Mommy is now also a full time manicurist!

So, our darling daughter was born with really long nails - which she learnt to put to use from day 1. She scratched her face atleast a couple of times in the first 48 hours itself. Don't even begin asking why I didn't put mittens on - that she hated/hates them is an understatement!

The minute we were back from the hospital, trimming her nails was the first on my to-do. Now, anybody who has seen a newborn (carefully) knows that the skin is so close to the nail, that even the most careful of attempts at using a nail cutter could result in a catastrophe. Also, I remembered all too well my SIL's post on how she had managed to nip her daughter's nail once. I was convinced - if she managed to do that, there was no way I was going to even attempt to try using a nail clipper. And, hence, I went about researching and guess what I found:

This is a tempered glass nail filer available on Amazon. Tell me, it's not cute :D. It requires some effort and force but you cannot cut your baby's skin even if you used it in your sleep. Requires patience too because obviously it takes longer, and you have to file more frequently than you would trim. But, it's all well worth it.

The flip side? The nail filer is as effective as any emery board filer but it's 10 times the price. The reason I still bought it - because I wanted something cute and likeable! Considering the fact that I have to file Manya's nails every two days (yes, that's how fast her nails grow), I'd rather have something nice to keep myself motivated (yes, i derive happiness out of simple, mean things :P)!!!

Needles pierced | Tears shed

Earlier this week, Manya got her first set of immunization shots. I was extremely anxious and for good reason - poor baby had to get three shots at one go, plus an oral dose. I am a person who freaks out at the sight of a needle reaching towards me, even now, so you cannot even imagine how cruel I thought it was to poke our little girl. With all the advancement in science, why can't we have oral doses for all baby vaccinations, infact, make that all vaccinations. I hope somebody somewhere is doing serious research on this.

So the story goes like this. Manya was in one of her best moods ever - she didn't sleep thru the car ride, looked around with great curiosity - her first "awake" car ride! She cheerfully let the nurse check her weight, height - didn't even mind the cold thermometer placed in her armpits. The doc was impressed by her smiling and cooing - and called her "extremely" social for her age. (Needless to say, my husband was quick to note that that one trait came straight from me :P.)

And  then, we entered the "shot room". She was smiling as usual till the moment the first needle was inserted...

...And then all hell broke loose. Her face turned the deepest shade of tomato red; flood gates were opened as copious tears flowed; and all sound barriers were broken as she screamed her loudest scream.

I am not exaggerating - she could be heard bawling a floor up and a floor down. I just couldn't control my tears - much to Vish's exasperation who claimed he could handle only one crying person at a time and he'd rather pick the person who actually went through the pain. So off he went pacifying her for a good 10 minutes after which she was calm and lulled into sleep. Thank god. I didn't have the guts to hold her then!

Now, I am hoping the next shots are easier ... on me atleast! I'd rather be the cool, chilled out, practical mom than a teary eyed sissy :( :(.

The second month just rolled by...

Our feisty angel is 2 months old now and here are the highlights:

• Manya no longer needs the metronome at bed time - much to mommy's delight who couldn't sleep with that constant noise! 

• Her day time feeding schedule is still erratic because of her acid reflux (which has slightly improved), and she still gets up for her 2-3 hourly feeds at night. I have stopped reading forums where mothers boast of babies who sleep for 6 hours straight at night at just 6 weeks!

• While on the subject of her feeding, she is quite a social diner: she wants to first look at me, coo a little, smile a little (confusing me if she has a trapped air bubble or if it is a genuine smile), and then get on with the job, while continuously staring at me. It's all cute, except when she wants to do this entire routine at her 1 AM and 3 AM feeds!

• She continues to be well behaved, though a wee bit more expressive and obstinate about her demands. Her smiles and laughs and gurgles have increased. There is some occasional cooing too. And, when she cries, it's a whole lot louder!

• She plays almost everyday at the play gym - quite excitedly at that.

• Mommy has been showing her books and toys. Very little interest but she loves change in voice tones when being spoken too - responds especially well to daddy's sessions that include a whole lot of rough play and jostling around!

• She moves her legs and hands very well now - a whole lot less jerky. She loves being on her tummy, only because she finds it convenient to suck her hand :(!

• And she has an obsession - Our ceiling fan! She keeps staring at it and even smiles at it. Oh by the way, if while feeding she is not facing it - she'll stop her feed to turn in that direction. Some days it is so irritating, I feel like pulling that fan off!

