SachiAmbi: December 2009

Every year, come November

As the leaves change color

And nature puts on its fall wardrobe

We celebrate Suraj's Birthday.

This November 1st. as he turned 23.
We celebrated with his favorite chocolate cake.

Ofcourse he had other celebrations with his friends too.
He tells me that is Coca cola in front of him!!

We took him to the Mangolian Grill for a grand dinner where Jyoti and Jeff trumped our gift with their own. They took Suraj to Las Vegas for a few days of fun and frolic. Papa Ji gave him a hundred dollar bill. Papa Ji came from India with these bills and we never changed them to smaller notes for him. So he spent the whole ten weeks passing out $ 100 bills whenever there was a gift giving occassion. Thank you Papa Ji.

Just for old times sake;

This is Suraj at age one.

Doing what he liked to do most

(Fast forward)

And this is Surina announcing her First Birthday.

November 17, 2009

She ran around totally oblivious to the important marker.

Whereas we could not get over how fast the time has flown.

One year has transformed the single minded, hungry, feeding and pooping bundle of limbs to this lively, opinionated, all eyes, smiling 'heart thief'.

And she takes no prisoners.

Aja is putty in her hands.

She wakes up early in the morning and ushers in the sunlight for us.

Who cares if we wish to sleep a little more.

There is so much to do and so much to see.

Mom is willing to oblige anyway.

We are noticing the beauty of fallen leaves all over again with her. And discovering the pleasure of forgotten simple things

She is equally amazed by splendid treasures
As she is by daily menial chores.

She still gets bathed and fed and rocked to sleep with same fanfare

And admired and cuddled by both sides of the family.

But her favorite thing to do, however, is to take off on her own and explore.
She was quite enamored with the painting I made for her birthday.

And immediately paid me with a smile.

She also loved the soft baby doll she got from Suraj mamu

And the Barbie ride she got from Vivek mamu.

This year was definitely the year of the 'Rides'

We gave her this pink rocking horse

And she got this wagon from the other grandparents.

Ravi mamu had exams in the day time and worked at his job till late, so could not buy the gift on time. He spent late night chatting with Jyoti and gave his gift next day. No picture for a late gift!!!