5 ways to keeping my baby safe

“Pampers brings you the softest ever Pampers Premium Care Pants. Its cotton-like softness is #SoftestForBabySkin and allows it to breathe, thus keeping baby’s skin soft and healthy, and your baby happy. ”

Here are a few more tips to keep your house safe and your baby happy. By following simple steps you can avoid a lot of heart ache later on. 

Certified creams only for babies : No matter what you have to moisturise your baby. Their skin is soft and supple for a reason because they are void of creams that are commercially advertised. Even if you know that your L'oreal cream is okay to use, you should just steer clear of doing so. recommended brands are: Mee Mee, Johnson and Johnson, Himalaya, Aveeno, Palmers. You can find them easily in any store near you.

Organised clutter: Always think about how your change will have to change because you have a little one joining you. No matter how much you love your dressing table and things lying around in a perfect align, those valuable are going to be moved, thrown or even taken for granted. Your only tool to sanity would be to keep everything inside drawers- locked and stocked!

Kitchen Alert: Another thing to think about is the ever raiding of the kitchen that your little one would be so fond of. The dustbin would be his favourite route to familiarising with the things used and unused. You would often find your casseroles , your spoons and plates inside where the little would end up deciding that they are no needed after being used. That mummy always throws things in there and he would do the same.

Daiper woes: If you think your little one is going to indicate you about a dirty diaper then you are just sorely mistaken. Pampers of course gives you enough time to gauge and avoid the frequent use of the bathroom if you are outside. Often you would even find things inside his diaper. Could be your favourite lipstick too if you had thought of using it tonight then buy a new one please. But being a mom you know how we have cleaned it with detol and used it anyway. (Shush, that was a secret!). So keep checking him for any hazardous things inside his diaper.

Dengue Alert: The ongoing reason for dengue and malaria is because we do not protect our child enough. We leave them to play on the ground and also make them sleep in sleeves and half pants, hoping that your liquid mosquito repellent would save him. But that's not so. You need to cover all his body with a body suit or a night suits (they are made for a reason!). Make use of baby friendly bug spray or our good ol' Odomus, apply it evenly all over. Use a mosquito net for children and close the doors and windows at all times, except of course when you want to air your house.

I hope you enjoyed reading my take on how to keep your house baby friendly. Follow them and make your life easy-peasy!

5 Things To Do To Keep Your Baby Happy And Safe

“Pampers brings you the softest ever Pampers Premium Care Pants. Its cotton-like softness is #SoftestForBabySkin and allows it to breathe, thus keeping baby’s skin soft and healthy, and your baby happy. ”

When I first became a mother, I had loads of pressure from the pregnancy books and the elders, hoping that what ever I do, I do it the right way to keep my baby happy in nappy. Here is a few tips as to how to keep your baby safe and also avoid some serious damage in the near future.

Wash new clothes:

Buying clothes for a baby is fun and I think shopping was the best part of going through a tough pregnancy. And there was a sale going on at Shopper Stop which made me kind of haul the entire section of unisex clothes for my unborn baby. What we forget often that we would open them when the baby comes into this world. Only the skin is so soft and delicate that the new clothes only tend to inflame the skin, making them cry even more. The tradition of handing down clothes from others is slowly dying so the only option we would have is to wash them in good baby laundry liquid and then pack it all till you wait for them to arrive. 

Buy Age appropriate toys:

If you want your child to be left with a few toys while you do your own thing for a few minutes then always leave him with toys that's appropriate to his age. Make sure you see the instructions and not just handed it over to him just because he was throwing a tantrum and you wanted some peace. It will make a lot of difference in being firm with what he can play with and what he cannot. Avoids a lot of trips to the hospital too. 

Keep the floors clean:

India with it's pollution, dust and frequent unwanted guests (rats and cockroaches) are a menace when it comes to raising the little ones. We do not have the luxury of leaving a floor uncleaned even for a day before it starts to show the dirt and the germs that your child can succumb to. So make sure that you follow the basic cleanliness protocol and have a healthy baby at home. 

Constant supervision:

A baby means someone whom you have to watch over 24/7. Or who watches you 24/7. Its an unavoidable situation and you even have to leave the bathroom door ajar to have an apt audience waiting for you to be with them again. So no matter how much you have to see them, do not get irritated with the situation. Most of the times you wouldn't know what mischief they would get into all alone.

