I remember the moment when we were all set to travel to Bhutan at the end of June, 2018. Aakanksha was already anticipating that we were Pregnant ! It was just matter of confirmation by medical test but we had to wait for proper results to show up. Meanwhile we still decided to travel to Bhutan with all the precautions and it turned out to be our Baby Moon !
With every single day passing by, we were just counting days to the expected date of Aakanksha's delivery ! I'm sure Aakanksha would be able to write a separate column all together about her journey during pregnancy. She has gone through a lot. Like nausea, gestational diabetes and what not !
The Day !
As the expected delivery date started approaching closer, I moved to my in law's place with Aakanksha and continued work from home. On 24th February, 2019, one of my best buddies, Zankar, was getting engaged, so I stayed back at my parent's place for a day. Just when I was about to go back to Aakanksha on 25th morning, she called me up saying that she wasn't feeling the foetal movements like usual !!! Without wasting any moment further, I quickly rushed back to her, dropped my bag, picked her and went straight to the Apollo Hospital, Nerul (New Mumbai). We went through scans, doctor advised us to get admitted by end of the day and they planned a C- section next day morning.
The moment had come, our excitement to welcome the baby was at peak. Both are our parents and I were waiting in the waiting area for the doctor to call us. Around 08:45 -09:00 the doctor called me and congratulated me saying - "It's a Boy !!!!!"
I was in a state of mixed emotions. I didn't know how to react to this exactly ! Of course I was happy but bringing a new human in this world, as your baby was not something I had experienced before.
I had to wait for some more time before I could see him because this 'Poopy' had pooped inside the gestational sac and although the doctor had cleaned him in and out, he had to ensure the baby was out of any possible risk.
In the next few mins, I was called by the nurse to see him.
And there He was ! In the sunlight, wrapped up in a swaddle, crying.
For Aakanksha, her motherhood kicked in much before she felt first kick of the baby inside her stomach but for me as a Father, it was very different experience. After Ayaansh was born. I was asked to complete the formalities for his admission at the reception. It was the first time I mentioned my relationship with someone as Father. That was the 1st time when the Father inside me had the very first overwhelming fatherly moment and my fatherhood kicked in !
It has been a roller coaster ride since then. I was fortunate to have 4 weeks of paternity leave and I utilised it fully in devoting myself as a doting father. I'm so proud of myself to say that I was first one from the family to clean his poop ! Not sure what sort of joy I felt while doing that but surely it was something which was telling me that this is how you become a responsible father !
Having a kid changes, all the equations of life. e.g. Festival Celebration. Usually the festival which used to be just about dressing up and enjoying sweets with family and friends had evolved to dressing up the baby and making him ready for his first ever festival and then again running behind changing his nappies, swaddling him when he felt sleepy !
We celebrated his first ever Festival with the family - Gudhipadva !
In next few days and weeks, I thought I managed to be an expert in the art of swaddling but no matter how nicely I used to swaddle him, most of the times he managed to take out one of his hands or legs and then I had to repeat the process again ! Some times, just after changing his nappy he would make it dirty again ! But it was all fun all along !
Priceless reaction of Aakanksha & Ayaansh when he made his nappy dirty just after changing it !
My paternity leave was getting over and the time had come for me to move back to Bangalore. It's a challenging task for a mother to manage such a small baby and hence Aakanksha needed support from the family to manage and take care of Ayaansh. It was a hard moment for me to leave both of them behind and move alone. We decided to have video calls daily, like always.
Aakanksha and I have been video calling since a long time. Before getting married we used to Skype and then during her maternity leave when she moved to her parents on October, 2018.
Days passed and we decided to buckle up for next roller coaster ride ! Aakanksha and Ayaansh were moving to Bangalore. Although, Aakanksha still needed help managing Ayaansh, we were confident that we will be able to manage with the help of a baby sitter.
His first air travel !
