Murali's a great dad

I've been really wanting to dedicate a message to Murali's role in our wonderful journey of parenthood.Just didn't want to sound like I was scratching his back.But I was reading some moms in birth clubs today, about how their partners stay away from the room in which the baby is being fed and how they plug their ears with cotton to avoid disturbed sleep and how they are least interested in what's going on! And I thought, Murali as a partner and dad,definitely is special, so needs mention.

In India, it is customary for a would be mother to go to her parents' in the final months of pregnancy, so she can get all the help and support needed.I guess the idea is also to relieve the would be dad of the burden of caring for her before, during and after delivery of the baby.This is practised in most families even to this day. But Murali and me chose to do it differently.We wanted to be together through this beautiful journey and enjoy every moment of it.
Our trip to London(for Murali's assignment) was planned in the seventh month of my pregnancy. My parents were very worried, given the fact that I was going to deliver in a new country, with no help whatsoever.There was pressure from both families to postpone my travel and join Murali after the birth of the baby.But we stuck to our plan and convinced them that we would take good care of ourselves. They hesitantlyagreed(we forced them to).

Murali was very supportive all through.Not once did I feel I'd have got greater help back home. I am, even today , happy for the decision we made. By God's grace, I had a very healthy pregnancy so didn't need much help either. And whatever help I needed, Murali was always there.
My mom visited us in April and left after seven weeks of stay here.She was great help post partum!Something special about a mom and the support she provides.
I started writing with Murali's role as a dad, in mind, but then cudn't help narrating the whole experience.After he comes back from work, even after a very tiring day, Murali takes over Ananya's care.He's totally involved in everything that happens after he's home.He's around with all the help when the baby's fed, he takes it on him, to burp her after each feed,and takes the sole responsibility of putting her to sleep(and that means, walking around the house with baby in arms, for more than two hours), and never has an excuse or a complaint!
When he's around, I know I have nothing to worry.I know, myself and the baby are in the strong arms of an understanding partner and a very responsible and loving dad.
I write down these feelings as a small tribute to my partner, who made the journey of marriage enjoyable, and to a father, who has added colour to the journey of parenthood.On behalf of little Ananya, our darling daughter, I wish him a HAPPY FATHERS DAY,with fathers' day round the corner(I am sure when Ananya grows up,she will do this herself, as she understands how special her dad is!)