Party of Four!

Ashu took a shot of our family of four today.

Big Sister Is Watching

But he's got his eye on you too sweetie! ;p

Sara has been a terrific helper when it comes to her brother. She gets diapers, burp cloths, and other items we need for Vihaan when we ask her to. She also alerts us to his needs. He was sitting in his swing today and began to cry (note that this may have been because Sara was leaning in too much- you think???). Sara immediately said, "Vihaan wants to get out!" and stood close by to ensure someone was following through with her wishes.

My Ballerina!!!

All the kids in Sara's ballet class got a beautiful christmas bracelet from Ms. Jenny. She was so excited and kept showing it to Vihaan - "Vihaan, mera bracelet dekho! Aapko nahi millega. It's for girls"

1 week old

We are completely in love with our little prince. He is a Wonderful baby! I hope I'm not going to jinx us here. It is quite possible that we're still just in the baby honeymoon stage. Even if we are though, it will not change the fact that Vihaan is a blessing. He eats well and has since he was an hour old. At his one week doctor appointment on Wednesday, he weighed 7 lbs. 7 oz and measured 20.5 inches. He sleeps well and has been doing 3-4 hour stretches consistently. If you can describe the "personality" of a one-week-old, he seems to have a very sweet demeanor. He makes these little squeaky noises that sound like a toy that's been squeezed- just a little "eep!" sound.

Our more relaxed approach to parenting this time around may be playing a factor, but it is also entirely truthful to say that he is just a good boy. Our family has definitely been blessed with him.

Just a picture of our little miniature with his big sis :)

Loving Two!

I saw this "Loving Two" entry posted on another blog last year and absolutely loved it. It's been sitting in my blog drafts since then. I've talked with many friends about this- how fiercely we love our first born children and how we wonder if there is any room at all left in our hearts for others. Well there is room because our hearts grow even larger.

I've had so many moments in the past few days where I've felt my heart pause and grow. As I'm nursing Vihaan and Sara goes running by but stops for a moment to locate me and either tell me what she's doing or just to give me a smile as she zooms by. When Vihaan opens his eyes and stares at me with genuine interest and my heart remembers what Sara looked like when she did the same thing. When Sara leaned in to kiss her baby brother when he was fussing and said, "It's okay. Sara didi is here. Okay chotu bhaiya" When Sara's little hands pet Vihaan's little hands. I know these are stored in my heart's memory but I wish I could capture them all in writing before my mind forgets. Loving two is more amazing than I thought possible.

LOVING TWO

I walk along holding your 3-year-old hand,
basking in the glow of our magical relationship.
Suddenly I feel a kick from within,
as if to remind me that our time alone is limited.
And I wonder, how could I love another child as I love you?

Then he is born, and I watch you.
I watch as the pain you feel at having to share me as you have never shared me before.

I hear you telling me in your own way,
"Please love only me" and I hear myself telling you in mine "I can't."
Knowing in fact that I never can again.
You cry, I cry with you.
I almost see our baby as an intruder on
the precious relationship we once shared.
A relationship we can never have again.

But then, barely noticing, I find myself attached to that new being,
and feeling almost guilty.
I'm afraid to let you see me enjoying him
--as though I am betraying you.

But then I notice your resentment change,
first to curiosity,
then to protectiveness,
finally to genuine affection.

More days pass, and we are settling into a new routine.
The memory of days with just the two of us is fading fast.
But something is replacing those wonderful times we shared,
just us two.
There are new times -- only now we are three.
I watch the love between you grow,
the way you look at each other,
touch each other.

I watch how he adores you, as I have for so long.
I see how excited you are by each of his new accomplishments.
I begin to realize that I haven't taken something from you,
I've given something to you.
I notice that I am no longer afraid
to share my love openly with both of you.
I find that my love for each of you is as different as you are,
but equally strong.
And my question is finally answered to my amazement.
Yes, I can love another child as much as I love you, only differently.

And although I realize that you may have to share my time,
I know you'll never share my love.
There's enough of that for both of you
--you each have your own supply.

I love you both and I thank you both for blessing my life.

---Author Unknown

Sweet

Vihaan picsl!!

Girl Meets Boy

Sara came to hospital today. She was so excited and happy to see Vihaan and was not letting anybody touch his crib. It was a Most wonderful feeling to squeeze my girl! Oh how I missed her! She kept saying "Can I carry him?" We told her it would be okay if she sat down so that Vihaan could sit on her lap :)

Then she did hold him and it was absolutely p.r.e.c.i.o.u.s.

