The Adventures of the Little Indian Girl

We have another week or so here in Mumbai. The trip to Hyderabad was great!! Will share once we are back home and I get time!!

We are back with in-laws in Mumbai and are enjoying the last week here! Yesterday evening we all went to a nice cultural program that was celebrating National Anthem's 100 years, etc. D was running down the aisles happily most of the time. And being in India noone minded. after some time she sat on the seat next to us, quietly. One of the speakers was an Army Colonel. His was projected loudly through the auditorium and then D decided she wanted to talk, just like the Colonel. She babbled and copied his tone of voice and volume!! It was hilarious until those sitting next to us started turning around. Some laughed, some looked. So, out she went!

This week we will be busy making lots of social visits since we didn't get the chance during the last visit! Our last week of the year should be fun-filled and then it's back to freezing America. brrrrr.... 

Hope everyone is doing well! I really hope to catch up with all soon! 

We had such a nice day. I took D out to meet other parents with kids out at the national mall. D ate so well. She actually grabbed food from my hands and ate it too! She took cheese for the first time!! That girl is a pure Andha-ite* ! She loves her food spicy. The cheese sandwich I had was with pepperjack and I avoided giving it to her. But she chomped away on it with the biggest smile. I am happy when my baby is happily eating!

And yet there were moments when it was sad.

There was so much talk about wanting their babies - 4-6 month olds - to sleep through the night. Apparently if they start solids and they sleep with a full tummy they will. I laughed and shared that it's a complete myth and it never happened with D. The mother just moved away from me not liking the answer. I guess I sympathized. Even I was seeking hopes of a restful night and you don't want to hear that these things are just myths. I heard talk about night weaning. I heard talk about giving the baby rice cereal in a bottle with the nipple top cut off. The parents were aghast that D didn't start really taking solids till she was 8 months old. She just wasn't ready. They were shocked that I didn't start on pureed food. I just shared every baby is different, to which they all nodded their heads in agreement.

When the whole Tiger Mom episode occurred, so many American parents pounced on that woman for forcing their kids to do things, etc. And yet, here they are (unknowingly probably) doing the same. Forcing their babies to sleep through the night when they are not ready. There's a difference between encouraging and forcing.

And yes, I know this is a gross generalisation. But I am venting more than thinking straight. The solace at least was all the moms were still breastfeeding. I never realized how much of a lactivist/boob nazi I have become! ;) 


A dear friend is going through such a struggle with her husband going through a very serious medical condition.


And it's stormy weather outside.


And I come home to hear the news about more attacks in Mumbai. It's just so sad. One of the kids in the group as we went away said his byes by showing the peace and sign and saying "peace"! 

I really do hope so!

* Andhra-ite - we are from Andhra Pradesh, a state in southern part of India, which is known for very spicy - chilli-hot food!

In a week's time we have travelled 400km (around)! Enjoying a lot of food from the region - Gujarati, Rajasthani, Marathi, Karnatic. We have tried Mumbai's fast food and thick lassi. yum yum yum. I now understand why Indian women wear sarees/salwar kameez - the waistline is adjustable!! hehehehe..

We were in Pune & Nasik last week. Although I have been to Pune about 10 years ago, it's a city that is completely unrecognisable for me!! Went to some local hangouts of hubby's!

Soon we will be transversing down in South of India! And will be meeting my parents soon! I just can't wait!!!!!!

At 2am, a friend of ours called waking us up asking us how we were. We scolded him for waking us up, since he should know the time difference. He informed us of some terrorist attacks in the city. We woke up to the horrific news.

Can't write much. But just to say that we are all fine. Hubby and I were planning to go there as we met there on our second "date". We were at the station day before yesterday.