Wednesday 12 March 2014
This is a golden day – when Kieran Douglas Knights Shah ( our grandson) was born early in the morning at 5.17 am of Wednesday 12 March 2014 in Toronto- weighing 7 lb 10 oz. His father (my son Sunir) and his mother (Shannon – the daughter of Douglas Knights ) are so thrilled – now they have a ” millionaire ” family – a daughter Maya ( 2 years +) and now a son Kieran.
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A write-up after his Ba/Bapuji had gone to Toronto on Friday 14 March 2014 and returned back to Deep River on Friday 21 March 2014 – a tremendously fabulous week with Kieran, Maya and their parents.
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Kieran Douglas Knights Shah
Born – on Wednesday 12 March 2014
Came home from hospital (in Toronto) on Thursday 13 March 2014
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Ba/Bapiji got call from the Sunnybrook Hospital – by Shannon & Sunir at about 6.00 am on Wednesday 12 March 2014 – announcing the arrival of Kieran in the family. They also phoned other relations including Kieran’s Nina foi and SunjayFuva in Mackey . All were excited. Bapuji was up that morning and he did a pirouette and a dance jump to express his happiness.
e-mail from Shannon dated March-14-14 11:16 AM announcing ” its a boy “
” Dear family,
Sunir and I are thrilled to welcome our son, Kieran Douglas Knights Shah, into our family. Kieran was born at 5:17am on March 12, weighing 7lb 10oz and measuring 20.5 inches long. He is a beautiful, healthy baby. We came home from the hospital yesterday and are enjoying life as a family of four. Maya is very proud in her new role as big sister, giving her baby brother lots of hugs and trying to show him all her toys. I have attached a few photos from the past couple of days. We look forward to introducing you to Kieran in person soon!
Lots of love,
Shannon, Sunir, Maya and Kieran “
As mentioned in the above e-mail – Shannon/Sunir came home from the hospital on Thursday 13 March 2014 – a day after the delivery. Maya was looked after by her Grandma (maternal grandma in Toronto) when Shannon and Sunir went to the Hospital at wee hour (~ 2.00 a.m) of Wednesday morning . Maya remained a cool girl and visited her new little brother at the hospital during Wednesday late afternoon.
This is what her mom wrote in an e-mail sent at 7.16 pm 12 March 2014
“Maya met her new baby brother this afternoon. She gave him lots of hugs and squishes and then tried to give him a crayon and cover his sleepers in her new stickers! Kieran slept soundly throughout most of the encounter 🙂 “.
Kieran’s grandparents ( maternal) in Toronto and his Heather Auntie and Ryan Uncle visited Kieran at the hospital and pampered him and held him and rocked him in their hands.
This is what his grandma Kathy (maternal) in Toronto expressed posted on the Facebook on 12 March 2014 :
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His Ba/Bapuji (paternal grandparents) – who were ready to go over to Toronto since about a couple of weeks ( waiting for Kieran to come into this world ) decided to drive to Toronto on Friday 14 March 2014.
This gave the parents and Maya a day at home (on Thursday 13 March 2014) by themselves with the baby.
This is what Maya’s dad posted on his Facebook on Friday 14, 2014.
This is when Maya met Kieran for the first time. Maya immediately wanted to share her “Big Sister” present with Kieran by putting her new stickers on Kieran’s sleepers to welcome him to the world.
Needless to say, I was a very happy and proud Daddy to see the two siblings playing together from the first minute together.
P.S. Daddy also got a sticker. ”” withShannon Knights.
Ba/Bapuji arrived at Toronto at about 5.30 pm of Friday 14 March 2014 and immediately were greeted by Kieran and his mom, his dad and his sister Maya (who is 2 + years old). Ba/Bapuji held Kieran in their hands and welcomed him by giving a kiss and a hug to the newest baby in the family .
A great jubilation was shown and Congratulations were passed between family members.
Saturday (15 March) – The family stayed home – Maya cooing the baby brother and also a visit by Grandpa (maternal) for an hour or so. Maya was all excited and wanted to touch her baby brother and pat him and offer him all her favourite stuffed toys.
Sunday (16 March) – There was a dinner party at Kieran’s grandparents home -so all went there in the evening . Some of his relatives from his mother’s side were there to welcome and coddle him .
Also a gift from his grandparents’ church was opened after dinner. That Sunday morning the Shawl Ministry of the Fairlawn Avenue United Church ( to which his grandparents and mom also belong) held a good wishes prayer for welcoming Kieran . This Ministry hold prayers (as and when necessary) as a way ” to convey our love and prayers for members. ” A hand knitted shawl was gifted for Kieran – a shawl knitted by a member of the Church. Signifies and thanks All Mighty God – ” You knitted me in my mother’s womb ” Psalm 139.
Monday (17 March) – this is sixth day of Kieran on this good earth – a special day when Goddess Saraswati ( Goddess of intelligence and learning in Hindu Mythology) would come to write his fate and using this occasion – the baby will be given his name – Kieran. Saraswati is strongly associated with flowing water in her role as a goddess of knowledge.
