Monday, May 19, 2008

Meera’s first birthday

Meera turns ONE today.

This last year has been an amazing journey with the new experience of raising two kids and working at the same time. I know lots of people do it, but it does not change the experience. If you think keeping up with one kid was tough, try having a second one. It doubles the pleasure and fun and quadruples the exhaustion. But, it’s very worth it in the end.

Incidentally, today also marks the completion of 2 months since Shivam got diagnosed with Leukemia.

Yesterday was one the busiest days for Shivam and Urmila. When both of them crashed late night, they were exhausted beyond imagination. The day started with Ms. Leah coming over to play with Shivam at 9 AM. They played untiringly till noon with Shivam going for his first round of sleep. Shivam is totally in awe of Ms. Leah and she is an equally amazing teacher and mentor.

After a good nap of around 3 hours, Shivam got up and was soon joined by Aniket for a play date. Aniket had brought 2 toy helicopters and they both ran around the house. This is where Urmila, the “power” mom comes into the picture. I was amazed to see her energy as she ran along with the kids, making sure they are safe and enjoying the games at the same time. She played legos with them. She made a full train set and drove trains with them. She ran beside them when they were cycling around the house. And the biggest challenge of all: How to keep Meera away who just wanted to be with Aniket all the time. Yes, it was a pleasure of see all 4 of them rolled into a ball moving, shouting and screaming with glee around the house. Aniket was fabulous with Shivam and contrary to his parents fears, he was gentle, kind and very understanding while playing with Shivam. Very well trained boy. And extremely smart like his parents.

Aniket left around 5:30 PM (after Anjan returned from his alleged “shopping trip”.). Soon Shilpa, Yuvraj and Jhanvi stopped by and Shivam and Meera again got busy with her. I was enjoying playing the devil’s advocate role and teaching the kids all wrong things and Urmila and Shilpa were trying to undo those them. By mistake, I opened the front doors and then both kids wanted to go out for a walk. This was a challenge as Shivam is not supposed to go under sun while his chemo treatment is on. After some superb delay tactics from Urmila, it was finally safe to take the kids out. On the way, Shivam met his Rutwick chachu who was coming from a whole day of the cricket field. The idea of walking was completely abandoned by Shivam at this point and he wanted a ride back with his chachu. We came back and everybody took a moment to rest.

Late evening, Girish, June, her mom and Rohan came over to visit Shivam. Shivam and Meera enjoyed the little baby and Shivam acted very matured with Rohan offering him toys and making sounds to keep him entertained. By 10:30 PM, Shivam was absolutely worn out and crashed in Urmila’s arms. She took him to bed and he slept immediately.

Mummy had a hard day also trying to keep up with feeding everybody and supplying a constant stream of tea and snacks. She, again, is an remarkable women with boundless energy. Like mother, like grandma.

Somebody asked on my previous post about Kaju masala. It’s hard to explain the “taste” over text, but in short, it’s cashew nuts soaked and simmered in rich gravy of tomato paste, finely grinded cashews, almonds and other nuts, milk, and tons of Indian spices. Unfortunately, it’s not available in most Indian restaurants because of the expensive nature of it’s ingredients. It’s generally eaten with some Indian bread (like naan or roti). Phulka again is a traditional Indian bread not generally served in restaurants. But if you bribe my mother-in-law enough, maybe she will make it for you :-)

14 comments:

Anonymous said...

A very very Happy Birthday to Meera!! God Bless You!

Lots of love and Hugs to Shivam. God bless you my dear.

saumya said...

Wishing a very happy 1st birthday to dearest Meera!
Am so glad to know that Shivam is having a good time at home and is on the way to recovery!!

Lots of love and blessings to dear Shivam and Meera,
Mona

Anonymous said...

wowww..its quite a wonderful birthday for Meera playing with his brother and friends..Wish you a very very happy birthday little Meera :) God bless you dear.

Iam very glad that Shivam is having such a nice time with all the family members and friends..hats off to Urmila for her energetic power to run along with the kids to make sure every thing is going fine.
once again i say Shivam is lucky to have you guys as family ..great parents and grand parents, lovely cute little sister,wonderful friends who always visit Shivam ..
..i do really believe that Shivam will get well soon and enjoy a happy blessed and healthy life with such a lovely family..
God bless you dear Shivam..lots of lovee and hugs to youu..mmmuaahhh

Anonymous said...

A very Happy Birthday to Meera!!!
It was so nice to read your post today...I could see all happy faces and smiles.

I wish life had a remote to pause in this very moment.
You guys will have lots and lots of those happy moments your way...always ....

Maya said...

happy birthday meera!!!

so glad you guys are celebrating things now...

Anonymous said...

many many happy return of the day to meera.
I really appreciate your words towards urmila and ur inlaws,ur family is very lovely.

Ur decription of kaju masaala waters my mouth yummy........

we hope best for shivam

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday Meera !!!

Glad to know you guys are back to normal,may God shower all happiness on you.

Lots of Love and Hugs to Shivam and Meera.

Upasna

Anonymous said...

A Very Happy Birthday Meera!

Great to know that Shivam is up and running!!

God bless you all with loads n loads of happiness!!

Smitha..

Anonymous said...

A very happy birthday to Meera and great to hear about the fun stuff.
Keep them rolling in and take care
Tulika

Anonymous said...

A Very Happy Birthday Meera.

Love
-Deepak, Shilpa and Sanvika

Anonymous said...

hAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY MEERA GIRL I MISS HER SO MUCH.i AM GLAD SHE HAS GOOD TIME WITH HER BROTHER TODAY.lOTS OVES AND HUGS TO MY GIRL AND SHIVAM.

Anonymous said...

Glad to know that you are back to normal.I will try to offer prasad to Baba tommorrow .Happy happy Birthday to Meera .My Son too turned One a week back.I appreciate the way u recognised the love and affection shown by your in laws thy r too lucky to have u as an Son in law.

Meeta Prakash said...

Hey

Wish Meera with lots of Love .... May God bestow her with the best ...

It was really nice to hear about the wornderful time Shivam is able to have at home with all of you .....

Take care ....

Anonymous said...

Happy birthday to Meera!!!

God bless Shivam.