Looking back 2007

Looking back 2007, it was just amazing. Diya has grown from crawling baby to a naughty baby. This blog stands witness to all that she did and doing. We look forward for more in 2008.

Welcome Jr. Kotur

Jo-Prashanth are now proud parents of a baby boy! Congrats guys! And Welcome Junior, you will be gifted with a blog site sooner :)

Welcome Jr.Shridhar

Shridhar Dhomne is now a proud dad of a junior. Congrats buddy!

 

Ok, who is next in series?

Unwell and active

Diya sweety is not well for the past two days. She became ok yesterday and was very active. I took her to the near by hotel, she was trying to make friend of the cleaner boy there. A teen kid in the apartment took her a snap (I don’t know if she covered me too) when we were on the road. Now Diya is very drowsy and calm. But still, she becomes ON the moment her favorite toy ‘rosy paapa’.

 

Paapa on fan

Diya's friend "pappa" has climbed the fan yesterday. Diya is all joy and cheer to see her friend on the top.

From behind the cot

 

Karthigai function

 

Demanding

 

Demanding

 

Folk Dance by Diya

 

Kiddley

Here is a link for everyday ideas for you and your kids. http://kiddley.com/  Let me see how many I can use for Diya.

 

 

Training request

Yesterday Tashu and Aadhi visited us to play with Diya. Tashu was enjoying all that Diya was doing. I have personally Tashu to train Diya on good habits J

 

Diwali relevance

Diya is in Pallavaram enjoying her time with Aravind and Gayathri. She ‘spoke’ to me very cutely over phone. As usual, she was holding the mobile phone upside-down and inverted. Since the speaker was on, she responded to my conversation. But more than her screaming voice was the loud crackers.

Visit this blog in future – By the time Diya learns to read, and when she visits this blog entry, crackers would have been completely banned in India as in Singapore. One of the loud cracker sent vibrations across the apartment. Even my heart was shaking at the sound. Are we here to test the strength of the building and our ear drums? I really pity the patients in the neighborhood Diwakars Hospital. Leave alone SC’s restrictions on decibel limits – where goes our common sense? Is the way we celebrate Diwali still relevant?

CNN IBN on Diwali

No fancy

Diya is on the way to Chennai to see her great-grand ma. Diya will miss the fancy dress event and Diwali celebrations in our apartment.

Diya and Diwali

There was less cheer at home for Diwali as a close relative is not well. Diya, however, was enjoying herself in full spirit. Once I took her to the balcony to show the fireworks. Burst of a cracker scared her – I could see the shock on her face. I tried to motivate her showing the rising and waning fireworks on the sky. Diya was not amused.

I did not buy any crackers as usual. Dad got some basic ones for Diya to observe the tradition. Otherwise, my god, the city was shaking with loud crackers, and smoke everywhere.

Everytime I hear of a kid having some health issue, I know its we who created the bad state for her. Sometimes I even suspect that the milk – branded one- that we get in our apartment is adulterated. (How do I check that?)

Kid are the real victims – Fast life, Fast Food, Pollution, Media!

My society, you don’t need graduate parents, you need educated ones.

Welcome Jr.Pradeep

Pradeep-Shoba couple have a junior Pradeep now. Born at 8:03 pm. Congrats guys! Hope Madhan will setup a blog for the junior sooner.

Verbally yours

Diya speaks a lot these days. We really dont understand her baby language. But she repeats the same set of 'words', with facial expression combined with body language. She has picked the tunes of 'baba black sheep', 'निला निला ओडी वा', 'twinkle twinkle little star' and rhymes her own tunes in a perfect fashion. She is a very excited and unstoppable singer. She speaks more on mobile with the instrument direction reversed. Ask her how does grand pa snore, she changes her look and make a 'kor kor' sound.

At Home

Diya got a special gift from me for Diwali. The house was setup by Madhan uncle.

Why are babies awake in night? - An analysis

Madhan was sharing about Vikas and that he was awake in the night. Nothing new, but it’s a common complaint from all parents (especially dads). I and Madhan got into research mode why is this happening to all kids. Our first level research revealed this:

FINDING-1: Kids are born in US time zone!

Why?

FINDING-2: God belongs to US time zone!

May not be!

But kids in US too are awake in their nights!

FINDING-3: God creates children for opposite time-zones

At the receiving end

When Diya was in Bangalore, she had atleast 3 phone devices (all faulty) to play with. She would scream ‘haal’ (read Hello) and imitate busy conversation and walk from one end to another. It became a routine that I stopped paying attention to that.