Also on this auspicious day, in the evening (at 6.30 pm) his Ba ( paternal Grandmother) conducted a ” Namakaran” ceremony .
Note: Maya had gone to her DayCare at about 8.30 a.m and was picked up by her dad at 5.00 p.m – so the whole day she was away from her baby brother . The routine in life has to be maintained .
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Namakaran is one of the most important of the 16 Hindu ‘samskaras’ or rituals. In the Vedic traditional, ‘Namakaran’ (Sanskrit ‘nam’ = name; ‘karan’ = create) is the formal naming ceremony performed to select a newborn’s name.
This is generally a happy ritual – with the tensions of childbirth now over, the family comes together to celebrate the birth of the child with this ceremony.
Note: Generally there are differences/variation in naming ceremony rites between various Hindu/Jain societies and families – but the essence is the same. To have a ritual and to get together as a family and to rejoice the arrival of the newborn – who needs an identity.
The traditional ceremony of naming the baby in the Hindu way is known as the namakaran ceremony. This is a social norm and an important duty of the parents. The naming process creates a bond between the child and the rest of the family, and therefore is a highly auspicious occasion. This ceremony is usually performed on the 6th day (at least in Oshwal Community – to which his dad belongs) after birth though it varies from region to region and custom to custom.
The mother is specially honored because she brought the child into the world. All the relatives and the guests who are present bless the child. The blessings say that the child should grow into being a great person like his renowned forefathers. Though the infant, obviously, does not understand the meaning of the ceremony the parents do; and it helps them to understand the responsibility of bringing up and developing the child into a worthy human being. For others who are present it is a reassuring experience of understanding the dignity and value of human life!
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The Ceremony was carried out at Kieran’s parents’ home in Toronto . His paternal grandparents and his maternal grandparents and his Heather Auntie and Ryan Uncle were present along with his parents and sister Maya. The ceremony was started with first – his Ba – tying a rakhi on Kieran’s wrist, Maya’s hand and his mom’s hand and then on the hand of all female present and after that lighting a diya ( a candle light) in a tray arranged with idols of some of our Hindu divine beings with a photo of Shree Jalaram (our Guardian Angel) in the background.
Note : Rakhi is a ” Thread of Love ” – this ritual of tying a ” rakhi” not only strengthens the bond of love between brothers and sisters, but also transcends the confines of the family.
After the diya was lit, Ba recited/chanted a few prayers in obeisance to various deities. Once the prayers were over, Ba requested Sunir as baby’s dad first to whispers the chosen name (and some words of wisdom ) in the child’s right ear. After that his mom whispered his name and some words of wisdom. After that Maya did at least pat him . This was followed by all relatives present one by one . There was also whispering of his name by phone from Mackey by his Ninafoi, Sunjayfuva, and his cousins Sitara and Sachin.
After the ‘Namakaran ” ceremony , all played and cooed and coddled and held Kieran – this was then followed by a dinner feast -all savouring the moment of this addition to family. A great joyous occasion!
Note:
Kiran \k(i)-ran\ as a boy’s name is pronounced keer-an. It is of Hindi and Sanskrit , and the meaning of Kiran is “beam of light “. – meaning a “ray of hope”.
Kieran \ki(e)-ran\ as a boy’s name is pronounced KEER-en. It is of Irish and Gaelic origin, and the meaning of Kieran is “black”. Name of a saint (sixth century) who was admired for his generosity.
Tuesday (18 March) – This is the day Kieran got his first bath at home – his mom gave the bath but aided and helped by Maya. His first bath after birth was at the hospital .
Wednesday (19 March) – In the morning – after Maya had gone to her DayCare – Kieran went out with his mom to visit his great grandma (Rae – some 94 year old) at her apartment . He made the great grandma very happy and was coddled, patted and blessed by her.
The same day – in the afternoon he accompanied his mom to visit one of her friends .
Wednesday (19 March) – What a social being Kieran has turned out to be – he accompanied his mom to a Mother’s Group meeting in the morning and had an appointment in the afternoon with his pediatrician – where he was medically examined and found to be growing normally . Oh! he is perfect baby – all loved by his parents, his sister and grandparents – from Toronto and Deep River.
At 5.00 pm he went out again and accompanied his mom to pick up Maya from her DayCare . Maya had a great time – show and tell about her brother to all her little friends of her age . They all gawked at Kieran – all admiring the little fellow.
Thursday (20 March) – This day was unusual – he had another type of social experience – he accompanied his parents for a walk around the neighborhood – he being in a stroller – his first . He had the ambience of a coffee shop ( the Second Cup ) on the Yonge Street and general city life on the street.
