The past week was a first for us in a certain way – I had to do international trip and left Veer behind with his dad. Now, I have traveled internationally when Veer was a little baby but he was a lot less mobile, slept most of the day and his maternal grandmom was around to help. Veer goes to full time day care so he would be occupied most of the day during the week. But these guys had a couple of weekends without mom and that was what I was most nervous about.
I have traveled for 27 years before Veer appeared in the picture. However, the whole time I was travelling I had the feeling that I was missing something, and I was - No stroller, diaper bag, medicines or toys!!!! Going through the dreaded (and terribly, terribly, terribly slow!!) security check was a breeze and was completed in around 15 minutes (Most of which involved watching slow and incompetent travelers one of whom had a whole pineapple in his hand luggage!!) On the flight, I was able to actually watch inflight entertainment (OK, I slept the whole 20 hour flight to and from India).
I missed my baby, my fellow traveler. I missed his curious questions; I missed observing old things in a new way through his eyes. When he and I went to India earlier this year, everything was a new and awesome experience. He was curious about the planes, the train ride between terminals, his ability to watch lungi dance on the tv in front of his seat, autos in Chennai, cows on the road – All the stuff I take for granted and run with…
I missed my baby!!
And here is what Dad had to say:
Mahathi was out on a whirlwind trip to India last week and it was just Veer and I. I would say that the entire operation was a success but slightly tiring on some days. Weekdays were easier than weekends, since both of us had full days. Veer kind of understood that it was just the two of us and cooperated well.
Preparing his lunch was the key. I wrote down things on a sheet of paper what I wanted to pack and followed it. Cannot forget the water bottle, cannot forget the main course. I didn't forget to give him his shoes since they started play ball last week. But I completely forgot that he needed his crocs. Veer ended up using a girl's pink sandals!
But we had a lot of fun. Each evening we made sure we did something fun. One day we went to Friendly's for ice cream. Another day to the local reservoir to watch the waterbirds. We ate Popsicle with Tony thatha and Tazzie bow-bow.
My biggest fear was if he fell sick, but luckily no such thing happened.
Dropping him earlier than usual was challenging for him a bit: he had to get up earlier. Pick up was not too bad. I was able to leave earlier (had no meetings scheduled later in the day). I think he enjoyed his time with me as well.
