Yesterday, I had a mini-meltdown. Ok, maybe is was a mega-meltdown. I should have known it was coming, as I exceeded my allowable activity limit for the day. The rule is: NICU visit + one other activity, per day. Other "activities" consist of dealing with the immigration process, retrieving necessary documents and preparing correspondence to get same, and making payments to what seems like just about everyone in Delhi. Stick to it, and I manage to survive. Bend the rule a bit and "yesterday" results.
Those of you who have been to India understand the stress that often accompanies trying to accomplish
anything. Everything takes longer, miscommunication is expected and often times it's easier to just completely start over, when the result ends up nothing like what was intended at the beginning.
However, if you cannot appreciate these differences (and figure out a way to laugh along the way) then surrogacy in India is not for you. Yesterday, not only did I partake in one too many "activities," I
completely forgot to laugh,
As a reminder to myself-- and to all those embarking on, engaging in, and finalizing the process-- to do it
today, I have captured in pictures, the 3 Indian NICU essentials:
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| 1. The Lawn Chair-- for holding babies, of course! |
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| 2. The Community Shower Shoes-- upon entering the in-patient area, you are required to don a pair. If you happen to be short, and one of the employees happens to be wearing a smaller pair, they will give you the shoes off their feet. Literally. Do not refuse-- it would be rude. (Same rule applies if an employee is served tea and offers it to you. Drink up, my friends!) |
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| 3. The Fly Swatter-- I can only speculate on the purpose of this one, as I've yet to see it in action. |
And now for the baby update:
April 9, 2012
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| Hayden chugging along on the ventilator. |
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| Scarlett expresses her frustration with her brother. |
April 10, 2012
Hayden stars in "Sleepless in Pitampura" while Scarlett makes her debut in "Gone With the Feeding Tube."
Your babies are just too cute! I know they are getting stronger everyday, but they already look so big and strong to me! Oh the joys of getting things done in India, good luck and stay strong!!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you pick yourself up so quickly and get right back into the pattern! They are so cute and you are a natural mama...sending lots of love and prayers!
ReplyDelete(i can finally post! not sure what happened but sure glad i can now to let you know we are all cheering for you!!)
You're allowed a meltdown every once in a while! Taking time for yourself is very important. Look at those babies go!!!! I can't wait for the picture of Mommy's first time feeding baby Scarlett followed by Mommy holding Hayden!!! In time my sweet Sister, in time! <3 <3
ReplyDeleteHayden and Scarlett really DO look like they're changing, and growing every day we see them. It's so cute the way you talk to them and we learned that the first moments and days and weeks of life is when they hear your voice, recognize it, and remember your voice until they can start seeing beyond 10-12 inches. You guys are ALL doing a great job! Keep it up! Hugs.
ReplyDeleteSO OVERJOYED FOR YOU THAT SCARLETT IS OFF HER FEEDING TUBE!! I cried when I read that you will be able to feed her tomorrow! Still praying for your beautiful babies. They look bigger already!
ReplyDeleteI so hear you on getting things done here.
Lots of love and hugs to you all!
Jill and Alex
Being there without Duane would be extremely hard. Be kind to yourself. Great news that Scarlett is feeding on her own.
ReplyDeleteLaughed so hard at the fly swatter! You are awesome for being such a great sport and being able to actually appreciate the differences of each culture. You are one day closer to taking your babies home! Hang in there!
ReplyDeleteKeep up the good work Scarlett and Hayden!! Your mommy is there to cheer you on and you have many, many, many people cheering you on back in baltimore.
ReplyDeleteHayden and Scarlett look GREAT!! They are really looking like healthy babies more and more everyday! I am so excited to read about their progress everyday!! My thoughts and prayers are with you everyday!!
ReplyDeleteTracey Leese-Estes
mummy, i know you can do this so hang in there. these babies will be so proud of you. today, am smiling because i know tomorrow will be better.x
ReplyDeleteHey there keep up the good work you are a fab mum and watching your video's when you are talking to them and there eye movement its great!!
ReplyDeleteMeltdown you are allowed however big or small we are all here for you, Scarlett and Hayden!!
Best wishes
lisa xox
Such beautiful babies! Getting stronger and stronger every day. I love how Hayden opened his eyes when he hears his mommies voice. Scarlett is a champ sucking on that bottle. Good luck and stay strong!
ReplyDeleteThey are so beautiful, I hope your doing well, and just take deep breaths I know things will get better with them. Take care of your self
ReplyDeleteMichael
Mommy's doing a great job too! Please pace yourself though Bernadette! We all totally LOVE your regular posts but please put yourself before US! We can cope if you run out of time to write to us - I promise! One less 'activity' at the end of a challenging day might change it back to an 'ok' day instead! Stay strong! xx
ReplyDeleteThese videos bring an amazing amount of tears of joy and hope to me for and your babies. they are amazing... It makes me so excited to meet mine too. Thinking of you.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the feeding Scarlett! And Hayden is looking so handsome. Hugs from far away. You're doing so well. xxx
ReplyDeleteHaha at the fly swatter - a good sign that you haven't seen it in action : )
ReplyDeleteIt is quite incredible to hear of Hayden and Scarletts progress in such a short time, well it seems like a short time to us in cyberspace, I am sure the seconds feel like hours to you.
Hopefully those precious moments holding your babies also seem like hours or even better that time ceases to exist whilst you are in bliss : )
Best wishes to you all.
So much progress!!! The babies are looking great, and it sounds like you're falling into a good routine in Delhi. Hang in there and I'm keeping my fingers crossed that you can start feeding them tomorrow!
ReplyDeleteWow, they are looking great!
ReplyDeleteLeaps of progress! They look great!
ReplyDelete:**)
ReplyDeleteamazing...they are just amazing.
and SO ARE YOU!! you haven't left my thoughts are prayers!! so happy they are doing well and growing stronger and stronger <3
xoxo
maria
I just had to come back to re-post and say that you, Bernadette, are a ROCK STAR MOMMY! You were chosen by these two beautiful kids to be their mother because you have the strength to do it and you will NEVER fail them. You are living that right now and we are so proud of all of you!!!
ReplyDeleteBabies are beautiful. Just watched the videos.
ReplyDelete