 

When I called in-laws place, Meena picked. She was holding Diya. Diya, as usual, wanted the phone to talk. Diya got the receiver and started babbling. I talked to her with affection pouring; she responded with phone reversed and talking on her own. Her voice, her speech sounded very significant to me having been away for more than two weeks. Another two weeks to go.

Meow Meow poonai kutti

Whenever Diya enters our room to play, how much ever we call her to bring her to hall, she wont turn up. But if sing the song “Meow Meow poonai kutti^[1], veetai chuttum poonai kutti” , a cute song from Kumudham, Diya would rush to the hall, as though she was giving attendance.

This song comes very rarely in TV channels. Today, the song was coming in Kalaingar TV 15 minutes back and was a very pleasant listening. The song reminded of Diya; I can call Sudha now but it could disturb if my poonai kutti is sleeping.

 

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^[1] Poonai kutti means kitten

Do you miss?

I am just back from lunch and was humming a song that I used to sing for Diya. When Diya took long hours to sleep, I used to try different ragas and innovations to make her sleep. Now, I miss her so much that I wish that even if Diya be awake whole night playing, I would be happy.

Do all parents miss their children after the children (after they grow) get married to somebody?  Or do the married daughters know how much their parents miss them, especially the dad?

Learn from kids

One key thing that elders need to learn from the kids is to SMILE.

தியாவின் சுற்றுப்பயணம்

தியா நேற்று இரவு மதுரைக்கு புறப்பட்டு சென்றாள். தியா இல்லாமல் வீடு வெறிச்சென்று இருக்கிறது. அவள் அடுத்த மாதம் திரும்பி வரும் போது நிறைய கற்று கொண்டு வருவாள்.

Twenty20

I am undergoing interesting part of my life, I don’t know how do I put it. Diya is in full form – (a) not eating properly but eats at will from our plates (b) doesn’t sleep on time; sleeps for 5 minutes and gets up charged and become active (c) demands everything and makes big noise if denied (d) picks any object and pretends it to be phone (e) doesn’t play alone and she needs one of us at home to be with her. No, its not a complaint. I have seen some parents undergo all this. But when I undergo the same, it looks like a Twenty20 match to me – its interesting, its little uncomfortable, its fun, its innovative ( I innovated few games for Diya) and everything counts. Sudha asks me ‘how are you going to manage her when she grows?’. My mom says ‘all kids of this generation are behaving the same way’. And my mom also warns me ‘be prepared for more when she starts talking’.

Revisiting Pattamangalam

Diya is visiting Pattamangalam next week.

Cute Hide-and-Seek

Diya plays very cute hide-and-seek these days. She hides behind the cot support and slowly pops her head out to reveal that she is there. Again she withdraws herself and again come forward in slow motion and makes a big smile. The big smile is enhanced by sparks from randomly-grown teeth. Some times, she does this hide-and-seek even in open space!!! I will post some pictures in this page sooner.

Tap Dance

Diya has learnt tap dance and she enjoys as she performs. When the grannies sing ‘thay..thay..thata thayi..”, she moves perfrectly. Do come and watch.

Pampered

Diya is enjoying to her best that both her grand parents in town. The grannies are busy teaching her new skills, new words and the house is like play school (with 1 kid and more teachers). When she enjoys music, she lifts one hand above and dances to the tune and walk across. Its really fun to watch her so.

Sofa-stifcated

Diya's new practice is - she climbs on to the sofa before eating something on her own. She would have noticed any of us eating in sofa rather than dining table. Sofasticated life!!!

Gadgets have no value

Regularly I bend and mend my spectacle frames as they point in different directions.

The other day my laptop screen was covered with dried food particles that one day my colleague asked whether I have my food in my cubicle only.

Today my mobile skin (which is very thick like cow skin) is disfigured as though a rat or a shark had its tooth impression.

 

You readers will readily sympathize with me that all my gadgets are under attack.

 

Courtesy: Diya

Kreechchchch....

Next time when you are around JP nagar and hear a loud kreechhhing sound, you may be wondering if it’s a car brake, or a running engine running out of friction or something strange going on. But its none other than Diya, screaming for everything we do against her wish. Neighbours and street dogs please forgive J

 

With whatever we have, Life is Beautiful. With kids around, Life is Blissful.

