Resolutions, resolutions, and more resolutions

I always get a little over-motivated this time of the year -- with how I'm going to change things in my life for the new year -- I'm going to do more of this, and more of that, and more, more, more. This year, I'm viewing things slightly differently.

Someone said to me, rather than saying 'what are you going to do this year?' when thinking of your resolutions, ask yourself 'who do you want to be this year?' That really resonated with me -- bc that is the crux of what we're trying to achieve with all these resolutions -- trying to become a different/better person.

I do know what I DON'T want to be -- and that is BUSY. My goal is that when asked 'how are you?' or 'how are things going?' that I never respond with 'It's busy.' Because too much of 2013 was busy, hectic, insane. I felt like a hamster, running around in a wheel for a good 6 months of the year, and the rest of the year was just 'normal busy.'

This year, I will not be frantic, stressed, hectic, all-over-the-place, overworked & underpaid. This year, I will be an artist. And everything I will do will be focused on making me further an artist. If I find myself too busy -- then there's something wrong with my approach -- either I'm being inefficient with my time, or taking on too much. Frankly, I think it's the latter bc since I've had a baby, I've become pretty damn efficient with my time.

And I'm not going to feel guilty that I'm not running around at 100 miles an hour.

To basically put what I am saying into better words, is this article from the New York Times 'The Busy Trap.'

So let's see how long this lasts ... fingers crossed :-)

Idleness is not just a vacation, an indulgence or a vice; it is as indispensable to the brain as vitamin D is to the body, and deprived of it we suffer a mental affliction as disfiguring as rickets.

“Idle dreaming is often of the essence of what we do,” -- Thomas Pynchon, in his essay on sloth. 

Milestones a minute

It's a shame I've completely stopped writing in this blog, because the rate with which Puchku is growing and developing is incredible to witness. In the last two weeks alone, I feel like he's gotten so much faster at picking things up.

He's a mimicking machine. Any words he hears, he mimicks. His babble is entirely English, despite my efforts to speak to him only in Hindi (with occasional broken Bangla). I'm trying to keep Hindi stuff on in the background on the TV so at least he hears a little more Hindi.

Monday's have become the regular Nana-Nani day. He spends the whole day with them, mainly gardening in their backyard with Nani jiji, eating and tasting all the fresh fruit and veggies while 'working.' I can't think of a better way for him to bond with his grandparents, and nature. It's like his grandparents live in the 'country,' and he lives in the 'city.' Just like Curious George -- which I'm totally addicted to. We always turn on the show for Puch, and end up watching the whole episode ourselves while he's moved on to other things.

Eating fresh carrots from Nani jiji's backyard

Anyway, I've been wanting to catalogue all the words that he says, but it's increasing so rapidly, I don't think I can get them all. I'm going to divide them up by language, and the category of names. He's currently juggling 4 languages in his brain, mumma sho proud!

Names:
Mumma/Ma
Baba
Motu (Maushi)
Tutu (Kutu)
Nani jiji
Nana ji
Dadu (Raju, what my mom calls my dad)
Anka/Anta (Antara)
Peeshi
Thammi
Demi (Delmi)
Aiya (Anya, his steady gf)
Nee (Shivaranjani)

English:
Aipaa (iPad)
phun (phone)
O-dun (all done)
No mo
Mo (with sign language)
Shoes
Shocksh (socks)
oh no
oops
cheese (with sign language)
Poo poo


Hindi:
Thanna
Haan
Gigyaa (gir gaya)
Gaana
Khana
Pani
Duddoo
Dhin-ta (refers to tabla)
Ee-taaalo! (isko utaro)
Shoo nee! (chhoona nahin)
Maaka (asking for juju ke, mau ke)
Baddu (badboo)

Bangla:
Pakhi
Bosho
Shesh

Spanish:
Patos (zapatos)
Mano
Mucu (boogers)
Hola
Mana (manana)
Mas
No mas
Agua
Pan
Prolly a whole lot more Spanish that I don't even know about.

There are probably more that will come to me, I'll keep adding. But they're increasing so rapidly. I still suck at trying to figure out what he's saying. 

Rolled down

Today Puchku rolled down three steps in Mummy's house- ironically as we had just finished installing the railing on the other set of stairs. Poor guy, I saw it happen in slow motion as he leaned back sitting on one of the steps, and just rolled down. He was crying, of course, but was fine shortly after.
He now waves good bye when people leave, and he lets Nanaji know when he wants to do music with him by walking up to the stairs and singing loudly, calling out for Nanaji to take him upstairs so they can do 'riyaaz' (leeyaajh) together.
He claps in the song 'if you're happy and you know it clap your hands.' He hasn't gotten the exact timing of when to clap correct, but the claps he does are absolutely correct in taal - Mumma sho ploud (proud).
So many new things everyday, as he's getting close to 1 year old!

7 steps!

Tonight he was on a roll - kept wanting to try to walk, and was so excited that he was succeeding. We were cheering him on to the point where he would just clap himself after falling down bc he knew it was clap worthy.
Anyway, I'm sad the winter holidays are coming to an end. It's been so much fun spending time w Puchku n King... It's going to be back to the grind n even crazier busy in 2013... But can't wait to see Puchku's new developments!

5 steps

Yesterday Puchku was so excited to see me in the afternoon that he didn't revert to crawling but walked over to me - mumma was so proud. Of course mumma is proud of everything :)

Checklist: what not to feed baby

After struggling to put Puchku to sleep for 2 hrs (literally) he finally revealed what the issue was by throwing up all over me (nailed himself n the carpet too, n a little on our bed). Hummus can now be added to the list of foods that he can't eat, which is odd bc he ate the same hummus last week n was just fine. Baba ganoush doesn't suit him either. And any food w heavy masalas. Basically, he has a really sensitive stomach, like his baba.

List of approved spices:
Salt
Turmeric
Cumin

No-no's:
Baba Ganoush
Hummus
Garam masala
Mirchi
Anything else

First Day away from baby

Did a quick day trip to LA for 'Upaj' work, was gone for a total of 10 hours. It was a glimpse into my old life - where it was just me, jet setting, and only having to worry abt myself. I can't even begin to tell you how much I enjoyed it. Of course coming back didn't make me sad or anything (even tho Pupa was asleep and so today becomes the first day in a long time he hasn't seen me all day) but it made me feel almost guilty that I was missing my old life so much. I also had this epiphany that things had really changed bc if I had missed my flight home, in the past it wouldn't have mattered. It would just cause inconvenience maybe and money. Now that was not an option - Puchku would be really unhappy and cranky they the night without me there and it would be truly difficult. And so life changes!
Anyway, the first overnight trip will be interesting. I cant imagine NOT waking up every 2-3 hrs, and actually sleeping the night thru? Naaah, that's too weird.