Thursday, February 23, 2006

Birthday Bash coming up

A few more days.. with the Avian Flu making its rounds in India and coming into Karnataka, we're taking chicken off the menu completely. Not that we're worried about catching the bug. A whole lot of people are squeamish about this.

We're going to be a party of 8 people and Joel on coming Sunday, i.e. 26th February 2006. Had thought of cooking some yummy biryani at home. Amrith and I have settled for a lunch at Udupi Residency. Nice decor, nice furniture, lots of space for Joel to pick and drop things and Joel can sleep in comfort too, if required.

No big party! No loud noises! No balloons and screaming and yelling! A peaceful, quiet and colorful birthday.. yeah!

Got to start working on those wall hangings and posters now.

Saturday, February 04, 2006

First step

Joel took his first few steps on 1st February, 2006 around 8 pm. Was back a little early from the office since the Throwball practice didn't take place. Sangi, Joel and I were having a fun time making Joel walk a little between us 2.

Thot of experimenting with the guy a little to see how he would take to walking a little (at least) without any support from either of us.

Sangi and I sat facing each other with a little distance between us. I made Joel stand up between us and slowly got him to stand without our support. He just stood there with this huge toothy grin on his face. I know I should have used the camera just then to capture it but the camera was no where close to my hand.

Turned him around and Sangi beckoned him. He took a step or 2. Lost balance and fell into her arms. She turned him around and we repeated the process with me encouraging him to walk towards me.

We did this a couple of times. After a while it got boring for him and us. So we decided to get back doing our household chores. Was resting a little while by laying down on my back on the floor. Joel was standing up holding my knee for support. One moment the chap is doing a jig in his place, the very next he just left holding my knee and goes charging towards his toy box which was near my head.

For a moment, I was in a state of confused emotions. My first reaction was to hold him to keep him from falling. Next was amazement to see that he didn't fall. Once he caught on to the box, he settled down and began playing with his toys. All in all, I never expected it and it happened. Couldn't stop grinning.

The same evening, he tried a 'Tarzanish' thing. Held on to the curtains and went swinging with it. He had a mighty fun time laughing and giggling, till he lost his balance and sat. It scared him a little. He must have discovered he was fine and no pains anywhere. So he tried it again. This time, shorter time swinging and losing balance landed up with him falling flat on his back. Loads of crying followed.. but the not the memory of the little monkey swinging back and forth with the curtain.