Meet The Littlest Garg - Vihaan Garg!

Happy Birth Day Vihaan!!!

Our family was blessed today, Wednesday, December 7, 2011 with Vihaan Garg at 9:25 PM. He arrived 4 days ahead of his expected due date, and is a healthy 7 lbs 4 oz and 20.5 inches long. He is the sweetest little thing and has spent today sleeping and making the most precious newborn sounds.

I went for my checkup and was told that the amniotic fluid is low and therefore I need to be induced at the earliest possible. I was admitted at 1 PM, but were only 2-3 cm dilated and about 20% effaced. Thankfully they gave me my epidural @ 4:00 PM.

This helped me accept the contractions that resulted from the Pitocin administered at 2:00 PM and the breaking of my water at 6:30 PM. Both these things did the trick and I was 7 cm by 8:00 PM. I began pushing at about 8:45. This time around was SO much easier, but none the less AMAZING. We have a truly awesome doctor, wonderful staff, and an encouraging Daddy who championed us for an hour that delivery took. I got to hold him for a good 10 minutes or so after they placed him in the warmer and took measurements. Of course I wept the entire time...what miraculous moments!

We think he looks similar to his big sister. Vihaan is 1 inch shorter than his sister was, and weighs less than she did at birth. I SO miss my girl and I cannot wait for her to meet her beautiful little brother tomorrow!

So Busy

Since I'm nearly two months behind in blogging (I've been insanely busy at work!), I will be posting updates in the next few days before our new family addition joins us!!!

Workin' at the Carwash

Today we went for car wash at this cute place in Paramus- which was so much fun for Sara. She had so much fun spraying water on our car. Sara was thrilled to be Daddy's helper in this task. She was a super squealy happy girl who kept saying, "Mom- look I am washing our NEW car." She would run to the next hose as soon the previous one won't reach our car. She was so happy! (No pictures since my previous iPhone is not working and I have no recent back-up.)

Zarkana

Today we went to NYC to watch the Cirque Du Soleil show - Zarkana. We got excellent seats and the mood was set from the moment we walked into the Radio City Music Hall.

While we got the tickets for the show at decent price, we did not find parking and paid $51 for 3 hours. Below are Sara's pic before the show:

Rice Krispie Snack

One of the lesson theme at Sara's school this month is 'Manners'. Today, we made these fun heart lollipops for snack to teach Sara sharing with friends.

She was so cute helping me make these fun snacks!

Coconut-Chocolate!

Its time for another Sweet Punch! I guess with this pregnancy I am going nuts eating sweets!!

Today we made coconut ladoos with chocolate coating - Thanks Binny for sharing this so easy recipe! It turned out great!!

Sara's First Ballet Class!

Yesterday was Sara's first ballet class and I think I was more excited than she was! We got her dressed in her little ballet outfit and headed out. She looked so stinkin cute :) I might be biased, but that's alright. She is in a class with about 10 more girls (including Sanaah) and was pretty shy and nervous at first but warmed up by the end!

While I wanted to stay and watch (totally wanted to break all those rules about being that mom that won't leave the room and takes a gazillion pictures...), I didn't. Instead, just took couple of pics before the class started.

She later on had fun showing us some of the things they did and "teaching" me how to do ballet. On a side note (just one of those things for me to remember while I am thinking about it.) Sara loves to dress up in her ballet outfit. When we are around, she wants music on and comes running to us and says "Daddy/Mommy, "Come on!" "Dance with me!" I love it when she says it. It melts me heart :)

Philadelphia Here we Come!!!

We all drove to Philadelphia after the fun evening and checked in our hotel at about 6 PM. The location of the property was perfect and of course the hotel was absolutely beautiful and historical.

Next morning, after breakfast we went for city tour. (I wish I had no migraines....would have enjoyed a lot!!!). Since I was not feeling good, we left for home after 1 PM.

Weekend in (Dutch) Wonderland: Arrival/Day 1

We got on the road soon after breakfast for ~3 hour drive to Lancaster. We met Matta's and decided to go have fun. Sara was so excited to see her buddies. 

After the sky ride, we drove the old time cars on rails. I rode with Sara. Vishal tried to get a picture, but Sara and I took off along the "speedway." 

