Sunday, August 29, 2010
3 months worth of videos and photos!
It's been some time since I was able to upload photos and videos. I know that most things are good only in small quantities, and even good things, when taken in large amounts can be harmful. I hope I have not exceeded the toxic dose with this post, and you will not develop anaphyllaxis. If so, please bear with me. As you can see, I am trying to store stuff that I like on the internet for posterity!
These videos have been taken over the past three months, and are in chronological order.
That million dollar smile!
Chuckling at her Ammachy's antics
Anand the rock star!
Anand is obviously watching us very carefully. He told Arpita the other day, "You go to sleep, Mama. I need to do some work on the computer!"
Reminds me of Jo's wise words, "Children listen to what you say and then they do what you do."
Just look at the way he set up his computer, with ear muffs, toy laptop, and a discarded mouse.
"Look, Mama, I can stand!"
Since the time this video was taken, Namrata has begun crawling all over the house. She follows Arpita from room to room, and chases Anand all around the house.
Playing hide-and-seek with Anand
Anand reminds me of Prashanth in so many ways.
I have also uploaded some more photos (like the one below) onto Flickr.
Happy viewing!
These videos have been taken over the past three months, and are in chronological order.
That million dollar smile!
Chuckling at her Ammachy's antics
Anand the rock star!
Anand is obviously watching us very carefully. He told Arpita the other day, "You go to sleep, Mama. I need to do some work on the computer!"
Reminds me of Jo's wise words, "Children listen to what you say and then they do what you do."
Just look at the way he set up his computer, with ear muffs, toy laptop, and a discarded mouse.
"Look, Mama, I can stand!"
Since the time this video was taken, Namrata has begun crawling all over the house. She follows Arpita from room to room, and chases Anand all around the house.
Playing hide-and-seek with Anand
Anand reminds me of Prashanth in so many ways.
I have also uploaded some more photos (like the one below) onto Flickr.
Happy viewing!
Thursday, August 19, 2010
A letter from Safina. She has titled it, 'P'.
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yfuyudyudyudyfduuyudyduuudydyyfryyydfdfyrdfdyfdfdyfydstysydydsydy
dyyyyyyyyydxyytdyusdyuudytrutyuryreyytryyyetetrreeyrytbrtttrytytttretyrytruryeryytryreuryeryeryererew
ywywtwryegyr4tr4ry5yrytretyrrtyryryrttryuyrtutuotiutuitutiutitutkrutriut
rut
ruturu
tyru
t
y
uiryt
turyt
yr
eytr
yeyey75475647654365745464tre6
jffffuhfugufguuyyyyyyyyuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuiiiiiiiiiiijjjjjjjjjjjwwwotiyitjitjiyjtiyjiti6utoyrtiyutiyutiiyuituyituytyt9iyituy8ty8tuy8tyt8y7t8y7y8ty
yytytiuijyuiutjyiutuyti
Love,
Safina
(with help from her mom)
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yfuyudyudyudyfduuyudyduuudydyyfryyydfdfyrdfdyfdfdyfydstysydydsydy
dyyyyyyyyydxyytdyusdyuudytrutyuryreyytryyyetetrreeyrytbrtttrytytttretyrytruryeryytryreuryeryeryererew
ywywtwryegyr4tr4ry5yrytretyrrtyryryrttryuyrtutuotiutuitutiutitutkrutriut
rut
ruturu
tyru
t
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uiryt
turyt
yr
eytr
yeyey75475647654365745464tre6
My brothers who um. I will do my e-mails to Matty, so her can member me. Ummm. Maybe go to India. I could swim by myself now. So can I say that to them? Mom can I do my e-mail?
jffffuhfugufguuyyyyyyyyuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuiiiiiiiiiiijjjjjjjjjjjwwwotiyitjitjiyjtiyjiti6utoyrtiyutiyutiiyuituyituytyt9iyituy8ty8tuy8tyt8y7t8y7y8ty
yytytiuijyuiutjyiutuyti
Love,
Safina
(with help from her mom)
Monday, August 16, 2010
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
The rejoinder!
Straight on the heels of my last post comes this rejoinder, Ditch the guilt, working moms, that encourages moms to get back to work as soon as possible, saying the kids are best brought up if they are handed over to 'professionals'!
(HT: Challies)
(HT: Challies)
A Shout Out to Moms Everywhere
One of the greatest blessings I have received over the past week, while staying at home recovering from surgery is........A renewed appreciation of all that Arpita quietly manages to do every day, without any fanfare or grumbling, while taking care of the home, investing in her husband and two children, and blessing us in so many ways.
'Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: "Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all."' (Prov 31:28,29)
Here's something interesting I found on a blog called "A Shout Out to Moms Everywhere "
(Do click on the article to read it better)
'Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: "Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all."' (Prov 31:28,29)
Here's something interesting I found on a blog called "A Shout Out to Moms Everywhere "
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Next up...pneumonia
Yesterday morning, Anand woke up with fever. Both he and Namrata have been sniffing and sneezing for a couple of days, and had some cough. We gave him some Paracetamol and nose drops, and he was active and playful all day.
At night, he refused to eat anything...very unusual behaviour for him. I listened to his chest and looked at his throat, and everything seemed okay.
By about midnight, we found him coughing quite badly, and fretting and sleeping fitfully. He seemed quite breathless, with laboured breathing. We listened again to his chest and found he had developed a wheeze, and a right sided pneumonia. We took him down to the Casualty, where Xrays were done, and a swab taken for swine flu. He was given nebulised salbutamol, and started on antibiotics. Today, he has been much better.
It looks like a number of things have been happening to us as a family over the last few weeks. As I was wondering why, I realised that God has been trying to get our attention in many ways. Unfortunately, we have responded to each of these situations with our own wise planning, and dependence on other human beings, rather than turning to Him as we ought to have done.
Arpita is quite sick? No problem...call for help and Ashita and Bijayanthi arrive as reinforcements to help us.
Car breaks down twice in the middle of nowhere? No problem, call for help and parents arrive from Bangalore to pick us up and take us home. We know a good mechanic...call him over the phone, and they tow us back to Vellore. I'm sure this can be sorted out etc, etc
Left shoulder needs surgery? No problem.....India's finest shoulder surgeon is right here where I am. He will sort it out. Mom will come from Bangalore, etc etc
Anand has a pneumonia? No problem.....go to Casualty, good doctors are available.....they will sort it out, etc, etc
Notice that because my confidence is in human beings, and situations, there is very little need for prayer, or reliance and dependence on God.
Instead, my response ought to be:
"When You said, "Seek My face," my heart said to You, "Your face, O LORD, I shall seek." Psalm 27:8
"Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God." Psalm 20:7
"Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart turns away from the LORD. He is like a shrub in the desert, and shall not see any good come. He shall dwell in the parched places of the wilderness, in an uninhabited salt land. Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose trust is the LORD. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit." Jer 17:5-8
At night, he refused to eat anything...very unusual behaviour for him. I listened to his chest and looked at his throat, and everything seemed okay.
By about midnight, we found him coughing quite badly, and fretting and sleeping fitfully. He seemed quite breathless, with laboured breathing. We listened again to his chest and found he had developed a wheeze, and a right sided pneumonia. We took him down to the Casualty, where Xrays were done, and a swab taken for swine flu. He was given nebulised salbutamol, and started on antibiotics. Today, he has been much better.
It looks like a number of things have been happening to us as a family over the last few weeks. As I was wondering why, I realised that God has been trying to get our attention in many ways. Unfortunately, we have responded to each of these situations with our own wise planning, and dependence on other human beings, rather than turning to Him as we ought to have done.
Arpita is quite sick? No problem...call for help and Ashita and Bijayanthi arrive as reinforcements to help us.
Car breaks down twice in the middle of nowhere? No problem, call for help and parents arrive from Bangalore to pick us up and take us home. We know a good mechanic...call him over the phone, and they tow us back to Vellore. I'm sure this can be sorted out etc, etc
Left shoulder needs surgery? No problem.....India's finest shoulder surgeon is right here where I am. He will sort it out. Mom will come from Bangalore, etc etc
Anand has a pneumonia? No problem.....go to Casualty, good doctors are available.....they will sort it out, etc, etc
Notice that because my confidence is in human beings, and situations, there is very little need for prayer, or reliance and dependence on God.
Instead, my response ought to be:
"When You said, "Seek My face," my heart said to You, "Your face, O LORD, I shall seek." Psalm 27:8
"Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God." Psalm 20:7
"Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart turns away from the LORD. He is like a shrub in the desert, and shall not see any good come. He shall dwell in the parched places of the wilderness, in an uninhabited salt land. Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose trust is the LORD. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit." Jer 17:5-8
Let All Things Now Living
A lovely video, with a beautiful hymn, very well sung, and a slideshow of excellent photographs, sent my way by Arpita
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Shoulder update
Today, I met my doctor for a review. My shoulder stiffness has reduced nicely, and there is only a little pain. My surgical wound also is healing well.