• She has started listening to Bach (daddy's influence) and Julie Andrews (mommy's influence). We are yet to figure out what she prefers, though!

• Mommy has forced the 8 PM lights off rule. Our darling has been adhering to it with very little deviance. And if she gets a full night's sleep (ofcourse apart from the feedings), she is up bright and sunny at around 5 AM and then sleeps again only by 7 or 8 AM. Much to daddy's plight, she can't tell weekends from weekdays and so we have to ensure she is entertained well in those early hours!

• And something not so pleasant: She will get her first set of vaccinations tomorrow and I have been so nervous thinking about it.

The verdict: She is growing real fast. Her arms, her legs, her eyelashes, especially. Oh, how I love staring at them! 

Happy New Year, Love

Dearest Manya,

2012 has been THE life changing year for daddy and mommy. We have gone through ups and downs all through our lives and had many a proverbial new chapters, but with you coming into our world, it's a whole new epic!

At a single glance, the world doesn't seem to be doing very well - economic crises across the globe, shootings, unrest, and I don't even want to talk about the state of affairs in India. But, one look at you and we are filled with hope - hope for a better tomorrow for you to live in. We want you to grow up to be happy that we chose to bring you in this world. And I am not sure that we are doing enough.

However, what is living without hope and love, and so we shall celebrate each new day as it comes!

2013 will be a year of a trillion firsts for you. I can't tell you how excited mommy and daddy are for your first tooth, your first food, your first word and your first step. You are growing up fast. As I write this, you are already 8 weeks old - now that's a big girl compared to the tiny baby we got from the hospital :).

Last year, around this time, mommy and daddy were sipping wine, and feasting on rum cakes. We were out for dinner and went hiking on the first day of 2012. Those were happy times.

This year, we are surrounded by your dirty diapers, stinky burp cloths, messy bath routines, and sleepless night outs! But guess what, these are happier times because we have you and you occupy all our attention and thought, leaving no space for nostalgia of the calmer (:D) times we have left behind. So, here's wishing you a very very happy 2013. 

Lots of love n hugs n kisses!

Shit happens...And everybody loves it!

Statutory Warning: This post actually talks about the four letter word with which the title above begins. Only those with a brave heart, a realistic sense of humor, or parents may continue reading this post. Would-be parents be especially warned.

Now, now, now, here comes the time for some fact checking. The one essential app of the human body that is completely undermined all your life and usually the "butt" of most grotesque jokes is undeniably iPoop! And, why should I choose to talk about this on my mommy blog - well, because, when you become a parent, that's what hits your face among the first things, and it stays there for quite a while.

After the birth of the baby, everybody awaits "the happening". I kid you not, the first wet and soiled diaper (I can get all technical about meconium et al. but where's the fun in that?) is a cause of great celebration. The nurse and the pediatrician actually gave genuine exclamations of 'wow', and 'wonderful', while my dad took the moment to a whole new level  by congratulating us!!! Vish and I feigned a few indulgent smiles. 

And then started, what has been a never ending journey - the initial diaper changes were nerve wrecking. We would be nervous, Manya would be bawling, I would forget the rash ointment, She would throw her legs around, and finally the ordeal would end with a thank god. Cut to the present. Vish and I can individually change her diapers in a jiffy - there's no crying, no forgetting - and a top-quality job is done - day and night. (My learning curve has always been sharp, I tell you!) 

By the way, the industry standards say that on an average a child has about 5000 diaper changes till he or she is about the potty-training age (say 1.5 to 2 years). So, I do have miles to go.

The other quite irritating thing about this whole business is that, in the initial weeks, you have to not only keep a count of the dirty diapers but also note the color etc. (obviously for the pediatrician visits, duh and not as a present for your kid's 13th birthday!). I still remember Vish screaming, "please analyse the shit later, and put the fresh diaper on, else there shall be more to analyze than you can handle"! We actually downloaded an app that helps you keep a track of it and gives you stats in the end - you can even create graphs etc! It really helped - because imagine, keeping a pencil and paper next to the changing station and then manually doing a total and average at the end of the week :D. (I had considered maintaining an excel for keepsakes, but I was not sure as to how my daughter would react to such memorabilia :P.)

You can now breathe a sigh of relief, no more details! And, apologies for grossing you out if I have, but then like they say, "You do not know true love, till you wipe the shit off somebody's ass." Ouch!

And the tears have come in...

