First Concert:Shunya February 5, 2010

We went to watch Shunya , a live Bollywood musical  concert  on Saturday at  a fundraising event for Easter seals.

S loves going to live concerts and his enthusiasm rubbed off on me. Also one of my friend was singing and hence we did not want to miss it.

Saturday afternoon was busy and I was actually tired by the evening and wanted to just sleep instead of going to the concert. But somehow I just got ready to go watch the concert.

To begin with I was a little apprehensive about how Bubbu will be in the company of loud music, lot of people, flashy lights and a whole new environment.

But I am glad we made it to the concert without missing it.

The music was awesome, the stage and the setting was colorful and the singers and the musicians are very talented. We completely enjoyed it and Bubbu surprised us by staring continuously at the stage and being mesmerized with the music and the songs.  He enjoyed it so much that when there was a break in the performance, he would get restless and started getting cranky. As soon as the performance resumed, he was all happy and engrossed in the music.

S tried blocking Bubbu’s view to see Bubbu’s reaction and needless to say Bubbu started bending in the other direction just to catch a glimpse of the stage.

He is such a well behaved baby that I felt very proud of him.

However, he did not seem to want to eat or drink no matter what.

Me and S did slip out for a few minutes during the break to feed him some dinner but he wouldn’t have any of it at all.

Eventually we just gave up!

So now that we know Bubbu is enjoying concerts, we are hoping to attend many more to come.

St.Petersburg Trip February 5, 2010

St Petersburg Florida trip

We went to St Petersburg ,Florida over the MLK long weekend in January for 4 days. It was a blast and we had soo much fun that I did not feel like coming back .

Bubbu enjoyed the sun, sand and beach. He loved the trees and the view of the ocean from the balcony. He loved the bath in the bigger bathtub and seemed to enjoy the floating sensation and the image of his legs from the water.

We went  to the zoo in Tampa and it was absolutely wonderful weather to be outdoors. It is a big zoo and quite fun especially for toddlers as it boasts of a petting zoo ( where kids can pet farm animals  and also giraffes, rhinos etc ). Bubbu loved watching all the kids, the people, the trees, the different sounds.  He would smile at everyone if they talk to him and he was generally happy to be outdoors.

The place we stayed at, the Grand Plaza Hotel is the best with breathtaking view of the beach from our balcony. It also has the “Spinners”/ revolving restaurant which is absolutely a wonderful experience to sit back and enjoy as the  restaurant “ revolves” and makes a 360 degree circle. The food and cocktails were quite good and we enjoyed the view of the city night lights from the top.

Bubbu loved eating out with us in restaurants and would happily sit in his high chair and say “Ayyyyyyyy…OYYYYYYYY” meaning “Hi” to all the passersby. He loved all the attention he received in our hotel, in the airport and wherever we went from strangers. He was fascinated by all the new sights, sounds, people and the new shops we went to.

St Petersburg had some good restaurants around the area where we were staying and we visited a few good places and enjoyed the food.

Overall Bubbu was very well-behaved and did not give his Amma and Dadda any trouble at all except for refusing to eat unless we are eating with him in the restaurant. He also refused to drink his milk because of the constipation.

On my part, I enjoyed the relaxed lifestyle for 3 whole days..no work, no cooking or cleaning, no internet….it was laidback and fun! We did go shopping and bought couple of stuff too.

Random January 25, 2010

There is a fine line between confidence and arrogance…..maintain that

What I want  today might not interest me tomorrow..but still..

Will I be more happy if I get a promotion…or a raise or earn more…?

What will make me happy?

I love glasses.. January 25, 2010

Bubbu loves to pull my glasses whenever I wear them. He thinks its fun and playtime pulling glasses and he does very suddenly and very cutely.

So if I am carrying him, he turns and looks at my face, gives me a sweet smile and while I am immersed in his angelic smile, he suddenly brings one hand and the next thing I know, I can’t see clearly and my glasses are in his hands and he waves them to me.

It is sooo cute that I have to stop myself from smiling ( which is very hard!)

Nowadays though after he pulls the glasses, I ask him “ Amma ki echchai na glasses” and I show him my hand as if asking him to give me back the glasses…and he actually started giving me the glasses back as a good boy.

So sweet and cute.

Takes after me ! 

Holiday plan December 22, 2009

With S  busy with his work except for taking a day or 2 off from his  work, we are staying here for this holiday season which is not too bad except for the weather( which I have no control over).

I made a list of things I would like to do during holidays on my sister’s suggestion.

