Jaidan the Lion...err....again!

Some of you might remember that Jaidan dressed up as a lion last year. Well, the costume still fits and it cost $50, so guess what?? He's wearing it again. We had a great time at our neighbor's Halloween party. After some snacks to fill our bellies (so we won't eat too much candy) we went trick or treating around the block and to our annual neighborhood Halloween festival at the park. The weather was perfect and we also enjoyed a big screen viewing of the Rangers game at the park!

Typical - the men watch TV/check phone while moms play with the kids!

The girls decorating their treat bags!

Snack break!

Boo!

All aboard for treats!

Umm... scary or just plain weird?

First Haircut at a Salon

Jaidan's first real "haircut" was when he got a buzz cut in May, but when growing back it was looking shaggy, so we decided to take him to a cutesy kids salon. We went thinking that he would do well sitting in a "car" barber chair while watching Elmo. Wrong. It was disastrous. He screamed most of the time and at the end, I had to keep him on my lap and hold his little head as still as I possibly could. The stylist did a great job though, and managed to give him a great cut. We tipped her well.

The first of a few pics before he had a meltdown...

The animal crackers distracted him for awhile .

He was happy once it was all over. The stylist dorked him out with this style but we spiked it up a bit once we got home!

A much needed laugh

I took Jaidan to the park yesterday and let him explore the jungle gym while I sat on the bench and watched him play. I was watching Jaidan from afar as he caught a glimpse of boy pushing an empty swing. I don't know if it was the way the chain on the swing made a jingling sound or the fact that no one was sitting in it, but for some reason, Jaidan burst into giggles! It was the cutest thing to see him laugh so hard at something I would hardly take notice to. And his laugh is the best - uncontrollable little spouts of giggles. Thank you darling, for making me smile and lifting my spirits when I need it most.

My Uncle

This past Friday, we learned some very sad news that my Uncle Ramesh, passed away. He was my mom's oldest brother and very near and dear to all of us. I have memories of him visiting when Nisha and I were young and he would always remember to bring us a special toy or outfit. Even during our most recent trip to India in January, he would go out and bring treats for Jaidan. Rameshmama was a kind, considerate, funny and deeply caring person who would do anything for his family. We never know what God's plans are, and again, I am grateful that we all saw both him and Maa recently in India. We will miss him very much.

The most recent family photo taken in January, 2010. Rameshmama is 4th from the left.

State Fair!

We made it out to the fair on Wednesday! And what a beautiful evening it was. I am glad we went on a weekday because the crowds were manageable and the lines weren't long. We forgot our camera - UGH - I need to start keeping it in my bag at all times! But we got one nice picture on Manish's cell phone from the carousel. Jaidan loved feeding the animals at the petting zoo. And mind you, this wasn't your ordinary petting zoo - we're talking zebras, giraffes and KANGAROOS! If only I had my camera... Oh well, there is always next year!

Just breathe...

I have learned some very important parenting lessons these past couple of days. I came back from a glorious "mommy's getaway" trip to San Francisco only to find that little Jaidan had an ear infection and was sick all weekend. Not to mention that he incessantly cried "mama" to all of his exhausted caretakers (Manish and my parents.) Let's just say that everyone was glad I was back home!

Shortly after his checkup confirming his ear infection, Jaidan was lying on our bed and rolled off, hit the nightstand, and ended up with an ugly cut on his forehead. We rushed first to the pediatrician's office to see if he needed stitches - sure enough he did. So we headed straight to the emergency room at the local hospital where Jaidan was swaddled on the stretcher (he hated that) while the doctor "glued" him up. He was a champ and is recovering nicely. Manish was especially proud of how his little boy handled his first trip to the ER and even took a few pictures of him. I was just distraught on how I could let this happen. But I am trying not to be so hard on myself (Parenting lesson #1.)

Speaking of lessons, which is what inspired me when writing this post.. We all can get impatient with the fussing, the crying sick baby, the demanding screams from the back seat of the car to play one song over and over again - and the absolute lack of time and personal space. But I know there will be days in the future where the house will be quiet and the kid(s) are off to college and we will long for these messy, stressful, crazy but happy days together.

My goal for this year - lifetime - is to not get my knickers in a twist over the day to day challenges, but to embrace these exciting times because it will all go by way. too. fast.

Sunday at the Zoo!

Lions, tigers and monkeys - oh my! We had a grrrr-eat day at the Fort Worth Zoo. What a gorgeous morning - sunny and low seventies...

"Sure those monkeys can't grab me, Daddy?"

These flamingos are the coolest!

Jaidan and his little buddy Spencer enjoy the train ride around the zoo

Mommy and Jaidan horsing around!

Fascinated in the aquarium

The day isn't complete without a ride on the carousel!

I dug up this old picture of me taken thirty years ago, at the Fort Worth Zoo, when I was almost exactly Jaidan's age!