Visits from friends

Sima and Melissa came to visit us! Yaya. We just hung around and watched that movie Slumdog Millionaire. I tried calling Jaanu 'Slumdog' but she didn't seem to like it.

Here are my friends Sima and Melissa. They came from Nashville just to see us and they brought TONS of food.

The last time Sima saw me, I was in my first trimester and not really showing that much. Look at her surprise!

Aw. Simoo Auntie (or Masi or whatever Sima wants to be called) is giving Munch some TLC. She was constantly rubbing my belly and Munch would kick back in approval.

Best friends.

Munch is OUT! We are headed to Chitown (and then Toledo) for some New Year partying and a wedding reception. This is my last flight until Munch shows up. I've been grounded.

Merry Christmas to Munch, love Acha (Dad)

DINO THE TANK!!

Here is Gayatri's new ride. The RAVA had to be retired. It was stinky, dirty, and not at all safe for Munch. This beast holds upto 8 or 5 with the monkey butt (Jaanu) in the trunk. For all those who think the car is too big for G, it has some nice safety features. Camera in the back and a nice parking assist (where the car notifies her if she gets too close to other objects) so she does not park the car in the kitchen. Especially since she is always hungry. ;)

Monkey butt loves it also. Soon there will be a bed for Jaanu to sleep on and hang out in the back.

Merry Christmas!!

Merry Christmas!! As you all know, both sets of parents are off having a grand time traveling the world. So is my brother. And as usual, Anup's brother is working, so we couldn't meet up with him. Luckily, our local friend here in Augusta was kind enough to include us in their family celebration on Christmas day. I'm really happy that she thought of us because I was pretty sad.

This is Moni Auntie. She has been so sweet in including me in the Augusta area. In my first trimester, when I was extremely sick, she would bring me VATS and VATS of food. She would even learn how to cook food that I was craving. I really appreciate how much she cared for me. Her husband (Beni Uncle) was unfortunately ill and in the hospital, yet she was concerned about ME driving and how I was feeling! Thanks Auntie.

Beni Uncle and Anup are enjoying whatever sports games were on tv.

Here is the whole family relaxing after a scrumptious Christmas feast!

More Christmas Parties!!

Hello everyone! Here are pictures from some of the parties we attended. We weren't able to get pictures at everything because we either forgot (oops!) or we just didn't have the time.

I wore this sari to Anup's boss's house. Yes, that is perspiration. I was nervous and it was extremely hot!!

Extreme Close-up (ala Cute Overload) of Munch!

Green is for Christmas!

Christmas Party

Here are some pictures from Anup's work Christmas party. Prior to knowing I was pregnant, I brought some old dresses from home that I planned on wearing to all of these parties. Unfortunately, I can't fit into any of them. So I'm wearing black!! Again!! We have a few more Christmasy things to go to and I think I'll be wearing saris from now on. Hahah.

It was hard to slow dance. Anup kept forgetting that he couldn't get too close to me :)

7 months!

Hey everyone. I've started my 7th month and had my appointment yesterday. So far (knock on wood), things are going okay.

Here are some pictures from our visit to Huntington. These are my parents' next door neighbor and Priya is my mom's surrogate daughter. We had a nice time visiting them.

Here we are with Vaishnavi and Krishna

Look, Priya's there too!


Anup and I posing.


Big sis and lil sis

Man, do I look huge next to Vaish! Note to self: do not stand next to tiny people.

Aww, come visit us soon!

The Manoharan Family

As I mentioned earlier, we had a wonderful time this week. We spent quality time with Munch's paternal grandparents Acha and Amma. Or as they will be known to Munch, AchaAcha (grandfather) and Ammamma (grandmother). Amma cooked so much food for us. Special northern Kerala cuisine of mussels and spicy shrimp, as well as the standard Kerala fare like dosa, sambar, eggplant, chicken curry, appam, and ishtew. Yum Yum! Munch and I surely gained a lot of weight this week from all of the pampering. They also catered to my cravings and provided the traditional turkey dinner the night before Thanksgiving! Such love. Amma also packed a whole cooler full of food for us to take back home with us. We ate her food tonight!


It's Munch!

It's Hunch!


Aww. What a handsome family. We're missing Arun but he had to work and couldn't make it. :(


Jaanu and Sammy, get ready!


Looks like Amma and Acha need to get a King size bed!!



Once again, we're very sad. Both Acha and Amma (like my parents) are headed to India for the next few months. Poop!

Munch Meets Future Friends in Htown!

We also made a trip to Htown to visit with other family friends. I was so happy to get to see everyone. The next time we probably will see them is after Munch arrives. I was a bit unhappy to be there without my parents but my friends (and Anup) helped me get over it. Special thanks to Shyla Auntie and Appu Uncle for taking care of us. Priya (and anyone else, ie Benj) send me your pictures!!

Hello Uncles and Aunties! From left to right: Preethi, Krishnan, Me, Ammu, Sarah, Divya, Alex

Eda Ramu and his beautiful fiance, Rakhi

Shamwow!

Oh my god! It's Eashan with his awesome parents Vik and Sathya. Check out Eashan's blog by clicking on his link under Future Friends.

Looks like Raman really wants to hold E. Or perhaps, wants a little E of his own. In time, Ramu. In time. And look, there's Hashima in the middle.

