The settling period...

Lazily I opened my sleepy eyes ..it was 8:45 am.

I had intended to get up early ...so that I don't rush through the morning..But now that I was late already..
I cruised through the morning routine ..somehow me and baby were ready by 10:10 am. I crèche was a good twenty minutes walk from my place....reached on time!

We walked through the crèche ..the section for age group 3 - 24 months was the last one...in-midst was the 2- 5 yrs age group. A lot of kids were playing and some even greeted us..I felt happy to see the excited kids and imagined my baby would be happy like them too!

We reached the infant section ..Aaryan's primary carer took us to the garden where the other babies were playing. We had a chat about Aaryan and she also she asked me to fill in lots of details about him. Meanwhile Aaryan stopped clinging to me and had started playing. He was happy to see so many kids and even more happy to see a new set of toys. The first day the idea was to familiarize baby with the crèche and the staff. We stayed for an hour and I stayed with my baby throughout...my baby seemed contented and wasn't willing to leave at the end of an hour.

The second day also we followed a similar routine..only it was for a longer period of an hour and half, and I was asked to leave him alone with them for half an hour..They asked me to give him a warm hug and explain that I was going to come back in a while...he was not willing to let go of me and the lady had to literally pull us apart however she did it very gently and tactfully. She said she realized that it was a difficult moment not just for the parent and baby but also for them .I had to leave my baby crying...and even though I was tempted to go back and cuddle him I avoided all the temptations...I was fighting tears and managed to hold on to them somehow.

That looked like the most difficult half an hour of my life so far...I kept looking at the watch after every ten second. After glancing at the watch hundreds of times...I had managed to kill twenty minutes..when another lady asked me to come into his room as my baby wouldn't stop crying at all.They explained that whenever they feel that the parent should be called for they do so and I was to stay at the lobby through out the settling period.

The next day we followed a similar routine, my baby cried lil less which was kind of consoling.

The week crept by and when it was Friday I was relieved that the next two days I don't have to take him to the crèche...the whole thing was very disturbing...I felt very sad and at dinner table I started crying...and then the most amazing thing happened...my baby who was playing with his toys, left everything aside and came running to me and climbed on my lap....he looked into my eyes and wiped off my tears murmuring softly "Mumma..Mumma". All my sadness vanished...here was my lil one who had grown up suddenly...and was wiping my tears. The feeling was something that I can't narrate..a very moving and rewarding moment!

That gave me the strength to carry on for the next 3 more weeks. The next week , the hours at the crèche was extended and I had to leave him for a longer period. Some days he would be happy and cheerful, some-days he would just keep on crying.

I would sit and read a book at the lobby and occasionally go and peep and check on him...a glimpse of him would put me at ease! Sometimes he would cry so much that I didn't want to continue, thinking maybe be his not yet ready for the crèche. But I didn't give up , I wanted to make him independent...thinking there were other younger babies doing fine there.

While going back to pick him from the crèche, I would always peep from the door and see how he was progressing..I always watched him for a couple of minutes before making myself visible. Initially he would keep looking at the door if I was there and when he would see me , he would leave everything and run into my arms.

Things were more or less the same the next week he would be happy to see me and then would want to go home..bring his coat from the peg..one day as I was talking to his carer, he picked up my bag too and wanted us to leave that very moment.

The fourth week he seemed more relaxed, he was ready to climb on to the pram in the mornings. When I went to collect him he would be happy to see me but still continue to play with the toys...that was the time when I realised that he's happy to play there and ready to start the nursery.

He would be happy most of the times, but cried at meal times. He didn't like to be seated on the lunch table and would cry when made to do so..neither would he eat anything there.

Since he was just doing half day sessions, they suggested that we feed him at home before and after the crèche hours , they would try and work on the eating but if he refuses to eat there's not much that they can do about it.
At home we would seat him on his high-chair and feed him..they advised us to get a chair and table for him and make him have his meal seated on the chair and table instead of the high chair.

So after four weeks of settling he's finally ready to start ...

Deciding on a nursery for my toddler..

Days had turned into months and I am still dwindling with the idea of getting back to work...
My toddler is 20 months old now and keeps me really busy and on my feet all the time...taking caring of him all by myself gets very tiring somedays....Sometimes I feel a session or two at the crèche might be a bit helpful. He will learn new things and be less dependant on me...and may be I can start thinking of looking for a job more realistically.

