Dessert

Mamma made some nutella brownies this evening, and the boy ended up with a treat for dessert - licking off the mixing spoon.

First steps!

The little lady started taking her first steps over the last couple days!

Who likes chocolate cake?

We found out this past weekend that Mika certainly does. Both during the mini-cake-cutting on her birthday as well as during her party she thulped in no uncertain terms mamma's chocolate cake, and has been making it quite clear that more of the same is highly desired.

Also putting up a video of some of her antics in August.

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Mika turns one!

Our little ladybug crossed the one-year milestone this past weekend - time sure does fly! She started out on this journey as a mellow, mostly peaceful and content baby, and we couldn't believe how lucky we were.  Somewhere along the way, though, she found her lung-power; and just maybe that transition had something to do with bro Yo and his incessant need to see just how much poking she'd take :)

All jokes aside, she's turning out to be quite the sweetheart - her smile has the ability to completely melt away the cares of the day.  She's slowly figuring out the walking thing, and can just about take one step now before she topples over.  Won't be long before we'll be running after two munchkins now.  A couple teeth are about ready to pop from both the top and the bottom, and they won't be a moment too soon - she's about had it with non-solids.  And it's very cool to see things clicking for her - from the way she's starting to pick up on cues from mamma/dada to the evasive action that is quickly employed when bro is about to pursue the aforementioned poke-prod strategy.

 

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Cast: on

We took Yo to see a pediatric orthopedist yesterday, and at the end of the 3 hour visit, he walked out sporting a bright green cast on his left arm, from shoulder to fingers.  Turns out he had broken his upper arm just above the elbow, and needs to be in a cast for about 4 weeks.  He was rather cheerful through the cast process, thankfully.  So far he hasn't complained about it, and has been really good about the whole thing.

 

First Family Vacation!

Last week (before the acrobatic stunt by Yohan from the next post), the Narjalas trooped off to Newport for our first family vacation. Ranjit took half day off work and we headed on what was to be a 2.5 hour car ride down to the coast. Several traffic jams and a few hours later, we arrived at the parking lot of Elizabeth Inn, our home for the weekend. Although we are smack in the middle of summer, it was chilly, windy and we thought, "Oh no!" But we had a fun weekend of chilling on the beach, eating lots of good seafood (one of the pleasures that dada passes on), an aquarium visit, a trip to the avaiation museum, all while fitting in naps and feeds and diaper changes for two.

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It's begun

Yo's averaging a once-per-year visit to Urgent Care already - and both incidents were staircase-related.   We had figured it would take awhile for broken bones and Urgent Care visits to make an appearance, but he's apparently getting started early.  He took a tumble down a flight of stairs on Thu, while trying to combine descending with holding on to his ride-along car.  The poor fellow has fractured his elbow, and has a splint on now.  We'll need to go to the pediatric orthopedist on Mon to get the actual cast.  He seems ok for the most part, except that he doesn't want the sling on at all, and wants the splint removed. He's certainly been a trooper through it all so far, and we hope and pray he'll heal really soon.

Almost one!

In a little more than 2 weeks Malaika turns one!  This year has really flown by.  Malaika's slowly learning how to walk, and can stand by herself for a few seconds as long as she doesn't think about it.  She certainly knows how to complain (loudly) when her bro isn't quite behaving in a gentlemanly fashion, but other than that generally seems to be the quiet, contemplative sort.  When both are in a good mood, they play together pretty well.  A good 8 hour stretch at night still eludes her, but for that matter it still eludes her brother too.  One of these days Susan and I hope to partake of the mythical 8 hour stretch as well.

 

 

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Dada's daredevil

Backyard buds

This summer Susan has been making good use of our backyard whenever it's nice outside.  The kids enjoy being out there, and Mika's almost-first word it 'out', always accompanied by vigorous pointing out the window.

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Cookie-making

Awhile ago mamma and the boy made a batch of pretty yum cookies.

 

 

Peek-a-boo

Malaika's version.

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Chai, kaapi, vada....

Susan says this reminds her of wedding cooks in India.  Down to the checked shirt and all.

The orange kitchen towel was technically supposed to be his "apron".  And the chef's hat was donated by a kind lady at the candy store.

A quick recap of July

Moving along pretty quick here on the catch-up route.  July was quite a busy month, with a trip to the beach, BBQs, and general enjoyment of the good weather.

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The Seattle gang

All the way back in June, our friends from across the state border drove down to spend the weekend.  As always much fun was had, and the kiddos seem to be getting along better and better with every visit.

(Yes, I know we're in Aug already, but we're playing catch-up now).

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