 

Rakshabandhan

Today is Rakshabandhan – a day to celebrate relationship between brothers and sisters. I believe that such relationships are not made, they are god-sent. My religion is that of love for my brothers and sisters. It is very significant for our kids – even starting from Diya’s age – to develop the culture of such bonding. This ensures the future generation a reservoir of love and security.

July Flower's day

Diy a's H appy Birt hday

Last year, it was

Last year, the same time 11 pm, I was very tensed. I was preparing to deliver a training the following day. But received call from Sudha that she had labor pain and admitted in hospital. I called every few hours to call the hospital reception to ask for the status. Morning 7.30 pm, the news came that Sudha had delivered, and it was a baby girl. Winner!!! All alone at home, I wept out of ecstasy. Side Note: What could be worse than the labor pain? For the dads, it is chanting those cohesive sanskrit mantras difficult to dismantle and pronounce during the auspicious functions.

Hugs and Kisses

It was a busy month for me (Ganesh) that I didnt post blog for long. Diya had learnt to play new things from Avaneesh and Adarsh. Its fun to watch how kids learn to walk. It happened in just two days. She made two steps at a time and fell down. After two days, she did walk five steps and fell down. But in another two days, she walked like a pro. She learnt to climb sofa, tables. She can reach out any place(plays?). She knows that dad is when leaving to office. She ate all that I ate but spitted all the baby food. She once hated the servant who gave her bath. But she befriended her. She learnt to lift my books from my almirah. She knows to run to my laptop when I shout 'bav bav' - she comes running to me looking for a screensaver. But once my nephews left to Delhi, she felt the difference and became very cranky. She has learnt to kiss me. It feels like heaven to see the kid rushes to me to get a hug and kisses.

Pain first, gain next

Looks like its pain first, and gain next. Ear piercing ceremony.

On my star birthday

Hey, how can I wear this flower when I have no hair?

Mirror of Life

Life is a mirror and will reflect back to the thinker what he thinks into it. Ernest Holmes

Photo by grandpa;

Sepia touch by appa

Team Building Exercise

All Pegasus training, team outbound cannot stand infront of the team building exercise these folks put. Virtually there is another team (parents, grand parents) who will run from pillar to pillar to manage these team players.

So long, dad?!

Diya seems to be raising brows that her dad working with same organization for the continuous nine years.

Mine or yours?

Happy kids

Place to hide

Jo-Kotur visits

Jo and Kotur visited us. It was like breeze and showers - as their visit was much awaited, sudden, surprising, unexpected, and a short though. We got into nostalgia chatting old time stories with empty stomachs and brimming hearts. First visit by the couple - to our home - after their wedding - to see Diya.

Mottai pictures

Pretty Hot Mottai

A significant day. Diya's head shaving (mottai) ceremony. We visited Chennimalai, our family god's temple and performed Diya's mottai. The weather in TamilNadu was pretty hot. We didnt expect it to be that bad, that Diya couldnt cope up with it. Diya looked very different after head shaving.

Scorpio

This is not a scorpio or a tribal hair do. This is Diya at her best, a hair do that she sports before going for bath, thanks to the creative fingers of granny.

Call Interupted

I called Sudha over phone yesterday after she returned from her granny's place Poruvaai. But Diya just didnt allow her to speak. She went to the extreme of snapping the wire. I called again, this time too Diya just didnt keep quiet. So, I kept the phone deciding to call today.

Climber and Creeper

My friends ask me these days if Diya has started walking. She doesnot walk, she climbs. She climbs on me, She climbs only on me, Only to grab my glasses. She doesnot crawl, she creeps. She creeps towards anything To catch anything from distant ant To touch low-bound stabilizer

Diya in Pattamangalam

We were to leave to Madurai on Friday night by train. But then came a thunder that saturday is statewide bandh in TN. Fearing any casualty and knowing our train's traditional delay, we quickly arranged a cab to travel to Madurai. It was 10.5 hrs journey but Diya was very cooperative. She slept very well. After reaching Pattamangalam, Diya was greeted by inlaws, sajja and meena. Diya entertained them with all her skills. Then we all slept off. The Bangalorean girl didnt like pattamangalam's hot-hot weather. But she went to all who lifted her. She also had her first taste of tender coconut which she liked very much. The main reason we visited was the Car Festival ( thaer thiruvizhaa), but the Car didnt start until I left for Bangalore.