Friday ( 21 March) – His Ba/Bapuji left for Deep River after spending a week with him and his sister Maya. Ba/Bapuji held him, cooed him and patted him and just admired his strength and smiles and his wandering eyes picking up all that needs to know. His long fingers and tiny well balanced nose and ears and fluid delightful eyes – just were refreshing and joyful to the seniors of the family.
Kieran’s Toronto granddad came over to visit him and the guests from Deep River on Friday morning before Ba/Bapuji left for Deep River. All said farewell. Kieran was held and hugged before departure at 10.40 am Maya had said her goodbyes earlier prior to her going to the Daycare.
Well, Kieran remained busy after that playing and be with his parents . In the afternoon , he accompanied his mom to “Mom and baby yoga” at the Fairlawn Neighbourhood Centre on Friday afternoon.
Saturday (22 March) – According to phone talk with his parents – this day he along with his sister Maya went for a visit to the neighborhood library – to a kiddie program .
Then after that in the afternoon – the footprints of his tiny feet were taken by his parents for posterity .
A great week for a new born in Toronto – hitting the world running – no time for just lying around doing nothing.
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Friday – 21 March 2014 – When Kieran’s Ba/Bapuji arrived in Deep River – the kids Sitara and Sachin came over to their nana/nani with their parents (after their outing for skiing) – to get ready to go to a party in Deep River – at one of their parents’ friend’s home.
They did the same thing on Saturday ( 22 March) but the kids were not going to a party but were to be baby-sat by Soli’s young son (Hiten) in Deep River while the parents did go to a party in Deep River . This day they (the kids) had dinner at nana/nani home . However, Sachin was not feeling well and he did not eat much. Because he was not feeling well – they did not go for skiing – which was originally planned.
Sunday 23 March 2014 – This day was a bit sad as Sachin did not take any food – no temperature but not feeling well. So the parents decieded that he should taken to ER at Deep River Hospital – by his mom and Sitara and Sunjay went to Mount Martin for skiing. Well, it became clear that ER could not find anything -thus it was recommended to take Sachin to Ottawa Sick Kid (CHEO) Hospital – which the parents did. Sitara was dropped at nana/nani home for the evening and to have a sleep over at her nana/nani home -while parents were in Ottawa. Sitara did her home work first with her nana and then with her nani.
They (Sachin and his parents) returned from CHEO late in the night (early Monday morning) – Sachin just had a constipation problem – otherwise all was okay . What a relief ! Sachin went home to Mackey with his dad and his mom dropped over at Deep River at his nana/nani home – where she slept with Sitara (in Sitara’s bed).
Friday 28 March 2014
Today was an award giving day at Mackenzie for Kindergarten classes . Sitara was awarded a Certificate for showing initiative in her class. Her parents and grandparents attended the event held in the Childs Audirorium at Mackenzie Community School building .
Saturday 29 March 2014
Maya’s dad posted on his Facebook : A great bonding between father and daughter.
“ I’ve reached a new developmental milestone! I successfully went to the bathroom. Maya was so proud of me, she gave me a sticker.
And because I don’t have a potty sticker chart, she was kind enough to offer to use hers instead.”
To that :
Maya’s Bapuji ( Sunir’s dad) posted a witty remark –
” I was wondering when this milestone will be reached. Now I can relax. Maya has certified that which i cannot dispute. Just fun note.“
And also Maya’s Grandma ( Shannon’s mom) Kathy wrote: ” No potty chart? Poor thing. I will make you a nice one with robots.“
This became a hilarious family fun thing -shared by all.
Saturday 29 March 2014
Maya’s (& Kieran’s) Grandma (Kathy) posted on her Facebook a photo with the following explanation :
Gran Rae has a visit from her youngest great-grandchildren, Maya (2 1/2) and Kieran (2 weeks). ”” with Shannon Knights.
Shannon’s friend Erica wrote – Love that invisible thread connecting the oldest to the youngest generation. Thanks you for sharing this.
Bapuji mentioned that ” It was so charming and uplifting”
Monday 31 March 2014
This is what Kieran’s Bapuji sent on e-mail (subject Title – Olark’s Fast Move) on this day to Kieran’s family :
Hi
I was going through the album recently made of Kieran’s photos (of his 1st
week on this good earth) – album made by Kieran’s Ba and SitaraCousin.
Lo behold – what I found !
I guess I should have spotted that before when I held Kieran- when in
Toronto.
Here is a baby only a week old – and Olark struck fast – dressing Kieran
with a red Onsie (one piece suit) -with OLARK logo on it.
Its a competetive world out there – catch a prospective customer as soon as
possible – even when only 1 week old.
Well, Kieran seems to be comfortable in the Olark Onsie.
I guess Kudos to Olark and its Marketing Manager !!!!!!!
regards
Kieran’s Deep River Grandfather (Bapuji)
Note: as proof – I have enclosed two photos – Kieran
modelling -showcasing – Olark’s red Onsie .
To that his Grandma, Kathy (in Toronto ) responded on 3 April 2014 as below:
Great photos of the Olark Family, three generations together! Very cute.
Thanks.