The last month has been very eventful for Ishi. First, was her very first outstation journey to Jagdalpur. This trip marked a series of firsts - first outstation visit, first long road journey, first flight, first stay with Dada-Dadi, first mundan, first visit to a temple, first open air large party and probably many more mini-firsts!
Our Jagdalpur trip was scheduled for 15-21 May. After a lot of preparation (namely clothes shopping and Ishi's weaning), we left home on 14th May to stay over with my parents in Delhi for an early morning flight on 15th. Her Dida, Dadu and Tuki Maashi also accompanied us on the trip, though we were on separate flights. Nero was dropped on to his Kennel on 14th.
15th early morning, we reached the airport. Our Jet flight was on time, but Dida-Dadu-Maashi's Indian Airlines flight had been cancelled! After much running around, they were able to get onto a later flight (via Mumbai!) that would reach about 3 hours later than us in Raipur (unlike the original flight which had a 30 mins time difference). Our plane was ready to leave while they were still making arrangements for the substitute flight, so we decided we would look for a hotel near Raipur airport and wait for them rather than waiting at the airport.
We had managed to get upgraded, and Ishi's dad held her through the take off. We were prepared with cotton for her ears and her water sipper, but she preferred to suck her thumb and fell asleep during the take off! She was as good as gold in the flight. The seat next to us was empty, so her Dad shifted over there and we made a little nest for his original seat next to me, where she peacefully slept off cuddling her little piglet soft toy. She woke up while we made our descent and again managed the landing process sucking her thumb rather than sipping water.
On ground, the airport was really hot. The others were now in Mumbai! So, we decided to go ahead with our plan of waiting at a hotel. We stopped at a nearby resort and immediately dove into the shower. Ishi had a fun bath with her dad, then had her Cerelac (using the room tea maker to boil water) and she went back to sleep in a nest of soft towels. We had lunch and freshened up. Then while her Dad went to get the others, I fed her in preparation for the long road trip ahead (300kms/6 hours). Once they came and freshened up, we were off!
Ishi spent most of her time with her Dida and Maashi, sleeping occasionally. At the half-way point, we stopped at Makdee restaurant, where she had her first packaged food - Mashed Apple! I had bought a 4 packs of mashed apples, one tin of creamed porridge and one mashed pear, along with her Cerelac box, and water sipper for feeding her during the journey. Though it was bit of an over preparation since she would feed only twice during journeys, I wanted to be prepared for any contingencies. Similarly, I over-prepared with about 5 diapers in my bag, and 5 in her Dad's bag for the journey. We changed her once at the hotel and once at Makdee. After that stop, we drove non-stop to Jagdalpur, reaching there at about 7-8pm.
There, she had a big welcome by her Dada-Dadi and Jetha-Jethi-Aayushi Didi. Her Dida-Dadu-Tuki Maashi were staying at a nearby hotel, while the others where staying at Dada-Dadi's beautiful new house. We took over the lower guestroom and Ishi slept with us in the same bed.
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