Sunday, February 7, 2010

Hi ho, hi ho, it's off to work I go

Talk about reality check - it's finally hit me that I'm returning to work tomorrow. When I planned my leave, six months off seemed like ages but it hasn't been and I'm not ready. But will I ever be? The boys are so much fun that I don't want to leave, but we're only on one income and it's mine so I have zero choice. But how am I going to fit work in when I'm constantly behind with housework and studying and everything as it is? And what on earth am I going to wear?!? My plan of living in shorts and tracksuits was great and I've thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it, but in reality it's meant that my butt has expanded as I haven't been squeezing myself into anything to realise exactly how slack I've been. My feet are also going to be protesting loudly as I've worn Birkenstock's or just gone bare foot since August. I've so enjoyed my never-ending summer as we missed most of winter last year when we were in India for the boys birth, so having no shoes on has been a valid option. And one that I've happily continued since being home again (as you take your shoes off when you enter a building in most places in Mumbai).

Think I better go find my work bag and the ironing board and all of those things that I put away a life time ago. Including my make-up bag. Never thought I'd ask this, but can I even remember how to apply mascara?? And where's my watch and engagement/wedding ring? Next is to track down my carry-on suitcase as I'm flying interstate on Tuesday. But first I'm going to put together a HUGE pile of photos as I won't be able to turn around and look at H&D anytime I want. Just got a bit teary typing that...

The jump room

So much for having one child in the swing while the other one jumped - we now have two jumping frames! Alex loves jumping onto the blue rubber mats as it makes a great thud noise while Taj's favourite is the music mat as we have it set to funny noises every time he lands on the blue feet in the middle. Yet another room in this house overtaken by these two.

Friday, February 5, 2010

Um, where's Alex??

Nik gave me the "you're required" three rings on my phone at 5:55am this morning (I was zzz'ing in bed, he was crashed on the lounge with the video monitors) as someone was stirring. So I staggered out, took note that there were no little people sleeping in their chairs in the lounge room with dad and tried to focus on the monitor to see if I needed to go get someone or if they were just tossing and turning in their sleep. My "um, where's Alex??" question resulted in Nik bounding off the lounge and racing down to their room within a split second. Turns out the little devil not only rolled onto his belly in his cot (even in his sleeping bag), he then somehow manoeuvred all the way down so he was well and truly stuck at the base of the cot and there was no way he could roll back over - all out of view of the camera. So yes honey Taj was stirring, but that's probably because his brother was just about screaming the house down by this point and they do share a room.

Random recent photos - play time, story time and squirmy cuddle time:

Who knew a clown nose from the $2 shop could be so much fun!


Giggle time with dad


No, I don't have enough things to play with - Taj

Alex multi tasking - tummy time while reading

Sunday, January 31, 2010

And more twins

Congratulations also goes to Todd and Alper (from the US) on the birth of their twin boys, as well as Niels and Alexander (from Europe) who are celebrating the arrival of their pigeon pair all this week. Is there something in the water in Mumbai?!? Things are looking GREAT for you Kerrie and Mandy!!!!

Friday, January 22, 2010

New twins

A huge congratulations to Deb and her husband on the arrival of their pigeon pair in Mumbai last Wednesday. Alya was out first and weighed 2.45kg, while little brother Zaal was 2.18kg. Two very healthy babies who didn't require any time in NICU at all - well done everyone. Still can't believe your surrogate made it to 36 weeks! It's even harder to believe that you've got their birth certificates already. Hopefully the rest of the Australian citizenship process also goes this smoothly.

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Five months

I feel like starting off "I can't believe another month has gone already" but I've decided not to as I'm sure the next 20 years are going to whizz by, let alone the next xx months. Boys are fabulous and are still pure delights. They're both pretty well still on the 120ml feeds (we can occasionally trick Alex into taking more during one of the night feeds when he's three quarters out of it) and feeding is still every three hours or so. Alex has now slept three times for more than five hours overnight but I don't think we can actually claim it as an achievement as the only reason he stayed in bed for so long was me. I am seriously immune to most baby noises they make now and can sleep through just about anything, which is not good when we've had a shift change and I'm in charge. Whoops! Both boys are so busy moving (Alex with the rolling, Taj doing anything he can with us supporting him) that they burp themselves now. Added bonus is we haven't had any projectile vomiting for a few weeks. The boys were weighed yesterday and Alex is now 7.24kg and Taj 6.49kg. They saw the paediatrician last week and he's really pleased with their progress, but we're off to see an opthamologist shortly as Taj's pupils shake before he manages to focus at times. Looks like it's just another prem issue but better to get it checked out to be sure. They had their four month immunisations last week and were both off colour for a few days, which we think is also due to sore gums. We can't see any teeth poking through just yet but there have definitely been a few red cheeks. And lots of dribble, which is probably also a side affect of them both still loving to suck their fists. Taj was very generous and shoved his hand in Alex's mouth the other day during a play session on the floor, so Alex took the opportunity and had a free suck. Both still have blue eyes but Alex is starting to get some brown flecks in his, so I'm pretty sure his days are numbered. I've got hazel eyes and Nik has green, so it will be interesting to see what colour they both end up with.