However, the original pain which I had before the operation seems to have returned. My doctor has advised some ultrasound therapy for the next few days, and will review me on Saturday, when he will be removing sutures. If the pain does not subside, he may give me an injection into the tender spot (which is what, you will remember, I had planned to do right at the start!)
He thinks we should wait a bit before repeating the MRI scan to allow post operative inflammation to settle down.
So, that is where we stand. Please do continue to remember me in your prayers
However, the original pain which I had before the operation seems to have returned. My doctor has advised some ultrasound therapy for the next few days, and will review me on Saturday, when he will be removing sutures. If the pain does not subside, he may give me an injection into the tender spot (which is what, you will remember, I had planned to do right at the start!)
He thinks we should wait a bit before repeating the MRI scan to allow post operative inflammation to settle down.
So, that is where we stand. Please do continue to remember me in your prayers
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
What was that again?
Anand (talking about his train): See, Dada, it has a cow-catcher. (a big word he has picked up from one of his Thomas the train books)
Me (thinking about something else): Hmm
Anand (sternly): Don't say Hmm! You have a smiling mouth. You can talk!
Me (thinking about something else): Hmm
Anand (sternly): Don't say Hmm! You have a smiling mouth. You can talk!
Today's links 3/8/2010
Some old stuff, and some new (Matt 13:52)
1. What did Jesus look like?
"Of course no depiction can tell us what Jesus looked like for sure. But the following rendering is undoubtedly closer to reality than the typical rendering by artists and film-makers:"
(HT: Between two worlds where you will find the reasoning that resulted in that picture)
2. They reached me first.....an interesting account of how an evangelical was 'reached' by a family he was not expecting. I can see something similar happening in the area around my home in Bangalore.
(HT: Z)
(BTW, I'm sure most of us don't have the same opinion on everything. Many times, as here, I post something without really expressing my opinion, in the hope that we could have some meaningful discussion. That would be real fun, but would also cause us to think through what we believe, and help clarify our own position.)
3. How Dads can connect with their daughters....asked a question that I, also, was asking. It does not, however, ask some of my other questions.......What does it mean to be a woman? How is a daughter different from a son? What should I be doing to help Namrata find her purpose and meaning as a woman?
One of the other resources I have been using is "What's the difference?", a free online booklet. Look it up, if you are interested.
4. A Holy Experience is a nice blog that Arpita and I follow quite regularly. Ann Voskamp is a 'farmer's wife' who writes very well, and also takes some excellent photos to make her point. Here is a nice article where she talks about the cornerstones of simple home-schooling.....constant learning, contagious creativity, curiosity, and consistency. Don't miss some of the resources she mentions at the end, of the home-school books they have enjoyed over the past year, along with the "grammatical" videos
5. A nicely-made hilarious video fro Johnny and Chachi that will change your marriage!
(HT: Denny Burk) Visit this link to find 2 more similar videos...
1. What did Jesus look like?
"Of course no depiction can tell us what Jesus looked like for sure. But the following rendering is undoubtedly closer to reality than the typical rendering by artists and film-makers:"
2. They reached me first.....an interesting account of how an evangelical was 'reached' by a family he was not expecting. I can see something similar happening in the area around my home in Bangalore.
(HT: Z)
(BTW, I'm sure most of us don't have the same opinion on everything. Many times, as here, I post something without really expressing my opinion, in the hope that we could have some meaningful discussion. That would be real fun, but would also cause us to think through what we believe, and help clarify our own position.)
3. How Dads can connect with their daughters....asked a question that I, also, was asking. It does not, however, ask some of my other questions.......What does it mean to be a woman? How is a daughter different from a son? What should I be doing to help Namrata find her purpose and meaning as a woman?
One of the other resources I have been using is "What's the difference?", a free online booklet. Look it up, if you are interested.
4. A Holy Experience is a nice blog that Arpita and I follow quite regularly. Ann Voskamp is a 'farmer's wife' who writes very well, and also takes some excellent photos to make her point. Here is a nice article where she talks about the cornerstones of simple home-schooling.....constant learning, contagious creativity, curiosity, and consistency. Don't miss some of the resources she mentions at the end, of the home-school books they have enjoyed over the past year, along with the "grammatical" videos
5. A nicely-made hilarious video fro Johnny and Chachi that will change your marriage!
(HT: Denny Burk) Visit this link to find 2 more similar videos...