Bums are chums:

Buy the best quality diapers for your baby. Now a days you have several options but truly I have tried pampers new born in the beginning and I have faced a diaper rash ever since. Do make sure to change them frequently though and not let it be as we would like it to be. 

These are a few things to follow when you have a baby in the house. And be careful and alert is one part of being a happy parent as well because you tend to avoid accidents and unsavoury trips to the hospital. So create a safe and happy environment at home and have a beautiful life with the little angel.

Create Your Home With PaintFinder

I am participating in the #PaintFinder activity in Association with BlogAdda & Bed Bath & More

My home is my havan. I sleep, write, play, read and cook here. If there is something wrong in my house then I always blame the ambience around me. The colour has to be right and the furniture should not clutter my freedom. My husband and me often discuss getting one of those antique dinning tables and paint it with hues that will make us happy. I think my theme is definitely Lemon Cooler. 

When it comes to creating a perfect space all I can think about is cool mints. It's not always a great weather where I live and it always is good idea to have some colours on your walls that won't hurt your eye. I am all for loud accessories- Maybe a white sofa with ink blue with white cushions. And since I live in North most of my time, block prints make a great statement too. With Bed And Bath, I see my options increasing and I could find just any colour and fabric I want.

Firstly, I decide what suits my son's room. He has a very active life and colours effect the soul, so to calm his day and make him feel cozy, I decide on the same theme- Lemon Cooler. It certainly reminds of summers, spring flowers and a refreshing drink in my hand. My son is three, so his room will always be filled with toys that's not picked till the end of the day but this theme has bought out so much more- something that makes me feel, nothing is impossible. If you just find the right color. The website Bed and Bath really helped me decide on that! The paint finder tool is marvellous! And before you think what it is- it's all about seeing right in front of you how they feel when you are in a home. So try this one. You won't regret it!

Sachchi Advice Matters!

“I am participating in the #SachchiAdvice Contest by MaxLife in Association with BlogAdda.”


Ajay is 25, young, just got his first pay and now all he wants to do is invest and all he did was invest in a flat. But then he didn't listen to his friends, who kept saying that he needs to wait till he did that. After all investing in a house is a big decision. He would have to wait for years till the builders handed over to him and there will be loan- lots of it! 

In the meanwhile, he got married and was still living in the company's flat, relatively not paying a lot on rent. Life was good and they plan a honeymoon abroad. Only, half of his pay was going for a loan and his wife was unemployed at the moment without any savings. Life comes to a standstill and Ajay is left with no option but take the cheapest tour somewhere in India so that they could save and not splurge on a reckless holiday. His wife, Priya, waited for things to get better. And soon its years passing by and they have their first baby. The hospital, the new nursery set up and the basic baby necessities take up half of Ajay's savings too. 
He is left with a beautiful baby but now they have to stop at one. One more baby meant a disaster financially. Priya understood and repeats the same thing. 

It's not a great life but it's manageable. Yet, the urge to spend lavishly on his family is there and Ajay feels helpless, asking Priya to work as soon as the baby starts school.

Is this how life you imagined would be if you had only researched and looked at your options? So, one has to learn from Ajay's life and decide what is important. Living the life in present or just building castles in the air- for the future that's so far away? 

Flashback 

Ajay has been working for the last two years. He is single and decides to invest his money. He goes to the only person he trusts with great advice and sits down with his father who has retired to a very comfortable life. He asks him to invest in buying a land and as the market rate will increase, the price would rise which would make his investment profitable. 
Ajay marries two years later. Priya and Ajay plan a holiday to Europe. It was their second time now. They have a great time and Priya also bought a pair of expensive bag she always wanted. 
They conceived on the trip and he sends her to the best hospital and they are blessed with a baby boy. He buys mutual policy for his son and already plans to send him abroad for studies when he grows up. This money would just multiply. 
He sells his land now. It's triples. He buys a Ford and invests the rest of the money in buying another land. 

