Sunday 7 August 2011
Maya Jashoda Knights Shah was born at 2.29 p.m in Toronto (Mount Sinai Hospital)on Sunday 7th August 2011. The expectant mother Shannon (& Sunir) were driven to hospital by Heather (Shannon’s sister) & Ryan. The baby weighed 6 lbs 9 ozs. at birth. Her length = 20 inches.
She is our 3rd (third) grandchild and 1st (first) for our son (Sunir) & his wife Shannon.
Welcome dear Maya . You are the divine representative of the Goddess and came in this world with high hopes and agenda to make everyone – all those with whom you will get acquinted in this world- happy.
There is so much joy in our hearts . There is excitement and our feet off the floor making happy dancing moves. Sitara, your cousin sister is so excited – she just wanted to express her happiness – which she did on the phone to her nana/nani . She says “She (Maya) is a girl and I am so happy”. She likes the name Maya and immediately made musical ” Maya -Aaya” lyrics. When Sitara was infant and when she started to talk -she used to call herself Aaya (instead of Sitara).
We are looking forward to hold you in our bosom and hug and kiss you and just coddle you. When we come there by car (driving) on Monday from Deep River – we will ‘meet & greet’ and dance the joy of our heart.
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On Monday (8 Aug 2011), we (the grandparents) left Deep River to travel to Toronto to hold and hug our granddaughter – born a day before. We arrived at Toronto about 5.00 pm and while contacting Sunir we noted that they were still at Mount Sinai Hospital (Room 1035) – baby and mother not discharged as yet. So we went to the hospital directly and parked the car on Murray street (The hospital being at 600 University Av).
After parking the car, we went into the hospital from back door – only a minute and across the road from the parking spot . We were told by the receptionist at the ground floor that Shannon Knights and baby were at 10th floor -Room 1035. When we arrived on 10th floor, looking for the Room 1035, we bumped into Heather (Shannon’s sister) who was also coming to visit (she works at the hospital in a building next door)-this helped us getting navigated faster to the room. The baby was with Sunir when we arrived in the room. She is a doll. So calm and just enjoying daddy’s cuddle.
And we (grandpa & grandma) hugged and kissed and expressed our utter delight. Both parents were fine though a bit tired for lack of sleep thru the night. But they were just preppy and happy. After sometime, Kathy (Shannon’s mom) also arrived by subway. We just congratulated each other for such a nice bundle of joy amongst us.
(( Note: Maya’s stem cell repository (from umbilical cord) – with a private establishment -has been established by her parents at the time of the birth.))
Mom & baby were not discharged as yet as blood tests for jaundices etc. were not yet completed.
Everyone was hungry -so it was decided that (as the discharge is delayed) -it may be not a bad idea to bring Take-out food from a restaurant in the area. So Kathy and I went out to grab some food. In the meantime, Doug (Shannon’s dad) had left home (with a baby car seat) to provide transport to the baby , mom & Sunir to their home. . We met Doug downstairs on the Murray Street – our timing seems to be matching.
Kathy and I managed to find an Indian Restaurant (Jodhpuri Indian Restaurant on Baldwin St.) -all others ( Japanese,, Vietnamese, Italian etc ) were found not suitable. We got take-out food from the Indian Restaurant and brought this to the room- where we had a meal -all standing & scattered in the room -with baby being held by Doug (her grandpa) – who did not partake in the meal as he had eaten earlier at home before coming out to the Hospital. While we were out getting the food, the discharge instructions ( for the baby and mom) were received. After dinner- all was packed up, Maya was placed in her Car seat and then they (Shannon, Sunir & Maya ) were driven home (on Woburn Av.) by Doug and Kathy.
We (grandpa and grandma – now Ba & Bapuji ) came separately to the house. We were a tad bit earlier -so were able to welcome Maya to her home.
Maya was brought in the house and her Ba & Bapuji were in the house to welcome her. She just took in the atmosphere of her home and was “just cool”.