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Vintage Keith Green
July 28th marked 28 years since Keith Green, one of my heroes, died in a plane crash at the age of 28yrs. Here are some videos I watched today on YouTube.....I was surprised that there were videos around which had been taken in the early 80s. "Make my Life a Prayer to You", especially, gave me goose pimples.
Friday, July 30, 2010
Another unexpected....the missing cyst
Thank you all for your prayers and wishes over the past week. I guess most of you have already heard what happened at my surgery on Tuesday, but let me write about it anyway, so that you hear about it from the horse's mouth, so as to speak!
The surgeons decided to start with a shoulder arthroscopy, because often spino-glenoid cysts are associated with rotator cuff injuries within the shoulder joint. At scopy (they look into the joint space by inserting a small telescope through a tiny incision), they found only a fraying of some of the muscles, which they tidied up a little. They then removed the scope, and proceeded to do an open operation to look for the cyst.
Put bluntly, after hunting around for a fairly long time, they could not find the cyst, and had to abandon the procedure. They think the cyst perhaps was decompressed while doing the arthroscopy.
I was in the ward till last evening, when I was discharged. The plan is to continue physiotherapy (because my shoulder is now quite stiff after surgery), and gradually recover as much function as possible. After about 2 weeks, we will be repeating the MRI to see what has happened to the missing cyst. And then we will take things on from there.
I was rather hoping I would be able to write a different post after surgery. It would have been nice to write about how the entire cyst was removed successfully, and how my pain improved dramatically. I do not think my operation could have been done by a better surgeon. My doctor is one of India's leading shoulder specialists, and a very experienced man.
Once before, I wrote about 3 truths that change your life, namely:
1. God is Sovereign.
2. God is Wise and
3. God is Good.
It's easy to write and say such things when things are going on relatively well, with no unexpected glitches or happenings. However, it is at times like this that we really need to remember that He does really work ALL things, (with NO exceptions) out for my very best. That is what Rom 8:28 says, and now is the time to walk by faith, and KNOW beyond doubt, that this, too, is working out, in wonderful ways, for my very best.
So, rejoice with me, and celebrate with me God's sovereign wisdom and perfect love and faithfulness that has been the same yesterday, today and forever!
It has been a good experience for me to be a patient, and experience life on the other side of the bed. I have learnt a lot, and am sure it will result in immediate changes in the way I practise surgery.
Thanks again for all your care and concern. Do continue to uphold us in prayer.
The surgeons decided to start with a shoulder arthroscopy, because often spino-glenoid cysts are associated with rotator cuff injuries within the shoulder joint. At scopy (they look into the joint space by inserting a small telescope through a tiny incision), they found only a fraying of some of the muscles, which they tidied up a little. They then removed the scope, and proceeded to do an open operation to look for the cyst.
Put bluntly, after hunting around for a fairly long time, they could not find the cyst, and had to abandon the procedure. They think the cyst perhaps was decompressed while doing the arthroscopy.
I was in the ward till last evening, when I was discharged. The plan is to continue physiotherapy (because my shoulder is now quite stiff after surgery), and gradually recover as much function as possible. After about 2 weeks, we will be repeating the MRI to see what has happened to the missing cyst. And then we will take things on from there.
I was rather hoping I would be able to write a different post after surgery. It would have been nice to write about how the entire cyst was removed successfully, and how my pain improved dramatically. I do not think my operation could have been done by a better surgeon. My doctor is one of India's leading shoulder specialists, and a very experienced man.
Once before, I wrote about 3 truths that change your life, namely:
1. God is Sovereign.
2. God is Wise and
3. God is Good.
It's easy to write and say such things when things are going on relatively well, with no unexpected glitches or happenings. However, it is at times like this that we really need to remember that He does really work ALL things, (with NO exceptions) out for my very best. That is what Rom 8:28 says, and now is the time to walk by faith, and KNOW beyond doubt, that this, too, is working out, in wonderful ways, for my very best.
So, rejoice with me, and celebrate with me God's sovereign wisdom and perfect love and faithfulness that has been the same yesterday, today and forever!
It has been a good experience for me to be a patient, and experience life on the other side of the bed. I have learnt a lot, and am sure it will result in immediate changes in the way I practise surgery.
Thanks again for all your care and concern. Do continue to uphold us in prayer.
Monday, July 26, 2010
An unexpected cyst
There's a great proverb which says, "A physician who treats himself has a fool for a patient."
Here's why that is so true....
About a month ago, I began to develop severe pain in my left shoulder. There was some restriction of movements, and I found one area over my upper back which was excruciatingly tender. This one spot hurt so badly that if I accidentally knocked it against the pillow while sleeping, I would often wake up in the middle of the night with pain.
