5 months!

            Life has been hectic to say the least. I was oversimplifying parenting. I assumed my 6 month maternity break will be filled with baby sleeping peacefully and smiling when coaxed.I had a to do list of hobbies and career enhancing certifications (LOL).But, a baby is a baby (i was a ignorant oaf, owing to have nothing to do with babies ), who has a distinct personality from day 1. Day 6 , i still recall with fondness now.It was a classic case of me going by the book, the discharge summary was like "if baby is sleeping and is not pottying from hours, reach out to emergency" .The bub hadn't pottied that day and looked very lethargic and off we ran to the hospital. The nurses had the last laugh, as he had pottied on the way to hospital( i did smell something , but assumed its the usual Delhi stench ). And day 13 again bub was screaming like banshee whole night, next day too . Finally , i couldn't take anymore and off we ran to hospital again. It turned out to be gas in tummy, which again was something we had no clue on. I did google and google, which just showed colic or "run to doctor. By week 3, we were pro in not panicking.
          After that somehow i settled in a routine. But my leg in cast was a big hamper in day to day life. I was just a couch potato and had to rely on others to lift and shift the baby. But the fourth week of bub, i finally got a all clear to get the cast removed and all sort of "do not try and run" instructions!Though i smiled and joked through out it(save for few bouts of crying) , it was a real tough time which just shifted my thinking to "value what i have" "health is wealth" .Overall a jolt which steers you in right direction. I needed that as i was working until one day before the C -section.
           Today the bub is 5 months already and i am like , where the time has gone! I did find time to cram one certification in these 5 months  . I disclose to someone and they assume i have cheatsheets to pass them. I really did read and pass it(barely)! I am trying to cram another one, all this as the whole technology has shifted to cloud in last 6 months and i might have to try and run a different type of team/projects when i join back. I need to know things before i expect to lead. Since, i dont sleep more than 7 hours per day, i cram in reading in between or late nights. I really value knowledge, its something believe is the only earning in life.I also crammed in new books which were on my list , that was easy , feeding bub and reading (multitask :P). I also constantly keep in touch with friends , easy to become singleminded with a baby, but friends matter !
        I have accepted that i no longer can have a to do list and expect it to become "all done" list easily.But, life is more interesting as its unpredictable small moments now.

Simple Vanilla eggless cake

 Since i am on maternity break, i have taken up baking again.I have tried many cakes , but nothing beats a simple vanilla cake. Below is the simplest recipe.

1 1/3 cup -  maida
3/4 cup  - Butter  or mix of butter and cream of this quantity
1 - tsp baking powder
1/2 - tsp baking soda
1/2 cup milk
1 cup sugar
2 tsp -vanilla essence

- Mix maida , baking soda, baking powder
- Mix melted butter (mix of butter and cream)+ sugar + vanilla + some milk
- now fold the maida mix in the 2nd step mix slowly.
- keep adding milk, the mixture should fall in ribbon constituency .Ensure its not too runny or thick.
- Pre heat oven to 180 degree
- now put this mix in a greased container and put in oven for 20 minutes at 180 degree.
- check by inserting a knife or pin , if it sticks then bake for some more time, else take out.

This was simplest and best recipe i used so far! Can make it chocklate cake by substituting half maida by cocoa powder

A baby on one leg

        You must be wondering on the strange title of this post. Well, i did break my ankle on 8th month of my pregnancy and had a pretty rough time of it. I think i will put down things which kept me sane and i sailed through it. It was an abrupt start of maternity break or rather , unplanned. However i did work with my plaster and pregnancy to close any loose ends(it was for my own mental peace).Once the doctor suggested for C-section considering my leg, it started the typical discussion on when and when ? Finally we went ahead with 29 May. The comical part was i was pretty excited and not really scared , i was trying to look somber ;) . Things went fine  and i met my baby boy Tashvik .
    I was pretty surprised that people go through labor pain and all. As the C section turned out to be 15 mins work. I was conscious and could hear the baby. Since it was quite foggy headed , i still wanted to jump up and see him.But , alas i couldn't move a muscle.
  I had discovered Quora during my ankle fracture as i had to be on bed rest mostly or walk with the walker.I read through some books, when i wasn't working. Quora is pretty quirky place where we read all sorts of discussions.I also focused on what i will achieve during my break.I still have most of those things on my to do list. I plan to soon get that moving. Overall , where there is will there is a way. I will never take mobility for granted now. Basically , i reflected on life in that period. You find real friends and family from false in time of  crisis. Despite the tough time, i feel i felt empowered in  a way .And now the motherhood experience deserves a separate space.