tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-342241572024-03-07T00:44:37.630-05:00Forever MommyFrom a daughter to a wife and finally a mommy - the journey of a woman is ever so exciting and interesting; not to mention a lot of times, nerve-wrecking and self-doubting. I have never felt more humbled, more responsible, more selfless and more complete than after being called "mommy" the very first time. Here is a sneak peak into my life, my mind, and my journey, from a Girl to a Mommy Forever.Not so perfect mom of Neel & Gaurihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09783752050757594678noreply@blogger.comBlogger76125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34224157.post-19855821578754737382016-02-03T12:54:00.000-05:002016-02-04T00:46:53.407-05:00My Little Philanthropist<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Our Europe trip meant a bunch of different things to all of us. We witnessed things that we had only read in books, experienced those that were told to us by others, and felt some strong emotions about things that weren't on our agenda anywhere. I will document more about our Fun Europe Holiday in a separate post but this one is specially about my most special person, my Neel and I want to capture this as a reminder to him when he grows up, that he has big heart, a Huge heart even as kid. I hope this post will always remind him to keep a big heart for those who are not so privileged as we are.<br />
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Last April Vacation week we took the bold step to take our first family vacation outside of the US. We went to Europe - Woo-hoo... It required a lot of planning, some curb balls along the way but overall it was absolutely amazing. After Rome and Greece our final destination as the beautiful country Turkey! <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Topokapi Palace</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpeUUDCHTTHBpcs2PljO96VGiGbch9I-LQxFf21qIKDNSn88cyz1vv4aMVmd-ibPb4-26JRn4tyrW__WVCctpGs0E3mvJ-fQfxeoPhyphenhyphen0GddC6jS6jMGOyVjyardeKvm8iUqz0j/s1600/taksim_tram.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="145" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpeUUDCHTTHBpcs2PljO96VGiGbch9I-LQxFf21qIKDNSn88cyz1vv4aMVmd-ibPb4-26JRn4tyrW__WVCctpGs0E3mvJ-fQfxeoPhyphenhyphen0GddC6jS6jMGOyVjyardeKvm8iUqz0j/s200/taksim_tram.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Taksim Square - The nostalgia of tram</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUF4wRmZcpwao4vJKSeAJ9wPZyvSImYKDabR9uKhBlAbVPM331UIpButCuQNZ0lB0q6Se7Lw-zFl4J58bTO8tipxbeCFmdlk_YeyDOwPClKuhx3lB5XFo72b8zwI-KR9TebrGE/s1600/WP_20150424_004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUF4wRmZcpwao4vJKSeAJ9wPZyvSImYKDabR9uKhBlAbVPM331UIpButCuQNZ0lB0q6Se7Lw-zFl4J58bTO8tipxbeCFmdlk_YeyDOwPClKuhx3lB5XFo72b8zwI-KR9TebrGE/s200/WP_20150424_004.jpg" width="112" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Little Tourists</td></tr>
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We had known very little about this country and what a treat for the eyes this place had. Even though quit chilly, temperature wise, this place as full of Tulips (My absolute favorite amongst all flowers after lilies). Wherever we went we could see carpets of Tulips. I had never imagined Turkey and Tulips go hand in hand, I used to imagine Holland and Switzerland when I thought of tulips! <br />
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The place had its charm, it was extremely colorful - from beautiful blue skies, to gorgeously colorful ceramic tiles, to hand painted pottery, Glass lamps, golden Turkish tea, the high <em>Minars</em> that seemed to be touching the clouds and the sound of evening prayers....everything was so romantic, so beautiful, so gorgeous! <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Colorful Glass Luminaries</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mesmerizing Darwish </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl8O-slVPCX1CemaXSPl3wx59GDNZgb904-ac8FMT2Z-k2ZQ1Dnbull0kusnjjBXXaDF897Gdjs9nZ29CBy9XvrNUpxcG3l9pixzdqUWBreeByhfeAbQ_3oP4YI6Ve-2DgkdlB/s1600/grand_bazaar.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl8O-slVPCX1CemaXSPl3wx59GDNZgb904-ac8FMT2Z-k2ZQ1Dnbull0kusnjjBXXaDF897Gdjs9nZ29CBy9XvrNUpxcG3l9pixzdqUWBreeByhfeAbQ_3oP4YI6Ve-2DgkdlB/s200/grand_bazaar.png" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The truly grand "Grand Bazaar"</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp3oaNSAnSChSM9mZ-EcdW1sY6wAX70HFl99gCC4jzJJ-P3nOTesBr8S4pIyI45ItWFBqVEKleYn_BXKWZNRZsFbpnFT3ZPLDlqkDAPAcit7UNHFkqbqW_o5m8nO6PlyBtV6MR/s1600/WP_20150424_077.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp3oaNSAnSChSM9mZ-EcdW1sY6wAX70HFl99gCC4jzJJ-P3nOTesBr8S4pIyI45ItWFBqVEKleYn_BXKWZNRZsFbpnFT3ZPLDlqkDAPAcit7UNHFkqbqW_o5m8nO6PlyBtV6MR/s200/WP_20150424_077.jpg" style="cursor: move;" unselectable="on" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Street Cats - Neel's only favorite thing in Turkey</td></tr>
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But my little boy wasn't quite feeling the same way as all of us were. He as often sad and somewhat lost. I thought it must be all the travel and jet lag that was getting to him. The only thing that would bring a spark in his eyes were the myriad of street cats in Istanbul. <br />
But every time we stepped out, Neel would search into his pockets for any remaining Turkish Lira form his allowance and would make sure he had several coins. This was definitely not for him to buy something for himself but for another very special reason. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coloful steets of Istanbul</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP4C6ajjdlNx2A4HbVk_vbXpPFZUc9HhhYMI1M-bqqBkv1BqttAGdFdu2VUmPwECARJlQ0-Chyphenhyphen1SuQxdAJD5bhNo_yiLFpKPt0fWONgFEPq55R_Ywx0tQsIlzmsMBAYcDZOrV8/s1600/WP_20150425_010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP4C6ajjdlNx2A4HbVk_vbXpPFZUc9HhhYMI1M-bqqBkv1BqttAGdFdu2VUmPwECARJlQ0-Chyphenhyphen1SuQxdAJD5bhNo_yiLFpKPt0fWONgFEPq55R_Ywx0tQsIlzmsMBAYcDZOrV8/s200/WP_20150425_010.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The gorgeous Hagia Sofia</td></tr>
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While on one hand we were seeing all these beautiful Palaces and Elaborate Mosques and Grand Bazars, the city of Istanbul had somewhat sad side to it. It had a significantly large number of homeless kids on the streets, in public transport, on the train stations etc, begging for food or money. And it was definitely breaking our heart. But for Neel - it was the reality he had NEVER been exposed to; it was something that he was not able to comprehend at all. He had always imagined that kids had grown ups that took care of them, that everyone had some place to sleep in even if it may be small, that perhaps everyone ate something for dinner even if it may not be their favorite food! But how could a little kid be wandering around all by himself sticking his hand out for money or food? Where was his Mom or Dad? And why did he not have any warm clothes on the cold winder night and who is taking care of him? Neel had a million questions in mind and a handful that he would try ask me by pulling me on the side. And every time he saw such kids, his eyes would tear up. He would reach in his pockets and gave that kid whatever he had in his pockets. He had often insisted on getting a sweet or a dessert only to give it away to a kid sitting outside the shop!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Lmqyb7kNLAFBURsDM5YICQhW-t_MnSsopUTR55ztp9QDTUqXg9HEzAPUVQaa6CaQRC7GHCjmlmvRgiUiqr5jD2XrE4UbYrGisTxV9X9KSd-D6HYRBjYB-V8AeC14RFjp-vf7/s1600/WP_20150424_009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Lmqyb7kNLAFBURsDM5YICQhW-t_MnSsopUTR55ztp9QDTUqXg9HEzAPUVQaa6CaQRC7GHCjmlmvRgiUiqr5jD2XrE4UbYrGisTxV9X9KSd-D6HYRBjYB-V8AeC14RFjp-vf7/s200/WP_20150424_009.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzIHGgFEoA4LQ1BNio4nkwjkqvWUgf7xrDZ986hkKqGq2_hpSO0RMBLBJb7fxgzS5kZcC9mej58U6lAc8mN6oxgKQ7xDF970UpAAYRS2em2TQUn8CgLfsM5R5TYb3SEmBKZmDu/s1600/WP_20150425_073.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="142" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzIHGgFEoA4LQ1BNio4nkwjkqvWUgf7xrDZ986hkKqGq2_hpSO0RMBLBJb7fxgzS5kZcC9mej58U6lAc8mN6oxgKQ7xDF970UpAAYRS2em2TQUn8CgLfsM5R5TYb3SEmBKZmDu/s200/WP_20150425_073.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMANUUq38h2N4bVhBE5i7sQDSs2ap0gyFWizAIJWnlOTgUsIHfG9aPK0eMhwf2cyg6yNasYLgGbMhdrWeQ_h_7i7az10pXnqxjhof5VVrObZpaaeqaDcCseLwVK_JQVEnRhURQ/s1600/WP_20150424_111.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMANUUq38h2N4bVhBE5i7sQDSs2ap0gyFWizAIJWnlOTgUsIHfG9aPK0eMhwf2cyg6yNasYLgGbMhdrWeQ_h_7i7az10pXnqxjhof5VVrObZpaaeqaDcCseLwVK_JQVEnRhURQ/s200/WP_20150424_111.jpg" width="200" /></a>On the day of my Birthday, he told me something that made me cry and made me proud at the same time. We were going out for dinner and as we walked down the street he saw a kid trying to squeeze his head between his knees to keep him warm. I gave Neel some money to give it to the kid. As we walked a little further down we saw another kid, I gave him some money once again. Neel stood there and didn't move, I pulled him on the side and asked him what was it and he started to cry. And in his broken voice he asked - "Do you think this money can keep him warm and buy him food, this is nothing Ma." I told him Neel we can go and give them some more and he said "but how can you walk away like they don't exist. They are kids just like me, why cant you treat them like your own kids" . I did not have a single answer to any of his questions and I was feeling ashamed! ashamed that my little boy can feel and think of the pain of this harsh reality while I was able to look past it accepting it as "harsh reality". In a second, Neel had changed everything for me. The thought of celebration of my birthday, of a great vacation, all of those feelings were taken over by the raw feeling of pain and I felt so little in front of my little boy. Neel refused to eat anything for Dinner, his exact words "I've lost my appetite". He asked the server to pack his food into two separate boxes. That was strange. I asked him why and said that it was enough food to give to the two kids we had seen on the street while walking to the restaurant. My heart as pumping harder with every word that was coming out of his mouth. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2TL6KEgI9nLt50bzl062i-gDiBpNPgQ26VN3WkECSDK-J3N8RMl-lcbnld1PTKf4EeiFTJGlPNjvrcXdrTqo-zZ-DCkSAML6XTCToj4ftz-413ObCzwWZomf3P7Wy7V3Pvm03/s1600/hat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="131" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2TL6KEgI9nLt50bzl062i-gDiBpNPgQ26VN3WkECSDK-J3N8RMl-lcbnld1PTKf4EeiFTJGlPNjvrcXdrTqo-zZ-DCkSAML6XTCToj4ftz-413ObCzwWZomf3P7Wy7V3Pvm03/s200/hat.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hunger Hurts!</td></tr>
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Unfortunately the two kids we had seen of the street were gone by the time we walked back. Neel was very disappointed; we went to many side streets looking for them but we couldn't find them. But Daddy promised Neel that once he gets us back to the Hotel he will walk around looking for those kids, that he will give the food to them tonight. In the Hotel Room Neel told me "Ma I have a present for you but I am sorry I wont be able to give it to you" I told him it was OK not bothering to ask "why" but he continued "I would rather save that money and give to poor kids!" Geez....my heart was sinking, the head was hurting, I was suddenly aware of how cold by body was feeling at that moment - I was frozen. I was frozen by the words that came out of Neel's mouth, the pain that he was feeling, how big his heart was, and that at 6 years of age he has realized the pain of others - bigger than any of his! I was Proud of the BIG heart my Little Boy had. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Always be the giver my little boy!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
On our flight back Neel and I sat side by side holding each others hands, talking about things I didn't think he'd understand but he actually did. He realized its not just Turkey but there are unfortunate kids around the world. We talked about Africa, and countries in war zone and homelessness in India and even America. I was not afraid of telling him the truth anymore, I knew that he had some sort of extraordinary capability to understand pain and suffering of others. As we watched the in flight movie on Steve Jobs we got on the topic of Bill Gates and Malinda Gates Foundation and how impressed Neel is with Bill Gates - that is beyond words. He said "I want to be like Bill Gates" "I want to make a LOT of money and give it to the poor people. I know I can do it"<br />
<br />
He even said "I'll ask <em>Mama</em> to give the money I've been saving to Bill Gates when <em>mama</em> goes to Seattle next time" (his <em>mama/</em> uncle works for Microsoft :) ) Such is my Big Hearted Little Boy.<br />
I know someday he will do something good for the world, and I am very fortunate to be his mother.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeAI6cQ9hrPS3poOYQzhxE6cwTBThfuouLItBW74MMgg4LsnZgYqLeIkLOdoK_v8f8umZsuYlViIsAuZ4IJe97ovBeCRfr67UmG10yWcXfYQKCri0XTBL3yVWkbpt7xF8-HuBo/s1600/WP_20150424_012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeAI6cQ9hrPS3poOYQzhxE6cwTBThfuouLItBW74MMgg4LsnZgYqLeIkLOdoK_v8f8umZsuYlViIsAuZ4IJe97ovBeCRfr67UmG10yWcXfYQKCri0XTBL3yVWkbpt7xF8-HuBo/s200/WP_20150424_012.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8mZ21FrYgCasBoI4XqZlC06i56Y5X4ktREhNEs43syjsHwfjxH9Lg2R-5P6uciE8JFnrje7wyO48qaFhUWnCOvJ5GZ00Rn5mQgCKsGcUYQ7ag7tGgP3byGsMLwQ-hGHE-E6sR/s1600/WP_20150425_079.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8mZ21FrYgCasBoI4XqZlC06i56Y5X4ktREhNEs43syjsHwfjxH9Lg2R-5P6uciE8JFnrje7wyO48qaFhUWnCOvJ5GZ00Rn5mQgCKsGcUYQ7ag7tGgP3byGsMLwQ-hGHE-E6sR/s320/WP_20150425_079.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Street cats of Istanbul sure must miss Neel</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQUXF9hWh4KxlcwO6PI7c3y9VtUGrGfjXOp4V4Xqxv0m1sDxWba6roi8b7c_MBDj2eoQ8L6Att6cMnCLAOYRabXMSG2gIqZ0BPB7UN9qyVammKgy6-fQZRFEnZ2UlyRtOfBVaO/s1600/WP_20150425_049.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQUXF9hWh4KxlcwO6PI7c3y9VtUGrGfjXOp4V4Xqxv0m1sDxWba6roi8b7c_MBDj2eoQ8L6Att6cMnCLAOYRabXMSG2gIqZ0BPB7UN9qyVammKgy6-fQZRFEnZ2UlyRtOfBVaO/s200/WP_20150425_049.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
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Not so perfect mom of Neel & Gaurihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09783752050757594678noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34224157.post-62529045023644629132015-03-16T16:03:00.001-04:002015-03-16T21:53:44.039-04:00Emotional – Who? Kids or Adults?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5ToJplrwPgt-t7Z42SRkkBjGT_OoLieV66HR0w9TYTZ3_-3kq5vkgBaKXOSyJb_7Xo47qblCbdg4s3lSerw_pDW3grn6F3F1btR3bNwVC4VunkEFYjjR3HY1O7symlAEHjztj/s1600/altAiewUHQBkBYDGL_CkRF5sVRq-ZgwbvDEKmvMp99ZmD1Q.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5ToJplrwPgt-t7Z42SRkkBjGT_OoLieV66HR0w9TYTZ3_-3kq5vkgBaKXOSyJb_7Xo47qblCbdg4s3lSerw_pDW3grn6F3F1btR3bNwVC4VunkEFYjjR3HY1O7symlAEHjztj/s1600/altAiewUHQBkBYDGL_CkRF5sVRq-ZgwbvDEKmvMp99ZmD1Q.jpg" height="320" width="179" /></a><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsUr_K9U_62B4sktezxzu41FZNTAUmSKUDIA8tJfRn3Yb-80DjYFxAHwkpp_X74U-dQuxJnaSnQnaIHMgA2TAAF9NI7DF7MFYYh33gzy4oWl8KZ8g_KBz6qmr9RbepVHFLMe5g/s1600/WP_20141005_017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsUr_K9U_62B4sktezxzu41FZNTAUmSKUDIA8tJfRn3Yb-80DjYFxAHwkpp_X74U-dQuxJnaSnQnaIHMgA2TAAF9NI7DF7MFYYh33gzy4oWl8KZ8g_KBz6qmr9RbepVHFLMe5g/s1600/WP_20141005_017.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Last week, on one of our regular crazy mornings, when dropping off kids to schools I was
somewhat upset with Gauri for making us late because of her last minute notice
that it was Dr. Seuss Birthday and she needed a hat to wear to school. I told her “too
late” we can’t whip-up something at this last minute because Neel’s schools starts
early and he would get late. But she insisted and tried to bring out craft
material and try to do something but it was getting out of control! paper, scissors, hot glue, fabric paint...of Gosh...mess all over!! So - I gave-in and created a red and white striped cat-in-the-hat hat for her
with cardsheet. Of course this got us <em>very</em> late for Neel’s drop off and the
traffic was even crazier that morning which made me even more anxious. I told Gauri
that we can’t do this anymore. If she can’t remember what she needs for the next
morning and prepares it the night before - then we can’t work on it in the morning.