But even before I search for a job, I have to think of who takes care of Aaryan.

I could either get a nanny for him or put him to Crèche.

Nanny's been ruled out , firstly cause I have eerie thoughts the moment I think of leaving my baby with a stranger in the house. Secondly I didn't find anyone reliable...I wasn't actually looking that frantically to be very frank.

So the sane choice is putting him in a nursery.

Thanks to the other friends who already have researched about the nursery in this area ..upon their recommendations I have enrolled him for two morning sessions per week as of now in the best available nursery in the locality.

His primary care and the Manager came home for a visit few days before he was due to start his settling. The lady had more than 2 decades of experience with babies and seemed very caring and comforting. She sat of the floor and started popping out toys one after the other , making all efforts to draw Aaryan near her. Meanwhile my baby clung to my legs..and was not ready to part or go anywhere close to them. I sat with the lady and managed to make him sit near her, then my baby picked up a toy ( but ofcorse a CAR) among the scattered colourful pieces.

We discussed a lot of things and the manager answered all my questions and also briefed me about some of the policies.
They do not give any kind of over the counter medicines to baby while they are in the day care...not even paracetamol!
All medicines have to be prescribed by the GP and then only will be given to the baby while he's in daycare.
If the child in undergoing antibiotics treatment, the first two days baby has to stay away from nursery...all far enough!

The late charges are something that can make a beggar out of you if you are one of those LateComers-ONE Pound per minute!!!?!!!!
They explained that every time a parent is late 2 persons stay back, cause its the nursery policy that a baby cannot be left alone with one person. I quite like that policy...the price is too much however.

They left after an hour or so and the lady left the toy for my baby to play with...apparently the baby would grow found of the toy and when he comes with it in the nursery he would be comfortable with his favourite toy.

The weekend came and flew past as usual..That Sunday night I packed a bag for him with 2 pair of dresses , Nappies , Wipes and that car.

The next week was going to be tough..for the first time I was gonna leave him by on his own..tossing and turning my mind just kept thinking of what the next day had in store?

Taking care of dry skin in babies.

There's so much of difference in weather between the two countries ..not just countries but  two different continents after-all.

I could tune to the difference but my baby's skin started showing signs of trouble....Back in India the weather was so humid that I was not applying moisturizer on my baby's skin daily..but once we were back to London his skin started getting dry and patchy....so parched that If felt like I was holding on to a rough newspaper. 

I took a lot of efforts to make his skin soft n supple..

Massage Oil : A good massage before bath can help..but holding on to a toddler for a massage is the challenge...also gave me a good idea of his new developing strength..takes up a lot of my energy trying to hold on to him.

Cutting back on Bath time : Initially he would play in the bath for 15 -20 minutes , I cut it to just 10 minutes instead. A child's' skin looses it naturals oils while the baby enjoys his prolonged bath.

Bath Temperature : Luke warm water is good for the skin and not hot water..though I enjoy steaming shower, I decided to keep the temperature warm for my baby and his tender skin.

Soap Free Cleanser : Soap can be harsh on baby's skin so I got a gentle mild cleanser for my baby , the one recommended for dry skin and eczema.

Moisturizer : Apply moisturizers just after bath , as a moisturizer locks in the moisturizer from the bath. I tried using it twice as using once was not enough. A thick moisturizer works better I feel.

Hydrated : Keep him hydrated with more fluids, this can be really a difficult one as babies can be very picky about drinking water at times.

Well covered : Keep him well protected from the cold weather that makes skin dry and chappy.

Avoid using powders, chlorinated water ( going to the swimming pool) as they tend to make the skin more dry.

I also read running a humidifier in the child's room helps too but I didn't try this one.

After a week or so, I noticed his scalp was also getting dry, that's when I decided to see the doctor..The GP told that just that very afternoon he had attended three babies with the same problem...he prescribed a very good medicated moisturizer and asked me to apply it thrice on his skin for 4 weeks...he also prescribed a medicated shampoo and asked us to oil his scalp everyday to keep his scalp from getting dry.

His skin is coming back to its babyish cuddly cuddly state again and I am so much loving running my hands over his lil hands and legs...soft soft !!!

flying in 29th week..

