Traveling with you !

I am traveling to India, and there is this co traveler with a little girl, just of your age. I was thinking how would it be to take you to India, with either me or Ratna. Don't you think that they will land somewhere in mid, Ritvik ? Just Kidding.
We went to Washington last week, and you air traveled after more than 16 months. You were mesmerized with view of so many planes. Entire flight heard your screams of "Look Papa PIYAINE". It was lovely.
Gaurav Bansal suggested to give you a cough syrup in case you make things difficult. Well, we tried and here was you, woke up after 18 minutes, double charged and pretty committed to teach us not to do that again. In mid of flight ( It is around 5 hours travel time) you decided that you have had enough, and announced "Mommy go out" and bid bye to almost everyone in aircraft, except the pilots.
We had nice time in Washington. We went to a mall for group photo where you ran away, and you know what, Ishayu told to security that his little bro is lost ...
I am at Amsterdam airport, and wanted to post something on your blog.
You know what, I would prefer to travel with you than alone,anytime. Time flies with you, while it is too boring alone...

Vinay@Amsterdam Airport

17 Months of Joy

Ritvik has completed 17 months today. Now he talks, he can say simple words like plane, bath, ball, juice, shoes, out etc. Also he recognizes myself as papa, ratna as mama and his dadi. He has his favorite songs, he has started showing reluctance towards things which he does not like. His best friends are Tariq, Meera, Diego, Tomas and Rachel. He loves his care taker, Reyna. Reyna is a caring lady and terms Ritvik as his best boy:-)
Ratna recently got her lower kindergarten photograph. Seriously, Ritvik looks so much of her. You see yourself.

I want to play out and everybody must come with me.

Ritvik loves to play outside all the time. But, he does not want to go alone. He is so affectionate ... he wants everyone at home to play together. Step one.. he will say shheos (shoes) and go and sit on the stool next to shoe closet. Step two... Someone needs to make him wear shoes. Then he will jump down and get my shoes.. then go pull his Papu to come along and then his Dadi..

When everybody is out ... Last step.. He will go and close the door :-) Ratna.

Ritvik loves books

Ritvik has lately started enjoying listening to books. His first book was Jingle bells which Vinay got him during Christmas season. It plays jingle bell tune. Initially Ritvik was extremely scared of that sound. Little boy ... he was just 9 months old in December and used to scream at sound of that book, but now he loves it. He received another set of books as his first birthday gift. Binky and Blankie.We bring several books from library for Ritvik. Few of favourites are Chimp And Zee and Barnyard Dance. He can spend hours listening to them while I read with loud expressions.

First words

Bo Bo -- Dog
Mum -- Water or Mom (Context Sensitive)
Appa -- Apple
Bboo -- Boat
Juce - Juice
Ssooss-- Shoes
Chisss -- Cheese

Complete Account of Ritvik's First BDay

Today is 6th July 2007, 9:42 PM PST, few hours short of 7th July 2007 i.e. 07.07.07. Both Ratna and I know that we have not been very regular in keeping your blog updated. It has nothing to do with carelessness or our busy lives, in fact it has only one reason, we want to do it when we are free and are able to recollect all our memories. Now Ratna tells me that we need to keep it a live Blog and update it as it happens. We will try to do the same.
About your first birthday now......
Your first birthday was on 16th March 2007. It was a Friday. We decided to celebrate your bday on 16th and throw a party on 17th, Saturday.
We created an electronic invite
and sent to all our near and dears in this country. Of course you know that we are not in India, we are in California, Pasadena Los Angeles to be precise. I am glad that almost all of our friends were able to make it to party.
Your Naniji sent a fantastic dress for you. This one was a sherwani with pajama. We selected Radhikas as place for party. We decorated it well and party went for over 3 hours. We were lucky to have your dadi and badi nani (Ratna's Mausi) to be present. You were so naughty all the time, as if it is not your party at all. If fact you slept for 20-15 minutes in Arvind's lap.
Birthday theme was Care Bear. We got a care bear cake and some balloons too. We have saved cards, photos and even care bears from the cake.
Party went well with Ravi, Ashok and Snehal helping in decoration. We decorated the place. People enjoyed and you got many gifts. We have posted photos and videos of your birthday.

God Bless you Ritvik. We are now waiting for your second birthday...

Ritvik's First Year

Ritvik's Second Year

Ritvik is ONE year old now

Ritvik completed one year today. We cut a small homemade cake and did in house celebrations. I gifted him a book titled " Binky and Blanky" while Ratna gave 3 rhymes and lullabies CDs. We did some party shopping for tomorrow. Expect a big blog tomorrow. We received gifts from Jona Didi and Vikas/Manisha too. A complete account of Ritvik's first birthday will be here soon.

Link to Ritvik's First Year Album

First Year

Walking on your own

Must be a terrific task to do Ritvik ! Its terrific for us in more than one way. First, it is a developmental milestone you have achieved, and well before time limit. Second, you look so much cute with your little dangling steps. It is something beyond words boy.
Now your dadi is here ( though she is not keeping well) and you enjoy her company. You have discovered that she keeps a lot of interesting things under her pillow and you keep discovering those.
Other interesting thing you have started is keeping a watch on shoe closet. You specifically and particularly recognize "Clang" sound of that closet and get a signal that someone is getting out of house. I keep playing with you and open that closet even if I do not plan to go outside, hey as soon as I open the door, no matter what are you doing and no matter how interesting thing you are holding in your little hands, you immediately turn your head, do a "AAAA" and run towards the door. It is pure joy Ritvik.
Also we feel that you have started recognizing alphabets or at least pictures associated with those alphabets. Ratna spreads few alphabet cards and asks you to pick "A is for Apple", and somehow you pick "A" card :-).
Seems you love "Aa Chal ke tujhe main le ke chaloo" song. We have been playing this song almost every time we wanted to calm you, and it works every time.
Today you tore my unread copy of Economist and also pulled plug of answering machine.
You keep giving us best time of our lives. God bless you my sunny boy.

First Step

Ritvik took his first step on his own today, 22nd January 2007. He balanced himself and kept standing for around 90 seconds and then took that first step towards millions of mile.
He has become a bit naughty. He understands emotions now. He knows all places where he can find some badmaashi stuff.