Just one of the fascinating facts you learn about babies is that their tear ducts become functional only somewhere between 1 to 4 months of age - which essentially means that when they cry before that, its tear-less. Imagine, of all the homework I did on neonates, I got to know of this only after Manya was born. 

So while I cannot document her first cry or first smile - simply because the first thing she ever did was cry; and as for her smiling, she has been doing that since the day she was born: in her dreams, because of her gassiness, and only very lately in response to people - I can definitely record the date of her first tears. 

Three days ago - on 18th December - our princess, poked her nose a little too harshly and slowly her eyes welled up with water and one tiny drop from each eye slid down. Awwww, it was heart warming and heart breaking at the same time. 

On Demand!

So, the pediatricians recommend that babies be fed on-demand for the first several weeks. My first reaction to that: Obviously. Don't we adults also expect to be fed or rather expect to eat on-demand! 

And then I realized, life's facts are never so simple. Apparently, the average baby feeds every 2-4 hours (including night and day) for a couple of months and in some cases, especially where babies are exclusively breastfed, the feed could even be every 1 to 1.5 hrs (more in periods of growth spurts). 

Now comes the catch, my daughter takes on-demand to a whole new level. All these IP TV providers and other service providers need to really understand from her what is truly ON DEMAND! So, her highness, started a wonderful new routine towards the end of her first week. In the night, she would ask for a feed, sip for 2-3 mins, doze off again, and then get up in 45 minutes for the next snack. With the exhaustion of delivery still hitting hard and strong, I was going crazy with this kind of feeding. 

At her next pediatrician appointment, we brought this up with the doctor and she explained to us that I need to ensure the baby is wide awake for a proper active feed. So, I should always change her diaper before feeding her so that she is woken up from her slumber. Haa! I did attend my child rearing classes, you know. I was already doing that. 

Next, she told me to take off her blankets and any warm clothing. That seemed simple enough. 

And then, she said, if that failed too, I should strip her to her diaper, put a cold wet cloth over her skin and then begin feeding her. The only thought that crossed my mind was, "How brutal; only these Westerners can be so harsh on the poor baby" (ouch, I didn't mean to be racist, but oh, well!). With a firm resolve not to ever do it to MY child, I left the clinic.

And then night fell again. Our Madame, started her assault. Soon, she was sipping 2-3 minutes every 30 minutes. I not only looked like a zombie but felt like one too. Removing her warm clothing, didn't do any good. 

As the darkness grew, so faded my strong resolve. It was 2 degrees (C) outside (inside about 20 C) - the doc's last option suddenly didn't seem so brutal. So with a guilt ridden heart, I attempted the cruelest thing ever - After she was done with her 2 min sucking, I stripped Manya to her diaper, rubbed a cold wet cloth over her (my spine shuddered and I must have apologized to her more than a 100 times). 

Lo, behold, she flung her eyes open - bright and wide. Wow, I said, it worked, and then I began feeding her. What she did after that will remain as a lesson with me forever. Manya clenched her lips so tight that nothing and no one could coax her to open her mouth for the feed. She kept awake and she did not feed. Period. She got up in another 30 minutes. Fed for 2 minutes. I tried my wet cloth only once more. She refused to feed till the next 30 minutes. 

And thus, I learnt two things: One, the true meaning of on-demand. And two, when you force your way through things in desperation, nothing will work the way you want :(.

Epilogue: She settled down into a lot easier schedule, soon after - a feed every two hours. I promise you it had nothing to do with my cold treatment though. She is back to hourly feeds lately, but only because of her reflux problem, which I hope resolves soon with the medication she is taking. Till then, fingers crossed (and recommendations for good under eye cream would be highly appreciated :P).

Power nap/ Yoga nidra

It is no secret that with the joy of mommyhood come countless sleepless nights and days. Between frequent feeds, diapering duties, burping, bath times, changing clothes, and other items on an endlessly long list, sleep is the last thing that 'happens'. I won't even get into the details of dark circles and blotchy skin and all the nasty side effects.
All for the greater love, they say. So be it :D.

The minute you announce the news of your pregnancy, friends, relatives. all and sundry, will surely give you one advice, "Sleep well, rest well." However, well meaning the advice maybe and I even concede, rest is important; but I always felt (and still feel) that you can't really stack up on the sleep quota - something like if you know you are going to fast next month, you can't eat double the previous month! 

