Friday the 27th

Well I just got reminded of the belief (or should I say misbelief) in Friday the 13th - considered by many to be the most inauspicious day to the extent that they will forgo many things that they normally do. I am not going to ramble about superstitions but just talk about belief - which can be so strong that it can take your life over and protect you in all situations. There can be only one such belief - faith in the almighty! I was watching a movie last night (cheesy Bollywood flick, but anyhow) where the girl has complete faith that someday God will deliver her soulmate in her life. That he exists and is only waiting to be found. Whatever she believed, it was pretty strong. We need that kind of a faith - which can sustain us through times good and bad.

But God has always provided us with bright spots in the midst of all gloom and right now, there is no brighter one than the baby! She is just so amazing! Yesterday was another great day. She was in her crib and suddenly we heard her squeals and screams of delight and we go in to discover that she had managed to pull up on the crib and stand on her own and she was calling us to look at her feat, her accomplishment. She did it again and again. It was just surreal that she recognized that she had done something big and wanted us to share it with her. She has been trying to pull up on all sorts of things - chairs, tables, magazine stand, cupboards, her crib and playpen. We had helped her along but this was the first time she did it independently! Bravo, Prarthna.

So probably that will be her new fascination from now on - I can already see the signs. She is going to get over crawling and try to stand! Well God bless her as she tries these new things and I hope she stays safe and does not get hurt.

Another anecdote that I like to share - this happened 3-4 days earlier. It has become super hard to change her diaper or put clothes on. The other day I was trying to put her pants on her and she kept on rolling over. I told her to stay put so that I can finish the job. She seemed to understand and stayed on her back for exactly 3 seconds which she thought was enough time to do it - and then she was back on her tummy! Oh ya, she managed to turn on her TV (by accident, of course) a couple days back. She also managed to open the door of a cupboard yesterday by pulling on the knob.

The Schumans visited us on Wednesday. That was a story too. Prachi was cooking in the morning (this is a fairly new concoction she has started to make - from potatoes, okra (ladyfinger), onions, and bitter gourd (karela, ugh) but this is a way I would eat the karela). We realized that it is going to be too much for both of us and Prachi said we should call some one over. I asked her who and made a couple suggestions, but she said - someone like Eric and Lis. So I called Lis and she was willing to come but had to check with her hubby. They did come and we had a good time with the babies and Maddie. Prachi also made mixed lentils and they loved both the things. We also had a decadent dessert - one big brownie (proudly made by Eric) with 2 scoops of icecream. You bet I was full!! Pictures should be coming soon!

Yesterday was a nice day after 3-4 days of rain and we managed to take advantage of it by going for a long walk with Prarthna in the stroller. She was playing for almost the entire time but managed to fall asleep when we were ready to go up - as she does most of the times! So the walk got extended so that she could sleep. Prachi went up for a while to make her flavored milk - that is so good! We served it to Eric and Lis as well. It is the good old Kesar Pista Badam Elaichi milk (for those who are Hindi challenged, saffron Pistachios Almonds Cardamom milk). Now we have grinded all those together (courtesy the grinder that the Boshoffs bequeathed on us) and now it is super easy to make! So anyhow, I was walking the baby. I also met two women (who work in the apartment office and live in the same complex - very convenient) walking their dogs. Well, I just can never imagine owning a pet - but that is just me. I know you can have a great relationship with animals, but it is just not my cup of tea. When Prachi came back (finally) and I was ready to go up, Prarthna woke up and then we all went up.

During the day, I spent some time trying to sell some stuff and I managed to sell the TV and the office chair. We still have tons of things and really really need to get on trying to dispose them! I am taking someone to the airport today and also delivering the TV and the chair in the evening. Yesterday was the last day the idiot box resided in our house, and so I caught Jeopardy and Seinfeld and then tried to watch that movie (DTPH) which I was talking about in the beginning of the post, but gave up in the middle. By the way, I have seen it twice before (when I was in IIT - so a long time back) but just wanted to see it for nostalgia sake probably.

Both mom and daughter are asleep right now. Prarthna woke up really early today (before 6, aaargh). She ate her breakfast at 7, but now she is asleep and Prachi is also catching some shut-eye with her. She invited me to sleep also, but I just don't feel up for sleeping again once I have got out of bed. I will probably try and take a nap in the afternoon.

Enough of my ramblings. Prarthna just woke up also and so I will get going. I will stop here and will post some pictures soon.