Thoughts

"But Dad why is it taking so long?"

"What's that Rhea"

"Why is it taking so long to grow up?"

Her Idea, Not Mine.

Hailey wore a pair of read and white soccer inspired shoes the other day so knew just what to do when I put her down to put on mine.

Video would have been better as to capture the shrill victory yell which she likes to deliver on such occasions.

We get the same yell when she breaks through a Hailey-Fence at the house or unload her mother's entire purse before being caught.

Favorite new trick: pointing with her little index finger.

Walking at top tottering speed is fashionable as well. 'Sprinting' from one piece of furniture to another offers moments of relative safety.

Stopping, turning and maneuvering in the open floor are skills currently being polished to avoid any sudden sit-downs.

Cathedral Door.

Sun Hat.

Aunty Sophie's Hat

At the Park

She's One Already?

Favorite words at Hailey's first Birthday:

1) 'No!', or alternatively 'NoNoNo'
2). 'Ah - Oh'
3) 'GrangGrah'. (Grampa)

It was such an exhausting party, that we all slept through game seven. More pics to come.

Special thanks to Grandma Joanie for sending a garland all the way from New York. This unfortunately was opened after the party although the post-lady delivered it on the 20th.

Celebrate Mini Camp

This girl loves grammar to a frightening extent. She is also of course also growing up bilingual (sort of yeah) - just about everything can be said two different ways. Her baby sitter speaks a more 'raw' form of creole and her mother (in particular hehe) insists that she learns it both ways.

Oposites are a fun past time as well. She's getting pretty good I must say.

Sunday Afternoon Drive.

Limited Palette Expressionism?

Rhea's new blackboard, made witha piece of plywood painted black, is a big hit. As a welcome home present for her dad, she created this bit of artwork for the occasion.

Check-up time.

Horsing around and waiting for our fave Doctor (Jabour) to show up. Rhea is super shy in his presence but loves to emulate every move and phrase back at the house.

"Open your mouth and let me see where that cough is hiding."

Dr. and Sureka Maddiwar's 'Doctor in Training' scrubs still fit btw.

We still like to where the stethoscope on top of our head like an aviation headset.

A bit too much of a good thing?

Our two "flavorite" colors on display. We tend to switch up which one of the two is our second fave under the other. Purple vs. Pink of course.

Ather word creation heard lately: " Dad it was an "axculent". One or two corrections and we don't (sadly) get to hear it again.

The next picture.

Just the logical progression from our last entry.

A first for Rhea: Dish-washing!

Elephant wrinkles are all part of the discovery process. Need to look for a water-proof apron.

Derm life in the tropics.

This was I suspect a bit of a reaction to a new species of biting fly as the rainy season started. It has since cleared up and a trip to the Pediatrician confirmed that the anti-histamine she was on was the right plan.

Luckily no itching associated with it. Just ugly red splotches front and back.

Baby Steps

In the walking department there still is no rush. Hails is highly proficient while holding on and otherwise prefers a safer high-speed crawl. So far only a few staggering steps with no hands.

Basket mobile

Happy Pagwah.

This shot is actually a couple of weeks old. Was just sorting through the phone and decided to post a random discovery. Apologies for the sideways portrait.

Celebrating of Holi started at dawn in our house and the water gunns were the first weapon of choice - I left the house for work before the water balloons, powder, and perhaps worse made appearances.

Baby steps.

Hailey's First word: DaDa.

Yeah. No Joke. It's about as official as you can get.

Multiple impartial witnesses (mom, dad and big sister) early this morning and multiple repetitions with monster smiles while looking at her 'subject'.

In large motor news, she is showing loads of ambition in walking with no hands and feeling the bumps and bruises that fit that territory.

Loves also to engage in copycat conversations using pitch, tone, and 'car noises'.

Giggling with delight has become a near norm - particularly when heading for the stairs to go out and 'stray'.

First of many.

Rhea introduces Hails for the first time to the joys of truckin the aisles. Watch out Danica.

Road trip.

Out getting some pictures developed (last minute anniversary stuff) before swimming lessons at the pool. Hailey seems to be happiest when out and about. Either the stroller to the seawall or back seat in the pickup.

Favorite past times:
- pulling herself into a standing position on anything at all available including a handful of human skin.
- walking if possible and trying not to smack her head on the corner of the coffee table. Or the floor next to it if she goes down sidways. Ouch.
- testing out her yelling (singing?) voice at top volume.
- waking up way too early on a weekend morning and smiling so broadly that she always gets an involuntary one right back.

This one really is on fire.

It's been a hit song from the very first time hearing it on the radio (long before any inauguration renditions). The handle of a skip rope makes a really good microphone for impromptu performances we found out.

Words of the week:

"ValenTimes Day"

"Daddy, it happened by Axe-culent"

"The evil step mother, and the evil step father, and the evil step Wolf!"

On seeing angry birds: "You're not supposed to break up the playground. That's not nice!"

"It's not 'car' it's 'kyar'" (or vice versa).

Many more that we forget on a daily basis of course. Need to start posting as they happen.

New favorite game for Rhea is 'hide and see'. Now we have to learn when not to play it.

Breakfast In Bed.

Birthday Images

I know we've got some of these out of chronological order but these had to go up - and I think are fairly self explanatory. Very special.

Unforgettable Albany Trip.

Late last year we were delighted at the chance to visit the paternal grandparents at Albany - including this restored antique pony ride with Grandma Joanie at the museum.

Our Christmas Castle

Special thanks to Uncle Rohit for this LED version of 'fairy lights' to make this season's mosquito net special.

Sunshine

New Year Smiles

Hailie's latest is moving around the bed at deceptively high speeds. She's currently developing an all-fours-then-belly flop technique which takes her places in a pre-crawl sort of way.

It's important to build a pillow fortress to keep her from nose diving onto the floor. She does notably have a marked appreciation for high adrenaline xtreme baby sports. Zero G stuff is the best.

Quote of the day from Rhea:

"No more phone, no tablet, no computer Dad! Just Cheese!"

- had to catch a re-enactment on video, which of course wasn't the same, but worth it.

HNY2013 to all!