Huntin' for Fun

Daadi is at the center of our household. As an elderly grandma, she doesn't consider leaving the home to be much fun (and if you know our loooong stairs, you can understand why). This is why Yogesh and I have a few tricks to get her out. These include (in no particular order):
- Discussing how many wonderful HOUSES there are to go hunt for (we're not really in the market, but we tell her we are)...househunting for a home with a nice deck and warm garden, with one bedroom & bathroom on the main floor, is a favorite pasttime of hers & ours.
- Talking about Rainbow Grocery, our new favorite hippie-commune-green-uber PC- grocery store.
- Having Deven say "Daadi, CHAAALO!" (essentially, "Daadi, let's GO!")...over, and over, and over..., and
- Giving her Rohan when he's smiling and giggly, and telling her that he's that way because he wants her to go outside and breathe in the fresh air and feel the sunshine.


Our tricks work, at least 1/2 the time. We have a better hit-rate if it's clearly a warmer / less windy day, and don't even try if it's grey and cold outside.

...If any of you talk with Daadi, don't you dare tell her about our tricks! :)

Oh, the photos here were taken in Houston at the Butterfly Garden inside the History Museum - I love this one of Heather & Ante (who, as you may recall, is just 3 weeks older than Rohan, and also just rolled over for the first time recently!) I love that he's older, bigger, and much balder than Rohan (and Deven). If Heather as a baby is any guide, he'll be bald until he's 2. :)

Growin' up

Today we had the boys checked by their doctor.

ROHAN is:
- Rolling over on hard surfaces
- Smiling and giggling when you play Peek-a-Boo with him (still the best game EVER invented)
- Is capable of sleeping through the night - but that doesn't mean he IS doing so yet...
- In the 50th Percentile for weight, height, and head circumference

DEVEN
- Is back up into the 50th Percentile for most things, except weight
- Still doesn't trust the doctor...he'd had a traumatic earwax cleaning a while back, and doesn't think anyone at the doctor's office is to be trusted now
- Is going off to preschool this fall @ Holy Family Day Home - and we forgot the forms for the doctor to sign for that, of course.

Otherwise, things are going well here. Yogesh and I are both working too many hours, but we have old friends Kathleen and Christie coming in this weekend...and hopefully the work will let up soon.

Almost 2

Tonight, on the eve of Deven's second birthday, I'm feeling pretty thankful for what we have:

Deven
- Talks to Naani every morning. Has learned to say "I love you Naani. Talk to you later Naani. See you soon... Goodbye Naani" before he hits the red button to hang the phone up (well, most of the time, anyway).
- Runs, jumps, knows how to count to 20 and say the days of the week, months of the year, and 2 languages in toddler-speak, at least.
- Is a sweet, gentle big brother. He's a reticent, shy child who will hang back in new situations and sometimes gets overzealous in his love for Rohan, but generally listens to us...unless he's having a toddler moment.





Rohan
- Continues to talk, squeal, and coo adorably. Still not rolling over all the way or showing any signs of interest in food, but no rush on that.
- His fussiness has subsided for the most part, and in general, he continues to be a sensitive, hot-and-cold child.
- Still isn't sleeping through the night, but we've started to be able to put him down alone and he's actually doing pretty well.



Daddy
- Has grown into being the best Daddy I could have hoped for. He calms Rohan down better than I, he even had the foresight to bring his mom (Daadi) here to live with us. A very, very wise decision.



Daadi
- Has grown older physically, but younger mentally. Listening to her coo to Rohan & Deven makes my heart expand.
- Now is a U.S. green card holder!

Mommy
- Just had my first (and hopefully last) root canal this week. I was told there, that my tooth was "very old" - making me feel, well, very old!
- Still has 20 lbs to go, to get back to pre-baby weight. I know I can do it (encouragement welcome).



Naani & Grandpa & Family
- Still live too far away. As do Aunt Heather & family. Deven misses them, and I know Rohan will too once he gets to know them.
- Aunt Heather has been really sick lately; we all hope she feels better soon!
- Cousin Ante is a big kid - only 3 weeks older than Rohan and noticeably larger (and balder!) than his slightly-younger cousin. The jury is still out on who's cuter...Naani & Grandpa know better than to choose sides in that debate. :)
- We still miss Uncle Helly and are thinking good thoughts for Aunt Carolyn, Rea, Mike, & family.

Friends
- Many close friends; some who will help us celebrate tomorrow - and some who will be too far away, but in our thoughts.





Despite the tears, frustration, sleelessness, sicknesses, and screaming, it's been a very, very good 2 years. I'm glad we started this journey of parenthood with you, Deven Reid Sharma. Happy Birthday, my son.