My first fancy dress party

Hello, happy Sunday

Yesterday Mama and I went to my first fancy dress party! I was outnumbered though by lots of girls. I was a little shy at first and sat on Mama's knee taking it all in, but then I got into my stride and chased balloons around and ate chocolate cake. I had lots of fun. In the photos I am wearing a traditional Indian kurta and dhoti with my silver jingly ankle bracelets on. Mama said I looked like a prince from 'The King & I'. I think I may wear this for my christening too...if it still fits. xxxxxx

Multitasking - talking AND crawling!

Life in the fast lane

Buenos dias.
We have just returned from a romantic Valentine's break to the fabulous Leela Palace in Bangalore, another taste of 5 star luxury for me! I just keep lapping it up! Within moments of arriving all the staff knew my name, from the Gurkha doormen to the Duty Manager, one bat of my big eyes and everyone came running! Papa had some meetings there, in the meantime, Mama and I did some shopping, had a dip in the pool and I did a lot of crawling and exploring around the lobby, hauling myself up, effortlessly, on the silk divans and generally loving my new surroundings. Mama and Papa had planned a romantic evening meal and I was fast asleep but as we left the hotel room I opened my eye and I twigged what was happening and decided to stay awake all throughout dinner. I like to keep them on their toes! So we celebrated Valentine's evening en famille - he he he. Crawling is passe now and I much prefer to be standing at every opportunity, as you can see from the photos. Mama can't baby proof the flat fast enough!

I also want to wish Nanny Happy 60th Birthday!!!!! We love you and miss you very much, you're the best. xxxxxxxx

Happy viewing!

Here are a couple of videos that Mama has taken of me this week. During the "Dinnertime" video Mama mistakenly held her hand over the speaker in the last bit of it so don't think there is something wrong with your computer when everything goes quiet! I am very well,really loving standing up against anything going and I love following Mama from room to room. My latest discovery is that the toilet seat makes a great noise when I bang it! The other video is of me playing with my favourite "toy" which is the telephone, no matter where I am I make a beeline for it. Itkeeps me entertained for ages, especially when it starts to play a song. We love you all and miss you every day. Ciao xxxxxx

Sleeping and standing - my two favourite pastimes!

My favourite toy!

Photo gallery

Hello

Here are a few photos from the last few days. I now love standing up using anything within reach, usually Mama's legs. Daddy and I went with Mama for her tennis lesson on Sunday as the court is in the middle of farmland. Whilst Mama was playing Daddy took me for a walk on his shoulders, I held onto his hair for support! I loved being outside "mooing" at the cows and "baaing" at the sheep. Our cleaner, Sujatha, now makes me chapattis every morning which I have with my lunch, they are so tasty. Today I had a banana flavoured one which was just yummie. I love all my food really, especially the fresh strawberries which are now in season and the extra juicy pineapples. Mama has also made me some delicious chicken recipes, my favourite is chicken and apricot with lentils. Yum yum.

Love you all, remember you can skype us! xxxx

Crawling video!

One step, two step....

Independence at last - I'm crawling! Yippee, it is so much fun. I started off quite tentatively but in the last few days I have gathered pace. I even crawled into Papa's shower this morning, fully clothed, when his back was turned! I was lying in the water trying to work out why I was getting so wet. It really made Mama and Papa laugh. I have baskets of toys but my favourite items to aim towards are Mama's flip flops and her phone, both are so great for my teeth. I have a new toy hanging in my room which has me mesmerised; it is a handpainted Gujarati wooden mobile of Hindu gods and goddesses which Mama and I bought when we went to Gujarat a few months ago. I love it, Mama tells me that the gods look after me when I am asleep. It must be true because I am sleeping like a trooper every night. I still love my food and haven't rejected anything so far. I have a penchant for freshly cooked chapattis which I nibble on when we go to Papa's office, the kind lady Mangalama who lives next to Fieldbase, makes them for us. I eat fresh fruit and vegetables every day and like nothing more than delving my hand into my bowl and helping myself! Mama's is relaxed about it as it makes her giggle, but it is a big clean up operation afterwards. I have been swimming again with Mama and her French friend Fabienne. I was beside myself with excitement, although, my swimming trunks are a bit tight now, too many chapattis maybe? We are missing you all very much, but don't worry about us as we are well and happy and enjoying the sunshine. xxxxxxxxx

Breakfast time

Mama and me

Back in the land of sunshine and saris

Hello everyone

Here I am, I made it. We arrived back in Mysore a week ago. I loved the flight it was great fun. I had a big nap soon after take off which meant that Mama and Papa could watch some films! During the rest of the 10 hour flight I smiled away and charmed everyone, I was even given a Paddington Bear colouring book by the BA stewardess - which I tried to eat of course! It has taken us a few days to get over the jetlag but I think I am over it now. I am now a big boy and sleep in my own bedroom, I love the independence. Mama had decorated it with elephant photographs and wall hangings (thank you Grandpa Ashby for your assistance!) so my room is very colourful and bright. My sleep pattern is still a little erratic but Mama is praying to the sleep god that it settles down soon. Today my little friend, Lara, came over. She is a year old but we were really fascinated with each other, she kept hugging me but I pulled her hair and made her cry so I got my own back. I love sitting up on my own now but still resort to combat rolling to get where I need to. I have also just started shuffling backwards and forwards, well more backwards really, on all fours so I think I may have a go at crawling soon - watch out world. My appetite is still robust, 3 full meals a day plus snacking. Mama has been making me lots of vegetable meals, my favourite snack is the mini bananas they sell here as they are so sweet. Meat is a big no-no for me over here so I think Mama is threatning me with lentils and paneer (kind of like tofu) to keep my strength up. I do like the sunshine here, my skin is nice and soft again, but of course we miss everyone, I especially miss my cousin Ava Josephine. Aunty Faye please send her a big kiss from me. Sending everyone lots of kisses from me and Mama. Keep in touch xxxxxx

