Author: Archana

Once a Physiotherapist now a Wordsmith. Field Botanist. Bonsai. Proud Indian. Fauji Wife. Doting Mother and Mother-in-law. Devoted Grandmother. Reluctant Cook. Happiest on a road less travelled. 60s are the new 40s ;-)
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V is for Visitors

Hello! Welcome to my seventh attempt at the April AtoZ blogging challenge. My theme this year is Experiences of a first time grandmother! Some sweet, salty moments and learnings! My posts are totally based on what I felt (may even border on rants) and are not meant to be a guide. 

Visitors!
While at any other time, I love for people to visit us, I dreaded any one to call us with an infant at our home. 
I can almost hear the surprise in your mind, dear readers..
Let me clarify..


Traditionally, the new Mother and her baby were kept almost isolated.. Washing feet and hands was mandatory for anyone who wanted to see them.. obviously to protect them from infections. 
In our modern set up, it is a tricky job to ask visitors to do so..  People were actually offended when I asked them to. 


Of course Corona has now ensured everyone has reconnected with this particular and important hygiene aspect at all times. 


Then came the next hurdle.


Let me clarify again, at any other time, I am a welcoming host (I hope) but with a new born, my priorities had changed. Babies dont like to be held by strangers and many end up being upset with all that talk and laughter in the house – especially in the Flats that are now the common abode in urban India. 


Guests forget time – I take that as a compliment – but I had to choose between being a good host and a caring grandmother. I was way behind my chores. Asking guests to stay for Lunch or Dinner (or the meal at that time of the day) usually worked like magic! 


The mental anguish of doing the right thing, not hurting people was too stressful for me.


Of course all come with only best wishes and love for us and I appreciate the gesture. All had words of advice, some of it very useful. 


I know what not to do when I next visit a newborn. In fact its best to wait till baby is at least a month old. 

What has been your experience? I am sure my thoughts may cause a deja vu to some of you especially someone who has hosted a new born. I would love to hear from you!

See you after the weekend folks!

Here are links to my previous AtoZ attempts. 
2013 Mixed Bag
2014 Exercising For Fitness
2015 Gardens of Pune
2016 Herbs
2018 Contemporary A to Z
2019 Caring for the Caregiver
Disclaimer: My posts do mention some products or service providers but these are not sponsored and not meant to be an advertisement.  All posts are from a maternal grandmother’s point of view!

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U is for Unconditional

Hello! Welcome to my seventh attempt at the April AtoZ blogging challenge. My theme this year is Experiences of a first time grandmother! Some sweet, salty moments and learnings! My posts are totally based on what I felt (may even border on rants) and are not meant to be a guide. 

Unconditional
Unquestioning
Unqualified
Unreserved
Unlimited


Phew.. As usual, despite a theme, some alphabets are a huge challenge in the AtoZ. My thinking cap for today’s alphabet kept throwing out the above words..
That’s when I realised that for a Grandma to truly and properly do her ‘job’ in looking an infant and the new Mom is to be unconditional.


Do what is to be done with unlimited love, without expectations and no reservations and overcome my own reservations if needed. 
There is no place for ego clashes, petty behaviour. 


New Mom and Baby has to be focus of attention, as one needs to adjust to this New World and the other has to recover from pregnancy and labour. 


It is time for healing and nurturing.
Of welcoming a new family member.

Unconditional love. Unconditional care. 


I know you will agree with me… 
🙂
I am sure my thoughts may cause a deja vu to some of you especially someone who has hosted a new born. I would love to hear from you!

See you tomorrow folks!

Here are links to my previous AtoZ attempts. 
2013 Mixed Bag
2014 Exercising For Fitness
2015 Gardens of Pune
2016 Herbs
2018 Contemporary A to Z
2019 Caring for the Caregiver
Disclaimer: My posts do mention some products or service providers but these are not sponsored and not meant to be an advertisement.  

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T is for Toys

Hello! Welcome to my seventh attempt at the April AtoZ blogging challenge. My theme this year is Experiences of a first time grandmother! Some sweet, salty moments and learnings! My posts are totally based on what I felt (may even border on rants) and are not meant to be a guide. 


 
Toys! 
As  we awaited our Bundle of Joy, I found myself in a totally new world .. one of baby products! I guess I must have mentioned this in almost every post, its a whole new game out there!

It is now all about sustainability, non toxic materials, learning experiences and so on… Ofcourse there are the usual brick and mortar but online shopping from various start ups opens up a fantastic range as toys go traditional. 

