Charles and April are here

Hi

I just wrote a really long update and then lost it all ..... Damn !!!

So I am keeping this one short and will update more when I get some sleep.

Well what an amazing day it has been.

April Semanti (white rose) Tilby was born at 2.26am, weighing in at 3.12kg, and her brother
Charles Dev Tilby was born at 3.30am weighing 3.2kg.

Everyone is doing really well

Adrian

Day 6

The twins are still in their wombs, maybe they will decide to join us next week or I might need to change my return tickets and extend my stay in Delhi.

It's only been 6 days since we arrived in Delhi but it feels like that was weeks ago. India really amazes me, there really is no way to describe the place, it's a mix of extreme opposites, it is chaotically peacefully, spiritually rich and so confronting.

I'm staying in Jungpura extension at the Indian Lux Homes, they are nice enough, two bed, two bath, reasonably clean, the only downside is the plumbing in my apartment is playing up and the temperature of the shower yo-yos constantly - they are looking into it and I hope that it will be fixed soon.  The staff here are great, I feel a little sory for the doorman, he is such a lovely guy who doesn't speak much english, he works very long hours, sometimes 24 hours, but he is always so helpful and smiling, we have got into the habit of ordering extra food at night to make sure he gets a hot meal.

I have to say I really like the neighbourhood, While I love going to the citywalk, its nice being in an areas where you dont get targeted for being a tourist and hassled by beggars.  In the evening this neighbourhood comes alive, there are street markets about 400 metres away, heaps of food stores, actually everything you need is within walking distance, the only challenge is trying to find it.

My parents are really starting to enjoy India, we have been to so many markets and shops, but my favourite is the old delhi markets and spice markets, we spent 5 hours walking around there today and it was amazing (once you are out of the red fort tourist trap vincitinty), I've been trying to find the holi colour powders to use for a christening type celebration for the twins and after going through a number of alleys, we were pointed to this slim alley (a one person width kind of alley), there I found the packages i was after with about 12 colours and it was only 20rp (40 cents), so I got 14 packets. Huge win as they were around 400 rp a packet at the mall.

As the twins are taking the time I took my parents down to the Taj Mahal, we left at 3.30am so we could be there at sunrise and beat the crowds, I used Rahul's driver and it was 7000 rp for the day (140 bucks). I have been really happy with his drivers, I have used Rahuls drivers a few times and they have all been very polite and punctual,  the only criticism I have, was the tour guide used in Agra as he took us to one of his backdoor commission shops and we couldn't get away, my parents have trouble saying no and this shop keeper was really pushy, and that annoyed me, and I made the tour guide aware of that, prior to going to the shop we were going to tip him, but after that experience and his Tom Cruise persona I didn't  want anything to do with him. It was clear he was getting throwbacks from everyone. Well enough of me ranting about that.

Day one in Delhi

Well I am finally here in Delhi, wow.... I forget how chaotic the place is, but I do really love it.

When I was here in June the heat was unbearable, so I really liked the cool change.  Walking off the plane you could smell the heavy smoke in the air. visibility was pretty bad and I had to laugh when our driver was telling us that rain the day before cleaned up the city... and today was very clear, the look on my parents' face was priceless in the back seat of a car on Delhi's crazy streets.

After we got to the apartment we grabbed some takeout and ate it while heading to Dr Jolly's clinic for an ultrasound. This was a very strange experience and in hindsight I was a bit naive.

When we walked into the clinic, it was nicely set up with comfortable couches and quite a few people, all of them stared at us and where clearly trying to figure out what was going on 'who are these white people, and what are they doing?' My surrogate turned up a few minutes later and I went to say hello to her, she was very quiet, and at first I thought she was just rushed and shy (as we all know what the traffic is like in Delhi), but she remained very quiet for the whole ultra sound and didn't look at the screen,

I think that I may have embarrassed her in the waiting room, being a foreigner I was already getting enough attention. Maybe she was a Little shy and I have misread the situation. But it was really nice to see her and see one of the babies on the screen.

I want to note that Dr Jolly was amazing, he pointed out and explained everything on the screen and took a lovely 4D picture, I was hoping that I might be able to see something that may give away the gender but had no luck.

Well its time for me to call it a day.

Adrian

Set up in Perth

Well not much to say. It's sad but also awesome that a number of blogs I follow are coming to an end with the arrival of so many babies. I really appreciate reading and learning from each other.

I had a busy first week in Perth and
I didn't want to leave things until the last minute just in case I received that magical phone call a few weeks earlier than anticipated. So in week one I looked at a dozen homes until I found one I fell in love with (which I could afford - I fell in love with a many more that were too expensive.). I also purchased a new family car and had a job interview. I will be moving into the house on 28 march two weeks after I return from India. I figured getting out if India with Bubs is hard enough without the additional hassle of dealing with real estate lawyers etc.

While I am on half pay from work until may next year I have been really keen to get my foot into the state office over here so I don't have to quit my job next year, as the reality is i wont go back to canberra, for me the best thing is to be close to family for that strong support network and while I love Canberra it is too isolated. The casual job interview went well and they were all lovely so I am hopeful that something part time will come up at the end of the year.

I have things packed for the babies and have been lent some Phil and Ted baby carriers which are awesome. I'm going to be getting nappies and other bits and pieces when I get there.

13 days left until touchdown! I better start copying and certifying some documents.

Adrian