GeetaBihari.COM

I started working for Wyman-Gordon recently as a Network Engineer. I really enjoy my new position. It’s a very challenging position and gives me the ability to get exposed to other areas of Engineering such as Industrial Automation and Robotics. It is a critical position because I am responsible for the plant’s network infrastructure which runs the 35 million dollar Press machines. I especially like my short commute to work. It allows me to spend more time with my daughter.

It is a very different environment. I have to wear my safety shoes and glasses when I am out in the shop. Wyman-Gordon is a metals forgings company. We supply materials to all GE and Rolls-Royce Engines and virtually every commercial plane including the Boeing 747 and Dreamliner has our parts. Wyman-Gordon is a part of PCC, Precision Castparts Corp.

It is a great company to work for. I am enjoying the job. I will post some pictures shortly.

“I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”

Thursday, June 21, 2007, I was Naturalized to become a citizen of the United Sates of America. It was an exciting day for me and my family. My parents, my husband and my daughter were allowed to witness the entire ceremony. It was amazing to learn that there were more than four hundred people from over 150 different countries being naturalized that day.

To me it means a lot. I can now vote, serve the jury and apply for federal jobs. To my husband this means the end of paperwork with the INS

Please check back my gallery for the ceremony pictures. Cheers.

Ashwin and I have been to a number of barbeque parties and have enjoyed eating outdoors for many years now. We knew that when we get our own space that we are going to build a nice deck. When we got the house built, we opted not to go with the deck that the builder provided since it was only an 8×8 feet deck. Of course, it suits most people if they don’t plan on spending much time outside the house but it certainly is not big enough for entertaining. If you throw in a decent size grill and seating for four, suddenly it seems like a pretty tight space. Finally two years after moving into our home, we got the deck of our dreams constructed. It is a 14X16 feet deck with a bench running along the entire length. It has ample room for an outdoor grill and to seat enough people.

After much research, we bought a nice four burner Char-Broil grill with a side burner. With so many competing brands on the market, it is difficult for a novice griller to know what to buy. After reading the reviews and discovering that this particular grill won the consumer reports ‘best buy’ award for a mid-range grill, there was little to worry about. So, the grill is here. Now what? Needless to say that Ashwin could not wait to fulfill his pursuits of grilling so last night we tried an awful lot of things, grilled vegetables, corn, potatoes, BBQ chicken and hot fiery wings. Everything was delicious! I look forward to enjoying many more sunny afternoons and evenings cooking outdoors. It is such a nice way to spend time with your family and do something fun together. Please click here for the pictures.

Just when I thought it is all over, the pain came back. Throughout my pregnancy I fought a battle with extreme hand pain. Something that started out as a mere swelling in my hands, transitioned into more painful carpal tunnel syndrome. I counted on it going away after the delivery. That is what everyone said would happen! In most cases, that is true. But then again, there are exceptions. In my case, the pain got ten times worse postpartum. I struggled through holding and feeding my baby. It was physically as well as emotionally challenging but with the help of my husband Ashwin and my parents, I got over it. The swelling subsided but the pain got more intense. Finally, after seeing a sports medicine doctor, I was diagnosed with deQuervain’s Tenosynovitis, a fancy name for tendonitis of the thumb side of the wrist.

My treatment plan included administration of cortisone shots, wearing spica thumb splints and six weeks of physical therapy. I felt great after the treatment and was very cheerful. I had an entirely new perpective of being a new mom.

Now, two weeks later, the pain in my right hand is back. My thumb snaps out just like it did before and I have very restricted mobility in my hand. I also have nerve damage. I experience numbness and funny sensation. From what I hear, pregnancy and nursing can cause hormonal changes which along with caring for a new baby often puts new moms at risk to develop this condition. I am considering switching Riana over to formula by the end of May. I plan on returning to work in early part of June and am hoping that the condition will improve. I am seeing my doctor again on May 1st to evaluate my options and see if I would need a surgery. Surgery is often the last resort for this condition when all else fails.

