Hi there, I’m Baby 1

Baby 1, that’s what the people at the hospital called me. I arrived in this world three months back. My entry was rather dramatic. I was born with a condition that doctors term acute respiratory distress syndrome. In layman’s language that means my lungs weren’t developed fully and I had trouble breathing. So from the OT after a quick kiss from ma and papa I was whisked away straight to the NICU where I spent two tough weeks. I felt sorry for papa who slept on those terribly uncomfortable benches outside the NICU.

 

Bua, Masi and Nani ma too dropped in regularly. They all looked really worried, specially Nani, which made me feel that things must have been serious then. But thanks to some wonderful doctors, nurses and maushis at the hospital I made great progress. And now that’s all a thing of the past. I’m fit and fine (‘Touchwood’, mama would have added!).

What I look like
Well for starters, my twin and I look quite different. When Nani ma saw me for the first time she said I looked ‘such a boy’ which is sort of like stating the obvious.

Moving on I’m a good looking chap, getting chubbier by the day. Nani ma says I have no neck at all. And I say that’s awfully rude, but if there’s one thing I know already, it’s that elders get away with a lot. And my neck is right there under my chins! Anyway modesty apart, despite my broad manly shoulders, I get to hear the word ‘cute’ a lot.

I have a head full of hair which masi loves to style. I quite hated the center parting she made for me (too girlie, I thought) but the punk hairdo was cook! Mama always does the boring old-fashioned side parting. What’s worse I have to put this kala tika! I mean hullo! what century are we in for God’s sake!

But who’s asking me? And if they did, I’d say no to those perpetual blue clothes and blue bottles and blue nappies I keep getting as gifts. Why should only girls get the pretty pinks? I’m a metrosexual guy folks. I deserve some pinks and reds too!

Low maintenance guy
That’s right. I am a low-maintenance guy. I’m happy as long as my tummy is full and my nappy is dry. I protest only when I’m denied any of this. I try to make do still, by sucking my fist or whatever else is available including my shirt collar.

Me and my bottle
The most important thing in my life is my bottle of milk and Mama says the first words I’ll say will be ‘dudhu’. I get annoyed when I’m hungry and I don’t get my bottle just because people think I should be fed only ‘on time’ in the name of discipline. Doctors say kids should be fed ‘on demand’, right? But people here think they know better. One rather nasty doctor even said I was overfed, thankfully no one took him seriously!

My favourite hour..….
…is early morning. I sit comfortably on Nanu’s cushy lap while he reads the newspaper. He talks to me all the while and has even learnt to change my nappy!

Smiley cuddly baby
I smile a lot and that has won me many fans specially Nanu. Masi has even discovered a dimple on my right cheek and when I give a half smile Mama says I look like Shah Rukh Khan! I love to cuddle too. And all one has to do to earn a smile is hold me close or tickle my neck.

Hi! I’m Baby2

I’m almost three months old too. Though I arrived a minute after Bhai, I beat him when it came to getting to Mama as he had to stay in the ICU for some time. He was terribly ill so I had full responsibility of keeping everyone cheerful. I think I did a pretty good job. Even though I say it myself, I’m quite a sunshine baby.

What I look like
Like Bhai said, we are quite dissimilar. He might be proud of his broad shoulders but, personally, I prefer my petite frame. 
I don’t know why he goes on and on about his thick hair. Doesn’t he know the bald look is cool these days? And with a bone structure as fine as mine who needs hair? I’ve nice long fingers and nails too and Nani ma says I’ll be an artist.

High maintenance girl
Why shouldn’t I be? What’s a girl without a few nakhras? I don’t down bottles of milk like Bhai but my ounce or two should be ready on time or I make sure everyone knows I’m hungry. Believe me, I’m blessed with a very powerful pair of lungs! And no one dares to push down more than what I want too, either. I’m famous for shooting out mouthfuls! You should see the look on people’s faces when I do that. Hee! Hee!

Keep distance!
That’s right, I don’t like to be held all the while. I mean how much can one cuddle? There are times when I’m happiest left on my own. Frankly, I like my space. But Mama says when I‘m asleep I love to snuggle up close.

My smile
I have a cute smile too and mama forgets all my feeding nakhras when I give her a toothless gummy grin. She calls me Popali aunty.

People’s person
Yes, I’m one gregarious girl. I love being around people and they love it too. I seem to invite conversation. Right from Bua Nani to Bade Nanu, Dadi and V Bhai – everyone just loves to chat with me. In fact once I winked at Bade Nanu (or so he cliams) and since then we’re great friend.

Girl of many names
Everyone has a different name for me. Nani ma has transferred all Masi’s endearments to me. I love it when she calls me Chhota and Manu but I’m not sure Masi’s too pleased sharing her names. Others like to dwell on my so-called fussy nature and have given me all kinds of impolite epithets which I shall not deign to mention here. Well so I’m a tad finicky — just get over it guys!!!

Curiosity’s good for the cat
At least that’s what I think. Nani ma calls me a ‘restless creature’. I just love to look around. Everything is so new and so very fascinating. I can do a left-right-left with my head for ages. Nanu says I’m watching an imaginary tennis match!
I kick around all the while. I can’t wait to start walking. Gosh, am I sick of lying down all the while! I’ve already started rotating on the bed but that’s just not enough.

Nani ma’s gal
She might deny it but I know I’m her favourite and I can’t understand why anyone should grudge that. Bhai is nanu’s favourite, isn’t he?

Edited to add: You’ll get to know us better over the years as H and N.