The trio!!!

One feet above ground level

Now Diya is playing a minimum of one feet above ground level consistently. Whenever I am holding, she is about 5 ft from ground level. (Sometimes, I carry her on my head - where she is above 6 ft from ground level). For statistics purpose, when Sudha lifts Diya, Diya is ensured a 4.2 ft lift from ground. But thanks to sangeetha and anusha - we have walker and a bouncer at home. With Walker, Diya doesnot really walk. I put her on the walker, tie a rope to it, and drag her around the house. She enjoys the luxury of comfortable moving. Sometimes she rests her head so relaxingly on the front set. Today Raghu and Kiruthika visited and got us Swara's bouncer. We didnt know Diya would love it so much. As soon as she occupied it, she got herself stuck to it and started talking baby words to Raghu. (Meaning to ask - why didnt you get me before only OR why didnt you tell dad to buy one before only). Post lunch, I had put her to sleep on the bouncer at 3 pm...she is still sleeeping..!

Rendezvous with Avaneesh & Adarsh

Today is a very crucial day – Diya’s first meeting with Avaneesh and Adarsh. All these days, Avaneesh was believing that Diya can speak and sing fluently. It will be a rude shock for him to learn that she is no better than Adarsh who can just utter baby words. Avaneesh can take pride that he is senior of all. My mom is already planning to take a group picture of the trio – Avaneesh, Adarsh and Diya. For summer, she is expecting Gayathri and Aravind to add to the list. Proud granny, of course.

 

Diya with Colourful Glasses

Threat to our glasses

By now, Diya has learnt to climb up to me so that I can lift her. Unlike before, she needs me more often. I carry her for a walk in the corridor in the nights. There is a big threat to all our spectacles. Diya targets and grabs our spectacles in a moment of flash and to our horror floats it in air. We all are planning for a conspiracy...Idea is to wear a dummy spectacles which doesnot have any glass at all. It will have only frames. Or buy one color spectacles (which children wear) from the local market. Let she break it and quench her thirst.

हलो दिया

हलो दिया !!!

Safety First!

Dear blog readers,

Please take this information seriously.

This incident happened to one of our colleagues. I am sending this mail with his permission.

 

Last Saturday, he went to take bath but by then he got a phone call from his parents from his hometown. He came out, attended the call and went back to take bath.  He opened the tap assuming the hot water is going to fall into the bucket. His bad luck, the knob was pointing to the shower, so the boiling hot water was showered on his body. The water fell all over his body – directly on his head, chest, back. He couldn’t run away from their immediately, as he had put the shower curtains close by. The water also splashed back from that.

 

He suffered first degree burns and he drove himself to Wockhard hospital nearby. He was treated in the emergency ward for two hours before he was discharged. Doctors told him that he is lucky that nothing happened to his eyes.

 

He normally used to take shower along with his two-year-old kid. But fortunately, fortunately, the kid didn’t join him for shower that Saturday.

 

Reflecting on this,

a)       First, please convey this incident to your family, so that they be aware of such a possibility

b)      Do not attempt to take direct shower unless you know both the hot and cold water is mixing

c)       First mix the hot water and cold water to comfortable temperature and then take kids to bathroom.

d)      Inform your relatives who are not familiar with the shower settings.

e)       Remember that auto cut-off in the geyser doesnot mean that you are safe to take bath.

f)        Help your elders as and when necessary

g)      Keep your bathroom skid free

 

Tell your family, SAFETY FIRST.

 

Diya's media favorites

Diya is slowly getting addicted to TV. She loves commercials, serial title songs. Her favorites being Kolangal title song, Dhinakaran newspaper ad, Kungumam ad. She freezes looking at them. If she is asleep, she gets alerted at the sound of these commercials, lift her head with difficulty, with her eyes half-open. On my home PC, she loves the Must Love Dogs screen saver where little puppy licks the screen non-stop. She is believing that the puppy is real! You can download these screensavers by visiting here.

 

 

Beginning 9th Month today

Diya begins her 9th month today.

Here is a report card about Diya on her skills as of 9 month, first week. Visit here for more details:http://www.babycentre.co.uk/stages/1900/

BabyCentre:Has your baby pulled himself upright yet? Yes? Then watch out -- it's a prelude to walking.