Both sets of grandparents were present to welcome her along with her parents. Appropriate photos were taken for memory. After sometime, her Erica Auntie (Shannon’s sister) arrived (we call her “masi” – a Guajarati title for a mother’s sister).
Again more photos were taken . Erica had brought gifts for Maya and mom. These were opened and gifts from both the grandparents were also opened and enjoyed. Beautiful greeting cards welcoming the baby were also read out and then placed on the fireplace mantle in the living room.
After that tea & desert (cake baked by Maya’s Ba ) were consumed with happy merriment by all for having such a lovely girl in the family.
Doug and Kathy left to return back to their cottage (some 1 1/2 hour drive). Erica left too and we remainder settled down. The baby was comfortable and have taken in the home -which will be hers for ages.
Next day (Tuesday 9 August)
John & Lydia-from Ottawa- came over to visit and Congratulate Sunir & Shannon for being new parents and welcome dear Maya – They brought a booster seat (Fisher & Price) as a gift and some breakfast pastry etc.
All had great time relishing the occasion and just coddling and loving the baby. After some time, all had breakfast with coffee ( coffee made by Sunir) and camaraderie continued till after noon -after that John & Lydia left to go to a cottage (at Georgian Bay).
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This day she (Maya) had her first hic-cups after being born.
Her Great grandma (Rae) and her great Aunt Pat visited her in the evening.
She also gave everyone (especially the parents) relief and comfort by having all her body functions completed – which kind of proved that she is feeding herself well.
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On Wednesday (10 Aug 2011), Maya’s parents took her to visit her paediatrician. Her first after birth . She got to sit in her Bapuji’s car for this outing. They were gone at 11.30 am for noon appointment.
This day Maya was found sucking her thumb and fingers -a comfort action by babies.
She is a night owl for her first days in the world. She sleeps well during day and also if she is held.
However she did sleep in the bassinet well.
On Wednesday at 3.00 p.m. – her parents and her Bapuji took her out for “a stroll on the street” – around the block which encompass the Yonge Street . After that her parents took her to Doug/Kathy home ( her maternal grandparents) to meet with Erica (her Aunt) while Bapuji returned home. Unfortunately her aunt was not there as she had left to visit Maya.
Towards evening, her Bapuji got an opportunity to hold Maya in his arms and coddled her for an hour and a half. After dinner she was cozy and slept well
On Thursday (5th day-11 August 2011)
Maya accompanied her aunt Erica and mom to Starbucks for about 45 minutes. She found many admirers for her there.
On Friday ( 12 August 2011) , it was Maya’s “Chhathi” day (sixth day after birth) . The “Chhatti” ceremony was conducted . The “Chhatti” in Hinduism is one where it is said God writes the child’s fate.
Her aunt Erica came to join Maya’s parents and Ba/Bapuji to participate in the ceremony. The Grandma (Ba) conducted the ceremony. Ba recited prayers to God Almighty for Maya’s gift to us and seeking blessings for her well being and good upbringing.
After that she whispered blessings in Maya’s ears and rolling her over on the blanket laid on the dining table so Maya faces the lighted candle – and her fate is being written by the Goddess. Then her mom rolled her on the blanket and whispered in her ear the name given – Maya Jashoda Knights Shah. This was then followed by her dad. Her Aunt Erica gave her blessings . Then her Bapuji also whispered his blessings.
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At the end of the ritual ceremony, Ba gave the following background:
” The Knights/Shah family is blessed with a little Angel on Sunday August 7, 2011 at 2.29 p.m at Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto, ON, Canada.
This little Angel is to-day blessed by Goddess Saraswati – the Goddess of learning and knowledge
The proud parents Shannon Knights and Sunir Shah the father have chosen the name ” Maya Jashoda Knights Shah” for their little girl. We the gathered relatives, Aunt Erica, Angel’s Granddad, Grandma, mom and Dad give our heartfelt blessings to our little Maya.
We wish you happiness, good health, prosperity, joy, and love forever. may you rock and roll in all that is good in life.
