Iron Stomach No More: Delhi Day 67

So Duane and I always joke that I am the only person to spend 3 months in Delhi and not have so much as a hint of Delhi Belly.

Sadly, my record came to an end around 11:30 p.m. last night. Quite sure that I: (a) had been poisoned, and/or (b) was going to die, I spent the night on the bathroom floor violently ill.

My first reaction was to ring my next door neighbor... until I realized that she was gone. Yes, it's a new low when the British (given their extensive immigration processes) manage to escape before you. Just that morning Scarlett & I had packed our best mates off for the U.K. We had managed to cope all day, however, at that moment, on the bathroom floor, I seriously considered whether it would be too forward to ring her and ask her to hop back on a plane to India.

Last night in India at our clinic's new parent party. 

Next I called my mom. (Obviously.)

And then I emailed our clinic doctor, who at 12 a.m., got right back to me with a list of meds. My biggest concern was dehydration, as I've known a decent amount of people coming over for surrogacy to spend an unexpected stint in the hospital.

In my head I arranged that Scarlett's nurse would move in and that I'd enlist another couple who's here for surrogacy to go to Pitampura and check on Hayden. Being a mom is fascinating-- the only thing you worry about is your kids. Who cares if I'm throwing up in a state that would rival that of any novice drinker the morning after his 21st birthday? All that mattered was that my kids would be ok.


So the beauty of India is that you don't actually need a prescription to get medicine. And that medicine can be obtained at all hours of the day. As a result, I rang the concierge, jotted down the recommended meds and arranged for a car to get to the chemist.

He returned shortly, and it's then that the absurdity of the situation hit me. I couldn't so much as swallow a drop of water, let alone keep down a handful pills. Fortunately, I managed to fall asleep around 5ish and though I've woken up feeling as if I've been run over by a people carrier no less than a hundred times, it's a vast improvement from last night.

On a much more positive note, Hayden has now had his feeding tube out for 48 hours, and boy does he look handsome! I must say, it really brings out his cheeks! (Annoyed, of course, that I've had to cancel visiting him today.)

The nurses at Delhi New Born as well as the private staff nurses are all very religious. The nurses have commented on what a "good mom" I am for bringing in the rosary Scarlett's nurse got him, and meanwhile, Hayden is enjoying his new VIP status as The Christian Baby.

We've also attempted to stop all meds for the second time. We'll know his reaction in about 4/5 days when everything has left his system. We are praying, praying, praying that this time is it, and that come July, we will find ourselves on one giant commercial plane headed westward.

Scarlett, meanwhile, has suddenly turned into a real baby. No more preemie look for her! The only positive to her best guy Hari leaving was that he donated all of his grown-up accessories to her. A crib, a bouncy chair and all sorts of blankets, as well as some fab stuff for Mommy. Also, a huge thanks to Kya for her Swaddlers donation before she left. (Are you sensing a theme? Everyone seems to be leaving except us.)

So thrilled for Hari that he gets to go home!

Scarlett explains to Hari that she's pretty sure Delhi is her home.

I love this picture. There's a painting on the wall that both found hypnotizing. Whenever we put them on the bed, their eyes would go right to it.

Scarlett spends an hour eyeing up the selection.

Finally, she goes for the green one.

First night in the crib. No, I am not a bad mom. There is a great blanket/pillow debate between the Western parents and the Indian nurses. Clearly, our nurse was in residence last night-- and given the night's events, we were very thankful!