The difference in approach

Annie comes across as meticulous. She will wait for the right moment try to avoid 'falls' as much as possible and finally she will gauge when she is ready and that's how she decided to walk by taking baby steps at 11 months. Lady Addie pushes herself to the limit. She perseveres, does not care if she falls, stands up and tries again and until she was able to walk at 10 months itself (baby steps started at 9 months). we learn so much from kids I tell ya!

A guilt-free working Mommy

I know I am supposed to feel guilty. I work full time from home. I have 2 kids, I dont "dedicate" myself completely to them, instead share the work load of the house with P and hire a full time Nanny. Guess what I dont feel guilty a tiny bit for doing this. My girls are my priority. I love them. My family of course COMES FIRST. But that does not mean I have to give up my career. Hey my attitude is if I should be able to manage, and more than able to manage, manage WELL. If not its not worth it. And we have no complaints so far. I always told P that I want to try managing both career and kids and home. If I cant well I know what my priorities are and I will gladly choose family over career. But without trying I will never decide it. I know many people even today give up their career for kids. I respect that. That is their choice. I dont think they are being better mothers just by staying home and I dont think working mothers are being bad mothers just cos they also choose to work. Yes I agree its hard, a lot of juggling and super busy lifestyle. But its a personal choice. Even some mothers who stay home not necessarily are able to devote quality time due to exhaustion and routine-boredom. In my case if and if I ever feel its getting too much and I am missing my girls I will quit that very moment.

6 week postpartum check up

I had the physical check up at my OB's office today - the 6 weeks check up. It went well! Result: Pass Everything had healed. She said  cant even make out I delivered, leave alone had twins ;)

I drove (first time after delivery) and went alone by myself as I didn't want to take the girls with me and disturb their routine and besides its best to have 3 people home in case both cry at the same time, one extra person can organize milk or diapers for them if needed ;) Honestly even one person can manage with the girls, but since we have a chance of 3 people staying home so why not utilize it (P has the week off for July 4th - forced company shut down, so he has to use his vacation days).

My mother - a wonderful grandmother!

I always knew it and that's how it has turned, my mother is very good with kids even though she has minimum experience, basically after me she didnt have other kids around to watch them grow. Even then she loves kids in general. She has some how gathered a lot of energy to help us so much, from day one, she has taken care of all the cooking, house, kids and providing me with nourishment so I could recover. She has been very patient with me as I am so particular in the way things are done for the babies, like washing bottles, sanitization, their bath etc. And sometimes there are some slight differences to what Doctor's advise here and what is followed in India, that is inevitable as these differences can occur even in India between two generations. I have to admit I haven't blindly followed the Doctor every time, some of our old practices make sense like giving babies gripe water, oil massages etc. But some of them dont make sense. My mom has co-operated and done how I wish instead of forcing her opinions and wishes on us or hurting us as after all we are the parents. She is realistic and does not have those typical expectations.

I would not have coped so well thru my postpartum time if not for my mother. I will forever be grateful for that and hopefully I can return the same favor when my girls are grown up and have their kids, thats how it works I suppose? And hopefully I have the ability and the means to take care of parents from now on.

30 years!

April 10th marked my parents 30th Anniversary, we didnt do much, temple visit, lunch at Chipotle which they liked and BRU visit and home after some shopping!

Brussel Sprouts and Kali Daal

Since forever now wanted to try Brussel sprouts, they have good nutritional value, look exactly like cabbages or rather mini cabbages. Finally got them last week and made a curry exactly like cabbage curry (the basic one without masalas) and it tasted very good. P also liked it! Yay!

Made Kaali Dal today, not a complete rich Daal Makhni with the fancy cream and all. Just a basic 'Maa ki Daal', it tastes pretty ok. Made Jeera Rice and hopefully P approves it :-)

Concord

Concord is a seperate city in itself indeed. Work is only 10 miles from home/Waltham and there is a drastic change in temperatures and even weather as soon as I take the exit. Its been pouring since last night there was no snow though. Enter Concord and a fresh layer of snow is being washed away with the rain. Ah! nature I tell you!