Settling in at Home

Ritesh and I got home last Friday. Mom (Grammy) picked us up and Ritesh was a champ in the car seat, except for some car sickness close to home.  After about 30 hours of travel that is completely understandable.  Our trip back was definitely challenging and tiring to say the least - probably more for me than for Ritesh who happily slept some on each flight. Three roughly 7 hour flights with a two year old alone is not necessarily an experience that I recommend.  But, overall, except for some hysteria about being belted in on the first flight, he did just great.  And handling jet lag hasn't been that hard for Ritesh either.  He is fine with his getting up at all hours because then he goes to sleep again when he is ready.  It is Mommy who has been having a harder time adjusting and recuperating.  I think that yesterday was the first day I wasn't feeling like a total zombie.  Lack of sleep, getting used to a small being being totally dependent on me and not really leaving my side at all, etc... Is there such a thing as toddler parenting culture shock?

But Ritesh is an amazing child, a true delight, inquisitive, quick to pick things up, very social and affectionate.  He has very much enjoyed meeting family and neighbors.  He seems to play well with cousins and neighbor children although "my my" is starting to kick in more.  Oh, yes, he is a two year old.  We have had delightful moments of kissing Mommy Grammy, aunt Julie, aunt Therese, Grandpa and Bill; joy on the first swing and slide; surprising excitement rather than fear of the dogs and cats; eating a fabulous meal at and Ethiopian restaurant (and liking everything on the plate including the greens), as well as tantrums about things he can't have or demanding moments for mother's constant undivided attention. 

Today I am feeling more well rested and hope I start to feel more enthusiastic and energetic about the different things we can go do and learn together.