One more day

and then the relaxing weekend begins, followed by a 2-day working week and then another long weekend. This is bliss!

Joel hasn't had a hair cut yet. But he sure smells nice and all baby after his bath. Since I held him, hugged him, played with him and in general, was with him for a while this afternoon, there's a faint trace of him on my hands and clothes.

It's funny how one thinks or feels that baby smells are nice, clean, pure and innocent. I feel all this each time I sense Joel. Of late, I'm also beginning to attach the feeling that I've got a brat in the making too. (smiling as I remember Joel this afternoon)

Joel's learnt pretty quickly in the past 2 days that he can bring his hands together like clapping. Although he doesn't make the sound, he recognises that he's to try and 'clap' his hands when my dad sings "Bobe baaz, bobe baaz, bobeena". Little pumnkut's learning... YIPPEEE!!

A little early in the day

to post a blog.. i usually keep this for evenings or sleepy afternoons at work. Received an email from a friend that he reads this blog. I'm surprised. I never thot that anyone would be interested in reading this first-time mom's crazy prattle about her first born. Guess I thot wrong!

Joel's most probably going to have his hair cut again today. I won't know till I see him this afternoon. The itchy lice problem still persists. Ugh!

On Monday, we (my sis and I) brought down 3 bags from the attic full of her toys and mine. We discovered a few of my brother's too - a Silver Pistle Engine train. I haven't seen that for years. It's gone a little old and very rusty. Need to get the rust off and painted again. If I can get it into working order, Joel may just be sufficiently motivated to learn to crawl. He still doesn't crawl. Just the rock.

There's a red bunny without its ears which is the current favorite toy. Joel carries it and throws it around the place, rubs his head against the bunny's, pats him and makes my dad pat the bunny too. Once he gets tired he places it near his feet and kicks it away.

A small basketball just big enuff for him to hold. Not too heavy. A few blocks from an old set. These things are just sufficient to keep him occupied during feeding times.

It's fun to watch him roll around the place. He's succeeded in loosening the mat's threads on either ends. He plays peekaboo with the mat end. He's begun getting into corners. I think I'll have to buy him new clothes.
Although his birthday is 4 months away, Amrith and I are already wondering where to host his first birthday party, whom to invite and what kind of a celebration to have. HELP!!!

It's just another Manic Monday

Thought that this Monday would be another Monday full of the unhappy and exhausted attitude and moods. It was heading that way till I discovered I could download snaps from my cell phone to my comp at work. This gave me a chance to download all of Joel's snaps too. >:-)

Last Sat, had been to a school in Suratkal for a Rural Reach Programme. For the first time, I've clicked snaps for a function. Some things I was able to capture well, others.. um let's not talk abt them. Since I'm required to submit my report and work on Monday, i.e. today, downloaded all those snaps and Joel's. Have uploaded most of his photographs onto my Yahoo album. The one here is just a sample of what's in the album.

After a Bounty bar

This darling boy of mine has learnt that he can stick his tongue out. He's also discovered that the world's interesting to look at upside down. So now, he supports himself on his hands and feet, rests his head on the floor and looks at everyone and everything around him.

I tried doing that this morning with him. It just wasn't possible for me to do so unless i touched my knees to the floor. He's getting to be his own person.. observant, smiling, naughty and impish.

It's a little tough to keep a straight face when he just breaks into a cute grin.

Cooing is the next thing that keeps him occupied. Earlier it was loud AAH's and AAA..AAA...AAaah..!! now the softer tones are being practiced like aaa..aah.

Everyday he has to be given a new toy to keep him occupied which is why smart grandparents have decided to give him one toy only to play with per day. At that rate, he's never going to lose interest in his toys. By the way! did you know that a simple empty plastic water bottle can be more attractive to a 6 - 8 month old child than any other colorful, attractive toy .. the colors attract us.. still haven't figured out why he's attracted to the plastic water bottle.

a few more days

and i turn 29. A year closer to 30. Joel turns 8 months old. And his first teeth seem no where close to showing thru his gums.

he's the first person i think of every morning. the last person too! :-)

Joel got his first haircut today

And he sure does look good. Heck! he looks cute and handsome in his own way. Thanks to yesterday's cell-phone exchange (Samsung's E730 for Nokia's 2600), I've been able to capture his snaps without resorting to borrowing a friend's cell-phone.

Mom gave him his haircut. After which he had his bath. When I went home for lunch this afternoon, he looked great in white. He looks a little more like a big boy now. Saying this with joy and sadness. Wish he could remain my little 'punmkut' forever.

Twilight of 6th October, 2005

Joel never did get his haircut over the weekend. But boy! did we find out why he kept scratching his head. Till date, regretting the fact that I didn't pay attention to the scratch! scratch! Hopefully by this weekend, that little issue will get solved with the precautions being taken.

Joel's having an indigestion problem the second time. No other milk besides mine and definitely no sweets. Hate to tell him when he grows up that he can't have anything sweet becoz of his tummy aches.

He's able to sit straight once we've put him in a sitting position. He still hasn't figured out how to sit on his own. Gets frustrated that he can't join us when we are walking by. Even during the time he's very excited, he turns onto his stomach, goes on his knees and then gets stuck trying to figure out how to sit/stand. How I wish I could help him just then!

It's a major kick to see him greet me with his wide open mouth smile. Feel like picking him up and rolling over with him over and over again.. just like a big bear:-)) . His next reaction is a doggy-like panting which indicates that he's excited and wants to be carried and cuddled. No way do I keep myself from doing that. After a day at work, exhausting or not, he's the one and only reason I'm still feeling alive and good inside.

Amrith has missed out on so much of Joel baby days. Wouldn't want Joel growing up later feeling that his dad wasn't a vital part of his life ever since birth. Heck! Amrith washed his nappies and helped me get back on my feet, even when I was still a grumpy bear without the anesthetic effect. Must say this here - when Amrith comes home from Hubli to pick us up from Mangalore or just visiting, Joel's got eyes only for him. No one can make him laugh like Amrith does. And Amrith's his favorite person any time.

My mom too had spent those first days of Joel in the hospital with me. Very strong, silent and very bold. Although she was not feeling great physically at that point of time nor in health, and the lady who was to help didnt show up. Mom never complained. She just went about work in her own way. Without her, I would have been lost completely.

Joel's never had any major health problems since birth. The regular eye-tearing was all that was seen. Next came the indigestion. Oh yeah! keeping his head turned to the left always is something I still get paranoid about till date.