In sickness and in health

Yesterday evening my son started to show signs of getting a pink eye... :( Small quantities of mucus was coming out from his left eyes - though no pinkness!

Last time he got a pink eye; right before our trip to India I did not heed to Amma's advice. [Put in a few drops of breast milk into the eye] I just took him to the doctor to ensure he will be able to travel. The doctor said it was just a viral infection of the eye and had to run its course. It took about a week to get his eyes back to normal.

Yesterday, since it was the first signs of pink eye, I decided to try out the 'breastmilk theory'. Of course its less than 24 hours and I cant say how its going to be.

Today morning when he woke up, he was unable to open his left eye - his eye-lashes were covered in dried mucus. Though he was his usual happy self, I was so pained to see his discomfort - I cried!

In the light of day everything seems a little better. His eye is not pink yet, and there is visibly less mucus. Hopefully everything will be alright soon!

Food for thought

I was browsing around the wonderful world of blogs this past hour [actually make that two] and found about a ton of them on the wonderful subject of Food. Every imaginable recipe from every corner of the world is up for grabs... but what if you find cooking boring!!!!

In a culture that has given us varied tastes, spices, concoctions – why do I stumble so much? Each region has given us a new flavor and even a name at times -- Roti becomes ‘poli’ in marathi, while it become ‘rotli’ in gujarati; though Roti itself encompass all form of bread – from chappati to phulka. And what about the 110 concoctions that one can come up from one reciepe. My wonderful mum-in-law tells me she herself knows about 17 ways to make a ‘Dosa’. It’s probably because recipes are hand-me-downs from mother to daughter. I remember a time when decisions on which college I should join and how late I could stay out was made in the kitchen while Amma made a fresh cup of tea for my dad!

With so many choices, is it a bit crazy that I am not interested in cooking! I am not sure, if it’s the process of cooking or the decision 'what to cook to-night?' that makes me dread the ‘kitchen’. It cannot be the food itself, since I love it. Or could it be that I am bit lazy; or that 7 times out of 10 the result is just not right?

My son has started on solid foods - and currently he loves his food though it is bland [no salt, no spice]. But I have seen his innocent eyes looking at our plate like a hawk! His 9-month appointment is round the corner and I wonder if I should ask the doctor about adding spices to my son’s food group.

Could I be the ‘super mom’ some other way, O little one? I could tell you stories of Krishna and Rama, take you away on fun trips, play with you, help you in your studies, be a good listener and lend you a shoulder if such a need arises.

I even promise to cook healthy foods for you, my little one. But please forgive me if a day comes and you realize what you missed!

---

Saffron Hut

Flavors of Indian Rasoi

Changing perceptions?

When you are born you are a blank slate - and the writing is often through the hands of your parents, grandparents and those around you. You learn about everything from the sun to the moon, plants to the flowers, animals to the birds, family and friends. Somehow you never learn about being a parent!

Yes, if you are an older sibling or a cousin, you might have played a hand at looking after the little ones in your family -- but you are still a 'child' yourself!

Parenting is in a world of its own. You learn from the brand 'new' person looking at you with innocent eyes. His cry becomes the morning alarm and his smile becomes the battery that will take you through the rest of the day. You are now willing to change your whole schedule around the little bundle of joy.

This wonderful gift from the Lord - a glorious specimen of our genes, is now our responsibility. Life has taken a new direction - ensuring that our son grows up healthy, intelligent and a responsible member of society - is now our biggest challenge; a thrilling adventure that began exactly 8 months ago ...

"Choroonu" - Rice Ceremony

Baby's first grain of rice

A very big tradition in various parts on India that has been called by different names - Annaprashan, Mukhebhat in Bengal and Choroonu in Kerala. It is a ceremony where one gives rice to the baby for the first time. Usually at or past six months - its his initiation into adulthood. In older times, this is often, babies first visit to the temple.

We decided to have our son's ceremony at Guruvayoor temple- one of the most holy [and busiest] places for a Malayalee. Being a big event we invited all our near and dear ones to come bless the little one and be a part of the ceremony.

Its been a while since my visit to Guruvayoor and a lot seems to have changed. As with most temples across India - you are not allowed to carry any cameras, not even a cell-phone. There are throngs of people at every corner of the temple and outside. You can consider yourself lucky if you get a moment alone with the Lord Himself.

Some things haven't changed though --the Guruvayoor Devaswom Board -- the 'GO' guys [as often mentioned by my dad] are still saying - "Keep moving", "Don't Block", "Keep Moving". Its still a mega shopping area - all around the temple. The Lord seems to surrounded by all things money could buy, though they flock to Him for guidance and help.

But I guess I am digressing from the subject at hand -- Choroonu is now held at Padinarayanada-west side of the temple. As with many things in the temple, it happened quickly and with blink of an eye, Choroonu is complete and you have been asked to leave.

Looking back, what did happen? The priest asked the father - in olden days, it's the child's Amavan [uncle from mother's side] - that does the official giving of food - to sit with baby on his lap. Mom sits next to them. They are asked to pray for the Lord's blessings. A full-blown sadya [ literally means a feast with at least 12+ items] is served in the traditional plantain leaf. Everyone around - dad, mom, grandparents can give the food [just a tiny, tiny bit] to the kid. Each and every item is given - so that all the flavors are introduced to the baby.

But even though the fleeting moment was gone in an instant it was by far an incredible event. Of course nothing compared to miracles that my son is doing each day, learning words, rolling over, (almost) crawling. Probably because for a Malayalee Guruvayoorappan [Lord Krishna] has a special place in their hearts. It also means that the initiation of your son's life into adulthood has begun with Lord's blessings!

10 most joyous moments to date:

1. my son rolling over on his tummy on my b'day - Best gift ever :)
2. his smile - even his eyes lit up
3. first time he started saying 'mom'
4. saying 'mom' all the time!
5. starting to recognize me
6. wanting to jump from his dad's arms into mine! Score!!!
7. two teeth -- growing up
8. seeing him sleep
9. waking up, looking for mommy, found me, BEST SMILE EVER!
10. cute butt, bright smile, brown eyes, soft laugh, bald head ... O what wondrous boy God gave me!! Thank You.