Life is good if you take #Sachchiadvise 

The Hero- A War Story

This post is a part of Write Over the Weekend, an initiative for Indian Bloggers by BlogAdda

During Kargil War 1999

I came back home. I couldn't feel my thoughts or my legs. When I looked down at my wheelchair, I put my fingers over it, feeling the loss of power that was once mine. I was a star player in my school and my mother displayed all my trophyes at the mantlepiece. It is still there somewhere. She never changed the decor of her home, she just liked the way things are. But I am not the same anymore. The war did that to me. I was blown by a grenade and was lying, waiting for death to come to me, only to be found by some young jawan, who lifted me and carried me to the Military medical camp. The camp was damp and stuck of blood and death. I was waiting for mine but it never came. I just got better, I got calls from home and my girlfriend wrote me letters. I answered none. She was still doing her graduation. A young nineteen year old who liked art. She was beautiful, I could see no flaw in her really. Her young vibrant face flashed again and again in my eyes but i closed it tightly, defying my feelings. I wanted to let her go. So I didn't answer. I could see cards coming damp because of the rains but I stopped opening them after I was informed I would always be in a wheelchair.  

The door opened and mom came to me with tears ready in her eyes. But we were still in war. I sat everyday in front of the television and watched the news, waiting for some hope, that we won. But time just dragged in front of me. Mom was always around as if waiting for some kind of a miracle but it never came. My amputated legs just lay there, snug in a blanket, taking in the warmth of a cold winter night. 

Then I saw her. She was on TV, and she was among the soldiers, I could hear the bombs, the firing and I gripped the chair, shouting at her, yelling for her to leave, that war wasn't for girls like you. 

She was on the mike, "I was inspired to follow my dreams to become a reporter here. I wanted to know what is war like and how our army gives their best to protect us. So tell me what's your inspiration?".
She was taking interviews of officers and jawans now and they were smiling at her,  captivated with her smile as I was. And someone asked her why was she here. 
"I love an army man. He is my inspiration. always will be". It was like she was looking into my eyes. 

There was another bombardment in the background and her voice was fading. The camera stopped. 

Has it been years already? She looked grown. Almost hard and so serious about life. I couldn't see that laughing girl anymore. 

"She has become a war correspondent", Mom was wiping her wet wrinkled fingers with a kitchen towel, "And she called me so many times asking about you".
I was quiet. It was better to be.
"Why did you leave her?"
I had no answers. I just stared at the figure, hoping, praying that she comes out of this a winner. She has suddenly become my inspiration. 

PS- Lest we forget the heros of our country. Lets just remember the times when life was difficult for so many out there. 

Share The Load

“I am writing for the #ShareTheLoad activity at BlogAdda.com in association withAriel.”

When you come to the Indian mentality of how women despite working have to take care of the laundary, well it's true. That's what men expect from their wives. The tag 'wife' makes a woman suddenly grow up from that carefree teenager/ girl to a very responsible woman who has the duty of pleasing her husband- and laundry comes first. I like the idea of women once in a while forgoing this in exchange of other activities- say like bungee jumping. I know, its laughable, but who knows what wonders it would do the relationship if the husband actually helps out with the load of those unwashed clothes.

Having a washing machine is perhaps the greatest boon to any man out there. And also a woman. I think that solves half the problem too. I do find my husband doing things for me in a small way. No he doesn't really dig in deep when it comes to laundry, but once in a while he does hang the clothes outside or wash his own when I am in a hurry to go out. It does goes a long way in making us happier than most self depreciating couples. But its not only laundry, its the battle of every household chore that needs equal sharing. And it really doesn't make you less of a man by giving your wife a hand. I remember having a simple meal of bread a omelette made by my partner because I had to go out for work.  It really meant a lot than all those promises of moon and the stars. I also believe that I work equally hard at home, in keeping my child clean, happy and entertained while my husband works outside. And it's a tiring thankless job. So I really love it when I get my time while my son goes out to play in the evening with his dad. It's his share of helping me out and loving me. Sometimes saying those three words doesn't matter. It's the marriage thing that you got to work it out by breaking the rules. Create your own rules of being happy, of helping your partner.

And remember that she really didn't know anything before she got married to you. All those delicacies and the neat folded underwears in your cupboards does not mean she is your slave. It means that you mean more to her than anyone.  So help her while she works and you while away your time watching cricket. It doesn't take much to make your partner happy. Its the thought and effort you show that makes a relationship truly work. 