Ganesh: Yes, Diya started sitting with her hands supported on the ground. She also stands with four legs (I mean with her palms and feet support)

BabyCentre:Many babies are quite happy to stay grounded at this stage though. If he is, you'll probably find he's sitting more confidently now and he may well start creeping, crawling , or bottom-shuffling.

Ganesh: She also creeps forward and rolls.

BabyCentre: His language skills are developing rapidly too. He's listening intently and taking in everything he hears -- he may even begin to understand simple words and phrases.

Ganesh: When in high mood, she speaks lengthy sentences...no words only musical notes.

BabyCentre:Encourage him by talking to him simply, but as you would to any other person.

Ganesh: We speak all that we want. But especially when my mom speaks, she responds very well.

BabyCentre:His personality is also emerging and you'll be able to tell if he'll be Mr Life and Soul of the Party or Mr Shy and Retiring by the way he responds to others.

Ganesh: So far, she has mingled very well even with strangers – didn't feel troubled.

Recognizing mom

Yesterday was amma's birthday. I got her Icecream and Sudha got her bangles. Friends and relatives called and wished her. She also got a saree from our wonderful neighbour Leela maami. Today, mom prepared panchamirtham, an ultimate fruit salad. Its all colourful and delicious too. Mom has promised she will make as regular as possible. I clicked the bowl and see it for yourself.

An hour with Swara

Swara and Anurag visited home to wish Sudha for her birthday. Swara got a gift for Diya. Diya was taking bath and after that got dressed by the helper lady. Anu pointed to Swara on how Diya is cooperative while getting dressed up. (In the presence of visitors, we all behave well, Anu). Then Rags picked Diya and was playing with her. He made Diya play a chasing game with Swara. Whenever Anu was holding Diya, Swara too asked for a place. Then, it was very entertaining to watch Diya and Swara playing together. The kids had some cake too. When both complete 2 years, both Swara and Diya may look identical.

Puppy!

Most of Diya's behaviours resemble that of a puppy. Sometimes we feel her play as though as a puppy at work. Very active, and looks all resemble that of a puppy. When her mood is peaking, either my mom or Sudha will be the victim. She grabs their hair to the length and test the strength (Hey, I got it rhyming). Or give a very stttrrrrong kiss on the cheek, or dash the head against their face. Sometimes when she cooes like a bird, the decibel hits the roof. Now her unmanageable hair covers her eyes giving a very comic look.

Cappuccino with Diya

More Diyas at home...

Yesterday Sudha's birthday went on fine. We have fixed beautiful lamp shades at home. (It was happiness deferred as the lamp was bought almost a month back. Time riped yesterday only to put it in use.) Its like Sudha gave us one Diya and we gave her two diyas :)
Master mind and persuader Rags has written to Diya that he would try to change my stand on celebrating her birthday. Probably second birthday in grand manner, certainly not first birthday. And Diya, if you still want to celebrate your first birthday as grand as Swara akka's, go to Rags uncle's house. He will get you everything.

Hey Diya challam

Hi Diya,

Raghu mama here ...:)

I really liked the way u enjoyed Swara's bday party...

I am sure u are prepared for a bash on ur bday. But i got to know that papa will celebrate 2nd or 3rd bday only in a grand manner :(

Lets see if I can change Papa's mind.

 

Till then keep rocking :)

 

Sudha's birthday

Today is Sudha’s birthday. Diya also joined her in cutting the Butter Scotch cake. Diya apparently liked the cream layer and had a good load of it. Afternoon, I went home for lunch. Sudha had prepared Veg Biriyani (thanks to Sakthi Masala). To entertain me, Diya was demonstrating me various skills – SIT like a grownup kid, STAND in our legs, and MOVE under the sofa and comeout in style. Then she retired to sleep.

Diya's first electronic message

Diya typed few letters conveying a message. See the text in double quotes. The dots are to be interpreted as spaces. "opl...................................................................................................................................................................."

Meow..meow.

Diya came till the floor steps to give send off to office. Constant complaints from amma and Sudha that she is growing more mischievous. She often poses like baby Lord Krishna in a sleeping pose and giving a pride look at all of us. Goes around pulls all that she spots. Eats newspapers. Enters bedroom, take left turn and pull out all things kept in the last row of the rack. Whenever I sing "meow..meow..poona kutti", Diya enjoys and searches for me. Sudha is annoyed because Diya constantly looks for the corner sticks of the mat and munches them.

Photo of the week

Whole day, Diya

My whole day, whole day went with Diya, diya alone.

