship

I love fish, in any form. Make it continental or Indian style - I’m game if it’s fish. Tuna salad or spicy fish fillets? No problem!

That’s why I was excited when a friend invited a group of girl friends over to her place for an evening of ‘fish curry and friendship’.

There were two mothers-to-be while the rest had already graduated into motherhood. It was a fun evening for us girls. Most of us had been together at school or college. We swapped stories, caught up with each others’ lives and had a blast. The evening’s highlight was the fish curry and fish fillet spread laid out by the hostess. It was yummmm!

How can I say thank you? You are the best, Bh! One more thing I want to remember to do for mothers-to-be.

Picture credit: fatsoflife.com

Keep cool when pregnant

A friend’s mom kindly shared with me a lot of tips on staying healthy (ier?). Since summer’s launching itself upon the city, here are some of her tips on staying cool:

1. Drink tender coconut water in the mornings. Yummy!

2. Drink this version of rice porridge (for the benefit of the rest of the world. In South India, it’s called kanji or rice gruel). Soak one-cup rice and a tablespoon fenugreek or methi overnight. Add salt to taste and pressure cook the rice with four cups of water. Pretend you’re indulging in your favorite porridge or cereal and enjoy it! Hmmmm ...

They’re supposed to help us stay cool especially since our bodies are warmer than usual now.

And now we have to find a regular source for these tender coconuts ...

Picture credit: thaitable.com

Of diapers and baby wipes

I know that sounds like a classic title on a family blog. And yet, here’s the punch line: Our baby’s a good two and half-months into the future! If there’s anything I want to stock up on, it's tons of diapers and baby wipes. I’ve been talking to many moms – old and new. And I’ve found some brands that’ll suit a newborn, I think.

According to statistics I found while trawling the web, a newborn uses an average of 12 diapers in a day. Well, that enables my logical brain to plan ahead.

And how’s Baby Reuel? 29 weeks old, in utero, of course!



Picture credit: allposters.com

Four weddings and an invitation!

Just the other day, a friend called to invite us for his wedding. No, it was not an invitation. He was merely informing us that he was booking our tickets so we could attend his wedding. Now, my instant response was to say no. I had to because my tummy’s getting bigger and I seem to getting tired more often too. A weekend is what I look forward to so I can just rest and sleep 'n rest and sleep.

Of course, I kept saying no until he delivered his punch line: After all, I came for all your four weddings! You can make it for just this one wedding of mine.

How could I forget? He was among the few who celebrated our wedding with us, all four of them! (Yes, my husband and I had four wedding celebrations!)

Picture credit: cakesbycathy.com

Our wedding anniversary

For the first time ever, yesterday, I was asked for my wedding date. I didn’t have an answer!

No, I did not forget! Just that there are three dates to choose from and I did not know which one to pick. So I promptly (and discreetly!), called up my husband who burst out laughing. He had a brilliant solution though – check the wedding ring! So it was the ‘family and friends wedding’ date that we’d gotten inscribed on the ring, that was given the honor.

Of course yes! That’s what I’d like to remember. Not the hot, stuffy, corrupt Registrar’s office or the two-months-later farcical, traditional ceremony where I was given a pseudo-name to suit my in-laws’ preferences (and was pregnant too!).

No, I’d like to cherish the memories of that warm evening where we were surrounded by smiling faces, cheering voices and lots of laughter. That was our wedding day!

Picture credit: gvg.ltd.uk

Dad and his daughter

Yesterday, I received a surprise letter from my dad. Yes! The paper and mailman kind of letter. I was amused to find that my dad had mentioned my married name in block letters, (just in case I miss the message?!) I was touched. He probably thinks his fiercely independent daughter needs a few reminders? Whatever the reason, I called him right away that I’d got the message loud and clear.

We love you dad!

And guess what, we’ll get to see our baby in just 84 days! :-)



Picture credit: visionforum.com

Shopping for the baby

One of the things that I’m really excited about and look forward to shopping for our baby - all those tiny clothes, socks, bassinet, soft towels, toys and more. I dream about it and every time the thought crosses my mind, it feels like the best thing in the world! So I’ve been asking around what to stock up on and the best places to shop. I also happened to ask my MIL and received quite a jolt! Apparently, in their (or is it ours now?) culture, they don’t buy anything for the baby until he or she is born!

Hmmmm ... that’s a sticky situation. We’ll have to tackle this very carefully.

Fortunately, mom’s cool as a cucumber! So there’s a lot to smile about ... :-)

Picture credit: mothersbliss.com