Balance Aid

As we came back from our outing, I was taking off Suhaana's shoes. I was kneeling down beside her, she was standing - all of 2 feet and some.

I asked her for her right leg. She raised her right leg up obediently (read: conveniently). Then I asked her for her left leg. She wasn't completely balanced on her right leg. But as I moved to remove her left shoe, and she wavered on her balance a little bit - what in the world does she hold on to? Mumma's hair- its that black thready thing you can always hold and pull on to when you need that extra balance and support!!

Who is Suhaana?

Remember the tiny little flickering dot on the grainy ultrasound screen. Isn't it amazing that that little flickering dot is today this naughty little, super active, heart melting cuteness!

Remember the grainy profile of a tiny baby on the ultrasound, when trying to capture the leg; the baby quickly moved away to hide her leg away? That's this naughty little thing.
Just doesn't stop amazing me!

A small jump for Suhaana, a giant leap for..

It has been a few weeks since we introduced Suhaana to the jumparoo. A jumparoo is this toy thing where the infant can be placed (once neck control is achieved), he/she is kept securely in a standing position (with support) and the infant can have fun jumping up and down. It's good for the leg muscles before the child has started to walk.

We'd placed Suhaana in the jumparoo that I borrowed from a friend before. Her feet barely touched the floor, and for a few minutes she seemed to be giving it a fair trail. But past the two minute mark, she would be pretty much done with it. We tried the same routine with the same mixed success rate several times.

But as of yesterday everything has changed. For one, i realized she must've grown taller because her feet are now securely on the floor while she's in the jumparoo. And she has finally cracked the jumparoo code, and discovered it's actually quite fun to jump. Now, there's no stopping her! Put her in the jumparoo and she jumps and jumps and giggles all the while.

As for giggles, that's one thing I can give her company with. Especially while I'm watching her have so much fun.

Scheduling Dilemmas

Life is all about scheduling these days; what comes first, what can be done later; in the order of priorities; in the order of time frames and time taken; and in the order of what can be efficiently outsourced (read: help).

But it hasn't all been busy without a moment of down-time. Since last week I have been trying to sneak in a half hour of relax time or power nap in the afternoons. And i might add, it hasn't been without some level of guilt either. But I have to say, a world of difference in attitude and outlook can be achieved with even a half hour of sleep or rest; even in acute sleep deprivation. On days when I couldn't get rest at all, evenings used to find me .. lets just say not-happy. But even a short power nap feels much better.

On the other hand last 2 days now, I've been trying to go for 30 minute walks in the evening. And that helps too. I went for my first outdoor walk in last 8 weeks yesterday. It was a bit chilly, the wind nippy and it reminded me of all the times I used to go for my runs in sub-zero temperature, by rainfall, sleet or snow.

Finally it feels that my legs and body is not rusting away. Plus some physical activity helps with the pesky, persistent leg aches I'd been having. My legs are funny that way: they ache when they do not get a workout. All in all a little outside air does wonders at multiple levels.

But with life as busy as it is, my schedule barely allows for a 30 minute window on good days. I have to make a choice: it's either a power nap or a walk. Not to mention there are days when neither is feasible. Now if only I could somehow squeeze in both and schedule them both in the same 30 minute window.

Sleep-walking?