Month: October 2022

This past Saturday marked 36 weeks for Baby boy which now means that he can come out safely at any point, and so our excitement and nervousness grows. One great thing already has been the open conversations the wife and I are having about our lives changing. It’s not perfect, but us voicing what’s inside ensures that we are on the same page. For the past few weeks, my morning routine now consists of watching newborn essential videos and what to do and know. It all seems a big overwhelming until I sit still and take in the fact that I am going to be a father. n Each day now consists of that wonder and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

This past weekend also contained several impromptu gatherings with deepening connections, allowed us to spend with people we haven’t in a while, and also allowed a deep soul searching conversation that I hope leads to better connection with loved ones. It reminded me that there are people in my life who I can call up at any moment, and what is a quiet night can turn into an event of sharing, conversation and sheer good will. For that, I feel truly blessed. To be able to smile so often, so laugh, to miss the ones not here all in one night. So much can occur in a few hours that it spins the mind.

And so Week 36 and the gatherings formed the weekend, but more importantly, are fast becoming the foundation for our changing future. Everyone person we saw this weekend will be part of our lives in some way, and that’s still not counting other family members. In this cocoon, will our son arrive, and that gives me so much hope and relief. He is already loved, and he doesn’t know it yet.

One of the unfortunate things about getting older is attending the funeral for loved ones. This past weekend, I had the misfortune to attend a dear friend’s mother passing away. He was one of my first friends in this country, making our friendship more than 3 decades old. Yet, there was so much I had missed out on. I wasn’t aware how long his mom had been sick for, or the fact that his kids were grown. To me, he would always remain part of our small group that hung out at my house where we traded stories, jokes and just silly banter of teenage talk. We always went through our recollections when we saw each other, but sadly it was sporadic. Maybe that was part of growing up, losing touch, but not the feelings. Even as I saw him Friday, the first thing he said was my place was the first place his mom dropped him off to. So we have that, and I wish I kept in touch more because his parents are wonderful. A genuine love emanates from them each time I meet them, and now I have lost some of those chances. So I get to do better.

Today is Diwali, one of India’s biggest festival, but mostly I remember it because of all the food, sweets, fireworks and candles. And again, I need to do better because my son will ask me why we celebrate and saying “just because” isn’t going to cut it. I refuse to give lame answers to him because that will become his foundation which means I get to dive in deeper. I get to learn so I can teach forth. So much to learn, and so much to pass forward. The lessons of my past now become the future learnings for my son. It is a heavy task, and I do doubt myself but then I remember who I am surrounded by. A strong as hell wife who will make an amazing mother, and so many family and friends. Which makes this so much more special, and I look forward to celebrating next year’s diwali with my son.

This past weekend, we began preparations for getting the house ready for baby boy. From cleaning out the garage to finally unboxing all the wonderful gifts from friends and family, and installing the car seat, it suddenly became very real. Nervousness has become my best friend, but so has growing excitement. I know there will be lots to learn, and while I can’t learn everything from YouTube, I am still going to give it a good shot. And then there is my growing list of things to do, from adding him to our insurance, getting ready to truly receive him to getting him his passport for his very first trip.

Which leads to me another special moment of the weekend. Receiving my niece’s wedding card. It’s surreal to see the baby I have known since birth now starting her own new chapter in life. To be brutally honest. I always had a special connection with my nieces and nephews because I’d presumed those would be the only children in my life. And I was okay with that for a long time because I got and gave so much love to them.

But Maya, she was our first born in our family. The first person to call me Mamu. The one I taught (as a joke) that boys are bad, the one who I saw in all messy and beautiful glory. Watching her grow up has been a true joy. From not being just considerate to ensuring that she spent time with my mom, and also getting to know her amazing fiancee, who emanates the same type of kindness.

Getting her wedding card and our baby’s first official invitation just felt like beautiful serendipity, and the realization that life truly is a circle. And as always.I am beyond blessed with the people in my life.

Happy Monday!

This past weekend, 3 dear couple friends of ours took us to Paso Robles for an impromptu baby moon of sorts. Between the laughter, the wine, the generally shared good time, came a great of feeling of love from those who only wish the best for us. We truly felt the love as we blaze our way to a new end: the birth of our baby boy. Between bouts of anxiety and happiness, I wait expectantly for my life to change in a way I had given up on before.

This weekend became a steady reminder of what was to come, and it made me feel dizzy with excitement and nervousness. An array of possibilities flood the mind along with new worries and scenarios of the coming future. It hit me that crossing off the check mark for father is coming closer and closer, and having my friends share stories about their children equally filled me with dread and happiness. I get the feeling that will be my go to status for a while to come.

It still amazes me that there are so many places I still have not seen in California even after living here for over 30 years. I can finally check off Paso off that list, and one that I would love to visit again. A beautiful little town with so much history I was unaware of, I could see this as a great reason to take my family here for a weekend stay. You don’t have to be a wine drinker to enjoy what the place offers, but it is still great to experience that.

But wait there’s more! No place is better than with dear friends and/or family. Their presence made each moment even more special, and while it can always be a bit of a challenge with large groups, our friends made it super easy for us to just take in the fun and none of the stress. For that, we are both truly grateful (there goes that word again), and I put this weekend to yet another memorable experience!

This past weekend became a tumultuous mix of love, surprise, gratitude, friends and family. From an amazing surprise from Preeti’s cousins from Mississippi to late nights of catching up, learning and just spending connected time together. Then the baby shower itself. My oldest sister showed her the love the best way possible, by pretty much ensuring we had nothing to worry about and just showing up to be showered with love and gratitude for our next steps, and of course my other sister in the background ensuring everything went smoothly.

With Baby boy fast coming along, this weekend turned out to be a perfect reminder of what’s in store for us with the outpouring of love and affection. Of course we remembered Papa and my Baby maasi because they would have been front and center, and so it became another reminder of the missing but remember, and a tinge of sadness suffused the shower but just for a moment, but my sisters mom, cousins, in laws, friends and family all gathered to let us know yet again that we wil never be alone, will always be supported, and for once, my anxiety dimmed.

One of the unique things for our event was the sheer amount of my guy friends who showed up and stayed for the entire thing as if to let me know that they got me. It was amazing to see a dear friend drive down from San Francisco to attend as well as other friends I have known for decades. Also, my crossfit crew, who once were just people I met at the gym have now firmly established themselves as dear friends in both mine and Preeti lives, and I couldn’t be happier.

My cheeks ache from smiling so wide, not from force for the picture taking but the sheer joy for our rapidly approaching new future. I know there are so many behind us to make sure we don’t fail or fall. And I couldn’t be more excited.

Happy Monday!