Booked the Tickets !!!

Now its been several times we are taking the little man in the car to doctors, temple and shopping. I think he seems to enjoy the change in scenery. However most times he did exactly what we think he would: sleep. Since the good news on his health is out, and with all the green signals from doctors, we thought it will be best to book the tickets to India for the much awaited trip. So grand parents can finally see the “apple of their eyes”.

Of course, once we booked the ticket, we (specially mommy since she will be traveling alone with him) suddenly got very nervous. Very, very nervous. Like, agoraphobic, never-leave-the-house-again nervous. We’re about to become the people we’ve despised and bitched about for many, many trips. The tides have most certainly turned and I am terrified of the fate that lies ahead. The more she thought about the plane ride and the potential meltdowns, the more she shriveled up inside. I am a foolish, brazen, fate-tempter. What was I thinking: a one hour car ride is like a walk around the block compared to a 18 hour plane ride, with a plane change in Newark, Surrounded by strangers. All looking at That Woman with the Ticking Time Bomb. As the time to finally have that plane ride was approaching she ran through every possible reaction in her head to counter the baby-hating passengers: break the ice by handing out ear plugs. Shrug her shoulders and say “Babies! Whatcha gonna do.”. Throw a little guilt their way – “Far be it from me and my tiny son to interrupt your Zagat-rated meal and the Oscar-winning Scary Movie 4!” And if all else fails, just cry when he cries.

In preparation for her journey, we’ve been online researching travel tips and checklists. The amount of stuff this kid is going to need for his trip to India is ridiculous !! But with a baby, I’ve learned quickly that you can never play it too safe. You really do kind of need EVERYTHING for all WHAT-IF scenarios – because they CAN and WILL happen.

Flyingwithkids.com suggested this travel tip: Wear spunky clothes and dark glasses so that other passengers think you are someone famous enjoying quality time with your kids.

That should be easy, let me see ..there should be a plent of place for a few costume changes for “The Mommy”. They should come right after onesies, sleepers, socks, diapers, bath wash, lotion, medicine, the snot sucker, ear swabs, wipes, the binky, rattle, blankets, sheets, bottles, drop-in refills, bibs, a thermometer, receiving towels, disinfectant, a sun hat, jacket, stoller, the birth certificate, books, nail clippers, wash clothes and toys. And that’s just for baby…DO NOT FORGET 1 TON BABY FORMULA !!

Playing costume, you will be lucky to remember to pack your underwear amist this detailed baby pack-up and these people are suggesting dress-up ??? …. I am sure whoever is writing these tips have no kids or never ever have travelled with Kids.

I am sure you all can’t wait to hear about his first plane ride …keep listening !!!

There is a God and He watches !!!

Today was the day we have been anxiously waiting for two weeks now. However, deep down in a little corner of our heart we thought that this day should never come. Today, Neev went through Bronchoscopy. Bronchoscopy is a procedure that allows the doctor to look at Neev’s airway through a thin viewing instrument called a bronchoscope for any structural abnormalities. On one hand we wanted this to get done so we can either be relieved or take appropriate diagnosis. On other hand, just the thought of him lying under the big surgical light with no sense, almost destroyed us. In any case 25th Feb came and we reached hospital at 11:30 AM. We couldn’t give him anything to drink except a little pedialyte but he seemed to be OK. Once we were in hospital they changed him to hospital gown, even then he looked so cute. After this they asked to watch for a video about this particular process and what can we expect after the surgery. Once the video was over, the doctor came and explained the same things in a more personal way. Finally, after 10 minutes two nurses came to take our little bubble from us for the surgery. We could hardly control the rush of emotion when they asked to kiss him bye. Nurses took him away and we waited outside. The doctors did tell us that he might not come to senses for 2 hours after the surgery and still be cranky after that. After 20 minutes or so the surgeon came to the sitting launge and showed us some pictures of the airways and passed on the news we wanted to hear for months. Here are his exact words “He is a tough little fella, there is nothing structurally wrong with his airways and he should automatically grow out his breathing problem” …there is a GOD ….we know that ..we know it one more time !!!!

After few minutes, at around 2:20, they called us in to see our “tough little fella”, now as doctors said we were excepting him to be unconscious. We couldn’t believe as we reached the bedside that he was wide awake and staring at the nurse sitting at her side. He saw “The Mommy” and smile at her. It doesn’t take more than that to moisten mommy’s eyes. But all is good, we were in hospital for few more hours and were discharged at around 5 PM. After we came back home, we realized his nose was little pinkish but that was expected also. His poop was really weird too so we called the doctor and that was normal too !!!

What a big relief, now we can finally start working on his trip to India.

Healthy Parents Needed …Openings Immediately !!

