THE flight journey!

“Ladies and gentlemen, the flight is about to take off. Kindly fasten your seat belts . Thank you."Soon after the announcement, the serene silence in the flight was broken by a loud screech that lasted for a couple of minutes. And all the passengers were curious to know what was happening.The focus lights were glaring at me and Manasa now. What was this all about? 

Right from the day I planned my trip to Chennai with Manasa , my emotions were mixed - excited , happy and tensed. This is the first time, I am gonna travel in flight with my 2 year, all alone! How am I gonna manage her in flight. Months rolled, weeks walked, days flied and finally came D day May 4th 2013. My mind and heart were playing bizarre "question and answer" sessions the previous night thus denying my sleep.  Q. How will Manasa behave in flight? Option A) Run here and there B) Cry to get out of her seat C) Puke everything she eats D) Sit with my co-passengers and forget her mom. After all the tiresome packing , last minute shopping and the routine work, just wanting to sleep sleep and sleep, I was puzzled to find my mind give me such options with no room for Manasa being a good girl ! Somehow, got convinced that"all izz well" and managed to hibernate. 

Got up by 6 AM. Not much work as we had planned to have our lunch outside. Still, the tension of handling Manasa had already started disturbing me. The half day just got over in a wink and we were all set for the airport. I was ready with lollipop, chocolates, her favorite biscuits to coax my baby. And not to forget , I had made her favorite "noogles" (nothing but semiya upma!!) and packed for dinner to make a safe and happy flight journey. All went fine - from getting the boarding pass, security check till boarding the flight. My little lady was eligible for a separate seat ! Got her a window seat and she was all excited . The first one hour of the journey was fine , till the flight landed Mumbai. I was engaging her with books,some music and stories. There was a transit for 45 mins in Mumbai. However , we stayed in  the same flight. Now , from here started the fun! 

This one hour slowly provoked the social nature of Manasa. By the time, new passengers were boarding the flight , she was all set to run and play. “Ladies and gentlemen, the flight is about to take off. Kindly fasten your seat belts . Thank you."Soon after the announcement, the serene silence in the flight was broken by a loud screech that lasted for a couple of minutes. And all the passengers were curious to know what was happening.The focus lights were glaring at me and Manasa now. I was trying my best to console her and make her sit ,but in vain. Just when I was about to give up, I heard a person calling Manasa . She just ran to that person and sat on his lap . She became quiet and all the drama was over. That moment , I found god in him. It may sound silly , but true. When there was no one ready to help me out, it was this 40+ old man, who did a simple gesture which solved my problem.Neither the air hostess, nor the youngsters (who are busy with their ipads and novels ) came forward that moment. So, option A and B was checked in the first 2 hours of the journey. She got happily settled with that "uncle" and his friends. Playing and chatting in her own language. Soon, I called her to have her "noogles" and let her new friends have their dinner. She came back to her seat after a big break. Had half of what I had brought. Suddenly, I found her puking everything out. Chalo, next option also CHECK!! Now, almost everybody in the group of 40+ (men and women) helped me out with tissues and water. Even in such a situation, I could hardly find a air hostess come nearby asking for help. Anyways, I cleaned Manasa and she went back to "uncle" and co. I was busy cleaning the place around. After all the hungama, I had my dinner , while Manasa was being passed from person to person .She was happy and talking to everyone she went . The group got closer to Manasa that she was only with them till the flight landed!  The flight landed. Manasa was busy saying bye and I was busy thanking the group.I collected the bags and saw my family waiting eagerly for me err.. Manasa in the airport. 

So , all the four options that popped in my mind the day before had happened . But, if there are people who can help you out in any situation and if you have little patience, then ALL IZZ WELL :)

I know, when Manasa will read this post, she is gonna ask me the reason for projecting her as a "terror"! :) I understood - Kids will be kids, its the way we handle them, that makes the difference. What say? Catch u all with a better blog. Till then, Happy living!

MY EXPERIENCE WITH TRUTH!!

Life is full of surprises. Some surprises goes on to make the happiest moments of one's life; while some surprises are best remembered as shocking experiences! A child can make you experience the best of both the worlds and she will add spice to your life.I have been gifted with a baby girl and she will be tuning 2 years shortly. She has made me smile many a times (all that she did for the first time is to cherish for lifetime). She has made me go "OMG!!!" the very next moment (locking me up inside bathroom is just one instance). These "OMG" moments have been a good learning experience.I should thank my girl for flooding me with such experiences that I am sitting here writing this blog. If you are expecting your baby soon or just have your new born this blog would be of some interest & assistance. Even in case your kids are grown-ups you can relate to such thrilling moments in your own case. So,read on & don't give up if I sound advisory..........

