With kids, the days are long but the years are short.: Manavi Singh

ME, MANAVI:  It’s difficult to write about oneself. What words should one use? I’m a mother, a wife, a daughter, a daughter-in-law, and a sister like any woman. Creative, cranky, crazy, sleep deprived and stay at home mom baby boy Yudhveer aka Yudi residing in Delhi NCR region.

THE ARRIVAL: My sonny boy was born 10 days before my EDD. 18th December, 2010, it was! I was suffering from bad cramps and had a strange feeling within me. I went to my Gynae who told me there I was on panic mode and there were no signs of labor pain or baby arriving so soon. Came home with a heavy heart but had not realized by then that my baby wasn’t moving at all. Ate some khichdi and puked.
Had a sweet, puked again. It was evening by then and I was suddenly overtaken by this strange pull in my tummy. It seemed it would burst, as if there were stones inside. Unable to handle the pain, I called the doc again. We met the doc, and she told us that I needed to operated immediately as the baby had passed Meconium and his heartbeat was fading gradually. I have a faint memory of holding Yudi in my arms and kissing his forehead.
BEING A MOMMY: My heart skips a beat, when I get up and see him first thing in the morning, when he extends his arms to me, or even when he throws tantrums while eating or sleeping. It took me time to understand my baby as I was unfortunate enough to have missed out on his early days. I got critical after a couple of hours of my delivery with this rare cardiac problem known as Peripartum Cardio Myopathy. Celebrations and jubilations stopped and the family prayed for my survival. The will to be with my son accelerated my recovery. I was back home on the 15th day with a mixed bag of emotions.

WE ARE FAMILY: We are nuclear family, but aided strongly by Hubby and my family post Yudi. My mum or MIL stay with me almost all times as I am not fit enough to take care of the baby all by myself.

TOUGH PATH: Bringing up a child is really difficult. A mother’s instinct is the primary driving force of parenthood. Every baby is different, so are our ways of rearing them up. Social media in todays world is great parenting help.

BRINGING UP: My little bundle of joy is now turning into a naughty brat. Through all the ups and downs and seemingly impossible days, I adore him! I’ve forgotten what life was like before him. The little brat has taken over my life completely and each moment with him seems so special. I want to savour it all, capture it all. So that years later, when he’s a rebellious teen, he can look back and see how much mommy loves him.

I’D MAKE SURE: My baby is well fed and comfortable at all times. He is happy and content. One who does not mind sharing his toys or other personal belongings with others. Is capable of making othesr happy with that dazzling smile of his!

LOVE YOU MUM: I will wait till eternity to hear this from you sonny!