India

Out of the last two months since my last post, we have spent 5 weeks in India. Now, it was after three long years, so obviously there was much catching up to do. We visited Bangalore, Hyderabad, Bhopal and Ujjain. As much as we were worried about Adu, she decided to find pleasure in the noise, people and general hustle and bustle there. Ours was mainly a social visit- meeting people and eating, what with a wedding at home! Adu had a gala time playing with kids who were in abundance in the wedding. The highlights of our trip (in no particular order)-

• Watching Adu and Arjun play, with Arjun playing the role of the sensible, responsible older brother, keeping Adu entertained and she on the other hand laughing at anything and everything he said or did. It was kind of history repeating itself.
• Meeting the parents.
• Meeting my grand-mother and Adu meeting her great grand-mother. She passed away 10 days later (RIP).
• A chance get-together with my school friends in Bhopal.
• Shobhna coming to Bhopal for a day from Delhi to meet me.
• Shopping, shopping and more shopping.
• The wedding, of course.
• Staying at my parents' place. My home, my room...It was just fantastic, gave a very positive feeling that all the worries would dissipate...just like it happened in older days!
• Chatting endlessly with Aai while Adu showered sloppy kisses on her.

Square peg in a round hole

I was showing shapes to Adu today.
How different shaped blocks go in their respective shaped holes.
She however, kept putting all the various blocks successfully in a single hole- her MOUTH!

Oh, well...

The Seventh and Eighth month letters

Dear Adu,
You are eight months old today, sweetheart! And, here I am again writing two letters combined in one. Just for records, on your seventh month birthday, you saw 'sea' for the first time. And, going by your smiles and gurgles, you enjoyed the sight! And never before, we enjoyed it as much. But let me begin at the start (of the seventh month).



I can turn the world upside down to get what I want

Month 7: This month you started steering yourself in all directions while lying on your tummy and then rolling in the desired direction. This led you to reach all the corners of the room on your own and grab various objects. I am sure you loved this newly acquired independence and made the most of it. You loved to mouth all elongated objects, the laptop's power cable being your favourite. Your dad doesn't call you Mini Mouse for no reason!


Got it!

Your brain is as busy as ever processing new things and understanding the world. Once, we were watching news while you were playing in your gym. We didn't realize that you were watching the TV too, till we heard you laugh. Well, a stacker piling mineral ore can be amusing only when accompanied by your chuckle. The same can be said for a person coughing. However this month, we did some really amusing things like watching ducks near the pond and hearing the leaves rustle in the breeze. I truly enjoyed those afternoon walks with you.
And then, we went to Wollongong just before your seventh month birthday. That's where you saw the sea, seagulls and a light-house. At the light-house, we requested a lady to take a snap of all three of us together. She clicked it on the count of 'three', which made you squeal with delight. Perhaps, you related it with the game Ritesh plays with you wherein he says 1-2-3 and lifts you up in the air as he shouts 3. You accompanied us to late night dinners, had your meal sitting in the pram and curiously watched the other diners. Afterall, 'breaking the routine' is the most important part of a holiday. So, we all came back very refreshed and relaxed.

Month 8: This month saw you sitting up on your own. And off lately, you have started crawling too, though backwards yet. We go to 'Giggle and Wiggle' in the library every Monday now. And, it is hard to tell if you enjoy listening to the rhymes more or the sight of other pint-sized kids. It is amazing to observe you getting acquainted with the fellow children. And that process involves shaking hands, grabbing at each others' buttons or pulling the shoe laces. You also attended a birthday party this month. And there were lots of novel things to grab your attention. So, when the cake was being cut, you were busy admiring the balloons in the opposite direction. But, that is not to say that you didn't have fun. You played with the other kids in your own way, smiled at people, slept in the car on the way back and generally did us proud!
This month involved a lot of socializing as a prelude to our upcoming India trip. And while Ritesh was busy finishing his work before the month long vacation, you gave me company in shopping for the trip. Yes, now you sit alone at the back of the car. You have discovered quite a few syllables this month. You started with saying 'Pa-pa' of course, then gradually moved on to 'ta-ta', 'na-na' and when in a not so good mood, you say 'ma-ma' too. Honey, keep practicing those vowels and consonents. I can't wait to hear you talk. Fun times ahead...
Happy growing!

Love,
Mumma


Sensory delights

The favourite colour: yellow, mustard, greenish yellow...oh, beautiful
The ideal texture: Soft, mushy...so nice
The perfect weight: Heavy..and wet

Thought of doing a picture post, but then decided to stick to words only !

Much ado about nothing

The first day of this week saw Adu in the back of the car all by herself. The two of us went to the library for 'Giggle and Wiggle'. I was stressed- kept talking to her, telling her that I am sitting in the front. Her car seat is still rear facing, so of course she could not see me. She didn't make a single sound- no yelling, no gurgles. I endured the silence for the whole drive which was 4 km and 10 minutes. Worriedly, parking the car in front of the library, I got out to check on her. She was gazing at the adjacent seat. "Oh, she's looking for me", I thought. Because that's where I sit when we go out and Ritesh drives. Till date, one of us has always sat with her at the back to keep her entertained.  I quickly opened the car door and she smiled! My heart leapt. "Was she distressed all this while", thought I.

Anyway, I took her into the library. Half an hour of usual fun- singing rhymes and dancing to ‘hokie-pokie’. Then again, the car drive back home. This time, I wondered, "Is the sunlight hurting her eyes? Shouldn’t she be hungry by now?". I played music so that she'll be aware of somebody’s presence. She again decided to be silent throughout the car journey. Hurriedly, parking the car in the garage, I got out. And whoa, she was sleeping peacefully.

Oh, I felt so relieved… and silly!

14 October

4 years since I lost Baba.
It is said time heals. I am not sure. But, then it might be true. Now, I am able to think of him without crying most of the times. I can smile remembering what he said. I can cherish his thoughts without tears. And then there are times when I want to hug him, I want to ask for his advice, I want to  know his opinion, just want to speak with him. Then I feel helpless.
When I became pregnant, the first thought that crossed my mind was how would my baby know him. And I cried a lot. Adu has started saying 'papa' now. And I showed her baba's photo and said, "That's my papa, that's mumma's papa, Adu", and then held her tight and cried.

And today, I so much want to be with Aai. To hold her, to comfort her. Instead I'm so far away from her. I called her many times today. She tried to sound normal so that I don't worry. I know she is upset, very! She misses Baba every single day, but refrains from mentioning it, even tries to appear cheerful so that we don't constantly worry about her. I want her to be happy.

Insight

Whenever I return from a holiday (long or a short one), I realize-

1. There is more beauty in the world than I (busy in my routine) give it credit for and it is found at the most unexpected places.
2. My bed in my home is the most comfortable of all.