12 Weeks Already!

As of today, the bundle is 12 weeks in my tummy. How time flies? Somedays it only feels like yesterday that I found out and somedays it feels like I can't wait for the baby to be born. I wish I write more about this journey. I guess so many things are going through my mind right now that at times I have to stop to catch my breath.

12 weeks. 12 full weeks.

Nausea is getting better and I only hope that it goes away eventually. I have not lost anymore weight since 2 weeks which is a good sign. My appetite seems to return too. So, I guess I will catch up with my lost weight soon enough.
I still sleep well only on alternate days. I wonder why.

People keep askng me if I want a boy or a girl. At this point, I honestly can say that it doesn't matter. That's the truth. Megha and I keep talking about the baby. This morning she said, "your tummy is big momma. You have a baby". So sweet :)

I spent so much time with her this long weekend that I dread how I am going to balance between the new baby and Megha. I hope I will find the answer soon enough.
This baby is already loved to bits and pieces. Can't wait for the arrival!

No cravings per se. Only thing is, I seem to get lot of heart burns with outside food. 

First few pictures from her very own Camera!

Megha received the below camera as a present for her 3rd birthday. Its by Fisher Price from our friends in Orlando, Appu and Ramana.

She has been practicing taking pictures from it and she is really getting good at it. She shakes the camera a little but with more time and practice, I am sure she will get good at it.

Finally, she stopped (well, almost) taking pictures with my phone camera! Phew.

Here is another picture taken yesterday. It was too cold to go outside and she made a fairy home for Tinker Bell and Vidia, the popular fairies from Peter Pan books and shows.

With a little help from me so we get a complete picture in the screen. She actually didnt even need my help.

Pongal 2015

We had a wonderful Pongal celebrations. We made an unexpected trip to Orlando, Florida to my friends place. Megha loved all the attention. Pongal is basically a harvest festival.

Here she is wearing a pattu-pavadi sent by her momomma (my mom). She loved her necklace, her bangles, her bindi and over all, everything about her outfit.

Here, she is getting ready for Bogi Pallu (flower shower). In Andhra, we mix some raw rice, flowers, few coins and berry fruits and shower on kids. Here is some more information on this harvest festival.

The traditional Aaarti.

Dad showering his blessing:

Bogi Pallu (flower shower). Oh she loved it so much! Friends Appu and Ramana also showered her with flowers and she could not get enough of it :)

Here is a family picture.

Here is another picture; these gaghras are from India (but of course). With BFF :P

Beautiful day.

Valentines Day 2015

Whats there not to like about Valentines day? There usually is chocolate overload, some presents and whole lot of love.

Megha packed some candy and pencils for the kids at the daycare. And she also received quite a few goody bags from the daycare too.

Here she is with all her treasure from the daycare. The hat which she is wearing was made by one of the kids at the daycare. I think thats one of the cutest hats I have seen in a while: Love Bug :)

She couldn't wait to open them all! I was equally excited.

She also got cards, balloons, play dough, some candy from us. Aunt Neeta gave her a PJ.

She ate so much candy yesterday (14th Feb) that she was super hyper all day. She didnt even nap. I got flowers, cards and cake.

Minced Meat Pasta for kids

Megha loves pasta. Of late I had been making either spaghetti or with alphabets pasta by Catelli. Here is a simple recipe which she loves.

Ingredients:
Any pasta of your choice: 1/2 cup uncooked (I used whole wheat Catelli alphabets pasta
Minced Meat: Any meat of your choice: 1/2 to 3/4 cup (I used chicken/ beef in the past)
Carrots: 1 medium sized, peeled and chopped fine
Celery: 1 stick, chopped fine.
Garlic flakes: 2
Salt and pepper to taste
Butter to saute

Optional:
Bay leaf: 1
cloves: 3
Marinara Sauce: a few spoons

Method:
1. Cook pasta according to the packet instructions
2. Meanwhile, heat butter in a pan and saute garlic.
3. You can add bay leaf and cloves now if you prefer now.
4. Add the celery and carrots now and cook until they are cooked (about 5-8 mins)
5. Now add the meat. Cook until the meat is completely cooked.
6. Add the desired flavoring (salt/pepper etc).
7. Add the pasta now. Should you wish, you can add any pasta sauce now. Since Megha loves Victoria's Marinara Sauce, I added a bit.

That's it! 

Winter fun!

The past Sunday evening was fun! Megha coming down the slope in her Tobaggan!

We had one hell of a time getting her helmet on though. The poor dear was terrified. She is not used to these kinds of helmets.
And we could not even stay for long outside as it was very very cold. But we had a good time nevertheless!

BIG Announcement!!

Very happy to announce that Anand, Megha and I are expecting our second addition to our family! Baby Reddiar Two, cant wait to meet You.
As of today, I am exactly 10 weeks pregnant. below Early Dating ultra sound scan was done on January 26th, 2015.

Expected due date is 1st Sept 2015 but my doctor thinks it will be last week of August for sure and I will not go beyond 25th Aug. Megha and I are in December and Anand and Baby would in Aug!

Some things to note:
1. Morning sickness has been pretty bad, unlike when I was with Megha. I cannot stand my morning prenatals. My doctor says, skip that morning one and take just the folic acid pill so that at least I can function in the morning. Tried taking the pill, with food, after food, before food, after 30 mins, before 30 mins...all sorts of combinations and nothing works. I almost choke.

2. I am tired ALL the time. But I am almost dead close to 4 PM in the evening, whether I rest in the afternoon or not. It gets better around 6 PM but gets bad again at 7:30 PM.

3. Weight, 58 Kgs, for now.

4. We found out about this pregnancy on 26th Dec 2104. I wanted to wait until after the first scan to announce.

Very Happy. Megha will have a sibling and our family will be complete.