Baby Shower

The place where we will place the chair for babyshower was decided on Dec 17th when Edwin, Ravi and I walked into our foyer. Deciding the date was a tough one. We wanted our parents to participate. With Saran's mom's help we started to look at possible auspicious dates. Nothing worked out so we decided for May 27th. Ravi and Saran were the first to book tickets. Akka's visit was a pleaseant surprise. We thought she cannot make it because of her schedule. And the next surprise was Indra's sametime message telling she is planning for Chicago trip and she can attend the shower.

We went to Devon in April to buy a gold chain for our baby girl and things for baby shower. After that we spent most time eating at sukhadia's that we didn't have time for bangle shopping. We decided to go another day. We decided to paint the nursery walls green so Ed designed the invitation in green and Dhevi added things for the gift registry. And Dhevi's other plans for the BS were stopped because of Ed's "This is your BS we will take care, you don't get involved" That didn't stop Dhevi from poking her nose in now and then.

Akka went on a shopping spree for the baby and bought lot of dresses and our baby's first puma shoe. Uma akka got busy in making laddus. And on 25th we went to Devon again for bangle and sweet shopping. Saturday was busy....Ed went to pick up akka and they came back with the much awaited jasmine plants. Also akka added Orange Daisy and Hibiscus to our collection. After reaching home we decided to get ready and go shopping and be back for picking up Ravi, Saran and Ritvik. While we were starting we got a call from ravi, informing us that the flight is delayed and they won't be here until 10 or so. So we went out for lunch and shopping. Stop at dollar store for decorations was not fruitful (except for the cute gift bags). Then we went to Meijer, Costco to get flowers and other things. While we were in costco, Ed went to Chutney's to get the beatle leaves. Next to the card party outlet. There was a big section for BS and we got everything we wanted and more. The best one was the pink toe helium ballon with "It's a girl". Ed was raising his collar for the rest of the day.

Back home got a call from Niha and Samyu telling that the girls are missing their mom, Akka was chatting with the girls. Giri Uncle's family arrived. Ed went to pick up ravi. Aki was making flowers for dhevi's hair and Uma akka adjusted Dhevi's wedding blouse to fit her. Long Live Uma akka! She saved the day! Aki pampared Dhevi that day, by styling the hair and applying mehandi inbetween giving decoring tips to the guys.

By 3 in the morning 4 people still awake were Ravi, Ed, Aki and Dhevi. We crashed and got up around 7. Back in kitchen Dhevi made Idli and Chutney, Uma akka made 5 variety rice and Saran made Sambar inbetween feeding Ritvik. Akka prepared all the plates for the BS. Ed warned Dhevi to get ready and went to get the cake (We still feel bad that we couldn't get the frock cake....but this baby quilt one was a big hit...we had the confities and decorations to go with that...First time since our marriage we finished the cake. Until now half of all the cakes we bought or Dhevi made has gone waste). Everyone got ready by 11:20 and we have to started the function at 11:30. How the function went? see the pics here. http://ebphobos.homelinux.org:8000/~dheviedwin/photos/main.php?g2_itemId=13996

Ed asked Dhevi if she missed the surprise BS. If it was a surprise, Dhevi would have missed all the fun in the days leading to the function.

The function went well. And we got to meet many friends. Sridev vinaya and Ankur came that weekend (they could not attend the BS). Indra's family attended the function. Ravi Saran and Ritvik stayed till Tuesday (because of that Ravi was able to assemble his gift - Baby Papasan Butterfly Love swing :). It looks beautiful than in picture. Akka's visit though short was wonderful (On sunday night we stayed up and chatted till 4) We are looking forward to the Girls' July vacation time here. We made new friends, Saran's friend Shanmugapriya's family and Dhevi's collegue Sasikala's family were able to make it. Also all our IL crowd (Siva, Sheeba, Aunty, Uncle, Geetha, Anand, Suresh, Durai, Sunil, Giri Uncle, Uma Akka, Durga, Shre kutti, Adhi, Pranav) were there. For two people who moved here recently, this crowd has made us feel at home. This was a beautiful day and we wouldn't want to change any part of it

Lawn Work is (not) fun

This was a productive weekend. Ed got the dirt (8 yards) and applied in the lawn on Saturday and Sunday. Dhevi cleaned the garage on both days with Ed's help in moving heavier objects. We kept only the Camping, Lawn, Sports and Garbage related things in garage and moved everything else to basement. We need to arrange that (that's another weekend project before the baby is born).

The worst part is after effects. Sunday afternoon around 3 we could do no more and slept for an hour and got up and Ed watered the garage.

The lawn looks fresh and the garage looks clean (a paint work is pending) and we looked our worst.

Monday and Tuesday Dhevi had the worst foot pain and could not keep more than we steps. Tuesday she wore her running shoes to avoid the pain. A lesson not to over strain. Anyways the work is over and that's a relief.

Child birth marathon

Today was our child birth marathon class. We could not attend the daily classes due to our train timings and Ed's advance finance class schedule. So we decided on the marathon.

We reached the Wabounsie community center (in Rush Copley campus) after our McD breakfast. They had interesting videos, and the instructor gave a good idea about what to expect. I'm still undecided on epidural. It was good to see lot of pregnant women in one place. I looked so tiny infront of them. Probably it's the dress. Or may be because I am not due until august. Most in that class were due in May, June or early July.

Ed and I demonstrated a 8th grade dance, My head on ed's right shoulder and without knocking my knees I have to shift weight from one foot to another. and Ed can reach my back and give a back massage. The hee haa's were funny. Hope we remember everything they told us today.

The best part was pick a item (each couple should pick one item and tell/guess what it is for), they had most items that we expected, except googles (I would never have imagined that)

One the way back we stopped at our neighbourhood coffee shop "Green leaf coffee house" We bought icecreams too. At home we started some garden work.

Today was Vino's birthday, we could not wish her until late in the evening (IST). Even then we had to finish the call since we were running late for the class. Anyways she is celebrating her B'day since Ed's birthday on April 2nd ;)

India Night @ Urbana

This weekend we went to Bloomington for the India Night function in Durga's school. On saturday morning we started and reached there by noon. Uma akka had prepared 5 different rice for Dhevi. After lunch Dhevi started to feel uncomfortable. Sitting, standing, lying down...everything was tough. We decided to go out and buy some coke and also visit the nursery to buy the Jasmine plants. They didn't have any. Coke seemed to help for sometime, but not for long. Back at home, Dhevi slept for sometime.

Evening was better. Until now we have not seen a program where the audiences were not given even a 2-3 min break to get distracted. We have requested for the video coverage. It was a mixture of skits, songs and dances by the Indian students. And the girls carried thier sarees so well..Hats off to them! We dropped Durga in his hostel and go pizza to-go.

Next day we left immediately after breakfast. After reaching home and refreshing, we started for the Special Delivery baby shop in geneva, IL. We went to look at peg-perago strollers. But Ed liked the Bugaboo better. So we decided to buy the Cameleon (Red and Black).

Enga vittula vishesham

On the way back from St.Louis, Dhevi wanted to stop for buying cake...Ed wouldn't hear about it. Ed forgot about his Birthday. Dhevi had to remind "Enga vittula vishesham...adhukku cake vanganum..." After coming home we decided to bake cake...but didn't have all the ingredients. So we went to Dominicks, got the cake, candles, a vase etc.

Around 10 we were so tired from the trip that we decided to cut the cake little early. Finally Dhevi got Ed smile for the photograph. The magic word is "Gitzo" -his new tripod's make. He wanted to open it on Friday, Dhevi stopped him and gave the gift on Sunday night.

For Amma..the magic word is "Samyu". To make her smile suchi will say "Chammuu" instead of cheeeese.

Chicago 2010

Thursday was busy with the rehersal in Aurora temple. We fixed the date for Baby shower:) (Dhevi worked from home on Friday to avoid the commute. Evening we started for Bloomington. Met 2 little girls in Giri Uncle's place. After dinner and some chat we slept. Saturday we started the drive for St.Louis. The weather was nice, to sun, no chill...like a perfect evening. We went to the temple then to the hotel to rest for a while. Got up from the afternoon nap...got dressed nicely...While tying the vesti for his first scene..Ed was excited and said.."En kalyanathukku poreen"...Well..Dhevi had to remind him of her and the baby:)



With nice pattu saree and white vesti we came out to find that it was pouring. Ed went to get Passat and got all wet in the process. We warned others of the rain. The drama went well. We wanted to see the kannada drama "chandrabaavi estate"..But since it started very late we couldn't. On the way back we dropped Ravi/Sharanya (People we met as part of Chicago 2100..not Ravi/Saran from MD:) in their friends place and stayed there for sometime (had another round of dinner :) Back at the hotel Ed was watching drama video and Dhevi was snoring with in 5 mins.

Sunday we got ready ahead of time (surprise surprise...) and started the drive back. It was too sunny...and the heavy breakfast didn't help. On the way back we stopped in Bloomington for some walk (in Home depot and got some garden tools) and lunch. We enjoyed the drive. But it was tiring....

Shopping day

After a long time Dhevi went for shopping alone. Ed was busy with tax works and practice. Anyway during Dhevi's haircut Ed has to kill time in the mall. Dhevi went straight to Motherhood maternity and then for a hair cut, where she was told they may not be able to complete the straightning because of time shortage...Anyway they did a good...She came back home to find Ed with papers all around him and the fire on in living room.