1 month of Athi boy!

21 December 2019

It was just like any other day in my pregnancy. Being the due date of delivery, my doctor had advised me to get admitted at the hospital for monitoring. So, after a sumptuous meal loaded with pakathu veetu paal payasam & some mouth-watering vadas made by MIL, we set out to the hospital at about 7.30 PM. Initial examination led to the decision of an emergency operation as the umbilical cord was twisting around the baby from the stomach. In the next half and hour, I was ushered into the OT, and two minutes inside it, I could hear a slow cry. It was the baby. It was finally out, after 10 months of living inside me. When the doctor showed me the baby, in a faint and rather dry voice I uttered, "It's a boy". The OT had Ilayaraja music that being played in the background, which kept me distracted while the doctors were getting done with the other procedures. (They played Raja Raja Chozhan song) 

Post the operation, I was held under observation for a couple of hours and then finally moved into a private room. And that's where I met the whole of the family, all celebrating the arrival of the little human. Slowly people started departing, and with the effects of the medication slowly taking over, I drifted off to sleep as well. 

Except for those 3 seconds in the OT, I hadn't looked at the kid after the birth. It was only in the morning next day that I saw him. A tiny being, with big round eyes, extra long fingers and lanky legs. He kept opening and closing his eyes, staring at god-knows-what. And thus, began our journey. 

The first night was quite tough. I had to wake up every hour to nurse the baby. For someone who valued and worshipped her sleep deeply, this was really hard. And both the kid and me being new, things weren't easy. Sleep deprevation, Pain from the surgery and a constantly crying baby, the combo became deadly. 

The next morning went by smoothly, as there were lots of people around and the kid slept off peacefully through the day. Second night was better than the previous with couple of hours of sleep between each nursing session. The next few days at the hospital were quick. People, from near and far, came over to have a glimpse of the Kutti Pattani. After 3 days, we left the hospital. 

The moment I stepped into my home, the reality of having to take care of this tiny little baby scared me. My mind was unable to comprehend the fact that this little human being was totally going to be my responsibility from here on and that almost my whole day (or life?) is going to revolve around him. 

First week at home, I was tired with this monotonous cycle and post partum depression started peeping in. V came in the mornings and helped around. But it was the nights which were challenging. There were a lot of times when I completely broke down. But seriously

thanks to my mom and dad for being my pillar of support and patiently telling me I'd soon be fine. And a special mention to my brother on trying hard to console me on one particular day when I broke down inconsolably. 

As the days passed, the little boy has slowly started falling into a decent sleep and wake cycle. His staring aka play time has increased and he recognizes sudden burst of sounds.

Today, after a month, this is where he is. Sleep -> Feed -> self entertains himself for about 15-20 mins and drops a couple of smiles, post which there is one "koin-koin", which means, we have to lift him up and hold. Next he stares at something for a good 10-15 mins and slowly drifts off into sleep. 

Wondering how the next month with this little fellow is going to be. Hope I have strength and patience to cope with it and enjoy his growth. 

Stats: 

BW: 2.8 kg BH: 48cm

CW: 3.8 kg