Then the kids started fighting in the car and that aggravated my anxiety
further. After somehow dropping off Neel (late of course) when driving to Gauri’s
school she insisted on doing something that would have made it very hard for
her to walk all the way to her class on those black ice packed side walk. And even after me insisting on letting me help her
- she wouldn’t listen. I got frustrated and told her that I am so disappointed in
her and that she makes “everything” (my over-exaggeration) very hard !! This I
believe made her very sad and just like that she says to me – ”stop it ma, you
are hurting my feelings . You are making me SAD. I don’t like to start my
school day when you are not happy with me. My whole day is ruined when you or baba are mad at me” and
she got teary. And right away I realized what I was doing and the power of our
words and how much weight they carry for our children. I immediately apologized to her and told her that I
loved her and “it’s not a big deal” and that mommy should have more patience. We kissed and smiled at each other and before I knew she disappeared in front of my eyes in that crowd of other kids....</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I was left wondering for hours - who I more emotional - our kids or us? Who is more vocal about their feelings - them or us? Who is more apt at using their words to express their feelings - little ones or us? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2nWofBZtxASiSbQe2v7eF9nkrWQyIliJ9Zg0dOtV3ZZNZGbSMxLUCCSLcpLlPW2hUIdhhYJv7caNeQSKj56XxKH6QUzWdJshNNeXAacJoP1wIdfB2zOo5VByE4lAjcTHn5tdT/s1600/WP_20141018_008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2nWofBZtxASiSbQe2v7eF9nkrWQyIliJ9Zg0dOtV3ZZNZGbSMxLUCCSLcpLlPW2hUIdhhYJv7caNeQSKj56XxKH6QUzWdJshNNeXAacJoP1wIdfB2zOo5VByE4lAjcTHn5tdT/s1600/WP_20141018_008.jpg" height="320" width="179" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I am proud of you Gauri ...that you are so well equipped to express yourself in a much nicer way than mommy...that you know exactly how you feel and what hurts, and you are not afraid to express it. I can see that you are going to be one strong girl with a "clear" head! Hugs from your mum who is learning from you! XO</span></div>
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Not so perfect mom of Neel & Gaurihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09783752050757594678noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34224157.post-14905596126436457092014-06-19T15:39:00.001-04:002014-06-19T15:42:18.110-04:00Will do anything for Scented Highlighters<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<div class="MsoNormal">
Well its been way too long since I stopped writing but its
not that I had forgotten about my blog. On contrary there has been no week that
I have not thought about staring it again or capturing the cute, often funny
details about my two growing-up-too-quickly munchkins but as the kids are
growing up – so is the amount of my involvement in their daily activities. I
have no idea what so ever if I will ever get time to write something again. But
then there are times just like today when I feel almost an irresistible need to
capture the precious moments of their childhood in words so they become
wonderful lasting memories for my kids to learn about themselves if I am not
there to tell them each and every detail of their sweet childhood. I think that
is one gift I should give to my kids – the gift of memories, memories which
will make them laugh, sometimes cry and most of them remind them how much they
were loved and how crazy in love their mother was with them. I hope that
someday when they are growing up and we are not talking the “same language”
anymore and they think I don’t understand (which I believe every teenager
thinks about their parents) or when I think to myself “who are these people and
how can they talk to me like this…” in times like that, these memories will
bring a smile to both my kids and me and keep the love flowing.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So here is the reason for this blog <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Ok now I have to start with Neel – very little has been
captured so far about this little boy who just simply is the cutest thing you’d
come across. Everyone and anyone who comes close to this fellow, fells for his
charm. HE IS A CHARMER ….</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijD7DUYnDSWkSWZiRhcjCHFH1m854kCx7DAxVeZnlfEjchX66Yz6OnhFGUdaQ5QR6PqgsRDKgBwtXL4ZG6hkRJU0499ZsZzTMN1K9_4BqV2n6KPaZki5U0cXmhzEardXvtYDDE/s1600/fotor_fotor_(6)(1)%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZpWtB5flF4Vuo7jdV_wQEvAGqSpm14isWLUCydDmVdyj7mPNPGS0kUQhyBGM5HT38pgos7bt50rhKa_WfTVnEshbDkc9ACAHtbLqnIBBIcfgzrxAqsQG1AvPBEirqOb_Joeo6/s1600/WP_20140527_003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZpWtB5flF4Vuo7jdV_wQEvAGqSpm14isWLUCydDmVdyj7mPNPGS0kUQhyBGM5HT38pgos7bt50rhKa_WfTVnEshbDkc9ACAHtbLqnIBBIcfgzrxAqsQG1AvPBEirqOb_Joeo6/s1600/WP_20140527_003.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivy4L1xYtyJeIw2OOAO6ortwGRSJbYln4fJsGieRmg3alkfVmrzHixxevzQGSCubnagQ6tu8pCynRxnIudjVELKEP7ZFtG2EyQMwLY1F5leBaLgpK2d3tS4y_u8-2luEBkREIa/s1600/WP_20131219_05020140404151053%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivy4L1xYtyJeIw2OOAO6ortwGRSJbYln4fJsGieRmg3alkfVmrzHixxevzQGSCubnagQ6tu8pCynRxnIudjVELKEP7ZFtG2EyQMwLY1F5leBaLgpK2d3tS4y_u8-2luEBkREIa/s1600/WP_20131219_05020140404151053%5B1%5D.jpg" height="320" width="190" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg08Hhf6z5xL7g9Sx4ORvlo8nkVdy4Y0mcTwxELFfkER0SIl4ZG9mHDn34XBeqPXVj4f7h6Qkub8Q3FxoE-q7KEiYryiEYypuC6pWgwT-XaFdf_carF4h6fcdx9PMhK0Sq8fI4n/s1600/WP_20131214_035%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhidRbblYH9iQNImblg3lRElgZtwc4dmIrisITZ2jX8vI2iV4l8mh05SWluvsYiSxVmqTBLgHBrCulBeF_BO0XYTsiaZWx87T__sU1t4LKejVwwnQuenSntzahCisc0_lO6NYYA/s1600/fotor_(8).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhidRbblYH9iQNImblg3lRElgZtwc4dmIrisITZ2jX8vI2iV4l8mh05SWluvsYiSxVmqTBLgHBrCulBeF_BO0XYTsiaZWx87T__sU1t4LKejVwwnQuenSntzahCisc0_lO6NYYA/s1600/fotor_(8).jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
Neel although would play almost with anyone (age no bar),
talk to literally every person on the street but the boy does not make friends
very easily! He has always had just one friend and that too he has lost many
friends because of transitioning from one school/ day care to another. So
basically he doesn’t really have many close friends boy or girl. But the other
night when he and I were cuddles in bed reading Magic tree house he suddenly interrupts
me (which he never never does when it’s a Magic Tree House book in my hand) and
tries to whisper something in my ear that I thought I did not hear correctly.
Our conversation goes like this:<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Me: What, what are you saying Neel?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Neel: Maaa…I can’t say it so loud. I don’t want anyone to
hear except you.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Me: Ok Tell me what were you saying</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Neel: You know ma I don’t like to “K-I-S-S” anyone outside
our family?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Me: Yes Neel. So?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Neel: I think I’ll just do a very quick “K-I-S-S” just one
time.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Me(now VERY curious to know what is going on): why? What
made you change your mind, who would you kiss? Why?...</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Neel: Ma I know you have to kiss the bride when the priest
asks to…. To get married. So I’ll do a quick kiss and get married.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Me: Oh so you mean some day you’ll marry someone , that you
change your mind on not marrying ever? Is that what you mean?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Neel: No ma I want to get married now to “Olivia” I have
decided that.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Me: Really? Why – do you like her? Is she your good friend? </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Neel: No ma, I don’t like her, I just like her scented highlighter. And if I marry her she will have to share her markers with me…heheheh
(and he giggles at his brilliant idea)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And me, I was left speechless and wanted to burst into
laughter at his ideas about marriage ….hahahaha…</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This is why I love motherhood, where else can you hear the
funniest conversations that can make your from exhausted to super charged <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvZOI_hAkky8XH6eW46xA_f8uT7x-8CNghobgtEK0FKvGCTNrWfYPnmPP1EoH7VEw3dtoBRn0VTZWrrWOXqsjB5GVWcIh3tvY1nXdq_8HUIbSd_MVu9D0OkWzpRaQ9_nP3WgFd/s1600/WP_20131206_021%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvZOI_hAkky8XH6eW46xA_f8uT7x-8CNghobgtEK0FKvGCTNrWfYPnmPP1EoH7VEw3dtoBRn0VTZWrrWOXqsjB5GVWcIh3tvY1nXdq_8HUIbSd_MVu9D0OkWzpRaQ9_nP3WgFd/s1600/WP_20131206_021%255B1%255D.jpg" height="320" width="201" /></a></div>
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Not so perfect mom of Neel & Gaurihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09783752050757594678noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34224157.post-25324863165703653292011-03-24T00:23:00.000-04:002011-03-24T00:23:14.229-04:00Yes I am back!!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">So, I have not abandoned this blog of mine, but yea, I have to admit – its been way TOO long since I posted anything in here. I miss not having the time to capture my “little darlings’” cute little things in here to share with you all my friends and family but it just has been crazy 6 months. Too much going on.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFfuKx46B1WyVoLzoMxG5GHqQBSxXFWm4CvUH67BiapxJ9x-z2-Troct7iN2HT9rYQNtw7HUHb4SjAsJfs1WuRrva2aKK5lp9wWZIg85sqChSkDeCwoiCz1mpxadJkpNsyhdwQ/s1600/DSC_0890.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFfuKx46B1WyVoLzoMxG5GHqQBSxXFWm4CvUH67BiapxJ9x-z2-Troct7iN2HT9rYQNtw7HUHb4SjAsJfs1WuRrva2aKK5lp9wWZIg85sqChSkDeCwoiCz1mpxadJkpNsyhdwQ/s400/DSC_0890.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My brother, his wife, my sis, dad, and us</td></tr>
</tbody></table>We had an amazing fall with my dad visiting us; kids had much fun with papa who totally and completely spoiled them with everything. Gauri still seems to be her nanu’s ABSOLUTE favorite and even one "crocodile-tear" from her and nanu’s (Grandpa/ Papa) goes melting like “soft-serve-left-in-sun” – well what I really mean is Papa just cant bear to see her cry even if her demand is not right. But Neel has had it share of fun with Nanu, with him being so super cute and super naughty, nanu has not been able to resist his charms. Papa would swing him on his legs for hours even though his back would hurt; when Neel would ask to be picked up not wanting to walk, guess who does he turn to? Nanu of course and although Nanu’s back hurts like hell, he would still pick him up every time. So I can easily put the blame of spoiling my kids on – dear Nanu.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGXbwaM4511-dwB6vaIkhZyQFf-wmqZP7vENrcMOd8JeIeqsUJIe4LcABfyYhB3I-wqWPWnm3IlXHELn9tFqNfRrBYXjJvKoDCMlduIv7CPjRXn1nVV62FvLD0f1BAUv5uwCC3/s1600/DSC_1034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGXbwaM4511-dwB6vaIkhZyQFf-wmqZP7vENrcMOd8JeIeqsUJIe4LcABfyYhB3I-wqWPWnm3IlXHELn9tFqNfRrBYXjJvKoDCMlduIv7CPjRXn1nVV62FvLD0f1BAUv5uwCC3/s320/DSC_1034.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Neel being Neel, His eyes tell it all</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiLr11uZj9EhQK3FyOYMO7uIth5c9kz2K5BX52a_29UX7TNwrRT69Z9wekXnwJ_BGRH4D0UTJU2nui_0BjY6EdLeQTkvHiIRphFZfbuLeWUlDvr3SRuFaw9knsOSN8KnsKcdkg/s1600/DSC_0838.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiLr11uZj9EhQK3FyOYMO7uIth5c9kz2K5BX52a_29UX7TNwrRT69Z9wekXnwJ_BGRH4D0UTJU2nui_0BjY6EdLeQTkvHiIRphFZfbuLeWUlDvr3SRuFaw9knsOSN8KnsKcdkg/s320/DSC_0838.JPG" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gauri's true spirit is captured in this - My Fav.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoI8h-wHDbQPWwXI1SBWxY2kVUnW9ttaU27LVufHzoF7yU_YZgMjyDLW-_8wrxBYDq85Q6Acm8wObpplAo-kRdEYleFR4xrZ2gReR5GyjVz-tWi79pPnKrYXz__GZPIruZQRn8/s1600/DSC_1049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoI8h-wHDbQPWwXI1SBWxY2kVUnW9ttaU27LVufHzoF7yU_YZgMjyDLW-_8wrxBYDq85Q6Acm8wObpplAo-kRdEYleFR4xrZ2gReR5GyjVz-tWi79pPnKrYXz__GZPIruZQRn8/s320/DSC_1049.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From my absolute favorite photographer - my brother</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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We all took our first ever family vacation this winter to Vegas and Grand Canyon. It was absolutely fun and relaxing. Kids had a complete blast too. The Grand Canyons were breath-taking and although it snowed there all the time that we were at the Canyons, but still Amazing.<br />
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I had one of my longtime wish list items taken care of – to watch Phantom of the Opera , and boy it was absolutely mind-blowing, stunning, amazing. I am so glad we did it, it was so nice of Papa and my brother and his wife to take care of the kids while we went out just the two of us to watch this Broadway show.<br />
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Gauri and Neel had fun Birthdays. Gauri had a party with her special friends at the Bowling alley this time. All the kids had a blast especially with the Kiddie bowling lanes, Neon lights and laser show. On the actual day of her Birthday, daddy took a day-off from work specially for her and we spent the whole day with both kids. We spent the day at the Mystic Aquarium and while Neel loved the Begula Whale Gauri just wanted to take the Penguins home (and I just wanted to be locked with the Jelly fishes ). Oh and Gauri also got two of her top list items from Mama (uncle), Mami, Mimi and Nanu – her first Bicycle and a Scooter – She was toooo happy.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtOXZdnqFtY_qB6qYLq_QQOLDpyxk8ODeU5sqZtruU0KNd868igGDS1PfPR3rrhMco_981TXya4Ez9cDBeq9vMzZIrplXJ90qfmdX3DrusSofLRe-OAHskxTNTwlmALmFL1-oQ/s1600/DSC_0313.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDp8oG7Y1MojHdhdngPlSkS4FMPlHwTKzakle-EBfnEUl9e_uUKOPuriKlabznkvxvkzc7uG8LkQY0DDR-crG2T3xGHDTzqjA9juMuSc4TQxg8WFU40lhORvwoZvl4AYCzwOQh/s1600/DSC_0279.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="183" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDp8oG7Y1MojHdhdngPlSkS4FMPlHwTKzakle-EBfnEUl9e_uUKOPuriKlabznkvxvkzc7uG8LkQY0DDR-crG2T3xGHDTzqjA9juMuSc4TQxg8WFU40lhORvwoZvl4AYCzwOQh/s320/DSC_0279.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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For Neel’s birthday we had a nice relaxing time as a family, giving our 100% attention and time to our little monkey because we figured he doesn’t really like big crowds of people yet. Lots of presents and one yummy cake that Neel put his entire face in because he just couldn’t wait to eat the frosting off of it. <br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQmwyWv6lnlLlPErhHVRc6FVItOeA-8BSpvUo0lsS5KINm56ODLoi8Szyjv74Xhkx4HrYTZMjS4-wRdDP0hzQ-15uGzlbTAnzeJL_FQCHPQq9V-S1Ne4Bl0Hn0ob2eg4W-zMpr/s1600/DSC_0444.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQmwyWv6lnlLlPErhHVRc6FVItOeA-8BSpvUo0lsS5KINm56ODLoi8Szyjv74Xhkx4HrYTZMjS4-wRdDP0hzQ-15uGzlbTAnzeJL_FQCHPQq9V-S1Ne4Bl0Hn0ob2eg4W-zMpr/s320/DSC_0444.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1e5gtTmTp-U1LLZKa3GUWKdvZHFhZZkLKj-aIO7damMiLWBWOFd2V4_v4V3CyV0H2lH_RK-jKyca5exZS3YGuLOlxggDUMQkBVBgeaqEjWB0I29Nzu7bow5RYTmwZ_MnRjKjw/s1600/DSC_0514.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1e5gtTmTp-U1LLZKa3GUWKdvZHFhZZkLKj-aIO7damMiLWBWOFd2V4_v4V3CyV0H2lH_RK-jKyca5exZS3YGuLOlxggDUMQkBVBgeaqEjWB0I29Nzu7bow5RYTmwZ_MnRjKjw/s320/DSC_0514.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Overall we had a fun and very busy Fall and Winter. The New Year stared with lots of new goals (not resolutions) one of which was for me to go back to work. And I have to say that I was fortunate enough to land on a really wonderful opportunity in about 10 days of looking for work. More about job and changes we have had since in next post.<br />
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</div>Not so perfect mom of Neel & Gaurihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09783752050757594678noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34224157.post-37517393283772867752010-10-31T22:19:00.000-04:002010-10-31T22:19:48.945-04:00Memoirs of a beautiful summer<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">Oh what a beautiful, eventful summer we had this year - filled with Tons of activities, amazing time together, new things discovered, old traditions re-lived, cooking, playing, meeting friends/ family and just about everything to call it a memorable summer.</div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Both Kids, attended a summer reading program at out local library in Groton. While Gauri loves books and making new friends during the story time, Neel just likes to do puzzles or just knock some books down the shelves.</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvTPfHbDryeinhjObrKf7YIKu3qMZ5KUiYpW92zer_1AEdVmPh8Uv3IOOnF0WGYyRbTMk_zbHOt904qMEsHv4jaWLgvuXGn6M1MKn4q2XkHFVQ2HnstsevwlVvdCQw2HrpjDah/s1600/PIC-0032.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvTPfHbDryeinhjObrKf7YIKu3qMZ5KUiYpW92zer_1AEdVmPh8Uv3IOOnF0WGYyRbTMk_zbHOt904qMEsHv4jaWLgvuXGn6M1MKn4q2XkHFVQ2HnstsevwlVvdCQw2HrpjDah/s320/PIC-0032.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gauri and Neel listening to a story with arms around each other</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLjTDzn953M93b7cVbdtshfSk8lHLPqeJGjxahfqyuKEFXMLr5Et1KT35qQEvol16Hr7k9uUdbBmZ0fqmEetTRrfM4vWRRyO7JLcg4YoxcPuUeq02BxOcxcm5zWrQoH80D5cUo/s1600/20092010021.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="177" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLjTDzn953M93b7cVbdtshfSk8lHLPqeJGjxahfqyuKEFXMLr5Et1KT35qQEvol16Hr7k9uUdbBmZ0fqmEetTRrfM4vWRRyO7JLcg4YoxcPuUeq02BxOcxcm5zWrQoH80D5cUo/s320/20092010021.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not too bad at puzzles</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCxnBqSy96v7Dw4G_51pn2IQnMfJJKECwBH1KhPG7OkQYxzDreAC_LiIOFrV9lSt5_41Bayhwo1CTynNe5moVyMBMWTOQYW3ECMd6F3ul8z8kSEi2VE0K4m0p8zah_qtGb1ar5/s1600/11092010012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCxnBqSy96v7Dw4G_51pn2IQnMfJJKECwBH1KhPG7OkQYxzDreAC_LiIOFrV9lSt5_41Bayhwo1CTynNe5moVyMBMWTOQYW3ECMd6F3ul8z8kSEi2VE0K4m0p8zah_qtGb1ar5/s320/11092010012.jpg" width="179" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gauri love of reading finds her reading even at a Gap store :)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">We were so lucky to meet a Kid's celebrity - Steve from Steve Songs on PBS. Gauri Absolutely loves his silly songs in the morning and you can catch her humming those throughout the day. She was sumer excited to meet Steve in person and to dance to his singing.</div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><br />
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</div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">This year was the performance year at Gauri’s Ballet school, at at only 3.5 half years Gauri had her first stage performance. Oh Boy did she ever look cuter? It was an amazing experience for both Gauri and me, while on one hand it was very hectic for both of us attending the innumerable practice sessions (specially along with Neel in the waiting area or Audience) and Gauri did get a stage fright or what she called “afraid of the backstage Dark”,she screamed and cried and refused to go on stage during the Dress rehearsal, but Thanks to God she did finally went on the stage on the final day of performance. I was crying the whole time when was dancing and Neel was yelling “geggey” clapping and jumping with excitement.</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvahkX3a5a592W3tt1MUAwwZJv0Lxh8dUiXtUxydhCpdR-3L8qBreVt-_JTp-CWxwKXcphM0GOoG_FFPbrkjZIrm9BWWl3P-uB2g0Ii5ZAVfVXc-Q16h-MM_SuuDzg5aUfWen0/s1600/DSC_2576.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvahkX3a5a592W3tt1MUAwwZJv0Lxh8dUiXtUxydhCpdR-3L8qBreVt-_JTp-CWxwKXcphM0GOoG_FFPbrkjZIrm9BWWl3P-uB2g0Ii5ZAVfVXc-Q16h-MM_SuuDzg5aUfWen0/s320/DSC_2576.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Both Kids started swimming this summer and had great fun. Gauri decided to continue learning this fall and is doing so well. Finally, our little mermaid is showing the same passion for water as her dad. She is always on step ahead of her instructor and swims like a fish.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyNV_HsVEPekZMYbN5HONBmvQf6vIetxZk6tziXxsM2RPacQjDyCA5ISphM_qudDfMouF2KgrVo74oZtMkQF0ASMay9fU7h3sIO7JSphSx-KaFjZRVJAo0QKh7CQwNPl6IEIPh/s1600/21102010067.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyNV_HsVEPekZMYbN5HONBmvQf6vIetxZk6tziXxsM2RPacQjDyCA5ISphM_qudDfMouF2KgrVo74oZtMkQF0ASMay9fU7h3sIO7JSphSx-KaFjZRVJAo0QKh7CQwNPl6IEIPh/s320/21102010067.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS0XBSWNJVYIqa0Z-axQtEtTiFtLmNA5Z57eF1ieLIj5PW4I3FGtwT36gbYKjpeMz-GZHHjnJRxOHEIpa5DZeYWfuX9MhJDomyHd0DXMwht6Xfm-7gRIYO1q6ggt_dll8ZXZDi/s1600/DSC_2425.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS0XBSWNJVYIqa0Z-axQtEtTiFtLmNA5Z57eF1ieLIj5PW4I3FGtwT36gbYKjpeMz-GZHHjnJRxOHEIpa5DZeYWfuX9MhJDomyHd0DXMwht6Xfm-7gRIYO1q6ggt_dll8ZXZDi/s320/DSC_2425.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZxqWeFv_xgaY7mL22xiB13osZOW1AU2MesnlMA1Pu_0Z9lcd9mgo14fRHf3K7fsmBWfY_-EcNPI_Gfn3Mbw5zb5gvhT0gCKKUE2uoaE_brEacS87xBeTsS78P5Ypgb_faQZv4/s1600/DSC_2441.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZxqWeFv_xgaY7mL22xiB13osZOW1AU2MesnlMA1Pu_0Z9lcd9mgo14fRHf3K7fsmBWfY_-EcNPI_Gfn3Mbw5zb5gvhT0gCKKUE2uoaE_brEacS87xBeTsS78P5Ypgb_faQZv4/s320/DSC_2441.JPG" width="222" /></a></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">This year we also did some fruit picking, from strawberries, to blueberries to Peaches, Apples and now pumpkins. We picked them all and enjoyed eating them too. This was such fun and kids absolutely loved it.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQClCEmgo_QPNgiwZK7xP9TK6ZU6oN8JLLA8Hcz1PJT3eoU3dZPayvv_7bCIdfRBn9oLAJNwA5Uunzv31j08VbUKbwLjhpqTQ7q_N8ADTzuuwhQO8viPk2O90fiQB3WwddJ0YB/s1600/DSC_0128.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQClCEmgo_QPNgiwZK7xP9TK6ZU6oN8JLLA8Hcz1PJT3eoU3dZPayvv_7bCIdfRBn9oLAJNwA5Uunzv31j08VbUKbwLjhpqTQ7q_N8ADTzuuwhQO8viPk2O90fiQB3WwddJ0YB/s320/DSC_0128.jpg" width="212" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcgkXVFsQnZxgzgCBTYkuEhZxovRZqmU6lyHNj7-0l1Cf9qT_2nkCyxjmRpQ9EMiuVY9-hHN3U-rZK4EFchNq48Co85Px9yj19PFD-AROLEsfmVGbdV_LS5Umu3jqK3kV8bTt3/s1600/DSC_2690.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcgkXVFsQnZxgzgCBTYkuEhZxovRZqmU6lyHNj7-0l1Cf9qT_2nkCyxjmRpQ9EMiuVY9-hHN3U-rZK4EFchNq48Co85Px9yj19PFD-AROLEsfmVGbdV_LS5Umu3jqK3kV8bTt3/s320/DSC_2690.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjUn6nJk-XTG6i1ta08vgJZjQMWJsG-X7vRHw1WFM-z17_VRJuT5SbTABBJn53vx10V4g4qI7T9FOxMYsWvQjRTKv5LAvqFMYrJ4mOF_zckPcbGgdc_fiUJg6AR9CJVtD_7RKZ/s1600/DSC_0135.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjUn6nJk-XTG6i1ta08vgJZjQMWJsG-X7vRHw1WFM-z17_VRJuT5SbTABBJn53vx10V4g4qI7T9FOxMYsWvQjRTKv5LAvqFMYrJ4mOF_zckPcbGgdc_fiUJg6AR9CJVtD_7RKZ/s320/DSC_0135.jpg" width="212" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvLnrE0Z-aoNo6QDriRYlVe1fRZqTz4Y260jvnIjyxtG7fX9Fj-xZEjwQJhuetgWjcJPI7wC_pb_8YhFx5CkwTN9UGd2MvXtexnYFMF9reZUbe7exk3ePf-PFdriz5zLyPLYnb/s1600/DSC_2724.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvLnrE0Z-aoNo6QDriRYlVe1fRZqTz4Y260jvnIjyxtG7fX9Fj-xZEjwQJhuetgWjcJPI7wC_pb_8YhFx5CkwTN9UGd2MvXtexnYFMF9reZUbe7exk3ePf-PFdriz5zLyPLYnb/s320/DSC_2724.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguxm27NTi8GELUbdw508cNRE5XNBDk3E_ICQCPP9mY4Hdu50_DPTSgHn2tGF7AUkQsMnbYvbdMCm4-qheog0Gy3YNTEkwynulF21YLPwzMMrmkPJU3JsDkG9iOutpkrnBt_nHA/s1600/DSC_0149.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguxm27NTi8GELUbdw508cNRE5XNBDk3E_ICQCPP9mY4Hdu50_DPTSgHn2tGF7AUkQsMnbYvbdMCm4-qheog0Gy3YNTEkwynulF21YLPwzMMrmkPJU3JsDkG9iOutpkrnBt_nHA/s320/DSC_0149.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Gauri attended the Sunshine Camp - a summer camp program from Groton and she had a blast there. She made two very wonderful friends there Alyssa and Sydney who continues to be her really close friends now specially after her losing her dear friend Shealyn to her dad’s work transfer. Summer camp was such a hit - the kids were hugging each other and crying on the last day.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8oXiVcLvHGNpBZs_EhU3-KKj5ZPUZ7DZVaGLZMWhXBc1-bDoGvwW7nvaB_B5zDXE0nIpXEgYUpDb2MP4-_qVGuOhZ3UgyuLO_GAcbUubG7N5W6C2i5FMDY9kABD4Ywz-I19uP/s1600/121.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8oXiVcLvHGNpBZs_EhU3-KKj5ZPUZ7DZVaGLZMWhXBc1-bDoGvwW7nvaB_B5zDXE0nIpXEgYUpDb2MP4-_qVGuOhZ3UgyuLO_GAcbUubG7N5W6C2i5FMDY9kABD4Ywz-I19uP/s320/121.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY4A5NcJMDwwVgTIYqTuCI1b2Ntxnf913zOyDRwZkrdejdfnVWc2PATh49LgDXlwsOC_vn8XjNzrsmSWC1GhXFvqVb9oSITDqhWwfpBkuDWI1hzDCNEcgUWlBHTGd03fAY22Yd/s1600/051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY4A5NcJMDwwVgTIYqTuCI1b2Ntxnf913zOyDRwZkrdejdfnVWc2PATh49LgDXlwsOC_vn8XjNzrsmSWC1GhXFvqVb9oSITDqhWwfpBkuDWI1hzDCNEcgUWlBHTGd03fAY22Yd/s320/051.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijb3lxf1ovpAD4ZwU6O1KJucyDA1IFFGdFiX-FYB5R22hnMg-YL-ZaXFm9F1AQ8UXAscDkVbp6uRpfH4mIBxhhMHTjGVDlWyGrhfyAOBUauCNUOiAQkd4ngx-U_fS7fXOa_UQK/s1600/107.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijb3lxf1ovpAD4ZwU6O1KJucyDA1IFFGdFiX-FYB5R22hnMg-YL-ZaXFm9F1AQ8UXAscDkVbp6uRpfH4mIBxhhMHTjGVDlWyGrhfyAOBUauCNUOiAQkd4ngx-U_fS7fXOa_UQK/s320/107.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS4fAVtq8aazpESgMVUjRCFQzGSHnqFleI1mxGRxTVkRMpXJyREmB-9elK4lr7d8FK-9AE3l4XgAdS-8eC8GQYEBglfotOoFRYsurI4ZMmOs7-LcW5lK4of_1Oi596bplps6T2/s1600/111+(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS4fAVtq8aazpESgMVUjRCFQzGSHnqFleI1mxGRxTVkRMpXJyREmB-9elK4lr7d8FK-9AE3l4XgAdS-8eC8GQYEBglfotOoFRYsurI4ZMmOs7-LcW5lK4of_1Oi596bplps6T2/s320/111+(2).JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
</div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">We also visited the Seaport museum and Kids museum in mystic several times this year. The three of us love the Horse-carriage ride there and to dress up like sailor and pirates :) </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFmL7Opswm87imHRjCfWDv7mCd9pWNFDNBSUatwtKSbb_AbVD3ytnd7iBiK8fwK2NbOHjeDbgzYqOqyiQHFCOWOkD4iM66I5LleEn3fWzfPpARaAwQocFRgVUXMwKBElxGrdcK/s1600/22092010024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFmL7Opswm87imHRjCfWDv7mCd9pWNFDNBSUatwtKSbb_AbVD3ytnd7iBiK8fwK2NbOHjeDbgzYqOqyiQHFCOWOkD4iM66I5LleEn3fWzfPpARaAwQocFRgVUXMwKBElxGrdcK/s320/22092010024.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNbfLWq_N9vkR2O2gHas2mdC9_sV_Ps_Xo5uYHfrRmw-KZ5Aw65QfUttOMWwK01w79X3bQSbOcGswP-_n-WeqvDszCU7Bv5sfsmTPpdGgLs_RS-2pUAvjn7zfhH4d8ZnYuSVen/s1600/22092010031.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNbfLWq_N9vkR2O2gHas2mdC9_sV_Ps_Xo5uYHfrRmw-KZ5Aw65QfUttOMWwK01w79X3bQSbOcGswP-_n-WeqvDszCU7Bv5sfsmTPpdGgLs_RS-2pUAvjn7zfhH4d8ZnYuSVen/s320/22092010031.jpg" width="179" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLnIJiVG5JJxdtDDt3iaFcWuVjdm7c0AwNerkGfGET747QFuRDYve0frrLrzaR5Pvh23WBJaVJcJ-q7EXspWviWqplV_i3hbwBTOxgjnyexX7fRYDVY5tChUa4oyS2VYVgGKYY/s1600/DSC_2336.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLnIJiVG5JJxdtDDt3iaFcWuVjdm7c0AwNerkGfGET747QFuRDYve0frrLrzaR5Pvh23WBJaVJcJ-q7EXspWviWqplV_i3hbwBTOxgjnyexX7fRYDVY5tChUa4oyS2VYVgGKYY/s320/DSC_2336.jpg" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Neel not only stacks blocks, but just about anything.</td></tr>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Neel is turning out to be so funny, absolute goof ball, sneaky and mischievous and somewhat destructive too. He walks with his both arms spread out so he can grab something and throw it as he walks. Climbing up, all the way to the top of the fridge by stacking things, and making tall “block” towers is his favorite hobby. He also "loves" to help mum in the kitchen - now that's another story how much help I need cleaning up after he has helped me in the kitchen.</span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdzy5eWGRu9eV_EF1FTGJp06FgKu4ynQnvNWA13aelerSBIy1ul0_OHyszZRyvAU0O8VDI7O4IYspf3ad8hkdOPI5RF9BdS9eVl7Ybll8cp83zqYqb1_Kj2mgcguB4jdvERNH9/s1600/DSC_2351.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdzy5eWGRu9eV_EF1FTGJp06FgKu4ynQnvNWA13aelerSBIy1ul0_OHyszZRyvAU0O8VDI7O4IYspf3ad8hkdOPI5RF9BdS9eVl7Ybll8cp83zqYqb1_Kj2mgcguB4jdvERNH9/s320/DSC_2351.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><div style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Making big messes with colors and latest with flour (at his uncle’s house) yet other favorites of Neel.</span></div></div></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO-rJVwVL9-xsHu7TqBevZfYUHtHxgFRtt3I0zH1a3SO4wd3XBvVM3X5nb0oloYkDv8u8hudEoPOcfjD1Yer7x0F5lDnC3JCOmddZXyIbsC_ctM2CbdvR7uy2aNEF6K7fzZEXn/s1600/DSC_0736.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO-rJVwVL9-xsHu7TqBevZfYUHtHxgFRtt3I0zH1a3SO4wd3XBvVM3X5nb0oloYkDv8u8hudEoPOcfjD1Yer7x0F5lDnC3JCOmddZXyIbsC_ctM2CbdvR7uy2aNEF6K7fzZEXn/s320/DSC_0736.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlklMbqPb7yhYGOTfQbYUn8mAifPWs99TjsNEgEwIc_ICa6pFIpvEceNsvV-9A0-9sLt75zWES5GmDDW-sFcjnYl6flOfAwQqymQBiOPQoUiT6pFNOKeTbffIMatPzpH_FUX4B/s1600/DSC_0741.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlklMbqPb7yhYGOTfQbYUn8mAifPWs99TjsNEgEwIc_ICa6pFIpvEceNsvV-9A0-9sLt75zWES5GmDDW-sFcjnYl6flOfAwQqymQBiOPQoUiT6pFNOKeTbffIMatPzpH_FUX4B/s320/DSC_0741.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcqmm1E3NPnC7cSZH_aOOdPnbWguvXHMx6mGL30qRolw-_eAVwA6R6XLOkAR5JJBw_ZKr55w_UZW3-wwbQPEchDwdvjBDHhppEvQjxSViRFmmkPKPmfHdInJPy2H9DbH7i4VTK/s1600/DSC_0742.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcqmm1E3NPnC7cSZH_aOOdPnbWguvXHMx6mGL30qRolw-_eAVwA6R6XLOkAR5JJBw_ZKr55w_UZW3-wwbQPEchDwdvjBDHhppEvQjxSViRFmmkPKPmfHdInJPy2H9DbH7i4VTK/s320/DSC_0742.JPG" width="320" /></a></div></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Over all we had an amazing summer and with festivals staring, and naanu (My dad) visiting us, we are happily moving on to a colorful fall.</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div>Not so perfect mom of Neel & Gaurihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09783752050757594678noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34224157.post-83508683521130552182010-09-04T23:11:00.002-04:002010-09-04T23:20:23.308-04:00A New Chapter<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTkyH-v3KhhWzoaeCt3pN8mWpQixH0ti4e_3gux7UAdklcL-5r548X-zRMk5AeBV9c0Zgfr-d-3p8WaDTF3KKt01xgob4lrmHfExD28yLecrxnWfLdzkt7B6HwvigaEzxjFomz/s1600/Gauri_school1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTkyH-v3KhhWzoaeCt3pN8mWpQixH0ti4e_3gux7UAdklcL-5r548X-zRMk5AeBV9c0Zgfr-d-3p8WaDTF3KKt01xgob4lrmHfExD28yLecrxnWfLdzkt7B6HwvigaEzxjFomz/s320/Gauri_school1.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Happy Feet (and Happy Face too)<br />
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</tbody></table><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">I can either say ‘Another chapter closed” or “A New chapter begins....” just depends on how I feel about our darling little daughter, the baby we “just” brought home from the hospital, flap her wings to fly into open air, a little further away from us, a little bit on her own, making new friendships, learning new things, moving out from just our company to the company of kids her age and ALL-READY for pre-school.</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwol6zQ7LTHbaMrmMkNHjX8SDxvCdeJhUZSTmpjGlDOqF8g7CnEETKwhGNsHDIaM3yyj3u4pxiJhgg5yYu-N1erxqkS7MRorYxDTCfQMoSgFGoV1Z9kxkszd2-PgcSsdigHlYb/s1600/Gauri_school2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwol6zQ7LTHbaMrmMkNHjX8SDxvCdeJhUZSTmpjGlDOqF8g7CnEETKwhGNsHDIaM3yyj3u4pxiJhgg5yYu-N1erxqkS7MRorYxDTCfQMoSgFGoV1Z9kxkszd2-PgcSsdigHlYb/s320/Gauri_school2.jpg" /></a><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">Gauri started pre-school and we are very proud of her. But it breaks my heart to see her go, holding hands of her teacher and her friend, excited to start a new chapter in her life, not looking back even once... I am so happy she is taking this transition so well. She sounds happy, excited and completely relaxed about pre-school. Fortunately, her friend from summer camp “Sydney” is in the same class as her, and that makes it bit more easy for her to adjust in this new environment.<br />
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</div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">Good luck my "sweet pea"; do your very best and may Fame and Success be yours!</span></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Gauri’s First School: Charles Barnum in Groton</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">School Program: Peer role model</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Gauri’s First Teacher: Mrs. Amy Nixon</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Gauri’s First Day at school: Sept 2nd 2010</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px;"><br />
</span></span></div></div>Not so perfect mom of Neel & Gaurihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09783752050757594678noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34224157.post-24663606644944187852010-08-30T22:49:00.000-04:002010-08-30T22:49:17.117-04:00Papa's Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTyGLxiiVxvWh4zuS8_bpWsuVpDXkB_ztjzT4kqFpcFPbwIQP9LhW9b5FABmXFGW-65O57qW7wBt2_HEXPY3jpvXtPMOvJldbqNJo0nSf8z2yCfWm6k6e8UaAW0pjBjYiYT3Un/s1600/Card.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTyGLxiiVxvWh4zuS8_bpWsuVpDXkB_ztjzT4kqFpcFPbwIQP9LhW9b5FABmXFGW-65O57qW7wBt2_HEXPY3jpvXtPMOvJldbqNJo0nSf8z2yCfWm6k6e8UaAW0pjBjYiYT3Un/s400/Card.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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<div style="font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">You never look for praises, You are never the one to boast</span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">You just go on working quietly, For those you love the most.</span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Your dreams are seldom spoken, Your wants are very few</span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">And most of the time your worries, Will go unspoken too.</span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">You are there like a firm foundation, Through all our storms of life</span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">A sturdy hand to hold to, In times of stress and strife.</span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">A true friend we can turn to, When no one else would bother</span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">One of God's greatest blessings, Is to have you as our Father.</span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: center;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Happy Birthday Our Dearest Papa.</span></div>Not so perfect mom of Neel & Gaurihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09783752050757594678noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34224157.post-50073914769242761562010-07-26T12:31:00.000-04:002010-07-26T12:31:33.333-04:00Damn Dehydration<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBRwxChfSgVsDpsm5YzsyPghe2ayt27t5ohh_RbQvIQJOMvH_9-3CnImzWN8P7E6_NKMDYbGy4AT7xYepazigC1Qhg7n7q9hB-EirkEv6K9iw0DG6IDDhUPSaiiMppg0eewbkj/s1600/DSC_2812.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBRwxChfSgVsDpsm5YzsyPghe2ayt27t5ohh_RbQvIQJOMvH_9-3CnImzWN8P7E6_NKMDYbGy4AT7xYepazigC1Qhg7n7q9hB-EirkEv6K9iw0DG6IDDhUPSaiiMppg0eewbkj/s320/DSC_2812.jpg" width="212" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNz9m4PwTsolkH5OHdQiFc7BjyvGsYNP7kLz0oLoWq6d9iDLTKSWrkMTTbxDuifI8qUTvsyH54n0Zrh3D7UyNKFRcYaPMV_w5IzWoZt6KtAssGoMH5_hxyQAhDS7MsuB7MB_NM/s1600/DSC_2797.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNz9m4PwTsolkH5OHdQiFc7BjyvGsYNP7kLz0oLoWq6d9iDLTKSWrkMTTbxDuifI8qUTvsyH54n0Zrh3D7UyNKFRcYaPMV_w5IzWoZt6KtAssGoMH5_hxyQAhDS7MsuB7MB_NM/s320/DSC_2797.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><br />
</div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">After having an wonderful 4th of July weekend in Boston with so many of our cousins and uncles and aunts and after finally uniting with Mani (he got back from Germany after 14 days that same weekend), eating tons of wonderful food - courtesy Gita taiji and Arvind tauji, laughing till our bellies would hurt, singing and dancing, after all this, we had a terrible start of the week with Gauri suddenly throwing up at 10 PM Monday night. She continued to vomit all night, literally every 5 - 10 minutes, unable to hold even a spoonful of water, barely able to walk to the wash room, super sleepy yet unable to sleep because of the nausea. We waited till the morning but since she was looking dehydrated by 8 AM we saw her pediatrician who gave her some med for stopping her vomiting. The meds did work and by wednesday morning she only threw up once. We were so relieved but relief lasted only a couple of hours - While trying to sleep Neel wednesday night he had the similar throw up like Gauri. Oh God my worst nightmare had come true. The Doctor had warned us that the virus was severely infectious and we ALL might come down with it. Neel had the same throwing up episode as Gauri - 5 - 10 minute interval just that he seems out of it very quickly. After about 4 hours of throwing up he lay limp - not able to move, no tears - crying constantly in a very low volume because of nausea but unable to actually vomit anything any longer - completely dehydrated, too sleepy and lethargic. At about 2 AM we were begging the doctor to prescribe Neel the same med (Zofran that they gave to Gauri - but th answer was “NO” - “can never to such a mall baby, its not fit for even Gauri, not sure why the other dr. did prescribe it for Gauri”.</div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">I immediately did some research only to find out that its mostly given to patients with nausea caused by Chemo, not safe for small kids.</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">We passed the night somehow - morning saw the Dr., and his opinion was to take him to the hospital for IV. I chose to keep him home and try some electrolytes but he want able to hold anything. I dreaded taking him to the hospital but finally we had to. He was so dehydrated by friday that it was the "Doctors ORDERS" this time. </span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifom7vL8np9ubEGUnZHgj9rnX02RWVRNnuKdg2DBaDmio-E4jXMdXjrzdELpHSsvZ8UANf7WtksTrZEPIL1rznIHP8ZWBkNgZpru22HUVq6gj_mGWwka2eq2ilpIUoyn4-AWZj/s1600/PIC-0060.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifom7vL8np9ubEGUnZHgj9rnX02RWVRNnuKdg2DBaDmio-E4jXMdXjrzdELpHSsvZ8UANf7WtksTrZEPIL1rznIHP8ZWBkNgZpru22HUVq6gj_mGWwka2eq2ilpIUoyn4-AWZj/s320/PIC-0060.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After falling asleep finally</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Gauri was quite freaked out when we took him to the hospital and when all the nurses were trying to prick my poor baby several times to draw some blood and for the IV needle. Thanks to our friends Anurag and Malvi who came to the hospital and took Gauri with them. Neel was terrible after so many people trying to get the needle in him and so much commotion...he finally slept at 11 PM and I sat besides him all night to change him if he threw up again. </span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi33iJGB7Rv0RnlSS0KMcOTUTbamHrba_FZ0BoAI-Z8NnJejwYecOzy-CErChTubVmB-TinOrIwR2jrn11UWKE5Pqn-825f00RUDo1UuGDVwVXxWJLzAyy8ORGFKtIQDFzCBlP/s1600/PIC-0062.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi33iJGB7Rv0RnlSS0KMcOTUTbamHrba_FZ0BoAI-Z8NnJejwYecOzy-CErChTubVmB-TinOrIwR2jrn11UWKE5Pqn-825f00RUDo1UuGDVwVXxWJLzAyy8ORGFKtIQDFzCBlP/s200/PIC-0062.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Neel after 2 days of IV sugar in him</td></tr>
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</div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">Gauri stayed home with baba but visited Neel every day while he was still there. We even watched some fireworks on the Thames from our hospital window and Gauri sang songs for Neel and even played with him while we tried hard to keep him from pulling out the IV needles from his hand. By morning and with enough IV fluid in him, he was looking better although he only had his first bite of food sunday afternoon then was finally discharged.</div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><br />
</div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">We were so relieved as all 4 of us drove back home from the hospital with our both babies finally Healthy and Happy. Oh what a week!!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdqkCHk2RMrRwFdXENsdF881Jv1kOSn_KnKBw7HPnZn-fNva7aPlgJMKMcuYmt9B3nBQOELeuD7Nnl5BfmxwphRDYSnn6H8bKupIbgnPNUPkApMOSsO2zVHzc0DUFqU2R-MvLF/s1600/DSC_2817.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdqkCHk2RMrRwFdXENsdF881Jv1kOSn_KnKBw7HPnZn-fNva7aPlgJMKMcuYmt9B3nBQOELeuD7Nnl5BfmxwphRDYSnn6H8bKupIbgnPNUPkApMOSsO2zVHzc0DUFqU2R-MvLF/s400/DSC_2817.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><br />
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</span></span></div>Not so perfect mom of Neel & Gaurihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09783752050757594678noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34224157.post-10443200074822197092010-06-25T01:28:00.004-04:002010-06-25T22:47:11.033-04:00What's a Bulkhead?<div style="font: 11.0px 'Trebuchet MS'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">When we moved to our current house in CT I asked this question and the answer was:</span></span></span></div><div style="font: 11.0px 'Trebuchet MS'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Its a door for outside access to the basement for getting bulky/dirty things in/out of the basement without going through the formal first floor areas of the house</span></span></span></div><div style="font: 11.0px 'Trebuchet MS'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 12.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></span></div><div style="font: 11.0px 'Trebuchet MS'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">We had never used it and it had always been a Dark, Dirty, Spider-web-filled, ugly looking slant door in the backyard, that our kids would often use for jumping on or as a slide at-times.</span></span></span></div><div style="font: 11.0px 'Trebuchet MS'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 12.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></span></div><div style="font: 11.0px 'Trebuchet MS'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">But today, I discovered a NEW use for this un-explored door.</span></span></span></div><blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">"For getting out of your basement when Neel locks you in the basement and cries nonstop for half hour and does not know how to unlock."</span></span></span></blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmjDvXnKgGRfp3V2t_nHBINlj1KHAs3aupWKw1PWQk7xEmnWSfir_4kOxEmAJ-BYq2EThy23_8k-d4gyFLGO3wEWYBvpMRAUXd_rt0n1gC2xrkc-yv11RHaiGanSXrVRopImlm/s1600/Bulkhead.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><img border="0" height="188" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmjDvXnKgGRfp3V2t_nHBINlj1KHAs3aupWKw1PWQk7xEmnWSfir_4kOxEmAJ-BYq2EThy23_8k-d4gyFLGO3wEWYBvpMRAUXd_rt0n1gC2xrkc-yv11RHaiGanSXrVRopImlm/s400/Bulkhead.jpg" width="400" /></span></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<div style="font: 11.0px 'Trebuchet MS'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Tonight, when I was in the basement getting the folded Laundry upstairs, Gauri came downstairs and closed the basement door so Neel wouldn’t climb down too. Soon Neel started crying and I climbed up to open the door for him, only to find that it had been locked from outside. Holy Sh... - what am I going to do now? Cellphone - Damn I dont have any of my neighbours' numbers in it, I just got a new phone after losing one in trash (again thanks to Mr. Neel) so my contact list was - GONE. Half nervous and half frightened, with two screaming babies in the background I remembered “The BulkHead”.</span></span></span></div><div style="font: 11.0px 'Trebuchet MS'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></div><div style="font: 11.0px 'Trebuchet MS'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">After struggling hard with the darkness inside it, the cobwebs and the badly rusted door latch that became almost impossible to open, I was finally out. I rushed to the back door on the patio, again to find that it was locked from inside too. I immediately ran to the front door almost thinking that if that’s also locked I am going to break the window and JUST GET IN. Poor Neel had turned all red and blue from crying and being alone. Thanks to Krishna, the front door was unlocked.</span></span></span></div><div style="font: 11.0px 'Trebuchet MS'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 12.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></span></div><div style="font: 11.0px 'Trebuchet MS'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">We then had a BIG group hug - all three of us.</span></span></span></div><div style="font: 11.0px 'Trebuchet MS'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 12.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></span></div><div style="font: 11.0px 'Trebuchet MS'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">On another note - today wasn’t all that crappy after all; we actually had loads of fun in the afternoon in our new water pool. These pictures will speak for themselves.</span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-QUvFZ-XXdGzZ6sHi6FCBLpFPr6x026wmnnPbF_i1GRz7KSb9cjEfxfne7maIihJi8QPl1ynJEAVseUoFe5dxx7S2J_OTI40FBF96DWmlgp7z1jNsGvoPZmVNFBFQHkx-Qpnw/s1600/DSC_2750.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-QUvFZ-XXdGzZ6sHi6FCBLpFPr6x026wmnnPbF_i1GRz7KSb9cjEfxfne7maIihJi8QPl1ynJEAVseUoFe5dxx7S2J_OTI40FBF96DWmlgp7z1jNsGvoPZmVNFBFQHkx-Qpnw/s320/DSC_2750.JPG" width="320" /></span></span></a></div><div style="font: 11.0px 'Trebuchet MS'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 12.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></span></div><div style="font: 11.0px 'Trebuchet MS'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 12.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq8OtMM_z-O8UiPrAE2UsdCM3i0QBT1IsNfavUBjYVBchQt5JFHAId8xgskE73Et_bbtPMavzVdBxI93n0CWCo1jqY1O0RDGWrs3BxCHUryBl5tfDDMysW7NHPKKS7C20XX2Ym/s1600/DSC_2743.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq8OtMM_z-O8UiPrAE2UsdCM3i0QBT1IsNfavUBjYVBchQt5JFHAId8xgskE73Et_bbtPMavzVdBxI93n0CWCo1jqY1O0RDGWrs3BxCHUryBl5tfDDMysW7NHPKKS7C20XX2Ym/s320/DSC_2743.JPG" width="320" /></span></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3gdknF4tLWccWUcwzfqMNRFeBffSBDlDqcTl2Ht4xYItBWQPGC8R1n0pS1WRfOUSViFnvgFDoGzHSILspF7L5Id6vW4uhFhTBXYTnrgs9mlODsrDPYUsEY6hQJuxBQDznQ1jk/s1600/DSC_2751.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3gdknF4tLWccWUcwzfqMNRFeBffSBDlDqcTl2Ht4xYItBWQPGC8R1n0pS1WRfOUSViFnvgFDoGzHSILspF7L5Id6vW4uhFhTBXYTnrgs9mlODsrDPYUsEY6hQJuxBQDznQ1jk/s400/DSC_2751.jpg" width="266" /></a></span></span><br />
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</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></div><div style="font: 11.0px 'Trebuchet MS'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 12.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;"><br />
</span> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;"> </span></span></div><div style="font: 11.0px 'Trebuchet MS'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">Neel and Gauri after the water play.</span></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkbINLdBFbnQLYhl7KaoFRSU0QLOpShUfawCmb1hsCOr_ProLkZF68hoYfrh5ERwjS9Nn0E4H4wXSMNNyX3eMBXzy2nUQmX3NhIaWzxVKecfPcMQHDRUaayUjQIYH3LKEYyobr/s1600/DSC_2759.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkbINLdBFbnQLYhl7KaoFRSU0QLOpShUfawCmb1hsCOr_ProLkZF68hoYfrh5ERwjS9Nn0E4H4wXSMNNyX3eMBXzy2nUQmX3NhIaWzxVKecfPcMQHDRUaayUjQIYH3LKEYyobr/s200/DSC_2759.jpg" width="133" /></span></span></a></div><div style="font: 11.0px 'Trebuchet MS'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 12.0px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIUnc_MdrVDzPBvemQhkhuUEewrHJ7TaL0U35NERr1kOSCXJwbUszVV0JePcopz4LlX2CV1hhLHJvJfvB1uhCN1lzI5xr_q5HAFfgFNZhvlGZDNdw0IW9myj7IOAcorZ_InaFZ/s1600/DSC_2755.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIUnc_MdrVDzPBvemQhkhuUEewrHJ7TaL0U35NERr1kOSCXJwbUszVV0JePcopz4LlX2CV1hhLHJvJfvB1uhCN1lzI5xr_q5HAFfgFNZhvlGZDNdw0IW9myj7IOAcorZ_InaFZ/s200/DSC_2755.jpg" width="133" /></span></span></a></div><div style="font: 11.0px 'Trebuchet MS'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></div><div style="font: 11.0px 'Trebuchet MS'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Thank You Bulkhead - you saved us today :)</span></span></span></div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11px;"><br />
</span></span></div>Not so perfect mom of Neel & Gaurihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09783752050757594678noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34224157.post-83916346342329786422010-06-22T23:06:00.002-04:002010-06-25T00:04:48.737-04:00A Strong guy with heart soft as butter - we call him Dad<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">Happy Father’s Day (Belated) to my dad, my husband and all other amazing dads we know. You are pillars of our family and no matter how many times we forget to acknowledge your kid deeds, your love for us and for our kids, you support and strength at times of hardships is much appreciated; we want you to know, your efforts do not go un-noticed.</div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">I am missing you Papa, wish we were closer, to everyday learn from you - new things and to hear the unlimited wisdom about life and the how to appreciate every one and everything we have been given by God. We miss you lots.</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">The three of us are craving to spend yet another evening with you my Darling husband, how can I tell you how much we are missing you right now, every day and as we strike off the dates on our calendar in the evening, Gauri loves to count how many days left before we will pick you from the airport. Two weeks seems like FOREVER. Come home soon.</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBxFpAgyznLxMq5uaiMFlriM2jPBspqoopWoYHzt2ZvYsZRBk6LXkb6JmtiKnGZMDtmYYfXt0dm52XjqvuSDXNVb3MP_3IvWHGBnCwKPATFjamRSgR-jGT6xNEtu3xvPLdZL6d/s1600/DSC_2729.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBxFpAgyznLxMq5uaiMFlriM2jPBspqoopWoYHzt2ZvYsZRBk6LXkb6JmtiKnGZMDtmYYfXt0dm52XjqvuSDXNVb3MP_3IvWHGBnCwKPATFjamRSgR-jGT6xNEtu3xvPLdZL6d/s400/DSC_2729.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Hugs and Kisses</span></div></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">The Lonely Three</span></div></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><br />
</div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div>Not so perfect mom of Neel & Gaurihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09783752050757594678noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34224157.post-84545741912630235862010-06-04T23:52:00.001-04:002010-06-04T23:55:04.988-04:00Summer Starts with Strawberry Picking<div style="font: 13.0px Arial; line-height: 15.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Call it Pick-your-own, PYO or you-pick, the idea of picking your own fruit and vegetables is absolutely fantastic, specially for young kids (and adults as well, when you are picking mouth-watering-red-oozing-with-juice strawberries). </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi6jufKfzXpvHN1Qjgp5j4NJ0jnWnhlnXewEVwaLkp2xtKCHbpuhgzG8vjhpiejGsc-1aN3h9PxOZYOIoooZbI7bdU02_agyMFOjI9LtlE-HVZKJhzyMFNMhg4Gv3ScACObI4D/s1600/Jun+4,+2010_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi6jufKfzXpvHN1Qjgp5j4NJ0jnWnhlnXewEVwaLkp2xtKCHbpuhgzG8vjhpiejGsc-1aN3h9PxOZYOIoooZbI7bdU02_agyMFOjI9LtlE-HVZKJhzyMFNMhg4Gv3ScACObI4D/s400/Jun+4,+2010_2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="font: 13.0px Arial; line-height: 15.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><br />
</div><div style="font: 13.0px Arial; line-height: 15.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">With the season fast approaching, I was having a craving to go <b>strawberry picking</b> for past few days. The store bought strawberries are “trash-able” compared to the local-grown; I, anyway hate the idea of cold-storage and transporting fruits across the country. Its the worst thing you can do to your fruits. I love local and therefore wait for the summer.</span></div><div style="font: 13.0px Arial; line-height: 15.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 15.0px;"><br />
</div><div style="font: 13.0px Arial; line-height: 15.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">This morning Neel, Gauri and I headed off to Scott Yankee’s Farm near our place to explore the idea of PYO with kids. I wasn’t sure if Neel would like it since he doesn't seem very comfortable with grass etc. I think its just the feeling of greens on bare foot that doesn't appeal the young kids, Gauri was exactly the same way but soon converted into a gardner of er own kind :) I am sure Neel’s on the same path too.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYTtbl_gDj5sWnwPyfgIDMKxHNhiF0Y79WUAd1sFSzwepDXXq-cJnOUoK2DXgSiY9sBhBbSLvn7-3udMceZ4GeAZTRI9paLBYnHvLXyNSXIqOtzw0PmHtfq26W79QWiRxrqjy8/s1600/Jun+2,+2010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYTtbl_gDj5sWnwPyfgIDMKxHNhiF0Y79WUAd1sFSzwepDXXq-cJnOUoK2DXgSiY9sBhBbSLvn7-3udMceZ4GeAZTRI9paLBYnHvLXyNSXIqOtzw0PmHtfq26W79QWiRxrqjy8/s320/Jun+2,+2010.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="font: 13.0px Arial; line-height: 15.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><br />
</div><div style="font: 13.0px Arial; line-height: 15.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 15.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 13.0px Arial; line-height: 15.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Anyway, the kids had a blast at the farm, despite the scorching heat outside (89 F) both didn't want to leave the farm. After tasting several strawberries and finally discovering that the small red ones were the juiciest, my smarty-pants Ms. G was busy looking for perfect strawberries to put in her container, </span></div><div style="font: 13.0px Arial; line-height: 15.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5baqrb7sff5sdtOHuRsa9MlfL-B3myhOdB4C-Y-_R4cUXcza8PlVEHEVjIWRWZ1xhj55F9bB-XeGjuprmePveDNOC7zF_eqEySphnYjK5gVUnnCHzZODbdI-TYDxuVXDdlqMG/s1600/DSC_2703.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5baqrb7sff5sdtOHuRsa9MlfL-B3myhOdB4C-Y-_R4cUXcza8PlVEHEVjIWRWZ1xhj55F9bB-XeGjuprmePveDNOC7zF_eqEySphnYjK5gVUnnCHzZODbdI-TYDxuVXDdlqMG/s320/DSC_2703.jpg" width="208" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirr7tf3jCoVD5Ll7CtvxNVQGvTCgbrCujTzhLHfFcGUUk4fJeZYqM0_VU7V9CTEIrRRKtF6S9lYLBbCGkCSANweMolFBvqivlx7zvzUCPy1jZUK1sXc2U1ih1oQsC7iRpLCuAN/s1600/DSC_2690.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirr7tf3jCoVD5Ll7CtvxNVQGvTCgbrCujTzhLHfFcGUUk4fJeZYqM0_VU7V9CTEIrRRKtF6S9lYLBbCGkCSANweMolFBvqivlx7zvzUCPy1jZUK1sXc2U1ih1oQsC7iRpLCuAN/s320/DSC_2690.jpg" width="211" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="font: 13.0px Arial; line-height: 15.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">and Neel was just exploring the BIG open farm - with no worries of where Mom was, he would just walk away real far from us with his fuzzy friend Jojo (the monkey on his back), get down occasionally and squish some red temptation in his tiny mouth; I almost caught him red-handed several times.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx5rbIA2LxOa7YUdip_JWpgtKWUkKkQXsmvGKxuqBoilSB22wJntwF8U7boecmGx_qJXWWYRSufFYkQGqiEhempiwELMT0nzJlIt_36vHDDSZJy_4qvv7hRaM_Bx2s32BdZiHz/s1600/Jun+4,+2010_21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx5rbIA2LxOa7YUdip_JWpgtKWUkKkQXsmvGKxuqBoilSB22wJntwF8U7boecmGx_qJXWWYRSufFYkQGqiEhempiwELMT0nzJlIt_36vHDDSZJy_4qvv7hRaM_Bx2s32BdZiHz/s320/Jun+4,+2010_21.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="font: 13.0px Arial; line-height: 15.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">(sorry Image too small, click on it to enlarge)</span></span></span></div><br />
</div><div style="font: 13.0px Arial; line-height: 15.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">I had to drag them back to the farm stand to pay and head back home. By this time, our faces and clothes were somewhat red with sun and all the strawberries we “tasted”, we had lots of fruit to bring back home for us and friends to share with. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhte-mOVmu0ipq-5Jvp-B7Madyt7BrLH7xmJSV4w1rbJDHf8yLKU-mQ59If65ikvg3vb47gp16aIhzI0hbOTGWiKinWOgkioElivsWUxBIsAXy1v56pCAVanoFwNp4prZ4m_PPq/s1600/Jun+4,+2010_22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhte-mOVmu0ipq-5Jvp-B7Madyt7BrLH7xmJSV4w1rbJDHf8yLKU-mQ59If65ikvg3vb47gp16aIhzI0hbOTGWiKinWOgkioElivsWUxBIsAXy1v56pCAVanoFwNp4prZ4m_PPq/s320/Jun+4,+2010_22.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="font: 13.0px Arial; line-height: 15.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><br />
</div><div style="font: 13.0px Arial; line-height: 15.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Gauri said on our way back “mumma, why do we buy strawberries from Grocery store, we should always get our own”!! What a great experience and learning for kids.</span></div><div style="font: 13.0px Arial; line-height: 15.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 15.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 13.0px Arial; line-height: 15.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Thanks to whoever came up with the idea of pick your own. We will surely be going back for more strawberries and Blueberries, Raspberries and Apples too when the season starts.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="font: 13.0px Arial; line-height: 15.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 15.0px;"><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnjvEVNojNkZuOaFA-RCsci6oim8MomVwfvjPeasA6UNLU-1I7Ux3ILgqgqfCaNVawlQPcs46jlHrEbdkxjFg9p98ddrOlIHA38vIqIPYo2Ay_PeICBkORMMiW3Cah37EgaM2A/s1600/DSC_2721.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnjvEVNojNkZuOaFA-RCsci6oim8MomVwfvjPeasA6UNLU-1I7Ux3ILgqgqfCaNVawlQPcs46jlHrEbdkxjFg9p98ddrOlIHA38vIqIPYo2Ay_PeICBkORMMiW3Cah37EgaM2A/s320/DSC_2721.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="font: 13.0px Arial; line-height: 15.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 15.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div>Not so perfect mom of Neel & Gaurihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09783752050757594678noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34224157.post-56994397596116985582010-05-16T23:36:00.000-04:002010-05-16T23:36:50.285-04:00Sweet Love<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Oh goodness, I have been thinking of writing about all that has been going on in our life but I just dont seem to find ANY time these days. Its just that crazy right now. I wonder how you working moms (and of course my mom when we were little too) are able to find time for your “jobs” - I am almost amazed by those working moms of two or more little ones.</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Anyway, although we have been SUPER DUPER SMUPER busy but I have never enjoyed life this much ever. Gauri and Neel both are such adorable and so cute and so mischievous and so funny that they just make my day by their silly acts.</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2GBI1qJwOQjp9EHgtAdhAgAoQFbB_e-EUrBscZgVWIPgb9QvbTVFhProEB7Sid1DIy3R9H76oHMAEL1VwWRvo1Fm6MkPB1YAg_bpFdLr6jGtLVJuZiMjAu2EF6oEinpzcnzhC/s1600/DSC_2396.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2GBI1qJwOQjp9EHgtAdhAgAoQFbB_e-EUrBscZgVWIPgb9QvbTVFhProEB7Sid1DIy3R9H76oHMAEL1VwWRvo1Fm6MkPB1YAg_bpFdLr6jGtLVJuZiMjAu2EF6oEinpzcnzhC/s200/DSC_2396.jpg" width="133" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu0UtGQ1l_LVgu1j7kvB3INeQchxPxQwU48AY3ZWzi_4KbytVFCRxWjJ0ht-Q457f9ZZA8oXLziriR5iGCOdCuVYCehYoNWSOm6ix-ZpILbONWVMXcjBhWZNt3ea7M-Qbcscz4/s1600/DSC_2382.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu0UtGQ1l_LVgu1j7kvB3INeQchxPxQwU48AY3ZWzi_4KbytVFCRxWjJ0ht-Q457f9ZZA8oXLziriR5iGCOdCuVYCehYoNWSOm6ix-ZpILbONWVMXcjBhWZNt3ea7M-Qbcscz4/s200/DSC_2382.jpg" width="133" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVrmQ0GWwzUVbGOR1K2_4N59eHrg0IH3JN2Gx11kgPcqTnHDS_h0sA38cpvFiD3lpigmwOSqGj2NbOIHlFQ8kvF9sVvEhv0T2D5hNw8g2vKLMPyyoM0qxTHG3T_SV9hJYcYew2/s1600/DSC_2371.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVrmQ0GWwzUVbGOR1K2_4N59eHrg0IH3JN2Gx11kgPcqTnHDS_h0sA38cpvFiD3lpigmwOSqGj2NbOIHlFQ8kvF9sVvEhv0T2D5hNw8g2vKLMPyyoM0qxTHG3T_SV9hJYcYew2/s200/DSC_2371.jpg" width="133" /></a></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Neel love Gauri like crazy - though they fight at times over toys etc but if I ever scold Gauri for anything - he will immediately some shushing me....I am serious that tiny person will place one hand on his back, bend somewhat and Shush me with his one TINY finger on his lips :) ... I just burst into laughter at this.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Hlf9khVOmZ0nmOpEWBN5t3T_XJcN_5B6OemCs6eUzudfFmJr6NOjwNcTTRsnhVguK4QynkanEw6IYYfIVSdAS3mEN_1g5uOP4XaKqNm08Op_gy_e8xru7r96P2yhVZZNdnrv/s1600/DSC_2409.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Hlf9khVOmZ0nmOpEWBN5t3T_XJcN_5B6OemCs6eUzudfFmJr6NOjwNcTTRsnhVguK4QynkanEw6IYYfIVSdAS3mEN_1g5uOP4XaKqNm08Op_gy_e8xru7r96P2yhVZZNdnrv/s320/DSC_2409.jpg" /></a></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">One tear from Gauri’s eyes and you will see Neel walking to her with a towel of some sort to wipe her tears followed by a BIG hug around her legs - so cute. I hope and wish that their love continues to grow like this and when they are both teenagers and they almost hate each other, may be they can read this and realize how much they loved each other.</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvy4scv4QLl4LSX4hq4uGP59Mv7QI5drhYvgDiqq_QAolGbCKl8xnrNuY2ZE9eP2RmUzfK85ZukiWeU7TGcudrL9f9ZsCZsBA8g0qL3NHEfy2yfyzO-lOdnCS9KQNjVECTSIf3/s1600/DSC_2405.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvy4scv4QLl4LSX4hq4uGP59Mv7QI5drhYvgDiqq_QAolGbCKl8xnrNuY2ZE9eP2RmUzfK85ZukiWeU7TGcudrL9f9ZsCZsBA8g0qL3NHEfy2yfyzO-lOdnCS9KQNjVECTSIf3/s320/DSC_2405.jpg" /></a></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Gauri apart from being very sensible, very vocal and expressive, very sensitive to other kids’s feelings is also SUPER SOCIAL. Like today, she was standing outside mer mama’s(uncle) house and calling out this -</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">“people come inside my mom has made something very yummy to eat, come, come in”</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">She is super extrovert and LOVES LOVES LOVES being around other people no matter what age. She reminded me of her DIWAKAR mama who, my aunt tells us did exactly the same when he was a 3 year old.... I thought that was funny.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHcTGjC84L01FygMbnQkLVRQcDjxz1s2QlX95aCDGKk-I0wq8BGvXLK12_xTUeotcRJ-afdUk5mGE2iriQs5zMagfYAA5XpmUUQYaLo1Zcu3SU-AmZq1p_KQZ1nYDw8ipigi3x/s1600/DSC_2412.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHcTGjC84L01FygMbnQkLVRQcDjxz1s2QlX95aCDGKk-I0wq8BGvXLK12_xTUeotcRJ-afdUk5mGE2iriQs5zMagfYAA5XpmUUQYaLo1Zcu3SU-AmZq1p_KQZ1nYDw8ipigi3x/s320/DSC_2412.jpg" /></a></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">So life’s crazy right now but fun too, I am so glad I took this time off from work and choose to stay home with the kids. I would have missed so much if I didn’t.</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Hope you all are enjoying the summer - we are.</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><br />
</div>Not so perfect mom of Neel & Gaurihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09783752050757594678noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34224157.post-42419901072032404652010-04-13T19:15:00.002-04:002010-04-14T11:57:56.024-04:00Some days, parenting is… HARD<div style="line-height: 12.0pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #010101; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;">That was my exhausted thought as I was doing multitasking in my kitchen at the end of the day today. Between trying to check emails, making a list of pending phone calls, expanding my never-ending to-do-list where it feels like nothing ever gets accomplished, preparing dinner for kids and us, cleaning up the living room which looked like a jungle of toys, thinking about how to juggle in Swim classes for the kids…..I was feeling like “I just cant accomplish anything EVER!!”</span></div><div style="border-color: initial; border-style: initial; line-height: 12.0pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #010101; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 9pt;">The whole day had been a battle. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="border-color: initial; border-style: initial; line-height: 12.0pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #010101; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 9pt;">I can’t even remember as I write this what the issues were, but it just seemed like everything was a challenge today.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="border-color: initial; border-style: initial; line-height: 12.0pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSAh88uVxmuQ4OKGYrTwR-vaD61VaYOTLo3dcrlBViBU3x76F5bXPcw66e0WxB2pcFwZhGefH9zk8NjYXoce36YOm7MaZjdySsVu2X6MfUcNIgjNn7mmaWSf_Sk1ku6guMXNCb/s1600/DSC_2383.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSAh88uVxmuQ4OKGYrTwR-vaD61VaYOTLo3dcrlBViBU3x76F5bXPcw66e0WxB2pcFwZhGefH9zk8NjYXoce36YOm7MaZjdySsVu2X6MfUcNIgjNn7mmaWSf_Sk1ku6guMXNCb/s320/DSC_2383.JPG" width="212" /></a><span style="color: #010101; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 9pt;">Maybe it was because I had planned to do many things today but couldn’t get much done from my list of things;<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="border-color: initial; border-style: initial; line-height: 12.0pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #010101; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 9pt;">Or maybe it was because Gauri is almost 3.5 and she’s becoming more independent and more verbal. </span></div><div style="border-color: initial; border-style: initial; line-height: 12.0pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #010101; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;">My every effort to try to teach her to write, color-within-the-lines, remember her numbers/ alphabets etc are all only making her more rigid. </span></div><div style="border-color: initial; border-style: initial; line-height: 12.0pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #010101; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 9pt;"><br />
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</span></div><div style="border-color: initial; border-style: initial; line-height: 12.0pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg03phiDV51p2Q0YNGUvtRMvTGSLCtNtXdWbjH3xxRGIz0pvN_hp2dFU8PyZKKYyu5BFZO0gNADcOE6i6OT-povUnIhpz1AjpyVtMq0m0wxFQ1VP-YbCFkJwrdM3TzSLLeXUxP/s1600/DSC_2255.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg03phiDV51p2Q0YNGUvtRMvTGSLCtNtXdWbjH3xxRGIz0pvN_hp2dFU8PyZKKYyu5BFZO0gNADcOE6i6OT-povUnIhpz1AjpyVtMq0m0wxFQ1VP-YbCFkJwrdM3TzSLLeXUxP/s320/DSC_2255.JPG" width="320" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #010101; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;">Neel’s also getting quite independent and doing the boy things – break stuff, getting into things he shouldn't, pull away Gauri’s toys and most specially her Dolls, and therefore fights between the two ALL-THE-TIME!!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="line-height: 12.0pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #010101; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 9pt;">Whatever the reason, I was frustrated this evening and I almost felt like a TOTAL FAILURE at parenting and house-keeping. I have really NEVER felt this way for anything. I have always been a go-getter, on top of everything, leading not following or merely trying to catch up…. But I broke down this evening into tears when I looked around me and all I saw was a mountain of work, Neel Gauri fighting over a doll, Gauri not stopping from putting her hair in her mouth despite of me asking her several times and Neel trying to run away with poop on his bottoms!!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="line-height: 12.0pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #010101; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 9pt;"><o:p><br />
</o:p></span></div><div style="line-height: 12.0pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #010101; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 9pt;"><o:p>Gosh – I felt SO down and sad and depressed, all I asked for from my hubby </o:p></span></div><blockquote>“can I get just 24 hours to myself to be 24 again”</blockquote><div style="line-height: 12.0pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #010101; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 9pt;"> as our 10<sup>th</sup> wedding anniversary gift. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="line-height: 12.0pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #010101; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;">There is always so much pressure on moms, to teach their kids every possible skill in the world, to take them to million lessons, make sure they are achieving all milestones appropriate for their age and making them smarter, and obedient, and happy and disciplined; cooking the most nutritious meals for the whole family that also taste good and is not boring and repeating, keeping the house like NO-KIDS live in it – how do we do all that and also look good and sound happy at the end of the day when hubby descends from work?</span></div><div style="line-height: 12.0pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #010101; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 9pt;"><o:p>Is it just be who doesn’t know how to make all this work effortlessly or do any of you moms feel the same way?</o:p></span></div><div style="line-height: 12.0pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #010101; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 9pt;"><o:p><br />
</o:p></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW1vtY3xzNNOLhjbaRdHhE49KpT0V3s5pzJD0bXYznJMLMPtgd_gDs-juW4JRLtqJm9MwTYsRBp_9uXCVpZeNWMBUENn4YBfhobuEu3GqC_if1x74KGRXbt8_JBXGaB73SL3Jo/s1600/DSC_2357.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW1vtY3xzNNOLhjbaRdHhE49KpT0V3s5pzJD0bXYznJMLMPtgd_gDs-juW4JRLtqJm9MwTYsRBp_9uXCVpZeNWMBUENn4YBfhobuEu3GqC_if1x74KGRXbt8_JBXGaB73SL3Jo/s200/DSC_2357.JPG" width="143" /></a></div><div style="line-height: 12.0pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyprmUbgwUTI8cfArZprPKRxSSM8flVrjlhQvGK3yGbocNmAPDks11Td1ltCU1p3566dCYlOcHg_LyWs7fFqo06qeXYcr9asVSJruli1gFMnKCNnjXj4fzWL6HVGyrWpOVPa3U/s1600/DSC_2359.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyprmUbgwUTI8cfArZprPKRxSSM8flVrjlhQvGK3yGbocNmAPDks11Td1ltCU1p3566dCYlOcHg_LyWs7fFqo06qeXYcr9asVSJruli1gFMnKCNnjXj4fzWL6HVGyrWpOVPa3U/s200/DSC_2359.JPG" width="146" /></a><span style="color: #010101; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 9pt;"><o:p>Well I know I am going to give my kids a nice warm bath and cuddle them in bed to bounce out of it for now!!</o:p></span></div><br />
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</div>Not so perfect mom of Neel & Gaurihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09783752050757594678noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34224157.post-48673329438657926162010-03-05T16:35:00.002-05:002010-03-09T16:47:53.451-05:00Valentines 2010I know I am lagging behind in updating the blog and we are almost a month late in posting about our valentines day fun, but, I don’t want to NOT write about it at all because it was just too cute and a whole lot fun.<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVL1tQszsS_A5fEGUqugUgsajKwkilN1OhaNzP7Htk2PcCnA03IxsesONnx7KFbLwN_kV7s38uWk7NBIIzkfFAWu-ezW5dMi_tlF5HUEhArLi0Cw47dx60goXEJ54hBSjkoTxh/s1600-h/SnowFall_Vals_weekend.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVL1tQszsS_A5fEGUqugUgsajKwkilN1OhaNzP7Htk2PcCnA03IxsesONnx7KFbLwN_kV7s38uWk7NBIIzkfFAWu-ezW5dMi_tlF5HUEhArLi0Cw47dx60goXEJ54hBSjkoTxh/s320/SnowFall_Vals_weekend.jpg" vt="true" /></a>The week before V’ day baba was out on a business trip and we were supposed to have a snow storm – not ideal situation when hubby’s not around and kids have dr’s appointments, we have a flat tire and not of snow to shovel. But we were too excited for V’day to keep us from having fun.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">So while it was snowing heavily outside (picture below)</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpaYJGSnc85tkJNjQkndRUff1KAoCIUK9Tz4LVCVm5OaEdLVE4tAkehIvhtyWT9ufrs2OM2RnXz5k8FIP0f1Wu7HMs7DtFU_APYgyQHR0y61Ka2yXVqy74xatQOiYQCnCao4L1/s1600-h/SnowFall_Vals_weekend2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpaYJGSnc85tkJNjQkndRUff1KAoCIUK9Tz4LVCVm5OaEdLVE4tAkehIvhtyWT9ufrs2OM2RnXz5k8FIP0f1Wu7HMs7DtFU_APYgyQHR0y61Ka2yXVqy74xatQOiYQCnCao4L1/s400/SnowFall_Vals_weekend2.jpg" vt="true" width="400" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">All 3 of us were busy making valentines cookies and Gauri wanted to make a Valentines necklace for herself and her Baba. (Look at her creativity below, I am not going to steal the thunder here because really the cookie decoration and the fruit loops was all her idea)</div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIC2IZw1WFOhLx2IgLWRgp7kKzA_4U9p2lhVN1hPXfunTYomDm7ONRjFOz8_LLnWwuOlOPchhyphenhyphenFb5B6Eh7ewOWfhG_ULySoNNAlT943qYuMJEtL0h-zS8rcC3gYwbCKlWoT0Xe/s1600-h/ValentinesDayCookie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIC2IZw1WFOhLx2IgLWRgp7kKzA_4U9p2lhVN1hPXfunTYomDm7ONRjFOz8_LLnWwuOlOPchhyphenhyphenFb5B6Eh7ewOWfhG_ULySoNNAlT943qYuMJEtL0h-zS8rcC3gYwbCKlWoT0Xe/s400/ValentinesDayCookie.jpg" vt="true" width="400" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Baba came home the night before V’day and as he reached Gauri’s Crib to kiss her on coming back, she immediately woke up and hugged him and whispered in his ears “Baba I made a valentine’s surprise necklace for you…sh…..Neel’ will wake up so I’ll sleep now, but I cant wait to give it to you in the morning, will you wake me up early tomorrow”</div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">That was too cute and it melted her baba’s heart and in baba’s words – “this is what I miss the most when I am not with you guys….I love her so much….”</div><br />
We had a nice relaxing lazy breakfast in the morning, went out shopping a bit, exchanged some presents, all of us got back in our PJ (well PJs were our presents this Valentines…hahahaha) and watched some TV together.<br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhahLqTkwMA-cNf1s24YCsnguJTb7fPANqs8S7qzK5_sVc3-OF8rwAcM5ZvBHlhREKHZfbygP03OULvtSAYjoY7p0Ul7QVM-YnF74nOGaI9Emt5-9AzKC1ofMM2o87rUg5y_4ij/s1600-h/ValentinesDay2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhahLqTkwMA-cNf1s24YCsnguJTb7fPANqs8S7qzK5_sVc3-OF8rwAcM5ZvBHlhREKHZfbygP03OULvtSAYjoY7p0Ul7QVM-YnF74nOGaI9Emt5-9AzKC1ofMM2o87rUg5y_4ij/s400/ValentinesDay2.jpg" vt="true" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh26v-JWkzPuSwNHd7lc5HxT-nOdItkCB-qxnsbxTLA9SXSJj8FMUKbY0gd0q5czF4PfAf7po95N6t1N836CtBCkiIvvTZMI7wCXcAm5fHEh0Tm1APAK2JIMnq_scC7RRZ5JnqA/s1600-h/ValentinesDay_GB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh26v-JWkzPuSwNHd7lc5HxT-nOdItkCB-qxnsbxTLA9SXSJj8FMUKbY0gd0q5czF4PfAf7po95N6t1N836CtBCkiIvvTZMI7wCXcAm5fHEh0Tm1APAK2JIMnq_scC7RRZ5JnqA/s400/ValentinesDay_GB.jpg" vt="true" width="400" /></a></div><br />
I was happy that no more we were running around, trying to get a reservation in a restaurant at stupidly-late-hours in the night, for valentines day dinner. We were all happy, sitting together eating butter popcorn in the coziness of our home …valentines day has new meaning for us now and WE (Me and Hubby) love it this way.Not so perfect mom of Neel & Gaurihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09783752050757594678noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34224157.post-65650518850227685782010-02-17T22:52:00.001-05:002010-03-09T17:18:27.318-05:00God's most amazing creationMother!<br />
I am sure we all agree to that, and I hope we find that time to let the woman who gave us birth know, that what an amazing person she is (or was). <br />
<br />
Very sadly, I want Gauri and Neel to know that today its been 10 years of us losing our most beloved mother, the Nani they unfortunately haven't meet, but the Nani who still continues to guide and motivate their mother (me) to try to be a good mother to them. My little babies, I hope I can be a mother just like your Nani, who will always love and care for you on earth or in heaven.<br />
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I do wish mom, you were here to sit by my bed-side and roll your finger through my hair when I would be sick; I wish you would still sing me the same<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fjUvJrTiQ1w"> lullaby</a> that you used to when I couldnt fall asleep; I wish you were here to chat with me all night long while everyone was fast asleep; I wish you were hear to easy my fears, to wipe my tears, to share my excitement, to be proud of my achievemnets and above all to mother me, while I mothered my children. I miss you more than words could ever express.<br />
<br />
This picture is my absolute favorite from my brother's wedding, its just that its little short of being perfect - I think its missing our mother, but so is every picture! We love you and miss you always, dear mother. Hope you are resting in peace.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZtCfC9nKFgYJDgaAMgJH3f6VO3c9AdBu_H86bBH0SxIskKi8TNsyYDpbaYoT-7amG7KarhlP0TYZ-JbjTZMbHTHQdJlaLxmsi2_Zm6ngaHeVVRtGzzmcqMAECpj1XJoumAGNy/s1600-h/DSC_0071.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ct="true" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZtCfC9nKFgYJDgaAMgJH3f6VO3c9AdBu_H86bBH0SxIskKi8TNsyYDpbaYoT-7amG7KarhlP0TYZ-JbjTZMbHTHQdJlaLxmsi2_Zm6ngaHeVVRtGzzmcqMAECpj1XJoumAGNy/s640/DSC_0071.JPG" width="435" /></a></div>Not so perfect mom of Neel & Gaurihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09783752050757594678noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34224157.post-46653788527248229792010-02-14T06:44:00.004-05:002010-02-14T07:16:53.364-05:00Are we Home now?That’s what super-tired-completely-exhausted Gauri asked me when we finally sat down at our departure gate in Charlotte after being in transit for over 50+ hours changing several planes, having done atleast 12 or more security checks and being dragged every where on the airport at various ungodly hours for last couple of days…..<br /><br />As some of you already know we had already missed our first return flight to US since I did not have a UK transit visa. Frankly, that was such a shocker for me and I couldn’t believe that was happening to us. Gauri was very sad and upset at why baba had not come to pick her up at the airport, poor thing didn’t quite understand that we were still in India.<br /><br />Finally we decided to fly back via Germany since it didn’t require a transit visa. But it seems like trouble was spread like a battle-field mine in the entire journey. First, the plane from India couldn’t take off for over 4 hours due to some military issue. I knew we had already missed our connection from Munich to Boston but I was hopeful we’d get some flight back to US.<br /><br />But upon landing on Munich airport, we were not allowed to enter the airport as the airport was shut down due to some security breach!! Great!! We were left at a place with little heat, very few chairs, no food, phone or even water. We waited for good 4 -5 hours when our patience started running out. It was getting very cold and kids were beginning to freeze sitting on the floor. I put down my shawl, coat etc to make it warmer for kids to sit . Gauri was getting more and more thirsty and couldn’t hold off any more. Upon asking a German immigration officer who spoke little English, he told that only place to get some water was from “the toilet” – are you kidding me was the expression on my face. But I had no choice, I went and brought some water from the T. At that point I literally got tears in my eyes; children who I have taken care so gently and carefully, I am now feeding them water from the toilet. I was desperate to find some help. Determined, I kept asking immigration officers to let me/ other passengers talk to Lufthansa officials. Finally they came – told us that there are no flights to the US for the day and we may have to wait at the airport with atleast 300 other passengers stuck in similar situation, but they could now take us into the airport. After about 4 security checks and stripping sleepy-cranky kids every time for the damn security check, taking care of our hand luggage, purse, passports and million other things we were inside the airport finally. Now the next hurdle – to get the first available flight to US (forget Boston, get me anywhere in the US, beggars cant be choosers). After another 2.5 hours of standing in queue, we were finally booked on a flight to Charlotte and another one from Charlotte to Boston for next day. Now the next hurdle was to fight for a transit visa so I could take the kids to a hotel and not have to spend the night with both kids and luggage on a terminal. Seeing the condition of my kids and literally begging and pleading we finally got transit visa to go into Germany (now 1 AM German time)<br />Again dragging sleepy kids with luggage from one end of the airport to another, to an exit, we finally sat inside a cab; to tell the truth I was Sh…scared at this time riding a cab all alone with kids and no phone, no local currency, no understanding of German language and absolutely no idea where the heck the cab driver was going to take us. But with fingers crossed and keeping Gods name in the heart we passed that 25 minute ride to the hotel. We were happy to be at the hotel and the staff there was extremely helpful and empathetic. We all had a nice 5 hour sleep and our back felt lot better and ready for another day of surprises.<br /><br />Next morning we took our 10 hour flight to Charlotte only to land there and find out that immigration is going to take long and we will miss yet another connection to Boston – lovely!! Who invited Mr. Murphy to this trip?????<br />Anyway when sat at the terminal in Charlotte hoping that this be our FINAL flight in our attempt to reach Boston, I asked Gauri if she was excited to see baba, she said “I am tired mum, are we home now?”…. my heart went out to her and I gave her a big emotional hug, keeping my tears under control and thanking her for being such a cooperative kid during this entire mess. 5.5 hours later we were finally HOME!!<br /> Happy Ending, Happy Faces...<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438071626840547106" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis9in-U5NnRvpth78w6nqTkTMab1cYdH1LY2B35crksiFjw_bRbJgPfg1MlS8mQ4ahy3ORbaRi2FFKfL6p2iAQ_lsTVkVWoZ_cFljRTTpvnZ9knE4hyZIh4Jxr7mFwLgwKvqw5/s400/NMB_feb_2010.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438071175944980146" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQtvSCY6IonzBK-wWRzqIm9IFMRCJzmqOjpSsyRe90qRNLjB22aR6B9y14Tg0lYZo-NOVB0CBx6V8_YEau8x7bexpg8cI2CKJXggMFdcmTLOHwFKkDsaD-qmeXWR28J1BsSUJf/s400/GB_feb_2010.jpg" border="0" />Not so perfect mom of Neel & Gaurihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09783752050757594678noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34224157.post-75693119433438737442009-09-24T00:58:00.001-04:002009-09-25T02:59:02.455-04:00Pre-school - so soon??<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYgfK9yywtOb6n_tlMrmMiRYXtpHP9zcxcYfMTcfoNPEZQ-B_tH6wFDlIQ2tzPlJkWaW15ETSS8FtbIaMNIRGwJuve3cdOYwDl0TUvU_xWKATJsyX8CcqrJsie1O7EozGDWrgB/s1600-h/DSC_1980.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 202px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYgfK9yywtOb6n_tlMrmMiRYXtpHP9zcxcYfMTcfoNPEZQ-B_tH6wFDlIQ2tzPlJkWaW15ETSS8FtbIaMNIRGwJuve3cdOYwDl0TUvU_xWKATJsyX8CcqrJsie1O7EozGDWrgB/s320/DSC_1980.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385290929954757394" border="0" /></a>Our little one is heading off on a big adventure -- preschool!<br />The first day of preschool has arrived (Monday Sept 21) and it's time for our little darling to begin an educational journey that will last nearly two decades. Gosh is she really that grown-up already – I remember bringing her home from the hospital, like it was yesterday!!<br /><br />The night before, I talked to Gauri about her special day (she seemed very excited), <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtrebs_NlWeVWlIfKfWSsC-hDNku0q9zt9dCS8YBDDwxVuYwLShilRja2NfOCpjGkZEzoLtuUL_WJgln6PZXtSMjmpW_jZ5pd8PlU7zuR9zInE2l8dTnizf9uPNPyEbTi3xvxl/s1600-h/DSC_1931.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtrebs_NlWeVWlIfKfWSsC-hDNku0q9zt9dCS8YBDDwxVuYwLShilRja2NfOCpjGkZEzoLtuUL_WJgln6PZXtSMjmpW_jZ5pd8PlU7zuR9zInE2l8dTnizf9uPNPyEbTi3xvxl/s320/DSC_1931.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385290919317840290" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><blockquote><span style="font-size:85%;">I am ready for School (the day before)</span></blockquote></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNwqmmpowunDkm0AJCJlVf7nEzJzJvoIQsTOn2GdqWY_Os3gK6Zdksv12AmAXTSZXEtlSrGnLut7Dutb0d8_bwl7GTO4p1DsW2-r29gV0Ie0hiwUuWLfmYwWLyMICvlPaXimSJ/s1600-h/DSC_1914.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNwqmmpowunDkm0AJCJlVf7nEzJzJvoIQsTOn2GdqWY_Os3gK6Zdksv12AmAXTSZXEtlSrGnLut7Dutb0d8_bwl7GTO4p1DsW2-r29gV0Ie0hiwUuWLfmYwWLyMICvlPaXimSJ/s320/DSC_1914.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385290918698590050" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: center; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><blockquote><span style="font-size:85%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNwqmmpowunDkm0AJCJlVf7nEzJzJvoIQsTOn2GdqWY_Os3gK6Zdksv12AmAXTSZXEtlSrGnLut7Dutb0d8_bwl7GTO4p1DsW2-r29gV0Ie0hiwUuWLfmYwWLyMICvlPaXimSJ/s1600-h/DSC_1914.JPG">"I am so excited Neel"</a></span></blockquote></div>picked her attire for the morning, packed some snack, she packed her <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdaBUni-_oySdxeGw7bOTDr3DqstHGuB-7EwvCzYL_ZjRsV4yT6H5sdNAUXcST-A55QFWFvKhKdzSy9hBLtDYm9hoOkvksTVxUQ63fbFQIHe1xtR8EPmiM4fvXmIZzR9JrTdh8/s1600-h/DSC_1895.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 155px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdaBUni-_oySdxeGw7bOTDr3DqstHGuB-7EwvCzYL_ZjRsV4yT6H5sdNAUXcST-A55QFWFvKhKdzSy9hBLtDYm9hoOkvksTVxUQ63fbFQIHe1xtR8EPmiM4fvXmIZzR9JrTdh8/s320/DSC_1895.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385291868096595138" border="0" /></a>back-pack with all sorts of stuff, teddy, doll, hair clip, toy cell phone, nighty-night Lucy book, a pair of clothing etc…..Alarms were set, with breakfast menu on mind, we went to bed early.<br /><br />As we reached the school gate, I was feeling like I was going to cry any minute and as I dropped her off to her class and she asked me “mumma where are you going” my face turned red, my eyes were barely able to hold the tears in them any more, thanks to the teacher for pushing me to leave while letting Gauri know that I’ll be back after "picking up some groceries".<br />With little over 2 hours in hand, I did some grocery shopping (with no one asking to sit in those big- loud toycar shopping carts, so hard to maneuver and always stuck in the checkout lanes!), some laundry folding and organizing, and yes I also ate some breakfast that day! Yuppie!!.<br />Apart from all this, I had only one thing going on in the background – a hard-to-resist-urge to call the preschool about fifty times to ask, “Is she happy? Does she look happy? What’s she doing right now? How about now? Isn’t she wonderfully terrific? Don’t you agree she’s the most fantastic child ever? Does she look happy now? And now?”<br /><br />God, I couldn’t wait to pick her up (no wonder I was sitting in the parking lot 20 minutes before the pick-up time). I miss my darling baby. And as soon as I picked her up – we hugged (real tight) and she asked “did baba and Neel miss me” and as Neel woke up from his nap and saw Gauri, he uttered excitedly - “ge-ge”; that’s it!! – Gauri said “I think mumma Neel missed me because he is smiling at ge-ge” (We think Neel calls Gauri Ge-ge). Gauri had the most wonderful stories to tell me all the way home !! :)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyq61T7v4EA-2y_SD8KPmyAsatK5_zPpHCLLwFkNknT0-zxFYzgj5gqAfXjAF9d34Y3lLsFH0rJq3-ZSliwpl_aBg7BSntrAzaQ8li1QDSHfy-nfmoKuVjqNSVUOPt7_UAfC_X/s1600-h/Sept_09.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyq61T7v4EA-2y_SD8KPmyAsatK5_zPpHCLLwFkNknT0-zxFYzgj5gqAfXjAF9d34Y3lLsFH0rJq3-ZSliwpl_aBg7BSntrAzaQ8li1QDSHfy-nfmoKuVjqNSVUOPt7_UAfC_X/s400/Sept_09.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385294482545786722" border="0" /></a><blockquote><div style="text-align: center;">"I am ready to study too"</div></blockquote>Not so perfect mom of Neel & Gaurihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09783752050757594678noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34224157.post-86104845908745708682009-09-17T22:45:00.019-04:002009-09-25T03:06:01.279-04:00What's baking in our oven!!<a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ5IvstzRMUVu_1YlVwvIAEOiN1JmOHEoR3nV9H4loDVEiq0B6DNtoXJXOoCMdhGHDbi9KvGrZw56yCynE4DdD7ZtJ1vyL3odm3SudjE7JCM2HGSBiTvnz9SxwG1eeDRckGAnl/s1600-h/DSC_0999.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 166px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ5IvstzRMUVu_1YlVwvIAEOiN1JmOHEoR3nV9H4loDVEiq0B6DNtoXJXOoCMdhGHDbi9KvGrZw56yCynE4DdD7ZtJ1vyL3odm3SudjE7JCM2HGSBiTvnz9SxwG1eeDRckGAnl/s320/DSC_0999.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382638168192752674" border="0" /></a><blockquote style="font-family: verdana;"><meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><link rel="File-List" href="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5Cmithalp%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtml1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml"><link rel="Edit-Time-Data" href="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5Cmithalp%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtml1%5C01%5Cclip_editdata.mso"><!--[if !mso]> <style> v\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);} o\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);} w\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);} .shape {behavior:url(#default#VML);} </style> <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><style> <!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:Wingdings; panose-1:5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0; mso-font-charset:2; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:0 268435456 0 0 -2147483648 0;} @font-face {font-family:Georgia; panose-1:2 4 5 2 5 4 5 2 3 3; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:roman; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:647 0 0 0 159 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} a:link, span.MsoHyperlink {color:blue; text-decoration:underline; text-underline:single;} a:visited, span.MsoHyperlinkFollowed {color:purple; text-decoration:underline; text-underline:single;} p {mso-margin-top-alt:auto; margin-right:0in; mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:0in; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} span.bod {mso-style-name:bod;} span.klink {mso-style-name:klink;} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;color:black;" >“</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">When baking, follow directions. When cooking, go by your own taste.” ~Laiko Bahrs</span></span></blockquote><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:100%;" ><o:p></o:p></span> <p style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I following this saying – religiously; because (as some of you already know) although I can cook quite okay but I am a pathetic baker! While my mom (the BEST cook ever, seriously) baked the most amazing cakes (and for everyone’s birthday, all cousins friend’s kids etc.) me on the contrary, fail, if I am even short of one ingredient. Baking does not come natural to me. So, I had never ventured into the area of cookies etc. But in an effort to keep Gauri busy and to fulfill her random demand of very specific shape and color cookies, I have tried several recipes in the past. And after several failed attempts, I can say that I have finally been able to bake </span></span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;" >some</span><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;" > really decent cookies lately. </span></p> <p style="font-family:verdana;"><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;" >Several months ago we baked some </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;" >Vegan chocolate chip cookies</span><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;" > – vegan because Neel is allergic to dairy (just like Gauri was when she was less than an year old; I really do hope he also grows out of this pretty soon) and so I am on no-dairy-no-soy diet too. The cookies came out pretty good and my </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;" >big</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> air-tight container was empty by the end of second evening. Both Gauri and her baba gobbled them quick (Gauri actually eating something with that much likeness - Best compliment ever).</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9jDVIia0CWKIJI5Mpg0zUB0T9FzArFduE98R6tMeUi2877I5nzYZfQvHVW_7HRad0OkTAWVUalZf-LVd2Pi1iZ9npIMj_Who0wNwUA8ZcD7XKU9Sz0KP_0lXQ2OdGPCWKbUQr/s1600-h/DSC_0993.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9jDVIia0CWKIJI5Mpg0zUB0T9FzArFduE98R6tMeUi2877I5nzYZfQvHVW_7HRad0OkTAWVUalZf-LVd2Pi1iZ9npIMj_Who0wNwUA8ZcD7XKU9Sz0KP_0lXQ2OdGPCWKbUQr/s320/DSC_0993.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382638156258145986" border="0" /></a></span></p> <p style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;">Recently we tried these </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;" >“Pink” </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;" >heart shortbread cookies</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;"> (yes these days everything has to be pink or princess)</span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;" > </span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;">and they were fantastic too. Not only did Gauri had much fun making then (Kneading the dough, using the cookie cutter and frosting them) but she and baba once again enjoyed them much. Neel and I just watched since they had butter this time (I’ll bake you some vegan cookies again Neel!). If anyone’s interested here is the simple recipe for shortbread (the key is to follow the recipe)</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSD6H78zzpGnb3bHl8f7DTCbN52DJ-54zsL9ufWXycHDu5PhflHqAFggzJoBc2L0vJEKQuHbfGo_Q8ZOpVxFOebzF8wj5TWsTqefLFMIzGDJPjfoSrDfi64E65iU9iS5ITItdk/s1600-h/DSC_1863.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 192px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSD6H78zzpGnb3bHl8f7DTCbN52DJ-54zsL9ufWXycHDu5PhflHqAFggzJoBc2L0vJEKQuHbfGo_Q8ZOpVxFOebzF8wj5TWsTqefLFMIzGDJPjfoSrDfi64E65iU9iS5ITItdk/s200/DSC_1863.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382638871940739074" border="0" /></a></span><span style=";font-size:100%;color:black;" ><o:p></o:p></span></p><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" >2 cups (260 grams) all-purpose flour</span><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;" >
<br /></span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" >Note: I found that for delicate tasting shortbread with a melt-in-your-mouth texture, replace 1/2 cup flour with cornstarch</span><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;" >
<br /></span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" >1/4 teaspoon (2 grams) salt</span><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;" >
<br /></span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" >1 cup (2 sticks) butter</span><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;" >
<br /></span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" >1/2 cup (60 grams) confectioners sugar</span><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;" >
<br /></span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" >1 teaspoon vanilla extract</span><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;" >
<br />
<br /></span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" >In the bowl cream the butter and sugar until smooth.</span><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;" >
<br /></span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" >Add vanilla extract and then stir in the flour mixture.</span><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;" >
<br /></span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" >Wrap the dough in plastic wrap, and chill for an hour.</span><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;" >
<br /></span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" >Preheat oven to 350 degrees F with the rack in the middle of the oven.</span><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;" >
<br /></span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" >Cut the dough into whatever shapes you wish.</span><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;" >
<br /></span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" >Place the cookies on the baking sheet and place in the refrigerator for about 15 minutes.</span><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;" >
<br /></span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" >Bake for 8 - 10 minutes.</span><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;" >
<br />
<br /></span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" >Happy Baking everyone!!</span>
<br />Not so perfect mom of Neel & Gaurihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09783752050757594678noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34224157.post-89804820858637145942009-08-20T23:36:00.003-04:002009-08-23T10:53:59.435-04:00Hanuman ji please give me toilet paper<blockquote></blockquote>Tuesday night while I was trying to nurse Neel and sleep <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Gauri</span> both at the same time, with lights turned off, to make it dark enough for <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Gauri</span> to try to sleep (and stop playing with Neel, so he could also sleep), <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Gauri</span> suddenly gets up and whispers in my ear – “I need to go potty”, and then we had the most interesting conversation of all times. Here is exactly how it went:<br /><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Gauri</span>: “Mum I need to go Potty”<br />Me: “Are you sure?”<br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Gauri</span>: “Yes, I have to”<br />Me: “Then go”<br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Gauri</span>: “No, you take me”<br />Me: “I can’t I am nursing Neel”<br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Gauri</span>: “<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Pleeeeeeease</span> take me, please come with me”<br />Me: “No <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Gauri</span>, I cant honey, just go…..you cant do it on your own, you are a big kid now”<br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Gauri</span>: “but there’s <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Bandar</span>(monkey) in the Bathroom”<br />Me: with a little stress in my voice “<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Gaaaaauriii</span> – there is NO<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Bandar</span>, don’t make up things, just go if you have to”<blockquote></blockquote><blockquote>Note: Somehow <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">Gauri</span> is scared of monkeys, and I really have no idea why and where did she get this in her head, but suddenly one day she stared saying –monkeys will hurt me…We were worried at first and asked her why she thinks so, but then we thought it probably is normal for kids her age to get the concept of being scared sometimes.</blockquote>So anyway,<br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">Gauri</span>: “Will <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hanuman"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">Hanuman</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">ji</span></span></a> ask <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">Bandar</span> to go away?”<br /><blockquote style="font-style: italic;">Note:<br />As per Hindu mythology, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">Hanuman</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">ji</span> is an incarnation of God in the form of an Ape. He is considered the one who has the powers to take away all difficulties/ fight demons for anyone who prays unto Him</blockquote>Me: “sure, yes He will”<br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">Gauri</span> steps down from the bed and stands at the door whispering<br />“<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21">Hanuman</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22">ji</span> open the door”<br />“please open the door for <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_23">Gauri</span>”<br />Now with stress in the voice:<br />“Please open the door <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_24">Hanuman</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_25">ji</span>”<br />“<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_26">Hanuman</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_27">ji</span> – open the door for <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_28">Gauri</span>, I have to go potty”<br />I was trying to avoid talking since Neel was trying to fall asleep in my lap, but then I had to intervene between <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_29">Gauri</span> and her <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_30">Hanuman</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_31">ji</span> conversation<br />Me: “<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_32">Gauri</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_33">Hanuman</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_34">ji</span> does not open the door, you open it and go”<br />So she finally did go.<br />After a few minutes I hear <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_35">Gauri</span> again:<br />“<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_36">Hanuman</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_37">ji</span> please give toilet paper to me”<br />“<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_38">Hanuman</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_39">ji</span> ??”<br />“<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_40">Hanuman</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_41">ji</span> I need toilet paper”<br />“<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_42">Hanuman</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_43">ji</span> please give toilet paper”<br />“Oh god - <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_44">Hanuman</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_45">ji</span> please give me paper towel”<br />After asking <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_46">Hanuman</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_47">ji</span> for several minutes, I guess <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_48">Gauri</span> took the Toilet paper own her own and very disappointed-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_49">ly</span> came back to me. BY now Neel was asleep and I was free to talk to her.<br /><br />Me: “<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_50">Gauri</span> are you okay, did your potty?”<br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_51">Gauri</span>: “yea, but <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_52">Hanuman</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_53">ji</span> did not give me toilet paper mama”<br />Me: “Its Okay <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_54">Gauri</span>”<br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_55">Gauri</span>: “I don’t think <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_56">Hanuman</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_57">ji</span> can scare away the monkeys if he cant open the door and give toilet paper to me”!!<br /><br />She was quite disappointed that night and I was half laughing and half wondering what and how am I to explain such complex things like “God” to an inquisitive kid like my little “Sweet-pea”.<br />She slept disappointed but I slept smiling thinking about this funny dialogue.<br /><br />Since I have no pictures from that day, here are a couple of new ones of all of us.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ6BLjveD1D2v-WGWF4rugCCZ3F1iuL0QOvqvWbnbzFRO0UqQrWMVDXjpTy4by-kg3s8irKvZueGnWTa-EFiNVl9V0KGGk-b_oY_CkIhsancVRx-j3HcdwV0Iz2f9OfQSrOMvi/s1600-h/DSC_1843.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 273px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ6BLjveD1D2v-WGWF4rugCCZ3F1iuL0QOvqvWbnbzFRO0UqQrWMVDXjpTy4by-kg3s8irKvZueGnWTa-EFiNVl9V0KGGk-b_oY_CkIhsancVRx-j3HcdwV0Iz2f9OfQSrOMvi/s400/DSC_1843.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372258887873257778" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnm0YTXN4_4xUIZUfLKy0DqNxNyjEmdskdNtmxIXOQObrn59WlpnZRHOnit0fNafsqy2UGZrAuhbizHwoFtcw5m2zcUDr35VLgxmnCo9vn3JDzCzmPtAjJh7GD7MXFfUV9WIhD/s1600-h/DSC_1840.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 281px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnm0YTXN4_4xUIZUfLKy0DqNxNyjEmdskdNtmxIXOQObrn59WlpnZRHOnit0fNafsqy2UGZrAuhbizHwoFtcw5m2zcUDr35VLgxmnCo9vn3JDzCzmPtAjJh7GD7MXFfUV9WIhD/s400/DSC_1840.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372259499985659506" border="0" /></a>Not so perfect mom of Neel & Gaurihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09783752050757594678noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34224157.post-82733478339525722842009-08-15T00:29:00.007-04:002009-08-15T08:18:57.710-04:00Happy Janmashtami<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm-XR0BlA6zUzg58TMgF61MGH9pkDF3eeRZUx8CzcQRAn_71jIZNeS0cGv0Ih6UK4HQ44B7FSZLfDF6hyjvk-pu7ZpnN_LfQ1nnicOmF3Vl9D8pOFmwlNH4ByxFIhRI2LGxPnw/s1600-h/DSC_1828.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm-XR0BlA6zUzg58TMgF61MGH9pkDF3eeRZUx8CzcQRAn_71jIZNeS0cGv0Ih6UK4HQ44B7FSZLfDF6hyjvk-pu7ZpnN_LfQ1nnicOmF3Vl9D8pOFmwlNH4ByxFIhRI2LGxPnw/s400/DSC_1828.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370061481979753490" border="0" /></a><meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><link rel="File-List" href="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5Cmithalp%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtml1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml"><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="place"></o:smarttagtype><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]><object classid="clsid:38481807-CA0E-42D2-BF39-B33AF135CC4D" id="ieooui"></object> <style> st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } </style> <![endif]--><style> <!-- /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal">Krishna Janmashtami, the festival celebrating the birth of <span style="font-style: italic;">Lord Krishna</span>, is an important festival in the Hindu calendar. It is observed on the eighth day (according to the Lunar Calendar), of the dark half in the month of <span style="font-style: italic;">Shravana</span> (again Lunar Calendar). I think personally, that this can be compared to the Christmas in the western world. </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">This is such a special festival for us specially because we all are Krishna <span style="font-style: italic;">Bhaktas </span>(Devotees)and His Birthday is SUPER Special. Gauri already knows about “Krishna’ since she always offers prayers to Krishna before her meals (something that her nanu taught her and her prayers goes like this – with her eyes half closed half peeking she says “Krishna please eat this food ….please please please….” And sometimes she commands “<st1:place st="on">Krishna</st1:place> eat ALL my food”, she looks so cute when she says that).</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Every year we both observe fast the entire day and only eat/ drink after the birth of the Lord at midnight. Only milk and milk products are consumed, as these were the favorites of Lord Krishna (and mine too). We usually have a big celebration at our house and we invite lots of friends and family for the evening <span style="font-style: italic;">Puja, Abhishek and Prasadum. </span>We also have some Krishna Games to add some fun to Krishna’s Birthday party but this year we choose to keep it small since both Neel and Gauri were super exited and it didnt seem feasible to cook that lavish Prasadum, decorate our Deities with wew clothing, jewelery and flowers and I knew its would be too tempting for Neel (now crawling) to leave ‘<span style="font-style: italic;">Baal-Gopal</span>” on his alter. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRkNu_ITVN1W-wF2Xp2yqgetJ_hw-_hbktdhRT8Vu5UKjvfDFytS3FrbHJXdplh1hGmJaGENd4pWJNUU6Gp4x-oukMAbCIqPIX_k9FRIy_18hHuvu7bUUq3HenGnyNUV4tjn4b/s1600-h/Neel_janmashtami.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRkNu_ITVN1W-wF2Xp2yqgetJ_hw-_hbktdhRT8Vu5UKjvfDFytS3FrbHJXdplh1hGmJaGENd4pWJNUU6Gp4x-oukMAbCIqPIX_k9FRIy_18hHuvu7bUUq3HenGnyNUV4tjn4b/s400/Neel_janmashtami.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370061471836450226" border="0" /></a>Last year we had a mini-accident when Gauir burnt her palm in an attempt to grab the light Inscent stick; we knew it would be best to keep the celebration very small this time. But we still had lots of fun and while Mani and I were singing our favorite <span style="font-style: italic;">Bhajans</span>, Gauri declared “where is Krishna’s <span style="font-weight: bold;">Elmo</span> cake?” and “we need to sing Happy Birthday to Krishna” and “<st1:place st="on">Krishna</st1:place> says he wants Balloons” – I wasn’t surprised at her demands – she was right, that’s the minimum we need to do for a birthday. Sorry Gauri – I’ll remember the Cake and the Balloons next year. Both Gauri and Neel dressed in traditional Indian clothes and boy did they ever look cuter!! <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigbUduEXvwlHbijX5-HzAJ1s9s315XqSaBB-ERgUh79ISABTubhgSef2bjNo0oc9QgFt2Vk5jksfoYna9Ndesjz3YvFWIWV7V4HXg2EN6AeAknlNaxojUgjL1OXNuX8YXK80fv/s1600-h/Gauri_janmashtami1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigbUduEXvwlHbijX5-HzAJ1s9s315XqSaBB-ERgUh79ISABTubhgSef2bjNo0oc9QgFt2Vk5jksfoYna9Ndesjz3YvFWIWV7V4HXg2EN6AeAknlNaxojUgjL1OXNuX8YXK80fv/s400/Gauri_janmashtami1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370061474263974018" border="0" /></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal">Happy Janmashtami to All – Hari Bool!!</p> Not so perfect mom of Neel & Gaurihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09783752050757594678noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34224157.post-6382148124743608512009-08-11T14:06:00.003-04:002009-08-11T22:20:40.733-04:00<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Ok</span>, so if you have been wondering where are we and what is <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Gauri</span> up to these days here is a little update on <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Gauri</span> (Neel's to follow shortly). This summer has probably been the most wonderful summer for me. I am having a blast with <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Gauri</span> and Neel (of course sometimes they both do drive me crazy and I do feel that my IQ level, my vocab, my music repertoire are now that of a 2 year old, but still I <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">don't</span> remember having this much fun ever).<br /><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Gauri</span> is a very energetic little girl and she does keep me on my toes. I need to keep her busy with challenging stuff otherwise she get very weepy and irritated. She has a never quenching thirst for books, and so we do visit the library VERY often. She loves to pick up new books from there and meet her friends from the "story time" program. I have to say, she loves to play with most of them but she prefers to play with older kids and read with them rather than the younger or even same age as her (I think that's the trait she picked from her dad, at least that's what Mani tells me).<br /><br />Another interesting thing right now is the "pretend games" we play these days. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Gauri</span> is super super imaginative and is always coming up with new pretend games, her most favorite one is to play "<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Amma</span>-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">dadu</span>" (Grandma-Grandpa). She will mostly put a scarf around her neck just like her <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Amma</span> (<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Amma</span> wearing <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Salwar</span>-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Kameez</span>) and pretend being <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">amma</span> and I will have to paint a mustache on my face and pretend to be <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">dadu</span> and she can play <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">this</span> game for hours all together.... <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVg2rW2vZsDiOVsyXr0nCyKiCdtz8qg35sGBjQNK-iVnq03OLTPnj-IN6ndN-v-W2V3q44vUMaPe3NHdPFGknbNyhfmGjX9z-1bcE9RsEZAl8YLC4CysqcfnzjXenlAzf7UNTy/s1600-h/August_09.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 229px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVg2rW2vZsDiOVsyXr0nCyKiCdtz8qg35sGBjQNK-iVnq03OLTPnj-IN6ndN-v-W2V3q44vUMaPe3NHdPFGknbNyhfmGjX9z-1bcE9RsEZAl8YLC4CysqcfnzjXenlAzf7UNTy/s320/August_09.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368893780737358626" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhygbSb86ZXQu-w_cEOJKCMxsf9rjrnSkzPaxJ5iu8f2O8SWyafJRWFJQtrkZukdDrCKBDsFIfYaICOayOdv_6_t98yKBYZVO-kigf8M2OMFB05agjqYUyhhGGnIyKGCYlBg1t4/s1600-h/iamdadu.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 229px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhygbSb86ZXQu-w_cEOJKCMxsf9rjrnSkzPaxJ5iu8f2O8SWyafJRWFJQtrkZukdDrCKBDsFIfYaICOayOdv_6_t98yKBYZVO-kigf8M2OMFB05agjqYUyhhGGnIyKGCYlBg1t4/s320/iamdadu.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368893771349540802" border="0" /></a>another one of her favorite pretend games is playing Doctor-patient and I am always the patient and she is always the Doctor, She loves being the Dr. (ah, how I wish that she actually becomes one.....and yes I do remember that my Favorite toy as a little girl was always a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">stethoscope</span> - <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">hah</span> what a coincidence)!!<br /><br />Apart from that she has been dancing dancing and dancing on all sorts of songs since she was only about 20 months and this summer she showed great interest in ballet, so I finally did find a ballet school for her. She was super excited <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">when she</span> heard that we would be going for ballet class, we bought her ballet attire and she <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">couldn't</span> keep her hands, rather feet off those Ballet shoes....<br />She loves it there and keeps asking every day "do we have ballet class today?". She is probably the youngest of all in that class but definitely not least intimidated, fluttering around like a butterfly and chatting nonstop like a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21">lil</span>' monkey and looking so so so graceful, super cute I mean.<br /><br />Here is a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22">sneak</span>-peek of her class.<br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxElqGhWcJPhAnxL_AtMLNKHyWNf500p1pWjIfRpwo9KzpT7MX77s-cMvnsteYHUe2oscsB-QpyQ0s' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br />We plan to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_23">continue</span> ballet into fall and if possible <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_24">Gauri</span> might be able to perform next summer. I am super excited that she is learning dance (as some of you already know, I learned classing Indian dance growing up and was always performing as a little girl and I still love dance, oh and I still <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_25">remember</span> my first dance <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_26">teacher's</span> name - Ms. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_27">Krapa</span>, and boy she was so <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_28">strict</span> and such disciplinarian that I almost hated her at that time) and I so wish that <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_29">Gauri</span> does embrace this form of art, it is very relaxing, <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_30">uplifting</span>, graceful and teaches self-discipline.<br /><br />Apart from this we are also taking ice-skating for several weeks, and although Gauri can walk with those skates on, she still has days when she would not skate atall, but she loves being on the ice when it is scorching 90 degrees outside. I dont have any pictures from that but I'll soon post some.<br /><br />And the most wonderful thing of all - Both Gauri and Neel are playing together very nicely. I have to give credit to Gauri for being super nice with Neel and although she has her moments of not wanting to share "her" toys with him but she will soon find something that she is willing to let Neel have. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHuqbA3O9SgoVA67bxL2pJgCpvqR11-oIpoMe_F3hMihNVzDjNXqhoZvNg0N_4gwnZ5l8tS_LicpKMMmE5LpTkR88vWgW-sQ-ox1F586-uhnz_klx168HtMze5Z6VQyeoFsnKi/s1600-h/DSC_1709.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHuqbA3O9SgoVA67bxL2pJgCpvqR11-oIpoMe_F3hMihNVzDjNXqhoZvNg0N_4gwnZ5l8tS_LicpKMMmE5LpTkR88vWgW-sQ-ox1F586-uhnz_klx168HtMze5Z6VQyeoFsnKi/s320/DSC_1709.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368893792214224114" border="0" /></a>And they do have a blast whenever they are in the water together. I am so proud of her, being a baby herself yet acting such a nice big sister. May their love continue to grow like this forever.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijy6jX9uhKLHOaM5xWfnZUzqE9W9isYGpuyP8n9okRPyOrqpsW9e9XFBX5A31MLv97KoxQn7m3Vn8VfxOKNbD-Wjtt_fi1xFevZd83BEV0naK7P-6aXvVdUKByfsimHgIaBekA/s1600-h/DSC_1782.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijy6jX9uhKLHOaM5xWfnZUzqE9W9isYGpuyP8n9okRPyOrqpsW9e9XFBX5A31MLv97KoxQn7m3Vn8VfxOKNbD-Wjtt_fi1xFevZd83BEV0naK7P-6aXvVdUKByfsimHgIaBekA/s320/DSC_1782.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368893796293929154" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1eII-Os4I1q8ktsh56AJ_YSiHAyIfJw8RhmDzw4mOSGZYAYnpfHzOvTt8q5ereKp9SUFefpNqX9EK4EBmg6j3Zw78IubWzx9NPhGFkEmUmvEDVZhvQFf7yw3Ks10vTo6-Kv8S/s1600-h/DSC_1796.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1eII-Os4I1q8ktsh56AJ_YSiHAyIfJw8RhmDzw4mOSGZYAYnpfHzOvTt8q5ereKp9SUFefpNqX9EK4EBmg6j3Zw78IubWzx9NPhGFkEmUmvEDVZhvQFf7yw3Ks10vTo6-Kv8S/s320/DSC_1796.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368893806073591090" border="0" /></a><br />All this and much more keeps Ms. curious somewhat busy otherwise, I was beginning to believe that "terrible twos" is truly terrible, now I think its "terrific"!!Not so perfect mom of Neel & Gaurihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09783752050757594678noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34224157.post-84469306417319765552009-06-14T01:33:00.003-04:002009-06-14T01:46:54.684-04:00Our visit to the ER<span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">For those of you who are wondering what’s going on at our end, I am sorry I have been slacking at providing updates. I will soon post detailed updates on Gauri and Neel – I promise.</span> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">But for now I’ll just say – we had the most scary evening this past Thursday.</span> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Gauri was out with Nanu for their evening walk, </span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4cYwiDAF2TP1_jFkgThSzjjjz-DI6QaFtEMex1iBTpDtvw7RPg6JgLv-woEqzKteTNUTbSijwlk2nge6j4QD3riFimkiBZchgAe4-2Xnqm7AGSda7Lm6ZoBosU1m1Mbi3rj4O/s1600-h/DSC_1158.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4cYwiDAF2TP1_jFkgThSzjjjz-DI6QaFtEMex1iBTpDtvw7RPg6JgLv-woEqzKteTNUTbSijwlk2nge6j4QD3riFimkiBZchgAe4-2Xnqm7AGSda7Lm6ZoBosU1m1Mbi3rj4O/s320/DSC_1158.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347054349193304882" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisErg0sW653IR2Re5F5tcVN9v_0SbAHcO5ztTQaDUkqJHn74egIxx0hHPG68X0MklhkxBFcg2zcsBzcJroM4g5blUF3Yj2SQcGekviDucJ4SS1lFqyRyDKFvLT39sHsmI1wvoW/s1600-h/DSC_1170.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisErg0sW653IR2Re5F5tcVN9v_0SbAHcO5ztTQaDUkqJHn74egIxx0hHPG68X0MklhkxBFcg2zcsBzcJroM4g5blUF3Yj2SQcGekviDucJ4SS1lFqyRyDKFvLT39sHsmI1wvoW/s320/DSC_1170.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347054351215446162" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Neel and I were home, having our one-on-one time alone </span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWW4KuNWd2iQNxDrZC1RMEzGpc9m-T9jk_ud_avtziutE1TAk-ONJltgg7ZlsF-XcQk_psKOy2JDIni1t-6y1uS1dW-lm732Mjgr8M6qbCDcta45DSCsH3TuolctZNpC5S391c/s1600-h/DSC_1244.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWW4KuNWd2iQNxDrZC1RMEzGpc9m-T9jk_ud_avtziutE1TAk-ONJltgg7ZlsF-XcQk_psKOy2JDIni1t-6y1uS1dW-lm732Mjgr8M6qbCDcta45DSCsH3TuolctZNpC5S391c/s320/DSC_1244.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347054342850200498" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">when Mani came back rather early from his racket ball game. I was surprised as well as happy that he was back soon. But within a few moments I realized that he was actually choking, barely able to talk, coughing vigorously and unable to breathe. I realized that this was his allergies, but this time it was worse. When he just couldn’t breathe, he signed me to quickly rush him to the ER (emergency Room). Fortunately, papa was back with Gauri and I only said “I am taking him to the ER, Neel’s with me, you take care of Gauri, and I’ll call…”</span> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">We left in a panic and Manish kept insisting that I jump those one million traffic lights each one of which was Red this time, I was trying to keep my head straight while driving a screaming baby and chocking husband. </span> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">As soon as we reached the ER the ER staff realized that his condition was </span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">rather critical because he was complaining of inability to breathe and therefore they asked me to register him while they already took him in. As we (Neel and I) registered him, my head was running in all directions, “Is he OK ? does he need me right now? He doesn't have a cell home with him? What about Gauri – would she be crying at home? Should I call papa – Damn no cell phone signal here. Neel’s crying, he is hungry, what can I give him, Jeez, he just pooped…oh shoot I forgot the Diaper bag in the car, cant go back to the parking lot now….” My brain’s CPU was running at 100% and was ready to hang, when the nurse asked me if I wanted to go see my husband. “Yes, ofcourse”. Ok so things were only going to get worse – they (hospital staff) couldn’t find him in any of their rooms!! “Sorry we cant seems to find your husband here” said the nurse. “Ok let me ask someone”, “ I am surprised where did they take </span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">him”…..I was almost about to have a panic attack, because only they worst possibilities were coming in my head at that time. </span> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Thanks goodness they finally found him. But those 15 minutes seemed like forever to me.</span> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I was relieved to see that he was able to breathe now. With a million monitors on him, and IV and what now and a zillion other drugs already injected in my poor hubby, “the situation is under control now” the nurse said. We were informed that it could take several hours before a doctor would be able to see him.</span> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">The Doctor saw him at around 10:30 and reported that it was definitely a result of one of his severe food allergies (in this instance the culprit was nuts in the laddoo he ate before heading out for the game that evening). With a long list of antihistamines and other Allergy drugs , we finally got home by 11. Thank God, everything was Ok with him, Gauri was super excited to accompany me to the </span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">hospital to bring baba home. “I missed you baba” were her exact words as he entered the car when I picked him up at the ER door. </span> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">We have see an allergist now, to figure things out and understand the dos and the don’ts regards to his eating. Fo</span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">r now, I am putting away ALL Indian sweets out of his sight.</span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPKVyfakKq06z5vQlGvVeHN2xwDFxV134A8x1-P9PsxO7zvr4bauNNJaQ85Uk_Xbe-xCAXr71Awqe03uqm0bltlem3u8Kj6X_KGghYhW8KhqY6eqlweipy88hOwp49DS7shMrW/s1600-h/DSC_1104.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 230px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPKVyfakKq06z5vQlGvVeHN2xwDFxV134A8x1-P9PsxO7zvr4bauNNJaQ85Uk_Xbe-xCAXr71Awqe03uqm0bltlem3u8Kj6X_KGghYhW8KhqY6eqlweipy88hOwp49DS7shMrW/s320/DSC_1104.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347054355350760882" border="0" /></a>Not so perfect mom of Neel & Gaurihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09783752050757594678noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34224157.post-69737889056382967512009-05-09T22:22:00.010-04:002009-05-14T21:38:50.269-04:00Let's celebrate Mothers<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKv1SIfNDRUtyMVBMKrFLktIoChzaT-Rs259rRVB2cXD4si0YFiaRqgegEt9nV3XrrKl95-JLUQ__HGh3aaguAf4mdvj_CYFLjfzlxjjJj_6rBltXrYm8nSM-xo-7Q00bFgUAv/s1600-h/DSC_1060.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 254px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKv1SIfNDRUtyMVBMKrFLktIoChzaT-Rs259rRVB2cXD4si0YFiaRqgegEt9nV3XrrKl95-JLUQ__HGh3aaguAf4mdvj_CYFLjfzlxjjJj_6rBltXrYm8nSM-xo-7Q00bFgUAv/s400/DSC_1060.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334283599476359490" border="0" /></a>
<br /><meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><link rel="File-List" href="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5Cmithalp%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtml1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><style> <!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:"Trebuchet MS"; panose-1:2 11 6 3 2 2 2 2 2 4; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:swiss; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:647 0 0 0 159 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--> <p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-family:trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal" ><span style="font-size:85%;">Happy Mothers Day to all the amazing women whose nick name is any of the following:<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-family:trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal" ><span style="font-size:85%;">“Ma, Mother, Mummy, Mommy, Mom, Mum…” basically, “mother” in any language. You are all fabulous, doing a great job and know that you mean the world to your children.</span></p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-family:trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal" >
<br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-family:trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal" ><span style="font-size:85%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-family:trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal" ><span style="font-size:85%;">Being a full-time mother is one of the highest salaried jobs I have ever had, since the payment</span><span style="font-size:85%;"> is abundance of - pure love. And after being a full time mommy myself, I truly believe that all mothers are “working mothers" and their job does not end ever – not even after the kids go to bed or when they are away from her because a mother never quite leaves her children at home/ daycare/ babysitter - even when she doesn't take them along she is still always thinking about them. So here’s to all the mothers and mother like figures who have worked so so so very hard every day (and night) of their life to serve (their children) unconditionally!! Cheers to you all!!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgQEY8SyrwZ5WE4B5PAmfNti5dp46g8ROzGjNWeo73fMJEohkG7PlpNUA8QmXKvE3w-yXXe55ad4m2QWMs3djiCKAX-PZnBSpWvWXIl5plzyCjtplcCGipK4yMgd5mqbfpcCvS/s1600-h/DSC_1043.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 219px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgQEY8SyrwZ5WE4B5PAmfNti5dp46g8ROzGjNWeo73fMJEohkG7PlpNUA8QmXKvE3w-yXXe55ad4m2QWMs3djiCKAX-PZnBSpWvWXIl5plzyCjtplcCGipK4yMgd5mqbfpcCvS/s320/DSC_1043.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334282291592275618" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" face="trebuchet ms"><span style="font-size:85%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p style="text-align: left; font-family: trebuchet ms;font-family:trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;">I read this wonderful Quote by a writer named Rajneesh<span style=""> </span>-
<br /><blockquote>"The moment a child is born, the mother is also born. She never existed before. The woman existed, but the mother, never. A mother is something absolutely new."</blockquote></span></p><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;" >How very true – I believe it’s a God’s blessing to be a mother. As a woman I would have never realized the pleasure of loving someone unconditionally; never realized that I had the strength to sleep only couple of hours (if even that) every night and still have the sanity to care for an infant day and night; I would have never realized that nothing can warm my heart like when my child smiles back at me, that most precious birthday present is not another diamond but opening my eyes to the soft sound of my child singing “happy Birthday” to me. So here’s to our </span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;" >children who made us mothers and made us COMPLETE – Cheers!!</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvcd1rCMs1bWGhiVHhB08EbDzZGp_FBsdBn9XnCdruPMcDAimSecOctQHygs_edHW_AJkaNBa7O_4qgDbjh_o2xfJoSqP2esQQ6GIsqm5yvOftMx373g9P4w2hwiCSckoHPF3O/s1600-h/DSC_1059.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 212px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvcd1rCMs1bWGhiVHhB08EbDzZGp_FBsdBn9XnCdruPMcDAimSecOctQHygs_edHW_AJkaNBa7O_4qgDbjh_o2xfJoSqP2esQQ6GIsqm5yvOftMx373g9P4w2hwiCSckoHPF3O/s320/DSC_1059.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334282305921456450" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQHAlkXW2RQIwpi0_uPVY5v9MfR1j-8QUmWrgUU1d51pdv2BCyzEObUYVXwp3wX5dR19ATSyyPogtZJdpBaSy21j6zUGxrQyp9Sgt8ih1yDmb0gLeIjngeD2Pqkj82mAre4a1V/s1600-h/DSC_0895.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 233px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQHAlkXW2RQIwpi0_uPVY5v9MfR1j-8QUmWrgUU1d51pdv2BCyzEObUYVXwp3wX5dR19ATSyyPogtZJdpBaSy21j6zUGxrQyp9Sgt8ih1yDmb0gLeIjngeD2Pqkj82mAre4a1V/s320/DSC_0895.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335858716031590002" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;" ><o:p></o:p></span><div style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"> </div><p style="text-align: left; font-family: trebuchet ms;font-family:trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal" ><span style="font-size:85%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div style="text-align: left; font-family: trebuchet ms;"> </div><p style="text-align: left; font-family: trebuchet ms;font-family:trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal" ><span style="font-size:85%;">And last but not the least, here’s to MY MOM – <span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p><div style="text-align: left; font-family: trebuchet ms;"> </div><p style="text-align: left; font-family: trebuchet ms;font-family:trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal" ><span style="font-size:85%;">She was a petite woman (as some of you already know) but she had a heart so large that everybody's joys found welcoming abode in it, every ones sorrows found a hospitable accommodation in it .<o:p></o:p></span></p><div style="text-align: left; font-family: trebuchet ms;"> </div><p style="text-align: left;font-family:trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal" ><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Ma, I miss you every day of my life, your image is the deepest impression on my heart and your voice still resounds in me. You are like a never ending song of comfort, happiness and belonging-ness in my heart; the words of which I may sometimes forget but I always remember the tune.</span>
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:85%;">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Special thanks to hubby dear, for giving up their wife to be a mother first, for living with a woman who the kids sometimes (or should I say almost all the time) driving absolutely insane and crazy and far from being perfect and most of all accepting the new woman that emerges from sleeplessness, screaming kids, no time to shower, seen mostly in sweat-pants, cooking meals with either too much salt or too little sugar, who either sings a lullaby or yells or talks in sarcasm - basically a woman they didn't marry!! So to you dear hubby for accepting us with all our imperfections.</span></span>
<br /><span style=";font-family:";font-size:11;" ><o:p></o:p></span></p> Not so perfect mom of Neel & Gaurihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09783752050757594678noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34224157.post-69614190752613111102009-04-24T09:53:00.006-04:002009-04-27T13:40:07.588-04:00Big Day - Big Realization<span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">So this past Sunday we celebrated our 9th wedding anniversary. Gosh!! does time fly any quicker? I still remember very vividly the hot summer afternoon of April 19th when the temperatures were soaring the usual 100 degree F and the </span></span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;" >lu</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> (the hot wind that blows in the Northern part of India) had started early morning at around 9:30 AM when we were doing the pre-wedding ceremonies (<span style="font-style: italic;">Eechh- Baan</span>) in the courtyard of our old ancestral house (Peeli Kothi - as it used to be popularly known as in those days)</span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">. I was trying to get out of the house to go to the “Beauty Parlor” for getting ready with makeup and wedding dress and I got late in reaching there; I will never forget that the woman beautician actually shouted at me and got me in to tears for being late and not bringing the flowers that she thought she had informed me to bring with me for my Hair decoration…..of course it was a very busy day for her, she said she had 8 other brides to get </span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">ready for the same time!! But it was <span style="font-style: italic;">My Wedding day</span> too and wasn’t I suppose to be special (at least I thought so in my mind) how dare she be so rude to me, now that I think of it, I guess I was under too much pressure back then at that particular time to get ready and be out on time so I bursted into tears and holy cow did my eyes ever swell that bad!! But anyway, long story short, the events of that Special day are still as fresh as yesterday’s in my mind. Here are a couple of pictures that could dig out (our wedding album is in India) of both of us 9 years ago :o)</span> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXhQqOzlOWXgXytaU9Bvats3V4ia5ASI6eUxWPAg8IEG7aPiEv_t3z0q92pDu3WyYMCPC0COQe3Mjc-QYE4OilLu5cHyH319Vzj_E3kmdKAWzgWeO3ImzEpvsYW0EZ8p1tobsW/s1600-h/p6.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 223px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXhQqOzlOWXgXytaU9Bvats3V4ia5ASI6eUxWPAg8IEG7aPiEv_t3z0q92pDu3WyYMCPC0COQe3Mjc-QYE4OilLu5cHyH319Vzj_E3kmdKAWzgWeO3ImzEpvsYW0EZ8p1tobsW/s320/p6.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328257752660609634" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO1ix3gU6qKoD6Wf8ZJapzOx-Bxe43cd4jvQwuLNi04a8KnfM9lnv6lSWNgq8QVP_JDh-D5AZ0Toh2GFkZ2AL7oqkEyjAmweLnWIp1FvFmRe0exyN9AOQKd765xgdE-zwZoOqq/s1600-h/p5.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 242px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO1ix3gU6qKoD6Wf8ZJapzOx-Bxe43cd4jvQwuLNi04a8KnfM9lnv6lSWNgq8QVP_JDh-D5AZ0Toh2GFkZ2AL7oqkEyjAmweLnWIp1FvFmRe0exyN9AOQKd765xgdE-zwZoOqq/s320/p5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328257761955920210" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:100%;"> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">This year we didn’t do much on our anniversary; I was Super tired of being awake almost the entire 3 nights in a row, plus we were in Boston and it’s a significant enough change for the kids, No nap in last 2 -3 days, we were doing late night eating out/ party (my cousin’s birthday Celebration), so all I wanted was a “normal” day.</span> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Yes, I have to admit, with so much going on, we hadn’t planned anything special for the day. But my dear brother, the wonderful gracious host, the young enthusiastic and let’s-make-things-special kind-a-guy that he is, decided to treat us every which way possible. But when I turned down all his offers and he saw that the entire day had “just” gone by, he convinced us to go out for an early dinner at this Fancy Cambodian Restaurant next to his place on Harvard Sq. Wonderful ambiance, excellent location, beautiful people all around, the place was definitely special. Neel was asleep so I was quite hopeful that we will have a wonderful meal finally. </span> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">BUT - Even before the dinner was served, both Gauri and Neel were out of control because it was past their bedtimes and they are not used to so much noise/ stimulation and I was feeling like everyone was staring at us (Me). The food, whatever I was able to taste, was awesome, but to tell the truth, I was feeling out of place. This place was not meant for parents of infants/ toddlers, it was too classy for Mommy-me. Although, Mani did love the experience and I too liked the food but I had to run out(literally) with Neel, in the middle of the dinner (of course, frustrated somewhat) because his crying was getting louder and louder and I wasn’t able to swallow even a single bite anymore. </span> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">So the weekend was a big realization that we do NEED to change our lifestyle - no more late night parties, socializing, eating out with the kids. I have accepted this change ever since Gauri came into our lives and more so after having Neel but I think it will take its own time for Daddy to give-in. I sincerely feel too bad for Mani since he is such a social being and loves to socialize/ entertain specially on weekends. But I do know that this is a temporary situation and only in a couple of years we will again be ready for more adventure, more celebrations!!</span></span>Not so perfect mom of Neel & Gaurihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09783752050757594678noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34224157.post-59535494842494193632009-04-13T22:39:00.011-04:002009-04-13T23:30:37.404-04:00Too Sexy for any hair!!<meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><link rel="File-List" href="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5Cmithalp%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtml1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml"><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="country-region"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="place"></o:smarttagtype><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]><object classid="clsid:38481807-CA0E-42D2-BF39-B33AF135CC4D" id="ieooui"></object> <style> st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } </style> <![endif]--><style> <!-- /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} a:link, span.MsoHyperlink {color:blue; text-decoration:underline; text-underline:single;} a:visited, span.MsoHyperlinkFollowed {color:purple; text-decoration:underline; text-underline:single;} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--> <p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-family:trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;">The little man now has a new hair style officially – </span><span style="font-size:85%;"> </span><span style="font-size:85%;">“Baldy”!!</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;" >On April 8 2009, Neel had his "Mundan" ceremony – </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaMowXpkY1-wavvN_TPSyG0Ig16V5cZ3_gUXphsQHumbFKbqbA3x-hofePfDl-1Y18z2ArnI6iEvt2onBwJnA6X9VSXT4WiCKquTAhXnt9fk7IzVbg2eZVJXgf8nS4Q_mMoeho/s1600-h/neel+mundan1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaMowXpkY1-wavvN_TPSyG0Ig16V5cZ3_gUXphsQHumbFKbqbA3x-hofePfDl-1Y18z2ArnI6iEvt2onBwJnA6X9VSXT4WiCKquTAhXnt9fk7IzVbg2eZVJXgf8nS4Q_mMoeho/s400/neel+mundan1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324376355371803314" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Baba was the official Barber (Naai) and I have to say he did a wonderful job. Neel sat in his lap the entire time and credit also goes to my little darling for being extremely patient the entire time – not a single tear, no fuss and baba did and excellent job – not a single cut!! So where was I during this time? Oh welll, I was holding Ms. Gauri and keeping her busy with camera and the camcorder since he was very fascinated with the clipper and absolutely amused with Neel’s new hair style</span>.</span></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPgQxR4VG-eopiWPvXVbvW9yK6QRgP_tUuELvPe8FYaAjkblzoj7MzBtdL2D2tP7wxzKTt7wfnD4Kn8KGg6aqmp6ZfrM_wr7iogUEUV8ZMgsTKTZL-ORO4NNw3WGaVTYVWHG3Z/s1600-h/DSC_0765.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 205px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPgQxR4VG-eopiWPvXVbvW9yK6QRgP_tUuELvPe8FYaAjkblzoj7MzBtdL2D2tP7wxzKTt7wfnD4Kn8KGg6aqmp6ZfrM_wr7iogUEUV8ZMgsTKTZL-ORO4NNw3WGaVTYVWHG3Z/s320/DSC_0765.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324374765237388098" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 0);font-size:85%;" >Holding the Tripod - our designated photographer for the occasion</span>.
<br /></div> <p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-family:trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;">Neel’s newly shaved head made him look SUPER cute and I have to admit that I am totally loving his clean shaved head…No hair and a big smile -makes me crazy(er) about him.</span></p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-family:trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal"> <span style="font-size:85%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisWP0aViNwqdZxgBYE9RmZki8yECE3jsUqJDC22smxvhSgQIRDc_K8DAHw-mqcRtGqW0YNt1MYcGIXb1r1Xc5TJKdmcmbLdTRfZawn6RgXfNxVICg8Je-0a_wRUGAdDWHIeMPw/s1600-h/neel+mundan1.jpg">
<br /></a></span></p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-family:trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;">Gauri says “Neo looks funny” "Neo is Ganju Pateel"…..hahahaha…..Oh but I think she doesnt really like the idea of head-shave because she woke up one night crying and calling her baba, murmering "baba, no cut Gauri hair like Neo's". I felt really bad that what impact did this have on her. Next day morning I talked to her and tried to explain that we will never cut her hair like "neos" but that little babies get thicker nicer hair after Mundan, we even showed her the pcitures of her mundan and how cute she looked in those. She is OK now.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;" >
<br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;" >I remember, Gauri was born with such thick hair and they grew thicker and longer so quickly that it almost broke my heart to do her mundan. </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcJJZVNsIBUnUbiS2PPDCxEhdnKD_keu9s0cP9SJCW8MjIE6WRmpxZ4vXc91fYBifY9AImvYgfN2QT79gIXk628CUnRqkgKUJvkbhrXNP9Gyf1O281pNNVB2X76g2AHbucT45Q/s1600-h/Gauri_3_days_old.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 198px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcJJZVNsIBUnUbiS2PPDCxEhdnKD_keu9s0cP9SJCW8MjIE6WRmpxZ4vXc91fYBifY9AImvYgfN2QT79gIXk628CUnRqkgKUJvkbhrXNP9Gyf1O281pNNVB2X76g2AHbucT45Q/s320/Gauri_3_days_old.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324381841056389634" border="0" /></a><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">Gauri - 3 days old.</span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;" >
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;" >I had spent hours on internet trying to find reasons why “mundane” is such a big deal and why is it necessary and if there really is a logic in this….and I did find some interesting information. In Hindu culture it is believed that the hair from birth is associated with undesirable traits from past lives (Hindus believe in re-birth). Thus at the time of the mundan, the child is freshly shaven to signify freedom from the past and moving into the future. The rite is performed as a special ceremony in most homes, for young children and then the hair are offered to the holy river (</span><span style="font-size:85%;"><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ganga">Ganga</a></span><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;" >). We have also saved Neel’s hair to take with us to </span><span style="font-size:85%;"><st1:country-region style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" st="on">India</st1:country-region></span><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;" > of offering in the </span><span style="font-size:85%;"><st1:place style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" st="on">Ganges</st1:place></span><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;" >. So we had finally decided to shave off our little darling but my tears were shedding at the same speed at which her hair was falling.</span><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;" > It was probably the hardest thing for me (to see her bald after being used to seeing her with full head of gorgeous hair).
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<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0uC4dgVSLWOFqkgDdTZdmvrX71gx3IiKjOfe8SGWXnvEy2-Snr-vaLK16R74Rz7cKDCsr4oYn64fgq58kiLnWhSo2DlzU4vs1xVzHCVgfD7zXUHMudUjcFTDJaa8ea7QZu4nx/s1600-h/Gauri_Mundan.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 257px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0uC4dgVSLWOFqkgDdTZdmvrX71gx3IiKjOfe8SGWXnvEy2-Snr-vaLK16R74Rz7cKDCsr4oYn64fgq58kiLnWhSo2DlzU4vs1xVzHCVgfD7zXUHMudUjcFTDJaa8ea7QZu4nx/s320/Gauri_Mundan.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324383629279616418" border="0" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);font-size:85%;" >Gauri after her Mundan</span></p><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;" >But either that Neel had much less hair to being with, or that I had become somewhat conditioned to this or probably because My little man looks all the more handsome with shaved head – no tears were shed by mum this time !!</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCdez-f8DLMgtVeH-8xVEjrf0EZbA60Gk4ndfZiPmCCDEhO7UpM5DvWCbPSNpmPnrKRFrS8rKovRRH7QjLcR1xazpcT45Fv8uGf-GKcwljGW-y7lcRHdE82pWiwJiwy_Y_-IHK/s1600-h/neel+mundan2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCdez-f8DLMgtVeH-8xVEjrf0EZbA60Gk4ndfZiPmCCDEhO7UpM5DvWCbPSNpmPnrKRFrS8rKovRRH7QjLcR1xazpcT45Fv8uGf-GKcwljGW-y7lcRHdE82pWiwJiwy_Y_-IHK/s400/neel+mundan2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324375972135532594" border="0" /></a></p> Not so perfect mom of Neel & Gaurihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09783752050757594678noreply@blogger.com6