My Ana, My Life - The begining of an amazing journey...

My life revolves around.....

Maaa, duddeeeee/dada, Tata (Paternal Grandpa), Aashi (Paternal Grandma), Nee (Maternal Grany), Pa (Maternal Grandpa), Teta Vas (Teacher Vas), bibi (baby), tivaff (Girraffe), feven (seven), Teddiii (Teddy), Soi (sorry)...
This is how my daughter speaks to me and its the best ever conversation I have and probably will, in my life. From a baby to a toddler, she has grown so fast... before my memories of the golden years fade, I want to capture as much as I can so when my girl is older we can sit together and relive these beautiful moments. Hope you enjoy the read Ana.

The Grand Arrival

It was November, the 30th, 3 AM, when Ana whispered in my ears that it's time. The look that the woken up Ullas had on his face (something like when a boy saw a monster in his closet) is something I'll never forget. After a lot of confused jumping around, it dawned on him that its time!!!! After this realisation, he made sure the house was up and bustling with his excitement (that's Ullas for you :)).

My Mother-in-law was calm, but well prepared for the moment. For months she had been stitching up little napkins, nappies and dresses. She was after all having the pleasure of becoming a granny twice in a span of three months!!! When she heard of the news, she made me a warm drink (such a blessing) and told me it will help; it sure did. I called my parents and they were up on their feet in seconds and off to the hospital even before we did. 

At 5 AM we entered Columbia Asia Hospital in Hebbal, Bangalore, where I was to deliver my girl (at that point I was not sure if it was a girl or a boy). Going back to a few months - Ullas always wanted a baby girl and would threaten to send me back to my parents home if I gave him a boy (phew!!!). So as the time approached, with all other tensions, my biggest worry was - what if I popped a boy.

Back to the present day. My Gyne (Dr. Sirisha Y) checked to see if it was a false alarm. But it wasn't, it actually was time... I was moved up to the delivery ward. On and off I felt the pangs of pain (only mild muscle cramps). I was sitting on an inclined bed, thinking to myself... "Oh! if this is the pain ill experience, then its just a cakewalk... Ha, women! love to exaggerate the pains of labor", I thought.

The hospital brought me good, sumptuous breakfast - Idli and sambar. A nurse came to check on me and asked if the pain had increased. I said its a little stronger than morning, I think the labor has started. The nurse saw how naive I was, turned a grin to my mother (who by the way is a mom of three) and went away with a hint that if I was in true labor, I would barely smile. Ha... women! I thought again.

In and out the hospital staff would come to check for dilation. Like in Bollywood, I was wondering when I would pop - dramatically! The wait was long. At 12.30 PM I was served lunch - rice and dal. Dr. Sirisha came by, checked for dilation and then asked me to take a nap. Like magic, I fell a sleep for an hour; at 2 PM, boom, came the actual pang! Woh ho... I said, what was that.... Time passed by and the intensity only worsened. It was nearly 5 hours struggle, with punches and tossing (the punches were all aimed at Ullas; I really wanted to kill him for this pain... don't blame me, I was in labor).

Finally (sweating!), at 6.52 PM our little pink cotton ball arrived. It was a GURRRRRRRRRRRRLLLLLLL.... All pain vanished, only a blissful tranquil prevailed. What a marvelous feeling it was to hold her in my arms. For 9 months, she made me hungry, she made me big and she kicked me and arched her little back inside my tummy and yes, she made me very tired. But seeing her blinking beautifully at me, I told myself, it was definitely worth it, EVERY BIT OF IT.

Since that day, my life is and will be full of Anahita Sara Ullas... the very reason of my being. God's promise to me of an absolute parenting pleasure.

The sleepless nights

It was a normal delivery and so I was moved to the ward the same evening. A comfortable haven, a little cradle this time, with a small doll sleeping all the time, waking up only to announce that she was hungry. The second battle had begun, my attempt at feeding her and her attempt of latching on... I must tell you that it was worse than labor until both of us got used to each other.

The usual tests were carried on to see how us, the duo, were doing; guests poured in with their wishes and as they left they just had one thing to say to me... Oh! she is her father's copy (Grrrrr.... but I carried her for nine months). And in all this, I vividly remember Ullas jumping up and down, like a little boy who just got his most favorite toy. He kept showing her off to all the people who came to see her and telling them how she behaves like he'd known her for years already... Cute isn't it :)

The first five days were very scary, because Ana had jaundice, which wouldn't go. My blood group is O negative, and hers is O positive. This makes her jaundice a bit longer and a little more intense. My mother (who moved in with me) and I said our prayer many many times and were really knocking on heaven's door for Ana's well-being. The agonizing five days seemed forever. Ana was put under the UV light with only her diapers on. Her eyes were covered with a weird looking glass (her first pair goggles). Poor girl, such a tender body on that hard glass. I wanted to put the doctor there instead, to show him the taste of his medicine.

Day 5, finally the terror ended. We were discharged and set off to Yelahanka (our home) around 7 PM. My baby's first drive back home was a sleepy, quite one. At home, all were ready to receive her. Ana would be placed in the cradle for the first time next morning. We were all excited. My mom came along because the following day I would go to my dad's place for 3 months postnatal care.

We entered home to warm welcomes. Ana's Chaithra athe (my Sister-in-law) had decorated the house for her welcome. Balloons hanging on the cradle and everyone excited to welcome Ana home. Three months before Ana came in, Mukta had arrived. She is Ullas' niece and being with her during her postnatal care was an absolute pleasure. It was like a rehearsal for me :).

We all wondered how Mukta would react to Ana. She sure was amused to see this little doll who mostly slept or howled. My Dad- and Mom-in-Law were so excited that they were grandparents twice in the same year. Ullas' grandmother (who is nearly 92 years now) was there too and all four generations sat around and chatted; the happy chattering of new beginnings was just so blissful. All went as planned that evening, only that my little doll howled all night! Something that would continue in the coming weeks.

Next morning Chaithra traditionally put Ana in the cradle, while we, especially the amused Mukta, looked on. Ullas walked Mukta to the cradle and her curiosity only grew by the minute. We clicked many, many, many pictures. It was indeed a grand and unforgettable arrival.

All through this excitement and content, Ana was rocking peacefully, happy to be loved, happy to be here....

Part 2: Granny's place...