Pausing For A Breath

The boy has started school, I am trying to regain my earning self after taking a break to enjoy motherhood and the husband has changed jobs which means he either works from home or is travelling. There is no midway.

And it has been a mad, mad rush last couple of weeks. That, at times, I feel like I have eight hands (and still wanting more). It has been highly strenuous and so energy consuming, that I really do not know how soon the day ends. The only time I seem to take a break is when I hit the bed at night and I get my much needed recharging time until it is time for me to get up the next day for yet another action packed day. 

I'm still dreaming about the day the husband wakes the little one up, get him ready, drop him at school, feed the boy, spend time with him while he plays (not screen time!) and makes him sleep! For all the sharing the parental responsibility talk that I hear and read, I have a man who thinks his wife is capable of doing two person's job and more. He sure does believe in women empowerment, where the lady takes over the responsibility of the house, run around for the chores, ensures that everything is in order, takes the full care of the kid and find time to work! Yes, that's how our family moves forward. So much so that, it feels like there are two kids at home. It really does! And while, I confess that it is really irritating at times, I will not complain because I love doing things my way and this works out best for me. I feel a sense of empowerment and an option to steer through the day the way I want and it does make me feel like a superwoman at times. ;) 

These days, I hardly get to sit down and take a breath, my 'me-time' is being partly sacrificed for everything else and I'm just running along. However, even with all the fast-paced, jam packed, busy life that I am leading now, I have to admit I am having the best time in my life. I am doing what I love doing and I must admit, I'm enjoying. I am proud of how I manage whatever is put my way. I am glad of the way I carry on and grateful for some amazing friends who are around at all times, quite selflessly, in fact. I can't thank my lucky stars enough for having them around, coming into my life right when I had lost faith in the no-benefits-attached friendship. With all the roaming around, exploring places and chatting about the most random things, I sometimes do feel like a college girl with them.

Now, as the days get busier and life hectic, I realise, being a woman isn't easy. Oh, being a mom is no joke either!

The First Time I Set My Eyes On Him

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Three years back, on this same day, my life changed. I saw him for the first time. Just about the size of a lime, this little one seemed as excited as we were. It was the first time I set my eyes on my baby and I fell in love, like never before. Nothing else mattered at that moment. I knew I would love the baby, irrespective of whether it was a boy or girl, with all my heart, I knew I would go to any extent to keep my baby safe and I knew this baby was going to be my entire life, my entire being.

Throughout the scan, this little one was jumping and I could've sat there and watched the baby all day long! I had B and my mother along with me and that day did indeed bring the two of them a bit more closer to my heart. It was so endearing to watch their faces while the scan was going on. That day, I saw the hopes of a daddy to be, how mentally he too was pregnant as I was and how this scan was to change his life too. But above all this, I will forever associate that day with the happy tears I saw on Amma's (my mom's) face! Though I did sense the emotions running through her mind, it made more sense after I became a mother (and maybe it would make even more sense if ever I mother a daughter). I could feel her heart swelling up and her mind sighing how her little baby has grown up and is about to be a mother. I could sense how she was thinking of the days she carried me on her womb. I could sense her disbelief and gratefulness. And that moment, I held her hand and squeezed it tight to let her know that I understand, just like those tiny kicks I started getting a month later, by someone who was very persistent in letting me know that he was there with me, no matter what. 

In fact, I think of this day with more fondness and happiness than the day I knew I was pregnant. This day gave me the assurance that was much needed for me to let the pregnancy started to sink it. It gave us the push we needed to start dreaming, to think about our life as three from two and look forward to the cuddles and kisses. It, in fact, brought us closer to the little boy who has ever since, been our whole world! Now, this exact day, he turns 2.5 and I couldn't be more grateful for how my life has turned out from this day, three years ago to now. And today, as I get myself ready for bed, I whisper a silent prayer and be thankful for the last three years, watching him grow from a lime sized, tiny little being to the most adorable naughty, little boy that he is now!

Dessert Overdose At Berry'd Alive

It was more than a year back that we stumbled upon an amazing place in Koramangala (our usual go to place for anything related to food)-  a very cosy, after dinner kind of place where you end your day with the most amazing desserts. This place, Berry'd Alive became synonymous with desserts and ever since this has been THE place for desserts. 

Soon, we shifted homes and Koramangala became very far for us and all our favourite places there were buried deep in memories. This place too, was one of those. Forward to now, months (or year?) later, we found ourselves talking about Berry'd Alive and all of a sudden the craving for the desserts there was back. It just came back all of a sudden, when out of nowhere my cousin was telling about how he went there and liked the place. But reaching Koramangala, for us, is a picnic in itself and we found there was one in Church Street and soon, we were making weekend plans to gorge on some amazing desserts. And that's how, one fine Sunday evening, we ended up having desserts even before our dinner!