Love ”
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Maya was showered with lots of gifts from grandparents – all in pink hue. Also she got a pink piggy bank and a RESP cheque for her first RESP. Grandpa (Bapuji) also gave a nice doll as a companion to Maya while growing up.
There was a tad bit of incident -a sort of fireworks -with a gift wrapping paper-which got ignited when brushed against (accidently) the candle light. This was extinguished quickly – spreading few ashes on the floor.
This kind of enlivened the ceremony with excitement tripping over.
Maya is a cool girl -she took all the ceremonial things and gifts in her small strides with contentment and happiness in her heart.
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After the ceremony – after some time playing and coddling the baby – Ba & Bapuji left for Deep River at 11.30 am (on Friday 12 August 2011) and arrived there at about 8.00 pm -having spent an hour and a half at Mackey with Sitara and Sachin (Maya’s cousin sister and cousin brother). Sitara -being 4 year old- was very excited to hear about Maya – she was so happy to have a cousin sister.
They telephoned Sunir/Shannon at about 8.00 pm to let them know of safe arrival in Deep River. At about that time Sunir mentioned that they had just given bath to Maya – her first at home.
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On Sunday ( 14 August 2011), Ba/Bapuji distributed sweets to friends in Deep River to celebrate Maya’s arrival amongst us. Some remained to be delivered in the coming days .
Also on phone talking to Shannon, at about 9.30 pm Sunday- we found that they had just come from dinner at Doug/Kathy’s place in Toronto – this is first for Maya for an outing for dinner (at her grandparents home).
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Words of Wisdom:
The excitement of experiencing the miracle of birth can hardly be described. But once the initial euphoria settles down, the mind draws toward all sorts of worries that accompany the joy of parenthood. At the top of this list is the responsibility of raising the innocent child you bring into this world as a decent human being.
How do you raise a child to be ambitious, but not crafty or greedy? How do you teach her to view success and achievement as a means to render public service and do some good in life, and not as an end in itself that justifies the employment of all means fair and foul? How do you teach her that the quantum of power and influence that she seeks to acquire as a consequence of professional success is less important than what she plans to do with it?
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Thursday 18 August to Sunday 21 August 2011
Maya got her first experience of the Canadian cottage life – when her parents brought her to Shannon’s parents’ cottage near Toronto (at Muskoka) -where she spent 3 nights – resplendent in summer clothes during the day and also trying out giant size sun glasses . She was darling of all there – her grandparents, great grandparents (Knights) and aunts .
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Thursday 25 August 2011
Bapuji was pleasntly surprised when he went to the Deep River post office to check his postal box for any mail. There was this lone letter for him. It was a letter by our loving baby “Maya” – of course written by her mommy – expressing what Maya may be thinkig in her tiny mind.
Here is the content of the letter (written on pink writing paper):
” Dear Ba & Bapuji
Thank you for welcoming me into the world. I loved cuddling with you and playing with you. Thanks for all the nice presents … you are spoiling me already. I’m going to look so cute in all my pink outfits! Thank you so much for the piggybank & the RESP. You are going to help me grow big & smart!
Lots of love , Maya xoxo “
Oh! Maya , what a lovely letter with such sentiments . You are our family and newest member. Cuddling you was our height of happiness . We are so pleased to have you along with your cousin sister Sitara and cousin brother Sachin – all of you give us a continuity in this world . You give us a reason to live and enjoy life and your growth and successes. Bapuji & also Ba.
On thye days (Friday 26 August 2011 to Sunday 28 August 2011) , Maya had visitors from Mackey . Her cousin sister Sitara & cousin brother Sachin came to visit (along with their parents).Maya was cuddled , held, hugged and kissed by Sitara – who was just ecstatic to see her . Sachin also was mesmerised by looking at the baby.
