These books are more than just friends, at certain times they help keep me from going mad with worry or frustration. They happen to be gifts from friends, too. I probably have to wait until our palangga becomes a toddler to appreciate Jo Frost’s book, but we’ve seen her show on TV and were impressed. I also have Dr. Spock, which we bought here in Islamabad.

Now what irks me is when people laugh or become condescending because I use some kind of baby manual. Excuse me, but I never took a course or have previous experience in taking care of a baby, much more a premature one. And Fate intervened that my mother is no longer alive to fulfill her wish to help take care of our baby. On the bright side my father is a pediatrician, and one of my sister-in-laws is also a pediatrician and mother of two girls with a third one due soon. I could always call them long distance with my mobile if I can’t reach our own pediatrician or need more reassurance. There have been times when the only way I can describe J’s symptoms is in our native language.