Celebrate Life with Travel

“#CelebrateLifeAtIvy by owning a dream home atIvy estate, an 85 acre estate with 34 acres of greenery and open spaces. Join the 1600 happy families already living here. Check out this walkthrough video and decide for yourself.”

What makes you love life and wake up in the morning and look forward to the day? Sometimes it's families, most of the times it the giggle of your toddler and the unexpected hugs from your partner. But living in the army, we get a good quota of holidays and the time we are not travelling, we plan about travelling and this gives us the greatest pleasure. Exploring places and being a part of a history, is how I celebrate my life. Being an army wife is not exactly living in the lap of luxury and this is more the reason why we are the way we are. Hungry for adventure and hungry for a new place every time. 

Mule Ride in Kufri, Shimla

The Taj

UK, Trafalgar Square

Gulmarg, Srinagar

The last time we traveled to Kerala, Uttar pradesh and Rajhasthan has been a roller coaster ride. And this was all in a space of a few days. I always think that it would be impossible to travel with a 3 year old active toddler but it somehow works out magically. When you have the determination and enthusiasm to do what you want to do then nothing can really deter you. And that's what makes me happy. I don't let things like that bother me and I believe that being comfortable with your life makes everyone around you relax. The long road trips, those late night stops at dhabas in Agra to have aloo paranthas, the tall cool glass of sugarcane in Ajmer and the hot paneer bread pakodas at Kurja,  having pani puri at Bapu Bazaar, Jaipur are far more priceless than just having a five star meal at a place you always lived and never want to move. I crave to go on a trek someday but I need to be fitter than what I am. And I am working towards a healthier lifestyle along with some inspirational travel. 

Coming home to memories and a memory card full of amazing pictures will last longer than you. And not just for posting pictures on social media, but travel because you have to, because it will make your life feel blessed and because you will just love your life more every day. 

My thirst for travel will never end and it's not only the world but also the smaller places in India that needs all the attention possible. You cannot forget visiting those old monuments and see from the eyes of another. Hire a guide and don't save money for a rainy day. Money will always come, but these experience just makes you feel energetic. 

It's time for me to travel again and I can't wait to make new plans. 

Crash the Pepsi IPL- Funny and quirky ads

“I am joining in on all the Pepsi IPL action in my own style with the #CrashThePepsiIPL activity at BlogAdda.”

“Check out the #CrashThePepsiIPL videos & participate in the activity at BlogAdda”

Can a mom have a little fun? She toils hard, gives up her sleep time because its your exams and wakes up early to make that perfect tiffin box for her husband. A mother is the epitome of sacrifice and here is a fun ad to make your day if you are dealing with busy office going husbands, children who are more in their friend's place than theirs and other children who just want mom everywhere around them. But does that mean a mother cannot have fun? That's the underlying question and this brilliantly made ad is funny, quirky and an absolute delight for someone like me.

The actress is amazing who plays the role of a mom. She has secretly stashed her own pepsi and when everyone leaves her alone, she even enjoys a little cricket in solitude. So cricket doesn't have to be about everyone. Its you who could enjoy with your little sips of joy in pepsi.

Now what's the combination of an Indian Wedding Night to watching cricket? Its just holding a tin of pepsi that makes everything so erotic. If ads like frooti can be made aphrodisiac then why not a chilled sip of pepsi?  And thats what makes someone hook to this ad. Adverts with 'suhagraat' theme is pretty famous and it gets the most viewers too. 

Well, I never remember anyone running for a condom just before the 'act' (How completely unplanned!) But this ad just makes us laugh at the silliness of it.  Could it have been made better? No. The ad has been kept short without making us guess what happens in the end.

Selecting hearing only for pepsi? Here is one ad that favors the brand instead of water. If you are an IPL fan then pepsi and cricket goes together. No questions asked! Personally i would have bashed the guy for being so rude but its a fantasy ad and it does aim to impress. It also distinguishes the two diet and the normal pepsi. And has reached as a finalist to have done that. The actors are good and I can actually predict the guy with selective hearing going in for more ads.

