Confined or Comfy?

It was a freezing winter. We had no big options except to stay at home most of the times. Our Sundays go like this - Both Kavya & Oviya have their dad to play with. They get really excited when he's available that both would never depart him :-) . They have a spinach & mushroom cheese omelet with ranch in the side for breakfast. The day usually ends up playing in the hallway along with our pet Snowy. The next moment the door gets opened, all 3 would be outside the house.

                                              

By now, Oviya has started walking across the rooms without tumbling. Kavya was walking shorter distances without support. They started watching Mickey Mouse clubhouse episodes. I never thought this would end up being so crazy towards Mickey till now. Both are so obsessed with these characters that they would even fight for a Mickey drawing in the paper :-)

We bought a playing tent for them which they loved so much even though it occupied so much space. They played and played and broke it within few months :-) . This had a major role in playing hide & seek.

Indoors have never been so much fun !! :-)

Towards recovery...

After Kavya & Oviya's recovery from the illness, we were struggling hard to bring them back to normal life. Due to so much hospitalizations Kavya developed inner fear & timidness towards other people & the surrounding. It took months for her to come out of her boundaries.

Since we were in the peak winter season & with snow now and then, we couldn't go out much. Our pet Snowy was entertaining them and they had each other to play with. This is one of the wonderful pictures we've taken and puts a smile on my face whenever I see :-) 

Both were so excited to keep their first tiny steps with support, after a year. One more milestone was achieved -
from supported sitting to sitting,
sitting to crawling,
crawling to standing up
Standing to walking :-)
The fully covered sleep wears were of so much comfort to keep them warm. They needed lots and lots of attention from us like playing with them, talking & listening to them, entertaining them in different ways. They also loved playing in the bath tub with the bath toys. Since Oviya got a couple of teeth, we started brushing her too :-)

When life shows it's downside, it's important to keep in mind that there's always an upper side coming forward to experience :-) .

A heartbreaking story

After Kavya and Oviya's first birthday celebration and my sissy's wedding, we had their heads shaved in Tiruchendur temple(it's the tradition). So, we all went there with our relatives. The process of head shave was only for 5 minutes, but I couldn't watch them screaming and crying terribly:-(. Both were helplessly looking for me and I felt horrible that I couldn't help. I was consoling myself that this moment will pass on and it obviously did. Next was the dip in the Indian ocean which bordered the temple. After all these, the highlight was the bath in Nazhi Kinaru that is considered to be the clear and sacred water for thousands of years. Both were touching and wondering about their hairless heads.

This temple has a historic value and attracts lot of tourists throughout the year. But, I was so much disappointed with the cleanliness of this place. The beach sand and the way to Nazhi Kinaru were bitterly unclean. This unhealthy maintenance took a toll in our lives. I would never recommend taking any kids to have a bath here. Instead, one can take their own hot water (Late learned lesson).

I should've guessed this - my babies got severely sick with cold, high fever, diarrhea and vomiting next day :'(. We saw 5-6 doctors in Tirunelveli and none of the medicines worked. At least Oviya was drinking something to keep her going, but Kavya couldn't keep her liquids down and she was almost in the fainted state for 3 days. I wonder why none of the doctors wanted to admit her. Then, with the same condition, we travelled in the sleeper bus and took them to Chennai from Tirunelveli. The first doctor we saw gave another set of medicines :-/ and Kavya threw up even those. At last, we found a doctor who told us to admit Kavya in the hospital and started the treatment. Since, Oviya's condition wasn't that bad she was OK with medicines and antibiotics.

Kavya's eyes went inside, her face turned pale and the soft spot in the head got sunk :-(. She was admitted for severe dehydration and diarrheal infection (due to unsafe water & inadequate sanitation in poor hygienic places) and was given drips continuously for five days. My heart almost stopped when she didn't even react while piercing the Intravenous tube in her hand.
Finally, she was getting better and her fever started to subside after a week's struggle. We had to postpone our trip back to US because of her condition. Within 10 days, chubby little Kavya lost so much weight and lost her smile too. She was wearing the IV tube in her hand for another 5 days to get the antibiotics through the vein.

When they both got completely better, we flew back to US. Since their immune systems were already down, they got 'Flu', the day we landed here. Kavya was admitted here again for 3 days as she showed up similar symptoms like before. She was given immediate treatment to help her recover fast. Oviya was at least drinking fluids. Besides jet lag , Kavya didn't allow me to sleep even for a couple of hours. When both were recovering from illness, I too got Flu & sinus infection and Yuvi got Shingles( the chicken pox virus which affects when immunity is down). Those were the hardest moments... Our home looked like a devil's invasion. It took a while for everyone to recover from the illness, both physically & mentally.

They always say that a healthy kid is always a happy kid...I hope such tough situations never happen to anyone. But, if it happens I wish everyone has the maximum strength to face and overcome it.

From 'Pretty' to 'Noticeable'!