Know your doctor:Emergency can knock your door anytime.So, it is wise to choose a good pediatrician for your baby at the earliest.

• Clinic number is not sufficient. Have his mobile number saved.

• Know the details of a critical care center(24/7 center for babies) nearby.

This will help reduce tension during an emergency situation.

Say yes to sun:I hardly took my baby out for the first 3 months of her life.It was the fear of easily falling sick.But that proved me wrong.I was alarmed to hear that she was deficient of Vitamin D.(I give her the required amount of milk. But calcium is not sufficient for bone health)1 out of 5 children suffer from rickets.

• The best way to prevent Vitamin D deficiency is exposure to sunlight.

• Leave your child in a sunny area at home for 15 minutes.

• Best time suggested for babies is before 10 am .

This way, the calcium in her body would be converted to Vitamin D thus preventing bowing/rickets.

The first fall : If you find your baby doing some stunts with her hands and legs, beware! She is giving you a warning to be more cautious. Yup, she is all set to start moving. It is great when a child develops the art of moving (initially in any form - tumbling, rolling , crawling). But, the chances of accidents increase. First comes falling from the bed/sofa. I have experienced this not once but thrice !!! The moment you hear your child screeching, your brain stops working. But remember, a child grows up by falling down occasionally. So, don't panic.No doubt, your baby will cry , cry and cry for some time. 

• Check for any bleeding or swelling.

• Check if baby becomes unconscious or pukes.

• Raise her above your head level and check if she cries abnormally.

• If you find any one of the above, consult a doctor immediately. (This is  when #1 helps you)

• None of the above, monitor her closely for next 10 hours. Consult a doctor if you find anything strange.

No bland food please: When your doctor advices mashed fruits, veggies, dal for your 8 months baby, the "real tension" starts!Slowly, your baby develops taste buds that is much complicated to understand.Stop giving bland food (kanji, mashed food with less salt) from 10th month. Introduce new taste and flavours and all the vegetables/fruits. Remember one thing, if you cannot eat something , even your child cannot.I cannot imagine myself having a bowl of mashed bland carrots!! (Nooooo)Instead make soups,juices,kheer of carrots or other veggies.

Oops, my legs!: Next phase in your child's life , when your baby starts sitting. I am not going to write any big stories ( I know, it looks like a biiig advice list ;)) Very simple,  I made my baby sit on a fancy chair. She started changing positions just to find her legs get entangled! This is again "avoid-me" scenario. If you are caught , its gonna test your patience!Not only fancy chairs, even sofa gaps can prove dangerous. So Be careful!!

Knock Knock!! : My maid shared an incident one day " Bhabi, so-and-so bhabhi in so-and-so apartment was locked inside a bathroom by her 1 year old chotu, so you too be careful". The moment I heard this,I was filled with overrconfidence. "Cha cha , enaku idhellam nadakaadhu". Now, if u are brash about something, you can be sure it gonna hit you hard. Very soon, I found myself locked up inside the bathroom by my little lady. And for the next half an hour, it was a real testing time. Finally,I managed to come out after all the trial and error methods.

• This is an "avoid-me" situation. Check your door locks before hand and save your baby from these scenarios. This experience was very emotional as I was not sure when I would come out ! And , she was crying all through till she saw my dreaded face! Too stressful!

• Always carry your mobile with you, wherever you go. This comes in handy during such times.

Yumm Yumm Repellents: Have you ever realized, what if your baby picks up something hazardous and puts into his/her mouth? Now, this is really dangerous and can prove fatal!!

• Keep all the poisonous repellents (napthalene balls, laxman rekha etc) on the top most shelf.

• If you find your baby swallow/chew any of these, immediately give salt water to drink (this will invoke vomitting sensation)

• Monitor if your baby pukes the content or goes unconscious.

• However, take her to the doctor after these basic examinations.

Beware of chilies: Finally, the latest and the hottest incident. Don't take me in the wrong sense. I am talking about Green chillies. One evening, I was completely engrossed in the kitchen to prove my culinary skills . My little lady had snapped a green chilly by then and started peeling it!? The moment I saw her with the "hot" veggie, my heart skipped a beat. I tried my best to avoid the disastrous situation. Too late, she started rubbing her eyes intensely and within minutes, her eyes were swollen and turned completely red!!

• Wash the eyes with plenty of tap water.

• Wash the eyes with milk. Cow's milk is fine and acts immediately. Within minutes, gives good relief.

• [Mother's milk is the best medicine for a baby. Even conjuctivitis gets cured in a day's time]

Please dont mind my tone , I will improve in the upcoming blogs.Its been just 2 years and I have managed to sound like a mother of 2!! ;) 

Bye for now! Till then, happy living !!