So, ofcourse I rested a lot during the nine months, it still didn't come in handy post November 6th. Now, what would have me better prepared? A good course on how to get power naps or yoga nidra. For details on these concepts check Wikipedia: Power nap | Yoga nidra. 

Forget all those Lamaze classes, childbirth classes, labor and delivery classes etc., I feel a mandatory class should be not on breathing but sleeping. I ruefully admire my husband as he gets up refreshed from his 15 minute snooze and I am still tossing and turning to first fall asleep. It takes me atleast 30 mins to fall asleep and sadly, that luxury has not been offered to me till now! I wonder if it ever will be. And anyways, how does one learn power napping? Any ideas?

One Month Milestone!

I cannot find an un-cliched way of saying this, but boy, time does fly. Manya is already a month old!

Here's what she's been upto:

• Our baby loves constant noise, chatter - sleeps soundly through most noise. We infact used a metronome set at 120 beats a minute for her night time. She is slowly getting off that - mostly because mommy needs absolute silence for her sleep!

• She feeds pretty much on-demand (more about this in a later post).

• Poor baby gets frequent hiccuping bouts - some of which may last upto 15-20 minutes. She patiently hiccups while we fuss around her to make her comfortable.

• She loves it when her nappy is being changed and she's being cleaned. 

• She absolutely hates sponge baths - especially the time when her sleeves have to be removed, stomach has to be cleaned or massaged with cream. 

• As much as she hates her sponge baths, she loves the hot water baths. From the first time on, she has taken an instant liking for her oil massages, is an absolute angel in the bath tub (we put it against the bathroom mirror, and she keeps adoring herself - what a narcissist!), and is extremely patient when we are transporting her slithery, wriggling body to and fro from the changing station.

• Her highness also loves to have her hair massaged, cleaned, brushed and generally stroked all day through!

• Keeping my fingers crossed on this one: She preserves her crying only for when it is absolutely necessary - when her hunger cues are not picked up for almost 4-5 minutes, when she scratches her self with her own long and always-growing nails or when she is extremely bored and irritated, the latter mostly because of gas!

• She focuses extremely well on people and objects - even to the extent of frowning. Follows movements.

• Has not taken an interest to any toys yet. Though, she is slowly responding to the hanging animals in her play gym. Doesn't mind being plonked on her recliner/bouncer but can stay put only for 10-15 minutes.

• No story telling seems to particularly interest her. She quietens down instantly when I read from The Economist to her. Quite funny that she likes the monotonous sound of the reading to all the antics I do during the story telling.

• Old McDonald, This old man, and Rudolph are her lullabies. (Mostly because mommy can't sing to save her life and these don't require her to be melodious.)

• She smiles and laughs now (I don't know if it is yet an emotional response or just a muscle twitch ;) even when awake - earlier all the laughs and the gurgles and the chuckles were only during dream time!

• She hates being swaddled too tight - likes her arms and legs free. Hates mittens and socks too!

• She throws her arms around all day as if she was conducting an orchestra. Legs are kicked a million times in a million directions and she has begun to move herself diagonally or left/right when lying down. She doesn't mind being on her tummy, so we don't have a problem with her pediatrician recommended "tummy times".

• No distinct sleep pattern as yet...though I have begun to notice that she is perhaps more awake early mornings and late evenings.

• Touch wood again on this one - she seems to be extremely visitor friendly - no fussing, no crying - absolutely well behaved in strange environments like the car or the doctor's clinic! And I must get into details of this one in another post.

• And this one with a sigh: She hates the crib, and instead prefers sleeping between mommy and daddy in the nights. Tries to reach out to both of us in the middle of the night. Keeps knocking at our bodies if we have our backs turned towards her!

• She spends a lot of time admiring mom's hair (the only person in this entire universe to do so), and loves the cheek to cheek time with daddy in the mornings.

• Last but not the least; Not many car rides as yet - but she is lulled to sleep with daddy's driving!

All in all, the princess has being quite the cooperative baby; and generally, any complaints or disciplining tactics from mommy and daddy are met with a grunt from everybody else. We are told to count are blessings and not trouble Manya :D. And we mostly try not to :P.

She's got mail!

On 28th November, Manya got her first postal mail addressed exclusively to her with her full name et al.

Though it was just some legal paper work, we were super excited and opened the envelope ever so carefully so that we could preserve it as a keepsake for the times to come.

Of course, we realize that time flies, and soon we will not have access to her highness's mail!