While I pack my stuff for flying to India day after..my thoughts go back to Oct 2011, when my flew with my lil baby inside my tummy in my 29th week of pregnancy..

I had decide to go to India to get my baby..but had wanted to spend those special days with hubby as much as possible ,I stayed in UK till it was possible to fly safely , my friend flew to India in her 27th week. She had a safe flight and didn't report any issues..I had decided to stretch it till my 29th week. The booking agent had then advised me to bring along a fitness certificate to avoid any last minute hassles even though flying was considered safe for a woman with normal pregnancy till the 32nd week by most airlines.

I had a fit to fly certificate with me however ,when I went to the check-in counter ,the airline staff didn't even notice my bump...I inquired on my own specially since I had to take some extra efforts to get that certificate , even had to pay for it. He was confused and consulted a senior and then took my fitness certificate...I was happy to hand him the same!

Airports and railway stations are weird places, they seem to hold some special power to make me cry a lot for heaven knows why reasons, when I am left behind or am leaving someone behind! So as anticipated I cried a lot while leaving my hubby for immigration check and kept turning back and waving frantically till I could see him no more...silly me!!!

The immigration went smooth..during the security check I didn't walk through the screening door to protect my lil one from radiations. Pregnant women are given the leverage of skipping the screeners but are frisked instead.

When I stepped into the craft the air-hostess welcomed me and said she was informed of me flying in the craft ..hmmn special treatment! My cabin luggage was shoved up by a steward even before I asked for help.

During take offs and landings..I was holding on to my big tummy which kept shaking due to the vibrations...

As suggested by the GP , I took walk at regular intervals and had also worn those special flight socks to avoid swelling in the feet.

Apart from that everything else was normal..I remember the same steward served me before the others saying they are serving the special guests first...pregnancy is a beautiful phase of life ...when every one treats you with so much of warmth and affection. Everyone I met on the flight and in the airport gave me that sweet smile and helped me in their own ways .. be it simple things like no waiting for the lavatory in the flight or helping with the luggage.

Now I will travelling my lil monkey..wonder how the journey will turn up?

One year two months first week..

My toddler turned one year and two months this week...big enough to sleep on a cot my himself..so I ordered a pretty cot for him. Assembled it with some efforts and let baby inside it. His first reaction was more like he's been prisoned .. he kept on crying inside and wanted to be taken out of it....but soon he discovered the joy of bouncing on his bed with his friend Winnie !

While he was inside it, I realized that it was a bit small for him...I had not given much consideration to the size while ordering, some side effects of online shopping .. later I discovered it was apt for babies till 3 yrs age..so decided to exchange it for a bigger one....more efforts disassembling and packing it. Today I packed it and left it in the concierge to be collected ..the new one would be delivered after one and a half month... cause that's when I come back from my vacation!

Just a week back it seemed that we were shifting our base back to India...but now that we are not, I decided on going for a vacation to India. Just me and baby, Daddy just joined a new project , obviously cannot get leaves...some tough days ahead for Daddy without his darling naughty lil entertainer...

Well this also means I would be travelling with my baby all by myself..initially I was a bit scared but now I am not ..I am just worried about my fellow passengers.Its a night flight ..poor things out there!!

Baby has learnt a few words ..but still not the word I have been yearning to hear...

These days he tries to utter words while listening to the nursery rhymes on TV...whenever we switch on the TV and search for rhymes for him he starts saying Ba..Ba ...He wants us to play "Ba ba ..black sheep" other times he would say " O...O " when he wants us to select "Old MacDonald ... "

Earlier his jabberings didn't make sense to us and we played what we thought was his favorite but now he makes us understands what he wishes to see..now he wouldn't put up with what we choose but has to be his own else starts throwing tantrums ... I wonder what happens next when he starts speaking sentences?!?

Yesterday I also trimmed his nail while he was awake...he was seated on his high chair and patiently let me trim them..was kind of amused and curious with what I was doing...couple of times he pulled his finger and my hand cause he wanted to grasp the cutter in his hands...waiting for him to sleep to trim his nails....those days are past ? ..possibly!!!

That night our friends were home ...later when it was time to leave , they rose to put on their shoes and moved to the door ..my baby walked to them and started waving and saying bye... cherished moment my lil baby's grown up now ...with much effort I taught him to wave b-bye but never when...he's picked that up on his own.