Bye bye E. It was great getting to finally meet you. Munch, take a look at E. Follow his advice and remember he always listens to mommy.

Munch Meets Future Friends in BSG

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving. Anup and I had a chance to visit with his parents and friends in Big Stone Gap.

Hello to Anjali and Sameer (originally from BSG but now residing in Richmond, VA)

Paru, Monica, and I enjoying our Thanksgiving lunch.

Dev seems engrossed in the conversation with his father, Sonny Uncle - and look Munch's paternal Grandparents are there too!!

Renu Auntie, Chanda Auntie, and Jackie Uncle seem to be enjoying themselves. Special thanks to Chanda Auntie and Jackie Uncle for really satisfying my Thanksgiving cravings!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving from Munch!

"Hunch" makes a visit.

Munch says Hello!

The baby has starting kicking over the weekend. I felt the baby's movements prior to this weekend but it was more squirming or butterfly movements. Last Sunday night, I felt a resounding thump. Then another. And another. And another. It was great! Hello back!

Happy Diwali!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN FROM THE QUEEN OF DA NILE, Miss Jaanu!!

Sorry for the delay!

Hey everyone, it's Gayatri. Sorry for the delay in posting about the Dr.'s appointment. I was unsure as to how I would blog about the sex of the baby without Anup finding out. As it is, most of you have contacted me and I was able to tell you so I think everything worked out. I'm not telling any of my poopy boy cousins who cruelly voted against me.

Next thing we need to do, is convince Anup he needs to know!! Another poll? Hahah. Special thanks to all those who voted in favor of finding out the sex. I am incredibly happy and excited!!

The days leading up to and the morning of the appointment I was, as usual, SCARED. I'm always afraid that something is going to be wrong and am trying to mentally prepare myself for any upsetting news. Within seconds of places the US probe on my stomach, we immediately saw the image of Munch, rolling around and giving the tech a hard time to take a picture. We also got a video of the moving images in addition to the hard copy pictures.

The tech checked out everything: heart, brains, spine, kidney, liver, and stomach. So far (eeeee!) everything seems okay. Then Anup left the room and she showed me the money spot. And we're having a ......... just kidding.

Once the appointment was over, I was a bundle of energy. I could barely keep my mouth shut and really, really, wanted to spill the beans to Anup. "Are you sure you don't want to know?" "I'm sure." "Are you sure? Are you sure?" "Yes!!"

After the appointment, we went out to lunch to celebrate. But before that, I had to do some errands while Anup checked on his dialysis patients nearby. I ended up wandering AIMLESSLY in the store because I was in such an exuberant high. I was in a daze.

Anup was just as excited. He called me multiple times during the day and came home early. He also brought a bottle of sparkling grape juice to once again celebrate a successful appointment. I guess our Munchkin is still sticking around! I have to say, it was one of the best days I've ever had.

Shopping with Anup, however, is not much fun. Luckily my parents were here and they splurged on Munch. I do have to hide everything. BOO!!

My parents have left and once again, I'm a ball of sadness after enjoying a week of extreme pampering. Humph!

Enjoy our pictures. Love, g

Gayatri knows the sex

Thank you to all those who voted. I want to especially thanks to those who voted along with me and did not want to know the sex. Unfortunately, we lost. There are rumors that some people might have voted more than once from a single computer. I am investigating these allegations. There were no hanging chads to blame on, either.
Gayatri did find out the sex of the baby. I am still going to wait till March. Hopefully, no one will tell me till then. Here are the most recent US pictures. I dont have the one with the money shot.

Should we or should we not?

Should we find out the sex of the baby? The 20th week ultrasound is coming up next week. One of us interested in finding out and the other is not. What should we do?

Reasons for finding out:
1. Planning ahead and getting the nursery ready.
2. Moms are going to India. They can come back with great Indian outfits.
3. Bonding with the baby.
4. It's the same surprise at 20 weeks as it will be at delivery.
5. Excitement of finding out!

Reasons for not finding out:
1. Like surprises.
2. Since we are renting we can't paint the walls
3. The one thing we can control in our lives.
4. These days boys and girls clothes are interchangeable.
5. Excitement of waiting!

What are the possibilities of one of us keeping it a secret from the other?

Help! Take the poll below.

4 month check up

I went for my check up and everything seems to be progressing okay. I was excited because my parents were here to take me to the appointment and I was hoping that they would get to see the ultrasound of the baby. Unfortunately, the check up was just a quick 5 minute meeting with the doctor. We did get a chance to hear the heartbeat, which was reassuring to make sure that there was still something inside of me. When the nurse put the Doppler on my stomach, we initially didn't hear anything. Then the OB took over and we could immediately hear the heartbeat. Whew! I was relieved.

Speaking of heartbeats, Anup has been trying to see if he can hear the baby's heartbeat while using the stethoscope but it's still a bit too early.

Every once in a while, I can feel the baby squirming a little. Like a little worm or butterfly in my belly. My nausea has gotten a lot better and I'm starting to get my energy back. I'm going to join a prenatal yoga class soon.

My parents have left and I'm very sad. They completely took care of me and I didn't lift a finger. Both of them were so cute with all that they were doing to help me but I think they were ready to go home after staying for almost 2 weeks. They're going to India in November but they plan on coming back to visit beforehand. After that they'll be gone for 2 months! :(