My first vacation

Fri 22 June 2007

The whole afternoon I was eagerly waiting for dad to come and pick me up. This is not a usual thing .. I mean my nursery is as much fun as is home. However, today was special. Earlier in the week, I had seen Mom pack bags and make purchases like swimming diapers for me. Now even though I am very young, I was not oblivious to the excitement building up. And how right I was... I was off to Centerparcs(Elveden Forest) for the weekend.

A long wait later, Dad finally picked me up. We were due to travel in a coach from his office. The coach was expected to reach the resort by about 9ish, but were 3 hours late thanks to the combination of stupidity and obstinancy on the part of the coach driver. Thanks to Dad's keen eye on road signs we ultimately reached the place, otherwise we would have still been circling around Thetford motorways. Once at the resort, we quickly retired to our bed in our villa. Oh yes, a villa... our very own private one with 2 bedrooms.

Sat 23 Jun 2007




The next day, I was up since 6 a.m. along with Dad. While we were playing I got my first surprise of the day - we had a visit from a flock of ducks whom I could observe from the french window. Oh I love them ducks already !!

Soon we set down to a hearty breakfast prepared by Dad. Soon after, he left for his away day whilst we stayed back at the place and played a bit more.

Just before noon,Mom and Dad took me for my first swim at the swimming pool. I must let you know that I am a natural swimmer- flipping my legs like a pro. However, I lasted only 20 mins, as hunger and tiredness started kicking in. Lunch was a mexican spread at the conference venue with Dad's colleagues. The UK MD of TW gave a short speech while we were having our meals. Although his talk was a bit boring, I clapped a lot. Somehow, I think people found it funnier - maybe they saw the humor in irony !!

Post lunch, mom and I roamed around a bit before returning to our place where I played and slept through the afternoon. In the evening, I had yet another first. I had a babysitter take care of me for the whole evening while Mom and Dad went for the company party. Why does Dad's company celebrate Urvi fia's wedding anniversary is a mystery I hope to solve some day.

Sun 24 Jun 2007



Sunday began exactly the same way. Breakfast, ducks and lots of playing later, we were off to the pool again. This time dad joined us inside the pool. I wasnt sure I had as much fun this time around - especially when they created waves in the pool. I can confirm though that I am a water baby just like my Yashu bhai and Anju masi.

After lunch, we took a long walk in the woods before retiring to our villa. After resting for bit, we packed up our bags too as it was time to go back home. We boarded the coach with a heavy heart and a prayer on our lips.Thankfully, this time the coach ride was much faster and we reached home in good time.

I loved the trip, though I did feel a bit under the weather. But hey, it was well worth it - after all this was my first weekend away !!

Snip Snip

If I were based in India, I would have had an elaborate Mundan ceremony. I would have probably sat in either Fia's or Dad's lap while a barber would be shaving off all the hair on my head. It would be an occassion to celebrate for everyone else.. but an afternoon of misery for me.

As I am based in UK, the ceremony was less elaborate.. but more fun for me.

Well here's how it came about. Most of my nursery colleagues were sporting Rock Star looks. So the nursery arranged for a barber to groom us into proper gentlemen and ladies. Mom and Dad decided I needed to lose some of my mane and so my name was on the haircut list as well.

As it turned out, it was not as bad as Yash or Harsh went through. I got the haircut from a Vidal Sassoon trained barber, who was gentle with me. I was also rewarded with a "Haircut Superstar" badge and a certificate too. Beat that if you can.



Here's how I look after the cut. Dad has resorted to calling me mini me



Ain't I a "cut" above the rest ?

Father's day Hurrah !!

Okay let me begin with some updates

1. No sign of tooth yet
2. Cant walk yet... I flatter to deceive
3. Cant speak yet...blurbing is not speaking

But, here's what I can do...

1. I can eat on my own ( and feed the floor along the way)
2. I can say bye bye ( a limp wave that my carers and mom have taught me.. too girly)
3. I can flick through the pages of books ( reading them is the next logical step)
   

Oh and dad never fails to appreciate how I manage to get the pacifier in my mouth. He calls me Rajnikanth...the aging south indian hero well known for his panache.

Anyways, today was Father's day and I woke up my dad at 6 a.m. to wish him so. I gave him the card I had lovingly painted with my own hands and a Johnny Cash CD. Dad loves his music and you can see an inspired post from him earlier.

My first tantrum

Its old news that I know how to stand and I already spoke about my favorite game. So this afternoon, after a good nap, I wanted to indulge in a bit of coaster throwing. Dad set up the table for me and I was happily playing away ( Level 2 now with 2 coasters instead of just one).

For some reason, Mom wanted to hug me and kiss me (They are such a sentimental lot). She picked me up and sat me in her lap - right in the middle of one of my best moves. So I decided to employ a trick I learnt from my nursery colleagues. It involves wailing out loud to let people know that you are displeased. Obviously, they would panic and put you back to what you were doing. In this case, my parents did so, but they were not too happy about it.

Parents have a funny name for it as well.. they call it a tantrum. Anyway, that was my first. I think you need to employ this trick judiciously. Why throw tantrum when you get most things by just asking for it ? And I certainly dont want to be the boy who cried wolf

Pride and Fear

No.. not a rediscovered Jane Austen novel. This is more about the attitude of the parents when the children are growing up.



Take me for example. I have learned to sit up on my own and am also trying to stand by holding on to some support. Dad and mom get mixed feelings about this. On one hand they feel proud to see me make my progress and on the same note they are also afraid that I will now start falling off from my cot, my chair etc.



My technique of finding my dummy and putting it back in my mouth makes them proud, but also fearful that I will just about start putting everything in my reach in my mouth. My ability to clap means that Dad and mom get amused as well as afraid that I will start doing it in the middle of the night, which I do of course.

But the best part was when I stood up in my cot by holding on to the rails. It was no mean feat and there were appreciative claps all around. But just as the euphoria subsided, there was a mad scramble for the toolkit to lower my mattress.

Oh well, so long as I dont have to wear knee and elbow protectors or helmets to move around, I guess I am cool !!