If you found a job opening presented this way, would you ever sign up for this ???
______________________
PARENT – Job Description

POSITION :
Mom, Mommy, Mama , Ma
Dad, Daddy, Dada, Pa, Pop

JOB DESCRIPTION :
Long term, team players needed, for challenging, permanent work in an often chaotic environment. Candidates must possess excellent communication and organizational skills and be willing to work variable hours, which will include evenings and weekends and frequent 24 hour shifts on call. Some overnight travel required, including trips to primitive camping sites on rainy weekends and endless sports tournaments in far away cities! Travel expenses not reimbursed. Extensive courier duties also required.

RESPONSIBILITIES :
The rest of your life.
Must be willing to be hated, at least temporarily, until someone needs $5.
Must be willing to bite tongue repeatedly.
Also, must possess the physical stamina of a pack mule and be able to go from zero to 60 mph in three seconds flat in case, this time, the screams from the backyard are not someone just crying wolf.
Must be willing to face stimulating technical challenges, such as small gadget repair, mysteriously sluggish toilets and stuck zippers.
Must screen phone calls, maintain calendars and coordinate production of multiple homework projects.
Must have ability to plan and organize social gatherings for clients of all ages and mental outlooks.
Must be a willing to be indispensable one minute, an embarrassment the next.
Must handle assembly and product safety testing of a half million cheap, plastic toys, and battery operated devices.
Must always hope for the best but be prepared for the worst.
Must assume final, complete accountability for the quality of the end product.
Responsibilities also include floor maintenance and janitorial work throughout the facility.

POSSIBILITY FOR ADVANCEMENT & PROMOTION :
None. Your job is to remain in the same position for years, without complaining, constantly retraining and updating your skills, so that those in your charge can ultimately surpass you.

PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE :
None required, unfortunately. On-the-job training offered on a continually exhausting basis.

WAGES AND COMPENSATION :
Get this! YOU pay THEM! Offering frequent raises and bonuses. A balloon payment is due when they turn 18 because of the assumption that college will help them become financially independent. When you die, you give them whatever is left.
The oddest thing about this reverse-salary scheme is that you actually enjoy it and wish you could only do more.

BENEFITS :
While no health or dental insurance, no pension, no tuition reimbursement, no paid holidays and no stock options are offered, this job supplies limitless opportunities for personal growth, unconditional love, and free hugs and kisses for life if you play your cards right.

Forward this on to all the PARENTS you know, in appreciation for everything they do on a daily basis, letting them know they are appreciated for the fabulous job they do…or forward with love to anyone thinking of applying for the job.

** AND A FOOTNOTE, THERE IS NO RETIREMENT — EVER!!! **

Month 3 done !!

Our little bundle of joy is not little any more, he is already a handful. Today he turned three months old. It’s been a busy with a fair amount of trips and socializing. Let me tell you, just like his Grand-father he is already quite the host, he is wide awake during the visits. So many of our friends have been coming over to meet him. Some of them are really kind to bring some food over, which is a godsend. After a full day of seedy mustardy diapers and cottage cheesy spit-up, the ready to eat and deliciously cooked food is awesome for Vi. He is wearing size 3 month clothing and some of his new born clothing are now tight! He is definitely busting at the snaps in a few of them. It is so sad because We’ve had to put away all of his newborn things. They say that time flies but I never knew that it was going to be this fast! He is really starting to become more aware of his surroundings and it is so awesome to see him developing more and more every day. He is smiling so much these days and it really does melt my heart every time he cracks one! He is really ticklish under his chin and on his feet…it works every time to get him to smile. Vi and I are loving it…it really makes it rewarding as a parent when your child starts to recognize your face and smiling at you in response! Aside from getting bigger and longer, he’s learning and doing so many new things, like staying awake (well that was never a problem though !!) and alert longer and grabbing with his hands. His favorite grips are either the Gym monkey or his own hair. He is almost running our of his hairs atleast from the front side, sometimes we can even see little blood marks due to the uncut nails. Apparently he has started to realize that his fingers and especially the thumbs, which you love to suck on. It’s completely adorable. He has also discovered a new cry: it’s sharp and goes way up into the Mariah Carey octaves. We can’t seem to figure out what it means, perhaps he might want to become a traffic cop or a puppy trainer.

Baby #2, seriously?

Few days ago, a friend of mine asked me if I and Vi were planning about Baby #2, seriously???, lets just say he is not yet married and have no kids so we can just forgive his ignorance. We are barely just got this one figured out…I believe in planning but, but good GOD !!! This makes me think there are actually people in this world who love being pregnant and giving birth SO MUCH that they just can’t wait to do it again, like staying on a carnival ride for one more turn while people around you are yelling “once more” Really are you Kidding me !!!

But again there are few people in this world who would really like us to take this ride one more time as soon as possible..

Needless to say we are not planning for Baby #2 just yet. Let us get our balance after this turn on the ride first, and then we can talk. Preferably over a coffee…