Here are some of the things I would like to do during holidays:

• Not wake up before 7:30 everyday
• Give oil massage followed by  sunnipindi nalugu to  Bubbu during mornings
• Do puja everyday in the morning
• Take Bubbu out once in 2 days : shopping, friends place etc event though its cold and we would rather hang out at home
• Watch lot of Hindi and Telugu movies and hindi channels on TV
• Borrow books from library
• Shopping : after christmas sale and new years day sale
• Workout everyday ( even if it is for 20 mins like a walk on the treadmill)
• Make Murukku
• Visit a friend’s place
• Blog more often and update with photos
• Checkout the “Festival of lights”
• Shop and buy appliances
• Plan the kitchen redecoration  ( complete with what color of granite countertops and backsplash)

Here’s what I wish I could do too during the holidays but I will have to wait for:

• Spend time with sister and parents
• Go shopping with sis
• Eat food prepared by Amma
• Make sand castles in a beach
• Take Bubbu out on a stroll/walk outdoors

What are you planning to do during holidays?

Tag time! December 22, 2009

Tag time!

I took up this tag from Kiran’s blog here.

Ten things you wish you could say to people right now ( don’t take names)

1. Enjoy your holiday and don’t worry about the future!
2. Call me now!
3. I don’t care what you think of me
4. Lets meet
5. Lets go shopping
6. Lets paint
7. Take a break!
8. Miss you!
9. I wish I could meet you
10. Lets go

Nine things about yourself

1. I believe completely in the philosophy “ What goes around comes around”
2. I love to eat and cook but more the former though!
3. I love gardening and would love to move to a warmer place so that I can garden the whole year
4. I love beaches and beach cities/towns and would love to live in such a place so that Bubbu also enjoys the place!
5. I love short vacations ( less than a 5 days ) more than longer vacations ( except for going home)
6. I believe in the philosophy  that God gives only what we deserve
7. I  prefer sleeping under the cool shade of a Banyan tree or in a mango groove looking at the stars compared to an AC room
8. I prefer a small and comfortable house with a huge and well-kept flower and vegetable garden compared to a huge house with no trees.
9. I love to shop looking for the best deals: both online and at stores.

Eight ways to win your heart

1. Make me laugh!
2. Show compassion and kindness to everyone!
3. Love kids !
4. Take me shopping and wait outside the fitting room while I try stuff!
5. Do the dishes!
6. Help me by talking with me while I cook
7. Make Bubbu laugh!
8. Spend time with my parents and love it!

Seven things that cross your mind a lot

1. Bubbu: what should I do to be a best Mom for him
2. My weight and how to reach my goal weight and stay there!
3. Budget and how to optimize savings
4. When do I make a trip to Singapore/India
5. How do we  celebrate Bubbu’s first birthday
6. I wish I had my sister or my parents closer to where we live
7. I wish I had some of my good friends  closer to the place I live

Six things you wish you never did

1.  Took engineering very lightly and not study/work hard during 4 years of college
2.  Move from the current  place long time back to a sunny city/town instead of living here for more than 5 years
3.  Trying hard to impress/agree to people who don’t matter
4.  Eat so much during weekends and turn to food for comfort!
5.  Move to US for Masters
6.  Readily believe people

Five Turn offs

1. Bad breath
2. Body odor
3. Lack of concern about others or “me,myself” attitude
4. People who just complain and complain about how expensive everything is even though they can afford it
5. People who just take and take but refuse to give/share

Four turn on’s

1. Music, candles, delicious dinner
2. Clean house
3. Jewelry
4. Snuggling with Bubbu and S

Three things you want to do before you die

1. Tour entire India
2. Visit the seven wonders of the world
3. Enjoy life to the fullest with no needs,wants,desires

One confession

I am a food addict and love good food

I tag anyone who reads this post!

First haircut December 8, 2009

Bubbu’s hair ceremony ( first haircut) took place today ( Dec 3,2009). He is such a good boy and cooperated so well to the haircut that I am amazed by this sweet and cute little boy.

The temple pujarigaru booked the appointment for today morning @ 10 AM. I woke up in the morning, gave Bubbu his head bath and S helped with the feeding and getting him to nap part. Meanwhile I made Parammannam for prasaadam to take to the temple and did puja @ home.

After Bubbu woke up from his nap we fed and left to the temple and reached the temple with fruits and prasaadam at around 10:15 AM. Pujarigaru was ready and waiting for us by that time.

We took couple of snaps with his head full of hair and started with Puja. I felt a little unprepared as I forgot to bring flowers and scissors ( didn’t know that we have to get scissors). But pujarigaru used the scissors in the temple.

We sat @ the puja and started off with Ganesha Puja followed by “elavelpu” ( home diety) puja (Mallikarjuna Swami is our home diety) and then a puja to the scissors is performed. Al in all it took 45 minutes and Bubbu was watching everything throughout the puja calmly without being fussy. He is sooo adorable and such a sweet and good boy. Everything went well without any interruption.

Once the puja is done, pujarigaru cut 3 strands of Bubbu’s hair.Typically Bubbu’s mavayya ( Mom’s brother ) gets to cut Bubbu’s hair but since we are in a faraway place from family pujarigaru did it. I totally forgot that mavayya gets to cut Bubbu’s hair; else I would have asked one of our friends to do it.

After the temple ceremony, we headed out to a hair salon and explained to the hairdresser about the haircut. She understood immediately ( prev Indians storming the place ?) and completely removed all of his hair. There is still a slight stubble as they don’t shave the hair like in a barber’s hair but all of my Bubbu;s hair with his beautiful curls is gone. We took a video and lot of photos of the entire process. The salon also gave him a certificate showing the date and his first haircut.

Bubbu was sitting very still and enjoying all this without being fussy at all.

Sometimes I am amazed by this darling and cute little kid who is always curious, very social and generally does not fuss about anything ( except about food..sigh!).

Thanksgiving 2009 December 8, 2009

Bubbu’s pinni made it to our home for Thanksgiving this year and it was a joyous occasion filled with lot of fun,shopping,eating,playing with Bubbu etc.

Bubbu had lot of fun on seeing his pinni and generally played with her and spent time with her. He also gave her a gift for thanksgiving…a bite on her cheek under the eye. Yes..nowadays Bubbu bites if he gets very excited.

I was telling my sister how she should not give her cheek for kissies and the next day, Bubbu bites me. J

This little guy has cute and sharp teeth like a Bunny rabbit and it is simply amazing how much he makes use o them nowadays trying to bite off everything ( except food).

We left Bubbu under the care of his Dadda on the day after thanksgiving and shopped from 5 AM till 12 PM and it was wonderful. His pinni got lot of toys and dresses for Bubbu.

My sister’s friend landed from Chicago on Saturday and more shopping followed. Bubbu guessed that he is getting lot of attention and he became quite naughty refusing to eat/refusing to nap and always wanting to play with us.

I did have one incident of a  frustrated dinner time during the 4 days when Bubbu refused to eat not more than 2 spoons of dinner. His pinni took over and somehow he finished half of his bowl and that’s it.

Sigh…I wish Bubbu would eat well and not be fussy with food and always be healthy.

His pinni left on Monday morning and life came back to a routine.

The 4 days passed off like 4 hours.

His babysitter told me that he was a little fussy on  Monday but was back to normal on Tuesday.

This thanksgiving I am thankful for many things in my life ( big kala tika )

• Bubbu: the joy of our lives and the best de-stresser ; his smile is enough to lift my mood anytime, any place;
• Family: S for his level handedness in most things and my family for being the best loving and caring supporters in everything
• Job: I remember last year around this time things started getting bad @ work; we weren’t sure if I am going to have my job. And me being pregnant and S planning to quit to start his company it was a very stressful time. But we survived. (
• Friends both @ work, outside work and my childhood ones

Also, I am thankful for

• Hindi channels, especially soaps like Karol Bhagh and Shree which keep me sane during the winter months
• Movies : even though I did not watch as many as I wanted to
• Unlimited calling to home and g-chat for video chatting
• Blogs : food blogs , Mommy blogs, others …I enjoy reading them even though don’t get around to comment
• Our local library: love it..its my place for getting some good reads.
• Good food, either cooked by me or S or by friends during get-togethers.

So how did your thanksgiving go?

Note: Image source- google images

Puppy love December 1, 2009

Bubbu loves his puppy. A good friend V, gifted us this puppy on my  baby shower. We didn’t get to open it till now because of all the other toys.

As soon as Bubbu  sees the puppy, he has a smile and laughs at it.

He just falls all over the puppy and gives him lots of kisses!

It is soo cute that I snapped couple of pictures last nite.

I will try to post some pics of Bubbu with his puppy.

The end of world? December 1, 2009

Two weeks ago   I went and watched the movie 2012. This is the first time after a long long time  that I went and watched an English movie in the theatre. S came home early by 6:30 PM and took care of  Bubbu and I went to the 6:45 show with a good friend D ( who has a 3 month old boy ) . And it was fun. I never realized going to a  movie would be such a big deal; I am beginning to realize  the luxury of having that free time only after having Bubbbu.

 

Pre-Bubbu days, going to movies was fun and I guess I always took it for granted.

 

Post  Bubbu, I am realizing the importance of those 2 hours of just “me”time. It is wonderful just enjoying he movie with no distractions, no thoughts about feeding,changing diaper, sleep time/bath time/bottles boiling time etc.

 

However, I did feel like calling S in the middle of the movie to check on Bubbu; but I did not just because I know S takes very good care of Bubbu and I left instructions only on what to feed for dinner. Thee rest of the evening part S took over and did all the customary to do things for Bubbu. After dinner S gave Bubbu his evening oil massage followed by a wet/warm cloth wipe ( instead of bath).

 

 

I liked the movie; even though it was a non-stop disaster  to the power of disaster effects;  the graphics are excellent, John Cusack is very natural and the movie did make me have tears in my eyes couple of times!

 

Is the world beginning to end on Dec 21, 2012?

Only time will tell that.

But if it does, I do wish that we all have lived our lives to the fullest and the happiest before the end!