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!