By God's grace, we found an excellent baby sitter for Ayaansh within a week after we returned to Bangalore. She used to look after Ayaansh with utmost care. We were so glad to have her !
Now everyday when it used to be the time to leave from work, I used to be super excited to get back and play with this little champ. Weekends used to be more fun as I used to get the whole day to spend with him.
One thing that I was always sure of was that I want to give enough time to him and make that Father - Son bonding as strong as 2 best friends so that tomorrow he shouldn't hesitate to discuss anything with me. When it's needed I want this bonding to be like a Teacher and Student, so that I can guide him. But no matter how busy I'm with anything, I want to never deprioritize him over anything if he needs me the most !
It was October, 2019. It had been long since we travelled anywhere after we were pregnant. The traveller inside us was telling that we had to train ourselves on travelling with Ayaansh as well as we needed to see if he loves travelling too, like his parents. We planned our 1st ever vacation to Goa in November and then last moment plans to Maldives in January !
We were excited that he enjoyed travelling so much ! He has been extremely cooperative while travelling, be it flight, boat or car.
Soon after our travel in November we had planned his Mundan Ceremony. It was the first time his hair were shaved keeping the small patch on his head. Most of the people thought that it's a style but according to traditional rituals it was not supposed to be shaved as the part of the skull there is still soft.
But in any case it was an adorable look !
Days passed and time flew ! It was almost a year. Ayaansh was turning 1 !
He had started taking baby steps. Aakanksha herself decided to bake his 1st birthday cake ! We celebrated his birthday at Aakanksha's clinic with other small kids and hosted a small party at party hall nearby. Ayaansh loved posing on his special day until he fell asleep right after the cake cutting !
Things were going smooth and then suddenly lockdown started because of Covid-19 situation. We were forced to lock ourselves in the house. As precautionary measures, we had to stop domestic help for cleaning , cooking as well as the baby sitter. Now, the real challenge of parenthood started. Both of us had to manage our work and baby sit Ayaansh. Throughout this time he has been an amazing kid !
This whole situation turned out to be blessing in disguise for us. We could give our utmost attention to Ayaansh and he was also happy that both of us were always around. Within few months lockdown rules were bit relaxed and Aakanksha had to resume work. For her, there was not much choice but to resume her clinic. Her business, dream was at stake and in a field like hers online consultations and therapies were challenging !
On the other side it was another challenge for me to take care of Ayaansh single handedly. By this time I was confident that I can manage him, so I didn't ask Aakanksha to compromise her work. I felt so proud of Ayaansh for not troubling me much when I was at work. I would try to sync up my timings in a way that both of us would have our lunch together. Sometimes I had to drop off from the calls to ensure he got his milk on time or his nappies were changed when it was needed. And there were times when he used to literary sit on my shoulder while I was attending meetings.
Recently, while I started scribbling down on digital platform, Ayaansh started scribbling down on walls ! Such happiness to see him doing that ! I felt like this wall was always left empty so that someday Ayaansh would start his abstract drawing on it !
Although, I have summarised last 2 years of time span in this 7 mins post, there are thousands of memories in my mind and captured in camera. Everyday Google Photos keeps reminding me some or other memories and everyday it makes me nostalgic !
I have heard from many people around me that this is the most beautiful phase and most precious time ! Time flies, kids grow up and you never get those moments back no matter how hard you want to relive them ! There are times you feel it's difficult to manage and probably that time should get over soon but when it gets over, you miss them the most !
I keep saying this and I'll continue to keep saying this that, your workplace will change, your coworkers will change. If you decide to quit the job your workplace will always manage to replace you with someone. But the one that will not change and keep supporting in you in your hard times and throughout your life is your family ! As much as you need them, they need you the most !
More such moments to come and more memories to cherish ! No matter what you decide to become in life Ayaansh, your Mumma and Bubba are going to love you, guide you always !
May Shri Krishna residing in your heart shows you right path throughout your life !
Happy 2nd !! My Birthday Boy ! Much Love ! ❤️️
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