This branch, like it's Koramangala counterpart is very colourfully done. I loved the display boards where the items in the menu along with the photos are displayed. Makes it so easy to choose what you want. We were five of us and after much dilly dallying, we finally ordered for the Tangerine Chocolate Ganache Dome, Lychee White Chocolate Entremet, Spicy Banana Sundae, Brownie and Bombe and Salted Caramel Mousse.

I loved how the Tangerine Chocolate Ganache looked - a dark brown and green dome with chocolate sauce. It was rich in chocolate with bits of candied orange, which gave a tangy twist to an otherwise chocolatey dessert. Sadly, my little one and I were the only takers for this since everybody found the dark chocolate to be slightly bitter and overpowering. I, being an ardent dark chocolate loyalist, loved it though it was very rich and heavy. Pick this only if you are dark chocolate lover. 

The Lychee White Chocolate Entremet was the best of all. It was light, refreshing and fresh. The flavour of lychee was subtle yet distinct and amazing. In simple words, I loved it!

I was so looking forward to the Spicy Banana Sundae (the pictures were tempting with the bananas and red chillies!) but sadly, this didn't level up to my expectation. Not that it wasn't good, but it could have been better. It felt more like your good old banana sundae rather than the one with the perfect tinge of chilli. It was spicy yet that hint of chilli got lost somewhere amidst the bananas. 

The Brownie and Bombe consisting of ice cream, brownie, chocolate and caramel sauce topping was good - nothing extra ordinary but the perfect combination of your ice cream and brownie dessert!

Oh, I so loved the plating of the Salted Caramel Mousse. It came in a small chocolate cup, it actually looked like a frosted cupcake. I'm not a big fan of Salted Caramel and hence, this would't figure on my favourite list. But, I loved the fact that you can eat up the cup too after you finish your dessert and that chocolate cup was a real chocolate treat. You must try this just for that chocolate cup! ;)

The place is a bit pricey considering that you are paying just for desserts but if you are someone with a sweet tooth, it is a must try. Also, I'm not sure if it is because of the old memories, but I prefer the Koramangala branch over this one( The desserts there seemed to taste better, atleast in my memories), but of course, if I am around Church Street then I may end up here again!

This was a perfect ending to an otherwise normal weekend and I am still dreaming of all the desserts I should've had!

You Are Starting School!

My Dearest Boy,

You are starting school (well, if play school counts as one!). Oh boy, I can't believe you are growing up so quickly. Wasn't it yesterday that I had a big tummy and then a tiny little squish in my hand, crying for just about everything? And now, look at you, you are a non stop chatterbox, even trying to talk while you sleep, with mischief unlimited. I am loving every minute of your growing up even if the house is a mess, the chores are endless and you hate me doing any other work. Still seeing you chirpy and happy makes it all less important.

I want you to (and I really hope) have this spark all through your life. Know that, even though you've started school, your happiness matters more than anything. You must do whatever interests you but give it your best shot. I will not push you to do things that don't interest you, neither do I expect you to excel in everything. I want you to be satisfied with what you've done and be happy. I don't care what others have achieved and I am least interested. Please know that I don't expect you to come first always. Just because somebody else fared better than you, doesn't mean you are any less than that kid. It teaches you more important lessons - appreciating someone else's capabilities, looking beyond you and knowing how failure feels. Yes, at times, I may feel let down (I'm human!) but we will work it out together. 

You should know that studies are not the be all end all of life. You need to play harder, make friends for life and enjoy your life at school. Have the courage to question, ask doubts and think out of box. I don't want you to loose your spark, that twinkle in your eyes I adore! You needn't be the well-mannered, teacher's pet kind of boy always, a little bit of mischief won't do you any bad. But do know the fine line between being naughty and hurting someone. Very important! I will of course bail you out when you need me (I've been doing that for a lot of your uncles!) but sometimes I might leave you to fend for yourself so that you learn a lesson and get the point. I should, and you must. But know that, even if I take a back step, I am just behind, to rush to you should you need any help.

I will try my level best to be the cool mom, but sometimes, I may fail. Don't loose hope. I will work on it and try to get better (easy way out? show me this letter and remind me of the promises). I am trying my best to raise you in the best possible way. Life, these days, seem to be very fast paced and I am trying to make it slow for you as much as possible. I hope I will always be one of your best buddies and we discuss everything that's happening in our lives. Let's work around your worries and concerns together and tread the difficult path hand in hand. Know that there is a solution to every problem that comes your way and we'll figure it out as and when it is required. 

Now, it's time for you to spread your wings. Get out of our comfort zone, meet new people your age, learn new things, explore and have fun. Happy learning. I love you!