Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow

Dear Arya,

On Saturday, August 10th, 2013, you had your Mundan Ceremony. This particular ceremony entails shaving a baby's head. Girls traditionally have their heads shaved around 5-6 months while boys have their heads shaved at 13 months. The idea is to purify the baby's soul from all he or she may have done in his/her past lives.

Here are two videos of your Mundan. It was hard for Mommy and Daddy to watch you get your head shaved but luckily everything went well.

Since then, your hair has basically grown back to where it was before. Everyone thought you were so adorable with your bald head.

Life Lesson: It is important for you to appreciate your ancestry and culture. I hope that as you grow, you will get to participate in the many different traditions of each of cultures that both your father and I come from.

Love,
Mommy

Halfway there!

Dear Arya,

Tuesday was officially your first half-birthday! A very happy 6 months to you. Time continues to breeze by, as it feels like I first held you just the other day. I swear we learn something new about you every day. Here are some fun facts about this month.:

Newest milestones:

Rolling over

Sitting up

Newest Likes:

Blowing Raspberries

Dancing

Baby Kisses

Newest Dislikes:

Sirens and the sound of blenders

Going too quickly down elevators

Newest experiences:

Bridal shower

Visiting the Bean in Millennium Park

Wedding

Outdoor Shakespeare Play

Life Tip: Patience is a virtue. In your "Happy 5 months" blog entry I mentioned that your teeth should be coming in any time soon. As you can see, they have not started yet. This is a lesson that all comes in due time with patience. Patience, though daunting at times when you really want something to happen, can bring many good things. It keeps us in check.

Love,
Mommy

Ode to Daddy

Dear Arya,

As you know, Daddy has a very special place in his heart for you. He has loved you since before you were born. You are the high point in his day, his good luck charm, and one of the greatest loves of his life. Even when you are having a rough day, Daddy finds joy being with you. 

There is something truly special about the love a father has for his daughter. Fathers bring joy, laughter, smiles, and love galore for their children. They will also protect them through thick and thin. Your Daddy does these things to the highest degree.

Some fun facts about Daddy and your relationship:

He was the first to hold you when you were born...

...and spent lots of time with you while we were in the hospital just after you were born.

Daddy was the first to "babywear" you.

He FaceTime'd with you when he was away at his training for work (for three weeks after you turned a month old). It was one of his favorite things to do while away.

He loves to give you lots of kisses,...

...to make funny faces together,...

...to cuddle, and to fall asleep with you.

Daddy loves to show his love for you when we go out and about. He is a very proud Daddy.

He loves to play with you...

...and to make you laugh.

Daddy loves spending his mornings with you...

...and have night time couch chats.

Daddy loves to teach you new things...

and to comfort you when you are sad.

He enjoys all the little things you do.

Life Tip: Although you may not always see eye to eye with Daddy, know that he will always be there to protect, love, and care for you. It may not always seem that way when you two will greatly disagree but his love for you will always be unconditional.

Love,
Mommy

Irresistable Boo

Dear Arya,

As I write this, you are sleeping peacefully in your crib. One thing I want to make sure to do for you, no matter what, is to make sure that you love and accept yourself. The world can be a tough place with people constantly critiquing each other's every move. I hope that you never feel as though you hate who you are since you are a unique and beautiful human being through and through.

I hope these letters will show you just how beautiful you are inside and out. Don't let anyone tell you differently. In truth, we are all wonderfully beautiful, unique people. Sadly, some of us lose our way and forget that. I hope I never let you become lost. I promise to always help you find your way.

Yesterday, your Mamu, Nani, and Daddy all talked about how your videos and pictures brighten their days. When they have a tough time at work or have just had a really rough day, they like to take what I call a "Baby Boo Break." This isn't the first time someone has mentioned this to me. Your Dadimaa, Dadu, second Nani, and both Nanus love to view your photos all the time too. I must admit I take a "Baby Boo Break" at work or on my commute home. Here are some of the reasons why you bring so much light into our lives.:

Your Expressive Nature--

Your Love of Quietly Observing Your Surroundings--

Your Ability to Make New Friends--

Because Great Things Come in Small Packages--

Your Love of the Simple Things in Life--

Your Joy of Car Rides--

The Way You Try to Learn From Us--

The Way Your Smile Lights Up the Room--

You are just too wonderful and my words alone cannot do you justice. Dearest friends and family, please leave comments on this post about what you love most about Arya.

Life Tip~Share the light you bring into the world with others so that they can learn to shine too. Sometimes we all need a little pick-me-up from a loved one, friend, or stranger.

I will love you always,

Mommy

Super Boo! (Part 1?)

Dear Arya,

Watch out the Avengers! Move over the Justice League! Forget the X-Men! There's a new superhero in town--Super Boo!

(The ultimate crime fighter! *Pew Pew Pew*)

Your first villain: The Common Cold

Life: 7-10 days

Strength: 3 (fair)

Defense: 2 (poor)

Together we showed The Common Cold who's boss! Daddy and I made sure you got lots of rests, plenty of fluids (milk and pedialyte,) gave you extra layers, provided baby Tylenol for the pain, and showered you with love.

At first The Common Cold caught you off guard and made it super difficult for you to sleep and eat but you worked your magic charm and things went your way.:

Blowing Raspberries (and smiling afterward)

Doing the "Sick Baby" Jig

Winning Dream Battles

Empathy

Lots of Naps

An Apple a Day Keeps the Bad Guys at Bay

Relying on the Help of Loved Ones

And Finally...Defeating The Common Cold With Cuteness and Smiles

I know The Common Cold will be back (and most likely with its own band of Frenemies) but for now:

Every Superhero needs a good disguise!

No job is too tough for my Super Boo! Our little fighter.

Love,

Mommy

Happy 5 months!

Dear Arya,

As the video says, a very happy 5 months to you today! You are almost half a year old. My how time continues to fly.

Current Milestone

Introducing solids

On Wednesday, we started giving you puréed banana. As you can see, you did not like how it tasted. Today was the first day you tried carrots which as you see below, you enjoyed just a little more. 

Upcoming Milestone

Teething--Within the last week or two you have been showing signs that your first tooth is coming. I am confident that your first tooth will arrive by the time you are six months.

New likes

Bathing and massages

Taking photos with Mommy

Playtime with Daddy

Toys!

Putting stuff in your mouth (like Mommy's phone.)

Playing in the Bumbo

Just now noticing--

The kitties

Newest dislike

Bananas!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Daddy and I greatly enjoy seeing your personality shine through which brings me to this week's life tip: Always be true to yourself! Be happy about who you are and know that everyone has flaws. Learn to accept yourself for who you truly are and others will follow suit.

Love,
Mommy