Coming few days are gonna be busy..very busy ! Travelling and before that shopping and packing...there's and endless list of baby stuff to be packed ....hope there's some space to squeeze in couple of essentials of mine !

PS : A very Happy Valentine day to you and your loved ones !

One year One month and five weeks

The heart wrenching dilly dally of two months finally came to an end....this way or that ..some decision was all that we were longing for now...so when it came through that we were staying back ...was such solace to the tormented soul ! So some more time in London ..another English summer to  look forward to...

ready steady go!!!

Seriously those last few weeks were just maddening....got stretch this long ....but then they say all's well that end well. We didn't do any major packing ...gave notice to the landlord which thankfully we could rescind.

For quite some thing I was holding off to that shopping spree..couldn't bear the itch any longer and gladly shopped for a couple of things for the house. Feels so divine to be shopping .... rejuvenating ... paradise on earth ! With my baby shopping malls are still such a big no no...perhaps for a long time..but I have discovered the divine power of online shopping these days !

Baby has discovered that there's a world behind the main door that he can explore on his own- every-time one of us gets ready to step out of the house..baby's happily standing at the door waiting for it to open so that he can run out. He's happy to roam around by himself in the corridor...I do couple of rounds with him. After a while he starts banging on the neighbors doors , that's when I bring him in. I just open the door and wait inside. For sometime he pays no attention to my absence ...after a while he reluctantly steps inside.

Cruising through the corridor

He walks very fast and swift these days...rather can be said that he runs now with those tini mini legs..and keeps slipping , at least a dozen times a day.Keeps stepping over his own toys. I try to pick them up and keep the ground clear, but as soon as I arrange them, the very next second they are back to where I picked them from...

I mostly watch NURSERY RHYMES with my baby, the other day I put some songs and I was amused  to see how much he was enjoying the beats..kept moving his tiny bum this way and that..was a real treat to watch him dance.....

When hubby joined work after a long break this week, I expected baby to miss him a lot, he being such a daddy's boy....but he doesn't seem to ! Kids adapt so fast , its us the grownups who take so much time to acclimatize. Life's back on track ... the usual routine..me and baby by ourselves again .... enjoying each others company!

One year one month and four weeks.

This apparently is the last weekend of our stay in London ..sometime next week we are shifting back to India. Hubby's project got over in December..his company is trying to rope him in a new project but with the sluggish, teeming job market....looks more like it's pack-up time.

So am I happy about it...not at all...reminds me of the time almost four year back when I moved to London..was I happy then? No...then I didn't want to leave India for so many reasons and now again I don't wanna go back as yet for so many different reasons.

At the moment, am hooked to the London that looked so dull and boring back then..

Daddy's Little SuperStar !

At this moment there's no choice ...but still if it were a choice I keep thinking which is the right place to bring up my baby in.. India or UK ? Friends and family ask us if we would be settling in UK..we always say no , we would ultimately settle in India...but now when it's time to go back there's this air of disillusionment around. Hubby however is quite happy to go back.

Childhood bliss , wrapped in ignorance...these things make no difference to my sweetie-pie. As of now he's enjoying his dad's company during the day as well as night. When my baby was just days old...he was happy to sleep by himself  in his Moses basket...gradually when he started turning more fussy at nights..he started sleeping next to me on my bed....I didn't want to put him in a separate cot then....he was too young for that I thought.

sleeping tight in his basket....one month old!

 Experience says it was not such a good decision. Around four months old, he would sleep through the night well but as he turned seven months and more he would wake up every two - three hours and couldn't fall back to sleep on his own...eventually led the habit of comfort sucking at nights. Now that he's a year old I wanna stop nursing him ... which makes breaking out of this sleep pattern all the more essential. For the past one month he's been sleeping next to his father and thankfully things are shaping up better now..he still wakes up but far less and is out of the habit of comfort sucking.
It was a welcome break for me...Last when I slept for more than three hours at a stretch was in my second semester...I see coal mines under my eyes now !!!

This week was also hubby's B'day..his first one with baby, last year we were in India and he was by himself. Wanted to make this one a bit special so baked a cake for him and had some friends over...time for some Champagne popping!

Chocolate Cake and Champagne

Baby also had a good time ..he's not scared of people any more and has started enjoying get-together much more than he used to before. He is past the age of fear of strangers. However he still doesn't like if someone else tries to carry him in their arms.