Me Likey Ice Cream!

My God it's just delicious!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Let it Snow!!!!!!!!!!!

February of this year has been crunchy, slushy and slippery for this part of world! It had been that white heavy stuff fallen after 18 years, which bought this modern developed country to stand still.
I could see that most people had a good fun filled snow day! Why not because sunshine is delicious, rain is refreshing, wind braces us up, and snow is exhilarating. So, shall treat you to more of the same. Day began at 6:00am. I looked outside the window and was really delighted seeing everything covered in white. I just get excited when I see snowfall and somewhere that hidden child wakes up. Well thanks to this country where we manage to see snow as never saw it before. Everywhere was confusion and uncertainty. Would the office be open, should take a bus, call for a cab to go office rather then driving down? Would

the buses be running? Gradually news began to appear on radio and TV announcing schools and Colleges are cancelled, bus services are running on limited routes etc...
For kids it was fun and news to be excited as schools were closed, but for parents was not at all as it was difficult to arrange for a last minute childcare.
An abundance of closures, cancellations and mourning around!!
Well, whatever people have to say and mourn about, we three decided to have fun by making our ever FIRST snow man and driving down on snowy roads. Because when it snows, you have two choices: shovel or make snow angels. We decided making of snowman activity was a necessary activity since it

was our first snow man and the prospect of throwing snow balls was beginning to look exciting. It was Aditi‘s ever first snowfall and first fall of snow is not only an event, it is a magical event to enjoy.
Thanks to Papa who was our proper sculptor and took all those efforts of carving snow into snow man while Aditi and myself watched her standing under an umbrella. Not the best snow man, but manage to give him a shape and some nice features. No doubt our snowman was outstanding one due to the bright lights wrapped around his neck (Mummy’s Idea!!!)

On the whole it was just the day full of fun, excitement and snow!!!

And the baby turns one!!!

Oh yes! Our angel has grown so much in 12 months and we have every sweet bit with it. This has been a great year for both the new parents.

We simply refreshed our memories with her photos, dresses and hospital incidents on this day. It was a very long waiting day in the hospital, but that long wait and patience paid at last..... when midwife handed Aditi into our arms.

Big Day started by taking Aditi to the temple and was blessed by God on 3rd November 2008.

It was a day
We got to see those tiny fingers and tiny toes,
Bright baby eyes, cute baby nose;
Hears baby gurgles and baby sighs,
A Mom and Dad sing lullabies.
Life is changed,
It’s fun to spend glad hours each day,
Taking time for all the good
That came along with Parenthood.
It was the day we got to say, We’re happy you were born,
Our Sweetest joy!!!!
Happy Birthday

The day was just full of fun ,with activities, gifts and phone calls from family and friends. It was more of family affair. The reason for that being one year old won't appreciate a party. Too young to undesrtand to socialise, or even realise much of what's going on. We thought there'll be plenty of occasions in years to come when she can do the whole music, group games and party bag menu.
Her Birthday gift was much needed high chair, sitting on which she really enjoys!!! and those first black pair of walking shoes with pink crystals on them.

A day after her birthday, she took sweets for her friends at Childminder's place, which were rapped colourful, nicely by mummy with the help of Papa.

It was time well spent by taking Aditi out for photo shoot and enjoy eating that yummy Fresh Fruit cake. Believe me it was really yummy!!!!!!!!!! with all those fruits layers on it.

Later in the day Phil and Divina came down to wish her a very happy birthday. It was nice of them to come with those puppets as birthday gift.

In the night we took Aditi to Feast India where she enjoyed her three course meal.

Oh!! our angel you will always be our star and it is just fun seeing you growing, laughing and smiling. Seeing you growing I have started believing in the miracles of God.

Since, you climbed a ladder by turning into a beautiful toddler from a gorgeous baby, we both look forward to your more funful toddler activities.

Mundan Ceremony

Tonsuring/Hair Shaving(Mundan) is an important ceremony in Hindu communities.Also known as Chaula or Choodakarana is performed in the first or third year of a child.

In some communities, it is only for the boys. The first haircut, is believed to get rid of the child of his past life's negativity. Some also believe it helps relieves headache and pains associated with teething. It is also a common thought, it stimulates cells and improves blood circulation, which helps thick and glossy hair.

Apart from the Indian community, Chinese and Mongolians also observe similar traditions. Every family has its own traditions for performing the mundan ceremony. Some perform it at home inviting the barber at home on the lap of the bua. Now-a -days, many choose to take their children to a salon or beauty parlour where special mundan haircuts may be offered, bit modern and stylish!!!!

Aditi’s mundan was done in Thane, India on 9th September 2008 (10 months old). Local barber came home and did that painstaking job of shaving off my girl’s beautiful black silky hair. It was emotional for all, seeing it all happen. Aditi was all hue and cry initially, all over Neha , our niece then the milk bottle calmed her. Panic struck, when she out of control, Dadaji went to fetch a vanilla ice cream, I was giving her mobiles, dad was with the camera and a toy the grand mom was with toy having train noises, Phupha was with camera capturing the best shots, all engaged in the family trying to divert attention. Mom was ready with turmeric paste, the antiseptic. The barber was good and finished well in less than half hour. Aditi got blessed on her smooth head, many times. No doubt she looked gorgeous as always. Neha was then gifted a contemporary bracelet. She was then bathed and wore a new dress gifted by Bua. We got boondi laddoos and ice cream to relish it off for all hard work. It was fun family affair and Aditi just kept touching her head trying to come to terms what suddenly changed.

I am sure, later on, when she grows up she will also have a good laugh reading this and seeing the pictures.

Fantastic Three Months (June to September 2008)

Yes, fantastic months which Aditi had during first trip in India to meet her roots. I think she needs to be applauded for her adaptability to new environment with such strength and patience. Kudos!!

Seven month old did not bother her mummy in flight, although she was getting familiar to this experience for the first time. She was looking around with strange eyes at the airport while we both were waiting in the waiting lounge to board the flight from Heathrow Airport. I think she was enjoying those bright, sparkling and colourful lights with bunch of people walking around.
She slept well, but did cry while landing as her ears were hurting. I was helpless and had no other choice except to calm her down.

Aditi enjoyed lot in Meerut. Her stroll with Nanna, were really long. Felt a little vacuum for that period. I was giving Aditi more space to mingle around. Mama’s car ride were initially strange as there are NO CAR SEATS IN INDIA. Aditi understood fast and enjoyed jumping around in the car. Shouting and screaming was accompanied by Mammi, it uses to be like a competition to find out who has got the highest pitch. Both Anukirtie and Aditi gave each other good company for fights, hugs, sharing biscuits and to mess around with Nanni’s chopping and peeling on the floor. Two kids under one roof. The fun was natural......

She enjoyed ride in every kind of transport from three wheeler rickshaw to black and yellow colour auto to long lasting train.

In Meerut she learnt to sit on her own and crawl. It was nice seeing those developments in her. Her activities were just full of fun and laughs. These new developments bought some different kind of energy in me as I had to be more mobile, vigilant and attentive for my little one.

Flight from Delhi to Mumbai was fun too. She did not sleep during the flight and was just playing on my lap, passing smile to other passengers as she knew them for ages. In Mumbai she was joined by very much awaited grand parents. She enjoyed the company of her Dadda (grand father) same like she enjoyed the company of her Nanna in Meerut, with Daddi (grand mother) she was like Ok! Ok!

During her stay in Mumbai she took part in a fancy dress competition on the occasion of Janam Ashtami (festival where the community celebrates the birth of “Lord Krishna"). I came to know about it during the same afternoon while doing shopping for fruits and vegetable in Reliance Fresh. With little time in hand, I decided to dress her like modern RADHA (beloved of "Lord Krishna"). Thanks to Nanni for making that beautiful halter neck Lengha Choli. Little participant was looking cute in that blue-magenta colour outfit with matching bangles, bindi and white pearl necklace.

And guess what!!! CONGRATULATIONS AND CELEBRATIONS have COOKIES, as nine month old participant won second prize. Those cookies were relished by all of us later. Mummy had great time for planning it in such a short span of time.

Later in the trip she was joined by her Fuffaji (papa’s sister’s husband) and her cousin sister Neha. It was nice family getting together. Aditi enjoyed all those outings to shopping malls and restaurants.

This new arrival in the family was pampered by everyone and it was really fabulous trip to back home, never wanted to come back but had no choice except to come back.

Well Aditi and I are already longing for next trip to India same like our families back home.

Off we go!

Yes, Aditi and myself are off to India for couple of months. We both are excited about these holidays for different reasons. Aditi will get to meet her Dadda, Daddi, Nana, Nanni and so many other relatives, list is just endless!!!!!

Papa will join us later, obviously we will miss him during our stay in India and he will too for sure.

I think best is to keep this post short and sweet, will share all the experiences about a trip on our return.

Being holiday season around I wish all the holidays makers a very happy and fun filling vacations.