Dear friends,

How are all of you doing? Looks like no one missed me here at all as I dont see my name being mentioned at all! But guys,I am not going to let you forget me that easily ok!

We got back from India last week and have been sick ever since! Have already been to the ER twice! Rishu got an ear infection with conjunctivitis,then me fell ill with asthma and conj, and now Puneet is down with fever and cough and sore throat! The whole house is in a mess and there is nothing to eat at all. Somehow, manage kar rahe hain..

Happy V day to all. We did nothing. We are actually not even touching each other for the fear of infecting each other. Rishu is sleeping with dad in our bedroom and me seperately as I cough all night!

India trip was really good and along with my health I am having a very hard time adjusting to the lonliness here. Healthwise even in India I was sick a lot (god only knows why) but still I was at least with family. I got to spend some quality time with my parents, sisters and others and also with my in-laws. In laws if I reflect back now were not as bad as they have been every time. There were issues but those I guess will always remain. Do you remember how petrified I was before going and used to keep asking you all for support? Well, it certainly helped me and I became quite thick skinned at my inlaws and wouldnt cry or feel bad at their gestures/comments like before. Part of the reason was also Rishu as he kept me on my foot all day and I didnt have time to think about anything else.

On the Rishu front-he runs now and is quite a walking talking terrorist! He says a few words and understands our simple instructions-say when I tell him to kiss me he will do that in his own Rishu style ie comes close to you and opens his mouth and presses it on yr face with all his might! Now he kisses us and outsiders too even without us asking him for a kiss with action! He gets us the ball or other things when we ask him too and so on...kaafi affectionate and expressive ho gaya hain. When I cry he will come and rest his body on me with his hands around me..bahut shaitan hain and everyone back home have given me this new khitabh of being a very very patient mom and they have this new found respect for me. Rishu would be up till 2am and gets up every 10, 15, 30 mins and I had to deal with it!
Of course me and Puneet cannot touch each other. If we do, he pulls at my hair and tries to take away my hand from his with all his strength and even growls!! Do any of face this problem? As a result there is NO pysical contact between us. He sleeps with us so there is no action then too!!!

Sleep and eating will be a struggle till I die I think!! I had at least thot that he would get better at these 2 things in India as he be so tired with all the people around him so he would sleep and also learn to eat looking at other people. I and all the family members have totally failed at this! He has stopped taking solids all together and if I try he spits it all out. HE IS EATING NO SOLIDS AT ALL. Just his formula milk! And sleep to mat hi poocho!

The get away to India did me a lot of good. I desperately needed the break as you all know. Plus me and patidev were fighting SO much! That for now at least has taken a backseat. Lets see when the action on that front starts-believe me it will be soon..

Next target is to brush up my resume and start looking for a job. It will be hard I know but I am prepared to face it. And when I feel bad about it tumlog ho na :)

I miss home and my family terribly dear friends. Am waking up at nite not only because of my cough but also because I keep thinking about them and they come in my dreams. Abhi mom se baat karoongee. Jab se wapas aayi hun baat nahi huyi as I could hardly talk.

If possible can anyone give me a gist of what is going on in everyone's lives? I havent been able to read all the posts yet but have started to..

Love to all..Reena padma replied. Hi Dear Reens,

November se posts padhogi to maloom padega ki we've stopped asking about your coz there is no reply anyway!! You name keeps popping up when we all wonder where you've all been...

Great that you had a nice time in India. I knew you would enjoy the change and the company of near ones.. US meing sab kuch akele sambhalke, you had really pooped out.. Ab waapas ER ke chakkar.. I really hope things will look up by the weekend.

Rishabh-ji to bahut hi sayane ho gaye!! For all the trouble he's giving you, look at how loving and attached he is!! And walking huh?

Yahaan halat buri he. I dont want to take away your good time with all that.. Kichu theek he. Lazy - so he is not walking much..

Baaki ke khabar and photos post karna. Ab koyi excuse nahin hei to Ip mein you've to be abck for good..

Love and Hugs to Rishu and you get well soon!!
Paddoo Vani replied. Dearest Reena

We all missed you a lot. In fact I and Paddoo were talking the other day about you and why there were no posts, but honestly we were missing Rishu more than you hehehe. We were wondering if that child had improved in eating/sleeping but looks like he's been the same. Can't believe 'coz even Rishi is very bad but he has some favourites in his diet which he would definitely open his mouth for and he becomes so tired and sleeps at least by 11.30 pm everyday. He tosses and turns a lot but at least doesn't open his eyes before 6.30am.

What I do is from 10 pm I take him to the bed, make the room dark and even after that he plays for about 1 hour with me, gets cranky, cries, has his milk and then sleeps. You must have tried all this, but just a suggestion.

I know how hard it is to be all alone after being with so many people. It will be hard for a while and then you will get used to it. Post pictures of India trip soon, can't wait to see how much Rishu has grown. Long time since you posted any pictures.

In-laws... yeah we only have to shut our ears and stay cool as they will be there till the end. Even I had issues this time when I went to chennai for our house gruhapravesh and rishi's birthday. I was so hurt, but just kept quiet for everything.

About things being quiet in the bedroom... its no better here too and Shyam is sleeping in the floor only for months now since Rishi needs so much space. I have a very disturbed sleep only, but am not complaining.

Chalo, should get back to work... all the best on your job search too... have you found a day care/nanny for Rishu? Take care and keep writing. We will try and keep the board active.

Love to self and Rishu
Vani