Dec 2nd 2012

We had Kavya and Oviya's belated 1st birthday celebration in Green Meadows resort, Chennai. It was worth the effort to do the fun filled get together because it became a reunion of the relatives at one place. Everyone was so happy to keep in touch. Both little birthday babies were the center of attraction for the day. They were stealing every one's attention with their innocent looks :-) .

Two beautiful Barbie cakes were brought for each one and it was a double delight. The pictures taken with family are the keepsakes. Even though both wouldn't remember this celebration, I'm waiting for the day they would grow up and cherish the memories by seeing their party pictures and videos :-).

To make this fun filled event even more fun, we had some games were everyone laughed, played, jumped and danced like kids regardless of their age. I think celebrations are a best way to rekindle the spirit in everyone.

Dec 9th 2012

We attended my sister's marriage which was the sole purpose of this trip. I could only have a glimpse of tying the knot since I was so busy with Kavya & Oviya. They were dressed up beautifully for the occasion. I wonder how cute and lovely the dresses are made for the tiny tots! Pretty soon, people were admiring them from all corners. How could the photographer miss them! :-)

A sweet or a sour day?

Nov 17 2012

So, what next? Kavya & Oviya were about to turn '1' on Nov 24th. Since we had a plan of flying to India on their birthday, we had a pre-celebration at home with few friends, though there was a grand party plan in India too. ( after all it's their twin-special first birthday :-) ). Even 100 celebrations aren't enough for the day they were born. Here's a glimpse of the party pics.

              

Nov 23rd 2012

This day ( a day before their birthday), became an unforgettable day. With all the luggage and these two on board, we were heading towards the Newark airport which takes two hours to reach on a normal day. But, unexpectedly we were stuck in the traffic for two hours. And guess what, we couldn't reach the airport on time. Finally, we MISSED the flight. When we reached the airport, the customer care person told us to take the next flight which leaves after two hours in the nearby JFK airport. So, we rushed there in a taxi only to find out that it was a wrong information. The next flight was only for the next day. How could the day get even worse? Well, it did get worse... All 4 were stranded at the airport until our relative Prabhu searched a nearby hotel and booked our stay through Internet.

Nov 24th 2012 12:00 AM

A year after Kavya and Oviya's magical birth, both were having their dinner at the booked hotel room after an exhausting day's mishaps. We didn't have a cake or candle, we didn't have party lights or decorations, we didn't even have guests or games. All we had was 4 little curious eyes waiting wide open to know what's gonna happen next :-) . Both listened to the 'Happy Birthday' song that we sang for them and went to sleep happily.
We finally boarded the flight to India that evening and that's the end of this story :-) .

Learning : No matter what terrific situations you handle, just wear the smile before the kids for they look into your eyes for every step of guidance :-)

Does 'Time' have turbo boost wings !!??

I realize that every moment of life is important & a chance that should never be missed. The moments gone remain only in memories unless we document it. When I write this, I sure miss those days - the days when Kavya & Oviya were sleeping in my arms as newborns, the days when they lay down still & adore my lullabies, the days when they were eagerly crawling towards me and the days when their eyes searched for me all the time.
The time came for them to take their first tiny step towards their in dependency. They seemed to have grown up all of a sudden when they stood up on their own & reached a new milestone.

There's no story behind these pics :-P They were just too cute to pen it down and they have really given a good smile :-) .

Oct 31st 2012- Halloween Day
We celebrated their first Halloween day and it was a half success. The reason the other half became a disaster was Kavya didn't like her costume and kept crying until we removed it :-/. Both were dressed up as Pinky winky monster (Weird! A baby in the monster costume ! :-) ). Oviya liked it and gave her bubbly smile. Even Snowy was dressed up with my handmade costume for the occasion. Oops! Nobody asked Snowy's opinion about his costume :-P.
I sure don't want to know :-) . We also had a cute baby tiger and a smart baby crocodile from our neighbourhood :-). 

"Trick or Treat"!! "Trick or Treat"!!

Oh..yeah.. they're not identical!

Kavya & Oviya were growing up very fast, every minute & every day right under my eyes. They were becoming more independent by exploring the surroundings and they were always on the move & couldn't stop digging things. Their world was always filled with wonders. They cry one moment, forget, clap & laugh the next moment. A child's life sure is a worry-free life! ;-)

                                          

We got a little more time now to spend in the play place. The little hearts didn't know the dangers of the outside world. They always wanted to roam & move without being held by anyone. I wished we had extra eyes & extra hands to watch them outside. :-P
Going to restaurants were cool too as they would get high chairs to sit and they get to taste different country foods. But, they don't sit for a long time & we don't get much time to finish our dinner :-)

At this stage, we were able to make out their basic characters.
Kavya seemed to be soft & sensitive. Oviya seemed to be brave & strong. Kavya likes to hold hands while Oviya likes to be independent. Kavya likes soft & cuddly toys & Oviya likes creative toys. Kavya likes to play safe while Oviya always wanted to take risks. Though both have different tastes & different opinions they will be there for each other all the time. No matter what, I'm sure the bonding between the twin sisters is gonna grow stronger & stronger everyday!! :-)

Best Sisters Forever!!! (BSF) ;-)