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!

The Listless Mother

My hubby recently changed our newspaper and now we subscribe to Times of India. I was reading the cartoon segment and I came across two cartoons that were about mothers who were really tired and listless because of their role as a mother. Hmmm.

Being a mother is a really challenging task. The other day I had to get ready for my cousin's cousin's reception (:P). I spent sometime trying to figure out which outfit to wear. I ensured that it was ironed and free of creases. Vidur looked really smart in his new shorts and white t-shirt. As soon as we entered the car, he got onto my lap (I know! I know! I have to fix the car seat in the car!). He stood on my lap and hung on the handle fixed above the window. He jumped up and down. He tried tugging at my earrings and realized that mommy is wearing studs and not those fascinating, very pull-able dangling earrings. Finally, he wanted to move to his aunt's lap. She was had also painstakingly ironed out her outfit. As soon as he got onto her lap, she yelped, remembering that the material would wrinkle easily. Why bother ironing in the first place! He promptly pulled my hair and ensured that it was in a disarray by the time we got to the wedding hall. No wonder, we (mothers) look distressed and disheveled.

Conquered the Nada Vandi

We bought Vidur a traditional, very Indian version of a walker. This is called 'nada vandi' (I am no expert in Tamil but the literal translation is Walk vehicle) in Tamil. The few times that Vidur saw this toy, he was most fascinated with the tiny bells on either side. The first time he tried walking holding on to it, he lost his balance and hit his chin (ouch!). He has been practicing by pushing a old, battered can chair around. This morning, he was in full form!

He was running up and down the hall (with my maid following him closely, ready to catch him if he were to fall). He has now mastered the art of balancing the toy and applies the right pressure to ensure that the narrow side does not come off the floor.

What I liked about this kind of walker is that the kid is not restricted within a closed space. There is a chance that he will fall. and it is absolutely essential to supervise him. But it gives him the freedom to push it around, learn to walk by mastering the art of balancing and also fall as all kids do as they grow up. At least, he won't be scared of getting hurt! I have this idiotic grin on my face everytime he pushes this toy around with no help from us. :)

The Fussy Mother

The things I fuss about:

General:

1. Is his shit the right colour and consistency? (His loosies drove me crazy, therefore the constant need to monitor...)
2. What is his next meal and how much time do I have to get it ready?
   
3. What veggies did I give him yesterday?
   

When traveling:

1. Do I have EVERYTHING he needs in one tiny bag?
   
2. Do I have all his medicines with me?
   
3. Is his diaper and baby wipes easily accessible?
4. How dirty is the destination going to be?
   
5. What facilities are going to be available there?
6. Will Vidur adjust to the new environment?
   
7. Will others put pressure on me to feed him every time he cries?
8. No new food to be introduced
   

Guess all mother's fuss atleast a little when it comes to their first child. By the time we have the next, we are used to the whole mother routine. When we plan to go out, getting his bag ready is a big task. I need to mentally tick things off in my head. His bag must have:

• Food for atleast two meals incase we get stuck outside
• Spoons (incase he drops on or I am not able to wash it for the next feed)
  
• Bibs (he is very messy when in a naughty mood so i throw in extra bibs) and soft cloth wipes
  
• Diapers (2-3)
• Nappy cream (he gets a rash very easily)
• A set of clothes (incase he dirties the one he is wearing)
• A packet of baby wipes
  

If I am taking him for a movie:

• A blanket ( the theaters are typically very cold..... brrrrrrr)
• A pair of socks
  
• A full sleeved shirt or a jacket
  

So, yes I fuss. And, think I know what is best for my kid.

Bald Vidur

Like all mothers, I was paranoid about how Vidur was going to react to the blade. But my paranoia was absolutely unnecessary, he was a brave little boy. He cried only when he realized that his father was holding onto his hands.

Children get so used to the fan or the air conditioner. I had taken Vidur to a village, Srirangam, in Trichy. Powercuts are common thing there. Every other house is either contemplating or purchasing inverters. Power failure lasts for 10 hours! The first night was quite an adventure. Vidur and I were sleeping in a small room. Sleep eluded me because of unfamiliar surroundings. Vidur slept peacefully till 3:30. Then, he got up and decided he wanted to play and say 'amma', 'appa' and 'thatha'. He had some milk and went to sleep by 4:00. Power supply was cut around 4:40 am. This is when the army of mosquitoes attacked. They were ruthless! I had to sit next to my son, using a hand fan to protect him from these merciless creatures. Regardless of this effort, his forehead and hands had several mosquito bites! The power returned by 6:00 am. The next power cut was from 2:00 pm to 6:00. Can you believe it? We had to live with it.... Vidur, on the other hand, was extremely cranky because of the heat. He is used to having at least the fan around to cool things down.

He was in the best of moods when we went out!

What's Vidur upto?

It has been a long time since I posted. In this time, Vidur is now walking holding anything (chair, cupboard, door, bed, sofa) he gets his hands on. He spends most of the day strengthening his legs by standing. When in a really exploratory mood, he toddles around at a reasonable speed.

He now very excitedly waves bye-bye to anyone in his vision when he is held anywhere near the front door. He shakes his head vigorously from left to right when anyone sings Pappu can't dance salla (this his maternal grandma thought him). He sings with his maternal grandpa. He makes a very seriously face and says aaaaaaa. He is very excited that he can reach the table. He stands on his toes to see what he can reach. Since this is now my work space, his face lights up when he sees the mouse or my phone.

On the whole, Vidur is very busy these days exploring new territories and mastering new skills.