Journey to "FATHERHOOD"

The good news of promotion to next level came last November; it was a Sunday evening when we went to meet the doctor. The gynecologist confirmed that I and Su are going to progress to next level very soon. From spouse to parents, this transition was now not very far away. The news brought a new wave of happiness and excitement to the entire Rathi family. Every one started waiting for the moment when we can have first glimpse of the little one. I was a bit luckier with this aspect; managed to see the first pictures of my baby on a sonogram machine screen.

To the D Day: First trimester was a difficult for Su with nausea, heart burn and dizziness accompanying her all the time. Doctor advised cut down on caffeine intake, follow few exercises, prescribed few medication and described these as difficult times before the larger happiness. Time passed and the excitement kept on increasing to see the little one. To make things more exciting, we decided to have a small baby-moon trip to Kodaikanal. It was the month of April with heat waves in whole of southern India, vacation to a hill station was a welcome relief. With this romantic weather and small baby bump on Su's tummy, things could not have been better than this. In true sense, this was the first trip with all three of us together- me, mother to be and the little one.

Second Trimester went smoothly and apprehensions starting to mount with the start of third trimester. All the changes were to new to us and we were learning to deal with them.  By start of June, Su moved to Kolkata to be with other family members and the final approach to D day started.

Arrival of GOD send gift: It was 18 day of July, a Friday morning and I took a morning flight to Kolkata. We knew the time was near but we never expected it was that very day. A routine gynecologist visit was followed by an emergency admission to hospital and immediate operation. Everything thing went well and at 7 minutes to midnight, our prince came to this world.  The time has come for which we have been waiting for so long. Gorgeous, cheeky, beautiful and bright little bundle of joy came into our life. Picking him up into my arms and kissing him on his forehead, I thanked GOD for HIS greatest gift. Having the sweet little baby in my arms was the greatest feeling I had in my entire life.

It has been month and half since the birth, but I have not been able to spend much time with Laddu. He is far off to his dadi/nani’s place and I am lonely waiting here in Chennai. My real test of fatherhood will start early next month when Laddu, along with his mumma, dadi, dada and bhua, is here. Sleepless nights are on their way but I am sure it will be fun. One smile of Laddu and the joy of raising him is everything we will live for.

PS: Our prince is coronated with the name “Samarth”. For us, he is “ Laddu”- little bundle of sweetness in our life.