So for all those who are wondering whether I want to have another baby, my answer is, absolutely yes! There is no greater pleasure than to look at your baby and know that you are the one to bring this beautiful little being into this world. It is indeed a miracle and regardless of the amount of pain you go through, it is definitely worth it. Now as far as when we’ll have a second one, my answer is “not anytime soon”.

all’s well that ends well…

The journey began long back in July, 2006 when Ashwin and I found out that we are going to become parents. Like every first time parents, we were nervous but happy at the same time. We had a little celebration the day we found out.

Everything seemed to go smoothly until I was 10 weeks pregnant. Then, I had to run to the Chiropractor two or three times a week. My back and my hips were misaligned. I could barely walk. As time went on, I began to gain weight and develop new issues. In my case, I gained a total of 65 lbs. Yeah, thanks to my crab rangoon cravings! And oh, how could I forget the chocolate cakes! I had a lot of swelling by week 24, not just in my ankles and feet but also my shin, my chin and my hands. I looked like a balloon ready to blast. Things got ugly and I developed severe carpal tunnel. I had many sleepless nights because of the pain in my hands.

By week 30, the baby had already flipped facing down. By week 32, she had already dropped causing more pelvic pressure and pain in my hips. It would hurt to walk. Towards the latter part, I would cripple while walking. And oh, did I not mention the countless trips I had to make to the restrooms? Every store I walked into, I first had to pay visit to the restroom and then carry on other business. At nights, I would wake up at least 8 times to pee.

__(’Read the rest of this entry »’)

Our daughter, Riana, was born on Sunday, March 4, 2007 at 2:20 PM. At birth she was 20″ long and weighed 5lb and 15oz. She is tiny but very healthy. She is a very content, happy and cooperative baby. We have her home with us now and we are enjoying every bit of her.

I have posted some pictures of her on my gallery. I am sure, there are plenty more to come…

On Monday, January 22nd, my colleagues threw me a surprise baby shower. I thought I was going out for lunch with a couple of friends at work to a near by Italian restaurant called Chateau. When we arrived there, the restaurant manager walked us into a party room. I was really surprised to see all my colleagues present there and a big table set up for the gifts. The menu was really nice.

Later that day, they surprised me again when someone walked me to the kitchen where all of them were waiting for me. The kitchen had nice yellow and pink ribbons running along the door and the window and they had a beautiful chocolate cake with pink icing and a baby’s picture. Everyone enjoyed the cake!

It was really a pleasant surprise and I got a lot of gifts from everyone. Thanks to all my colleagues to make my day so wonderful in spite of the disheartening Patriots loss on Sunday night.

Please stay tuned for the pictures.

One of my friends is also having a little baby girl. After looking at her daughter’s beautiful 3D ultrasound pictures, I could not resist the temptation of getting one done for myself. So, Ashwin and I decided to go back to the Miracle of Life 3D ultrasound studio last night.

We were able to see our little baby smile, yawn, swallow and suck her toes and thumb. It was an incredible experience and we were glad to see her happy and healthy. She looked very calm and content. We got a 40 minutes 4D video on a DVD set to lullaby music and a lot of color 3D digital pictures on a CD to take home in addition to over forty black and white prints.

She looks just like her father. I see the resemblance in her cheeks, lips, nose and her beautiful smile! She is a peach!!! Now let’s just hope she has his temperament too. After all, she is daddy’s little girl.

Please check our her precious pictures on my Gallery. She is adorable.

We are very excited and we look forward to welcoming her in to our lives. I am sure she will fill our lives with immense joy and happiness.

Cheers.

I’ve moved my website to a new host and the domain name might resolve to the two different hosts for another 24-48 hours. As you are reading this message, you’re already pointing to the new host. If you notice any issues, please don’t hesitate to contact me.

Cheers

Wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!