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Published: January 31st 2018
Day 3:
I think...I’m so tired and confused about the time and day that it’s hard to actually know how long we’ve been here. But I imagine something like three days! We basically sleep and wake up and sleep and wake. As soon as Taylor wakes up, He finds a toy and immediately plays! I’ve spent the last three days trying to make sure that in addition to Taylor, all of our stuff makes it with us wherever we go. And there have been many moments on the go...a new destination and new hotel evert night so far. In the past it was quite simple... watch my bags, which are quite sedentary. I’m usually just responsible for a couple valuable items, all of which are replaceable. Now, in my care, are 3 bags and a moving child. So my eyes are constantly moving and wondering and watching. I think that’s the most exhausting part. If I lost a bag it would be really frustrating but manageable. It goes without saying Taylor is the priority! But that still leaves me glancing back every so often, towards my bags. Glancing at the airport cart, glancing into the taxi as my bags get thrown
Puppy love
What are the chances our first “home” here hosts a tiny puppy!!in, glancing in the corner of the hotel lobby to count...1, 2...ahh Taylor ran off again! I feel like my eyes are just constantly jumping and I’m looking forward to moving to our more permanent dwelling and settling there for a while. At least then I’ll only have a moving child to watch!
Day 5
I’m a mother. My mind has cleared and come to this realizations several times since Taylor’s birth. But mostly it’s so foggy, my brain just continues on, my body in survival mode, keeping this little being alive. And now again, suddenly, I watch him sleeping next to me in this room that’s foreign but comfortable enough to us, in this country he already loves. And I realize, I am a mother. In India. I am not just a lone, wandering traveler. I am a mother. I am offering my son an opportunity that will leave an impression on him, whether he has memories of it or not. And I look around at all the other foreign babies here and notice the women near them are their mothers. Motherhood is not unique to me. Yet I feel special. Maybe it’s the luck of being the
mother to THIS boy. I can’t pinpoint it. But somehow, despite knowing that in many ways I’m having the same experience as all other mothers, I feel fortunate. I feel blessed. I feel as though I am the only one experiencing this miracle.
Day 8:
Only took 5 days for Taylor to adjust to the time change. Which is crazy cuz it usually takes me longer!! He is already sleeping through the night (minus his 1 wake up to nurse) otherwise he’s sleeping better than at home! Going to sleep easily. Napping twice a day...He seems to have adjusted seamlessly to Indian life. We have an apartment...a perfect one...although only for 5 days. And then we move next door for a month...although the landlady and I are conspiring on how to convince the girls who booked this place to switch with me. Since we both love that our boys who are the same age, play so well together. They spend at least half their day playing, despite having never met and not speaking the same language. His older sister often watches them as I cook lunch or clean up after a meal. We’ve found our Goan family! We go
back to visit the hut on the beach we stayed in our first 2 nights so Taylor can visit his puppy and the first (adult) friend he made here. An adorable twenty something guy who carries Taylor around and chases after the beach dogs with him. Taylor takes off, barking after the dogs, calling to them, as they run further away from him! Inevitably a different dog or bird distract him and he runs in the other direction, back towards me. On his way he waves at all the people watching him. Our walks to the beach (because the only apartments here with kitchens are not directly on the beach) bring us along the main road where all the shops and restaurants sit. He waves at every shop owner and yells at every cow! The interesting part is He says hi to every Indian. The Indian tourists as well. Yells and waves frantically if they don’t notice him right away. But Not the foreigners. He ignores them. Even when they wave to him! Maybe because the Indians are so warm and friendly. Always picking him up and kissing him. THis is not a place for parents who don’t want their
babies touched! I’m grateful he’s older and healthy and I’ve gotten passed the “wash your hands” stage! Because only one person of the 1000’s who’ve touched him, asked first. Most Indian women and men pick him up, punch his cheeks and take his picture. If he’s in his stroller, they stand next to him, one at a time, as each takes a picture with the adorable what the baby. Not quite sure why, but even the men do it. I love that they love babies here and am more than happy to pass him over as I eat or just sit while he’s being entertained. It’s s very new way to be here. I haven’t experienced India as I usually do...since it’s mostly spent protecting, entertaining and feeding Taylor...rather than myself! But in those few moments I actually get to enjoy the sea or the scenery, I am so grateful to be here. And enjoy every minute of seeing Taylor explore his new environment, play with new friends and swim in the ocean everyday.
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Peggy
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Pleasure to read
So glad this voyage is working out for you Great that Taylor adjusts so well. ENJOY!! Peggy XO