Life is beautiful…!

Sometimes I wonder, does life have anything more beautiful, more lively, more satisfying than the antics of your baby ?

It's one of the best experiences I am having and to add to my joys, it's an endless one . The warmth, the love, the surge of emotions are difficult to contain . Bubbling and oozing out of my treasure house are the moments I want to relive time and again..

Yes all this and much more is because of one little ray of joy which struck us on 17th September 2007. Arunima “The Glow of Dawn”…which dawned into our lives to make it bloom wholly.

At a wonderful age of 9 months, she’s heading for an even more magnificent and delightful being. My heart is elated and spirits ready to drink the cup of joy God set aside for me. She can sit up straight now toppling over very rarely. How the whole room resounds with her claps. Two little hands go clap clap clap like the wings of a butterfly fluttering past each other. Its accompanied by her incessant screeches and the silver line dripping from the cute little mouth - agape by her own accomplishment. Furrr, gurrrrrr, gaaaaaa, mmmmmmmmmm nothing more delightful than these new notes of life. Called aloud to her Grandpa with her first word “BABA” .

Who taught her to shake her head ..left, right, left is still a mystery…but she goes on and on ….Smiles back when you smile at her and cries when u scold but when you are on the brink of anger, chuckles back at you washing it away all in a swish. An inherent hunger seems never to satiate…see anything and here is the mouth ajar again with eyes screwed into small buttons and fingers spread apart…wants to eat and feel the whole world J mausambi juice, biscuits and water are her all time favourites..enjoys crumbled chips too…winks and shrugs her delicate shoulders on having anything sour .Its fun eyeing her . But yes Nothing sweet..Girls are diet conscious from day 1 I guess ;) How her lips are zipped tight if something’s not approved by her palate. Hold the spoon there for hours but they won’t budge away from each other and the face will get sterner. Man I get afraid and withdraw. Once she’s full, starts to gargle things out..and here goes the stuff down the mouth, to the chin , dripping on the bib below and to the frock and pants finally. Her smudged hands ensure that the eyes are not spared in the process and then the chilly shriek running down the spine. Gosh !!! My ears are definitely having a hard time..

Has a new prized possession now a days…Her cute walker..How easily in the world she can go to places she had longed for…under the dining table , in the bathroom, near the fridge and television, catch a glimpse of mom while she’s cooking in the kitchen, the space between the sofas…its an amazing thing dad got for her. Has so many attachments she can involve herself in, a mirror to look at her soft face and sparkling eyes and buttons to play nursery rhymes. What use a Ferrari ?( actually …fuel prices have risen so much..its an option worth considering ;))

The most relaxing and satisfying moments of hers are in mom and dad’s laps. How she buries her face in my lap then looks up at me in admiration smiles back and then again buries her face. Clings onto me while feeding…no one in the world should separate us. Holds the hand so tight and sleeps with her legs on my face and shoulders all so safe and secure. Dads lap is the warmest and the most calming place in the whole world..How she falls asleep as soon as daddy cuddles her up and smiles in her dreams. Wants a reassurance even while sleeping that Yes they are still by her side.

But you know what !!! Potty’s 2-3 times a day and is happiest when mom and dad are running around the house to get newspaper, cotton, water to prevent the bed from getting soiled. And Lo and Behold…just the unwanted..she did it ..not again L ….she grins ...Happy cleaning .I got an expertise in guessing whether she has shushued or not …if the body turns stiff , nose goes pink , gaze is fixed and eyes are filled with tears..guaranteed she’s done it ;)

A new hobby of eyeing birds and flowers enthralls her but nothing more involving than a laptop. She can see things moving , hear sounds, enjoy colours…Moreover children are monkeys …Daddy’s little dolly apes him fully. If daddy can use it so can she…has begun typing already.

The bundle of energy is happiest when held high above…legs dangling back and forth and loud screams accompanying them. The zest seems to never end. How she hobbles and gobbles in our ears when we come back from office and hold her in our arms. Must be telling me how Shivamma relishes life when we are away.. uses my cream and doles out ghee on bread..delighting her senses…Silly me, I fail to understand.

All are happy -- we, our maid and the whole world…all because of this amazingly beautiful gift God granted us…ARUNIMA.

Yes life is beautiful !!!

~Anshuma