Swara's birthday

I woke up when something touched my nose. I woke up to see Diya teasing my nose...hey..hey..she was cutely smiling at me..! Today is Swara's birthday. Our house was getting geared up for the celebration. Kathir, Suresh and myself all went for shopping and were busy blowing balloons. Diya too played role by playing amidst balloons. We took some snaps too. Evening, we all attended the party. Some of Honeywell friends got formally introduced to Diya as she was busy sleeping. Later Diya was awake to see such a big crowd all around. Swara's granny too was taking care of Diya for sometime. Diya got a return gift from Anu. That night, I and Sudha were chatting in the hall. Diya was rolled towards me. I just hugged her and sang "Chinna paapa.."..that was enough to put her sleep.

Our Tamil channel

Today morning, appa left to Erode at 5 am. Later I left to office at 6 am. It was a very successful day because I finished a very major work within 30 minutes. The entire day went in trying lot of exercises and all were successful. I came home with jubilant mood and played with Diya. No Tamil channels, Diya is her only Tamil channel.

More actions everyday.

Today morning I reached home around 6.15 am. Just after I reached coffee, Diya was awake hearing my voice. Then I played with her for sometime and put her sleep. It was pretty cold outside. Then in the evening, when I am back from office, got complaints from my parents how mischievous Diya was. But she is picking everyday new actions...showing in action 'ta-ta', 'vaa vaa', 'kai thattu kai thattu'.

Touring the home

Yesterday it was a very hectic day – so no mood to post blog. Diya was very calm, very calm and I took her walking in the corridor. Though she was drowsing, she kept herself awake. Today morning she woke up with a broad laugh (having wet the bed!). Then we played for sometime. Now she moves a lot crawling in all directions, that my father shifted the phone location. My mom complaints that Diya dashes her head anything she encounters including my mom’s face. Diya goes around and bangs against glass door below the TV. Quite naughty. Yesterday was Girija’s birthday. Today is Adarsh’s birthday. 3 days to go for Swara’s birthday. 5 days to go Swara’s mottai function. By the way, I am staying in office wrestling with a linux problem. Miss my cutie…good night kisses.

 

Getting more active

There was no power supply last night. We called the night shift engineer every one hour but we received the supply only at about 5am. It could have just added to Diya's cold and discomfort. Evening, I was early back from office - she was calling me to be lifted. And two new items - when she was crawling on the floor, she comes towards me when I call her. Also, when I was away to Swara's home with Kathir; that Diya was sitting on her own, it seems - an event which I really missed. Probably, she is catching up...I can recall that this is all what Swara kutty was doing when she was of Diya's age. Diya's just tired and went to bed very early today.

Photo of the week

See who is busy reading...

Baby Parrot - Conditions apply

For every word or sentence my mom speaks, Diya returns with a similar sound. But if anybody else tries to make fun, she keeps her face grin and doesnt even show sign of speaking. Very cunning!  Today I gave Dairy Milk chocolate to her. She liked every piece of it.

Home sweet home

When I reached home, I started talking to all my family except Diya. Diya got irked at this and drew my attention. Again when I moved away, she drew my attention. Then we played for sometime. Dad was as usual was trying to make her sleep by playing (and singing along) ‘chinna paapa enga chella paapa’ (that too very loudly). Diya listens to all this and finally gets very fresh making my dad’s efforts futile. It’s a everyday fun at home. I am staying at office tonight to complete an important task. And will miss my little sweetie tonight. Good night kisses.

Glass grabber

Diya is just obsessed with grabbing our glasses. My dad removed his glass and kept it in his shirt pocket. But Diya was smart enough to lift it with her legs. Evening Diya visited Big Bazaar for window shopping. Then I took her to Divakar Pharmacy while buying some medicine. Anu, Rags and Swara have visited home. Today is Swara's star birthday. Then we all sat together to finalize video invitation for Swara's birthday bash.

Photo of the week

This photo was taken in Shatabdi Express from Bangalore to Chennai last week (8th Feb 2007). Diya was just awake from her sleep and she was looking at the moving landscape. The just born sunlight was falling fresh on her face.

Music for ears

Diya talks a lot with my mom. Whatever my mom Diya gets excited and makes a loud laugh. She makes sound like a rat, joins if anybody laughs. But today she made a lot of new sounds as if she is trying to talk. Tailpiece: She tried new potty today and was partly successful.

No Bandh for her!

