My first steps

Its not less than a miracle that both, me and my big sister, started walking on the exact same date - Dec 2. Chechi was a few days shy of being a year old and I'm eight and a half months. Its all because I can't wait to run around like chechi - all over the house!
Also another special thing about this day is it is our Hashu Mama's birthday. We both gave him such a memorable present!

Chechi, Mamma and Dadda were so happy that they were all mute while capturing this special moment. And as Mamma's friend, Pawan Uncle, mentioned that finally the poor baby had to applaud for her own self :)

Apple Picking

We went for apple picking at the Tougas farm in Northborough today. Although it was my first time with fruit picking I did a pretty good job.

And now that I have my newly found weapon, my teeth, I did not spare any apple that was in my sight!

Those apples helped me smile for a couple of pics.

It had been a long day for everyone, so you can imagine a baby's state. I was ready to crash just the way chechi was (4 years back) after a long day of berry picking. 

Yes! that's the two of us :)

Ain't I a smiley baby? :)

Happy Onam!

Happy Onam to All! 

The day started with prayers in the morning. Mamma, as expected was busy cooking the OnaSadya, Prathibha Aunty was the first one to arrive, as she had to put the pookalam. And once she was done the ladies of our house posed for the pic, only pretending to make it  :)

Onam this year was super special for the family. Not only is this my first Onam, but it is also the first Onam in OUR own sweet home. All the female guests gathered to welcome Mahabali :)

After offering Naivedyam to Amboti it was time for the special person, that is me, to get the first bite of the Prasadam.

Now was the time to get to the 'main' part of Onam - the OnaSadya (Onam feast). Initially all I was doing was sitting and watching Chechi and her friends enjoying the OnaSadya while I was filling my tummy by sucking my thumb.

But, of course, that didn't last long. After a few minutes I realized that 'survival of the fittest' is what would work today. And don't judge me by my age, I know to survive!!

Finally it was turn for the elders to enjoy the OnaSadya too.

Here is a pic of the entire cast and crew of Onam 2013! :)

Half year

I'm half way there - a half cake for my half birthday!

Teething

All these months, the sight of chechi munching some really yummy things like apple, chips, pear made me upset. Even though chechi was ready to share, I couldn't eat. 

Teething is undoubtedly a painful process but since I enjoy eating, it is one of the best things that has happened to me.

Yay! now I will be able to eat everything. 

Here are my bunny teeth :D

Chor Oonu (Annaprasana)

I'm already into my 6th month and eligible to start my solids. But before that we make sure that I am blessed by Amboti and elders to be a good eater. Which is why I had my chor oonu ceremony today, at the same temple and by the same priest as Chechi did, 4 years back. Thats called fortunate coincidence!

The ceremony started with the prayers and Dadda feeding me the first bite of Rice payasam (prepared by Ammamma). 

This was followed by Mamma, Ammamma, Nanu, and my Chechi.
Some of Mamma Dadda's (rather Chechi's freinds' family) had also come to the temple.

And then Prathibha Aunty, Radhika Aunty, Srini Uncle, Sudhir Uncle and Chechi's friends also got a turn.

I did pretty well with eating. Only problem was I didn't know or understand what I had to do with the food in my mouth :( So a lot of it was being spit out.

It was a fun but tiring day for me. And I crashed as soon as we reached home. But chechi, as always, was still full of energy :)

Some pics from today's big day

Visitors

​Everyone was happy to know about my arrival as was evident from the constant stream of visitors and all those congratulatory phone calls. 

I need to mention the first person to visit me, other than my immediate family members, was Sudhir Uncle - at the hopital when I was a few hours old. He made sure to take a couple of ,y pics knowing that he won't be spared by Prathibha aunty if he went home without them :)

Thank you everyone for the blessings and good wishes!

Tummy time!

Yay! I had my first tummy time today. I was almost ready for this since a couple of weeks but I rolled over only when I was comfortable lifting my head up and got a good balance. And here I am :)

 

 

A quarter

I'm a one fourth year old today. Since my family doesn't need reasons to celebrate, here's a cake to that :)

As can be seen everyone but me is interested in the cake.

 

Vishu

It was my first Vishu and I woke up to this beautiful Vishu Kani

Although I'm only a few months old I didn't miss getting my kayi nettam along with everyone's blessings.

Happy Vishu!

Already!

You know how old am I today? Check my hand.

Yes, I came into this world a month ago.

28th Day!

Today was my formal naming ceremony - the 28th day. For the first time I was allowed to put a pottu (bindi) on my forehead and then one by one everyone in the family put gold jewellery on me.

This was followed by Dadda whispering my name 'Tanya' in both my ears, 3 times each using a betal leaf. And of course then came the usual 'family picture time' :)

Now I'm officially and religiously 'Tanya'!

HomeComing

I'm glad to know that the place I was at, since birth, is called a hospital. I was all geared up today, on February 23rd 2013, to step out for the first time.

 
My chechi, Ammamma, and Nanu were eagerly awaiting my arrival.

In fact Rhea chechi, of course with Ammamma's help even made a nice drawing to welcome us.

Although the best and most special part of the day was-



Before we were discharged from the hospital, Dadda went and bought our family's signature cake :)

 Vivan bhaiya also joined us in the celebration. I refused to even look at the cake because although the cake was to welcome me, I couldn't have a single bite :( 

 
Yay! Everyone in the family looks so happy to have me in their lives. I Love you all.

My Birth Announcement!

Hello Everyone!

Hi! Its me - Tanya aka Tanu.

All this while, 9 months, my sweet sister called me Thumbalina. I used to tumble a lot in our Mamma's tummy and every time I did that I could hear my Rhea Chechi (older sister) giggling, cuddling me and saying 'Thumbalina, my little baby, I love you'.

Finally the long wait for Mamma and Dadda and everyone in the family is over. I'm out ready to be loved, cuddled, and pampered :)

 
Thats me with my family.

I'm told I also have loving Achacha, Achamma (grandparents),  Vellyacha, Vellyamma, Hashu Mama, Appachi, Aaru and Dhruv Chettan (nephews) and a special little one (niece/nephew) who is yet to be born. Hopefully soon I'll get to meet my entire family.
Till then I love you all.