I was so busy at work, that I just could not find the time to visit the doctor. Most mornings, I was either in the operation theatre, or on duty. I began to recommend to Arpita that she give me an injection into this tender spot to decrease the pain. Its a good thing she kept refusing!
Finally our car broke down twice while going and returning from Bangalore (that's a story for another blog post), and when we reached Vellore I told my department I needed a day's leave to get the car repaired. One of the other things I did on my free day, was go to see an Orthopaedician.
It says a lot about the situation here...that I found it easier to ask for (and take) leave to get my car repaired, than to get my shoulder checked on. (That discussion, again, is stuff for a future blog post!)
An MRI scan later, I find I have something called a spinoglenoid cyst in my left shoulder, and tomorrow am headed for surgery to remove it.
Surgery is scheduled for 10am tomorrow morning. My dad is already here, and my mom will be arriving early morning. Please pray for all of us, especially Arpita, who is now finding even more on her already over-filled plate
Here's why that is so true....
About a month ago, I began to develop severe pain in my left shoulder. There was some restriction of movements, and I found one area over my upper back which was excruciatingly tender. This one spot hurt so badly that if I accidentally knocked it against the pillow while sleeping, I would often wake up in the middle of the night with pain.
I was so busy at work, that I just could not find the time to visit the doctor. Most mornings, I was either in the operation theatre, or on duty. I began to recommend to Arpita that she give me an injection into this tender spot to decrease the pain. Its a good thing she kept refusing!
Finally our car broke down twice while going and returning from Bangalore (that's a story for another blog post), and when we reached Vellore I told my department I needed a day's leave to get the car repaired. One of the other things I did on my free day, was go to see an Orthopaedician.
It says a lot about the situation here...that I found it easier to ask for (and take) leave to get my car repaired, than to get my shoulder checked on. (That discussion, again, is stuff for a future blog post!)
An MRI scan later, I find I have something called a spinoglenoid cyst in my left shoulder, and tomorrow am headed for surgery to remove it.
Surgery is scheduled for 10am tomorrow morning. My dad is already here, and my mom will be arriving early morning. Please pray for all of us, especially Arpita, who is now finding even more on her already over-filled plate
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Today's Links 21/7/2010
1. 'Something Better Than Revival'. Buenos Aires pastors believe their city of 13 million should have only one church.
2. "..when we want to serve like Jesus did, it is not enough to ask, "What would Jesus do?" but also "How would Jesus do?" Being like Jesus has to come before doing like Jesus."
"Serving is the lifestyle in Jesus' kingdom. The more we learn it the more we make ourselves comfortable in the kingdom."
From Dad's Pointers along the Way #303
3. “You don’t realize Jesus is all you need until Jesus is all you have.”
- Timothy Keller, Counterfeit Gods (New York, NY: Dutton, 2009), 19.
(HT: Of First Importance)
4. “… the secret of the gospel is that we actually do more when we hear less about all we need to do for God and hear more about all that God has already done for us.”
- Kevin DeYoung, DeYoung, Restless, and Reformed
(HT: Of First Importance)
5.
“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Romans 8:1
Now. Not five years from now when you are a better Christian. Right now. At this instant.
No. None at all. Not even a little. Zero. Gone. Poof.
For those in Christ Jesus. And only because we are in him. We provide everything that deserves condemnation. He provides everything that deserves acceptance.
This is the plain message of the Bible, because God not only does not condemn us, he also doesn’t want us feeling condemned. He wants us feeling freed. Nothing like no-condemnation to get us riled up for his glory!”
(HT: Ray Ortlund, “Freed”
6. Newsweek says Simon Cowell, by 'managing to intellectualize bullying' is responsible for transforming us into a 'culture that thrives on meanness.'
7. Kids Say The Darndest Things: A Tribute to Art Linkletter
(HT: CT)
8. Just for fun, I got one of my articles analysed here
This is what I found
Not bad, eh!
2. "..when we want to serve like Jesus did, it is not enough to ask, "What would Jesus do?" but also "How would Jesus do?" Being like Jesus has to come before doing like Jesus."
"Serving is the lifestyle in Jesus' kingdom. The more we learn it the more we make ourselves comfortable in the kingdom."
From Dad's Pointers along the Way #303
3. “You don’t realize Jesus is all you need until Jesus is all you have.”
- Timothy Keller, Counterfeit Gods (New York, NY: Dutton, 2009), 19.
