A to Z Challenge: F is for Fish & Feline

En route our daily walk is a restaurant called Campus. It houses a small aquarium with two fish tanks. One tank has a solitary Cichlid fish with a huge nuchal hump. The other tank has a multitude of other types of fish - Tetras, Goldfish, Tiger sharks, Cat Fish and other smaller ones. 

Our tryst with these Fish started out about a month ago when I thought it would be a good idea for Beckett to see these fish and for us to find how she would react to them. Over the last couple of weeks it became a ritual, and now Beckett asks to be taken to the aquarium as we pass by the restaurant. 

The Cichlid reacts to Beckett's hand movements as she puts her finger to the fish tank and comes by to check if it is some sort of food. Or maybe it is bored and welcomes the break from solitude. The fish in the other tank are nonchalant and go about their lives as if nothing has happened.

I personally enjoy these pit stops because one of the restaurant's durbaans is the Indian version of Tyrion Lannister. I'm in awe of him. His zen like presence and his 'I've seen lot of shit in life and don't give a f***' look leave me spell bound.

The other thing that happens during our walks is the company of a young white and brown kitten. One day instead of just watching the kittens, I decided to talk to them and mewed and 'pucchh pucchh' ed at them. This little fellow got excited and followed Beckett & me right to the elevator of our building. I fed it some milk and that was that. From the next day, the kitten started accompanying us on our walks. It sees us coming, climbs down from the wall it is perched upon and walks just behind or next to us. When it is playful, it comes from behind, and crosses our path and then waits till we go ahead and then repeats it from the other direction. And both Beckett and I find the whole thing really amusing while Missus is constantly worried about Beckett touching the kitten and catching some sort of infection. 

So now technically, without having any pets Beckett has a kitten and some Fish to play with.         

A to Z Challenge: E is for Eureka

Beckett helps me experience two types of Eurekas. The First kinds are my own whereas the Second kinds are hers.

Let me give you a few examples:

My Eurekas:

1. She may enjoy listening to music. Let's try a few Bollywood songs. Result: Smiles galore from Beckett. Overly terrified Missus petrified that Beckett will go deaf.

2. I should try teaching her numbers (at 4 months). Result: Beckett: What are those wriggly things attached to the end of your palm?

3. How will she react if I hold her upside down by her legs? Result: Missus: 'You are going to give my child Shaken Baby Syndrome, you brute! Do you have any idea how much effort I've put in to bring her into this world?' Beckett: Wow! Once more please! The view from down under is so awesome!'

4. Lets read to her. Doesn't matter if it is 'Tuesdays with Morrie' or 'Jack & the bean stalk' or 'Polar bear Polar bear'. It should help build her vocabulary. Result: Beckett: You can have my attention for 10 seconds with Tuesdays, but after that I need to see stuff or touch things to be kept busy.

5. Lets see if she can shape sort or identify people. Result: Bekett: Of course I can identify people, but I don't get the point of shape sorting. Why put pegs in holes when they are so much fun to chew on or to throw.

Beckett's Eurekas:

1. I might enjoy eating this. Result: Mostly both Missus and I get mini heart attacks whenever she finds something new to eat (eg: tearing out the rexine off the sofa, one of our flip flops, a fork, paper, the wall, phone chargers, phones, the list can go on and on) and thereafter our energies get concentrated in ensuring that the entire repository of these objects are out of her reach.

2. I should cry when things are not going as per my will. Result: Mostly deception & distraction and sometimes giving in to demands that are genuine. Sometimes fierce fights between Missus and yours truly about what course to take.

3. I should smile when I want things to go according to my will. Result: Lots of 'awww...s' and smiles and melting hearts and Beckett getting what she wants.

4. Eurekas of Movement: If I push hard enough with my left hand while turning my left leg over, I'm able to turn over; if I push hard enough with my knee and elbows, I'm able to move forward, if I do a split and tumble forward while sitting, I'm able to go from a sitting to sleeping position. Result: 'Achievement Unlocked' euphoria followed by baby proofing precautions for each of the achievements unlocked.

5.  Identification: Each of these aliens and each of the things that are here have some sort of identification code. The guy with the beard is called 'Pappa', the lady who sticks her boobs in my mouth every time I cry is called 'Mummy', the lady with white hair is called 'Baa'. The big round orb is called Ball, the sticker on the wall is called 'Snow White', the colourful long thing is 'caterpillar', and the black & white thing is 'Panda'. And the Aliens are amused whenever I identify these things. Result: 'Aarvi, where's mummy, where's Panda, where's Pappa?' And many a times Beckett trolls me by pointing to a chair, or a pillow or the remote control when asked, 'Where's Pappa?' and to console me, Missus cooks up a ridiculous explanation - 'She sees Pappa in everything !' 

A to Z Challenge: D is for Devotion

It takes a family if not an entire village to raise a child. I'd like to add the word 'devoted' to it.

Last night I fell asleep on the sofa while watching the IPL match. Missus and Mom-in-Law had gone down with Beckett for their evening walk. I had the luxury and privilege (given by Missus) to sleep peacefully while she took care of Beckett. Similarly, Missus and I have the luxury and privilege (given by my mother and Mom-in-Law) to work peacefully throughout the day while they take care of Beckett.

It is to the extreme devotion of these three women that Beckett owes her happy life and I owe my peaceful idyllic existence. Missus has not had a complete night's sleep for the last 16 odd months and in addition to a full day's work, she also ensures that Beckett has everything that she needs while she is away. My mother has lost 6 kg (13 pounds) since she started taking full time care of Beckett. Both she and Mom-in Law are the earliest risers in the house and almost always the last ones to call it a day at night.

But what I find incredible is the dedication and discipline that all 3 of them bring to taking care of Beckett and the rest of us. It does not come from a sense of duty or obligation, but a devotion that goes beyond oneself. While there is one line of thought that seems to believe that this is a biological or genetic trait, I tend to believe that it is more personal. It is as if in raising Beckett the best way that they possibly can that they find their life's ultimate purpose.

Whereas for me, it is one of the most important things in life, but not the only thing.

To Beckett,

You will never know of all the sleepless nights and early mornings and watchful days and caring embraces and unending selflessness these 3 women have showered upon you. You will only know of them through the chronicles that your bumbling father writes as he marvels at their indefatigable energy and fortitude.

There is no way you will ever be able to thank, acknowledge, or repay them. The only thing you can hope to do is pay it forward when you find yourself in the middle of a similar situation.