I'm back to work in two weeks and am seriously not ready. I feel like I'm constantly behind with uni and housework and exercising and just about everything, so being out of the house for 40+ hours a week is going to prove challenging. I'm definitely having to write lists so I can attempt to get the main things done before I go awol and will be busy selling the next round of things on eBay in an attempt to declutter before I disappear. It's amazing how much stuff the boys already don't use and/or are too big for. Lesson for all parents-to-be: check the maximum weight on equipment before you buy anything. We love our rocker chairs (which the boys just about live in as they get fed in them and nap in them during the day) but only just realised they have a 9kg max weight limit. That's only a six month old baby! Luckily the local second hand baby shop managed to get two of the 'infant to toddler' chairs for me which will last the boys until they're 20kgs, and for only $30 each (new is around $100). We've stolen another idea off you Mel!

Other new purchase is one that Nik was violently opposed to, but is already his favourite - the jolly jumper. Both of the boys just want to be up and you either have to hold them yourself, or get something to do it for you. We elected for the later (as it's going to be a tad hard for Nik to hold both for hours on end when I'm not around) after being advised not to get the exercise saucer things as they can cause spinal issues. Nik wants to know if he can hang them both on the same spring at the same time so he can read the paper undisturbed.... Um, no. You either hang the second kiddo off a door frame or get another free standing frame. The crying that would result after two little heads banged together would not be worth it. And do you really think you're going to have the time to read the paper at all?!?! So here we are, one very happy and one very confused child during their first bouncing session yesterday.

Taj post bouncing session (complete with dribble), Alex ready-ish to go.

Alex spent most of his first session (20mins) trying
to work out who was holding him.

My most favourite shot of boof.

Fun weight lifting for dads.

Impressed Taj - gets to suck the harness while bouncing
(we had it on back to front).

Did the instructions come with warnings about
cute pokey out ears being a potential hazard?

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

DNA testing for Aussie babies-to-be

Just found this on the Australian High Commission in Delhi's website re the compulsory DNA testing our babies born via surrogacy arrangements in India must undergo before being granted Citizenship by Descent (as it proves at least one of the parents is biologically related):

DNA testing - procedure for India Before you leave Australia
1. Choose the laboratory you would like to use – DNALabs or Genetic Technologies.
2. Contact the laboratory and ask about the testing procedure, the expected timeframe for obtaining the results, the cost involved and any other questions you have. The Australian High Commission is unable to provide this information.
3. Arrange for the Australian citizen biological parent to undergo DNA testing in Australia. Note: Australian citizen biological parents should undergo DNA testing in Australia and before travelling to India. Processing delays will result if the Australian citizen biological parent/s undertakes DNA testing while in India. This is because DNA testing of Australian citizen biological parents must be witnessed in New Delhi under the supervision of an Australian Government Official from the Australian High Commission.
4. Decide whether you would like your child to undergo DNA testing in New Delhi or Mumbai.

If you want to do the DNA testing in Mumbai, the current (new) process is you contact a particular doctor for an appointment, fill in a bunch of forms (which you had to do anyway) and take a qualified lawyer or Notary Public to the appointment with you to witness the test and sign some of the paperwork. We have to arrange this person and the Aust HC can't help. The DNA samples will be sent back to Australia for processing the same day.

Citizenship is still processed in Delhi, but the completed application/s can be sent there by courier before the DNA results are back so there may be no need to travel domestically, or it could be a quick day trip is still required for passports (which isn't mentioned). As the process is obviously evolving, keep up to date with the latest by visiting http://www.india.embassy.gov.au/ndli/vm_surrogacy.html regularly.

No idea when they changed the process, but yay!! Common sense finally prevails.