An excellent opportunity given to the IPL match viewers and I think i am addicted to them more than the IPL itself. So these are a few that I liked and enjoyed because I like ads to be fun and not melo dramatic and after all cricket is also a game to be enjoyed so chill and live a little.

Let’s talk about celebrity condoms ads

Check out the #CrashThePepsiIPL videos & participate in the activity at BlogAdda

“I am joining in on all the Pepsi IPL action in my own style with the #CrashThePepsiIPL activity at BlogAdda.”

Condoms ads are condoned while celebs become the face of play safe

Its safe and durable and it comes with instructions then why India as a country does not allow the Ranveer Singh ad to be featured on prime time television? The first time that I saw was when I was watching MTV. Clearly it was meant for the 20’s and the cosmopolitan young ones. But what about the areas where you cannot find such ad featured?  Does it become porn just because Sunny Leone is sending the message across that chocolate flavored condoms are the next best thing to going ungloved? I can imagine how many had stood in line for the brand Manforce, choosing Sunny Leone over other quality products.

But then who am I to judge them. I am not here to make you squirm or wonder about condoms when you might be using the ipill for the rescue now and then.  I still feel that Ranveer Singh might be promoting sex before marriage. After all why shy about facts? Lets put it out there for people to see that you can be sensational, change various partners and the condoms will do their job by avoiding all the STD’s out there. Perhaps is that why the censor boards hid this very truthful ad about today’s youth? Who are we kidding anyway, we do condone condom ads out in open. You can even find the billboards with condom ads with overgrown bushes and trees. Somehow with a country where we cut trees frequently, this tree will never be touched.

Yes we are okay with item songs and Sharukh Khan becoming the poster boy of Frootie where ‘Suck it-a, Lick it-a’ is completely fine to go with. I don’t know if I am fine with an old man becoming an eye candy to the kids out there with words like that. And damn, its so easy to recall the ad. Yes, it’s going in my head right now. Poor Milind Soman, the hot model of the 90’s had to go through a lot while doing Kamasutra (condoms) ad. If only he had waited a few more years to see this so-called progressive society of ours. So why can’t a condom ad be fun and educative too? A society that could even make a simple juice ad as a source of temptation, they do not really have any say now. All they can do is just censor it. So just thank God for Youtube, you can still see the ads if you know they exist and avoid all the hush hush secrets you think your parents do not know you know. 

Have you ever struck a #DilKiDealOnSnapdeal

“I am participating in the #DilKiDealOnSnapdealactivity at BlogAdda in association with SnapDeal.” 

I was soon going to be an aunt- a masi! And after having a kid, you know that children are the greatest gift to a woman. Her womb becomes a shelter to a little one who is growing nurturing from your inside of you. And I always think that you love your sibling’s kids more than yours because you get to spoil them and love them without the hassle of being the bad one. That’s left to their mom. And I keep them all happy with getting great deals from snapdeal. 

And as you grow to love this little wonder, you want them to give the best things you can.  And since me and my sister both belong to the fauji background, we often have to live alone where going out with kids is really tricky. Also we live apart, posted in various places now so gifting her for the newly born was so easy. And being the shopper I am, I bought a beautiful Fisherprice rocker/ bouncer from snapdeal. The price was way less than what I found in the market and I purchased it as soon I found the thing I liked. The moment it reached, I got many pictures from her on my watsapp, her excitement was my thank you. Watching the little one in the bouncer was such a bonus. His giggles and his response at the bouncer made my day. I realized that you do not have to give someone expensive gifts to make them feel special. The thought behind it just makes all the difference.

My other nephew is now 9 years old and he loves celebrating his birthday. After going through several websites, I again went with my gut and ordered his favourite Transformer from the website. And making a boy’s day on his birthday is something that’s priceless.  I am currently the most-loved masi in the family and it makes me feel happy to make the kids in my family happy.

Even my son, he needs to be kept entertained with various types of toys and I have always relied on snapdeal for the best deals. I really do not wait for any occasion to buy him presents. Their website often gives discounts to regular members.   Mostly it was toys from skilloffun that are really good at educational toys and some cars for him. Snapdeal seems to have good products always in stock. And their app is always at hand when I need to shop anywhere!