There are toys made from cloth, washable ones with non toxic materials. Some were so cute, I almost ended up ordering one for myself!! 
This cute cloth Elephant is actually a Rattle!

And there are wonderful books as well.. ones that afford a sensory experience for the infants .. 
These books have contrast colours and different textures 
What has not changed at all, is that we find toys at unexpected places around the house … under the sofa cushions, in the show case of the drawing room, even in the kitchen!

What has been your experience?
I am sure my thoughts may cause a deje vu to some of you, especially someone who has hosted a new born. I would love to hear from you..


See you tomorrow folks!

Here are links to my previous AtoZ attempts. 
2013 Mixed Bag
2014 Exercising For Fitness
2015 Gardens of Pune
2016 Herbs
2018 Contemporary A to Z
2019 Caring for the Caregiver


Disclaimer: My posts do mention some products or service providers but these are not sponsored and not meant to be an advertisement.  All posts are from a maternal grandmother’s point of view!
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Wispy (ThursdayTreeLove)

Indigenous, Tekdi, Lannea
We pass by this tree almost daily and February is the month when its most eye catching due to the wispy branch ends. It has shed its leaves sometime in November and bursts into these delicate inflorescence in February (usually). 
Here is a cropped image..

It is locally called as Moi or Lannea coromandelica

Here is closer look at the flowers.. 

Dont they remind you of the Mango blossoms? That’s because both belong to the same family Anacardiaceae. 
Soon these flowers develop into fruit.

Moi is an indigenous species and common in hills of Pune and there are a specimens that grow in the city as well. I have seen it in Pondicherry and even in Tadoba. It can be easily identified by its ashy mottled trunk and lovely leaves. Today, I dont have a leaf photo for you. May be a couple of months later when the tree bursts into foliage.


Pune hills have seen umpteen tree plantation drives.. and I have noticed that Moi is among the few that does well. 


Have you noticed this tree in your city? Or its wispy flowers?


I am joining Parul in her ThursdayTreeLove blog hop. Head over to see some wonderful trees from around the world. Better still, join in!

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S is for Schedule

Hello! Welcome to my seventh attempt at the April AtoZ blogging challenge. My theme this year is Experiences of a first time grandmother! Some sweet, salty moments and learnings! My posts are totally based on what I felt (may even border on rants) and are not meant to be a guide. 

Schedule
Time table or program..


Infants are their own masters, its difficult to have a ‘schedule’ for them. In our case, the closest we came was Bath time which was around 11am – naturally depending on punctuality of the concerned Helper. At times we had to keep him awake so massage and bath was not missed. Other than that, there was no schedule for the tiny tot.


I however did try to keep a time table. The main aim was that the household ran like a clockwork and new Mom’s diet was always spot on. It also ensured I had time for stock taking, cooking, extra cooking, tending to my Bonsai and the occasional nap.  


During the day, we also did not overtly try to stop sounds (Mixer or Cooker whistles and so on), the aim being that the young one gets familiarised as soon as possible. I read some where it helps babies understand the day-night concept. 
Practically, it meant, I did not have to shut doors when cooking or switch off the door bell! 

What has been your experience? Did you have a schedule for baby and Mom? I am sure my thoughts may cause a deja vu to some of you especially someone who has hosted a new born. I would love to hear from you!

See you tomorrow folks!

Here are links to my previous AtoZ attempts. 
2013 Mixed Bag
2014 Exercising For Fitness
2015 Gardens of Pune
2016 Herbs
2018 Contemporary A to Z
2019 Caring for the Caregiver
Disclaimer: My posts do mention some products or service providers but these are not sponsored and not meant to be an advertisement.  All posts are from a maternal grandmother’s point of view!

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R is Recipes

Hello! Welcome to my seventh attempt at the April AtoZ blogging challenge. My theme this year is Experiences of a first time grandmother! Some sweet, salty moments and learnings! My posts are totally based on what I felt (may even border on rants) and are not meant to be a guide. 

As I have said time and again, I am a reluctant cook, I was was really stumped when we returned home with a two-day old infant and a list of things the new Mom was advised against eating.
These are supposed to cause Colic and suddenly I was thrown into the deep end.
You see Potatoes, Baingan (Egg plant), Raw Onion, Besan (Chick Pea flour) were a absolute no no. This list also included Dals which were popular in our home.

These were not allowed



The Doc did say new Mommie could be safely given things like Moong, Chavli, Matki sprouts. 