(HT: Of First Importance)
4. “… the secret of the gospel is that we actually do more when we hear less about all we need to do for God and hear more about all that God has already done for us.”
- Kevin DeYoung, DeYoung, Restless, and Reformed
(HT: Of First Importance)
5.
“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Romans 8:1Now. Not five years from now when you are a better Christian. Right now. At this instant.
No. None at all. Not even a little. Zero. Gone. Poof.
For those in Christ Jesus. And only because we are in him. We provide everything that deserves condemnation. He provides everything that deserves acceptance.
This is the plain message of the Bible, because God not only does not condemn us, he also doesn’t want us feeling condemned. He wants us feeling freed. Nothing like no-condemnation to get us riled up for his glory!”
(HT: Ray Ortlund, “Freed”
6. Newsweek says Simon Cowell, by 'managing to intellectualize bullying' is responsible for transforming us into a 'culture that thrives on meanness.'
7. Kids Say The Darndest Things: A Tribute to Art Linkletter
(HT: CT)
8. Just for fun, I got one of my articles analysed here
This is what I found
Not bad, eh!
We're back!
It's been a long time since my last post...more than a month, in fact!
It has been an event-filled month. Unlike when we adopted Anand, and stayed in Bangalore for more than two months while the process of adoption got underway, this time I have not been able to get away from work for such a long time.
And so, Arpita and the kids had to stay in Bangalore, while I returned to Vellore. That was a difficult period of time for all of us. Finally on the 30th, they were all able to come to Vellore.
Let me also quickly say a big Thank You to all at 69, Hutchins Road, who have done so much, and put up with so much, and rearranged their own lives around ours, so that this time could be more pleasant and easy for us.
Namrata is growing well and it is such a joy to watch her. She is one of the most cheerful kids I have ever met, and has the cutest smile. She is now beginning to sit up, and pivot around to reach out for objects. She makes loud conversation, and laughs out aloud when amused. She does not require much entertainment, and can keep herself occupied, even just by staring at her toes! She has got over her initial respiratory infection, and is now eating well and putting on some weight.
Anand has taken the changes very well. He had been praying for many months that God would give him a 'smiling sister' and is relieved that God answered his prayers! He tells us often how much he loves his sister, and is very sure that she loves him too. There have hardly been any of the 'elder-sibling' problems we had heard so much about.
He also seems to have grown up an awful lot over the past one month. He has now entered the "Why?' phase, and we are often scrambling to answer his 'whys'. While reading a book to him, he now stops us if he does not understand something, and makes us explain what we just read, and the meaning of difficult words. When he has been satisfactorily answered, we are told, "Okay, read!", and meekly continue reading to him.
We have uploaded more photos at Flickr.
Arpita is now recovering from a bad viral infection that left her quite drained. Since I am so busy at work, she has been managing the children and the house all by herself, and always amazes me at how she manages to find the resources to keep things going so smoothly. Both of us are struggling to find a new rhythm and routine, and to juggle all our various responsibilities without missing out on what is most important.
Our papers have now been filed in court, and the adoption process moves slowly along. This is our most recent family photo that we have submitted with our papers. Unfortunately, the photographer could not get the kids to smile...
Thank you, each one of you, for your love, and care and concern for us, expressed so frequently, and wonderfully, and in so many ways. We are so blessed!
It has been an event-filled month. Unlike when we adopted Anand, and stayed in Bangalore for more than two months while the process of adoption got underway, this time I have not been able to get away from work for such a long time.
And so, Arpita and the kids had to stay in Bangalore, while I returned to Vellore. That was a difficult period of time for all of us. Finally on the 30th, they were all able to come to Vellore.
Let me also quickly say a big Thank You to all at 69, Hutchins Road, who have done so much, and put up with so much, and rearranged their own lives around ours, so that this time could be more pleasant and easy for us.
Namrata is growing well and it is such a joy to watch her. She is one of the most cheerful kids I have ever met, and has the cutest smile. She is now beginning to sit up, and pivot around to reach out for objects. She makes loud conversation, and laughs out aloud when amused. She does not require much entertainment, and can keep herself occupied, even just by staring at her toes! She has got over her initial respiratory infection, and is now eating well and putting on some weight.
Anand has taken the changes very well. He had been praying for many months that God would give him a 'smiling sister' and is relieved that God answered his prayers! He tells us often how much he loves his sister, and is very sure that she loves him too. There have hardly been any of the 'elder-sibling' problems we had heard so much about.
