The baby's got a name!

A lot of cultures in India follow the tradition of naming the baby on the 12th day. Am not sure why this particular day is so important (anyone of you got a clue?) Also, in most of these cultures, it is the aunt's (baby's father's sister) honour to announce the name of the baby. Rituals and the joys of it all. It all ends in a good lavish meal (which the baby herself could hardly taste!) and here a bottle of bubbly charmed everyone with her surprise stop-over! Celebrations :) 

And thus was baby named 'Zoeya' (meaning 'life') having it's origins in Urdu & Greek.

{ Zoe:  {dzo-ay'}
Greek Origin
- Life
- the state of one who is possessed of vitality or is animate
- every living soul
- of the absolute fullness of life, both essential and ethical, which belongs to God, and through Him
- life real and genuine, a life active and vigorous, devoted to God, blessed, in the portion even in this world of those who put their trust in Christ, and to last for ever. }

Today she turns 2 weeks old... already!!

That's how babies are made!

I had to share this with you all the moment I saw this on Designboom. This husband & wife duo (pardon me, I lost the link to their names) came up with this quirky idea to explain 'How babies are made'! Ain't it simply adorable :)

When the stork's made their delivery!

Changed status. Super silly emotional rush (which I presume is a part of the new status). Elated and alive. The inside is now on the outside. And nothing beats this joy of having that part of you in your arms. No matter how many books you read or videos you see or moms you talk to, this is something so innately personal; so when it happens, you want to brag like you are the only one to have experienced it ever!

I was totally freaked out when the doctor announced that I'd have to undergo a C-section (as opposed to the dramatic labour I was keen on ;) Me being a complete hemophobic, I wanted to keep away from the scissors and sutures and any kind of mark to flaunt. With no choice on the sunday morning of Jan 27th, I almost had to be pushed into the OT! Am not getting into what happened inside that (I later was told that it was quite an entertainment for all those present in there)

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I here a baby wailing. "Doctor, is that mine?" "Yes, you have a baby girl!! Feeling blissful beyond words, I take a slumbery look at that bundled beauty and happily go off to sleep for the next few hours. while the world admired and celebrated the lil one, I was in the heaven thanking Gods :)

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I wake up in the evening to find my husband holding the baby in one hand and caressing me with the other. A sudden rush of emotions sprang up as I slowly recovered from the sedation. And when I finally held my girl in my arms, I had to make an extra effort to hold back my tears. I failed though. Happily. Proudly. 

D-day

So the new year brings along a whole lot of newness! Newness going around a whole new life that'll emerge from my womb. It's inside me right now, making the presence felt with a kick here and a move there! What an active baby I have, swear. And soon this lil one will brighten my world. So many things to look forward to. So many things to plan. And the big conflict of 'what' and 'how' the baby shall be. (On this front, the husband & I are quite clear though. Will have to have a separate post on it some day.

Come sunday, January the 27th and I'll have a status update. It'll be an onset of MY family. A picture completed. It still feels pretty unreal (but for the times when the life inside knocks (me out almost!) once in a while! The suspense of whether it's a boy or a girl is quite a thing. (Ever had the aunty's- world looking at your back and your butt to make that guess?) I don't have any preference - well, I had one, that of a girl but not anymore. Am excited any way :D

I was really looking forward to the whole labour bit - of going through it, like they say, to realise the greatness of being a woman. I wanted to experience the process of 'birth'. Yeah, I know, I know, it's the ultimate pain one goes through and all that. Looks like I won't be knowing any of it. With baby in the breech position, the maturing placenta and reducing fluids, the best option for the baby's well-being is for me to under go a C-section. So be it. I'm ready :)

So the first promotion of this year comes my way, the day after! Mommy I shall be for the break-fast :D
Yumm yum!

Almost there!

It's been almost 4 months since I updated this blog. When I started out, I'd thought I'd have so much to share with you guys that I'd be updating you on daily basis. But there actually was much more happening than I'd thought :D

And now when I look back, these 9 months have just swooooshed by! I used to think it would drag on forever; I mean, what does one do without a regular routine and new things happening every now and then? But I have been lucky. Medically, it's been a smooth ride. I haven't put on much weight, I travelled to my mother's place in the 34th week and so far it's been good. I'm now in my 38th week and my last sonography showed the baby in breech position. Also the placenta was mature and the growth of the baby stagnated. It only meant that we had to decide fast on the next steps when I shall have the baby in my arms. I sooooooooo can't wait. I'm ready :)

Personally, there has been tremondous growth. Realisations, learnings, frustrations, chaos, upsets, that feeling of 'doomed world' (which has nothing to do with 2012 ruckus, by the way!) and the 'eureka moments' - all took their turns and stayed with me till the time I'd dealt with them all. What a time it has been! The husband has been the proverbial pillar of strength. That man is a Buddha, I say - patient, compassionate and loving. Thank you S, for being the amazing driving force of my life. So spiritually, I'd be on 'the' path but one thing that I'm completely sure of is that my baby shall be the 'enlightened one'.

Past whole month has been a complete sleepless one. Just couldn't get enough sleep, neither at night nor during the day. Does that mean your's truly is prepared for all the sleepless nights to come? Sometimes I feel the whole 'baby won't let you have a wink' is over hyped. Maybe because I'm yet not there. But what would those of you with experience have to say? As for me, I've decided that I'll take each day as it comes.

It's finally sinking in that my days of getting pampered are over! No more fussing around me. I shall not be able to take undue advantage of the blotted tummy :D (Trust me, I did everything in my power to ensure that the baby bump got it's due. I loved the attention one gets - you can jump the queue, demand for a seat, ask for favours, throw a tantrum, get an impromptu back massage, have your cravings fulfilled in the middle of the night; all guilt-free!!

Oh, I have really loved being pregnant :D

Name search - girls #1

So am back to my home-work. The search continue & this time it was turn for hunting the names for girls. And I got many that I really liked. Tell me what you guys think :)

Ahilya - the perfect one
Indira - Goddess Lakshmi
Samiya - Incomparable
Munira - Luminous, ray of the Sun
Rahila - One who shows the way
Maira - Beloved

Show off!

While we are taking the first-looks and talking the bumps, here's time to show you what I look like. You know, I feel (or atleast make myself feel) more pregnant than I really am :D I love that feeling of the growing tummy (and it's not paunch for once!!). Know what I mean? It's like showing off your biggest assest! And right now, I'm in no way making any attempt at modesty. I just soooo love my li'l bump!