These were suitable for a new Mom

Which meant I was frantically searching the Internet and seeking out friends who I know are creative cooks to help me plan tasty menu. My daughter did not complain too much so I think I succeeded.


Yet another of my Mom’s recipe was of ‘बाळन्त शोप ‘ Balant Shope. It is to be taken after meals and is meant to be anti Colic and help in lactation. It has  interesting ingredients that make it a tasty ‘मुखवास ‘ Mukhwas! Here is how to make it..
1/2 Cup Balantshop (Sorry folks, unable to find its english name)
1/2 Cup Til (sesame)
1/2 Cup Badishop (Fennel)
1/2 Cup Dry Coconut grated
Less than 1/2 Cup Ova (Ajwain or Bishops weed0


Roast lightly and add a pinch of salt. Grind if desired or eat as it is. This is what it looks like..

lactation, breast feeding
Balantshop

With a little imagination, I found I could manage without potatoes and besan. What has been your experience? I am sure my thoughts may cause a deja vu to some of you especially someone who has hosted a new born. I would love to hear from you!


See you tomorrow folks!

Here are links to my previous AtoZ attempts. 
2013 Random topics
2014 Exercising For Fitness
2015 Gardens of Pune
2016 Herbs
2018 Contemporary A to Z
2019 Caring for the Caregiver


Disclaimer: My posts do mention some products or service providers but these are not sponsored and not meant to be an advertisement.  All posts are from a maternal grandmother’s point of view!
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Q is for Questions

Hello! Welcome to my seventh attempt at the April AtoZ blogging challenge. My theme this year is Experiences of a first time grandmother! Some sweet, salty moments and learnings! My posts are totally based on what I felt (may even border on rants) and are not meant to be a guide. 

Questions questions questions
I faced many of them, some from the daughter, some came up in my mind .. all through the pregnancy and later with the newborn. Several websites of reputed institutions helped clear many doubts and in fact prevented us from tearing off to the doctor in the middle of the night. WebMD, Mayo Clinic, are just a couple that I refer to. 

I would like to recommend You Tube videos by Dr Supriya Puranik – she provides pregnancy related information in an easy to understand manner in Hindi and in the Indian context.

Then there were the questions by visitors – both friends and relatives.
“Does the baby cry?” An affirmative answer almost always produced a gleeful smile.. 
“Does the baby sleep at night?” A negative answer elicited the same reaction as above


Sadistic pleasure or simply stupid questions?? 

What has been your experience? I am sure my thoughts may cause a deja vu to some of you especially someone who has hosted a new born. I would love to hear from you!

See you tomorrow folks!

Here are links to my previous AtoZ attempts. 
2013 Mixed Bag
2014 Exercising For Fitness
2015 Gardens of Pune
2016 Herbs
2018 Contemporary A to Z
2019 Caring for the Caregiver
Disclaimer: My posts do mention some products or service providers but these are not sponsored and not meant to be an advertisement.  All posts are from a maternal grandmother’s point of view!

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P is for Prepare

Hello! Welcome to my seventh attempt at the April AtoZ blogging challenge. My theme this year is Experiences of a first time grandmother! Some sweet some not so sweet moments and learnings! My posts are totally based on what I felt and are not meant to be a guide. 

Obviously the baby is the focus of this years posts.. but today I would like to share my home preparations for arrival of the grandchild. 


Besides the usual stuff like washing curtains, linen etc.. I cleaned all the doors and windows and had pest control treatment done about one month when baby was still at about 30 weeks of pregnancy. Drawers had to be cleared out to keep baby stuff (its amazing how many things are needed and the amount of space they need!). Besides other stuff, I bought things like buckets to keep used clothes till they were washed next day, round clothes hangers (these are really really useful), sufficient stock of provisions and so on. 


During one of such many shopping trips, my husband had this interesting experience…


At the plastic goods store, he purchased a large bucket with lid and a huge tub. 
Nothing was discussed about what these were meant for. 
Next day, he went to the same shop again to buy something else and the shopkeeper showed him a circular clothes hanger saying “Take this, its very useful to dry baby clothes”!! 


 Baby clothes can easily hung out in less space and dry fast

The shopkeeper obviously had superb business acumen and had spotted a grandfather preparing for his grandchild! We talk of Artificial Intelligence (AI) but there is nothing to beat a keen human mind! My husband ended up buying the clothes hanger and the shopkeeper has won a loyal customer!


Have you also met such astute shopkeepers? I am sure my thoughts may cause a deja vu to some of you especially someone who has hosted a newborn! I would love to hear from you!