After the frog show, Nikki and Sara rode this ride together. SO cute! They both like bees and this ride was nice and slow. Sara was thrilled to have Nikki right next to her. We stayed until 4:30 PM ...watched the frog show and said goodnight to the Duke Dragon character and the DW princess.

I meant to take a few more of these cut-out picts, but the kids weren't really feelin' it. This one is cute though. :)

Some other fun picts of the day:

Labor Day

There wasn't much laboring going on today...but isn't that what this day is for? We went peach picking this morning with Parekh's and Sanghavi's. Yumm, yumm! Sara was a good little worker, but didn't snack nearly as much as she did on our previous trips to Alstede farm. We all had a blast too!

100 Days To Go!!!

They say the average pregnancy is between 266 and 280 days. As of today, we have 100 days left until our original due date of December 11, 2011. As we all know that very rarely are due dates actually met. But nonetheless, a milestone is reached. whoo hoo! It really does seem as if these past few weeks have flown by. I still remember eagerly awaiting the first doctor's appointment, then the next to hear the heartbeat, then the sonogram, then to feel the kicks. I cannot say that I am eagerly awaiting labor and delivery though- lol!

New Posts!

27 posts since yesterday - Caught up through most of August. Scroll down to see what we have been upto. Busy busy time.

Carousel - Still Favorite

Merry-go-round...still one of Sara's Favorites!

Happy Birthday Aryan!!

Today is my fav kiddo's birthday....Aryan turns 3 on 8/23 but we celebrated his birthday today. As usual Binny made some delicious food. We were all excited and happy that Matta's joined us for the weekend. I was too busy visiting and having fun at the Jain's house to take pictures. Seema took a lot so I have to get them from her.

Next morning, we all went and met near in a park near Alstede Farm. It was so much fun so see all the kids run and play together. Afterwards, the adults (except me) did relay races - lol:) What a fun!!!!

Aqua Fun!

With the weather being so hot, Vishal took Sara to the pool today after breakfast. It was beautiful and fun! Some pics from Vishal's phone...

Phone Picts from the Park

Retro-posting picts from my phone from one of the emerging summer days at the park after I came home. This girl Loves swings!!!

Rakhi Celebration

One of my most favorite indian holiday's is rakhi. The past few years we have gone to my aunt and uncle's house. This year also, we gathered at my chacha's place to celebrate Rakhi:)
Now I can't say that I actually cooked anything for this event, but the food was amazing (thanks to chachi who made everything) and the rakhi celebration was perfect.
Here are a few pictures from the weekend:
 

  

Happy 4th Birthday Viraj!

This afternoon we celebrated Hannu's 4th birthday at Turtle Back Zoo. It was a perfect day...not too hot not too cold! Totally Awesome! What a fun time! I didn't take any pictures b/c we forgot our camera in the car. Sara with all other kids had pizza and of course cake and she ate the whole thing- lol!

I will take some pics from Swati and post them later :)

American Idol in Making

Jimmy Bhaiya sent the birthday girl a beautiful piano...and we're ALL having fun with it. Vishal caught Sara playing and singing her own made-up song. Ha!!!

Sara enjoying her piano!!!!

4 years old

Happy 4th Birthday Sara!

So the "tantrum threes" are now a thing of the past, but something tells us "we ain't seen nothing yet!" There's Lots of "testing testing 1, 2, 3" around here! Sara is our smart, hilarious child. She continues to make us laugh...and yell...Daily. :p She is pretty darn funny. Her original thoughts and the delivery of these thoughts often make us pause, laugh, and appreciate her constantly ticking brain.

I know she will be an excellent big sister! She still prefers Mommy for comforting, snuggling, loving on, teasing and will often still tell me that I'm her best friend. She prefers Vishal for playing any games, playing outside, making her delicious breakfast (as she says it). She's doing great in her class at school. After her 4th year appointment, we will post her official stats!

We brought Cheese Cake in the evening "with ALOT of sprinkles" for her birthday.

Trip to Sidhachalam Mandir

For Sara's birthday, we went to Siddhachalam Mandir after breakfast. The Jain clan & Andy chacha's family were with us too. There was a big pooja for Jains. It was beautiful and the food was delicious. A pic of Andy Chacha & Shipra Di doing some pooja aand our temple: