Amaani's First Bite

Amaani turned 6 months old this past weekend! We started her on solids a week early because she seemed so interested in them. This is a movie we took that day-- her very first bites. (ps, I made that dress! It's also one of niki's old tees)

I can't lie and say that it's not emotional for me. For a year and 3 months (give or take a few weeks), she's been nourished completely from me. It's bittersweet watching her move away from that exclusive relationship. When Ishu began weaning I was a little more emotional because the nursing relationship was so hard won. We struggled so much at the beginning; and then I fought so much to nurse even while working.

This time I can take more joy in it. Amaani's eyes light up when she tries something new. I can leave her for longer periods of time without worry that she'll have nothing to eat. It's the beginning of a new relationship with the other people in her life and I can see the excitement in her new found independence.

Because she's doing so well with food, she's tried so many different things already. Moong dal, kichidi, apples, bananas and even watermelon. 

Looks good!

Yummm!!!!

 This is the look that we get when we take it away!

What do you think you are doing?

 *Sigh*. Pretty soon she'll be asking to borrow the car!

Mama Made!

I just wanted to share a few pictures of the latest dress that I made Amaani!

This used to be one of Niki's old shirts. It was a very cute print so I cut it down to make a little dress. It was easier than making a dress from scratch since so much of it was already finished.

I made sure that I could get the dress on and off by putting elastic in the back. This made it hang a little oddly, but was totally worth it in order to get her out of the dress quickly. She wasn't to happy wearing it for the photo shoot, so we called it quits after just a few shots where she was scowling!

She was much happier when she finally got out of the dress! There's that smile!

Potty Training.... The War Continues

iWe've enlisted a new ally in our war against the diaper with Ishu. Well two allies, really. First is the book "Once Upon a Potty"-- which is a child appropriate, but anatomically correct how-to manual for pottying. The second is my dad.

Ishaan  has always had a soft spot for my dad (the feeling is mutual, I suppose), sparing him the worst of tantrums; and giving at least reluctant compliance to most of 'Dada's" requests. So one day when they were over, I asked my dad to ask Ishu to sit on the potty. Ishu ran out of the bathroom, and into a neighboring doorway and slammed the door on my dad's face. PottyNO!

A few days ago, we asked my Dad to read a bit on of Once Upon a Potty to him (we've changed the name to Jai in hopes that Ishu would more readily identify with him)



Oh well... I'm sure we will be in diapers for a while. We really aren't pushing pottying so much, but it would be nice to only  have one in diapers!

Californ-eye-ay!

A few weeks ago some of Ishu's favorite Masi's came to visit-- Rupa and Priya Masi. Ishu still remembers the weekend we spent with them. If we mention going to Super Dada's house, he still asks for Rupa Masi and Priya Masi (well mostly Priya). Kartik has taught him to say Priya Masi California! (which he pronounces Californ-eye-ay!)

For some reason my camera was acting up so I only got a few good pictures of them together. And Ishu was also acting up, so most of the photo's are of Amaani.

It was so wonderful to have them come visit! I can't wait until we can see them again!

Amaani Sitting!

Amaani has just started sitting up! This is exciting because she seems more and more like a person every day. She can now interact with the world on a whole new level (upright!). Even though she's not crawling, she can get nearly anywhere by scooting and rolling. I call her a ninja baby because she makes almost no noise at all when she's moving, but silently moves from one place to another.

These are a few photos we've taken over the past week of her sitting.

She's growing up so fast! Just a comparison, this is Ishu last year!

Katha

My mom had a Katha over the long weekend. Ishaan got such a kick out of it. He was very lucky and got to sit in for some of the katha and the aarti as well.

My mom was even able to find a small bell for him to ring. Now he asks for a steel plate and starts waving it around in the air. "Aarti!" It's amazing how much he loves to mimic us. He's learning so fast!

Airport

We had a busy long weekend! On Friday we went to see Kartik's mom's sister who happened to have a lay over here at DFW. The kids did wonderfully on the way down to the airport.

After Kami Masi left for her flight; we decided to reward Ishu by letting them run around a bit at the airport. 

Airports are so great!!  It's hard, with two so young, to let them both out of the stroller when it's just me. When there are two adults, it's fun to let go a bit. We let Ishu go 'free' for a bit and he had so much fun exploring. There were big long hallways with floor to ceiling windows. It was like being in an air conditioned sidewalk

Ishu was so fascinated by the escalators. They spent a good 10 minutes just riding them! He was exhausted that he dropped off to sleep on the way home.

Kartik and Amaani took the opportunity to have a little Ishu-free one on one time. 

I love this picture on the lower right! Don't their smiles look so similar? Well, minus the facial hair....

It doesn't happen very often, so they made sure to have a great time! We we'll be sure to spend a little more time exploring on our next trip to the airport.

Baby Bunching!

I'm so excited! I have a guest post up at the BabyBunching blog. That website is all about having two in two years.

It was an invaluable source of tips and hope when I found out that I would be having two kiddos 16 months apart. Here were two mom's that not only survived it, but found time to write about it as well.

For me, being able to post up there, is huge!  I now have enough time (and brain cells left) by the end of the day to do a little extra. I have arrived! If you are curious, check out my 'article' HERE.

On a side note, it's come to my attention that some people (ahem... I mean you, Mommy!) are confused as to how to know when there is a new post here on this blog.  You have a couple of options:

1) Put an email address in the box on the sidebar.

2) Use Google Reader (or another RSS reader) to subscribe to the blog. You can do this by clicking the orange button in the sidebar.

3) Wait until everyone is talking about how cute the latest pictures of your grandkids are at dinner, and have someone pull up the blog for you right there at the table.

The choice is yours :). Again, I'm so happy that anyone at all is taking the time to read! Love you Mommy!

Potty Training

ahem. I mean potty learning.

The war has begun; and we have lost the first battle.
 

We started putting Ishu on the potty when he was about 6 months old-- when he started sitting up. For a while, he would reliably go. Then he abruptly stopped sitting on it a few months before Amaani was born.

We've tried so many things-- even having Ishu's best imaginary friend-- (sheep friend) go to the potty. I put the puppet on the potty and make ummm... the appropriate noises while Kartik uses slight of hand to drop black channa into the potty.

Now he can tell us before he goes, but absolutely refuses to sit on the potty. We tried taking off his diaper all Saturday, but he just won't go until we put a diaper back on!

We've decided to give it a rest for now, but I'm hoping we didn't leave the potty training too late.

Any tips would be welcome!

Tricycle!

It was a trying day today. I decided to venture out of the house, and as everyone but me seems to remember, it never, ever, ever ends well.

As soon as Kartik came downstairs I went upstairs for a 2 hour nap. When I came downstairs I was greeted by this:

'Maani Bess, Mani bess!!!

yay mani!

Good job, Mani!

He's giving her a ride! He was so excited for her-- in the pictures he's clapping for her because she's sitting up straight. I'll admit, she didn't get much of a kick out of it! 

I don't know how the 3 of them always manage to put a smile on my face-- It reminded me of this song...

"you fill my heart with gladness

take away all my sadness 

ease my troubles, that's what you do."

I love you guys!

Engaged!

As the entire world knows, Niki's engaged!!!! 

Aneel proposed to her a few weeks ago in Austin.

Aneel put an incredible amount of effort behind the proposal. I was seriously impressed!

A few days later they had a small engagement ceremony at my parents house and we got to come.

We had so much fun!!! Congratulations Aneel and Niki!!! We are so happy for you and wish the very very best for you! (crossing fingers for cousins for Ishu and Amaani soon!)

Happy Birthday Niki Masi!!!

Today is my baby sister's birthday!!! 

She's 26 years old today!

Your brothers and sisters are some of the most lasting relationships that you will have in your lifetime. Hopefully, your sibling will weather your childhood with you, help you through your adulthood and then reminice about it with you in your old age.

Niki has always been there for me; whether it be helping me figure out what to wear in high school or helping me when my kids are sick. I admire her for so many things and never get the chance to tell her- so today I thought I'd make a list:

So gorgeous!

She is one of the most gorgeous people I know inside and out. Her smile is positively radiant! She has impeccable style and an eye for all things beautiful.

Niki wears her heart on her sleeve. Whether work, home, family, or friends you can always tell what she is passionate about-- people. 

Everyone who knows her knows that you can count on her for anything-- especially when things go wrong. She's dependable and loyal without an ounce of judgement.

 

When we are too exhausted with the kids she's the first person I call -- first for an ear to complain too; and then for a helping hand.  Niki has enough nurturing instinct to help me and my kiddos when things are stressful.

From her birthday last year

I'm so glad to use her birthday as an excuse to tell her how special she is; and how very proud of her I am! She's all grown up!

And as lucky as I am to have her for a sister; Ishu and Amaani are even luckier to have her for a Masi. She's changed diapers, woken up nights and wiped noses with the best of them. Ishu already asks about her at least once a day. She's well on her way to becoming the 'fun auntie'; and I can't wait until my kids are old enough to go for overnights at her place.   

Apart from being Independence Day, this weekend also marks the two week anniversary of Niki's engagement to Aneel! We are so very happy for them and send them our very very best wishes. Such an event definitely merits it's very own post, so I plan on having pictures and details posted tomorrow!

Happy Birthday Niki-biki!!! You deserve everything you wish for!!!