my children, that's all I’ll ever want

17th January '2017

My children,

Just give me your laughter.

That’s all I’ll ever want.

Not even a year old,

I see you crawling away from me so fast,

Then taking slow steps back towards me.

You don’t come to me for nourishment

You look for plates and spoons

You don’t sleep, both together tucked on to me

You sleep independently, in your own cots

Already you’re growing up, too fast

Don’t mistake me

I’m not vain

I do not want you to want me

I don’t want anything at all

If something,

Just give me your laughter.

That’s all I’ll ever want.

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In a moment of peace

12th June 2016

One is sleeping

            oblivious to the world

            hands spread out, palms open

            receiving the knowledge of the ancient masters

            understanding the world

            in deep meditation

            in sleep meditation

            digesting the day, today.

Two looked here

            smiled at me

and then looked away

she’s listen to music

Indian classical ragas

having a conversation with the ustads

aa aa aa aaa aaaa…

was that an alap?

Three put her paw on the pad

            she’s asking me,  “what are you doing?

            what could be more important than looking into my pretty pretty eyes?”

            the vain one

she knows

            she’s the prettiest beagle in town

            the lively one with the wagging tail

            she knows

            Mumma loves Best!

Mom’s the word

20th May '2016

Yes that’s all I’m gonna write about, coz that’s all that I am today.

I’m seriously deliberating between writing this or maybe catching a wink for 15 minutes or as long as all is quiet.  Latter’s not playing it fair: pushing my eyelids down already.

Learnings:

1. I realized I could pass out too (that too without alchohol). My body too has limits.

2. I nap best with my dog. I used to nap best with my husband, but not anymore.

3. I actually like silence. There are times I prefer that there be no talking. (really me? I’m the most talkative person I know)

4. It’s only my mom that I love and hate with equal high intensity. She’s also the only person left in my life I have expectations from (barring, Kev)

5. There is a thing such as too much multitasking. Three is the max. If you go for four, there's a serious high chance of tipping the balance unfavourably. Eg. (i) Pumping, (ii) Singing to the baby and (iii) using the phone (whatsapp, grofers, firstcry) is already a lot. If you go for (iv) slight stretch to put the pacifier back into the baby's mouth - my advice, don't but if you do you're bound to spill milk (literally) 

6. It's the small things in life that moves you. always. small things. always. 

:P Gotta go. I just heard someone stir.

Blues and Pinks and Yellows and Greens

3^rd March 2016

Maybe it’s postpartum depression. Maybe it’s the hormones acting up. Maybe I’m just overwhelmed. But this is what I am right now. And I’m ok with that.

I’ve gone through a lot – through my pregnancy and in the last 3 weeks. I’m not gonna undermine myself or my emotions. It’s normal to feel this way. I’m gonna fight it. Even if it means that I cry, because sometimes tears bring us the courage we need.

Sometimes crying doesn’t bring the courage. It just brings more tears and then more. You feel pathetic. You feel weak. You feel incapable. But that’s also ok I guess. It’s just a feeling. Feelings pass. And tears dry.

            *          *          *          *          *

I believe in God. I believe he knows the lessons I have to learn and pass on. So I just have to live and let go. Whatever will be will be. I’ll take each day as it comes counting my blessings.

I’m deeply indebted to my mother. She’s been there for me in a way no one can ever be. She’s there everywhere. Healing me, blessing me, sending me off to rest, making me food, feeding my babies, clothing them, bathing them, handling my house etc etc and more. I don’t know how I’ll manage without her once she leaves in 2 weeks. She won’t even be available on the phone for a year.

I wish that someday I can too love my children like this!

I’m so proud of the daddy my life partner is turning out to be. I never saw him with a child ever. And now he’s a full-on hands-on dad - Feeding, burping, changing nappies, singing and more. Not only that, he’s been a rock solid support for me whose held my back against the storms I faced. I never knew that having children would mean falling in love with my husband all over again!

            I love you Kev. I really do. Muahs.

            *          *          *          *          *

I’m not so unhappy with myself either. I think I’m doing a pretty good job of this, to the best of my ability.

I’m just so sad at myself. I never thought I’ll be this kind of a mother. Crying one at that. I thought I’ll be a happy, singing, vivacious full of songs and smiles kinda mother. But I can’t. Just the saving grace till now is that I’m not crying in the presence of my babies. I go away from them. I try my best to be happy and bring in songs for them when I’m with them.

Am I so self-absorbed that I can’t handle sleeplessness? Where is the mother’s instinct and strength everyone talks about? I haven’t seen that in me yet.

I’m not a superwoman. I’m not a supermom.

I’m a regular person. Maybe lesser than that.

What do I do?

Mother to twins!

2^nd March 2016

I’m a mother to twins, now.

8 months ago it was Rumi, my little pup. 

And now I have three!

Sometimes it seems unbelievable. Like a hazy reality it dawns on me with creeping irritation caused by sleeplessness and physical pain. It strikes true as the cloud of the overwhelmed feeling envelopes me and rains incessantly.

Sometimes the feeling of a soft cheek on mine feels like heaven. Through all the pain I smile and laugh and sing songs to keep every bit of sadness away from my li’l ones. And the rhythm of two heartbeats on my chest gives me bliss.

Naina and Kanishk. My little ones. My little little ones.

They already have so much within them. I’m amazed! I understand now that motherhood is not about teaching but about learning from the babies. They have so much in them already. Their personality, behavior, character and traits are forming as I write this. I’m no one to interfere in that process. I can just help guide that into the right routes. This responsibility seems too great as of now.

Well this piece was supposed to be a conversation with myself. It’s sounding too deep already. Maybe I should try another one afresh on a lighter note.