Flying Overseas

Vidur developed a terrible cold two days before our departure to Doha. My doc was a little concerned about his health. She did everything possible to ensure that Vidur was fit to travel. I am very grateful to her. She asked me to carry his regular medicines. She also asked me to give him 'lullaby' to ensure that he sleeps through the journey. She said that else with his cold he may cry a lot and it will get difficult for us. I asked her whether I could give him the syrup if he gets cranky. She said it will take half and hour to take effect.

Even though the doc warned me that Vidur would cry, trusting my motherly instincts, I decided against it. Let me tell you something about my son. He loves (I mean really loves!) going out and seeing people. His eyes light up when he sees new places and new people. Our flight was at 4:45 am and therefore we left home at 2:30 am. Vidur was fast asleep. I dressed him up while he was still sleeping and carried him down to the taxi. As soon as we reached the airport, he was up and was definitely not cranky. He wanted to take it all in...the people, the lights, the shops. Once we were in the flight, he played for sometime with a pen and promptly slept off just before my food arrived. The Qatar Airways staff asked us whether we wanted a bassinet for Vidur. I think this was procedure as he had a very doubtful expression on his face. My son is 11 months but he is tall and chubby. I told him no thanks I think he is too big and heavy for the bassinet. :)

Vidur was such a darling. He slept through most of the four and half hour flight duration. He got up once and was even then he was his happy self. He got off my lap and past my mother and sister to toddle down the aisle. My mother was reminded of Baby's Day Out (the movie). :) We had to force him to come back to his seat. I was telling my mother how glad I was that I decided against giving him the sedative. Why should I deprive him of the pleasure of enjoying his overseas flight experience?

A little help please...

A couple of weeks back I had visited Hyderabad. I had opted for a flight as I had to travel alone with Vidur. Rajeev dropped Vidur and me at the Chennai airport. I had a trolley bag, a biggish tote bag, a laptop, a handbag, and a diaper bag. Rajeev very efficiently stacked all this on a trolley and pushed it till the airport entrance. I was carrying Vidur. At the entrance, I showed the guard my e-ticket and tried pushing the trolley. It didn't budge. Then I remembered that you need to push the handle of the trolley down to release the brakes. Can you imagine holding a baby in one hand and pushing the bar down and the trolley forward with the other hand? As I entered, a Kingfisher official asked me which airlines I was traveling by. I was traveling by Indian Airlines. He moved past me. I was left thinking that he could have helped me anyway. I am sure his airlines will not fire him for being helpful. And my impression of the airlines would have drastically improved also.

Anyway, I somehow managed to push the trolley (though I am very sure I was visibly struggling) till the luggage screening. There a person helped unload my luggage. He also helped me restack the trolley. I was very grateful and thanked him sincerely. Appreciating this, he asked a person to push my trolley till the check in counter. The man was reluctant but finally gave in. I was able to get rid of my check in luggage but I was still left with a laptop, diaper bag and purse. The diaper bag was extremely heavy as I being a paranoid mom had taken the entire stock of Cerelac, Nestum, Nan. I guess I was worried that I would be stranded at the airport with no food for my baby. I also had no space for these cans in the suitcase. :)

Now that the luggage was checked in, Vidur was getting heavier by the minute. These are times when you wish your kid had learnt how to walk. But parents who have kids in that stage wish otherwise. :) As per the board and the announcement, I had proceed to the security check area. Ok. I had to go the first floor for my gate. There was an escalator there which said I couldn't take the trolley on it. Anyway, I wouldn't have dared. So, I headed back toward the person who helped me and asked whether there was a lift that I could use so that I could just take the trolley with me. They thought about it and said yes and pointed in the general direction of the lift. One guys asked the other to help me while the other said you go. This lasted a few minutes when I interrupted and said 'It is ok I will manage'. I headed toward the lift and managed to get the trolley in the lift. A few other passengers accompanied me. The gate was supposed to be on the first floor. When the lift doors opened, I saw a hotel. I asked a passenger whether I could reach the gate from here. He said no, only hotel and an office was there. So, I went back to the ground floor, left the damn trolley, made Vidur stand holding my leg, and hung the bags on both shoulders. Then, I took the escalator and headed to the first floor. I struggled but finally managed to get on the flight.

At the Hyderabad Airport, people were more helpful. A man accompanied me all the way from the flight till the taxi. He refused money also! Now that's service. On the way back, I was booked on Paramount airlines. A air hostess helped me as soon as I landed back in Chennai. She was really sweet about it. She helped me at the baggage claim and escorted me all the way out. I really appreciate it when people help without grumbling and expecting anything in return.

Vidur MoonWalking

Last evening Vidur was amidst his grannies (my mom, two aunts and my grand mother). He was initially shy, but soon he was was himself. He played peek-a-boo with my mother. He found things to grab and yank onto the floor. He was babbling all the time. My mother asked whether he was a good boy and he started shaking his head. You can him any question and as if he really understands he starts shaking his head. His answer is always negative.

Mom and I managed to feed him successfully. He did try spitting some of it out. But we realized the trick. We gave him Sambar rice and then Curd rice. So by the time he got bored of the new taste, we were through feeding him.

My grand mom is a big fan of Idea Star Singer (Asianet). So everyone settled around the TV to watch. Vidur realized that attention was no longer on him. He decided that this called for something big! If you haven't guessed it yet... My son took his first steps (six to be precise). I always thought that it would mother's love that will make a child stand and walk toward her. I am sure you have seen this is on all baby commercials. But this was not the case with me... My son had his back to me! He was was not even looking at me!! He wanted to attract the attention of his grannies. Anyway, I will lick my wounds later.

Vidur conitnued to walk a few steps over and over again. According to my mom, he looked like he was walking on the moon. It was really funny in a very endearing sort of way. After I got him back to my place, I encouraged him to walk so that Rajeev could see this. But, he refused to do so. Today, he hasn't tried to walk. I have tried everything possible. He looks at me as if to say have I ever done that before. I guess he needs more motivation to walk and that has a lot to with grannies!