My visit to Father Christmas

Yesterday, Nanny, Grandad, Aunty Faye, Ava, Mama and I went to visit Father Christmas in his Grotto. We took a special steam train to get there which was really magical, especially as the snow was falling all day. I especially loved the twinkling fairy lights and the beautiful christmas trees everywhere. I even took a liking to Father Christmas's beard!

Food, glorious food!!

Hello

We are still in England and I am loving it! There is so much snow everywhere, I am wrapped up so much every day, it is such a change from spending most of the day in my nappy as I do in India! We are staying with Nanny and Grandad Bonner in Shrewsbury and Daddy is coming up to visit us on Christmas Eve - Mama and I can't wait to see him. I want to show him all my new skills; rolling around to get where I want to, getting up on all fours, eating everything in sight and feeding myself and saying "Mama". Phew, I am sleeping better too because I really tire myself out with my new found independence. I eat three meals a day now, nothing escapes me! My favourite food is well cooked carrots and apple and pear purree! Mama lets me feed myself sometimes but we both end up covered in food, all Mama's clothes are covered in mashed potato and carrot - it is great fun though! Nanny and Grandad have bought me a bouncer which I love too, it gives Mama spare hands.

Return to the motherland

Hello

We had a lovely visit from Granny and Grandpa to Mysore. They enjoyed seeing our Indian home and seeing so much of me! We showed them the sights of Mysore and even took a journey to some nearby 13th century temples which I thought were exquisite, even though being in the sling made me feel a bit sleepy!
We returned last week to a very cold and crisp England where Mama, Papa and I enjoyed a week in London, taking long walks in the park, taking the tube and Mama even took me on the bus in my pushchair. We are all very happy to be back here and despite the cool temperatures, it is lovely to go out all wrapped up in my snowsuit, I am even wearing shoes for the first time! Before we left India my Granny and Grandpa bought me my first walker, I love the independence!

Also I am experimenting with my new bouncer which really makes me giggle, my little legs don't stop moving in it. Papa took this video of me enjoying it today.

I'm back!

Hello everyone!

I know it has been a while since I have written but I have been laid down with a terrible cold, from which I and Mama are only now just recovering. My big news is that my first tooth has made an appearance! It is really sharp which means that I love putting everything in my mouth! I have managed to decimate magazine covers, luggage tags, and I have given Mama hiccies on her arms, cheek and nose!! He he he! We have just come back from a short holiday to Ahmedabad which is in the north western state of Gujarat which means that I have now taken my second flight. Papa had a conference there on the Global Earth Charter and he had to give three presentations to lots of people - I am so proud of him. Whilst Papa was working Mama took me sightseeing in my sling. Gandhi was born in Gujarat so on our first day we visited his Ashram on the banks of the Sabarmati River from where he launched his non-violent resistance movement which led to the exodus of the British. We learnt so much about this amazing leader, but unfortunately most people there seemed more interested in us as we were photographed, videoed and followed around - poor Gandhiji was left in the shadows! From here Mama took me to the best restaurant in town for a traditional "thali" which is where you have several dishes, including desert, in small bowls on a brass plate. It was a beautiful restaurant with gorgeous fabrics hanging from the ceiling. I was happily kicking away on the sofa, playing with my feet, whilst Mama tucked in. Needless to say, I was the star attraction again so lots of people came over to pinch my cheeks. The next day we tried to visit the Textile Museum which apparently has saris which are over a thousand years old which Mama was very excited about seeing, but when we tried to go in they said babies weren't allowed! Mama was very angry and talked to the manager but her logical counter-argument was too much for him and he dug his heels in and wouldn't let us pass! Nevermind, we went shopping instead! The photos you can see here are of me on my new tribal hand-embroidered wall hanging which I am using temporarily as a playmat. Mama also found me a hand-painted wooden mobile of five Hindu gods and goddesses for my bedroom, I am fascinated by it. We finished off our trip by going to a wonderful shop which is run by tribal ladies where almost 70% of the proceeds go back to the tribal women. Gujarat is famous for its beautiful hand-embroidered distinctive textiles so Mama was in her element here chatting to the ladies and learning about their unique craft. Whilst I was snoozing away in my sling Mama bought me an elephant wall hanging, a present for my beautiful cousin Ava Jo, and a present for herself. Papa was a bit cross when he couldn't close the case yesterday! But as Mama said we may not return to Gujarat again so we had to make the most of it! I am really excited as Granny and Grandpa Ashby are coming to visit next week, it will be so lovely to show them our new home. Only a week after that we are coming back to England - yipppeee. I can't wait for the flight, Papa seems to think he will spend that time watching films but I plan to keep him busy!