He also seems to have grown up an awful lot over the past one month. He has now entered the "Why?' phase, and we are often scrambling to answer his 'whys'. While reading a book to him, he now stops us if he does not understand something, and makes us explain what we just read, and the meaning of difficult words. When he has been satisfactorily answered, we are told, "Okay, read!", and meekly continue reading to him.
We have uploaded more photos at Flickr.
Arpita is now recovering from a bad viral infection that left her quite drained. Since I am so busy at work, she has been managing the children and the house all by herself, and always amazes me at how she manages to find the resources to keep things going so smoothly. Both of us are struggling to find a new rhythm and routine, and to juggle all our various responsibilities without missing out on what is most important.
Our papers have now been filed in court, and the adoption process moves slowly along. This is our most recent family photo that we have submitted with our papers. Unfortunately, the photographer could not get the kids to smile...
Thank you, each one of you, for your love, and care and concern for us, expressed so frequently, and wonderfully, and in so many ways. We are so blessed!
Monday, July 19, 2010
Goodbye Achachen
Given that I had a lot going on about the time, I probably wouldn't have gone all the way to Kerala for Achachen's funeral. But since I was already a third of the way there and I felt it important to support and be with daddy at a difficult time, I decided to go. I'm glad I did, because it turned out almost the entire family tree felt it important enough to travel across the world to be present to say goodbye to Achachen.A few seconds after Girly kissed Achachen goodbye, I did too. And as I did a thought struck me. When I leave this world and all that is familiar to me and as I travel to an unknown realm, Cheryl will not be there to say goodbye to me (she may go before me). and given the natural course of things, in all likelihood my parents won't be there to say goodbye to me, neither will any of my siblings, possibly none of my friends... no one who I know and trust as my own today is likely to be there while I leave this world. Except for one person... the little person swimming in Cheryl's amniotic fluid. As I was kissing Achachen for the last time, I fast-forwarded in my mind to the time when my child will be kissing my brow and telling me to travel well across the valley of the shadow. As I leave these shores, s/he will be waving goodbye to me, assuring me that I will be missed. And in that moment, I became aware of a deep spiritual connection between me and my child... and this worked to assure me and calm my anxieties. What could be the loneliest, darkest and most fearful journey of my life, became in my mind a beautiful adieu.. what's more, I wouldn't have to begin that journey alone. Someone who is already alive today... my child... will be there with me.
So as we say goodbye to you Achachen... we will miss you... we love you... and we eagerly long for the day when we will be reunited... till that day... kartavey stotram!
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Namrata Hepsibah Ninan
This morning, we welcomed Namrata Hepsibah Ninan into our family.
We had begun to hear last week about this little girl who had been matched to our family, and came to Bangalore yesterday to meet her.
I am now blogging well after midnight....it has been an action packed day!
Namrata is almost six months old. This is the first picture we saw of her.
She is small for her age, weighing only about 5 kgs, (we do not know exactly how much yet) but looks a lot like Anand. She seems to be much quieter. We have hardly heard a squeak from her all day, except when she is hungry. She does not seem to eat as much as Anand used to....is that because she is a girl? She also seems to have a respiratory infection right now, with some fever.
As the day progressed, she began to seem more at ease, and we were treated to her beautiful smile from time to time.
I've tried to upload some of our first pictures onto Flickr. You will have to click on the photo to see a larger view, and then click on a small magnifying glass that appears above the photo, to view an even larger view. Another option is to sign in to view these photos with your Yahoo account.
Anand meets Namrata
The two beautiful women in our family now
The rest of the day went by in an excited blur. Phone calls from friends and family. A steady stream of visitors. Philosophical discussions. A health scare, and a couple of urgent Xrays (which were normal). A Homecoming Cake-cutting party with a fabulous cake baked by Joanne. Video chatting with family in Delhi. Trying to set up new routines (feeding bottles, milk and boiled water, nappies, etc, etc) and so on.
Anand has taken the changes exceptionally well. He brought a gift with him from Vellore to give to his baby sister, and has been excited and happy all day. He also seems to be trying to do his bit to make his sister feel comfortable and happy, and to help his mother.
I will be going back to Vellore on Monday, but Arpita, Anand and Namrata will stay on in Bangalore till it is possible to take the baby to Vellore. Please do pray for the adoption process.....especially that all the legal paperwork will be completed speedily, and without any unexpected complications.
Just a short explanation about why we have chosen this name for our baby daughter.
Namrata Hepsibah Ninan.....doesn't it sound like a mouthful for such a tiny person!
Namrata : We took this name from Matt 11:29 ("I am gentle (नम्र ) and humble in heart") and from 1 Pet 3:4 ("let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle (नम्र ) and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious.)