See you tomorrow folks!


Here are links to my previous AtoZ attempts. 
2013 Mixed Bag
2014 Exercising For Fitness
2015 Gardens of Pune
2016 Herbs
2018 Contemporary A to Z
2019 Caring for the Caregiver
Disclaimer: My posts do mention some products or service providers but these are not sponsored and not meant to be an advertisement.  All posts are from a maternal grandmother’s point of view!

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O is for Obsolete

Hello! Welcome to my seventh attempt at the April AtoZ blogging challenge. My theme this year is Experiences of a first time grandmother! Some sweet, salty moments and learnings! My posts are totally based on what I felt (may even border on rants) and are not meant to be a guide. 

Obsolete.
May be this is a strong word .. not in vogue would be more suitable. 
As I mentioned before, Pregnancy care and care of newborns has changed a lot since when I had a child. So I thought this post would be easy to write. 


Yet as I started to actually note what has become obsolete the list was not as long as I had envisaged. In many instances, the method had changed but the basic aim remained the same. Let the Mom get proper rest to allow her body recover from the delivery and pregnancy. 
Let the baby adjust to this World and grow healthily. 


So getting back to the things that are not in vogue any more. 
There is a process called ‘धुरी देणे ‘ dhuri dene – wherein, post bath, the baby is held over fumes of some medicinal herbs. It is supposed to prevent colds and so on. Here is an image of it which is from the Health Supplement of Sakal dated 13 Dec 2019. 




Neonatologists strongly discourage Dhuri. 
Ditto for Bal Gooti (it is an Ayurvedic combination of medicinal herbs to prevent and treat common baby complaints) and Gripe Water.  


There has been a practise of the new Mom’s having to stay in dark, poorly ventilated rooms. Going out of the house is hugely discouraged till 40 days after the baby is born. I am not challenging this practise but a gloomy room and relative isolation can cause any one to be depressed let alone a lady who has just been through 9 months of pregnancy and a demanding labour. 
Many Obstreticians now advise the new Mom to go out a little, exercise, eat a reasonable balanced diet (no need for ghee rich food at every meal) among other things. 


My list could be longer, but I know you have to visit other blogs as well!! So we shall tackle this topic another time after the AtoZ!! 

What has been your experience? I am sure my thoughts may cause a deja vu to some of you especially someone who has hosted a new born. I would love to hear from you!

See you tomorrow folks!

Here are links to my previous AtoZ attempts. 
2013 Mixed Bag
2014 Exercising For Fitness
2015 Gardens of Pune
2016 Herbs
2018 Contemporary A to Z
2019 Caring for the Caregiver
Disclaimer: My posts do mention some products or service providers but these are not sponsored and not meant to be an advertisement.  All posts are from a maternal grandmother’s point of view!

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N is for Night

Hello! Welcome to my seventh attempt at the April AtoZ blogging challenge. My theme this year is Experiences of a first time grandmother! Some sweet, salty moments and learnings! My posts are totally based on what I felt (may even border on rants) and are not meant to be a guide. 

Night. Sleep. Sleep deprived.

This a recurring topic with new Moms and their newborns. And the grandmas as well. 
I stayed up every time our baby woke at night initially as we were not confident of handling and changing the infant and then just for solidarity with my daughter. Take care of the soiled diapers and so on. 

Its a rule for new Moms to sleep when Baby sleeps. Not for Grandmoms especially if she like decides to stay awake at night  —- then she (I) ends up dozing during the day. This can be pretty embarrassing or downright dangerous if driving. 



Night is also the time when Colic strikes and it is an unnerving experience for everyone. It is said that burping the baby after feeds is the best way to avoid Colicy pain. The hospital Nurses were a good guide for daughter and me to learn the firm touch vital to manoeuvre the tiny tot into different positions to encourage the burp.


While its considered bad manners for an adult to burp, that’s the best sound you want to hear from an infant!!  

What has been your experience? I am sure my thoughts may cause a deja vu to some of you especially someone who has hosted a new born. I would love to hear from you!

See you tomorrow folks!

Here are links to my previous AtoZ attempts. 
2013 Mixed Bag
2014 Exercising For Fitness
2015 Gardens of Pune
2016 Herbs
2018 Contemporary A to Z
2019 Caring for the Caregiver


Disclaimer: My posts do mention some products or service providers but these are not sponsored and not meant to be an advertisement. All posts are from a maternal grandmother’s point of view! 
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