Bangalore Bandh. Peaceful day. No horrible horn sound. Diya was pretty happy playing with us all, especially hide-and-seek with my mom. She looked very bright on the black top that Minu bought from Orissa. She swims on the floor forward just to grab anything on the line of sight. Papers, anything paper is her play toy. We sacrifice one full page of newspaper everyday or the cover of India Today every week. She tastes remote control too. She uses her legs like her hands to catch things. Gets share of all that we sweet that we eat. Today she got access to laptop (when sudha was accessing her mails) and started hitting the keyboard like a pro. Anything ring will be an ornament on her legs - plastic rings, sudha's bangles etc. Before signing off to sleep, she was playing with a small silky label that was attached to the Snail Toy. No bandh for her!

A dull Sunday

It was a very dull Sunday. India lost the match. Diya was playing as usual. Anu & Rags visited us for a break and gave a gift to Diya. Diya found to be comfortable after back home!

Visit to Chennai - Day 3

10th February, 2007
Morning : It was a pleasant morning and it was drizzling. We got ready and visited Raji's house. We finished our breakfast+lunch there and started off to station
Noon: On the way to Central, it was very hot, lot of traffic. Diya could only enjoy when the car was on the move.
In train : Second Class AC in Bangalore Express was very ordinary. It was only okay for fewer things. I was reading Ananta Vikatan and was reading an article about a Srilankan family Kasi Ananthan.  At Katpaadi junction, I was shocked and surprised to see this personality alighting from our coach. Diya continued to sleep in my mom's lap and played well towards the end.
Night: We all reached home safely and thanks to Leela maami, our wonderful neighbour, we had the dinner on our table.
I didnt have energy to update the blog and went off to sleep.

Visit to Chennai - Day 2

Morning - Diya woke up much before me. She was wearing a new dress. Then, my cousin Maheswari along with her kids visited. We spent time playing with her kids.
Post Lunch - We left to Sudha's periyamma's house in Tambaram. There we met all her relatives and the kids too. The kid Srilakshmi who came back from school was shocked and surprised to see a different kid(Diya) in the place of her brother (Srihari). Late in the evening, when Sudha's cousin came back from office, Diya jumped to her and gave a very strong kiss to the envy of everyone there.
Diya was damn tired and went off to sleep.

Visit to Chennai - Day 1

8th February, 2007
The Train Journey  - We (I, Sudha, m-i-l) all got up at 3 am and started getting ready. Diya woke up around 5 am for her first visit to Chennai. We reached station around 5.30 am. It was the luxiriest train journey we all could have travelled. The First Class Ac in Shabtadi hardly had 10 people including us, so the entire space was all ours. Diya was looking around at the bright interiors. We made a friend of one kid Sanjana who spoke fluent English. We took a lot of photos in the train.
At Kalayana Mantap -  We reached Kalyana Mantap around 11.30 am. All relatives who got the first glimpse of Diya were excited and started playing with her. But Diya was in no good mood; she wanted rest.
Evening Reception -  Evening there was a surprise. There was a music orchestra arranged and the singers were from Airtel Super Singer contest. At the end of the program I spoke to Nikhil Mathew  who was the winner of that contest. I got his friendship too. We didnt get proper arrangment to make Diya sleep. She was crying the whole night. Mosquitoes galore and hot weather put all of us in dizzy.

For Diya From Oriya

Minu got two cute dresses made in Oriya. One of the dresses will be worn in Chennai wedding. Diya is all set to leave for Chennai in another few hours from now. Note: There wont be any blog on Thursday and Friday as we all will be in Chennai.

Living without guilt

Diya is just getting ready for her Chennai trip scheduled for Thursday. But since a bandh had been announced, we were little worried on how to plan. God always sends His angels - Anu called to convey that the bandh has been postponed to Monday. Peace of Mind !!! I am planning to add parental references too in this blog regularly so that fellow parents, parents to be and to be married will reflect back on themselves. Parental View: Diya normally signals when she wants to relieve herself. But occasionally she wets her dress and soil our dress too. She looks at me with a sorry look which makes me interpret in thousand ways. When I start tickling her, she becomes happy and accepts whatever has happened. One parental resolution that I have taken is never make my kid feel guilty. We all have been brought up with bags of guilt by parents, relatives and school teachers throughout our life. The guilt feeling has impeded us in several ways. The Not Ok feeling could shun our lives. So, let us - we parents - resolve not to make children guilty to the extent possible.

