Home away from home

Jan/Feb 2012, and Ishi's first stay away from home without me or her maid. I had to go to Khandala for a workshop for 10 days, and Leela - Ishi's maid - who had gone on leave in December, told us at the last minute that she would not be coming back. So 5 days before I have to leave Ishi was potentially without any caretaker (Dad couldn't take 10 whole days off work after all, and manage both Ishi and Nero!). So it was decided that Dad, Ishi and Nero would shift to my parents at Netaji Nagar, and then there would be 3 adults and Beena, their maid, to look after the whole jing-bang! Ishi's grandparents were of course thrilled, and after shifting half the house (took 2 cars), we moved to their place on 20th Jan. After setting up all our stuff and establishing a daily routine, I left on 23rd Jan.

I really missed everyone while I was away, but I was kept abreast of all that was happening through regular phone calls, and the following journal-like mails written by Rupesh.

Jan 26, 2012

Ishi Today

It's been two days since Pal went off for her workshop at Khandala. Ishi is doing just fine. And hence, so are we! Things have gotten into a routine now. Everyone has assumed their roles. Timings are set. And Delhi is much warmer and cozier than it was a few days back. Mom manages the early morning chores. Ishi's milk, poo, breakfast. Baba has mastered the art of feeding her. Through some unfair use of medical knowledge Involving her forehead and lower lip, I figure. So he is the one who mostly gets to feed her. I step in if she is getting cranky. I am mostly busy keeping track if everything's being done. Plus I manage her daytime poops, bath, change of clothes, cerelac prep and my favourite - tucking her in for the night. Even Bina has figured some pieces, like design of her makeshift playpen. So now every morning, post the cleaning, Ishi's playpen is all set and ready for her to jump in and mess it up. Plus the fact that Baba has managed to get Cbeebies on the TV next to this playpen, makes it the happiest corner of the house for her. Today we all sat and watched Rday parade. Ishi watched sitting in her playpen. She had a great time squealing and watching mom imitate her squeals. She laughed and laughed her heart out. After the parade she got her bath. Wasn't very happy. First some soap got into her eyes, and then I pulled her out of bath a tad too soon (as she thought, I was making sure she doesn't catch cold). After her lunch she slept soundly but woke up crying. I sat in her playpen with her and she was fine. But then Nero started barking loudly and I yelled at him. Poor Ishi got scared and cried and cried. I've decided never to scream at anyone or anything when she is around. I so hate to see her cry!! She is happy now. Eating banana with her gramps.

Jan 27, 2012

Ishi Today

It was an easy day at work today. Whole lot of people were away on long weekend and that reflected in the number of mails and calls. I could, hence, spend a fair bit of time playing with Ishi :) Ishi has been on vitamin D intake mission. Yesterday baba gave her a sachet of 60000 units with dinner. Today mom took her out in the sun and sat with her making vit D. Baba felt she needs some for her to get more stable on her feet and will help her to walk. I personally think she has enough strength in her legs with all the sit ups she does in her cot and play pen. She just needs more practice, floor time and confidence. With cool winters giving way to pleasant spring, she will be able to get more time on floor, barefoot and I see her springing away very very soon.

Jan 28, 2012

It was saraswati puja today. We went to vivekanand vihar for puja, blog and lunch. This was the same place where we stayed during my wedding. Went there for the first time after then. With Ishi. It was a strange feeling, knowing that place had a part to play in Ishi's being there! Otherwise a lazy day. After getting back from vivekanand vihar, we slept. Ishi got up around six. Ruining her routine. Ate some banana. Was whiny till daddy played with her and made her all giggly!!! She then was good as gold. Watched Cbeebies. Had dinner at 730. And then watched some more TV. Finally went off to sleep at 9.

I returned on Feb 1st, and we stayed back for a couple of days and moved back home the next weekend. In those couple of days, poor Ishi ended up with 5 (yes five!) vaccinations! Baba had got them deliveredat home. Since they were already due, and with an resident pediatrician at hand, we decided to get all her vaccines done while he would be at hand for any complications. So she got Dtap, Flu Shot and pneumococcal on Feb 2, and MMR and Varicella on Feb 4. She did have a bit of fever after the first 3 shots, but Baba said it was fine, and body's natural reaction. We gave her crocin. By next day evening she was fine, and we gave her the next 2 vaccines (which were live virus). Apart from some on site redness, she had no other reactions. But poor thing, now she doesn't like syringes at all!