23 Days of Celebration - Days 5/6

Dear Arya,

Love,
Mommy

23 Days of Celebration- Day 4

Dear Arya,

You are an extremely sweet and affectionate child. Although you do have a shy side, you are a great distributor of hugs and kisses to those you feel comfortable with. Your affection puts smiles on many people's faces and brings delight to all. I hope that you continue to share this affection with family and others you care about throughout your life. I know Daddy and I both love seeing this side of you. You really started to share kisses with others around end of month 19/beginning of month 20. Here is a video of you kissing Daddy.

20 months-

Arya kisses are the best. #Babyboo @gordon_narwani

A video posted by Kaleena (@kaleenarheeya) on Oct 10, 2014 at 5:00pm PDT

Love,

Mommy

23 Days of Celebration- Day 3

Dear Arya,

You are a free spirit at heart, just like Mommy. You also have boundless charisma. May you never rein either of these in. Always be true to who you are, no matter what anyone else thinks. Those who truly cherish you will stick by your side through thick and thin.

21 Months-

Love,
Mommy

23 Days of Celebration-Day 2

Dear Arya,

You are constantly picking up new things every day. Back during your 22nd month, you really started to pick up new words (Your first official word was "Hi!," which you love to say often to everyone you see.) It is a joy to see you bloom in this area. I have to admit I have cried a few times when I have seen that you learned another new thing. Below is a video of you showing that you know how to say "down" and "bye."

A snapshot of some other things you know:

~The numbers 1-10
~The melody for "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star," "A, B, C's," and "e-i-e-i-o" from "Old McDonald"
~Flying kisses, actual kisses, and wonderful hugs
~How to say "kitty," "doggy," "Mom," "Dada," "why," "what," "more" and "all done"
~ Sign for "want," "all done," "more," "milk," "open," and "eat"

There are other words and actions I am sure I am missing. May your joy of learning continue throughout your life.

Love,
Mommy

Happy 2015!

Dear Arya,

Happy new year! We have seen you grow so much these past 23 months. It is exciting to know that in a little over three weeks you will be turning two years old! You continue to be a bright spot in our lives, bringing smiles to all who know you. You are the sweetest and most endearing toddler I know.

In honor of your turning two on the 23rd, I have decided to post a video or two each day showcasing moments from month 23 to when you were just born. Please enjoy these brief glimpses into your early months.

23 Months-

Video 1 (Filmed January 1st, 2015): You have Mommy's creative spirit. In this video you are dancing to the theme song of one of Daddy's favorite shows. Your dancing is infectious. I hope we are able to help you cultivate all your creative interests as you age. We were even lucky to catch you singing on film.

Love,

Mommy

Adoration

Dearest Arya,

As I write this, you are sleeping quietly in my arms and recovering from a cold. In. 12 days you will be 15 months old. Over those months, I have seen you grow by leaps and bounds. You constantly surprise me with how intelligent and creative you are. Even to this day, it seems surreal that you exist but I feel incredibly blessed and lucky to have you as part of my life.

(Taken minutes after you were born on 1/23/13.)

(Taken 4/10/14.)

Your laughter, smile, singing, and endless facial expressions are an absolute delight. You constantly bring joy into our lives, no matter how hard a day you are having. Already at 14.5 months old, you show a natural resiliency to any obstacle you face--combating sickness with an upbeat attitude and playtime.

(Cuddle time with Daddy, life's medicine for any sickness.)

I have known for a long time that some day I would be someone's mother. Despite being afraid of the pain of childbirth for the longest time, I knew in my heart that part of my life's journey would be giving birth. Even at a young age, people commented on how mature I was and how I would make a great mom someday. I thank the stars that this has come to fruition and am forever grateful that you are my daughter. 

Thank you for being so authentically you. I hope that I am able to help perpetuate this and never stand in the way of who you are meant to be.

I love you with my whole heart!

Deepest love and well wishes,

Mommy

PS-I promise to catch you up to speed in all our journeys since my last letter soon!

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