What they want me to be!

My parents have already started thinking about my career based on observing my behavior. Here are some roles they were discussing the other day...

Chief Stamp-Licker - I drool so much everyday and love picking up things and licking them. I also like sticking things in many places, often unnoticed by others.

Investigative Journalist - My extraordinary curiosity to know about things that are happening around me makes me the right candidate. I am working hard to develop my language skills (not baby blabber) to report the stuff that I poke my nose into.

Airport Security Personnel - My thoroughness in checking every part of a bag (and throwing out stuff) that I can lay my hands on, makes me a natural fit for this job. I have a lot of experience in this and my efficiency has improved tremendously over the last few months.

Politician - Waving/gesticulating and constantly talking (in baby language) are my trademarks. Isn't that sufficient to make it big in politics?

Clearance board official - I clear stuff from many places in one stroke. No bribe or distraction works with me. I have a clear mission and focus when I remove things. I cannot believe the fuss people create for eviction.

Quality Control inspector - I am known to be very rigorous and focussed in this role. I have proven my ability to find minute dust and dirt which have been left behind after all cleaning activities at home. With the kind of sharp eye and attention for detail that I possess, no house can claim to be 100% clean.

While the list can go on and on, I prefer being a baby for now and want to enjoy my first birthday!

Invitation for the First Birthday in Chennai, India

Malola Hall is located near the intersection of Habibullah Road and North Usman Road.

A map near the location:
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=174+Habibullah+Road&sll=13.052786,80.23339&sspn=0.014277,0.021179&ie=UTF8&ll=13.05009,80.241673&spn=0.014277,0.029333&z=16

Babies rule

I am discovering the hidden strength of a potent weapon "crying until you get what you want". With grand parents/other sympathizers around, things get easier. AmmA and appA took me to Giri traders where we spend quite a bit of time. This was getting on to my nerves and I started getting cranky. AmmA thought she could keep me entertained by taking me to toys/gifts sections. While ammA was carrying me around, I managed to grab two rattles from one of the racks; one in each hand. Realizing this, ammA started with gentle tactics to get the rattles from me - Did not work. Then tried to distract - Did not work. Started playing "thaaa" game with me - Did not work. Losing her patience, she took the rattles from me by force! The roof came down... It was one of my best crying spells and all eyes were on me and ammA. People at the counter said "thambi kku vAngi kudungale, madam. paavam romba pidichirukku. azha vidAdhinga" My ammA instead of deciding on the purchase was explaining to people that I am not "thambi" but a girl baby wearing pant and shirt and no poTTu. With uninterrupted and focussed crying, I forced ammA to purchase one rattle for me.

BTW, my rattle lies in some corner of the house. Who cares? I know how to use my vocal chords to get things done now :) I am learning new things... yeah, becoming a big girl.

what an experience !

It is an exhilarating experience to walk. Now I know what people mean by hands free :) I can now freely explore my pAtti-thAthA's treasure house. Oh... did I tell you all that I am in India now and about my first long flight?

SFO to New York - tharai bed & ammA-appA-savAri - I slept for a while on the bed that appA and ammA made for me. I handled take off and landing well.

New York to Brussels - appA-ammA-savAri- Jet airways did not keep up their promise of bassinet for me:(
Instead they gave us 2 extra seats! The flight attendant did not allow me to be a tharai ticket too! She demonstrated to ammA how she can lie me down on those 2 seats and tie the belt around me. What was she thinking? I am not a baggage...

I stayed awake throughout the 8 hour flight. I did not cry much but was talking loudly. This disturbed one white mama sitting behind us so much that he said "Can you be quiet?" And I understood what he said very well !

Brussels to Chennai - tharai bed- The flight was full. No bassinet, no extra seats. My parents prepared my comfy tharai bed and were hoping that I will sleep and they can also get some rest. I lived up to their expectations and slept for almost 8 hours and got up just in time for landing.