So far – as we understand (by telecon) from Maya’s parents – that Maya has had a subway rides 4 times – since the day she was born on 7 August 2011. The last time she went by subway was to attend a dinner party ( Fan Expo program) on Saturday (27 August 2011) – and joined her cousin sister Sitara and cousin brother Sachin (who were with their parents) Others in the group were Dhanuka/Arun as well as Priyanka/Aman.
Sunday 4 September 2011This day ( in the evening about 8.00 p.m ) we had phone conversation with Maya’s parents. The following is a summary of that conversation :At about the last week of August , Maya started to focus (aiming her eyes) and seeing things of interest to her. She also started grabbing and holding things such as her rattle . Her grip is getting firm and good.
This day (Sunday 4 September) she has started to take interest in drawing of patterns – especially on a book .She touches and feels the book for about 20 seconds at a time.
These days Maya goes out for a walk with her proud dad ( of course Maya being in the stroller). She is also beginning to play with the Activity Umbrella – attached to her crip (one side) but overhaging in the crib. She hits on the ‘monkey” figure on the Activity Umbrella.
She has become a trendy ‘urbane girl” in her short life – went to restaurants at least 3 times so far – of course she chooses her own special meals ( breast feeding) . She has visited Star Bucks numerous times when going outdoors for a walk with her mom.
Maya has also gone to a movie with her mom ( along with her mom’s friend and her baby) last Thursday 2011 Sept 1 at the Rainbow Cinema- near St. Lawrence Market – movie especially run for moms & children.
She is also a good hostess at home – when visitors come to meet and coddle her.
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Tuesday 6 September 2011
This day became a special one for Maya . Her 1st month birhday is next day ( 7 September 2011) as she was born on 7 August 2011. But her Ba & bapuji celebrated her 1st month birthday to-day as her Ba/ Bapuji were to travel to Ottawa next day for her Ba’s medical appointment.
This lunch was the brainchild of one of her nana’s bridge (card game) players/partners (Anne from Pembroke) – when he goes to play in Petawawa ”” to celebrate one month birthday of Maya (Sitara”™s cousin – daughter of her ShannonMami & SunirMama). Maya was born on 7 August 2011 in Toronto. There were also other bridge players ( Fran & Bernice from Deep River) who joined in the lunch to celebrate.
During lunch Sitara and Sachin joined their nana/nani,their mom to a lunch at the local Restaurant ( situated with the local PetroCanada Gas Station) . This ocassion also became celebration of Sitara”™s first day at school. This is a step up in her life . Our grandchild is growing up and fast. Both Sitara and Sachin enjoyed the lunch and remembering Maya.
Maya’s Ba ( and that include her bapuji also) got congratulations , gifts and cards (from her nana’s bridge partners) for her birthday celebration . It was a joyous moment.
Both her Ba and Bapuji expressed heartfelt appreciation for her nana’s bridge partners’ gesture and warmth .
Wednesday 7 September 2011 – Maya is 1 month old to-day (born on 7 August 2011)
Maya’s mom sent the following information ( by e-mail dated 7 September 2011) :
“Maya weighed in at a whopping 9 pounds at the doctor today for her one month check-up! I guess mommy’s milk is pretty yummy 😉
She is now 53 cm long (from 49 at birth) and her head measures 36 cm around (from 33 cm). Not bad for one month of growing!
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Saturday 17 September 2011
This is the day Maya’s Ba & Bapuji came visiting from Deep River. They came in the evening ( having spent a night in Kingston – where her Bapuji was attending an engineering conference ) and to stay for a week – to enjoy Maya’s charm and infant cooing.
This is the day Maya took her first baby bottle ( of course with her mommy’s milk) and thus now she can be fed away from her mother . She is slowly becoming independent from her birth emotions.
Note: These days weather being mostly bright, sunny and clear – Maya is taken out for a walk by her mom everyday – Maya being in a stroller.
Sunday 18 September 2011
This day Maya, her parents and her Ba/Bapuji were invited for a dinner at Maya’s maternal Grandparents (Kathy & Doug) home. They were joined by Maya’s auntie Heather and her boyfriend , Ryan.
This day is also a special one in Maya’s life. Maya took a soother ( in fact a soother which was attached to a toy Giraffe) in her mouth for the first time .
Note: From this week – starting tomorrow (Monday) Maya goes out for one or another program (when these are offered in the neighborhood) – mom/toddler programs or moms meeting together while babies are watched/enjoyed by the moms who come for a group gathering.
Monday 19 September 2011 – Maya went with her mom for a toddler (infant) music program . She spent about 40 minutes at the music program – seems to enjoy it. She apparently seems to have enjoyed/preferred “hot” songs and not too slow ones.
Tuesday 20 September 2011 – As per her daily routine (after Maya & her mom came home from a “toddler-mom” gathering in the neighborhood) , Maya went for a walk in the afternoon with her mom – joined by her Ba . Her Bapuji had gone to play cards ( Bridge Duplicate game) at a neighborhood club – Regal- St. Clair Bridge Club located at Lawrence Plaza on Lawrence Av.
In the evening after her Bapuji returned from his card playing- he played with Maya and then let her play by herself on the living room sofa. She enjoyed this separation and seem to have found her space and played by herself for about 20 minutes or so. She even did not look at her dad -who had just come from work and wanted to coddle Maya much. But she continued cooing and playing by herself.
This day she got to enjoy new experience . She was allowed into the blue Swing-o-matic – she enjoyed her swing ( sideways) and then went to sleep for a while. What a girl!
Wednesday 21 September 2011
This is the day Maya had great occurrences . First in the morning she was taken to a clinic in Don Mils Roads area by her mom and her Bapuji (in Bapuji’s 2010 Toyota Corolla car) for ” Hearing test” . This test is requrement for all infants after birth – mostly done at the hospital where babies are born but Maya missed that at the hospital – so she had to go to the clinic. The tests took only a couple of minutes and of course she was found okay in hearing.
After lunch , all (the family – Maya, her parents and her Ba/Bapuji) drove to Niagara Falls and Niagara-on-the-Lake for a visit to Maya’s Ba/Bapuji’s old friends – also these friends had been like uncle/auntie to her dad when he was born and growing up. Maya’s dad had been born In Niagara Falls in the year 1979.
First stop was in Niagara Falls to see Elly – she is the wife of our good friend Tony (who passed away a couple of years ago) . Elly is in a “Home” and seems comfortable – though she would prefer a different “Home” where she could communicate with others freely . Most residents here are somewhat mentally challenged -as the “Home” is conceived to look after them – and subsidised by the Government too.
After that we drove to see the great and mighty Falls – – the drive to the NF was in rain and the drive to the Falls was cloudy and rainy but we saw both American & Canadian Falls clearly. Maya being enconsced in her car seat – she was not brought out as the weather was unfortunately inclement. We also took a drive around the Dufferin Island – where both Maya’s dad & her Auntie Nina used to go for fun and paddle boating when they were kids growing up in Niagara Falls (of course taken there by Maya’s Ba/Bapuji)
After the tour of the mighty and famous Falls, the family then drove to Niagara-On-The-Lake – this was to meet with Martha & Genero – our good friends from many decades. We had great dinner (Martha had prepared an Indian menu – dal, rice & Cauliflower melange).
Maya just be – not quite awake but a bit tired . She let the family had a relaxed time with their freinds – with only minor distractions from her.
All drove back to Toronto arriving at about 11.00 pm – it was cloudy – rains had stopped. Maya slept through – both when going and coming.
Note: On Wednesdays- Maya’s dad is on paternity absence from office . This will be until the end of 2011 – Christmas time .
Thursday 22 September 2011
This day Maya to a program for babies with her mom.
Friday 23 September 2011
This day Maya’s Ba/Bapuji returned to Deep River after spending time with her and her parents . It was really a very enchanting and enjoyable time .
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Our Maya and Naya family
Our Maya and Aaya (Sitara)
Pravin Shah