Life etc.: May 2006

Fave blog

Speaking of food, I found a great blog - One Hot Stove - that gave me ideas for making some Indian dinners. Although I don't think Rowan's ready for "zunka" yet, it's nice to have a place where you can go for down-home recipes.

That reminds me. This year, we're tentatively planning a trip to India. The thought fills me with both excitement and dread. I'm looking forward to relaxing at home, catching up with friends and relatives, exploring the new and improved Mumbai, and of course shopping. I'm a little worried about how Rowe will do with the long flight, jet lag, pollution and food. I keep telling myself that he's strong and will love the experience. We already know that he loves to travel.

When we were first married, we travelled so much. Bahamas, Mexico, Italy, Canada... but we haven't really vacationed since Mexico, which was 2004. There are so many places to see - and so little time! Turkey, Egypt, Africa, Australia, Hawaai, Spain are all on the list.

Maybe by the time Rowan's an adult, they will have started those Moon flights too. That would be cool.

Dinner woes

What to make for dinner tonight - like millions of women all over the world, I'm faced with this question more and more frequently.

Gone are the days when we ate out 4 out of 5 days. Now, I have to have dinner on the table - actually the high chair tray - at 6 pm sharp. I spend much time thinking about what to make. So far, Rowan's been eating Grilled Cheese, Pasta, Chicken Nuggets and frozen stuff quite happily. But lately, he's been indicating that he wants to expand his gastronomical experiences.

So last night, I gave him Rotini with Alfredo sauce, and dinner roll, which he inhaled. Let's see what else I can make. Meatloaf. Biscuits. Chicken Parm. I want to have an arsenal of quick, tasty, easy recipes in my book that I rotate every few days.
Because it just occurred to me that I'll be cooking dinner for many years to come.
Aw Shucks.

Time Capsule

Kedar had the idea to tape a few minutes of Rowans' routine (for lack of a better word) everyday for a week for the Time Capsule. It's been fun! We tape such things as a diaper change (he's really going to love that part when he sees it on his 16th birthday), breakfast, dinner, looking at squirrels, unloading the dishwasher ( yes! he totally loves doing that), his deafening screaming spells, watching Baby Einstein and all things silly and fun that make up Rowan's day.

Last night was the best. I took him upstairs so we could lay down in our bed and he would ( I hoped) nod off. Instead, he spent a good 45 minutes or so just rolling all over the bed, quiet, playing with his toes, and looking so contented. I just sat there watching him. It was magical.

Then he started bawling for his bottle, guzzled it, burped rudely, and was out like a light.

Left right left

"Oh alright, I'll give this walking thing a shot. But I don't really see the point. I mean, I can crawl pretty much anywhere faster than you can say "Spider".

Pics!

One!

First off, Rowan's birthday party was a total blast! The rubber-duckie cake was a huge hit and of course, so was Cold Stone. Everything went smoothly - the lemon and spoon race was great fun, everybody wrote something for Rowe's Time Capsule (which we'll open in 2021 when he's 16) and all the kids had a fun time. Best of all, Rowan enjoyed the whole day! He loved all the cool balloons, the kids, and the attention!

He's hurtling towards toddlerhood every minute! Right on his birthday, he stood up, grabbed the walker, and started walking all over his playroom. And the kid talks all day. This week, it's " Aaeeeyaaah"! (Repeat 200 times.) We also heard the following "words" recently: Pa, Too, Ssss, Eeeya, Ba, Oooo. (The last is especially cute! He goes "Oooo!" when he sees the balloon.) I suppose his screaming is also his way of communicating with us. (!) He has a pretty strong pair of lungs in that small body of his. In fact, lately, it seems like he's all lungs!

Now the best part - presents! We got him the Hide & Slide Climber. From our family, he got a Bubble Mower, Baby Basketball, 3 Gift Cards (Uncle Mandaar was especially generous), a little Indian outfit, a US Bond, DVDs, an Airplane Ride-on/Walker, and a few other things I can't remember.
The Wheels on the Bus continues to maintain its unsurpassed position as the All-time Favorite activity of all.
Thank you, Baby Einstein.

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