Everyone around us was happy that I was such a good girl and did not disturb any of them. One mAmA and mAmi were so impressed with my good behavior that they asked my parents if I had been given some drug!

Relieved to reach thAthA-pAtti's and am currently being treated like a queen and pampered thoroughly :)

As I write this post, I am recovering from stomach flu and have already visited and befriended a pediatrician in Chennai.

My experience in India continues and when I think about my life in US, these are the pictures that come to my mind

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The Year that was...

I love 2008... This is the year I started my wonderful journey of exploring the world. As I get ready for 2009, I cannot help but recount what I meant to near, dear and very dear in 2008.

Near...

It all started with my ammA's delivery nurse! When my ammA was in labor, the nurse was not able to track my heartbeat consistently as I was moving around a lot. This led to a lot of anxiety before she hooked me up through an internal monitor.

My ammA told the nurse that she did not know the gender of the baby. The nurse declared, "I am sure you are going to have a baby girl. What a DRAMA QUEEN she is going to be!" My nAmakaraNam (name-giving ceremony) happened before birth :)

Dear...

My appA loves the concept of first name and last name so much that he applies this to nicknames too. My nick name is not short like it is in general. He calls me many variants of BAGULISH/PAKUNEES/DABULISH/JINGUNISH BAUM fondly :) Interestingly I always belong to the BAUM family. When I become a big girl, I plan on having a long discussion with him about his choice of this nickname.

Very Dear...

It is true that I am born in a computer age, but I did not expect a machine to give me a name too! All of you know that I am a big fan of USB cables. It tastes so good and you can play with it in many ways. One day I was under the computer table minding my own business. "Ding dong" came a sound from the computer. Then a message popped up -"Found new HARDWARE"! My appA who was unaware of what I was doing under the computer table was surprised to see the message and looked down to find me licking the USB. The computer continued with messages like "Cannot support new USB device" and then "USB device needs new driver"!

How does the computer call me "HARDWARE" ?

Happy 2009 !

Letter to Santa

Dear Santa thAthA,

How are you? My name is pAdukA and I am 10 months old.I want you to know that I am and have been a very good girl. I did all the stuff babies are expected to do. I tumbled, crawled on my stomach and then on all fours. Now I pull up and stand and walk with support.

I share my toys with my friend Bittu when he comes to play. But the toy he picks up to play with seems like my favorite. So I am compelled to get it from him :(

Santa thAthA, do not think I am a bad girl because I pulled the hair and dress of a pApA in the library. I was calling her and saying "ko koko.." but she did not hear me. So I had to pull her to get her attention. 

All these 10 months I have been pure delight for my parents. I pull out stuff from all the places I can reach, taste anything I can lay my hands on, wake up often at night and eat food after putting up a good fight just to keep my parents' life interesting and exciting.

 A few of the older children I know tell me that you give gifts that children like. Here is my wish list :

(i) Bunch of wires ( preferably USB cable :)

(ii) 3 P-s (paper, pen, pencil)

(iii) Camera lens cover

Above gifts and time without parental supervision will be fun :)

I love you thAthA,

pAdukA

PS:We do not have a chimney in our house, so you can drop it off in our patio :)

        Here is my picture for you to recognize me 

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Sound of (my) music

More pictures in this album

Tasting all papers and chewing on wire
Reaching for small things kept lower or higher
Taking a nap on my cradle that swings
These are a few of my favorite things

Roaming the kitchen and hunting for litter
Pushups and tumbles to make myself fitter
Clapping and babbling - the joy that it brings
These are a few of my favorite things

Kisses and warm hugs from Amma and Appa
Smiling and cooing on seeing a papppa
Meddling and playing with pajama strings
These are a few of my favorite things

When the mixer roars
When the vacuum blows
When I'm falling down
I simply remember my favorite things
And then I don't feel...so bad


P.S. Lyrics of the inspiration.
Video: