Monday, 16 July, 2018

Avani had one of the most troubled nights yesterday. She woke up at 2 am after falling asleep at 9 pm and didn’t sleep back for over 3 hours. Mumma was up with her nursing her every few mins and fighting soreness. Papa woke up at 4 am. Avani’s clothes were changed. She was almost force-fed some mango - since she hadn’t dinner maybe that affected her. Papa tried hard to help her back to sleep by singing aloud. The sound reverberated more in the wee hours on the morning. But Avani fell back happily to sleep. It was evident she had been aching to sleep. Mumma closed the bedroom door fully which always left slightly ajar to let the light from the living room in. 10-15  mins later, since there was no light in the room, Papa while turning to find a comfortable sleeping position, pressed Avani’s left hand slightly. She moved around maybe woken up a bit. The movements increased and she woke up fully. Avani always goes on all her fours as soon as she wakes up. She rolls over on her stomach and goes straight to her crawling position. This is what she did again. With her movement not arrested in between, she was up again. Mumma fed her and somehow persuaded her back to sleep.

Papa woke up at 9:30 am and then again at 0950 when Avani woke up too. Mumma was already up. She had a 1030 meeting! Papa somehow sat at the breakfast table along with Mumma and Avani. Avani was being fed mangoes which she resisted with all her strength.

Mumma left around 1010 and Avani said bye to Mumma cheerfully! No one was expecting this since Avani hadn’t spent the morning with her today. Avani was slightly sad as Papa checked by taking her to the mirror. He roamed around with her in his arms. She seemed to be doing fine soon. Around 10:20 a Sardarji salesman came and demonstrated a cleaning product. Papa bought 3 of those. He was a complete sucker for hygiene and good salesmanship. The Sardarji salesman had hit Papa with a double whammy.

Once he left, Papa kept Avani with him for some time. It seemed she would sleep. An unsuccessful attempt at 1050 later, Avani had milk, 40 ml, at 1100. This was finished by the now-evident famished Avani rather quickly. Lakshmi tried to help Avani to sleep in the study but the baby cried loudly bringing a questioning Papa in. Papa helped Avani and she was quickly asleep at 1115. Maybe she was looking for more help which Lakshmi failed in offering. She needed more reassurance before settling onto the bed to sleep.

Avani woke up at 1233 and had 50 ml of milk. Soliwax was put into her ears - regular dosage while she was asleep. After this, playing near balcony door on yoga mat resumed.

At 1325, Avani had her 3rd 50 ml of milk. Taking matters into her own hands, she had gone looking for milk in the kitchen.

Avani was soon whisked away for a nice massage. Horizontal position on bed with her head towards Lakshmi and legs towards Papa facing upwards worked fine. Lakshmi went to fill the bathtub and an unfortunate incident happened. Avani was alone with Papa standing on the floor-bed standing with support near the headrest. Just then, Papa saw the mosquito which had been wheezing around during the massage. It was perched on Avani naked back. Habitually, Papa went for the kill and missed. The poor little baby got so shocked with the smack on her back, it took a moment to register. She looked at Papa and burst out crying. Papa realized what he had done and said a hundred sorries. He picked the little baby up and patted her till she calmed down. Today would be the day Papa beat Avani, albeit accidentally. :(

Avani had a quick bath (no soap, no shampoo) which was done by 1410. Lunch (Khichdi with brinjal and tomatoes) was served to the baby who started crying 5 mins into it.

It had to be stopped at 1425 since she was rubbing her eyes and poking her khichdi laden fingers into her ears. Papa tried walking and sleeping and Avani was asleep in practically no time almost hugging Papa. Papa tried to put her to sleep on the floor-bed directly from the vertical hugging position but it failed. A little more coaxing in the horizontal position helped the baby to sleep peacefully at 1442.

She woke up at 1520 and crawled out of her bed to find Papa at the table. She resumed playing near the balcony door.

Taking matters into her own hands, she found a cloth to clean her toys but proceeded to eat the cloth itself. :)

Avani was soon moved a second time to lunch. It failed again. It seemed she was too hungry. At 1551, she was fed her 4th 50 ml of milk sitting in her chair for lunch.

Soon enough she was cleaned and brought out. She roamed around with Papa in his arms. It was gloomy and rainy day, Papa showed her rain and people drenched in rain going on motorbikes. At around 1610, Lakshmi crept up from behind to feed Avani some Khichdi. Avani didn’t mind. She tried again. Avani didn’t mind much again. This went on for 20 mins. Papa kept carrying her around and Lakshmi kept feeding her little morsels of food. Avani would shake her head indicating “Not interested” but acquiesce finally to the next morsel. She would turn to look away and Papa would turn around so she faced Lakshmi again. She would turn around again. And, Papa would turn again. Sometimes she was not impressed; other times she would agree to the next morsel. She went num-num-num on the food eating eagerly and swallowing appreciatively. Twice in between, Avani while Avani went “ae daye daye daye” with her mouth wide open, Lakshmi seized the opportunity to put Khichdi which Avani ate, albeit slightly taken aback.On the third try while it was fun for Lakshmi, Papa asked not to do that. Avani’s head turning with a smeared mouth lent a nice yellow color near the right shoulder to his otherwise pristine white T-shirt. Papa tried to put a handkerchief on it but Avani started munching on that. It had to be removed. This way Avani had her lunch in a new way today.

Avani played with Papa at the balcony door on the yoga mat while Lakshmi cooked dinner. This went on till Mumma got back and kicked the door.