Monday winner

After the cauvery tribunal verdict, if you ask me who has won, I would say, Diya. Yes, I was back home 3.30 pm and Diya was all smiles. We played, played and played a lot. She wanted to break my glasses; its about 3 years since I changed my specs. Diya is just hinting. Its going to be 11 pm, everyone is about to doze off, Diya is still active, up and running to full capacity.

Photo of the week

Today I and Diya woke up at 5.30 am and slept in the hall until 7.30 am. She is begining her 8th month today. Happy birthday, kuttu! Almost my entire day was with her only. We played, watched TV and fed the aquarium fishes. Photo of the week: Was taken with Madhan on Friday.

Busy Saturday

Today we purchased a gift for Diya from Khazaana Jewellery. On 4th of every month, Diya gets a gift from me on ocassion of the 'monthly birthday'. Sudha was hasty enough to try it out today itself for Diya. Evening we visited Sathyan's wedding reception at Nandhini. Fortunately, the bride's relatives took care of Diya till we finished our dinner. There were many friends to whom we wanted to introduce Diya, but she became restless towards the end. So, we hurried up back home. Tailpiece: Divya (SCAD) too sent a mail in praise of Diya. Hope we all get together soon.

Visitors galore

Diya was very cranky - we dont know whether it was cold, or looking for her grandparents to be back. Today we had surprise guests from Thencheri - Periamma and Periyappa had come. Diya became close to Periyappa, it seems. Evening Madhan had been home. Diya wept whenever Madhan approached or offered to play with her. Finally they both buried their differences and Diya agreed to pose for photos with him. Madhan was indeed, privileged. Before closing today's blog: Chaya from SCAD had written a mail mentioning that Diya is as cute as her mom. No credits to dad?!

  

Diya at Sandy's wedding

Diya is increasing her social network. Today we attended Sandy’s wedding. Diya was wearing Kerala type dress (cotton material + jari border). We were received by Sowmya (as directed by Sandy). Diya went to Sowmya and was happy to be with her. She also tasted idly for breakfast and paayasam for lunch. Was well taken care of by Sowmy and Raaji maami. She also met Sandy’s group SCAD. On stage, she posed for photo sitting on lap of Sandy. She also looked like admiring the marriage music. In all she was calm throughout.

 

 

Like Mom

That Diya resembles Sudha a lot, she is often compared with her mom a lot. Yesterday, maami was mentioning how adamant Sudha was. She was sent to school when she was 2.5 years old. One evening she invited her neighbour girl Mathangi to visit her home. As the girl refused, Sudha bit her properly. That is a warning signal to Swara. If Swara (like her dad) doesnot visit us frequently, she will have her bite.

 

Diya has picked up a new habit – she cries when I am leaving to office. My company should allow me to apply leave based on this; like BCL (Baby Care Leave or Baby Crying Leave). Is anybody listening?

 

Today Sujatha and Madhan are at home for lunch. Next blog will carry story on Madhan’s rezendovous with Diya.

 

Next Month New Look

By next month, this time Diya will be looking different. We have planned mudi irakkudhal (head tonsure) end of February. I think it will be immediately after Swara’s birthday party. Yesterday, I went home early. Normally, Diya doesn’t recognize me if I reach home before 6.30 pm. Yesterday, she was all smiles – full mouth – and prompted to lift her. I have bought some snacks cutlet and rasa maloi from KC Das. Diya was looking at all our plates but she didn’t get her share. Otherwise, my mom would give her a drop of food, even if it is coffee! Sudha was saying she rolled from the hall into bedroom. Also, whenever we switch on the fan, she recognize immediately that the fan is going to be in motion. Yes, she is learning new things. – Gans

 

 

 

Changing routines

While grandparents are enjoying at Chennai, Diya is finding her routine has changed. She is asking for full attention. She visited Hosur for Rajesh’s house warming ceremony but couldn’t honour Kathir’s. Yesterday she slept besides me comfortably after coffee time.

 

She rolls from east to west and north to south; moves forward and pulls anything that she hits. She likes the regular ad’s on the TV (Super ma!).

 

 

Everyday Diya

Here is everyday Diya for you. Sudha kept on pestering on maintaining a blog for Diya. I indeed started one while Sudha was carrying. But somehow I lost that momentum. Diya is now 6 months+. We hopefully post almost everyday on Diya. - Ganesh.