Regular readers of my blog know I had a second baby this summer. They also know that it is the first summer I stayed home with the now-school-going-daughter. One afternoon as we sat on the bed reading while the baby slept nearby, I asked her how she felt about having a sibling. Her face lit up and she said in a rush “Finally I got a brother amma!” and proceeded to plant a rather wet kiss on his face, waking him up dutifully.
“Okay, so we just have to do this for another 7 years right? One baby every summer for the next seven years and we’ll be done.” I said putting my book down for the umpteenth time to soothe the baby. (I don’t know why I bother trying to read really.) She dropped her book and shrieked “WHAT?”
“What? My grandmother had nine children. So….”
“My god! NINE children? She had a baby, gave inga, had a baby, gave inga – that is all she did?” (“Inga” is her talk for breastfeeding and I think she said ‘had a baby, gave inga’ nine times for clarity)
I laughed at her extreme reaction and thought of my lovely grandmother again. Her dimple, the gray hair that she pulled into a tight knot and the nine yard saree. “One yard for each child” she said as she hopped, skipped and jumped while tying her nine-yard saree. My simple brain asked her why she didn’t just switch to a six yard saree then and she gave me a vibrant laugh as an answer.
I have been thinking of her almost everyday since I had my little Tucky. I love babies, but I will also sigh at the amount of work (This… when I am lucky enough to have diapers, washing machines and help from parents) The poor lady had nine children one after the other, and the rigour of it all may have ruined her intestines, but did nothing to diminish her love for children. She still loved talking to us.
The only thing she ever asked of us was to massage her legs and I feel so guilty that I did not indulge her enough.
A friend had posted this link on the effect having children has on us and I couldn’t agree more.
http://www.codinghorror.com/blog/2011/10/on-parenthood.html
As we celebrate the 7 billion mark on 31st Oct along with Halloween, let’s hope Mother Earth remains bountiful and as accommodating to her most demanding species.
PS: I really need to get my diagrams-act together. Any pointers appreciated.
Nourish-n-Cherish 
Poor paati, I used to beg off massaging her legs saying my own ‘little’ hands were aching! I now understand (kinda!) what happens to women in the process of making children!
Coming from our illustrious family (9+7) and G’s family (12+6), we should be well versed in these matters, but sadly 1st hand experience is the only teacher here!
I loved the article you’ve linked, it’s simply superb!
Iit is true right? Babies ruin everything in the nicest possible way!
Nope – do NOT change the way you do your diagrams – they are honest and refreshing.
Da Vinci we don’t need here.
LOL! Loved the She had a baby, gave inga, had a baby, gave inga” – cycle – words of wisdom from a 4 year old!
Thanks Anu 🙂 One of my friends asked me if I got Keena to do my diagrams and I had to sheepishly say hers are better than mine!
LOL! Good one…both my grannies had eight each plus a few they lost…phew!!!!
Hey, why does the baby on her hip have a tail? 🙂
🙂 I meant to draw all of them with tails because they were so naughty, but then decided to draw only on the last one. You are the only one who spotted it so far! Thanks *grin*
Your dotter sounds lovely!!! :–) I would have also reacted the same way, really, disbelief only.
Loved the article! 51-49 indeed!
Ya LOVE your diagrams :–D
Thanks SK 🙂
You could potentially draw on paper and scan it.
Yes Manu….I think I should do that. I guess I am marginally better at paper and pencil than the mouse MS paint!
Even I wanted to have a cricket team of my own, but stopped after only one………
The stand-by is most important – thanks for stopping by giribala