Hepsibah from another verse (Isaiah 62:4) which seemed precious and especially appropriate for us and for this precious child...."You shall no more be termed Forsaken.....but you shall be called (Hepsibah) My Delight Is in Her"
Please do continue to keep us in prayer, especially as we are going to be in two different places for some time....
We had begun to hear last week about this little girl who had been matched to our family, and came to Bangalore yesterday to meet her.
I am now blogging well after midnight....it has been an action packed day!
Namrata is almost six months old. This is the first picture we saw of her.
She is small for her age, weighing only about 5 kgs, (we do not know exactly how much yet) but looks a lot like Anand. She seems to be much quieter. We have hardly heard a squeak from her all day, except when she is hungry. She does not seem to eat as much as Anand used to....is that because she is a girl? She also seems to have a respiratory infection right now, with some fever.
As the day progressed, she began to seem more at ease, and we were treated to her beautiful smile from time to time.
I've tried to upload some of our first pictures onto Flickr. You will have to click on the photo to see a larger view, and then click on a small magnifying glass that appears above the photo, to view an even larger view. Another option is to sign in to view these photos with your Yahoo account.
Anand meets Namrata
The two beautiful women in our family now
The rest of the day went by in an excited blur. Phone calls from friends and family. A steady stream of visitors. Philosophical discussions. A health scare, and a couple of urgent Xrays (which were normal). A Homecoming Cake-cutting party with a fabulous cake baked by Joanne. Video chatting with family in Delhi. Trying to set up new routines (feeding bottles, milk and boiled water, nappies, etc, etc) and so on.
Anand has taken the changes exceptionally well. He brought a gift with him from Vellore to give to his baby sister, and has been excited and happy all day. He also seems to be trying to do his bit to make his sister feel comfortable and happy, and to help his mother.
I will be going back to Vellore on Monday, but Arpita, Anand and Namrata will stay on in Bangalore till it is possible to take the baby to Vellore. Please do pray for the adoption process.....especially that all the legal paperwork will be completed speedily, and without any unexpected complications.
Just a short explanation about why we have chosen this name for our baby daughter.
Namrata Hepsibah Ninan.....doesn't it sound like a mouthful for such a tiny person!
Namrata : We took this name from Matt 11:29 ("I am gentle (नम्र ) and humble in heart") and from 1 Pet 3:4 ("let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle (नम्र ) and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious.)
Hepsibah from another verse (Isaiah 62:4) which seemed precious and especially appropriate for us and for this precious child...."You shall no more be termed Forsaken.....but you shall be called (Hepsibah) My Delight Is in Her"
Please do continue to keep us in prayer, especially as we are going to be in two different places for some time....
Saturday, May 15, 2010
It's such fun, these days to play with Anand. He is now into imaginative play, and the scenarios keep evolving and changing.
He does not require much to keep him occupied. His favourite toy is a thick piece of thermocol that we picked up in the corridors of the hospital. This has been, on different occasions, a ship, a spaceship, a horse, a field, a car park, and a board to drive nails into.
We also picked up a box full of packing materials lying outside Virology department, which looked similar to corn starch building blocks we had seen before. They turned out to be the same thing! We have been able to make rockets, and planes, and boats from this. Such fun!
He is also an avid "reader" and will sit quietly for hours if he can find somebody who will patiently read to him from a book. All that he reads is stored away for future use, and comes out at the most unexpected moments.
"Look, I'm a moose!"
"Come into my house and have tea!", and so we had to squeeze our heads into this box to have tea with him
Anand reading Appacha's Light of Life magazine. Do tell us if you need subtitles!
"Give me Oil in my Lamp"
He does not require much to keep him occupied. His favourite toy is a thick piece of thermocol that we picked up in the corridors of the hospital. This has been, on different occasions, a ship, a spaceship, a horse, a field, a car park, and a board to drive nails into.
We also picked up a box full of packing materials lying outside Virology department, which looked similar to corn starch building blocks we had seen before. They turned out to be the same thing! We have been able to make rockets, and planes, and boats from this. Such fun!
He is also an avid "reader" and will sit quietly for hours if he can find somebody who will patiently read to him from a book. All that he reads is stored away for future use, and comes out at the most unexpected moments.
"Look, I'm a moose!"
"Come into my house and have tea!", and so we had to squeeze our heads into this box to have tea with him
Anand reading Appacha's Light of Life magazine. Do tell us if you need subtitles!
"Give me Oil in my Lamp"
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